High Efficiency LLC Resonant Converter With Wide Output Range of 200–1000 V for DC-Connected EVs Ultra-Fast Charging Stations

DC-connected ultra-fast chargers consist of isolated DC/DC converter modules to provide the required charging profile. This paper proposes a charging module that interfaces with a fixed voltage DC-bus and covers a wide variety of electric vehicles (EVs) with battery voltages ranging from 200 to 1000 V. DC/DC converters for EVs charging has been discussed several times in the literature, however the DC-connected structure with fixed DC-bus voltage is rarely considered. This paper proposes a full-bridge LLC DC/DC converter module with a configurable secondary. This configuration extends the converter’s charging voltage range without adding stress on the resonant components or operating far from the unity gain point. Due to wide output range, the converter parameters are optimized using the time-domain analytical model to cover the required range without adding unnecessary circulating current that compromises the efficiency. First, the LLC resonant converter fundamentals are briefly introduced. Then, the proposed topology operation and advantages are discussed. After which, the converter’s requirements and design method are presented, focusing on circulating current minimization. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed converter and the optimized design strategy is verified experimentally on a 10 kW prototype with an input of 800 V and an output of 200 - 1000 V

Comparison between erector spinae plane block and paravertebral block regarding postoperative analgesic consumption following breast surgery : a randomized controlled study

Background: Pain control following breast surgery is of utmost importance in order to reduce the chance of chronic pain development, and facilitate early rehabilitation. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a recently developed regional anaesthesia procedure successfully used for different types of surgical procedures including thoracic and abdominal surgeries. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 90 patients who were scheduled for modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Patients were randomly categorized into groups I (women who underwent ESPB), II (women who underwent paravertebral block (PVB), and III (women who underwent general anaesthesia). Results: The ESPB (4.9 +/- 1.2 mg) and PVB (5.8 +/- 1.3 mg) groups had significantly lower total morphine consumption than the control group had (16.4 +/- 3.1 mg; p &lt; 0.001). Notably, patients in the ESPB group had insignificantly lower morphine consumption than those in the PVB group had (p= 0.076). Moreover, patients in the ESPB and PVB groups had a significantly longer time to first required anaesthesia than those in the control group (7.9 +/- 1.2 versus 7.5 +/- 0.9 versus 2 +/- 1.2 h, respectively; p&lt;0.001).The postoperative visual analog scale scores were lower in the ESPB and PVB groups than in the control group on the first 24 h after the procedure (p&lt; 0.001). Conclusion: ESPB and PVB provide effective postoperative analgesia for women undergoing MRM. The ESPB appears to be as effective as the PVB.Funding Agencies|Science, Technology &amp; Innovation Funding Authority (STDF); Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB)</p

Erector spinae plane block versus paravertebral block in analgesic outcomes following breast surgery

Abstract This article represents the response to the inquiries adopted by Dr. Raghuraman M Sethuraman, M.D., regarding our recently published study which compared the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) versus paravertebral block (PVB) regarding postoperative analgesic consumption following breast surgeries (Elewa et al, BMC Anesthesiol 22: 1-9, 2022). We would like to introduce our appreciation and gratitude to the author for his interest in our work, despite being inaccurate in some of his comments

Is multiple tracts percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) safe modality in management of complex renal stones? A prospective study: Single center experience

Objectives : To evaluate and analyze the efficacy and the safety of multiple tracts PCNL in management of complex renal calculi.Patients and Methods : The study was conducted during the period between March 2016 till January 2017 on 265 patients with complex renal stones, all patients underwent multiple tracts PCNL, either with double or triple punctures, preoperative and postoperative laboratory and radiological results were compared together in correlation to the stone size, shape and site.Results: The results of our study have shown that increased size and complexity of stones is associated with increased number of punctures needed to achieve stone clearance, and the aggressive approach to complex renal calculi using multiple tracts PCNL is a safe and effective modality in management of complex renal calculi with acceptable complications.Conclusion: Number of percutaneous tracts needed for stone clearance was increased with the increase in stone size and complexity. Surgeon experience, accurate choosing puncture site and carefully performed multiple tracts will decrease the intra-operative and postoperative complications or transfusion requirements

Species – specific PCR test for the quick recognition of equine tissue in raw and processed beef meat mixtures

Abstract PCR was applied for the discovery of adulteration of crude and processed beef meat with horse and donkey tissue. This was performed by blending (w/w) horse or donkey meat to beef meat in an extent up to 1:10000 (0.01%). The sensitivity was resolved as high as 0.01%. All used primers showed specificity in the PCR reactions utilizing layout DNAs from three animal species. PCR application on 96 beef meat and meat product samples gathered randomly from street vendors and prominent retail markets (24 of burger, 16 of minced meat, 24 of kofta, 16 of sausage, 7 of raw meat and 9 of launcheon) uncovered 6 positive for donkey tissue (3 from sausage, 2 from minced meat and 1 from kofta) and 2 positive for horse tissue (from sausage). This basic PCR strategy effectively distinguished adulteration of raw and processed beef meat samples with horse and donkey tissue. This work also highlights on the severity of the meat adulteration problem in Egypt