Design of Large Diameter Mine Countermeasure Hybrid Power Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

Mines are one of the most cost-effective and moderated weapon systems that are easy to deploy, but difficult to clear. Not only has the development of the mine countermeasure (MCM) underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) improved cost- and time-effectiveness in operation, but also it has avoided unnecessary human casualties

Public Transportation Service Evaluations Utilizing Seoul Transportation Card Data

AbstractThis study evaluated transit service performance in Seoul using data collected from the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system in Seoul. The distance-based fare system in Seoul allows a maximum of four transfers with no additional charges to encourage transit ridership. In order to analyze the transit transfers, this study developed quantitative indicators for public transportation evaluations differentiated from those of previous studies by the fact that it utilizes data mining techniques which incorporate massive amounts of data (over 10 million transits per day) derived from the smart card system. This study not only carried out an evaluation to improve public transportation quality but provided comparative analysis of the mobility handicapped and an evaluation of public transportation users’ regional equity. This evaluative analysis of Level of Services (LOS) for various items is expected to be adopted for analyzing LOS status and generating improvement priorities and to be utilized as an objective database for public transportation policy decisions

The Surgical Outcome of Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy According to the Obstruction Levels of Lacrimal Drainage System

ObjectivesMany factors influence the outcome of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). One of the most important prognostic factors is the level of obstruction in the lacrimal drainage system. The main objective of this report is to evaluate both the frequency of obstruction by anatomical region of the lacrimal drainage system on dacryocystography (DCG) and the surgical outcome of endoscopic DCR according to the obstruction level.MethodsA retrospective series of 48 patients (60 eyes) who had undergone endoscopic DCR from January 2005 to November 2007 were enrolled. Preoperative evaluation consisted of a standard examination which included lacrimal irrigation, probing, DCG and osteomeatal unit (OMU) computed tomography. Patients were classified into four groups according to the obstruction level on DCG. Surgical outcome was evaluated postoperatively by subjective improvement of epiphora and patent rhinostomy opening on nasal endoscopic exam.ResultsOf 60 eyes, the levels of obstruction were the common canaliculus in 14 eyes (23.3%), the lacrimal sac in 13 eyes (21.7%), the duct-sac junction in 13 eyes (21.7%) and the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) in 20 eyes (33.3%). The ductsac junction obstruction was treated most successfully (100%), followed by NLD obstruction (90%), common canaliculus obstruction (78.6%) and saccal obstruction (69.2%).ConclusionIn patients with lacrimal drainage system obstruction, preoperative evaluation of obstruction level using DCG may be helpful for predicting the surgical outcome of endoscopic DCR. The saccal obstruction may have a worse prognosis than the other obstruction levels

Prognostic Factors for Postsurgical Recovery of Deltoid Palsy due to Cervical Disc Herniations

Study DesignRetrospective multicenter study.PurposeWe aimed to investigate prognostic factors affecting postsurgical recovery of deltoid palsy due to cervical disc herniation (CDH).Overview of LiteratureLittle information is available about prognostic factors affecting postsurgical recovery of deltoid palsy due to CDH.MethodsSixty-one patients with CDH causing deltoid palsy (less than grade 3) were included in this study: 35 soft discs and 26 hard discs. Average duration of preoperative deltoid palsy was 11.9 weeks. Thirty-two patients underwent single-level surgery, 22 two-level, four three-level, and three four-level. Patients with accompanying myelopathy, shoulder diseases, or peripheral neuropathy were excluded from the study.ResultsDeltoid palsy (2.4 grades vs. 4.5 grades, p<0.001) and radiculopathy (6.4 points vs. 2.1 points, p<0.001) significantly improved after surgery. Thirty-six of 61 patients (59%) achieved full recovery (grade 5) of deltoid palsy, with an average time of 8.4 weeks. Longer duration of preoperative deltoid palsy and more severe radiculopathy negatively affected the degree of improvement in deltoid palsy. Age, gender, number of surgery level, and disc type did not affect the degree of improvement of deltoid palsy. Contrary to our expectations, severity of preoperative deltoid palsy did not affect the degree of improvement. Due to the shorter duration of preoperative deltoid palsy, in the context of rapid referral, early surgical decompression resulted in significant recovery of more severe grades (grade 0 or 1) of deltoid palsy compared to grade 2 or 3 deltoid palsy.ConclusionsEarly surgical decompression significantly improved deltoid palsy caused by CDH, irrespective of age, gender, number of surgery level, and disc type. However, longer duration of deltoid palsy and more severe intensity of preoperative radiating pain were associated with less improvement of deltoid palsy postoperatively

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018):a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines

The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications describing physiological and pathological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a collective term covering various subtypes of cell-released, membranous structures, called exosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes, oncosomes, apoptotic bodies, and many other names. However, specific issues arise when working with these entities, whose size and amount often make them difficult to obtain as relatively pure preparations, and to characterize properly. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) proposed Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (“MISEV”) guidelines for the field in 2014. We now update these “MISEV2014” guidelines based on evolution of the collective knowledge in the last four years. An important point to consider is that ascribing a specific function to EVs in general, or to subtypes of EVs, requires reporting of specific information beyond mere description of function in a crude, potentially contaminated, and heterogeneous preparation. For example, claims that exosomes are endowed with exquisite and specific activities remain difficult to support experimentally, given our still limited knowledge of their specific molecular machineries of biogenesis and release, as compared with other biophysically similar EVs. The MISEV2018 guidelines include tables and outlines of suggested protocols and steps to follow to document specific EV-associated functional activities. Finally, a checklist is provided with summaries of key points

