Weight Monitoring Research Articles

Non-contact weigh-in-motion approach with an improved multi-region of interest method

Vehicle weight monitoring is increasingly essential for traffic safety and infrastructure maintenance. Compared with traditional weigh-in-motion techniques, the non-contact weigh-in-motion (NC-WIM) has the advantages of non-intrusive installation, low cost, and rich information conveyance. However, most existing procedures for NC-WIM tend to be computationally intensive and time-consuming. To improve the data processing efficiency in NC-WIM, a multi-region of interest (ROI) method is proposed. With this method, the latency for tire deformation extraction can be decreased from more than 1 min to less than 0.15 s. Meanwhile, the multi-ROI method is robust to daytime lighting variations and works well under both backlighting and frontlighting on cloudy and sunny days. Based on the outcomes of this study, the ability of NC-WIM systems to cope with heavy traffic and complex illumination can be significantly enhanced. The improved NC-WIM is promising to provide long-term data for studies such as structural health monitoring, pavement design, and low-carbon transportation.

Single Center Evaluation of Long-Term Results of Glargin U-300 in Insulin Naive Patients In a Real-World Setting

Objective: Insulin therapy stands as one of the most effective and well-established therapeutic options for managing glycemic control in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) represents a new long-acting insulin analog, which has demonstrated a decrease in the risk of hypoglycemia and a reduction in the total number of injections due to prolonged insulin absorption. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of Gla-300 on Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and HbA1c levels, as well as the incidence of hypoglycemia in insulin-naive patients admitted to the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic, over a period of 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.. Material and Methods: Between January 2018 and June 2022, insulin-naive patients diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) who initiated treatment with Gla-300 and sought care at the Internal Medicine outpatient clinic were subjected to retrospective analysis. Results: The study included 49 insulin-naive patients. A statistically significant decrease was observed in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) (p = 0.03) and HbA1c (p = 0.02) levels during the 24-month follow-up period of Glargine U-300. Additionally, a significant reduction in both FPG (p < 0.01) and HbA1c (p < 0.01) values was achieved at the time of diagnosis and at 3 months. Hypoglycemia was reported in only 1 patient (2%) during our study, indicating a very low hypoglycemia rate. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses a significant public health challenge, resulting in economic burden and diminished quality of life. Developed to address these challenges, Gla-300 serves as a long-acting basal insulin that effectively reduces the risk of hypoglycemia while offering targeted glycemic control, as evidenced by our study findings. In Turkey, there is a pressing need for multicenter, prospective real-world studies that incorporate parameters such as insulin dosage and weight monitoring.

Weight Monitoring System for Truck Load

Abstract: For cargo to be moved safely and effectively, a truck load weight monitoring system is required Overloading of trucks not only poses a risk to road safety but also causes excessive wear and tear on the vehicle, resulting in higher maintenance costs andreduced fuel efficiency. To address these challenges, an advanced weight monitoring system has been developed to measure and monitor the weight of truck loads using HX711 loadcell. When it comes to monitoring and managing the weight of truck loads. Overloading of trucks has been a longstanding issue in the industry. It not only compromises road safety but also has detrimental effects on the vehicles themselves. Excessive weight can lead to increased braking distances, compromised steering control, and increased risk of tire blowouts, all of which contribute to higher accident rates. This system utilizes advanced technologies and sensors to accurately measure and monitor the weight distribution of cargo carried by trucks. By providing real-time weight information using GPS and GSM modules, operators and fleet managers can make informed decisions to ensure compliance with weight regulations and prevent overloading

Goods Sorting Tool Based on Weight of Goods Using Arduino Nano

The use of conveyors with scales in industry as part of the quality control process has become an important requirement that increasingly dominates the manufacturing sector. Consistent product quality and accurate monitoring of weight or other parameters during production have become essential to meet stringent quality standards and customer expectations. Hence, many industries have prioritized investment in the manufacture of weighing conveyor. Scale-equipped conveyors enable continuous, real-time monitoring of product quality. Scales integrated on the conveyor enable quick identification of defective products or products that do not conform to standards. This helps in reducing the risk of defective products reaching the market and helps companies meet applicable industry standards. In addition, the use of conveyors with scales also improves production efficiency by avoiding error-prone manual work, thus supporting production cost control. This research uses a weight sensor that can double as a product count counter at each weight count set point. The weight set points are limited to 3 different types of product weight. After testing and analyzing the test results, it can be concluded that the tool can function properly which can classify 8 products per minute with 100% accuracy.

Perception and experiences of adolescent mothers and communities in caring for their preterm babies: findings from an in-depth study in rural Bangladesh

BackgroundA significant concern for Bangladesh is the high prevalence of adolescent pregnancy and the associated negative consequences for mother and baby, including a teen-related increased risk of preterm birth (PTB). Bangladesh also has one of the highest incidences of PTB (19%). Despite these high numbers of adolescent pregnancies and PTB, little is reported about the experiences of adolescent mothers in caring for their preterm babies, and the interventions needed to support them. The aim of this study was to explore gaps and opportunities for improved care for preterm babies among adolescent mothers and communities in rural Bangladesh.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study in rural villages of Baliakandi sub-district of Bangladesh. Data collection involved in-depth interviews with adolescent mothers of premature and term babies, adult mothers with premature babies, and family members (n = 36); focus groups with community members (n = 5); and key informant interviews with healthcare providers (n = 13). Adolescent mothers with term and adult mothers with PTBs were included to elicit similarities and differences in understanding and care practices of PTB. A thematic approach was used for data analysis.ResultsWe explored two major themes- perceptions and understanding of PTB; care practices and care-seeking for illnesses. We observed gaps and variations in understanding of preterm birth (length of gestation, appearance, causes, problems faced) and care practices (thermal management, feeding, weight monitoring) among all, but particularly among adolescents. Immediate natal and marital-kins were prominent in the narratives of adolescents as sources of informational and instrumental support. The use of multiple providers and delays in care-seeking from trained providers for sick preterm babies was noted, often modulated by the perception of severity of illness, cost, convenience, and quality of services. Health systems challenges included lack of equipment and trained staff in facilities to provide special care to preterm babies.ConclusionA combination of factors including local knowledge, socio-cultural practices and health systems challenges influenced knowledge of, and care for, preterm babies among adolescent and adult mothers. Strategies to improve birth outcomes will require increased awareness among adolescents, women, and families about PTB and improvement in quality of PTB services at health facilities.

Acromegalic Rat Model Presented Cognitive Impairments and Tau Hyperphosphorylation in the Hippocampus

Introduction: Acromegaly patients, in addition to the most prominent physical and endocrine changes, also exhibit a higher risk of cognitive dysfunction. However, the reasons and mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments in acromegaly patients remain unknown. Methods: Acromegalic rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of tumor cells, with continuous monitoring of the body weight and hormones to confirm the occurrence of acromegaly. Behavioral assessments, including open field test, novel object recognition test, and Barnes maze test, were conducted to evaluate the animals’ cognitive function. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence techniques were employed to examine changes in the hippocampal tau protein, Aβ, and associated signaling pathways. Results: The tumor cells secreting growth hormone increased the secretion of growth hormone, resulting in changes in body size and endocrine functions, thus causing acromegaly. The acromegaly model showed deficiencies in working memory and spatial memory. Hyperphosphorylation of tau protein was observed in the hippocampus of the acromegaly model, but no Aβ deposition was observed. The acromegaly model exhibits hippocampal growth hormone (GH) resistance, decreased expression of GH receptors, and subsequently reduced expression activity of the PI3K-Akt-GSK3β signaling pathway, which is responsible for the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. Conclusion: The prolonged elevation of GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 caused by acromegaly may lead to abnormalities in the SD rat’s PI3K-Akt-GSK3β signaling pathway, subsequently resulting in hyperphosphorylation of the hippocampal tau protein and cognitive impairment.

