Single Term Research Articles

Positioning of objects using wireless networks

Today, there are a large number of technical solutions to the problem of determining the location of objects in space, which are united by a single term -— positioning systems. All positioning systems can be divided into global positioning systems and local positioning systems that operate in a limited area. The article analyses the techniques and information technologies for positioning a user’s computer device indoors. The popular technology for determining the user’s location, which is the Global Positioning System (GPS), does not work well enough in enclosed spaces and buildings. The most popular alternative information technologies for positioning in confined spaces today are Wi-Fi, iGPS and other technologies based on the processing of relevant visual images. The article analyses these technologies, their functioning features, as well as advantages and disadvantages in the context of their use in various types of enclosed spaces. The analysis has shown that for the task of positioning devices in the premises, the positioning technology based on Wi-Fi networks has the highest accuracy and lower costs for system deployment and operation. Positioning in Wi-Fi networks is carried out using several methods for determining the location of devices in space, based on technologies for calculating the distance from access points to the user. All currently relevant technologies have been considered in this paper. All the methods used in positioning were described and analysed according to the criteria in order to select the best one for implementation in a Wi-Fi network positioning system. Based on the results of the analysis, the trilateration method was selected because it has high accuracy and relatively low system deployment costs.

Revisited relativistic Dirac-Hartree-Fock X-ray scattering factors. I. Neutral atoms with Z = 2-118.

In this first of a series of publications, the X-ray scattering factors for neutral atoms are revisited. Using the recently developed DBSR_HF program [Zatsarinny & Froese Fischer (2016). Comput. Phys. Comm. 202, 287-303] the fully relativistic Dirac-Hartree-Fock ground-state wavefunctions for all atoms with Z = 2-118 (He-Og) have been calculated using the extended average level scheme and including both the Breit interaction correction to the electronic motion due to magnetic and retardation effects, and the Fermi distribution function for the description of the nuclear charge density. The comparison of our wavefunctions with those obtained in several previous studies in terms of the total and orbital (spinor) electronic energies, and a number of local and integrated total and orbital properties, confirmed the quality of the generated wavefunctions. The employed dense radial grid combined with the DBSR_HF's B-spline representation of the relativistic one-electron orbitals allowed for a precise integration of the X-ray scattering factors using a newly developed Fortran program SF. Following the established procedure [Maslen et al. (2006). International Tables for Crystallography, Vol. C, Section 6.1.1, pp. 554-589], the resulting X-ray scattering factors have been interpolated in the 0 ≤ sin θ/λ ≤ 2 Å-1 and 2 ≤ sin θ/λ ≤ 6 Å-1 ranges using the recommended analytical functions with both the four- (which is a current convention) and five-term expansions. An exhaustive comparison of the newly generated X-ray scattering factors with the International Union of Crystallography recommended values and those from a number of previous studies showed an overall good agreement and allowed identification of a number of typos and inconsistencies in the recommended quantities. A detailed analysis of the results suggests that the newly derived values may represent an excellent compromise among all the previous studies. The determined conventional interpolating functions for the two sin θ/λ intervals show, on average, the same accuracy as the recommended parametrizations. However, an extension of each expansion by only a single term provides a significant improvement in the accuracy of the interpolated values for an overwhelming majority of the atoms. As such, an updated set of the fully relativistic X-ray scattering factors and the interpolating functions for neutral atoms with Z = 2-118 can be easily incorporated into the existing X-ray diffraction software with only minor modifications. The outcomes of the undertaken research should be of interest to members of the crystallographic community who push the boundaries of the accuracy and precision of X-ray diffraction studies.

