Melatonin and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: The present evidence

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a multifactorial condition with genetic predisposing factors, and several causes have been put forward for its aetiopathogenesis, including possible hormonal dysfunction. Melatonin seems to play significant role in AIS

Small interfering RNAs in tendon homeostasis.

Background: Tenogenesis and tendon homeostasis are guided by genes encoding for the structural molecules of tendon fibres. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), acting on gene regulation, can therefore participate in the process of tendon healing.Sources of data: A systematic search of different databases to October 2020 identified 17 suitable studies.Areas of agreement: SiRNAs can be useful to study reparative processes of tendons and identify possible therapeutic targets in tendon healing.Areas of controversy: Many genes and growth factors involved in the processes of tendinopathy and tendon healing can be regulated by siRNAs. It is however unclear which gene silencing determines the expected effect.Growing points: Gene dysregulation of growth factors and tendon structural proteins can be influenced by siRNA.Areas timely for developing research: It is not clear whether there is a direct action of the siRNAs that can be used to facilitate the repair processes of tendons

Transformer innovation in a changing energy landscape – Part I

We are in a changing energy landscape, transitioning to the future of energy on waves of innovation that respond to the economic, demographic, and environmental challenges of today. Electricity is becoming an important contributor to the energy transition in a connected and data driven society with rising electrical mobility. The future of energy will be electrical, digital, intelligent and sustainable supported by innovation, making significant progress in the way that electricity is generated, distributed, managed and consumed. Transformers are part of this energy transition contributing to current megatrends like renewable energy, digitalization, sustainability, energy efficiency, circular economy etc. They are preparing for the future with developments in materials, design, manufacturing processes, components and services. Digitalization is becoming a pivotal element, that will not only help operation and maintenance during the transformer lifecycle (i.e., with artificial intelligence powered by relevant data and machine learning algorithms), but will also reshape relationships between the user, manufacturer and service providers with new business models. At the same time, the industry is experiencing a paradigm shift – immersed in a transformation process, becoming faster and more efficient, optimizing operations – with companies restructuring themselves to enhance profitability or in some cases simply looking to survive. Transformer innovations are instrumental in addressing all those challenges, not just with pure R&D or technology developments but encompassing processes and operations across the whole value chain from design till transformer operation and maintenance. This article presents different cases of transformer innovation, to illustrate how the industry is contributing to the future of energy, through digitalization; pushing into new boundaries; helping the development and integration of renewables; supporting other growing segments and industries; pursuing new frontiers of reliability and resilience; enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency, and readying for the future with new developments and innovations to come

Transformer innovation in a changing energy landscape – Part II

Reliability and resilience are two different concepts but closely related. Power grids need to be prepared to secure a continuous sourcing energy, and at the same time, be ready to react in case of incidents or events. The integration of renewables also possesses challenges to the efficiency and reliability of the transmission grids and distribution networks. Digitalization is a powerful tool to strengthen the power and distribution systems, but other traditional alternatives are also used with good results

Self-efficacy and Anxiety in Learning English as a Foreign Language: Singing in Class Helps Speaking Performance

Learning is a process that involves both cognitive and affective components and that requires appropriate educational strategies. The present study investigates the links between self-efficacy and anxiety in second language learning, and the effectiveness of the singing songs teaching strategy upon students’ speaking performance. In particular, we tested whether singing songs in class during English lessons affects the relationship between self-efficacy, anxiety and performance in a group of Italian high school students learning English as a second language (N = 132; age ranging 16-19 years). The data were collected through a production task in which the vocabulary extension, the number of words, and the fluency of speech were coded and calculated as a general indicator of students’ linguistic competence. In addition, students were asked about their use of singing as an educational activity during English lessons. Results of bootstrapping analyses confirmed our prediction that foreign language self-efficacy is correlated to performance, through the mediation of anxiety. Our results also showed that the use of a singing songs strategy moderates the association of low self-efficacy to anxiety and performance, thus suggesting its plausibility as a positive pedagogical tool in second language learning activities. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed

¿Neumodesplazamiento vigente? Uso en hemorragia subretiniana y agujero macular traumático

ResumenObjetivoMostrar la efectividad del neumodesplazamiento en hemorragia subretiniana y agujero macular postraumático.MétodoReporte de caso.ResultadosPaciente masculino de 39 años de edad quien tras trauma contuso en ojo izquierdo presenta disminución de agudeza visual. Examen oftalmológico: agudeza visual del ojo izquierdo: movimiento de mano. Fundoscopia ojo izquierdo: hemorragia subretiniana en polo posterior y agujero macular. Se coloca burbuja de gas (C3F8), obteniéndose desplazamiento de la hemorragia subretiniana del área foveolar con cierre del agujero macular.ConclusionesEl trauma ocular representa todo un desafío para el oftalmólogo, en este caso producto de un trauma ocular contuso. Para la resolución de la hemorragia subretiniana producto de una rotura coroidea yuxtapapilar y del agujero macular traumático, tenemos varias opciones quirúrgicas que dependerán de la decisión del especialista en cuanto conocimiento, experiencia y experticia del mismo. El neumodesplazamiento sin vitrectomía vía pars plana ha sido utilizado para desplazar sangre subretiniana secundaria a degeneración macular relacionada con la edad. Usando el mismo principio pero aplicado a diferente patología, se decidió realizar desplazamiento neumático, obteniendo como resultado drenaje a cavidad vítrea de la hemorragia subretiniana y cierre del agujero macular. El neumodesplazamiento puede ser considerado una opción terapéutica eficaz versus la vitrectomía vía pars plana en el manejo de esta dolencia.AbstractObjectiveShow the effectiveness of pneumodisplacement in subretinal hemorrhage and post traumatic macular hole.MethodCase report.ResultsMale patient, 39 years of age who after blunt trauma left eye have decreased visual acuity. Eye exam: visual acuity left eye: hand movement. Funduscopy left eye: subretinal hemorrhage in the posterior pole and macular hole. Gas bubble is placed (C3F8), whereby displacement of subretinal hemorrhage foveal area with macular hole closure.ConclusionsOcular trauma represents a challenge for the ophthalmologist, in this case the result of a blunt ocular trauma. For the resolution of subretinal hemorrhage juxtapapillary product of choroidal rupture and traumatic macular hole, we have several surgical options that depend on the decision as specialist knowledge, experience and expertise of it. The pneumatic displacement without vitrectomy has been used to displace subretinal blood secondary to macular degeneration related to age. Using the same principle but applied to different diseases, we decided to perform pneumatic displacement resulting in vitreous cavity drainage of sub-retinal hemorrhage and macular hole closure. The pneumatic displacement can be considered an effective treatment option versus vitrectomy in the management of this condition

The Role of Quantic Molecular Resonance (QMR) in the Treatment of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy (ITH): Our Experience With Long-Term Follow-Up in Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis Refractory to Medical Therapy. Preliminary Results.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of quantic molecular resonance (QMR) in the treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in allergic and nonallergic rhinitis refractory to medical therapy. Methods: This study enrolled 281 patients, 160 males (56.9%) and 121 females (43.1%), mean age 37.8 ± 4.1 years, range 18 to 71. Fifty-four patients have been lost to follow up and have been therefore excluded from the final analysis. Based on skin prick test results, 69 patients were considered allergic (group A) and 158 nonallergic (group B). All subjects underwent before surgery (T0) and 3 (T1), 12 (T2), 24 (T3), and 36 months (T4) after QMR treatment to: 4-phase rhinomanometric examination, nasal endoscopy evaluation, and visual analogue scale to quantify the subjective feelings about nasal obstruction. Results: Subjective and objective parameters showed statistically significant improvement in both groups. Group B parameters not changed during follow-up, while group A showed significant worsening between T1 and subsequent assessments. T4 outcome indicates a better result in nonallergic patients. Conclusions: In accordance with the literature, our preliminary data validate QMR treatment as a successful therapeutic option for nasal obstruction due to ITH. Nonallergic patients had a very good T4 outcome. Allergic patients showed a worsening trend after 1 year probably due to other causes

A Secure Real-time Multimedia Streaming through Robust and Lightweight AES Encryption in UAV Networks for Operational Scenarios in Military Domain

multimodal data encryption and decryption for security applications in protected environments like espionage, situational awareness, monitoring, and counter-UAV. Data is captured from drones equipped with microphone arrays and cameras. This is performed by exploiting acoustic event analysis, video tracking, and recognition, performed on a ground station. All the communications are delivered in a secure data channel. Integrity and secrecy of the sensitive data acquired by drones must be guaranteed until the data is delivered in real-time from UAVs to the destination node. A possible data exploit may cause critical problems if the data is intercepted by malicious attackers. Being the drones equipped with low energy consuming devices with low computational power, like single-board-computers, a real-time lightweight application-level AES encryption, in addition to the MAC encryption of the wireless communication channel, has been considered. In the experiment, the encryption and decryption process has been optimized, even under adverse transmission conditions ensuring continuous data encryption even if some packets are lost or the connection is repeatedly dropped and reestablished

Atypical periprosthetic femoral fractures of the hip: A PRISMA compliant systematic review

Introduction: Long-term use of bisphosphonates (BPs) is associated with Atypical Femoral Fracture (AFF). Theoretically, periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFF) should be excluded from the diagnosis of AFF. How-ever, recently several studies reported the occurrence of PPFs around a hip arthroplasty presenting fea-tures of an AFF. The present study describes the characteristics of Atypical Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture (APFF) and evaluates the effectiveness of their management through a PRISMA compliant systematic re-view of the published case reports and series. Materials and methods: A literature search was performed using "periprosthetic fracture" and "atypical femoral fracture" as keywords. Patients demographics, drug use, clinical and imaging characteristics, stem fixation and classification, management strategies for APFF and patients' outcomes, were also collected. Results: The present review included and analysed 17 patients from 12 studies. All APFFs occurred in females with a mean age of 75.9 years of age (range 43-87). In 11 patients, APFFs occurred around an uncemented stem, and in 6 around a cemented stem. Ten fractures were incomplete, and 7 complete. Conservative management was effective in 4 of 10 patients with incomplete fracture, while all patients with complete fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation. A fracture non-union was ob-served in 5 patients and further surgery was required. Discussions: APFFs share several clinical and imaging characteristics with AFF. An appropriate and early diagnosis may allow to improve the outcome of these fractures, the management of which should be based on the same principles of that of AFFs. Conclusions: Considering the low quality of published articles and the heterogeneity of the treatment used, a clear recommendation of the most appropriate treatment cannot be formulated. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved