Time-domain analysis of multiple straight thin wires in a non-homogeneous medium

Time-domain analysis of the transient current distribution along parallel wires located at different heights above a real ground is presented. The numerical solution is carried out via time-domain variant of the Galerkin–Bubnov indirect boundary element method (GB-IBEM) of solution extended to handle the case of arbitrary array of parallel wires located in a homogenous lossless medium, above a perfectly conducting (PEC) ground, or above a dielectric half-space. The mathematical formulation is based on the set of coupled space-time integral equations of the Hallen type. Some illustrative numerical results being compared to the results obtained via other methods wherever possible are presented.     

Comparative evaluation of first- and second-generation digene hybrid capture assays for detection of human papillomaviruses associated with high or intermediate risk for cervical cancer

In the present study we comparatively evaluated the first- and second-generation Digene Hybrid Capture assays for detection of human papillomaviruses (HPV) associated with high or intermediate risk for cervical cancer in cervical specimens. Concordant results were obtained with 468 of 483 (96.8%) specimens. All 15 specimens which gave repeatedly discordant results were positive by the second-generation test only, and 14 of them tested PCR positive. The enhanced sensitivity of the second-generation assay is mainly a result of the reformulation of hybridization reagents and, to a lesser extent, a result of the addition of new HPV probes.     

Boundary Element Modeling of the Realistic Human Body Exposed to Extremely-Low-Frequency (ELF) Electric Fields: Computational and Geometrical Aspects

This paper presents the human exposure assessment to high-voltage extremely-low-frequency (ELF) fields by the three-dimensional (3-D) boundary element method (BEM). The formulation is based on a realistic, anatomically based representation of the human body. The main objective is to analyze the influence of the relative position of the arms with respect to the body on the axial distribution of current density along the body and to determine the most vulnerable regions. Numerical results along head, neck, torso, abdomen, arms, legs, and ankles are presented and discussed in the case of grounded subject standing under power-distribution lines and in the vicinity of power transformer substations     

Rapid detection and typing of human papillomaviruses by consensus polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

This long-term prospective study evaluates the clinical results of subsequent laminectomy in 103 consecutive patients who initially underwent chemonucleolysis (CNL) or laminectomy for lumbar disc herniation. Between 1981 and 1994, 53 patients who had received CNL initially and then underwent laminectomy and 50 patients treated initially with laminectomy underwent a repeat laminectomy. Clinical assessment at 6 weeks showed a success rate of 80.8% for post-CNL laminectomy and 78% for repeat laminectomy. At 6 months, the success rate for patients treated with CNL was 86% versus 78.7% for laminectomy. At 12 months, the overall success rate for the CNL group was 80.4% versus 83.3% for the laminectomy group, but in patients who had not obtained relief from the first procedure the success rate for the second procedure was higher for the post-CNL patients. A questionnaire was sent to all patients for 1- to 13-year follow-up review. The average follow-up period was 6.6 years for post-CNL laminectomy and 5.2 years for repeat laminectomy. The long-term success rate (81.8%) was higher in the post-CNL group compared to 64.4% in the repeat laminectomy group. Seven patients in the post-CNL group and nine in the repeat laminectomy group had undergone a third operation. When these originally successfully treated patients were reassigned after unsuccessful outcomes, the success rate for the CNL groups was 72.7%, versus 51.1% in the laminectomy group (p = 0.049). Employment rates were 80% for patients with CNL (21.8% changed jobs) and 76.3% for patients undergoing laminectomy (48.3% changed jobs) (p = 0.036). In conclusion, patients who underwent laminectomies after receiving CNL had significantly better long-term results than those who had repeat laminectomies.     

Improving bulk FinFET DC performance in comparison to SOI FinFET

The implementation of FinFET structure in bulk silicon wafers is very attractive due to low-cost technology and compatibility with standard bulk CMOS in comparison with silicon-on-insulator (SOI) FinFET. SOI and bulk FinFET were analyzed by a three-dimensional numerical device simulator. We have shown that bulk FinFET with source/drain-to-body (S/D) junctions shallower than gate-bottom has equal or better subthreshold performance than SOI FinFET. By reducing S/D junction depth, fin width scaling for suppression of short-channel-effects (SCEs) can be relaxed. On-state performance has also been examined and drain current difference between the SOI and bulk FinFET at higher body doping levels has been explained by investigating enhanced conduction in silicon-oxide interface corners. By keeping the body doping low and junctions shallower than the gate-bottom, bulk FinFET characteristics can be improved with no increase in process complexity and cost.     

Current induced along horizontal wire above an imperfectly conducting half-space

The boundary element/exponential approximation technique for calculating the loaded straight wire horizontally located above a dissipative half-space is presented. The influence of a lossy ground is taken into account via Sommerfeld integrals appearing within the kernel of the electric field integral equation for thin wire. These integrals are computed by means of the exponential approximation technique. The resulting integral equation for loaded wire above an imperfect earth is solved by the boundary element method. Numerical results are obtained for current distribution along a resistively loaded dipole antenna and along a transmission line of a finite length.     

The boundary element modelling of the human body exposed to the ELF electromagnetic fields

In this paper a cylindrical model of human body exposed to the extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field is presented. The analysis is based on the solution of the simplified integral equation for thick wires. The numerical solution of the integral equations is performed by the Galerkin–Bubnov variant of the boundary element method. Several numerical results for the ELF exposures are presented.     

A new front updating solution applied to some engineering problems

Summary An automatic mesh generation dealing with domains of an arbitrary shape could be realized by an advancing front method. The mesh generator based on this method creates triangle elements inside a domain starting with the polygonal (polyhedral in 3D) discretisation of its border. In this paper an original algorithm for the front updating procedures as a part of the mesh generator is presented. The proposed algorithm provides an efficient mesh generation procedure. It has been verified on the various domains with complex geometry and with nonuniform distribution of edge nodes such as the discretisation of the switched reluctance motor and power cable configuration, respectively. The related finite element calculations are carried out.     

Comparison of analytical and boundary element modeling of electromagnetic field coupling to overhead and buried wires

The paper deals with various approaches for the analysis of electromagnetic field coupling to horizontal straight line of finite length in the presence of a lossy half-space based on the theory of thin wire antennas. The formulation is posed in the frequency domain and it is based on the corresponding Pocklington integro-differential equation. Throughout this work the Pocklington equation is solved numerically via the Galerkin–Bubnov scheme of the indirect boundary element method (GB-IBEM) and analytically. The obtained results are compared to NEC results and to the results obtained by applying the transmission line (TL) model, i.e. to the results obtained by solving the corresponding Telegrapher’s equations.