Evaluation of tracheal stenosis: comparison between computed tomography virtual tracheobronchoscopy with multiplanar reformatting, flexible tracheofiberoscopy and intra-operative findings

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare various helical CT display modes [virtual endoscopy (VE)] and multiplanar reformations (MPR), conventional flexible tracheobronchoscopy (FT) and intra-operative (IO) findings in patients with tracheal stenosis and to analyze the advantage of MPR and VE in diagnosis and treatment planning and in postoperative follow-up. Thirty-seven patients with tracheal stenosis underwent standard neck and chest CT followed by MPR and VE. Results were correlated with the results of FT and IO findings. Thirty-three of the 37 stenoses were correctly graded and measured adequately using VE. Complete correlation among CT, fiberoptic tracheoscopy, and surgery of stenosis grading, stenosis length and length of planned resection segment of the trachea was noted between 33 of 37 patients with tracheal stenosis. Correlation between VE and IO was noted in 35 of 37 patients and between FT and VE was noted in 33 of 37 patients with tracheal stenosis. The sensitivity of VE was 94–97%, specificity was 100% with comparison to IO findings. The sensitivity and accuracy of MPR was 86–89% and specificity was 100% with comparison to FT findings. The results of the study indicate that VE is an excellent, consistent, and objective technique. VE with MPR is very useful in diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning in patients with tracheal stenosis

Rapid Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Monomers Obtained from Biomass-Derived Furfuryl Amines and Maleic Anhydride

Well-controlled and extremely rapid ring-opening metathesis polymerization of unusual oxanorbornene lactam esters by Grubbs third-generation catalyst is used to prepare a range of bio-based homo- and copolymers. Bio-derived oxanorbornene lactam monomers were prepared at room temperature from maleic anhydride and secondary furfuryl amines by using a 100 % atom economical, tandem Diels–Alder lactamization reaction, followed by esterification. Several of the resulting homo- and copolymers show good control over polymer molecular weight and have narrow molecular weight distributions

Fast-timing measurements in the ground-state band of Pd 114

Using a hybrid Gammasphere array coupled to 25 LaBr3(Ce) detectors, the lifetimes of the first three levels of the yrast band in Pd114, populated via Cf252 decay, have been measured. The measured lifetimes are τ2+=103(10)ps, τ4+=22(13)ps, and τ6+≤10ps for the 21+, 41+, and 61+ levels, respectively. Palladium-114 was predicted to be the most deformed isotope of its isotopic chain, and spectroscopic studies have suggested it might also be a candidate nucleus for low-spin stable triaxiality. From the lifetimes measured in this work, reduced transition probabilities B(E2;J→J-2) are calculated and compared with interacting boson model, projected shell model, and collective model calculations from the literature. The experimental ratio RB(E2)=B(E2;41+→21+)/B(E2;21+→01+)=0.80(42) is measured for the first time in Pd114 and compared with the known values RB(E2) in the palladium isotopic chain: the systematics suggest that, for N=68, a transition from γ-unstable to a more rigid γ-deformed nuclear shape occurs

Examination the robustness of slip-ring induction motor drive controlled by DTC-SVM method

The robustness of DTC-SVM control method applied to a maintain a speed reference value of induction machine has been analysed in this paper. The simulation study were performed based on ideal constant mathematical model of electrical drive implemented in Matlab. The linearized models of torque and flux control loops has been presented and examined in terms of frequency response. The performance of control method was tested in case of significant load torque variations and short-lived inverter supply voltage distortion. The obtained results showed that analysed control system reveals very good dynamic properties in case of load torque changes. Further studies have shown that DTC method is much more susceptible for a supply voltage distortions.W artykule przedstawiono wyniki testów symulacyjnych układu sterowania maszyny indukcyjnej, wykorzystującego metodę DTC-SVM, pracującego w trybie utrzymywania zadanej wartości prędkości obrotowej. Symulację przeprowadzono w systemie Matlab z wykorzystaniem modelu matematycznego o stałych współczynnikach. Efektywność badanej metody regulacji została przetestowana w przypadku znacznych wahań momentu obciążenia oraz krótkotrwałych zapadów napięcia zasilania falownika. Uzyskane wyniki pokazują że badana metoda zapewnia bardzo dobrą dynamikę regulacji w przypadku zmian momentu obciążenia oraz jej znacznie większą wrażliwość w przypadku zaburzeń napięcia zasilania

Functional simulation model of the axial flux permanent magnet generator

The paper discusses in detail the construction of the Core Less Axial Flux Permanent Magnet generator simulation model. The model has been prepared in such a way that full compatibility with the elements of the SimPowerSystem library of the Matlab/Simulink package is preserved, which allows easy use of the presented simulation model for testing the work of the generator as part of a larger system. The parameters used in the model come from the MES 3D calculations performed in the Ansys/Maxwell software, for a machine prototype with a rated power of 2.8 kW, which was then used to experimentally verify the correct operation of the presented model of machine

Structure and Properties of Lightweight Ceramic Aggregates Based on Local Silesian Waste Materials

This paper is focused on the manufacturing and properties of light weight aggregates made from local waste materials. The waste materials were car windshield glass contaminated by PVB foil, fly ash, mine slates as well as wastes after toothpaste production. The main aim of the research was to combine car windshield glass and the aluminosilicate coal mine slates as a basis for light weight aggregates manufacturing. Fly ash were added in order to modify rheological properties of the plastic mass. Toothpaste wastes were introduced as a source of carbonates and CO2 evolution during thermal treatment. After milling and mixing all materials they were pressed and sintered at temperature range of 950°C-1100°C in air. The results show that it is possible to receive light weight aggregates only from the Silesian local waste materials. The significant influence of sintering temperature on properties of aggregates was observed

Examples of the Nanoparticles Produced by Microwave Solvothermal Synthesis (MSS) Route

Proces mikrofalowej syntezy solwotermalnej (Microwave Solvothermal Synthesis, MSS) jest przykładem zastosowania wspomagającego reakcje chemiczne promieniowania mikrofalowego. Grzanie mikrofalowe umożliwia precyzyjne programowanie czasu syntezy. Dzięki temu możliwe jest uzyskiwanie cząstek charakteryzujących się wąskim rozkładem wielkości oraz wysokim stopniem krystaliczności (tzn. niskim udziałem faz amorficznych). Dodatkową zaletą procesu jest znacznie niższa temperatura w porównaniu z technologiami: plazmowymi, zol żel, syntezy z fazy gazowej. W artykule przedstawiono nowe reaktory do realizacji procesów MSS. Podano przykłady syntez hydroksyapatytu, tlenku cynku i tlenku cyrkonu. Wykazano możliwość sterowania właściwościami uzyskiwanych materiałów. Reaktory typu MSS-1 i MSS-2 stwarzają możliwość przemysłowej produkcji nanocząstek.Microwave solvothermal synthesis (MSS) is an example of microwave assisted wet chemical synthesis process. Microwave heating enables a precise control of the reaction time, fast heating and reducing the thermal gradients. This results in a better crystallinity of the nanoparticles comparing to the precipitation process, and a narrow size distribution. An additional advantage is a reduced synthesis temperature, since no calcination is need. In the paper we presented two new reactors used for the MSS process. We have shown their applications in the synthesis of nanohydroksyapatite ZnO and ZrO2, as well as the enhanced control of their properties possible due to the use of microwaves. The MSS-1 and MSS-2 reactors enable industrial scale production of nanoparticles

Antimicrobial Potential of Caffeic Acid against Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Strains

Phenolic compounds constitute one of the most promising and ubiquitous groups with many biological activities. Synergistic interactions between natural phenolic compounds and antibiotics could offer a desired alternative approach to the therapies against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The objective of the presented study was to assess the antibacterial potential of caffeic acid (CA) alone and in antibiotic-phytochemical combination against Staphylococcus aureus reference and clinical strains isolated from infected wounds. The caffeic acid tested in the presented study showed diverse effects on S. aureus strains with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) varied from 256 μg/mL to 1024 μg/mL. The supplementation of Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) with 1/4 MIC of CA resulted in augmented antibacterial effect of erythromycin, clindamycin, and cefoxitin and to the lesser extent of vancomycin. The observed antimicrobial action of CA seemed to be rather strain than antibiotic dependent. Our data support the notion that CA alone exerts antibacterial activity against S. aureus clinical strains and has capacity to potentiate antimicrobial effect in combination with antibiotics. The synergy between CA and antibiotics demonstrates its potential as a novel antibacterial tool which could improve the treatment of intractable infections caused by multidrug-resistant strains