PC Software Package Research Articles

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A 67.2 KWP SI-POLY PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM CONNECTED TO THE GRID USING PVSYST TOOL

This paper presents the simulated performance evaluation of a 67.2 kWp grid-connected Si-poly photovoltaic system. This study was carried out to assess the feasibility of installing a photovoltaic system to supply the electrical loads at the Alioune DIOP University of Bambey, Senegal, a public institution. Indeed, the UADB is facing load shedding problems caused by its exorbitant energy consumption. The study system comprises 240 Si-poly modules. Each module has a rated output of 280 Wp. All photovoltaic modules are connected in 12 strings, each string consisting of 20 modules in series. Three solar inverters, each rated at 20 kW, are used for interconnection with the grid via a public meter. For the case study, PVsyst 7.4 is used for simulation. PVsyst 7.4 is a PC software package for the design, dimensioning and data analysis of complete photovoltaic systems. Meteonorm 8.1 meteorological data sets on solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind speed and humidity from the PVsyst database were used for this analysis. In this study, the parameters evaluated were the photovoltaic arrays effective energy production, the energy injected into the grid, the performance rate and the normalized energy production per kWp installed. The 67.2 kWp photovoltaic system generates 111.287 MWh/year of DC energy, of which 108.980 MWh/year of AC energy is fed into the grid. The systems annual performance rate is around 81.5%, and the loss diagram over the whole year is also computed.

The morphofunctional state of the hematoalveolar barrier of the lungs in COVID-19 patients compared to pandemic influenza

Background. It is known that viral infections, such as pandemic influenza A(H1N1) and COVID-19, are characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome, which in some cases is accompanied by high mortality. It has also been established that diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is common to both influenza A and COVID-19. However, there are some differences between these infections. In contrast with pandemic flu, the most frequent symptom of COVID-19 is thromboembolic complications. The examination of the autopsy material showed that, despite the large number of conducted studies, the morphofunctional state of the hematoalveolar barrier of the lungs has not been sufficiently studied and some mechanisms of the development of pathological reactions of the оrganism in response to the action of influenza viruses A(H1N1) pdm09 and SARS-CoV-2 remain unclear. But the post-mortem picture of the hematoalveolar barrier can allow us to see all previous links of the viral lung damage process. This, in turn, will help to solve the problem of timely diagnosis of the disease severity, prognosis, prevention of further development of the disease and appropriate methods of therapy. The purpose of the work was to study the features of the SARS-CoV-2 virus effect on the morphofunctional state of the hematoalveolar region of the lungs at autopsy, which allows the pathogenesis of COVID-19 to clarified, critical mechanisms, thedevelopment of which leads to fatal consequences, to be established, and a therapy strategy to be proposed. Materials and methods. 8 samples of autopsy material of the lungs of patients with COVID-19 were studied. The comparison groups were patients with pandemic influenza A caused by the H1N1 virus (3 autopsies) and lung samples obtained during surgery from a patient with traumatic pneumothorax at a distance from the main focus. Lung samples were processed according to standard methods of biological material preparation for electron microscopy. From the obtained blocks, semi-thin sections with a thickness of 1 μm were made. They were stained with methylene blue, and studied under a light microscope at a magnification of 500 times. Digital photographs were obtained from the most informative areas. Ultrathin sections were analyzed in electron microscope after being contrasted in uranium and lead salts. The incidence of thrombosis in the studied groups was calculated. Statistical processing was performed using the Fisher’s non-parametric exact test and the Biostat PC software package. Results. The conducted studies showed that patients with pandemic influenza A had a pronounced lesion of the alveolar part of the lungs with damage to the alveolar walls of the lungs and the appearance of hyaline membranes in them. Desquamated pneumocytes, erythrocytes, neutrophilic leukocytes, macrophages and fibrin clots were found in alveoli filled with serous fluid. Among the features of the influenza virus, the preservation of cellular elements in the alveolar walls, the convergence of the alveolar septums and the formation of large areas with a high level of neutrophilic and macrophage invasion should be noted. Macrophages patrol the fields of damaged alveolar septums, separating them from the surrounding tissue. The subsequent fibrotization indicates the replacement of the destroyed lung tissue. The group of patients with COVID-19, in contrast to the pandemic flu, has significantly higher rates of thrombosis of various calibers. This is the result of disseminated intravascular coagulation, which often leads to fatal consequences. Erythrocytes in vascular thrombi have a tendency to agglutination, which is more pronounced in oncological patients. For all studied cases, epithelial membrane damage is characterized by almost complete loss of epithelial cells, which is accompanied by the denudation of capillaries, in which there is an accumulation of erythrocytes that gives them the look of «blood sausages». Sometimes these vessels are attached to hyaline membranes, sometimes they are arranged in chains or groups. No significant neutrophilic invasion or granulomatous inflammation is observed. Conclusions. The conducted studies showed that patients with pandemic influenza A had a pronounced lesion of the alveolar part of the lungs with a high level of neutrophilic and macrophage invasion. The mechanisms of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 are the direct destructive effect of the virus on the epithelial cells of the hemato-alveolar barrier, which obviously leads to the release of inflammatory cytokines that stimulate the systemic reaction of intravascular coagulation. It has been established that for oncology patients with a history of chemotherapy, the processes of thrombosis and destruction of alveolar walls during COVID-19 were one of the most pronounced lesions among the patients. The obtained results suggest that the fatal consequences of COVID-19 can obviously be prevented if therapeutic measures aimed at destroying the virus, blocking the targets for its penetration into cells, breaking the chain of intravascular blood coagulation with the use of corticosteroids, anticoagulants, cytokine inhibitors, etc. are taken immediately after receiving a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 and carrying out a set of laboratory tests to assess the severity of the disease.

