APPLICATIONS OF THE INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY TO THE ASSESSMENT OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS: A CASE STUDY IN PISA

Measuring the thermal response of materials in building assessment has a wide range of applications concerning not only the thermophysical aspects, but also the structural ones. The last topic is particularly interesting in the context of historic buildings, where the modern tools for surface temperature measurement are capable of providing many useful information: the masonry texture and the materials detection under the plaster are the fundamentals for the evaluation of the structural behavior and for the selection of the strengthening and restoration criteria. In this regard, the full-field, contactless and real time investigation makes the infrared thermography indispensable. The thermographic technique is taken here into consideration in an emblematic case study

An Asymmetric Fingerprint Matching Algorithm for Java Card

A novel fingerprint matching algorithm is proposed in this paper. The algorithm is based on the minutiae local structures, that are invariant with respect to global transformations like translation and rotation. Match algorithm has been implemented inside a smartcard over the Java Card? platform, meeting the individual\u27s need for information privacy and the overall authentication procedure security, since the card owner biometric template never leaves the private support device and the match is computed inside a secure environment. The main characteristic of the algorithm is to have an asymmetric behaviour between correct positive matches (between two same fingerprint samples) and correct negative matches (between two different fingerprint images): in the first case, the match procedure stops as it finds that images belong to the same fingerprint, gaining high speed efficiency, while in the second case the verification process lasts longer, exploring all the minutiae pairings. The performances in terms of authentication reliability and speed have been tested on the databases from the Fingerprint Verification Competition 2002 edition (FVC2002) by taking in account the different hardware to run the algorithms. Moreover, our procedure has showed better reliability results when compared on a common database with a related algorithm developed specifically for Java Card?

Effect of a fatty meal on inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers with a family history of type 2 diabetes

A family history of type 2 diabetes (T2D) confers a high risk of developing the disease, independent of that due to other common risk factors. Postprandial state is a pro-inflammatory condition associated with a transiently impaired endothelial function; an increased oxidative stress is considered as a mediator of such effects in T2D. We evaluated the short-term effect of a lipid meal on markers of early vascular damage in subjects at risk of developing T2D. A total of thirty-two healthy volunteers, divided according to the presence (FHD+) or absence (FHD - ) of a family history of T2D, underwent a fatty meal test. We measured the monocyte mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β, and IL-6, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and nitrotyrosine plasma concentrations at baseline and in the post-meal phase, relating them to the lipid profile and other biochemical parameters. The basal expression of the cytokines did not differ in FHD - and FHD+ subjects; neither was it modified by the meal ingestion. IL-6 and sCD40L plasma levels, similar in the two groups in the fasting state, did not vary after the meal. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 increased in FHD+ subjects but not in FHD - subjects. Nitrotyrosine, similar between the FHD - and FHD+ subjects at baseline, increased more in FHD+ subjects than in FHD - subjects after the meal. In conclusion, the presence of a familial history of T2D confers an abnormal endothelial activation after an oral lipid meal, coupled with an increased oxidative stress, supporting the hypothesis of an early endothelial dysfunction already present in healthy individuals prone to develop T2D

Revamping of the Mantova Chemical District as short-chain lignocellulosic biorefinery

The Mantova Chemical District is a Site of National (and European) Interest (SIN). It comprises an oil refinery specialized in gasoline owned by Mol and Ies societies, a petrochemical plant (olefins) owned by Eni Versalis, an air separation unit and a reformer plant owned by Sapio and a series of industries working in the area of chipboard. Nowadays the oil refinery is off and the industrial network is deeply suffering from it; authorities at all levels (town, province, region, and ministry) are moving fast to convert the old facility into a biorefinery. This paper illustrates the studies and partial results of the funded project BioMAN for the conversion of the old refinery into a lignocellulosic biorefinery. A process framework was proposed for the establishment of an integrated biorefinery based on stablished and emerging technologies. In future works, a further elaboration of such scheme will allow determining optimal operating conditions through optimization algorithms. A preliminary economical assessment of methanol production showed potential for revenue production: accumulated net income was 61 mi £ in five years. Methanol production was 50 kt per year; the yearly amount of biomass required, approximately 160 kt, is in agreement with current reports of local availability

On the Hardness of the Lee Syndrome Decoding Problem

In this paper we study the hardness of the syndrome decoding problem over finite rings endowed with the Lee metric. We first prove that the decisional version of the problem is NP-complete, by a reduction from the 3-dimensional matching problem. Then, we study the actual complexity of solving the problem, by translating the best known solvers in the Hamming metric over finite fields to the Lee metric over finite rings, as well as proposing some novel solutions. For the analyzed algorithms, we assess the computational complexity in both the finite and asymptotic regimes.Comment: Part of this work appeared as preliminary results in arXiv:2001.0842

Routine invasive mediastinal staging of lung cancer in elderly patients without lymph adenopathy on pet-ct scan: Is an appropriate choice?

