Drop In Output Research Articles

Treatment of Acute Liver Failure in Resource-Constrained Settings without Transplantation Facilities Can Be Improved.

Treatment of Acute Liver Failure in Resource-Constrained Settings without Transplantation Facilities Can Be Improved.

Analysis and optimization with ecological objective function of irreversible single resonance energy selective electron heat engines

Ecological performance of a single resonance ESE heat engine with heat leakage is conducted by applying finite time thermodynamics. By introducing Nielsen function and numerical calculations, expressions about power output, efficiency, entropy generation rate and ecological objective function are derived; relationships between ecological objective function and power output, between ecological objective function and efficiency as well as between power output and efficiency are demonstrated; influences of system parameters of heat leakage, boundary energy and resonance width on the optimal performances are investigated in detail; a specific range of boundary energy is given as a compromise to make ESE heat engine system work at optimal operation regions. Comparing performance characteristics with different optimization objective functions, the significance of selecting ecological objective function as the design objective is clarified specifically: when changing the design objective from maximum power output into maximum ecological objective function, the improvement of efficiency is 4.56%, while the power output drop is only 2.68%; when changing the design objective from maximum efficiency to maximum ecological objective function, the improvement of power output is 229.13%, and the efficiency drop is only 13.53%.

The phenomenon of drop in output at larger field sizes for telecobalt units.

It is known that the output factors (OPFs) for external-beam radiotherapy units increase with field size due to increased scattered radiation from the collimator system. Saturation in the OPF value is generally reported beyond approximately 30×30cm(2). For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we report on a drop in OPF values, although marginal, measured for a telecobalt machine beyond the 38×38cm(2) field size. We believe that reporting and explaining the results will lead to a better understanding of the scatter composition of the radiation from telecobalt machines. This also has the potential to impact the estimation of low dose regions in patients, in addition to being a purely scientific inquiry. We used Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to validate the measured values. The MC data showed that the decrease in OPF was due to decreased scatter from the machine head.

The Heart and Circulation: An Integrative Model

The Heart and Circulation: An Integrative Model

Critical light instability in CB/DIO processed PBDTTT-EFT:PC71BM organic photovoltaic devices

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices often undergo ‘burn-in’ during the early stages of operation, this period describing the relatively rapid drop in power output before stabilising. For normal and inverted PBDTTT-EFT:PC71BM OPVs prepared according to current protocols, we identify a critical and severe light-induced burn-in phase that reduces power conversion efficiency by at least 60% after 24 hours simulated AM1.5 illumination. Such losses result primarily from a reduction in photocurrent, and for inverted devices we correlate this process in-situ with the simultaneous emergence of space-chare effects on the μs timescale. The effects of burn in are also found to reduce the lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers, as determine by in-situ transient photovoltage measurements. To identify the underlying mechanisms of this instability, a range of techniques are employed ex-situ to separate bulk- and electrode-specific degradation processes. We find that whilst the active layer nanostructure and kinetics of free charge generation remain unchanged, partial photobleaching (6% of film O.D.) of PBDTTT-EFT:PC71BM occurs alongside an increase in the ground state bleach decay time of PBDTTT-EFT. We hypothesise that this latter observation may reflect relaxation from excited states on PBDTTT-EFT that do not undergo dissociation into free charges. Owing to the poor lifetime of the reference PBDTTT-EFT:PC71BM OPVs, the fabrication protocol is modified to identify routes for stability enhancement in this initially promising solar cell blend.

Impending Recession and How to Fight It

This article considers the problem of autonomous recession as a drop in output not directly associated with the world economic situation, but mainly due to domestic supply and/or demand shocks. To determine possible factors of autonomous recession, we have studied the stylized facts and other characteristics of such periods in countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2000–12, drawing analogies with the current Russian situation, from the standpoint of both causes of a potential recession and the response of the economic authorities, that is, a countercyclical economic policy. The latter considers global and Russian experience in determining the so-called output gap (the difference between potential and actual output), mainly using modeling approaches for Russia with “nonaccelerating inflation rate of production utilization factors.” Designs of an anticrisis policy are suggested with regard to autonomous recession, the utilization of productive potential, and the characteristic features of the Russian economy as mainly resource-based and thus unusually procyclical from the point of view of macroeconomic indicators.