Automated information processing systems in environmental monitoring

The article shows examples of using the algorithm for calculating emissions into the atmosphere during production activities in the process of laboratory tests for designing maximum allowable emissions and assessing the impact of possible activities on the environment. The calculation algorithm is based on the use of the ERA PC software package in the laboratory process, designed to calculate pollutants in all components of the environment. This software package allows you to make calculations for many parameters automatically, which simplifies the work of environmental designers. The use of this software package can be used in the training of specialists in the field of environmental monitoring.

Оценка сходимости результатов экспериментальных исследований огнестойкости сжатых железобетонных элементов с повышенным процентом армирования с численными расчетами

Introduction. Evaluation of actual fire resistance of load-bearing building structures made of various materials and reinforced concrete, in particular, encompasses a rather complex and research-intensive case of analysis of integrated, mechanical and fire safety of buildings and structures. Current methods of analyzing the fire resistance of reinforced concrete structures do not take into account any thermal characteristics of reinforcement. Hence, values of the fire resistance limit of structures can only be consistent with experimental results only if the percentage of reinforcement in analyzed concrete structures and reinforced concrete structures is below 3.5 %. The purpose of the work. Is (1) the pilot testing of a hybrid experiment method and (2) evaluation of convergence between (a) results of experimental laboratory studies on fire resistance of compressed reinforced concrete elements with a higher percentage of reinforcement, (b) theoretical data and (c) numerical calculations. The following tasks were solved: in accordance with the developed method, analytical, experimental laboratory and numerical studies of fire resistance of compressed concrete and reinforced concrete elements (including those that have a higher percentage of reinforcement) were carried out; convergence between the obtained results was evaluated; conclusions were made about the issues under consideration. Research methods. Theoretical data, applied for comparison purposes, were obtained analytically (using formulas and nomograms of SP (Construction Regulations) 468.1325800.2019), experimental and calculated data were obtained in the course of concurrent experimental studies conducted at the fire testing laboratory of NRU MGSU, and numerical studies were obtained using the Abaqus PC software package. In the course of a laboratory experiment made using the loading equipment, the strength of reference concrete templates was identified, using the tensile machine to find the physical and mechanical characteristics of reinforcing steel. Next, reference concrete and reinforced concrete specimens with pre-set characteristics were made. Then temperature fields in concrete and cross sections of specimens, containing reinforced concrete, were identified using the thermocouple data. Centrally compressed concrete and reinforced concrete specimens were tested in a fire chamber at a standard fire temperature. The behaviour of concrete and reinforced concrete specimens was simulated using volumetric finite elements, having the size of up to 10 mm, and a built-in Heat Transfer Solver (Heat transfer). Temperature field distribution and fire resistance of reinforced concrete elements were analyzed at a standard fire temperature in concrete and reinforced concrete elements. Results and their discussion. The following knowledge was gained by means of this research project: convergence between temperature values at control points in concrete specimens (according to thermocouples), acceptable for practical purposes. These values were obtained in the course of experimental laboratory studies and calculations made according to current standards, which confirms the validity of the experiment; convergence between temperature values at control points in concrete specimens (according to thermocouples), acceptable for practical purposes. These values were obtained in the course of experimental laboratory studies and calculations made according to current standards, which confirms the validity of the proposed hybrid experi­ment method and the trustworthiness of the research; a great difference reaching 10 to 30 % (19.3 % on average for a group of specimens) between experimental and analytical values of fire resistance of reinforced concrete elements, which proves the hypothesis about a reduction in the heating temperature of concrete in a reinforced concrete section if the thermal influence of reinforcement is taken into account; convergence between fire resistance values (the difference is 7 to 10 %) in reinforced concrete specimens, which is acceptable for practical purposes. These values were obtained in the course of experimental laboratory studies and calculations, and their convergence proves the applicability of the proposed hybrid experi­ment method with account taken of the hypothesis about less intensive heating of concrete, if the thermal impact of reinforcement is taken into account. Conclusions. The hypothesis about a reduction in the heating temperature of concrete in the reinforced concrete section that has a high percentage of reinforcement (more than 3.5 %) was proven, taking into account the thermal influence of reinforcement. The consequence is the underestimated values of fire resistance of reinforced concrete elements, identified in accordance with a standardized approach. The applicability of the proposed hybrid experiment technique is also proven, taking into account the hypothesis about a reduction in concrete heating due to the thermal influence of reinforcement.

Research of indicators of activity and participation of disabled people living in inpatient social service institutions and families based on the provisions of the international classification of functioning, disability and health

Research of indicators of activity and participation of disabled people living in inpatient social service institutions and families based on the provisions of the international classification of functioning, disability and health

Development of early care for children and their families in the Russian Federation

Introduction. The features of the development of infrastructures, regional resource and methodological centers for early care for children and their families in the Russian Federation, the specifics of identifying children of the target group and families in need of early care services are considered.Goal: To develop scientifically based proposals for the further development of early care for children and their families in the Russian Federation.Materials and methods: Information from Federal Statistical Observation No. 1-RP "Information on early care for children of the target group" from 85 regions of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as Form No. 1 RP). General scientific methods (content analysis, analytical, system-structured, comparative, statistical) and methodological methods of systematization, comparison, generalization, interpretation using the standard Excel-7.0 software package for IBM PC are applied.The object of the study: Children from birth to three years of age who need early care services.The subject of the study: Early care services provided for children of target groups and their families in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.Results. Organizations providing early care services operate in all 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. According to statistical observation, in the period 2019–2021, there is an increase in the number of organizations providing early care services (in general, an increase of 21.4% was registered in the Russian Federation), regional resource and methodological centers of early care were established in 53 constituent entities. There is an increase in the number of organizations from the healthcare sector (by 3.8%), in the education sector (by 16.5%), in the social protection of the population (by 2.3%). Early care services for children and their families are provided in 17 constituent entities of the Russian Federation by non-governmental organizations. In the Russian Federation, 75 regional resource and methodological centers for early care for children and their families have been established in 53 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, 12 of them in the field of healthcare, 27 in education, 36 in social protection of the population. The number of children assigned to the target group in the Russian Federation amounted to 248,108 people (4% of the total number of children aged from birth to the age of three). The proportion of children in need of early care services in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2021 varies from 0.3% to 23.4%. According to the data of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as of 31.12.2021, the number of specialists providing early care services amounted to 38,484 people.Discussion. Since 2019, the constituent entities of the Russian Federation have been monitoring the state of early care for children and their families in the form of statistical observation No. 1-RP "Information on early care for children of the target group". Information is provided from 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. According to statistical observation data, as of 31.12.2021, 6429 organizations provide early care services in the Russian Federation. The formation and development of the infrastructure of early care services and the improvement of human resources are necessary conditions for the development of early care for children and their families in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. There is a positive trend in the growth of the number of specialists providing early care services. The results of the analysis of the statistical form No. 1-RP allow us to assess the state and level of development of early care for children and their families in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.Conclusions. The data from the monitoring results allow us to develop proposals for the development of early care services in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the structural and functional state of tumor cells in the secondary edematous form of breast cancer

