Separate Volumes Research Articles

The Contribution of Academician Yu. A. Shimansky to the Development of Arctic Shipbuilding

Academician Yulian Alexandrovich Shimansky (1883–1962), an outstanding Russian scientist and shipbuilder, is known for his works in the field of structural mechanics, ship theory and ship design. His monograph “Conventional indicators of a vessel’s ice performance”, published as a separate volume of “Trudy Arkticheskogo nauchno-issledovatelskogo instituta [Proceedings of the Arctic Institute]” (ANII) in 1938, is well known to the specialists in sea ice technology. This work has played an important role in the development of sea ice technology and in designing icebreakers and ice-going vessels both in Russia / USSR and worldwide. The reviews of Shimansky’s contributions to Arctic shipbuilding are usually limited to the analysis of this work. The new materials from the archival documents and two publications that are practically unknown to the researchers allow to considerably broaden the knowledge about his role in the emergence of the studies on the vessels’ ice performance at one of the turning points in the development of sea ice technology: the creation of the first ever ice model basin. Immediately after the end of the Great Patriotic War in 1945, the ANII in Leningrad set out to implement the plans for the creation of the experimental base for studying the processes of icebreakers and ice-going vessels’ motion in ice, i. e. the ice model basin. Shimansky became actively engaged in this work from the very beginning. The archival documents demonstrate his role in the creation of the first ice model basin and the articles rediscovered by us allow to reconstruct the process of creating the theory of a vessel’s motion in ice by Shimansky that is still employed in all ice model basins across the world.

Research on the spread of the book Shiyi Xinjian in ancient and modern times

Three volumes of Shiyi Xinjian, written by Zan Yin of Tang Dynasty, contains the theories and prescriptions of food treatment in various branches, which have far-reaching influence on food treatment and clinical treatment. The book was written in the 9th century A. D. as a dietary therapy prescription. In the Northern Song Dynasty, the book of Shiyi Xinjian was still surviving. It has been cited in Taiping Shenghuifang: Shizhi, Yanglao Fengqinshu, Zhenglei Bencao(, Classified Materia Medica from Historical Classics for Emergency) and Shengji Zonglu: Shizhimen. After the Jingkang Incident, the book was rare, and even may have been lost. Until the Ming Dynasty, the book was completely disappeared in China. However, there are some Quotes in the book Zhenglei Bencao and other books, and the contents of this book are still often cited by later medical books. After that, the Japanese collected 211 prescriptions of Shiyi Xinjian from Euibangyoochui in Korea. Luo Zhenyu brought them back to China and published them in the Dongfang Xuehui in 1924, which made the Shiyi Xinjian appear in a separate volume in China for the first time since it was lost, which promoted the spread of the book in China. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, some of the scholars collected it again, which improved the content of the book.

A synthesizing method for signal-enhanced and artifact-reduced mammogram from digital breast tomosynthesis

In this paper, we propose a method for compositing a synthetic mammogram (SM) from digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) slice images. The method consists of four parts. The first part is image reconstruction of DBT from the acquired projection data by use of backprojection-filtration (BPF) algorithm with a low-frequency boosting scheme and a high-density object reduction technique embedded. Also, a few expectation-maximization (EM) iterations have been additively implemented on top of the BPF algorithm to prepare a separate volume image. The second is generating three kinds of intermediate SMs. A forward projection image and a linear structure weighted forward projection image were computed. A maximum intensity projection of the BPF reconstructed volume image was also generated. The third part is integrating three intermediate SMs. The last is the post-processing of the SM. We scanned two physical phantoms in a prototype DBT scanner, and we have evaluated the performance of the proposed method. We also performed a clinical data study by use of 30 patient data who went through both DBT and digital mammography (DM) scans. Three experienced radiologists have read the SMs generated by several component techniques and also read the DM of each patient, and evaluated the generated SMs. The experimental phantom study and the clinical reader study consistently demonstrated the usefulness of the proposed method.

Cognition, recognition, and the “game of interchange of arguments”

This article examines the key provisions of philosophical concept of the American pragmatist, representative of Pittsburgh School Robert Brandom, described in the commentaries to Hegel’s “Phenomenology of Spirit” (published in separate volume in 2019). It is demonstrated that rational reconstruction of Hegel's philosophy's conducted by Brandom was intended to revive the legacy of the classic, taking into account peculiarities and trends of development of the modern analytical philosophy. The specificity of Hegelian approach towards the analysis of experience of human consciousness, Brandom traces in “hypostasization of the conceptual” and gradual separation from all kinds of idealistic antirealist doctrines that contrapose being-for-consciousness-in-itself to being of things and “disengage” the subject of cognition from objects of the world. Brandom claims that reality itself, things in themselves, is conceptually articulated, and thus cognizable. The author reveals the theoretical-methodological difference between Hegel's interpretation of normativity (“recognitive model”) and Kant's subjectivist approach: according to Kant, institutionalization of the normative status is exhausted by the gesture of accepting such as an autonomous subject; in Hegel’s opinion, the essential condition for founding the status is, as interpreted by Brandom, socio-communicative mediation (“assignment” of status to the subject by his interlocutors, as well as recognition of his assertions by interagents and audience). The article reviews Brandom's arguments against the reduction of Hegelian master – slave dialectic to the inner conflict of individual self-consciousness (position of J. McDowell). The conclusion is made that “re-description” of Hegel conducted by the American philosopher is of radically anachronistic nature, and sheds light on the views of author of the commentaries (primarily his semantic pragmatism and holism), but not on the content of work he provides commentaries to.

A Dosimetric Comparison of Pelvic Lymph Node Volume Delineation Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Computed Tomography in Gynecological Cancers

Definitive external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) targets the primary tumor and at-risk pelvic lymph node groups. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with its superior soft tissue definition compared with computed tomography (CT), is routinely used in cervical cancer EBRT planning to accurately define the primary tumor. MRI can also provide more accurate visualization of lymph nodes, vessels and tissue planes, such that MRI-based nodal clinical target volume (CTVn) delineation may result in smaller volumes and reduced dose to organs at risk (OAR). The aim of this study was to dosimetrically compare EBRT plans in patients with CTVn delineation using MRI fused with CT (CT-MRI) and CT alone. This study was important to examine the advantage of MRI in radiotherapy; prior to the addition of a new MRI simulator and MRI Linac in our center. Nine patients with cervical cancer and two patients with recurrent endometrial cancer were treated using definitive EBRT at our institution with diagnostic MRI scans and were included in this study. The planning CT (pCT) scan for each patient was obtained and fused with T2-weighted MRI scan using bony landmarks and deformable registration. Two separate CTVn volumes were contoured by a radiation oncologist, one based on pCT and a second based on MRI. All other structures including primary CTV (CTVp) and OAR (rectum, sigmoid, bowel, bladder, and femurs) were contoured on the pCT only. Planning target volume (PTV) contours were created by combining CTVn and CTVp with a 1 cm margin. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans were generated for both pCT-based PTVs and CT-MRI-based PTVs using institutional protocol. Plans were evaluated for PTV volume, coverage (D98) and dose to OAR. Differences between pCT and CT-MRI were analyzed using paired t-tests and results are presented as means and SD (standard deviation). Twenty-two VMAT plans were generated. The mean (SD) PTV volume was 1485.9 cm³ (171.7) for pCT and 1424.5 cm³ (168.0) for the CT-MRI plan (p<0.001). The mean (SD) PTV D98 for pCT and CT-MRI was the same at 43.1 Gy (0.3) (p = 0.677). There was no significant dosimetric difference noted to any of the OAR (Table). This novel method for reducing the CTVn volume by using MRI to avoid anatomical boundaries such as fascial planes and bowel produced an overall reduction in the target volume. However, this did not result in a dosimetric advantage to the surrounding OAR. The most clinically relevant benefit of MRI in gynecological EBRT planning remains in the accurate definition of the primary tumor.Tabled 1Abstract 3080; Table;Organ at RiskpCT, Mean (SD)CT-MRI, Mean (SD)p-valueRectum (V40)56.9% (5.2)49.8% (11.8)0.111Sigmoid (V40)82.2% (20.6)78.7% (28.7)0.588Sigmoid (V45)27.5% (13.9)26.5% (17.8)0.787Bowel (V40)197.8cm³ (97.8)210.8cm³ (103.5)0.605Bowel (V45)73.3cm³ (43.1)67.3cm³ (45.9)0.664Bladder (V45)22.5% (4.1)24.5% (5.9)0.172Right Femur (V30)10.9% (2.3)10.3% (2.9)0.458Left Femur (V30)12.0% (3.1)11.6% (2.2)0.570 Open table in a new tab

