Sensing, measuring and modelling the mechanical properties of sandstone

We present a hybrid framework for simulating the strength and dilation characteristics of sandstone. Where possible, the grain-scale properties of sandstone are evaluated experimentally in detail. Also, using photo-stress analysis, we sense the deviator stress (/strain) distribution at the microscale and its components along the orthogonal directions on the surface of a V-notch sandstone sample under mechanical loading. Based on this measurement and applying a grain-scale model, the optical anisotropy index K0 is inferred at the grain scale. This correlated well with the grain contact stiffness ratio K evaluated using ultrasound sensors independently. Thereafter, in addition to other experimentally characterised structural and grain-scale properties of sandstone, K is fed as an input into the discrete element modelling of fracture strength and dilation of the sandstone samples. Physical bulk scale experiments are also conducted to evaluate the load-displacement relation, dilation and bulk fracture strength characteristics of sandstone samples under compression and shear. A good level of agreement is obtained between the results of the simulations and experiments. The current generic framework could be applied to understand the internal and bulk mechanical properties of such complex opaque and heterogeneous materials more realistically in future

Left atrial phasic functions and plasma NT-proBNP levels predict atrial fibrillation development in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A prospective follow-up study

Annual Meeting of the European-Society-of-Cardiology (ESC) -- AUG 30-SEP 03, 2014 -- Barcelona, SPAINWOS: 000343001306565European Soc Cardio

Effects of valsartan and enalapril on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with mild to moderate hypertension: A randomized, double-blind study

WOS: 000087921800002Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the effects of valsartan with those of enalapril on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Background: The effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension has been established in several studies. The effects of these agents have also been compared with those of other antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics or beta-receptor blocking agents. However, no study has compared angiotensin II receptor antagonists with angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The effect of ACE inhibitors on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy is superior to that of other antihypertensive drugs. Methods: Forty patients with mild to moderate hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were included in this randomized, double-blind study. Patients were divided into 2 groups. No between-group differences were noted with regard to age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, duration of hypertension, and left ventricular mass index, which was measured by M-mode echocardiography. Twenty patients received enalapril 20 mg/d, and 20 patients received valsartan 80 mg/d. Echocardiographic measurements were repeated at 3 and 6 months, and blood pressure was measured every 15 days. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased significantly at 3 and 6 months in both groups (P < 0.001), as did left; ventricular mass index (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). Cough and fatigue occurred in 3 (15%) and 2 (10%) patients in the enalapril group. No adverse effects were reported in the valsartan group. Conclusions.. In patients with left ventricular hypertrophy caused by hypertension, valsartan is as effective as enalapril in reducing left ventricular hypertrophy

An observational study to evaluate factors responsible and actions taken for hypertensive patients who are not at blood pressure goal: i-target Goal Study

WOS: 000305001900010PubMed ID: 22318207To evaluate the percentage of hypertensive patients who could achieve target blood pressure (TBP) according to the guidelines in the context of recommended measures and the factors responsible for failure. A total of 589 hypertensive patients (59.0% female; mean age: 57.7+/-10.4 years) were assessed twice for TBP achievement based on 2007 ESH/ESC guidelines and the investigators' view, in addition to the recommended measures and possible causes of failure in hypertension management in this national multi-center (n = 99), non-interventional observational study. Only 29.5% of the patients at the first visit and 46.8% at the second visit achieved the TBP levels specified by the guidelines. However, the investigators' evaluation indicated a higher achievement rate at the first (43.5%) as well as the second (69.1%) visit when compared with the guideline-based assessments (P<0.001). The primary reasons identified by the investigators for the failure to reach TBP were non-compliance with dietary recommendations (61.6%) at the first visit and non-compliance with treatment (63.92%) at the second visit. Recommendations for lifestyle were the most commonly identified treatment plan by the investigators at both visits (62.9% and 66.1%, respectively). Although more patients achieved the TBP levels specified by the guidelines for the second visit compared with the first, effective blood pressure control was achieved only in 29.5% of our patients. Interestingly, the investigators had a more optimistic view about their patients' control of hypertension, which may have contributed to a poor achievement of TBP. Hypertension Research (2012) 35, 624-632; doi:10.1038/hr.2012.12; published online 9 February 2012Sanofi-Aventis TurkeyThe study was funded by Sanofi-Aventis Turkey. We thank Cagla Isman, M. D. and Professor Sule Oktay, M. D., Ph.D. from KAPPA Consultancy Traning Research Ltd., Istanbul, who provided editorial support; and Oguz Akbas, M. D., Ph.D., Esra Koruyucu and Arzu Calisgan M. Sc. from Monitor CRO, Istanbul, for their support of the statistical analysis, funded by Sanofi-Aventis Turkey

SELECTED ORAL COMMUNICATION SESSION SESSION 06: ENDOMETRIOSIS AND SURGERY Monday 4 July 2011 10:00 - 11:30

Introduction: Tubal dysfunction is a leading factor in female infertility. Laparoscopy dye is the gold standard to detect tubal patency (laparoscopic chromohydrotubation, LSC-CHT), but hysterosalpingography (HSG) and hystero-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy) are also widely applied. Using office hysteroscopy guided selective chromopertubation (OHSC-SPT) we aimed to develop a less invasive effective and reproducible method, which can be performed in an outpatient setting without anesthesia.Material and Methods: 23 infertile patients (mean age: 32,77 ? 3,42) were examined before planned laparoscopy. A 2.7 mm optic was used, with a 5.5 mm sheath (EMD Endoscopy Technologies). A 1.7 mm diameter flexible plastic catheter (Cavafix, B-Braun) was introduced through an inbuilt channel of the sheath. Normal saline was used for the distension. The hysteroscope was introduced without grasping or dilatation of the cervix. A diagnostic hysteroscopy is performed first, then the catheter is inserted through the working channel and the tip of it is placed into the tubal orifice, through which methylene blue dye is injected slowly. In the absence of tubal occlusion the blue dye does not appear in the uterine cavity and normal color of the endometrium is seen. With damaged tubal patency the distension media of the uterine cavity turns blue, according to the backflow of the methylene blue. Laparoscopic standard tubal CHT was then performed by an operator uninformed about the OHSC-SPT results and the result were then compared.Results: Both tubes of the 23 patient were examined (N = 46). In 43 cases (93.5%) either there was an agreement with the laparoscopic findings or (5 cases, 11.6%) in spite of presence of the dye in the abdominal cavity, patency couldn't be proved properly at the time of laparoscopy. Three tubes (3 out of 41, 7,3%) were found patent with laparoscopy and were found occluded according to the OHSC-SPT. All of these false positive cases occurred at the beginning of the learning curve.Conclusion: The novel method of OHSC-SPT is an effective, highly minimal invasive method to investigate the tubal patency, which can be performed in an office setting without anesthesia. The OHSC-SPT negative/LSC-CHT positive cases suggest especially high sensitivity for tubal patency, but this finding requires further confirmatio