Bound-free pair production mechanism in Pb-p collisions at LHC

In this work, cross section calculations of bound-free pair production (BFPP) are done for the mechanism in Pb-p collisions at LHC. BFPP cross section for the asymmetric collisions of Pb-p at the center of mass energies of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=5,02 TeV$ and $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=8,16 TeV$ is computed. In order to reach the exact results, Monte Carlo integration techniques are utilized to calculate the lowest-order Feynman diagrams amplitudes via the lowest order perturbation theory. Also, in this work our cross section results for BFPP mechanism in Pb-p collisions at LHC are compared with BFPP cross section results obtained in literature, which are reached for Pb-p collisions by using a simple scaling applied to scale BFPP cross section results in Pb-Pb collisions at LHC

Design of low-pass ladder networks with mixed lumped and distributed elements by means of artificial neural networks

In this paper, calculation of parameters of low-pass ladder networks with mixed lumped and\ud distributed elements by means of artificial neural networks is given. The results of ANN are compared with the values that are desired. It has been observed that the calculated and the desired values are extremely close to each other. So this algorith can be used to obtain the parameters that\ud will be used to synthesize such circuits

Βenthic hydrozoan assemblages as potential indicators of environmental health in a Μediterranean Μarine protected area

The comparative study of marine benthic hydrozoan assemblages can improve our understanding of environmental and ecological conditions in marine protected areas (MPAs) such as the large Mediterranean MPA of Datça-Bozburun, where important prospects for future intensive tourism development exist. The analysis of such assemblages may help managers detect changes in important parameters of ecosystem health within this MPA. In this study we compared the hydrozoan assemblages occurring on hard (rocky) and soft (Posidonia meadows) bottoms from stations belonging to three different conditions: i) small marinas (medium anthropogenic impact), ii) yacht stopovers (low impact), and iii) unspoiled sites (no impact) in the southern part of the Datça Peninsula during summer and winter 2015 and 2016. Significant differences in the structure, species composition and richness of benthic hydrozoans among the sampling sites were detected. In both seasons, hydroid assemblages in medium-impact sites significantly differed from little-impact and no-impact sites in terms of qualitative composition. Large structural species were widely represented in all hard-bottomed sampling sites, but small inconspicuous taxa with diverse life histories were much less abundant at the medium impacted sites. Species richness and diversity in Posidonia meadows was much higher in little- and no-impact sites, where highly specific hydroid epibionts were abundant

Benthic Hydrozoans as Potential Indicators of Water Masses and Anthropogenic Impact in the Sea of Marmara

Changes in the abundance and distribution of marine benthic hydrozoan species are indicative of variations in environmental conditions in the marine realm. The comparative analysis of such assemblages can improve our understanding of environmental and ecological conditions in the Sea of Marmara, a strongly stratified and heavily populated inland sea connecting the Aegean and Black seas, on route of national and international maritime traffic. We compared the hydrozoan assemblages occurring in harbours with those developed at natural sites, as well as the assemblages associated with the Black Sea water mass versus the Mediterranean water mass in the vicinities of the Prince Islands, the north-easternmost section of the Sea of Marmara. Sampling took place at 12 stations, once in March 2015 and once in August 2015 in order to cover species with both warm and cold water affinities. Multivariate analyses showed that benthic hydroid assemblages with both affinities differed significantly between the heavily trafficked harbours of the Prince Islands (connected to the metropolis of Istanbul) and areas without human settlements and maritime traffic. In addition, highly distinct hydroid assemblages were found characterizing both areas with water of Mediterranean origin and areas with water from Black Sea origin. Based on our results, we discuss the potential for the use of these organisms as indicators of water masses and anthropogenic impact at the regional level

Prospective Preschool Teachers’ Academic Achievements Depending on Their Goal Orientations, Critical Thinking Dispositions and Self-Regulation Skills

