Experimental Analysis of Open-Circuit Voltage Hysteresis in Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries

This paper aims at investigating and modelling the hysteresis in the relationship between state-of-charge and open-circuit voltage of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. A first-order charge relaxation equation was used to describe the hysteresis dynamics. This equation was translated into a voltage-controlled voltage source and included within an equivalent electric circuit of the battery used in online state-of-charge estimators. The effectiveness of the obtained battery model was verified comparing simulated and experimental data

Impact of High‑Grade Patterns in Early‑Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Multicentric Analysis

Objective The presence of micropapillary and solid adenocarcinoma patterns leads to a worse survival and a signifcantly higher tendency to recur. This study aims to assess the impact of pT descriptor combined with the presence of high-grade components on long-term outcomes in early-stage lung adenocarcinomas. Methods We retrospectively collected data of consecutive resected pT1-T3N0 lung adenocarcinoma from nine European Thoracic Centers. All patients who underwent a radical resection with lymph-node dissection between 2014 and 2017 were included. Diferences in Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and possible prognostic factors associated with outcomes were evaluated also after performing a propensity score matching to compare tumors containing non-highgrade and high-grade patterns. Results Among 607 patients, the majority were male and received a lobectomy. At least one high-grade histological pattern was seen in 230 cases (37.9%), of which 169 solid and 75 micropapillary. T1a-b-c without high-grade pattern had a signifcant better prognosis compared to T1a-b-c with high-grade pattern (p=0.020), but the latter had similar OS compared to T2a (p=0.277). Concurrently, T1a-b-c without micropapillary or solid patterns had a signifcantly better DFS compared to those with high-grade patterns (p=0.034), and it was similar to T2a (p=0.839). Multivariable analysis confrms the role of T descriptor according to high-grade pattern both for OS (p=0.024; HR 1.285 95% CI 1.033–1.599) and DFS (p=0.003; HR 1.196, 95% CI 1.054–1.344, respectively). These results were confrmed after the propensity score matching analysis. Conclusions pT1 lung adenocarcinomas with a high-grade component have similar prognosis of pT2a tumors

Pathological and clinical features of multiple cancers and lung adenocarcinoma: a multicentre study

OBJECTIVES: Lung cancer is increasingly diagnosed as a second cancer. Our goal was to analyse the characteristics and outcomes of early-stage resected lung adenocarcinomas in patients with previous cancers (PC) and correlations with adenocarcinoma subtypes.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of patients radically operated on for stage I-II lung adenocarcinoma in 9 thoracic surgery departments between 2014 and 2017. Overall survival (OS) and time to disease relapse were evaluated between subgroups.RESULTS: We included 700 consecutive patients. PC were present in 260 (37.1%). Breast adenocarcinoma, lung cancer and prostate cancer were the most frequent (21.5%, 11.5% and 11.2%, respectively). No significant differences in OS were observed between the PC and non-PC groups (P = 0.378), with 31 and 75 deaths, respectively. Patients with PC had smaller tumours and were more likely to receive sublobar resection and to be operated on with a minimally invasive approach. Previous gastric cancer (P = 0.042) and synchronous PC (when diagnosed up to 6 months before lung adenocarcinoma; P = 0.044) were related, with a worse OS. Colon and breast adenocarcinomas and melanomas were significantly related to a lower incidence of high grade (solid or micropapillary, P = 0.0039, P = 0.005 and P = 0.028 respectively), whereas patients affected by a previous lymphoma had a higher incidence of a micropapillary pattern (P = 0.008).CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PC, we found smaller tumours more frequently treated with minimally invasive techniques and sublobar resection, probably due to a more careful follow-up. The impact on survival is not uniform and predictable; however, breast and colon cancers and melanoma showed a lower incidence of solid or micropapillary patterns whereas patients with lymphomas had a higher incidence of a micropapillary pattern

Comparing Open-Circuit Voltage Hysteresis Models for Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries

The hysteresis in the state-of-charge (SoC) vs. open-circuit voltage characteristic of a lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFeP04, LFP) battery is modelled with two approaches. The first one is based on a first-order charge relaxation equation, the second one is the Preisach model implemented with the Everett function. The advantages and drawbacks of the methods are discussed. Simulation results are compared for a 20 A h LFP cell, stimulated with various SoC evolutions, allowing us to draw minor loops in the SoC-OCV plane. The results are also compared to experimental data

Preisach Modelling of Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Battery Hysteresis

The hysteresis of the open-circuit voltage as a function of the state-of-charge in a 20 Ah lithium-iron-phosphate battery is investigated starting from pulsed current experiments at a fixed temperature and ageing state, in order to derive a model that may reproduce well the battery behaviour. The hysteretic behaviour is modelled with the classical Preisach model used in magnetic materials. The paper shows that the Preisach model can successfully be applied to the lithium-ion battery hysteresis. First, the model is discretised by using the Everett function and identified by means of experiments, in which first-order reversal branches are measured. Then, the model is simulated and compared to some experimental data collected with different current profiles and to a one-state variable model previously used in the literature. The results show that the hysteresis is well reproduced with rms errors around 2 %. The advantages of the Preisach-based method, when compared to other models, are the formal and repeatable identification procedure and the limited computational resources needed for the model simulation that makes it appropriate for the online implementation on low-complexity hardware platforms

Intraoperative near-infrared molecular imaging for diagnostic thoracoscopy in difficult clinical scenario

Precise diagnosis in intrathoracic malignancies is paramount for adequate treatment planning. Standard approach is histologic analysis from targeted biopsy obtained with different invasive procedures. Rarely, in difficult clinical scenarios, even gold standard diagnostic procedures can be ineffective in obtaining a satisfying result. Procedural developments and technological improvements applied to the chosen technique can be helpful to deal with such situation. We present two clinical cases of suspected intrathoracic malignancy in which repeated unsuccessful diagnostic procedures had already been attempted. We adopted a protocol based on intraoperative fluorescence during diagnostic thoracoscopy to increase diagnostic efficacy. In both cases we obtained a precise pathological diagnosis

A prototypical MMPI-2 configuration of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is often measured through self-report questionnaires focused on measuring symptomatology (Y-BOCS, OCI-R, and PI). The scientific literature identifies the Pt scale as a distinctive marker, but does not report data related to a specific OCD profile of the MMPI-2 test. Therefore, based on some clinical considerations and preliminary investigations, the following study aims to identify a specific MMPI-OCD configuration marked by the presence of significant indicators able to describe its psychological functioning and its key features in cognitive, emotional and affective terms. Method: In order to explore the expected relationships, 395 participants were involved (average age: 34.20 years) and evaluated through the MMPI-2 test and the Yale-Brown interview. Results: MANOVA, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and Discriminant Function Analysis confirm that the OCD is marked by the recurrence of three elevated clinical scales (Pt, D, Sc). Hyper-prudential reasoning and some reasoning bias, typically employed by these subjects, could justify such results. Conclusions: This specific configuration could therefore support the clinician during the assessment phases and lead him to identify – as well as differentiate – his characteristics from those of other psychological disorders, thus stimulating him to deepen during the interpretation of the results

Proctor-guided virtual reality-enhanced three-dimensional video-assisted thoracic surgery: an excellent tutoring model for lung segmentectomy

OBJECTIVE: Lung segmentectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is an effective strategy to treat early-stage lung cancer. The objective of this case report is to show the efficacy of Hyper Accuracy 3D (HA3D) reconstruction as a tool for trainee surgeons and expert surgeons to perform complex procedures.METHODS: An 84-year-old man was treated for colon-rectal cancer. During follow-up, a pulmonary nodule on the right anterior upper lobe suspected for intestinal metastasis was revealed by a computed tomography scan. According to functional tests and radiology, a right anterior upper lobe segmentectomy was planned. HA3D lung reconstruction was used during surgery.RESULTS: Using the HA3D virtual model, the procedure was performed with healthy tissue sparing, ensuring safe resection margins. No postoperative morbidities were noted. The patient referred good pain control. The hospital stay was 6 days.CONCLUSIONS: VATS segmentectomy is a technically demanding procedure. HA3D lung reconstruction can help surgeons effectively perform the resection, aiding at individuating intersegmental planes, bronchi, and vessels, guaranteeing oncologic radicality and safe surgical margins, and preserving respiratory function