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Background: Studies examining shorter intervals between antenatal corticosteroid administration (ACS) and delivery are limited. This study analyzed effects of the timing of ACS on short-term and long-term outcomes in premature infants. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 534 deliveries between 220/7 and 296/7 gestational weeks, from January 2008 through December 2015, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University Hospital in Ulm, Germany. The initiation of antenatal corticosteroids to delivery was categorized using cutoffs of >/≤24 hours. The study reported on gestational age, birthweight, the time interval between the first ACS and delivery, Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (APGAR) score, umbilical pH, delivery mode, incidences of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), the use of surfactant, as well as the neurodevelopment after 2 years (mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI)), and mortality. Results: Gestational ages were significantly advanced in the >24 hours group (p < 0.001). The incidences of BPD and IVH were significantly higher in neonates with less than 24 hours to delivery (BPD: 51.0% vs. 41.2%, p = 0.045; IVH: 10.5% vs. 3.0%, p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in ROP (p = 0.083), NEC (p = 0.856), or neurodevelopment after 2 years (MDI: p = 0.465, PDI: p = 0.116). Conclusions: Complications such as NEC and ROP, along with long-term neurological outcomes, do not seem to be influenced by shorter ACS intervals. In contrast, BPD, IVH, and surfactant administration appear to occur more frequently with ACS

The article presents the results of works on the analysis of using cutting forces and torque to determine AISI 304 stainless steel milling process state. The research and analyzes were carried out for the determine tool state and the process state itself. The tests were performed using Sandvik milling head, equipped with 345R-1305M-PM 4230 inserts . This study presents and discusses the obtained results determining the resultant value of the minimum and maximum cutting forces and the tool life. The results of observations of the tool's condition were presented.

Kα,β X-ray lines from photon excitation were measured in selected elements from Mg to Cu using a high-resolution double-crystal X-ray spectrometer with a proportional counter, and the Kβ/Kα intensity ratio for each element was obtained, after correcting for self-absorption, detection efficiency, and crystal reflectance. This intensity ratio increases rapidly from Mg to Ca but, in the 3d elements region, the increase becomes slower. This is related to the intensity of the Kβ line involving valence electrons. The slow increase of this ratio in the 3d elements region is thought to be due to the correlation between 3d and 4s electrons. Moreover, the chemical shifts, FWHM, asymmetry indices, and Kβ/Kα intensity ratios of the Cr compounds, due to different valences, were also investigated using the same double-crystal X-ray spectrometer. The chemical effects were clearly observed, and the Kβ/Kα intensity ratio was found to be compound-dependent for Cr.

The article presents the results of works on the analysis of using cutting forces and torque measurements to determine the state of dry fiberglass matrix polyester resin composite high performance drilling process. The research and analyzes were carried out for the different states of tool state and the process state itself. GFRP - Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer was used to perform the experiment. As a result of the conducted analyzes, it was determined that booth the forces and torque generated in drilling process can constitute a good diagnostic signal, on the basis of which it is possible to conclude about the state of the process and tool.

Abstract Background Patient safety is a key target in public health, health services and medicine. Communication between all parties involved in gynecology and obstetrics (clinical staff/professionals, expectant mothers/patients and their partners, close relatives or friends providing social support) should be improved to ensure patient safety, including the avoidance of preventable adverse events (pAEs). Therefore, interventions including an app will be developed in this project through a participatory approach integrating two theoretical models. The interventions will be designed to support participants in their communication with each other and to overcome difficulties in everyday hospital life. The aim is to foster effective communication in order to reduce the frequency of pAEs. If communication is improved, clinical staff should show an increase in work satisfaction and patients should show an increase in patient satisfaction. Methods The study will take place in two maternity clinics in Germany. In line with previous studies of complex interventions, it is divided into three interdependent phases. Each phase provides its own methods and data. Phase 1: Needs assessment and a training for staff (n = 140) tested in a pre-experimental study with a pre/post-design. Phase 2: Assessment of communication training for patients and their social support providers (n = 423) in a randomized controlled study. Phase 3: Assessment of an app supporting the communication between staff, patients, and their social support providers (n = 423) in a case-control study. The primary outcome is improvement of communication competencies. A range of other implementation outcomes will also be assessed (i.e. pAEs, patient/treatment satisfaction, work satisfaction, safety culture, training-related outcomes). Discussion This is the first large intervention study on communication and patient safety in gynecology and obstetrics integrating two theoretical models that have not been applied to this setting. It is expected that the interventions, including the app, will improve communication practice which is linked to a lower probability of pAEs. The app will offer an effective and inexpensive way to promote effective communication independent of users’ motivation. Insights gained from this study can inform other patient safety interventions and health policy developments. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03855735; date of registration: February 27, 2019.

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To investigate the natural linewidths of Cu Kα1,2 diagram lines, the spectra of these lines were recorded in detail using an anti-parallel double-crystal X-ray spectrometer. The values obtained for the measured Cu Kα1 and Kα2 natural linewidths are 2.264(18) eV and 2.534(73) eV, respectively. The contribution of the Coster–Kronig (CK) transition for the Kα2 linewidth is found to be approximately 0.27 eV. Theoretical values 2.1454 eV for the Kα1 line and 2.1292 eV for the Kα2 line were calculated, using the GRASP and FAC codes. A detailed study of the same spectra using Si and Ge crystals and several Bragg surfaces was performed. In addition, the spectral measurements of Cu Kα3,4 satellite lines were made, and information on the energy values, FWHMs, and intensity ratios of these satellite lines was obtained from multiple-peak fitting analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs328743478) located downstream of pre-miR-208b in MYH7 gene is correlated with fibre number composition and drip loss in pigs. Because fibre characteristics are linked to meat quality, the aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between rs328743478 polymorphism and meat quality and texture parameters. The study utilised 578 pigs belonging to Polish Landrace, Polish Large White, Puławska, Pietrain, Duroc, and Hampshire breeds. Association study was performed for the first three breeds separately and for all six breeds joined together. Obtained results showed a significant influence (P ≤ 0.05) of miR-208b genotypes on water holding capacity (WHC) in the whole population and individual breeds and on intramuscular fat content (IMF) and luminosity in the whole population as well as in Landrace and Puławska breeds, respectively. By analysing texture parameters, we found association (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01) between rs328743478 polymorphism and toughness, firmness, and chewiness measured in m. semimembranosus and m. longissimus lumborum. The highest values of these traits in m. semimembranosus were noticed for AA genotype, however in m. longissimus lumborum for GG in the whole population and some individual breeds. It was found that miR-208b genotypes were also associated with cohesiveness (P ≤ 0.01), springiness, and hardness (P ≤ 0.05) but obtained results were not consistent among breeds and the whole population. The obtained results confirm that miR-208b polymorphism is associated with some economically important traits in pigs.

Motivation: The Payment Accounts Directive (PAD) constitutes an important regulation of the financial services market in the European Union resulting from premises of a social nature. Regarding the level of financial exclusion, Poland is third from the bottom in the European Union. Directive 2014/92/EU foresees an introduction of a payment account with basic features as a solution increasing the level of banking penetration ratio in the Member States. The changes introduced in the Polish Payment Services Act (PPSA) seem to be heading in this direction.Aim: The aim of this article is to evaluate the objectives of the aforementioned Directive and Act in the context of practical possibilities of achieving the basic objective of the regulations, i.e. the reduction of financial exclusion scale. An assessment of whether the implementation of the PAD in the Polish banking system will require considerable expenses and changes in the banks’ market offer constitutes an additional objective of the article. Such an assessment requires taking into consideration the problems occurring both on the supply side, that is banks, and on the demand side, that is their customers.Results: The limited functionality and also attractiveness of a payment account with basic features, clearly shaped by the provisions of PAD, indicate that it is a solution aimed at a small group of consumers with low income and also low payment needs. Simultaneously, the emphasis indicated in PAD on the comparability of fees on payment accounts and on creating a commonly accessible service of transferring a payment account by consumers (as a consequence of easier comparison of account fees with its functionality in the offer of various providers) indicates that using a payment account with basic features may be of temporary character.

In the future International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the interaction between the plasma and the tungsten chosen as the plasma-facing wall material imposes that the hot central plasma loses energy by X-ray emission from tungsten ions. On the other hand, the registered X-ray spectra provide alternative diagnostics of the plasma itself. Highly ionized tungsten emits extremely complex X-ray spectra that can be understood only after exhaustive theoretical studies. The detailed analyses will be useful for proper interpretation of soft X-ray plasma radiation expected to be registered on ITER-like machines, that is, Tungsten (W) Environment in Steady-state Tokamak (WEST). The simulations of the soft X-ray spectra structures for tungsten ions have been performed using the flexible atomic code (FAC) package within the framework of collisional-radiative (CR) model approach for electron temperatures and densities relevant to WEST tokamak.

This paper shows the theoretical predictions of the outer-shell ionization effect on the positions of Kα1,2, Kβ1,3, and K β2 X-ray lines for some 4d-transition metals (molybdenum and palladium) and 4f rare-earth elements (dysprosium and ytterbium). The ionization energy shifts have been evaluated using the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock method, containing Breit interaction and quantum electrodynamic (QED) corrections. The presented results are important for obtaining the information about some parameters of plasma generated by different sources, especially by pulsed power machine and short-pulse lasers.

Thyroid hormone-inducible hepatic protein is involved in the de novo synthesis of fatty acids in the lactating mammary gland. Different variants of the gene that encodes this protein may be associated with its different activity. The primary aim of this study was to find polymorphism in the THRSP gene and estimate the relationship between individual genotypes and fatty acid composition in milk. Investigations were carried out on 224 cows represented by two breeds—Jersey (n = 80) and Polish Holstein-Friesian (n = 144). Polymorphism in THRSP was detected by Sanger sequencing; however, genotypes were determined by the PCR-RFLP method. It was shown that the analyzed variant had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on palmitic and stearic fatty acids as well as on fatty acids with a chain length of 14, 16, and 6–16 in Jersey breed and on caproic, palmitic, myristoleic, and palmitoleic fatty acids in H-F. Obtained results indicated that analyzed SNP in bovine THRSP gene (rs42714482) may be considered as a potential marker for fatty acid composition in milk

The article presents the results of works on the analysis of the possibility of using force measurements to determine the state of the machining process, both in relation to the phenomena occurring during machining and the workpiece itself compared to acoustic emission signal (AE). The research and analyzes were carried out for the commonly used material removal processes of objects; turning, milling, grinding and drilling. Various materials were processed - metal alloy Hardox 400 as well as fiber composite materials (GFRP - Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) and polymer construction material RenShape® BM5035 with various structures. As a result of the conducted analyzes, it was determined that the forces generated in the machine tool-holder-workpiece-tool layout can constitute a good diagnostic signal, on the basis of which it is possible to conclude about the state of the process.

The operation of the internal combustion engine leads to the production of exhaust gases harmful to the natural environment. The introduced standards of the European exhaust emission standard aim, among other things, to reduce CO2 emissions. Such assumptions are related to the reduction of fuel consumption of internal combustion engines in vehicles. This means the need to make structural changes in the produced engines, and thus reduce the displacement while maintaining high power and torque. Engines constructed in this way require the use of individually selected oils and maintaining appropriate service intervals for their replacement.

The article is devoted to research of state of modern cable lines and power lines used in the economy. The article describes the current state of problem diagnosis conductor cable lines and the factors affecting the reliability of lines. The developed mathematical model of conversion of value of operating voltage into the digital code allows to develop a method of measurement. The method based on the conversion of a harmonic signal into time intervals and a comparison of two adjacent ones according to expressions. The algorithm of the operation processed in the device for measuring the current voltage of the harmonic signal was shown.

The polymer film, formed on fabric, has a diverse resistance to impact (shear) forces during deformation. An original model of the capillary-porous structure of the fabric, partially filled with polymer, was presented and discussed in this paper. Polymer material fixing relations were developed, taking into account the fabric structure and changes of polymer temperature. Experimental studies were performed on three different materials: artificial leather SK-2, GOST 16119-70 (230 g/m2); genuine beef skin, GOST 939-75 (2.2 g/m3); and fabric denim, GOST 29298-2005 (225 g/m2). The value of mathematical model analysis deviation compared with the experimental value was approximately 12%. The obtained mathematical dependences were the basis for predicting the increase of the dimensional stability of garments by applying hot melt polymer to its surface. It is also possible to design new equipment for its implementation.

The high‐resolution spectra of thorium Mα1,2 (M5 → N6,7) and Mβ1 (M4 → N6) x‐ray lines induced by an impact of O ions with energy 376.0 MeV were measured using a von Hamos crystal spectrometer in order to study the x‐ray emission from multiple ionized atoms. The observed x‐rays have been interpreted in terms of the relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac‐Fock (MCDF) calculations performed for dominating vacancy configurations expected to contribute to the measured spectra. Due to the complexity of such calculations for selected multi‐vacancy configurations the simplified average model, combining the MCDF calculations and binomial distribution of vacancies has been used. The measured spectra clearly exhibit a rich structure of Mα1,2 x‐ray satellites of thorium, including the transitions from the multivacancy initial configurations M−1N−n as well as the hypersatellites corresponding to the transitions in complex multivacancy initial configurations M−mN−n (m,n ≤ 4). The present interpretation of the measured satellite/hypersatellite structure of Mα1,2 (M5 → N6,7) x‐ray transitions allows us to determine the ionization probabilities for the M‐ and N‐shell in central collisions. The measured ionization probabilities are compared with the theoretical predictions of the geometrical model (GM), and the semiclassical approximation (SCA) using both the Dirac hydrogenic and Dirac‐Hartree‐Fock selfconsistent wave functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper applies to the issue of preservation of passenger vehicles during overcoming the roadblocks on a dry asphalt surface with the constant speed. The study aimed to estimate the forces which are affecting the suspension of the vehicle during the contact between a tyre and roadblock. Using the video recording it is possible to calculate the values of the tyre deflection and forces acting in the system. The obtained deflections of the tyres were compared to earlier laboratory test results and load-deflection characteristics of the tyres with the same size. The roadblock with the defined geometry causes a dynamic deflection of the tyre. During the study a significant change in the geometry of the suspension has not occurred. The paper presents the characteristics of the vehicles research with a particular regard to model and type of tyres. The determination of the exact dimensions of the roadblocks and application of the ADIS 16385 system for acquisition and archiving the features of the kinematic motion of the vehicle allowed to determine the speed at the moment of collision with the roadblock.