Considerations on the Psychological Status of the Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy

The psychological impact on patients suffering radical cystectomy is twofold - (both that of the underlying neoplastic disease and that measured by the quality of life subsequent to surgery) and increases as the urinary derivation technique is less physiological and affects more the local anatomy. Although there are numerous questionnaires that assess the quality of life of patients with cancer (HRQoL - health related QoL), not many probe bladder cancer morbidity or correlate the different types of urinary diversions’ impact on QoL (quality of life). We analyzed 39 cases in our clinic who underwent radical cystectomy between August 2013 and August 2014. Different diversions were performed, as follows: for 24 patients a cutaneous ureterostomy was performed, in 10 cases a Mainz II pouch, in 3 cases a Bricker derivation and in 2 patients a Studer neobladder was performed. In these patients, QoL - Cancer Version and FACT-BL questionnaires were administered and were followed for an initial period of 2 years. According to our survey, the Bricker derivation is best tolerated, followed by neobladder and the Mainz II pouch

Studies on obtaining active dry wine yeast using different nitrogen sources

Most of research on wine microbiology has concentrated on Saccharomyces yeasts for development of starter cultures, especially on Sacch. cerevisiae. As the importance of the role of S. cerevisiae in winemaking has been established, the number of wine yeast strains available in the world market for use as winemaking starters grew in the last years. The upstream process of producing Sacch. cerevisiae biomass on a culture medium based on sugar was performed by testing different sources of inorganic and organic nitrogen (yeast extract and monoammonium phosphate) in submerged fermentations using a Biostat B plus bioreactor (4L working volume). The upstream parameters have been monitored on-line (oxygen flow; pH around 4.35; temperature 300C; stirring rate 250 rpm) and off-line (total soluble dry matter; pH). The biomass obtained after the downstream process has been dried through freeze-drying. Through the combination of two carbon sources as yeast extract (0.7%) and monoammonium phosphate 10.71 g/L dry cell weight (DCW) has been obtained, compared with 9.6 g/L DCW in the case of the fermentation without monoammonium phosphate. From the economic reasons, the monoammonium phosphate as an inorganic nitrogen form has been excluded from the experiments. Finally, the higher content of dry yeast biomass (14.43 g/L DCW) was obtained when 11% yeast extract as the only nitrogen source has been added at the fermentation media

Composite Materials Flaws Detection and Measurement by Infrared Thermography

Abstract Composite materials are large used today in various industrial fields such as: aeronautics, military equipment, pipelines for oil transport; frequently must meet serious requirements about the quality. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the possibilities and limits of flaws detection and measurement in composite materials by infrared thermography. In a research contract developed in our university were designed and processed samples with artificial defects in composite materials: CFRP, GRFP and Dyneema. The main aim of experimental research was to assess size of flaws positioned at different depths related to the examination area. The samples were investigated by infrared thermography and then the results were verified by different ultrasonic methods

Composite Materials Flaws Detection and Measurement by Infrared Thermography

Composite materials are large used today in various industrial fields such as: aeronautics, military equipment, pipelines for oil transport; frequently must meet serious requirements about the quality. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the possibilities and limits of flaws detection and measurement in composite materials by infrared thermography. In a research contract developed in our university were designed and processed samples with artificial defects in composite materials: CFRP, GRFP and Dyneema. The main aim of experimental research was to assess size of flaws positioned at different depths related to the examination area. The samples were investigated by infrared thermography and then the results were verified by different ultrasonic methods

Rural Geosystems’ Future in the Smartphone World: The Inception of Romanian Tourist Sites

The present study aims to analyze the role of the advancement of smartphones in rural communities’ redefinition and future development opportunities. This paper explores how smartphone applications are transforming our cultural worlds as they are materially constituted in dynamic living Geosystems and virtually illustrated through collective stereotypical images. This research was carried out in Romania using Geomedia methodology, Google Earth datasets and unstructured interviews in order to assess the specific characteristics of analyzed locations and examine the impacts of technology’s evolution on rural communities. The results are as follows. Firstly, modern smartphone applications are providing the possibility for any rural Geosystem to sustainably adjust to modern technology, conserving its cultural values in the human–computer interaction. Secondly, many remote communities want to learn how to be found by worldly tourists within the touch of a smartphone display, and how to transform their traditional households in exquisite accommodations and share the daily life experiences for their families’ livelihood and communal wellbeing enhancement. Thirdly, there is an important tourism expertise deficiency and a considerable need for the valorization of local tourism potential in rural Romanian communities

Stress Corrosion in Silica Optical Fibers: Review of Fatigue Testing Procedures

International audienceThe expected lifetime of optical fibers used either in telecommunication technologies or smart applications are closely related to the chemical reaction on the silica network. Due to the manufacturing processes or the handling procedures, the flaws spread on the fiber surface are inherently present. The aging mechanism is assumed to enlarge or to extend these flaws. Based on systematic experiments one may notice that water may induce a certain curing effect. Silica optical fibers have been aged in water; series of samples have been subjected to overlapped stretching or bending. Other series have been subjected to overlapped aging effect of microwaves and hot water. Finally, samples were submitted to dynamic tensile testing. The Weibull's diagram analysis shows mono or bimodal dispersions of flaws on the fiber surface, but the polymer coating appears vital for fiber lifetime. While humidity usually affects the fiber strength, the series of testing has revealed that in controlled conditions of chemical environment and controlled applied stress, fiber strength may be increased. A similar effect may be obtained by external factors such as microwaves or previous elongation, too

Towards A General Systems Theory Approach for Developing Concurrent Engineering Science

Information, as a specific commodity, sustains our knowledge production in every domain of human activities. But the Knowledge-based Economy (KbE), requires intensive information and Knowledge Management. The KM is the key-factor of enterprises competitiveness (LS- large scale enterprises; SME- small and medium size Enterprise ;μE- micro size enterprises). Even the e-workers, immersed in Professional Virtual Communities must use efectively both basic concepts, methodology, methods and techniques from concurent engineering science. To design the Complex Adaptive Systems, is our our long-term research target. The present paper is an ambitious attempt to initiate a global collaborative project for the DCCE scientifically foundation based on General Systems Theory holistic approach.Pages: 3-1

Managing a complex case of hypospadias cripple and chordee

Objectives. Hypospadias is a congenital affliction in which the urethral meatus is located on the underside of the penis. These cases are usually treated during childhood by pediatric surgeons, but more complex forms tend to reoccur, and after several failed attempts end up as hypospadias cripple in the care of urologists at an adult age. The aim of this paper is to present the management of a complex case of hypospadias cripple associated with penile curvature (chordee). Materials and Methods. A 24 year old patient presented in our clinic with hypospadias cripple and ventral penile curvature. At the physical examination we found a penoscrotal urethral meatus, heavy scaring of the distal ventral penis and a ventral chordee of approximately 90 degrees in erect state. A two stage “Bracka” repair technique with buccal mucosa graft was chosen. The first stage of the surgery consisted of removing the scarred and defective distal urethral plate and the fibrotic tissue responsible for the penile curvature, preparing the corpora cavernosa for the graft, clefting the glans, harvesting two buccal mucosa grafts from both inner cheeks, and finally quilting the grafts on the defect. The second stage of the repair was performed after a period of about six months, and consisted in the tubularization of the matured graft and glans plasty. Results and Conclusions. No immediate or late complications occurred after any of the two stages of the surgery; no significant ventral chordee was observed and no urethral fistula occurred till the one year follow-up. A two stage “Bracka” repair technique is best suited for treating these patients, correcting ventral chordee in the first session