Background. Secondary edematous form of breast cancer (SЕF BC) is the most aggressive type of BC that is characterized by rapid progression, high levels of metastasis, significant resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. SЕF BC is not just a combination of cancer and local inflammation, but is a rare phenomenon in which the development of the tumor is primary. The processes of edema and inflammation occur because of lymph flow blockage by the formation of emboli from tumor cells (TC), which have elevated levels of E-cadherin, properties of polyploid cells and show signs of stem cells. Trimodal therapy methods are used for the treatment of SЕF BC, the main components of which are neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy, surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy. However, the results of treatment remain insufficient, possibly due to the fact that the features of SЕF, the role of stem cells and inflammatory factors are not taken into account. Therefore, further research is needed in various fields of oncology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, morphology, including electron microscopy, which is an important area for establishing the characteristics of both tumor cells and their environment. Purpose. Study of the neoadjuvant polychemotherapy influence on the structural and functional state of tumor cells of different molecular subtypes in the secondary edematous form of breast cancer.
 Materials and methods. Tumors of 29 patients with normal breast cancer and 32 patients with SЕF BC were studied. Receptors to estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) and epidermal human growth factor 2 (HER2) were immunohistochemically determined before systemic neoadjuvant polychemotherapy (PCT). According to the receptor status, tumors were divided into 4 groups: 1 – triple negative («3-neg») tumors, 2 – HER2-positive («HER2») tumors, 3 – hormonally receptor («HP») tumors, 4 – tumorswith co-expression of hormonal receptors and HER2 («HR + HER2»). For polychemotherapy (PCT) the regimen (AСx4–Рx4) was used.The ultrastructure of the tumor cells (TC) was examined using standard electron microscopy methods. In all study groups, the frequency of cases with pronounced therapeutic pathomorphosis (PTPM) was determined, as well as the frequency of tumors with luminal and non-luminal symptoms after treatment. The obtained data were calculated using non-parametric methods with the software package for PC «Biostat» application and using a non-parametric criterion of the most plausible assessment of reliability for small selections (Pmp).
 Results. It was found that PCT in patients with conventional BC causes a pronounced therapeutic pathomorphosis (РТPM) of most tumors of the receptor groups «3-neg», «HER2» and «HR+HER2», compared with the group «HR», where no case of РTPM was observed. At SЕF BC the frequency of tumors with the pronounced pathomorphosis in groups with nonluminal subtypes and co-expression of receptors decreases, that for group «3-neg» is reliable. This indicates increased chemoresistance of triple negative tumors. In the group of hormone receptor tumors at SEF, this index increases significantly. Analysis of the ultrastructure of tumors of different molecular subtypes showed that most of the processes of damage and accompanying reactions to the action of PCT are identical for both forms of BC. Thus, in response to chemotherapy, different types of cell death: necrotic, dark cell, apoptotic; processes of cell nucleus damage: presence of dinuclear PCs, cells with micronuclei; disturbance of the microvessels structure: edema and condensation of the endothelial cells cytoplasm and their exfoliation; activation of phagocytosis and immune processes are observed. Only SЕF is characterized by the presence of TCs and emboli in capillaries, as well as a significantly increased frequency of giant polyploid tumor cells. It was also found that after PCT in patients with normal BC preserved tumor cells show mainly luminal signs (72.7–100%). However, in SЕF BC such reaction occurs only for hormone-receptor subtypes and the group with co-expression of receptors, whereas for tumors of three negative and HER2-positive subtypes the frequency of luminal signs is lower than in conventional BC and is 33.3%, p ≤ 0.05 and 66.7%, respectively.
 Conclusions. Peculiarities of SЕF BC in contrast to the usual form of BC are significantly reduced sensitivity of 3-negative cancer to chemotherapy and the tendency to chemoresistance of molecular subtypes with the presence of HER2; significant survival after PCT tumors with non-luminal cells characteristic in the group of 3-negative cancer, while in other receptor subtypes most tumors have luminal features; probably increased after chemotherapy the number of tumors with giant polyploid cells. It is possible that the features of SЕF BC are associated with the presence of polyploid TCs resistant to chemotherapy, and both inflammation and chemotherapy may play a role in stimulating their formation.