Being Poor, Feeling Poorer: Inequality, Poverty and Poverty Perceptions in the Western Balkans

Emerging Europe has undergone a major economic transformation over the past 25 years. Most countries experienced initial drops in output during transition, followed by recovery in the second half of the 1990s. The path of transition in the Western Balkans has however been particularly uneven. The effects of transition also seem to have been more traumatic and persistent in the Western Balkans, and nostalgia for the past appears to be more prevalent here than in other former communist regions. Such dissatisfaction has important implications for the political economy of further reforms. This paper aims to inform policy by complementing the analysis of standard macro-level measures of inequality and poverty with a household-level analysis of subjective perceptions of poverty. We find that many more people appear to feel poor than are classified as such using purely income-based measures. Uncertainty, in particular related to expectations of future income and vulnerability to shocks, appears to be a key driver behind this discrepancy.

The rise and fall of European current account deficits

This paper traces the rise and fall of current account deficits in certain euro area countries and in the Baltics. These countries all entered the global financial crisis with sizable current account deficits, and the unwinding of these deficits has been a complex and painful process for most. While much of the general policy discussion of the large pre-crisis deficits has focused on losing export competitiveness, this paper highlights other results in the literature regarding import booms as well as a dimension that is rarely discussed – the drop in the non-trade portion of the current account (transfers and net income balance) in many countries. The paper also examines progress made in unwinding these deficits. Most countries have made tangible progress, but with different degrees: improvement of price competitiveness and a shift of production from non-tradable to tradable sectors has helped increase exports and along with compressed imports, close the current account deficits. The adjustment, though, has taken place against recessions and low growth in the euro area, and the paper also considers what has made the process more painful in some countries rather than others. We find that large current account balances prior to the crisis is the best predictor of a sharp drop in output during the crisis. Supportive macro policies to cushion the adjustment process and keep overall euro inflation at or above target level are necessary. In the longer term, improving institutions to deal with imbalances (and preventing them at future entry) are important.

Being Poor, Feeling Poorer: Inequality, Poverty and Poverty Perceptions in the Western Balkans

Emerging Europe has undergone a major economic transformation over the past 25 years. Most countries experienced initial drops in output during transition, followed by recovery in the second half of the 1990s. The path of transition in the Western Balkans has however been particularly uneven. The effects of transition also seem to have been more traumatic and persistent in the Western Balkans, and nostalgia for the past appears to be more prevalent here than in other former communist regions. Such dissatisfaction has important implications for the political economy of further reforms. This paper aims to inform policy by complementing the analysis of standard macro-level measures of inequality and poverty with a household-level analysis of subjective perceptions of poverty. We find that many more people appear to feel poor than are classified as such using purely income-based measures. Uncertainty, in particular related to expectations of future income and vulnerability to shocks, appears to be a key driver behind this discrepancy.

CFD Study of Liquid Sodium inside a Wavy Tube for Laminar Convectors: Effect of Reynolds Number, Wave Pitch, and Wave Amplitude

Metallic tubes have been widely used as primary heat transfer elements in laminar convectors for domestic and aerospace heating purpose. This paper uses CFD tool to investigate the heat output and pressure drop of liquid sodium flowing inside a circular tube having a wavy profile throughout its length. The wavy tube can be utilized in laminar liquid metal convectors as basic heat transfer element. The effect of Reynolds number (500≤Re≤2000) wave pitch (25 mm≤λ≤100 mm) and wave amplitude (2 mm≤a≤6 mm) on the heat output and pressure drop has been numerically studied. Based on the CFD results important controlling parameters have been identified and it is concluded that the heat output from the wavy tube is affected by the wave pitch and the wave amplitude while the pressure drop is mostly affected by the Reynolds number and wave amplitude.

WATER-ELECTROLYTE DISTURBANCES POSTRESUSCITATION ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND THEIR VALUE IN DISORDERS OF SYSTEMIC HEMODYNAMICS

