Monte Carlo Simulation and First Order Error Analysis: Two Possible Methods to Cope with Uncertainties in Water Quality Modeling, Applied on a Specific Model

Two methodologies to cope with uncertainties in water quality data and models are considered, namely Monte Carlo simulation and first order error analysis. To illustrate the methods, results of applications on a water quality model, which in fact is an 8 state variable, 14 parameter submodel of a comprehensive model for lake Neusiedl, are presented. Monte Carlo simulation based methods are shown to be useful for calculating valuable model predictions based on an adequate calibration

Contrast Leakage Patterns from Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Perfusion MRI in the Grading of Primary Pediatric Brain Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pattern of contrast leakage from DSC tissue signal intensity time curves have shown utility in distinguishing adult brain neoplasms, but has limited description in the literature for pediatric brain tumors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of grading pediatric brain tumors with this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of tissue signal-intensity time curves from 63 pediatric brain tumors with preoperative DSC perfusion MR imaging was performed independently by 2 neuroradiologists. Tissue signal-intensity time curves were generated from ROIs placed in the highest perceived tumor relative CBV. The postbolus portion of the curve was independently classified as returning to baseline, continuing above baseline (T1-dominant contrast leakage), or failing to return to baseline (T2*-dominant contrast leakage). Interobserver agreement of curve classification was evaluated by using the Cohen κ. A consensus classification of curve type was obtained in discrepant cases, and the consensus classification was compared with tumor histology and World Health Organization grade. RESULTS: Tissue signal-intensity time curve classification concordance was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.54–0.84) overall and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.59–0.91) for a T1-dominant contrast leakage pattern. Twenty-five of 25 tumors with consensus T1-dominant contrast leakage were low-grade (positive predictive value, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.83–1.00). By comparison, tumors with consensus T2*-dominant contrast leakage or return to baseline were predominantly high-grade (10/15 and 15/23, respectively) with a high negative predictive value (1.0; 95% CI, 0.83–1.0). For pilomyxoid or pilocytic astrocytomas, a T1-dominant leak demonstrated high sensitivity (0.91; 95% CI, 0.70–0.98) and specificity (0.90, 95% CI, 0.75–0.97). CONCLUSIONS: There was good interobserver agreement in the classification of DSC perfusion tissue signal-intensity time curves for pediatric brain tumors, particularly for T1-dominant leakage. Among patients with pediatric brain tumors, a T1-dominant leakage pattern is highly specific for a low-grade tumor and demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for pilocytic or pilomyxoid astrocytomas

Catalytic Activity and Fluxional Behavior of Complexes Based on RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ and Xantphos-Type Ligands

With RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3 as the starting material, the complexes RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)(L) were prepared for L = Xantphos and closely related ligands. Their catalytic activity in the direct amination of cyclohexanol showed large differences depending on the different backbone structures. In those complexes the Xantphos-type ligand backbones are slightly bent and display fluxionality, studied by VT-NMR. This was assigned to the "flipping" of the backbone via the bridging atoms in the xanthene backbone. Via line shape analysis of the peaks, the Gibbs free energy of activation of the flipping movement was found to be around 56 kJ/mol in all cases. However, the activation enthalpy and entropy differed considerably. Employing RuCl2(PPh3)3 as the precursor resulted in the trans-coordinated complexes RuCl2(PPh3)(L) for L = Xantphos, Sixantphos. Fluxionality was no longer observed, due to the fact that in these complexes the O atom in the backbone also coordinates to the Ru

Synergistic effects of bombesin and epidermal growth factor on cancers.

