BER evaluation of post-meter PLC services in CENELEC-C band

Low voltage, in-home power-line communications (PLC) networks allow direct communication between smart meters (SM) and in-home devices (IHD). In order to minimize security issues, in many deployment scenarios transmission takes place only towards the IHD to display consumption data, with no backwards channel. As a result, channel estimation is difficult and it is necessary to use robust transmission techniques to mitigate the effect of the impulsive noise within the PLC channel. Performance of such system must be evaluated by taking into account realistic interference and channel models for a broad range of configurations. In this work we focus on performance in terms of bit error rate (BER) of a narrowband PLC (NB-PLC) operating in the CENELEC-C band (125–140 kHz) taking into account realistic noise models. Our system is based on binary phase shift keying (BPSK) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation

Static and Free Vibration Analyses of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT)-Substrate Medium Systems

This paper proposes a novel nanobar-substrate medium model for static and free vibration analyses of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) systems embedded in the elastic substrate medium. The modified strain-gradient elasticity theory is utilized to account for the material small-scale effect while the Gurtin-Murdoch surface theory is employed to represent the sur-face-energy effect. The Winkler-foundation model is assigned to consider interactive mechanism between the nanobar and its surrounding substrate medium. Hamilton’s principle is called for to consistently derive the system governing equation, initial conditions, and classical as well as non-classical boundary conditions. Two numerical simulations are employed to demonstrate the essence of the material small-scale effect, the surface-energy effect, and the surrounding substrate medium on static and free vibration responses of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-substrate medium systems. The simulation results show that the material small-scale effect, the surface-energy effect, and the interaction between the substrate and the structure lead to a system-stiffness enhancement both in static and free vibration analyses

Light meson spectroscopy from Dalitz plot analyses of ηc decays to η0 K+K− , η0 π + π − , and ηπ + π − produced in two-photon interactions

We study the processes γγ→ηc→η′K+K−, η′π+π−, and ηπ+π− using a data sample of 519  fb−1 recorded with the BABAR detector operating at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy e+e− collider at center-of-mass energies at and near the Υ(nS) (n=2, 3, 4) resonances. This is the first observation of the decay ηc→η′K+K− and we measure the branching fraction Γ(ηc→η′K+K−)/(Γ(ηc→η′π+π−)=0.644±0.039stat±0.032sys. Significant interference is observed between γγ→ηc→ηπ+π− and the nonresonant two-photon process γγ→ηπ+π−. A Dalitz plot analysis is performed of ηc decays to η′K+K−, η′π+π−, and ηπ+π−. Combined with our previous analysis of ηc→K¯Kπ, we measure the K∗0(1430) parameters and the ratio between its η′K and πK couplings. The decay ηc→η′π+π− is dominated by the f0(2100) resonance, also observed in J/ψ radiative decays. A new a0(1700)→ηπ resonance is observed in the ηc→ηπ+π− channel. We also compare ηc decays to η and η′ final states in association with scalar mesons as they relate to the identification of the scalar glueball.publishedVersio

Search for rare or forbidden decays of the D0 meson

We present a search for nine lepton-number-violating and three lepton-flavor-violating neutral charm decays of the type D0→h'−h−ℓ'+ℓ+ and D0→h'−h+ℓ'±ℓ∓, where h and h′ represent a K or π meson and ℓ and ℓ′ an electron or muon. The analysis is based on 468 fb−1 of e+e− annihilation data collected at or close to the Υ(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. No significant signal is observed for any of the twelve modes, and we establish 90% confidence level upper limits on the branching fractions in the range (1.0–30.6)×10−7. The limits are between 1 and 3 orders of magnitude more stringent than previous measurements.publishedVersio

Measurements of the absolute branching fractions of B± →k±Xc c

A study of the two-body decays B±→Xc¯cK±, where Xc¯c refers to one charmonium state, is reported by the BABAR Collaboration using a data sample of 424 fb−1. The absolute determination of branching fractions for these decays are significantly improved compared to previous BABAR measurements. Evidence is found for the decay B+→X(3872)K+ at the 3σ level. The absolute branching fraction B[B+→X(3872)K+]=[2.1±0.6(stat)±0.3(syst)]×10−4 is measured for the first time. It follows that B[X(3872)→J/ψπ+π−]=(4.1±1.3)%, supporting the hypothesis of a molecular component for this resonance.publishedVersio

How do cardiologists select patients for dual antiplatelet therapy continuation beyond 1 year after a myocardial infarction? Insights from the EYESHOT Post-MI Study