Preface

The International scientific conference on “Civil Engineering Design and Construction” (DCB) is held every two years, starting in 2000 as a national conference of the Union of Bulgarian Construction Engineers and the Bulgarian Scientific and Technical Union of Civil Engineering. This conference is of special importance for Bulgaria, where scientists, researchers and experts present their achievements and share their experience or innovative ideas in various fields of design, construction and architecture. Since 2006, the DCB conference has been held as an international scientific forum for in-depth discussions and fruitful meetings.The organiser of the XI Conference on “Civil Engineering Design and Construction” (DCB′2020) was the Scientific and Technical Union of Civil Engineering in Bulgaria (NTSSB), strongly supported by the Chamber of Engineers in the Investment Design in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Construction Chamber, Federation of the Bulgarian Scientific and Technical Unions, the Varna Free University and “Evrika” Foundation. Special attention was paid to sustainable construction, digitalisation in the construction industry and building information modelling (BIM). During the conference, we celebrated the 220th anniversary of the birth of the Usta (Master) Kolyu Ficheto – famous Bulgarian National Revival architect and builder.Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, this year’s conference, which was supposed to be held in Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”, Bulgaria, was organised as a virtual conference, using of Google G-suit platform. It was a fully synchronised online conference, that had live Q&A, participants jointly listened to presentations, and attended other live events associated with the conference. The dates of the virtual conference remained unchanged to the initially proposed dates, which were on September 10-12, 2020.The conference program was organised in 9 sessions, in which 4 plenary and 68 specialized reports were presented. Apart from principal Bulgarian scientific organisers and the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, University of Structural Engineering and Architecture “Lyuben Karavelov”, Varna Free University, New Bulgarian University and Bulgarian Academy of Science BAS-, scientists from the UK, Greece, Poland, Serbia, Russia and Nigeria, took part in the scientific forum. In addition to thematic discussions on the main topics, a special session for young scientists was organised, supported by the “Evrika” Foundation. Leading companies working in the building and construction sectors were actively presented.The accepted papers are published in the IOP Conference Series - Materials Science and Engineering, Great Britain and separate volume of Conference Proceedings and copyrighted with an ISSN.Editors DCB′2020:Prof. Yatchko Ivanov, DSc., Eng.Member of BASAssoc. Prof. Ventseslav Stoyanov, PhD, Eng.Assoc. Prof. Lachezar Hrischev, PhD, Eng

3D-printed tungsten sheet-gyroids via reduction and sintering of extruded WO3-nanopowder inks

Additive manufacturing of objects with complex geometries from refractory metals remains very challenging. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of tungsten sheet-gyroids via 3D ink-extrusion of WO3 nano-powder followed by hydrogen reduction and activated sintering with NiO additions, as an alternative route to beam-based additive manufacturing of tungsten and other high melting metals and alloys. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the tungsten sheet-gyroids are measured for various wall architectures and processing conditions. The original gyroid architecture, separating two equally-sized volumes, is modified to achieve double-wall gyroids (with three separate volumes) with higher relative densities. The compressive properties of these single- and double-walled gyroids are compared to cross-ply lattice structures at 20 and 400 °C, below and above the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of tungsten. Gyroids are similarly stiff but have lower peak stresses and absorption energy as compared to cross-plies, due to a more severe multiaxial stress state. Based on architecture changes (number, spacing and width of walls), the mechanical properties of the printed gyroids can be tailored to their application requirements.

Regional variation in bone turnover at the iliac crest versus the greater trochanter.

Iliac crest bone biopsy with histomorphometry is the gold standard for diagnosis of abnormalities in bone turnover, yet fractures more frequently occur at the greater trochanter of the hip. Whether bone turnover is similar at these two anatomic sites within individuals is uncertain. We collected bone biopsy samples from the ipsilateral iliac crest and greater trochanter in 9 deceased individuals undergoing autopsies at an academic medical center between March-August 2018. We measured 14 static bone histomorphometry parameters including osteoclast number (N.Oc/T.A), eroded surface (ES/BS), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), osteoclast surface (Oc.S/BS) and osteoid volume (OV/BV) as markers of bone turnover, mineralization, and volume (TMV), and evaluated the correlation of these markers between the iliac crest and greater trochanter. Average age at time of death was 58±15years, 2 were women, and average time from death to autopsy was 2.9±1.8days. Overall, correlations of the markers of bone turnover across the two sites were poor, ranging from as low as 0 for Tb.Sp (p=1.0) to as high as 0.583 for Oc.S/BS (p=0.102). Static histomorphometric measures of bone turnover at the iliac crest may not provide reliable information about turnover at other anatomic sites.

Optimizing the Design of the Steam-Receiving Perforated Sheet Used in the PGV-1000MKO Steam Generator

The VVER-TOI reactor plant has for the first time been furnished with a new layout of steam generators in the NPP reactor building, according to which the steam produced in the steam generator is removed from it through one steam nozzle. The shift for using one steam-offtake nozzle results in that a nonuniform steam velocity field is produced in the separation volume between the evaporation surface and steam-receiving perforated sheets (SRPSs), which is caused by steam motion along the path with the lowest friction, and this can entail excessive carryover of moisture from the steam generator (SG). To obtain the necessary moisture-separation performance of a horizontal steam generator equipped with one steam nozzle, it is necessary to set up a uniform field of the steam velocity vector’s vertical component in the separation volume with limiting the pressure loss in the SG steam path down to the design value. Therefore, it is proposed to arrange nonuniform flow friction along the steam motion path from the evaporation surface to the steam line by using a variable SRPS perforation ratio. In this study, a set of optimization numerical analyses of the SRPS design for the PGV-1000MKO steam generator performed using the CFD methods was carried out for determining the perforation ratio. In carrying out the optimization numerical analyzes, the performance characteristics of the steam-receiving device equipped with one steam nozzle located in the steam generator’s upper part and consisting of more than 50 perforated sheets had to be made maximally close to the performance characteristics of the steam-receiving device equipped with ten steam nozzles. By using an elaborated computer model, a set of optimization numerical analyses of the SRPS design was carried out, and an optimized design version of the steam-receiving device with a variable perforation ratio for the PGV-1000MKO steam generator has been obtained.

Associations of Breastfeeding, Maternal Smoking, and Birth Weight With Bone Density and Microarchitecture in Young Adulthood: a 25-Year Birth-Cohort Study.

We have found that early-life exposures are associated with areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at ages 8 and 16 years. This study aimed to assess whether these associations persist into young adulthood when peak bone mass (PBM) is achieved and extend this analysis to microarchitecture. Participants were followed from perinatal period to 25 years old (n = 201). Outcomes were total body, spine, and hip aBMD (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), and cortical and trabecular bone measures at the distal radius and tibia (by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography [HRpQCT]). Early-life exposures including breastfeeding, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and birth weight. Sex, weight, height, vegetables, fruit and calcium intake at age 25 years were regarded as potential confounders in the analysis. There were significant interactions between period of gestation and early-life exposures for bone measures, so all analyses were stratified by period of gestation. Breastfeeding was beneficially associated with hip and total body aBMD, total, cortical and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD), cortical thickness, porosity, trabecular number (Tb.N), separation (Tb.Sp), and bone volume fraction (Tb.BV/TV) at radius and/or tibia at age 25 years in participants born prematurely (β ranged from -0.92 to 0.94), but there were no associations in those born at term. Maternal smoking had no association with any DXA/HRpQCT measures in those born prematurely but was detrimentally associated with inner transitional zone porosity and Tb.N (β = 0.40 and β = -0.37, respectively) in those full-term participants. Associations of birth weight with bone measures did not persist after adjustment for weight gain since birth. Breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of lower limb fractures and maternal smoking had a deleterious association with upper limb fractures. In conclusion, breastfeeding and maternal smoking may have effects on peak bone microarchitecture whereas the association with birth weight is countered by subsequent growth. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Polyelectrolyte membranes with tunable hollow CO2-philic clusters via sacrificial template for biogas upgrading

High-performance membrane materials are urgently demanded for efficient membrane-based biogas upgrading. Polyelectrolytes with convertible ionic groups, spontaneously forming interconnected facilitated transport pathways for gas molecules via microphase separation, exhibit promising potential in membrane-based separation. However, there is a great challenge to further enhance the gas permeability and selectivity simultaneously due to the limited microphase separation and low free volume generated by the strong interaction between ionic groups. Herein, we demonstrate a novel strategy to construct the tunable hollow quaternary ammonium (-N+(CH2CH3)3) clusters with good CO2 affinity via sacrificial template method in quaternized polysulfone (QAPSf) membranes for achieving the fast transport of CO2. The templates (POSS) induce the formation of –N+(CH2CH3)3 clusters through forced microphase separation in the membranes and then are etched away to generate hollow CO2-philic clusters to increase the fractional free volume in membranes and thus improve CO2 diffusion. After that, the B(OH)4- as counterions by ion exchange endow the hollow CO2-philic clusters with high CO2-facilitating ability, which simultaneously enhance the CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity. The resultant QAPSf-B(POSS-2) membrane exhibits superior separation performance with an optimal permeability of 1113 Barrer and a CO2/CH4 gas selectivity of ~45, i.e. 334% and 73% higher than the pristine QAPSf membrane, respectively, breaking the trade-off between permeability and selectivity and surpassing the Robeson 2008 upper-bound.

Experimental Investigation on Separation Behavior of Heavy-Oil Emulsion for Polymer Flooding on Alaska North Slope

Summary The first-ever field pilot on Alaska North Slope (ANS) to validate using polymer floods for heavy-oil enhanced oil recovery is currently ongoing. One of the major concerns of the operator is the effect of polymer on oil/water-separation efficiency after polymer breakthrough. This work investigates the influence of polymer on the separation behavior of heavy-oil emulsions and evaluates the performance of emulsion breakers (EBs). In this study, two types of heavy-oil emulsions were prepared and tested at 20 and 50% water cut (WC), respectively. The bottle test method was used in the experiments, in which the separated water volume with time, the separated water quality, and the volume fraction of phases were recorded. Results showed that polymer accelerated the oil/water separation acting as an emulsion inhibitor at 20% WC but tended to impede the water separation at 50% WC. Regardless of WC, polymer resulted in poor water quality and the formation of a stable intermediate oil in water (o/w) emulsion, because of the increased viscosity of the water phase. The performance of EBs showed a complex dependency on the WC, the type of demulsifier and dosage, and the polymer concentration. Despite the varied conditions encountered in the heavy-oil/water/polymer/demulsifier system, a compound EB achieved satisfactory demulsification performance, showing the highest potential for deployment in the current ANS polymer flooding pilot. In this paper, we systematically studied the potential influence of polymer breakthrough on the separation behavior of heavy-oil emulsion on ANS for the first time. The findings of this study will provide practical guidance in advance for produced fluid treatment of the ongoing first-ever polymer flooding pilot on ANS.

The 15th anniversary of the SIEC test under the EU Merger Regulation – where do we stand? (Part 2)

Abstract On May 1, 2019, the significant impediment to effective competition (“SIEC”) test pursuant to Article 2(2) and (3) of the EU Merger Regulation (Regulation No. 139/2004; “EUMR”), celebrated its 15th anniversary. The Commission has taken more than 5,000 decisions in merger cases under this new standard in the last decade and a half. Therefore, it seems opportune to pause and take stock. Has the introduction of the SIEC test achieved the desired results? Has it been applied according to the legislator’s plans? Does its application need to change going forward? After a short recap of the test’s history and genesis (I.) and a reminder of the burden and standard of proof (II.), this article reviews the Commission’s decisional practice (and the limited practice of the EU Courts) systematically, and intends to summarize the various theories of harm covered by the SIEC test’s application in practice (III.). Second, it analyzes the decisional practice and draws conclusions as to whether the test’s application in practice is predictable, persuasive, and in line with the legislator’s intent (IV.). Third and last, after some practical and procedural observations (V.), it concludes with a few proposals for improvement (VI.). Given the scope of the ground covered, this article is split into two separate parts over two separate volumes of this journal, with Part 1 in the journal’s previous volume having covered sections I. and II., as well as part III. with respect to horizontal mergers and a brief summary in this respect. This Part 2 of the article continues in this volume in section III. with non-horizontal mergers, and finishes with sections IV. through VI.

THE FORMING OF CASTELLUM-TYPE CASTLES AND FOUR-UNIT BUILDING COMPLEXES WITH CHAPELS IN SECULAR POWER CENTRES OF COURLAND AND THE STATE OF THE TEUTONIC ORDER

In the noble families houses, a sacral room or a separate volume made for relics’ storage or prayers started to call the chapel (German: Kapelle, Latin: capella). The name for this building type was borrowed from the Latin words cappa, capa. The knights for implementation of its policy on conquered lands inhabited by the Balts founded economically independent castles of stone that included chapels. According to regulations of castellum’s planning, the chapel had to be situated on the east side of the structure. In Livonia and the State of the Teutonic Order, the location of castles and cult buildings influenced layouts of town centres. Research goal: analysis the impact of cult buildings on layouts and spatial structures of castles and fortified centres to determine common and different characteristics in Livonia and the State of the Teutonic Order. Research problem: the influence of sacred buildings’ location on layouts of castles, built by the Teutonic Order. has not well researched. Research novelty: structures of the Teutonic Order’s fortresses are studied in the context of Italian architecture. Research methods: studies of urban planning cartographic materials, archive documents, projects, published literature and inspection of buildings in nature.

Reply to the discussion

Unfortunately, the SEAM II Barrett model was built using 10 separate property volumes that need to be combined using a rather complex and nonintuitive set of matrix manipulations in order to properly calculate the azimuthally varying P-P reflection at the interface between each set of anisotropic layers. SEAM is considering the calculation of additional products that will illustrate this, according to Michael Oristaglio in personal communication.

MR Thermometry Data Correlate with Pathological Response for Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Lower Extremity in a Single Center Analysis of Prospectively Registered Patients.

Background: There is a strong biologic rationale for using locoregional hyperthermia in soft tissue sarcoma and a randomized trial reported significant improvements with hyperthermia. The aim of this study was to describe the opportunities of magnetic resonance (MR)-based thermometry in a cohort of soft tissue sarcoma patients undergoing combined radiotherapy and locoregional hyperthermia. Patients and Methods: For eleven evaluable patients, tumor volume (VTu) and a separate volume for temperature analysis with reliable temperature distribution (Vtherm) were contoured for every hyperthermia treatment (103 therapies). Temperature data were recorded for all tumors and were correlated with clinical features and pathologic response data. Results: Of 48 patients with high-risk soft tissue sarcomas treated with radio(chemo)therapy and locoregional hyperthermia, MR thermometry was possible in 11 (23%) patients. For all patients, the temperature superseded by 90% of VTu (T90(VTu)) and T90 (Vtherm) were in the range of 37–43 °C and 40–45 °C, respectively. Larger tumors tended to reach higher temperatures. For tumors showing a pathologic response in the resection specimen after preoperative treatment, temperature (T90 (Vtherm)) was significantly higher than in tumors without pathologic response. Conclusion: Lower extremity sarcomas undergoing preoperative treatment with locoregional hyperthermia are especially suitable for MR thermometry. MR thermometry is a promising non-invasive way for temperature measurement during locoregional hyperthermia, showing a positive dose-response relationship.

