Experimental Analysis of Open-Circuit Voltage Hysteresis in Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries

This paper aims at investigating and modelling the hysteresis in the relationship between state-of-charge and open-circuit voltage of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. A first-order charge relaxation equation was used to describe the hysteresis dynamics. This equation was translated into a voltage-controlled voltage source and included within an equivalent electric circuit of the battery used in online state-of-charge estimators. The effectiveness of the obtained battery model was verified comparing simulated and experimental data

Relationship between lipid droplets size and integrated optical density

Lipid accumulation is largely investigated due to its role in many human diseases. The attention is mainly focused on the lipid droplets (LDs), spherical cytoplasmic organelles which are devoted to the storage of the lipids. The amount of lipid content is often evaluated by measuring LDs size and/or the integrated optical density (IOD) in cultured cells. Both evaluations are directly associated to the lipid content and therefore they are correlated to each other, but a lack of theoretical relationship between size and IOD was observed in literature. Here we investigated the size-IOD relationship of LDs observed in microscopical images of cultured cells. The experimental data were obtained from immature and differentiated 3T3-L1 murine cells, which have been extensively used in studies on adipogenesis. A simple model based on the spherical shape of the LDs and the Lambert-Beer law, which describes the light absorption by an optical thick material, leads to a mathematical relationship. Despite only light rays\u2019 absorption was considered in the model, neglecting their scattering, a very good agreement between the theoretical curve and the experimental data was found. Moreover, a computational simulation corroborates the model indicating the validity of the mathematically theoretical relationship between size and IOD. The theoretical model could be used to calculate the absorption coefficient in the LDs population and it could be applied to seek for morphologically and functionally LDs subpopulations. The identification of LDs dynamic by measuring size and IOD could be related to different pathophysiological conditions and useful for understand cellular lipid-associated diseases

Comparison of State and Parameter Estimators for Electric Vehicle Batteries

A Battery Management System (BMS) is needed to ensure a safe and effective operation of a Lithium-ion battery, especially in electric vehicle applications. An important function of a BMS is the reliable estimation of the battery state in a wide range of operating conditions. To this end, a BMS often uses an equivalent electrical model of the battery. Such a model is computationally affordable and can reproduce the battery behaviour in an accurate way, assuming that the model parameters are updated with the actual operating condition of the battery, namely its state-of-charge, temperature and ageing state. This paper compares the performance of two battery state and parameter estimation techniques, i.e., the Extended Kalman Filter and the classic Least Squares method in combination with the Mix algorithm. Compared to previous ones, this work focuses on the concurrent estimation of battery state and parameters using experimental data, measured on a Lithium-ion cell subject to a current profile significant for an electric vehicle application

Internet addiction and related clinical problems: a study on italian young adults

The considerable prominence of internet addiction (IA) in adolescence is at least partly explained by the limited knowledge thus far available on this complex phenomenon. In discussing IA, it is necessary to be aware that this is a construct for which there is still no clear definition in the literature. Nonetheless, its important clinical implications, as emerging in recent years, justify the lively interest of researchers in this new form of behavioral addiction. Over the years, studies have associated IA with numerous clinical problems. However, fewer studies have investigated what factors might mediate the relationship between IA and the different problems associated with it. Ours is one such study. The Italian version of the SCL-90 and the IAT were administered to a sample of almost 800 adolescents aged between 16 and 22 years. We found the presence of a significant association between IA and two variables: somatization (\u3b2 = 7.80; p < 0.001) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (\u3b2 = 2.18; p < 0.05). In line with our hypothesis, the results showed that somatization predicted the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and IA (\u3b2 = -2.75; t = -3.55; p < 0.001), explaining 24.5% of its variance (\u394R2 = 1.2%; F = 12.78; p < 0.01). In addition, simple slopes analyses revealed that, on reaching clinical significance (+1 SD), somatization showed higher moderation effects in the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and IA (\u3b2 = 6.13; t = 7.83; p < 0.001). These results appear to be of great interest due to the absence of similar evidence in the literature, and may open the way for further research in the IA field. Although the absence of studies in the literature does not allow us to offer an exhaustive explanation of these results, our study supports current addiction theories which emphasize the important function performed by the enteroceptive system, alongside the more cited reflexive and impulsive systems

Physical Exercise Modulates miR-21-5p, miR-129-5p, miR-378-5p, and miR-188-5p Expression in Progenitor Cells Promoting Osteogenesis

Physical exercise is known to promote beneficial effects on overall health, counteracting risks related to degenerative diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short non-coding RNAs affecting the expression of a cell's transcriptome, can be modulated by different stimuli. Yet, the molecular effects on osteogenic differentiation triggered by miRNAs upon physical exercise are not completely understood. In this study, we recruited 20 male amateur runners participating in a half marathon. Runners' sera, collected before (PRE RUN) and after (POST RUN) the run, were added to cultured human mesenchymal stromal cells. We then investigated their effects on the modulation of selected miRNAs and the consequential effects on osteogenic differentiation. Our results showed an increased expression of miRNAs promoting osteogenic differentiation (miR-21-5p, miR-129-5p, and miR-378-5p) and a reduced expression of miRNAs involved in the adipogenic differentiation of progenitor cells (miR-188-5p). In addition, we observed the downregulation of PTEN and SMAD7 expression along with increased AKT/pAKT and SMAD4 protein levels in MSCs treated with POST RUN sera. The consequent upregulation of RUNX2 expression was also proven, highlighting the molecular mechanisms by which miR-21-5p promotes osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, our work proposes novel data, which demonstrate how miRNAs may regulate the osteogenic commitment of progenitor cells in response to physical exercise

Versatilidad del clavo endomedular retrógrado largo de tibia para artrodesis tibio-talo-calcánea en pacientes con lesiones asociadas en el mismo segmento

Introducción: La afección articular que lleva a la necesidad de una artrodesis tibio-calcánea puede estar acompañada de una segunda lesión en el mismo segmento óseo, y los clavos de diseño para artrodesis no tienen la longitud adecuada para cubrir ambas lesiones. No hallamos opciones terapéuticas para este tipo de lesiones en la bibliografía. Objetivo: Presentar una serie de casos en los que se utilizó un único clavo de tibia (de colocación anterógrada) de forma retrógrada, con el doble objetivo de efectuar una artrodesis tibio-talo-calcánea, sumada al tratamiento de una lesión asociada en un mismo tiempo quirúrgico. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluó, en forma retrospectiva, desde septiembre de 2009 hasta junio de 2019, a un grupo de 12 pacientes que requirió una artrodesis tibio-talo-calcánea sumada a la necesidad de resolver simultáneamente un defecto secundario local. La edad promedio fue de 43.7 años, y el seguimiento global fue de 43.9 meses. Resultados: Todos los pacientes lograron una artrodesis tibio-calcánea constatada en radiografías de frente y de perfil, y el 83,3% recuperó el stock óseo de manera completa. Conclusión: Ante la ausencia en el mercado de osteosíntesis para resolver las patologías asociadas en un mismo paciente, proponemos el uso del clavo endomedular largo de tibia colocado de manera retrógrada como una opción de tratamiento, porque se ha demostrado que es eficaz para lograr la artrodesis tibio-calcánea. Además, se lo pudo utilizar como guía en el alargamiento y el transporte óseo, y como estabilización para tratar lesiones simultáneas

El uso de los estereotipos en publicidades de cerveza de Latinoamérica

El eje de la investigación, contempla el uso de estereotipos en publicidades de cerveza en América Latina. Se tomaron como caso de estudio tres publicidades: “Copa América Bicentenario”, de Quilmes, emisor argentino; “Es de Amateur”, propaganda chilena de la marca Escudo; y “Contra la violencia de género” de la cerveza mexicana Tecate. Todas lanzadas durante el año 2016. Por medio de la recopilación y el análisis de aportes de distintos referentes teóricos, se vinculó a nociones psicológicas y sociológicas, relacionadas al estudio de la comunicación visual. Se utilizó como herramienta de comprobación, una encuesta dirigida a usuarios mayores de 18 años. Se analizará como la utilización de ciertos recursos de la comunicación visual en publicidades de contenido audiovisual, refuerzan estereotipos negativos que pueden ofender o discriminar a ciertos sectores de la audiencia.Facultad de Bellas Arte

El uso de los estereotipos en publicidades de cerveza de Latinoamérica

El eje de la investigación, contempla el uso de estereotipos en publicidades de cerveza en América Latina. Se tomaron como caso de estudio tres publicidades: “Copa América Bicentenario”, de Quilmes, emisor argentino; “Es de Amateur”, propaganda chilena de la marca Escudo; y “Contra la violencia de género” de la cerveza mexicana Tecate. Todas lanzadas durante el año 2016. Por medio de la recopilación y el análisis de aportes de distintos referentes teóricos, se vinculó a nociones psicológicas y sociológicas, relacionadas al estudio de la comunicación visual. Se utilizó como herramienta de comprobación, una encuesta dirigida a usuarios mayores de 18 años. Se analizará como la utilización de ciertos recursos de la comunicación visual en publicidades de contenido audiovisual, refuerzan estereotipos negativos que pueden ofender o discriminar a ciertos sectores de la audiencia.Facultad de Bellas Arte

Fractura de Tillaux en adultos. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía

Introducción: La fractura de la región anterolateral de la epífisis distal de la tibia, o tubérculo de Tillaux-Chaput, es conocida como fractura de Tillaux. Se trata de una fractura extremadamente rara en los adultos, pero tiene una importancia fundamental, porque compromete la superficie articular tibio-astragalina, la estabilidad de la sindesmosis y, en algunos casos, la incisura peronea. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 45 años con un traumatismo rotatorio del tobillo izquierdo e impotencia funcional y dolor en la región anterolateral del tobillo. Las radiografías generaron la sospecha de un trazo de fractura correspondiente al tubérculo de Tillaux-Chaput. Por lo tanto, se realizó una tomografía computarizada que confirmó una fractura de Tillaux, que tenía un desplazamiento >2 mm y compromiso de la incisura peronea. La paciente fue sometida a reducción abierta y fijación interna. La fractura consolidó a los 3 meses. Al año de la cirugía, su estado clínico y funcional es excelente. Conclusión: La sospecha diagnóstica que surge de una completa anamnesis y un meticuloso examen físico, y la confirmación mediante estudios por imágenes son esenciales para abordar correctamente patrones de fracturas raros, como la fractura de Tillaux

Cohort profile : demographic and clinical characteristics of the MILESTONE longitudinal cohort of young people approaching the upper age limit of their child mental health care service in Europe

Purpose: The presence of distinct child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and adult mental health services (AMHS) impacts continuity of mental health treatment for young people. However, we do not know the extent of discontinuity of care in Europe nor the effects of discontinuity on the mental health of young people. Current research is limited, as the majority of existing studies are retrospective, based on small samples or used non-standardised information from medical records. The MILESTONE prospective cohort study aims to examine associations between service use, mental health and other outcomes over 24 months, using information from self, parent and clinician reports. Participants: Seven hundred sixty-three young people from 39 CAMHS in 8 European countries, their parents and CAMHS clinicians who completed interviews and online questionnaires and were followed up for 2 years after reaching the upper age limit of the CAMHS they receive treatment at. Findings to date: This cohort profile describes the baseline characteristics of the MILESTONE cohort. The mental health of young people reaching the upper age limit of their CAMHS varied greatly in type and severity: 32.8% of young people reported clinical levels of self-reported problems and 18.6% were rated to be ‘markedly ill’, ‘severely ill’ or ‘among the most extremely ill’ by their clinician. Fifty-seven per cent of young people reported psychotropic medication use in the previous half year. Future plans: Analysis of longitudinal data from the MILESTONE cohort will be used to assess relationships between the demographic and clinical characteristics of young people reaching the upper age limit of their CAMHS and the type of care the young person uses over the next 2 years, such as whether the young person transitions to AMHS. At 2 years follow-up, the mental health outcomes of young people following different care pathways will be compared. Trial registration number: NCT03013595