Weight variation during androgen deprivation therapy in patients with localized prostate cancer: Data from two prospective randomized trials.

296 Background: In prostate cancer (PCa) treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and radiotherapy (RT), limited prospective data exist regarding weight variation during ADT. Using our prospective data from two phase III trials we compare the magnitude of weight variation during different duration of ADT. Methods: 400 patients (pts) with intermediate risk PCa received 6 months of ADT (Bicalutamide 1 month (m) and Goserelin 10,8 mg x 2), and 630 pts with high-risk PCa were treated with 18 or 36m of ADT (Bicalutamide 1m and Goserelin 10,8 mg x 6 or 12). Pts’ weights were measured at baseline then at each Goserelin dose. 463/1030 pts were excluded from the analysis: 90 no or incomplete ADT, 127 no initial weight and 246 no weight at the end of ADT. Regular patient weighing was available in 567/1030 pts (55%) from whom 250, 191 and 124 received, respectively, 6, 18 or 36m of ADT. Pt’s characteristics and weights were compared with Kruskal-Wallis and Chi squared test between groups of ADT. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess predictors of weight gain over 2 kg. Variables included were duration of ADT, age ≥65 vs. < 65 and baseline comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension). Results: Comparing weights between the beginning and the end of ADT, 375/567 (66.1%) pts gained and 192/567 (33.9%) lost weight. The mean ± SD weight gain at the end of ADT was significantly higher in pts receiving 18m of ADT (1.98 ± 4.05) or 36m (2.38 ± 5.15) compared to pts receiving only 6m (0.98 ± 3.10, p=0.003). As ADT duration increased (6, 18 or 36m), weight gain over 2 kg (34.1% vs. 48.2% vs. 53.2%, p<0.001) and over 4 kg (12.7% vs. 26.2% vs. 36.3%, p<0.001) significantly increased. In multivariable logistic regression, predictors of weight gain over 2 kg were 18m ADT [OR=1.85 (1.25-2.74), p=0.002] and 36m ADT [OR=2.23 (1.43-3.48), p<0.001] compared to 6m ADT and non-diabetic pts (OR=2.13 (1.28-3.54), p=0.003). Age was not a factor. In the 375 pts who gained weight, the rate of patients that gained 0.1 to 2 kg, 2.1 to 4 kg and more than 4 kg were respectively (47.2%, 33.1% and 19.6%) in the 163 receiving 6m ADT, (30.3%, 32.6% and 37.1%) in 132 pts receiving 18m ADT, and (17.6%, 26.3% and 56.4%) in the 80 pts receiving 36m ADT. In the 192 pts who lost weight, the rate of patients that lost 0.1 to 2 kg, 2.1 to 4 kg and more than 4 kg were respectively (62.9%, 21.3% and 15.6%) in 89 receiving 6m ADT, (50.8%, 27.1% and 22.1%) in 59 pts receiving 18m ADT and (59.1%, 15.9% and 25%) in 44 pts receiving 36m ADT. Conclusions: ADT is not associated with weight gain in all pts. Based on our prospective data, one third of pts lose weight at the end of ADT. However, weight gain above 2 kg or 4 kg increases with ADT duration and non-diabetics pts, regardless of age. Weight monitoring in pts receiving ADT should be done regularly and pts counseled accordingly.

EDUKASI GIZI SEBAGAI UPAYA PENCEGAHAN BALITA STUNTING DI KELURAHAN MUJA MUJU TAHUN 2023

ABSTRACK Yesterday's Covid-19 pandemic caused an increased risk of stunting prevalence in toddlers. One of the efforts that can be made to prevent stunting is through continuous education. The purpose of this community service activity (PKM) is to increase the knowledge and attitudes of posyandu cadres regarding the message of balanced nutrition which is carried out through outreach to the community in Muja Muju Village, Yogyakarta City District. The method used in this PKM activity is through socialization by conveying education to the community with, 4 (four) pillars of balanced nutrition which includes 1) consumption of a variety of foods, 2) Clean and Healthy Behavior (PHBS), 3) weight monitoring , and 4) physical activity. Messages were given to 17 posyandu cadres from the Muja Muju Village. The educational results showed that there was an increase in the average knowledge score regarding balanced nutrition related to the prevention of stunting in toddlers from 77.52 ± 10.82 SD during the pre-test to 82.19 ± 9.93 SD during the posttest. In addition, the average attitude score also increased from 40.21 ± 6.67 SD to 44.48 ± 5.44 SD. Posyandu cadres are expected to become agents of change in stunting prevention behavior through educating parents of toddlers to prevent stunting.

The impotance of the follow-up deparments of the clinical perinatal center

This paper presents data on the implementation of long-term medical monitoring, correction and prevention of specific disorders characteristic of children born with extremely low body weight (ELBW), very low body weight (VLBW) and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Monitoring and analyzing the treatment results and subsequent development of these children plays an important role in providing them with the best medical care and quality rehabilitation. Regular monitoring and correction of body weight are important to prevent developmental delays and improve psycho-neurological indicators in the future. The long-term experience of the catemnesis department is reflected and the positive aspects of its work are indicated. The main diseases and problems that parents of premature babies may encounter are also noted.

Challenges of Iron Chelation in Thalassemic Children

Thalassemia treatment still relies on supportive care, mainly including blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy. Iron chelation is considered the main factor responsible for the marked improvement in survival rates of thalassemic patients. Hemosiderosis may be prevented if appropriate chelation therapy is offered from early childhood, with timely dose adjustments according to changing body weight and close monitoring of organ iron load. With three iron chelators currently available, the choice of appropriate chelation, either as monotherapy or combined therapy, should be individualized depending on the iron overload of target organs, patient’s age, presence of adverse events and compliance issues, given known limitations related to each agent’s administration.

A Machine Learning-Assisted Three-Dimensional Image Analysis for Weight Estimation of Radish

The quality of radish roots depends largely on its cultivar, production environment, and postharvest management along the supply chain. Quality monitoring of fresh products is of utmost importance during the postharvest period. The purpose of this study is to nondestructively estimate the weight of a radish using random forests based on color and shape information obtained from images, as well as volumetric information obtained by analyzing a point cloud obtained by combining multiple forms of shape information. The explanatory variables were color and shape information obtained through an image analysis of still images of radishes captured in a constructed photographic environment. The volume information was calculated from the bounding box and convex hull applied to the point cloud by combining the shape information obtained from the image analysis. We then applied random forests to relate the radish weight to the explanatory variables. The experimental results showed that the models using color, shape, or volume information all exhibited good performance with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient (COR) ≥ 0.80, suggesting the potential of nondestructive monitoring of radish weight based on color, shape, and volume information. Specifically, the model using volume information showed very high performance, with a COR of 0.95 or higher.

A preventative role of nitrate for hypoxia-induced intestinal injury

BackgroundStudying effective interventions for hypoxia-induced injury is crucial, particularly in high-altitude areas. Symptoms stemming from intestinal injuries have a significant impact on the health of individuals transitioning from plains to plateau regions. This research explores the effects and mechanisms of nitrate supplementation in preventing hypoxia-induced intestinal injury. MethodsA hypoxia survival mouse model was established using 7% O2 conditions. The intervention with 4 mM sodium nitrate (NaNO3) in drinking water commenced 7 days prior to hypoxia exposure. Weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and intestinal permeability assays were employed for physiological, histological, and functional analyses. Quantitative PCR (qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence were utilized to analyze the levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (Hif 1α). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) identified nitrate's target, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) verified the transcriptional impact of Hif 1α on TJ proteins. Villin-cre mice infected with AAV9-FLEX-EGFP-Hif 1α were used for mechanism validation. ResultsThe results demonstrated that nitrate supplementation significantly alleviated small intestinal epithelial cell necrosis, intestinal permeability, disruption of TJs, and weight loss under hypoxia. Moreover, the nitrate-triggered enhancement of TJs is mediated by Hif 1α nuclear translocation and its subsequent transcriptional function. The effect of nitrate supplementation on TJs was largely attributed to the stimulation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR/Hif 1α signaling pathways. ConclusionNitrate serves as a novel approach in preventing hypoxia-induced intestinal injury, acting through Hif 1α activation to promote the transcription of TJ proteins. Furthermore, our study provides new and compelling evidence for the protective effects of nitrate in hypoxic conditions, especially at high altitudes.

Next-generation colony weight monitoring: a review and prospectus

Next-generation colony weight monitoring: a review and prospectus

Weed detection in soybean fields using improved YOLOv7 and evaluating herbicide reduction efficacy.

With the increasing environmental awareness and the demand for sustainable agriculture, herbicide reduction has become an important goal. Accurate and efficient weed detection in soybean fields is the key to test the effectiveness of herbicide application, but current technologies and methods still have some problems in terms of accuracy and efficiency, such as relying on manual detection and poor adaptability to some complex environments. Therefore, in this study, weeding experiments in soybean fields with reduced herbicide application, including four levels, were carried out, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was utilized to obtain field images. We proposed a weed detection model-YOLOv7-FWeed-based on improved YOLOv7, adopted F-ReLU as the activation function of the convolution module, and added the MaxPool multihead self-attention (M-MHSA) module to enhance the recognition accuracy of weeds. We continuously monitored changes in soybean leaf area and dry matter weight after herbicide reduction as a reflection of soybean growth at optimal herbicide application levels. The results showed that the herbicide application level of electrostatic spraying + 10% reduction could be used for weeding in soybean fields, and YOLOv7-FWeed was higher than YOLOv7 and YOLOv7-enhanced in all the evaluation indexes. The precision of the model was 0.9496, the recall was 0.9125, the F1 was 0.9307, and the mAP was 0.9662. The results of continuous monitoring of soybean leaf area and dry matter weight showed that herbicide reduction could effectively control weed growth and would not hinder soybean growth. This study can provide a more accurate, efficient, and intelligent solution for weed detection in soybean fields, thus promoting herbicide reduction and providing guidance for exploring efficient herbicide application techniques.

Effects of a Comprehensive Dietary Intervention Program, Promoting Nutrition Literacy, Eating Behavior, Dietary Quality, and Gestational Weight Gain in Chinese Urban Women with Normal Body Mass Index during Pregnancy.

In urban Chinese women with normal body weight during pregnancy, we implemented a comprehensive dietary intervention program aimed at enhancing nutrition literacy, dietary quality, and gestational weight gain. The methods included both online and offline health education on prenatal nutrition, weekly weight monitoring, family back education practices, and real-time dietary guidance. The intervention was delivered to randomly assigned control and intervention group participants from gestational week 12 to week 24. The intervention group (n = 44; 100% complete data) showed significant differences (mean (SD)) compared to the control group (n = 42; 95.5% complete data) in nutrition literacy (53.39 ± 6.60 vs. 43.55 ± 9.58, p < 0.001), restrained eating (31.61 ± 7.28 vs. 28.79 ± 7.96, p < 0.001), Diet Quality Distance (29.11 ± 8.52 vs. 40.71 ± 7.39, p < 0.001), and weight gain within the first 12 weeks of intervention (4.97 ± 1.33 vs. 5.98 ± 2.78, p = 0.029). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of gestational diabetes (2 (4.5%) vs. 4 (9.5%), p = 0.629). Participants in the intervention group reported an overall satisfaction score of 4.70 ± 0.46 for the intervention strategy. These results emphasize the positive role of comprehensive dietary intervention in promoting a healthy diet during pregnancy.