Presentation of COVID-19 Disease and the Impact of Patient’s Comorbidities on Its Hospital Outcome: An Observational Study in a COVID-19 Dedicated Hospital

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global pandemic that initially started in Wuhan, China, and spread exponentially across the globe infecting human being irrespective of age, sex and ethnicity. Given the nature of this virus, there is much still to be learned. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms (e.g., common cold) to more severe diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, and even death. Comorbidity is an important factor in COVID-19 pandemic outcome often leading to rapid and severe progression of the disease process, even death.
 Objective: This study was carried out to see the socio-demographic characteristics and presenting features of COVID-19 disease as well as to assess impact of comorbidities on its hospital outcome.
 Methods: This observational study was carried out in the COVID-19 dedicated hospital of Faridpur from April 2020 to September 2020 for a period of 06 month. All clinically suspected patients confirmed by RT PCR were included as cases. Data were collected by detailed history from patients then those were checked, verified for consistency and edited for result. After editing and coding, the coded data were analyzed by using the SPSS\PC software package.
 Results: A total of 627 patients were included in the study of which 552 were treated in COVID ward and 75 patients were treated in ICU. Among COVID ward admitted (552) patients 354 (64.13%) were male and 198 (35.86%) were female with a male to female ratio of 1:0.56; young adult patients (19 to 50 years) were more affected and admitted (62.86%) and people living in urban area were more affected (52.71%) than rural area (47.28%). Fever, cough and shortness of breath (63.04%, 45.47% and 42.39% respectively) were predominant symptoms. Regarding comorbidities, 44.20% patients have one or more comorbidities whereas 55.79% patients have no comorbidity. Hypertension (17.57%) was the predominant comorbid condition followed by Diabetes (15.94%), ischemic heart disease (05.61%), COAD (05.61%), CKD (2.3%), Stroke (1.44%), Heart failure (0.54%) and Cancer (0.36%). A total of 75 patients needed ICU support; most of them were elderly patients (64 out of 75). Regarding hospital outcome, 96.74% (534 out of 552) COVID ward patients and 45.34% (34 out of 75) of ICU admitted patients discharged uneventfully whereas 03.2% COVID ward patients and 54.66%of ICU admitted patients expired. Deaths were more in elderly patients (n=43; 72.88%). Common comorbidities found among the patients who expired were Hypertension, Diabetes and Ischemic heart diseases (42.37%, 37.28% and 16.94% respectively).
 Conclusion: The predominant number of patients presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath in our setting. The percentage of COVID-19 hospitalizations resulting in death remains high among elderly patients and those with one or more comorbid conditions. Therefore, elderly patients and those with comorbidities should take all necessary precautions to avoid getting infected with SARS CoV-2.

Просодический ритм в австралийском варианте английского языка (гендерный аспект)

This paper develops the concept of rhythmic classes through the approaches based on metrics designed to quantify speech rhythm. The emergence of a number of PC software packages, that considerably facilitate the analysis of a speech signal, inspired linguists to renew their interest in speech rhythm which waned when Rhythm Class Hypothesis did not prove to be supported with experimental data. New approaches to speech rhythm study are based on the so-called rhythmic metrics – the Deltas, the PVIs and those based on voice timing which are viewed as acoustic rhythmic correlates. Thus, the idea of the paper is to test within the scope of one study the validity of all the three methods using the material of Australian English. The paper also aims at analyzing rhythmical patterns of Australian English, comparing the obtained data with the results on other varieties of English and finding out whether the gender factor has any influence on Australian English speech rhythm. The evaluation of the research data testifies to the ability of each of the three methods to be quite reliable in quantifying speech-rhythm differences. The profiles of the metrics provide acoustic evidence for gender differentiation in Australian English speech rhythm with female speech being more stress-timed.

Совершенствование и развитие системы оперативного управления охраной труда и промышленной безопасностью

In modern conditions, the program of a coal enterprise development is governed primarily by the economic factors. Despite the favorable trends, the state of industrial safety in the coal industry remains dissatisfactory, and the anti-accidental stability of the Russian coal enterprises requires improvement. Reliability of functioning of any complex technical system, namely, such as the modern mine seems to be, is determined primarily by human actions. More than 50 % of accidents in the technogenic sphere are caused by the human errors, therefore the decisive role in improving reliability of modern engineering systems belongs to the professional specialization and information provision of the employee operating in the system. Based on the analysis of accidents and injuries rate, the most important tasks are assigned to: improvement of the legislative framework and normative-legal acts in the field of industrial safety; development of the integrated systems for the objective continuous monitoring of technologies and safety parameters; development and implementation in the industrial production of the integrated computer technologies in the field of industrial and occupational safety in the coal industry. State programs for the coal industry development provide for: introduction of the specialized software that allows to avoid emergency situations in the mines; systemic use of the multifunctional safety system in mining operations; management and control of the technological and production processes in both normal and emergency situations. Among these systems of the automated control of production processes is the specialized software package for pocket PC (smartphone, pad) designed for automation control over collection, processing of primary information in the electronic form.

