Displacement damage dose analysis of the output characteristics of In0.5Ga0.5P and Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 solar cells irradiated with alpha ray simulated helium ions

To investigate applicability of radiation-hard indium–gallium–phosphide (InGaP) and copper–indium–gallium–sulfide–selenide (CIGS) solar cells to dosimeter devices without any modification, we irradiated high-energy He+ ions, which were simulated α-ray particles, to an InGaP and a CIGS solar cell. We found that both types of solar cells have sufficient resistance to He+ ions. By using displacement damage dose (DDD) analysis, the obtained He+ ion-induced degradation trends were compared with those induced by high-energy electrons, and we found that the degradation trends due to He+-ions, electrons, and protons aligned on the same curve when we plotted the data as a function of a modified DDD conversion equation, which originally was applied to space solar cells. The obtained DDD formulas enable us to predict the device lifetime or correction of an output signal for degradation when such solar cells are employed as a dosimeter.

Validation of a novel system to assess end-expiratory lung volume and alveolar recruitment in an ARDS model

Background Personalizing mechanical ventilation requires the development of reliable bedside monitoring techniques. The multiple-breaths nitrogen washin–washout (MBNW) technique is currently available to measure end-expiratory lung volume (EELVMBNW), but the precision of the technique may be poor, with percentage errors ranging from 28 to 57%. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of a novel MBNW bedside system using fast mainstream sensors to assess EELV in an experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model, using computed tomography (CT) as the gold standard. The secondary aims of the study were: (1) to evaluate trending ability of the novel system to assess EELV; (2) to evaluate the reliability of estimated alveolar recruitment induced by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) changes computed from EELVMBNW, using CT as the gold standard. Results Seven pigs were studied in 6 experimental conditions: at baseline, after experimental ARDS and during a decremental PEEP trial at PEEP 16, 12, 6 and 2 cmH2O. EELV was computed at each PEEP step by both the MBNW technique (EELVMBNW) and CT (EELVCT). Repeatability was assessed by performing replicate measurements. Alveolar recruitment between two consecutive PEEP levels after lung injury was measured with CT (VrecCT), and computed from EELV measurements (VrecMBNW) as ΔEELV minus the product of ΔPEEP by static compliance. EELVMBNW and EELVCT were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.97). An acceptable non-constant bias between methods was identified, slightly decreasing toward more negative values as EELV increased. The conversion equation between EELVMBNW and EELVCT was: EELVMBNW = 0.92 × EELVCT + 36. The 95% prediction interval of the bias amounted to ± 86 mL and the percentage error between both methods amounted to 13.7%. The median least significant change between repeated measurements amounted to 8% [CI95%: 4–10%]. EELVMBNW adequately tracked EELVCT changes over time (concordance rate amounting to 100% [CI95%: 87%–100%] and angular bias amounting to − 2° ± 10°). VrecMBNW and VrecCT were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.92). A non-constant bias between methods was identified, slightly increasing toward more positive values as Vrec increased. Conclusions We report a new bedside MBNW technique that reliably assesses EELV in an experimental ARDS model with high precision and excellent trending ability.

Web-based macroseismic intensity study in Turkey – entries on Ekşi Sözlük

Ekşi Sözlük is one of the most visited websites in Turkey. Registered users of the website share their knowledge about any topic. In this study, we collect the user entries on the topic of 20 earthquakes in Turkey and the surrounding area. Entries with city and district level information are converted to intensity values. Shake maps of the earthquakes are created by using a ground motion to intensity conversion equation. User entries and created shake maps are compared. It is found that entries correlate with the predicted intensities. It is also found that local soil conditions and building types have an amplifier effect on entries on the website. Several entries on the earthquake topics have magnitude estimations. The difference between predicted and observed intensities also varies with distance. Users are able to predict the magnitudes of the earthquakes with ±0.54 misfit. This study shows that Ekşi Sözlük has the potential to be a reliable source of macroseismic intensity for the earthquakes in Turkey if the felt reports are collected with a predetermined format.

Extended Comparison Study a mong lab-Tested HbA1C, ADA’s eGA HbA1C Conversion Model, and eclaireMD HbA1C Prediction Model based on lower Bound and Higher Bound of Measured Glucoses Using GH-Method: Math-Physical Medicine (No. 341)

This paper describes the author’s extended study regarding American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently recommended estimated average glucose (eAG) equation. He conducts a rational range analysis with lower bound and higher bound of different HbA1C values for type 2 diabetes (T2D) conditions by using glucoses collected via finger-piercing test strip method (Finger) and continuous glucose monitoring sensor (CGM Sensor). This study also includes his developed eclaireMD mathematical model of predicted HbA1C and A1C value calculated using the ADA’s eAG A1C conversion equation

Comparison of Macular Thickness Measurements Using Swept-Source and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Healthy and Diabetic Subjects

PurposeTo compare macular thicknesses measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) in normal subjects, diabetics with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetics without DR (NDR).MethodsWe analysed 510 normal eyes, 741 NDR eyes and 209 DR eyes. Mean macular thicknesses in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfields, central point thicknesses (CPT), and macular volume were measured by SS-OCT and SD-OCT. We assessed agreement between SS-OCT and SD-OCT measurements by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots, and established a conversion equation relating central subfield (CSF), CPT and macular volume between the two devices.ResultsMacular thickness measurements by SS-OCT were significantly thinner than those by SD-OCT. The mean CSF thickness in normal eyes measured by SD-OCT and SS-OCT were 226.6 ± 19.1 μm (male 236.1 ± 19.1 μm vs female 223.0 ± 17.9 μm, p < 0.0001) and 258.4 ± 19.8 μm. In all three groups, the agreement between SS-OCT and SD-OCT was excellent (all ICC ≥ 0.866). For CSF the conversion equation SD-OCT = 31.95 + 0.999 × SS-OCT was derived. Using the equation, with 99.6% and 97.6% of the predicted values for CSF fell within 10% of the actual measurements in DR and NDR eyes, respectively.ConclusionWe propose SS-OCT CSF thicknesses of 275 μm for males and 260 μm for females as the minimum criteria for macular edema in Chinese eyes. And SS-OCT measurements were significantly thinner than those of SD-OCT, we derived an equation to convert SS-OCT measurements to SD-OCT equivalents.

Web-based macroseismic intensity study in Turkey: entries in Ekşi Sözlük

Ekşi Sözlük is one of the most visited websites in Turkey. Registered users of the website share their knowledge about any topic on an internet forum-like environment. In this study, we collect the user entries on the topics of 20 earthquakes in Turkey and the surrounding area. Entries with city and district level information are converted to intensity values. Shape maps of the earthquakes are created by using a ground motion to intensity conversion equation. User entries and created shake maps are compared. It is found that entries correlate with the predicted intensities. It is also found that local soil conditions and building types have an amplifier effect on entries in the web site. Several entries in the earthquake topics have magnitude estimations. Difference between predicted and observed intensities also vary with distance. Users are able to predict the magnitudes of the earthquakes with ±0.54 misfit. This study shows that Ekşi Sözlük has a potential to be a reliable source of macroseismic intensity for the earthquakes in Turkey, if the felt reports have been collected with a predetermined format.

Near-Field Ground Motions and Shaking from the 2019 Mw 7.1 Ridgecrest, California, Mainshock: Insights from Instrumental, Macroseismic Intensity, and Remote-Sensing Data

ABSTRACT Shaking from the 6 July 2019 Mw 7.1 Ridgecrest, California, mainshock was strongly felt through southern California, but generated relatively minimal structural damage in Ridgecrest. We consider the extent to which a damage proxy map (DPM) generated from satellite-based Synthetic Aperture Radar images can detect minor damage throughout the town of Ridgecrest. The DPM does not, as expected, detect all minor structural damage to individual structures, nor can it distinguish between structural damage and earthquake-related movement that is not consequential. However, the DPM does confirm many instances of minor structural damage to larger structures and groups of smaller structures and in some instances suggests minor structural damage that is not apparent upon visual inspection. Although ambiguous identification of minor damage may not be useful to guide earthquake response, the identification of minor, possibly hidden damage is potentially useful for other purposes. Overall, the DPM confirms that structural damage was commensurate with modified Mercalli intensity no higher than 7 throughout Ridgecrest. We consider both instrumental and intensity data to explore further the distribution of near-field ground motions over the frequency range of engineering concern. Peak ground accelerations and peak ground velocities estimated from “Did You Feel It?” intensity data using the Worden et al. (2012) ground-motion intensity conversion equation (GMICE) are consistent with recorded instrumental data. Both instrumental and estimated mainshock peak accelerations are further consistent with predictions from both the Boore et al. (2014) ground-motion prediction equation (GMPE), but lower than predicted by the Atkinson and Wald (2007) and Atkinson et al. (2014) intensity prediction equations (IPEs). A GMPE such as Boore et al. (2014), which is constrained by a large global dataset, together with a well-constrained GMICE, may thus characterize expected shaking intensities for large earthquakes better than an IPE based on more limited intensity data.