Evaluating Preconception Health and Behaviour Change in Australian Women Planning a Pregnancy: The OptimalMe Program, a Digital Healthy Lifestyle Intervention with Remotely Delivered Coaching.

OptimalMe is a digital healthy lifestyle intervention for women planning a pregnancy, with remotely delivered coaching. This follow-up study of Australian women, stratified by coaching delivery mode (phone vs. videoconferencing), assessed alignment to preconception care guidelines and self-reported behaviour change. Overall, 298 women enrolled with a mean (SD) age of 31.8 (4.3) years and mean BMI of 25.7 (6.1) kg/m2. Suboptimal preconception behaviours were reported at baseline, including alcohol consumption (57.2%), infrequent weighing (37.2%) and incomplete cervical cancer screening (15.8%) and prenatal supplementation (38.5). At follow-up (4.5 months) (n = 217), a statistically significant shift towards desired behaviours was reported for alcohol consumption (z = -2.6045, p = 0.00932), preconception supplementation (z = -2.7288, p = 0.00634) and frequent weight monitoring (z = -5.2911, p < 0.00001). An insignificant shift towards adherence to cervical cancer screening (z = -1.8679, p = 0.06148) was observed, with a positive trend towards adherence. Results indicate that women who are actively planning a pregnancy require support to optimise health and lifestyle in preparation for pregnancy and general health and lifestyle improvement. Women demonstrated improvement in lifestyle behaviours and self-monitoring, indicating the uptake of low-intensity, non-prescriptive information provision. Supporting the provision of knowledge-enhancing tools and general healthy lifestyle information combines with skilled health coaching as an effective method for behaviour change and self-management. OptimalMe also shows significant improvements in rates of healthcare engagement, which suggests coaching-based digital health interventions may decrease women's barriers for preconception care and improve engagement in clinical settings.

Feasibility and acceptability pilot study of an online weight loss program in rural, underserved communities.

The purpose of this intervention was to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an online weight loss program, EMPOWER, in rural, underserved communities. Adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 living in rural counties were recruited through collaboration with University of Illinois Extension. The intervention lasted 1 year including online educations sessions, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, and diet and weight monitoring via a novel web application, MealPlot. Feasibility was measured by enrollment attainment, participant retention, online education session completion, and completion of anthropometric and dietary measures. Acceptability was measured by survey using Likert scales of satisfaction for all program components. Anthropometric measurements, 24-h dietary records, and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) were measures of program efficacy. Additionally, two interviews were collected for program feedback. Enrollment of 16 participants was attained, however due to higher than anticipated dropout (retention 62.5%, N = 10) at 3-months, 62.5% of the education sessions were completed and 75.0% of anthropometric and dietary measures. The average satisfaction rating for the comprehensive program was 4.2/5 with lowest satisfaction being the MealPlot web application 2.7/5 (N = 11). On average a clinically significant (≥5% baseline weight) weight loss of 6.2 ± 6.0% body weight or 5.7 ± 5.3 kg and improvements to protein and fiber intake at 12 months (N = 10) were observed. A novel online weight loss program showed adequate to strong feasibility and acceptability and preliminary results indicating efficacy among a pilot sample of rural residents. Future studies are required to investigate means of improving retention and reducing the burden on program collaborators.

Assessment of Heart Failure Post-discharge Management Strategies, Needs and Acceptance of Mobile Application-based Remote Patient Management in South India.

