We analyze weighted networks as randomly reinforced urn processes, in which the edge-total weights are determined by a reinforcement mechanism. We develop a statistical test and a procedure based on it to study the evolution of networks over time, detecting the "dominance" of some edges with respect to the others and then assessing if a given instance of the network is taken at its steady state...

Secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) is more frequent, portends a worse prognosis and its diagnostic and management are more difficult in comparison with primary MR. The mechanism of secondary MR is linked to the left ventricle remodeling, while the valve morphology is normal. Surgical treatment of severe secondary MR consists either in mitral valve replacement or in mitral valve repair. The mos...

BACKGROUND Recent developments in surgical techniques and hospital care have led to improved outcomes following total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) repair. However, the surgical repair of TAPVR remains associated with a high risk of mortality and need for reoperation. We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate mid-term outcomes following in situ TAPVR repair without total cir...

A patient with Marfan syndrome underwent aortic root replacement with the Cabrol technique at 37 years of age. She underwent a surgical repair for an aneurysm in the right coronary at 58 years of age, followed by a surgical repair for a pseudoaneurysm of the left coronary artery at 64 years of age.

Cyclodialysis cleft is a rare clinical finding and therefore, reports on surgical repair techniques in the literature are limited. Additionally, hypotony can make repair technically challenging. We share a novel, simple surgical approach to management of a case of chronic traumatic cyclodialysis cleft with a successful outcome.

It is widely accepted that excessive urbanization, concluded into intense industrial activities near residential districts, with unpleasant effects to the citizens health. Furthermore, shipbuilding and ship repairing consists one of the polluting industrial activities in the country – and more precisely concerning the widely capital region – in spite of the recession that has come to the last y...

Remanufacturing is a concept of strategic importance that enables a significant part of the value added to a product during its initial production to be retained. It is no longer acceptable to dispose continually of strategically important materials in landfill sites or waste the energy associated with their processing. Remanufacturing is the process by which used products and assemblies are re...

When a repairable product is sold with a free replacement warranty, the manufacturer has the option of rectifying a failure by either repairing the failed item or replacing it with a new one. In this paper, repairs are assumed to be minimal in the sense that they leave the product in exactly the same condition it was in prior to failure. We discuss the form of the optimal repair}replace strateg...

Field investigation of 27 medium to small water systems in Ontario Province has revealed a pattern of deviations in operations that is similar to those reported in the United States over the past 25 years. In this recent Ontario survey of water utilities, the key findings were: (1) a need for full cost pricing of public water supply to consumers; (2) better understanding of water treatment trai...