Short Battery Research Articles

Investigation of the Effects of Obesity on Physical Function and Quality of Life in Elderly Women

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of obesity on physical function and quality of life in elderly women. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 90 elderly women living in Isparta provinence. The subjects included in the study were divided into 3 groups according to their body mass index (Group I: normal, Group II: overweight, Group III: obese).The physical activity scale for the elderly, short physical performance test battery, SF-12 quality of life questionnaire, timed up and go test and a scale that questions the difficulties of individuals experience in daily living activities were used as the evaluation methods. Results: Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and short physical performance test battery scores in group I were higher than that of the other groups, and group II were higher than group III; while timed up and go test scores were vice versa (p

CAN YOU HEAR ME? A MEDICAL STUDENT-LED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH HEARING LOSS

Abstract In acute care settings hearing loss (HL) is associated with impaired patient-provider communication, increased length of stay, and increased mortality. COVID-19 has exacerbated this problem with the widespread use of masks and eye shields which muffle speech and prevent lip reading. Our 800-bed tertiary care medical center lacked a standardized approach to identify patients with HL and address communication barriers. Three first year medical students spearheaded the initiative as part of a health systems improvement curriculum with support from a faculty coach and a faculty researcher. From September 2020 to October 2021, the students met with stakeholders, leadership and champions and unit staff, identified the current state and completed a gap analysis through interviews, surveys, and direct observation. The pilot in May 2021 included two week-long PDSA cycles on one hospital unit to: 1) screen patients aged 65 and older using the validated 10-item HHIE-S questionnaire, 2) implement an education and awareness campaign with bedside signage, posters, and conferences and 3) provide a personal amplifier (purchased in bulk by the medical center) with verbal and written instructions. A total of 29 patients screened positive and were given personal amplifiers. Post-pilot interviews reported increased provider awareness and knowledge around best communication practices. Patients and staff reported limited amplifier use due to poor sound quality, small dials, poorly fitting ear buds and a short battery life. Based on these results the team recommended discontinuing the personal amplifiers and identifying other communication tools including higher quality personal amplifiers and speech to text applications.

Sarcopenia Predicts Outcomes After Lung Transplantation in Older Lung Transplant Candidates

BackgroundAs lung transplantation (LT) expands to older recipients, objective approaches to evaluate the aging are needed to optimize posttransplantation outcomes. Frailty assessment and sarcopenia have shown promise as tools for predicting clinical outcomes. MethodsPatients older than 55 years undergoing evaluation for LT were enrolled in an institutional review board–approved study. Sarcopenia was measured on pretransplantation chest computed tomography images, measuring cross-sectional area and average attenuation of the pectoralis major muscle at 1 slice above the aortic arch. Frailty was measured using the Fried frailty phenotype (FFP) and Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB). ResultsThe study evaluated 84 patients with results of computed tomography of the chest available for review; 63% were classified as frail or prefrail by SPPB and 53% were frail by FFP. Sex-corrected sarcopenia was associated with frailty by FFP (P = .004) or SPPB (P = .044). Sarcopenia, measured by area or average attenuation, was significantly associated with length of stay after transplantation (P = .017 and P = .022, respectively), with a median 12 days for those with higher muscle mass compared with 21 days for those with lower muscle mass. Total time in the hospital in the first year after transplantation was also associated with sarcopenia by area (P = .090) or average attenuation (P = .046). ConclusionsA multifaceted approach to the evaluation of older patients can improve risk stratification, optimizing organ allocation to improve LT outcomes.

A Solid Redox Mediator Analog as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Na–O2 Batteries

During the discharge of Na–O2 batteries, O2 is reduced and combines with Na+ to form an insulating solid sodium oxide on the cathode, which severely hinders the mass transfer path, resulting in high polarization voltage, low energy efficiency, and short battery life. Hereby, we proposed a novel illumination-assisted Na–O2 battery in which bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) with few defects and high surface areas was used as the catalyst. It showed that the charge overpotential under photo assistance reduced by 1.11 V compared with that of the dark state one. Additionally, the insolating sodium oxide discharge products were completely decomposed, which was the key to running Na–O2 batteries over 200 cycles with a charge potential of no more than 3.65 V, while its counterpart (under dark condition) at 200 cycles had the charge potential higher than 4.25 V. The experiment combined with theoretical calculation shows that few defects, high surface areas, the altered electron transfer kinetics, and the low energy gap and low oxygen absorption energy of the (040) crystal face of monoclinic BiVO4 play an important role in catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

