ECONOMIC-MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF INVESTMENT ACTIVITY IN HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION SPHERE

This study deals with to the creation of an economic and mathematical model of investment activity in housing construction. Given the emerging the market situation and the increasing pace of housing construction, it is necessary to create a model of investment activity in the housing and construction sector that will help to invest competently and take into account the interest of both the customer, the investor and the lender. Each of the parties in the investment cycle process has its own goals, objectives and risks, which must be taken into account with minimal costs. In the proposed economic-mathematical model, depending on the version of the task, factors such as loans for investment activities, additional costs for temporary resettlement of tenants of a reconstructed house, the probability of price risk associated with the sale of a renovated area in the housing market, etc., are taken into account. The model of a private investor investing his capital in the creation of a new housing stock also takes into account the compensatory principles in the relations between the investor-bodies of the city government

QUALITY ASSURANCE IN CONSTRUCTION THROUGH ECONOMIC AND MATHEMATICAL MODELING

The article shows the need to assess the quality of construction products on the base of a comprehensive system of indicators and characteristics, with the assistance of which not only mandatory technical requirements are assessing, but also the wishes of consumers. The basic requirements for the quality of construction products have been provided. The possibility of applying various data processing methods have been presented not only to track the actual state of certain characteristics of the object under study, but also to model them. The necessity of using mathematical-cybernetic modeling, as one of the directions of modeling of construction management systems, has been substantiated. The elements of a quality assurance system for construction work based on the use of mathematical modeling methods have been developed

RATIONALE FOR THE SELECTION OF INNOVATIVE MATERIALS BASED ON THE COST OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE GAS PIPELINE

The present study is devoted to the selection of innovative materials based on their life cycle of the gas pipeline. Assessment of the efficiency of laying gas pipelines is currently carried out only from the position of construction and installation works and does not take into account the interests of organizations that provide their maintenance and major repairs. Increasing the efficiency of gas supply projects is possible only if the interests of all participants in the construction of the gas pipeline, its maintenance and overhaul are observed. With such a statement of the question, the rationale for choosing innovative materials requires a new approach, which justifies the relevance of this article. The method of calculating the cost of the life cycle of a gas pipeline and periods of the object's life cycle are considered. The averaged costs over the life cycle of the object are given. A method for selecting an economically viable option for using pipes for a gas pipeline is proposed. An algorithm for calculating the cost of the life cycle of a gas pipeline is given

Radio Frequency MRI coils and safety: how infrared thermography can support quality assurance

Abstract Background The safety controls in Resonance Magnetic Imaging (MRI) diagnostic site are numerous and complex. Some of these are contained in international directives and regularly conducted by medical physics expert after acceptance tests, consisting of a series of checks, measurements, evaluations called quality controls (QCs) and made to guarantee the image quality of the equipment. In this context, ensuring that the coils are in proper operating conditions is important to prevent and reduce errors in use and to preserve patient safety. Results A study by thermography was conducted to evaluate temperature changes of MRI coils during Quality Control (QC), in order to prevent any problems for the patient due to Radio Frequency waves. This experiment involves use of a thermal camera to detect temperature variations during MRI scans using head and body coils of two different tomography 1.5 T and 3.0 T static magnetic field. Thermal camera was positioned inside the MRI room to acquire images every 15 s for all the scansions duration. The observations have shown a temperature increase only for body coil of 1.5 MRI tomography, whereas no significative temperature variation has occurred for the other coils under observation. This temperature increase was later related to a fault of such coil. Conclusions The authors believe this simple method useful as first approach, during routinely QCs, to verify coils functioning and so to avoid patient hazards and are preparing a methodological study about functioning of the coils with respect to their temperature variation

The Lantern Vol. 2, No. 3, June 1934

• Looking Backward and Forward • Hahd on de Nerves • My Lavender Lady • The Perpetual Borrower • Into the Depths • The Best There Is • I Wonder • A Day Out of a German Boy\u27s Life • Book Review: Work of Art • Fear • Early Summer (A Sketch)https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1003/thumbnail.jp

Single-level anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion using PEEK anatomical cervical cage and allograft bone

BACKGROUND: In an effort to avoid the morbidity associated with autogenous bone graft harvesting, cervical cages in combination with allograft bone are used to achieve fusion. The goal of the current study was to assess the reliability and efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion (ACDF) using a PEEK anatomical cervical cage in the treatment of patients affected by single-level cervical degenerative disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-five patients affected by single-level cervical degenerative pathology between C4 and C7 were enrolled in this study. The clinical findings were assessed using the Neck Disability Index and the Visual Analog Scale. Surgical outcomes were rated according to Odom's criteria at last follow-up. Fusion was graded as poor, average, good or excellent by assessing the radiographs. Cervical spine alignment was evaluated by sagittal segmental alignment and sagittal alignment of the whole cervical spine preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent ACDF using a PEEK anatomical cervical cage. All patients had a minimum 2 years of follow-up. The operative levels were C4-C5 in 5 patients, C5-C6 in 12 patients and C6-C7 in 8 patients. Preoperatively, average NDI was 34, 13 at 6 months, and 10 at latest follow-up. The mean preoperative VAS was 7; the mean postoperative VAS at latest follow-up was 3. Good or excellent fusion was achieved in all patients within 10 months (mean 5 months). Preoperatively, average sagittal segmental alignment (SSA) was 0.2\ub0 and average sagittal alignment of the cervical spine (SACS) 15.8\ub0. Six months after surgery, average SSA was 1.8\ub0 and average SACS 20.9\ub0, and at last follow-up, average SSA was 1.6\ub0 and average SACS 18.5\ub0. CONCLUSION: Anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion using PEEK anatomical cervical cages can be considered a safe and effective technique to cure cervical disc herniation with intractable pain or neural deficit in cases where conservative treatment failed