953 research outputs found
Numerical simulation of PCM melting process
Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.This study deals with a numerical investigation on the melting process of a PCM in a rectangular enclosure differentially heated. A FEM-based code is used in order to solve Navier-Stokes and energy equations in the considered system. Adopting the enthalpy formulation, one single equation is used to solve transient conduction and convection heat transfer in both the solid and liquid phase. The liquid flow patterns during the melting process have been captured and the instantaneous marching of the liquid-solid interface is presented. In addition, the temperature distributions in the phase change material are reported. A successfully comparison between obtained numerical results with experimental ones found in literature is presented.dc201
Classical and Modern Prejudice toward Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: The Role of Experienced Contact, Beliefs in a Just World and Social Dominance Orientation
: This study investigates the impact of experienced contact on prejudiced attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs), examining beliefs in a just world (BJW) and social dominance orientation (SDO) as potential serial mediators. Data were collected from 224 university students (M = 23.02, SD = 2.48). Path analysis modelling assessed the structural relationships between the study variables. The findings revealed that experienced contact was negatively and significantly associated with BJW and SDO. Additionally, BJW and SDO fully mediated the relationship between experienced contact and overt prejudice. These findings underscore the influence of individual differences on attitudes towards individuals with ID, establishing a crucial foundation for future research and the development of interventions aimed at reducing prejudice and discrimination
Three-dimensional simulations of electronic memory modules cooling in natural convection conditions
Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, South Africa, 1-4 July, 2007.Navier-Stokes and energy equations are numerically solved
for modelling fluid-dynamical and thermal behaviour of air
surrounding horizontally arranged Dual-Inline-Memory-
Modules. A complex three-dimensional flow pattern is
highlighted, that significantly contributes in heat dissipation of
the analysed electronic devices. The present communication
contribute, as scientific and technical tool, for investigation on
critical cooling conditions for electronic equipment and for
innovative projects of fan-less computer architecture.cs201
Gender-related variations in hemolymph parameters of Carabus lefebvrei (Coleoptera: Carabidae): HPLC analysis and phenoloxidase activity
We characterized the enzymatic activity of basal and total phenoloxidase and HLPC and SDS-PAGE profiles in hemolymph of Carabus lefebvrei males and females at different reproductive status.
The phenoloxidase activity was activated by trypsin and inhibited by phenoloxidase activity specific inhibitor phenylthiourea. Our results demonstrated that both in males and females, there were no significant differences in the basal phenoloxidase activity between reproductive and virgin beetles, while the total phenoloxidaseactivity increased significantly in virgin specimens.
Thus, resources seem to be invested to increase the humoral response in pre-reproductive phase forming a barrier against pathogens and preserving the fecundity and longevity of both sexes.
The hemolymph DOPA-MBTH assay on polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis showed a high activity of monomeric form with an apparent molecular weight of 90 kDa and a dimer of about 170kDa, also multimeric bands were present in both sexes.
In the SDS-PAGE general protein pattern, specific bands were evident for reproductive and virgin males and females as biochemical markers of sexual difference in immunocompetence.
