14 research outputs found
Design Analysis of a Permanent Magnet Brushless Generator with Two Counter Rotating Rotors for Small-Wind Turbine
No full textExperimental Tests on a Spoke-Type Permanent Magnets Synchronous Machine for Light Electric Vehicle Application
No full textIn an attempt to limit the effects of global warming, virtually all car manufacturers have introduced in the last years Hybrid or full Electric Vehicles. The current study shows the experimental testing of a spoke-type PMSM that was developed based on the requirements of the L6e European light vehicle class. A test bench was developed for this purpose, using a DC machine fed by a bidirectional DC Power Supply that allowed the testing of the PMSM prototype both in motor and generator/brake regimes. The Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) was implemented on the control stage of the testing set-up, allowing an accurate estimation of the PMSM-based E-drivetrain performance. The test results validated the FEM-simulated results and provided an insight on the efficiency of the entire drive system (battery–inverter–PMSM) and the autonomy of the L6e light EV. The electric drive system was integrated and tested on a prototype vehicle in normal operating conditions, validating the results obtained on the developed test bench
Transabdominal pre-peritoneal repair procedure (TAPP) versus open hernia repair (OHR) in the treatment of inguinal hernia
No full textInguinal hernia is a common condition, with about 30% of men and 6% of women developing this condition throughout their lifetime. Laparoscopic hernia repair procedures have become more and more important lately, due to the advantages of a fast recovery and reduced postoperative pain. The paper presents our clinical experience involving the TAPP repair procedure, compared to open hernia repair (OHR). We retrospectively compared our first 50 cases comprising patients who underwent the TAPP hernia repair procedure between January 2018 and June 2020, with 50 cases who underwent the OHR procedure in the same period. The total operation duration was 102.5 minutes in the TAPP group and 78.4 minutes in the OHR group. The average hospital stay in the TAPP group was 1.5 days with six patients requiring reinterventions for postoperative bleeding and who were discharged seven to nine days later. There is still no consensus regarding the use of tacks and/or the surgical glue, the surgeon\u27s experience and the intraoperative findings representing a cornerstone in choosing the best repair method for each case. Laparoscopic hernia repair has some advantages over the open technique, but it can be followed by complications that can further raise parameters
Electronically Controlled Actuators for a Micro Wind Turbine Furling Mechanism
No full textThis paper presents two electromechanical systems used for the overspeed protection of small wind turbines. The actuators have the purpose of rotating the back rudder (tail vane) of the wind turbine when the blades are overspeeding. The rudder rotation angle is 90 degrees in order to completely turn the wind turbine blades away from the wind flow direction. The first device is a new limited-angle torque electromechanical actuator consisting of a device with a simplified structure composed of four permanent magnets (two on each side) glued on a rotor mounted between two stator poles built from ordinary rectangular construction pipes and an electronic control unit. The second device is based on a regular stepper motor actuator with a reduction gear and an appropriate control scheme to maximize the energy harvested at high, over-nominal wind speeds. A generic comparison is provided for the proposed solutions
Initial Evaluation of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Structures for Light Electric Vehicle Applications
No full textSustainable Management of Willow Forest Landscapes: A Review of Ecosystem Functions and Conservation Strategies
No full textWillow stands (Salix spp.) are an essential part of riparian ecosystems, as they sustain biodiversity and provide bioenergy solutions. The present review synthesizes the global scientific literature about the management of willow stands. In order to achieve this goal, we used a dual approach combining bibliometric analysis with traditional literature review. As such, we consulted 416 publications published between 1978 and 2024. This allowed us to identify key species, ecosystem services, conservation strategies, and management issues. The results we have obtained show a diversity of approaches, with an increase in short-rotation coppice (SRC) systems and the multiple roles covered by willow stands (carbon sequestration, biomass production, riparian restoration, and habitat provision). The key trends we have identified show a shift toward topics such as climate resilience, ecological restoration, and precision forestry. This trend has become especially pronounced over the past decade (2014–2024), as reflected in the increasing use of these keywords in the literature. However, as willow systems expand in scale and function—from biomass production to ecological restoration—they also raise complex challenges, including invasive tendencies in non-native regions and uncertainties surrounding biodiversity impacts and soil carbon dynamics over the long term. The present review is a guide for forest policies and, more specifically, for future research, linking the need to integrate and use adaptive strategies in order to maintain the willow stands
Supplementary Treatment for Alleviating Pain and Enhancing Functional Ability in Geriatric Patients with Osteoarthritis
No full textBackground and Objectives: A degenerative joint disease that primarily affects elderly individuals, osteoarthritis (OA) causes pain, decreased mobility, and a lower quality of life. Procaine is regarded as a “veteran” medicine due to its extensive clinical use, although it remains a molecule of interest, as researchers are uncovering new biological and pharmacological effects through innovative experimental methods. This study evaluates the efficacy of the “procaine complex”, developed in our country, in alleviating pain and improving functionality in elderly individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Materials and Methods: We conducted an assessment of a longitudinal short-term study involving 177 patients aged 65 and older, who were randomly divided into two groups. One group received physical therapy and “procaine complex” periarticular injections (n = 101), while the other group received just physical therapy (n = 76). We assessed pain using a visual analog scale (VAS), in addition to functional evaluations using the Lequesne Index, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Instrumental ADL (IADL) scores. We evaluated these through a CGA (complex geriatric assessment), the walk test, “Up and Go” test, Mini Mental State (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for cognitive status. We analyzed all the data from this study using PSPP v3 software. Results: The procaine complex treatment group exhibited a significant reduction in pain (p < 0.001) and improvement in daily activities (p < 0.001) relative to the control group. However, there was no notable difference in walking test scores (p = 0.171). No substantial detrimental effects were identified. The procaine complex did not surpass physical therapy in reducing depressive disorders, but both groups showed some enhancement in this regard. Conclusions: This study demonstrates an innovative approach to pain management by integrating periarticular “procaine complex” injections with physical therapy. This provides elderly individuals experiencing osteoarthritis pain and functional limitations with a secure and efficacious alternative to surgery, or may diminish years of disability
Adhesive-Ceramic Interface Behavior in Dental Restorations. FEM Study and SEM Investigation
No full textThe purpose of this study is to identify the stress levels that act in inlay and onlay restorations, according to the direction and value of the external force applied. The study was conducted using the Finite Element Method (FEM) of three types of ceramics: pressed lithium disilicate and monolith, zirconia, and three different adhesive systems: self-adhesive, universal, and dual-cure cements. In addition to FEM, the inlay/onlay-dental structure interface analysis was performed by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The geometric models were reconstructed based on computer tomography images of an undamaged molar followed by geometrical procedures of inducing the inlay and onlay reconstructions. The two functional models were then simulated for different orientations of external force and different material properties, according to the considered adhesives and ceramics. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was conducted on 30 extracted teeth, divided into three groups according to the adhesive cement type. Both FEM simulation and SEM investigations reveal very good mechanical behavior of the adhesive-dental structure and adhesive-ceramic interfaces for inlay and onlay reconstructions. All results lead to the conclusion that a physiological mastication force applied, regardless of direction, cannot produce a mechanical failure of either inlay or onlay reconstructions. The adhesive bond between the restorations and the dental structure can stabilize the ceramic restorations, resulting in a higher strength to the action of external forces