Bombesin and gastrin-releasing peptide act as autocrine mitogens in various cancers. Bombesin antagonist RC-3095 inhibited growth in some cancers and slowed the progression of premalignant lesions, possibly by down-regulating epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. Since the EGF receptor mitogen response involves tyrosine kinase stimulation, we tested the hypotheses that bombesin stimulates, and RC-3095 inhibits, phosphorylation; EGF and bombesin promote the phosphorylation of the same substrates; and EGF and bombesin act synergistically on phosphorylation. Therefore, in vitro assays for phosphorylation were performed in the presence or absence of EGF, bombesin, RC-3095, and combinations in samples derived from tumor, tissue surrounding tumor, cell lines, and normal and transforming tissue derived from the 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene-induced squamous cell lesions of the hamster cheek pouch. Bombesin increased, and RC-3095 decreased, phosphorylation in these samples. In the human hepatoma sample and surrounding tissue, these ligands altered the phosphorylation of the same substrates affected by EGF. EGF and bombesin stimulated phosphorylation synergistically in the hamster samples and the hepatoma. Bombesin-induced phosphorylation was greater in tissue surrounding the hepatoma, whereas RC-3095 was more effective in inhibiting phosphorylation in the hepatoma itself. This cancer, therefore, could be endogenously stimulated by gastrin-releasing peptide. These observations support the hypothesis that bombesin stimulates growth of tissues and tumors by amplifying the phosphorylation response to EGF. The growth inhibitory response to RC-3095, or other bombesin analogues, of individual tumors may be prognosed by in vitro phosphorylation assays using the samples from the patient's tumor

SPHERE: Irradiation of sphere-pac fuel of UPuO2−x containing 3% Americium

AbstractAmericium is a strong contributor to the long term radiotoxicity of high activity nuclear waste. Transmutation by irradiation in nuclear reactors of long-lived nuclides like 241Am is therefore an option for the reduction of radiotoxicity of waste packages to be stored in a repository. The SPHERE irradiation experiment is the latest of a series of European experiments on americium transmutation (e.g. EFTTRA-T4, EFTTRA-T4bis, HELIOS, MARIOS) performed in the HFR (High Flux Reactor). The SPHERE experiment is carried out in the framework of the 4-year project FAIRFUELS of the EURATOM 7th Framework Programme (FP7). During the past years of experimental works in the field of transmutation and tests of innovative nuclear fuels, the release or trapping of helium as well as helium induced fuel swelling have been shown to be the key issues for the design of Am-bearing targets. The main objective of the SPHERE experiment is to study the in-pile behaviour of fuel containing 3% of americium and to compare the behaviour of sphere-pac fuel to pellet fuel, in particular the role of microstructure and temperature on fission gas release (mainly He) and on fuel swelling.The SPHERE experiment is being irradiated since September 2013 in the HFR in Petten (The Netherlands) and is expected to be terminated in spring 2015. The experiment has been designed to last up to 18 reactor cycles (corresponding to 18 months) but may reach its target earlier.This paper discusses the rationale and objective of the SPHERE experiment and provides a general description of its design

Про водогосподарський комплекс Криму

В статье дается определение понятия "водохозяйственный комплекс региона". Приводятся количественные и качественные характеристики состояния развития этой отрасли в АРК. Делаются выводы и предложения относительно повышения эффективности функционирования отрасли, улучшению качества предоставляемых услуг.У статті дається визначення поняття "водогосподарський комплекс регіону". Приводяться кількісні і якісні характеристики стану розвитку цієї галузі в АРК. Робляться висновки й пропозиції щодо підвищення ефективності функціонування галузі, поліпшенню якості надаваних послуг.There is given the definition of concept "a water complex of the region" in this article. Quantitative are resulted and qualitative behaviors of a condition of development of this area in АRК. The conclusions and proposals concerning increase of efficiency of operation of area, improvement of the quality of rendered services are done

Assessing the efficacy and cost of detergents used in a primary care automated washer disinfector

Background: Cleaning of re-usable medical devices is a critical control point in the decontamination cycle, although defined end-points of the process are controversial. Objective: Investigate cleaning efficacy and cost of different detergent classes in an automated washer disinfector (AWD) designed for dental practice. Methods: Loads comprised test soiled dental hand instruments in cassettes and extraction forceps. Residual protein assayed using the International standard method (ISO 15883-5:2005) 1% SDS elution with ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) or GBox technology (on instrument OPA analysis). Short (60 minutes) and long (97 minutes) AWD cycles were used with four different classes of detergents, tap water and reverse osmosis water. Results: SDS elution analysis (N = 612 instruments) demonstrated four detergents with both wash cycles achieved equivalent cleanliness levels and below a threshold of 200 μg protein/instrument. GBox methodology (N = 575) using UK Department of Health threshold of 5 μg/instrument side demonstrated that tap water performed with the greatest efficacy for all types of instruments and cycle types. Conclusions: Using International standard methodology, different detergent classes had equivalence in cleaning efficacy. Cheaper detergents used in this study performed with similar efficacy to more expensive solutions. Findings emphasise the importance of validating the detergent (type and concentration) for each AWD