How to calculate pseudophakic and phakic toric implants?

SummaryDifferent calculation modalities for pseudophakic and phakic toric lens implants are discussed: what are the benefits and drawbacks of formula‐based and raytracing techniques? How could we set‐up our own calculation sheet in a standard PC software package? A step‐by‐step calculation is shown in a clinical example. When do we need customized software? How can we evaluate residual refractive error after axis displacement of the toric lens implant? A list of commercial and non‐commercial online calculators for toric lenses is shown.

ITHNA.SYS: An Integrated Thermal Hydraulic and Neutronic Analyzer SYStem for NUR research reactor

This paper introduces the Integrated Thermal Hydraulic and Neutronic Analyzer SYStem (ITHNA.SYS) that has been developed for the Algerian research reactor NUR. It is used both as an operating aid tool and as a core physics engineering analysis tool.The system embeds three modules of the MTR_PC software package developed by INVAP SE: the cell calculation code WIMSD, the core calculation code CITVAP and the program TERMIC for thermal hydraulic analysis of a material testing reactor (MTR) core in forced convection.ITHNA.SYS operates both in on-line and off-line modes. In the on-line mode, the system is linked, via the computer parallel port, to the data acquisition console of the reactor control room and allows a real time monitoring of major physical and safety parameters of the NUR core.PC-based ITHNA.SYS provides a viable and convenient way of using an accumulated and often complex reactor physics stock of knowledge and frees the user from the intricacy of adequate reactor core modeling. This guaranties an accurate, though rapid, determination of a variety of neutronic and thermal hydraulic parameters of importance for the operation and safety analysis of the NUR research reactor. Instead of the several hours usually required, the processing time for the determination of such parameters is now reduced to few seconds.Validation of the system was performed with respect to experimental measurements and to calculations using reference codes.ITHNA.SYS can be easily adapted to accommodate other kinds of MTR reactors.

Hybrid-electric propulsion for automotive and aviation applications

In parallel with the automotive industry, hybrid-electric propulsion is becoming a viable alternative propulsion technology for the aviation sector and reveals potential advantages including fuel savings, lower pollution, and reduced noise emission. Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can take advantage of the synergy between two technologies by utilizing both internal combustion engines and electric motors together, each operating at their respective optimum conditions. However, there can also be disadvantages to hybrid propulsion. We are conducting an analysis of hybrid-electric propulsion for aircraft, which is looking at modelling systems over a range of aircraft scale, from small UAVs to inter-city airliners. To support the theoretical models, a mid-scale hybrid-electric propulsion system for a single-seat manned aircraft is being designed, built, and tested to generate data for validation and development of the simulation models. This paper draws parallels between the synergy of hybrid-electric propulsion for automotive and aviation applications, and presents an innovative theoretical approach integrating several desktop PC software packages to analyse and optimize hybrid-electric technology for aircraft. Our findings to date indicate that hybrid-electric propulsion can have a significant impact in the small- and mid-scale sectors, but only a minor impact in the large-scale sector assuming battery energy densities predicted for the next decade. Fuel savings of up to 50 and 10 % have been calculated for a microlight aircraft and inter-city airliner, respectively, over the mission profiles considered.

Hybrid-Electric Propulsion for Aircraft

Against a background of increasing energy demand and rising fuel prices, hybrid-electric propulsion systems have the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption in the aviation industry, particularly in the lighter sectors. By taking advantage of both electric motor and internal combustion engine, hybrid-electric propulsion systems provide not only a benefit in fuel saving but also a reduction in takeoff noise and the emission levels. This research considers the design and sizing process of a hybrid-electric propulsion system for a single-seat demonstrator aircraft, the experimental derivation of the internal combustion engine map, and the electric motor parameters. In addition to the experimental data, a novel modeling approach including several linked desktop PC software packages is presented to analyze and optimize hybrid-electric technology for aircraft. Further to the analysis of a parallel hybrid-electric, midscale aircraft, this paper also presents a scaling approach for a 20 kg unmanned aerial vehicle and a 50 ton intercity airliner. At the smaller scale, two different mission profiles are analyzed: an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission profile and a maximum-duration profile. At the larger scale, the performance of a 50 ton intercity airliner is modeled, based on a hybrid-electric gas turbine, assuming a range of electric boost powers and battery masses.

