•Low-E filters are simulated using different metals.•Low-E filters of Al has a good cost-benefit performance, as a commercial filter.•The layers thickness sensitivity allows a good performance ...reproducibility.
A good Low-Emissivity (Low-E) filter coated on glass reduces the amount of heat coming from solar light into the building, thus the expenses in electricity for air conditioning are reduced. Standard Low-E filters contain a Silver layer between two dielectric thin films due to its high reflectance of infrared wavelengths; however, one of the major silver drawbacks are its chemical and mechanical weakness which reduces the filter mean lifetime. In this paper, we investigate alternative materials to be a substitution of Ag, and they were compared with commercial filters. It was found that an aluminum-based filter has a good cost-benefit performance with peak transmittance better than 80% in the visible, while having less than 20% transmittance for wavelengths longer than 1500 nm. A simulation of the filters construction was made providing a tolerance of each layer thickness, so the filter keeps its optical performance
An analysis of the relationship between the bandwidth of acoustic signals and the required resolution of steered-response power phase transform (SRP-PHAT) maps used for sound source localization is ...presented. This relationship does not rely on the far-field assumption, nor does it depend on any specific array topology. The proposed analysis considers the computation of a SRP map as a process of sampling a set of generalized cross-correlation (GCC) functions, each one corresponding to a different microphone pair. From this approach, we derive a rule that relates GCC bandwidth with inter-microphone distance, resolution of the SRP map, and the potential position of the sound source relative to the array position. This rule is a sufficient condition for an aliasing-free calculation of the specified SRP-PHAT map. Simulation results show that limiting the bandwidth of the GCC according to such rule leads to significant reductions in sound source localization errors when sources are not in the immediate vicinity of the microphone array. These error reductions are more relevant for coarser resolutions of the SRP map, and they happen in both anechoic and reverberant environments.
The emphasis of this paper is to show the existence of some non-energy benefits that can be taken into account in an energy efficiency investment aimed to reduce energy consumption and increase ...production and product quality in an oil and gas processing center (OGPC) in México. The function of OGPC is to separate crude oil, gas, and saltwater coming from marine and terrestrial oil fields. Traditionally, application of process energy integration techniques has been aimed to reduce energy consumption associated with heating and cooling services. In this paper, the process energy integration (standard pinch analysis) of an OGPC shows the possibility of reducing natural gas and electricity consumption by 75 % and 98 %, respectively. However, the novel aspect of this work is the identifications and use of some waste heat streams available in processes to reduce energy consumption, and more importantly couple them with some non-energy-related benefits to produce massive economical savings. For example, by allowing an improvement in the quality of heavy crude oil for exportation (reduction in salt content), an increased sale price of 0.6 USD/barrel is achieved, rising profit to 156.88 MMUSD/year. Additional economic benefits came from the restauration of the production of 3,711 barrel of naphtha per day (33.86 MMUSD/year), by solving security issues related to the use of direct-fire heaters in the condensate stabilization plant.
Data are limited regarding infective endocarditis (IE) complicating left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) device procedures. This systematic review examines the etiology, diagnosis, and management ...of infective endocarditis (IE) following LAAO.BACKGROUNDData are limited regarding infective endocarditis (IE) complicating left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) device procedures. This systematic review examines the etiology, diagnosis, and management of infective endocarditis (IE) following LAAO.A comprehensive search of six databases was performed between 2007 and 2022. In selecting studies, articles were included if they provided information about IE complicating LAAO, with relevant clinical and imaging details. Articles were excluded if they were editorials, study protocols, letters, or abstracts.METHODSA comprehensive search of six databases was performed between 2007 and 2022. In selecting studies, articles were included if they provided information about IE complicating LAAO, with relevant clinical and imaging details. Articles were excluded if they were editorials, study protocols, letters, or abstracts.We identified seven cases of IE complicating LAAO published between 2007 and 2022, from the United States and Europe, highlighting the exceedingly rare reported incidence of the condition. Staphylococcus aureus is the predominant organism implicated in LAAO infections. Echocardiography is a key imaging modality for diagnosing LAAO IE. Both antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention in appropriate patients are important for managing LAAO device-related IE.RESULTSWe identified seven cases of IE complicating LAAO published between 2007 and 2022, from the United States and Europe, highlighting the exceedingly rare reported incidence of the condition. Staphylococcus aureus is the predominant organism implicated in LAAO infections. Echocardiography is a key imaging modality for diagnosing LAAO IE. Both antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention in appropriate patients are important for managing LAAO device-related IE.The limited data in the current literature regarding LAAO IE underscores the need for prospective clinical trials to establish evidence-based guidelines for infection prophylaxis, diagnosis, and management. Our findings emphasize the importance of vigilance for device-related infections, especially as the use of LAAO devices continues to grow worldwide.CONCLUSIONSThe limited data in the current literature regarding LAAO IE underscores the need for prospective clinical trials to establish evidence-based guidelines for infection prophylaxis, diagnosis, and management. Our findings emphasize the importance of vigilance for device-related infections, especially as the use of LAAO devices continues to grow worldwide.
Being Sensitive to Uncertainty Arriola, Leon M.; Hyman, James M.
Computing in science & engineering,
03/2007, Letnik:
9, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Predictive modeling's effectiveness is hindered by inherent uncertainties in the input parameters. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis quantify these uncertainties and identify the relationships ...between input and output variations, leading to the construction of a more accurate model. This survey introduces the application, implementation, and underlying principles of sensitivity and uncertainty quantification
Globally, deltaic wetlands sequester large volumes of terrestrial and marine-derived organic carbon. Diminishing sediment supply via river diversions, dams, and/or sea level rise threatens this ...stored carbon by enhancing erosion, thereby potentially releasing CO₂ back to the atmosphere during remineralization of organic matter. The Yellow River delta, located in the Bohai Sea, China, has undergone intense anthropogenic manipulation since the 1950s including rerouting of the river mouth to expand the delta for oil exploitation. The goal of this study is to identify the impacts of river course diversions on sources and rates of carbon burial in the modern and abandoned delta lobes of the Yellow River delta. In 2016, we collected four cores total in abandoned and modern deltaic lobes and measured vertical accretion, total carbon, total nitrogen, δ¹³C, and n-alkanes. The highest average mass accretion rate of 12,470.1 g m⁻² year⁻¹ is observed in the abandoned delta, although it no longer receives direct river sediment input. The modern and abandoned deltas are currently outpacing sea level rise, but vertical accretion rates are influenced by sediment trapping practices in the modern delta and redistribution of eroded sediments in the abandoned. Average carbon burial rates across both delta sites vary between 7.2 and 14.9 g OC m⁻² year⁻¹. Sediment-associated carbon at both sites is dominantly sourced from the Loess Plateau. To conserve wetlands across the Yellow River delta, sediment management practices that periodically reintroduce sediment-laden river water to former river courses, such as in the Mississippi delta, are suggested.
Abstract Background The use of expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys has increased the overall availability of renal transplants. This study assessed the use of sirolimus in patients receiving ...Argentina-ECD kidneys. Methods This observational, open-label, 1-arm, prospective, longitudinal pilot study was conducted at 8 transplant centers in Argentina. Adults receiving kidney transplants (without pancreas) from ECDs were eligible if they were converted to sirolimus 1 to 36 months' posttransplantation, with sirolimus becoming base therapy within 1 month after conversion. Patients were followed up for 1 year. Outcomes included reasons for conversion, acute rejection, patient and graft survival, graft status, and safety. Results The intention-to-treat population included 52 patients (mean age, 48.7 years). Calcineurin inhibitor nephropathy (40%) and chronic allograft nephropathy (25%) were the most frequent reasons for conversion. Two acute rejections occurred during follow-up, but no patients experienced graft loss. One patient died during follow-up, and 3 patients died within 1 month of the last sirolimus dose. Levels of serum creatinine and creatinine clearance remained stable from baseline to week 52/53. Mean proteinuria measured in a subset of patients was 0.2 ± 0.2 g/24 hours before conversion and increased to 0.6 ± 1.2 g/24 hours at week 24/25 and 0.5 ± 0.6 g/24 hours at week 52/53. Adverse events were consistent with those in previous conversion trials; the most common were infections and infestations (54%). Conclusions This pilot study illustrates the potential benefits of sirolimus in recipients of ECD kidneys in Argentina. Larger, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and to clarify the long-term benefits of sirolimus in this patient population.
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