Periodontal dysbiosis associates with reduced CSF Aβ42 in cognitively normal elderly

Introduction: Periodontal disease is a chronic, inflammatory bacterial dysbiosis that is associated with both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down syndrome. / Methods: A total of 48 elderly cognitively normal subjects were evaluated for differences in subgingival periodontal bacteria (assayed by 16S rRNA sequencing) between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker groups of amyloid and neurofibrillary pathology. A dysbiotic index (DI) was defined at the genus level as the abundance ratio of known periodontal bacteria to healthy bacteria. Analysis of variance/analysis of covariance (ANOVA/ANCOVA), linear discriminant effect‐size analyses (LEfSe) were used to determine the bacterial genera and species differences between the CSF biomarker groups. / Results: At genera and species levels, higher subgingival periodontal dysbiosis was associated with reduced CSF amyloid beta (Aβ)42 (P = 0.02 and 0.01) but not with P‐tau. / Discussion: We show a selective relationship between periodontal disease bacterial dysbiosis and CSF biomarkers of amyloidosis, but not for tau. Further modeling is needed to establish the direct link between oral bacteria and Aβ

Dietary elimination of children with food protein induced gastrointestinal allergy – micronutrient adequacy with and without a hypoallergenic formula?

Background: The cornerstone for management of Food protein-induced gastrointestinal allergy (FPGIA) is dietary exclusion; however the micronutrient intake of this population has been poorly studied. We set out to determine the dietary intake of children on an elimination diet for this food allergy and hypothesised that the type of elimination diet and the presence of a hypoallergenic formula (HF) significantly impacts on micronutrient intake. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted on children diagnosed with FPIGA on an exclusion diet who completed a 3 day semi-quantitative food diary 4 weeks after commencing the diet. Nutritional intake where HF was used was compared to those without HF, with or without a vitamin and mineral supplement (VMS). Results: One-hundred-and-five food diaries were included in the data analysis: 70 boys (66.7%) with median age of 21.8 months [IQR: 10 - 67.7]. Fifty-three children (50.5%) consumed a HF and the volume of consumption was correlated to micronutrient intake. Significantly (p <0.05) more children reached their micronutrient requirements if a HF was consumed. In those without a HF, some continued not to achieve requirements in particular for vitamin D and zinc, in spite of VMS. Conclusion: This study points towards the important micronutrient contribution of a HF in children with FPIGA. Children, who are not on a HF and without a VMS, are at increased risk of low intakes in particular vitamin D and zinc. Further studies need to be performed, to assess whether dietary intake translates into actual biological deficiencies

A Performance Analysis on Pressure Loss and Airflow Diffusion in a Chamber with Perforated V-Profile Diffuser Designed for Air Handling Units (AHUs)

Outlet cross-sectional area of fans used in air handling units is smaller than cross-sectional area of chambers which are located next to the fan. In order to ensure efficiently operating of the air handling units, it is required that the air flows through a perforated diffuser to create a uniform air diffusion from fan outlet to following chamber with a minimum pressure loss and uniform velocity distribution. In this concept, numerical simulations and experiments were performed for the chamber with perforated V-profile diffuser, which is often used in air handling units because of its simple geometry and easy manufacturing. Pressure losses were firstly obtained experimentally for different air velocities in the chamber. Then a performance analysis on the air flow diffusion and pressure losses inside chamber with perforated V-profile diffuser for different geometric parameters such as entry length, apex angle, geometry and pattern of hole, plate thickness, porosity and surface roughness has been carried out numerically. It is seen that the experimental results validated with the numerical turbulence model results