Explicit Solution of the Time Domain Volume Integral Equation Using a Stable Predictor-Corrector Scheme

An explicit marching-on-in-time (MOT) scheme for solving the time domain volume integral equation is presented. The proposed method achieves its stability by employing, at each time step, a corrector scheme, which updates/corrects fields computed by the explicit predictor scheme. The proposedmethod is computationally more efficient when compared to the existing filtering techniques used for the stabilization of explicit MOT schemes. Numerical results presented in this paper demonstrate that the proposed method maintains its stability even when applied to the analysis of electromagnetic wave interactions with electrically large structures meshed using approximately half a million discretization elements

Spectral studies of some hydroxy-derivatives of anthraquinones

The u.v., visible, and i.r. spectra of several hydroxy-anthraquinones are discussed and the bands are assigned. These bands are compared with those of anthracene and anthraquinone. The band at 207 nm. is assigned to a n-sigma* transition; the bands at 252, 272, and 326 nm. are assigned by measuring spectra in solvents of various polarities. The stability constant for the 12-dihydroxyanthraquinone-ethanol complex is obtained

A systematic review of the applications of Expert Systems (ES) and machine learning (ML) in clinical urology.

BackgroundTesting a hypothesis for 'factors-outcome effect' is a common quest, but standard statistical regression analysis tools are rendered ineffective by data contaminated with too many noisy variables. Expert Systems (ES) can provide an alternative methodology in analysing data to identify variables with the highest correlation to the outcome. By applying their effective machine learning (ML) abilities, significant research time and costs can be saved. The study aims to systematically review the applications of ES in urological research and their methodological models for effective multi-variate analysis. Their domains, development and validity will be identified.MethodsThe PRISMA methodology was applied to formulate an effective method for data gathering and analysis. This study search included seven most relevant information sources: WEB OF SCIENCE, EMBASE, BIOSIS CITATION INDEX, SCOPUS, PUBMED, Google Scholar and MEDLINE. Eligible articles were included if they applied one of the known ML models for a clear urological research question involving multivariate analysis. Only articles with pertinent research methods in ES models were included. The analysed data included the system model, applications, input/output variables, target user, validation, and outcomes. Both ML models and the variable analysis were comparatively reported for each system.ResultsThe search identified n = 1087 articles from all databases and n = 712 were eligible for examination against inclusion criteria. A total of 168 systems were finally included and systematically analysed demonstrating a recent increase in uptake of ES in academic urology in particular artificial neural networks with 31 systems. Most of the systems were applied in urological oncology (prostate cancer = 15, bladder cancer = 13) where diagnostic, prognostic and survival predictor markers were investigated. Due to the heterogeneity of models and their statistical tests, a meta-analysis was not feasible.ConclusionES utility offers an effective ML potential and their applications in research have demonstrated a valid model for multi-variate analysis. The complexity of their development can challenge their uptake in urological clinics whilst the limitation of the statistical tools in this domain has created a gap for further research studies. Integration of computer scientists in academic units has promoted the use of ES in clinical urological research

Značajke građe i optička svojstava otpuštenih tankih slojeva cdin2se4

CdIn2Se4 chalcogenides thin films were prepared by thermal evaporation process. The effect of thermal annealing in vacuum on the growth characteristics of the deposited films was studied using X-ray and transmission electron microscopy techniques. It was observed that the as deposited films (300 K) were poorly crystalline. The degree of crystallinity increases with increasing the annealing temperature from 300 to 500 K. The compositional elemental analysis of CdIn2Se4 thin films annealed at 500 K was found to be nearly stoichiometric, however, films annealed in vacuum at 575 K partially dissociated into two binary phases with CdIn2Se4 as the major phase. The effect of the annealing temperature on the dispersion of the refractive index of the deposited films was investigated and analyzed within the single effective-oscillator approach. Changes of the dispersion parameters were also investigated as a function of the annealing temperature. Analysis of the optical absorption data revealed the existence of allowed direct and indirect optical transitions, and both values of energy gaps decrease with increasing annealing temperature.Isparavanjem u vakuumu pripremali smo tanke slojeve halkogenida CdIn2Se4. Proučavali smo učinke toplinskog otpuštanja u vakuumu na strukturne značajke naparenih slojeva primjenom difrakcije X-zračenja i prolazne elektronske mikroskopije. Opaža se da su svježe (na 300 K) napareni slojevi slabo kristalinični. Stupanj kristaliničnosti povećava se s povišenjem temperature otpuštanja između 300 i 500 K. Analize elementalnog sastava tankih slojeva CdIn2Se4 otpuštenih do 500 K pokazale su gotovo točan stoihiometrijski sastav, međutim, slojevi otpušteni na 575 K djelomično se razlažu u dvije binarne faze, dok CdIn2Se4 ostaje glavna faza. Mjerili smo učinke otpuštanja na disperzivnost indeksa loma naparenih slojeva i analizirali ishode jedno-oscilatornim modelom. Promjene parametara disperzije također smo istraživali u ovisnosti o temperaturi otpuštanja. Analize podataka za optičku apsorpciju ukazuju na postojanje dozvoljenih izravnih i neizravnih optičkih prijelaza s padom širina procijepa za povećne temperature otpuštanja

Značajke građe i optička svojstava otpuštenih tankih slojeva cdin2se4

CdIn2Se4 chalcogenides thin films were prepared by thermal evaporation process. The effect of thermal annealing in vacuum on the growth characteristics of the deposited films was studied using X-ray and transmission electron microscopy techniques. It was observed that the as deposited films (300 K) were poorly crystalline. The degree of crystallinity increases with increasing the annealing temperature from 300 to 500 K. The compositional elemental analysis of CdIn2Se4 thin films annealed at 500 K was found to be nearly stoichiometric, however, films annealed in vacuum at 575 K partially dissociated into two binary phases with CdIn2Se4 as the major phase. The effect of the annealing temperature on the dispersion of the refractive index of the deposited films was investigated and analyzed within the single effective-oscillator approach. Changes of the dispersion parameters were also investigated as a function of the annealing temperature. Analysis of the optical absorption data revealed the existence of allowed direct and indirect optical transitions, and both values of energy gaps decrease with increasing annealing temperature.Isparavanjem u vakuumu pripremali smo tanke slojeve halkogenida CdIn2Se4. Proučavali smo učinke toplinskog otpuštanja u vakuumu na strukturne značajke naparenih slojeva primjenom difrakcije X-zračenja i prolazne elektronske mikroskopije. Opaža se da su svježe (na 300 K) napareni slojevi slabo kristalinični. Stupanj kristaliničnosti povećava se s povišenjem temperature otpuštanja između 300 i 500 K. Analize elementalnog sastava tankih slojeva CdIn2Se4 otpuštenih do 500 K pokazale su gotovo točan stoihiometrijski sastav, međutim, slojevi otpušteni na 575 K djelomično se razlažu u dvije binarne faze, dok CdIn2Se4 ostaje glavna faza. Mjerili smo učinke otpuštanja na disperzivnost indeksa loma naparenih slojeva i analizirali ishode jedno-oscilatornim modelom. Promjene parametara disperzije također smo istraživali u ovisnosti o temperaturi otpuštanja. Analize podataka za optičku apsorpciju ukazuju na postojanje dozvoljenih izravnih i neizravnih optičkih prijelaza s padom širina procijepa za povećne temperature otpuštanja

Congenital pyloric atresia: clinical features, diagnosis, associated anomalies, management and outcome

Background: Congenital pyloric atresia (CPA) is very rare and usually seen as an isolated anomaly, which has an excellent prognosis. CPA can be associated with other anomalies or familial and these are usually associated with other hereditary conditions with poor prognosis. This review is based on our experience with 20 infants with CPA.Patients and methods: This is a review of CPA, highlighting its clinical features; associated anomalies; and aspects of diagnosis, management and outcome.Results: This review is based on our experience with 20 patients with CPA (nine male and 11 female). Their mean birth weight was 2.1 kg (1.1-3.9 kg). Polyhydramnios was seen in 13 (65%) patients. Seven patients were full-term and the remaining 13 were premature. Two were brothers and four were members of the same family. Isolated CPA was seen in seven (35%) patients and 13 had associated anomalies. Epidermolysis bullosa was seen in eight (40%) patients and multiple intestinal atresias in five (25%). Three patients had associated esophageal atresia. Pyloric diaphragm was the most common and seen in 13 patients including double diaphragms in two followed by pyloric atresia with a gap in four and pyloric atresia without a gap in three. All patients did well in the early postoperative period; however, 10 died later giving an overall survival of 40%. Sepsis was the main cause of death.Conclusion: CPA is a very rare malformation that can be familial and inherited as an autosomal recessive. It can either occur as an isolated lesion with an excellent prognosis, or be associated with other anomalies. The overall prognosis of CPA, however, is still poor, and this is due to the frequent-and often fatal-associated anomalies.Keywords: aplasia cutis congenita, congenital pyloric atresia, epidermolysis bullosa, hereditary multiple intestinal atresi

Utilisation du PEG 6000 dans la détermination de l'activité biologique des tannins de certains arbustes méditerranéens

5 páginas, 2 tablas.--In Porqueddu C. (ed.), Ríos S. (ed.) . The contributions of grasslands to the conservation of Mediterranean biodiversity . Zaragoza : CIHEAM-IAMZ/CIBIO/FAO/SEEP, 2010. p. 209-213 : 12 réf., 2 tabl.: (Options Méditerranéennes : Série A. Séminaires Méditerranéens ; n. 92). 13. Meeting of the Sub-Network on Mediterranean Forage Resources of the FAO-CIHEAM International Network for the Research and Development of Pasture and Forage Crops, 2010/04/07-10, Alicante (Spain)[EN] Samples of foliage from some Tunisian shrub species (Erica arborea, Myrtus communis, Pistacia lentiscus and Phillyrea angustifolia) harvested in summer from a semi arid grazing mountain area of Tunisia were examined for their chemical composition and kinetics of gas production in presence and absence of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Total condensed tannin contents (TCT) were also analysed. Crude protein (CP) content varied widely (40-93 g/kg DM) NDF content ranged from 440 g/kg DM in M. communis to 587 g/kg DM in P. lentiscus. The highest ADF content was for E. arborea (410 g/kg DM) and the lowest for M. communis (270 g/kg DM). High levels of CT were observed in E. arborea followed by P. lentiscus, and M. communis, whereas CT was almost absent in Ph. angustifolia. Asymptotic gas production (A), rate of gas production (c) and gas produced at 24 h of incubation (G24) were generally low in E. arborea and high in Ph. angustifolia. Addition of PEG to the incubation medium increased the parameters of gas production (A, G24 and c). This increase was more noticeable in E. arborea and less detected in Ph. angustifolia. Based on their crude protein and tannin contents, M. communis and P. angustifolia, may play an important role in providing fodder for ruminants even during the dry season when the other forages are scarce. However the foliage of E. arborea and P. lentiscus could have a potential nutritive value as when its tannin content is biologically inactivated by using a tannin-binding agent.[FR] La composition chimique et la cinétique de production de gaz en présence et en absence du PEG ont été examinées sur des échantillons de certaines espèces arbustives (Erica arborea, Myrtus communis, Pistacea lentiscus and Phillyrea angustifolia) collectées en été sur la montagne du nord ouest (semi-aride) de la Tunisie. Les teneurs de ces espèces en tannins condensés (TC) ont été aussi déterminées. Le contenu en protéine brut (PB) oscille entre 40 et 93 g/kg MS Le contenu en fibre neutre digestible (FND) varie de 440 g/kg MS (M. communis ) à 587 g/kg MS (P. lenticus). Le contenu le plus élevé en fibre acide digestible (FAD) a été enregistré au niveau de E. arborea. Cependant les TC ont été pratiquement absents dans le feuillage de Ph. angustifolia. La production de gaz assymptotique (A), le rythme de production de gaz (c) et la production de gaz à 24h d'incubation (G24) ont été généralement faibles pour E. arborea et élevés pour Ph. angustifolia. L'addition du PEG au milieu d'incubation s'est accompagnée par une augmentation des paramètres de production de gaz (A, G24 and c). Cette élévation a été plus notable pour E. arborea et moins détectée pour Ph. angustifolia. En se basant sur les teneurs en PB et en TC, les feuillages de M. communis et Ph. Angustifolia pourraient jouer un rôle important dans l'approvisionnement des aliments aux ruminants même durant la période de sécheresse lorsque les autres fourrages sont rares. Cependant, les feuillages de E. arborea et P. lentiscus pourraient avoir une valeur nutritionnelle importante une fois leurs tannins sont biologiquement désactivés en utilisant un agent détecteur des tannins.Peer reviewe