Utilization of simulink verification and validation (V&V) and simulink design verifier (SDV) for HVAC controls software

This presentation introduces Simulink Verification and Validation™ and Simulink Design Verifier™ and highlights advanced verification and validation techniques (involving structural coverage analysis and formal methods) for testing various components within the HVAC Controls Software Readiness and Core Engineering groups. The session also summarises some of General Motors’ results and discusses the benefits already obtained and those we hope to achieve in the long run, as well as some of the challenges that confront us

Utilization of simulink verification and validation (V&V) and simulink design verifier (SDV) for HVAC controls software

This presentation introduces Simulink Verification and Validation™ and Simulink Design Verifier™ and highlights advanced verification and validation techniques (involving structural coverage analysis and formal methods) for testing various components within the HVAC Controls Software Readiness and Core Engineering groups. The session also summarises some of General Motors’ results and discusses the benefits already obtained and those we hope to achieve in the long run, as well as some of the challenges that confront us

Glass fiber reinforced ultra-high strength concrete with silica fume

Konvencionalni beton pojačan staklenim vlaknima (GFRC) ima široku primjenu u visokim zgradama, mostovima i radovima obnove. U ovom istraživanju razvijene su mješavine betona pojačanog staklenim vlaknima ultravisoke čvrstoće kako bi se smanjila veličina nosivih elemenata. Varijacija postotka staklenih vlakana bila je 0 %, 0,03 %, 0,06 %, 0,09 % i 0,12 %. U ovom istraživanju izrađeno je i ispitano deset greda, s dva omjera raspona i statičke visine (a/d) od 1,6 i 2. Svi testirani uzorci opterećeni su do sloma, no vrijednosti čvrstoće su varirale. Točnije, uzorci pojačani s 0,09 i 0,06-postotnim staklenim vlaknima pokazali su najveću savojnu i posmičnu čvrstoću. Rezultati dobiveni ovim istraživanjem mogu se iskoristiti za odabir optimalnih mješavina betona ultravisoke čvrstoće pojačanog staklenim vlaknima u zadovoljavajućim radnim uvjetima.Conventional glass fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) has wide applications in high-rise buildings, bridges, and renovation works. In this study, ultra-high-strength glass fiber reinforced concrete (UHS-GFRC) mixtures were developed to minimize the size of the structural members. The percentage of glass fiber was varied as 0%, 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.09%, and 0.12%. In this investigation, ten beams were cast and tested, with two span-to-effective-depth (a/d) ratios of 1.6 and 2. All the tested specimens attained their respective strengths; however, the strength values varied. Specifically, the specimens reinforced with 0.09% and 0.06% of glass fiber exhibited the highest flexural and shear strengths, respectively. The results obtained in this study can be utilized to select optimum mixtures of UHS-GFRC under satisfying service conditions

Pretreatment quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy on patient CT scan using indirect 3D dosimetry system

Purpose: Aim of this study is to clinically implement the COMPASS 3D dosimetry system for pretreatment quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT-RapidArc) treatment plans. Methods: For this study, 10 head and neck (H&N) and 10 pelvis VMAT plans dose response from Linac was measured using COMPASS system along with MatriXXEvolution and 3D dose was reconstructed in the patient computed tomography (CT) scan. Dose volume histograms and 3D gamma were used to evaluate the difference between the measured and calculated values. In order to validate the COMPASS system, dose response for open fields were acquired for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms. Results: The average dose difference between Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) calculated and COMPASS measured (homogenous medium) in normalization region, inner region, penumbra region and buildup region was less than ±2%. In inhomogeneous phantom, there was a maximum difference of -3.17% in lung, whereas the difference other densities was within ±2%. The systematic increase in the average 3D gamma between the TPS calculated and COMPASS measured for VMAT plans with known dose errors and multi-leaf collimator (MLC) offset errors shows that COMPASS system was sensitive enough to find clinical significant errors. The 3D dose parameters (D95, D1, and average dose) of all H&N and pelvis patients were well within the clinically acceptable tolerance level of ±5%. The average 3D gammas for planning target volumes (PTV) and organ at risks (OAR) of the patients were less than 0.6. Conclusion: The results from this study show that COMPASS along with MatriXXEvolution can be effectively used for pretreatment verification of VMAT plans in the patient anatomy

Pretreatment quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy on patient CT scan using indirect 3D dosimetry system

Purpose: Aim of this study is to clinically implement the COMPASS 3D dosimetry system for pretreatment quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT-RapidArc) treatment plans. Methods: For this study, 10 head and neck (H&amp;N) and 10 pelvis VMAT plans dose response from Linac was measured using COMPASS system along with MatriXXEvolution and 3D dose was reconstructed in the patient computed tomography (CT) scan. Dose volume histograms and 3D gamma were used to evaluate the difference between the measured and calculated values. In order to validate the COMPASS system, dose response for open fields were acquired for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms. Results: The average dose difference between Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) calculated and COMPASS measured (homogenous medium) in normalization region, inner region, penumbra region and buildup region was less than ±2%. In inhomogeneous phantom, there was a maximum difference of -3.17% in lung, whereas the difference other densities was within ±2%. The systematic increase in the average 3D gamma between the TPS calculated and COMPASS measured for VMAT plans with known dose errors and multi-leaf collimator (MLC) offset errors shows that COMPASS system was sensitive enough to find clinical significant errors. The 3D dose parameters (D95, D1, and average dose) of all H&amp;N and pelvis patients were well within the clinically acceptable tolerance level of ±5%. The average 3D gammas for planning target volumes (PTV) and organ at risks (OAR) of the patients were less than 0.6. Conclusion: The results from this study show that COMPASS along with MatriXXEvolution can be effectively used for pretreatment verification of VMAT plans in the patient anatomy.</p

Postictal serotonin levels are associated with peri-ictal apnea.

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between serum serotonin (5-HT) levels, ictal central apnea (ICA), and postconvulsive central apnea (PCCA) in epileptic seizures.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated video EEG, plethysmography, capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), and ECG for 49 patients (49 seizures) enrolled in a multicenter study of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Postictal and interictal venous blood samples were collected after a clinical seizure for measurement of serum 5-HT levels. Seizures were classified according to the International League Against Epilepsy 2017 seizure classification. We analyzed seizures with and without ICA (n = 49) and generalized convulsive seizures (GCS) with and without PCCA (n = 27).ResultsPostictal serum 5-HT levels were increased over interictal levels for seizures without ICA (p = 0.01), compared to seizures with ICA (p = 0.21). In patients with GCS without PCCA, serum 5-HT levels were increased postictally compared to interictal levels (p &lt; 0.001), but not in patients with seizures with PCCA (p = 0.22). Postictal minus interictal 5-HT levels also differed between the 2 groups with and without PCCA (p = 0.03). Increased heart rate was accompanied by increased serum 5-HT levels (postictal minus interictal) after seizures without PCCA (p = 0.03) compared to those with PCCA (p = 0.42).ConclusionsThe data suggest that significant seizure-related increases in serum 5-HT levels are associated with a lower incidence of seizure-related breathing dysfunction, and may reflect physiologic changes that confer a protective effect against deleterious phenomena leading to SUDEP. These results need to be confirmed with a larger sample size study

Economic evaluation of shortened, bedaquiline-containing treatment regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (STREAM stage 2) : a within-trial analysis of a randomised controlled trial

Background: The STREAM stage 2 trial assessed two bedaquiline-containing regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: a 9-month all-oral regimen and a 6-month regimen containing an injectable drug for the first 2 months. We did a within-trial economic evaluation of these regimens. Methods: STREAM stage 2 was an international, phase 3, non-inferiority randomised trial in which participants with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis were randomly assigned (1:2:2:2) to the 2011 WHO regimen (terminated early), a 9-month injectable-containing regimen (control regimen), a 9-month all-oral regimen with bedaquiline (oral regimen), or a 6-month regimen with bedaquiline and an injectable for the first 2 months (6-month regimen). We prospectively collected direct and indirect costs and health-related quality of life data from trial participants until week 76 of follow-up. Cost-effectiveness of the oral and 6-month regimens versus control was estimated in four countries (oral regimen) and two countries (6-month regimen), using health-related quality of life for cost-utility analysis and trial efficacy for cost-effectiveness analysis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN18148631. Findings: 300 participants were included in the economic analyses (Ethiopia, 61; India, 142; Moldova, 51; Uganda, 46). In the cost-utility analysis, the oral regimen was not cost-effective in Ethiopia, India, Moldova, and Uganda from either a provider or societal perspective. In Moldova, the oral regimen was dominant from a societal perspective. In the cost-effectiveness analysis, the oral regimen was likely to be cost-effective from a provider perspective at willingness-to-pay thresholds per additional favourable outcome of more than US$4500 in Ethiopia,$1900 in India, $3950 in Moldova, and$7900 in Uganda, and from a societal perspective at thresholds of more than $15 900 in Ethiopia,$3150 in India, and $4350 in Uganda, while in Moldova the oral regimen was dominant. In Ethiopia and India, the 6-month regimen would cost tuberculosis programmes and participants less than the control regimen and was highly likely to be cost-effective in both cost-utility analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. Reducing the bedaquiline price from$1·81 to $1·00 per tablet made the oral regimen cost-effective in the provider-perspective cost-utility analysis in India and Moldova and dominate over the control regimen in the provider-perspective cost-effectiveness analysis in India. Interpretation: At current costs, the oral bedaquiline-containing regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis is unlikely to be cost-effective in many low-income and middle-income countries. The 6-month regimen represents a cost-effective alternative if injectable use for 2 months is acceptable. Funding: USAID and Janssen Research & Development