The aim of this study is to explain and predict prospective preschool teachers’ academic achievements depending on goal orientations they adopt, their critical thinking dispositions and self-regulation skills. Research sample constitutes of 265 prospective preschool teachers attending the Faculty of Educational Sciences in Cukurova University. Research data were collected with the 2x2Achievement Goal Orientations Scale, Self-Regulation Questionnaire and Critical Thinking Disposition Scale. Demographical information about prospective teachers’ gender, age, grade level and academic grade point averages were obtained with the personal information form. For the analysis of research data, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and discriminant analysis were used. In this study; it was concluded that prospective teachers with high level of learning approach orientation, critical thinking disposition and self-regulation skills had higher levels of academic achievement. However, it was determined that distinguishing variables among prospective preschool teachers with low, medium and high level of academic achievement included learning approach, performance approach goal orientation and critical thinking disposition and self-regulation skills. Correct classification percentage of distinguishing variables according to prospective preschool teachers’ levels of academic achievement was determined as 48.8%. Considering the fact that prospective teachers’ achievement-goal orientations, critical thinking dispositions and self-regulation skills may increase their academic achievement and shape their future teaching performances, it is suggested to implement programs that will contribute to the development of such skills and orientations among prospective preschool teachers

Case report of radiation-induced lung injury with trastuzumab emtansine: the lung also matters

With an increase in the number of agents used concurrently with radiotherapy (RT), a new research area has emerged regarding toxicity. Here, we present a case of a 47-year-old woman presenting with radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) that occurred six months after the end of RT with concomitant and sequential use of trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) with RT. The patient’s T-DM1 treatment was discontinued because of RILI. Antibiotic and methylprednisolone treatments were started. The steroid dose was gradually tapered and completely discontinued after full recovery. If new agents are used concurrently with RT, the toxicity profile of new agents should be kept in mind

Marmara Seawater Desalination by Membrane Distillation: Direct Consumption Assessment of Produced Drinking Water

Drinking water was produced from Marmara seawater by membrane distillation (MD). The best operating conditions were determined by batch experiments as: 0.45 μm PTFE, 30°C distillate temperature and temperature difference, and 270–360 L/h cross‐flow rates in feed‐distillate. Seawater desalination was carried out with 99.93% solute rejection and 17.2 L/m2h permeate flux in 66% concentration ratio by lab‐scale pilot system. Since the desalinated water contained no organic carbon, turbidity, and nitrate, it seemed to be very suitable for immediate service with quality of 7.3 pH, clear, odor‐free, 76.0 µS/cm, 47.1 mg TDS/L, <0.001 color, and 0.01 mg boron/L. The product water lacked of vital cations, especially Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ that are essentials for promoting osmotic balanced body liquid and healthy development. A holistic management approach towards satisfying specific water quality requirements in direct service of MD effluents to human consumption was proposed that jointly included in injecting into urban potable water, adding appropriate chemicals into the effluent, and mixing effluents with raw or concentrated seawater (1:250/1:1000 for Marmara seawater) or brackish natural waters under hygienic precautions

Predictive value of atrial electromechanical delay for atrial fibrillation recurrence

Background: We investigated the predictive value of atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) for recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) at 1-month after cardioversion.Methods: Seventy-seven patients with persistent AF were evaluated and finally 50 patients (12 men, 38 women) were included. All patients underwent transthoracic electrical DC cardioversion under amiodarone treatment. AEMD was measured as the time interval from the onset of the P wave on electrogram (ECG) to the beginning of late diastolic wave (Am) from the ventricular annulus and atrial walls on tissue Doppler imaging, in the apical 4-chamber view 24 h after cardiversion. P wave maximum-duration (Pmax), P wave minimum-duration (Pmin) and P wave dispersion-duration (Pdis) were calculated on the 12-lead ECG at 24-h postcardioversion. We followed the heart rate and rhythm by 12-lead ECG at 24-h, 1-week and 1-month.Results: At 1-month follow-up after cardioversion, 28 (56%) patients were in sinus rhythm (SR), whereas 22 (44%) patients reverted to AF. The AEMD durations were longer in AF group than SR group (p &lt; 0.001) and were signifi cantly correlated with Pmax and Pdis (p &lt; 0.001 for both). For AF recurrence; duration of AF, left atrial (LA) diameter, maximum LA volume index, mitral A velocity and LA lateral AEMD were significant parameters in univariate-analysis, however LA lateral AEMD was the only significant parameter in multivariate-analysis (OR: 1.46; 95% CI 1.02–2.11; p = 0.03).Conclusions: Our results suggest that AEMD is associated with an increased risk of recurrence of AF within 1-month. These data may have implications for the identification of patients who are most likely to experience substantial benefit from cardiversion therapy for AF

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely