Analysis of the Operating Costs of Passenger Cars Declared by Vehicles' Manufacturers and Obtained by Users

Every year, there are more and more cars on the roads that cause pollution. To reduce it, conventional vehicles have started to be replaced by electric and hybrid vehicles. Therefore, the average fuel/energy consumption of electric, hybrid, spark ignition and self-ignition vehicles over a test distance of 100 km was investigated. The test results were then compared to the manufacturer's data and the average difference between the manufacturer's data and the test data is shown. The largest average difference in fuel consumption between the manufacturer's data and the test data was observed for hybrid vehicles (over 230 %) and the smallest for electric vehicles (less than 10 %) and spark ignition vehicles (almost 18 %). Considering costs, the largest difference between manufacturer's data and test data is observed, as in the previous case, in electric vehicles (0.25 €) and the largest in hybrid vehicles (almost 6 € per 100 kilometers driven).

Pharmacogenetics of therapy effectiveness for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity

Objective To evaluate role of genetic factors (polymorphisms of ADRB1 gene (Arg389Gly, rs1801253) and ACE gene (I/D, rs4343) for effectiveness assessment of β-blocker (carvedilol) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril) therapy in women with anthracycline- induced cardiotoxicity during 12-month follow-up period. Methods A total of 82 women, median age of 45.0 (42.0; 50.0) years with anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and without prior cardiovascular diseases were enrolled in the study. All patients received chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer included a combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, or combination of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel. The cumulative dose of doxorubicin was 300–360 mg/m2. Criteria for the development of cardiotoxicity were a decrease in the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) at the 12 months after chemotherapy completion by >10%, the development of heart failure (HF) with symptoms and clinical signs, and NT-proBNP levels ≥125 pg/mL. Echocardiography and serum levels of NT-proBNP were performed at baseline and at 12 months after enrollment. Average up-titrated dosage of carvedilol was 50 (25; 50) mg per day and enalapril was 10 (10; 20) mg per day. Evaluation of gene polymorphisms of ADRB1 gene and ACE gene were carried out by polymerase chain reaction at baseline before treatment initiation. Results The baseline LVEF, end-systolic and end-diastolic dimension indexes, NT-proBNP levels, 6-minute walk test distance did not differ among patients with different genotypes of ADRB1 and ACE genes. However, carriers of T/T genotype of ADRB1 gene had a significant increasing in LVEF (<0.001) by 11% from 50.0 (48.0; 51.0) to 56.0 (53.0; 57.0)% and decreasing in end-systolic dimension index (p<0.001) by 27.7% and end-systolic dimension index (p<0.001) by 6% within 12 months of follow-up period. The levels of NT-proBNP decreased (p=0.001) by 34.2% from 327.5 (260.1; 381.8) to 213.5 (195.3; 256.7) pg/mL and 6-minute walk test distance increased (0.008) by 10%. Carriers of G/G genotype of ACE gene had the same benefits from this therapy: LVEF (<0.001) increased by 6.5% from 50.5 (47.0; 51.0) to 54.0 (50.0; 57.0)%, end-systolic dimension index (p<0.001) decreased by 5.3% and end-systolic dimension index (p<0.001) by 3% within 12 months of follow-up period. The levels of NT-proBNP decreased (p=0.005) by 20.3 from 314.1 (279.6; 372.9) to 249.9 (197.3; 267.8) pg/mL and 6-minute walk test distance increased (0.008) by 5%. Carriers of other genotypes had decreasing in LVEF, increasing in LV dimensions and NT-proBNP, and further progression of HF. Conclusion Our data suggest that evaluation of gene polymorphisms of ADRB1 (Arg389Gly, rs1801253) and ACE gene (I/D, rs4343) can be recommended before treatment initiation of anthracycline- induced cardiotoxicity in women without prior cardiovascular diseases to determine who will benefit of carvedilol and enalapril therapy. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Determinants and Prediction Equations of Six-Minute Walk Test Distance Immediately After Cardiac Surgery

