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Background: Most respiratory viruses show pronounced seasonality, but for SARS-CoV-2, this still needs to be documented.Methods: We examined the disease progression of COVID-19 in 6,914 patients admitted to hospitals in Europe and China. In addition, we evaluated progress of disease symptoms in 37,187 individuals reporting symptoms into the COVID Symptom Study application.Findings: Meta-analysis of the mortality risk in seven European hospitals estimated odds ratios per 1-day increase in the admission date to be 0.981 (0.973–0.988, p < 0.001) and per increase in ambient temperature of 1°C to be 0.854 (0.773–0.944, p = 0.007). Statistically significant decreases of comparable magnitude in median hospital stay, probability of transfer to the intensive care unit, and need for mechanical ventilation were also observed in most, but not all hospitals. The analysis of individually reported symptoms of 37,187 individuals in the UK also showed the decrease in symptom duration and disease severity with time.Interpretation: Severity of COVID-19 in Europe decreased significantly between March and May and the seasonality of COVID-19 is the most likely explanation.

The article presents the experimental investigation of low-lifting capacity hydraulic scissor lift energy consumption. The analysis is based on experimental tests of two individual drives of the scissor lift: the conventional one and the variable-speed electro-hydraulic one. The investigation focuses on the study of the total energy consumption for lifting and lowering the scissor lift with different masses of transported cargo and also power consumptions of each element supplying these systems. Particular attention was paid to the significant impact of power supply on each control component as the main factor of reduction in the energetic efficiency of the low-lifting capacity scissor lift. A comparison of both drives indicated that the mass of transported cargo has a significant influence on the choice of the drive used. Results of the research show that significant energetic savings are obtained, as the modernized propulsion system consumes 67% energy of the standard one. A decrease in the percentage of energy losses with the increase in the mass handled led to the conclusion that the enhancement of propulsion systems in scissor lifts should be especially considered in machines carrying big loads.

The article presents the experimental investigation of low-lifting capacity hydraulic scissor lift energy consumption. The analysis is based on experimental tests of two individual drives of the scissor lift: the conventional one and the variable-speed electro-hydraulic one. The investigation focuses on the study of the total energy consumption for lifting and lowering the scissor lift with different masses of transported cargo and also power consumptions of each element supplying these systems. Particular attention was paid to the significant impact of power supply on each control component as the main factor of reduction in the energetic efficiency of the low-lifting capacity scissor lift. A comparison of both drives indicated that the mass of transported cargo has a significant influence on the choice of the drive used. Results of the research show that significant energetic savings are obtained, as the modernized propulsion system consumes 67% energy of the standard one. A decrease in the percentage of energy losses with the increase in the mass handled led to the conclusion that the enhancement of propulsion systems in scissor lifts should be especially considered in machines carrying big loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the results of unilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson"s disease (PD) with marked asymmetry of parkinsonian motor symptoms and early motor complications., Material and Methods: The clinical series consisted of 32 consecutive PD patients, in whom unilateral STN stimulation was performed. All patients were assessed according to the Unified Parkinson"s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and Hoehn and Yahr staging. The patients were assessed preoperatively, and at 12, and 24 months after unilateral STN stimulation. 22 patients were followed for 2 years., Results: Medication off/stimulation on total UPDRS motor scores were improved by 29% when compared to the baseline medication off motor scores. The contralateral motor scores improved by 49%, whereas the axial motor scores by 18% in medication off/stimulation on condition. The duration and severity of levodopa induced dyskinesia were reduced respectively by 73% and by 77%. The daily levodopa dose was decreased by only 10%., Conclusion: Unilateral STN stimulation is a safe and effective procedure for selected patients with marked asymmetry Parkinson"s disease motor symptoms and early motor complications.