The demand for digital platforms in managing heart failure (HF) is expected to increase with promising effects on readmission and health expenditure. The study aims to explore current post-discharge management strategies and identify the need and acceptance of digital platforms, to ensure the development of a user-friendly mobile application for HF patients. Using a cross-sectional analytical research design, 90 consecutive patients diagnosed with HF who were discharged from a Tertiary Care Center were enrolled. Tele-interview was conducted using a self-developed and validated tool. The mean age of participants was 55.54 ± 10.33 years. The participants' adherence to HF management strategies was low in terms of physical exercise and weight monitoring. More than one-third were willing to self-record their measurements and use a mobile application. The common mobile application features requested were medication information/reminder (88.6%), health education (84.3%), chat with nurses (84.3%), physical activity (81.4%), symptoms (78.6%), diet (78.6%) and weight management (72.9%). The findings from this initial phase of mobile development are expected to help leverage better development of digital interventions for HF patients.

Patient Perception, Knowledge and Adaptation in The Management of Heart Failure: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional, Observational, Questionnaire-Based Study: ADAPTATION HF.

The aim of this study is to reveal the perception levels of heart failure (HF) patients about the disease, their adaptation to the disease process, their compliance with the treatment, and their knowledge and thoughts about the disease from the patient's perspective. Patients with a diagnosis of HF for at least 6 months who applied to the cardiology clinics of 10 different centers were included in this cross-sectional, multicenter and questionnaire-based study. A questionnaire consisting of sections that included demographic information, evaluation of the patient's symptoms, knowledge and experience of clinical follow-up, knowledge of HF, compliance and awareness of treatment was applied to the patients. 504 patients with a mean age of 59.8 ± 14.9 years (M/F: 360/144, 71.4%/28.6%) were included in the study. 61.2% of the patients stated that they knew about HF disease before. Most of the patients knew that the complaints of shortness of breath, fatigue and palpitation could develop due to HF (95.4%; 92.7%; 89.7%, respectively). The patients reported that they were mostly worried about not being able to provide their own self-care without the support of another person (67.5%). While the majority of patients (37.6%) thought that the worst disease was to have a cerebrovascular disease; only 10.9% stated that HF was the worst disease. While 98.8% of the patients stated that they used HF drugs regularly, a relatively large part of the patients did not know that the drugs were effective on kidney functions (68.5%) and blood pressure (76.9%). In the daily practice of the patients, the rate of weight follow-up was 35.5%, the rate of blood pressure monitoring was 26.9%, and the rate of patients who exercised was 27%. Among the patients, 73.3% said that they pay attention to the amount of salt they take with diet, and 33.5% have a completely salt.free diet. There was no difference between the groups with low and high knowledge scores in terms of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P > 0.005). The knowledge level score was significantly higher in patients with previous myocardial infarction (P = 0.002). Most of the HF patients participating in the study are aware of the signs and symptoms of HF, follow the recommendations of their physicians, and use drugs regularly. These patients should have more information about blood pressure monitoring, weight monitoring, diet and sodium restriction, exercise, which are included in the non-pharmacological part of treatment management.

3D observations of room temperature capillary infiltration mechanism in SiC compacts

The melt infiltration of a liquid metal is a successful method for densifying metal and ceramic matrix composites (CMC). The reduction of residual porosity of silicon carbide composites by infiltration of molten silicon into the matrix allows to reach interesting mechanical properties. However, fluid progression within the pore network of the granular matrix is a complex phenomenon, driven by physical and thermomechanical mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. This publication focuses on the capillary impregnation at room temperature and highlights important parameters related to the physical aspect of the process. Two different model fluids (n-hexadecane and exo-dicyclopentadiene) were used to reproduce the behaviour of molten silicon alloy. During the infiltration, the monitoring of the infiltrated liquid weight, along with the image acquisition, was used to compare the infiltration difference between several types of samples. An innovative way to interrupt and fix liquid inside samples, based on rapid polymerization, was investigated during capillary rise experiments. The correlation between 2D observations and 3D volumes obtained by tomography outlines the existence of two different flow fronts, the surface flow front (SFF) which often have a flat shape, and a second inside the sample, the volume flow front (VFF), which shows a paraboloid shape.