Comparative study of the noise generated by the moto-compressor and that generated by the turbo-compressor

The fundamental aim of this study is to compare between the noise generated by the moto-compressor and the noise generated by the turbo-compressor operating  24H/24H on the continuous function mode; these two machines make part of the equipment of the GP1Z, a factory of hydrocarbon treatment. To attain the principal objective of this study we divided our work into two parts, in the first part we followed and evaluated the average level of the noise emitted by the two machines, whereas in the second part we studied the noise propagation emitted by the two machines and its impact on the generation of the noise. The results obtained from this study demonstrate that the noise generated by the turbo-compressor is higher than the noise generated by the  moto-compressor.Keywords: noise; moto-compressor; turbo-compressor; noise maping

‘Procedes Huc’: Voltaire, Newton, and Locke in Lettres Philosophiques

In Lettres philosophiques, Letter XIII is devoted to Locke, as are Letters XIV–XVII to Newton. The ordering of these letters is not adequately explained by comparing the dates of birth or death of the two thinkers. For the Letter on Locke not only precedes but also ‘frames’ those on Newton, in the sense that it provides the reader with a guide through the philosophical intricacies of Letters XIV–XVII. This works in two ways. On the one hand, in order to defend Newton against his detractors Voltaire broadly adopts Locke’s perspective on the relation among words, ideas and things. On the other hand, he subtly and misleadingly grafts Locke’s epistemology onto the Principia, though it differs from Newton’s epistemology in significant respects. For Locke, unlike Newton, holds that we can identify fixed, permanent limits concerning what kind of thing humanity can know of matter and the universe. Voltaire presents Newton’s ideas as though they respected Locke’s limits. However, we can glimpse Voltaire’s own attitude in the final words of Letter XV: ‘Procedes huc, et non ibis amplius’: Voltaire agrees more closely with Locke than Newton concerning the limits of epistemology

Time-resolved diffuse optical tomography for non-invasive flap viability assessment: Pre-clinical tests on rats

We present a new setup for time-resolved diffuse optical tomography based on multiple source-detector acquisitions analysed by means of the Mellin-Laplace transform. The proposed setup has been used to perform pre-clinical measurements on rats in order to show its suitability for non-invasive assessment of flap viability

Evaluation of young smokers and non-smokers with Electrogustometry and Contact Endoscopy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Smoking is the cause of inducing changes in taste functionality under conditions of chronic exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate taste sensitivity in young smokers and non-smokers and identify any differences in the shape, density and vascularisation of the fungiform papillae (fPap) of their tongue.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-two male subjects who served in the Greek military forces were randomly chosen for this study. Thirty-four were non-smokers and 28 smokers. Smokers were chosen on the basis of their habit to hold the cigarette at the centre of their lips. Taste thresholds were measured with Electrogustometry (EGM). The morphology and density of the fungiform papillae (fPap) at the tip of the tongue were examined with Contact Endoscopy (CE).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was found statistically important difference (<it>p </it>< 0.05) between the taste thresholds of the two groups although not all smokers presented with elevated taste thresholds: Six of them (21%) had taste thresholds similar to those of non-smokers. Differences concerning the shape and the vessels of the fungiform papillae between the groups were also detected. Fewer and flatter fPap were found in 22 smokers (79%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The majority of smokers shown elevated taste thresholds in comparison to non-smokers. Smoking is an important factor which can lead to decreased taste sensitivity. The combination of methods, such as EGM and CE, can provide useful information about the vascularisation of taste buds and their functional ability.</p

No evident association between efavirenz use and suicidality was identified from a disproportionality analysis using the FAERS database

ObjectiveTo assess the potential association of selected antiretrovirals (ARVs), including efavirenz, with suicidality.DesignRetrospective analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), by performing a Multi-Item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS) disproportionality analysis.MethodsMGPS disproportionality analysis, a technique to identify associations between drugs and adverse events, was performed using cumulative data from the FAERS database collected up to August 2012. This method yields an Empirical Bayesian Geometric Mean score and corresponding 90% confidence interval (EB05, EB95). EB05 scores ≥2 were pre-defined as a signal for a potential drug-event association. The FAERS database includes spontaneous adverse-event reports from consumers and healthcare professionals. All FAERS reports of suicidality (including suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and completed suicide or a composite of these) in patients taking efavirenz (as single agent or in fixed-dose combination), atazanavir, darunavir, etravirine, nevirapine and raltegravir were identified. A number of parallel analyses were performed to assess the validity of the methodology: fluoxetine and sertraline, antidepressants with a known association with suicidality, and raltegravir, an ARV with rhabdomyolysis and myopathy listed as “uncommon” events in the US-prescribing information.ResultsA total of 29,856 adverse event reports were identified among patients receiving efavirenz, atazanavir, darunavir, etravirine, nevirapine and raltegravir, of which 457 were reports of suicidality events. EB05 scores observed for the composite suicidality term for efavirenz (EB05=0.796), and other ARVs (EB05=0.279–0.368), were below the pre-defined threshold. Fluoxetine and sertraline gave EB05 scores for suicidality >2. Raltegravir gave EB05 scores >2 for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.ConclusionsThe pre-determined threshold for signals for suicidality, including suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, completed suicide and a composite suicidality endpoint, was not exceeded for efavirenz and other ARVs in this analysis. Efavirenz has been associated with suicidality in clinical trials. Further studies that adjust for confounding factors are needed to better understand any potential association with ARVs and suicidality

Molecular and serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale in cattle of North Central Morocco.

A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological distribution of Anaplasma marginale in North Central Morocco. Blood samples from five provinces of Morocco were collected from apparently healthy cattle (n=668) and simultaneously analyzed by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). The overall prevalence of A. marginale was 21.9% by nPCR and 16.5% by cELISA. The Kappa coefficient between nPCR and cELISA indicated a modest level of agreement (0.54). The prevalence of A. marginale varied significantly according to the province and the month of sampling. However age, gender and breed did not have a significant effect on the prevalence of this pathogen. The highest prevalence of A. marginale was found in the Gharb, a sub-humid area while the lowest was reported in the Saiss, a semi-arid area. These results indicate that an A. marginale infection are widespread in the country and suggests that either or both techniques are excellent tools for epidemiological studies and control programs