Математическое моделирование системы отслеживания шва в сварке электронным пучком

В ходе исследований разработана математическая модель системы отслеживания шва в сварке электронным пучком. Экспериментально доказана эффективность применения данной модели к любой электронно-сварочной установке. Для простейшего детектора излучения (пластины-детектора) без использования физических фильтров были получены электронные изображения сварных швов, отличающиеся высокой четкостью. Эмпирически доказана независимость сканирования от механических характеристик электронно-сварочной установки. Доказано, что отсутствие источников электронов с необходимой мощностью пучка не является препятствием для получения достаточного качества измерений.In the course of research, a mathematical model of the tracking system of a weld in electron beam welding was developed. The effectiveness of applying this model to any electronic welding installation has been experimentally proven. For the simplest radiation detector (detector plate) without the use of physical filters, electronic images of welds, which are distinguished by high definition, were obtained. Empirically proven independence of the scan from the mechanical characteristics of the electronic welding installation. It is proved that the absence of electron sources with the necessary beam power is not an obstacle to obtaining a sufficient measurement quality

eMedOffice: A web-based collaborative serious game for teaching optimal design of a medical practice

Abstract Background Preparing medical students for the takeover or the start-up of a medical practice is an important challenge in Germany today. Therefore, this paper presents a computer-aided serious game (eMedOffice) developed and currently in use at the RWTH Aachen University Medical School. The game is part of the attempt to teach medical students the organizational and conceptual basics of the medical practice of a general practitioner in a problem-based learning environment. This paper introduces methods and concepts used to develop the serious game and describes the results of an evaluation of the game's application in curricular courses at the Medical School. Results Results of the conducted evaluation gave evidence of a positive learning effect of the serious game. Educational supervisors observed strong collaboration among the players inspired by the competitive gaming aspects. In addition, an increase in willingness to learn and the exploration of new self-invented ideas were observed and valuable proposals for further prospective enhancements were elicited. A statistical analysis of the results of an evaluation provided a clear indication of the positive learning effect of the game. A usability questionnaire survey revealed a very good overall score of 4.07 (5=best, 1=worst). Conclusions We consider web-based, collaborative serious games to be a promising means of improving medical education. The insights gained by the implementation of eMedOffice will promote the future development of more effective serious games for integration into curricular courses of the RWTH Aachen University Medical School.</p

General Practitioner’s Knowledge about Bariatric Surgery Is Associated with Referral Practice to Bariatric Surgery Centers

(1) Background: Patients seeking treatment for obesity and related diseases often contact general practitioners (GPs) first. The aim of this study was to evaluate GPs’ knowledge about weight loss surgery (WLS) and potential stereotypes towards obese patients. (2) Methods: For this prospective cohort study, 204 GPs in the region of the bariatric surgery center at the University Hospital Aachen were included. The participants filled out a questionnaire comprising general treatment of obese patients, stigmatization towards obese patients (1–5 points) as well as knowledge regarding WLS (1–5 points). (3) Results: The mean age of the GPs was 54 years; 41% were female. Mean score for self-reported knowledge was 3.6 points out of 5. For stigma-related items, the mean score was 3.3 points out of 5. A total of 60% of the participants recognized bariatric surgery as being useful. Knowledge about bariatric surgery significantly correlated with the number of referrals to bariatric surgery centers (p &lt; 0.001). No significant correlation was found between stigma and referral to surgery (p = 0.057). (4) Conclusions: The more GPs subjectively know about bariatric surgery, the more often they refer patients to bariatric surgery specialists—regardless of potentially present stereotypes. Therefore, GPs should be well informed about indications and opportunities of WLS

Screen-detected atrial fibrillation predicts mortality in elderly subjects

Aims Current guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) but the prognosis of individuals is unclear. The aim of this investigation is to determine prevalence and 1-year outcome of individuals with screen-detected AF. Methods and results We performed a prospective, pharmacy-based single time point AF screening study in 7107 elderly citizens (>= 65 years) using a hand-held, single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device. Prevalence of AF was assessed, and data on all-cause death and hospitalization for cardiovascular (CV) causes were collected over a median follow-up of 401 (372; 435) days. Mean age of participants was 74 +/- 5.9 years, with 58% (N = 4130) of female sex. Automated heart rhythm analyses identified AF in 432 (6.1%) participants, with newly diagnosed AF in 3.6% of all subjects. During follow-up, 62 participants (0.9%) died and 390 (6.0%) were hospitalized for CV causes. Total mortality was 2.3% in participants with a screen-detected AF and 0.8% in subjects with a normal ECG [hazard ratio (HR) 2.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49-5.78; P= 0.002]; hospitalization for CV causes occurred in 10.6% and 5.5%, respectively (HR 2.08; 95% CI 1.52-2.84; P< 0.001). Compared with subjects without a history of AF at baseline and a normal ECG, participants with newly diagnosed or known AF had a significantly higher mortality risk with HRs of 2.64 (95% CI 1.05-6.66; P= 0.04) and 2.68 (95% CI 1.44-4.97; P= 0.002), respectively. After multivariable adjustment, screen-detected AF remained a significant predictor of death or hospitalization for CV causes. Conclusion Pharmacy-based, automated AF screening in elderly citizens identified subjects with unknown AF and an excess mortality risk over the next year. [GRAPHICS]

Screen-detected atrial fibrillation predicts mortality in elderly subjects

Aims Current guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) but the prognosis of individuals is unclear. The aim of this investigation is to determine prevalence and 1-year outcome of individuals with screen-detected AF. Methods and results We performed a prospective, pharmacy-based single time point AF screening study in 7107 elderly citizens (>= 65 years) using a hand-held, single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device. Prevalence of AF was assessed, and data on all-cause death and hospitalization for cardiovascular (CV) causes were collected over a median follow-up of 401 (372; 435) days. Mean age of participants was 74 +/- 5.9 years, with 58% (N = 4130) of female sex. Automated heart rhythm analyses identified AF in 432 (6.1%) participants, with newly diagnosed AF in 3.6% of all subjects. During follow-up, 62 participants (0.9%) died and 390 (6.0%) were hospitalized for CV causes. Total mortality was 2.3% in participants with a screen-detected AF and 0.8% in subjects with a normal ECG [hazard ratio (HR) 2.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49-5.78; P= 0.002]; hospitalization for CV causes occurred in 10.6% and 5.5%, respectively (HR 2.08; 95% CI 1.52-2.84; P< 0.001). Compared with subjects without a history of AF at baseline and a normal ECG, participants with newly diagnosed or known AF had a significantly higher mortality risk with HRs of 2.64 (95% CI 1.05-6.66; P= 0.04) and 2.68 (95% CI 1.44-4.97; P= 0.002), respectively. After multivariable adjustment, screen-detected AF remained a significant predictor of death or hospitalization for CV causes. Conclusion Pharmacy-based, automated AF screening in elderly citizens identified subjects with unknown AF and an excess mortality risk over the next year. [GRAPHICS]