Diagnostics of Internal Defects in Composite Overhead Insulators Using an Optic E-Field Sensor.

Composite insulators for high-voltage overhead lines have better performances and are lighter than traditional designs, especially in heavily polluted areas. However, since it is a relatively recent technology, reliable methods to perform live-line diagnostics are still under development, especially with regard to internal defects, which provide few external symptoms. Thermal cameras can be employed, but their use is not always straightforward as the sun radiation can hide the thermal footprint of internal degenerative effects.

A Self-Calibrating Localization Solution for Sport Applications with UWB Technology.

This study addressed the problem of localization in an ultrawide-band (UWB) network, where the positions of both the access points and the tags needed to be estimated. We considered a fully wireless UWB localization system, comprising both software and hardware, featuring easy plug-and-play usability for the consumer, primarily targeting sport and leisure applications. Anchor self-localization was addressed by two-way ranging, also embedding a Gauss-Newton algorithm for the estimation and compensation of antenna delays, and a modified isolation forest algorithm working with low-dimensional set of measurements for outlier identification and removal.

One-step preparation of antimicrobial silicone materials based on PDMS and salicylic acid: insights from spatially and temporally resolved techniques.

In this work, we introduce a one-step strategy that is suitable for continuous flow manufacturing of antimicrobial PDMS materials. The process is based on the intrinsic capacity of PDMS to react to certain organic solvents, which enables the incorporation of antimicrobial actives such as salicylic acid (SA), which has been approved for use in humans within pharmaceutical products. By combining different spectroscopic and imaging techniques, we show that the surface properties of PDMS remain unaffected while high doses of the SA are loaded inside the PDMS matrix.

Experimental Characterization of Polymer Surfaces Subject to Corona Discharges in Controlled Atmospheres.

Polymeric dielectrics are employed extensively in the power transmission industry, thanks to their excellent properties; however, under normal operating conditions these materials tend to degrade and fail. In this study, samples of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluorethylene were subjected to corona discharges under nitrogen and air atmospheres. The discharges introduced structural modifications over the polymer surface.

Novel mutation of PPOX gene in a patient with abdominal pain and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis.

Purpose: Acute porphyrias are metabolic disorders of heme biosynthesis characterized by acute life-threatening attacks. The diagnosis is often missed since clinical presentation is aspecific mimicking other medical and surgical conditions. Variegate porphyria (VP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease with incomplete penetrance due to decreased activity of the Protoporphyrinogen Oxydase (PPOX) gene; most VP mutations are family specific.

Disturbed iron metabolism in erythropoietic protoporphyria and association of GDF15 and gender with disease severity.

Patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) have reduced activity of the enzyme ferrochelatase that catalyzes the insertion of iron into protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) to form heme. As the result of ferrochelatase deficiency, PPIX accumulates and causes severe photosensitivity. Among different patients, the concentration of PPIX varies considerably.

The loss of ATP2C1 impairs the DNA damage response and induces altered skin homeostasis: Consequences for epidermal biology in Hailey-Hailey disease.

Mutation of the Golgi Ca(2+)-ATPase ATP2C1 is associated with deregulated calcium homeostasis and altered skin function. ATP2C1 mutations have been identified as having a causative role in Hailey-Hailey disease, an autosomal-dominant skin disorder. Here, we identified ATP2C1 as a crucial regulator of epidermal homeostasis through the regulation of oxidative stress.

Reflectance confocal microscopy for scarring and non-scarring alopecia real-time assessment.

Clinical management of alopecia represents one of the major issues in dermatology. Scalp biopsies are not easily accepted because of the high bleeding and sensitive anatomical area. Trichoscopy is routinely used for diagnosis of alopecia, but in several cases lack to provide sufficient information on the status of the disease.

Porphyria cutanea tarda in an HCV-positive liver transplant patient: a case report.

Introduction: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is the most common type of porphyria. The strong association between PCT and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is well established. Although antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C may improve PCT in some cases, de novo onset of PCT has been observed in patients under- going peginterferon/ribavirin treatment.

Low clinical recurrence and procedure benefits following treatment of common atrial flutter by electrogram-guided hot spot focal cryoablation.

Background: The study sought to evaluate whether electrogram-aided identification of hot spot targets produces additional clinical and/or procedure benefits when using a non-traditional focal cryo ablation method to treat common atrial flutter.

Methods: A preliminary study identified a specific electrogram criterion (e.g.

Comparison between a 7 French 6 mm tip cryothermal catheter and a 9 French 8 mm tip cryothermal catheter for cryoablation treatment of common atrial flutter.

Background: Larger tipped cryothermal catheters may deliver efficacy and procedure benefits in the treatment of patients with atrial flutter.

Objective: To compare 7 French 6 mm and 9 French 8 mm tip cryothermal catheters (Freezor, Xtra or Freezor, MAX, CryoCath Technologies Inc., Kirkland, Canada) in terms of acute and chronic efficacy, and procedure characteristics in the treatment of atrial flutter.

Cryothermal ablation treatment of atrial flutter--experience with a new 9 French 8 mm tip catheter.

Background: Cardiac cryoablation has been used to successfully treat a variety of arrhythmias.

Objective: This study documents our experience with a new 9 French (FR) 8 mm cryocatheter for ablation treatment of symptomatic atrial flutter.

Methods: A total of 77 consecutive patients with symptomatic atrial flutter were treated.

Long-term efficacy of cryo catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial flutter: results from a repeat electrophysiologic study.

Objectives: We investigated the long-term efficacy of cryo ablation for treatment of atrial flutter.

Background: To our knowledge, no study has assessed the long-term efficacy of cryo ablation by assessing both symptom and conduction recurrence.

Methods: A total of 45 consecutive patients with symptomatic atrial flutter were ablated with a 7-F, 6-mm-tip, quadripolar cryo catheter (Freezor Xtra, CryoCath Technologies Inc.

[The impact of day surgery on primary care].

Unlabelled: What impact does day surgery have on primary treatment?

Aims: highlighting the impact that day surgery has on the system of primary treatment.

Results: The study highlighted a lack in continuity of treatment due to a breakdown in communication between hospital specialists and general practitioners. This reflects the growing habit in the medical field whereby hospital surgeons take charge of surgical indications and carrying out the operation, thus focusing their attention on their own limited scope of action.

Implantable loop recorders: a novel method to judge patient perception of atrial fibrillation. Preliminary results from a pilot study.

Introduction: At the present time, several techniques are used or are under investigation for atrial fibrillation (AF) therapy. Nowadays, no well-defined target for such therapies has been yet completely identified. Furthermore, AF is an arrhythmia with high rates of recurrences, both symptomatic and asymptotic.