Flat Model for Representing Contiguous UTM Coordinates over Iraq Territory

The process of converting coordinates is, still, considered an important and difficult issue due to the way of conversion from geographic ellipsoidal system to the projected flat system. The most common method uses contiguous UTM system as one of the most accurate systems in the conversion process, but the users of thesystem face problems related to contiguity, especially at the large areas that lie within more than one zone. The aim of the present research is to solve the problem related to the multiple zones coverage found in the Iraqi territory using a mathematical model based on the use of Taylor series. The most accurate conversion equation used in this paper was based on the 4th order polynomial of two variables. The calculation of equations’ coefficients was performed using least square criterion for the coordinate’s values, i.e., either latitude, longitude) or East (E), North (N) coordinates. The two basic determinations, for the forward and backward, wereapplied. In the first stages, the conversion of the coordinates from Longitude/ Latitude to East/ North was determined. Then, the second conversion stage was determined, i.e., the coordinates conversion from East, North to Longitude, Latitude). For each phase, a spatial accuracy assessment was conducted. The resultsshowed that the adopted mathematical model was successful to accomplish the conversion process. A very small error average of about 3 cm at east and less than 5 cm at north was reached using the 4th order polynomial equations.

PROMIS-29 Validity and Conversion Equation to Neck Disability Index (NDI) using a National Sample of Cervical Spine Surgery Patients

INTRODUCTION Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs) have become a vital tool for evaluating success of spine surgery. The purpose was to examine the validity of the PROMIS-29 to better understand it's use for cervical spine surgery patients. A secondary objective was to calculate a conversion equation between PROMIS-29 and NDI, to allow researchers and clinicians to determine a predicted NDI. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected national registry data, the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD), which is designed to evaluate risk-adjusted outcomes for the most commonly performed spinal surgical procedures. We queried the QOD registry for patients with PROMIS-29 and NDI responses. Of 619 patients, 41% were female, 87% Caucasian, and 13% had revision surgery. The mean age was 58 yr (SD = 12). Validity of the PROMIS-29 was assessed using Cronbach's a, ceiling/floor effects, and principle axis factoring. Multivariable regression predicting NDI scores from PROMIS-29 domains used data from all three timepoints. Predicted NDI scores, derived from PROMIS-29 domains, were plotted against NDI scores to determine how well PROMIS-29 domains predicted NDI. A conversion equation was created from PROMIS regression coefficients. RESULTS Results showed good reliability (Cronbach's a >0.80) and validity of PROMIS-29 in patients undergoing cervical surgery: convergent (r > 0.65) and discriminant (r = 0.49-0.63) validity, low/high floor/ceiling effects (=2%), and unidimensional domains (factor loading >0.64). The conversion equation used 6 PROMIS-29 domains (NDIpercent = 7.928-0.527*[PFraw] + 1.570*[PAINraw] +0.995*[SDraw] + 1.101[PIraw] + 0.392[Fatigueraw] 0.409 [SRraw]). Correlations between predicted and actual NDI scores at each timepoint were: r = 0.84 at baseline, r = 0.76 at 3 mo, and r = 0.84 at 12 mo, suggesting that the equation predicted NDI-scores that are strongly correlated with actual NDI-scores. CONCLUSION Good reliability and validity support the use of PROMIS-29 in cervical surgery patients. Findings suggest accurate NDI score can be derived from PROMIS-29 domains. These results support the idea that PROMIS-29 domains have the potential to replace disease-specific traditional PROMs like NDI.

Dynamical Control Model of the Cascaded Kainji-Jebba Hydropower Operating Head

Operation and design of control system for the cascaded Kainji-Jebba hydropower system poses a great challenge to researchers and engineers. The difficulties arose from the fact that the system is affected by several nonlinear interacting factors such as variations in inflows, stochastic factors that are weather related, availability of the turbo-alternators, and numerous other constraints that are influenced by the system dynamics. All these makes the mathematical representation of the system difficult. This paper presents the development of a dynamical model for the operation and optimal control of the operating heads of the cascaded system. The mathematical models were developed from energy conversion equation and Bernoulli’s equation. The model was calibrated and tuned using measured data. Upon validation by comparing the response of the model with measured head, a deviation within was observed, making it a good prediction of the system response and appropriate for control system design. Keywords— Control model, Discharge, inflows, Operating head, Turbo-alternators