On the port-Hamiltonian representation of systems described by partial differential equations

We consider infinite dimensional port-Hamiltonian systems. Based on a power balance relation we introduce the port-Hamiltonian system representation where we pay attention to two different scenarios, namely the non-differential operator case and the differential operator case regarding the structural mapping, the dissipation mapping and the in/output mapping. In contrast to the well-known representation on the basis of the underlying Stokes-Dirac structure our approach is not necessarily based on using energy-variables which leads to a different port-Hamiltonian representation of the analyzed partial differential equations.Comment: A definitive version has been published in ifac-papersonline.ne

Risk and Protective Factors for the Occurrence of Sporadic Pancreatic Endocrine Neoplasms

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) represent 10% of all pancreatic tumors by prevalence. Their incidence has reportedly increased over recent decades in parallel with that of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. PNENs are relatively rare, and of the few institutions that have published potential risk factors, findings have been heterogeneous. Our objective was to investigate the association between potential risk and protective factors for the occurrence of sporadic PNENs across a European population from several institutions. A multinational European case-control study was conducted to examine the association of selected environmental, family and medical exposure factors using a standardized questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. A ratio of 1:3 cases to controls were sex and age matched at each study site. Adjusted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for statistically significant factors. The following results were obtained: In 201 cases and 603 controls, non-recent onset diabetes (OR 2.09, CI 1.27-3.46) was associated with an increased occurrence of PNENs. The prevalence of non-recent onset diabetes was higher both in cases with metastatic disease (TNM stage III-IV) or advanced grade (G3) at the time of diagnosis. The use of metformin in combination with insulin was also associated with a more aggressive phenotype. Drinking coffee was more frequent in cases with localized disease at diagnosis. Our study concluded that non-recent onset diabetes was associated with an increased occurrence of PNENs and the combination of metformin and insulin was consistent with a more aggressive PNEN phenotype. In contrast to previous studies, smoking, alcohol and first-degree family history of cancer were not associated with PNEN occurrence

Literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth

Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers have experienced a lot of changes from their beginnings in the 19th century, which include form and content. This thesis attempts to present these changes thoroughly and show the dynamics of occurrence of Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth. Furthermore, it presents the main differences and similarities between them. The theoretical part of the thesis presents Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth through literary theory and literary history. It also introduces a serried historical overview of literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth. In the empirical part of the thesis, over a hundred and fifty-year-long development of Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth is explained through qualitative analysis of individual issues of literary magazines and newspapers which are the most representative of a specific period of time

Literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth

Na področju razvoja slovenskih literarnih revij in časopisov za otroke in mlade se je od začetkov pojavljanja v 19. stoletju pa do danes veliko spremenilo. Spremembe so oblikovne in vsebinske. To delo jih poskuša natančneje predstaviti in pokazati, kakšna je dinamika pojavljanja slovenskih literarnih revij in časopisov za otroke in mlade ter katere so bistvene razlike in podobnosti med slovenskimi literarnimi revijami in časopisi za otroke in mlade. Diplomsko delo v teoretičnem delu s pomočjo literarnoteoretičnega in literarnozgodovinskega pristopa predstavi slovenske literarne revije in časopise za otroke in mlade ter postreže s strnjenim zgodovinskim pregledom tovrstnih revij in časopisov. V empiričnem delu pa s pomočjo kvalitativne analize posameznih številk najbolj reprezentativnih literarnih revij in časopisov za otroke in mlade v posameznem obdobju razloži več kot 150-letni razvoj tovrstnih revij in časopisov na Slovenskem.Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers have experienced a lot of changes from their beginnings in the 19th century, which include form and content. This thesis attempts to present these changes thoroughly and show the dynamics of occurrence of Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth. Furthermore, it presents the main differences and similarities between them. The theoretical part of the thesis presents Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth through literary theory and literary history. It also introduces a serried historical overview of literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth. In the empirical part of the thesis, over a hundred and fifty-year-long development of Slovenian literary magazines and newspapers for children and youth is explained through qualitative analysis of individual issues of literary magazines and newspapers which are the most representative of a specific period of time

peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the patients with COVID-19 and the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the course of COVID-19. Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 between December 2020 and December 2021. Patients\u27 demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were analysed. Results: 301 participants were enrolled in the study. 46 (15,3%) had moderate, and 162 (53,8%) had severe COVID-19. 14 (4,7%) patients died, and 30 (10,0%) were admitted to the ICU due to disease worsening. The majority needed oxygen therapy (n=22474,4%). Average vitamin 25(OH)D3 levels were below optimal at the admittance, and vitamin D deficiency was detected in 205 individuals. More male patients were suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Patients with the more severe disease showed lower levels of vitamin 25(OH)D3 in their blood. The most severe group of patients had more symptoms that lasted significantly longer with progressing disease severity. This group of patients also suffered from more deaths, ICU admissions, and treatments with dexamethasone, remdesivir, and oxygen. Conclusion: Patients with the severe course of COVID-19 were shown to have increased inflammatory parameters, increased mortality, and higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency. The results suggest that the vitamin D deficiency might represent a significant risk factor for a severe course of COVID-19

4. Smoking, alcohol and family history of cancer as risk factors for small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: Risk factors for small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) are not well understood. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify risk factors for SI-NET and to further assess these by meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed and abstracts from the ENETS and NANETS were searched for studies published until May 2015. Eligible studies were selected according to the PRISMA statement. RESULTS: Seven studies evaluating six individual populations were included (study accrual period 1980-2012) in the meta-analysis, involving 765 (range 17-325) cases and 502,282 (range 52-498,376) controls. All studies were case-control by design. The following risk factors were reported in ≥2 studies: family history of any cancer, family history of colorectal cancer, ever alcohol use and ever smoking. The pooled OR was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.12-1.60; p < .01; I2 = 0.0%) for family history of any cancer, 1.43 (95% CI: 1.15-1.79; p < .01; I2 = 0.0%) for family history of colorectal cancer, 1.04 (95% CI: 0.63-1.72; p = .87; I2 = 65.0%) for ever alcohol use and 1.40 (95% CI: 1.06-1.86; p < .05; I2 = 49.3%) for ever smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Family history of any cancer, family history of colorectal cancer and history of ever smoking were associated with an increased risk of SI-NET by meta-analysis. Alcohol consumption was not a significant risk factor for SI-NET. However, the studies reporting smoking and alcohol had a high degree of heterogeneity. Therefore, further studies are needed for clarification of smoking and alcohol as risk factors for the occurrence of SI-NET