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High-pressure treatment of oxide glasses can lead to significant alteration of various material properties such as increased density, ductility, and elastic moduli. In this study, a model of melt-quenched bulk silica glass was subject to high-pressure treatments (up to 16 GPa) using molecular dynamics simulations. The thermal conductivity of such prepared glass structures was determined using the equilibrium Green–Kubo method. We observed that, up to the pressure treatments of ∼ 6 GPa, the structure exhibits moderate density increase and a much steeper increase between 6 and 16 GPa, with associated density increase of fivefold silicon atoms. We also observed a noticeable increase (up to 20%) of the thermal conductivity in samples subjected to high-pressure treatments. The observed increases are somewhat, but not significantly, larger than those predicted by the minimum thermal conductivity model, accounting for density and elastic moduli increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the fundamental challenges in analyzing wind turbine performance is the occurrence of torque creep under load and without load. This phenomenon significantly impacts the proper functioning of torque transducers, thus necessitating the utilization of appropriate measurement data analysis algorithms. In this regard, employing the least squares method appears to be a suitable approach. Linear regression can be employed to investigate the creep trend itself, while visualizing the creep in the form of a non-linear curve using a third-degree polynomial can provide further insights. Additionally, calculating deviations between the measurement data and the regression curves proves beneficial in accurately assessing the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilisation with ash from biomass combustion has a positive effect on the quality of nutrients in agrifood raw materials, improving their chemical composition and bioavailability. In the experiments carried out, the protein content and the profile of free amino acids in barley flour were examined from cultivation fertilised with biomass ash at various doses. Barley flour from Haplic Luvisol soil was characterised by a significantly higher (by 13.8% on average) total protein content compared to flour obtained from grains from Gleyic Chernozem soil. The highest protein content but a low content of free amino acids were found in the grains of plants fertilised with the mineral NPK (D1). An increase in the total pool of free amino acids in flour was observed, especially in the case of Haplic Luvisol soil. On average, after fertilising, significantly more ASP, ASN, GLU, GLY, ALA, and CYS were obtained in variant D4 (1.5 t·ha−1), and there were also significantly more TAU and GABA than in the control, up by 30.2% and 23%, respectively. A beneficial effect of fertilisation on the essential amino acid content in barley flour was found, but only up to the dose of D4, when it was significantly higher than in the control and under mineral fertilising (D1), up by 23.7% and 9.2%, respectively. High ash doses reduced the content of free amino acids in the tested barley flour. This study confirmed that using an alternative method of fertilising with plant biomass ash has a beneficial effect on protein quality and nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibration signal is one of the most essential diagnostic signals, the analysis of which allows for determining the dynamic state of the monitored machine set. In the era of cyber-physical industrial systems, making diagnostic decisions involves the study of large databases from previous registers and data downloaded from machines in real-time. However, the recorded signals mainly concern the operational status of the monitored object. Insufficient training data regarding failure states hinders the operation of classification algorithms. Progress in machine learning has created a new avenue for the advancement of diagnostic methods based on models. These methods now have the capability to produce signals through random sampling from a hidden space or generate fresh instances of input data from noise. The article suggests the use of a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) model as a tool to create synthetic measurement observations for vibration monitoring. The effectiveness of the synthetic data generation algorithm was verified on the example of the vibration signal recorded during tests of the drive system of a motor vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an analysis of the metrological properties of a 5 MN·m torque transducer. The relative electrical signal (given in electrical units, mV/V) as a function of torque measured in both the clockwise and anticlockwise directions was monitored. To fit the data, the weighted method of least squares with both a straight-line and a cubic spline curve was used. The results of the analysis indicated that the straight-line fitting method produced smaller values of expanded uncertainty than the cubic spline fitting method. Additionally, the study confirmed the assumptions that the Monte Carlo method for propagating uncorrelated distributions was more accurate than the uncertainty propagation method, regardless of the type of curve fitting used. From the estimated uncertainty coverage corridor at selected measurement points, confidence intervals–expanded uncertainties were determined. Additionally, the fuzzy sets approach to the evaluation of uncertainty was presented, and the approximate value of the expanded uncertainty was calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left-bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is a relatively new technique for conduction system pacing. Australian safety and efficacy data is currently lacking. We aim to evaluate the learning curve, medium-term safety, and lead performance in a high-volume Australian setting. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 200 consecutive LBBAP procedures performed by a single operator at two centres between January 2019 and May 2020. Left bundle branch area pacing was performed predominantly via left subclavian access using a 69 cm Medtronic SelectSecure 3830 pacing lead and a preformed non-steerable C315-His sheath. Procedural success was defined as evidence of left septal or left bundle branch area capture as evidenced by a right bundle branch block-like paced morphology. Procedural characteristics, and follow-up (including lead performance) data were collected. Procedural efficiency over time, as well as safety data, were collected. Median age was 78.26 years (interquartile range [IQR] 71–85), 37% were female. Atrial fibrillation was present in 22%. The left ventricular ejection fraction <50% in 24%, atrioventricular (AV) block was present in 43.5%, left bundle branch block in 22.5% and right bundle branch block in 24.5%. Acute procedural success was 91.5%. Implant threshold was 0.6V @ 0.5 ms, and 0.75V @ 0.5 ms at 11.9 months of follow-up. The QRS was significant reduced (baseline 134 ms vs implant 114 ms, p<0.001) There was a reduction in procedural time and X-ray dose over the course of the study. There were no complications specific to LBBAP. LBBAP appears to be a safe and effective pacing strategy. The QRS duration was significantly reduced compared to baseline. There appears to be an early learning curve with LBBAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Utilizing the ISPEC curriculum and case-based demonstration, participants will self-report the ability to define spiritual distress and recognize components of spiritual assessment. 