THE FIRST POLISH ANTITANK GUIDED MISSILE

Poland could have been one of pioneering countries in the domain of antitank guided missiles. Theoretical calculations had been completed, the first trials on the range were quite promising for continuation of the work. The direction of testing was developed, and the further stages of calculations and range tests were clearly defined. But the Artillery Central Testing Range in Zielonka was not prepared to continue the work alone. It did not have a suitable technical back-ground, and it wasn’t any production plant to prepare a relevant lot of missiles for testing. The Ministry of National Defence decided that the work would be continued by the ci-vilian Institute of Aviation in Warsaw which was ready to take the part of the leading agency. Despite many obstacles at the first trials a lot of work was made. At that moment the Soviet allies intervened to offer the ready antitank guided missile in October, 1961. Then the profile of the work had to be changed a bit, and finally the ambitious project had failed.

A re-testing range is recommended for 13C- and 14C-urea breath tests for Helicobacter pylori infection in China

Background The urea breath test (UBT) is widely used for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. In the Shenzhen Kuichong People’s Hospital, some UBT findings were contradictory to the histology outcomes, therefore this study aimed to assess and compare the diagnostic performance of both 13C- and 14C-UBT assays. Methods We recruited 484 H. pylori-treatment naïve patients, among which 217 and 267 were tested by the 13C-UBT or 14C-UBT, respectively. The cutoff value for H. pylori positivity based on manufacturer’s instruction was 4% delta over baseline (DOB) for the 13C-UBT, and 100 disintegrations per minute (DPM) for the 14C-UBT. Gastric biopsies of the antrum and corpus were obtained during endoscopy for histopathology. Results In patients who were tested using the 13C-UBT kit, histopathology was positive in 136 out of 164 UBT-positive patients (82.9% concordance), and negative in 46 out of 53 UBT-negative cases (86.8% concordance). For the 14C-UBT-tested patients, histopathology was positive for H. pylori in 186 out of 220 UBT-positive patients (84.5% concordance), and negative in 41 out of 47 UBT-negative cases (87.2% concordance). While the 13C-UBT and 14C-UBT each had a high sensitivity level of 95.1% and 96.9%, respectively, their specificity was low, at 62.2% and 54.7%, respectively. By using new optimal cutoff values and including an indeterminate range (3–10.3% DOB for 13C-UBT and 87–237 DPM for 14C-UBT), the specificity values can be improved to 76.7% and 76.9% for the 13C- and 14C-UBT, respectively. Conclusions The establishment of an indeterminate range is recommended to allow for repeated testing to confirm H. pylori infection, and thereby avoiding unnecessary antibiotic treatment. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000041570. Registered 29 December 2020- Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=66416&htm=4

A Re-testing Range is Recommended for 13C- and 14C-urea Breath Tests for Helicobacter Pylori Infection in China

Background: The urea breath test (UBT) is widely used for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. In our hospital, some UBT findings were contradictory to the histology outcomes, therefore this study aimed to assess and compare the diagnostic performance of both 13C- and 14C-UBT assays.Methods: We recruited 484 H. pylori-treatment naïve patients, among which 217 and 267 were tested by the 13C-UBT or 14C-UBT, respectively. The cutoff value for H. pylori positivity based on manufacturer’s instruction was 4% DOB for the 13C-UBT, and 100 DPM for the 14C-UBT. Gastric biopsies of the antrum and corpus were obtained during endoscopy for histopathology.Results: In patients who were tested using the 13C-UBT kit, histopathology was positive in 136 out of 164 UBT-positive patients (82.9% concordance), and negative in 46 out of 53 UBT-negative cases (86.8% concordance). For the 14C-UBT-tested patients, histopathology was positive for H. pylori in 186 out of 220 UBT-positive patients (84.5% concordance), and negative in 41 out of 47 UBT-negative cases (87.2% concordance). While the 13C-UBT and 14C-UBT each had a high sensitivity level of 95.1% and 96.9%, respectively, their specificity was low, at 62.2% and 54.7%, respectively. By using new optimal cutoff values and including an indeterminate range (3-10.3% DOB for 13C-UBT and 87-237 DPM for 14C-UBT), the specificity values can be improved to 76.7% and 76.9% for the 13C- and 14C-UBT, respectively.Conclusions: The establishment of an indeterminate range is recommended to allow for repeated testing to confirm H. pylori infection, and thereby avoiding unnecessary antibiotic treatment.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000041570. Registered 29 December 2020- Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=66416&htm=4(263/350 words)

Challenges of Testing COVID-19 Cases in Bangladesh

Keeping the dynamic nature of Coronaviruses (COVID-19) pandemic in mind, we have opted to explore the importance of the decentralization of COVID-19 testing centers across the country of Bangladesh in order to combat the pandemic. In doing so, we considered quantitative, qualitative, and geographic information systems (GIS) datasets to identify the location of existing COVID-19 testing centers. Moreover, we attempted to collect data from the existing centers in order to demonstrate testing times at the divisional level of the country. Results show that the number of testing centers is not enough to cater to the vast population of the country. Additionally, we found that the number of days it takes to receive the results from the COVID-19 testing centers is not optimal at divisional cities, let alone the remote rural areas. Finally, we propose a set of recommendations in order to enhance the existing system to assist more people under a testing range of COVID-19 viruses at the local level.

Comparison of Non-Destructive Techniques for Technological Bridge Deflection Testing

This paper presents a comparison and assessment of usefulness of various measuring techniques (terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), tachymetry, photogrammetry) applied to establish the behavior of a suspension bridge under different load scenarios. The applied techniques were examined on the bridge with a 165 m span. The tested structure works as the technological bridge for a belt conveyor linking a lime mine and cement plant. The testing range consisted of conducting the non-contact measuring of the bridge and cable displacements under dynamic loads (during the belt conveyor movement—normal service loads) and static loads (while stopped). Tachymetric surveys were carried out using a precise total station (to obtain the reference data). A Canon 750D digital camera was applied in the photogrammetry technique. FARO Focus 3D and Trimble TX8 scanners were employed for the TLS measuring. The obtained results are especially important for bridge inspectors and managers who can use the non-contact measurements of serviced structures.

TELL YUNATSITE IN THE SYSTEMOF BALKAN RADIOCARBON CHRONOLOGY

Многослойные поселения (телли) с длинной стратиграфической последовательностью культурных отложений при наличии четкой стратиграфии издавна являлись хорошим полигоном для построения относительных периодизаций. Для Болгарии известна карановская колонка , созданная по материалам телля Караново и служившая основой периодизации целого ряда эпох от раннего неолита до эпохи ранней бронзы. С появлением радиоуглеродного датирования, возрастанием точности метода и постепенным увеличением количества дат 14С на отдельно взятом многослойном памятнике значение теллей стало первостепенным уже для абсолютной хронологии. Multi-layer settlements (tells) with a long stratigraphic sequence of occupational deposits and a clear-cut stratigraphy became a good testing range for developing relative periodization. For example, in Bulgaria the so called Karanovo stratigraphic column constructed based on the Tell Karanovo materials was used for periodization and cultural attribution of a large number of periods from the Early Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. With the advent of radiocarbon dating, higher precision of the method and a gradual increase in the number of 14C dates from separate multi-layer sites, values for tells are now of paramount importance for absolute chronology as well.

New study on the neuromuscular dystrophy rehabilitation program

Neuromuscular dystrophy is a progressive disease, interesting skeletal muscles by progressive weakness and loss of voluntary motor function.Material and Methods: A prospective study was developed on 16 patients with progressive neuromuscular dystrophy, over a three months period. The initial and final assessment included muscle manual testing, range of motion and, for the functional outcomes, the Vigos Scale, Barthel Scale, Activity of Daily Living (ADL) Score, and Muscular Dystrophy Scale were used. The physiotherapy program was developed on four stages and a guiding protocol was used for the individualization of the physical therapy program. The statistical analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel, using a Paired samples T-test.Results: Statistical significant results were obtained within all assessment tools. Muscle strength and ADL capacity improved, with the highest increases in patients with low levels of disability.Conclusion: The main results suggest that individualized physiotherapy can slow the progressivity of the disorder and improve the quality of life, especially when started at an earlier stage of the disease.

Review on Exergy and Energy Analysis of Solar Air Heater

<span>Solar air heater (SAH), which is the most essential component of solar drying systems, receive solar energy and convert it into thermal energy. This review presents descriptions and previous works conducted on performances analysis of SAHs. Exergoenviroeconomic, exergoenvironmental, environmental, and exergy analyses are also presented. In addition, results on the performances of SAHs are summarized. The exergy and energy efficiencies of SAHs at laboratorium testing range from 8% to 61% and from 30% to 79%, respectively.</span>