Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is an important design tool in engineering and also a substantial research tool in various physical sciences as well as in biology. The objective of this book is to ...provide university students with a solid foundation for understanding the numerical methods employed in today's CFD and to familiarise them with modern CFD codes by hands-on experience. It is also intended for engineers and scientists starting to work in the field of CFD or for those who apply CFD codes. Due to the detailed index, the text can serve as a reference handbook too. Each chapter includes an extensive bibliography, which provides an excellent basis for further studies.
To investigate potential association between administration of corticosteroids, antibiotics, probiotics, proton pump inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), statins and metformin ...and outcome in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with nivolumab.
A total of 224 patients with advanced NSCLC treated at nine comprehensive cancer centers were analyzed in this national retrospective study. Survival statistics were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox analysis.
Only corticosteroid use had a significant negative effect on the objective response rate. In the univariate analysis, there was no significant effect of the studied concomitant medications on the efficacy of nivolumab. In a subsequent multifactorial analysis, a possible positive effect of the concomitant use of NSAID at the initiation of nivolumab treatment was revealed.
The results of the present retrospective exploratory analysis underscore the importance of knowing the exact type of concomitant medication, the route of administration, the dose of medication, and the region of the ongoing study. The present data indicated a significantly higher rate of progression in patients treated with corticosteroids and the possible positive effect of NSAID use at the initiation of nivolumab treatment.
We have implemented ad-hoc modifications to the CORSIKA Monte-Carlo generator which allow us to simultaneously adjust the multiplicity, elasticity and cross-section of hadronic interactions with ...respect to the predictions of the Sibyll 2.3d interaction model, in order to assess whether a reasonable combination of changes (that is not excluded by current experimental data) could alleviate the observed tension between the model predictions and observed features of extensive air showers induced by ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR). Previously, we have studied the effects of such changes on proton-initiated showers. Because a multitude of experimental data suggest that the primary composition of the UHECR is mixed, we have expanded the modification procedure to include nuclear projectiles in a consistent way based on the superposition model, in a similar manner as was used in the previous studies carried out using one-dimensional simulation methods. As we are using a fully three-dimensional approach, we can quantify the effects of the changes on both longitudinal and lateral features of the showers. With the inclusion of nuclear projectiles, we can study the impact of the changes on observable quantities for realistic primary beams as well as on the determination of the primary composition from data under the assumption of the modified hadronic interactions.
The paper deals with searching for synthetic solution supported by the means of dynamic geometry. It consists of two parts. The first one describes how software influences searching for synthetic ...solutions of geometric problems. The second one describes a small pilot experiment in which students of Faculty of Education solved two more difficult tasks of secondary school level. Obtained results demonstrate that the software (GeoGebra) helped considerably, nevertheless many students had troubles with choosing and applying relevant mathematical theorems during the proving process. A few students did not reach the solution even though they found all relevant facts.
The study of anomalous longitudinal profiles of extensive air showers presents an interesting opportunity to gain additional insight about the character of hadronic interactions at the highest ...energies. Moreover, the presence of such profiles would represent direct evidence of a light component in the primary cosmic rays of a given energy, independently of hadronic interaction models. The ratio of profiles observed to have a “double bump” structure (with two clearly distinguishable atmospheric depths of maximum particle count) compared to the total number of events can moreover be used to test the predictions of interaction models. However, the majority of such profiles observed at the Pierre Auger Observatory are caused by clouds. Here we describe a method of rapid monitoring of particularly interesting cosmic ray events, using the F/Photometric Rapid Atmospheric Monitor (FRAM) telescope to identify events with clear, cloudless atmospheric background. The function of FRAM is described in detail and the number of triggered events is presented.
This article examines various upgrading and downgrading repositioning firm strategies within global value chains (GVCs) or global production networks (GPNs). It builds upon recent evidence that the ...mode of governance could vary profoundly among firms engaged in the same GVC/GPN. Therefore, the relevance of particular types of upgrading that were originally derived from the ideal types of GVC/GPN governance will be reconsidered. It is argued that the existing dissonance in the literature over possibilities for functional upgrading can be attributed to the different modes of governance that can exist within a particular GVC/GPN and to the diverse nature of functional upgrading. Consequently, a typology of functional upgrading is outlined, and it is argued that these different types vary significantly according to their probability and potential risk-benefit ratios. The article also introduces passive, adaptive and strategic downgrading and outlines their potential negative and positive effects on firms.
Abstract
This study investigates the decoupling of Ukrainian aerospace, defense and electro-engineering industries resulting from the Russian Crimean annexation in 2014. Conceptually, we contribute ...to global value chain/global production network research by developing the notion of geopolitical decoupling, thus augmenting the existing 2-fold typology. Moreover, the article elaborates a typology of recoupling. Empirically, we investigate patterns of decoupling from Russia and recoupling via alternative production networks as well as patterns of decoupling/recoupling according to the position of companies in the production hierarchy. We found a neat pattern of decoupling from Russia according to tier but profoundly different dynamics of recoupling with the European Union and Asia.
Abstract
We present a new method to measure the vertical aerosol optical depth (VAOD) during clear nights using a wide-field imager—a CCD camera with a photographic lens on an equatorial mount. A ...series of 30 s exposures taken at different altitudes above the horizon can be used to measure the VAOD with a precision better than 0.008 optical depths within a few minutes. Such a measurement does not produce any light and is thus suitable for use at sites where other astronomical instruments are located. The precision of the VAOD measurement depends on the laboratory calibration of spectral properties of the system and of the response of the camera electronics to varying illumination levels, as well as careful considerations of the details of stellar photometry and modeling of the dependence of the measured stellar flux, the star color, and the position within the field of view. The results obtained with robotic setups at the future sites of the Cerenkov Telescope Array show good internal consistency and agreement with simultaneous measurements from a Sun/Moon photometer located at the same sites.
This paper contributes to the recent debate between two important streams within current economic geography and regional studies: global value chains/global production networks theories, and regional ...innovation system theory. Based on the review of key literature, the authors first identify the key conceptual differences between these two streams and then provide a comparative overview of their policy implications. Thereafter, the authors show that considerable space for mutual inspiration in conceptual as well as policy terms exists, especially between the notions of strategic coupling and the new path development model. Moreover, the authors suggest six additional arenas of mutual conceptual and policy-relevant inspiration between these two streams as avenues for future research.
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