Background: Current guidelines suggest to consider dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) continuation for longer than 12 months in selected patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Hypothesis: We sought to assess the criteria used by cardiologists in daily practice to select patients with a history of MI eligible for DAPT continuation beyond 1 year. Methods: We analyzed data from the EYESHOT Post-MI, a prospective, observational, nationwide study aimed to evaluate the management of patients presenting to cardiologists 1 to 3 years from the last MI event. Results: Out of the 1633 post-MI patients enrolled in the study between March and December 2017, 557 (34.1%) were on DAPT at the time of enrolment, and 450 (27.6%) were prescribed DAPT after cardiologist assessment. At multivariate analyses, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with multiple stents and the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) resulted as independent predictors of DAPT continuation, while atrial fibrillation was the only independent predictor of DAPT interruption for patients both at the second and the third year from MI at enrolment and the time of discharge/end of the visit. Conclusions: Risk scores recommended by current guidelines for guiding decisions on DAPT duration are underused and misused in clinical practice. A PCI with multiple stents and a history of PAD resulted as the clinical variables more frequently associated with DAPT continuation beyond 1 year from the index MI

Bailout chimney technique for graft detachment in a mycotic infrarenal aneurysm

Mycotic aortic aneurysm is a not-so-rare condition and its modalities of treatment are still debated. Graft detachment represents a catastrophic complication after open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The dehiscence of a graft may have several causes, such as infection, fatigue of materials, and progression of the disease. In recent years, the use of the chimney technique has increased the applicability of endovascular aortic repair for challenging neck anatomies in the abdominal aorta. We report a case involving the use of the bailout chimney technique for graft detachment in a previously treated mycotic infrarenal aortic aneurysm. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Transradial percutaneous iliac intervention, a feasible alternative to the transfemoral route

Background: Percutaneous angioplasty for atherosclerotic iliac disease is commonly performed via the femoral and/or brachial route. In the coronary field a transradial approach has been shown to reduce both major and minor access site bleedings, in experienced hands. However, this route has not yet been well studied for the majority of peripheral interventions, like those involving the iliac arteries. Methods: We investigated the feasibility and safety of a transradial approach in a consecutive series of patients undergoing percutaneous iliac intervention at our center, comparing it to a similar series of patients treated with a transfemoral approach in the same period. Endpoints of the study were procedural success, duration of procedure and event free survival at one month. Results: From our database we enrolled 42 patients undergone iliac percutaneous interventions (21 with a transradial and 21 with a transfemoral approach); the 2 populations had similar baseline characteristics. Procedural success was achieved in all of our patient population. Among the secondary study endpoints analyzed we observed similar duration of the procedure and one-month clinical follow up. Technical aspects of the transradial approach are discussed. Conclusions: A transradial approach is feasible for the treatment of atherosclerotic iliac disease and does not increase procedural time in experienced hands. Further studies are needed to confirm if this approach is as safe as the transfemoral one. © 2012 Elsevier Inc

Hybrid three-stage repair of mega aorta syndrome with the Lupiae technique

Objective: Open surgical replacement of the whole aorta in mega aorta syndrome remains a surgical challenge. We report our experience in the treatment of patients with mega aorta syndrome using a 3-stage hybrid repair. Methods: From January 2006 to December 2011, 12 patients with mega aorta syndrome underwent total replacement of the aorta with a 3-stage hybrid repair, consisting of total replacement of the arch (first stage), retrograde revascularization of the visceral vessels (second stage), and deployment of an endograft (third stage). The intraoperative, early (30-day), and follow-up results were analyzed. Results: No intraoperative mortality occurred in any of the open or endovascular procedures. After the first stage, 1 patient died, resulting in a 30-day mortality of 8.3%. After the second stage, the overall major morbidity was 27.3% (1 surgical revision and 2 temporary dialysis treatments). After the third stage, no conversion or major complication was recorded. The overall mean follow-up period was 31.9 months (range, 1-60 months). One patient died at 10 months postoperatively, and another patient required adjunctive implantation of a stent graft for a type III endoleak. At 3 years, the estimated survival, freedom from any device-related reinterventions, and freedom from type I endoleak was 83.3%, 77.9%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: Our hybrid 3-stage approach seems to be effective in the treatment of mega aorta syndrome. The second stage was affected by non-negligible rates of perioperative complications. The overall mid-term results were encouraging, although a larger sample size with longer follow-up is needed to compare this technique with others. Copyright © 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery