Quadratic Surface Rendering on a Logic-Enhanced Frame-Buffer Memory

A new system, Pixel-powers, has been designed for the rapid rendering of curved surfaces. This system is a generalization of the design of our logic-enhanced framed buffer memory system, Pixel-planes. Our new design can directly evaluate quadratic expressions of the form Ax2 + Bxy + Cy2 + Dx + Ey + F for every pixel (x,y) in the image in parallel. Sample images generated by a high-level simulation of the new system are shown.     

Measurement of eddy-current loss coefficient PEC-R,derating of single-phase transformers, and comparison with K-factorapproach

A power amplifier is used to supply sinusoidal currents of different frequencies for measuring eddy-current losses of a 25 kVA single-phase transformer under short-circuit condition. Measured data show that eddy-current loss is a linear function of frequency with power of 2 and the eddy-current loss coefficient P_EC-Rlinear is computed. New measurement techniques are applied to determine the derating of single-phase transformers with full-wave diode and thyristor rectifier loads. The derating of transformers has been defined such that for the (apparent, real) power transfer of a transformer the total losses are identical to the rated losses at rated temperature. A relation between apparent power, derating and K-factor is given taking into account iron-core and stray-power losses. Measured derating values are compared with computed results based on the eddy-current losses, iron-core losses, stray-power losses, and K-factors. The eddy-current loss coefficient P_{EC-Rnonlinear} is computed from harmonics caused by diode/thyristor bridge loads     

REM sleep behaviour disorder: an overview

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RSBD) is a recently described parasomnia characterised by a history of excessive nocturnal motor activity and absence of muscle atonia during REM sleep. Only limited literature is available on this condition. The exact prevalence is unclear, but recent studies suggest it might not be an uncommon condition. The elderly are more often affected and there is a male preponderance. While transient RSBD can be seen after taking certain drugs or during drug withdrawal, the chronic type is usually idiopathic or associated with an underlying degenerative neurological condition. It can result in considerable distress and/or serious injury to the patients or their bed partners. Differential diagnoses include sleep-walking, night terrors, nightmares, nocturnal seizures, obstructive sleep apnoea, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative states and nocturnal confusional states. The dramatic response to clonazepam highlights the importance of recognition and appropriate treatment of this sleep disorder.     

Association between intestinal vitamin D receptor, calcium absorption, and serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D in normal young and elderly women

This paper systematically reviews the results from epidemiologic studies investigating the hypothesis that breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women increases with increasing concentrations of estradiol in blood and with increasing urinary estrogen excretion rates. Data from 29 epidemiologic studies of endogenous hormones and postmenopausal breast cancer were used. The ratio of the average estrogen concentration in the women with breast cancer to that in the women without breast cancer (and its 95 percent confidence interval [CI]) was calculated for each study, and the results were summarized by calculating weighted averages of the log ratios. In six prospective studies of serum estradiol concentration, 329 women who subsequently developed breast cancer had, overall, a 15 percent (CI = 6-24 percent, P = 0.0003) higher mean concentration of estradiol in their blood than the 1,105 women who remained free of cancer. The results of these prospective studies did not differ significantly from each other (chi2 for heterogeneity = 8.7; degrees of freedom = 5; P > 0.1). Similar differences in mean estrogen levels were seen in the case-control studies which reported either estradiol concentrations in the blood or urinary estrogen excretion. However, the case-control studies showed significant heterogeneity among their results. The data from the prospective studies strongly suggest that breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women is associated with relatively high concentrations of endogenous estradiol.     

Entwicklungen und Nachweisuntersuchungen von Diagnosemethoden für Wasserkraftgeneratoren

In cooperation between two utilities and two generator manufacturers the stator windings of two severely loaded motor generator sets were tested with different online methods. The selected test methods reflect the different diagnosis philosophies of these companies. In addition to different PD measuring systems, analysis of the cooling air with respect to ozone and other gaseous reaction products as well as structureborne sound diagnosis were applied. To check the coincidence of the diagnosis the test results have been individually evaluated and separately commented in this paper. Differences are discussed in a common conclusion. On account of various types of insulation defects interesting findings have been obtained.