Influences of top clearance and liquid throughput on the performances of an external loop airlift slurry reactor integrated mixing and separation

Abstract A new developed external loop airlift slurry reactor, which was integrated with gas–liquid–solid three-phase mixing, mass transfer, and liquid–solid separation simultaneously, was deemed to be a promising slurry reactor due to its prominent advantages such as achieving continuous separation of clear liquid from slurry and cyclic utilization of solid particles without any extra energy, energy-saving, and intrinsic safety design. The principal operating parameters, including gas separator volume, handling capacity, and superficial gas velocity, are systematically investigated here to promote the capabilities of mixing, mass transfer, and yield in the pilot external loop airlift slurry reactor. The influences of top clearance and throughput of the clear liquid on flow regime and gas holdup in the riser, liquid circulating velocity, and volumetric mass transfer coefficient with a typical high solid holdup and free of particles are examined experimentally. It was found that increasing the gas separator volume could promote the liquid circulating velocity by about 14.0% at most. Increasing the handling capacity of the clear liquid from 0.9 m3·h−1 to 3.0 m3·h−1 not only could increase the output without any adverse consequences, but also could enhance the liquid circulating velocity as much as 97.3%. Typical operating conditions investigated here can provide some necessary data and guidelines for this new external loop airlift slurry reactor to upgrade its performances.

Projection-based 3D/2D registration for prospective motion correction.

To develop a registration method that is capable of estimating the full range of rigid body motion from three orthogonal collapsed images of the head. These images can be obtained using the collapsed FatNav, a previously introduced navigator for prospective motion correction. It combines a short duration with wide compatibility with different main sequences due to its robustness against spin history effects. A projection-based 3D/2D registration method is presented and then modified to take into account the peculiarities of the collapsed FatNav. Water/fat separated volumes were used in simulations to assess the accuracy of the proposed method at different resolutions by comparison with high-resolution 3D registration. The sensitivity with respect to masking strategies and starting motion parameters was investigated. Finally, prospective experiments with a healthy volunteer were performed with different types of motion patterns. A PROPELLER main sequence was chosen to compare the prospective correction with PROPELLER's own retrospective correction. In the simulations the proposed method has shown comparable performance to 3D registration. Furthermore, evidence of its robustness with respect to masking strategies and starting motion parameters was presented. The combination with collapsed FatNav has performed well in correcting most of the motion artifacts prospectively with improved image quality compared to only using PROPELLER's retrospective motion correction. The proposed 3D/2D registration together with collapsed FatNav is characterized by a good balance between navigator duration and estimate accuracy. Further work is needed to validate the method across a wider variety of subject anatomies.

The 15th anniversary of the SIEC test under the EU Merger Regulation – where do we stand? (Part 1)

Abstract On May 1, 2019, the significant impediment to effective competition (“SIEC”) test pursuant to Article 2(2) and (3) of the EU Merger Regulation (Regulation No. 139/2004; “EUMR”), celebrated its 15th anniversary. The Commission has taken more than 5,000 decisions in merger cases under this new standard in the last decade and a half. Therefore, it seems opportune to pause and take stock. Has the introduction of the SIEC test achieved the desired results? Has it been applied according to the legislator’s plans? Does its application need to change going forward? After a short recap of the test’s history and genesis (I.) and a reminder of the burden and standard of proof (II.), this article reviews the Commission’s decisional practice (and the limited practice of the EU Courts) systematically, and intends to summarize the various theories of harm covered by the SIEC test’s application in practice (III.). Second, it analyzes the decisional practice and draws conclusions as to whether the test’s application in practice is predictable, persuasive, and in line with the legislator’s intent (IV.). Third and last, after some practical and procedural observations (V.), it concludes with a few proposals for improvement (VI.). Given the scope of the ground covered, this article is split into two separate parts over two separate volumes of this journal, with Part 1 in this volume covering sections I. and II., as well as part III. with regard to horizontal mergers and a brief summary in this respect. Part 2 of the article will then continue section III. with non-horizontal mergers, and finish with sections IV. through VI.

Gender and Pain in Nineteenth-Century Cancer Care.

Gender and Pain in Nineteenth-Century Cancer Care.