Reproducible differences in peaks were recorded in HPLC analysisperformed on virgin and reproductive males and females
Systematic Data Monitoring and Analysis of Cardiovascular Off-label Prescriptions in Pediatrics: Focus on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-I) and Beta Blockers
Introduction: Many efforts have been made to stimulate clinical trials (CTs) in pediatrics but most of the drugs are still authorized only in adults and used off-label in the pediatric population. Aim: To assess how widespread is the off-label prescription in Italy and to identify areas of unmet medical need by applying a model for the systematic collection and analysis of data. Methods: A study was performed using 2015 data from the Italian Medicines Utilization Monitoring Centre Health Database (OsMed). A study sample of 3,726,583 pediatric patients, was considered. Cardiovascular drugs were selected for this study. Assessment of the off-label use, the analysis of the pharmacovigilance signals, a bibliographic research and the analysis of ongoing CTs were carried out. Results: In 2015, 8,544 pediatric patients received treatment with a cardiovascular drug. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) followed by beta blockers agents are the most prescribed molecules. Eight molecules were selected and an in-depth analysis conducted. The PhV network showed only one record of adverse reaction as off-label in 2015. The results show several therapeutic areas of use in pediatrics. Conclusion: Off-label in pediatrics is largely widespread in Europe and US and our results show it is also present in Italy. Molecules selected are used off-label for therapeutic areas such as oncologic, hematological and rare diseases. Results of pharmacovigilance suggests underreporting. The analysis carried out in this study could be an open track for a systematic monitoring activity and of interest for prescribers, pediatricians and other healthcare professionals during the clinical practice
Aroclor 1254 inhibits the chemiluminescence response of peritoneal cavity cells from sharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo)
Chronic exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) affect the immune system of fish and could lead to a decreased disease resistance. The effects of Aroclor 1254, PCB mixtures, on the Diplodus puntazzo innate immunity were examined by assaying the zymosan stimulated chemiluminescence response (CL) of peritoneal cavity cells (PCCs) at various times (1, 24, 48 h and 1-4 weeks) from intraperitoneal injection of the xenobiotic (1 mg kg(-1) body weight). Controls were performed by assaying cells from medium-treated fish. Since the kinetic of the chemiluminescence response showed the highest peak at 25 min after the zymosan stimulation of the cells, the values found at that time were considered. The CL enhancement observed at 1 h after the treatment with xenobiotic was followed by a decreased response at 24 h and appeared to be lower at 1-4 weeks when compared to the CL response of the control, suggesting a protracted effect of PCBs on the peritoneal cavity. Since PCCs incubated in vitro for 1 h with 0.05 and 0.1 mu g ml(-1) Aroclor showed an enhanced CL, the effect of the xenobiotic could be exerted on the cell responsiveness to zymosan. It is known that fish CL response of PCCs can be imputed to phagocyte (macrophages and neutrophils) activation, these cells and their responsiveness to zymosan can be used in immunotoxicology assay to monitor the fish health in polluted environment. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Experimental determination of the quasi-projectile mass with measured neutrons
The investigation of the isospin dependence of multifragmentation reactions
relies on precise reconstruction of the fragmenting source. The criteria used
to assign free emitted neutrons, detected with the TAMU Neutron Ball, to the
quasi-projectile source are investigated in the framework of two different
simulation codes. Overall and source-specific detection efficiencies for
multifragmentation events are found to be model independent. The equivalence of
the two different methods used to assign experimentally detected charged
particles and neutrons to the emitting source is shown. The method used
experimentally to determine quasi-projectile emitted free neutron multiplicity
is found to be reasonably accurate and sufficiently precise as to allow for the
study of well-defined quasi-projectile sources.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures. To be submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
A serum fucose-binding lectin (D1FBL) from adult Didentrarchus labrax is expressed in larva and juvenile tissue and contained in eggs
The purification, cloning, sequencing, molecular
properties and expression of a fucose-binding lectin from
the serum of Dicentrarchus labrax (DlFBL) have been
previously reported. We now describe the distribution and
expression of DlFBL during fish ontogeny. Immunohistochemistry
and in situ hybridization assays were carried out
at various developmental stages (from 10 days posthatching
larvae to juveniles). Another fucose-binding
lectin, similar to DlFBL in biochemical, immunochemical
and agglutinating properties, was extracted and purified
from eggs and appeared to be localized in the embryo yolk
sack residual. DlFBL was found in columnar and goblet
cells of the intestinal epithelium of larvae (from 20 days
post-hatching) and juveniles and in parenchymal tissue of
juveniles. DlFBL mRNA and protein were detected in the
intestinal epithelium and in hepatocytes. An amplification
product from degenerate primers indicates that lectin
isotypes with DlFBL epitopes are expressed in eggs and
embryos. Whether the lectin fraction isolated from eggs and
embryos includes DlFBL of maternal origin remains
unclear
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