We have reviewed the literature to clarify if routine invasive mediastinal staging is indicated also in Stage I elderly patients screened with PET/CT scan. Nineteen papers were chosen to answer the question. Occult pN2 disease was < 10% in five papers; between 10-16% in four papers; and > 16% in four papers.Significant risk factors for occult pN2 disease are the SUV value of primary tumor (seven papers), central tumor (four papers), tumor > 3 cm (five papers), adenocarcinoma histology (five papers) and cN1 disease(two papers). Two papers found that unexpected pN2 patients had a better survival than cN2 patients operated after induction therapy. Invasive mediastinal staging is recommended also in cN0 patients with central tumor or with peripheral tumor > 3 cm

Adipocytokine levels mark endothelial function in normotensive individuals

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Inflammatory mediators released by the adipose tissue can lead to local insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. This study addressed the relationship of adipocytokines with endothelial function and blood pressure. METHODS: In 92 newly diagnosed, drug-naïve essential hypertensive patients (HT, mean age 49 yrs) without organ damage and 66 normotensive subjects (NT, mean age 47 yrs), by an automated system, we measured endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation as brachial artery flow-mediated dilation before and after administration of glyceryl-trinitrate. Retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) and resistin levels were determined by ELISA and RIA, respectively. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring serum malondyaldehyde (MDA). RESULTS: Flow-mediated dilation was significantly (p = 0.03) lower in HT (5.3 ± 2.6%) than NT (6.1 ± 3.1%), while response to glyceryl-trinitrate (7.5 ± 3.7% vs 7.9 ± 3.4%) was similar. RBP4 (60.6 ± 25.1 vs 61.3 ± 25.9 μg/ml), resistin (18.8 ± 5.3 vs 19.9 ± 6.1 ng/ml) and MDA levels (2.39 ± 1.26 vs 2.08 ± 1.17 nmol/ml) were not different in HT and NT. RBP4 (r = −0.25; p = 0.04) and resistin levels (r = −0.29; p = 0.03) were related to flow-mediated dilation in NT, but not in HT (r = −0.03 and r = −0.10, respectively). In NT, multivariate analysis including RBP4 and confounders showed that only BMI or waist circumference remained related to flow- mediated dilation. In the multivariate model including resistin and confounders, BMI, age and resistin were significantly related to flow-mediated dilation, while only age significant correlated with this parameter when BMI was replaced by waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Adipocytokine levels may be independent predictors of endothelial dysfunction in the peripheral circulation of healthy subjects, providing a pathophysiological link between inflammation from adipose tissue and early vascular alterations

Retail crowding: meta-analysis of contextual and cultural moderators

De Oliveira Santini, F., Ladeira, W. J., Pinto, D. C., Herter, M. M., Mattila, A. S., & Perin, M. G. (2022). Retail crowding: meta-analysis of contextual and cultural moderators. Marketing Intelligence and Planning, 40(1), 57-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/MIP-03-2021-0076Purpose – Although academics and retail managers share a common belief that crowded stores generate more sales, there is a growing concern about the negative impact of retail crowding on customer relationship management (CRM). This research aims to understand the underlying processes driving the effect, and it explores potential moderators that may mitigate the negative effects on consumer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – This research employs a meta-analysis on retail crowding effects and potential moderators. Findings – The integrative model of retail crowding reveals that social needs, crowd similarity, crowd expectation and uncertainty avoidance mitigate the negative retail crowding effects on satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – The authors advance the retailing literature by synthesizing recent studies on retail crowding. The findings also provide a clearer understanding of the mediating role of negative emotions in the relationship between retail crowding and satisfaction. Practical implications – This research offers guidance for retail managers on how to mitigate the harmful effects of crowding on customer satisfaction. Originality/value – This research contributes to the retailing literature and offers guidance for retailers on how to mitigate the harmful effects of crowding on customer satisfaction. Our moderation analyses provide insights into how and when crowding drives consumer satisfaction.authorsversionpublishe

Messa a punto di un metodo per l'individuazione di β-1,3- glucanasi e chitinasi attraverso Native PAGE su estratti di piante di Prunus avium L. inoculate con Phytophthora spp.

Tecnique to detect on ß-1,3- glucanase and chitinasi by native PAGE, in Prunus avium (L.)clones inoculated with Phytophthora spp. ß-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities have been detected by native PAGE (poliacrylamide gel electrophoresis) on leaf extracts of wild cherry (P. avium) inoculated with different species of Phytophthora spp.. These pathogens are aggressive in wild cherry and they can cause wiltings and death of the plant. These two PR (pathogen-related) proteins are normally produced by plants as first resistance strategy towards pathogens. The PR activities are involved in ifal cell wall degradation and growth. Usually, the techniques to detect them are based on colorimetric assay performed with the total protein extracts or in the poliacrylamide gels, through expensive procedures. In this work a direct colorimetric detection on a Carboximetil (cm)-Curdlan RBB (Remazol Brilliant Blu) and Glycol Chitosan substrate, is used to reveal ß-1,3-glucanase and chitinasi respectively. This protocol resulted to be very sensible in detecting the two proteins, very simply, reliable and cheap