Reference Location Research Articles

Accuracy of Dose Calculation for Hemi-Body Treatment at Extended Distance using a Commercial Treatment Planning System

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of Monitor Unit (MU) calculation for extended distance hemi-body (HB) treatments in Pinnacle, a commercial treatment planning system. The agreement between planning and delivery of low dose radiation therapy (LD-RT) was assessed with direct comparison to expected doses and tabulated total body irradiation (TBI) calculations. Studies over the past decades indicate that LD-RT has strong potential to be an effective treatment modality for patients, particularly those with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the lymphocytes. Past studies also indicate that a LD-RT regime will present minimal toxicity and limited adverse side effects. LD-RT may directly trigger a systemic immune response. This physics-based study aims to provide sufficient conclusions required for prospective clinical studies involving HB irradiation regimes. Specifically, this study may provide reassurance of MU calculation in the Pinnacle system for an upcoming trial regarding non-targeted LD-RT for recurrent prostate cancer. Water Phantom: A plan was created in Pinnacle to deliver 100 cGy to a water phantom with an ion chamber (IC) mount. A percent depth dose (PDD) was obtained. Electrometer readings were recorded with each irradiation of 400 MU at varying IC depths at extended distance. A PDD was created from tabulated data. Anthropomorphic Phantom: A parallel opposed pair (POP) plan was created in Pinnacle to deliver 150 cGy over 10 fractions to the umbilicus of the phantom at 4 m extended source-to-surface distance (SSD). The MU required to deliver 150 cGy, as per Pinnacle were delivered to the phantom using 6 MV photons. Thermoluminescent dosimeters, used to measure exposure using light-emitting crystals, were placed along six reference locations on the phantom (lung, mid-T-spine, abdomen, mid-pelvis, thigh, and mid-abdomen). TLD measurements were then compared to the Pinnacle-derived ROI mean doses. For Experiment 2, TBI calculation factors were used to determine the required MU to deliver 150 cGy to the prescription (Rx) point. The calculated MUs were delivered and TLD readings were recorded to compare the level of agreement of using TBI calculations for HB treatments. Water Phantom: Pinnacle did not accurately estimate dmax at extended distance, however, it did accurately estimate the dose past dmax. Anthropomorphic Phantom: A 10% variation to expected dose was deemed significant. Lung dose did not present significant variation. The abdomen presented borderline significance. Remaining ROIs presented significant variation for both Pinnacle and TBI calculations. Both Pinnacle and TBI calculations were accurate methods of planning HB LD-RT treatment, with insignificant difference. Pinnacle accurately estimated dose to the Rx point but overestimated the dose to remaining ROIs. Overall average variation was borderline significant at 12.1%. At extended SSD, Pinnacle inaccurately estimated the entrance dose and dmax. PDD data supported Pinnacle’s ability to accurately estimate dose at depths greater than dmax. Anthropomorphic phantom studies indicated borderline significant variation, as per the implemented 10% limit. TBI calculations presented similar conclusions. For purposes of HB LD-RT, a borderline 10% variation will have insignificant impact to the patient’s ability to tolerate treatment. Trial eligible prostate cancer patients are currently being recruited for HB LD-RT at the Juravinski Cancer Centre.

Assessment of the effects of discontinuous sources of contamination through biomarker analyses on caged mussels

The present study analysed potential adverse effects of discontinuous sources of contamination, namely the discharge of a combined sewer overflow (CSO) and of runoff in an urban area, the Bay of Santander (North Iberian Peninsula). Water samples and caged mussels were used to analyse concentrations of contaminants and biological responses. Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were transplanted to a marina receiving runoff from a petrol station and to a CSO discharge site. Samples were collected in synchrony with heavy rains along 62days. Lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) and acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX) activity were measured as core biomarkers and were analysed at all sampling times. Histopathology of digestive gland and gonads, transcription levels of vitellogenin gene, volume density of black silver deposits and micronuclei formation were measured at initial and final stages of the transplant. Chemical analyses of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and endocrine disruptors were performed in water samples and mussel flesh. Mussels accumulated low concentrations of contaminants, which is in accordance with results obtained from exposure biomarkers. AOX activity decreased in all transplanted mussels after the first heavy rain, but this change seems to be related to the seasonal pattern of the enzyme activity. Mussels located close to the CSO discharge site showed a reduction in LMS after the first rain event, when compared to mussels before the transplant and to mussels from the reference location. However, this was attributable to natural environmental changes rather than to pollution. Values of the rest of analysed biomarkers were below threshold values reported for the study area.

Social participation and support network patterns among marriage migrants in South Korea: Does place of residence matter?

Using the case of female marriage migrants in South Korea, one new immigrant destination hosting the majority of East Asia’s marriage migrants, this article examines the associations between social participation, place of residence, and support network patterns among the six largest migrant groups ( n = 64,972): ethnic Koreans (Korean Chinese) born in China, Vietnamese, Han Chinese from China, and those from the Philippines, Japan, and Cambodia. The results show that both participation in community meetings and membership in non-governmental organizations are significantly associated with more types of Korean support networks and co-ethnic support networks, after controlling for demographics, immigrant characteristics, marital status, health status, perceived discrimination, and ethnicity or country of origin. Using Seoul City as a reference location, those who lived in Jeolla Province were less likely to have support networks composed of Koreans yet were more likely to have support networks of co-ethnics, after holding all other covariates constant. With the identification of significant interactions between marriage migrants’ place of residence and ethnicity, stratified ordered logistic models demonstrate how place of residence matters for marriage migrants of certain ethnicities or countries of origin. In conclusion, this article demonstrates the importance and the benefits of social participation for marriage migrants as a pathway to building support networks of local people and co-ethnics.

Aging-dependent strain localization in amorphous glassy polymers: From necking to shear banding

This study investigates the influence of physical aging on the tensile deformation behaviors of poly(ethylene terephthalate)-glycol. The polymers are subjected to a quenched and an annealed heat treatment, followed by deformation in tension. The digital image correlation (DIC) is used to capture the surface strain. The DIC results show that the deformation localization occurs in the post-yield strain softening region. The quenched and annealed polymers exhibit different localization types, representing as necking for quenched polymers and shear banding for annealed polymers. With the help of the DIC, the nucleation and propagation of the localization zones are fully captured. The DIC results show that the reference location with the maximum strain does not change with the deformation. At the same strain level, the maximum strain in the shear bands is much larger than that in the necks, which explains the failure strain of the annealed polymers is smaller than the quenched polymers. The stretch rate also has a strong effect on the localization behaviors. A larger stretch rate results in a stronger localization due to an increase in the amount of strain softening.

Response of the invasive alga starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) to control efforts in a Minnesota lake

ABSTRACTGlisson WJ, Wagner CK, McComas SR, Farnum K, Verhoeven MR, Muthukrishnan R, Larkin DJ. 2018. Response of the invasive alga starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) to control efforts in a Minnesota lake. Lake Reserv Manage. 00:00–00.Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa), an invasive green macroalga in the family Characeae, has recently been found for the first time in several Midwestern states. This aquatic invasive species is of increasing concern to management agencies, lakeshore property owners, and other stakeholders. Starry stonewort has proven difficult to control, partly due to its ability to reproduce via bulbils (asexual reproductive structures). There has also been a lack of applied research addressing the efficacy of current management practices for controlling starry stonewort. We examined the effects of mechanical and algaecide treatments on starry stonewort biomass, bulbil density, and bulbil viability by monitoring treated areas and untreated reference locations concurrent with management implemented on Lake Koronis in Minnesota. Chelated copper algaecide applications alone and in combination with mechanical harvesting significantly reduced starry stonewort biomass, but algaecide treatment alone failed to reduce the capacity of starry stonewort to regenerate via bulbils. A second, granular algaecide application following an initial treatment with liquid algaecide did not further reduce biomass in any treated area and was associated with a substantial increase in bulbil density in an area treated with algaecide alone. Bulbil viability was greatest in the area treated only with algaecide (86%) and an untreated reference area (84%) and was lowest in an area treated with both mechanical harvest and algaecide (70%). The ability of starry stonewort to regenerate and persist following algaecide treatment is concerning. Multi-pronged management incorporating both chemical and mechanical approaches may improve outcomes of starry stonewort control efforts.

