Identification Techniques Applied to a Passive Elasto-magnetic Suspension

The paper presents an experimental passive elasto-magnetic suspension based on rare-earth permanent magnets, characterized by negligible dependence on mass of its natural frequency. The nonlinear behaviour of this system, equipped with a traditional linear elastic spring coupled to a magnetic spring, is analysed in time domain, for non-zero initial conditions, and in frequency domain, by applying sweep excitations to the test rig base. The dynamics of the system is very complex in dependence of the magnetic contribution, showing both hardening behaviour in the elasto-magnetic setup, and softening motion amplitude dependent behaviour in the purely magnetic case. Hence it is necessary to adopt nonlinear identification techniques, such as non-parametric restoring force mapping method and direct parametric estimation technique, in order to identify the system parameters in the different configurations. Finally, it is discussed the ability of identified versus analytical models in reproducing the nonlinear dependency of frequency on motion amplitude and the presence of jump phenomen

Pertumbuhan Dan Hasil Tanaman Tomat (Lycopersicum Esculentum Mill) Pada Berbagai Media Tumbuh Dengan Interval Penyiraman Air Kelapa Yang Berbeda

This research was carried out at the Green House Experimental Farm Science Park, Sigi Biromaru Sidondo sub-district, Sigi Regency, since April - July 2016. This research aims to determine the effect of different types of media is growing and the interval giving coconut water towards growth and yield of tomato plants with uses a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) two factors, where the first factor is the growing medium consisting of four levels treatments, M1 (medium soil and chicken manure), M2 (ground husk charcoal and media), M3 (medium soil and sawdust), M4 (medium soil and cow manure), and the second factor is the interval watering coconut water is P1 (4 days), P2 (8 days), and P3 (12 days). Each combination treatment was repeated three times so that there are 36 experimental units. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, and the real effect then tested further using Honestly Significant Difference at 5% level. The results showed that the treatment M2P2 give very good influence on the growth phase of height with an average 121,67 cm at age 45 days after planting, the average number of leaves 268,67 strands, and the total dry weight of the average plant 204,67 g, whereas treatment M1P1 give very good influence on the amount of fruit on average of 7,67 with a total weight of ripe fruit average 243, 67 g and the average root volume 19,67 ml

Alpha antagonists and intraoperative floppy iris syndrome: A spectrum

Sharif A Issa, Omar H Hadid, Oliver Baylis, Margaret DayanDepartment of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKBackground: To determine occurrence of features of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery in patients taking systemic alpha-antagonists (AA).Methods: We prospectively studied patients on AA and who underwent phacoemulsification. The following were recorded: pupil diameter preoperatively, iris flaccidity, iris prolapse and peroperative miosis.Results: We studied 40 eyes of 31 subjects. Mean age was 78 years. Overall, 14 eyes (13 patients) showed signs of IFIS: 9/13 (69%) eyes of patients on tamsulosin, 1/18 (6%) eyes in the doxazosin group, 2/2 prazosin patients, 1/4 eyes in the indoramin group, and 1/2 eyes in two patients on a combination of doxazosin and tamsulosin. Most cases (92%) had only one or two signs of IFIS. Bilateral cataract surgery was undertaken in 9 patients but only one patient (on tamsulosin) had features of IFIS in both eyes, while 4 patients (2 on tamsulosin and 2 on other AA) showed signs of IFIS in one eye only, and 4 patients did not show IFIS in either eye.Conclusion: Most AA were associated with IFIS, but it tends to present as a spectrum of signs rather than full triad originally described. Tamsulosin was most likely to be associated with IFIS; however, its intake does not necessarily mean that IFIS will occur. For patients on AA, the behavior of the iris intraoperatively in one eye is a poor predictor of the other eye. Surgeons should anticipate the occurrence of IFIS in any patient on AA.Keywords: alpha blocker, alpha antagonist, cataract surgery, intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, tamsulosin

Single point modeling of rotating turbulent flows

A model for the effects of rotation on turbulence is proposed and tested. These effects which influence mainly the rate of turbulence decay are modeled in a modified turbulent energy dissipation rate equation that has explicit dependence on the mean rotation rate. An appropriate definition of the rotation rate derived from critical point theory and based on the invariants of the deformation tensor is proposed. The modeled dissipation rate equation is numerically well behaved and can be used in conjunction with any level of turbulence closure. The model is applied to the two-equation kappa-epsilon turbulence model and is used to compute separated flows in a backward-facing step and an axisymmetric swirling coaxial jets into a sudden expansion. In general, the rotation modified dissipation rate model shows some improvements over the standard kappa-epsilon model

How to Improve Visual Acuity in Keratoconic Cornea?

Keratoconus is one of the most important corneal diseases that causes preventable blindness, so we decided to review the main techniques for improving visual acuity in patients with progressive and nonprogressive keratoconus, in order to expand knowledge in relation to the range of therapeutic possibilities that exist today and the benefits and risks of each of these alternatives

Sustainable Land Management and Added Value Enhancement of Agricultural Superior Commodities

Cocoa and candlenuts are prime plantation crops of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, especially Sigi Regency. They have comparative advantages, among others, due to the availability of land that has not been utilized optimally and is in the area with a support climate and the availability of labor. In addition, it also has a competitive advantage in the form of product price competitiveness in local, national and international markets. The management of land must be adapted to the sustainable and sustainable energy sector in sovereignty. This study aims to recommend and analyze the optimization of land management models that implement conservation techniques by cocoa agroforestry with candlenuts. The study employed Linier Programming Method. The results show that optimizing of farmers income by agroforestry pattern of cocoa is higher than the monoculture of cocoa. Recommended innovation of planting patterns models is expected to further optimize the efficiency of sustainable land management by farmers around the forest. Sustainable land management strategies by cultivating cacao and candlenut crops through agroforestry patterns can also increase the added value Income at the farm level by IDR. 2,625/kg or 65.6% is due to more acceptance and lack of production and marketing costs as well as output quantities, output prices

Validating the psychiatric nurses methods of coping questionnaire: Arabic version

Background: The aim of the study was to undertake a psychometric analysis of the Psychiatric Nurses Methods of Coping Questionnaire (PNMCQ) - Arabic version when used to measure coping skills in psychiatric nurses in Jordan. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was adopted in this study. A demographic questionnaire and the 35-item PNMCQ -Arabic were the measures used to collect data. Result: The PNMCQ demonstrated valid and reliable values when administered to psychiatric nurses in Jordan after it had been submitted to factor analysis. Conclusion: The development of PNMCQ: Arabic Version adequately measures coping skills in psychiatric nurses from a culturally appropriate context. Use of the tool can determine coping skills in psychiatric nurses with the view to positive staff development. Strategies identified based on results of the PNMCQ could ultimately result in better nurse retention and patient outcomes

Seeking care behavior of men with sexual dysfunction in Jordan: patients’ perspective

BACKGROUND: Sexual health problems are common among different health conditions such as cancer, diabetes mellitus and heart diseases. Little has been published on why and what factors behind hesitance to seek help and hiding the problem. METHODS: The study explored the extent to which men suffering from sexual dysfunction are willing to discuss their sexual concerns and care needs with nurses. A qualitative exploratory approach was used to explore men’s perspectives on nurses’ role in providing men’s sexual healthcare in Jordan. Data were collected through semi-structural interviews from 16 men with sexual health problems secondary to chronic health conditions. RESULTS: Four themes were derived from the data; men’s perceptions about sexual healthcare, ability of men to seek help from nurses, barriers to seeking help, and desired sources for help. Men reported that they would not seek help from nurses; they preferred using other sources, including internet, friends and other men with similar experiences. CONCLUSIONS and discussion: closed social and family structure limited men’s willingness to seek help for their sexual problems in Jordan leaving them untreated, which might then threaten their general health and wellbeing. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nursing is a profession that deals with human as a whole and the sexual health care was not part of nurses’ daily care for men. Therefore, this study added a view to nurses and health care professionals to consider sexual health care as part of their sexual health care for men. This might be through developing a multidisciplinary service for men. KEY WORDS: Sexual healthcare, Men’s health, Nurses, Jordan

Phéochromocytome de découverte fortuite (à propos d’un cas)

Nous rapportons un cas inhabituel d’incidentalome surrénalien compliqué d’un état de choc après surrénalectomie lors d’une intervention pour néoplasie du bas rectum ; qui s’est avéré être un phéochromocytome. Ainsi, cette observation montre la nécessité d’une exploration hormonale systématique de tout incidentalome surrénalien , afin d'éviter tout incident pouvant être fatal