The increasing biofuel production from agricultural crops has been suggested to cause indirect land use change (iLUC). This increases interest in biofuel feedstocks that qualify as iLUC-free: (1) residues without a market, (2) crops from previously unused arable land, (3) additional crops and (4) biomass from intensified production. In the present study, biofuel potential from such feedstocks was

Accurate and efficient evaluation of the stored energy is essential for Q factors, physical bounds, and antenna current optimization. Here it is shown that the stored energy can be estimated from quadratic forms based on a state-space representation derived from the electric and magnetic field integral equations. The derived expressions are valid for small antennas embedded in temporally dispersiv

Background: Different kinds of chronic diseases might imply different dimensions of caregiver burden, not previously described among the caregivers to recipients from the general elder population. Aim: The main objective was to examine differences in burden between the 343 caregivers to persons with different diagnoses. Methods: A group of elderly recipients of informal care (n = 343) from the gen

Methods for calculation of thermal conditions and heat loss parameter for an underground tunnel into surrounding sub-soil were developed in the first half and in the middle of the 20th century [18-20], when the study of complex heat-and mass exchange processes between underground tunnel, sub-soil and outdoor air was started. In a tunnel it is important to meet specific microclimate parameters such

This work discusses an experimental technique for studying the mechanics of three-dimensional (3D) granular solids. The approach combines 3D X-ray diffraction and X-ray computed tomography to measure grain-resolved strains, kinematics and contact fabric in the bulk of a granular solid, from which continuum strains, grain stresses, interparticle forces and coarse-grained elasto-plastic moduli can b

Studies based on object-based image analysis (OBIA) representing the paradigm shift in remote sensing image change detection (CD) have achieved remarkable progress in the last decade. Their aim has been developing more intelligent interpretation analysis methods in the future. The prediction effect and performance stability of random forest (RF), as a new kind of machine learning algorithm, are be

A commercially available NaI(Tl) based spectrometer-dosimeter has been used to separate contributions of the terrestrial radionuclides (238U series, 232Th series and 40K) and 137Cs to the total ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER), Ḣ*(10) , outdoors. The device had been initially calibrated by the manufacturer to measure: 1) the total ADER; 2) activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and ‘effec

An important part of the justification process is assessment of the radiation risks caused by exposure of a patient during examination. The authors developed official national methodology both for medical doctors and sanitary inspectors called ‘assessmentof radiation risks of patients undergoing diagnostic examinations with the use of ionizing radiation’. The document addressespatients of various

Objective: Image segmentation is an essential step in quantifying the extent of reduced or absent lung function. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a new tool for automatic segmentation of lungs in ventilation and perfusion SPECT images and compare automatic and manual SPECT lung segmentations with reference computed tomography (CT) volumes. Methods: A total of 77 subjects (69 patien

Purpose: To set forth experiences in the context of the SERGS Pilot Curriculum—the first standardized educational program for robotic use in gynecological surgery—in terms of feasibility, effectiveness and potential for certification. Methods: The Society of European Robotic Gynecological Surgery (SERGS) outlined a Pilot Curriculum for standardized education in robot-assisted laparoscopic gynecolo

Background: Comorbidity of bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder is common in adolescence. Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms may be episodic and secondary to alterations in mood, and display specific features. Management of pediatric bipolar disorder-obsessive-compulsive disorder is challenging, as pharmacotherapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder may induce or exacerbate manic ep

This study is devoted to the assessment of the relations between the digital chest x-ray screening procedure parameters, different dose quantities (DAP, ESD, Effective dose) for different age and gender patient groups and patient’s anthropometric indicators. We selected the anthropometric indicators with the maximum impacton patient’s doses. We propose a new approach for the determination of the s

The modern approach to the radiation protection of the patients from medical exposure is mainly based on the principle of optimization using diagnostic reference levels. Implementation of diagnostic reference levels and optimization in Russian radiological practice is limited due to lack of methodology of data collection and patient dose assessment, investigation and management of abnormally high

Background: High levels of blood glucose are thought to be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and hyperinsulinemia, an interstage in the development of CRC. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between incident CRC and blood glucose; plasma insulin; and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), respectively, and to determine whether these association

Population ageing places pressure on pensions and health care services, creating an imperative to extend working lives. Alongside this, there has been increased political emphasis in Europe and elsewhere on the provision of care in the home. Many older people will increasingly be challenged by the responsibilities of caring for the sick, disabled and elderly, and participating in the labor market.