Purpose. The establishment of the role of water and electrolyte disorders in the pathogenesis postresuscitation hemo circulatory disorders after removal from the clinical death caused by acute myocardial infarction. Materials and methods. In experiments with 158 dogs studied under Nembutal anesthesia recovery processes of life after 5 minutes of clinical death caused by myocardial infarction. Results. It is found that dogs in the early postresuscitative after myocardial infarction occurs movement of sodium ions in the red blood cells, which is accompanied by gipoosmiey blood plasma and interstitial fluid. This causes the movement of water in the cell sector, which leads to the development of hypovolemia and drop in cardiac output. Movement of potassium and calcium ions from cell sector into the extracellular defines violation of myocardial, vascular tone, and increases the risk of arrhythmia postresuscitation myocardial infarction. Сonclusion. In postresuscitative in dogs undergoing clinical death with acute myocardial infarction, there is a redistribution of electrolytes sector body. During the first 9 hours after resuscitation sodium and calcium concentration in the cell sector increase and decrease in the extracellular. Changes in the potassium content of the opposite. By the end of 1st day recovery period increases plasma sodium concentration, and the corresponding potassium and calcium indicators reduced. The osmolarity of the extracellular space is reduced by 5 min postresuscitative period and increases toward the end of 1 day. It is associated with similar changes in sodium concentration. sodium retention in the cell movement causes the space portion therein, and development of extracellular fluid volume depletion, which leads to a decrease in venous return and cardiac output drop. In the interval of 9–24 hours after resuscitation begins a long period of stabilization of the circulatory system. This is due to the normalization of the water distribution sector, which leads to the restoration of intravascular volume and resolution of hemodynamic disturbances.

ENERGY CHARACTERISTICS OF ETHANOL-DIESEL MIX FOR AUTOMOTIVE USE

This research work investigates the power output obtained from ethanol- diesel mix from a diesel engine. A 1% to 5% by volume of 99.6% ethanol was mixed with diesel fuel. A 500ml of each mix was used to power a 9.545kW diesel engine and the engine speed, torque, power and specific fuel consumption (sfc) were determined. Performance test indicates a 4.2% drop in power output at a 5% ethanol addition to diesel and an increase in specific fuel consumption by 1.2%. Five volumetric dilution were made resulting in the following trend: flash point ( , kinematic viscosity (4.212 , 3.773mm 2 /s, 3.533 mm 2 /s, 3.207 mm 2 /s, 3.016 mm 2 /s, 2.965 mm 2 /s ); dynamic viscosity (3.5 MPa.s, 3.1 MPa.s, 2.9 MPa,s, 2.6 MPa.s, 2.4 MPa.s, 2.3 MPa.s) and density ( 0.8310, 0.82158, 0.8208, 0.8108, 0.7958, 0.7758); Shaft speed (1423rpm, 1352rpm, 1286rpm, 1193rpm, 1135rpm, 1052rpm); torque (64Nm ,67Nm ,70Nm, 75Nm , 78Nm, 83Nm); Power output (9.545kW, 9.487kW, 9.428kW, 9.371kW, 9.272kW, 9.142kW) with increased ethanol addition. This shows that the energy content of ethanol-diesel mix is lower than that of diesel fuel leading to a low power output compared to diesel fuel. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i1.13

Abstract 10459: Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Adaptive Servoventilation in Patients With Pre-Capillary and Post-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension

Introduction: Since recent data suggest an increased cardiovascular mortality associated with adaptive servoventilation therapy (ASV) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and central sleep apnea there is major concern of whether to use this therapy in other diseases such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or precapillary pulmonary Hypertension (PH). Hypothesis: This study therefore aimed to clarify acute hemodynamic effects of ASV in patients with HFpEF or PH. Methods: A series of clinically stable patients with pre- or post-capillary PH underwent ASV therapy (maximum pressure support 25 mmHg, minimum pressure support 15 mmHg) during right heart catheterization. Hemodynamics were measured at rest, at the end of a 15-minute episode of ASV therapy, and 15 minutes after ASV completion. Hemodynamic variables included heart rate, systemic blood pressure, right atrial pressure (RAP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm), pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP), cardiac output measured by thermodilution, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Results: The study enrolled 33 patients; 12 patients with post-capillary PH due to HFpEF, and 21 patients with pre-capillary PH due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (n=8) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (n=13). ASV was well tolerated by all patients and resulted in reductions in blood pressure, heart rate, PAPm (-5 mmHg, p <0.001) and PVR (-10%, p=0.01). Right and left filling pressure increased, while the cardiac output decreased (-0.4 L/min; p<0.001). The hemodynamic effects of ASV were almost identical in both patient populations. Conclusions: ASV has moderate hemodynamic effects in patients with HFpEF or PH of various origins, most importantly a consistent decline in PAPm and cardiac output. ASV was safe and well tolerated during this short-term study, but the observed drop in cardiac output may be of concern if this treatment is applied in patients with advanced HFpEF or PH with severely impaired right ventricular function.