How to charge while driving: scheduling point-to-point deliveries of an electric vehicle under overhead wiring

Electrifying road-based long-haul transportation is an intricate task. Given the current state of battery technology, either the driving ranges of electric commercial vehicles (ECVs) are too short or high-capacity batteries are costly and so heavy that payloads are limited. An old, yet recently revitalized, charging infrastructure currently evaluated on multiple test tracks around the globe alternatively suggests charging of electric trucks while driving. Analogously to trams, trolley buses, or trains, ECVs are powered by an electric motor connected to overhead wires via a movable contact arm and supported by a battery or an extra conventional drive, which steps in on non-electrified road segments. This paper is dedicated to the routing of a single ECV executing full-truckload point-to-point deliveries along a highway main line where charge-while-drive infrastructure is fixedly installed along some but not all parts of the road. We formulate the resulting optimization problem, investigate computational complexity, and provide suitable solution procedures based on decomposition. Once all this is available, we explore the induction effect of charge-while-drive technology, i.e., the amount of charging detours required to gather enough energy for the next job. Our results show that the induction effect can be considerable and may lead to substantial extra traffic compared to conventional charge-while-park technology.

Features of vascular rigidity in patients with arterial hypertension in combination with chronic heart failure and senile asthenia syndrome

Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the features of vascular rigidity in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) depending on the presence of chronic heart failure (CHF) and senile asthenia syndrome (SAS).Design and methods. 320 patients with AH were divided into two main groups: group 1 — patients with AH and CHF (n = 161), group 2 — patients with AH without CHF (n = 159). Depending on the presence of SAS, patients of each group were divided as follows: subgroup 1A — patients with AH, CHF and SAS (n = 84), subgroup 1B — patients with AH, CHF without SAS (n = 77), subgroup 2A — patients with AH, SAS without CHF (n = 84), subgroup 2B — patients with AH without CHF and without SAS (n = 75). To identify SAS, we used the “Age is not a barrier” questionnaire and a short battery of physical functioning tests. The parameters of vascular stiffness were determined using a device for daily monitoring of blood pressure BPLab using Vasotens technology (Peter Telegin, Nizhny Novgorod). The obtained data were processed using STATISTICA 12.0 (StatSoft Inc., USA), SPSS 21.0, MedCalc (version 9.3.5.0).Results. Analysis of the effect of SAS on vascular stiffness showed that in patients with AH, CHF and SAS, compared with patients with AH, CHF without SAS, there were statistically significantly lower values of the reflected wave propagation time (RWTT) (p = 0,001) against the background of higher values pulse wave velocity in the aorta (РWVао) (p < 0,001), arterial stiffness index (ASI) (p = 0,0001) and ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) (p = 0,002), which indicates more pronounced vascular stiffness in patients with AH, CHF in the presence of SAS. In the group of patients with AH and SAS without CHF, compared with patients with AH without CHF and without SAS, higher values of РWVао (p < 0,001) and “adjusted” index of augmentation index (AIх@75) (p < 0,001) were revealed, which allows to judge the effect of SAS on the development of arterial stiffness in patients with AH without CHF. Analysis of the effect of CHF on vascular stiffness showed that in patients with AH, SAS and CHF, compared with patients with AH, SAS without CHF, statistically significantly lower values of RWTT (p < 0,001) and higher values of РWVао (p = 0,024) were noted, ASI (p < 0,001), AASI (p < 0,001), maximum rate of blood pressure rise (dP/dtmax) (p < 0,001) and AIх@75 (p < 0,001). In the group of patients with AH, CHF without SAS, compared with patients with AH without CHF and without SAS, lower values of RWTT (p < 0,001) and higher values of РWVаo (p = 0,004), ASI (p < 0,001), AASI (p < 0,001) and dP/dtmax (p < 0,001), which in turn demonstrates the contribution of CHF to the development of vascular stiffness in AH patients without SAS. CS.Conclusions. In hypertensive patients over 80 years of age, the development of both SAS and CHF was accompanied by limited compliance of the aortic walls and increased vascular stiffness in the peripheral arteries. Significantly more pronounced changes in vascular stiffness parameters were noted in patients with a combination of AH, CHF and SAS compared with those in patients with AH and CHF or AH and SAS, which indicates an increase in vascular stiffness, and, consequently, a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases in this combined pathology.

Adaptation and construct validity evaluation of a tablet-based, short neuropsychological test battery for use with adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Thailand.

Deficits in neurocognitive functioning are common among adolescents and young adults (AYA) with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV). Limitations of traditional neuropsychological tests hinder assessment of neurocognition in low- and middle-income countries where most AYA with PHIV reside. Computerized testing could make assessment of neurocognition more accessible in these countries. This study examined a culturally modified NeuroScreen, a tablet-based neurocognitive testing app, for use in Thailand. Construct validity was examined among Thai AYA (13-23 years) with and without PHIV. NeuroScreen underwent adaptation including language, content, and usability review by Thai psychologists, AYA, and clinical staff. One hundred Thai AYA (50 PHIV; 50 HIV-uninfected, matched controls) were administered the adapted NeuroScreen and a battery of traditional paper-and-pencil neuropsychological tests. Correlations, mean differences, and proportions with impaired performance were examined across NeuroScreen and the traditional tests. The Thai version of NeuroScreen was deemed understandable and culturally appropriate. A large correlation (.82) between overall performance on the NeuroScreen and traditional batteries was observed. Small-to-large correlations were found between conceptually similar NeuroScreen and traditional tests of processing speed, working memory, motor speed, and executive functioning. Mean test performance differences between AYA with PHIV and controls were similar between test batteries. Both sets of tests identified similar rates of impaired participants. Results provide support for the acceptability and construct validity of the Thai NeuroScreen tests to assess neurocognition in Thai AYA with PHIV. An easy-to-use tool to assess neurocognition can help Thai providers provide better care for AYA with PHIV. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Mobile application for home exercise adherence in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study.

Background:The adherence to home exercise is generally low despite its well-known effect on knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, we developed a home exercise application, LongLifeSupport, to provide patients with daily basic exercise videos and an automatic recording calendar. We hypothesized that this application would encourage patients to exercise and help maintain their motivation; this pilot study aimed to determine their exercise adherence rates. Using outcome measures, we also aimed to determine the effect of home exercise using this application and the factors for its continuation.Methods:Twenty patients with knee osteoarthritis were included. The participants exercised for 12 weeks. Using pre- and post-tests, we examined their satisfaction with continuation (only in the post-test), Japanese knee osteoarthritis measure score, short physical performance battery score, bilateral knee extension muscle strength, and short test battery for locomotive syndrome. Furthermore, we investigated correlations between adherence rates and pretest scores of Japanese knee osteoarthritis measure and short test battery and between pretest scores and variations in Japanese knee osteoarthritis measure and short test battery.Results:The mean adherence rate was 82.4%. The participants showed ease of continuation (100%) and significant improvements in the degree of knee pain, pain, and stiffness, and daily life conditions using the Japanese knee osteoarthritis measure score, total score, walk seconds, and chair stand seconds of the short physical performance battery, as well as the extension muscle strength of the right- and pain-side knee. No significant correlations were identified between the adherence rate and the pretest or variation.Conclusion:The adherence rate to the application was over 80%. Participants with knee osteoarthritis showed almost full satisfaction, reduced pain, and improved physical ability. Therefore, the use of this application provided a safe exercise program and maintained the exercise motivation of participants. Thus, it may be useful for unsupervised home exercise.

Study on the Effect of Hydraulic Energy Storage on the Performance of Electro-Mechanical-Hydraulic Power-Coupled Electric Vehicles

In order to address the problems of low energy storage capacity and short battery life in electric vehicles, in this paper, a new electromechanical-hydraulic power coupling drive system is proposed, and an electromechanical-hydraulic power coupling electric vehicle is proposed based on this system. The system realizes the mutual conversion between mechanical energy, hydraulic energy, and electric energy through the electromechanical–hydraulic coupler. This paper describes the structural characteristics and working principles of the system and analyzes the different working modes during the driving of the vehicle. We established a mathematical model of the hydraulic accumulator and the hydraulic pump and motor. Based on the vehicle dynamics model, an AME Sim vehicle model was built and the vehicle, and the relevant hydraulic parameters were set in combination with the actual situation. The braking energy recovery and release process was jointly simulated by AME Sim and Simulink. The simulation results show that the hydraulic accumulator size of the accumulator volume can influence the maximum working pressure of the accumulator and the SOC of the vehicle battery, and it is verified that 35 L is the best capacity. This study has an important reference value for matching electromechanical–hydraulic coupling parameters of electric vehicles.

A Synergistic Strategy of Organic Molecules Introduced a High Zn2+ Flux Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Stable Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZIBs) are considered as attractive candidates for the next generation of high-safety and low-cost energy storage in large-scale power grids. However, challenges such as the dendrites and the corrosion on the zinc (Zn) surface result in short battery life and low reversibility of Zn plating/stripping. In this work, a method of preconditioning of a zinc anode in hybrid electrolytes (based on poly(ethylene glycol)-200 and H2O) to form a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) that prevents anode corrosion and dendrites is proposed. Though surface composition analysis and density functional theory calculation, this SEI has dense organic and inorganic components due to the induction of organic molecules and anions and has rapid kinetic and high-throughput properties for the transport of zinc ions. As a result, the SEI-modified Zn anode can maintain a low-voltage hysteresis stable cycle for more than 1600 h in aqueous electrolyte. The anode also exhibits impressive reversibility with a high Coulomobic efficiency of 99.23% over 1300 cycles. Furthermore, the ARZIB encapsulated by this anode and Mn-doped V6O13 cathode enables an outstanding electrochemical stability (181.8 mAh g-1 after 800 cycles at room temperature, 102.2 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at -15 °C). This work provides an intriguing idea for the stability maintenance of the anode for ARZIBs or other metal-ion batteries.

Binary Metal Single Atom Electrocatalysts with Synergistic Catalytic Activity toward High‐Rate and High Areal‐Capacity Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

AbstractLithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high theoretical energy density have been long considered as an alternative energy storage device to lithium‐ion batteries. Nevertheless, the polysulfide shuttle effects trigger fast capacity decay and short battery lifespan, severely hampering their practical utilizations. Herein, an efficient electrocatalyst comprising of nitrogen (N)‐coordinated binary metal single atoms (SAs) implanted within a hierarchical porous carbon skeleton (Fe/CoNHPC) is constructed to trap and catalyze polysulfides conversion through a separator coating strategy. It is demonstrated that the introduction of Co atom can enrich the electron number of Fe active center, thereby realizing the distinct synergistic catalytic effect of binary metal SAs and improving the bidirectional catalysis of Li–S redox reaction. As a result, Li–S batteries with the Fe/CoNHPC‐modified separator exhibit outstanding rate capability (740 mAh g−1 at 5.0 C), and superior long‐term cyclic stability (694 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at 1.0 C). Increasing the sulfur loading to 4.8 mg cm−2, a remarkable areal capacity of 6.13 mAh cm−2 is achieved. Furthermore, in situ X‐ray diffraction and theoretical simulation results verify the catalysis mechanism of binary metal SAs by changing the rate‐determining steps, providing new directions for constructing high‐performance Li–S batteries.

UAV Charging Station Placement in Opportunistic Networks

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are now extensively used in a wide variety of applications, including a key role within opportunistic wireless networks. These types of opportunistic networks are considered well suited for infrastructure-less areas, or urban areas with overloaded cellular networks. For these networks, UAVs are envisioned to complement and support opportunistic network performance; however, the short battery life of commercial UAVs and their need for frequent charging can limit their utility. This paper addresses the challenge of charging station placement in a UAV-aided opportunistic network. We implemented three clustering approaches, namely, K-means, Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN), and random clustering, with each clustering approach being examined in combination with Epidemic, Spray and Wait, and State-Based Campus Routing (SCR) routing protocols. The simulation results show that determining the charging station locations using K-means clustering with three clusters showed lower message delay and higher success rate than deciding the charging station location either randomly or using DBSCAN regardless of the routing strategy employed between nodes.

MiniKers

Automating operations of objects has made life easier and more convenient for billions of people, especially those with limited motor capabilities. On the other hand, even able-bodied users might not always be able to perform manual operations (e.g., both hands are occupied), and manual operations might be undesirable for hygiene purposes (e.g., contactless devices). As a result, automation systems like motion-triggered doors, remote-control window shades, contactless toilet lids have become increasingly popular in private and public environments. Yet, these systems are hampered by complex building wiring or short battery lifetimes, negating their positive benefits for accessibility, energy saving, healthcare, and other domains. In this paper we explore how these types of objects can be powered in perpetuity by the energy generated from a unique energy source - user interactions, specifically, the manual manipulations of objects by users who can afford them when they can afford them. Our assumption is that users' capabilities for object operations are heterogeneous, there are desires for both manual and automatic operations in most environments, and that automatic operations are often not needed as frequently - for example, an automatic door in a public space is often manually opened many times before a need for automatic operation shows up. The energy harvested by those manual operations would be sufficient to power that one automatic operation. We instantiate this idea by upcycling common everyday objects with devices which have various mechanical designs powered by a general-purpose backbone embedded system. We call these devices, MiniKers. We built a custom driver circuit that can enable motor mechanisms to toggle between generating powers (i.e., manual operation) and actuating objects (i.e., automatic operation). We designed a wide variety of mechanical mechanisms to retrofit existing objects and evaluated our system with a 48-hour deployment study, which proves the efficacy of MiniKers as well as shedding light into this people-as-power approach as a feasible solution to address energy needed for smart environment automation.

Systematic innovation combined with bionic technology applied to innovative research on UAV

This study aims to improve the two major problems faced by UAVs, short battery life and difficulty detecting hovering, respectively. For the problems mentioned above, this study derives the application of bionic technology and the integration of green energy innovation through systematic innovation theory, designing the operation of UAVs using this research method. The scope includes research on bionic technology, systematic innovation, innovation of unmanned aerial vehicles, and conduct fluid analysis for the output results, watching to confirm the hovering state, and analyzing the battery life to ensure the improvement of power supply, the output, and verification of this research can significantly improve the future development and application of UAVs.

Prevention and early treatment of the long-term physical effects of COVID-19 in adults: design of a randomised controlled trial of resistance exercise—CISCO-21

BackgroundCoronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection causes persistent health problems such as breathlessness, chest pain and fatigue, and therapies for the prevention and early treatment of post-COVID-19 syndromes are needed. Accordingly, we are investigating the effect of a resistance exercise intervention on exercise capacity and health status following COVID-19 infection.MethodsA two-arm randomised, controlled clinical trial including 220 adults with a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the preceding 6 months. Participants will be classified according to clinical presentation: Group A, not hospitalised due to COVID but persisting symptoms for at least 4 weeks leading to medical review; Group B, discharged after an admission for COVID and with persistent symptoms for at least 4 weeks; or Group C, convalescing in hospital after an admission for COVID.Participants will be randomised to usual care or usual care plus a personalised and pragmatic resistance exercise intervention for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the incremental shuttle walks test (ISWT) 3 months after randomisation with secondary outcomes including spirometry, grip strength, short performance physical battery (SPPB), frailty status, contacts with healthcare professionals, hospitalisation and questionnaires assessing health-related quality of life, physical activity, fatigue and dyspnoea.DiscussionEthical approval has been granted by the National Health Service (NHS) West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee (REC) (reference: GN20CA537) and recruitment is ongoing. Trial findings will be disseminated through patient and public forums, scientific conferences and journals.Trial registrationClinicialTrials.gov NCT04900961. Prospectively registered on 25 May 2021

An evolved algorithm for underwater acoustic sensor node localization enhancement using reference node

Accurate localization of underwater acoustic sensor networks is one of the essential operations. The range-free DV-Hop technique is more acceptable due to its low hardware cost and simplicity than the range-based approach. But the main drawback of this basic DV-Hop method is low accuracy and link failure due to maintenance or short battery life during the continuous localization calculation in the underwater scenario. Most algorithms in this field do not pay enough attention to the mobility of the nodes. By examining the movement patterns of water, this manuscript uses a technique for UWSN localization based on a mobility prediction algorithm. This manuscript proposed a reference node-based multi-hop improved DV-Hop​ technique using School Topper Optimization (STO) and mobility prediction algorithms. This proposed scheme’s highlighted advantage is to reduce the localization error to identify the unknown target nodes using a reference node-based localization scheme using a mobility prediction algorithm without increasing the beacon nodes, and the multi-hop improved DV-Hop​ algorithm using STO significantly improved the link failure problem by iteratively selecting the different sets of the beacon nodes in the same scenario The simulation report has proved that our framework takes better computational time, has a better convergence rate by introducing the STO technique, provides 23.76% and 37.18% better avg. localization error and localization error variance, and 16.12% better coverage from PSODV-Hop and GSODV-Hop techniques.

Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program on Improving Frailty in Post-COVID-19 Older Adults after Intensive Care Units: A Single-Group Retrospective Cohort Study.

Simple SummaryOlder adult patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome present greater physical impairment accompanied by frailty, which is why multicomponent exercise programs (MEP) are recommended for their positive effects on improving frailty and physical capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a short MEP (Vivifrail; <4 weeks) on the improvement of physical performance and frailty in post-COVID-19 older adults in a hospital setting. Data were collected from the functional gait training program based on selected Vivifrail MEP in a single group, applied to patients admitted with a diagnosis of post-COVID-19 functional impairment. The program was carried out for 3 weeks, with daily sessions lasting 40 min. Patients included were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the protocol on their functionality, strength, balance, gait and coordination, and ability to carry out basic activities of daily living. The results of this study show significant improvements in physical fitness and frailty by means of the MEP applied in its short version (<4 weeks) showing even clinically relevant improvements. The MEP is effective and safe on improving frailty in post-COVID-19 older adult patients.Background: Older adult patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome present greater physical impairment accompanied by frailty than younger patients, which is why multicomponent exercise programs (MEP) are recommended for their positive effects on improving frailty and physical capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a short MEP (Vivifrail; <4 weeks) on improving frailty in post-COVID-19 older adults after intensive care units. Methods: To develop a retrospective cohort study, data were collected from the functional gait training program based on selected Vivifrail MEP in a single-group and applied to patients admitted with a diagnosis of post-COVID-19 functional impairment. The MEP was carried out for 3 weeks, with daily sessions lasting 40 min. Patients included were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the protocol by using the Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB), the number of falls in the last year, the number of falls with medical attention, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the presence of dementia, the Trunk Control Test (TCT), the Tinetti balance and gait test, Barthel Index, Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRCSS) and handgrip strength dynamometry. Results: The results of this study show statistically significant improvements in physical fitness and frailty with increases in the Short Physical Performance Battery (Z = 9.12, p < 0.001) by means of the MET applied in its short version (<4 weeks) showing even clinically relevant improvements (>2.5 points). Statistically significant improvements were also found in Medical Research Council Sum Score (Z = 12.345, p < 0.001), Barthel Index Score (Z = 12.272, p < 0.001), Trunk Control Test (Z = 12. 36, p < 0.001), Tinetti–POMA (Z = 12.293, p < 0.001) including the balance (Z = 12.11, p < 0.001), gait (Z = 12.164, p < 0.001) subscales and in the hand dynamometry (Z = 12.172, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The selected Vivifrail MEP is effective and safe for improving frailty in post-COVID-19 older adult’s patients.

Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Compressively Sensed Electrocardiogram for Remote Monitoring

The objective of this paper is to develop an optimized system to detect Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in compressively sensed electrocardiogram (ECG) for long-term remote patient monitoring. A three-stage system was developed to 1) reject ECG of poor signal quality, 2) detect AF in compressively sensed ECG, and 3) detect AF in selectively reconstructed ECG. The Long-Term AF Database (LTAFDB), sampled at 128 Hz using a 12-bit ADC with a range of 20 mV, was used to validate the system. The LTAFDB had 83,315 normal and 82,435 AF rhythm 30 s ECG segments. Clean ECG from the LTAFDB was artificially contaminated with motion artifact to achieve −12 to 12 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in steps of 3 dB. The contaminated ECG was compressively sensed at 50% and 75% compression ratio (CR). The system was evaluated using average precision (AP), the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic curve, and the F1 score. The system was optimized to maximize the AP and minimize ECG rejection and reconstruction ratios. The optimized system for 50% CR had 0.72 AP, 0.63 AUC, and 0.58 F1 score, 0.38 rejection ratio, and 0.38 reconstruction ratio. The optimized system for 75% CR had 0.72 AP, 0.63 AUC, and 0.59 F1 score, 0.40 rejection ratio, and 0.35 reconstruction ratio. Challenges for long-term AF monitoring are the short battery life of monitors and the high false alarm rate due to artifacts. The proposed system improves the short battery life through compressive sensing while reducing false alarms (high AP) and ECG reconstruction (low reconstruction ratio).

Aerodynamic analysis of a logistics UAV wing with compound ducted rotor

PurposeTo solve the problems of short battery life and low transportation safety of logistics drones, this paper aims to propose a design of logistics unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) wing with a composite ducted rotor, which combines fixed wing and rotary-wing.Design/methodology/approachThis UAV adopts tiltable ducted rotor combined with fixed wing, which has the characteristics of fast flight speed, large carrying capacity and long endurance. At the same time, it has the hovering and vertical take-off and landing capabilities of the rotary-wing UAV. In addition, aerodynamic simulation analysis of the composite model with a fixed wing and a ducted rotor was carried out, and the aerodynamic influence of the composite model on the UAV was analyzed under different speeds, fixed wing angles of attack and ducted rotor speeds.FindingsThe results were as follows: when the speed of the ducted rotor is 2,500 rpm, CL and K both reach maximum values. But when the speed exceeds 3,000 rpm, the lift will decrease; when the angle of attack of the fixed wing is 10° and the rotational speed of the ducted rotor is about 3,000 rpm, the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing are better.Originality/valueThe novelty of this work comes from a composite wing design of a fixed wing combined with a tiltable ducted rotor applied to the logistics UAVs, and the aerodynamic characteristics of the design wing are analyzed.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a people-centred care model for community-living older people versus usual care ─ A randomised controlled trial.

There is a need for effective and cost-effective interprofessional care models that support older people to maintain their quality of life (QoL) and physical performance to live longer independently in their own homes. The objectives were to evaluate effectiveness, QoL and physical performance, and cost-utility of a people-centred care model (PCCM), including the contribution of clinically trained pharmacists, compared with that of usual care in primary care. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a two-year follow-up was conducted. The participants were multimorbid community-living older people, aged ≥75 years. The intervention comprised an at-home patient interview, health review, pharmacist-led clinical medication review, an interprofessional team meeting, and nurse-led care coordination and health support. At the baseline and at the 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, QoL (SF-36, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) and physical performance (SPPB, Short Performance Physical Battery) were measured. Additionally, a physical dimension component summary in the SF-36 was calculated. The SF-36 data were transformed into SF-6D scores to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Healthcare resource use were collected and transformed into costs. A healthcare payer perspective was adopted. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated, and one-way sensitivity analysis was performed. No statistically or clinically significant differences were observed between the usual care (n=126) and intervention group (n=151) patients in their QoL; at the 2-year follow-up the mean difference was -0.02, (95% CI -0.07; 0.04,p=0.56). While the mean difference between the groups in physical performance at the 2-year follow-up was -1.02, (-1.94;-0.10,p=0.03), between the physical component summary scores it was -7.3, (-15.2; 0.6,p=0.07). The ICER was -73 638€/QALY, hence, the developed PCCM dominated usual care, since it was more effective and less costly. The cost-utility analysis showed that the PCCM including pharmacist-led medication review dominated usual care. However, it had no effect on QoL and the effect towards physical performance remained unclear.