Low in‑hospital mortality rate in patients with COVID‑19 receiving thromboprophylaxis: data from the multicentre observational START‑COVID Register

Abstract COVID-19 infection causes respiratory pathology with severe interstitial pneumonia and extra-pulmonary complications; in particular, it may predispose to thromboembolic disease. The current guidelines recommend the use of thromboprophylaxis in patients with COVID-19, however, the optimal heparin dosage treatment is not well-established. We conducted a multicentre, Italian, retrospective, observational study on COVID-19 patients admitted to ordinary wards, to describe clinical characteristic of patients at admission, bleeding and thrombotic events occurring during hospital stay. The strategies used for thromboprophylaxis and its role on patient outcome were, also, described. 1091 patients hospitalized were included in the START-COVID-19 Register. During hospital stay, 769 (70.7%) patients were treated with antithrombotic drugs: low molecular weight heparin (the great majority enoxaparin), fondaparinux, or unfractioned heparin. These patients were more frequently affected by comorbidities, such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, previous thromboembolism, neurological disease,and cancer with respect to patients who did not receive thromboprophylaxis. During hospital stay, 1.2% patients had a major bleeding event. All patients were treated with antithrombotic drugs; 5.4%, had venous thromboembolism [30.5% deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 66.1% pulmonary embolism (PE), and 3.4% patients had DVT + PE]. In our cohort the mortality rate was 18.3%. Heparin use was independently associated with survival in patients aged ≥ 59 years at multivariable analysis. We confirmed the high mortality rate of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients in ordinary wards. Treatment with antithrombotic drugs is significantly associated with a reduction of mortality rates especially in patients older than 59 years

The Border Of Salt and Health: An Assessment of the Impacted Health of Solar Salt Farmers in Kangagani, Pemba

Solar salt farming (SSF) utilizes the evaporative power of the sun to extract table salt from sea water. SSF farmers are subjected to constant bright sunlight and hot brine containing sharp salt crystals on which they walk. Despite the intense nature of the work, there have been no occupational health and safety studies conducted about SSF in Pemba, Tanzania. This study was conducted in the community of Kangagani, Pemba, the site of the first salt farm on the island of Pemba in 1991. Of the 62 SSF farmers in Kangagani, 20 were interviewed about their health changes since they started collecting salt. 71.4% of the interviewed farmers reported dermatological afflictions (e.g., ulcers, scars, pain), 62.5% reported visual degeneration, along with body pain and headaches. These ailments can be combated through protective gear and occupational health education. However, most salt farm owners do not provide the gear for the workers; 15% of farmers reported owning protective boots and 5% reported owning sunglasses. In collaboration with Care and Share, a local NGO, current efforts are underway to secure funding to provide education and protective gear to salt farmers across Pemba Island and other SSF areas

Experimental Evaluation of “Memory Effect” on a Nickel-Metal Hydride Power Battery

Shallow discharge cycling have been performed on a Nickel Metal Hydride battery specifically designed for automotive application. The voltage depression phenomenon, commonly named “Memory effect”, has been reproduced under controlled conditions. The growth process of the voltage lowering as function of shallow discharge cycle number and the cycle discharge depth has been investigated. The influence of the voltage depression on the battery performances has been investigated too. The paper describes the main test results and proposes a technique to take into account the battery memory effect at the design stage of a Ni-MH battery storage system, with particular reference to systems for electric or hybrid vehicles

A control strategy to minimize fuel consumption of series hybrid electric vehicles

This paper presents an approach to the problem of controlling the electricity generation of series hybrid electric vehicles (SHEVs) and proposes an algorithm with the goal to minimize fuel consumption. Starting from the knowledge of the vehicle electric generator consumption maps, as well as information on the vehicle battery behavior, and on some overall parameters characterizing the expected trip, the algorithm is able to define: • whether to continuously keep the generator in the ON state or not; • when to, if is the case, switch the generator ON or OFF; • the instantaneous power to be delivered by the electric generator when in ON state. Adopting such parameters enables avoiding to previously know the battery losses on a given trip and offers the possibility to update the control according to online measures. Addresses are also given on how to online assess the trip parameters to be used as inputs for the algorithm

A Comparison of different fuel-cell based drive train typologies to be used on two-wheel vehicles

based electric supply systems [4,8,11]. Under funding from Piaggio & C. S.p.A. they have developed a MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation package for PEM fuel-cell vehicles either with or without the presence of electro-chemical energy storage. The paper shows a comparison of two-wheel vehicles equipped with electric drive-trains in which the electricity generators are composed by: 1. PEFC system 2. PEFC system plus electrochemical storage constituted by a super-capacitor 3. PEFC system plus electrochemical storage constituted by a high power Ni-MH battery The comparison is performed based on realistic vehicle and cycle data, coming from Piaggio’s experience. Since the second and third topologies are hybrids (different independent sources can generate the power needed for propulsion), for them suitable control strategies defined prior to perform actual performance compari-son