1,721,082 research outputs found
Lung ultrasound is used in neonatology for diagnostics, monitoring and prognostics, but also for prevention
No full textPlanning Real-Time Energy Efficient Trajectories for a Two Degrees of Freedom Balanced Serial Manipulator
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Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
A real-time capable method for planning minimum energy trajectories for one degree-of-freedom mechatronic systems
Full text linkThe synthesis of optimal motion profiles has shown to be a successful and virtually inexpensive solution for enhancing energy efficiency of mechatronic systems. A typical application is the design of point-to-point motion profiles for one-degree-of-freedom mechatronic systems. This paper proposes a new method for designing minimum energy trajectories for servo-actuated systems. The problem is solved by exploiting the knowledge of the structure of the optimal solution. That allows to solve the motion design problem by solving a set of nonlinear equations and, if needed, some basic optimization procedures, formulated after some suitable continuity conditions. The herein proposed method applies to systems with and without energy regeneration capability, for maximum adaptability to most industrial applications. The method also handles jerk, acceleration, and velocity constraints, which are typical requirements in many practical applications. The number of equations and thereby the computational time depends on the number of active constraints and on whether negative power is dissipated or regenerated. Overall, the method results to be suitable for Real-Time applications, also in the most challenging case in which all the constraints are active and the system cannot regenerate negative electric power. The accuracy and the effectiveness of the planning method is tested numerically, by comparing the solution to the one obtained by a general purpose optimal control solver and then also experimentally using a lab prototype
Increasing Lifting Efficiency of a Cable-Driven Crane Through Motion Design
No full textOperating large cranes is an energy-intensive process, underscoring the urgent need for strategies that enhance efficiency to yield significant economic and environmental benefits. This paper introduces a novel and cost-effective method focused on motion design to boost the efficiency of crane operations. The problem of finding the most efficient motion law is addressed by solving an optimal control problem using a state-of-the-art toolbox. To validate the effectiveness of our approach, we constructed a scaled prototype, demonstrating our method’s practical applicability. A comparative analysis with a conventional reference motion has revealed that the proposed motion design method markedly reduces energy consumption. These promising results advocate for further exploration of our method in real-world crane operations
Vancomycin use in children and neonates across three decades: A bibliometric analysis of the top-cited articles
Full text linkVancomycin is frequently prescribed in pediatrics, especially in intensive care unit settings, to treat Gram-positive bacterial infections. This work aims to collect the top-cited articles of pediatric and infectious diseases areas to gather the current evidence and gaps of knowledge on the use of vancomycin in these populations. The most relevant journals reported in the “pediatrics” and “infectious diseases” categories of the 2019 edition of Journal Citation Reports were browsed. Articles with more than 30 citations and published over the last three decades were collected. A bibliometric analysis was performed and 115 articles were retrieved. They were published in 21 journals, with a median impact factor of 4.6 (IQR 2.9–5.4). Sixty-eight of them (59.1%) belonged to “infectious diseases” journals. The most relevant topic was “bloodstream/complicated/invasive infections”, followed by “antibiotic resistance/MRSA treatment”. As for population distribution, 27 articles were on children only and 27 on neonates, most of which were from intensive care unit (ICU) settings. The current literature mainly deals with vancomycin as a treatment for severe infections and antibiotic resistance, especially in neonatal ICU settings. Lately, attention to new dosing strategies in the neonatal and pediatric population has become a sensible topic
Gli anziani nel Veneto. La condizione della terza età a Vigonza
No full textQual è la condizione di vita degli anziani in una delle regioni più ricche d'Italia? Sono ormai molte le ricerche che comuni e regioni hanno promosso sulla condizione della terza età, per conoscere la specifica situazione di vita dei loro vecchi. Di conseguenza, comincia ad essere piuttosto nutrito il panorama di conoscenze e il dibattito su questo tema. Ma i cambiamenti che investono la condizione degli anziani sono talmente veloci radicali e frammentati che le indagini sulla terza età non sono mai abbastanza , per consentire di promuovere una politica sociale mirata ed efficace. Questa ricerca parte dalla necessità di mettere a fuoco in profondità i problemi, i bisogni e le aspettative degli anziani del comune di Vigonza (Pd), in vista dell'apertura di un centro diurno per gli anziani stessi. Oltre alla situazione sanitaria sono stati indagati il rapporto col tempo e con lo spazio da parte della popolazione anziana, le forme di socialità, la visione della vita e della vecchiaia, l'atteggiamento verso l'abbigliamento e l'alimentazione, l'esperienza del lutto, la mobilità.
L'originalità di questa ricerca va colta nel fatto che si è tentato di ricostruire per la prima volta l'interiorità degli anziani, affinché la qualità del servizio che il comune intende offrire risponda il più possibile alle loro esigenze
A Spatial Dynamic Model for the Simulation of Human Upper Limb
Full text linkIn many assembly systems, ergonomics can have a great impact on productivity. To evaluate ergonomics, human energy expenditure can be used as an index. In this paper, an energy expenditure spatial arm model is presented and then compared to a reference planar model. For that purpose, it has been developed both a dynamic and metabolic model of a spatial human arm. It will be shown that the spatial model extends the planar one
How is immunosuppressive status affecting children and adults in SARS-CoV-2 infection? A systematic review
Full text linkObjectives: SARS-CoV-2 infection has now a global resonance. Data on how COVID-19 is affecting immunocompromised patients are however few. With our study we aimed to systematically review the current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 cases in children and adults with immunosuppression, to evaluate outcomes in this special population. Methods: A systematic review of literature was carried out to identify relevant articles, searching the EMBASE, Medline, and Google Scholar databases. Studies reporting data on pre-defined outcomes and related to immunosuppressed adults and children with SARS-CoV-2 were included. Results: Sixteen relevant articles were identified with 110 immunosuppressed patients, mostly presenting cancer, along with transplantation and immunodeficiency. Cancer was more often associated with a more severe course, but not necessarily with a bad prognosis. Our data show that both children and adults with immunosuppression seem to have a favorable disease course, as compared to the general population. Conclusion: Immunosuppressed patients with COVID-19 seem to be few in relation to the overall figures, and to present a favorable outcome as compared to other comorbidities. This might be explained by a hypothetical protective role of a weaker immune response, determining a milder disease presentation and thus underdiagnosis. Nevertheless, surveillance on this special population should be encouraged
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