Minimizing of air consumption for the air cushion with multiple outlet nozzles

The paper presents the results of research on minimizing the air consumption of the air cushions used to move the transport platform. This kind of transport becomes more popular in industry. It is applied especially to move heavy machinery and equipment in factories with hardened floors. The working medium is air. This system has many advantages but it is characterized by high air consumption. The paper takes the issues of searching solutions to minimizing the air consumption. To perform the computational analysis a mathematical model was defined. Simulations were performed by using Maple software

CMS physics technical design report : Addendum on high density QCD with heavy ions

Peer reviewe

Language Contact and Language Change

Powody zmiany językowej należą do podstawowych problemów badawczych językoznawstwa. Zmianę wyjaśnia się czynnikami wewnątrz- i pozajęzykowymi. Powyższa praca próbuje wyjaśnić ich role i wzajemny stosunek. Teoria oznaczoności czy teoria ekonomii języka opisują procesy zmian z perspektywy systemu, co prowadzi do dalszego pytania o cel zmiany językowej. Kontakt językowy i interferencja biorą pod uwagę również socjologiczne i kulturowe otoczenie języka. Efekt działania kontaktu językowego zależy m. in. od czynników kulturowych, politycznych lub ekonomicznych i może wpływać na różne obszary języka. Silny wpływ obcego języka (bądź języków) może prowadzić do powstania języków mieszanych. Puryzm językowy można traktować jako zjawisko przeciwne kontaktowi językowemu. Puryzm językowy towarzyszył językowi niemieckiemu w silnym stopniu w XVII – XIX w. i jest częścią szerszego trendu zmian językowych – norm preskryptywnych. Powyższa praca prócz opisu języka tzw. wysokiego opisuje również zjawiska marginalne, takie jak np. zmiany w wyspach językowych. Zmiana językowa i kontakt językowy były dotychczas w dużej mierze rozpatrywane osobno. Praca „Zmiana językowa a kontakt językowy” stara się powiększyć rozumienie wpływu kontaktu językowego na zmiany językowe na nowo definiując perspektywę badawczą.The causes of language change are one of the fundamental questions of linguistics. The change is explained by intra- and extralinguistic factors. This paper tries to explain their role and mutual relationship. The markedness theory or the principle of language economics describe the transformation processes from the perspective of the system, which leads to a further question of aim of the change. The language contact and interference also consider the socio-cultural environment of the language. The effect of language contact depends e.g. on cultural, political and economic factors and may influence different areas of language. A particularly strong influence of the foreign language (s) may lead to creation of mixed languages. Linguistic purism may be considered as a counter-phenomenon of language contact. The purism accompanied the German in a very high degree from the 17th to 19th centuries and is a part of the more general trend in the language change - the prescriptive norms. The present work describes besides the high language also the marginal phenomena of language contact such as developments in language islands. The language change and language contact have been currently researched mostly separately. The paper "Language Contact and Language Change" presents an attempt to contribute to understanding the impact of language contact on the language change by redefining the research perspective.Die Ursachen des Sprachwandels sind eine der grundlegenden Fragen der Sprachwissenschaft. Der Wandel wird durch Sprachinterne und –externe Faktoren erklärt. Die vorliegende Arbeit versucht ihre Rolle und gegenseitige Beziehung zu erläutern. Die Markiertheitstheorie oder der sprachökonomische Prinzip beschreiben die Wandelprozesse nur aus der Perspektive des Systems, was zu einer weiteren Frage nach Ziel des Wandels führt. Der Sprachkontakt und Interferenz ziehen auch die soziokulturelle Umgebung der Sprache in Betracht. Die Auswirkung des Sprachkontaktes hängt u.a. von kulturellen, politischen und wirtschaftlichen Faktoren ab und kann verschiedene Bereiche der Sprache betreffen. Bei besonders starken Einfluss der Fremdsprache(n) können Mischsprachen entstehen. Als Gegenerscheinung des Sprachkontaktes ist der Sprachpurismus zu betrachten. Der Purismus begleitete das Deutsche am stärksten ab 17. bis 19. Jh. begleitete und ist ein Teil der allgemeineren Tendenz bei der Sprachwechsel – der präskriptiven Normierungen. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt neben der Hochsprache auch die Randerscheinungen des Sprachkontaktes wie z.B. die Entwicklungen in Sprachinseln. Die Themen Sprachwandel und Sprachkontakt wurden bisher in der Regel getrennt geforscht. Die Arbeit „Sprachkontakt und Sprachwandel“ stellt einen Versuch dar, durch neue Fragestellung zum Verständnis der Auswirkung des Sprachkontaktes auf den Sprachwandel beizutragen

Modeling of Working Machines Synergy in the Process of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Acceleration