Tactical Consideration for MCM CONOPS Establishment for Unmanned Surface Vehicles [video]

TechCon2017 (CRUSER)Presented by Dr. Kwang Sub Song: NPS OceanographyIncludes slidesOverarching concepts of operations (CONOPS) for future counter mine warfare USV should be established. An end-to-end, overall systems approach for the new USV systems and technology and an overall system architecture are considered for mission effectiveness and cost optimization for future system operations in the MCM warfare. Following the procedures described in DoD and Naval operation code, we try to combine and optimize major steps of the mine warfare procedure and related latest technology achievements in the autonomous vehicle systems. Fundamental considerations for development of CONOPs for future MIW USV systems are: the combined dedicated and organic MCM capabilities must be optimized with a systems view; confirm procedures for selecting the best route and MCM sequences based on ISR databases; assess the mine threat for situational awareness, including future trends; effective C4I ISR operation and information sharing; contingency plan for joint countermine warfare operations forces and ISR assets; technical issues related to communications and interoperability, navigation/position errors for sensor contacts, type of sensor information; develop environmental databases, CAD/CAC algorithms and associated thresholds for detection and classification; an overall MCM systems architecture is needed to ensure that common standards; compatibility with MEDAL should be a given.NPS CRUSE

Mine and Mine like Objects Classification Through Deep Learning Neural Network Systems

CRUSER TechCon 2018 Research at NPS. Wednesday 1: SensingThreats of sea mines are increasing due to recent technology development, such as autonomous systems and computer systems with artificial intelligent capability. There are many solutions to solve MCM problems as far as difficulties to detect identify and classification. Unmanned systems integrated with emerging technologies are the minesweepers and hunters of the future MCM operations. A focused technology effort needed to incorporate unmanned systems into the mine countermeasure ship and other related MCM fleet forces. In MCM operation, it has several due sequences; identification location, neutralization and analysis. In this study, we try to use deep learning AI technique to identify, classify, and locate mines, so that lead to programming decisions allowing mine hunting and minesweeping missions to perform without a man onboard, eliminating the risk to personnel. Most of data and information for mine detection are acquired as form of image pixel from size scan sonar or bathometry sonar. However, detection of mine from sonar image is not easy to perform because sonar image has low resolution, shadows of different shape or size and complexity of ocean environment. There are plenty of Identification and Classification Algorithms using up to date Deep Learning Method that requires huge training data and Processing Hard Ware with Graphic Processor Unit. AI system needs long training time for Neural Networks tuning, but mine and mine like object and their respective SONAR signal data are few and restrictive to access We select faster regional CNN deep learning neural network as deep learning network for mine classifications, but it needs long processing time and data for signal from minefield. Deep learning functional process are largely divided by region selection and classification sequences, and applying AI process to region selection require more time than well-defined classification process. In this works, we separate Region of Interest selection processing from whole Deep Learning Package for Mine Classification. Region of Interest are selected by combined identification process with simple model referenced CNN circuit, Tactical Mine Database, Environmental Condition probability and SONAR signal processing, which give much fast processing time. Selected regions of interest (ROI) provide through well-established Faster R-CNN Package for Classifications Efficiency test and accuracy test are to compare other deep learning classification packages and give a better accuracy and computation time. We normally check classification accuracy from trained data and non-trained (blind) data from mine warfare databases

Perioperative management of patients receiving non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants: up-to-date recommendations

Indications of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), consisting of two types: direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran) and direct factor Xa inhibitor (rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban), have expanded over the last few years. Accordingly, increasing number of patients presenting for surgery are being exposed to NOACs, despite the fact that NOACs are inevitably related to increased perioperative bleeding risk. This review article contains recent clinical evidence-based up-to-date recommendations to help set up a multidisciplinary management strategy to provide a safe perioperative milieu for patients receiving NOACs. In brief, despite the paucity of related clinical evidence, several key recommendations can be drawn based on the emerging clinical evidence, expert consensus, and predictable pharmacological properties of NOACs. In elective surgeries, it seems safe to perform high-bleeding risk surgeries 2 days after cessation of NOAC, regardless of the type of NOAC. Neuraxial anesthesia should be performed 3 days after cessation of NOACs. In both instances, dabigatran needs to be discontinued for an additional 1 or 2 days, depending on the decrease in renal function. NOACs do not require a preoperative heparin bridge therapy. Emergent or urgent surgeries should preferably be delayed for at least 12 h from the last NOAC intake (better if > 24 h). If surgery cannot be delayed, consider using specific reversal agents, which are idarucizumab for dabigatran and andexanet alfa for rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban. If these specific reversal agents are not available, consider using prothrombin complex concentrates

Analysis of Mobile Phone Data to Compare Mobility Flows and Hotspots Before and After the Opening of High-Speed Railway: Case Study of Honam KTX in Korea

Mobile phone data provides information, such as the home (origin) and current locations of people. The data can be used to analyze the impact of new high-speed railway (HSR) openings. This study examined the population observed in stations and cities of the Honam HSR line in Korea, based on mobile phone data recorded one year before and after its opening. We analyzed the volume of the population observed at each railway station, density of the distance between home and station, and activity hotspots in a city. The results show that the number of people and travel distance increased after the opening of the HSR. The distance to access railway stations increased, as the HSR saves travel time. Moreover, the activity hotspots in a city increased after the opening of the HSR, as more people gathered near the station area. The findings show that the mobility measures enhanced after the opening of the HSR for regional travel and local activities. These measures can help transit agencies and planners in providing better intercity travel