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Radiological reports of pancreatic lesions are currently widely formulated as free texts. However, for optimal characterization, staging and operation planning, a wide range of information is required but is sometimes not captured comprehensively. Structured reporting offers the potential for improvement in terms of completeness, reproducibility and clarity of interdisciplinary communication. Interdisciplinary consensus finding of structured report templates for solid and cystic pancreatic tumors in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with representatives of the German Society of Radiology (DRG), German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV), working group Oncological Imaging (ABO) of the German Cancer Society (DKG) and other radiologists, oncologists and surgeons. Among experts in the field of pancreatic imaging, oncology and pancreatic surgery, as well as in a public online survey, structured report templates were developed by consensus. These templates are available on the DRG homepage under www.befundung.drg.de and will be regularly revised to the current state of scientific knowledge by the participating specialist societies and responsible working groups. This article presents structured report templates for solid and cystic pancreatic tumors to improve clinical staging (cTNM, ycTNM) in everyday radiology. · Structured report templates offer the potential of optimized radiological reporting with regard to completeness, reproducibility and differential diagnosis.. · This article presents consensus-based, structured reports for solid and cystic pancreatic lesions in CT and MRI.. · These structured reports are available open source on the homepage of the German Society of Radiology (DRG) under www.befundung.drg.de..· Persigehl T, Baumhauer M, Baeßler B et al. Structured Reporting of Solid and Cystic Pancreatic Lesions in CT and MRI: Consensus-Based Structured Report Templates of the German Society of Radiology (DRG). Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 641 - 655. In der klinischen Radiologie werden aktuell radiologische Befundberichte bei Pankreasläsionen weitverbreitet als Freitexte formuliert. Für die optimale klinische Versorgung, das Staging und die Operationsplanung sind mannigfaltige Informationen erforderlich, die mitunter nicht umfänglich erfasst werden. Die strukturierte Befundung bietet hier das Potenzial einer Verbesserung in Bezug auf Vollständigkeit, Reproduzierbarkeit sowie Klarheit der interdisziplinären Kommunikation. Interdisziplinäre Erstellung von strukturierten Befundvorlagen für solide und zystische Pankreastumoren in der Computertomografie (CT) und in der Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) mit Vertretern der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft (DRG), der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie (DGAV), der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Onkologische Bildgebung (ABO) der Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft (DKG) sowie weiteren Radiologen, Onkologen und Chirurgen. Unter Experten auf dem Gebiet der Pankreasbildgebung, onkologischen Versorgung und Pankreaschirurgie sowie in einer öffentlichen Online-Umfrage wurden strukturierte Befundvorlagen im Konsensus-Verfahren entwickelt, die im weiteren Verlauf regelmäßig durch die beteiligten Fachgesellschaften und verantwortlichen Arbeitsgemeinschaften auf den aktuellen Stand der wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnis angepasst werden sollen. Dieser Artikel stellt strukturierte Befundvorlagen für solide und zystische Pankreastumoren vor, die im radiologischen Alltag helfen sollen, das klinische Staging (cTNM, ycTNM) zu verbessern. · Strukturierte Befundvorlagen bieten das Potenzial einer optimierten radiologischen Befundung in Bezug auf Vollständigkeit, Reproduzierbarkeit und Differenzialdiagnose.. · Dieser Artikel stellt Konsensus-basierte, strukturierte Befundvorlagen für solide und zystische Pankreasläsionen im CT und MRT vor.. · Die von der Deutsche Röntgengesellschaft entwickelten Befundvorlagen werden unter www.befundung.drg.de zur Verfügung gestellt..· Persigehl T, Baumhauer M, Baeßler B et al. Structured Reporting of Solid and Cystic Pancreatic Lesions in CT and MRI: Consensus-Based Structured Report Templates of the German Society of Radiology (DRG). Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 641 – 656.

The Advanced Planning System (APS) is a system that provides optimisation of programming activities and provides support for forecasting and planning of demand, production and materials, providing support for the company’s decision-making. Sales and Operation Planning (SO integrating decisions into the Enterprise Resource Planning system; and serving as an essential instrument in aiding decision-making for the accuracy it offers for forecasts and plans. However, some points of the system could be improved, such as minimising human failures in data entry and the need for weekly adjustments that influence the level of security stock of suppliers.