There are many different mathematical models that can be used to describe relations between energy machines in the power-split hybrid drive system. Usually, they are created based on simulations or measurements in bench (laboratory) conditions. In that sense, however, these are the idealized conditions. It is not known how the internal combustion engine and electrical machines work in real road conditions, especially during acceleration. This motivated the authors to set the goal of solving this research problem. The solution was to implement and develop the model predictive control (MPC) method for driving modes (electric, normal) of a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a power-split drive system. According to the adopted mathematical model, after determining the type of model and its structure, the measurements were performed. There were carried out as road tests in two driving modes of the hybrid electric vehicle: electric and normal. The measurements focused on the internal combustion engine and electrical machines parameters (torque, rotational speed and power), state of charge of electrochemical accumulator system and equivalent fuel consumption (expressed as a cost function). The operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and electric machines during hybrid electric vehicle acceleration assume the maximum values in the entire range (corresponding to the set vehicle speeds). The process of the hybrid electric vehicle acceleration from 0 to 47 km/h in the electric mode lasted for 12 s and was transferred into the equivalent fuel consumption value of 5.03 g. The acceleration of the hybrid electric vehicle from 0 to 47 km/h in the normal mode lasted 4.5 s and was transferred to the value of 4.23 g. The hybrid electric vehicle acceleration from 0 to 90 km/h in the normal mode lasted 11 s and corresponded to the cost function value of 26.43 g. The presented results show how the fundamental importance of the hybrid electric vehicle acceleration process with a fully depressed gas pedal is (in these conditions the selected driving mode is a little importance)

Accelerated hyperfractionated radiochemotherapy with temozolomide is equivalent to normofractionated radiochemotherapy in a retrospective analysis of patients with glioblastoma

Background Current standard of treatment for newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma (GBM) is surgical resection with adjuvant normofractionated radiotherapy (NFRT) combined with temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HFRT) which was known as an option from randomized controlled trials before the temozolomide era has not been compared to the standard therapy in a randomized setting combined with TMZ. Methods Data of 152 patients with newly diagnosed GBM treated from 10/2004 until 7/2018 at a single tertiary care institution were extracted from a clinical database and retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-eight patients treated with NFRT of 60 Gy in 30 fractions (34 with simultaneous and 2 with sequential TMZ) were compared to 114 patients treated with HFRT of 54.0 Gy in 30 fraction of 1.8 Gy twice daily (109 with simultaneous and 3 with sequential TMZ). The association between treatment protocol and other variables with overall survival (OS) was assessed using univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis; the latter was performed using variables selected by the LASSO method. Results Median overall survival (OS) was 20.3 month for the entire cohort. For patients treated with NFRT median OS was 24.4 months compared to 18.5 months in patients treated with HFRT (p = 0.131). In univariable regression analysis the use of dexamethasone during radiotherapy had a significant negative impact on OS in both patient groups, HR 2.21 (95% CI 1.47–3.31, p = 0.0001). In multivariable analysis adjusted for O6-methylguanine-DNA methyl-transferase (MGMT) promotor methylation status, salvage treatment and secondary GBM, the use of dexamethasone was still a negative prognostic factor, HR 1.95 (95% CI 1.21–3.13, p = 0.006). Positive MGMT-methylation status and salvage treatment were highly significant positive prognostic factors. There was no strong association between treatment protocol and OS (p = 0.504). Conclusions Our retrospective analysis supports the hypothesis of equivalence between HFRT and the standard protocol of treatment for GBM. For those patients who are willing to obtain the benefit of shortening the course of radiochemotherapy, HFRT may be an alternative with comparable efficacy although it was not yet tested in a large prospective randomized study against the current standard. The positive influence of salvage therapy and negative impact of concomitant use of corticosteroids should be addressed in future prospective trials. To confirm our results, we plan to perform a pooled analysis with other tertiary clinics in order to achieve better statistical reliability

Two-Weekly High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Boost After External Beam Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: Long-Term Outcome and Toxicity Analysis

Purpose Evaluation of clinical outcome of two-weekly high-dose-rate brachytherapy boost after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer. Methods 338 patients with localized prostate cancer receiving definitive EBRT followed by a two-weekly high-dose-rate brachytherapy boost (HDR-BT boost) in the period of 2002 to 2019 were analyzed. EBRT, delivered in 46 Gy (DMean) in conventional fractionation, was followed by two fractions HDR-BT boost with 9 Gy (D90%) two and four weeks after EBRT. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was added in 176 (52.1%) patients. Genitourinary (GU)/gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was evaluated utilizing the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5.0) and biochemical failure was defined according to the Phoenix definition. Results Median follow-up was 101.8 months. 15 (4.4%)/115 (34.0%)/208 (61.5%) patients had low-/intermediate-/high-risk cancer according to the D`Amico risk classification. Estimated 5-year and 10-year biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) was 84.7% and 75.9% for all patients. The estimated 5-year bRFS was 93.3%, 93.4% and 79.5% for low-, intermediate- and high-risk disease, respectively. The estimated 10-year freedom from distant metastasis (FFM) and overall survival (OS) rates were 86.5% and 70.0%. Cumulative 5-year late GU toxicity and late GI toxicity grade ≥ 2 was observed in 19.3% and 5.0% of the patients, respectively. Cumulative 5-year late grade 3 GU/GI toxicity occurred in 3.6%/0.3%. Conclusions Two-weekly HDR-BT boost after EBRT for localized prostate cancer showed an excellent toxicity profile with low GU/GI toxicity rates and effective long-term biochemical control

Complete loss of E-cadherin expression in a rare case of metastatic malignant meningioma: a case report

Abstract Background Hematogenous tumor spread of malignant meningiomas occurs very rarely but is associated with very poor prognosis. Case presentation We report an unusual case of a patient with a malignant meningioma who developed multiple metastases in bones, lungs and liver after initial complete resection of the primary tumor. After partial hepatic resection, specimens were histologically analyzed, and a complete loss of E-cadherin adhesion molecules was found. No oncogenic target mutations were found. The patient received a combination of conventional radiotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Due to aggressive tumor behavior and rapid spread of metastases, the patient deceased after initiation of treatment. Conclusions E-cadherin downregulation is associated with a higher probability of tumor invasion and distant metastasis formation in malignant meningioma. Up to now, the efficacy of systemic therapy, including PRRT, is very limited in malignant meningioma patients

Processing of EMG Signals with High Impact of Power Line and Cardiac Interferences

This work deals with electromyography (EMG) signal processing for the diagnosis and therapy of different muscles. Because the correct muscle activity measurement of strongly noised EMG signals is the major hurdle in medical applications, a raw measured EMG signal should be cleaned of different factors like power network interference and ECG heartbeat. Unfortunately, there are no completed studies showing full multistage signal processing of EMG recordings. In this article, the authors propose an original algorithm to perform muscle activity measurements based on raw measurements. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for EMG signal measurement was validated by a portable EMG system developed as a part of the EU research project and EMG raw measurement sets. Examples of removing the parasitic interferences are presented for each stage of signal processing. Finally, it is shown that the proposed processing of EMG signals enables cleaning of the EMG signal with minimal loss of the diagnostic content

Impact of Radiotherapy on Malfunctions and Battery Life of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in Cancer Patients

Purpose: This study analyses a large number of cancer patients with CIEDs for device malfunction and premature battery depletion by device interrogation after each radiotherapy fraction and compares different guidelines in regard to patient safety. Methods: From 2007 to 2022, a cohort of 255 patients was analyzed for CIED malfunctions via immediate device interrogation after every RT fraction. Results: Out of 324 series of radiotherapy treatments, with a total number of 5742 CIED interrogations, nine device malfunctions (2.8%) occurred. Switching into back-up/safety mode and software errors occurred four times each. Once, automatic read-out could not be performed. The median prescribed cumulative dose at planning target volume (PTV) associated with CIED malfunction was 45.0 Gy (IQR 36.0–64.0 Gy), with a median dose per fraction of 2.31 Gy (IQR 2.0–3.0 Gy). The median maximum dose at the CIED at time of malfunction was 0.3 Gy (IQR 0.0–1.3 Gy). No correlation between CIED malfunction and maximum photon energy (p = 0.07), maximum dose at the CIED (p = 0.59) nor treatment localization (p = 0.41) could be detected. After excluding the nine malfunctions, premature battery depletion was only observed three times (1.2%). Depending on the national guidelines, 1–9 CIED malfunctions in this study would have been detected on the day of occurrence and in none of the cases would patient safety have been compromised. Conclusion: Radiation-induced malfunctions of CIEDs and premature battery depletion are rare. If recommendations of national safety guidelines are followed, only a portion of the malfunctions would be detected directly after occurrence. Nevertheless, patient safety would not be compromised

Health-related quality of life and clinical outcome after radiotherapy of patients with intracranial meningioma

This retrospective, single-institutional study investigated long-term outcome, toxicity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in meningioma patients after radiotherapy. We analyzed the data of 119 patients who received radiotherapy at our department from 1997 to 2014 for intracranial WHO grade I-III meningioma. Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or radiosurgery radiation was applied. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20 questionnaires were completed for assessment of HRQoL. Overall survival (OS) for the entire study group was 89.6% at 5 years and 75.9% at 10 years. Local control (LC) at 5 and 10 years was 82.4% and 73.4%, respectively. Local recurrence was observed in 22 patients (18.5%). Higher grade acute and chronic toxicities were observed in seven patients (5.9%) and five patients (4.2%), respectively. Global health status was rated with a mean of 59.9 points (SD 22.3) on QLQ-C30. In conclusion, radiotherapy resulted in very good long-term survival and tumor control rates with low rates of severe toxicities but with a deterioration of long-term HRQoL