Experimental Test of Synergies Computed on the SCHUNK S5FH under-actuated Hand

In this paper, a method for synergies calculation developed for an anthropomorphic 15 DOFs hand, characterized by one to one mapping between configuration space and fingertip position in the Cartesian space, has been tested on the under-actuated SCHUNK S5FH anthropomorphic hand. The grasping capabilities of the hand controlled in a three dimension synergies subspace have been tested. The results demonstrate that the data set of grasps, measured on human hands, and the mapping method of human hand synergies, based on fingertip measurements and inverse kinematics, is efficient enough to compute suitable synergies subspace where it is possible to plan and control anthropomorphic hands for grasping actions, despite on the hand kinematics and actuation system

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

CBF changes after (-)eburnamonine infusion in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency

The authors have made a study of CBF after (-)eburnamonine infusion, during angiographic examination of 6 patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency, for a hemodynamic evaluation of the drug efficacy on CBF. The measurement of CBF was done by 133Xe according to the method of Lassen and Ingvar. A correlation between clinical findings, angiographic findings and CBF changes was done to state the employment of (-)eburnamonine in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency

Processo per realizzare un anodo per batterie agli ioni di litio

La presente invenzione riguarda il settore delle batterie agli ioni di litio, una delle tecnologie più diffuse per lo stoccaggio di energia elettrica. Viene riportata la descrizione e il metodo per fabbricare un anodo di nuova concezione, che migliora la capacità gravimetrica della batteria, definita come quantità di carica immagazzinata per unità di massa (mAh/g). La novità consiste nel materiale utilizzato per fabbricare l’anodo e nella semplicità realizzativa di tale anodo, poiché il materiale attivo è direttamente depositato sul current collector senza la necessita di alcun binder aggiuntivo. Migliorare la capacità gravimetrica delle batterie agli ioni di litio è uno dei parametri chiave nello sviluppo di tale tecnologia, in particolare per le applicazioni nel settore dei dispositivi elettronici portatili, in quanto i valori di capacità ad oggi raggiunti sono ancora insoddisfacenti rispetto alla domanda del mercato

A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING AN ANODE FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

A process for producing an anode for lithium-ion batteries, comprising the following steps: depositing by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) an active material (1) directly onto a metal substrate (2) intended to form a current collector, the active material (1) consisting substantially of a germanium film, and subjecting the film (1) to anodic oxidation to make it porous or increase its porosity

Porous Germanium Anode for Li-Ion Batteries

In this work we have presented the results of our novel binder free anodic material made of porous Germanium. The anodes are realized in a two-step process: firstly, a thin Germanium layer is deposited using a plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique; then a nanometric porous matrix is realized through an electrochemical etching process. The anodes have been tested in prototype coin type cells, using metallic Lithium as counter and reference electrode. The electrochemical performances, as well as some morphologic characterizations have been presented. The anodes realized and whose results have been presented have been able to perform hundreds of charge and discharge cycles at very high C-rates, retaining a stable capacity of more than 950 mAh/g even at currents as high as 5C (considering 1C as 1600 mA/g), which is 2.5 times the theoretical capacity of the actual standard anodic material, which is Graphite

Assessment of neurological manifestations in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Background and purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the neurological manifestations in a series of consecutive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients, comparing their frequency with a population hospitalized in the same period for flu/respiratory symptoms, finally not related to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Patients with flu/respiratory symptoms admitted to Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli hospital from 14 March 2020 to 20 April 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The frequency of neurological manifestations of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was compared with a control group. Results: In all, 213 patients were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2, after reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on nasal or throat swabs, whilst 218 patients were found to be negative and were used as a control group. Regarding central nervous system manifestations, in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients a higher frequency of headache, hyposmia and encephalopathy always related to systemic conditions (fever or hypoxia) was observed. Furthermore, muscular involvement was more frequent in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19 commonly have neurological manifestations but only hyposmia and muscle involvement seem more frequent compared with other flu diseases

Asthma in patients admitted to emergency department for COVID-19: prevalence and risk of hospitalization

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