This paper presents an algorithm for network reconfiguration which could help in the operation and expansion planning of three-phase distribution systems. Considering the fact that power losses lead to decrease utility benefits, and the three-phase unbalanced voltage can damage electrical machines, the proposed algorithm is presented as a multi-objective optimization problem based on Evolutionary Algorithms where the power losses and three-phase unbalanced voltage are simultaneously minimized. In order to validate the efficiency of the proposed reconfiguration algorithm, a large-scale radial electric distribution system, under maximum load conditions, is considered for operation planning. In addition, different scenarios are compared to test the algorithm as an expansion planning tool. The proposed algorithm maximizes the utility profits and improves system performance reducing power loss and unbalanced voltage.

Many models have been developed and used to analyse the costs and benefits of transport investments. Similar tools can also be used for transport operation planning and capacity allocation. An example of such use is the assessment of commuter train operations and service frequency. In this study, we analyse the societally optimal frequency for commuter train services. The aim is to reveal the implicit valuation (by the public transport agency) of the waiting time and the in-vehicle crowding in the commuting system. We use an analytic CBA model to formulate the societal costs of a certain service frequency and analyse the societally optimal frequencies during peak and off-peak hours. Comparing the optimal and the actual frequencies allows to reveal the implicit valuations of waiting time and crowding. Using relevant data from the commuter train services in Stockholm on a typical working day in September 2015 (e.g., OD matrix, cost parameters), we perform a numerical analysis on certain lines and directions. We find the societally optimal frequency and the implicit valuation of waiting time and crowding. The results suggest that the public transport agency in Stockholm (i.e., SL) adopted service frequencies that are generally slightly higher than societally optimum which can be explained by a higher implicit valuation of waiting time and crowding. We also find that the optimal frequencies are more sensitive to the waiting time valuation rather than that of crowding.

Background and Objectives: Preoperative planning utilizing computed tomographies (CT) is of utmost importance in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Frequently, no uniform documentation and planning structures are available to residents in training. Consequently, overall completeness and quality of operation planning may vary greatly. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a structured operation planning (SOP) approach on the report quality and user convenience during a 4-day sinus surgery course. Materials and Methods: Fifteen participant were requested to plan a FESS procedure based on a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses that exhibited common pathological features, in a conventional manner, using a free text. Afterwards, the participants reevaluated the same scans by means of a specifically designed structured reporting template. Two experienced ENT surgeons assessed the collected conventional operation planning (COP) and SOP methods independently with regard to time requirements, overall quality, and legibility. User convenience data were collected by utilizing visual analogue scales. Results: A significantly greater time expenditure was associated with SOPs (183 s vs. 297 s, p = 0.0003). Yet, legibility (100% vs. 72%, p &lt, 0.0001) and overall completeness (61.3% vs. 22.7%, p &lt, 0.0001) of SOPs was significantly superior to COPs. Additionally, description of highly relevant variants in anatomy and pathologies were outlined in greater detail. User convenience data delineated a significant preference for SOPs (VAS 7.9 vs. 6.9, p = 0.0185). Conclusions: CT-based planning of FESS procedures by residents in training using a structured approach is more time-consuming while producing a superior report quality in terms of detailedness and readability. Consequently, SOP can be considered as a valuable tool in the process of preoperative evaluations, especially within residency.

Phantoms are widely used substitutes for various types of soft tissues with mechanically and anatomically matching properties. They can be used as advanced tools for training before the surgical manipulation on human organs such as the brain or liver as part of complex operation planning and preparation. We report 3D printing fabrication and characterization of hydrogel composites based on the combination of two biocompatible materials, namely, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and phytagel (PHY). The hydrogels were used for the fabrication of brain phantoms in a multistage procedure based around 3D printing. The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the simple, low cost and relatively fast procedure for the creation of hydrogel organ phantoms of high anatomical and mechanical fidelity made from commonly available materials. To this end, three different types of samples were produced to illustrate the flexibility of hydrogel-based 3D printing approach in mimicking the mechanical properties of human organs: brain, lung, and liver soft tissues. The mechanical response was studied using Deben MicroTest 1 kN mechanical testing device and Q800 Dynamic Mechanical Analyser in compression mode. The results reveal close matching of the dynamic non-linear mechanical response of the phantoms to those of the corresponding natural soft tissues.

This paper presents a sufficient and necessary condition for transient stability of multimachine power systems based on the passivity formalism. The condition derived using the extended classical model (ECM) with zero transfer conductance (TC). The ECM of power systems relaxes slightly the assumption of “voltage-behind-transient-reactance” from “constant”, which is used in the conventional classical model to “positive, bounded and independent of machine rotor angles”. The results of time domain simulation of a full model of Western Interconnection used for regular operation planning study are presented for verifying the model assumptions and the storage functions of the system in four different scenarios (well stable, marginally stable, marginally unstable and very unstable), thus illustrating the sufficiency and necessity of stability criterion based on passivity.

This paper presents the benefits of the solar photovoltaic technology and the operation challenges corresponding to the large-scale integration of this technology in the distribution networks. A voltage control algorithm is proposed to mitigate the adverse effects of PV generation on the voltage profile of the distribution network. An operation planning framework is proposed that captures the heterogeneous objectives of the generation and demand entities and features limited information sharing among these entities.

This study presents an approach to calculate average technical losses (TLoss) and non-technical losses (NTLoss) in distribution grids using an equivalent operational impedance (EOI) calculated from a load flow solution for the transformers’ average loads, obtained from customers’ electric bills. If transformers are supervised, i.e. have available active and reactive power injections measurements or estimates from a state estimator program, the transformers’ average technical and non-technical losses can be calculated by running a load flow for the grid supplied by the transformer and using the definition of EOI presented in this study. For unsupervised transformers, i.e. no measurements or estimates are available, pseudo measurements of average active and reactive power injections can be obtained by a procedure that uses active and reactive power measurements at the feeder substation. The use of this methodology by electric utilities allows the calculation of technical and non-technical losses more accurately, as well as the inclusion of non-technical losses in the distribution networks operation planning. Results using the IEEE 13-bus test system and an urban real distribution grid are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.

Orientadores: Sergio Valdir Bajay, Paulo Sergio Franco Barbosa Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica Resumo: Nesta dissertação se avalia o estado da arte do planejamento da operação energética e da manutenção de usinas em sistemas hidrotérmicos de potência e se propõe algumas inovações. Neste contexto, se faz uma revisão crítica das metodologias de planejamento empregadas no setor elétrico brasileiro, incluindo as bases de dados que dão suporte a estas metodologias e dando destaque às práticas atuais do Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico (ONS); várias propostas de avanços metodológicos são feitas ao longo desta parte do trabalho. Uma outra parte desta dissertação envolve a aplicação de um modelo de otimização, a médio prazo, da operação de algumas usinas do Sistema Interligado Nacional (SIN), pertencentes a uma concessionária geradora no Estado de São Paulo, satisfazendo as metas de geração impostas pelo planejamento centralizado do SIN, realizado pelo ONS, e restrições associadas ao uso múltiplo da água nos reservatórios destas usinas, dentre outras. Várias funções-objetivo podem ser utilizadas neste modelo, dependendo das finalidades a serem atingidas nas simulações. O modelo foi aplicado ao parque gerador hidrelétrico da empresa AES, nos rios Tietê e Pardo; algumas simulações foram feitas, discutindo-se os resultados alcançados Abstract: The state-of-the-art of power plant scheduling and maintenance planning in hydro-thermal power systems is evaluated in this thesis and some innovations are proposed. In this context, a critical review of the planning methodologies employed in the Brazilian power sector is carried out, including the data bases which support these methodologies and pointing out the current practices of the National Operator of the Power System (ONS); several proposals concerning advances in these methodologies are put forward along this work. In another part of this thesis, the medium-term scheduling of some power stations of the National Interlinked System (SIN) belonging to a utility in the State of São Paulo are modeled through an optimization algorithm, which meets the generation targets imposed by the centralized planning of SIN, carried out by ONS, and constraints associated to multiple uses of water in the reservoirs of these plants, among other constraints. Several objective functions can be used in this model, depending on the purposes to be achieved in the simulations. The model was applied to the hydroelectric generation system of the company AES, in the rivers Tietê and Pardo; some simulations were carried out and their results are discussed in the thesis Mestrado Planejamento de Sistemas Energéticos Mestre em Planejamento de Sistemas Energéticos

This paper presents a long-term deterministic linear simulation model for the Ethiopian hydropower system, intending to utilize the water stored in the rainy season throughout the year with minimum load shedding. Two cases are simulated and compared to historical data. The base case represents current load levels, and the second case represents a load level increase. The results show that the Ethiopian hydropower system has a great deal of flexibility to be operated in a more efficient way to minimize load shedding. The results also show that the system can support a 50% load increase with minimum load shedding, mostly when the load demand exceeds the total generating capacity. The contribution of this paper is to apply a standard hydropower model for Ethiopia to estimate the potential of the Ethiopian hydropower system to avoid or minimize load shedding with improved generation and operation planning.

El impacto de la generación fotovoltaica en el comportamiento de la red eléctrica depende de la cantidad de potencia inyectada. Así, durante el análisis de la red, todos los factores que pueden influenciar esa potencia deben ser considerados. En este trabajo, una metodología para analizar el comportamiento de la red ante la presencia de generación fotovoltaica es presentada. La metodología propuesta tiene en cuenta la naturaleza estocástica de la inserción fotovoltaica en la red a través del método de simulación de Monte Carlo. A fin de evaluar la influencia de la coincidencia entre la generación fotovoltaica y la demanda, una red de baja tensión trifásica con usuarios residenciales y comerciales es considerada. Las simulaciones son realizadas a lo largo de un día y considerando varios niveles de penetración fotovoltaica. Por lo tanto, la metodología presentada puede ser utilizada en los estudios de planeamiento de la operación realizados por las concesionarias de energía

With the growing competitive markets within an evolving economic environment, businesses are implementing efficient and effective planning of supply chains within every sector. Likewise, supply chains have initially focussed on bringing different entities within the business in a collection of activities and processes to operate in an efficient manner. The purpose of this research paper and study is to evaluate the applicability to implement four improvement strategies namely postponement, supplier integration (SI), sales and operation planning (S&OP) and Strategic Souring (SS) at ABC Ltd. The research examines inventory data, main issues, contributing factors and examine the improvement proposals. The research summarises the implications, benefits, and challenges. The author will adopt current research and theories to evaluate the proposals.

This paper presents the procedure used to optimize the 11kV network of AADC at Al Ain area in the United Arab Emirates. The paper first describes the details process used to forecast the summer peak load for all feeders and power transformers of all primary substations. Also, the optimization mathematical model is discussed as well as the actual preparation plans followed according to this model, where the 11kV network components are studied from different prospective concentrating on the security of supply standards (SoS) approved by the regulator in addition to the objective of load losses reduction. As a result of optimization study, the normally open points (NOPs) are chosen based on this criterion. Moreover, any expected load violations or security constrains like unsecured 11kV rings and 33/11kV substations are obtained and investigated for further operational and planning actions. Furthermore, contingency plans are prepared for the extreme unsecured cases to be ready and overcome any overloading problems that might be faced during the peak season or any emergency case. A standardized optimization process is driven illustrating different teams' contribution and efforts to achieve network optimization based on tasks responsibility.

