Failure detection and isolation investigation for strapdown skew redundant tetrad laser gyro inertial sensor arrays

The degree to which flight-critical failures in a strapdown laser gyro tetrad sensor assembly can be isolated in short-haul aircraft after a failure occurrence has been detected by the skewed sensor failure-detection voting logic is investigated along with the degree to which a failure in the tetrad computer can be detected and isolated at the computer level, assuming a dual-redundant computer configuration. The tetrad system was mechanized with two two-axis inertial navigation channels (INCs), each containing two gyro/accelerometer axes, computer, control circuitry, and input/output circuitry. Gyro/accelerometer data is crossfed between the two INCs to enable each computer to independently perform the navigation task. Computer calculations are synchronized between the computers so that calculated quantities are identical and may be compared. Fail-safe performance (identification of the first failure) is accomplished with a probability approaching 100 percent of the time, while fail-operational performance (identification and isolation of the first failure) is achieved 93 to 96 percent of the time

High Rate Of Right Ventricular Dysfunction After Negative Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography

Background: Prior work found that 20% of patients with persistent dyspnea have right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Many patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) who have a negative CTPA have persistent yet unexplained dyspnea. We hypothesized that a substantial proportion of these patients have unrecognized RV dysfunction. We sought to estimate this proportion and develop criteria to predict RV dysfunction on echocardiography after CTPA negative for PE. Methods: This was a four-center, prospective study of patients with ≥one symptom or sign and ≥one risk factor for PE, and CTPA scan performed. To assess potential predictors of RV dysfunction, we recorded 82 clinical predictors in real time. These included clinical findings, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), exhaled volumetric CO2/O2, plasma D-dimer and fibrinogen measurements. Patients underwent echocardiography within one week. Isolated RV dysfunction was defined as normal LV function with either moderate-severe RV hypokinesis, or estimated RV systolic pressure >35 mmHg. To assess if RV dysfunction led to symptoms that prompted reevaluation, we compared the frequency of repeat CTPA within 90 days. CTPA scans were interpreted by two independent radiologists. Predictors of RV dysfunction were assessed using a univariate (P<0.1)-multivariate (P<0.05) statistical approach. Results: 647 patients were enrolled; 120 with CPTA positive for PE were excluded, and 97 were excluded because of lack of persistent dyspnea. Of the 430 remaining patients, 184 underwent echocardiography, which demonstrated isolated RV dysfunction in 34% (95% CI: 30-41%). 27% of patients with isolated RV dysfunction had repeat CTPA within 90 days, a significantly higher rate than in patients without echocardiography (4%, P=0.03, Chi Square) or a normal echocardiogram (5%, P=0.02). No repeat CTPA scan showed PE. Of 82 candidate predictors of examined, univariate analysis found only 6 significant: active malignancy, normal CTPA, right bundle branch block on ECG, T-wave inversion in V1-V2 on ECG, history of COPD, and fibrinogen concentration. Of these six, multivariate logistic regression analysis found only normal CTPA as a significant predictor of isolated RV dysfunction. Conclusion: Patients with persistent dyspnea who have a normal CTPA performed for suspected PE have a high rate of unexplained isolated RV dysfunction on echocardiography. These patients are more likely to have persistent symptoms leading to unnecessary repeat CTPA in the short term. These findings form the starting point for a screening protocol to select patients with negative CTPA scanning for formal echocardiography and specialist referral to evaluate for pulmonary hypertension or other treatable causes of RV dysfunction

Propagation of the surface plasmon polaritons through gradient index and periodic structures

We study the propagation of surface electromagnetic waves along the metallic surface covered by various layered dielectric structures. We show that strong radiative losses typical for the scattering of the surface wave can be considerably suppressed when single dielectric step is substituted by gradient index or periodic layered structure

Формирование и совершенствование оплаты труда на предприятии ООО «Томскнефтехим»

Объект исследования - предприятие ООО «Томскнефтехим». Предметом исследования является формирование оплаты труда на данном предприятии. Цель работы – исследование вопросов формирования и совершенствования оплаты труда на предприятии. В процессе исследования применялись научные и специальные методы экономических исследований, а именно диалектический метод, системный и процессный подходы, анализ литературных данных, обобщения, описания, расчетно – аналитический подход и сравнительно – сопоставительный методы. В качестве рекомендации предприятию в отношении экономических методов организации работы специалистов и руководителей и ее эффективности можно предложить ввести систему KPI (ключевых показателей эффективности) оценку способностей и качества работы персонала. Оценка результатов выступает основой для выплаты регулярных премий, то есть у сотрудников появляются возможности зарабатывать больше, а также оценка квалификации и потенциала работника может стать основой для принятия решений по его обучению, карьерному перемещению и эффективной работе на предприятии.The object of study - the enterprise of OOO "Tomskneftekhim". The subject of research is the formation of wage in the enterprise. The aim of this work is the study of questions of formation and improvement of labor payment at the enterprise. In the process of research used scientific and special methods of economic researches, namely the dialectical method, system and process approaches, the literary data analysis, generalization, description, analytical approach and comparative methods. As a recommendation to the enterprise in respect of economic methods of organization of work of specialists and managers and its effectiveness can introduce the KPI system (key performance indicators) the ability and quality of staff. Evaluation of results is the basis for the payment of regular premiums, then the employees have opportunities to earn more, as well as the qualification and potential of the employee can be the basis for decision-making in his training, career displacement and effective work at the enterprise

Combined use of parallel-plate compression and finite element modeling to analyze the mechanical properties of intact porcine lens

The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of a compression test for measuring mechanical properties of intact eye lenses using novel parallel plate compression equipment to compare the accuracy of implementing a classical Hertzian model and a newly proposed adjusted Hertzian model to calculate Young’s modulus from compression test results using finite element (FE) analysis. Parallel-plate compression tests were performed on porcine lenses. An axisymmetric FE model was developed to simulate the experimental process to evaluate the accuracy of using the classical Hertzian theory of contact mechanics as well as a newly proposed adjusted Hertzian theory model for calculating the equivalent Young’s modulus. By fitting the force-displacement relation obtained from FE simulations to both the classical and adjusted Hertzian theory model and comparing the calculated modulus to the input modulus of the FE model, the results demonstrated that the classical Hertzian theory model overestimated the Young’s modulus with a proportional error of over 10%. The adjusted Hertzian theory model produced results that are closer to original input values with error ratios all lower than 1.29%. Measurements of three porcine lenses from the parallel plate compression experiments were analyzed with resulting values of Young’s modulus of between 3.2kPa and 4.3kPa calculated. This study demonstrates that the adjusted Hertzian theory of contact mechanics can be applied in conjunction with the parallel-plate compression system to investigate the overall mechanical behavior of intact lenses

Notes on the distribution and status of small carnivores in Gabon

The distribution and status of small carnivore species in Gabon have never been comprehensively assessed. We collated data from general wildlife surveys, camera-trap and transect studies and analyses of bushmeat consumption and trade, to map their country-wide occurrence and assess current exploitation levels. Records of Common Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus and Cameroon Cusimanse Crossarchus platycephalus represent the first confirmation of their occurrence in Gabon. Cameroon Cusimanse was believed to extend into north-east Gabon, but the Slender Mongoose records extend its known range well outside that previously suspected. We furthermore extended the known range for Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon. Crested Genet Genetta cristata has also been proposed to occur in Gabon but our records were not suited to evaluating this possibility given the difficulties of separation from Servaline Genet G. servalina. Most species appear to be distributed widely across the country. While several are commonly recorded in hunter catch and bushmeat markets, they form only a small proportion (3.4% and 3.1%, respectively) of all bushmeat records. However, in proximity to settlements, small carnivore exploitation, for bushmeat and use of body parts in traditional ceremonies, appears to have adverse effects on species richness and abundance

Sprint interval and sprint continuous training increases circulating CD34+ cells and cardio-respiratory fitness in young healthy women

The improvement of vascular health in the exercising limb can be attained by sprint interval training (SIT). However, the effects on systemic vascular function and on circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) which may contribute to endothelial repair have not been investigated. Additionally, a comparison between SIT and sprint continuous training (SCT) which is less time committing has not been made

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitor Use and Mortality in Pulmonary Hypertension: Insights from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Database

Background The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to pulmonary hypertension (PH) pathogenesis. Although animal data suggest that RAAS inhibition attenuates PH, it is unknown if RAAS inhibition is beneficial in PH patients. Research Question Is RAAS inhibitor use associated with lower mortality in a large cohort of patients with hemodynamically confirmed PH? Study Design and Methods We used the Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Database to study retrospectively relationships between RAAS inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs], angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs], and aldosterone antagonists [AAs]) and mortality in 24,221 patients with hemodynamically confirmed PH. We evaluated relationships in the full and propensity-matched cohorts. Analyses were adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, disease severity, and comedication use in staged models. Results ACEI and ARB use was associated with improved survival in unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analyses in the full cohort and the propensity-matched cohort. This relationship was insensitive to adjustment, independent of pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and also was observed in a cohort restricted to individuals with precapillary PH. AA use was associated with worse survival in unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analyses in the full cohort; however, AA use was associated less robustly with mortality in the propensity-matched cohort and was not associated with worse survival after adjustment for disease severity, indicating that AAs in real-world practice are used preferentially in sicker patients and that the unadjusted association with increased mortality may be an artifice of confounding by indication of severity. Interpretation ACEI and ARB use is associated with lower mortality in veterans with PH. AA use is a marker of disease severity in PH. ACEIs and ARBs may represent a novel treatment strategy for diverse PH phenotypes