A Design Approach of Off-grid Hybrid Electric Microgrids in Isolated Villages: A Case Study in Uganda

Abstract Rural electrification in isolated areas of developing countries can be considered a pivotal factor for economic and social growth, moreover the absence of electricity grid in villages leads to an elevated usage of diesel generators that entails large costs and high CO 2 emissions. This paper presents a design methodology and economical evaluation to implement a hybrid power system composed of a photovoltaic power plant, electrical storage and a backup system of diesel generators in an isolated village in Uganda named Ntoroko. Results show that the usage of battery storage is economically crucial, particularly in areas with a low daily electrical consumption and peak loads increasing in the early morning and late evening when the solar radiation is lower and PV array has a reduced power production. Results disclose that the optimal configuration of the hybrid system (PV-storage-diesel generators), despite its high investment cost, presents an economic benefit of 25.5 and 22.2% compared to the usage of only PV array and diesel generators and only diesel generators and a reduction of fuel consumption equal to 74.7 and 77%, respectively

PMS20 Baseline Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting Certolizumab Pegol Therapy And Glucocorticoid Prescription In The Eclair Study In 2012–2013

International audienc

Efecto del almacenamiento en frío, el tiempo y la población de especies de Pseudomonas sobre la lipolisis de la leche

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipolytic index (LI) of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida (2, 5, 6 log CFU/mL) in milk during 96 h by the Lipo R method. The strains were isolated from refrigerated raw milk (30 °C, 48 h), and species were confirmed by PCR, inoculated in reconstituted whole milk, and stored at 2 °C, 4 °C, and 8 °C. The storage time (ST) and temperature were associated with LI of P. putida. The interaction among lipolysis, temperature, and ST occurs even with a low population of P. putida and these variables combined together contributed to about 77% of the free fatty acids (FFA) in milk. The ST, temperature, and population of P. fluorescens showed a significant effect on its LI, and the variables contributed to about 43% of FFA. LI was about 224% higher in milk with P. fluorescens than with P. putida. The reduc-tion in ST and milk temperature resulted in a decrease in lipid lysis and a lower index of FFA by P. putida and P. fluorescens, with P. fluorescens showing a higher lipolytic capacity.El objetivo fue evaluar el índice lipolítico (LI) (por el método Lipo R) de Pseudomonas fluorescens y Pseudomonas putidas (2, 5, 6 log CFU / mL) en leche durante 96 h. Las cepas se aislaron de leche cruda refrigerada (30 °C, 48 h), las especies se confirmaron por PCR, se inocularon en leche entera reconsti-tuida y se almacenaron a 2, 4 y 8 °C. El tiempo de almacenamiento (ST) y la temperatura se asociaron con LI de P. putida. La interacción entre lipólisis, temperatura y ST ocurre incluso con una población baja de P. putida y estas variables combinadas contribuyeron a aproximadamente el 77% de los ácidos grasos libres (FFA) en la leche. El ST, la temperatura y la población de P. fluorescens mostraron un efecto significativo en su LI, y las variables contribuyeron a aproximadamente el 43% de FFA. LI fue aproximadamente un 224% mayor en leche con P. fluorescens que con P. putida. La reducción de la temperatura de ST y de la leche dio como resultado una disminución en la lisis lipídica y un índice más bajo de FFA por P. putida y P. fluorescens, esta última mostrando una mayor capacidad lipolítica

Comparative retrospective study on the modalities of biopsying peripheral neuroblastic tumors: a report from the Italian Pediatric Surgical Oncology Group (GICOP)

Background: Peripheral neuroblastic tumors are the most common extracranial solid neoplasms in children. Early and adequate tissue sampling may speed up the diagnostic process and ensure a prompt start of optimal treatment whenever needed. Different biopsy techniques have been described. The purpose of this multi-center study is to evaluate the accuracy and safety of the various examined techniques and to determine whether a preferential procedure exists. Methods: All children who underwent a biopsy, from January 2010 to December 2014, as a result of being diagnosed with a peripheral neuroblastic tumor, were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patients’ demographics, clinical presentation, intraoperative technical details, postoperative parameters, complications, and histology reports. The Mann–Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The cohort included 100 patients, 32 of whom underwent an incisional biopsy (performed through open or minimally invasive access) (Group A), and the remaining 68 underwent multiple needle-core biopsies (either imaging-guided or laparoscopy/thoracoscopy-assisted) (Group B). Comparing the two groups revealed that Group A patients had a higher rate of complications, a greater need for postoperative analgesia, and required red blood cell transfusion more often. Overall adequacy rate was 94%, without significant differences between the two groups (100% vs. 91.2% for Group A and Group B, respectively, P = 0.0933). Conclusions: Both incision and needle-core biopsying methods provided sub-optimal to optimal sampling adequacy rates in children affected by peripheral neuroblastic tumors. However, the former method was associated with a higher risk of both intraoperative and postoperative complications compared with the latter