2. Utilizing an established experiential exercise, participants will self-report the ability to reflect on their own spirituality as part of their clinical practice, and their own well-being and call to serve. Spiritual care, an essential domain of Palliative Care, is increasingly recognized as an equal aspect of patient-centered, whole person care. The ISPEC curriculum is a resource for spiritual care training and clinician self-care. The Interprofessional Spiritual Care Curriculum (ISPEC), offered since 2018, is an evidence-informed curriculum to train interdisciplinary health teams to recognize and attend to the spiritual needs of seriously or chronically ill patients. Addressing spiritual and religious issues is essential to DEI and fundamental to respectful care. Based on the generalist-specialist spiritual care model, clinician-chaplain pairs attend ISPEC to learn content, teaching, and leadership skills. To date, over 500 attendees from 29 countries have participated in ISPEC. With increasing physician suicides and nurse burnout, attendees note how ISPEC reconnects them to their sense of meaning and purpose. Participants have the opportunity, through reflection on their patient encounters, to develop their inner resources. In this session, we will teach key concepts from the six-module ISPEC curriculum, with particular focus on spiritual distress, spiritual assessment, and clinician well-being. ISPEC is designed to meet the critical need to educate clinicians to provide spiritual care in clinical settings. Teaching methods include content from the ISPEC curriculum, case presentations, discussion, and experiential exercises. Attendance at three recent courses included 53% clinicians and 45% chaplains. Course participants' (N=113) overall course ratings were 27% as very good and 69% as excellent. Individual module ratings were 32% rated as very good and 55% as excellent. Along with reporting an increase in skill and confidence in providing spiritual care, ISPEC participants report the course also impacts them on a personal level. ISPEC can serve as a model for organizations as they strive to improve spiritual care, practiced by clinicians and chaplains, as essential to an overall QI effort in palliative care. Managing Suffering and Distress / Existential / Humanities / Spirituality / Religion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This was a cross-sectional study that aimed to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and motor development of infants at 3–4 months of age in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. The outcome, infant motor development, was evaluated through the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (Bayley III). The prevalence of infants that stopped breastfeeding before reaching 3–4 months of age was 16.6%. The most prevalent reason for early weaning was 'insufficient milk flow' (50.4%). The general mean of motor development was 104.9 (±13.2) points, and the lowest means were attributed to babies who never breastfed (101.5; SD ±14.6), followed by those stopped breastfeeding (102.5; SD ±14.1). The results revealed that infants who never breastfed and those who had stopped at 3–4 months of age presented −1.9 (CI 95% −3.8;−0.2) points in the motor development scale means when compared with infants who were still breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The literature reports that teenage pregnancy is considered a risk factor for anxiety disorders (ADs). However, research on this topic is limited. This study aimed to investigate if pregnant adolescents presented a greater likelihood of having ADs by comparing two samples of pregnant women in a southern city of Brazil. We also observed the prevalence rates of antenatal ADs among adolescents and adult women.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 1852 women from two different studies: 995 pregnant adolescents attending prenatal care in the public health system (convenience sample) and 857 pregnant women from a population-based study. We used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI Plus) to assess antenatal ADs, using the Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) modules. The primary aim of this study was tested through multivariate analysis using Poisson regression.Results: The prevalence of ADs was 11.0 % among pregnant adolescents and 13.8 % among adult pregnant women. Both samples presented similar rates of ADs (p = 0.065). In the adjusted analysis, maternal age did not predict antenatal ADs (PR = 0.97; p = 0.853).Limitations: Considering the particularities of each study where the samples came from, it was not possible to include other ADs such as panic disorder or phobias.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that pregnancy in adolescence does not increase the likelihood of antenatal ADs. However, we emphasize the importance of an adequate psychological screening and care in pregnancy in order to prevent possible psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite improvement, sepsis mortality rates remain high, with an estimated 11 million sepsis-related deaths globally in 2017 (Rudd et. al, Lancet 395:200-211, 2020). Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are estimated to account for 85% of global sepsis mortality; however, evidence for improved sepsis mortality in LMICs is lacking. We aimed to improve sepsis care and outcomes through development and evaluation of a sepsis treatment protocol tailored to the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Emergency Department, Ethiopia, context.Methods: We employed a mixed methods design, including an interrupted times series study, pre-post knowledge testing, and process evaluation. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving appropriate sepsis care (blood culture collection before antibiotics and initiation of appropriate antibiotics within 1 h of assessment). Secondary outcomes included time to antibiotic administration, 72-h sepsis mortality, and 90-day all-cause mortality. Due to poor documentation, we were unable to assess our primary outcome and time to antibiotic administration. We used segmented regression with outcomes as binomial proportions to assess the impact of the intervention on mortality. Pre-post knowledge test scores were analyzed using the Student's t-test to compare group means for percentage of scenarios with correct diagnosis.Results: A total of 113 and 300 patients were enrolled in the pre-implementation and post-implementation phases respectively. While age and gender were similar across the phases, a higher proportion (31 vs. 57%) of patients had malignancies in the post-implementation phase. We found a significant change in trend between the phases, with a trend for increasing odds of survival in the pre-implementation phase (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.98-1.56), and a shift down, with odds of survival virtually flat (OR 0.95, 95% CI. 0.88-1.03) in the post-implementation phases for 72-h mortality, and trends for survival pre- and post-implementation are virtually flat for 90-day mortality. We found no significant difference in pre-post knowledge test scores, with interpretation limited by response rate. Implementation quality was negatively impacted by resource challenges.Conclusion: We found no improvement in sepsis outcomes, with a trend for increasing odds of survival lost post-implementation and no significant change in knowledge pre- and post-implementation. Variable availability of resources was the principal barrier to implementation.Trial Registration: Open Science Framework osf.io/ju4ga . Registered June 28, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Interprofessional Spiritual Care Curriculum (ISPEC) was created to train interdisciplinary health care teams to recognize and address the spiritual needs of seriously or chronically ill patients. The curriculum, in a train-the-trainer format, employs didactic presentations, discussions, lab sessions, skill demonstrations, and video clips. In course applications, participants were required to submit goals to achieve and demonstrate institutional support. For the first ISPEC course, in July 2018, 48 clinician-chaplain teams attended. Following the 2½ day course, participants had access to online training modules for 1-year, ISPEC faculty mentoring support, and regular conference calls on goal implementation progress. Participants reported recognizing the importance of providing spiritual care and a new understanding of how collaborating as interprofessional teams enabled them to integrate this care into their home institution settings. In a mixed-methods evaluation survey completed 12 months after the ISPEC course, participants reported on the percentage of their goals completed, number and types of professionals they had educated in spiritual care, and personal confidence regarding spiritual care leadership skills. This data can serve as a model to guide other organizations striving to improve spiritual care, practiced collaboratively by clinicians and chaplains, as an essential aspect of overall QI efforts in palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects a high number of women, often the first manifestation of a mood disorder that will occur later in life, bringing serious consequences for the patient and her offspring. Depression today is the leading cause of disability worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a preventive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PPD.Methods: Pre-post therapy study, as part of a population-based cohort study. Pregnant women without a diagnosis of depression participated, who were divided into two groups: risk of depression (CBT) and a control group (without therapy). The preventive therapy consisted of six sessions of CBT, administered weekly. The Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45) was used in all sessions. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Beck Depression Inventory-II were used on three occasions. The final statistical analyses were performed by Poisson regression.Results: The prevalence of PPD in the risk group was 5.5% and in the control group 2.2%, with no difference between the groups (PR 1.66 95% CI 0.44-6.18). The OQ-45 averages gradually reduced during the therapy sessions, indicating therapeutic progress. Schooling was an associated factor, both with the manifestation of PPD and with the greater effectiveness of the therapy.Limitations: Rate of 40.5% refusal to preventive treatment and absence of a group with similar characteristics in another therapy model.Conclusions: Brief cognitive behavioral therapy applied by mental health professionals with basic training was effective in preventing the manifestation of PPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing the disparate levels of aural skills that students may have acquired through their daily musical experiences prior to formal schooling can be difficult. Placement tests within the Western classical musical tradition typically involve structural decoding and formal concepts of elementary music theory. In this manuscript, we discuss the development of a music placement evaluation for beginner students (N = 539) involved in the ear training and music theory classes of a university outreach program. The measure consisted of 12 aural skills tasks inspired by the principles of Serafine's music development model that assessed knowledge acquired from daily music experiences without stressing the formal nomenclature of music theory. Stimuli were comprised of temporal (idiomatic construction and textural abstraction) and nontemporal processes (melodic closure, harmonic closure, transformation, and hierarchical levels) according to Serafine's model. The comprehension of tempo, register, and melodic contours also was evaluated. The use of real music excerpts, some of which likely belonged to students' own repertoires, may have helped the students to concentrate on the cognitive/aural tasks. The implications of this evaluation for music education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to verify the association between GAD, the severity of depressive symptoms and stressors in pregnant women between the first and second trimester. Cross-sectional study, part of a cohort that followed 980 women during the gestational period of a city in southern Brazil. We performed bivariate analysis using the t-test and chi-square. The variables that presented p ≤ 0.20 were taken for multivariate analysis, through logistic regression, in order to control possible confounding factors. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus was used to evaluate GAD, the severity of depressive symptoms was investigated through the Beck Inventory of Depression II, and stress events according to the Social Readjustment Assessment Scale of Holmes e Rahe. The sample consisted of 980 women. Women with mild depression symptoms had 9.8 (IC95% 4.6;21.0) times more GAD, those with moderate symptoms had 27.5 (IC95% 12.5;60.0) times more GAD, and those with severe symptoms had 52.9 (IC95% 19.1;146.5) times more GAD when compared to pregnant women with no symptoms or minimal symptoms. Regarding the stressful events, the pregnant women who presented GAD had an increase of 1.0 (IC95% 1.0;1.1) point in the mean of occurrence of stressor events when compared to those without GAD. These findings highlight the need for prevention strategies and interventions to promote maternal mental health, which benefit the development of infants in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the global shortage of skilled health workers estimated at 7.2 million, outpatient tuberculosis (TB) care is commonly task-shifted to lay health workers (LHWs) in many low- and middle-income countries where the shortages are greatest. While shown to improve access to care and some health outcomes including TB treatment outcomes, lack of training and supervision limit the effectiveness of LHW programs. Our objective was to refine and evaluate an intervention designed to address common causes of non-adherence to TB treatment and LHW knowledge and skills training needs.Methods: We employed a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial. Participants included 103 health centres (HCs) providing TB care in four districts in Malawi, randomized 1:1 stratified by district and HC funding (Ministry of Health, non-Ministry funded). At intervention HCs, a TB treatment adherence intervention was implemented using educational outreach, a point-of-care reminder tool, and a peer support network. Clusters in the control arm provided usual care. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with successful TB treatment (i.e., cure or treatment completion). We used a generalized linear mixed model, with district as a fixed effect and HC as a random effect, to compare proportions of patients with treatment success, among the trial arms, with adjustment for baseline differences.Results: We randomized 51 HCs to the intervention group and 52 HCs to the control group. Four intervention and six control HCs accrued no eligible patients, and 371 of 1169 patients had missing outcome, HC, or demographic data, which left 74 HCs and 798 patients for analysis. Randomization group was not related to missing outcome, however, district, age, and TB type were significantly related and included in the primary analysis model. Among the 1153 patients with HC and demographic data, 297/605 (49%) and 348/548 (64%) in the intervention and control arms, respectively, had treatment success. The intervention had no significant effect on treatment success (adjusted odds ratio 1.35 [95% confidence interval 0.93-1.98]).Conclusion: We found no significant effect of the intervention on TB treatment outcomes with high variability in implementation quality, highlighting important challenges to both scale-up and sustainability.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02533089 . Registered August 20, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The outcome of well-performed clinical research is essential for evidence-based patient management during pandemics. However, conducting clinical research amidst a pandemic requires researchers to balance clinical and research demands. We seek to understand the values, experiences, and beliefs of physicians working at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to inform clinical research planning. We aim to understand whether pandemic settings affect physician comfort with research practices, and how physician experiences shape their understanding of research in a pandemic setting. Methods: A survey tool was adapted to evaluate familiarity and comfort with research during a pandemic. A cross-sectional, online questionnaire was distributed across Canadian research networks early in the COVID-19 outbreak. The survey was administered between March 11th and 17th, 2020, during a time of local transmission but prior to the surge of cases. We aimed to recruit into the survey physicians in infectious disease and critical care research networks across Canada. Results: Of the 133 physician respondents, 131 (98%) considered it important to conduct clinical research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents were more accepting of adaptations to the research process in during a pandemic compared to in a non-pandemic setting, including conducting research with deferred consent (χ2 = 8.941, 95% CI: -0.264, -0.085, p = 0.003), using non-identifiable observational data with a waiver of consent with a median score of 97 out of 100 (IQR: 79.25–100) vs median 87 out of 100 (IQR: 63–79) (95% CI: -12.43, 0.054, p = 0.052). The majority felt that research quality is not compromised during pandemics. Conclusions: Physicians consider it important to conduct research during a pandemic, highlighting the need to expedite research activities in pandemic settings. Respondents were more accepting of adaptations to the research process for research conducted during a pandemic, compared to that conducted in its absence of a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlegmon is a purulent infection which spreads in loose connective tissue. It occurs most commonly in the limbs as a complication of other local infections. Untreated or inadequately treated infections in the skin of the fingers or hands are susceptible to phlegmon. In most cases, the infecting organism is Staphylococcus aureus. This article reports 7 cases of phlegmon involving upper limbs, caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes organism. The course of these types of infection are more serious, and the range of tissue damage greater, than those caused by staphylococci. This article presents the causes of the phlegmon, the methods and course of management, and the results of these. The principles of surgical management include wide incisions in the skin and an evacuation of pus and necrotic tissue debris. The skin is then sealed with stitches or a skin graft once the wound is clean. Of the 7 treated patients, 1 died in the intensive care unit due to sepsis and mutli-organ failure and 1 patient lost his all fingers due to necrosis. The authors believe that it is desirable that doctors working in emergency units and surgical admission rooms should be familiar with the basic rules of diagnosing and managing these potentially life-threatening or hand crippling disease [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the effectiveness of adaptive algorithms for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) requires online recognition of driving styles. The article discusses studies carried out during real driving cycles based on the GPS parameters and OBD system data of a hybrid vehicle. The work focuses on the search for measures of the speed and acceleration signals of the car and the measures determined on their basis that best describe the driving style responsible for the vehicle traffic safety and ecological safety. Relations between the type of driver, driving dynamics, and fuel consumption were studied. The driver's categorization was based on a statistical analysis of input signals and mean tractive force (MTF) by clustering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlegmon is a purulent infection which spreads in loose connective tissue. It occurs most commonly in the limbs as a complication of other local infections. Untreated or inadequately treated infections in the skin of the fingers or hands are susceptible to phlegmon. In most cases, the infecting organism is Staphylococcus aureus. This article reports 7 cases of phlegmon involving upper limbs, caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes organism. The course of these types of infection are more serious, and the range of tissue damage greater, than those caused by staphylococci. This article presents the causes of the phlegmon, the methods and course of management, and the results of these. The principles of surgical management include wide incisions in the skin and an evacuation of pus and necrotic tissue debris. The skin is then sealed with stitches or a skin graft once the wound is clean. Of the 7 treated patients, 1 died in the intensive care unit due to sepsis and mutli-organ failure and 1 patient lost his all fingers due to necrosis. The authors believe that it is desirable that doctors working in emergency units and surgical admission rooms should be familiar with the basic rules of diagnosing and managing these potentially life-threatening or hand crippling disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about how to build leadership capacity to support implementation of evidence-based practices within health systems. We observed substantial variability across sites in uptake and sustainability of a peer-led educational outreach intervention for lay health workers (LHWs) providing tuberculosis care in Malawi. Feedback from peer-trainers (PTs) suggested that leadership may have contributed to the variation. We sought to assess the impact of PT leadership style on implementation, and to identify leadership traits of more successful PTs, to inform future implementation planning and to identify targets for leadership capacity building.Methods: Qualitative study employing interviews with PTs and LHWs at high and low implementation sites, and review of study team and quarterly PT meeting notes. High implementation sites achieved high uptake, sustainability and fidelity of implementation including: close adherence to training content and process, high levels of coverage (training most or all eligible LHWs at their site), and outcomes were achieved with high levels of self reported competence with the intervention among both PTs and LHWs. Low implementation sites achieved limited coverage (<= 50% of LHWs trained), and intervention fidelity.Results: Eight PTs and 10 LHWs from eight high and 10 low implementation sites participated in interviews. Leadership traits of more successful PTs included: flexibility in their approach to training, role modeling and provision of supportive supervision to support learning; addressing challenges proactively and as they occurred; collaborative planning; knowledgeable; and availability to support implementation. Traits unique to less successful PTs included: a poor attitude toward their role as PT and a passive-avoidant approach to challenges.Conclusion: This study identified leadership traits more common among unit level leaders at sites with higher uptake, sustainability, and fidelity of implementation. These findings provide a starting point for development and evaluation of a leadership capacity building intervention for unit level leaders to support implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spiritual care is a key domain of quality palliative care. Spiritual distress is highly prevalent in patients and their families facing serious illness. Guidelines support the ethical obligation of health care providers to attend to spiritual distress as part of total distress. All clinicians require education and support to provide this care to patients and their families facing serious illness. Objective: This project focused on the development of a curriculum for education of health care professionals in spiritual care. It was based on a consensus-derived generalist–specialist model of spiritual care, with all clinicians providing generalist–spiritual care and trained chaplains providing specialist spiritual care. Design: The curriculum was designed for classroom and online learning. Setting: The curriculum is appropriate for all clinical settings in the United States and internationally. Measurements: Needs assessment surveys and course evaluation data have provided a basis on which to develop and refine the curriculum. This curriculum is built on a pilot Interprofessional Spiritual Care Education Curriculum (ISPEC) course held at the Veterans Administration, DC. Results: Needs assessment and course evaluation data support the ISPEC course content. Conclusions: The ISPEC curricula serve as a much-needed training resource to improve spiritual care for all people with serious illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effects produced in the soil by municipal sewage sludge and wood ash applied during the cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke. The impact of the presence of applied the fertilizer materials on changes in soil and a macro- and microelements contents were investigated. The comparative analyses took into account 3 factors; the first factor - 4 levels of wood ash - 0; I-4.28; II-8.57; III-12.85 t ha-1, the second factor - 2 levels of sewage sludge - 0; 1 - 30.3 t ha-1, the third factor - 2 varieties of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) - Gigant, Albik. Application of the fertilisers did not resulted in significant change in the total contents of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in soil examined after Jerusalem artichoke was harvested. Application of ash from coniferous trees, with high levels of calcium, resulted in increased total contents of calcium in the soil. Fertilisation of the soil with ash from coniferous trees or with sewage sludge, as well as cultivation of two varieties of Jerusalem artichoke, resulted in a significant increase in the concentrations of cadmium and lead, and produced no effects in the levels of nickel, zinc and copper identified in soil. The above findings, and in particular the fact that the limit values were not exceeded, indicate the possibility of using both sludge and biomass ash for fertilizing Jerusalem artichoke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Trafalgar Plutonic Suite intruded metasedimentary rocks of the Goldenville and Halifax groups in the northeastern part of the Meguma terrane of southern Nova Scotia at about 374 Ma, based on previously published U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar mineral ages. Using field and petrographic observations, the suite is divided into 20 different plutons on the combined basis of variations in grain size (fine, medium, or