On the relationship between land surface infrared emissivity and soil moisture

The relationship between surface infrared (IR) emissivity and soil moisture content has been investigated based on satellite measurements. Surface soil moisture content can be estimated by IR remote sensing, namely using the surface parameters of IR emissivity, temperature, vegetation coverage, and soil texture. It is possible to separate IR emissivity from other parameters affecting surface soil moisture estimation. The main objective of this paper is to examine the correlation between land surface IR emissivity and soil moisture. To this end, we have developed a simple yet effective scheme to estimate volumetric soil moisture (VSM) using IR land surface emissivity retrieved from satellite IR spectral radiance measurements, assuming those other parameters impacting the radiative transfer (e.g., temperature, vegetation coverage, and surface roughness) are known for an acceptable time and space reference location. This scheme is applied to a decade of global IR emissivity data retrieved from MetOp-A infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer measurements. The VSM estimated from these IR emissivity data (denoted as IR-VSM) is used to demonstrate its measurement-to-measurement variations. Representative 0.25-deg spatially-gridded monthly-mean IR-VSM global datasets are then assembled to compare with those routinely provided from satellite microwave (MW) multisensor measurements (denoted as MW-VSM), demonstrating VSM spatial variations as well as seasonal-cycles and interannual variability. Initial positive agreement is shown to exist between IR- and MW-VSM (i.e., R(sup 2) = 0.85). IR land surface emissivity contains surface water content information. So, when IR measurements are used to estimate soil moisture, this correlation produces results that correspond with those customarily achievable from MW measurements. A decade-long monthly-gridded emissivity atlas is used to estimate IR-VSM, to demonstrate its seasonal-cycle and interannual variation, which is spatially coherent and consistent with that from MW measurements, and, moreover, to achieve our objective of investigating the relationship between land surface IR emissivity and soil moisture.

Low-Overhead WiFi Fingerprinting

WiFi-fingerprint localization is recognized as a promising indoor localization technique. However, it suffers from high implementation overhead such as heavy initial training and fingerprint map maintenance overtime. In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of AP-Sequence. It is a fingerprint-based localization system that achieves extremely low overhead in fingerprint map construction and maintenance. AP-Sequence achieves this by treating a scan from any reference locations as an input to adjust a large portion of the fingerprint map. The power of AP-Sequence comes from dynamic region partitioning mechanism generating a fingerprint based on relative RSS values. AP-Sequence offers several advantages over existing methods with respect to robustness against environment noises, ability to handle dynamic power control, and mobile device heterogeneity. We have implemented AP-Sequence on an Android platform. Experiment results with over one month of evaluation demonstrate that our design achieves an average localization accuracy of 4-7.6 m over an extended time period with low-overhead in fingerprint map construction and maintenance.

A method to account for the urban microclimate on the creation of ‘typical weather year’ datasets for building energy simulation, using stochastically generated data

Predicting buildings’ heating and cooling needs through dynamic simulation methods requires the input of hourly weather data, so as to represent the typical meteorological characteristics of a specific location. Hence, the so called ‘typical weather years’ (TWY), mainly deduced from multi-year records of meteorological stations outside the urban centres, cannot account of the complex interactions between solar radiation, wind speed and high urban densities which lead to the formation of the urban heat island effect and to higher ambient air temperatures. As the assumption that climatic parameters at a reference location of a meteo station are similar for a densely built up area can lead to miscalculations of the heating and cooling needs, the aim of this study is to present a computational method for assessing the urban climate's effect during the generation of typical weather data for dynamic energy calculations. In this vein, a typical ‘urban specific weather dataset’ (USWD), reflecting the microclimatic conditions in front of a building unit inside an urban district in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece is created based on microclimate simulations with the Envi-met model; it is then compared with a typical reference weather dataset (RWD), representing climatic conditions at a reference location of a meteo station. The results indicate that the proposed method can capture microclimate characteristics; higher dry bulb temperatures were reported during the year inside the urban canyon, compared to the corresponding values at the reference location, with indicative mean daily deviations up to 1.0 °C and 0.75 °C in February and July respectively. Wind speed, near the building façade is generally found lower than the corresponding values at the reference location, due to wind sheltering by neighbouring constructions. Given that climatic parameters strongly influence the output of energy simulations the proposed computational method provide a contribution for higher accuracy of building energy simulation in the urban context. Future work will involve energy performance simulations of a typical building unit with the generated USWD file so as to evaluate the urban climate's influence on energy needs.

