An economic evaluation of liquid manure disposal from confinement finishing hogs

Bibliography: p. 28

Galoob v. Nintendo: Derivative Works, Fair Use & Section 117 in the Realm of Computer Programs Enhancements

This Note will analyze the holding in Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of America. First a background of copyright law relevant to computer technology and video games will be developed. Emphasis will be placed on the issues surrounding exceptions to a copyright holder\u27s exclusive rights and the enhancement of computer programs

Design of master and slave modules on battery management system for electric vehicles

Nowadays, electric vehicle usage and the use of LiFePO4 batteries in electric vehicles gradually increase. However, there are important features to be considered to use these batteries safely and efficiently. Incorrect use of these batteries can lead to burning, explosion or shortening of the life of batteries. In this paper, a Battery Management System (BMS) for lithium based batteries is designed that operates more efficiently and communicates with UART between master and slave modules and can communicate via CAN protocol with external devices. Micro controller based control and protection equipment is designed that help to measure and monitor the voltage, temperature and current values of the batteries. They protect the battery cells from the conditions such as over charge, over discharge, high current, high temperature. BMS balances battery cell voltages during charging process with passive cell voltage balancing. In addition to the main controller module in the BMS, slave controller modules have been added to provide high resolution voltage and temperature tracking. A modular BMS has been devised which can be used in groups of batteries of different voltage values thanks to electrically isolated slave control modules

Perioperative Risk Factors for Postoperative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy

Background Postoperative delirium affects up to 50% of patients undergoing esophagectomy and is associated with negative outcomes. The perioperative risk factors for delirium in this population are not well understood. We conducted this study to assess perioperative risk factors for postoperative delirium among esophagectomy patients. Methods We performed a secondary data analysis of patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of haloperidol prophylaxis postoperatively in reducing delirium among esophagectomy patients. Postoperative delirium was assessed twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between perioperative variables and development of postoperative delirium. Results Of 84 consecutive esophagectomy patients, 27 (32%) developed postoperative delirium. Patients who developed postoperative delirium had higher APACHE II scores [22.1 (6.5) versus 17.4 (6.8); p=0.003], longer mechanical ventilation days [1.7 (1.4) versus 1.0 (1.1); p=0.001], and longer ICU days [5.1 (2.6) versus 2.6 (1.6); p<0.001]. In a logistic regression model, only ICU length of stay was found to have significant association with postoperative delirium [OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.21-2.25]. Conclusions ICU length of stay was significantly associated with postoperative delirium. Other perioperative factors including duration of surgery, blood loss, and hemoglobin levels were not significantly associated with postoperative delirium

Mode control in VCSELs using patterned dielectric anti-phase filters

A novel transverse mode control method to achieve single-fundamental-mode lasing and higher-order-mode suppression using a multi-layer, patterned, dielectric anti-phase (DAP) filter is employed on the top of oxide-confined and proton-implanted vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). Dielectric layers are deposited and patterned on individual VCSELs in a wafer-scale process to modify (increase/decrease) the mirror reflectivity across the oxide aperture via anti-phase reflections, creating spatially-dependent threshold material gain and VCSEL lasing mode control. A one-dimensional (1D) plane-wave propagation method is used to calculate the dielectric layer thicknesses in each spatial region needed to facilitate or suppress lasing. A Quasi-3D oxide-confined VCSEL model is formulated using a combination of variations of the propagation matrix method, the weighted effective index method, and the step-index fiber mode dispersion (BV) curves to properly calculate the effect of the DAP filter on the calculated cavity modes as well as determine the optimal radial proportions of the filter. A single-fundamental-mode, continuous-wave output power greater than 4.0 mW is achieved on an oxide-confined VCSEL at a lasing wavelength of 850 nm with a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) greater than 25 dBm. Proton-implanted VCSELs achieve a single-fundamental-mode, continuous-wave output power of up to 3.5 mW with a SMSR of 25 dBm. The behavior of the proton-implanted devices both with and without the DAP filter illuminates an unobserved annular thermal guiding mechanism even in smaller device sizes, contrary to historical models which have calculated or assumed a parabolic refractive index or gain-guided profile. A finite difference, self-consistent thermal, electrical, and optical model is developed and agrees well with the observed results both with and without the DAP filter. The dielectric anti-phase filter is an additive, non-destructive method that allows for mode selection at any lasing wavelength and for any VCSEL layer structure or design without the need for destructive etching techniques or epitaxial regrowth. It also offers the capability of a tailored filter design based on available materials and deposition methods

