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Background: Long-term outcomes of patients treated with helmet noninvasive ventilation (NIV) are unknown: safety concerns regarding the risk of patient self-inflicted lung injury and delayed intubation exist when NIV is applied in hypoxemic patients. We assessed the 6-month outcome of patients who received helmet NIV or high-flow nasal oxygen for COVID-19 hypoxemic respiratory failure. Methods: In this prespecified analysis of a randomized trial of helmet NIV versus high-flow nasal oxygen (HENIVOT), clinical status, physical performance (6-min-walking-test and 30-s chair stand test), respiratory function and quality of life (EuroQoL five dimensions five levels questionnaire, EuroQoL VAS, SF36 and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the DSM) were evaluated 6months after the enrollment. Results: Among 80 patients who were alive, 71 (89%) completed the follow-up: 35 had received helmet NIV, 36 high-flow oxygen. There was no inter-group difference in any item concerning vital signs (N = 4), physical performance (N = 18), respiratory function (N = 27), quality of life (N = 21) and laboratory tests (N = 15). Arthralgia was significantly lower in the helmet group (16% vs. 55%, p = 0.002). Fifty-two percent of patients in helmet group vs. 63% of patients in high-flow group had diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide < 80% of predicted (p = 0.44); 13% vs. 22% had forced vital capacity < 80% of predicted (p = 0.51). Both groups reported similar degree of pain (p = 0.81) and anxiety (p = 0.81) at the EQ-5D-5L test; the EQ-VAS score was similar in the two groups (p = 0.27). Compared to patients who successfully avoided invasive mechanical ventilation (54/71, 76%), intubated patients (17/71, 24%) had significantly worse pulmonary function (median diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide 66% [Interquartile range: 47–77] of predicted vs. 80% [71–88], p = 0.005) and decreased quality of life (EQ-VAS: 70 [53–70] vs. 80 [70–83], p = 0.01). Conclusions: In patients with COVID-19 hypoxemic respiratory failure, treatment with helmet NIV or high-flow oxygen yielded similar quality of life and functional outcome at 6months. The need for invasive mechanical ventilation was associated with worse outcomes. These data indicate that helmet NIV, as applied in the HENIVOT trial, can be safely used in hypoxemic patients. Trial registration Registered on clinicaltrials.gov NCT04502576 on August 6, 2020

L'uso di piattaforme aeree senza pilota a bordo (UAV) sta diventando sempre più frequente nel campo del rilievo fotogrammetrico soprattutto grazie ai numerosi vantaggi che tali sistemi presentano rispetto alle classiche riprese di fotogrammetria aerea. Il lavoro condotto descrive i primi risultati ottenuti utilizzando sistemi UAV per il rilievo di Beni Culturali. Lo studio è stato svolto acquisendo alcuni dataset relativi a siti archeologici; tali dataset presentano caratteristiche differenti in relazione ai velivoli utilizzati, alle caratteristiche dei voli ed all’estensione delle aree rilevate. Il lavoro ha permesso di eseguite delle prime valutazioni sulla precisione metrica degli orientamenti e sul livello di dettaglio ottenuto dai modelli 3D e dalle ortofoto.

31st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 848-851, In this paper, we present a study on the impact of finger interruptions on PV solar cell performance. In order to model the influence of finger interruptions, we adopt a simulation tool, which is based on a distributed electrical network. The validation of the tool is verified by means of a comparison with experimental data. Distributed SPICE simulations are then carried out in order to investigate how the position and the dimension of the interruptions affect the main figures of merit of a solar cell. We also perform a statistical analysis in which interruptions are randomly generated along the solar cell.

ZSCAN is an innovative and complete measurement system for the accurate acquisition and management of point clouds. It is composed of a photogrammetric device with one or more calibrated cameras installed on a mechanical apparatus.....

The paper presents some applications realised with the digital stereoscopic navigation system on two architectural subjects and particularly on documentary photograms of mural paintings. The system StereoSpace is a three-dimensional stereoscopic navigator, specifically thought to be used in digital photogrammetry.

Objective To report on efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in a case series of patients with COVID-19-related encephalopathy. Methods We retrospectively collected data on all patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at two Italian hospitals who developed encephalopathy during disease course and were treated with IVIg. Results Five patients (two females, mean age 66.8 years) developed encephalopathy after a mean of 12.6 days, since the onset of respiratory/constitutional symptoms related to COVID-19. Four patients suffered severe respiratory distress, three of which required invasive mechanical ventilation. Neurological manifestations included impaired consciousness, agitation, delirium, pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs. EEG demonstrated diffuse slowing in all patients. Brain MRI showed non-specific findings. CSF analysis revealed normal cell count and protein levels. In all subjects, RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 in CSF tested negative. IVIg at 0.4 g/kg/die was commenced 29.8 days (mean, range: 19–55 days) after encephalopathy onset, leading to complete electroclinical recovery in all patients, with an initial improvement of neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in 3.4 days (mean, range: 1–10 days). No adverse events related to IVIg were observed. Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest that IVIg may represent a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19-associated encephalopathy. Clinical efficacy may be driven by the anti-inflammatory action of IVIg, associated with its anti-cytokine qualities.