This paper analyzes the problem of DC cable selection in photovoltaic (PV) plants. PV plants can have tens of kilometres of one-way cables that are important parts of the system. The currents flowing through these cables can reach values of several hundred amps. Losses incurred on DC cables are up to 1%, which can be significant when measuring power loss during the operating period. Reduction of these losses can be achieved by increasing the cross-section of the cable. The paper describes the requirements set by the standards for selecting cable cross-sections. An analytical criterion function that connects electricity losses and cable crosssection were deduced. This function depends on several parameters such as electricity price, cable price, the average number of sunny hours per year, average amount of electricity through cable, interest rate, loan repayment period, and plant operation period. Several cases with the analysis of the obtained results are presented.

INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS

Abstract Objectives: This study evaluates the effect of post-activation potentiation (PAP) after 5x5s maximal voluntary isometric contractions (activation stimulus, AS) on tensiomyography (TMG) and torque twitch contractile parameters of vastus lateralis (VL) and medialis (VM), respectively. Further, we validated the decomposition of TMG response to separate responses of three fiber types. Methods: 15 healthy individuals participated in this study (40% women; age 19±2.3 years). A decomposition of VL TMG response was done after optimal fitting of three exponential curves. Results: We found main effects in contraction time (Tc) for muscle, method and time. Furthermore, we found interactions between muscle*method, method*time and muscle*method*time. Compared to PRE AS, we found shorter TMG Tc in VL and VM during the first two minutes after AS. Torque Tc remained unchanged in VL, while it increased in VM within 30 seconds after AS. A decomposition of VL TMG response confirmed PAP effects being present only in decomposed type IIb muscle fibers. Conclusion: The TMG is a sensitive method to detect PAP effects with a sensor mounted directly above the muscle belly. After the decomposition of the TMG signal to three separate muscle fiber phenotypes, we provided a non-invasive insight in the contribution of each muscle fiber phenotype to the PAP of the whole muscle.

There are still not enough findings to elucidate how exactly alcohol use impairs cognitive abilities. Some studies have shown that there is a link between alcohol intake and vitamin D levels, but these findings are inconsistent so further research is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and cognitive impairment in alcohol-dependent individuals. A case-control study was carried out including a total of N = 132 respondents with a medical history of alcoholism, and healthy volunteers. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) screening tools were used for cognitive status assessment and serum vitamin D levels analysis (blood samples of respondents). Significant difference (p = 0.022), was found in vitamin D levels in the alcohol-dependent group with cognitive deficiency 13.7 ± 9.4 (ng/mL), alcohol-dependent group without cognitive deficiency 19.5 ± 11.2 (ng/mL) and healthy controls 19.9 ± 11.1 (ng/mL), respectively. Furthermore, vitamin D levels were significantly different across all groups based on MoCa (p = 0.016) and ACE-R (p = 0.004) scores. All three groups exhibited vitamin D deficiency. A significant correlation was found between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment, but it yielded no significant difference in alcohol-dependent individuals.

Background: Carbohydrates are mainly substrates for energy metabolism and can affect satiety, blood glucose levels, insulin secretion, and fat metabolism. Their amount and type in the diet affect metabolic responses. High-carbohydrate diets, particularly high sugar consumption, are considered particularly harmful because of their specific characteristics related to postprandial metabolism, effects on hunger and satiety, and thus on caloric intake and energy balance. The European Food Safety Authority has suggested that the reference intake for carbohydrates should be between 45 and 60% of total energy requirements and less than 10% should be added sugars, especially for children. Objective: Investigate the proportion and type of carbohydrates in the diets of children in early adolescence in two territorially distinct areas, the continental and the Mediterranean. Methods: The study was conducted as part of a longitudinal cohort study. The survey was conducted in elementary schools in two regions: continental and Mediterranean. The School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey was used for research purposes. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were applied for data analysis. Results: A total of 1,411 respondents of both sexes aged 12-15 years, 729 boys and 678 girls, participated in the study. The intake of carbohydrates in the total sample is represented in the daily intake of 59%. The proportion of natural sugar in the diet of boys is statistically significantly higher in the continental compared to the Mediterranean region at the age of 12-13 years (p = 0.002), 13-14 years (p = 0.049), and 14-15 years (p = 0.002). Added sugars in total carbohydrate intake are statistically significantly higher in girls in the Mediterranean region compared to the continental region at ages 12-13 years (p = 0.048), 13-14 years (p = 0.001), and 14-15 years (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The high intake of added sugars in children in the Mediterranean region is of concern, although the intake in the continental area is well above current recommendations. Therefore, one of the public health goals is to promote proper nutrition as well as the availability of healthy foods in schools, especially during early adolescence when proper eating habits are adopted.

Out of all benign tumors of the ceruminous glands, syringocystadenoma papilliferum is the rarest and represents only 2% of cases. It is an extremely rare benign tumor that originates from modified apocrine sweat glands. The aim of this paper was to present, according to our findings, the 18th case of syringocystadenoma papilliferum in the external auditory canal, with a detailed review of its clinical, radiological and histomorphological characteristics. A 59-year-old man reported to our clinic due to a 5×5 mm papillomatous growth at the entrance to the right external auditory canal. Histopathology indicated, after an excisional biopsy, that it was a syringocystadenoma papilliferum. The resection lines were free of tumor tissue, and the patient has no signs of tumor recurrence. Although rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of lesions in this region. Complete excision is mandatory in order to avoid recurrence and potential malignant alteration.

Introduction Various side effects and complications in the perioperative period can occur with the use of hyperbaric lidocaine and bupivacaine. Goal Comparative presentation of the occurrence of side effects and complications of hyperbaric lidocaine and bupivacaine during spinal anesthesia in our patients. Methods The study was retrospective and included 178 patients of both sexes. Patients were divided into two groups. In Group I (n-98) hyperbaric lidocaine 5% was used for spinal block. Group II (n-80) was divided into 2 subgroups, A- where hyperbaric Markain 0.5% was used (n-51), and B (n-29) where hyperbaric Sensorkain 0.75% was used. In the study, we analyzed gender, age, block onset, and complications. Results There were 98 patients in Group I, 79 males and 19 females. There were 80 patients in Group II, 69 males and 11 females. The mean age of patients in Group I was 44.96 and in Group II 48.16 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the age of patients in both groups p> 0.05 (p = 0.2321). The occurrence of spinal block occurred significantly faster in Group I compared to group II (p <0.0001), and in subgroup B faster than in subgroup A (p <0.005). The clinical occurrence of complications and side effects during spinal anesthesia is somewhat more common in spinal block with 5% lidocaine. Conclusion The compared incidence of adverse perioperative clinical effects and complications after administration of hyperbaric lidocaine and bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia was not statistically significant.

Introduction Healthcare utilisation requires knowing one’s entitlements and how to access them (navigation) and having access to grievance redressal when entitlements are denied. To ensure citizen access to and use of health insurance entitlements, the Health Insurance Fund established an initiative called the Protector of Patients’ Health Insurance Entitlements (PPHIE). PPHIEs are supposed to provide patient navigation and grievance redressal services. This paper explores to what extent this initiative meets its objectives and is used by the elderly in rural areas. Methods This study employed a mixed methods approach. We conducted in-depth interviews with elderly patients in rural areas, PPHIEs, health providers and health insurance managers (N=39), as well as focus groups (N=5) and a household survey (N=715) with elderly rural patients. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis, and the household survey results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results The majority of elderly patients were not aware of the PPHIE initiative and instead received patient navigation support from their healthcare providers. The PPHIE programme was poorly publicised among the population. Although PPHIEs had a mandate to pursue grievance redressal they rarely did so, and their role in the system was more symbolic than functional. Conclusion While healthcare providers have (by default) filled the navigation role left by inactive PPHIEs, the grievance redressal role remains unfilled. Information about health insurance entitlements and access to grievance redressal must be provided through visible, accessible and efficient mechanisms that should be continuously monitored and improved.

Due to higher requirements for achieving sustainable development goals, current challenging sociopolitical climate and internationalization, business models remain problematic, resulting in a more complex global competition among firms and the need for sustainability incorporation. Throughout this study, a conceptual model based on the systematic literature review was applied as the methodology, with the study's purpose to propose the new Model of Continuous Enterprise Sustainability, which is designed to facilitate and enhance enterprise management in today's demanding and complex business environment by providing concise steps for effectively incorporating sustainability into day‐to‐day business activities. Five essential components, through their interconnectedness, form the Model of Continuous Enterprise Sustainability, which smooth the path of sustainable management in a dynamic environment, which are as follows: (1) situational factors, (2) creating factors/processes, (3) triple‐sustainable results, (4) organizational results, and (5) continuous stakeholder communication, optimization, innovation and learning. This conceptual model contributes in the first line to advancement and detail explanation of how to achieve sustainable human, financial and natural resources management within enterprises. In addition to directions for sustainable internal resources management, this model also involves clarification how to strategically manage with external resources and prime stakeholders in order to integrate meaningful sustainability matters in firm's business core and create continuously greater value for firm and its prime interested parties.