Statistical Parameters of Steel Rebars of Reinforced Concrete Existing Structures

Historical and cognitive investigations supported by in-situ and/or laboratory tests are needed for a robust reliability assessment of existing structures. Indeed, an adequate knowledge of material properties and their statistical description is the basis for carrying out accurate reliability analyses and verifications on the investigated structures. In this paper, a procedure for the definition of pdfs of mechanical parameters of steel rebars is proposed based on secondary experimental test data. This information is very helpful for the reliability assessment of existing r.c. buildings, where estimation of statistical parameters of mechanical properties of steel reinforcement is very difficult. In fact. It must be highlighted on the one hand that direct information about the examined structure are commonly not sufficient, on the other hand that the number of rebar samples extracted from the structure, if available, is so limited that it does not allow a complete statistical analysis. The first step has been the collection of experimental acceptance tests carried out by Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering of University of Pisa on steel rebars of reinforced concrete (r.c.) structures during the 1960s. The yield strength and the tensile strength are extrapolated for each sample defining a significant database of experimental test results for existing r.c. structures. Then, probability distribution models for the mechanical properties of steel reinforcement have been defined as already done by the authors for concrete strength. A cluster analysis has been carried out based on the Gaussian Mixture Model applying the Expectation-Maximization algorithm to identify homogeneous material classes and their associated pdfs of material mechanical parameters. The main advantage of proposed procedure consists in its “blindness”, In fact, not requiring subjective information like pre-classification of data, the methodology is not sensitive to alterations caused by engineering judgement or by inexact identification of declared strength class of the tested samples, due for example to downgraded materials

Organic cation transporters (OCTs/OCTNs) in human primary alveolar epithelial cells.

Abstract Alveolar epithelium, besides exerting a key role in gas exchange and surfactant production, plays important functions in host defense and inflammation. Pathological conditions associated to alveolar dysfunction include Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The use of predictive in vitro models of human alveolar epithelium is nowadays required for the study of disease mechanisms, as well as of pharmacokinetic parameters of pulmonary drugs delivery. Here, we employed a novel 3D model of human alveoli, namely EpiAlveolar™, consisting of primary alveolar epithelial cells, pulmonary endothelial cells and fibroblasts, that reflects properly the in vivo-like conditions. In EpiAlveolar™ we performed a characterization of Organic Cation Transporters (OCTs and OCTNs) expression and activity and we found that OCTN2, OCT1 and OCT3 are expressed on the basolateral membrane; instead, ATB0,+ transporter for cationic and neutral amino acids, which shares with OCTN2 the affinity for carnitine as substrate, is readily detectable and functional at the apical side. We also show that these transporters differentially interact with anticholinergic drugs. Overall, our findings reveal close similarities of EpiAlveolar™ with the tracheal/bronchial epithelium (EpiAirway™ model) and entrust this alveolar tissue as a potential tool for the screening of biopharmaceuticals molecules

Real-world Outcomes of Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Treated With Polatuzumab Vedotin-based Therapy

: After FDA and EMA approval of the regimen containing polatuzumab vedotin plus rituximab and bendamustine (PolaBR), eligible relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients in Italy were granted early access through a Named Patient Program. A multicentric observational retrospective study was conducted focusing on the effectiveness and safety of PolaBR in everyday clinical practice. Fifty-five patients were enrolled. There were 26 females (47.3%), 32 patients were primary refractory and 45 (81.8%) resulted refractory to their last therapy. The decision to add or not bendamustine was at physician's discretion. Thirty-six patients underwent PolaBR, and 19 PolaR. The 2 groups did not differ in most of baseline characteristics. The final overall response rate was 32.7% (18.2% complete response rate), with a best response rate of 49.1%. Median disease-free survival was reached at 12 months, median progression-free survival at 4.9 months and median overall survival at 9 months, respectively. Overall, 88 adverse events (AEs) were registered during treatment in 31 patients, 22 of grade ≥3. Eight cases of neuropathy occurred, all of grades 1-2 and all related to polatuzumab. The two groups of treatment did not differ for effectiveness endpoints but presented statistically significant difference in AEs occurrence, especially in hematological AEs, in AEs of grade equal or greater than 3 and in incidence of neuropathy. Our data add useful information on the effectiveness of Pola(B)R in the setting of heavily pretreated DLBCL and may also suggest a better tolerability in absence of bendamustine without compromise of efficacy

Candidate germline biomarkers of lenalidomide efficacy in mantle cell lymphoma: the FIL MCL0208 trial

In the FIL MCL0208 phase III trial, lenalidomide maintenance (LEN) after transplantation (ASCT) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs observation (OBS). The host pharmacogenetic background was analyzed to decipher whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes encoding transmembrane transporters, metabolic enzymes, or cell surface receptors might predict drug efficacy. Genotypes were obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood (PB) germ line DNA. Polymorphisms of either ABCB1 or VEGF were found in 69% and 79% of 278 patients and predicted favorable PFS vs homozygous wild type (WT) in the LEN arm: 3-year PFS 85% vs 70% (p < 0.05) and 85% vs 60% (p < 0.01), respectively. Patients carrying both ABCB1 and VEGF WT had the poorest 3-year PFS (46%) and overall survival (OS, 76%): in fact, in these patients LEN did not improve PFS vs OBS (3-year PFS 44% vs 60%, p = 0.62). Moreover, CRBN polymorphism (n = 28) was associated with lenalidomide dose reduction or discontinuation. Finally, ABCB1, NCF4, and GSTP1 polymorphisms predicted lower hematological toxicity during induction, while ABCB1 and CRBN polymorphisms predicted lower risk of grade ≥3 infections. This study demonstrates that specific SNPs represent candidate predictive biomarkers of immunochemotherapy toxicity and LEN efficacy after ASCT in MCL. This trial is registered at eudract.ema.europa.eu as 2009-012807-25

A Fondazione Italiana Linfomi cohort study of R-COMP vs R-CHOP in older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

: Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) is the most commonly used regimen for the upfront treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, it is associated with cardiotoxicity, especially in older patients. Substituting doxorubicin with non-PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (R-COMP) may reduce the risk of cardiac events, but its efficacy has never been demonstrated in prospective trials. We describe the characteristics and outcome of patients with DLBCL aged ≥65 years prospectively enrolled in the Elderly Project by the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi and treated with full doses of R-CHOP or R-COMP per local practice. Starting from 1163 patients, 383 (55%) were treated with R-CHOP and 308 (45%) with R-COMP. Patients treated with R-COMP were older (median age, 76 vs 71 years), less frequently fit at simplified geriatric assessment (61% vs 88%;&nbsp;P&nbsp;&lt; .001), and had a more frequent baseline cardiac disorders (grade &gt;1, 32% vs 8%;&nbsp;P&nbsp;&lt; .001). Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) was similar between R-CHOP and R-COMP (70% and 64%); 3-year overall survival was 77%, and 71% respectively. R-CHOP was associated with better PFS vs R-COMP only in the Elderly Prognostic Index (EPI) low-risk group. The two groups had similar rates of treatment interruptions due to toxicities or of cardiac events (P&nbsp;= 1.00). We suggest R-COMP is a potentially curative treatment for older patients with intermediate- or high-risk EPI, even in the presence of a baseline cardiopathy. R-CHOP is confirmed as the standard therapy for low risk patients

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P &lt; .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Implementazione di procedure BIM per la valutazione della vulnerabilità sismica. Applicazione a due edifici scolastici del Comune di Firenze.

La tesi ha come oggetto di studio la valutazione della vulnerabilità sismica di due edifici scolastici in muratura siti nel Comune di Firenze, la scuola dell'infanzia "Giuseppe Garibaldi" e la scuola dell'infanzia e primaria "Galileo Galilei".Tale progetto aspira alla validazione di più metodi per la valutazione della vulnerabilità sismica di edifici esistenti, proponendo in parallelo efficaci flussi di lavoro BIM attraverso un'interoperabilità tra software in ambito strutturale, nell’ottica di creare una metodologia dinamica e capace

Improving the environmental performance of vegetable oil processing through LCA

In the present work, the environmental impacts of edible sunflower oil production are evaluated by life cycle assessment (LCA), with a particular focus on the processing and packaging phases. The assessment is performed using both a resource oriented method (Cumulative Energy Demand, CED method) and an impacts oriented method (ReCiPe method). Both methods show similar results in the evaluation of two alternatives for energy management in an edible oil refinery. However, the CED method gives misleading results in the identification of hot spots in the life cycle because it does not consider environmental impacts not correlated with the energy consumption. The hot spots of the refining phase are the bleaching step, the production of steam from natural gas and the wastewater treatment plant. A substantial environmental improvement in the processing and packaging phases of the life cycle can be gained by reducing the energy and material consumption (bleaching earth and water) required by the oil refining processes and by reducing the materials used for the packaging of the final product

Parametric approach in BIM environment for the assessment of existing masonry buildings

BIM-based processes are becoming increasingly relevant in architecture, engineering and construction industries, especially for design of new engineering works. Implementation of this technology for existing buildings, Heritage BIM (HBIM), mainly focuses on the reconstruction of geometries and the collection of historical documentation, while areas of structural analyses and verifications are currently less developed. In this context, a parametric procedure in BIM environment for the structural assessment of existing masonry buildings is proposed, starting from an innovative analysis method previously developed by the authors (E-PUSH). Combining this structural analysis program with the advantages of the BIM methodology, the management of the data is improved and the assessment process is simplified. The proposed BIM workflow will be illustrated in detail with reference to a real case study, showing benefits of the BIM approach in the process of seismic risk assessment