Assessing the ability of hybrid poplar for in-situ phytoextraction of cadmium by using UAV-photogrammetry and 3D flow simulator

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the capability of hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra) to reduce cadmium (Cd) concentrations in an experimental site of Campania Region (southern Italy) subjected to illegal deposit of industrial and household waste. We propose to evaluate the efficiency of poplar for Cd phytoextraction by coupling the use of a process-based, distributed hydrological model (HydroGeoSphere, HGS) with photogrammetric images acquired by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This scenario-based approach exploits in-situ measurements so as to be able to reproduce reliable near-real-world processes. The original bare soil (BS; unplanted reference location) is used as benchmark and compared to the situation where poplar trees are planted (PP) for bioremediation purposes. The ‘virtual’ positions of poplars were chosen by considering the expected Cd accumulation areas that are correlated to topographic indices retrieved from the high-resolution (0.03 × 0.03 m) digital elevation model (DEM) generated by UAV photogrammetric photos. Transfer and accumulation of Cd in the poplars were described by a time-variant sink term featuring the HGS transport equation. The numerical simulations show that poplar trees are able to reduce Cd concentrations by 15%, 36%, and 64% in spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. Coupling an advanced 3D hydrological model with a high-resolution DEM generated by UAV-photogrammetry seems a promising and viable approach for assessing the efficiency of phytoremediation techniques.

Biomarker responses as indicator of contaminant effects in Sarotherodon melanotheron (Pisces: Cichlidae)

This study investigated lipid peroxidation and enzymes activities in Black jaw tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron from Agboyi Creek with aim of assessing contamination status of sampling site in Agboyi creek in comparison to a reference site in Langbasa, Palava Island. Water quality parameters recorded no significant differences (p<0.05) between sites and were within limits recommended by Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) throughout study period. The mean levels of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cd) concentrations were also within maximum concentration recommended except for Fe. The levels of Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) (2541.67 nmol /mg Protein) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (54.66 Min/mg/pro) increased significantly (p<0.05) in liver of S. melanotheron from Agboyi creek in relation to reference site. Catalase (CAT) activities on the other hand were significantly decreased in liver of S. melanotheron from Agboyi creek in relation to reference location. The decrease of catalase (CAT) activity in the liver of S. melanotheron together with increase of SOD activity, could explain the increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in the liver. The antioxidant induction in liver of examined fish samples suggests exposure to contaminants with potential for severe damage to tissues of biota and calls for continuous monitoring and effective policy to protect this ecosystem.Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes, Lipid peroxidation, Liver, Agboyi creek

Modeling the impact of aquifer recharge, in-stream water savings, and canal lining on water resources in the Walla Walla Basin

The Walla Walla Basin in Eastern Oregon and Washington, USA, faces challenges in sustaining agricultural water supplies and endangered fisheries in the Walla Walla River (WWR). 11.1 Mm3/year of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is currently used in the basin to supplement groundwater with the goal of maximizing instream flow during dry summer months. A numerical groundwater–surface water model was calibrated to observed hydrological conditions and applied to predict future conditions under current management practices (baseline model) and for four alternative water management scenarios. These scenarios were developed to predict how lining canals to eliminate seepage losses and concurrently reducing irrigation diversions from the WWR will impact stream flows and groundwater storage with varying levels of MAR. Model results predict that seasonal low flows in the WWR at the downstream reference location will increase an average of 0.13 m3/s relative to baseline conditions due to instream water savings with conversion of unlined canals to pipelines (Current MAR-Piped). With MAR increased to 18.0 and 29.9 Mm3/year and an additional 58 km piping (Increased MAR-Piped and Maximum MAR-Piped scenarios), the predicted flow increases in the WWR-averaged 0.16 and 0.26 m3/s, respectively. Without MAR (No MAR-Piped), flow is predicted to decrease for the months of August and September relative to baseline conditions. The “No MAR-Piped” and “Current MAR-Piped” scenarios are predicted to reduce groundwater storage relative to the baseline model due to reduced canal seepage. The “Maximum MAR-Piped” scenario is predicted to yield groundwater storage that is greater than baseline conditions, while groundwater storage is predicted to be similar to baseline conditions in the “Increased MAR-Piped” scenario. Model results indicate that canal piping in combination with increased MAR can allow for increased summer flows in the WWR while stabilizing groundwater storage levels for agricultural use and ecological benefits; whereas lining canals without MAR would be detrimental to environmental flows in the WWR and its tributaries.

Assessment of Breast Doses in Mammography Screening

Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100H) were in use for the assessment of average glandular dose to breast in mammography screening with GE machine, King Abdul Aziz University Hospital for 45 mm breast compressed thickness, 26 kVp, 100 mAs and Mo/Mo target/filter combination. Reader’s calibration factor for the TLDs was generated with the same exposure parameters using RadCal mammo ionization chamber as reference. The calibration factor was reproduced within 3% standard deviation. Several sets of selected TLD-100H placing in different configurations were exposed to X-ray beam under identical exposure condition as it was used for generation of calibration factor. The entrance surface doses were calculated by using the measured net TL-response and the calibration factor. Thereafter, the average glandular doses (AGD) were calculated. The measured average entrance surface dose (AGD) at the reference position (6 cm laterally centered from the chest edge wall) was 7.704 mGy with less than 2% standard deviation. The calculated average glandular dose to the breast at the reference location has been found to be 1.429 ± 0.037 mGy.Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 18(2): 161-167, July 2015

