A comparison of variable valve strategies at part load for throttled and un-throttled SI engine configurations

The presented work concerns the study of the fuel consumption and emissions benefits achieved at part load by employing a fully variable valve train in a 1.6L SI gasoline engine. The benefits achieved when using variable valve timing alone, and combined with an early intake closing strategy for un-throttled operation were explored in order to highlight the merits of throttle versus un-throttled engine operation in conjunction with variable valve timing and lift. In addition, particular interest was given to the presence of internal Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and its ability to reduce pumping loss at part load. An engine model employing multiple sub models to handle variable valve operation was constructed using a commercial gas dynamics engine code, allowing detailed analysis of three valve strategies. Using the engine model, a theoretical study validated by experimentally available data was carried out to study key valve timing cases. A detailed breakdown of the mechanisms present in each case allowed a comprehensive understanding of the influence of valve timing on gas exchange efficiency and fuel consumption

The distribution of baroclinity within the atmosphere

A three dimensional numerical interpolation scheme which resolves frontal gradients with fidelity was developed. The scheme is applied to the study of atmospheric upper baroclinic zones

The uniqueness of the invariant polarisation-tensor field for spin-1 particles in storage rings

We argue that the invariant tensor field introduced in [1] is unique under the condition that the invariant spin field is unique, and thereby complete that part of the discussion in that paper.Comment: 8 page

Universal amplitude ratios in the 3D Ising Universality Class

We compute a number of universal amplitude ratios in the three-dimensional Ising universality class. To this end, we perform Monte Carlo simulations of the improved Blume-Capel model on the simple cubic lattice. For example, we obtain A_+/A_-=0.536(2) and C_+/C_-=4.713(7), where A_+- and C_+- are the amplitudes of the specific heat and the magnetic susceptibility, respectively. The subscripts + and - indicate the high and the low temperature phase, respectively. We compare our results with those obtained from previous Monte Carlo simulations, high and low temperature series expansions, field theoretic methods and experiments.Comment: 18 pages, two figures, typos corrected, discussion on finite size corrections extende

Flight test techniques for wake-vortex minimization studies

Flight test techniques developed for use in a study of wake turbulence and used recently in flight studies of wake minimization methods are discussed. Flow visualization was developed as a technique for qualitatively assessing minimization methods and is required in flight test procedures for making quantitative measurements. The quantitative techniques are the measurement of the upset dynamics of an aircraft encountering the wake and the measurement of the wake velocity profiles. Descriptions of the instrumentation and the data reduction and correlation methods are given

Hemostatic function and progressing ischemic stroke: D-dimer predicts early clinical progression

<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> Early clinical progression of ischemic stroke is common and is associated with increased risk of death and dependency. We hypothesized that activation of the coagulation system is an important contributor in some cases of deterioration. We aimed to characterize alterations in circulating hemostatic markers in patients with progressing stroke.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Consecutive acute ischemic stroke admissions were recruited. Progressing stroke was defined by deterioration in components of the Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Hemostatic markers (coagulation factors VIIc, VIIIc, and IXc, prothrombin fragments 1+2 [F1+2], thrombin-antithrombin complexes [TAT], D- dimer, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor [vWF] and tissue plasminogen activator) were measured within 24 hours of symptom recognition.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Fifty-four (25%) of the 219 patients met criteria for progressing stroke. F1+2 (median 1.28 versus 1.06 nmol/L, P=0.01), TAT (5.28 versus 4.07 mug/L, P lt 0.01), D-dimer ( 443 versus 194 ng/mL, P lt 0.001) and vWF (216 versus 198 IU/dL, P lt 0.05) levels were higher in these patients than in stable/improving patients. In logistic regression analysis, with all important clinical and laboratory variables included, only natural log D-dimer (odds ratio [OR]: 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38 to 2.54; P=0.0001) and mean arterial blood pressure (OR: 1.26 per 10 mm Hg change; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.51; P=0.01) remained independent predictors of progressing stroke.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> There is evidence of excess thrombin generation and fibrin turnover in patients with progressing ischemic stroke. Measurement of D-dimer levels can identify patients at high risk for stroke progression. Further research is required to determine whether such patients benefit from acute interventions aimed at modifying hemostatic function.</p&gt

Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Point-Of-Care CD4 Testing on the HIV Epidemic in South Africa.

Rapid diagnostic tools have been shown to improve linkage of patients to care. In the context of infectious diseases, assessing the impact and cost-effectiveness of such tools at the population level, accounting for both direct and indirect effects, is key to informing adoption of these tools. Point-of-care (POC) CD4 testing has been shown to be highly effective in increasing the proportion of HIV positive patients who initiate ART. We assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of introducing POC CD4 testing at the population level in South Africa in a range of care contexts, using a dynamic compartmental model of HIV transmission, calibrated to the South African HIV epidemic. We performed a meta-analysis to quantify the differences between POC and laboratory CD4 testing on the proportion linking to care following CD4 testing. Cumulative infections averted and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated over one and three years. We estimated that POC CD4 testing introduced in the current South African care context can prevent 1.7% (95% CI: 0.4% - 4.3%) of new HIV infections over 1 year. In that context, POC CD4 testing was cost-effective 99.8% of the time after 1 year with a median estimated ICER of US$4,468/DALY averted. In healthcare contexts with expanded HIV testing and improved retention in care, POC CD4 testing only became cost-effective after 3 years. The results were similar when, in addition, ART was offered irrespective of CD4 count, and CD4 testing was used for clinical assessment. Our findings suggest that even if ART is expanded to all HIV positive individuals and HIV testing efforts are increased in the near future, POC CD4 testing is a cost-effective tool, even within a short time horizon. Our study also illustrates the importance of evaluating the potential impact of such diagnostic technologies at the population level, so that indirect benefits and costs can be incorporated into estimations of cost-effectiveness