OPTIMIZATION OF CUT BRAKING MODES ON THE GRAVITY HUMP

Purpose. At the stage of development of modern information systems for controlling the process of breaking up trains on the humps, the main task is to determine such conditions for cuts' rolling, under which the established safety requirements for breaking up, as well as the requirements for the safety of wagons and cargo in them, are fulfilled. The determination of such rolling modes is undoubtedly a rather complex optimization problem, the solution of which is being addressed by a large number of scientists. In this regard, it can be considered that this problem remains relevant, therefore, the purpose of this research work is to determine such modes of braking of cuts of the train, which ensure their reliable separation when rolling from the top of the hill to the sorting tracks. Methodology. To carry out research on the process of dismantling trains on the hump, the method of simulation was used, and to search for the braking modes of the cuts of the calculation group, the Box complex method was used. Findings. The conditions for separating cuts of the calculated group of the train were investigated, and an iterative procedure was developed to optimize the braking modes of all the cuts of the train, which makes it possible to ensure the maximum value of the minimum interval in the calculated group. In this case, the specified procedure takes into account the intervals between the cuts, both on the arrows and on the retarders of the brake positions of the downhill part of the hill. Originality. It has been established in the work that when determining the modes of braking the cuts of the train, it is necessary to take into account the possible separation of the cuts on all elements of the downhill part of the hill - arrows and retarders. The problem of finding the optimal braking modes for all cuts of the train has been formalized and solved, which, in turn, allow providing reliable conditions for separating adjacent cuts at the turnouts and brake positions of the downhill part of the hill. Practical value. The developed method can be used in the study of the sorting process, as well as in the automation systems for disbanding trains on the hump when determining the braking modes of the cuts.

A NFT verification method for distributed AI system

This paper proposes a method invention, namely an efficient NFT data inspection method with minimum granularity and probability comparison. The invention establishes a fast comparison method of AI model and data, that is, the direct comparison of small files priority and the maximum-minimum interval comparison. The invention takes the substantial identity inside the NFT data and the processing method of NFT data coincidence into account, so that the data content outside the token of the NFT publicly shared by the AI distributed system can also be unique on the Internet. Therefore, it can avoid the problem of incremental packaging and repeated packaging, and can successfully balance the efficiency and security of the comparison process. portions given in this document

Hypoxia signature: A useful tool for hypoxia recognition among aircrew

Introduction: Hypoxia, often referred to as “silent killer,” a common aeromedical stressor in aviation, may have catastrophic events in-flight unless recognized well in time. On exposure to hypoxia, an individual manifests a specific spectrum of symptoms referred to as “hypoxia signature.” The present study was conducted to assess the manifestation of “hypoxia signature” on repeated exposure to simulated hypobaric hypoxia for its potential usage as a tool for hypoxia recognition. Material and Methods: Twenty-two healthy adult volunteers were subjected to a simulated altitude of 22,000 feet for a duration of 5 min in the hypobaric altitude chamber. The symptoms experienced by the participants at the said altitude were recorded using a questionnaire. The heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded during the exposure. The hypoxia exposure was repeated two more times with a minimum interval of 3 weeks between each. Paired t-test was used to compare the mean values of physiological parameters (HR and SpO2) between ground level and 22000 feet recorded in all the three exposures. The hypoxia symptoms and their severity reported during the exposures were compared with those of recalled symptoms (reported after 3 weeks of exposure) using McNemar test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, respectively. Results: Paired t-test revealed a statistically significant increase in HR and fall in SpO2 with rise in altitude from ground level to 22000 feet. The three most common symptoms consistently observed were lightheadedness, thinking slow, and warm feeling. The common hypoxic symptoms and their severity scores reported at 22,000 feet compared with recalled counterpart during subsequent exposures did not reveal any significant differences (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There was a high degree of similarity in the frequency and severity score of symptoms between acute exposure to hypobaric hypoxia and recall indicating evidence of repeatability of symptoms across the three sessions of hypoxia exposure within the individuals. This brings out the usefulness of “hypoxia signature” as a tool for hypoxia recognition and its application in hypoxia indoctrination and training for aircrew.