Acute hemodynamic effects of adaptive servoventilation in patients with pre-capillary and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension.

RationaleThe hemodynamic effects of adaptive servoventilation (ASV) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) are unknown.MethodsA series of clinically stable patients with pre- or post-capillary PH underwent ASV therapy (endexpiratory positive airway pressure support 12–14 cm H2O, pressure support 4–10 cm H2O) during right heart catheterization. Hemodynamics were measured at rest, at the end of a 15-min episode of ASV therapy, and 15 min after ASV completion. Hemodynamic variables included heart rate, blood pressure, right atrial pressure (RAP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm), pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP), cardiac output and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).ResultsThe study enrolled 33 patients; 12 patients with post-capillary PH due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and 21 patients with pre-capillary PH due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 8) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (n = 13). ASV was well tolerated by all patients and resulted in reductions in systolic blood pressure (−8 mmHg, p = 0.01), PAPm (−5 mmHg, p <0.001) and PVR (−10 %, p = 0.01). Right and left filling pressure increased, while the cardiac output decreased (−0.4 L/min; p < 0.001). The hemodynamic effects of ASV were similar in both patient populations.ConclusionsASV had moderate hemodynamic effects in patients with PH of various origins, most importantly a decline in systolic blood pressure, PAPm and cardiac output. ASV was safe and well tolerated during this short-term study, but the observed drop in blood pressure and cardiac output may be of concern if ASV is applied in patients with advanced PH and severely impaired right ventricular function.

Assessing the impacts of droughts and heat waves at thermoelectric power plants in the United States using integrated regression, thermodynamic, and climate models

Abstract Recent droughts and heat waves have revealed the vulnerability of some power plants to effects from higher temperature intake water for cooling. In this evaluation, we develop a methodology for predicting whether power plants are at risk of violating thermal pollution limits. We begin by developing a regression model of average monthly intake temperatures for open loop and recirculating cooling pond systems. We then integrate that information into a thermodynamic model of energy flows within each power plant to determine the change in cooling water temperature that occurs at each plant and the relationship of that water temperature to other plants in the river system. We use these models together with climate change models to estimate the monthly effluent temperature at twenty-six power plants in the Upper Mississippi River Basin and Texas between 2015 and 2035 to predict which ones are at risk of reaching thermal pollution limits. The intake model shows that two plants could face elevated intake temperatures between 2015 and 2035 compared to the 2010–2013 baseline. In general, a rise in ambient cooling water temperature of 1 °C could cause a drop in power output of 0.15%–0.5%. The energy balance shows that twelve plants might exceed state summer effluent limits.

Recesión en los estados de México: magnitud y causas

This paper analyzes the role of trade, output structure and the capital flows on the drop of the output into Mexican states during the Great Recession between 2007 and 2009 by using nonparametric regression method. The results shows that the main variables that explain the state output drop, when we use the state coincident index (ICE) and the manufacturing output index (MAN), these are the ratios of the maquiladora industry and manufacturing industry (Maq/Man) as well as the automotriz output and the manufacturing output (A/Man), while when we use the quarterly indicator of the state economic activity (QIEEA) to account the state output drop, variables such as Maq/Man and the specialization indicator of the automotriz output (IE-A) were the more significant explicative variables.

Impact of biomethane gas on energy and emission characteristics of a spark ignition engine fuelled with a stoichiometric mixture at various ignition advance angles

The impact of supplying additional biomethane gas with composition of 65% methane (CH4) and 35% carbon dioxide (CO2) to a spark ignition engine on energy and emission characteristics was studied. The tests were performed on a Nissan Qashqai HR 16DE engine, with the engine throttle 15% open, a constant stoichiometric fuel mixture and various ignition advance angles. It was found that an increase in added biomethane gas results the drop in engine power output. This effect had two primary causes. First, the cylinders were refilled less effectively. Second, biogas, by impacting the efficiency and speed of the combustion process, reduces the thermal efficiency of the engine. The second effect can be partially improved by accelerating the combustible ignition mixture. It was also observed that CO2 gas, which is in biogas composition, suppress combustion process which increases the content of carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gas, but reduces emissions of nitrous oxide (NOx). Increased carbon dioxide amount in fuel mixture has small influence on CO2 increase in exhaust gas because the methane in biogases reduces C/H ratio of the fuel mixture. Hydrocarbons which are in methane composition has smaller molecular mass, evaporates and combust easier which has influence on reduced concentration of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC).

