The Praha-Bubny railyard : improving the competitiveness of a mixed-use development

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture; and, (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1993.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-115).by Guy F.A. Desmidt and Andreas E. Metaxa.M.S

Preliminary aspects concerning phytoplankton structure in the Balta Mare – Carja 1 fish farm

The present paper presents information on the structure and the dynamics of the water ecosystem’s phytoplankton of the Carja 1 fish farm - Vaslui County, carps and Asian cyprinids are grown ascommon fish. To establish the structure and the dynamics of the phytoplankton, two samples from 6 stations were taken in the spring and in the autumn, using of a Garmin GPS 7- type navigation system.When analysing the number of individuals and the algae species present in the phytoplankton’s structure, one can notice the low development level of the vegetable plankton. From the quantity point of view, one can notice the numerical abundance of the clorophyceae in all the analysed samples. The dominant species were: Scenedesmus acuminatus, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Tetrastrum staurogenieforme. The small number of species and algae specimens determined in the phytoplankton’s structure emphasizes the reduced level of trophicity and biodiversity of the analysed ecosystem

Development of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and its Clinical Implications

In the early 1990s the concept of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) appeared challenging and totally unrealistic. It was a true “resurrection” for Cribier and his whole team performing the first TAVI in an inoperable patient in 2002, using a transeptal antegrade approach and balloon-expandable aortic valve prosthesis. Since then TAVI has been performed in more than 50000 patients worldwide. TAVI is currently indicated in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) and acceptable life expectancy who are not suitable for aortic valve replacement (AVR) (indication class IB) or as an alternative to aortic valve replacement (AVR) in selected high-risk operable patients (class IIB), according to the “Heart Team” assessment.  The TAVI Heart Team comprised of clinical cardiologists, interventionalists, surgeons, anaesthetists and imaging specialists with expertise in the treatment of valve disease, selects patients suitable for TAVI taking into account advantages and disadvantages of both AVR and TAVI. A logistic EuroSCORE ≥20% (logistic EuroSCORE I tends to overestimate observed mortality risk by a factor of 2 to 3 and a newly updated logistic EuroSCORE II is currently available in clinical practice) or a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score >10% are suggested as indications for TAVI therapy. Recent publications have identified a number of baseline variables independently associated with mortality or poor outcome in patients undergoing TAVI (low body mass, functional status, left ventricular dysfunction, NT-proBNP, prior stroke, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, anemia, severe tricuspid and mitral regurgitation, porcelain aorta or history of chest radiation) which could be integrated into new scoring systems to quantify and predict the prognosis of TAVI both in the immediate and in the long term... (excerpt

The distribution of extracellular matrix in the human uterus

Several lines of evidence suggest that there may be a distinction between the inner and outer myometrium. Magnetic resonance imaging has shown that the uterus of women of reproductive age consists of three layers, in addition, transvaginal ultrasound has revealed that peristaltic waves, during the course of the normal menstrual cycle, emanate only from the inner myometrial muscle. Finally histological findings have suggested that there is a three-fold increase in the nuclear density of the inner compared to the outer myometrium, hi addition, trophoblast invasion is restricted to the inner third of the myometrium. Based on these lines of evidence it was postulated that there could be a difference in extracellular matrix between inner and outer myometrial smooth muscle. To test this hypothesis, the distribution of different laminin chains, collagen IV and elastin were examined in the human uterus, hi addition observations were made to determine whether there was tissue specificity of laminin type expression. Forty-four hysterectomy specimens were collected, from women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions, representing all phases of the menstrual cycle. These also included specimens from patients who had been treated with intrauterine levonorgestrel (MirenaRTM). Cryo- and paraffin embedded sections were prepared. Immunocytochemistry was carried out using monoclonal antibodies directed to the alpha2, beta1, beta2, and gamma1 laminin chains, collagen IV, elastin, CD31 and the 68kD neurofilament protein. Digital imaging, by microscopy and scanning, was undertaken and novel image analysis methods were developed to examine the myometrial distribution of extracellular matrix proteins. Elastin detection was confirmed by orcein staining. As predicted collagen IV and the gamma1 laminin chain were present in the basement membranes of the vascular smooth muscle, myometrial smooth muscle, vascular-endothelium and endometrial epithelium. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)

Structural performance of steel-concrete sandwich beams with carbon nanofiber reinforcement

Cementitious materials such as concrete are typically characterised as quasi-brittle with low tensile strength and low strain capacity, which hence affect the long-term durability of the structure. One of the most important issues in designing and maintaining massive concrete structures like offshore and nuclear power plants is concrete cracking, which is due to the low tensile strength of concrete. This can destroy the structural aesthetic and lead to deterioration of the structure. The addition of fibers to concrete has been proven to be a good mean to control its crack behaviour and maintain its ductility in tension. Further, since the discovery of carbon nanotubes/fibers (CNT/CNF), they have been also considered as efficient fibers for construction materials such as concrete. This study presents the structural performance of steel-concrete (SC) elements with a fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) core using both single and hybrid fibers (i.e. consisting of two types of fibers). For this study carbon nanofibers, and steel fibers which are conventionally used in practice, are used for the FRC. Static tests were conducted on eight SC beams with different concrete types. The paper reports on the experimental results obtained from four-point flexural loading of the SC beams. The study shows considerable improvement for both the strength and ductility of the tested specimens. The research laid the groundwork for additional in-depth studies on using carbon nanofiber reinforced concrete within structural members

Device Therapy in Refractory Heart Failure

Advanced heart failure (HF) has been defined as persistent symptoms that limit daily life despite optical medical therapy, corresponding to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV symptoms or to the newer classification of stage D HF (ACC/AHA staging classification). It affects 10% of the HF population and is associated with a poor quality of life, recurrent hospitalizations and a mortality approaching 50% at 1 year and 80% at 5 years. Despite the widespread use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta adrenergic blocking agents and spironolactone which improve the prognosis in mild to moderate stages, HF remains a progressive disease leading to decompensation and demand of both inotropic agents (class III recommendation according to ACC/AHA guidelines, considered solely for palliation in patients with end-stage disease) and diuretics to treat hypotension, impaired renal function and pulmonary congestion.Heart transplantation (HT) is associated with nearly 90% 1-year survival, 60% 10-year survival and 95% freedom from symptoms and activity limitations in survivors throughout the follow-up period. Nevertheless, the lack of available donors and the large number of patients, who do not meet the criteria for transplantation, have spurred interest in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and mechanical circulatory support (MCS), providing alternatives for patients waiting for HT (bridge to transplantation, BTT), patients who are ineligible for HT (destination therapy, DT) or patients who are anticipated to recover after left ventricular unloading (bridge to recovery, BTR)... (excerpt