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Maria Kerti, Zsuzsanna Balogh, Krisztina Kelemen, Janos T Varga Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, National Koranyi Institute for Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary Rationale: The relationship of functional parameters such as lung mechanics, chest kinematics, metabolism and peripheral and respiratory muscle function with the level of exercise tolerance remains a controversial subject. While it has been previously shown that pulmonary rehabilitation is capable of improving exercise tolerance in patients afflicted by COPD, as expressed by values of 6-minute walking test (6MWT), the degree of contribution to this change by each of the aforementioned parameters remains unclear.Aims: To investigate the correlation between changes in exercise capacity and other functional markers following pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD and to determine which parameters are more closely related to improvements of exercise tolerance.Materials and methods: Three hundred and twenty-seven patients with COPD (with average, 95% CI for forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1]: 45% [25%–83%] predicted, age: 64 [48–80] years, and BMI: 27 [13.5–40.4] kg/m2) participated in this study. Thirty percent of the patients had pulmonary hypertension as comorbidity. Patients underwent a pulmonary rehabilitation program with 20–30 minutes sessions two to three times per day for 4 weeks. The program was composed of chest wall-stretching, controlled breathing exercises, and a personalized training schedule for cycling and treadmill use. Measurements of 6MWT, lung function, chest wall expansion, grip strength, maximal inspiratory pressure, and breath holding time were taken. The Body mass index, airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea and Exercise capacity (BODE-index), body mass index [BMI], FEV1, 6MWT, modified Medical Research Dyspnea Scale score, and an alternative scale score (for BMI, FEV1, 6MWT, and COPD Assessment Test) were calculated.Results: Rehabilitation resulted in a generalized improvement in 6MWT among patients (average: 360 [95% CI: 178–543 m] vs average: 420 [95% CI: 238–601 m], p

Let FM be the group algebra of the modular 2-group M over a finite field F of characteristic two. In the present note we establish the structure of the unit group of the group algebra FM and verify the question of Johnson. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolution of the reaction zone on the nanoscale has been studied in bi- and multilayered Co/a-Si as well as in trilayered Co/a-CoSi/a-Si and Co/CoSi/a-Si thin film diffusion couples. The kinetics of the phase boundary movement during solid state reaction has been followed with special interest of the initial stage of the diffusion, i.e. effects happening on the nanoscale (short time, short distance). The interfacial reactions have been investigated in situ by synchrotron radiation. The formed phases were also characterized by transmission electron microscopy and resistance measurements. The effect of phase nucleation and shift of phase boundaries have been separated in order to determine the “pure” growth kinetics of the crystalline CoSi and Co2Si product phases at the very early stages. Deviations have been found from the traditional diffusion controlled parabolic phase growth. Computer simulations based on a kinetic mean field model illustrated that the diffusion asymmetry (large difference in diffusion coefficients of the materials in contact) may offer a plausible explanations for this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays is automation a permanent part of ordinary households and subject to constant evolution. Standard of home automation is a smart (intelligent) home that meets the requirements of the owner and gives him considerable comfort. To the offer of solutions, the intelligent home includes, are control of lighting and temperature, camera system or irrigation system. Technologies of an irrigation system are being developed with an emphasis on smart management of water, advanced features and remote control of the irrigation system. The aim of this paper is to point out the new trends in irrigation systems. In this paper, we describe our own design, implementation and statistical evaluation of low-cost solutions for a smart irrigation system. This is a higher level of automation through intelligent devices with the requirements for user experience and quality of life. This device is according to our design and subsequent testing able to autonomously control three independent irrigation areas and the user experience is ensured by using the web interface (application runs on smartphones with system Android).. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute calculus cholecystitis is a very common disease with several area of uncertainty. The World Society of Emergency Surgery developed extensive guidelines in order to cover grey areas. The diagnostic criteria, the antimicrobial therapy, the evaluation of associated common bile duct stones, the identification of "high risk" patients, the surgical timing, the type of surgery, and the alternatives to surgery are discussed. Moreover the algorithm is proposed: as soon as diagnosis is made and after the evaluation of choledocholitiasis risk, laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be offered to all patients exception of those with high risk of morbidity or mortality. These Guidelines must be considered as an adjunctive tool for decision but they are not substitute of the clinical judgement for the individual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]