Mass Dimension Research Articles

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ КОНСТРУКТИВНИХ СХЕМ ДВИГУНІВ З ІМПУЛЬСНИМИ ДЕТОНАЦІЙНИМИ КАМЕРАМИ

The pressure of the products of chemical reactions in the chamber of a rocket engine increases significantly if the rocket fuel components burn in the detonation mode. In this case, it can get to a simpler and more reliable expulsion propellant feed system instead of a turbopump feed system. The value of heat release power (MW / liter) of detonation engines is several orders of magnitude larger than that of aircraft and rocket engines operating in the Brighton cycle. The high rate of energy released in the detonation mode can significantly reduce the mass, the inertia, and overall dimensions of the propulsion system. Due to these features, detonation chambers are advisable to be used as part of ejector pulsed detonation engines, together with a turbine – in electric power generators of spacecraft, in a hybrid design – together with turbofan or turboprop engines, etc. In the article are considered various design schemes of pulse detonation engines (PDE): single-chamber and multi-chamber pulsed detonation engines; an ejector PDE system; a hybrid PDE and an integrated detonation-turbine unit with a detonation chamber in the form of a spiral and with a multi-chamber detonation device. The possibility of pulsation frequency increase is realized in the multi-chamber pulsed detonation engine, and the possibility of thrust size increase is realized in PDE with ejector. Replacing traditional chambers with detonation chambers in the construction of gas turbine jet engine will allow providing a decrease in propellant flow rate value from 8 % to 10 % on some estimations. In the hybrid detonation propulsion plant advantages inherent to the detonation cycle combine with positive features of a turbo-compressor jet engine. A combination of PDE and turbine allows creating the cogeneration propulsion system in that a turbine is used for the production of electric power, and detonation chamber – for the creation of thrust impulse. Practical realization of hybrid pulse detonation turbo-engine and the integrated detonation-turbine device is possible if two key complex problems will be solved. These problems are the detonation waves weakening on input in a turbine and the bearing and shaft necessary work resource increasing into a detonation pulsating stream

Sociological Surveillance of the Pandemic: Exploring Interconnectedness, Panic, and Waves of Crisis

The relevance of the sociological study of the COVID-19 pandemic is determined not only by medical problems (zero-patient, the speed of vaccine creation against the virus, the speed of disease spread, etc.), but also by social problems concerning the interaction of people, the impact of the pandemic on social, political, economic, and cultural fields, the processes of transforming social institutions and structures, and the dynamics of the social process both in management and organization, as well as self-organization. The author suggests employing an arsenal of sociological methods and approaches for analysis. The main subject of the article is the problem of studying the impact of a pandemic on modern society with its informational, cognitive-innovative, and hyper-realistic certainty. The author explores the phenomenon of the pandemic, its impact as a global threat and danger on micro, meso, and macro-social structures and organizations, on the main institutions of society, and on international institutions. The pandemic becomes a process of social "freezing" in the broad sense, meaning any relationships among people, but also entails social, political, economic, and cultural constraints; both public and international constraints of states and international institutions. At the same time, the pandemic produces panic as a social phenomenon in various dimensions of masses (socio-behavioral), socio-organizational and institutional, and on a global scale through prompt replication, repetition, modification, rumor, gossip, and information warfare. The theory of social fractality serves as a study of the processes of mimesis, replication, and scaling in masses, socially organizational and global dynamics. The author differentiates various phases of the impact of the pandemic on international processes as certain phases and waves of interaction between countries in the struggle and solidarity. All these define new trends for governments and the world community.

Connection between SOX7 Expression andBreast Cancer Prognosis.