Empowering of candidates and parties in single term vs re-election schemes

Empowering of candidates and parties in single term vs re-election schemes

Продольная динамическая магнитная восприимчивость одноосных антиферромагнитных наночастиц: влияние подмагничивающего поля

This paper develops a kinetic theory of the low-frequency (far from the microwave range) longitu-dinal linear magnetic response of uniaxial antiferromagnetic nanoparticles. The proposed formal-ism is based on the Fokker-Planck-type equation for the distribution function of orientations of the antiferromagnetic vector. For this equation, a method of numerical solution is developed for the situation when a harmonic linearly polarized magnetic field and a constant bias field are co-aligned and applied along the anisotropy axis of the particle. Frequency dependencies of the real and imag-inary parts of the longitudinal dynamic magnetic susceptibility of the particle are calculated for dif-ferent values of the bias field magnitude. It is shown that in the presence of a constant field the magnetic response of the particle to a probing field decreases and the absorption maximum shifts to higher frequencies. Provided that the bias field is non-zero, the position of the specified maximum is not fixed but changes with the value of the uncompensated magnetization. It has been established that in the low frequency range, dispersion of the longitudinal dynamic magnetic susceptibility of the uniaxial antiferromagnetic nanoparticle is determined by a single Debye-type term.

THE PHENOMENON OF THE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE LATINIZATION AS A FACTOR IN THE BROADENING OF THE METALANGUAGE OF LINGUISTICS

he article is devoted to the specifics of the formation of the metalanguage of graphemics as an actual scientific direction of modern linguistics. The emergence of graphemics as a separate scientific field has not led to the consolidation of a single term in the scientific discourse to denote the science of writing and the graphic level of language. In addition, there is no established graphemics terminology. The article proposes to define the term field of linguistics, which represents the established terms, and discusses the controversial issues related to the formation of the microterm field associated with the phenomenon of Latinization, since language reflects all political, psychological, and cultural changes, including those motivated by the peculiarities of its graphic representation. In the Ukrainian linguistic culture of the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a competition between two graphic systems: the traditional Cyrillic and the Latin alphabets. This competition («alphabet wars») is also actualized in the modern linguistic space of the early 21st century, which is represented by attempts to Latinize the Ukrainian language space. The process of Latinization has led to the emergence of new terms to denote these attempts as projects (variants) of the Ukrainian Latin alphabet. In Ukrainian graphemics, such occasional terms as yirechekivka, lahodivka, luchukivka, melnykivka, Ukrainian abecedary, and Ukrainian gaietyka have emerged. In addition, we trace the emergence of nonce terms that are common in Ukrainian scientific discourse. Among them, we find synonymous connections: alphabet war and alphabet blizzard. Certain aspects of the alphabet war in Galicia also contributed to the emergence of such terms as alphabet battles, alphabet plague, alphabet discussion, alphabet history, alphabet coup, alphabet question, and alphabet disputes. The task of summarizing information on this issue in terms of diachrony and synchrony is being actualized. The problem under consideration has prospects, since the terminology system of grapgemics requires systematization and clear lexicalization, creation of a dictionary of graphemics terms.

PLACENTAL CHARACTERISTICS AND NEONATAL OUTCOME OF SINGLETON DELIVERIES IN A ZONAL HOSPITAL, JANAKPUR

Background: There are number of maternal and neonatal factors that determine placental characteristics which in turn determine intrauterine life of the fetus. There are limited studies regarding the topic in Nepalese context. Therefore this study aimed to assess the placental characteristics and neonatal outcome of singleton deliveries in a Zonal hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 women with single term delivery using convenience sampling. A structured interview schedule, placental examination perfoma and APGAR score were used to collect data. Data were entered in SPSS version 20 for Windows and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Findings revealed that almost all placentas were red in color (93.3%), round in shape (99.3%), centrally located umbilical cord (96.0%) and normally inserted placental membrane. Mean placental weight and umbilical length was 492.17 (±99.160) gm and 52.89 (±11.151) cm respectively. Almost all neonates had normal birth weight i.e. 2500 gm., mean weight 2936.13 gm. (± 368.33). Seventeen percent of neonate had mild to severe asphyxia in one minute. Significant association was found between placental weight and maternal factors such as educational status (p= 0.008), annual household income (p= 0.013) and parity (p= 0.001). Significant relationship was found between weight of placenta and weight of neonate (rs = 0.335, p = <0.05) as well as weight of neonate and APGAR score (rs =0.145, p = <0.05) Conclusions: Few deliveries have marginal cord insertion and circumvallate placenta. Some neonates have asphyxia and admitted to intensive care unit. Hence regular placental examinations provide valuable information immediate care to mother and neonates.

A stability analysis for multi-term fractional delay differential equations with higher order

As a widely used tool modeling some processes and systems in a variety of fields, fractional delay differential equations (FDDEs) with higher order have attracted much attention of the scientific community for years. Motivated by Yao et al. (2022), in which a single term has been done, we are much more interested in the stability analysis for multi-term FDDEs. In addition to the widely used Laplace transform method and decoupling technique for the characteristic equation, a region embedding technique is first introduced to handle the multiple fractional exponents. The existing results are generalized to multi-term FDDEs with higher order and the damping term of the classical integer-order delay differential equation is extended to fractional calculus. Numerical simulations for FDDEs and time-fractional telegraph equations with time delay are presented to illustrate the efficiency and validity of our results.

Method of difference-differential equations for some Bethe-ansatz-solvable models

In studies of one-dimensional Bethe ansatz solvable models, a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind with a difference kernel on a finite interval often appears. This equation does not generally admit a closed-form solution and hence its analysis is quite complicated. Here we study a family of such equations, concentrating on their moments. We find exact relations between the moments in the form of difference-differential equations. The latter results significantly advance the analysis, enabling one to practically determine all the moments from the explicit knowledge of the lowest one. As applications, several examples are considered. First, we study the moments of the quasimomentum distribution in the Lieb-Liniger model and find explicit analytical results. The latter moments determine several basic quantities, e.g., the $N$-body local correlation functions. We prove the equivalence between different expressions found in the literature for the three-body local correlation functions and find an exact result for the four-body local correlation function in terms of the moments of the quasimomentum distributions. We eventually find the analytical results for the three- and four-body correlation functions in the form of asymptotic series in the regimes of weak and strong interactions. Next, we study the exact form of the low-energy spectrum of a magnon (a polaron) excitation in the two-component Bose gas described by the Yang-Gaudin model. We find its explicit form, which depends on the moments of the quasimomentum distributions of the Lieb-Liniger model. Then, we address a seemingly unrelated problem of capacitance of a circular capacitor and express the exact result for the capacitance in the parametric form. In the most interesting case of short plate separations, the parametric form has a single logarithmic term. This should be contrasted with the explicit result that has a complicated structure of logarithms.

Obstetric anesthesia clinic childbirth course combined with labor epidural analgesia is associated with a decreased risk of postpartum depression : a prospective cohort study

BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) is a serious complication commonly seen in postnatal women. In this paper, an investigation was conducted to see if obstetric anesthesia clinic childbirth course combined with labor epidural analgesia (LEA) was associated with a decreased risk of PPD.MethodsSix hundred fifty-five nulliparous women were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. The parturients were divided into 4 groups, with Group C being the control group, Group AC received the obstetric anesthesia clinic childbirth course only, Group LEA received LEA only, and Group AC + LEA received both the obstetric anesthesia clinic childbirth course and LEA. Maternal and neonatal variables in the perinatal period were recorded. PPD at 6 weeks was assessed using the Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), where a score ≥ 10 is the threshold for PPD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between obstetric anesthesia clinic childbirth course combined with LEA and postpartum depression.ResultsA total of 124 maternities had EPDS ≥10 points, the incidence of PPD was 18.9%。The incidence of PPD and EPDS scores were significantly lower in Group AC + LEA than in Group C (12.1% vs 26.8%, P < 0.05; 6 (5, 7) vs 7 (5, 11), P < 0.05). Received an anesthesia clinic childbirth course combined with LEA was associated with a decreased risk of PPD (OR 0.273, 95% CI, 0.100–0.743, P = 0.013). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified 5 other independent factors for PPD, including maternal SAS score in the delivery room, W-DEQ score in the delivery room, living in a confinement center, EPDS score at 1st week postpartum and perinatal care satisfaction .ConclusionsReceived an obstetrics anesthesia clinic childbirth course combined with LEA for nulliparous women with a single term cephalic pregnancy was associated with a decreased risk of PPD at 6 weeks.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000039163. Registered on 20/10/2020.

Comparative proteoinformatics revealed the essentials of SDS impact on HaCaT keratinocytes

There is no direct evidence supporting that SDS is a carcinogen, so to investigate this fact, we used HaCaT keratinocytes as a model of human epidermal cells. To reveal the candidate proteins and/or pathways characterizing the SDS impact on HaCaT, we proposed comparative proteoinformatics pipeline. For protein extraction, the performance of two sample preparation protocols was assessed: 0.2% SDS-based solubilization combined with the 1DE-gel concentration (Protocol 1) and osmotic shock (Protocol 2). As a result, in SDS-exposed HaCaT cells, Protocol 1 revealed 54 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in the disease of cellular proliferation (DOID:14566), whereas Protocol 2 found 45 DEPs of the same disease ID. The ‘skin cancer’ term was a single significant COSMIC term for Protocol 1 DEPs, including those involved in double-strand break repair pathway (BIR, GO:0000727). Considerable upregulation of BIR-associated proteins MCM3, MCM6, and MCM7 was detected. The eightfold increase in MCM6 level was verified by reverse transcription qPCR. Thus, Protocol 1 demonstrated high effectiveness in terms of the total number and sensitivity of MS identifications in HaCaT cell line proteomic analysis. The utility of Protocol 1 was confirmed by the revealed upregulation of cancer-associated MCM6 in HaCaT keratinocytes induced by non-toxic concentration of SDS. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD035202.

A theory of mechanical stress-induced H2O2 signaling waveforms in Planta

Recent progress in nanotechnology-enabled sensors that can be placed inside of living plants has shown that it is possible to relay and record real-time chemical signaling stimulated by various abiotic and biotic stresses. The mathematical form of the resulting local reactive oxygen species (ROS) wave released upon mechanical perturbation of plant leaves appears to be conserved across a large number of species, and produces a distinct waveform from other stresses including light, heat and pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-induced stresses. Herein, we develop a quantitative theory of the local ROS signaling waveform resulting from mechanical stress in planta. We show that nonlinear, autocatalytic production and Fickian diffusion of H2O2 followed by first order decay well describes the spatial and temporal properties of the waveform. The reaction-diffusion system is analyzed in terms of a new approximate solution that we introduce for such problems based on a single term logistic function ansatz. The theory is able to describe experimental ROS waveforms and degradation dynamics such that species-dependent dimensionless wave velocities are revealed, corresponding to subtle changes in higher moments of the waveform through an apparently conserved signaling mechanism overall. This theory has utility in potentially decoding other stress signaling waveforms for light, heat and PAMP-induced stresses that are similarly under investigation. The approximate solution may also find use in applied agricultural sensing, facilitating the connection between measured waveform and plant physiology.

STITCH: A Subgrid-scale Model for Energy Buildup in the Solar Corona

The solar corona routinely exhibits explosive activity, in particular coronal mass ejections and their accompanying eruptive flares, which have global-scale consequences. These events and their smaller counterparts, coronal jets, originate in narrow, sinuous filament channels. The key processes that form and evolve the channels operate on still smaller spatial scales and much longer timescales, culminating in a vast separation of characteristic lengths and times that govern these explosive phenomena. In this article, we describe implementation and tests of an efficient subgrid-scale model for generating eruptive structures in magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) coronal simulations. STITCH—STatistical InjecTion of Condensed Helicity—is a physics-based, reduced representation of helicity condensation: a process wherein small-scale vortical surface convection forms ubiquitous current sheets and pervasive reconnection across the sheets mediates an inverse cascade of magnetic helicity and free energy, thereby forming the filament channels. We have developed a formalism, STITCH, that abstracts these complex processes into a single term in Ohm’s law and the induction equation that directly injects tangential magnetic flux into the low corona. We show that our approach is in very good agreement with a full helicity condensation calculation that treats all of the dynamics explicitly, while enabling substantial reductions in temporal duration and spatial resolution. In addition, we illustrate the flexibility of STITCH at forming localized filament channels and at energizing complex surface flux distributions that have sinuous boundaries. STITCH is simple to implement and computationally efficient, making it a powerful technique for physics-based modeling of solar eruptive events.

Functional role of PLD1 signalosome in Tauopathies

AbstractBackgroundPhospholipase D (PLD), a lipolytic enzyme for membrane phospholipids, exists in two isoforms of mammalian phosphatidyl choline (PC) specific PLD, inducible PC‐PLD1 and constitutive PC‐PLD2. Elevated PLD activity is well documented in clinical studies involving Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our lab was the first to show elevated PLD1 facilitates synaptic dysfunction and underlying memory deficits driven by amyloidogenic insults by Aß/tau. We observed preservation of memory in response to PLD1 specific small molecule inhibitor in transgenic mouse models and documented preservation of dendritic spines as a underlying basis. In this study, we explored a role for PLD1 in Frontotemporal Dementia in an attempt to explore its pathological role in this tauopathy‐driven dementia.MethodWe studied altered expression/activity of key F‐actin signaling elements common to PLD1 signalosome in synaptosomal fractions of human post‐mortem FTD brain regions. Synaptic deficits associated with elevated PLD1 expression in human FTD samples was studied by Fluorescence Analysis of Single Synapse Long Term Potentiation (FASS‐LTP). Using immunofluorescence, we studied the association of PLD1 with tau, presynaptic and post‐synaptic receptors, and neuroinflammation markers.ResultElevated PLD1 expression in synaptosomal fractions of post‐mortem FTD brain tissues was corroborated by synaptic deficits and association of PLD1 with postsynaptic density protein (PSD95). FASS‐LTP assay indicated relatively lower long‐term potentiation in synaptosomal fractions of FTD brains as compared to the control brains implying synaptic deficits in FTD subjects.ConclusionIn the light of these observations, we conclude elevated PLD1 expression is associated with toxicity of tau causing memory deficits in FTD patients. This PLD1‐tau interaction alters PLD signaling partners such as mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), cofilin and phosphocofilin. This would implicate the actin‐dependent remodeling of synapse to be a key step in the role of PLD1 signalosome in FTD. Delineating the effects of PLD1 signalosome in tauopathies such as FTD will hugely be beneficial in tau‐targeting therapeutics for a multipronged approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

The task ahead for Labour if it came to power

The task ahead for Labour if it came to power

A hybrid averaging and harmonic balance method for weakly nonlinear asymmetric resonators

Models for nonlinear vibrations commonly employ polynomial terms that arise from series expansions about an equilibrium point. The analysis of symmetric systems with cubic stiffness terms is very common, and the inclusion of asymmetric quadratic terms is known to modify the effective cubic nonlinearity in weakly nonlinear systems. When using low (second, in this case)-order perturbation methods, the net effect in these cases is found to be a monotonic dependence of the free vibration frequency on the amplitude squared, with a single term that depends on the coefficients of the quadratic and cubic terms. However, in many applications, such a monotonic dependence is not observed, necessitating the use of techniques for strongly nonlinear systems, or the inclusion of higher-order terms and perturbation methods in weakly nonlinear formulations. In either case, the analysis involves very tedious and/or numerical approaches for determining the system response. In the present work, we propose a method that is a hybrid of the methods of averaging and harmonic balance, which provides, with relatively straightforward calculations, good approximations for the free and forced vibration response of weakly nonlinear asymmetric systems. For free vibration, it captures the correct amplitude–frequency dependence, including cases of non-monoticity. The method can also be used to determine the steady-state response of damped, harmonically driven vibrations, including information about stability. The method is described, and general results are obtained for an asymmetric system with up to quintic nonlinear terms. The results are applied to a numerical example and validated using simulations. This approach will be useful for analyzing a variety of system models with polynomial nonlinearities.