Aerodynamic analysis of nonuniform trailing edge blowing

Purpose Numerical and experimental results for different oncoming base-flow conditions indicate that nonuniform trailing edge blowing (NTEB) can expand the performance range of compressors and reduce the thrust on the rotor, while the efficiency of the compressor can be improved by more than 2 per cent. Design/methodology/approach Relevant aerodynamic parameters, such as total pressure, ratio of efficiency and axial thrust, are calculated and analyzed under conditions with and without NTEB. Measurements are performed downstream of two adjacent stator blades, at seven equidistantly spaced reference locations. The experimental measurement of the interstage flow field used a dynamic four-hole probe with phase lock technique. Findings An axial low-speed single-stage compressor was established with flow field measurement system and nonuniform blowing system. NTEB was studied by means of numerical simulations and experiments, and it is found that the efficiency of the tested compressor can be improved by more than 2 per cent. Originality/value Unlike most of the previous research studies which mainly focused on the rotor/stator interaction and trailing edge uniform blowing, the research results summarized in the current paper on the stator/rotor interaction used inlet guide vanes for steady and unsteady calculations. An active control of the interstage flow field in a low-speed compressor was used to widen the working range and improve the performance of the compressor.

Impact of soil hydrological properties on the 7Be depth distribution and the spatial variation of 7Be inventories across a small catchment

The natural fallout radionuclide 7Be is used as a tracer allowing estimates of soil redistribution on an event-based time scale. The observed 7Be inventory in the soil is converted to soil redistribution by comparing the 7Be inventory at a stable reference site to the location of interest and taking the 7Be depth distribution in the surface soil into account. The relaxation mass depth (h0), describing this depth distribution, is assumed to be uniform across the study area, whereas the 7Be inventory at the reference site represents the balance of atmospheric 7Be input and radioactive decay. The 7Be reference inventory should, therefore, not be influenced by soil redistribution or by any variation in physico-chemical characteristics of the soil within the entire study area. Most studies to date use 7Be to monitor soil redistribution on the spatial scale of a hillslope. However, if the assumptions of spatially uniform fallout and rapid and irreversible sorption of 7Be to soil particles can be extended over a larger area, 7Be could be used to monitor soil redistribution at the catchment scale. In this paper, the variability in 7Be distribution in the soil at hillslope and catchment scales is explored and possible sources of this variability are identified. To assess the impact of variability in soil hydraulic conductivity on the depth penetration of 7Be in surface soil, a rainfall simulation experiment with 9Be spiked rainfall was performed on artificially compacted soil cores. These rainfall simulation experiments indicated a significant positive correlation between the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and the relaxation mass depth and, thus, demonstrated that the assumption of a spatially constant relaxation mass depth is likely to be invalid. An empirical correction factor is proposed to circumvent this problem. This work demonstrates the importance of assessing variability in soil hydrological properties across a study area and is also relevant to studies concerning the vertical transport of fallout contaminants in surface soil. To assess spatial variability in fallout across a catchment and across soil types, soil trays containing different soil types were placed at three reference locations in a small catchment of 8km2 across a nine month period. The spatial variation in 7Be reference inventory between the sites in the catchment was not larger than the variation within one reference site (37% and 36% respectively), indicating that the uncertainty on the reference inventory will be similar over the small catchment. However, the different soil types displayed diverse 7Be depth profiles and total 7Be inventories, suggesting that a clear understanding of sorption behavior across the soil types present in a catchment is needed prior to the use of 7Be as a catchment-scale sediment tracer.

Retail consumers and risk in centralized energy auctions for indexed long-term contracts in Chile

Centralized energy auctions for long-term contracts are commonly-used mechanisms to ensure supply adequacy, to promote competition, and to protect retail customers from price spikes in Latin America. In Chile, the law mandates that all distribution companies must hold long-term contracts—which are awarded on a competitive centralized auction—to cover 100% of the projected demand from three to fifteen years into the future. These contracts can be indexed to a series of financial parameters, including fossil fuel prices at reference locations. Drawing from portfolio theory, we use a simple example to illustrate the difficulties of selecting, through the current clearing mechanism that focuses on average costs and individual characteristics of the offers, a portfolio of long-term energy contracts that could simultaneously minimize the expected future cost of energy and limit the risk exposure of retail customers. In particular, we show that if the objective of the regulator is to limit the risk to regulated consumers, it could be optimal to include contracts that would not be selected based on individual characteristics of the offers and a least-cost auction objective, but that could significantly reduce the price variance of the overall portfolio due to diversification effects between indexing parameters.