Epidemiology and natural history of central venous access device use and infusion pump function in the NO16966 trial

Background: Central venous access devices in fluoropyrimidine therapy are associated with complications; however, reliable data are lacking regarding their natural history, associated complications and infusion pump performance in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.<p></p> Methods: We assessed device placement, use during treatment, associated clinical outcomes and infusion pump perfomance in the NO16966 trial.<p></p> Results: Device replacement was more common with FOLFOX-4 (5-fluorouracil (5-FU)+oxaliplatin) than XELOX (capecitabine+oxaliplatin) (14.1% vs 5.1%). Baseline device-associated events and post-baseline removal-/placement-related events occurred more frequently with FOLFOX-4 than XELOX (11.5% vs 2.4% and 8.5% vs 2.1%). Pump malfunctions, primarily infusion accelerations in 16% of patients, occurred within 1.6–4.3% of cycles. Fluoropyrimidine-associated grade 3/4 toxicity was increased in FOLFOX-4-treated patients experiencing a malfunction compared with those who did not (97 out of 155 vs 452 out of 825 patients), predominantly with increased grade 3/4 neutropenia (53.5% vs 39.8%). Febrile neutropenia rates were comparable between patient cohorts±malfunction. Efficacy outcomes were similar in patient cohorts±malfunction.<p></p> Conclusions: Central venous access device removal or replacement was common and more frequent in patients receiving FOLFOX-4. Pump malfunctions were also common and were associated with increased rates of grade 3/4 haematological adverse events. Oral fluoropyrimidine-based regimens may be preferable to infusional 5-FU based on these findings

Effectiveness of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone in chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in a large prospective real-world cohort: the ABItude study

Background: Real-world data on chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with abiraterone plus prednisone are limited, largely deriving from small retrospective studies. Methods: ABitude is an Italian, observational, prospective, multicenter study of mCRPC patients receiving abiraterone plus prednisone in clinical practice. Chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients were consecutively enrolled at abiraterone start (February 2016 to June 2017) and are being followed for 3 years, with evaluation approximately every 6 months. Several clinical and patients reported outcomes were examined. Results: In this second interim analysis, among 481 enrolled patients, 453 were evaluable for analyses. At baseline, the median age was 77 years and ~69% of patients had comorbidities (mainly cardiovascular diseases). Metastases were located mainly at bones and lymph nodes; 8.4% of patients had visceral metastases. During a median follow-up of 18 months, 1- and 2-year probability of radiographic progression-free survival were 73.9% and 56.2%, respectively; the corresponding rates for overall survival were 87.3% and 70.4%. In multivariable analyses, the number of bone metastases significantly affected radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival. During abiraterone plus prednisone treatment, 65% of patients had a ⩾50% prostate-specific antigen decline, and quality of life remained appreciably high. Among symptomatic patients according to the Brief Pain Inventory) (32%), scores significantly declined after 6 months of treatment. Overall, eight patients (1.7%) had serious adverse reactions to abiraterone. Conclusions: Abiraterone plus prednisone is effective and safe for chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients in clinical practice

Genome-wide association and HLA fine-mapping studies identify risk loci and genetic pathways underlying allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is the most common clinical presentation of allergy, affecting 400 million people worldwide, with increasing incidence in westernized countries1,2. To elucidate the genetic architecture and understand the underlying disease mechanisms, we carried out a meta-analysis of allergic rhinitis in 59,762 cases and 152,358 controls of European ancestry and identified a total of 41 risk loci for allergic rhinitis, including 20 loci not previously associated with allergic rhinitis, which were confirmed in a replication phase of 60,720 cases and 618,527 controls. Functional annotation implicated genes involved in various immune pathways, and fine mapping of the HLA region suggested amino acid variants important for antigen binding. We further performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses of allergic sensitization against inhalant allergens and nonallergic rhinitis, which suggested shared genetic mechanisms across rhinitis-related traits. Future studies of the identified loci and genes might identify novel targets for treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis

Work, life and time in the new economy: an introduction

International audienc