A Novel Noninvasive Device to Assess Sympathetic Nervous System Function in Patients With Heart Failure

Heart failure is a complex syndrome associated with sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system hyperactivity. Sympathoinhibition and downregulation of sympathetic activity using medications and exercise training improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. Impedance cardiography provides data on hemodynamic and autonomic function that may assist with safe medication, exercise monitoring, and titration. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the sensitivity of the Vrije Universiteit Ambulatory Monitoring System (VU-AMS) version 5fs to detect hemodynamic and sympathetic nervous system changes associated with postural shift in persons with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In this descriptive study, participants (N = 28) were recruited from an outpatient device clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Ontario, Canada. They completed a sit-to-stand posture protocol wearing an ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and a noninvasive VU-AMS version 5fs impedance cardiography system. Most (n = 18, 64%) participants were eliminated from the final analyses in this sample because of difficulty in Q-onset and B-point identification in peculiar electrocardiogram and impedance cardiogram waveforms. The remaining participants (n = 10) had a mean age of 69 years (SD = 10 years) and responses to a sit-to-stand posture protocol that included a 5% increase in heart rate (p = .001), an 18% decrease in stroke volume (p = .01), and an 8% decrease in left ventricular ejection time (p = .01). Participants had an increased preejection period (11%, p = .01), a drop in cardiac output of 13% (p = .02), and a reduced mean arterial pressure of approximately 4% (p = .09) with standing. Although the VU-AMS version 5fs system detected anticipated hemodynamic and sympathetic nervous system changes to postural shift in participants (n = 10), the elimination of 64% (n = 18) of the sample because of scoring difficulties limits the use of this impedance cardiography device using standard scoring algorithms in persons with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Influence of Active Recovery on Cardiovascular Function During Ice Hockey.

BackgroundIce hockey is a popular sport comprised of high-intensity repeated bouts of activity. Light activity, as opposed to passive rest, has been shown to improve power output in repeated sprinting and could potentially help to offset venous pooling, poor perfusion, and the risk of an ischemic event. The objective of our study was, thus, to examine the efficacy of low-intensity lower body activity following a simulated hockey shift for altering hemodynamic function.MethodsIn a cross-over design, 15 healthy hockey players (23 ± 1 years, 54 ± 3 mL/kg/min) performed two simulated hockey shifts. In both conditions, players skated up to 85 % of age-predicted heart rate maximum, followed by either passive recovery or active recovery while hemodynamic measures were tracked for up to 180 s of rest.ResultsLight active recovery within the confines of an ice hockey bench, while wearing skates and protective gear, was effective for augmenting cardiac output (an average of 2.5 ± 0.2 L/min, p = 0.03) at 45, 50, and 120 s. These alterations were driven by a sustained elevation in heart rate (12 bpm, p = 0.05) combined with a physiological relevant but non-significant (11.6 mL, p = 0.06) increase in stroke volume.ConclusionsStanding and pacing between shifts offers a realistic in-game solution to help slow the precipitous drop in cardiac output (heart rate and stroke volume) that typically occurs with passive rest. Prolonging the duration of an elevated cardiac output further into recovery may be beneficial for promoting recovery of the working skeletal muscles and also avoiding venous pooling and reduced myocardial perfusion.Key PointsEvidence that light activity in the form of standing/pacing is effective for maintaining cardiac output, and thus venous returnIncreased cardiac output and venous return may help reduce the chances of poor perfusion (ischemia) and could also promote recovery for performanceThis is a simple, low-risk, intervention demonstrated for the first time to work within the confines of a player’s bench while wearing hockey gear

Management of acute anastomotic transplant renal artery stenosis in orthotopic renal transplantation by percutaneous angioplasty and stenting in the early post-operative period

Despite recent advances, post-renal transplant vascular complication rate remains stable. We report a case of a 55-year-old male, chronic smoker with extensive atherosclerotic disease who underwent right orthotopic live related renal transplantation. On 6th post-operative day, the patient had sudden drop in urine output and graft site pain and found to have acute anastomotic transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS), which was managed successfully with percutaneous angioplasty (PA) and stenting. His post-operative course was uneventful and has normal renal functions at 6 months post-transplant period.