Background: Computer-assisted three-dimensional (3D) planning is increasingly delegated to biomedical engineers. So far, the described fracture reduction approaches rely strongly on the performance of the users. The goal of our study was to analyze the influence of the two different professional backgrounds (technical and medical) and skill levels regarding the reliability of the proposed planning method. Finally, a new fragment displacement measurement method was introduced due to the lack of consistent methods in the literature. Methods: 3D bone models of 20 distal radius fractures were presented to nine raters with different educational backgrounds (medical and technical) and various levels of experience in 3D operation planning (0 to 10 years) and clinical experience (1.5 to 24 years). Each rater was asked to perform the fracture reduction on 3D planning software. Results: No difference was demonstrated in reduction accuracy regarding rotational (p = 1.000) and translational (p = 0.263) misalignment of the fragments between biomedical engineers and senior orthopedic residents. However, a significantly more accurate planning was performed in these two groups compared with junior orthopedic residents with less clinical experience and no 3D planning experience (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Experience in 3D operation planning and clinical experience are relevant factors to plan an intra-articular fragment reduction of the distal radius. However, no difference was observed regarding the educational background (medical vs. technical) between biomedical engineers and senior orthopedic residents. Therefore, our results support the further development of computer-assisted surgery planning by biomedical engineers. Additionally, the introduced fragment displacement measure proves to be a feasible and reliable method. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level II © 2021, The Author(s)., Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 16 (1), ISSN:1749-799X

Occultations of the Jovian low frequency radio emissions by the Galilean moons have been observed by the PWS instrument of the Galileo spacecraft. We show that the ExPRES (Exoplanetary and Planetary Radio Emission Simulator) code accurately models the temporal occurrence of the occultations in the whole spectral range observed by Galileo/PWS. This validates of the ExPRES code. The method can be applied for preparing the JUICE moon flyby science operation planning. Occultations of the Jovian low frequency radio emissions by the Galilean moons have been observed by the PWS (Plasma Wave Science) instrument of the Galileo spacecraft. We show that the ExPRES (Exoplanetary and Planetary Radio Emission Simulator) code accurately models the temporal occurrence of the occultations in the whole spectral range observed by Galileo/PWS. This validates of the ExPRES code. In addition to supporting the analysis of the science observations, the method can be applied for preparing the JUICE moon flyby science operation planning., Accepted for publication in Planet. Space Sci. Supplementary material available at: https://doi.org/10.25935/8ZFF-NX36

Changes in the demand for bulk cargo will have a significant impact on the industrial structure and transportation development planning, and trains and cargo ships are the main means of bulk cargo transportation. Accurately predicting the volume of bulk cargo transportation can be used to support transportation system management, such as operation planning and route selection design. This study uses the Elman model to conduct empirical analysis, predict the changing trend of bulk cargo transportation, and provide data reference for the formulation of transportation development plans.

Along with the increasing share of non-synchronous power sources, the inertia of power systems is being reduced, which can give rise to frequency containment problems should an outage of a generator or a power infeed happen. Low system inertia is eventually unavoidable, thus power system operators need to be prepared for this condition. This paper addresses the problem of low inertia in the power system from two different perspectives. At a system level, it proposes an operation planning methodology, which utilises a combination of power flow and dynamic simulation for calculation of existing inertia and, if need be, synthetic inertia (SI) to fulfil the security criterion of adequate rate of change of frequency (RoCoF). On a device level, it introduces a new concept for active power controller, which can be applied virtually to any power source with sufficient response time to create synthetic inertia. The methodology is demonstrated for a 24 h planning period, for which it proves to be effective. The performance of SI controller activated in a battery energy storage system (BESS) is positively validated using a real-time digital simulator (RTDS). Both proposals can effectively contribute to facilitating the operation of low inertia power systems.

Primary mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most common valvular disease, characterized by a high burden in terms of quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Surgical treatment is considered the best therapeutic strategy for patients with severe MR, especially if they are symptomatic. However, pre-operative echocardiographic evaluation is an essential step not only for surgical candidate selection but also to avoid post-operative complications. Therefore, a strong collaboration between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons is fundamental in this setting. A meticulous pre-operative echocardiographic exam, both with transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, followed by a precise report containing anatomical information and parameters should always be performed to optimize surgical planning. Moreover, intraoperative transesophageal evaluation is often required by cardiac surgeons as it may offer additive important information with different hemodynamic conditions. Three-dimensional echocardiography has recently gained higher consideration and availability for the evaluation of MR, providing more insights into mitral valve geometry and MR mechanism. This review paper aims to realize a practical overview on the main use of basic and advanced echocardiography in MR surgical planning and to provide a precise checklist with reference parameters to follow when performing pre-operative echocardiographic exam, in order to aid cardiologists to provide a complete echocardiographic evaluation for MR operation planning from clinical and surgical point-of-view.

