MODERN APPROACES IN THE CONTEXT OF AMBIENT INTELLIGENCE

Ambient Intelligence (AmI), as a new vision and concept of the tomorrow, gathers a few features regarding both the integration of technology in the environment and the capacity technology has to recognize the user and its context, the system capacity to iAmbient Intelligence (AmI), ubiquitous computing, scenario, artificial intelligence (AI)

Review of Donor Support for the NGO Sector in Romania

The objective of this study is to estimate the size and composition of the donor community active in Romania, analyse giving strategies over the last ten years, identify future strategies for support, and propose mechanisms for regularly updating key information about donors' activities

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced hypersensitivity reactions: Algorithm for the diagnostic and management

The role of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in neurosurgical practice is a secondary one, however they are still constantly involved in perioperative management of pain or in nonoperative management of acute radiculopathy. Beside the well-known adverse reactions (ADRs), the neurosurgeon practitioner should also take in account the drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) of NSAIDs and be able to deal with it. The aim of this paper was to review the diagnostic and management steps for NSAIDs-induced Hypersensitivity Reactions. The actual stratification of NSAIDs-induced Hypersensitivity Reactions is based on understanding of the heterogeneity of immunological/non-immunological mechanisms of reactions and complexity of clinical manifestations. Practically, this stratification allows the physician to assess suspicion of DHR, based on anamnesis and clinical analysis, and to consider further practical steps to manage and eventually confirm the diagnosis. Drug allergies are considered only the DHRs for which a definite immunological mechanism (either drug-specific antibody or T cell) is demonstrated. In conclusion, clinical analysis and anamnesis of patient with NSAIDs-induced Hypersensitivity Reactions can be realized by any physician and could be enough to diagnose, but it is not sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. In vitro tests and oral provocation challenges may be necessary to be undertaken by an allergy specialist

Matlab Toolbox for RF Receiver Modeling

Abstract. In this paper a novel RF receiver modeling approach is presented. The novelty consists in the usage of the object oriented programming instead of the usual imperative programming. Classes were defined for entities as signal, non-ideality and RF/analog block, in order to achieve a basic RF receiver model. The main circuit non-idealities were identified, non-ideality parameters and their analytical models were encapsulated into classes. The effectiveness of the proposed modeling approach was demonstrated by developing in MATLAB a fairly complete model of a direct conversion receiver

Primary experience in minimally invasive cardiac aortic valve surgery

Scopul lucrării. Cercetarea aspectului clinico-diagnostic, intra-operator și rezultatele tratamentului cardiochirurgical minim invaziv a valvei aortice în experiența Clinicii de Chirurgie Cardiovasculare. Materiale și metode. În cadrul studiului retrospectiv au fost analizați pacienții supuși tratamentului minim invaziv a valvei aortice, din cadrul Clinicii de Chirurgie Cardiovasculară, operați în perioada 2022-2023, analizând aspectul clinic, diagnostic, tehnica intraoperatorie și rezultatul postoperator. Parametrii utilizați au fost: vîrsta, sexul, tabloul clinic, metode de diagnostic, aspectele intraoperatorii (examenul ecocardiografic transesofagian, canularea periferică ), evoluția postoperatorie. Rezultate. S-a stabilit că vîrsta medie a pacienților din lotul de studiu a constituit 61.4 ani, cu predominarea sexului feminin (55.5 % ). Examenul ecocardiografic pre-operator, determină diametrul mediu al inelului valvei aortice de 21.8 mm și GP mediu 85.08 mmHg. Prin abord minim-invaziv 8 pacienți au fost protezați cu proteză mecanică și 2 pacienti cu proteză biologică. Durata medie de intervenție chirugicală a fost 4 h 96 min ± 10 min; perioada medie de circulație extracorporeală 3 h 22 min ± 3 min; perioada medie de clampare a aortei 2 h 27 min ± 2 min; perioada medie de anesteziei 6 h 23 min ± 15 min. Ecocardiografic post-operator gradientul presional la nivel de proteză a fost în limitele normei (gradientul mediu 27.5 mmHg ). Toți bolnavii au fost externați în stare generală satisfăcătoare peste 11 ± 2 zile. Concluzii. Inovația și rafinamentul tratamentului cardiochirurgical minim invaziv de protezare a valvei aortice sunt superioare succesului obținut prin tratament cardiochirurgical convențional. Siguranța și fezabilitatea abordului minim invaziv în tratamentul cardiochirurgical minimizează complicațiile postoperatorii ( hemoragice, pulmonare, septice ) și asigură recuperarea și integrarea rapidă în societate a pacientului.Aim of study. Analysis of the clinical-diagnostic, intraoperative aspect and the results of minimally invasive cardiosurgical treatment of the aortic valve in the experience of the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic. Materials and methods. In this retrospective study, patients undergoing minimally invasive treatment of the aortic valve, within the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, operated during 2022-2023, were analyzed, exploring the clinical aspect, the diagnosis, the intra-operative technique and post-operative outcome. The parameters used were: age, sex, clinical picture, diagnostic methods, intraoperative aspects (transesophageal echocardiographic examination, peripheral cannulation), postoperative evolution. Results. It was established that the average age of the patients in the study group was 61.4 years, with the preponderance of the female sex (55.5%). The pre-operative echocardiographic examination determined the average diameter of the aortic valve annulus to be 21.8 mm and average GP 85.08 mmHg. Through a minimally invasive approach, 8 patients were implanted with a mechanical prosthesis and two patients with a biological prosthesis. The average duration of surgical intervention was 4 h 96 min ± 10 min; average period of extracorporeal circulation 3 h 22 min ± 3 min; the average period of aortic clamping 2 h 27 min ± 2 min; average anesthesia period 6 h 23 min ± 15 min. Post-operative echocardiographic pressure gradient at the level of the prosthesis was within the norm (average gradient 27.5 mmHg). All patients were discharged in satisfactory general condition after 11 ± 2 days. Conclusions. The innovation and delicacy of the minimally invasive cardiosurgical treatment of aortic valve replacement is superior to the successful outcomes achieved by conventional cardiosurgical treatment. The safety and suitability of the minimally invasive approach in cardiosurgical treatment minimizes postoperative complications (hemorrhagic, pulmonary complications, septic) and ensures the patient's rapid recovery and social integration

Technology and devices for liquid pressure pipeline interventions in livestock farms

This technology is used when performing interventions on pipelines through which fluid under pressure is conveyed, in order to extend new networks, or branches, repair damage to pipes, install heat measuring systems, meter water consumption for billing, without interruption of utilities to consumers connected upstream of the point of intervention. Implementing the new technology is based on two devices: tight drilling-cutting device for the pressure pipeline and clogging device of the pressure pipeline. Both devices are successively mounted on a base block, whose boss is welded on the top generator of the pressure pipes, at the point of intervention. Currently, interventions on liquid pressure pipes, regardless their purpose, involve closure of the tower at the nearest point where there are isolation gates, hard to handle or broken, sometimes located in inaccessible places. The technology of intervention presented may be applied on under pressure pipe networks being in static or dynamic operational mode for operational pressures of max. 6 bar and standard nominal diameters of 65, 80, 100, 125, 150 and 200 mm. After performing tests was chosen the obturator with constant thickness of the wall for its constructive simplicity in the conditions in which the operational requirements are fulfilled. The tests demonstrated that the obturator accomplishes its role of interrupting water flow through the pipe in dynamic operational mode at 6 bar, if the pressure from inside it has a value of 10 bar. Application of this new technology has a direct effect on quality of life, allowing elimination of interruptions in drinking water supply utilities, domestic hot water or heat

Keeping science open ?

Grâce à la recherche scientifique, les universités ont été des catalyseurs du progrès social, technologique et économique. Cela n’aurait pas été possible si les universités ne s’étaient pas engagées dans la collaboration internationale et la promotion de la recherche avec des organisations de recherche de haut niveau dans le monde entier. Néanmoins, la forte intégration internationale et l’ouverture sur le monde ont également rendu les universités plus vulnérables à l’ingérence étrangère non désirée, au transfert de connaissances indésirables de la technologie qui relève du contrôle des exportations, ou l’utilisation abusive des résultats de la recherche pour la répression interne et les violations des droits de l’homme