A Novel Survey Tool to Quantify the Degree and Duration of STEMI Regionalization Across California.

IntroductionCalifornia has been a global leader in regionalization efforts for time-critical medical conditions. A total of 33 local emergency medical service agencies (LEMSAs) exist, providing an organized EMS framework across the state for almost 40 years. We sought to develop a survey tool to quantify the degree and duration of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) regionalization over the last decade in California.MethodsThe project started with the development of an 8-question survey tool via a multi-disciplinary expert consensus process. Next, the survey tool was distributed at the annual meeting of administrators and medical directors of California LEMSAs to get responses valid through December, 2014. The first scoring approach was the Total Regionalization Score (TRS) and used answers from all 8 questions. The second approach was called the Core Score, and it focused on only 4 survey questions by assuming that the designation of STEMI Receiving Centers must have occurred at the beginning of any LEMSA's regionalization effort. Scores were ranked and grouped into tertiles.ResultsAll 33 LEMSAs in California participated in this survey. The TRS ranged from 15 to 162. The Core Score range was much narrower, from 2 to 30. In comparing TRS and Core Score rankings, the top-tertiles were quite similar. More rank variation occurred between mid- and low-tertiles.ConclusionThis study evaluated the degree and duration of STEMI network regionalization from 2004 to 2014 in California, and ranked 33 LEMSAs into tertiles based upon their TRS and their Core Score. Successful application of the 8-item survey and ranking strategies across California suggests that this approach can be used to assess regionalization in other states or countries around the world

Harvesting of emelctromagnetic energy in 24 GHz band

Cílem semestrální práce je seznámit se se základními principy sklízení elektromagnetické energie a jejím možným využitím. Pro získání energie je zvolena usměrňující (rektifikační) anténa. Ta se skládá z flíčkové planární antény, přizpůsobovacího obvodu a usměrňovače. Práce popisuje návrh jednoduché flíčkové antény pracující v pásmu 24 GHz a její přizpůsobení k mikropáskovému vedení o charakteristické impedanci 50 . Dále je navržen obvod pro impedanční přizpůsobení usměrňovače, který je realizován paralelním pahýlem. Poslední část práce popisuje několik možných variant usměrňovacího obvodu. Funkčnost navržené antény spolu s přizpůsobovacím obvodem je ověřena v programu ANSYS Designer.The thesis describes basic principles of an electromagnetic energy harvesting and its potential use. To gain the energy, a rectenna (rectifying antenna) is selected. The rectenna consists of a patch antenna, a matching circuit and a rectifier circuit. The thesis describes a design of the patch antenna operating at 24 GHz and its matching to the microstrip line with the characteristic impedance 50 . Then, the circuit for matching the rectified is designed using an open-ended stub. The last part of the thesis describes several types of rectifier circuits to be used potentially. Functionality of the designed rectenna has been verified in ANSYS Designer.

RF Unit for Portable Monitoring Station

Práce popisuje metody pro monitorování spektra používané Českým telekomunikačním úřadem, návrh vysokofrekvenční jednotky pro přenosnou monitorovací stanici a možnosti jejího využití. Vysokofrekvenční jednotka se skládá z několika samostatných zařízení ve formě bloků pospojovaných do výsledného celku. Dílčí zařízení jako anténa, rotátor, ovládací jednotka rotátoru, koaxiální přepínače, zesilovač a atenuátor jsou na základě definovaných parametrů zvolena jako komerčně dostupná a v práci je popsán jejich výběr. Dílčími zařízeními vlastního návrhu jsou filtry, zdroj napájecího napětí a ovládací jednotka vysokofrekvenční jednotky, návrh je v práci popsán. Vysokofrekvenční jednotka je ovládána prostřednictvím PC a grafického uživatelského rozhraní v monitorovacím softwaru.The thesis describes methods for spectrum monitoring, which are used by the Czech telecommunication office. The thesis describes a design of an RF unit for a portable monitoring station and its potential use. The RF unit consists of several devices, which are connected. Devices like an antenna, a rotator, a rotator control unit, coaxial switches, an amplifier and attenuator were chosen as commercially available devices. It is also described, why were these devices chosen. Other devices such as filters, a control unit for the RF unit and a power supply were designed. The RF unit is controlled by a computer. A software for spectrum monitoring contains a graphical user interface for the RF unit control.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of sex steroid hormones in sicca syndrome patients

Sjogren syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting mainly climacteric females. The coincidence of sex hormones decline and higher prevalence of SS in this population implies that such hormones participate in its pathogenesis. Their exact role in the pathogenesis of SS is still controversial. This study investigates the presence and location of sex hormone receptors within minor labial salivary glands (MLSG) in a cohort of sicca syndrome patients being evaluated for SS. An immunohistochemical comparison of the ratio of estrogen receptors (ER) to androgen receptors (AR) expression was correlated to the patients' focus score (FS). A greater intensity of androgen receptor expression in SS patients, especially in the nucleus of acinar cells was found when compared to the other receptors (p<0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was found in the ratio of ER to AR as a function of FS in our group of patient