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Recent low‐voltage, three‐phase distribution networks carry inefficient power, which can be attributed to the reactive power, imbalance of linear loads, and increase in non‐linear loads. Researchers have mainly focused on developing active filters to improve the quality of electrical energy. However, in most cases, compensating for the reactive power is sufficient, considering cost and quality. Active filters are expensive, thus, passive compensators are more appealing. These devices are composed of single‐phase or three‐phase capacitor banks that act on the reactive power consumed by the load. The operation of these devices has been sufficiently validated owing to their long‐term use. For unbalanced power, compensators that contain coils are used. A methodology to obtain compensators comprising only single‐phase capacitors for the inductive reactive power consumed by the load is presented here; if designed appropriately, these compensators can compensate for a part of or the entire unbalanced power, resulting in greater efficiency in the transfer of electrical energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compensation of an electrical system from passive compensators mainly focuses on linear systems where the consumption of charges does not vary significantly over time. In three-phase three-wire systems, when the network voltages are unbalanced, negative-sequence voltages and currents appear, which can significantly increase the total apparent power supplied by the network. This also increases the network losses. This paper presents a method for calculating the compensation of the positive-sequence reactive power and unbalanced powers caused by the negative-sequence line currents using reactive elements (coils and/or capacitors). The compensation is applied to three-phase three-wire linear systems with unbalanced voltages and loads, which are connected to an infinite power network. The method is independent of the load characteristics, where only the line-to-line voltages and line currents, at the point where compensation is desired, need to be known in advance. The solution obtained is optimal, and the system observed from the network behaves as one that only consumes the active power required by a load with a fully balanced current system. To understand the proposed method and demonstrate its validity, a case study of a three-phase three-wire linear system connected to an infinite power network with unbalanced voltages and currents is conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This article provides a summary of the 2011 ERA–EDTA Registry Annual Report (available at www.era-edta-reg.org). Methods Data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from national and regional renal registries in 30 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea were used. From 27 registries, individual patient data were received, whereas 17 registries contributed data in aggregated form. We present the incidence and prevalence of RRT, and renal transplant rates in 2011. In addition, survival probabilities and expected remaining lifetimes were calculated for those registries providing individual patient data. Results The overall unadjusted incidence rate of RRT in 2011 among all registries reporting to the ERA–EDTA Registry was 117 per million population (pmp) (n = 71.631). Incidence rates varied from 24 pmp in Ukraine to 238 pmp in Turkey. The overall unadjusted prevalence of RRT for ESRD on 31 December 2011 was 692 pmp (n = 425 824). The highest prevalence was reported by Portugal (1662 pmp) and the lowest by Ukraine (131 pmp). Among all registries, a total of 22 814 renal transplantations were performed (37 pmp). The highest overall transplant rate was reported from Spain, Cantabria (81 pmp), whereas the highest rate of living donor transplants was reported from Turkey (39 pmp). For patients who started RRT between 2002 and 2006, the unadjusted 5-year patient survival on RRT was 46.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46.6–47.0], and on dialysis 39.3% (95% CI 39.2–39.4). The unadjusted 5-year patient survival after the first renal transplantation performed between 2002 and 2006 was 86.7% (95% CI 86.2–87.2) for kidneys from deceased donors and 94.3% (95% CI 93.6–95.0) for kidneys from living donors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The variant Creutfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) associated with the ingestion of cattle derived products affected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. vCJD emerged in the UK, where most of the cases occurred (170 of 217 cases worldwide). Manufacturers of biological products must investigate the ability of their production processes to remove TSE agents. Two manufacturing steps (polyethylene glycol-PEG precipitation and nanofiltration down to 20 nm) of Flebogamma® DIF, were evaluated by western blot and bioassay to measure the prion protein (PrPSc) and infectivity clearance capacity, respectively. A laboratory scale model representative of the industrial process and a (experimentally) spiked TSE model-agent (hamster scrapie strain 263 K) were employed. Both steps showed a significant capacity to clear the TSE model-agent used since no PrPSc signal or infectivity was detected in the resulting product of each step. PEG precipitation and nanofiltration provided reduction factors of ≥6.19 log10ID50 and ≥5.45 log10ID50 respectively. Both steps showed consistency between western blot and bioassay results. These results demonstrate the ability of the Flebogamma® DIF manufacturing process to clear TSE agents beyond the limit of detection of the assays, by several orders of magnitude. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction. The disorders of the schizophrenia spectrum present emotional, cognitive and/or behavioural alterations, related to daily functioning, therefore it is necessary to develop intervention programmes focused on the improvement of these constructs. The objective of this work is to analyze the effect on cognitive functioning, symptomatological perception and psychosocial functioning of the Trisquel intervention program. Methodology. An experimental design was carried out with a total of 24 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder who were randomly assigned to the experimental group Trisquel and the control group. The Trisquel group conducted two structured weekly sessions for three months, while the control group conducted cognitive stimulation sessions with the same frequency and intensity. Neuropsychological, clinical and functional tests were administered before and after the intervention. Results. After the intervention program in the Trisquel group, statistically significant improvements were found in the subtest of letters and numbers (p = 0,029), in the working memory index (p = 0,020) WAIS-III, in interpersonal sensitivity (p = 0,015) and paranoid ideation (p = 0,049) SCL-90-R and in psychosocial functioning EEAG (p = 0,020). And in the control group, in processing speed (p = 0,034) WAIS-III and health perception SF-36 (p = 0,017). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that «Trisquel» may be an effective intervention program to induce improvements in the functioning of working memory, in the symptomatic dimensions of interpersonal sensitivity and paranoid ideation, and in psychosocial functioning in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of a large- scale project on the influence of local application of Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) on the functional outcome and integrity of the arthroscopically repaired tendons in patients with massive tears of the rotator cuff. A prospective, randomized pilot clinical trial was performed on 28 patients (22 females, 6 males) with an average age of 65 years (range: 53 to 77) undergoing complete arthroscopic repair of a massive rotator cuff tear. After the repair was completed, 6 ml PRF (Vivostat) was locally applied to the repair site in 14 patients; no similar action was done in the other 14 patients. All patients underwent a clinical examination and an arthro-MRI to evaluate the integrity of the repair, one year after the operation. They were followed clinically for a minimum of 2 years. Functional outcome was evaluated with the Constant and DASH scores. There were no reported complications in either group. None of the patients was lost to follow-up. Globally, the Constant score improved from 45 preoperatively (range: 25 to 65) to 64 at one year (range: 20 to 79) (p < 0.001), with no significant change at two years (mean 63, range: 20 to 77). The VAS for pain improved from 5.6/10 preoperatively to 1.7/10 at the most recent examination (p < 0.001). All but two patients were satisfied. With the numbers of patients available, we could not detect a significant difference in the preoperative (46 vs. 43; p = 037) or postoperative Constant score (61 vs. 68; p = 0.125) between the control group and the PRF group. On arthro-MRI, 19 of the 28 patients (68%) were found to have a large re-tear : 10/14 in the PRF group and 9/14 in the control group. Local application of autologous PRF to the repair site of massive rotator cuffs fully reconstructed arthroscopically failed to improve the clinical outcome and the healing rate, compared with a standard repair. However, a large-scale study would be necessary to confirm these results.