Validity, Agreement and Accuracy of A Hand-Held Dynamometer for Shoulder Muscles Strength Assessment in Healthy Individuals

Background: The shoulder complex has a high prevalence of injuries. It is fundamental to quantify the muscle strength and identify muscular imbalances that predispose to lesions. The aim was to test concurrent validation of the muscle strength assessment with a hand held dynamometer (HHD) for shoulder joint muscles, and measure the accuracy and diagnostic agreement between instruments for assessing the strength of this joint with the hand held dynamometer and isokinetic dynamometer (ID) in a population of healthy individuals Methods: healthy individuals aged between 18 and 40 years were included. The HHD was used to test the isometric contraction of the main shoulder movements. Isometric contraction was performed for 3 seconds. Assessments with HHD and DI were performed on the same day, with a minimum interval of 90 minutes between tests. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee by report No.1537948. Concurrent validation was calculated with Pearson’s correlation, the accuracy obtained by the ROC curve and agreement by Kappa test. Results: The HHD showed concurrent validation between 0.51 – 0.83, with sensitivity between 0.90 and 0.98 and specificity between 0.64 and 0.89 for shoulder movements. The HHD demonstrated moderately-strong to excellent concurrent validity. Conclusion: These results are encouraging for the routine use of this portable and lower cost instrument in quantification of the pique torque of the shoulder muscles. Moreover, this instrument showed good accuracy and moderate to high agreement in comparison with diagnosis of the gold standard instrument.

Picosecond Q-Switched 1064/532 nm Laser in Tattoo Removal: Our Single Center Experience

Background: Tattoo removal is becoming increasingly popular, and Q-switched lasers represent the gold standard in the treatment of this condition. In this study, we report our experience with a new Q-switched picosecond laser device, evaluating its effectiveness and safety. Methods: A total of 34 patients asking for tattoo removal were consecutively enrolled in this open study. The clinicians decided on operating settings based on the Fitzpatrick phototype, the type of tattoo, and the tattoo location. A maximum of seven sessions, with a minimum interval of eight weeks between each session, were performed. At the six month follow-up visit following the last treatment session, patient satisfaction was assessed using a visual analogue scale and two dermatologists evaluated the aesthetic outcome based on pictures taken before and after treatment. Results: A total of 34 patients were included and analyzed: 17 females (50%) and 17 males (50%). The mean patient age was 43.6 ± 11 years. Participants’ Fitzpatrick skin type ranged from II to IV. The mean number of treatment sessions performed was 3.3 ± 2.0 per patient. Over 40% of patients showed complete removal of the tattoo, with most of the patients indicating satisfaction with the treatment. Conclusions: The Q-switched 1064/532 nm laser may be considered the gold standard treatment for tattoo removal. Picosecond pulses seem to guarantee fewer sessions and excellent results when compared to other laser systems in tattoo removal.

Microbial Fuel Cell Based Thermosensor for Robotic Applications

On the roadmap to building completely autonomous artificial bio-robots, all major aspects of robotic functions, namely, energy generation, processing, sensing, and actuation, need to be self-sustainable and function in the biological realm. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) provide a platform technology for achieving this goal. In a series of experiments, we demonstrate that MFCs can be used as living, autonomous sensors in robotics. In this work, we focus on thermal sensing that is akin to thermoreceptors in mammalian entities. We therefore designed and tested an MFC-based thermosensor system for utilization within artificial bio-robots such as EcoBots. In open-loop sensor characterization, with a controlled load resistance and feed rate, the MFC thermoreceptor was able to detect stimuli of 1 min directed from a distance of 10 cm causing a temperature rise of ∼1°C at the thermoreceptor. The thermoreceptor responded to continuous stimuli with a minimum interval of 384 s. In a practical demonstration, a mobile robot was fitted with two artificial thermosensors, as environmental thermal detectors for thermotactic application, mimicking thermotaxis in biology. In closed-loop applications, continuous thermal stimuli were detected at a minimum time interval of 160 s, without the need for complete thermoreceptor recovery. This enabled the robot to detect thermal stimuli and steer away from a warmer thermal source within the rise of 1°C. We envision that the thermosensor can be used for future applications in robotics, including as a potential sensor mechanism for maintaining thermal homeostasis.