Embodying the CatholicRuines of RomeinTitus Andronicus: du Bellay, Spenser, Peele, and Shakespeare

Titus Andronicus invokes Spenser’s Ruines of Rome, making the Andronici family tomb its main symbolic location and continual point of reference. Yet whereas Spenser’s ruins are architectural, the r...

Influence of sheet/purlin fasteners spacing on shear flexibility of the diaphragm

The paper presents the influence of sheet/purlin fasteners location (in reference to trapezoidal profile cross section) on shear flexibility of the cladding acting as a diaphragm. Analytical procedures were presented and their limitations were discussed. Next, selected schemes of fasteners location, known from engineering practice, but not included in European codes and recommendations, were analysed numerically in order to observe the differences in shear stiffness of the panel. The cantilevered diaphragm as a part of the roof of a single storey building was chosen for the analysis. The analysis was carried out for the valley-fixed trapezoidal sheeting with wide pans. Corrugated sheets were built by two types of models: full 3D shell model and equivalent orthotropic 2D shell model. Flexibility of fasteners and connections was included in the calculations using equivalent beam finite elements. The results were discussed from the stressed-skin design point of view.

Sequential ultra-high density contact mapping of persistent atrial fibrillation: An efficient technique for rotors identification

Whether ultra-high density (UHD) contact mapping (Rhythmia) may be used to map activation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. We sequentially mapped the left atrial (LA) activation during AF ablation (circumferential pulmonary vein isolation–CPVI, followed by defragmentation). Time reference was an LA appendage (LAA) electrogram (EGM). Points were acquired with respiratory gating if reference, mapped EGM (10 ms tolerance) and electrode location were stable. For fragmented EGM the timing of the surrounding area was used. In case of extremely low voltage (< 0.01 mV) or lack of local statistical coherence no colour-code was displayed (grey area). Circular propagation around single points were defined as organized rotating drivers (see Fig. 1 ). AF was mapped in 17 patients (patients; 9 men, 68 ± 5 y). LA maps (162 ± 49 ml, 30947 ± 14061 EGM, 95 ± 26 cm 2 ) were acquired in 15.7 ± 6.5 minutes. In 70% of the cases, stable rotating drivers (mean 1.9, 1 to 5) with continuous activation in the centre were visualized. All patients had CPVI followed by ablation of the centre of rotational regions and at sites with fragmented bipolar EGM. After CPVI, LAA CL increased from 171 ± 10 to 199 ± 14 ms ( P = 0.02). Termination of AF without electrical cardioversion was obtained in 62%. Sequential UHD activation mapping of AF allows visualisation of areas of rotational activation that are always around a fragmented EGM and seem to be an appropriate target for ablation.

Ambient air quality status of Jammu city

Present study has been taken up to monitor the ambient air quality status of Jammu city. The data for air quality parameters (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable suspended particulate matter, suspended particulate matter) has been collected for two heavy traffic areas vis. Satwari-Bikram Chowk road (Site-II) and Kunjwani-Narwal Byepass (Site-III) and compared with a reference location with low traffic area i.e. University of Jammu Campus (Site-I), for a period of two years i.e. December 2013- November 2015. Results revealed that sites- II and III recorded higher concentration of all the studied pollutants than Site-I. Further, all the sites registered higher concentrations of all the pollutants during winter season for both the years, while during monsoon season, the levels have been recorded to be least for all the sites. Air quality indices (AQI), computed from the selected data, revealed Sites-II and III to have moderate to severe air quality status whereas light to moderate air quality status have been recorded for Site-I.

Movement Intention Prediction to Find a New Exoskeleton Design with Light and Comfortable Materials

This paper presents a discussion about the design a novel exoskeleton and the implementation of superficial magnetic sensor and pressure sensor for find patterns and parameters in order to predicting the intention of movement for people with musculoskeletal system problem in lower limbs. The information is obtained through reading position and movement by magnetic and pressure sensor installed in different parts of the body. The advantage of this sensor is the location of the position reference of the every part of the body. Using the sensor in some parts of the body is possible to calculate the muscle contraction for the prediction of intended movement and to find a new design with light and comfortable materials.