BackgroundSOX7 exerts a repressing effect against tumors and imposes vital influences on malignancies. Our research discussed the importance of SOX7 in breast cancer prognoses.Material/MethodsSOX7 mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues samples and matched adjacent normal controls of breast cancer patients was measured by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship of SOX7 with clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed via chi-square test. The association of SOX7 levels with clinical outcomes was evaluated adopting the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.ResultsSOX7 mRNA degree of expression exhibited a declining tendency in breast cancer tissue compared to paired bordering normal tissue specimens (P<0.001). In addition, the reduced SOX7 degree of expression had a strong correlation to larger cancer mass dimension (P=0.006) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.001). Survival analysis revealed that the overall survival (OS) time was much shorter among cases harboring low SOX7 degree of expression compared to high degree of expression (P=0.005). Moreover, SOX7 expression alone could predict OS among breast cancer patients (hazard ratio=3.956, 95% confidence interval=1.330–11.772, P=0.013).ConclusionsSOX7 expression was downregulated in breast cancer tissues, and it could function as a useful prognostic marker in breast cancer.

Evidence for Progressive Shifts Towards α‐Myosin Isoform with Paradoxical Increases in Cardiac Hemodynamic Loads in Post‐Natal Healthy Rats

IntroductionThe balance of fast (α) and slow (β) cardiac myosin heavy chain (MYHC) isoforms is known to change with both aging and disease. While pathological states with increased hemodynamic loads are often accompanied by shifts toward energy‐sparing β isoforms, the underlying mechanism(s) of these changes remain poorly understood. Neonatal rats are a promising model to study such cardiac MYHC remodeling, as they show a well‐documented transition (β to α) during post‐natal development. In these experiments, MYHC‐isoform switches and in vivo cardiac structure/hemodynamic changes were evaluated during post‐natal development.MethodsCardiac echocardiographic and systemic/left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics were evaluated in Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 61) ranging from post‐natal day (PND) 3 to adulthood. Hemodynamics were obtained before/after challenges with sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 25 μg/kg IV) and/or phenylephrine (PE, 10 μg/kg IV) to study cardiovascular responsiveness. LV’s were also collected (n = 48) for myosin isoform analysis via SDS‐PAGE MYHC separating gels.ResultsAs expected, post‐natal rats showed a progressive decline in β‐MYHC expression from PND3 (1.29 ± 0.05 α:β) to adulthood when α‐MYHC was dominant (12.78 ± 2.51 α:β). Concomitantly, postnatal rats showed progressive increases (P&lt;0.05) in systemic/LV pressures (MAP: 46 ± 1 at &lt;PND14 to 103 ± 2 mmHg, P&lt;0.05), LV mass (0.16 ± 0.02g at &lt;PND14 to 0.84 ± 017g) and diastolic dimensions (79 ± 6 at &lt;PND14 to 288 ± 14 μL), with vastly preserved heart rates. Pressor responses to PE increased during maturation, while all age groups were sensitive to SNP‐mediated vaso‐relaxation. Ejection fraction was preserved during postnatal maturation with young pups showing lower rates of LV pressure development (dPdtmax 4052 ± 125 at &lt;PND14 vs. 9478 ± 231 mmHg/s, P&lt;0.05) consistent with the early expression of β‐MYHC.ConclusionsTaken together, these data provide evidence of a maturing cardiovascular system in post‐natal rats showing progressive increases in systemic/ventricular pressures and cardiac dimensions, with paradoxical shifts towards α‐MYHC isoforms. In short, in rats, the cardiac β‐MYHC isoform consistently declines over maturation despite sustained increases in systemic load.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Third Eyelid Membrane in an African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the third eyelid membrane (also known as the nictitating membrane) was diagnosed in a 34-year-old African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) that was presented to the clinics of our faculty for unilateral periorbital swelling, blepharospasm, severely bleeding of 2 months duration. A large, hard, yellow mass on the bulbar surface of the third eyelid membrane that was attached to the ventro-medial quadrant of the bulbar conjunctiva was identified under general anesthesia. Surgical removal of the mass was performed but the bird died just after the operation. The left globe with adnexal tissues and the body of bird were submitted for histopathological examination. The dimensions of the solitary mass were 0.8x1 cm and the histopathological examination revealed SCC. There was no evidence of metastasis in the globe and other organs.

Rethinking building footprint regulations towards conservation of historical urban fabrics: a case study of Rasht city

ABSTRACT This research is an attempt to reconsider current Iranian building placement and plot coverage regulations which in combination define the permitted building footprints for new constructions in the historical districts of cities. Since their introduction to the Iranian building control system about eighty years ago these regulations have had a vast disruptive effect on the form of organic urban fabrics of Iranian cities. It is discussed that the current regulations are based on some western building typologies which are alien to the old cities of this country and in order to conserve basic formal characteristics of the remaining valuable urban fabrics of Iran these regulations should be based on vernacular patterns of architecture. As a case study Rasht city, in northern Iran, is examined and through studying its historical architecture it is attempted to identify the prevailing patterns for building placement, common dimensions of building mass, courtyards, and plot coverage ratios as a plausible basis for a new context-based regulation on building footprints. Considering these points in new regulations or guidelines will guarantee that the footprint of new constructions in the historical district of Rasht will be in harmony with their context in terms of geometrical attributes and dimensions.

Damping analysis of a quad beam MEMS piezoresistive accelerometer

ABSTRACT This article presents the simulation and experimental validation of damping for an MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) piezoresistive accelerometer with an optimized mass dimension and air gap. A commercially available device should be able to withstand acceleration shock having a full-scale range of at least from 100 g to 1000 g irrespective of its nominal operation range. To achieve this, a micromachined silicon accelerometer is bonded with top and bottom Pyrex glasses. These glass plates provide viscous damping to the proof mass during its movement influencing the performance of the accelerometer. To improve the damping characteristics, the proposed accelerometer device is electroplated with gold on top of the device and an optimum distance of 27 µm is maintained between top/bottom glasses. It is observed that the vibrations are detected in a much earlier stage when the device is electroplated with gold with an optimum air gap distance of 27 µm. Experimental results prove an optimized air gap device for an electroplated gold with a proof thickness of 170 µm as a reduction of 23.26% from the resonant peak of electroplated gold device with a proof thickness of 270 µm. This device aims to design a typical air craft sensing motion application.

Abstract P247: Associations of 25-year Smoking Patterns With Year 30 Cardiac Structure and Function: Longitudinal Results From the CARDIA Study

Background: Smoking exposure has a strong dose-dependent relation with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Less is known about how patterns of exposure may impact CVD. In this study, we hypothesized that patterns of high or persistent smoking for 25 years would have worse myocardial structure and function at 30 years, while patterns of quitting smoking would be similar to never smokers. Methods: Data were from 5115 black and white, men and women, aged 18-30 years at baseline (1985) in the CARDIA study. Group-based trajectory modeling (SAS proc traj ) identified smoking patterns from 1985-2010 among 3178 participants with echocardiogram at year 30 (2015). Adjusted linear regression analyses assessed associations between trajectory group with left ventricular (LV) structure (LV mass, LV diastolic dimension, left atrial volume), LV function (ejection fraction, circumferential strain, global longitudinal strain), and right ventricular function (E/A, average e’, E/e’). Interactions between smoking trajectory X sex, race, and BMI with echo measures were also assessed. Results: Seven smoking trajectory groups were identified (Figure). Trajectory group was significantly associated with cardiac structure, including LV mass ( p &lt;.001) and LV diastolic dimension ( p =.003). For example, LV mass was greater among all smoking groups (except declining heavy smokers, n=49) compared to nonsmokers (all p s&lt;.05); moreover, compared to heavy smokers, minimal smokers ( p =.008) and quitters ( p =.047) had smaller LV mass (Figure). Trajectory group was not associated with cardiac function (all p s&gt;.10). None of the interactions with trajectory group was significant (all p s&gt;.05). Conclusions: Any level of smoking during young adulthood was associated with poorer cardiac structure, but not function, compared to never smokers. Patterns of minimal and declining smoking also had significantly better structure than heavy smoking. These results suggest that quitting and reducing smoking may help preserve or restore cardiac structure over time.

Beyond recent BMI: BMI exposure metrics and their relationship to health.

Body mass index (BMI) is generally used to classify adiposity. Despite the fact that the consequences of adiposity for chronic health accumulate and manifest over time, most population health research exploring the implications of high BMI measures only its recent intensity. Some studies have used retrospective measures involving maximum weight, and even fewer have used BMI at multiple time points to estimate cumulative exposure to adiposity. The goal of this study was to compare BMI exposure metrics that captured different dimensions of body mass – intensity, history, and duration – in models of health indicators linked with adiposity. We used self-reported BMI of young adults (ages 18 – 33 years, n = 8,608) across 11 waves of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 to evaluate eight BMI exposure metrics: most recent, maximum, mean, and median BMI, proportion of time with overweight/obesity, and excess BMI-years with overweight/obesity. We used these metrics in models of self-reported general health, chronic condition, and diabetes, and ascertained how most recent BMI performed when compared with other metrics that better capture the dynamics of BMI. The Akaike information criteria and Vuong tests were used for model comparison, and the strengths of associations were also compared. Most recent BMI was the best metric for explaining general health. Median BMI was best for explaining diabetes, with most recent BMI under-estimating the association by 13% relative to median BMI. For chronic condition, there was no clear best metric. We concluded that most recent BMI is useful for explaining health outcomes, though other metrics should also be given consideration, particularly for conditions that develop over time. Metrics that accounted for both intensity and history performed quite well, but the duration measures might be less useful.

Weak scale from Planck scale: Mass scale generation in a classically conformal two-scalar system

Abstract In the standard model, the weak scale is the only parameter with mass dimensions. This means that the standard model itself cannot explain the origin of the weak scale. On the other hand, from the results of recent accelerator experiments, except for some small corrections, the standard model has increased the possibility of being an effective theory up to the Planck scale. From these facts, it is naturally inferred that the weak scale is determined by some dynamics from the Planck scale. In order to answer this question, we rely on the multiple point criticality principle as a clue and consider the classically conformal $\mathbb{Z}_2\times \mathbb{Z}_2$ invariant two-scalar model as a minimal model in which the weak scale is generated dynamically from the Planck scale. This model contains only two real scalar fields and does not contain any fermions or gauge fields. In this model, due to a Coleman–Weinberg-like mechanism, the one-scalar field spontaneously breaks the $ \mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry with a vacuum expectation value connected with the cutoff momentum. We investigate this using the one-loop effective potential, renormalization group and large-$N$ limit. We also investigate whether it is possible to reproduce the mass term and vacuum expectation value of the Higgs field by coupling this model with the standard model in the Higgs portal framework. In this case, the one-scalar field that does not break $\mathbb{Z}_2$ can be a candidate for dark matter and have a mass of about several TeV in appropriate parameters. On the other hand, the other scalar field breaks $\mathbb{Z}_2$ and has a mass of several tens of GeV. These results will be verifiable in near-future experiments.

Radiative neutrino mass model from a mass dimension-11 \u2206L = 2 effective operator

We present the first detailed phenomenological analysis of a radiative Majorana neutrino mass model constructed from opening up a ∆L = 2 mass-dimension-11 effective operator constructed out of standard model fields. While three such operators are generated, only one dominates neutrino mass generation, namely {O}_{47}=overline{L^C}Loverline{Q^C}Loverline{Q}{Q}^C HH, where L denotes lepton doublet, Q quark doublet and H Higgs doublet. The under- lying renormalisable theory contains the scalars {S}_1sim left(overline{3},1,1/3right) coupling as a diquark, {S}_3sim left(overline{3},3,1/3right) coupling as a leptoquark, and Φ3 ∼ (3, 3, 2/3), which has no Yukawa couplings but does couple to S1 and S3 in addition to the gauge fields. Neutrino masses and mixings are generated at two-loop order. A feature of this model that is different from many other radiative models is the lack of proportionality to any quark and charged- lepton masses of the neutrino mass matrix. One consequence is that the scale of new physics can be as high as 107 TeV, despite the operator having a high mass dimension. This raises the prospect that ∆L = 2 effective operators at even higher mass dimensions may, when opened up, produce phenomenologically-viable radiative neutrino mass models. The parameter space of the model is explored through benchmark slices that are subject to experimental constraints from charged lepton flavour-violating decays, rare meson de- cays and neutral-meson mixing. The acceptable parameter space can accommodate the anomalies in RK (∗) and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.

Renormalization group effects in dark matter interactions

We present a renormalization-group (RG) analysis of dark matter interactions with the standard model, where dark matter is allowed to be a component of an electroweak multiplet, and has a mass at or below the electroweak scale. We consider, in addition to the gauge interactions, the complete set of effective operators for dark matter interactions with the standard model above the weak scale, up to and including mass dimension six. We calculate the RG evolution of these operators from the high scale Λ down to the weak scale, and perform the matching to the tower of effective theories below the weak scale. We also summarize the RG evolution below the weak scale and the matching to the nonrelativistic nuclear interactions. We present several numerical examples and show that in certain cases the dark matter — nucleus scattering rate can change by orders of magnitude when the electroweak running is included.

Enumerating the operators of an effective field theory

Until recently little was known about the high-dimensional operators of the standard model effective field theory (SMEFT). However, in the past few years the number of these operators has been counted up to mass dimension 15 using techniques involving the Hilbert series. In this work I will show how to perform the same counting with a different method. This alternative approach makes it possible to cross-check results (it confirms the SMEFT numbers), but it also provides some more information on the operators beyond just counting their number. The considerations made here apply equally well to any other model besides SMEFT and, with this purpose in mind, they were implemented in a computer code.

Lateral inner environment changes and effects on emitter clogging risk for different irrigation times

Emitter clogging is one of the most important limiting factors affecting the promotion of drip irrigation. To examine the impact of the irrigation time on the lateral environment and to develop an optimal way to mitigate the emitter clogging risk, 4 different irrigation times (3, 7, 10 and 30 times) were examined with each irrigation period lasting 2 daily hours. Then, the lateral inner environment was studied from the perspectives of the mass, particle size composition, mineral composition, microbial content of the sediment in the lateral (includes sediment deposited in and adhered to the lateral, DS and AS, respectively). The index of the emitter clogging risk was used to indicate the emitter clogging level of the drip irrigation system. The results indicated that emitter clogging risk (Rec) was significantly correlated with the DS mass, AS mass, rate of change of the AS mass and fractal dimension (p < 0.01), and the AS mass was correlated with the bacterial content in the AS (p < 0.05). This finding indicates that Rec was affected by the lateral inner environment. The DS affected the changes in Rec, mainly through influencing the mass of clogging substances in the grid structures and the particle size across the labyrinth channel. The increasing AS captures nutrients and provides a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria in the laterals, inlet grid and labyrinth channel. Additionally, the mass of clogging substances (mainly the AS) increased steadily during the process of particle adhesion, which leads to irreversible clogging. The Rec declined rapidly in the initial stage of irrigation and then gradually decreased over the irrigation duration. There was a boundary between short and long irrigation times (between irrigation times of approximately 7 and 10 in this research), which was the optimum lateral flushing period.

Morphology analysis of soot particles from a modern diesel engine fueled with different types of oxygenated fuels

Using a transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the morphological characteristic variations of exhaust soot particles have been studied on a modern diesel engine fuelled with a commercial diesel fuel (D100, as a baseline fuel) and three different oxygenated fuel blends with the same oxygen content, including a 11.5% methanol blend (M11.5), a 8.3% dimethyl carbonate blend (DMC8.3), and a 13% dimethyl methane blend (DMM13). The results showed that oxygenated fuel blends emitted smaller soot primary particles with respect to neat diesel, with the most significant decrease in M11.5 followed by DMM13 and DMC8.3. Similar variations with primary particle diameter were found in the decrease of the mean radius of gyration, mean primary particle number and estimated mass for an agglomerate when making comparisons among diesel and the three oxygenated fuel blends. Aggregates shape analysis showed that M11.5 soot had the minimal trend to form a rather circular structure and maximal boundary irregularity among the four fuels, while all soot particles showed larger deviation to the sphere (i.e. higher elongation) regardless of fuel type used. In addition, both mass and perimeter fractal dimension showed consistent results for diesel and the three oxygenated fuel blends, with the particle aggregates being the least compacted morphology for M11.5, followed by DMM13, DMC8.3 and diesel. Therefore, compared to diesel, the exhaust soot particles from the oxygenated fuel blends (especially for M11.5) are more prone to be trapped (lowest fractal dimension) and display a higher reactivity towards oxidation (smallest primary particle size).

Evolutionary Insights into the State-of-the-Art Passive Thermal Control Systems for Thermodynamic Stability of Smallsats

‘Smallsats,’ originated in the 1990s and popularized again since 2005, is a newly emerging miniaturized form of conventional satellites. Characterized by low mass (usually under 500 kg) and compact dimensions, Smallsats are one of the most sought-after forms of satellites, thanks to the ease offered by the lightweight. However, this privilege brings with itself the significant impediments such as excessive heat generation arising from the compact stature during peak hours of operation, external heat load as a result of radiation. These heat loads manifest themselves as the direct solar flux, earth’s albedo, and earth’s infrared radiation. Sudden temperature drop within the eclipse region results in the permanent-equipmental damage of the electronic circuitry involved, the direct consequence of which is the out-of-tolerance performance of the satellite. Thermal Control Systems (TCS) is the most plausible solution in this regard whose chief objective in any spacecraft or a satellite is to maintain all the subsystems along with the payload components within the stipulated temperature limits for each mission phase. This paper presents the passive thermal control systems (PTCS) in cube-sats. Starting with the discussion of the thermal environment, typical concepts like albedo, earth IR are shed light on. Subsequent discussions follow the study of thermal surface finishes and multi-layer insulations (MLI). Finally, the applications of phase-change materials (PCM) in thermal control systems of cube-sats are introduced. The constant trade-offs between the optimal thermal finish and the overall performance, arising due to incurrence of contamination during synthesis, SLI-MLI thickness and cost associated with increasing thickness and the phase-change materials (PCM’s) and their compatibility, have always been at the pin-point of the research. The widespread importance of thermal control systems is attributed to its ability to ensure the meetings of the gradient requirements, a parameter playing a crucial role in spacecraft dynamics.

Conformal invariance versus Weyl invariance

The most general Lagrangian describing spin 2 particles in flat spacetime and containing operators up to (mass) dimension 6 is carefully analyzed, determining the precise conditions for it to be invariant under linearized (transverse) diffeomorphisms, linearized Weyl rescalings, and conformal transformations.

DIMENSÕES ARTESANAL E MASSIFICADA NA CONSTRUÇÃO DO MERCADO CERVEJEIRO

RESUMO Estudos recentes têm evidenciado que a construção de mercados é um processo dinâmico gerado por múltiplos atores em posições hegemônicas e alternativas. Buscando compreender a interligação dessas posições, o estudo tem como objetivo analisar como as dinâmicas de configuração e reconfiguração de um mercado resultam num enquadramento das posições hegemônicas e alternativas em um sistema multidimensional. Por meio de uma abordagem interpretativa, toma-se o mercado cervejeiro do Rio Grande do Sul como contexto para analisar a interligação das dimensões artesanal (alternativa) e massificada (hegemônica). Identifica-se um processo constante de transbordamento e realinhamento das tensões e práticas capaz de preservar a coexistência das diferentes dimensões. Os resultados permitem teorizar sobre uma forma distinta de ligação entre as dimensões de um mercado, denominada covalente, na qual as práticas desempenhadas por atores repelem e atraem ambas as dimensões constantemente, sem que ocorra a estabilização definitiva em torno de uma única dimensão.

475 A rare cause of right ventricular mass

Abstract Introduction Intracardiac masses are always a challenging diagnosis, especially when it involves the right side of the heart. There are multiples etiologies that can be responsible for these masses, namely thrombosis, neoplasm or vegetations. Occasionally, these may be related to an autoimmune process not yet discovered. Case Report 17-year-old male, with a previous history of genital ulcers, medicated with penicillin with complete resolution of symptoms. In January 2019, he started an history of recurrent fever, associated with right anterior thoracalgia, weight loss and oral afthosis. He went to the emergency department several times, where he was medicated with antibiotic, with partial symptom relief. Three months later, he returned to medical attention due to an episode of abundant hemoptysis, followed by hematemesis and cough. At hospital admission, he was hemodynamically stable, tachycardic (100/min) and with occasional episodes of cough. Cardiac and pulmonary auscultation were unremarkable. Thoracic CT revealed the presence of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and a large mass in the right ventricle (RV). It was performed an echocardiogram (echo) that confirmed the presence of a large mass in the RV (50x53mm) from which a projecting hypermobile mass appeared to prolapse into the right atrium. Taking into account the diagnosis of PTE and the presence of a right ventricular mass, the patient was hospitalized and started anticoagulation. The case was immediately discussed with cardiac surgery, that confirmed that there was no surgical indication. During hospitalization, there were no more episodes of hemoptysis or hematemesis.Consecutive echos were performed, that did not reveal a significant decrease in mass dimensions despite anticoagulation. Viral serologies and autoimmunity panel were all negative. Cardiac RMI was performed raising the suspicion of a possible mass covered with thrombus. After discussion with rheumatology, and according to clinical signs, the hypothesis of vasculitis was placed, and the patient started treatment with steroids. This treatment had to be suspended after a few days due to an infectious intercurrence. After a course of antibiotic therapy, the patient started therapy with cyclophosphamide with good clinical and echocardiographic response (reduced mass dimensions). It was admitted Behçet’s disease with cardiac complications, and the patient was referred to the rheumatology consultation. Conclusion Behçet’s disease is a multi-system, chronic disorder that behaves like vasculitis.There are some typical clinical manifestations associated with this disease, such as oral and genital afthosis, uveitis, arthritis, skin lesions and nervous system involvement.Presentations with cardiac symptoms are one of the extremely rare manifestations of this disease, posing a challenge for the treating physician. Abstract 475 Figure. Right ventricular mass

Clinicopathological retrospective analysis of thymoma in Serbia: Single center experience

Background/Aim. Thymoma is the most common mediastinal tumor. The treatment procedures are based on the results from the research of retrospective studies because they are not frequent tumors. The aim of this work was to define common clinical features, therapeutic aspects, survival and recurrence free survival. Methods. This study was performed in the Clinic for Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade from January 1993 to December 2013. We analyzed 62 patients with histopathologically proven thymoma. The results were obtaind from medical history, physical exam, chest X-ray and/or computed tomography and operational findings or diagnostic procedure reports. Thymomas were clasiffied according to the World Health Organization classifying system, based on histopathological findings, and staged according to the Masaoka-Koga staging system. Results. There were more female (54.8%) patients. Patients were mostly in the seventh decade of life. One third (29%) of the patients were asymptomatic. Cough was the dominant symptom. Myasthenia gravis was the most common paraneoplastic syndrome (12.9%). Solitary tumor was the most common in our patients (61.3%), as well as the tumors larger than 5 cm (52.5%), and noninvasive thymomas (52.5%). The majority of patients (40%) were in the stage I of the disease. The operative approach was conducted in most of the patients (88.7%). A statistically significant difference in survival was in women, patients with solitary tumor, non-invasive thymomas, patients in the stage I of the disease, and those who were operated. The dimension of the tumor mass approached the conventional level of significance. Conclusion. In patients with thymomas, statistically significant survival rate predictors are gender, presence of solitary tumor mass, tumor invasiveness, clinical stage and surgical treatment of the disease.