Nanosecond Q-Switched 1064/532 nm Laser to Treat Hyperpigmentations: A Double Center Retrospective Study

(1) Benign hyperpigmentations are a common problem in cosmetic dermatology. Melasma, solar lentigo, and other acquired hyperpigmentations represent an aesthetic issue for an increasing number of patients. The gold standard in managing this condition is currently 1064/532 nanometers (nm) Q-Switched lasers. This study reports our experience on the use of a Q-switched laser with a nanosecond pulse to treat these conditions. (2) Methods: A total of 96 patients asking for benign hyperpigmentation removal were consecutively enrolled at the Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro and Tor Vergata University of Rome. Treating parameters were the following: 1064 nm with a pulse duration of 6 nanoseconds (ns) for dermic lesions and 532 nm with 6 ns for epidermal ones. Up to five treatments with a minimum interval between laser treatments of thirty days were performed. A follow-up visit three months after the last session assessed patient satisfaction with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Two blinded dermatologists assessed the cosmetic result using a five-point scale comparing pictures before treatment and at follow-up. (3) Results: 96 patients were included; 47 participants were women (49.0%) and 49 men (51.0%). The mean reported age was 50.0 ± 17.3 years. All patients reached a good to complete hyperpigmentation removal at the dermatological evaluation with a mean VAS score of 8.91 ± 1.07. (4) Conclusions: Q Switched 1064/532 nm laser may be considered the gold standard treatment for benign hyperpigmentations. Our results confirm the literature findings on the effectiveness of these devices.

Influence of technical and technological equipment of a locomotive maintenance point on the capacity of a railway line

Stable operation of railway transport is of decisive importance in the development of the country's economy. Railway stations of the Russian Railways network perform a significant amount of work on processing and handling train traffic.Large technical stations on the Russian Railways network in most cases are located at the junction of railways (railway polygons), where locomotive crews and locomotives changes take place as well as various types of traction (electrified lines with direct and alternating current).With the development of polygon technologies on the Russian Railways network, it becomes necessary to optimize the traction resource management process to ensure the stable operation of train traffic from its origin to the point of its destination. At technical stations with locomotive turnover points, they are changed, as well as maintenance (TO-2) and equipment.The article discusses in more detail one of the elements of the daily budget for the use of locomotives — finding locomotives in one of the types of downtime — at the locomotive maintenance point. As an example of the queuing of traction resources, the point of maintenance of locomotives of the Karymskaya station is given, where the stalls for performing TO-2 are one of the types of devices of the locomotive economy, according to which the available capacity of the locomotive circulation section is determined. Based on the analysis of the results of the operation of the locomotive maintenance point of the Karymskaya station for 2017, a method has been developed that allows, using in the calculations the minimum interval for the supply of trains to the station, to determine the rational number of stalls mст, necessary for the development of promising volumes of freight transportation and increasing the capacity of railway lines.

REPRODUCIBILITY OF THE CLASSIFICATION OF PROXIMAL HUMERAL OSSIFICATION IN IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the classification of proximal humeral ossification in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Radiographs (anteroposterior) of 29 patients diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis were chosen and investigated at the Spine Surgery Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Hospital Getúlio Vargas, Recife, Pernambuco. These radiographs were evaluated and classified by 9 spinal orthopedic surgeons at two moments, with a minimum interval of 30 days, for analysis of the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of the classification of proximal humeral ossification used as a predictor of peak growth velocity. Results Intraobserver reproducibility achieved moderate to substantial concordance with the kappa index. In the analysis of interobserver reproducibility using the Fleiss’ kappa method, a reasonable to moderate concordance was observed, except for in stage 5, in which concordance ranged from substantial to almost perfect. Conclusion In this study, the reproducibility of the Li classification in most of the stages was reasonable to moderate for the interobserver assessment and moderate to substantial for the intraobserver assessment, which differs from the current literature. Level of evidence III; Diagnostic studies – Investigation of a diagnostic test.