The character of seafloor ambient noise recorded offshore New Zealand : results from the MOANA ocean bottom seismic experiment

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2012. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 13 (2012): Q10011, doi:10.1029/2012GC004201.We analyze the characteristics of ambient noise recorded on ocean-bottom seismographs using data from the 2009–2010 MOANA (Marine Observations of Anisotropy Near Aotearoa) seismic experiment deployed west and east of South Island, New Zealand. Microseism and infragravity noise peaks are clear on data recorded on the vertical channel of the seismometer and on the pressure sensor. The noise levels in the infragravity band (<0.03 Hz) on the horizontal seismometer channels are too high to show the infragravity peak. There is a small difference (~0.25 Hz versus ~0.2 Hz) in microseism peak frequencies between the two sides of the South Island on all three seismic channels. Our results show clear depth dependence between the peak frequency of infragravity waves and the water depth. We find that the product of water depth and wave number at the peak frequency is a constant, koH = 1.5. This relationship can be used to determine the variation of phase and group velocity of infragravity waves with water depth, and the location of the infragravity peak and corresponding noise notch at any water depth. These estimates of spectral characteristics, particularly low noise bands, are useful for future OBS deployments.The collection of OBS data was supported by the National Science Foundation Continental Dynamics program under grants EAR-0409564, EAR-0409609, and EAR-0409835.2013-04-1

Coordinated TSO and DSO network development plan on the islands of Cres and Lošinj

The paper presents an example of coordinated transmission and distribution network planning based on analyses conducted as part of the study on long term distribution network development plan for islands of Cres and Lošinj in Croatia. The observed area of two large and several smaller islands is supplied with electricity by one long radial 110 kV TSO owned line and parallel radial 35 kV DSO owned line. Due to transmission capacity of 35 kV line limited to 40% of the area peak demand, which is highly conditioned by tourism, the (N-1) criteria is not complied with in case of unavailability of 110 kV line during the two-month period in summer high season. Construction of the second 110 kV line as a common solution is extremely costly, due to necessity of laying down several kilometres of submarine cables. The paper provides the cost benefit analyses of this basic scenario and other possible alternative scenarios, including also investments in DSO network, to determine the most cost-effective solution. Due to the values of the demands and networks lengths, the presented example is close to a worst case scenario concerning the reliability of supply requirement, requesting thus some atypical distribution network analyses, elements and even conducted field tests of operation. The results clearly show that coordination of TSO and DSO planning is beneficiary concerning efficiency of investments in the networks. However, further analyses are recommended presuming contribution to satisfying the (N-1) criteria by use of non-traditional (“non-network” or “third party”) solutions

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia by natural drugs

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urinary diseases affecting men, generally after the age of 50. The prevalence of this multifactorial disease increases with age. With aging, the plasma level of testosterone decreases, as well as the testosterone/estrogen ratio, resulting in increased estrogen activity, which may facilitate the hyperplasia of the prostate cells. Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the activity of the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. In older men, the activity of this enzyme increases, leading to a decreased testosterone/DHT ratio. DHT may promote prostate cell growth, resulting in hyperplasia. Some medicinal plants and their compounds act by modulating this enzyme, and have the above-mentioned targets. This review focuses on herbal drugs that are most widely used in the treatment of BPH, including pumpkin seed, willow herb, tomato, maritime pine bark, Pygeum africanum bark, rye pollen, saw palmetto fruit, and nettle root, highlighting the latest results of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as safety issues. In addition, the pharmaceutical care and other therapeutic options of BPH, including pharmacotherapy and surgical options, are discussed, summarizing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each therapy

Acidization of a Direct Heat Hydrothermal Well and its Potential in Developing Additional Direct Heat Projects

A matrix acid treatment on a limestone formation in a low temperature hydrothermal production well in South Dakota has resulted in a 40% increase in heat (BTU) available for use in space heating a hospital. The results of this experimental treatment on the Madison Limestone suggest a significant potential may exist for similar applications, particularly throughout the western United States. This paper presents the results of the acid treatment, suggests other possible areas for similar application, and analyzes the economics for successful treatments

Subspace modelling for structured noise suppression

The problem of structured noise suppression is addressed by i)modelling the subspaces hosting the components of the signal conveying the information and ii)applying a nonlin- ear non-extensive technique for effecting the right separation. Although the approach is applicable to all situations satisfying the hypothesis of the proposed framework, this work is motivated by a particular scenario, namely, the cancellation of low frequency noise in broadband seismic signals

European guideline and expert statements on the management of narcolepsy in adults and children

Background and purpose: Narcolepsy is an uncommon hypothalamic disorder of presumed autoimmune origin that usually requires lifelong treatment. This paper aims to provide evidence-based guidelines for the management of narcolepsy in both adults and children. Methods: The European Academy of Neurology (EAN), European Sleep Research Society (ESRS), and European Narcolepsy Network (EU-NN) nominated a task force of 18 narcolepsy specialists. According to the EAN recommendations, 10 relevant clinical questions were formulated in PICO format. Following a systematic review of the literature (performed in Fall 2018 and updated in July 2020) recommendations were developed according to the GRADE approach. Results: A total of 10,247 references were evaluated, 308 studies were assessed and 155 finally included. The main recommendations can be summarized as follows: (i) excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in adults-scheduled naps, modafinil, pitolisant, sodium oxybate (SXB), solriamfetol (all strong); methylphenidate, amphetamine derivatives (both weak); (ii) cataplexy in adults-SXB, venlafaxine, clomipramine (all strong) and pitolisant (weak); (iii) EDS in children-scheduled naps, SXB (both strong), modafinil, methylphenidate, pitolisant, amphetamine derivatives (all weak); (iv) cataplexy in children-SXB (strong), antidepressants (weak). Treatment choices should be tailored to each patient's symptoms, comorbidities, tolerance and risk of potential drug interactions. Conclusion: The management of narcolepsy involves non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches with an increasing number of symptomatic treatment options for adults and children that have been studied in some detail.Peer reviewe

Differential expression of microRNAs and other small RNAs in muscle tissue of patients with ALS and healthy age-matched controls

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a late-onset disorder primarily affecting motor neurons and leading to progressive and lethal skeletal muscle atrophy. Small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), can serve as important regulators of gene expression and can act both globally and in a tissue-/cell-type-specific manner. In muscle, miRNAs called myomiRs govern important processes and are deregulated in various disorders. Several myomiRs have shown promise for therapeutic use in cellular and animal models of ALS; however, the exact miRNA species differentially expressed in muscle tissue of ALS patients remain unknown. Following small RNA-Seq, we compared the expression of small RNAs in muscle tissue of ALS patients and healthy age-matched controls. The identified snoRNAs, mtRNAs and other small RNAs provide possible molecular links between insulin signaling and ALS. Furthermore, the identified miRNAs are predicted to target proteins that are involved in both normal processes and various muscle disorders and indicate muscle tissue is undergoing active reinnervation/compensatory attempts thus providing targets for further research and therapy development in ALS