A Robust Long Non-Coding RNA Expression Classifier for Risk Stratification in Pediatric AML

Introduction: Risk stratification in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (pAML) is required to determine length and intensity of consolidative therapy. The present scheme employed by COG is complex, relying on numerous upfront cytogenetic and molecular assays along with induction response assessment by flow cytometry to determine final risk status. lncRNAs expression has been reported as a predictive marker in adult AML but has not been comprehensively evaluated in the pediatric population. Methods: We assayed 68 normal bone marrow (NBM) specimens, 1298 de novo AML cases from Children's Oncology Group (COG) studies and 96 adult AML cases from SWOG Cancer Research Network trials by RNA-seq to enumerate annotated lncRNAs. After updating all pAML cases to modern risk criteria, data were split by blocked randomization by key molecular groups into training, two pediatric validation (60, 20, and 20% of cases, respectively) and an adult validation set. Differentially upregulated lncRNA identified in the training set compared to NBM controls were used to establish a regularized Cox proportional hazards model of EFS; model coefficients from significant lncRNA features were used to calculate a 37-gene lncScore. Survival associations between lncScore and outcomes were tested by Kaplan Meier estimates and the log-rank test. Predictive performance was assessed by concordance testing. Results: We identified 1346 differentially expressed lncRNA transcripts in comparison of training set pAML to NBM; 647 were upregulated, among which 37 showed a significant survival association. lncScores calculated as the weighted sum of expression by application of these model coefficients to expression data showed nearly equal numbers of patients with positive and negative values in the training cohort (range -1.24 to +1.31), motivating dichotomizing cases by positive or negative lncScore for further analysis. Training set cases with positive lncScores had 5-year EFS and OS rates of 26.7 and 42.7% compared to 56.9 and 76.3% with negative lncScores (hazard ratio, HR, 2.48 and 3.16, p<0.001). Pediatric validation cohorts and an adult AML group yielded comparable results both in lncScore distribution as well as magnitude and significance of outcome effects (pediatric OS HR = 2.87 and 3 respectively, p < 0.001 and EFS HR = 2.38 and 2.36, p < 0.001; adult OS HR=3.21, p < 0.001, EFS HR=2.36, p < 0.001). lncScore remained independently prognostic in multivariable models of pediatric cases including key factors in pre-treatment risk (training set HR 2.07, 1.84, and 1.82 for OS, EFS, and RR from EOI1, all p < 0.001). Concordance statistics exceeded 66% for each survival metric (OS: 0.7, EFS 0.667, RR 0.679). Comparable results were observed in the combined pediatric validation group, (HR OS: 1.75, P=0.001, C-stat 0.672; EFS: 1.56, P=0.001, C-stat 0.671; RR: 1.67, P=0.004, C-stat 0.689). Estimates of the concordance difference between sub-models containing traditional classification compared to lncScore showed negligible differences (p range 0.15 - 0.51) suggesting that the lncScore provides comparable accuracy to current pre-therapy classification metrics. Subgroup analysis suggested that lncScores provide additional outcome information in heterogenous subgroups currently classified as indeterminate risk, such as KMT2A-rearranged (Figure 1). To test whether lncScores could replace or augment a modern stratification scheme, we compared lncScore to final risk (which includes traditional cytogenetic/molecular and induction response). Point estimates for HR were slightly higher by lncScore than final risk, with all CIs showing substantial overlap. Comparison of single term sub-models in both training and validation groups showed similar trends, slightly favoring lncScore, but with non-significant concordance differential estimates. (Validation set HR for OS 3.41 vs 3.19, C-index diff -0.004, p=0.867, Validation set DFS HR 2.44 vs 2.16, C-index diff -0.014, p=0.483). As with initial risk features, a full model containing final risk and lncScore outperformed either alone, with significant p-values in both possible comparisons (Validation p-value range 0.008 - <0.001, Table 1). Conclusion: Inclusion of the lncScore enhances predictive power of traditional stratification in pAML with potential, as a single assay, to replace these complex stratification schemes with comparable predictive accuracy. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Estimation of Prospective Benefit Reserve Based on Gross Premium Valuation Method using Indonesian Mortality Table IV and De-Moivre Assumptions

