An analytic homogenization model in traction and bending for orthotropic composite plates with the type of double corrugated cardboard

In this paper, an analytic homogenization model in traction and flexion for the double corrugated cardboard plates is presented. The proposed analytical homogenization model allows modelling the 3D double corrugated cardboard with a 2D homogenized plate. This model is essentially based on the theory of stratification and then improved by using the theory of sandwich. This model was validated by comparing the results of Abaqus-3D and H-2D model using "user's subroutine" "UGENS". The homogenization model can be used not only for corrugated cardboard plates, but also for naval and aeronautic composite structure

A Study of SVC’s Impact Simulation and Analysis for Distance Protection Relay on Transmission Lines

This paper focuses on analyzing and evaluating impact of a Static Var Compensator (SVC) on the measured impedance at distance protection relay location on power transmission lines. The measured impedance at the relay location when a fault occurs on the line is determined by using voltage and current signals from voltage and current transformers at the relay and the type of fault occurred on the line. The MHO characteristic is applied to analyze impact of SVC on the distance protection relay. Based on the theory, the authors in this paper develop a simulation program on Matlab/Simulink software to analyze impact of SVC on the distance protection relay. In the power system model, it is supposed that the SVC is located at mid-point of the transmission line to study impact of SVC on the distance relay. The simulation results show that SVC will impact on the measured impedance at the relay when the fault occurs after the location of the SVC on the power transmission line

Isolation and production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from Bacillus pumilus NMG5 strain for bioplastic production and treatment of wastewater from paper factories

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has the potential to replace traditional plastics and limit environmental pollution caused by plastic waste. This study combined wastewater treatment with PHB production to reduce costs. Bacteria capable of synthesizing PHB were isolated from paper mill wastewater and identified using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization–Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Bacillus pumilus NMG5 strain was found to have a good yield in modified Nutrient Broth culture, reaching 42.28% of dry biomass. The PHB product was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The bacterial strain was also tested for its ability to treat paper mill wastewater, and it showed impressive results in terms of biochemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, with efficiencies of 95.93%, 79.36%, and 83.55%, respectively. The study found that wastewater treatment combined with PHB production was a promising solution to reduce costs and limit environmental pollution. The bacterial strain B. pumilus NMG5 had a high yield of PHB, and the PHB product was of high quality, as confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the bacterial strain showed impressive results in treating paper mill wastewater with high COD, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus efficiencies. These results suggest that this harmless bacterium could be used in paper mill wastewater treatment systems to produce PHB, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution

Antibiotic use and prescription and its effects on Enterobacteriaceae in the gut in children with mild respiratory infections in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A prospective observational outpatient study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment guidelines do not recommend antibiotic use for acute respiratory infections (ARI), except for streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis and pneumonia. However, antibiotics are prescribed frequently for children with ARI, often in absence of evidence for bacterial infection. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions for mild ARI in paediatric outpatients in relation to available guidelines and detected pathogens, 2) to assess antibiotic use on presentation using questionnaires and detection in urine 3) to assess the carriage rates and proportions of resistant intestinal Enterobacteriaceae before, during and after consultation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled in Children's Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and diagnoses, prescribed therapy and outcome were recorded on first visit and on follow-up after 7 days. Respiratory bacterial and viral pathogens were detected using molecular assays. Antibiotic use before presentation was assessed using questionnaires and urine HPLC. The impact of antibiotic usage on intestinal Enterobacteriaceae was assessed with semi-quantitative culture on agar with and without antibiotics on presentation and after 7 and 28 days. RESULTS: A total of 563 patients were enrolled between February 2009 and February 2010. Antibiotics were prescribed for all except 2 of 563 patients. The majority were 2nd and 3rd generation oral cephalosporins and amoxicillin with or without clavulanic acid. Respiratory viruses were detected in respiratory specimens of 72.5% of patients. Antibiotic use was considered inappropriate in 90.1% and 67.5%, based on guidelines and detected pathogens, respectively. On presentation parents reported antibiotic use for 22% of patients, 41% of parents did not know and 37% denied antibiotic use. Among these three groups, six commonly used antibiotics were detected with HPLC in patients' urine in 49%, 40% and 14%, respectively. Temporary selection of 3rd generation cephalosporin resistant intestinal Enterobacteriaceae during antibiotic use was observed, with co-selection of resistance to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. CONCLUSIONS: We report overuse and overprescription of antibiotics for uncomplicated ARI with selection of resistant intestinal Enterobacteriaceae, posing a risk for community transmission and persistence in a setting of a highly granular healthcare system and unrestricted access to antibiotics through private pharmacies. REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number registry under number ISRCTN32862422: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN32862422

