Radial basis function networks for contingency analysis of bulkpower systems

Radial basis function networks (RBFNs) are used for contingency evaluation of bulk power system. The motivation behind this work is to exploit the nonlinear mapping capabilities of RBFN in estimating line loading and bus voltage of a bulk power system following a contingency. Unlike most of the available neural networks based techniques, the proposed method utilizes the potential of RBFN in planning studies. The performance of the RBFN is compared with a standard AC load flow algorith

Contingency analysis of bulk power system using neural networks

Radial basis function networks (RBFNs) are used for the contingency evaluation of bulk power systems. The motivation behind this work is to exploit the nonlinear mapping capabilities of RBFN in estimating line loading and bus voltages of a bulk power system following a contingency. Unlike most of the available neural network-based techniques, the proposed method utilizes the potential of RBFN in planning studies. The performance of the RBFN is compared with a standard AC load flow algorith

Contingency analysis of bulk power system using neural networks

Radial basis function networks (RBFNs) are used for the contingency evaluation of bulk power systems. The motivation behind this work is to exploit the nonlinear mapping capabilities of RBFN in estimating line loading and bus voltages of a bulk power system following a contingency. Unlike most of the available neural network-based techniques, the proposed method utilizes the potential of RBFN in planning studies. The performance of the RBFN is compared with a standard AC load flow algorith

Macrophage-derived interleukin-1beta promotes human breast cancer cell migration and lymphatic adhesion in vitro

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI), encompassing blood and lymphatic vessel invasion, is an important event in tumourigenesis. Macrophages within the tumour microenvironment are linked to the presence of LVI and angiogenesis. This study investigates the role of macrophage-derived, caspase-1 dependent interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in an in vitro model of LVI. IL-1β significantly augmented the adhesion and transmigration of breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 across endothelial cell barriers. MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 showed a higher percentage of adhesion to lymphatic endothelial cells than blood endothelial cells following endothelial cell IL-1β stimulation (P<0.001 and P<0.0001 respectively). Supernatants from activated macrophages increased the adhesion of tumour cells to lymphatic and blood endothelium. Secretion of IL-1β was caspase-1 dependent, and treatment with caspase-1 inhibitor reduced IL-1β production by 73% and concomitantly reduced tumour cell adhesion to levels obtained with resting macrophages. Transmigration of MDA-MB-231 cells across blood and lymphatic endothelial monolayers was significantly increased following IL-1β stimulation. Furthermore, supernatants from activated macrophages increased transmigration of MDA-MB-231 cells across endothelial monolayers, which was abolished by caspase-1 inhibition. IL-1β stimulation of tumour cells significantly increased their migratory ability and a significant increase in migration was observed when MDA-MB-231 cells were stimulated with macrophage conditioned media (two of three donors). Results demonstrate that macrophage production of IL-1β plays an important role in the migration of breast cancer cells and their adhesion to, and transmigration across, blood and lymphatic endothelial cells. Results suggest that IL-1β may play a role in the adhesion to lymphatic endothelial cells in particular

Assessment of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting by dobutamine stress echocardiography

Dobutamine stress echocardiography is an accurate method for the diagnosis and localization of vascular compromise in patients evaluated after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The test provides useful data for selection of patients for whom coronary angiography may be indicated

Relation between ST segment elevation during dobutamine stress test and myocardial viability after a recent m

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between ST segment elevation during the dobutamine stress test and late improvement of function after acute Q wave myocardial infarction. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: 70 patients were studied a mean (SD) 8 (3) days after acute myocardial infarction with high dose dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography and a follow up echocardiogram at 85 (10) days. A score model based on 16 segments and four grades was used to assess left ventricular function. Functional improvement was defined as a reduction of wall motion score > or = 1 in > or = 1 segments at follow up. INTERVENTION: Myocardial revascularisation was performed in 23 patients (33%) before follow up studies. RESULTS: ST segment elevation occurred in 40 patients (57%). Late functional improvement occurred in 35 patients (50%). Functional improvement was more common in patients with ST segment elevation (68% v 30%, P < 0.005) and they had a higher mean (SD) number of improved segments at follow up (1.9 (2.2) v 0.5 (1.1), P < 0.005). The wall motion score index decreased between baseline and follow up in patients with ST segment elevation (1.54 (0.50) v 1.48 (0.43), P < 0.05) but not in patients without ST segment elevation (1.39 (0.60) v 1.45 (0.47)). The accuracy of ST segment elevation for the prediction of functional improvement was similar to that of low dose dobutamine echocardiography in patients with anterior infarction (80% v 83%) and in patients who underwent revascularisation (78% v 83% respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with a recent Q wave myocardial infarction, dobutamine-induced ST segment elevation is a valuable marker of myocardial viability particularly when the test is performed without or with suboptimal echocardiographic imaging

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children &lt;18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p&lt;0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p&lt;0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p&lt;0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Mindfulness-based stress reduction or aerobics exercise for reducing burnout in medical residents- a study protocol for a phase III, open-label, multi-center, randomized controlled trial: The MINDER Collaborative group study

Background and objectives: Burnout results from chronic workplace stress leading to emotional exhaustion, negativity, and decreased professional efficiency. In the healthcare system, this can have consequences like increased medical errors, absenteeism, substance abuse, depression, and suicide among health professionals, adversely affecting patient care. Various individual-directed measures like the mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR), one of the most studied and widely adopted techniques, and physical activity, like aerobics or sports, have shown to be effective against burnout. With this study, we intend to increase awareness regarding this public health issue among the residents and the faculty. Our aim is to define a successful intervention that can be incorporated as a yearly requirement for the completion of residency programs. Methodology: This study will be a phase III, multicentric, open-label, placebo (waiting list) controlled trial. Our sample size will be 720 residents sampled from 6 university hospitals from across the world, randomized into 3 parallel arms (1:1:1 ratio stratified according to site and specialty). Residents, diagnosed with burnout based on baseline Maslach Burnout Inventory score (MBI) and having no prior physical or mental health issues, will be included. The first group will undergo the MBSR program for 8 weeks, the second group will undergo a supervised aerobics program for 8 weeks, and the third group will be put into a waiting list for any of the interventions. The primary outcome will be the change in MBI scores after the intervention. The secondary outcomes will be the change in MBI score 3 months after the intervention, and changes in measures like heart rate, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, cortisol levels, quality of sleep and quality of life after the intervention and 3 months later. We also plan to do a subgroup analysis to see the difference based on specialty and gender. Study impact: The residency training period is considered one of the most stressful phases in medical education. Higher rates of burnout are noted in the residents, and this can negatively impact patient care and the progression of their careers. This trial will look at multiple interventions to combat burnout recruiting residents of different specialties in different work environments across the world. We hope to remove the stigma surrounding burnout in the healthcare system. This study will show the short and long term benefits of these interventions and would help us recommend their inclusion in various residency programs

Development and analysis of hierarchical feedforward neural network systems for classification of motor neurone disease based on magnetic resonance spectra

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