Estudio del Instituto Geologico de España acerca de la cuenca hidrologica de la Sierra de Mijas o Torremolinos

Copia Digital : Diputación de Málaga. Biblioteca Cánovas del Castillo, 201

Gastrointestinal Langerhans cell histiocytosis responding to cladribine and imatinib mesylate

Gastrointestinal involvement in Langerhans cells histiocytosis (LCH) is extremely rare. An optimal treatment regimen is not defined yet and its prognosis is relatively poor. Cladribine, and more recently, Imatinib mesylate (IM) have been recommended as treatment options in refractory LCH. Here we present a case of gastrointestinal involvement in an adult patient with LCH refractory to several treatment regimens who responded nicely to cladribine and currently treated with IM 300 mg/day, as maintenance, for the last 24 months

The Melodrama of Possessive Agency

In the last decades, streams within posthumanism and new materialism, have turned their attention to the phenomenon of agency. And they have done so in ways which open the phenomenon for social and cultural historical investigations, relevant for cultural studies and literary studies alike. This article uses a concrete case—the melodramatic novel Koloss by Norwegian author Finn Alnæs—in order to speculate on how a literary form can be seen to co-evolve—or in this case, clash—with fluctuations in the cultural history of agency. In the 1960s—the heydays of cybernetics—a discrepancy can be observed, between the nourishment of individualism in politics and advertisement, and the distribution of individual agency in the new emerging technologies of cybernetics, which pushed agency as a question in the forefront of a series of novels, Koloss included. However, the novel’s discussion of agency was ignored by the critics, as well as in the scholarly literature to follow. In an effort to get closer to the co-development of ideas of agency and aesthetic form, the article asks why this has been the case. Did the melodramatic form of the novel stand in the way of its aesthetic reflection on agency? And could the novel and its reception therefore be seen as an example of the existence of complex feedback-loops, between ideas of agency in a given culture and aesthetic form

Automatic Tumor Segmentation in PET/CT Images of Head and Neck Cancers: Quantifying Uncertainty Using Test-Time Augmentation

Delineation of target volumes is a critical step of the radiotherapy workflow for the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC). Manual delineation is a complex and time-consuming task, where accurate contours are important to ensure the best treatment outcome possible. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to accelerate the delineation process by providing automatic contours of target volumes. AI-models have demonstrated the ability to generate contours with acceptable quality, but the complexity of the models makes it nearly impossible to determine how a model arrived at the predictions. This makes it difficult to understand and trust the predicted contours. Therefore, it is of interest to develop methods that can help end users understand the reliability of the predictions. The goal of this thesis was to measure the uncertainty associated with AI-generated contours and investigate if there was a relationship between the uncertainty level and the quality of the predicted contours. This was done to determine whether the uncertainty metrics could help identify incorrect predictions. Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) images of patients with HNC were analyzed. A pretrained convolutional neural network (CNN) with a 3D U-net architecture was used to generate contours of primary tumors and affected lymph nodes. Manual contours performed by medical specialists served as the ground truth contour during the training of the segmentation model and the evaluation of the uncertainty estimates. The method used to quantify uncertainty in this thesis was Test-Time Augmentation. For every input image, 40 modified versions of the image were made by randomly performing intensity, sharpness, and noise modifications to the image. The segmentation model was then used to generate predicted contours for every version of the input image. Then, uncertainty was measured based on how these contours deviated. Uncertainty was measured on both patient- and voxel level. The correlation between the patient-wise uncertainty metrics and the segmentation quality was measured using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The patient-wise metrics investigated showed Spearman correlation coefficients between 0.50-0.71 in magnitude, where high uncertainty values were associated with low segmentation quality. On the voxel level, it was found that incorrectly classified voxels were associated with higher entropy values compared to correctly classified voxels. TTA- based voxel-wise uncertainty was also compared to voxel-wise uncertainty derived from the Monte Carlo Dropout (MC Dropout) approach. The analysis showed that a greater number of the incorrectly classified voxels were associated with higher uncertainty values when using TTA compared to MC Dropout. The findings from this thesis indicate that TTA-based uncertainty can help determine when the predicted contours are reliable or not

Validation of a Combined Wind and Wave Power Installation

To meet the increasing energy demand of the world it is important to develop technology for harvesting energy from renewable sources. One of the largest renewable energy sources is the world s oceans, where wind, wave and thermal energy are considered the main sources. Offshore wind and wave technology is emerging; several designs are under development and prototype testing of some technologies has given positive results. It is beneficial to install wind turbines and wave converters on the same foundation as this can reduce costs and facilitate connection to shore.A validation of the combined wind and wave power production platform W2Power has been carried out in this thesis. W2Power is a triangular semi-submersible platform with two wind turbines and ten wave energy converters along the sides. The work has consisted of planning and performing an experimental campaign and making numerical simulation models of the platform. For the experimental campaign only one side of the platform has been considered, this to reduce costs and increase test model accuracy. The main objectives of the experimental campaign were estimation of power production and investigation of the interaction between the wave energy converters. The wave energy converters were tested for operational conditions, both regular and irregular waves. A total of three simulation models have been made using the softwares GeniE, HydroD (Wadam) and SIMA. Of these, two models are of the experimental set-up, where one is tuned to produce the same results as the model tests and one is untuned for comparison, and one model of the entire platform. The two wind turbines integrated in the W2Power design have not been taken into account. The model tests were not performed with optimal load resistance in the air cylinders due to a calculation error made in the beginning of the experimental campaign. This resulted in the air cylinders acting more as springs than dampers, overestimating the actual forces and slightly underestimating the responses of the buoys. Some measurements with optimal load resistance exist, and the estimation of produced power was done based on these. An electricity production of 10 400 GWh per year was estimated as a total for all ten wave converters connected to the platform. The expected electricity output of the platform should be in the range of 1 10 GWh per year, when compared with other wave energy devices, making the estimations unexpectedly high. The RAOs computed in Wadam for the buoys alone, i.e. not connected to the platform framework, concord with the calculated RAOs from the model test. The heave peak period in Wadam is 6 seconds versus 5.5 seconds for the measured results, while the surge peak periods are 5 versus 5.5 seconds. The heave peak amplitudes varies from 1.9 m/m for 0o incoming angle to 1.3 m/m for 90o and from 0.7 m/m to 0.4 m/m in surge. This concordance implies that the hydrodynamics of the buoys is correctly modelled. The responses measured during the model test and the calculated RAOs revealed that a shadowing effect between the buoys exist: the buoy interacting with the incoming waves first have higher response and forces than the other buoys.The analyses done with the numerical simulation model in SIMA did not give satisfactory results. The rotation point was modelled so that the rotation arms of the buoys were flexible instead of stiff arms rotating about a point. To achieve correct responses large forces were applied to the fixed elongation couplings representing the air cylinders. This led to large vertical forces on the rotation arm that were not consistent with the measured forces. However, the simulated horizontal forces acting on the platform framework were of equal magnitude as the measured for most conditions analysed. The response of the buoys had to be reduced to simulate correct vertical forces, making the numerical model inconsistent with the measured responses. Based on the model test and the estimation of produced power, it was concluded that the W2Power design is feasible

Epidemiology and sustainable control of Podosphaera aphanis (strawberry powdery mildew)

Until recently strawberries grown in the United Kingdom were grown in open fields, the plants and fruit were exposed to the British weather. This resulted in a short 6 week harvest period where the fruit was often damaged by rain and infected by Botrytis cinerea. Strawberry growers started to use polythene tunnels to extend the cropping season, protect the fruit from rain damage and reduce the incidence of infection by B. cinerea. However the conditions produced by the polythene tunnels were ideal for the growth and development of Podosphaera aphanis (strawberry powdery mildew). Growers are now under pressure from the retailers to reduce the amount of fungicides that they use to control P. aphanis. The symptoms related to P. aphanis infection have been identified (leaf cupping, visible mycelium and red blotches) and a progression has been established: From the symptom progression two new s~ring methods for the identification of P. aphanis infections were developed wmch have greater relevance to current cultivation methods than the previous method. The source of initial inoculum for newly planted and established sites was identified. The inoculum was planted into new sites on the plants coming from the propagators and overwintering on plants within established sites. This was contrary to what the growers believed. They were basing their early season tunnel management on keeping the perceived air borne infection out of their tunnels. A rule based prediction system has been developed that has the potential to reduce the number of fungicide applications applied by the growers. The prediction system ensures that fungicide applications are not applied too close together. Potassium Bicarbonate has been shown to provide comparable control of P. aphanis to that achieved with Systhane (Myclobutanil). Significantly better control of P. aphanis was achieved using a new (at the time) product, Fortress (Quinoxyfen). There were significant differences in the resistance °to infection by P. aphanis displayed by different cultivars of strawberry. Elsanta, the cultivar favoured by the retailers was not one of the most resistant. Control of inoculum . already present on plants as they are being planted could be achieved by dipping the plant in Systhane. Growers are under considerable pressure from the retailers to reduce the amount of fungicides used to control P. aphanis. Growers could achieve this by implementing the recommendations made in this report