Background: To date, there is no reference for a 6-min walk test distance (6-MWD) immediately after cardiac surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants and to generate equations for prediction reference for 6-MWD in patients immediately after cardiac surgery.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) prior to participation in the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program of patients after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or valve surgery. The 6-MWT were carried out in a gymnasium prior to the CR program immediately after the cardiac surgery. Available demographic and clinical data of patients were analyzed to identify the clinical determinants of 6-MWD.Results: This study obtained and analyzed the data of 1,509 patients after CABG and 632 patients after valve surgery. The 6-MWD of all patients was 321.5 ± 73.2 m (60–577). The distance was longer in the valve surgery group than that of patients in the CABG group (327.75 ± 70.5 vs. 313.59 ± 75.8 m, p < 0.001). The determinants which significantly influence the 6-MWD in the CABG group were age, gender, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and body height, whereas in the valve surgery group these were age, gender, and atrial fibrillation. The multivariable regression models generated two formulas using the identified clinical determinants for patients after CABG: 6-MWD (meter) = 212.57 + 30.47 (if male gender) − 1.62 (age in year) + 1.09 (body height in cm) − 12.68 (if with diabetes) − 28.36 (if with atrial fibrillation), and for patients after valve surgery with the formula: 6-MWD (meter) = 371.05 + 37.98 (if male gender) − 1.36 (age in years) − 10.61 (if atrial with fibrillation).Conclusion: This study identified several determinants for the 6-MWD and successively generated two reference equations for predicting 6-MWD in patients after CABG and valve surgery.

Feasibility and implementation of a personalized, web-based exercise intervention for people with cystic fibrosis for 1 year

Background Regular participation in exercise is important for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Therefore, we implemented a personalized, web-based exercise intervention over the course of one year for people with CF. The aims were to investigate the feasibility of the intervention and to evaluate changes in exercise participation, lung function, and exercise capacity. Methods In total, 11/17 participants [aged 12–52 years; FEV1%pred. 72.3 (SD: 17.3)] were included in the final data analysis. Every week, the participants received an individual training recommendation at the start and uploaded their training report on our website at the end of each week. The number of training minutes and sessions performed were analyzed over 13 four-week training sections. The participation in exercise (physical activity questionnaire), lung function and exercise capacity were assessed at baseline (T0), after 12 weeks (T1) and after 52 weeks (T2). Results A training duration of 178 min (SD: 75.5) and 3.3 (SD: 0.89) training sessions could be achieved weekly. In the first four-week training section, the participants performed 137.31 (SD: 95.7) minutes of training, with an increase of 42% in the third training section (195.01, SD: 134.99). Minutes of training reported on the questionnaire increased by 39.7% from T0 (179.38 min, SD: 120.9) to T1 (250.63 min, SD: 124.1) but decreased at T2 (166.88, SD: 155.4). There were slight decreases in lung function (FEV1 − 3.9%pred.; FVC − 1.9%pred.) and slight increases in exercise capacity (VO2peak + 1.5 ml/min/kg; six-minute-walk-test-distance + 26 m). Noticeably, five participants experienced deteriorations in their FEV1 of more than 5% but simultaneously experienced improvements in the parameters of exercise capacity of more than 5% throughout the year. Conclusions The web-based concept was feasible for the participants over the course of a year and supported exercise participation. The improvement in exercise capacity due to increased exercise participation over a prolonged period of time, despite a decrease in lung function, should be further investigated. Finally, if integrated into usual care, this approach could facilitate the prescription of regular personalized exercise and promote exercise participation in the daily lives of people with CF.

LED Luminaires: Many Chips—Many Photometric and Lighting Simulation Issues to Solve

Currently, built LED luminaires are usually multi-source. This causes a large number of photometric and simulation problems connected with computer lighting visualization. This paper highlights three key issues with these luminaires: a change in the traditional understanding of the coordinate system for these luminaires, the photometric test distance of these luminaires and the need for the photometric separation of a single LED in the computer lighting simulation process. An optical model of a linear LED luminaire used in floodlighting was formulated on this basis. The presented conclusions refer to practical applications. Thus, it is necessary to address the crucial points that specify the coordinate system for the multi-source LED luminaire by its designer and present the information in a datasheet. The other important points concern determining the appropriate photometric test distance for the multi-source LED luminaires of a given type and creating photometric files for the different distances in the operation of the luminaire. Taking the above ideas into account will lead to an improvement in the quality and accuracy of lighting measurements and simulations.

Targeting Paretic Propulsion and Walking Speed With a Soft Robotic Exosuit: A Consideration-of-Concept Trial

