Methodology for the characterization of the humidity behavior inside CPV modules

In this study the characterization of the humidity behavior inside concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules is addressed. To this purpose, several experimental tests have been carried out by using two different CPV modules and three different breathers, collecting in each analyzed case the evolution of temperature, relative and specific humidity of the air volume contained inside the module for many days. Results indicates that, for each of the CPV modules analyzed, it is possible to construct a characteristic curve in the temperature-specific humidity psychrometric chart, that can be used for estimating the specific humidity of the air inside the CPV module as a function of the internal air temperature. The characteristic curve can be also used to estimate the saturation temperature of the air inside the CPV module, and consequently to detect the eventuality of moisture condensation during cloudy days or night-time, namely when the temperature of the air inside the module is low and reaches the external ambient one. This methodology can be used in CPV modules design for the choice of the breather and of the construction materials, in order to obtain a saturation temperature as low as possible

TEVAR for Iatrogenic Injury of the Distal Aortic Arch after Pacemaker Implantation

Introduction We report the endovascular treatment of aortic arch injury due to direct puncture during pacemaker implantation. Report After pacemaker implantation a 74-year-old woman showed a progressive decrease in haematocrit with elevation of cardiac troponin-I. Coronary angiography revealed the malposition of the catheters introduced through the aortic wall. The atrial lead was placed in the left circumflex coronary artery. Computed tomography scan confirmed distal aortic arch perforation. A Medtronic-Valiant stent–graft was implanted in the distal aortic arch while the two catheters were removed. A new VVI pacemaker was implanted and, 3 days later, the patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the dissected left circumflex artery. Four days later the patient was discharged. One-year computed tomography scan showed successful repair of the injured aorta. Discussion Endovascular stent grafting has emerged as a less invasive therapeutic alternative to treat traumatic or iatrogenic injuries of the distal aortic arch

Design and experimental set-up of hydrogen based microgrid: characterization of components and control system development

In this study, the implementation of a hydrogen microgrid is investigated, considering the integration of H2 production, storage, and energy conversion to feed a typical end-user. A remote control system has been realized through LabVIEW software, allowing to monitor real-time all the devices and analyze their performances. The integrated system is composed of a PEM electrolyzer (325 W), a storage system based on metal hydrides (two tanks, 54 g of hydrogen each, 1.08 wt%) and an energy converter (PEM Fuel Cell stack, 200 W). A programmable electronic load was used to set a power demand throughout the year, simulating an end-user. Data collected from each component of the micro-grid were used to characterize the energetic performance of the devices, focusing on the H2 production via electrolyzer, charging cycles of the H2 storage system, and energy conversion efficiency of the FC stack. Finally, the global efficiency of the microgrid is computed. Even though the system is realized in laboratory scale, this circumstance will not invalidate the significance of the configuration due to modularity of all the technologies that can be easily scaled up to realistic scales

Neuromorphic sensing and processing for space domain awareness

As space debris poses substantial risks to space-based assets, the need for efficient, high-resolution monitoring and prediction methods is pressing. This paper presents the findings from the project NEU4SST, exploring Neuromorphic Engineering, specifically event-based visual sensing coupled with Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs), as a solution for enhanced Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Our research concentrates on event-based visual sensors and SNNs, offering low power consumption and precise high-resolution data capture and processing. These technologies bolster the ability to detect and track objects in space, addressing key challenges in the Space domain. Our method exceeded previous models by 15% on the informedness metric, demonstrating its potential in improving SDA, and aiding safer, more efficient space operations. Continued research and development in this area are crucial for realising the full potential of Neuromorphic engineering for future space missions

Protocols of Anesthesia Management in Parturients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Background: Our hospital became a referral center for COVID-19-positive obstetric patients from 1 May 2020. The aim of our study is to illustrate our management protocols for COVID-19-positive obstetric patients, to maintain safety standards for patients and healthcare workers. Methods: Women who underwent vaginal or operative delivery and induced or spontaneous abortion with a SARS-CoV-2-positive nasopharyngeal swab using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) were included in the study. Severity and onset of new symptoms were carefully monitored in the postoperative period. All the healthcare workers received a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR serially every five days. Results: We included 152 parturients with COVID-19 infection. None of the included women had general anesthesia, an increase of severe symptoms or onset of new symptoms. The RT-PCR test was “negative” for the healthcare workers. Conclusions: In our study, neuraxial anesthesia for parturients’ management with SARS-CoV-2 infection has been proven to be safe for patients and healthcare workers. Neuraxial anesthesia decreases aerosolization during preoxygenation, face-mask ventilation, endotracheal intubation, oral or tracheal suctioning and extubation. This anesthesia management protocol can be generalizable

