A Comprehensive Physical‐Based Sensitivity Analysis of the Electrochemical Impedance Response of Lithium‐Ion Batteries

The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterization technique, although widely adopted in electrochemistry for understanding operational issues and degradation, has a less consolidated physical interpretation in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), often relying on circuital methods. Herein, the Doyle-Fuller-Newman model is adapted and experimentally validated for the physical simulation of electrochemical impedance; then, it is applied in a comprehensive one-factor-at-time sensitivity analysis on an impedance spectrum from 4 kHz to 0.005 Hz; 28 physical parameters, which represent the kinetic, resistive, diffusive, and geometric characteristics of the battery, are varied within broad literature-based ranges of values, for each of the 20 analyzed battery states, characterized by different state-of-charge and temperature values. The results show a miscellaneous sensitivity of parameters on impedance spectra, which ranges from highly sensitive to negligible, often resulting in a strong dependence on operating conditions and impedance frequency. Such results consolidate the understanding of LIB electrochemical impedance and demonstrate that 40% of the parameters, 12 out of 28, can be considered poorly sensitive or insensitive parameters; therefore, fitting the experimental EIS data, their value can be assumed from the literature without significantly losing accuracy

Instance segmentation of upper aerodigestive tract cancer: site-specific outcomes

Objective. To achieve instance segmentation of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) neoplasms using a deep learning (DL) algorithm, and to identify differences in its diagnostic performance in three different sites: larynx/hypopharynx, oral cavity and oropharynx.Methods. A total of 1034 endoscopic images from 323 patients were examined under narrow band imaging (NBI). The Mask R-CNN algorithm was used for the analysis. The dataset split was: 935 training, 48 validation and 51 testing images. Dice Similarity Coefficient (Dsc) was the main outcome measure.Results. Instance segmentation was effective in 76.5% of images. The mean Dsc was 0.90 & PLUSMN; 0.05. The algorithm correctly predicted 77.8%, 86.7% and 55.5% of lesions in the larynx/hypopharynx, oral cavity, and oropharynx, respectively. The mean Dsc was 0.90 & PLUSMN; 0.05 for the larynx/hypopharynx, 0.60 & PLUSMN; 0.26 for the oral cavity, and 0.81 & PLUSMN; 0.30 for the oropharynx. The analysis showed inferior diagnostic results in the oral cavity compared with the larynx/hypopharynx (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The study confirms the feasibility of instance segmentation of UADT using DL algorithms and shows inferior diagnostic results in the oral cavity compared with other anatomic areas

O impacto da abstinência nos níveis séricos de leptina e no perfil nutricional de alcoolistas

Introduction: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with changes in metabolism and in the nutritional profile. Food-seeking behaviors and psychoactive substances share common biological pathways that activate the reward system and leptin is a modulator of this system. Objective: To measure serum leptin levels and nutritional status of individuals with before their detoxification and then 15 days later. Material and Methods: In total, 38 men diagnosed with AUD and admitted to a detoxification unit were analyzed. Serum leptin levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and body composition were assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) within the first 48 hours of hospital admission and again 15 days after the first assessment. Results: Weight, BMI and WC increased significantly during detoxing (p<0.001), but body fat and leptin levels percentages remained similar. At admission, leptin levels were positively correlated with body fat (0.607), WC (0.696), and BMI (0.357). After 15 days, only leptin and BMI were significantly correlated (0.462). Conclusion: Our results reinforce the relationship between leptin and nutritional parameters related to body weight. It is essential to educate about nutrition and to encourage healthy eating behaviors so individuals with AUD can reduce weight gain during the recovery period.Introdução: O transtorno por uso de álcool (TUA) está associado a alterações metabólicas e perfil nutricional. Comportamento de busca de alimentos e substâncias psicoativas compartilham vias biológicas comuns ativando o sistema de recompensa e a leptina modula esse sistema. Objetivo: Avaliar níveis séricos de leptina e estado nutricional de indivíduos antes e 15 dias após a desintoxicação. Materiais e Métodos: Foram analisados 38 homens com diagnóstico de TUA internados em unidade de desintoxicação. Níveis séricos de leptina, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), Circunferência da Cintura (CC) e composição corporal foram avaliados por Bioimpedância Elétrica (BIA) nas primeiras 48 horas de internação e 15 dias após a primeira avaliação. Resultados: Peso, IMC e CC aumentaram significativamente durante a desintoxicação (p<0,001), mas os percentuais de gordura corporal e níveis de leptina permaneceram semelhantes. Na admissão, os níveis de leptina foram positivamente correlacionados com a gordura corporal (0,607), CC (0,696) e IMC (0,357). Após 15 dias, apenas leptina e IMC foram significativamente correlacionados (0,462). Conclusão: Os resultados reforçam a relação entre leptina e parâmetros nutricionais relacionados ao peso corporal. A educação nutricional e o incentivo ao comportamento alimentar saudável são essenciais para que indivíduos com TUA reduzam o ganho de peso na desintoxicação

Various student’s projects related to aerospace control education

International audienc

Reliable Thermal-Physical Modeling of Lithium-Ion Batteries: Consistency between High-Frequency Impedance and Ion Transport

Among lithium-ion battery diagnostic tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, being highly informative on the physics of battery operation within limited testing times, deserves a prominent role in the identification of model parameters and the interpretation of battery state. Nevertheless, a reliable physical simulation and interpretation of battery impedance spectra is still to be addressed, due to its intrinsic complexity. An improved methodology for the calibration of a state-of-the-art physical model is hereby presented, focusing on high-energy batteries, which themselves require a careful focus on the high-frequency resistance of the impedance response. In this work, the common assumption of the infinite conductivity of the current collectors is questioned, presenting an improved methodology for simulating the pure resistance of the cell. This enables us to assign the proper contribution value to current collectors’ resistance and, in turn, not to underestimate electrolyte conductivity, thereby preserving the physical relation between electrolyte conductivity and diffusivity and avoiding physical inconsistencies between impedance spectra and charge–discharge curves. The methodology is applied to the calibration of the model on a commercial sample, demonstrating the reliability and physical consistency of the solution with a set of discharge curves, EIS, and a dynamic driving cycle under a wide range of operating conditions

2CdA chemotherapy and rituximab in the treatment of marginal zone lymphoma

Standard chemotherapic approach for MZL is missing. We are presenting our monocenter experience with 2CdA+/-rituximab. Patients received 2CdA, 5mg/m(2), weekly, for 6 weeks. Patients receiving rituximab underwent to antibody administration in association with 2CdA, or after the end of chemotherapy. Global ORR was 89.3%, with 53.6% CR, with 60 months of median of TTF. 2CdA and rituximab led to 96.5% ORR, with 60.3% CR, while 2CdA alone to 73.1% ORR, with 38.5% CR. TTF median was reached at 35 months with 2CdA alone; not reached yet in the combination arm. Considering subgroups of MZL, combination therapy has a more favorable outcome in SMZL and NMZL, while MALT does not differ. However, all subgroups present a delayed relapse. Considering minimal residual disease (MRD), adding of rituximab converted 65.0% to negativity versus 15.4% of 2CdA alone, with TTF in positive patients reached after 34 months; not reached yet in negatives. Concomitant use of rituximab with 2CdA allowed an ORR of 98.0%, with 68% CR and 56.3% of MRD conversion, while consequent use 100%, 54.6%, and 70.8%, respectively. TTF does not differ. 2CdA therapy is effective in the treatment of MZL. Adding rituximab allows increasing ORR and CR, prolonging TTF

Strategies for Structural and Energy Improvement in Mid-Rise Unreinforced Masonry Apartment Buildings. A Case Study in Mestre (Northeast Italy)

Two-thirds of the Italian building stock was already built by the 1970s, largely according to gravity load design and using economical materials and poor workmanship. Currently, the structures, fixtures, and fittings of these buildings have reached the end of their service life, and they require both an assessment and an update to meet new standards and new needs. As an example of a common type, this article deals with the assessment of the present state and the proposal of an integrated structural and architectural intervention on an existing brick masonry mid-rise apartment building in the suburbs of Venice, Northern Italy. The structural analysis highlights a moderate vulnerability, despite the low seismic hazard, and the energy analysis indicates that the highest management costs are due to heating and sanitary uses. Low-impact strategies are preferred for each aspect of the required interventions. Their costs are counterbalanced by (a) the reduction to a fifth of the present management costs; (b) a 20% average increase in the economic value of the flats; and (c) a favorable tax regime at the national level. Transformed into parametric values, also useful for large scale analyses, these costs resulted in a sustainable monthly instalment from the owners, who may also benefit from the increased quality of the place where they live