Ultra Long Research Articles

An Ultra High Resolution Positioning Algorithm for Satellite Ultra Long Duration Data Based on Synthetic Aperture Technique

An Ultra High Resolution Positioning Algorithm for Satellite Ultra Long Duration Data Based on Synthetic Aperture Technique

Structural Diversity in Antiosteolytic Bisphosphonates: Deciphering Structure-Activity Trends in Ultra Long Controlled Release Phenomena.

Bisphosphonate (BP)-based treatments have been extensively prescribed for bone-related conditions, particularly for osteoporosis. Their low bioavailability creates the need for prescribed dosage increase to reach therapeutic levels but generates a plethora of undesirable side effects. A viable approach to alleviating these issues is to design and exploit controlled release strategies. Herein, the controlled release profiles of 15 structurally characterized BPs (actual drugs and structural analogs) were thoroughly studied from tablets containing three (cellulose, lactose, and silica) or two (cellulose, and silica) excipients in human stomach-simulated pH conditions. The BPs were of two types, alkyl-BPs and amino-BPs. Alkyl-BPs included four derivatives of etidronate (acid, disodium, tetra-sodium, and monopotassium forms), medronic acid, and three analogs of etidronate, in which the -CH3 group was replaced by the moieties -H, -CH2CH2CH3, and -CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3. Amino-BPs included the commercial drugs pamidronate, alendronate, neridronate, and ibandronate, as well as three analog compounds. Release curves were constructed based on data taken from 1H NMR peak integration and were expressed as "% BP release" vs time. The controlled release profiles (initial release rate, plateau value, etc.) were correlated with certain structural features (number of hydrogen and metal-oxygen bonds), showing that the molecular and crystal lattice features of each BP profoundly influence its release characteristics. It was concluded that for all BPs, in general, the initial rate became lower as the total number of lattice interactions increased. For the alkyl-BPs elongation of the alkyl side chain seems to decelerate the release. Amino-BPs, in general, show slower release than the alkyl-BPs. No adverse effects of alkyl- and amino-BP drugs on NIH3T3 cell viability were noted.

Towards achieving a haemophilia-free mind.

Towards achieving a haemophilia-free mind.

Creep Control and Construction Technology for Laying Ballastless Tracks on a 420m Ultra Long Span High-speed Railway Cable-stayed Bridge

Creep Control and Construction Technology for Laying Ballastless Tracks on a 420m Ultra Long Span High-speed Railway Cable-stayed Bridge

Predictors of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheter failure: A secondary analysis of existing trial data.

Ultrasound-guided (US) peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) have a high failure rate with many failing prior to completion of therapy. Risk factors associated with catheter failure are poorly delineated. This study aimed to assess risk factors related to catheter failure including patient, procedure, catheter, and vein characteristics to further elucidate which variables may impact catheter longevity. This was a secondary analysis using an existing trial dataset that primarily compared survival of two catheters: a standard long (SL) and an ultra-long (UL) US PIVC. Adult emergency room patients with difficult intravenous access at a tertiary care suburban academic center were study participants. Kaplan-Meier was employed to estimate the median catheter survival time. Cox regression univariable and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate the primary outcome of catheter survival. Among 257 subjects, 63% of PIVCs survived until completion of therapy. In a multivariable Cox regression model, length of catheter in vein >2.75 cm (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-0.90, p = 0.01) was associated with improved survival. First stick success decreased the risk of catheter failure (aHR 0.68, 95% CI 0.44-1.06, p = 0.09) but was not statistically significant. Factors associated with the increased risk of catheter failure included: depth of vein >1.2 cm (aHR 1.68, 95% CI 1.06-2.66, p = 0.03) and PIVC placement in right extremity (aHR 1.64, 95% CI 1.07-2.51, p = 0.02). This study demonstrated that catheter length in vein (>2.75 cm) was associated with improved US PIVC survival highlighting the value of longer catheters in US PIVC survival. Choosing targets in the non-dominant extremity with shallower depths (⩽1.2 cm) may also increase catheter survival.

Ultra Long Period Cepheids: Observation and Theory

Ultra Long Period Cepheids are becoming a very interesting and important topic thanks to the contribution that they can give to understanding the current tension existing between the early-universe and local Hubble constant measurements. These bright pulsating variables are observable up to cosmological distances (larger than 100 Mpc) allowing us, in principle, to measure the Hubble constant without the need for secondary indicators, thus reducing the possible systematic errors in the calibration of the extragalactic distance scale. The Ultra Long Period Cepheids also represent a useful tool for obtaining information on the star formation history of the host galaxy and a challenge for the evolutionary and pulsational models, particularly in the very metal poor regime. In this paper, the largest known ULP sample, consisting of 72 objects, including 10 new candidates, is analyzed to give an observational and theoretical overview of their role as distance indicators and of their evolutionary properties.

Vesicant infusates are not associated with ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheter failure: A secondary analysis of existing data.

Intravenous vesicants are commonly infused via peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) despite guidelines recommending administration via central route. The impact of these medications on PIVC failure is unclear. We aimed to assess dose-related impact of these caustic medications on ultrasound-guided (US) PIVC survivorship. We performed a secondary analysis of a randomized control trial that compared survival of two catheters: a standard long (SL) and an ultra-long (UL) US PIVC. This study involved reviewing and recording all vesicants infusions through the PIVCs. Type and number of vesicants doses were extracted and characterized as one, two or multiple. The most commonly used vesicants were individually categorized for further analysis. The primary outcome was PIVC failure accounting for use and timing of vesicant infusates. Between October 2018 and March 2019, 257 subjects were randomized with 131 in the UL group and 126 in the SL group. Vesicants were infused in 96 (37.4%) out of 257 study participants. In multivariable time-dependent extended Cox regression analysis, there was no significant increased risk of failure due to vesicant use [adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 1.71 (95% CI 0.76-1.81) p = 0.477]. The number of vesicant doses was not significantly associated with the increased risk of PIVC failure [(1 vs 0) aHR 1.20 (95% CI 0.71-2.02) p = 0.500], [(2 vs 0) aHR 1.51 (95% CI 0.67-3.43) p = 0.320] and [(≥ 3 vs 0) aHR 0.98 (95% CI 0.50-1.92) p = 0.952]. Vesicant usage did not significantly increase the risk of PIVC failure even when multiple doses were needed in this investigation. Ultrasound-guided PIVCs represent a pragmatic option when vesicant therapy is anticipated. Nevertheless, it is notable that overall PIVC failure rates remain high and other safety events related to vesicant use should be considered when clinicians make vascular access decisions for patients.

307 Looking at vitiligo from the skin barrier point of view

Vitiligo (VTG) is increasingly regarded as affecting the entire skin. Recently, keratinocytes have been indicated as key players in VTG being able to produce pro-inflammatory mediators involved in the immune response. Moreover, alterations in stratum corneum (SC) thickness as well as in the expression of genes participating in keratinocyte differentiation and cornification, have been observed in VTG lesional skin. To evaluate possible abnormalities of the skin barrier in non-lesional VTG skin, SC was collected from the forearm of 50 healthy subjects (HS) and 57 VTG patients. SC lipid signature was obtained by a lipidomic approach combining GC-MS and LC-MS profiles of the different lipid classes such as cholesterol (CH) and cholesterol sulfate (CHS), free fatty acids (FFAs), and ceramides (CERs). Heatmaps were employed to display the individual profiles as well as the VTG and HS mediated data. Score and loadings plots generated by ASCA analysis were utilized to evaluate significant differences in SC lipid composition. The data obtained demonstrated a higher content of FFAs in VTG in comparison to HS. Moreover, the FFAs relative composition highlighted the increase in the unsaturated fraction and the decrease of C26:0, a fatty acid with Ultra Long Chain length (ULC). VTG showed a general content reduction of CERs statistically significant for CER[NP], CER[AP], CER[AS], and CER[NDS] subclasses. Furthermore, we observed a relevant different distribution of fatty acids contained in CERs with ULC fatty acids significantly reduced in VTG patients. CH and CHS amounts resulted higher in VTG compared with HS. Overall, the data revealed remarkable differences in VTG SC lipid composition as demonstrated by the PCA plot, which allowed to separate HS from VTG. The altered ratio between CERs, FFAs, CH, and CHS may represent an index of the impairment to develop a fully-competent skin barrier in VTG, thus creating a local pro-inflammatory milieu potentially able to trigger the immune response.

New insights into the use of Ultra Long Period Cepheids as cosmological standard candles

ABSTRACT Ultra Long Period Cepheids (ULPs) are pulsating variable stars with a period longer than 80 d and have been hypothesized to be the extension of the Classical Cepheids (CCs) at higher masses and luminosities. If confirmed as standard candles, their intrinsic luminosities, ∼1 to ∼3 mag brighter than typical CCs, would allow to reach the Hubble flow and, in turn, to determine the Hubble constant, H0, in one step, avoiding the uncertainties associated with the calibration of primary and secondary indicators. To investigate the accuracy of ULPs as cosmological standard candles, we first collect all the ULPs known in the literature. The resulting sample includes 63 objects with a very large metallicity spread with 12 + log ([O/H]) ranging from 7.2 to 9.2 dex. The analysis of their properties in the VI period–Wesenheit plane and in the colour–magnitude diagram (CMD) supports the hypothesis that the ULPs are the extension of CCs at longer periods, higher masses and luminosities, even if, additional accurate and homogeneous data and a devoted theoretical scenario are needed to get firm conclusions. Finally, the three M31 ULPs, 8-0326, 8-1498, and H42, are investigated in more detail. For 8-1498 and H42, we cannot confirm their nature as ULPs, due to the inconsistency between their position in the CMD and the measured periods. For 8-0326, the light curve model fitting technique applied to the available time-series data allows us to constrain its intrinsic stellar parameters, distance, and reddening.

Ultra Long-Haul: An emerging business model accelerated by COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak has sent shockwaves throughout the aviation industry, sending a myriad of liquidity-strapped airlines into administration or part government ownership. In turn, this paper argues that the novel phenomenon of Ultra Long Haul (ULH) operations already maintains the necessary characteristics to generate a competitive advantage that will not only succeed, but outperform other business models, in a post COVID-19 era. Our modelling and scenario analysis results suggest that point-to-point ULH services, with access to a strong domestic feeder system, will not only require minimal adjustments to cope with COVID-19, but will simultaneously produce higher seat-load factors and yields, heightened network flexibility, and unique health benefits tied to its ability to bypass densely populated hub airports.

Infrasound and Gravity Waves Over the Andes Observed by a Pressure Sensor on Board a Stratospheric Balloon

AbstractThe study of infrasound (acoustic) and gravity waves sources and propagation in the atmosphere of a planet gives us precious insight on atmosphere dynamics, climate, and even internal structure. The implementation of modern pressure sensors with high rate sampling on stratospheric balloons is improving their study. We analyzed the data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ultra Long Duration Balloon mission (16 May to 30 June 2016). Here, we focus on the balloon's transit of the Andes Mountains. We detected gravity waves that are associated to troposphere convective activity and mountain waves. An increase of the horizontal wavelengths from 50 to 70 km with increasing distance to the mountains is favoring the presence of mountain waves. We also report on the detection of infrasounds generated by the mountains in the 0.01–0.1 Hz range with a pressure amplitude increase by a factor 2 relative background signal. Besides, we characterized the decrease of microbaroms power when the balloon was flying away from the ocean coast. These observations suggest, in a way similar to microseisms for seismometers, that microbaroms are the main background noise sources recorded in the stratosphere even far from the ocean sources. Finally, we observed a broadband signal above the Andes, between 0.45 and 2 Hz, probably associated with a thunderstorm. The diversity of geophysical phenomena captured in less than a day of observation stresses the interest of high rate pressure sensors on board long‐duration balloon missions.

346 Ultra Long Versus Standard Long Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound-Guided Catheter Survival

Ultrasound-guided intravenous (IV) catheters have dismal dwell time with most IVs failing prior to completion of therapy. Catheter length in vein is a variable directly related to catheter survival. We investigate the survival of an ultra long peripheral IV compared to standard long peripheral IV placed under ultrasound (US)-guidance. We conducted a single site, 2-arm, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial of catheter survival. Adult patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a history of difficult vascular access were recruited to participate. Patients were randomized to receive either a standard long 4.78 cm length 20 gauge US-guided IV catheter or the intervention ultra long 6.35 cm length 20 gauge US-guided IV catheter. The primary outcome was catheter survival. All functional catheters removed with less than 24 hours dwell time were excluded from the survival analysis. Any catheter failure regardless of dwell time was included in the survival analysis. Secondary outcomes included evaluation of insertion parameters including first-stick success and time to insertion as well as complications including thrombosis and infection. 270 patients were enrolled. 194 patients were included in the survival analysis with 99 in the standard long IV group and 95 in the ultra long IV group. Kaplan-Meier estimate of catheter median survival time was 135.88 hours (5.66 days) [95% CI 115-310] for the ultra long IV catheters compared to 77.67 hours (3.23 days) [95% CI 63-102] for the standard long IV catheters (Log-rank Test: p = 0.008). IVs with greater than 3.1 cm of the catheter residing in vein had a median survival of 128.90 hours (5.37 days) [95% CI 96-504] compared to 76.55 hours (3.18 days) [95% CI 63-115] for IVs with less than 3.1 cm in the vein (p=0.04). This study supports the use of ultra long IV catheters over the standard length options for upper arm insertions as these catheters have a favorable survival profile for difficult access ED patients. The improved survival is related to the amount of catheter residing in the vein with greater than 3.1 cm catheter in vein yielding the best longevity. Further, as ultra long catheters have similar insertion characteristics and no additional education/training is needed for insertion competency, adoption of these catheters can occur seamlessly at any ED.

