Showing papers by "Military Academy published in 2017"

Splenic trauma: WSES classification and guidelines for adult and pediatric patients

Abstract: Spleen injuries are among the most frequent trauma-related injuries. At present, they are classified according to the anatomy of the injury. The optimal treatment strategy, however, should keep into consideration the hemodynamic status, the anatomic derangement, and the associated injuries. The management of splenic trauma patients aims to restore the homeostasis and the normal physiopathology especially considering the modern tools for bleeding management. Thus, the management of splenic trauma should be ultimately multidisciplinary and based on the physiology of the patient, the anatomy of the injury, and the associated lesions. Lastly, as the management of adults and children must be different, children should always be treated in dedicated pediatric trauma centers. In fact, the vast majority of pediatric patients with blunt splenic trauma can be managed non-operatively. This paper presents the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) classification of splenic trauma and the management guidelines.

Facile hetero-assembly of superparamagnetic Fe3O4/BiVO4 stacked on biochar for solar photo-degradation of methyl paraben and pesticide removal from soil

Abstract: Herein we report synthesis of nano-hetero assembly of superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 and bismuth vanadate stacked on Pinus roxburghii derived biochar. Optical studies and band structure analysis indicate the hybridization between the two semiconductors facilitating photodegradation of pollutants in presence of natural sunlight. The nano-heterojunctions have been utilized for removal of emerging micro-pollutants as methylparaben (MeP). 97.4% of MeP degradation was achieved in presence of biochar/Fe 3 O 4 /BiVO 4 in 2 h. A degradation pathway has also been proposed on basis of mass spectrometry, chemical oxygen demand analysis and effects of various scavengers. Pinus derived biochar has also been utilized to see its long term effect on soil characteristics and fertility. The biochar has also been used to remove excessive pesticide from soil for lesser bioavailability.

Thermal and mechanical stability of functionally graded carbon nanotubes (FG CNT)-reinforced composite truncated conical shells surrounded by the elastic foundations

Abstract: The thermal and mechanical stability of a functionally graded composite truncated conical shell reinforced by carbon nanotube fibers and surrounded by the elastic foundations are studied in this paper. Distribution of reinforcements across the shell thickness is assumed to be uniform or functionally graded. The equilibrium and linearized stability equations for the shells are derived based on the classical shell theory. Using Galerkin method, the closed – form expression for determining the linear thermal and mechanical buckling load is obtained. The paper also analyzed and discussed the effects of semi-vertex angle, shell length, volume fraction of fibers, distribution pattern of fibers, temperature, elastic foundations on the linear thermal and mechanical buckling loads of the functionally graded carbon nanotube fibers-reinforced composite (FG CNTRC) truncated conical shell in thermal environment.

Nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) shear deformable plates with temperature-dependent material properties and surrounded on elastic foundations

Abstract: Based on Reddy’s third-order shear deformation plate theory, the nonlinear dynamic response and vibration of imperfect functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) plates on elastic foundations subjected to dynamic loads and temperature are presented. The plates are reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes which vary according to the linear functions of the plate thickness. The plate’s effective material properties are assumed to depend on temperature and estimated through the rule of mixture. By applying the Airy stress function, Galerkin method and fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, nonlinear dynamic response and natural frequency for imperfect FG-CNTRC plates are determined. In numerical results, the influences of geometrical parameters, elastic foundations, initial imperfection, dynamic loads, temperature increment, and nanotube volume fraction on the nonlinear vibration of FG-CNTRC plates are investigated. The obtained results are validated by comparing with those of ...

Plasma miR-22-3p, miR-642b-3p and miR-885-5p as diagnostic biomarkers for pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) by using sensitive and specific biomarkers is considered necessary. MiRNAs are master regulators of gene expression and several biological processes, and they are dysregulated in various cancers, where they play a vital role in either cancer progression or suppression. So, this study was designed to investigate the role of plasma miR-22-3p, miR-642b-3p and miR-885-5p expression as possible diagnostic markers in PC patients as compared to serum CA19-9. In addition, the correlation of those miRNAs and CA19-9 with clinical characteristics of PC patients was analyzed. The expression levels of selected miRNAs and serum CA19-9 concentration were determined for 35 patients with PDAC and 15 healthy controls by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and electro-chemiluminescence immune assay, respectively. The sensitivities of miRNAs as biomarkers of PC were evaluated and compared with CA19-9 using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. The levels of three miRNAs (miR-22-3p, miR-642b-3p and miR-885-5p) and CA19-9 were significantly higher in PC patients, even those with early-stage disease (IB and IIB), than in healthy control. Both miRNAs and CA19-9 were associated with tumor stage. The high sensitivities of the three selected miRNAs and CA19-9 were observed. The measurement of miR-22-3p, miR-642b-3p and miR-885-5p may prove to have clinical utility in diagnosis of PC. Those miRNAs are ideal early biomarkers for PC diagnosis. So, they can effectively be used with serum CA19-9 for PC screening in early tumor stage.

Efficient As(V) removal by α-FeOOH and α-FeOOH/α-MnO2 embedded PEG-6-arm functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract: A novel adsorbents, 6-arm amino polyethylene glycol functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (PEG/MWCNT) loaded with α-FeOOH (Fe/PEG/MWCNT), and hybrid α-FeOOH/α-MnO2 nano-deposit (Fe-Mn/PEG/MWCNT) were used for As(V) removal. In a batch test, the influence of pH, contact time, initial ion concentration and temperature on adsorption efficiency was studied. Time-dependent adsorption was best described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Weber–Morris model which predicted intra-particle diffusion as a rate-controlling step of overall process. Competitive kinetic study in the presence of interfering ions shows low detrimental effect on both capacity and kinetic of As(V) removal. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic processes. Influences of the pH, iron oxide loading and interfering ions were modeled by using Visual MINTEQ software. High adsorption capacities: 49.39 and 59.78 mg g−1 were obtained for Fe/- and Fe–Mn/PEG/MWCNT, respectively, and multi-cycle reusability indicated high applicability of obtained material. Two step removal process, in a batch study, was successfully performed by using PEG/MWCNT for cations removal in the first step, and Fe or Fe–Mn/PEG/MWCNT for As(V) removal in the second.

Coulomb excitations of monolayer germanene.

Abstract: The feature-rich electronic excitations of monolayer germanene lie in the significant spin-orbit coupling and the buckled structure. The collective and single-particle excitations are diversified by the magnitude and direction of transferred momentum, the Fermi energy and the gate voltage. There are four kinds of plasmon modes, according to the unique frequency- and momentum-dependent phase diagrams. They behave as two-dimensional acoustic modes at long wavelength. However, for the larger momenta, they might change into another kind of undamped plasmons, become the seriously suppressed modes in the heavy intraband e–h excitations, keep the same undamped plasmons, or decline and then vanish in the strong interband e–h excitations. Germanene, silicene and graphene are quite different from one another in the main features of the diverse plasmon modes.

Atrial Fibrillation Dynamics and Ionic Block Effects in Six Heterogeneous Human 3D Virtual Atria with Distinct Repolarization Dynamics

Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually manifests as reentrant circuits propagating through the whole atria creating chaotic activation patterns. Little is yet known about how differences in electrophysiological and ionic properties between patients modulate reentrant patterns in AF. The goal of this study is to quantify how variability in action potential duration (APD) at different stages of repolarization determines AF dynamics and their modulation by ionic block using a set of virtual whole-atria human models. Six human whole-atria models are constructed based on the same anatomical structure and fibre orientation, but with different electrophysiological phenotypes. Membrane kinetics for each whole-atria model are selected with distinct APD characteristics at 20, 50 and 90% repolarization, from an experimentally-calibrated population of human atrial action potential models including AF remodeling and acetylcholine parasympathetic effects. Our simulations show that in all whole-atria models, reentrant circuits tend to organize around the pulmonary veins and the right atrial appendage, thus leading to higher dominant frequency (DF) and more organized activation in the left atrium than in the right atrium. Differences in APD in all phases of repolarization (not only APD90) yielded quantitative differences in fibrillation patterns with long APDs associated with slower and more regular dynamics. Long APD50 and APD20 were associated with increased inter-atrial conduction block and inter-atrial differences in DF and OI, creating reentry instability and self-termination in some cases. Specific inhibitions of IK1, INaK or INa reduce DF and organization of the arrhythmia by enlarging wave meandering, reducing the number of secondary wavelets and promoting inter-atrial block in all six virtual patients, especially for the phenotypes with short APD at 20, 50 and/or 90% repolarization. This suggests that therapies aiming at prolonging the early phase of repolarization might constitute effective anti-arrhythmic strategies for the pharmacological management of AF. In summary, simulations report significant differences in atrial fibrillatory dynamics resulting from differences in APD at all phases of repolarization.

The Electrochemical Deposition of Zn-Mn Coating from Choline Choloride-urea Deep Eutectic Solvent

Abstract: Electrochemical and microscopic techniques were used for the characterisation of Zn–Mn coatings electrodeposited from choline chloride–urea deep eutectic solvent. Cyclic voltammograms show that there was no discernible Mn reduction peak when only Mn2+ was present in DES solution. The distinct Mn peak developed only upon addition of Zn2+ to the solution, probably due to previous Zn nucleation on the steel substrate. It was found that 22–27 wt-% Mn deposited at current densities of 3–8 mA cm−2, amounts significantly higher than those obtained from aqueous electrolytes. Since higher deposition current densities resulted in the formation of a porous surface consisting of clusters of nodular crystallites, the optimal deposition c.d was determined to be 3 mA cm−2.

A systemic and cognitive vision for IoT security: A case study of military live simulation and security challenges

Abstract: Securing data, objects, networks, systems and people in the Internet of Things (IoT) will have a prominent role in the research and standardization activities of the next years. The high connectivity of intelligent objects and their severe constraints lead to many security challenges, which are not included into the classical formulation of security problems and solutions. To help interested researchers to contribute to this research area, an IoT security roadmap overview is presented in this work based on a novel cognitive and systemic vision. The role of each component of the approach will be explained and relations with the other elements and their impact on the overall system will be detailed. According to the novel taxonomy of IoT vision, a case study of military live simulation will be presented to highlight components and interactions of the systemic and cognitive approach. Then, a discussion of security questions about privacy, trust, identification and access control will be provided, and different research challenges will be highlighted.

Explicating the role of trust in knowledge sharing: a structural equation model test

Abstract: Although the large body of literature suggests that trust is a prerequisite for knowledge sharing, the understanding of mediational pathways remains limited The paper fills the gap by combining two separate streams in knowledge sharing, where the first reflects the paradigm of the organizational behaviour theory and highlights the impact of organizational culture and employees’ trust; where the second one discloses the impact of technology deployment in knowledge sharing Building on the premises that interdependence between variables that affect knowledge sharing raises form organizational culture of trust and available technologies, we examine the structural origins of knowledge sharing As a method structural equation modelling test was used to analyse the data Hypothesised five-factor model was tested through two stages using AMOS software The findings carry theoretical implications for the knowledge management body of knowledge since they extended the research on knowledge sharing by integ

Early transfusion on battlefield before admission to role 2: A preliminary observational study during "Barkhane" operation in Sahel.

Abstract: Introduction Haemorrage is the leading cause of death after combat related injuries and bleeding management is the cornerstone of management of these casualties. French armed forces are deployed in Barkhane operation in the Sahel-Saharan Strip who represents an immense area. Since this constraint implies evacuation times beyond doctrinal timelines, an institutional decision has been made to deploy blood products on the battlefield and transfuse casualties before role 2 admission if indicated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transfusion practices on battlefield during the first year following the implementation of this policy. Materials and methods Prospective collection of data about combat related casualties categorized alpha evacuated to a role 2. Battlefield transfusion was defined as any transfusion of blood product (red blood cells, plasma, whole blood) performed by role 1 or Medevac team before admission at a role 2. Patients’ characteristics, battlefield transfusions’ characteristics and complications were analysed. Results During the one year study, a total of 29 alpha casualties were included during the period study. Twenty-eight could be analysed, 7/28 (25%) being transfused on battlefield, representing a total of 22 transfusion episodes. The most frequently blood product transfused was French lyophilized plasma (FLYP). Most of transfusion episodes occurred during medevac. Compared to non-battlefield transfused casualties, battlefield transfused casualties suffered more wounded anatomical regions (median number of 3 versus 2, p = 0.04), had a higher injury severity score (median ISS of 45 versus 25, p = 0,01) and were more often transfused at role 2, received more plasma units and whole blood units. There was no difference in evacuation time to role 2 between patients transfused on battlefield and non-transfused patients. There was no complication related to battlefield transfusions. Blood products transfusion onset on battlefield ranged from 75 min to 192 min after injury. Conclusion Battlefield transfusion for combat-related casualties is a logistical challenge. Our study showed that such a program is feasible even in an extended area as Sahel-Saharan Strip operation theatre and reduces time to first blood product transfusion for alpha casualties. FLYP is the first line blood product on the battlefield.

Impact of the Labor Market Policies for Ensuring Employment

Abstract: This paper is a result of several years of efforts related to the study of the social policies applied on unemployment and employment and a study of the impact of the National Program "From Social Assistance to Employment" of the national labor market. The possibilities for social integration and reintegration of representatives of risk groups have been specially examined.

Sports preference and digit ratio (2d:4d) among female students in wrocław, poland.

Abstract: Humans exhibit sex differences in competitiveness, sensation seeking and risk-taking attitude, which are required in sports. These attributes are often linked to prenatal testosterone (PT) exposure. The second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is an indicator of PT exposure. A lower 2D:4D indicates higher PT exposure and vice versa. Males generally have a lower 2D:4D than females. Sensation- and/or thrill-seeking behaviours have also been found to be negatively associated with 2D:4D. Boxing and judo are considered to be high-risk sports. Voluntary participation in judo/boxing in contrast to aerobics can be guided by such behaviours and thus have an association with lower 2D:4D. This cross-sectional study included 167 female students from a military academy in Wroclaw, Poland. Of them, 119 had voluntarily chosen aerobic exercise, and 48 opted for judo/boxing. Height, weight and second and fourth digit lengths were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using Eurofit tests. The two groups showed similar physical fitness and body size. However, the judo/boxing group had significantly lower mean 2D:4D values than the aerobics group. It is proposed that voluntary choice of participation in a sport discipline by women could be linked to the 'organizational' effect of intrauterine testosterone exposure during prenatal growth.

National Security of the Republic of Bulgaria

Abstract: This work researches the notion “national security” from theoretical and practical point of view, and special attention was paid to qualifications Detailed review is performed of the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria, the bodies for its implementation and various concepts are considered

The application of smart cities concept for citizens of Lithuania and Sweden: comperative analysis

Abstract: Urbanization and expansion of cities requires new tools to improve the quality of life of city inhabitants for all areas from mobility to leisure activities. Thus, technological development and digitalisation have been introduced into infrastructures such as rails, roads, airports, bridges, tunnels and communications. Policy of smart cities concept focuses on economy, people, mobility, governance, environment, and living. Even more, implemented framework of smart cities stimulates sustainable economic development. Smart economy is a trigger for innovations and entrepreneurship. Installed measures of smart mobility reduce traffic jams and optimise transportation systems. This research attempts to assess and compare largest different cities of Lithuania and Sweden in the context of smart cities’ concept. Due to the shortage and mismatching statistical information, the paper is limited with only four following indicators: smart economy, smart mobility, smart environment, and smart governance. The analysis of indicators shows that Lithuanian major cities in all groups of criterion are below average while values of indicators in the case of Swedish major cities are much higher than average.

Problems of Control in the Social Sphere

Abstract: The content is more broadly focused on that part of public relations where there is an increasing control deficit. The issue that draws attention and concentrates on itself the analysis is the operation of the administrative control system and its impact on the actions and performance of the executive authority. The discovery of a small part of the problems registered in this sphere is an opportunity to look for options for their control and alternatives for their final solution.

Indices of the effectiveness of information protection in an information interaction system for controlling complex distributed organizational objects

Abstract: In this paper, we present some indices for evaluating the effectiveness of information protection in an information interaction system when controlling complex distributed organizational objects and proposing a technique for determining these indices. The technique is based on a stochastic representation of the flow of destructive actions that affect the information interactions among controllers of the elements of a distributed organizational object.

Simulation study for global neighborhood algorithm based optimal automatic voltage regulator (AVR) system

Abstract: Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) is an important local system for synchronous generators used for electric power generation, to keep constant rated voltage value and control reactive power supplied to or received from the power system. For this purpose, providing the optimality of AVR system must be handled as a more important issue in terms of power quality and system security and reliability as well. In this paper, the heuristic optimization methods like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Algorithm and Global Neighborhood Algorithm (GNA) are used comparatively so as to tune PID controller parameters of AVR system. The AVR loop is modeled from its transfer function. The optimization performances of the chosen algorithms are compared with each other by using transient response analysis.