Sleep Complaints, Sleep and Breathing Disorders in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To update the current knowledge concerning sleep complaints and breathing disorders in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) and to better understand if sleep and breathing symptoms may add a further clinical definition of DM2. RECENT FINDINGS: Although DM2 has been poorly evaluated, the most relevant sleep disorders are sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) (37.5-66.7%) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) (50-60%). Excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) is not consistent with SDB, and a large percentage of patients with sleep complaints (58-69%) report pain. In addition, respiratory dysfunctions are reported in 6 to 15% of DM2 patients, albeit few data are available regarding pulmonary restriction, hypoventilation, and non-invasive ventilation (NIV). SDB, RLS, and pain may contribute to sleep fragmentation and EDS in DM2. In addition, few studies report hypoventilation and pulmonary restriction, although there are no studies at all on NIV, except for limited clinical experiences. These findings suggest performing a careful pulmonary examination and NIV when required. Furthermore, sleep studies and respiratory evaluation should be recommended if OSA or respiratory muscle dysfunctions are suspected. A large polysomnographic study should be performed to clarify the link between sleep disorders, pain, and sleep disruption in DM2

Fiasco: a multidetector optimized for semiperipheral heavy ion collisions at Fermi energies

The Fiasco multidetector is a low-threshold apparatus, optimized for the investigation of peripheral to semi-central collisions in heavy ion reactions at Fermi energies. It consists of three types of detectors. The first detector layer is a shell of 24 position-sensitive Parallel Plate Avalanche Detectors (PPADs), covering about 70% of the forward hemisphere, which measure the velocity vectors of the heavy ðZ\10Þ reaction products. Below and around the grazing angle, behind the most forward PPADs, there are 96 DE–E silicon telescopes (with thickness of 200 and 500 mm; respectively); they are mainly used to measure the energy of the projectile-like fragment and to identify its charge and, via the time-of-flight of the PPADs, also its mass. Finally, behind most of the PPADs there are 158 (or 182, depending on the configuration) scintillation detectors, mostly of the phoswich type, which cover 25–30% of the forward hemisphere; they identify both light charged particles ðZ ¼ 1; 2Þ and intermediate mass fragments ð3pZt20Þ; measuring also their time-of-flight. r 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Translational Research in the Era of Precision Medicine: Where We Are and Where We Will Go

The advent of Precision Medicine has globally revolutionized the approach of translational research suggesting a patient-centric vision with therapeutic choices driven by the identification of specific predictive biomarkers of response to avoid ineffective therapies and reduce adverse effects. The spread of "multi-omics" analysis and the use of sensors, together with the ability to acquire clinical, behavioral, and environmental information on a large scale, will allow the digitization of the state of health or disease of each person, and the creation of a global health management system capable of generating real-time knowledge and new opportunities for prevention and therapy in the individual person (high-definition medicine). Real world data-based translational applications represent a promising alternative to the traditional evidence-based medicine (EBM) approaches that are based on the use of randomized clinical trials to test the selected hypothesis. Multi-modality data integration is necessary for example in precision oncology where an Avatar interface allows several simulations in order to define the best therapeutic scheme for each cancer patient

Predictors of sacubitril/valsartan high dose tolerability in a real world population with HFrEF

Abstract Aims The angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) demonstrated to be superior to enalapril in reducing hospitalizations, cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in patients with ambulatory heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), in particular when it is maximally up‐titrated. Unfortunately, the target dose is achieved in less than 50% of HFrEF patients, thus undermining the beneficial effects on the outcomes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of Sac/Val and its titration dose on reverse cardiac remodelling and determine which echocardiographic index best predicts the up‐titration success. Methods and results From January 2020 to June 2021, we retrospectively identified 95 patients (65.6 [59.1–72.8] years; 15.8% females) with chronic HFrEF who were prescribed Sac/Val from the HF Clinics of 5 Italian University Hospitals and evaluated the tolerability of Sac/Val high dose (the ability of the patient to achieve and stably tolerate the maximum dose) as the primary endpoint in the cohort. We used a multivariable logistic regression analysis, with a stepwise backward selection method, to determine the independent predictors of Sac/Val maximum dose tolerability, using, as candidate predictors, only variables with a P‐value < 0.1 in the univariate analyses. Candidate predictors identified for the multivariable backward logistic regression analysis were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dyslipidaemia, atrial fibrillation, systolic blood pressure (SBP), baseline tolerability of ACEi/ARBs maximum dose, left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LVgLS), LV ejection fraction (EF), tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricle (RV) fractional area change (FAC), RV global and free wall longitudinal strain (RVgLS and RV‐FW‐LS). After the multivariable analysis, only one categorical (ACEi/ARBs maximum dose at baseline) and three continuous (younger age, higher SBP, and higher TAPSE), resulted significantly associated with the study outcome variable with a strong discriminatory capacity (area under the curve 0.874, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.794–0.954) to predict maximum Sac/Val dose tolerability. Conclusions Our study is the first to analyse the potential role of echocardiography and, in particular, of RV dysfunction, measured by TAPSE, in predicting Sac/Val maximum dose tolerability. Therefore, patients with RV dysfunction (baseline TAPSE <16 mm, in our cohort) might benefit from a different strategy to titrate Sac/Val, such as starting from the lowest dose and/or waiting for a more extended period of observation before attempting with the higher doses