According to regulations, life insurance companies must meet several requirements related to the company's financial health, one of which is a technical reserve. Technical or premium reserves are funds that the insurance companies must prepare. These funds will cover financial losses experienced by someone who applies for the claim. Thus, the author will use the Gross Premium Valuation (GPV) method in this research. Premium reserves can be determined using two approaches: retrospective and prospective reserves. In this research, the author will determine the prospective reserves with GPV for single decrement insurance and single life n-year continuous term life. The distribution of deaths used in determining the probability of death is the Indonesian life table IV and the de-Moivre assumption with parameter (ɷ=111). Different assumptions for the death probability distribution will result in different premium reserve values, so we can see a difference in premium reserves resulting from the two death probability distributions. This research uses data from male policyholders aged 40 years who followed continuous term life insurance for 20 years. Benefits will be paid right at the time of death, with a discrete method of premium payments made at the beginning of each year for 10 years.

Characterization of a Thermoacoustic-based Pulsed High Power Microwave Detector Chain.

Detection of microwave-induced thermoacoustic (TA) wave generation was evaluated as a potential technique for detection of high power microwave (HPM) directed energy exposure. Even when HPM is employed for counter-materiel effects, incidental but still potentially harmful personnel exposure is possible. Real-time detection of ongoing exposure with potentially unknown time and frequency domain characteristics is a critical first step in preventing acute health effects by alerting and then enabling the timely use of electromagnetic frequency energy shielding, such as structures and vehicles. Leveraging the TA effect as a field interaction mechanism, a lossy dielectric polymer subjected to pulsed HPM was tested using a planar sample geometry with thin film piezoelectric sensors used to capture the resulting TA output. The piezoelectric signal was analyzed in both the time and frequency domain to determine empirical relationships between incident microwave beam properties and signal components. This analysis was coupled with an empirically-based single term Cole-Cole model approximation fit for the complex permittivity. The results were used to identify appropriate signal conditioning and processing techniques needed to convert the TA response into a useful form for personnel exposure applications. These results also served as a comparison point for multi-physics finite element method computational modeling of the electromagnetic response of a simplified three-layer tissue model.

On the validity of the classical plasma conductivity in capacitive RF discharges

The plasma conductivity is an important input parameter for various plasma models. It is typically obtained from a simplified version of the electron momentum balance equation, where only a single inertia term and a simplified description of the collisional momentum transfer are included. The electric field is assumed to be a harmonic function of the driving frequency, higher harmonics of the current and spatial variations are neglected. Through particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision (PIC/MCC) simulations and analysis of the electric field generation based on velocity moments of the Boltzmann equation, the validity of this classical model is studied in capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs). We find that these assumptions/simplifications result in significant inaccuracies of the conductivity in many cases. In single frequency CCPs, a deviation of more than an order of magnitude from the effective PIC-conductivity obtained from the simulations is found at low pressures in the discharge center and at the maximum sheath edge. In the center, this deviation is caused by neglecting the temperature gradient term in the momentum balance equation and adopting an approximation of the Ohmic term in the classical model, while at the maximum sheath edge it is induced by neglecting the density gradient term that accounts for the effect of the ambipolar electric field. The inaccuracy in the discharge center is reduced at higher pressures where the Ohmic term dominates and the approximations made in the classical model are more applicable. Better performance of the classical model is also found under conditions at which the inertia term included in the model plays an important role. Generally, neglecting higher harmonics of the current and spatial variations of plasma parameters is found to cause strong inaccuracies. Thus, the classical model can result in an inaccurate calculation of the power absorbed by electrons. Our results indicate that its applicability must be evaluated for a given set of conditions before using it to avoid introducing errors to plasma models.

SC144 - Robot-assisted partial adrenalectomy for conn syndrome: single center long term functional outcomes

SC144 - Robot-assisted partial adrenalectomy for conn syndrome: single center long term functional outcomes