Anthropometric evaluation and micronutrients intake in patients submitted to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with a postoperative period of ≥1 year

Backgroung - Bariatric surgery is indicated as the most effective treatment for morbid obesity; the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the procedure of choice. However, nutritional deficiency may occur in the postoperative period as a result of reduced gastric capacity and change in nutrients absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The prescription of vitamin and mineral supplementation is a common practice after RYGB; however, it may not be sufficient to prevent micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of this study was to quantify the micronutrient intake in patients undergoing RYGB and verify if the intake of supplementation would be enough to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Methods - The study was conducted on 60 patients submitted to RYGB. Anthropometric, analytical, and nutritional intake data were assessed preoperatively and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The dietary intake was assessed using 24-h food recall; the values of micronutrients evaluated (vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, and calcium) were compared to the dietary reference intakes (DRI). Results - There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between excess weight loss at the first and second year (69.9 ± 15.3 vs 9.6 ± 62.9 %). In the first and second year after surgery, 93.3 and 94.1 % of the patients, respectively, took the supplements as prescribed. Micronutrient deficiencies were detected in the three evaluation periods. At the first year, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of B12, folic acid, and iron intake. Conclusions - Despite taking vitamin and mineral supplementation, micronutrient deficiencies are common after RYGB. In the second year after surgery, micronutrient intake remains below the DRI

Measurements, Models, Systems and Design

531 s.

Distributed processing in wireless sensor networks

W artykule przedstawiono model przetwarzania rozproszonego typu regułowego i pokazana zostanie jego przykładowa implementacja w sieci czujników opartej o standard ZigBee. Przedstawione zostaną wyniki symulacji przykładowej sieci czujników wykonane przy użyciu programu TrueTime. Przedstawiony w artykule, opracowany model symulacyjny pozwala na przetestowanie sieci czujników składającej się ze zdefiniowanej przez użytkownika liczby urządzeń i zawierających reguły przesłane do węzłów na etapie konfigurowania systemu.In the paper, model of rule-based distributed processing and its implementation example in ZigBee sensor network is presented. Chosen results of simulation done by use of simulation tool TrueTime are shown. Presented in the paper simulation model allows to test sensor networks for defined by user number of the nodes, which contain rules send to nodes during system configuration

Zastosowanie niskobudżetowych czujników pola magnetycznego i przyspieszeń w diagnostyce konstrukcji wielkogabarytowych

The paper presents the possibilities of using low-cost magnetic and acceleration sensors in diagnostic systems of large-scale structures made of ferromagnetic materials. It covers typical problems associated with their use as well as the review of commercially available low-cost solutions. A specially designed magnetic sensor equipped with a CAN interface, which allows for connecting a number of transmitters into a measuring network, were tested during the experiment.W pracy przedstawiono możliwość wykorzystania niskobudżetowych czujników pola magnetycznego i przyspieszeń w systemach diagnostyki konstrukcji wielkogabarytowych wykonanych z materiałów ferromagnetycznych. Przedstawiono typowe problemy występujące podczas ich użycia oraz dokonano przeglądu dostępnych na rynku tanich rozwiązań. W przeprowadzonym eksperymencie przetestowano specjalnie opracowane przetworniki pala magnetycznego wyposażone w interfejs CAN pozwalający nasączenie sieć pomiarową

Thermal analyses of exhaust system on combustion engine

Nowadays there are more and more discussions on acquisition of energy from sources other than natural sources of energy. Many scientific research centres deal with the issue of energy recovery as well as use of energy from renewable sources. The communities associated with the automotive industry devote a lot of attention to the issue of improving the energy efficiency of vehicles. Since a combustion engine uses less than half of the energy produced during the combustion process, thus the issues of recovery of thermal energy and its conversion into electrical energy evoke increasing interest. The article presents the process of examination of the temperature of the exhaust system in a car engine operating in a laboratory environment. Measuring equipment was used to the temperatures' determine. Analysis of distribution of temperatures in the exhaust system creates grounds for rational selection of the places where the thermal energy recuperation systems should be installed. At present, the possibilities of recovery of thermal energy are still seriously restricted by the properties of the materials of which the elements of the thermal energy recovery systems are made. High propensity of these elements to thermal defects is a serious problem in practical application of these materials in thermal energy recovery systems. The results obtained in an experiment serve as the basis for determining the locations where thermoelectric generators should be installed while accounting for their thermal limitations

Bench testing and simulation model of a cogeneration system with a stirling engine

Cogeneration systems using a Stirling engine [2] are currently being developed and promoted by the European Union [1]. On the other hand, the EU climatic package obligates Polish energy producers to buy 100% CO2 emission rights from 2020 onwards. At that time, according to the experts a ton of CO2 could reach the price of 63.5 Euro. Attention is drawn to the fact that it is only then that nuclear power plants will become profitable, in the same way as wind power plants. This could result in substantial growth of energy prices, both for the economy and for households [3]. The paper presents the experimental research of a cogeneration system with a one-way Alpha type Stirling engine. The impact of the upper heat source and the type of working gas (helium and nitrogen) on the load capacity of the cogeneration system was studied. Based on a Sankey diagram, the power spread of the cogeneration system was analysed. On the basis of experimental research, a model was created of a cogeneration system consisting of the following submodels: Stirling engine of the second order, belt transmission, electric motor and an electrochemical battery. The Stirling engine was installed in a testbed, in the mechatronic lab at the Faculty of Automotive and Construction Machinery Engineering (SIMR) of Warsaw University of Technology. Furthermore, the impact of regenerator efficiency on the efficiency of the Stirling Engine was examined, which in turns impacts the efficiency of the entire cogeneration system

Effects of human serun albumin in some biological properties of rhodium(II) complexes

The affinities for human albumin (HSA) of five rhodium(II) complexes of general formula [Rh2(bridge)4] (bridge = acetate, propionate, butyrate, trifluoroacetate and trifluoroacetamidate) were determined by spectrophotometry. In the case of the alkylcarboxylates, an inverse correlation of affinity with their liposolubilities was observed. Diffusion of the free or protein-bound complexes into Ehrlich cells in vitro seems to be primarily governed by the hydrophobic character of the complex. The complex [Rh2(tfc)4] exhibited affinity towards the protein (K = 214.1) as well as cell partition both in the absence (32.1%) and presence (48.6%) of HSA. The compound HSA: [Rh2(tfc)4] has had its antitumoral action in tumor-bearing Balb-c mice investigated, showing that HSA can be a drug reservoir for the rhodium complex