Use of Nanosilica for Increasing Dune Erosion Resistance during a Sea Storm

none6siopenLeone, E.; Kobayashi, N.; Francone, A.; De Bartolo, S.; Strafella, D.; D’Alessandro, F.; Tomasicchio, G.R.,Leone, E.; Kobayashi, N.; Francone, A.; De Bartolo, S.; Strafella, D.; D’Alessandro, F.; Tomasicchio, G. R

RELAZIONE TRA HANDGRIP E FAMILIARITÀ AL DIABETE DI TIPO 2: UNO STUDIO PILOTA/ RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TYPE 2 DIABETES AND HANDGRIP: RESULTS OF A PILOT STUDY

Obiettivo: È stata analizzata la possibile relazione, su un campione della popolazione siciliana, tra il grado di familiarità al diabete di tipo 2, i parametri antropometrici ed alcuni test di forza specifica. Materiali e metodi: In modalità random sono stati selezionati 88 uomini e 27 donne, distinti in FH- (assenza di familiarità per il diabete di tipo 2), FH+ (con un componente in linea indiretta con la malattia) ed FH++ (con un genitore affetto dalla malattia). Sono stati rilevati i parametri antropometrici, i parametri cardiovascolari ed è stato rilevato l’handgrip ad entrambe le mani. Le differenze tra i gruppi sono state analizzate con il test ANOVA ed attraverso correlazioni parametriche abbiamo verificato eventuali associazioni (Pearson). Risultati: È emerso che uomini e donne FH++ tendono ad avere un significativo incremento dell’indice di massa corporea (p<0,05) associato ad un incremento statisticamente significativo dei valori basali di pressione arteriosa diastolica (p<0,05). Non sono emerse differenze statisticamente significative tra i gruppi (FH- vs FH+ vs FH++) relativamente ai valori di handgrip espressi dalla mano destra e sinistra, in valore assoluto e relativo. Dallo studio delle correlazioni emerge una importante influenza del peso corporeo sul rendimento dei soggetti al test dell’handgrip (>.40). Conclusioni: La familiarità diretta al diabete di tipo 2 si correla con degli incrementi statisticamente significativi del peso corporeo e dei valori pressori cardiovascolari, indicando che questa popolazione risulta essere maggiormente a rischio per l’evoluzione della stessa malattia. Progetti di prevenzione sono auspicabili in tal senso. L’handgrip risulta essere fortemente correlato ai parametri antropometrici, pertanto indirettamente anche con la familiarità alla malattia. Un’estensione dello studio è auspicabile, al fine di poter meglio comprendere i fenomeni.Objectives: the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between family history to type 2 diabetes, anthropometrics characteristics and some fitness tests. Materials and methods: we randomly selected 88 men and 27 women, distinguishing on FH- (absence of family history to type 2 diabetes), on FH+ (with a familiar component with disease) and FH++ (with parent affected to diabetes). We recorded anthropometric parameters, basal blood pressure values and handgrip of both hands. The differences between the groups were analyzed with ANOVA test and Pearson’s correlation. Results: participants FH++ of both sexes showed a statistically significant increase of body mass index (p<0,05) and a significant increase of basal diastolic blood pressure (p<0,05). No family history-related differences were found on handgrip results in absolute and relative values, but the lower numbers of subgroups might have affected the statistical analysis. Correlation analysis showed that parameters like body weight, body mass index and body surface area are able to influence the handgrip test of both hands. Conclusion: family history to type 2 diabetes is strongly related to body weight and basal blood pressure values, confirming that FH++ participants have a major risk to develop disease compared to FH- participants. Handgrip test is strongly related to anthropometric parameters. The sample size represents the major limit of the study. More data are needed to confirm the association between variables

Predicting Lead Vehicle Velocity for Eco-Driving in the Absence of V2V Information

Accurately predicting the future behavior of the surrounding traffic, especially the velocity of the lead vehicle is important for optimizing the energy consumption and improve the safety of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs). Several studies report methods to predict short-to-mid-length lead vehicle velocity using stochastic models or other data-driven techniques, which require availability of extensive data and/or Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication. In the absence of connectivity, or in data-restricted cases, the prediction must rely only on the measured position and relative velocity of the lead vehicle at the current time. This paper proposes two velocity predictors to predict short-to-mid-length lead vehicle velocity. The first predictor is based on a Constant Acceleration (CA) with an augmented stop mode. The second one is based on a modified Enhanced Driver Model (EDM-LOS) with line-of-sight feature. Both predictors rely only on information on the present values of lead vehicle position and velocity to compute a future velocity estimate. An analysis is done to compare the prediction accuracy of the proposed predictors with different experimental driving data recorded using an OBD2 scanner plugged into a passenger vehicle. Finally, the predicted lead vehicle velocity is utilized to formulate time-gap constraints for the eco-driving optimal control problem, solved via Model Predictive Control (MPC). The energy savings of the considered velocity predictors are evaluated by performing a large-scale simulation study. The proposed velocity predictor provides closest energy savings to a wait-and-see solution for a CAV in absence of V2V communication

THE EFFECT OF MOZART’S MUSIC IN SEVERE EPILEPSY: FUNCTIONAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES

Music is a very important factor in everyday life, involving mood, emotions and memories. The effect of music on the brain is very debated. Certainly, music activates a complex network of neurones in auditory areas, mesolimbic areas, cerebellum and multisensory areas. In particular, music exerts its effects on the brain of patients with epilepsy, having a dichotomous influence: it can either be seizure-promoting in musicogenic epilepsy or antiepileptic. Several studies have shown that seizure-prone neural networks may be stimulated by certain periodicities while other frequencies may prevent seizure activity. There are a lot of data in the literature about the so-called "Mozart effect" (Rauscher et al. 1993). In previous studies we observed that in institutionalized subjects with severe/profound intellectual disability and drug-resistant epilepsy, a systematic music listening protocol reduced the frequency of seizures in about 50% of the cases. In this study we are conducting a survey on the observation of what happens to the brain of patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy through electroencephalographic investigations, brain MRI and behavioural analysis before and after six months of listening to Mozart music (Sonata K.448). The first step is to present the data of the first patient under investigation

THE EFFECT OF MOZART’S MUSIC IN SEVERE EPILEPSY: FUNCTIONAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES

Music is a very important factor in everyday life, involving mood, emotions and memories. The effect of music on the brain is very debated. Certainly, music activates a complex network of neurones in auditory areas, mesolimbic areas, cerebellum and multisensory areas. In particular, music exerts its effects on the brain of patients with epilepsy, having a dichotomous influence: it can either be seizure-promoting in musicogenic epilepsy or antiepileptic. Several studies have shown that seizure-prone neural networks may be stimulated by certain periodicities while other frequencies may prevent seizure activity. There are a lot of data in the literature about the so-called "Mozart effect" (Rauscher et al. 1993). In previous studies we observed that in institutionalized subjects with severe/profound intellectual disability and drug-resistant epilepsy, a systematic music listening protocol reduced the frequency of seizures in about 50% of the cases. In this study we are conducting a survey on the observation of what happens to the brain of patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy through electroencephalographic investigations, brain MRI and behavioural analysis before and after six months of listening to Mozart music (Sonata K.448). The first step is to present the data of the first patient under investigation

Clinical longevity of direct and indirect posterior resin composite restorations: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To answer the PICO(S) question: Is there a difference in clinical longevity between direct and indirect resin composite restorations placed on permanent posterior teeth? Data: Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) investigating direct and indirect resin composite restorations in posterior permanent teeth were considered. Sources: Several electronic databases were searched, with no language or date restrictions. The revised Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias (RoB-2) was used to analyze the studies; meta-analyses were run and the certainty of evidence was assessed by the GRADE tool. A subgroup meta-analysis was performed for resin composite restorations placed on posterior worn dentition. Study selection: Twenty-three articles were included in qualitative synthesis, while 8 studies were used for meta- analyses. According to the RoB-2 tool, 5 studies were ranked as “low risk”, 7 had “some concerns”, while 11 papers were rated as “high risk” of bias. There were no statistically significant differences in short-term (p = 0.27; RR=1.54, 95% CI [0.72, 3.33]), medium-term (p = 0.27; RR=1.87, 95% CI [0.61, 5.72]) and long-term longevity (p = 0.86; RR=0.95, 95% CI [0.57, 1.59]). The choice of restorative technique had no influence on short-term survival of resin composite restorations placed on worn dentition (p = 0.13; RR=0.46, 95% CI [0.17, 1.25]). The certainty of evidence was rated as “very low”. Conclusions: Direct and indirect resin composite restorations may show similar clinical longevity in posterior region, regardless of the observation period or substrate (wear-affected and non-affected dentition). The very low quality of evidence suggests that more long-term RCTs are needed to confirm our results

Efficacy and safety of venous angioplasty of the extracranial veins for multiple sclerosis. Brave Dreams Study (Brain Venous Drainage Exploited Against Multiple Sclerosis): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a disabling progressive course. Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has recently been described as a vascular condition characterized by restricted venous outflow from the brain, mainly due to blockages of the internal jugular and azygos veins. Despite a wide variability among studies, it has been found to be associated with MS. Data from a few small case series suggest possible improvement of the clinical course and quality of life by performing percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA) of the stenotic veins.Study design and methodsThis is a multicenter, randomized, parallel group, blinded, sham-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of PTA. Participants with relapsing remitting MS or secondary progressive MS and a sonographic diagnosis of CCSVI will be enrolled after providing their informed consent. Each participant will be centrally randomized to receive catheter venography and PTA or catheter venography and sham PTA. Two primary end points with respect to efficacy at 12 months are (1) a combined end point obtained through the integration of five functional indicators, walking, balance, manual dexterity, bladder control, and visual acuity, objectively measured by instruments; and (2) number of new brain lesions measured by T2-weighted MRI sequences. Secondary end points include annual relapse rate, change in Expanded Disability Status Scale score, proportion of patients with zero, one or two, or more than two relapses; fatigue; anxiety and depression; general cognitive state; memory/attention/calculus; impact of bladder incontinence; and adverse events. Six hundred seventy-nine patients will be recruited. The follow-up is scheduled at 12 months. Patients, treating neurologists, trained outcome assessors, and the statistician in charge of data analysis will be masked to the assigned treatment. DISCUSSION: The study will provide an answer regarding the efficacy of PTA on patients' functional disability in balance, motor, sensory, visual and bladder function, cognitive status, and emotional status, which are meaningful clinical outcomes, beyond investigating the effects on inflammation. In fact, an important part of patients' expectations, sustained and amplified by anecdotal data, has to do precisely with these functional aspects.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01371760

Plasmon resonance optical tuning based on photosensitive composite structures

This paper reports a numerical investigation of a periodic metallic structure sandwiched between two quartz plates. The volume comprised between the quartz plates and the metallic structure is infiltrated by a mixture of azo-dye-doped liquid crystal. The exposure to a low power visible light beam modifies the azo dye molecular configuration, thus allowing the wavelength shift of the resonance of the system. The wavelength shift depends on the geometry of the periodic structure and it also depends on the intensity of the visible light beam