Estimation of System Reliability Using a Semiparametric Model

An important problem in reliability engineering is to predict the failure rate, that is, the frequency with which an engineered system or component fails. This paper presents a new method of estimating failure rate using a semiparametric model with Gaussian process smoothing. The method is able to provide accurate estimation based on historical data and it does not make strong a priori assumptions of failure rate pattern (e.g., constant or monotonic). Our experiments of applying this method in power system failure data compared with other models show its efficacy and accuracy. This method can be used in estimating reliability for many other systems, such as software systems or components

Diagnostic method of typological heterogeneity of arterial blood pressure reactions in children by automatic manometry

Method and algorithm have created by authors for detection of hypotonic, hypertonic and dystonic reactions of blood pressure (BP) in children by automatic manometry during one visit. The study of children in some kindergarten have demonstrated the prevalence of the BP reaction types among children with normal, high BP and arterial hypertension. This easy method may be to use for widespread routine physical examination of all children.Авторами разработан метод и алгоритм для выявления гипотонических, гипертонических и дистонических реакций артериальное давления у детей по данным автоматической манометрии во время одного визита. Обследование детей в одном из детских садов показало распространенность этих типов реакций у лиц с нормальным, высоким нормальным и артериальной гипертонией. Данный метод может быть широко использован при обычном физикальном обследовании всех детей

Typological classification of health groups of schoolboys with comorbidity and behavioural risk factors

The purpose of study is estimation of a state of health by typological classification Complex examination of 142 girls and 116 boys in the age of 14-17 years has shown, that 2,1 % of girls and 11,2% of boys have la type of the status of health without risk factors. Premorbid types (lla, lib, lie) were in 20,4% and 25,9% accordingly. Among schoolboys persons with monomorbid (40,9% and 43,0 %) and bimorbid (23,9% and 12,1%) types of the status of health (Ilia and lllb) prevailed. Comorbidity is revealed in 68,3% of girls and 52,3% of boys. A prevailing pathology were dysplasia of connective tissue.Цель исследования оценить состояние здоровья подростков в соответствии с типологической классификацией. Комплексное обследование 142 девонек и 116 мальчиков в возрасте 14-17 лет показало, что 2,1 % девочек и 11,2% мальчиков относятся к la типу статуса здоровья без факторов риска. Преморбидные типы (На, НЬ, Не) были в 20,4% и 25,9% соответственно. Среди школьников преобладали лица с мономорбидным (40,9% и 43,0%) и биморбидным (23,9% и 12,1 %) типами статуса здоровья (Ша и lllb). Коморбидная патология выявлена в 68,3% девочек и 52,3% мальчиков. Преобладающей патологией была дисплазия соединительной ткани

Preliminary data on COVID-19 in patients with hemoglobinopathies : A multicentre ICET-A study

Objectives: This study aims to investigate, retrospectively, the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, laboratory results, radiologic findings, and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with transfusion-dependent β thalassemia major (TM), β-thalassemia intermedia (TI) and sickle cell disease (SCD). Design: A total of 17 Centers, from 10 countries, following 9,499 patients with hemoglobinopathies, participated in the survey. Main outcome data: Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 were collected from medical records and summarized. Results: A total of 13 patients, 7 with TM, 3 with TI, and 3 with SCD, with confirmed COVID-19, were identified in 6 Centers from different countries. The overall mean age of patients was 33.7±12.3 years (range:13-66); 9/13 (69.2%) patients were females. Six patients had pneumonia, and 4 needed oxygen therapy. Increased C-reactive protein (6/10), high serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; 6/10), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; 6/10) were the most common laboratory findings. 6/10 patients had an exacerbation of anemia (2 with SCD). In the majority of patients, the course of COVID-19 was moderate (6/10) and severe in 3/10 patients. A 30-year-old female with TM, developed a critical SARS-CoV-2 infection, followed by death in an Intensive Care Unit. In one Center (Oman), the majority of suspected cases were observed in patients with SCD between the age of 21 and 40 years. A rapid clinical improvement of tachypnea/dyspnea and oxygen saturation was observed, after red blood cell exchange transfusion, in a young girl with SCD and worsening of anemia (Hb level from 9.2 g/dl to 6.1g/dl). Conclusions: The data presented in this survey permit an early assessment of the clinical characteristics of COVID 19 in different countries. 70% of symptomatic patients with COVID-19 required hospitalization. The presence of associated co-morbidities can aggravate the severity of COVID- 19, leading to a poorer prognosis irrespective of age

Case Report of Advanced Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma with Cavernous Sinus Involvement: Advantages of Advanced Radiotherapy Thechnique Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

Objectives: In very advance unresectable stages Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA)radiotherapy is treatment of choice. Usually JNA is in close proximity to different organ at risk, which necessitates accurate and precise radiation delivery. Series reported the application of IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy) with good sparing of organ at risk, but the literature search found no report on VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) treatment in case of JNA.Clinical case: The present publication report for first time a patient irradiated with VMAT and IGRT (Image guided radiotherapy) for JNA. The stage of the tumor based on CT and MRI was IIIB according to Radkovsi with cavernous sinus invasion. Moderate total radiation dose 36 Gy in 1.8 Gy per fraction was delivered. No early and late toxicity was recorded. The patient is followed up every six months and persistent residual tumor on MRI was seen, but no bleeding onphysical exam. At one year follow up this is accepted as good local control.Conclusion: VMAT and IGRT could be safely applied with reduction of the radiation dose at organ of risk. VMAT is promising in the treatment of juvenile angiofibroma with advantages over conventional radiotherapy, but as this is case report of only one patient, further experience with VMAT is needed in JN

Phase Transitions and Transport Properties of the Bismuth Vanadate-Based (Bi,La)4(V,Zr)2O11−z(Bi,La)_{4}(V,Zr)_{2}O_{11-z} Ceramics

Ceramic solid solutions $(Bi_{1-y}La_{y})_{4}(V_{1-x}Zr_{x})_{2}O_{11-z}$ with x = 0-0.05, y = 0-0.16 have been prepared by the solid state reaction method. The samples were studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and impedance methods. The concentration and temperature stabilization regions of the polymorphous α-, β-, γ'-, γ-modifications have been determined. The effects observed in dielectric properties, conductivity, and impedance data confirmed the influence both of intrinsic oxygen vacancies and those "pinned" at ferroelectric domain boundaries on the temperature hysteresis of α-β phase transition and their contribution to mechanism of oxygen ion transport

Electroconductive and Dielectric Properties of Composites Based on Bismuth Vanadate

Ceramic composites $(100 - n)Bi_{4}V_{2}O_{11-z}-nCe_{0.9}Gd_{0.1}O_{1.9}$ with n=0÷25 wt% were prepared and studied by the X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and impedance methods. Slight increase in the unit cell volume accompanied by monotonous decrease in temperatures and broadening of the α-β and β-γ phase transitions with increasing fluorite content was observed in the composites studied. Increase in melting temperatures of composites with n ≥ 10 with the retention of their high ionic conductivity was also proved

Phase formation, structure and dielectric properties of ceramics (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3–(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–BiFeO3

Influence of BiFeO3 (BF) on phase formation, unit cell parameters, microstructure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of solid solutions close to the morphotropic phase boundary in the (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3–(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 system additionally modified by the low-melting KCl additives has been studied. The formation of pure perovskite structure samples decrease in the unit cell parameters and increase in the TC value stimulated by the BF addition have been revealed. It was proved that modification of compositions by small amounts of the BF and KCl additives leads to improvement of dielectric parameters