Application of physical parameter identification to finite element models

A time domain technique for matching response predictions of a structural dynamic model to test measurements is developed. Significance is attached to prior estimates of physical model parameters and to experimental data. The Bayesian estimation procedure allows confidence levels in predicted physical and modal parameters to be obtained. Structural optimization procedures are employed to minimize an error functional with physical model parameters describing the finite element model as design variables. The number of complete FEM analyses are reduced using approximation concepts, including the recently developed convoluted Taylor series approach. The error function is represented in closed form by converting free decay test data to a time series model using Prony' method. The technique is demonstrated on simulated response of a simple truss structure

Application of physical parameter identification to finite-element models

The time domain parameter identification method described previously is applied to TRW's Large Space Structure Truss Experiment. Only control sensors and actuators are employed in the test procedure. The fit of the linear structural model to the test data is improved by more than an order of magnitude using a physically reasonable parameter set. The electro-magnetic control actuators are found to contribute significant damping due to a combination of eddy current and back electro-motive force (EMF) effects. Uncertainties in both estimated physical parameters and modal behavior variables are given

Specifics of Knowledge Management in the New Small Organizations

In the article, the role of implicit knowledge in success of the modern small organization reveals. Also change in the balance in the modern small organizations between “hard” factors of competitiveness (new technologies, new goods) and “soft” factors among which - knowledge, corporate culture is described. Specific methods of management for creation, development of implicit knowledge and the subsequent management in the small organizations are shown. Among methods is mentioned management on values thanks to which the commitment of employees to the general tasks and trust among collective in the small organizations is cultivated. The trend on increase in number of the small organizations achieving success in a long-term outlook exactly thanks to implicit factors of competitiveness as it is much more difficult to repeat or adopt them in competitive fight is also noted in the article

Normal weight diabetic patients versus obese diabetics: relation of overall and abdominal adiposity to vascular health

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the impact of overall obesity defined by BMI and abdominal obesity defined by WC on vascular atherosclerotic changes in obese and normal weight diabetic subjects. DESIGN AND METHODS: 285 subjects were divided according to presence diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity: Group 1 included 144 nonobese subjects without DM; Group 2 consisted of 141 type 2 diabetic patients. Then diabetic patients were divided into two groups according to presence of overall obesity, defined by BMI and furthermore, abdominal obesity, defined by waist circumference (WC). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) were performed using SphygmoCor (version 7.1, AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia). RESULTS: Between Group Comparisons by BMI: Diabetic subjects with and without overall obesity did not differ from one another in terms of AI and PWV. Between Group Comparisons by WC: AI as well as PWV increased consistently from Group 1 to Group 3, AI and PWV were significantly higher in abdominally obese diabetic subjects than in the diabetics without abdominal obesity (p = 0.008 and p = 0.013, respectively). Significant by-group differences in PWV and AI persisted after adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, fasting glucose and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity defined by WC was associated with significantly higher AI and PWV in in both diabetic men and women; whereas overall obesity defined by BMI did not predict adverse vascular changes in this study population. Abdominal obesity was associated with an adverse effect on blood vessels, independently of age, sex, blood pressure, fasting glucose and BMI

Kathu townlands: a high density earlier stone age locality in the interior of South Africa

Kathu Townlands is a high density Earlier Stone Age locality in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Here we present the first detailed information on this locality based on analysis of a sample of lithic material from excavations by P. Beaumont and field observations made in the course of fieldwork in 2013. The results confirm the remarkably high artefact density at Kathu Townlands and do not provide evidence consistent with high energy transport as a mechanism of site formation, suggesting that Kathu Townlands was the site of intensive exploitation of highly siliceous outcroppings of banded iron formation. The results presented here provide a first step towards understanding this complex locality and point to the need for further research and the importance of preserving this locality in the face of intensive and rapid development

Airway management algorithm during circular tracheal resection in adult patients with cicatricial stenosis (a single-center study)

The objective was to present the experience of airway management algorithm in patients with different localization of stenosis during circular tracheal resection.Materials and methods. The retrospective analysis included 84 patients with grade II cicatricial stenosis who underwent circular tracheal resection at the period from 2018 to 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 with long-segment tracheal stenosis and group 2 with short-segment tracheal stenosis (39 and 45 patients, respectively). The age of patients in group 1 was 43 years [28–55] versus 48 [35–61] years in group 2 (p = 0.19). The patients in the groups were comparable in terms of the main parameters: gender, the ratio of women to men, BMI, class of cardiological risk, degree of risk of respiratory complications and pneumonia, degree of disability. Airway management control during surgery was provided by tracheal intubation with the installation of an endotracheal tube (ETT) proximal to tracheal stenosis or with a supraglottic airway device (laryngeal mask) i-gel (LM) before the main stage, followed by the application of the «apnea-ventilation-apnea» technique at the main stage. In patients with tracheostomy, airway management was performed by inserting endotracheal tube (ETT) into the tracheostomy opening using the «apnea-ventilation-apnea» technique until the completion of the main stage, followed by tracheal intubation through the mouth using a bronchoscope. All patients included in this study underwent tracheoplasty; patients with preserved tracheostomy were not included in the study. The choice of the method of airway management was determined after a joint discussion of the patient with the operating surgeon, endoscopists, as well as after evaluating the predictors of difficult airways and the presence of a tracheostomy in the patient.Results. The incidence of patients with tracheostomy in group 1 – 23 (59%) was higher than in group 2 – 9 (16%) (OR 5.75, 95% CI 2.18–15.17; p < 0.0001), which influenced the choice of tactics for airway management, since LM tracheostomy was not used in this group of patients. The choice of tactics for airway management algorithm also depended on the extent of stenosis, so LM was used more often in group 2 – 28 (62.2%) than in  group 1 – 12 (30.8%) (p = 0.004). We associate such differences with the presence of a large number of patients with tracheostomy in group 1. For airway management during surgery, LM was used in 90% of cases with cervical localization of stenosis. In group 1, the time of anesthesia and mechanical ventilation increases compared to group 2: 245 [210–275] versus 215 [180–240] min (p = 0.022) and 265 [220–400] versus 210 [180–320] min (p = 0.015), respectively. The frequency of waking up in the operating room and regaining the ability to breathe independently was higher in patients in group 2: 35 (77.8%) than in group 1 22 (56.4%) (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.05–6.97; p = 0.036). No difference in length of hospital stay was observed in the extent of stenosis and the chosen airway management algorithm.Conclusion. The choice of airway management algorithm during circular tracheal resection in patients with grade II cicatricial stenosis is depended on the localization and extent of tracheal stenosis. The choice of laryngeal mask i-gel as the airway management algorithm is safe and alternative algorithm with tracheal intubation with short-segment cervical stenosis and absence of tracheostomy

Therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen in psoriasis vulgaris: two case reports and a review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Psoriasis is an inflammatory and immunological cutaneous disease. The high morbidity in patients with psoriasis results from severe clinical manifestations and/or adverse effects of treatment. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and Federal Medicare and Medicaid Services have approved the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) for more than 15 indications, including wound healing, infections and late effects of radiation, which are largely unresponsive to conventional treatments. Accumulated data show that HBO₂ has anti-inflammatory effects and other positive influences on the immune system, making it a rational treatment in the management of psoriasis plaques and arthritis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the cases of two patients with long histories of psoriasis vulgarus who exhibited marked improvement with use of HBO_2. The first patient was 40 years old and had pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. He was treated with six sessions of HBO₂ (at 2.8 atmospheres of pressure for 60 minutes), which successfully controlled his symptoms. At the 18-month post-treatment follow up, the patient exhibited complete remission of psoriasis and marked improvement in psoriatic arthritis without medication. The second patient was 55 years old with extensive psoriatic lesions, and exhibited marked improvement within 15 sessions of HBO₂. No adverse effects of HBO₂ were identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HBO₂ may possess potential therapeutic efficacy in the management of psoriasis. We outline the pathogenesis of psoriasis and the selective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of HBO₂. We hope that this will provide a basis for elucidating the mechanisms of action and consequently pave the way for further controlled studies.</p

Social Justice Picture Books

This project is made possible with funding by the Government of Ontario and through eCampusOntario’s support of the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) and Central Virtual Learning Platform (CVLP). To learn more about VLS and CVLP visit: https://vls.ecampusontario.ca.This project is made possible with funding by the Government of Ontario and through eCampusOntario’s support of the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) and Ontario Exchange (OEX). To learn more about VLS and OEX visit: https://vls.ecampusontario.ca.I. Main BodyII. Anti-BullyingIII. Mental HealthIV. Human RightsV. Gender Identity & Gender RolesVI. PeaceVII. Anti-PovertyVIII. Anti-RacismIX. EnvironmentX. Indigenous PerspectivesA collection of lesson plans for grades 4-8 based on picture books dealing with social justice. The lessons focus on Literacy but many also connect across subjects to Social Studies (geography and history), Health, the Arts, or Science & Technolog

Criminalization and Racial Disparities in Opioid Use Disorder: How did the US get here?

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