Anxiety and its risk factors among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing COVID-19 situation: A cross-sectional survey

Introduction In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety–State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants. Results From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05). Conclusion Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.Revisión por pare

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

A Method Based on Only Currents for Determining Fault Direction in Radial Distribution Networks Integrated with Distributed Generations

Nowadays, more distributed generations (DGs) are connected to a radial distribution network, so conventional overcurrent relays cannot operate correctly when a fault occurs in the network. This study proposes a method to determine the fault direction in a three-phase distribution network integrated with DGs. The obtained pre-fault and fault currents are utilized to extract their phasors by the fast Fourier transform, and the phase angle difference between the positive-sequence components of the pre-fault and fault currents is used. Moreover, the method only uses the local current measurement to calculate and identify the phase angle change of the fault current without using the voltage measurement. Matlab/Simulink software is used to simulate the three-phase distribution network integrated with DGs. The faults with different resistances are assumed to occur at backward and forward fault locations. The simulation results show that the proposed method correctly determines the fault direction

Hybrid Volt/Var Control Algorithm between Distributed Generation and On-Load Tap Changer for Mitigating Overvoltage in Distribution Network

Large penetration of distributed generations into a distribution network can make a reverse power flow that causes overvoltage on the network. This paper studied a hybrid volt/var control algorithm between the on-load tap changer (OLTC) and the distributed generation (DG) to prevent overvoltage on the network. This algorithm is integrated in the central control program at the control center where all the measurement, control and monitoring data of the network are carried out. This algorithm is verified and evaluated through the simulation using the Matlab/Simulink software. The simulation results show the effectiveness of mitigating overvoltage of the hybrid volt/var control algorithm between the OLTC and the DG

Voltage Estimation of Distribution Network Integrated with Distributed Generation Using Remote Measurement Data

This paper presents a novel method of voltage estimation in distribution networks integrated with distributed generations (DGs). The proposed method is based on applying the weighted least squares (WLS) method to minimize the object function of error measurement which is formulated from the network configuration, the real-time and pseudo measurements at the main substation and DG buses. The method has been evaluated through various simulation case studies of the 17-bus radial distribution network integrated with one solar power plant and two wind power plants. The simulation results have shown the performance of the proposed method

Locating Fault on Transmission Line with Static Var Compensator Based on Phasor Measurement Unit

The flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) have been widely used in modern power systems. Because of the presence of the FACTS devices, distance relays in transmission lines may inaccurately locate fault locations. Therefore, it is significant to find a mechanism for locating fault in transmission lines connected to FACTS in which a static var compensator (SVC) is investigated in this work. Based on the development of a phasor measurement unit (PMU) with global positioning system (GPS), this paper proposes a new method for calculating apparent impedance seen by the distance relay location while a short-circuit fault occurs in a transmission line connected the SVC to the midpoint of the line. According to the method, sampled voltage and current measurement at the relay and SVC locations are synchronized using PMUs and the synchronized measurements are then used to calculate a new apparent impedance and to locate the fault location in the line. The method in this paper has the capability for fast calculation and it also has the robustness for identifying different fault types in power systems. Matlab/Simulink software is applied to simulate the study results and to evaluate the correctness of the modeling and effectiveness of the proposed method for locating fault in this paper