Development of a petroleum pipeline monitoring system for characterization of damages using a Fourier transform

Significant damage to the environment and huge economic losses are potential problems caused by leakage from petroleum pipelines. The occurrence of a leakage in a pipeline throughout its lifetime is very difficult to prevent. To minimize environmental damage and high economic losses, an efficient pipeline monitoring system is required to carry out damage characterization thereby enhancing quick response. The signal processing technique of sampling and reconstruction was adopted and mathematical algorithms for the characterization of damages in pipes were developed using the Fourier transform method. These were simulated with the results showing a good agreement between the shapes and magnitudes of the measured original and reconstructed pulses. The simulation was verified with experiments on the test rig. The results showed an underestimation in the magnitudes of the reconstructed pulses in the range of 40 – 45 %. This problem was solved by using a factor K obtained by dividing the maximum amplitude value of the original pressure pulse by that of the reconstructed pulse. Reconstruction of the measured original pulse at a damage location was achieved from combining the measured pulses from two other close locations using the developed Fourier transform based model. Keywords: Damage Pipeline-monitoring Characterization Fourier transform Reconstructio

The effect of pyridoxine supplementation on quality of life of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Objective: Pyridoxine, is essential in the metabolism of many classes of food, we aimed at determining the effect of its supplementation on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).Methods: This study compared the (QoL) and haematological parameters of CLL patients before and after the administration of pyridoxine. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 19.Results: There was improvement in the QoL of the patients after pyridoxine supplementation; Majority of the parameters that make up the physical functional scales was significantly higher after pyridoxine supplementation. There were also significant improvements in insomnia, appetite loss and constipation after pyridoxine supplementation.Conclusion: Pyridoxine supplementation in patients with CLL marginally improved quality of life.Keywords: Pyridoxine, Supplementation, Quality of life, Leukaemia, CL

Modeling of applications and hardware to explore task mapping and scheduling strategies on a heterogeneous micro-server system

Conference of 31st IEEE International Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium Workshops, IPDPSW 2017 ; Conference Date: 29 May 2017 Through 2 June 2017; Conference Code:129004International audienceMany of todays important applications of our everyday lives, e.g. weather forecast, design of plane and car shapes, medical analysis or even search engine queries depend on massively-parallel computer programs that are executed in data centers hosting thousands of computers. A large amount of electrical energy is used to power them, and it is of primary importance to compute more efficiently to sustain the increasing demand of computing power while keeping energy consumption reasonable. One promising research path in this domain is heterogeneous systems. The rationale for that is that at least parts of applications execute more efficiently depending on the computing resource (processors, accelerators, etc.). Nevertheless, the exploitation of these heterogeneous platforms raises new challenges in terms of application management optimization on available computing resources. The aim of our work is to determine effective algorithms to exploit these heterogeneous platforms by finding the best mapping and scheduling of an application to optimize the execution time and energy consumption with respect to various constraints. To achieve this goal, there is a need of a detailed modeling of the applications and the underlying hardware to be able to find realistic solutions. In this paper, we propose such as model, provide two implementations with state-of-the-art tools and preliminary mapping and scheduling numerical results

Effect of an intravaginal device containing progesterone on the ovarian activity in cyclic mares