The Growth of SMEs: An Empirical Investigation of Norwegian Exporters

This thesis consists of two articles. Article one investigates the interdependent relationships between motivation for growth, the firm’s international orientation, its past growth and subsequent performance. Although these construct to a limited degree have been treated in previous literature, hardly any studies have examined their comparative and complementary effects on growth in revenue, employment and export sales. Our findings reveal a close and interdependent relationship between the motivation for growth and the international orientation of the firm: Firms with a strong motivation for growth tend to have a high international orientation and display superior growth both domestically and abroad. The positive connection between international orientation and performance indicate that even though international involvement may be resource demanding and put additional strain on the domestic activities, a high international orientation is positive for overall firm growth. Additionally, our results also reveal that some firms were able to systematically outperform the rest throughout the whole eleven year period. Article two takes a slightly different perspective on firm growth and investigates the importance of R&D activities during a financial crisis. Though several studies have found a positive connection between R&D and subsequent performance in periods of normal growth, existing literature provide limited guidance to managers about the particular role of R&D during a recession. As the external environment of the firm greatly differs during a recession, so may also the importance of R&D activities. Our findings reveal that firms who devoted considerable resources to R&D activities performed significantly better than the rest through the late 2000’s financial crisis. The connection between R&D and performance actually turned out to be comparatively stronger during the financial crisis than in the growth period from 2004-2008. Thus, the importance of R&D activities seems to be accentuated during a financial crisis. For business managers, this implies that R&D activities can serve both to boost growth in normal times and as a way to bolster the firm for the inevitable next recession

