The Egyptian Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ECTS - E-Journal)
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Evaluation of Thermal Uprating of Sundon Grid – Leighton Buzzard 33kV Feeders
No full textThis report evaluates the performance of the existing Jaguar conductor assuming thermal uprating to 75°C based on four different scenarios. Among these scenarios two consider no elevated temperature creep and therefore do not account for the thermal rating exceedance risk (i.e. by ignoring the 0.001% exceedance based on ENA TS P27 thermal rating standard practice and the possible ageing associated with it). The other two scenarios account for the risk of elevated temperature creep operation considered in ENA TS P27. In addition, the analysis evaluates the performance of different novel high temperature low sag (HTLS) conductors on the two Sundon Grid – Leighton Buzzard 33 kV feeders and suggests pole modifications that allow for operation up to 200°C. For all the four scenarios, poles’ modifications are suggested and maximum new current ratings of the feeders are provided
Multi-scale modelling of nuclear graphite tensile strength using the Site-Bond lattice model
No full textFailure behaviour of graphite is non-linear with global failure occurring when local micro-failures, initiated at stress-raising pores, coalesce into a critically sized crack. This behaviour can be reproduced by discrete lattices that simulate larger scale constitutive responses, derived from knowledge of microstructure features and failure mechanisms. A multi-scale modelling methodology is presented using a 3D Site-Bond lattice model. Microstructure-informed lattices of both filler and matrix constituents or ‘phases’ in Gilsocarbon nuclear graphite are used to derive their individual responses. These are based on common elastic modulus of “pore-freeâ€Â� graphite, with individual responses emerging from pore distributions in the two phases. The obtained strains compare well with experimentally obtained data and the stress-strain behaviour give insight into the deformation and damage behaviour of each phase. The responses of the filler and matrix are used as inputs to a larger scale composite lattice model of the macroscopic graphite. The calculated stress-strain composite behaviour, including modulus of elasticity and tensile strength, is comparable to experimental data reported in the literature. The outcome supports the applicability of the proposed deductive approach to the derivation of macroscopic properties
Attentional Bias Predicts Increased Reward Salience and Risk Taking in Bipolar Disorder.
No full textBACKGROUND: There is amassing evidence that risky decision-making in bipolar disorder is related to reward-based differences in frontostriatal regions. However, the roles of early attentional and later cognitive processes remain unclear, limiting theoretical understanding and development of targeted interventions. METHODS: Twenty euthymic bipolar disorder and 19 matched control participants played a Roulette task in which they won and lost money. Event-related potentials and source analysis were used to quantify predominantly sensory-attentional (N1), motivational salience (FRN), and cognitive appraisal (P300) stages of processing. We predicted that the bipolar disorder group would show increased N1, consistent with increased attentional orienting, and reduced FRN, consistent with a bias to perceive outcomes more favorably. RESULTS: As predicted, the bipolar disorder group showed increased N1 and reduced FRN but no differences in P300. N1 amplitude was additionally associated with real-life risk taking, and N1 source activity was reduced in visual cortex but increased activity in precuneus, frontopolar, and premotor cortex, compared to those of controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate an early attentional bias to reward that potentially drives risk taking by priming approach behavior and elevating reward salience in the frontostriatal pathway. Although later cognitive appraisals of these inputs may be relatively intact in remission, interventions targeting attention orienting may also be effective in long-term reduction of relapse
Trans-specialization understanding in international technology alliances: the influence of cultural distance
No full textIn the information age, the firm’s performance hinges on combining partners’ specialist knowledge to achieve value co-creation. Combining knowledge from different specialties could be a costly process in the international technology alliances (ITAs) context. We argue that the combination of different specializations requires the development of ‘trans-specialization understanding’ (TSU) instead of the internalization of partners’ specialist knowledge. This paper examines the extent to which inter-firm governance in ITAs shapes TSU, and whether the development of TSU is endangered by cultural distance. We hypothesize that relational governance, product modularity, and cultural distance influence TSU development, which in turn influences firm performance. We collected data from 110 non-equity ITAs between software and hardware firms participating in the mobile device sector. We analyzed the data using partial least squares path modeling. Our findings suggest that TSU largely depends on product modularity and relational governance in alliances. However, while cultural distance negatively moderates the path from relational governance to TSU, it has no effect on the relationship between product modularity and TSU. Based on this, we conclude that product modularity can substitute for relational governance when strong relational norms are not well-developed in international alliances. Thus, cultural distance does not invariably amount to a liability in ITAs
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation:a Novel Approach for Treating Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
No full textIn recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, a technique used to produce human central neurostimulation, has attracted increased interest and been applied experimentally in the treatment of dysphagia. This review presents a synopsis of the current research for the application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on dysphagia. Here, we review the mechanisms underlying the effects of rTMS and the results from studies on both healthy volunteers and dysphagic patients. The clinical studies on dysphagia have primarily focussed on dysphagia post-stroke. We discuss why it is difficult to draw conclusions for the efficacy of this neurostimulation technique, given the major differences between studies. The intention here is to stimulate potential research questions not yet investigated for the application of rTMS on dysphagic patients prior to their translation into clinical practice for dysphagia rehabilitation
OMERACT Filter Evidence Supporting the Measurement of At-work Productivity Loss as an Outcome Measure in Rheumatology Research.
No full textOBJECTIVE: Indicators of work role functioning (being at work, and being productive while at work) are important outcomes for persons with arthritis. As the worker productivity working group at OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology), we sought to provide an evidence base for consensus on standardized instruments to measure worker productivity [both absenteeism and at-work productivity (presenteeism) as well as critical contextual factors]. METHODS: Literature reviews and primary studies were done and reported to the OMERACT 12 (2014) meeting to build the OMERACT Filter 2.0 evidence for worker productivity outcome measurement instruments. Contextual factor domains that could have an effect on scores on worker productivity instruments were identified by nominal group techniques, and strength of influence was further assessed by literature review. RESULTS: At OMERACT 9 (2008), we identified 6 candidate measures of absenteeism, which received 94% endorsement at the plenary vote. At OMERACT 11 (2012) we received over the required minimum vote of 70% for endorsement of 2 at-work productivity loss measures. During OMERACT 12 (2014), out of 4 measures of at-work productivity loss, 3 (1 global; 2 multiitem) received support as having passed the OMERACT Filter with over 70% of the plenary vote. In addition, 3 contextual factor domains received a 95% vote to explore their validity as core contextual factors: nature of work, work accommodation, and workplace support. CONCLUSION: Our current recommendations for at-work productivity loss measures are: WALS (Workplace Activity Limitations Scale), WLQ PDmod (Work Limitations Questionnaire with modified physical demands scale), WAI (Work Ability Index), WPS (Arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey), and WPAI (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire). Our future research focus will shift to confirming core contextual factors to consider in the measurement of worker productivity
Using Collaborative Enquiry to Foster Equity in School Systems:Opportunities and barriers
No full textDrawing on experiences in England over many years, this paper explores the authors’ efforts to use collaborative inquiry in order to foster greater equity within schools. All of this is set within national policy contexts that emphasise increased school autonomy, competition, and accountability as central improvement strategies. It is argued that whilst such contexts create worrying challenges in relation to equity, they also open up new opportunities for moving forward. The paper concludes that national policies have to foster greater flexibility at the local level, so that practitioners have the space to analyse their particular circumstances and determine priorities accordingly