coarse), texture (equigranular or porphyritic) and modal mineralogy (quartz diorite/tonalite, granodiorite, monzogranite, and syenogranite). The granodiorite, monzogranite, and syenogranite plutons are relatively uniform in composition with little variation in mineralogy or chemistry within each pluton or between plutons of the same lithology. In contrast the quartz diorite/tonalite plutons show mineralogical and chemical variation, both within and between plutons. The granodiorite, monzogranite, and syenogranite plutons closely resemble other peraluminous granitoid plutons characteristic of the Meguma terrane. The quartz diorite/tonalite plutons are varied but chemically resemble minor Devonian mafic intrusions elsewhere in the Meguma terrane. Like other plutons of the Meguma terrane, the Trafalgar Plutonic Suite has chemical characteristics of volcanic-arc to syn-collisional granitoid rocks and likely has experienced extensive contamination by metasedimentary material as documented by previous studies of plutons in the Meguma terrane. The minor quartz diorite/tonalite plutons are additional examples of the mafic rocks that have been proposed in tectonic models of the Meguma terrane to have facilitated melting of the lower crust to generate granodioritic parent magmas, followed by crystal fractionation and extensive contamination by metasedimentary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic shielding σ of 3He is studied. The complete relativistic corrections of order O(α2), leading QED corrections of order O(α3 ln α), and finite nuclear mass effects of order O(m/mN) are calculated with high numerical precision. The resulting theoretical predictions for σ=59.967 43(10)×10-6 are the most accurate to date among all elements and support the use of 3He as a NMR standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study carried out on a 2 kN·m torque transducer at the Central Office of Measures (GUM) and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). The weighted least squares method was used to generate the linear regression equations for this torque transducer. The Monte Carlo method and the law of uncertainty propagation were used to calculate the expanded uncertainty. In addition, a creep study was carried out at eight measurement points ranging from 200 N·m to 2000 N·m. The investigations showed that the highest readings of the torque transducer, expressed in electrical units as mV/V, occur within the initial few seconds of the test after the removal of the maximum reference torque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanophycin (CGP) is a polypeptide consisting of amino acids—aspartic acid in the backbone and arginine in the side chain. Owing to its resemblance to cell adhesive motifs in the body, it can be considered suitable for use in biomedical applications as a novel component to facilitate cell attachment and tissue regeneration. Although it has vast potential applications, starting with nutrition, through drug delivery and tissue engineering to the production of value-added chemicals and biomaterials, CGP has not been brought to the industry yet. To develop scaffolds using CGP powder produced by bacteria, its properties (e.g., biocompatibility, morphology, biodegradability, and mechanical strength) should be tailored in terms of the requirements of the targeted tissue. Crosslinking commonly stands for a primary modification method for renovating biomaterial features to these extents. Herein, we aimed to crosslink CGP for the first time and present a comparative study of different methods of CGP crosslinking including chemical, physical, and enzymatic methods by utilizing glutaraldehyde (GTA), UV exposure, genipin, 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS), and monoamine oxidase (MAO). Crosslinking efficacy varied among the samples crosslinked via the different crosslinking methods. All crosslinked CGP were non-cytotoxic to L929 cells, except for the groups with higher GTA concentrations. We conclude that CGP is a promising candidate for scaffolding purposes to be used as part of a composite with other biomaterials to maintain the integrity of scaffolds. The initiative study demonstrated the unknown characteristics of crosslinked CGP, even though its feasibility for biomedical applications should be confirmed by further examinations. Key points: • Cyanophycin was crosslinked by 5 different methods • Crosslinked cyanophycin is non-cytotoxic to L929 cells • Crosslinked cyanophycin is a promising new material for scaffolding purposes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure and introduction to digital media, especially in children, are a current cause for concern. The negative links associated with early screen exposure are extensive. To evaluate the association between the time of exposure to a screen in children at 18 months of age and cognitive development in a population-based sample in Southern Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study corresponding to the fourth wave of a population-based cohort study with pregnant women and later, their children living in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. The sample consisted of 470 children who completed the cognitive assessment. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - Third Edition (BSID-III). Exposure to screen time was assessed using a questionnaire completed by the primary caregiver. Of the total, 58.8 % of the children had ≥1 h of screen time per day and the average on the cognitive scale of the entire sample was 96.1 (SD = 14.0). Cognitive development was lower in children whose mothers had lower levels of education (CI 95 % -4.9; −2.1), where boys (CI 95 % 3.2; 8.4) and in children exposed to 2 h or more of screen time/day (CI 95 % -3.6; −0.5). Exposure to screens may have a significant negative association with children's cognitive development and, therefore, we seek to intervene and to give advice to parents and guardians about the true impact of digital media. Further studies are necessary to consolidate the findings and to disclose information on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite availability of effective treatment, tuberculosis (TB) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with low- and middle-income countries most affected. In many such settings, including Malawi, the high burden of disease and severe shortage of skilled healthcare workers has led to task-shifting of outpatient TB care to lay health workers (LHWs). LHWs improve access to healthcare and some outcomes, including TB completion rates, but lack of training and supervision limit their impact. The goals of this study are to improve TB care provided by LHWs in Malawi by refining, implementing, and evaluating a knowledge translation strategy designed to address a recognized gap in LHWs' TB and job-specific knowledge and, through this, to improve patient outcomes.Methods/design: We are employing a mixed-methods design that includes a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial and a process evaluation using qualitative methods. Trial participants will include all health centers providing TB care in four districts in the South East Zone of Malawi. The intervention employs educational outreach, a point-of-care reminder tool, and a peer support network. The primary outcome is proportion of treatment successes, defined as the total of TB patients cured or completing treatment, with outcomes taken from Ministry of Health treatment records. With an alpha of 0.05, power of 0.80, a baseline treatment success of 0.80, intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.1 based on our pilot study, and an estimated 100 clusters (health centers providing TB care), a minimum of 6 patients per cluster is required to detect a clinically significant 0.10 increase in the proportion of treatment successes. Our process evaluation will include interviews with LHWs and patients, and a document analysis of LHW training logs, quarterly peer trainer meetings, and mentorship meeting notes. An estimated 10-15 LHWs and 10-15 patients will be required to reach saturation in each of 2 planned interview periods, for a total of 40-60 interview participants.Discussion: This study will directly inform the efforts of knowledge users within TB care and, through extension of the approach, other areas of care provided by LHWs in Malawi and other low- and middle-income countries.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02533089 . Registered 20 August 2015. Protocol Date/Version 29 May 2016/Version 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The driving cycle is a time series of the vehicle speed reflecting its movement in real road conditions. The WLTC (Worldwide harmonized Light duty Test Cycle) valid from August 2017 is based on real driving profiles derived from research and statistical analysis of road traffic in Europe, the USA and Asia. In addition to certification and comparative research, driving cycles are used in the process of virtual design of drive systems and embedded control algorithms, traffic management or intelligent road transport. Regardless of the intended use, the standard test does not guarantee the correctness of the results obtained. There is a need to generate many different driving cycles that meet the established equivalence conditions. The article discusses the methods of stochastic simulation and assessment of equivalence of obtained traffic models. The Monte Carlo method of Markov chains was used in the research. The comparative criteria are defined using the statistical parameters of the vehicle speed time series and the corresponding multifractal spectra. The synthesis was carried out at predetermined length of time series. The experiment carried out involved the study of traffic in real road conditions of urban driving and extra-urban large agglomerations during working days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleural effusions are common and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Whereas thoracentesis can assist in achieving a diagnosis or therapy, advances in education and in the technique may prevent morbidity associated with the procedure. Medical thoracoscopy is often useful for undiagnosed effusions, as well as for therapeutic purposes. There is much enthusiasm about techniques for biopsies that extend beyond forceps. These include biopsies using a diathermic knife as well as cryoprobes. Similarly, adhesiolysis or other techniques to improve therapy in multiloculated effusions using medical thoracoscopy are contested. This review attempts to synthesize recent advances and controversies in thoracentesis and medical thoracoscopy as clinicians head into the next decade of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: Contexto: La Academia Pontificia de la Vida (PAV) es una institución académica de la Santa Sede (Vaticano) cuyo objetivo es promover una visión católica de la ética biomédica. La PAV invitó a una serie de expertos en Cuidados Paliativos (CP) de todo el mundo, de todas las creencias, a desarrollar recomendaciones estratégicas para el desarrollo global de CP ("Grupo PAL-LIFE"). Diseño: Trece expertos internacionales reconocidos por su actividad promotora global de CP participaron en un estudio Delphi on-line. En un proceso de cuatro rondas, se pidió a los participantes que identificasen los grupos de interés o instituciones claves para la promoción de CP y que propusieran, para cada uno de ellos, recomendaciones estratégicas para el desarrollo de CP. Cada ronda incorporaba los comentarios de las rondas previas hasta lograr el consenso en las recomendaciones más importantes. En una última fase, al grupo de expertos se le solicitó la jerarquización por importancia de los grupos clave en una escala de 1 a 13. También se solicitaron sugerencias concretas para la implementación de las recomendaciones. Mediante análisis clúster se ordenaron los grupos de interés en dos niveles de importancia para el desarrollo de CP. Resultados: Trece recomendaciones fueron seleccionadas como las más importantes (una por cada grupo clave). Las recomendaciones para los grupos mejor puntuados fueron: (1) Responsables Políticos: garantizar el acceso universal a los CP; (2) Academia: ofrecer cursos obligatorios de CP en el pregrado; (3) Profesionales sanitarios: promover una certificación adecuada; (4) Hospitales e Instituciones sanitarias: asegurar el acceso a medicamentos de CP; y (5) Asociaciones de CP: ser promotoras eficaces y trabajar con los gobiernos en la implementación de las recomendaciones internacionales sobre CP. También se presentan recomendaciones para los ocho grupos clave restantes. Discusión: Este documento representa la posición oficial de la PAV en lo que respecta a estrategias de promoción para el desarrollo de los CP en el mundo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV) is an academic institution of the Holy See (Vatican), which aims to develop and promote Catholic teachings on questions of biomedical ethics. Palliative care (PC) experts from around the world professing different faiths were invited by the PAV to develop strategic recommendations for the global development of PC ("PAL-LIFE group"). Design: Thirteen experts in PC advocacy participated in an online Delphi process. In four iterative rounds, participants were asked to identify the most significant stakeholder groups and then propose for each, strategic recommendations to advance PC. Each round incorporated the feedback from previous rounds until consensus was achieved on the most important recommendations. In a last step, the ad hoc group was asked to rank the stakeholders' groups by order of importance on a 13-point scale and to propose suggestions for implementation. A cluster analysis provided a classification of the stakeholders in different levels of importance for PC development. Results: Thirteen stakeholder groups and 43 recommendations resulted from the first round, and, of those, 13 recommendations were chosen as the most important (1 for each stakeholder group). Five groups had higher scores. The recommendation chosen for these top 5 groups were as follows: (1) Policy makers: Ensure universal access to PC; (2) Academia: Offer mandatory PC courses to undergraduates; (3) Healthcare workers: PC professionals should receive adequate certification; (4) Hospitals and healthcare centers: Every healthcare center should ensure access to PC medicines; and (5) PC associations: National Associations should be effective advocates and work with their governments in the process of implementing international policy framework. A recommendation for each of the remaining eight groups is also presented. Discussion: This white paper represents a position statement of the PAV developed through a consensus process in regard to advocacy strategies for the advancement of PC in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cladotanytarsus (Cladotanytarsus) crassus sp. n. is described from the USA (Oregon, Wyoming) and Canada (Ontario). The distinctive structure of the adult male hypopygium, bearing a thickset digitus and a stout elongated superior volsella, is presented. Intraspecific morphological variations are described in order to compare C. crassus and C. nigrovittatus (GOETGHEBUER, 1922), treated as close relatives. The geographical distribution and ecology of the two species are commented on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanophycin (CGP) is a polypeptide consisting of amino acids—aspartic acid in the backbone and arginine in the side chain. Owing to its resemblance to cell adhesive motifs in the body, it can be considered suitable for use in biomedical applications as a novel component to facilitate cell attachment and tissue regeneration. Although it has vast potential applications, starting with nutrition, through drug delivery and tissue engineering to the production of value-added chemicals and biomaterials, CGP has not been brought to the industry yet. To develop scaffolds using CGP powder produced by bacteria, its properties (e.g., biocompatibility, morphology, biodegradability, and mechanical strength) should be tailored in terms of the requirements of the targeted tissue. Crosslinking commonly stands for a primary modification method for renovating biomaterial features to these extents. Herein, we aimed to crosslink CGP for the first time and present a comparative study of different methods of CGP crosslinking including chemical, physical, and enzymatic methods by utilizing glutaraldehyde (GTA), UV exposure, genipin, 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS), and monoamine oxidase (MAO). Crosslinking efficacy varied among the samples crosslinked via the different crosslinking methods. All crosslinked CGP were non-cytotoxic to L929 cells, except for the groups with higher GTA concentrations. We conclude that CGP is a promising candidate for scaffolding purposes to be used as part of a composite with other biomaterials to maintain the integrity of scaffolds. The initiative study demonstrated the unknown characteristics of crosslinked CGP, even though its feasibility for biomedical applications should be confirmed by further examinations. Key points: • Cyanophycin was crosslinked by 5 different methods • Crosslinked cyanophycin is non-cytotoxic to L929 cells • Crosslinked cyanophycin is a promising new material for scaffolding purposes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Paresthesia (numbness, tingling, "pins and needles" sensation) and pain in the hand comprise a typical set of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Most authors consider a typical occurrence of these features within the palmar surface of digits I-IV, innervated by a compressed median nerve. Observations of patients by various authors show that some patients feel paresthesia in all digits of the affected hand and within the forearm. The objective of this study was investigation of the distribution of paresthesia in patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, and verification of the hypothesis that this occurrence in areas beyond the innervation by the median nerve is an atypical manifestation of the syndrome. Materials and methods: Questionnaires and notes filled out during baseline examination of 276 patients admitted to authors' institution for carpal tunnel release over a period of 1 year were reviewed. The group consisted of 211 women (76%) and 65 men (24%) at a mean age of 59 years. Results: Two hundred seventy-four patients (99%) reported feeling paresthesia within the involved extremity, and 2 did not, but complained of pain and reduced sensation. Most patients - 140 (51%) - felt paresthesia on the palmar surface of all 5 digits, including the little finger. Seventy-eight persons (28%) reported a "typical" distribution of paresthesia within digits I-IV and 31 (11%) in digits I-III. As many as 152 patients (55%) felt paresthesia in the little finger, most of them being cases with numbness and tingling present in all 5 digits. The feeling of paresthesia in the midhand, close to the involved digits was reported by 158 patients (57%). Conclusion: We found that the distribution of symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome does not closely match the anatomy of the median nerve and this presentation should no longer be considered atypical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spirituality is increasingly recognized as an essential element of patient care and health. It is often during illness that patients experience deep spiritual and existential suffering. With clinicians' care and compassion, patients are able to find solace and healing through their spiritual beliefs and values. This article chronicles a history of spirituality and health education, including the development of consensus-based clinical guidelines and competencies in health professions education that have influenced the curricular development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entropy theory finds wider and wider applications in the description of real time series recorded in complex systems. The relation of the multifractal spectrum with the Renyi dimension allows to assess the generalised entropy of time series based on the multifractal formalism. The aim of the hereby paper is to present the form and properties of entropy, which can be used in defining measures in the comparative analysis of mechanical vibrations time series being the main information source on the complex systems states. The obtained results were verified for signals recorded in various maintenance states of the drive system of the spark ignition vehicle, being the effect of active experiment with implemented typical mechanical defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor that carries a poor prognosis. The tumor’s molecular and cellular landscapes are complex, and their relationships to histologic features routinely used for diagnosis are unclear. We present the Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas, an anatomically based transcriptional atlas of human glioblastoma that aligns individual histologic features with genomic alterations and gene expression patterns, thus assigning molecular information to the most important morphologic hallmarks of the tumor. The atlas and its clinical and genomic database are freely accessible online data resources that will serve as a valuable platform for future investigations of glioblastoma pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tobacco smoking is a major organizational, economical, and public relations-related (PR-related) problem for the company. Moreover, it is an important health determinant of the working population. The paper reports the results of the research which analyzed the current state and the tobacco control activities' transformations undertaken by Polish employers between 2003 and 2015.Material and Methods: Data comes from the research performed in 2006, 2010 and 2015, involving random- selected representative samples of Polish enterprises, employing no fewer than 50 employees. The sampling pattern covered location and classification of activities (excluding public administration, national defense, social security, education, health care and social assistance sectors). Consecutive interviews were conducted with representatives of 611, 1002 and 1000 companies, respectively.Results: The companies improved their compliance with the national regulations on smoking in the workplace. The strategy for limiting smoking in public places resulted in a steady increase in the number of companies (11%, 23%, 38%, respectively) that introduced smoking ban. Approximately in every second company, smoking was allowed only in the smoking room or outdoors. Voluntary activities (e.g., education and support for employees wishing to cease smoking) were very rarely undertaken by medium and large companies (several percent) and since 2010, when the law had become more restrictive, such tendency reinforced. Employers also were seldom interested in the prevalence of tobacco smoking among their personnel, its consequences for the company's functioning and the effectiveness of the implemented tobacco control measures.Conclusions: National anti-smoking policy caused that companies were more focused on smoking-bans at the expense of education and support for those who wanted to cease smoking. Although this contributes to reducing secondary smoking in the workplace, the companies' potential to become a major agent for tobacco control policies is neglected while the downward trend of smoking in the Polish society has slowed down. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(3):261-280. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of the various degradation conditions, on the molecular and supramolecular structure of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA) copolymer during degradation is described. The experiment was carried out by the use of injection molded samples and normalized conditions of biodegradation in soil, composting and artificial weathering. Materials were studied by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Additionally, the physical and mechanical properties of the samples were determined. The performed experiments clearly show difference impacts of the selected degradation conditions on the macroscopic, supramolecular and molecular parameters of the studied aliphatic polyesters. The structural changes in PBS and PBSA explain the observed changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained injection molded samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polish mission to Liberia (1934–8) was a series of diplomatic, commercial, and scientific initiatives carried out by Poland's Maritime and Colonial League and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Contextualizing the mission in terms of contemporary attempts to construct Poland's colonial identity, this article argues that Poland's colonial lobby imagined their presence in Liberia as a unique form of colonialism, distinct from its Western counterparts. Many participants in the mission considered Poland to have a special moral mandate in Africa by virtue of its own experience as a recently occupied nation. The grandiose visions of Liberia as a Polish colony and unfulfilled economic promises, however, contributed to the ultimate termination of the mission in 1938. The Poles’ concept of colonialism obscured their plausible objectives in Liberia and distracted them from executing their economic plan. The construction of a Polish colonial identity was a perfect means of rallying patriots around the flag and creating domestic support for Poland's maritime projects, but a colonial ideology was a double-edged sword in foreign affairs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper focuses on the presentation and comparison of basic nodal and expanded multi-nodal models of the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) core, which includes neutron kinetics, heat transfer between fuel and coolant, and internal and external reactivity feedback processes. In the expanded multi-nodal model, the authors introduce a novel approach to the implementation of thermal power distribution phenomena into the multi-node model of reactor core. This implementation has the form of thermal power distribution coefficients which approximate the thermal power generation profile in the reactor. It is assumed in the model that the thermal power distribution is proportional to the axial distribution of neutron flux in the un-rodded and rodded reactor core regions, as a result of control rod bank movements. In the paper, the authors propose a methodology to calculate those power distribution coefficients, which bases on numerical solutions of the transformed diffusion equations for the un-rodded and rodded reactor regions, respectively. Introducing power distribution coefficients into the expanded multi-nodal model allows to achieve advanced capabilities that can be efficiently used in design and synthesis of more advanced and complex control algorithms for PWR reactor core, for instance in the field of reactor temperature distribution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrodiagnostic analysis of wearing and/or defects of complex rotating systems confirms the presence of non-linear, nonstationary and multiscale properties as well as long-term correlations of real signals. The recorded time series of vibrations are often of an impulse character. Probability distributions are different than Gaussian distributions and exhibit heavy-tails. These are important sources of multifractal dynamics, requiring advanced, data-based modelling methods. The reliable numerical algorithms, used for calculations of functions of stable distributions and multifractal properties, were applied in the approach presented in the hereby paper. Relations between parameters of stable distributions and singularity spectra indicate the possibility of applying both methods for modelling mechanical vibrations signals in diagnostics of complex systems. The performed investigations confirmed the possibility of modelling and assessing the observed states of the powertrain of vehicles with SI engines, on the bases of parameters of alpha-stable distribution (ASD) and parameterised entropy of mechanical vibrations signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driving tests that have been performed for many years are not representative of actual vehicle operating conditions in terms of emissions and fuel consumption. This paper presents the research results of a new Worldwide harmonized Light duty Test Cycle (WLTC), that takes into account situations occurring in traffic inside and outside the city and on highways in Europe, India, Japan, Korea and USA. Conducted analysis demonstrated a multifractal nature of vehicle speed time signal, typical for he processes of asymmetric generalized multiplicative cascade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation results of the emission of noises accompanying the diesel engine powertrain running in unloaded condition at low or idle speed, are presented in the hereby paper. The multifractal nature of the tested signals was confirmed by means of two groups of parameters. The proposed local parameters are based on the distribution of the probability density of measures, segregated into subsets according to pointwise Holder exponents. The obtained spectra constitute a set of multifractal measures related to singularities representing the local scaling of measures in various points of the time series. Global parameters were defined on the basis of multifractal measures of the parametrised Renyi's entropy. These are properties treating summarily the whole spectrum of the emitted noise and reflecting changes of the vibroacoustic energy levels generated by noise sources. The tests encompassing simultaneous application of both groups of parameters confirmed their efficiency in the comparative analysis as well as in the subjective assessment of the noise level generated in the drive system of vehicles with diesel engines. This opens new possibilities within the simulation range of vehicle noises, for the needs of constructing the passive and active reduction systems of the effects of the vibroacoustic energy propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international conference was dedicated to Polish and the Polish diaspora’s writing heritage in foreign collections. Its aim was to summarize research on Polish and the Polish diaspora’s book and manuscript collections, and onpolonicamaterials incorporated into these foreign collections. We tried to define the current importance of these materials for the history of the Polish book and to determine the current situation and future prospects for their registration, documentation, and scientific exploration. Research areas of the conference included Polish andpolonicacollections abroad; the registration of Polish book collections, valuablepolonicaand other sources for the history of Polish books in foreign collections; registration and documentation in Polish and foreign libraries including reference, documentation, and source materials (inventories, catalogues, databases, guides, etc.); studies of source materials for knowledge about the history of the Polish book; and biographies of specialists on Polish books abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Retroperitoneal abscesses are a relatively uncommon complication of diseases of various abdominal viscera, e.g. acute retrocoecal appendicitis or Crohn's disease. Case report: The paper reports the case of a 37-year-old patient suffering from Crohn's disease, in whom an abscess developed in the right retroperitoneal space, causing compression on the right ureter and penetrating into the right hip joint. The patient was admitted to hospital in a serious clinical state, with impending sepsis. The diagnosis was made based on abdominal computed tomography. The patient was immediately operated on, and the operation consisted in the resection of the involved part of the jejunum and caecum, followed by the evacuation and drainage of the abscess. Post-operative course was complicated by the occurrence of a mixed, partially mechanical and paralytic obstruction, and anastomotic leakage. At the second operation, a loop jejunostomy was performed, resulting in the stabilization of the abdominal disease. Unfortunately, the hip joint abscess was not evacuated at the right moment, resulting in the joint's destruction, requiring the third (orthopaedic) operation -- resection of the femoral head. The patient eventually recovered from abdominal disease complication, but was severely injured and will need a hip joint alloplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of peripheral lung nodules is increasing because of the expanded use of CT imaging and implementation of lung cancer screening recommendations. Although surgical resection of malignant nodules remains the treatment modality of choice at present, many patients are not surgical candidates, thus prompting the need for other therapeutic options. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and percutaneous thermal ablation are emerging as viable alternatives to surgical resection. For safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness purposes, however, alternative bronchoscopic methods for treatment of peripheral lung cancer are currently under active exploration. We searched the Cochrane Library and MEDLINE from 1990 to 2015 to provide the most comprehensive review of bronchoscopic treatment of malignant lung nodules. We used the following search terms: bronchoscopy, lung nodule, peripheral lung lesion, and bronchoscopic treatment. We focused on peripheral pulmonary nodules that are confirmed or highly likely to be malignant. Seventy-one articles were included in this narrative review. We have provided an overview of advanced bronchoscopic modalities that have been used or are under active investigation for definitive treatment of malignant pulmonary nodules. We have concisely discussed the use of direct intratumoral chemotherapy or gene therapies, transbronchial brachytherapy, bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA), placement of markers to guide real time-radiation and surgery, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. We have also briefly reported on emerging technologies such as vapor ablation of lung parenchyma for lung cancers. Advances in bronchoscopic therapy will bring additional treatment options to patients with peripheral lung malignancies, with putative advantages over other minimally invasive modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]