The use of a starch-based superabsorbent polymer to support and optimise potato production in the sandy soils of the Sandveld production region in South Africa.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2023.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Trends in agriculture are rapidly shifting towards more sustainable approaches. This is no different for the ecologically sensitive Sandveld region, where agricultural activities put pressure on the indigenous biodiversity and available resources. Potato production in the Sandveld region is highly reliant on groundwater resources for irrigation purposes, due to the low annual precipitation coupled with very high evaporative demands, especially in summer months. Additionally, potato crops are sensitive to water stress and the crop’s poorly developed rooting system is inefficient in extracting the already low plant available water in sandy soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, Zeba™, to support and improve potato production systems in semi-arid, drought prone areas. This study was approached by means of a field trial as well as a supplementary pot trial. In the field trial, four rates of Zeba™, were applied in- furrow at planting, and compared to a control. Soil water content measurements showed that the soil layers from the treatments contained more moisture than the control. Generally, increased potato tuber yield (P<0.05) was observed with increasing rates of Zeba™, except for the highest treatment rate, which had a similar yield as the control (P>0.05). The application of Zeba™ did not adversely affect the tuber quality. The increased tuber yields resulted in improved resource-use efficiencies. The water-use efficiencies, as well as nutrient-use efficiencies were either higher, or equivalent, to values reported for previous research in the area. Three application rates, similarly as three of the rates in the field trial but adjusted for a 15 cm pot, were compared to a control in a pot trial. The water holding capacity of the soil and polymer system was assessed one day, and three days after a weekly irrigation event. The trial was run over a twelve week period. The results showed that both the treatment rate and the time intervals had a significant influence on the water holding capacity of the soil. Similar to the findings of the field trial, the water holding capacity increased with an increase in product applied. The use of the superabsorbent polymer had a more pronounced effect on the water holding capacity as the soil dried out after the irrigation event, due to its superior ability to retain water compared to the large pores of sandy soils. In comparison to the control, the use of this product retained more water on the third day after irrigation than on the first day after irrigation. Although a decrease in water holding capacity was observed as the trial progressed, there was no clear indication that it was due to a reduction in the polymer's absorption ability from degradation. The decrease observed is ascribed to the increase in temperature, which led to a higher evaporation rate. Zeba™ successfully improved potato production in the Sandveld by increasing the water holding capacity of the sandy soils, leading to an increase in fresh tuber yield and improved resource use efficiencies. A treatment rate of 10 kg ha⁻¹ of Zeba™ is recommended as optimal to support and optimise potato production in the Sandveld region. This product could also be used to sustain production in other semi-arid regions and drought prone areas, with similar soil textures, when water stress limits production.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tendense in landbou is vinnig besig om na meer volhoubare benaderings te verskuif. Vir die ekologies sensitiewe Sandveldstreek, waar landbou-aktiwiteite tans druk op die inheemse biodiversiteit en die natuurlike hulpbronne plaas, is dit geensins anders nie. Aartappelproduksie in hierdie streek is baie afhanklik van grondwaterbronne vir besproeiingsdoeleindes. Dit is as gevolg van ‘n baie lae jaarlikse reënval en hoë verdamping, veral in die somermaande. Aartappels is ook uiters sensitief vir waterstres en hul vlak wortelstelsel is oneffektief in die opname van die reeds lae beskikbare grondwater in die sandgrond. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die potensiaal van die bioafbreekbare superabsorberende polimeer, Zeba™, te evalueer en om te bepaal of dit aartappelproduksie in droë streke kan ondersteun en optimaliseer. Hierdie studie is deur middel van 'n veldproef, sowel as 'n aanvullende potproef, uitgevoer. In die veldproef is vier Zeba™ behandelings met ‘n kontrole vergelyk. Grondwaterinhoudmetings het bepaal dat die grond waar die Zeba™, toegedien is, meer water as die kontrole bevat het. In die meeste van die Zeba™ behandelings was ‘n verhoging in opbrengs waargeneem (p < 0.05), behalwe vir die hoogste toedieningspeil wat ‘n soortgelyke opbrengs (p > 0.05) as die kontrole gehad het. Die toediening van Zeba™ het ook nie die kwaliteit van die aartappelknolle negatief beïnvloed nie. Die verhoging in opbrengste het die hulpbronverbruiksdoeltreffendheid verbeter. Die waterverbruiksdoeltreffendheid, asook die doeltreffendheid van die verbruik van voedingstowwe was óf hoër, óf soortgelyk aan die bevindinge van vorige studies in die area. Drie toedieningskoerse, soortgelyk aan dié van die veldproef, maar aangepas vir ‘n 15 cm pot, is met ‘n kontrole in die potproef vergelyk. Die waterhouvermoë van die grond en polimeersisteem was een dag, sowel as drie dae na besproeiings plaasgevind het, geassesseer. Die resultate het getoon dat beide die toedieningskoers en die tydsintervalle 'n beduidende invloed (p < 0.05) op die waterhouvermoë van die sandgrond gehad het. Soortgelyk aan die bevindinge van die veldproef, het die waterhouvermoë van die sandgrond met die toediening van Zeba™ verbeter. Die superabsorberende polimeer het veral ‘n beduidende effek op die waterhouvermoë gehad namate die grond uitgedroog het. Dit is omrede die polimeer ‘n beter vermoë het om die water te hou, as die groot porieë van sandgrond. Alhoewel 'n afname in waterhouvermoë waargeneem is namate die proef gevorder het, was daar geen duidelike aanduiding dat dit as gevolg was van ‘n afname in die polimeer se absorpsievermoë, wat ontstaan het as gevolg van die afbreek van die produk nie. Die afname wat waargeneem is word toegeskryf aan die toename in temperatuur, wat gelei het tot 'n hoër verdampingstempo. Zeba™ was suksesvol in die optimalisering van aartappelproduksie in die Sandveld, deurdat dit die waterhouvermoë van die sandgrond verbeter het wat tot verhoogde opbrengste en ‘n verbetering in hulpbrongebruiksdoeltreffendheid gelei het. ‘n Toedieningspeil van 10 kg Zeba™ ha⁻¹ word voorgestel as die optimale peil om aartappelproduksie in die Sandveldstreek te ondersteun en optimaliseer. Hierdie produk kan moontlik ook gebruik word in ander droë streke waar gronde met soortgelyke teksture aangetref word en waar produksie beperk word deur waterstres.Master