The Engagement of Hybrid Dispersion Compensation Schemes Performance Signature for Ultra Wide Bandwidth and Ultra Long Haul Optical Transmission Systems

This paper presents the performance signature of the engagement of hybrid symmetrical hybrid compensation techniques for ultra wide bandwidth and ultra long haul optical transmission systems. These schemes that are namely optigrating, ideal dispersion compensation fiber Bragg Grating (IDCFBG), and dispersion compensation fiber (DCF). The combination of mixing these techniques together which is called hybrid symmetrical dispersion compensation techniques in that case. The employment of these mixing schemes is in symmetrical configuration with the presence of Erbium doped fiber amplifiers in order to upgrade optical fiber system capacity to reach transmission distance up to 432 km and transmission data rate up to 320 Gb/s. Maximum signal quality factor, minimum bit error rate (BER), output optical signal to noise ratio, electrical received power after APD photodetector, noise figure, and gain are the major interesting performance parameters for measuring the system operation efficiency. It is observed that the optimum case for maximum quality factor and minimum BER is achieved with 15 m EDFA amplifier length and 150 mW EDFA pump power.

Ultra Long versus Standard Long Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound-Guided Catheter Survival

Background: Ultrasound-guided intravenous (US-IV) peripheral catheters have dismal dwell time with most IVs failing prior to completion of therapy. Catheter length in vein is a variable directly related to catheter longevity. We investigate the survival of an ultra long (UL) US-IV compared to a standard long (SL) US-IV. Methods: We conducted a single site, 2-arm, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial of catheter survival. Adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with difficult vascular access were recruited and randomized to receive either SL 4.78 cm 20 gauge US-IV or UL 6.35 cm 20 gauge US-IV. The primary outcome was catheter survival. Functional catheters removed with less than 24 hours dwell time were excluded per protocol analysis. Secondary outcomes included: first-stick success, time to insertion, number of attempts, thrombosis and infection. Findings: 270 patients were enrolled between October 2018 and March 2019.194 patients met study criteria, with 99 in the SL US-IV group and 95 in the UL US-IV group. Kaplan-Meier estimate of catheter median survival time was 135.88 hours (5.66 days) [95%CI 115-310] for the UL US-IVs compared to 77.67 hours (3.23 days) [95%CI 63-102] for the SL US-IVs(p = 0.008). IVs with greater than 2.75 cm of the catheter situated in the vein lumen had a median survival of 128.90 hours (5.37 days) [95%CI 102-210] compared to 75.05 hours (3.12days) [95%CI 52-116] for IVs with ≤ 2.75 cm in the vein(p=0.006). There were no cases of catheter-related bloodstream infection or thrombosis. Interpretation: This study demonstrates increased catheter survival when >2.75 cm is situated in the vessel. UL US-IV catheters facilitate establishing this cutoff length at commonly encountered vessel depths. Further, as UL catheters have similar insertion characteristics and no additional education/training is needed for insertion competency, adoption of these catheters can occur seamlessly. Trial Registration: The trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03655106 and is closed to recruitment. Funding Statement: B. Braun Medical, Inc. Declaration of Interests: Dr. Bahl reports grants from B Braun Medical, Inc, during the conduct of the study. All other authors declare none. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the home institution Internal Review Board.

초장행정 저속 디젤엔진의 종진동 해석 모델 및 진동 특성

초장행정 저속 디젤엔진의 종진동 해석 모델 및 진동 특성

Research and Design of Ultra Long Ultrasonic Horn

Research and Design of Ultra Long Ultrasonic Horn

Quick, Easy, and Economic Mineralogical Studies of Flooded Chalk for EOR Experiments Using Raman Spectroscopy

Understanding the chalk-fluid interactions and the associated mineralogical and mechanical alterations on a sub-micron scale are major goals in Enhanced Oil Recovery. Mechanical strength, porosity, and permeability of chalk are linked to mineral dissolution that occurs during brine injections, and affect the reservoir potential. This paper presents a novel “single grain” methodology to recognize the varieties of carbonates in rocks and loose sediments: Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive, quick, and user-friendly technique representing a powerful tool to identify minerals down to 1 µm. An innovative working technique for oil exploration is proposed, as the mineralogy of micron-sized crystals grown in two flooded chalk samples (Liége, Belgium) was successfully investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The drilled chalk cores were flooded with MgCl2 for ca. 1.5 (Long Term Test) and 3 years (Ultra Long Term Test) under North Sea reservoir conditions (Long Term Test: 130 °C, 1 PV/day, 9.3 MPa effective stress; Ultra Long Term Test: 130 °C, varying between 1–3 PV/day, 10.4 MPa effective stress). Raman spectroscopy was able to identify the presence of recrystallized magnesite along the core of the Long Term Test up to 4 cm from the injection surface, down to the crystal size of 1–2 µm. In the Ultra Long Term Test core, the growth of MgCO3 affected nearly the entire core (7 cm). In both samples, no dolomite or high-magnesium calcite secondary growth could be detected when analysing 557 and 90 Raman spectra on the Long and Ultra Long Term Test, respectively. This study can offer Raman spectroscopy as a breakthrough tool in petroleum exploration of unconventional reservoirs, due to its quickness, spatial resolution, and non-destructive acquisition of data. These characteristics would encourage its use coupled with electron microscopes and energy dispersive systems or even electron microprobe studies.

On the Ultra Long Propagation of Felt Ground Motion Due to the M w 8.3 Deep-Focus Sea-of-Okhotsk Earthquake of May 24, 2013

This study uses macroseismic data and wave equations to solve the problem of ultra long propagation of felt ground motion (over 9000 km from the epicenter) due to the Sea-of-Okhotsk earthquake. We show that the principal mechanism of this phenomenon could be excitation of a previously unknown standing radial wave as a mode of the Earth’s free oscillations, 0S0, due to the superposition of an incident and a reflected spherical P wave in the epicentral area of the Sea-of-Okhotsk earthquake. The standing wave generates slowly attenuating P waves that travel over the earth’s surface that act as carrying waves; when superposed on these, direct body waves acquire the ability to travel over great distances. We show previously unknown parameters of the radial mode 0S0 for the initial phase of earth deformation due to the large deep-focus earthquake. We used data on the Sea-of-Okhotsk and Bolivian earthquakes to show that large deep-focus earthquakes can excite free oscillations of the Earth that are not only recorded by instrumental means, but are also felt by people, with the amplification of the macroseismic effect being directly related to the phenomenon of resonance for multistory buildings.

Amorphous Cu2-δO as Passivation Layer for Ultra Long Stability of Copper Oxide Nanowires in Photoelectrochemical Environments

Core-shell CuO-Cu2O nanowires with a surface amorphous Cu2-δO layer leads to high stability photocathodes for use in photoelectrochemical splitting of water. The nanowires are synthesized via carbothermal reduction of CuO nanowires at 300°C during which a 2–3 nm conformal and amorphous Cu2-δO layer is formed on the nanowire surface. This Cu2-δO layer enhances photocurrent and improves photocorrosion stability of the nanowires. While catalyst-free, pristine CuO nanowires show a photocurrent density is 0.50 mA/cm2 and a stability of 53% after 3.4 hours of testing at −0.50 V under AM1.5 G conditions; the catalyst-free, carbothermally reduced nanowires achieve a photocurrent density of 0.75 mA/cm2 and an improved stability of 96% under identical test conditions. The mechanism of enhanced photocurrent and its stability is discussed in the context of extensive pre and post test nanowire characterization.

Effective EEDI Performance Achievement by MAN B and W G-Type Ultra Long Stroke Marine Diesel Engine: A Review

Man Diesel and Turbo G-Type ultra long stroke marine diesel engine was introduced in October 2010.This ultra long stroke means it has been designed to have reduced engine speeds and there by achieving high efficiency ships with reduced fuel consumption as well as reduced CO2 emissions. The ultra long stroke diesel engine with capability of using large size propeller and there by engines with comparatively low speeds can be used for propulsions of large bulk carriers and oil tankers. This arrangement facilitates the effective implementation of EEDI. In this paper we review the effectiveness of this engine in implementation and achievement of EEDI and thereby achieving reduced CO2 emissions. In this paper, we also study the selection of propeller sizes to achieve the optimum design ship speeds and thereby comply with EEDI requirements.