Modular construction methods are adopted in many spatial and temporal limited projects. As the major equipment used in modular construction, the mobile crane affects the safety and efficiency of construction significantly. Currently, building information modeling (BIM) is widely adopted to improve the lifting operation planning of cranes. However, the inaccurate simulation of the dynamic construction environment makes those BIM-based lifting operation planning methods unsuitable for land mobile cranes operation planning, such as in the overpass bridge construction project, which may cause several safety risks during the lifting process. Based on an overpass steel bridge construction project, this paper attempted to integrate the BIM and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to streamline lifting operation planning and construction monitoring. Specifically, in the preliminary stage, a level of development (LOD) 400 steel superstructure model was built and then divided into eighty sections. In addition, a three-dimensional (3D) geology model of the as-is construction site was modeled by UAV-captured images. Then, a fusion model which contains the lifting modules models, the as-is site model, and the crane model was gathered, based on which the collision detection was conducted by 4D crane operating path simulation. According to the results, three potential collisions were found and eliminated by lengthening the jib of the crane from 43.5 m to 46.5 m. Furthermore, the optimum crane location for lifting each steel structure was determined based on the 3D geology model. The study shows that the UAV is able to acquire geological information and then 3D simulates the real construction environment quickly and accurately. Furthermore, BIM and UAV have the potential to optimize the design and construction as well as the monitoring of bridge projects.

The mental workload associated with work activities is a key factor affecting the performance of human resources in labor-intensive construction operations, in turn impacting work behavior. While most accidents in construction are caused by unsafe behavior, modeling behavior in construction projects remains challenging and relatively unexplored. Here, human cognition is incorporated into the design of construction operations to analyze the mental task demands associated with various designs. A framework that integrates cognitive modeling with a simulation-based decision-support system capable of analyzing existing and non-existing operations in a simple and automated manner is proposed. The superiority of the proposed framework is that it eliminates the need for prior knowledge of the underlying cognitive theories. Functionality of the developed framework was evaluated following its application to a case study of welding operations, where the proposed method was shown to successfully evaluate the trade-off between mental workload and productivity for different operation scenarios.

Anterior skull base meningiomas represent a wide cohort of tumors with different locations, extensions, configurations, and anatomical relationships. Diagnosis of these tumors and review of their therapies are inseparably connected with cranial imaging. We analyzed the influence of three-dimensional-virtual reality (3D-VR) reconstructions versus conventional computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images (two-dimensional (2D) and screen 3D) on the identification of anatomical structures and on the surgical planning in patients with anterior skull base meningiomas. Medical files were retrospectively analyzed regarding patient- and disease-related data. Preoperative 2D-CT and 2D-MRI scans were retrospectively reconstructed to 3D-VR images and visualized via VR software to detect the characteristics of tumors. A questionnaire of experienced neurosurgeons evaluated the influence of the VR visualization technique on identification of tumor morphology and relevant anatomy and on surgical strategy. Thirty patients were included and 600 answer sheets were evaluated. The 3D-VR modality significantly influenced the detection of tumor-related anatomical structures (p = 0.002), recommended head positioning (p = 0.005), and surgical approach (p = 0.03). Therefore, the reconstruction of conventional preoperative 2D scans into 3D images and the spatial and anatomical presentation in VR models enabled greater understanding of anatomy and pathology, and thus influenced operation planning and strategy.

This papaer presents the problem of optimizing the annual operation, equipment configuration and capacity in a smart city with renewable energy and Combined Cooling Heating and Power (CCHP). The effectiveness of this study is demonstrated by comparing the case where renewable energy and CCHP are introduced and the case where only electricity purchased from the electric utility is used.