Dynamic Modeling of In-Use Cement Stocks in the United States

A dynamic substance-flow model is developed to characterize the stocks and flows of cement utilized during the 20th century in the United States, using the generic cement life cycle as a systems boundary. The motivation for estimating historical inventories of cement stocks and flows is to provide accurate estimates of contemporary cement in-use stocks in U.S. infrastructure and future discards to relevant stakeholders in U.S. infrastructure, such as the federal and state highway administrators, departments of transportation, public and private utilities, and the construction and cement industries. Such information will assist in planning future rehabilitation projects and better life cycle management of infrastructure systems. In the present policy environment of climate negotiations, estimates of in-use cement infrastructure can provide insights about to what extent built environment can act as a carbon sink over its lifetime. The rate of addition of new stock, its composition, and the repair of existing stock are key determinants of infrastructure sustainability. Based upon a probability of failure approach, a dynamic stock and flow model was developed utilizing three statistical lifetime distributions—Weibull, gamma, and lognormal—for each cement end-use. The model-derived estimate of the “in-use” cement stocks in the United States is in the range of 4.2 to 4.4 billion metric tons (gigatonnes, Gt). This indicates that 82% to 87% of cement utilized during the last century is still in use. On a per capita basis, this is equivalent to 14.3 to 15.0 tonnes of in-use cement stock per person. The in-use cement stock per capita has doubled over the last 50 years, although the rate of growth has slowed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72233/1/JIEC_055_sm_SuppMat.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72233/2/j.1530-9290.2008.00055.x.pd

Jednostavni uređaj za određivanje konstante dielektričnosti

U literaturi nalazimo opise razlicitih aparata za odredivanje konstante dielektricnosti tekucina i plinova, s pomocu koje je moguce odrediti dipolni moment. Pregled tih aparata dat je u knjizi R. J. W . Le Fevre-a i u prirucniku A . Weissbergera. Jednostavni aparat opisao je i P. Bende

Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors: Updates in Diagnosis and Management

Primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors represent a rare but important malignancy that occurs in otherwise young and healthy patients. Treatment is challenging and involves cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove residual disease. Avoiding bleomycin-containing chemotherapy in the treatment of primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors is important. Prechemotherapy and postchemotherapy pathology as well as postoperative serum tumor markers are independent predictors of long-term survival

Management of broncholithiasis

Broncholithiasis is a condition in which calcified material has entered the tracheobronchial tree, at times causing airway obstruction and inflammation. Broncholiths generally originate as calcified material in mediastinal lymph nodes that subsequently erode into adjacent airways, often as a result of prior granulomatous infection. Disease manifestations range from asymptomatic stones in the airway to life-threatening complications, including massive hemoptysis and post-obstructive pneumonia. Radiographic imaging, particularly computed tomography scanning of the chest, is integral in the evaluation of suspected broncholithiasis and can be helpful to assess involvement of adjacent structures, including vasculature, prior to any planned intervention. Management strategies largely depend on the severity of disease. Observation is warranted in asymptomatic cases, while therapeutic bronchoscopy and surgical interventions may be necessary for cases involving complications. Bronchoscopic extraction is often feasible in cases in which the broncholith is freely mobile within the airway, whereas partially-embedded broncholiths represent additional challenges. Surgical intervention is indicated for advanced cases deemed not amenable to endoscopic management. Complex cases involving complications such as massive hemoptysis and/or bronchomediastinal fistula formation are best managed with a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing expertise from fields such as pulmonology, radiology, and thoracic surgery

Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma displays abnormalities in homologous recombination and nucleotide excision repair

OBJECTIVE: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) continues to be a disease associated with high mortality. Among the factors leading to poor outcomes are innate resistance to currently available therapies, advanced stage at diagnosis, and complex biology. Platinum and ionizing radiation form the backbone of treatment for the majority of patients with EAC. Of the multiple processes involved in response to platinum chemotherapy or ionizing radiation, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair has been a major player in cancer sensitivity to these agents. DNA repair defects have been described in various malignancies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether alterations in DNA repair are present in EAC compared with normal gastroesophageal tissues. METHODS: We analyzed the expression of genes involved in homologous recombination (HR), nonhomologous end-joining, and nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways in 12 EAC tumor samples with their matched normal counterparts. These pathways were chosen because they are the main pathways involved in the repair of platinum- or ionizing-radiation-induced damage. In addition, abnormalities in these pathways have not been well characterized in EAC. RESULTS: We identified increased expression of at least one HR gene in eight of the EAC tumor samples. Alterations in the expression of EME1, a structure-specific endonuclease involved in HR, were the most prevalent, with messenger (m)RNA overexpression in six of the EAC samples. In addition, all EAC samples revealed decreased expression of at least one of numerous NER genes including XPC, XPA, DDB2, XPF, and XPG. CONCLUSION: Our study identified DNA repair dysregulation in EAC involving two critical pathways, HR and NER, and is the first demonstration of EME1 upregulation in any cancer. These DNA repair abnormalities have the potential to affect a number of processes such as genomic instability and therapy response, and the consequences of these defects deserve further study in EAC