RFID technology for blood tracking: An experimental approach for benchmarking different devices

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to design a testing protocol to measure performances of RFID devices applied to blood supply chain, and to implement an experimental campaign in order to collect performance data. The protocol matches operational conditions in blood supply chain and is particularly tailored to some critical processes, which can benefit from RFID adoption. The paper thus strives at benchmarking performances of inlays, fixed and handheld RFID readers, when deployed in the blood supply chain processes. DESIGN, METHODOLOGY, APPROACH: The adopted testing protocol enables the assessment of performances of RFID devices in processes of the blood supply chain, since it has been developed peculiarly to emulate critical logistics processes. The testing protocol has been designed jointly with hospital personnel involved in every day operations on blood bags and tubes in order to improve processes, in terms of safety and reliability. The testing protocol has been applied to 3 inlays, 2 fixed readers, 1 mobile handheld in 3 logistics processes, all operating according to UHF EPC class 1 gen 2 protocols and ETSI regulations. We measured and compared read rates, accuracies and read times. FINDINGS: The results of the test give a direct insight of performances to be expected from different RFID devices when deployed in a real-world environment. Therefore, it is possible to give answers to how a specific piece of hardware - such as an inlay or a reader - performs, and how it can be effectively used to improve security of patients in healthcare. At the same time, researchers focusing on the business process reengineering of blood supply chain can assess the technical feasibility of the RFID-reengineered logistics processes in order to improve the safety of end users

Shared polygenic risk and causal inferences in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objective To identify shared polygenic risk and causal associations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods Linkage disequilibrium score regression and Mendelian randomization were applied in a large-scale, data-driven manner to explore genetic correlations and causal relationships between >700 phenotypic traits and ALS. Exposures consisted of publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWASes) summary statistics from MR Base and LD-hub. The outcome data came from the recently published ALS GWAS involving 20,806 cases and 59,804 controls. Multivariate analyses, genetic risk profiling, and Bayesian colocalization analyses were also performed. Results We have shown, by linkage disequilibrium score regression, that ALS shares polygenic risk genetic factors with a number of traits and conditions, including positive correlations with smoking status and moderate levels of physical activity, and negative correlations with higher cognitive performance, higher educational attainment, and light levels of physical activity. Using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that hyperlipidemia is a causal risk factor for ALS and localized putative functional signals within loci of interest. Interpretation Here, we have developed a public resource () which we hope will become a valuable tool for the ALS community, and that will be expanded and updated as new data become available. Shared polygenic risk exists between ALS and educational attainment, physical activity, smoking, and tenseness/restlessness. We also found evidence that elevated low-desnity lipoprotein cholesterol is a causal risk factor for ALS. Future randomized controlled trials should be considered as a proof of causality. Ann Neurol 2019;85:470-481Peer reviewe

Solare Termico e Acqua Calda

Un confronto tecnico ed economico fra sistemi solari termici, pompe di calore e sistemi solari termici con pompa di calore per la produzione di acs

Ultrasound-guided interfascial plane blocks for non-anesthesiologists in breast cancer surgery: functional outcomes and benefits

Aim: Acute post-operative pain following modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in patients with breast cancer is challenging for anesthesiologists. This study aimed to prospectively compare the quality outcome of interfascial plane blocks performed with ultrasound guidance, and evaluate the consequences of sharing tasks with the breast surgeon. Patients and Methods: The study involved 255 patients scheduled for unilateral MRM, who were divided into two groups: Pecs group: General anesthesia plus ultrasound-guided modified pectoral nerves blocks type I and II, including serratus and parasternal infiltration according to surgical requirements; and Control group: general anesthesia only. Quality was evaluated based on perioperative opioid consumption, reported pain intensity, rescue analgesic requirement, side-effects and length of hospital stay. Moreover, a breast surgeon with expertise in ultrasound-guided breast biopsy was trained to perform the blocks. The patient benefits from regional anesthesia delivered by a non-anesthesiologist were assessed. Results: Significant reductions were noted in all of the following: Intraoperative opioid consumption (p<0.001), Numerating Rating Scale pain scores taken 0 and 24 h after surgery (p<0.001), post-operative analgesic administration (p<0.001), nausea and vomiting at 0, 6, and 12-h intervals (p<0.05), and hospital stay (p<0.001) were observed in the Pecs group compared with the control group. Furthermore, data obtained from patients receiving the block from the surgeon showed comparable benefits with no complications. Conclusion: Interfascial plane blocks may be an important alternative protocol in MRM, enhancing patient safety and cost benefits. Improvements in cross-disciplinary expertise through flexibility in the training of professionals with other backgrounds may provide effective analgesia and favorable outcomes

Characterization of a new mach 9 nozzle for the heat hypersonic wind tunnel

none9A new Mach 9 contoured nozzle to use with air was designed and realized at Alta SpA with the aim to produce a uniform core flow with a diameter of at least 80 mm. The design was iteratively carried out using engineering codes and CFD simulations by CIRA. The characterization activity was carried out mapping the complete test section in terms of pitot pressure and total enthalpy and measuring the pressure and heat flux distribution on the nozzle internal walls. The flow before the convergent was characterized by means of total pressure measurements and spectroscopy. A numerical rebuilding of the test was performed by CIRA and PoliTO and compared with experimental data. The paper will briefly describe the design phase and will present all the characterization results.noneD. Baccarella; A. Passaro; P. Caredda; A. Cristofolini; G. Neretti; V.M. Granciu; A. Schettino; F. Battista; D. D’AmbrosioD. Baccarella; A. Passaro; P. Caredda; A. Cristofolini; G. Neretti; V.M. Granciu; A. Schettino; F. Battista; D. D’Ambrosi

RFID technology for blood tracking: An experimental approach for benchmarking different devices

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to design a testing protocol to measure performances of RFID devices applied to blood supply chain, and to implement an experimental campaign in order to collect performance data. The protocol matches operational conditions in blood supply chain and is particularly tailored to some critical processes, which can benefit from RFID adoption. The paper thus strives at benchmarking performances of inlays, fixed and handheld RFID readers, when deployed in the blood supply chain processes. DESIGN, METHODOLOGY, APPROACH: The adopted testing protocol enables the assessment of performances of RFID devices in processes of the blood supply chain, since it has been developed peculiarly to emulate critical logistics processes. The testing protocol has been designed jointly with hospital personnel involved in every day operations on blood bags and tubes in order to improve processes, in terms of safety and reliability. The testing protocol has been applied to 3 inlays, 2 fixed readers, 1 mobile handheld in 3 logistics processes, all operating according to UHF EPC class 1 gen 2 protocols and ETSI regulations. We measured and compared read rates, accuracies and read times. FINDINGS: The results of the test give a direct insight of performances to be expected from different RFID devices when deployed in a real-world environment. Therefore, it is possible to give answers to how a specific piece of hardware - such as an inlay or a reader - performs, and how it can be effectively used to improve security of patients in healthcare. At the same time, researchers focusing on the business process reengineering of blood supply chain can assess the technical feasibility of the RFID-reengineered logistics processes in order to improve the safety of end users