Anatomy in medical education: Perceptions of undergraduate medical students

AimThe best method to teach anatomy is widely debated. A shift away from cadaveric dissection in UK medical schools towards newer approaches has taken place without adequate evaluation of their suitability. The impact of this on future anatomical and surgical competencies is unclear. We assessed student perceptions to different methods of anatomy teaching. MethodsAll 2nd year students at Leeds School of Medicine were invited to complete a matrix-grid questionnaire. Participants were asked to score six methods of anatomy teaching (dissection; prosection; lectures; models; PC software packages; living & radiological anatomy) using a 5-point Likert-type scale on the ability to achieve nine learning objectives. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney analyses suitable for non-parametric data were used to evaluate differences in scores between teaching methods. Results170 students (71%) responded to the survey. Overall, dissection was the single highest scored method, followed by prosection. Newer approaches such as models, computer software packages and living & radiological anatomy scored comparatively worse. The most suitable method for achieving individual learning objectives was variable with dissection perceived as most suitable for four out of nine objectives. ConclusionsCadaveric dissection is a favourable approach for achieving important learning objectives in the field of anatomy. Further evaluation of teaching methods is required prior to changes being made in the curricula of UK medical schools.

Investigating Software Piracy in Jordan: An Extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action

Software piracy, the illegal and unauthorized duplication, sale, or distribution of software, is a widespread and costly phenomenon. According to Business Software Alliance (2008), over 41% of the PC software packages installed worldwide were unauthorized copies. Software piracy behavior has been investigated for more than 30 years. However, after a review of the relevant literature, there appears to be two voids in this literature: a lack of studies in non-Western countries and a scarcity of process studies. This study contributes to literature by developing a software piracy model to better understand the decision-making process that underlies this unethical behavior. The model was tested using data collected from a sample of 323 undergraduate business students. Consistent with the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), attitudes toward software piracy and subjective norms were significant predictors of intention to pirate software. Also, the results suggested that ethical ideology, public self-consciousness, and low self-control moderated the effect of these variables on intention to pirate software. The results have important practical implications for the software industry and governments hoping to curtail software piracy. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future studies are discussed as well.

Software Package To Facilitate the Preparation of Intermediate-Range Fossil Fuel Standards from Certified Reference Materials

A PC software package has been developed in Visual Basic for Applications to assist analysts in mixing fossil fuel reference materials to produce standards of intermediate concentrations. Mixing appropriate reference materials of similar matrices permits the analyst to produce needed standards over a continuous concentration range for analytes of interest. The program automates selection of optimum mixtures and calculates the concentrations and associated uncertainties of analytes in the blends. A graphical interface depicting all possible blends and an automated quality control test to monitor the process for potential problems are included.

A New PC and LabVIEW Package Based System for Electrochemical Investigations

The paper describes a new PC and LabVIEW software package based system forelectrochemical research. An overview of well known electrochemical methods, such aspotential measurements, galvanostatic and potentiostatic method, cyclic voltammetry andEIS is given. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been adapted for systemscontaining large capacitances. For signal generation and recording of the response ofinvestigated electrochemical cell, a measurement and control system was developed, basedon a PC P4. The rest of the hardware consists of a commercially available AD-DA converterand an external interface for analog signal processing. The interface is a result of authorsown research. The software platform for desired measurement methods is LabVIEW 8.2package, which is regarded as a high standard in the area of modern virtual instruments. Thedeveloped system was adjusted, tested and compared with commercially available systemand ORCAD simulation.

Determination of k0 and related nuclear data for short-lived radionuclides to be used in KAYZERO-NAA at DSM research

In order to further enhance at DSM research the capabilities and competitiveness of NAA (especially via short-time k 0–NAA supported by the KAYZERO/SOLCOI © PC-software package) as a key analytical technique, in the present work experimental measurements and evaluations have been carried out of k 0 and related nuclear data for 10 analytically important ( n,γ) reactions leading to short-lived radionuclides: 20F, 71Zn, 77mSe, 80Br, 104Rh, 109mPd, 110Ag, 124m1Sb, 179mHf and 205Hg. For 80Br, 104Rh and 124m1Sb, the branched activation/decay mechanism was taken into account.

Integrating EEG, MRI and Functional Findings in Epilepsy: multimodal software package for PC.

Integrating EEG, MRI and Functional Findings in Epilepsy: multimodal software package for PC.