Background: Soft robotic exosuits can facilitate immediate increases in short- and long-distance walking speeds in people with post-stroke hemiparesis. We sought to assess the feasibility and rehabilitative potential of applying propulsion-augmenting exosuits as part of an individualized and progressive training program to retrain faster walking and the underlying propulsive strategy.Methods: A 54-yr old male with chronic hemiparesis completed five daily sessions of Robotic Exosuit Augmented Locomotion (REAL) gait training. REAL training consists of high-intensity, task-specific, and progressively challenging walking practice augmented by a soft robotic exosuit and is designed to facilitate faster walking by way of increased paretic propulsion. Repeated baseline assessments of comfortable walking speed over a 2-year period provided a stable baseline from which the effects of REAL training could be elucidated. Additional outcomes included paretic propulsion, maximum walking speed, and 6-minute walk test distance.Results: Comfortable walking speed was stable at 0.96 m/s prior to training and increased by 0.30 m/s after training. Clinically meaningful increases in maximum walking speed (Δ: 0.30 m/s) and 6-minute walk test distance (Δ: 59 m) were similarly observed. Improvements in paretic peak propulsion (Δ: 2.80 %BW), propulsive power (Δ: 0.41 W/kg), and trailing limb angle (Δ: 6.2 degrees) were observed at comfortable walking speed (p's < 0.05). Likewise, improvements in paretic peak propulsion (Δ: 4.63 %BW) and trailing limb angle (Δ: 4.30 degrees) were observed at maximum walking speed (p's < 0.05).Conclusions: The REAL training program is feasible to implement after stroke and capable of facilitating rapid and meaningful improvements in paretic propulsion, walking speed, and walking distance.

Effects of a period without mandatory physical training on maximum oxygen uptake and anthropometric parameters in naval cadets

The effects of a period without physical training on the civilian population are well established. However, no studies show the effects of a period without mandatory physical training on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and anthropometric parameters in naval cadets. This study aimed to investigate changes in VO2 max and anthropometric parameters after 12 weeks without mandatory physical training in naval cadets. The sample was 38 healthy and physically active naval cadets. The measured variables, including VO2 max and anthropometric parameters, were evaluated through the 12-minute race test (12MRT) and the somatotype. Both variables had a separation of 12 weeks without mandatory physical training. A t-test for related samples was used to evidence changes between the test and post-test; effect size was calculated through Cohen’s d-test. Distance in 12MRT and VO2 max showed significant decreases at the end of 12 weeks without mandatory physical training (p < 0.001). Likewise, the tricipital skinfold thickness and the endomorphic component showed significant increases (p < 0.05). 12 weeks without mandatory physical training significantly reduces the VO2 max in naval cadets. Simultaneously, the same period without physical training increases both the tricipital skinfold thickness and the endomorphic component in this population.

Effects of Supervised Exercise-based Telerehabilitation on Walk Test Performance and Quality of Life in Patients in India with Chronic Disease: Combatting COVID-19

Background: The world is currently undergoing a pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). According to the World Health Organization, patients with chronic illnesses appear to be at the highest risk for COVID-19 associated sequelae. Inability to participate in outpatient-based rehabilitation programs and being home-bound can increase the risk for and potential worsening of chronic health conditions. This study evaluated the short-term effects of telerehabilitation on patients’ walk test performance and health related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: 47 patients (23 cardiovascular, 15 pulmonary, 9 oncology) participated in the telerehabilitation program. At baseline and following a 1-month intervention, patients had their 6-minute walk test distance (6MWTD) and HRQoL assessed. Average daily step counts were measured by the PACER App. Conclusion: Our results indicate that a short-term, supervised virtual telerehabilitation program had significant positive effects on 6MWTD and HRQoL in cardiac, pulmonary and oncology patients during COVID-19.

Effects of Wireless Remote Microphone on Speech Recognition in Noise for Hearing Aid Users in China

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating improvements in speech-in-noise recognition ability as measured by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with the use of wireless remote microphone technology. These microphones transmit digital signals via radio frequency directly to hearing aids and may be a valuable assistive listening device for the hearing-impaired population of Mandarin speakers in China.Methods: Twenty-three adults (aged 19–80 years old) and fourteen children (aged 8–17 years old) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were recruited. The Mandarin Hearing in Noise Test was used to test speech recognition ability in adult subjects, and the Mandarin Hearing in Noise Test for Children was used for children. The subjects’ perceived SNR was measured using sentence recognition ability at three different listening distances of 1.5, 3, and 6 m. At each distance, SNR was obtained under three device settings: hearing aid microphone alone, wireless remote microphone alone, and hearing aid microphone and wireless remote microphone simultaneously.Results: At each test distance, for both adult and pediatric groups, speech-in-noise recognition thresholds were significantly lower with the use of the wireless remote microphone in comparison with the hearing aid microphones alone (P &lt; 0.05), indicating better SNR performance with the wireless remote microphone. Moreover, when the wireless remote microphone was used, test distance had no effect on speech-in-noise recognition for either adults or children.Conclusion: Wireless remote microphone technology can significantly improve speech recognition performance in challenging listening environments for Mandarin speaking hearing aid users in China.