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a progesterone releasing intravaginal device plus the injection of PGF2? at removal and the application of hCG on day 5 after withdrawal on the ovarian activity in cyclic mares. Additionally, pregnancy rates were evaluated at the end of the study. Animals were divided into two groups: Treated with an intravaginal device containing 1.38 g progesterone during 8 days plus PGF2? at the removal time and an hCG injection to animals with a follicle with a diameter ? 30 mm on day 5 and controls (no treatment). Four days after removal, animals were mated. Plasma progesterone concentrations remained 2.1 ng ml-1 during the period that the devices were kept into the vagina. An ovulatory follicle between the device removal and hCG application was observed in 83.4% (25/30) of the treated animals: 68% (17/25) ovulated in response to hCG while 32% (8/25) ovulated spontaneously during the fi rst 4 days post device removal. In the control group, ovulations occurred randomly. On day 45, animals were ultrasonographed for pregnancy diagnosis. It was recorded a higher percentage of pregnant mares during the fi rst days post treatment in the T group although differences were not statistically signifi cant. In summary, the use of an intravaginal device containing progesterone in a protocol as presented in this study permit an important synchronization of the appearance of ovulatory follicles around day 5 after removal. \nFil: Bianchi, C.P. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Area de Endocrinología. Tandil, ArgentinaFil: Bianchi, C.P. CONICET. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Guerrero, R. Laboratorio Syntex S.A. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Videla Dorna, I. Laboratorio Syntex S.A. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Cavilla, M.V. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Area de Endocrinología. Tandil, ArgentinaFil: Cavilla, M.V. CONICET. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Aba, M.A. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Area de Endocrinología. Tandil, ArgentinaSe evaluó el efecto de un dispositivo intravaginal conteniendo progesterona más una inyección de prostaglandina F2? (PGF2?) al retiro del dispositivo y la aplicación de Gonadotrofi na Coriónica humana (hCG) al día 5 post retiro sobre la actividad ovárica en yeguas cíclicas. Adicionalmente, se evaluaron los porcentajes de preñez. Los animales se dividieron en: grupo T: animales tratados a partir del día 0 con dispositivo intravaginal conteniendo 1,38 g de progesterona durante 8 días más aplicación de PGF2? al retiro y al 5to día hCG a aquellos animales con un folículo ? 30 mm y grupo C: animales controles; sin tratamiento. Al 4to día post retiro los animales fueron puestos en servicio por monta natural en manada. El dispositivo indujo concentraciones plasmáticas de progesterona superiores a 2,1 ng ml-1 durante su exposición. En el 83,4% de los animales del grupo T (25/30) se observó la presencia de un folículo ovulatorio entre el retiro del dispositivo y el día de inyección de hCG: el 68% (17/25) ovuló como respuesta a la hCG, mientras que el 32% (8/25) lo hizo espontáneamente en los primeros 4 días post retiro. En los animales controles se registraron ovulaciones aleatoriamente. Al día 45 del retiro, la ecografía demostró un mayor porcentaje de yeguas preñadas en los primeros días post tratamiento en el grupo T, aunque las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente signifi cativas. Se concluye que la utilización de un dispositivo intravaginal en el protocolo descripto, resulta en una importante sincronización de la aparición de folículos ovulatorios alrededor del 5to día post retiro

Oestrogen, Progesterone and Oxytocin Receptors and COX-2 Expression in Endometrial Biopsy Samples from the Induction of Ovulation to Luteolysis in Llamas (Lama glama)

Endometrial expression of oestrogen (ERa), progesterone (PR) and oxytocin receptor (OR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was evaluated from the induction of ovulation to luteolysis in llamas. Ovarian activity was daily assessed by ultrasonography in five females. Ovulation was induced immediately after the detection of an ovulatory follicle by a GnRH injection (Day 0). Endometrial samples were obtained by transcervical biopsies from the left and right horns on day 0 and days 4, 8, 10 and 12 post-GnRH. Blood samples were collected daily for progesterone and estradiol-17b determinations by RIA. An immunohistochemical technique was used to study receptors population and COX-2 expression which were then evaluated by two independent observers. The expression of ERa and PR was highest on day 0 in the luminal epithelium and stroma in association with high plasma estradiol-17b concentrations. Thereafter, a decrease in ERa population was registered on day 4 and a new increase of its expression was observed between days 8 and 12 in those cell types. Conversely, PR population was gradually down-regulated until its lowest expression was reached on day 10 post-GnRH in the luminal epithelium. Content of OR was similar throughout the study in all cell types. The expression of COX-2 was highest from day 8 to 12 post-GnRH in the luminal epithelium, in relation to the time of maximal PGF2a release. Both steroid receptors populations and COX-2 expression were similar between horns. Meanwhile, OR expression was higher in the right than in the left uterine horn. In summary, this study showed that the loss of endometrium sensitivity to progesterone by days 8?10 post-induction of ovulation and the concomitant increase of COX-2 expression could play a key role in the mechanism of luteolysis and somehow be related to the short corpus luteum lifespan of llamas.Fil: Bianchi, Carolina Paula. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Ctro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil;Fil: Meikle, A.. Universidad de la República de Uruguay; Uruguay;Fil: Alvarez, M.A.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatologia. Laboratorio de Endocrinologia; Argentina;Fil: Benavente, Micaela Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET- Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina;Fil: Cavilla, María Verónica. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatologia. Laboratorio de Endocrinologia; Argentina;Fil: Rodriguez, E.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina;Fil: Aba, Marcelo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Ctro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil

Avaliação biológica e econômica do uso de flunixin meglumine em vacas e novilhas de corte inseminadas em tempo fixo Biological and economic evaluation of flunixin meglumine in postpartum beef cows and heifers inseminated at fixed time

Objetivou-se verificar a redução de perdas embrionárias por meio do bloqueio da secreção de prostaglandina com a utilização de flunixin meglumine (FM) e avaliar o retorno econômico desta técnica. No experimento 1, utilizaram-se vacas de corte no pós-parto e, no experimento 2, somente novilhas. Todas as fêmeas foram sincronizadas e inseminadas em tempo fixo (IATF) e, após 14 dias da IATF, foram distribuídas em dois grupos: grupo flunixin meglumine (GFM), composto de 59 vacas no experimento 1 e 23 novilhas no experimento 2; e grupo controle (GC), de 56 vacas no experimento 2 e 20 novilhas no experimento 1, que receberam ou não flunixin no dia 14, respectivamente. O tratamento com flunixin não influenciou a taxa de prenhez, que, no experimento 1, foi de 42,4% no grupo flunixin e 42,8% no grupo controle e, no experimento 2, de 39,1% no grupo flunixin e 25,0% no grupo controle. Verificou-se rentabilidade de 21,62; 9,24; 14,36 e 12,06% para os protocolos dos grupos controle e flunixin dos experimentos 1 e 2, respectivamente. A taxa de prenhez não foi influenciada pelo uso de flunixin meglumine no dia 14 após inseminação artificial em vacas no pós-parto e novilhas inseminadas em tempo fixo.<br>This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and the economical advantage of using flunixin meglumine (FM) to block uterine secretion of prostaglandin in order to reduce embryonic losses in beef cattle females. Postpartum cows (E1) and heifers (E2) were submitted to estrus synchronization and inseminated at fixed time. Fourteen days after the insemination the animals were assigned to the FM treatment group (FMG, including 59 cows and 23 heifers) and to the control group (CG, including 56 cows and 20 heifers). Pregnancy rates (42.4% for FMG and 42.8% for CG in E1) and (39.1% for FMG and 25.0% for CG in E2) did not differ between groups. Estimates of net income were 21.62, 9.24, 14.36 and 12.06% for the CG e FMG protocols in cows and in heifers, respectively. The use of FM at 14 days after AI did not affect pregnancy rates of postpartum beef cows and heifers

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien\u2013Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9\ub72 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4\u20137) and 7 (6\u20138) days respectively (P &lt; 0\ub7001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6\ub76 versus 8\ub70 per cent; P = 0\ub7499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0\ub790, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub755 to 1\ub746; P = 0\ub7659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34\ub77 versus 39\ub75 per cent; major 3\ub73 versus 3\ub74 per cent; P = 0\ub7110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after elective colorectal surgery, and is associated with increased adverse events and prolonged hospital stay. The aim was to assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing ileus after surgery. Methods: A prospective multicentre cohort study was delivered by an international, student- and trainee-led collaborative group. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The primary outcome was time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite measure of bowel function and tolerance to oral intake. The impact of NSAIDs was explored using Cox regression analyses, including the results of a centre-specific survey of compliance to enhanced recovery principles. Secondary safety outcomes included anastomotic leak rate and acute kidney injury. Results: A total of 4164 patients were included, with a median age of 68 (i.q.r. 57\u201375) years (54\ub79 per cent men). Some 1153 (27\ub77 per cent) received NSAIDs on postoperative days 1\u20133, of whom 1061 (92\ub70 per cent) received non-selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. After adjustment for baseline differences, the mean time to gastrointestinal recovery did not differ significantly between patients who received NSAIDs and those who did not (4\ub76 versus 4\ub78 days; hazard ratio 1\ub704, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub796 to 1\ub712; P = 0\ub7360). There were no significant differences in anastomotic leak rate (5\ub74 versus 4\ub76 per cent; P = 0\ub7349) or acute kidney injury (14\ub73 versus 13\ub78 per cent; P = 0\ub7666) between the groups. Significantly fewer patients receiving NSAIDs required strong opioid analgesia (35\ub73 versus 56\ub77 per cent; P &lt; 0\ub7001). Conclusion: NSAIDs did not reduce the time for gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery, but they were safe and associated with reduced postoperative opioid requirement