PSS/E based placement wind/PV hybrid system to improve stability of Iraqi grid

Proper employment of Hybrid Wind/ PV system is often implemented near the load, and it is linked with the grid to study dynamic stability analysis. Generally, instability is because of sudden load demand variant and variant in renewable sources generation. As well as, weather variation creates several factors that affect the operation of the integrated hybrid system. So this paper introduces output result of a PV /wind via power electronic technique; DC chopper; that is linked to Iraqi power system to promote the facilitating achievement of Wind/ PV voltage. Moreover, PSS/E is used to study dynamic power stability for hybrid system which is attached to an effective region of Iraqi Network. The hybrid system is connected to Amara Old bus and fault bus is achieved to that bus and the stability results reflects that settling time after disturbance is not satisfactory. But, it is found that PV/wind generation system influences Iraqi grid stability to be better than that with only PV generation and the latter is better than stability of the grid that is enhanced with only wind generation. These results represent an important guideline for Iraqi power system planner

Preparation and Histological Study of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Bone Graft in Management of Class II Furcation Defects in Dogs

BACKGROUND: The main target of periodontal disease and alveolar bone defeat treatment is the regeneration of the lost structures. AIM: This work deals with the evaluation of the effect of functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), as grafting material in the management of furcation defects created in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Potential cytotoxicity of the grafting material was assessed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis after incubation of the grafting material in simulated body fluid (SBF) at pH 7.4 and 37°C for one week was done. In six healthy mongrel dogs' full-thickness mucoperiosteal flaps were raised on the buccal aspects to create two walls intrabony defects at the furcation areas. The mandibular premolar area received the grafting material. Histological evaluation was carried out at 1, 2- and 3-months’ period. RESULTS: Cytotoxicity results proved the safety of grafting material application. The prepared material exhibited good Ca-apatite crystal patterns at the surface revealed by SEM and high calcium content showed by EDX results. Good bone formation ability was also apparent histologically. CONCLUSION: The prepared grafting material (MWCNTs) can serve as a delivery vehicle for osteogenic cells and osteogenic growth factor proteins in the bone development process

Evaluation of horizontal ridge augmentation using beta tricalcium phosphate and demineralized bone matrix: A comparative study

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of beta tricalcium phosphate (Beta-TCP) alone compared to Beta-TCP and Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM) in regenerating localized horizontal maxillary alveolar ridge deficiencies prior to implant placement. Study Design: The study included 20 patients with horizontal maxillary ridge deficiencies limited to one or more neighbouring teeth and initial ridge width of . 5mmm. Patients were divided equally into two equal groups. Ridge augmentation was performed using Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) principals. In group I GBR was performed using Beta-TCP only, while in group II both Beta-TCP and DBM were used. Following a 6 months healing period, bone cores from both groups were retrieved and implants were inserted. Specimens were examined histologically to calculate percentage of mineralized bone. Apical and crestal changes in ridge dimensions were calculated by digital subtraction using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) immediately after graft placement and six months later. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the mean area percentage of mineralized bone between both groups where it was 40.1 % (range: 27.76-% 66.29 %) for group I and 68.96 % (range: 60.07 % - 87.33 %) for group II. Radiograpically, the mean ridge width in group I increased crestally to 4.66 mm (range:3.5-5mm) and apically to 6.12 mm (range: 4.1-6.7 mm). In group II the mean ridge width increased crestally to 5.2 mm (range 4.9-5.4mm) and apically to 6.9 mm (range 6.0-7.8 mm). Group II showed more bone gain with a mean of 1.37 mm crestally and 2.44 mm apically. This difference however was not statistically significant Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study the combination of DBM and Beta-TCP can be used effectively in cases exhibiting minimal alveolar ridge defects

Value of diffusion MRI versus [18F]FDG PET/CT in detection of cervical nodal metastases in differentiated thyroid cancer patients

Background: In differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients, cervical nodal metastasis is a negative prognostic factor. Preoperative imaging plays an important role in treatment planning for nodal metastasis and recurrence. The aim of the study is to compare the diagnostic performance of the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and the F-18 flurodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) in detection of cervical nodal deposits in DTC patients. Materal and methods: The study was conducted on 30 patients, each performed both modalities just before the surgery. The gold standard was the pathological specimens with post-operative clinico-radiological follow-up, to assess the diagnostic performance of each modality. Results: Based on pathological and post-operative clinico-radiological follow up data. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy were 84%, 80%, 50%, 95% and 83% for PET/CT compared to 84%, 60%, 42.8%, 91.3% and 80% for DW-MRI. On comparing the diagnostic performance of combined DW-MRI and PET/CT to each modality alone, the sensitivity and NPV were improved to 96% and 80% respectively. Conclusions: [18F]FDG PET/CT study is a valuable diagnostic modality for the assessment of cervical nodal deposits in DTC patients, surpassing DW-MRI. Combined PET/CT and DW-MRI techniques seemed to have synergistic performance, mainly in terms of sensitivity and NPV, for detection of nodal metastases

c.207C>G mutation in sepiapterin reductase causes autosomal dominant dopa-responsive dystonia

Objective: To elucidate the genetic cause of an Egyptian family with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD), a childhood-onset dystonia, responding therapeutically to levodopa, which is caused by mutations in various genes. Methods: Rare variants in all coding exons of GCH1 were excluded by Sanger sequencing. Exome sequencing was applied for 1 unaffected and 2 affected family members. To investigate the functional consequences of detected genetic variants, urinary sepiapterin concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: A heterozygous rare nonsynonymous variant in exon 1 of sepiapterin reductase (SPR, c.207C>G, p.Asp69Glu) was found in all affected family members. Urinary concentrations of sepiapterin were above the standard of normal controls in most SPR mutation carriers, suggesting functional biochemical consequences of the mutation. Variant filtering of all genes involved in the tetrahydrobiopterin pathway, required for levodopa synthesis, revealed an additional common variant in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR, rs70991108). The presence of both variants was significantly stronger associated with the biochemical abnormality and the clinical disease state as opposed to 1 variant only. Conclusions: The rare SPR mutation can cause autosomal dominant DRD with incomplete penetrance. The common DHFR variant might have synergistic effects on production of tetrahydrobiopterin and levodopa, thereby increasing penetrance

Transitional Care for Young People with Movement Disorders: Consensus-Based Recommendations from the MDS Task Force on Pediatrics

Background: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) set up a working group on pediatric movement disorders (MDS Task Force on Pediatrics) to generate recommendations to guide the transition process from pediatrics to adult health care systems in patients with childhood-onset movement disorders. / Methods: To develop recommendations for transitional care for childhood onset movement disorders, we used a formal consensus development process, using a multi-round, web-based Delphi survey. The Delphi survey was based on the results of the scoping review of the literature and the results of a survey of MDS members on transition practices. Through iterative discussions, we generated the recommendations included in the survey. The MDS Task Force on Pediatrics were the voting members for the Delphi survey. The task force members comprise 23 child and adult neurologists with expertise in the field of movement disorders and from all regions of the world. / Results: Fifteen recommendations divided across four different areas were made pertaining to: (1) team composition and structure, (2) planning and readiness, (3) goals of care, and (4) administration and research. All recommendations achieved consensus with a median score of 7 or greater. / Conclusion: Recommendations on providing transitional care for patients with childhood onset movement disorders are provided. Nevertheless several challenges remain in the implementation of these recommendations, related to health infrastructure and the distribution of health resources, and the availability of knowledgeable and interested practitioners. Research on the influence of transitional care programs on outcomes in childhood onset movement disorders is much needed

Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018

Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations