Extended hard-sphere model for the viscosity of dense fluids

An extended hard-sphere model is reported that may be applied to correlate and predict the viscosity of gases, liquids and supercritical fluids. The method is based on the hard-sphere model of Dymond and Assael and uses their roughness factors and molar core volumes to relate reduced viscosity to a universal function of reduced volume. The extended model behaves correctly in the limit of low densities and offers improved accuracy at high densities. The new universal reference function was determined from a large database of experimental viscosities for alkanes extending up to reduced densities of 0.84. It has been tested by correlating the viscosity of two high-viscosity liquids not used in the development of the universal function and has shown to perform satisfactorily up to reduced densities of approximately 0.9

Monoprotesi per il trattamento simultaneo del cistocele e dell’incontinenza urinaria da stress (protocollo NAZCA): studio prospettico

La riparazione protesica del prolasso della parete vaginale anteriore di III e IV grado (Classificazione di Baden e Walker) con doppio approccio transotturatorio da luogo a IUS de novo fino al 20-30% secondo i dati riportati in letteratura. Da qui il razionale per la riparazione protesica simultanea di cistocele e IUS con monoprotesi sintetica in polipropilene (Prepubic/TOT Mesh-Promedon S.A, Argentina) che rinforza i ligamenti pubouretrali e la fascia pubo-vescico-vaginale. Nel nostro campione di 6 pazienti abbiamo riscontrato l’80% di successo anatomico a fronte di un successo funzionale del 100% con un miglioramento significativo nella qualità di vita delle pazienti, una consistente riduzione dei sintomi legati al prolasso e la correzione dell’incontinenza urinaria da sforzo (IUS) nel 100% dei casi

Tagging methods as a tool to investigate histone H3 methylation dynamics in mouse embryonic stem cells

Covalent modification of histones is an important factor in the regulation of the chromatin structure implicated in DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription, as well as in RNA processing. In recent years, histone methylation has emerged as one of the key modifications regulating chromatin function. However, the mechanisms involved are complex and not well understood. Histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation is deposited by a family of histone H3K4 methyltransferases (HMTs) that share a conserved SET domain. In mammalian cells, six family members have been characterized: Setd1a and Setd1b (the mammalian orthologs of yeast Set1) and four Mixed lineage leukemia (Mll) family HMTs, which share limited similarity with yeast Set1 beyond the SET domain. Several studies demonstrated that the H3K4 methyltransferases exist as multiprotein complexes. To functionally dissect H3K4 methyltransferase complexes, GFP tagging of the core subunit Ash2l and the complex-specific subunits Cxxc1 and Wdr82 (Setd1a/b complexes) Men1 (Mll1/2 complexes), and Ptip (Mll3/Mll4 complexes), was used. The fusion proteins were successfully expressed in mouse embryonic stem cells (ES cells), analyzed by confocal microscopy, Mass Spectrometry (MS) and ChIP-seq. Ptip was the only subunit able to bind mitotic chromatin. Additionally, both Ptip and Wdr82 were found to associate with cell cycle regulators, suggesting a possible role of the two proteins or respective complexes in cell cycle regulation. Mass Spectrometry revealed that Wdr82 and Ptip interact with members of he PAF complex, and ChIP-seq showed that Wdr82, Cxxc1 and Ptip positively modulate pluripotency genes. Thus, Setd1a/b and Mll3/4 complexes might act together in the regulation of embryonic stem cells identity. Protein pull downs identified at least one new Setd1a/b interactor, Bod1l that is orthologous to the yeast protein Sgh1, a component of the Set1C complex. Furthermore, our MS and ChIP-seq data suggested that only Mll2 complex binds to bivalent promoters, wheras Mll2 and Setd1a complexes might function together in a set of promoters

Information lifecycle management in Structural Engineering BIM, openBIM and Blockchain technology to digitise and re-engineer structural safety information management processes

Over the past decade, the building information modelling (BIM) approach has increasingly been used in both professional practice and research relating to the fields of civil and structural engineering. Indeed, it has been adopted across the globe, with some governments demanding its use in public projects involving bridges, tunnels and railways, as well as for strategic facilities like hospitals and schools. In Europe, most countries comply with Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on public procurements, which allows such clients to demand the use of BIM methodologies. Some countries, meanwhile, have decided to enforce digital delivery; for example, the United Kingdom has required the use of BIM in all government projects since 2016, while the Italian government published a timeline in 2018 mandating the use of BIM methodologies in all construction work by 2025. As a consequence, companies involved in the AEC sector are embracing the BIM approach by employing new tools and workflows, even though they face obstacles in relation to issues like training costs and time or low initial productivity. BIM-based workflows, innovative tools and collaboration platforms can be employed throughout the lifecycle of an asset, and have been the catalyst for innovation in the entire architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. However, the BIM approach does not have its own agenda for research purposes only, but this has one in applied research with the purpose of aiding professional practice. Thus, this thesis will address the use of BIM in structural engineering not for the sake of the research itself, but with the practical intent of summarizing and presenting the current experience of the use of BIM in structural engineering and then contributing to expanding knowledge about the possible uses of BIM in this regard. This thesis proposes innovative processes for the lifecycle information management of information that refers to the discipline of structural engineering. The proposed processes are based on the BIM approach, an information management framework that allows to standardise information flows using processes that implement tools such as BIM-authoring software, BIM tools and collaboration platforms. In detail, the BIM-based processes here proposed are in the number of three and refer, respectively, to the authorization phase, the testing and closeout phase, and the operation and maintenance phase of the lifecycle of a facility. A further novelty of this work is investigating the use of the open format industry foundation classes (IFC) in the processes that refer to the authorization phase and the operation and maintenance phase, and the use of blockchain technology in the testing and closeout phase. The first aim of this thesis, therefore, is to start bridging that gap by 1) providing the first state-of-the-art on the use of BIM in structural engineering. Additionally, this thesis is original in that it addresses the production, management, and storage of information that pertains to structural engineering. Accordingly, this work aims at: 2) Proposing an open BIM-based process for the application for seismic authorization, in Italian 'autorizzazione sismica' (authorization phase). 3) Proposing a proof-of-concept for the integration of blockchain technology and smart contract into information flows among common data environments (CDEs) in the construction process of structural systems (testing and closeout phase). 4) Proposing an open BIM-based process for the operation and maintenance phase of structures

High-Volume Transanal Surgery with CPH34 HV for the Treatment of III-IV Degree Haemorrhoids: Final Short-Term Results of an Italian Multicenter Clinical Study

The clinical chart of 621 patients with III-IV haemorrhoids undergoing Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy (SH) with CPH34 HV in 2012-2014 was consecutively reviewed to assess its safety and efficacy after at least 12 months of follow-up. Mean volume of prolapsectomy was significantly higher (13.0 mL; SD, 1.4) in larger prolapse (9.3 mL; SD, 1.2) (p < 0.001). Residual or recurrent haemorrhoids occurred in 11 of 621 patients (1.8%) and in 12 of 581 patients (1.9%), respectively. Relapse was correlated with higher preoperative Constipation Scoring System (CSS) (p = 0.000), Pescatori's degree (p = 0.000), Goligher's grade (p = 0.003), prolapse exceeding half of the length of the Circular Anal Dilator (CAD) (p = 0.000), and higher volume of prolapsectomy (p = 0.000). At regression analysis, only the preoperative CSS, Pescatori's degree, Goligher's grade, and volume of resection were significantly predictive of relapse. A high level of satisfaction (VAS = 8.6; SD, 1.0) coupled with a reduction of 12-month CSS (Δ preoperative CSS/12 mo CSS = 3.4, SD, 2.0; p < 0.001) was observed. The wider prolapsectomy achievable with CPH34 HV determined an overall 3.7% relapse rate in patients with high prevalence of large internal rectal prolapse, coupled with high satisfaction index, significant reduction of CSS, and very low complication rates

Novel antiproliferative chimeric compounds with marked histone deacetylase inhibitory activity

Given our interest in finding potential antitumor agents and in view of the multifactorial mechanistic nature of cancer, in the present work, taking advantage of the multifunctional ligands approach, new chimeric molecules were designed and synthesized by combining in single chemical entities structural features of SAHA, targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs), with substituted stilbene or terphenyl derivatives previously obtained by us and endowed with antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity. The new chimeric derivatives were characterized with respect to their cytotoxic activity and their effects on cell cycle progression on different tumor cell lines, as well as their HDACs inhibition. Among the other, trans -6 showed the most interesting biological profile, as it exhibited a strong pro-apoptotic activity in tumor cell lines in comparison with both of its parent compounds and a marked HDAC inhibition

Argot, verlan e linguaggio popolare nel film Pourris Gâtés di Nicolas Cuche: analisi del sottotitolaggio e doppiaggio dal francese all’italiano

Abstract Argot, verlan e linguaggio popolare rappresentano tre fenomeni linguistici in continua evoluzione, profondamenti radicati nella cultura e nella lingua francese e indispensabili per sostenere una conversazione in numerosi contesti della vita quotidiana nei paesi francofoni. L’obiettivo principale di questo lavoro di ricerca è comprendere come queste varianti linguistiche, tipiche dell’oralità, vengano rese in un contesto italiano, attraverso la traduzione audiovisiva nel film Pourris gâtés (I Viziati). Il lavoro si concentra sull’analisi dei procedimenti traduttivi adottati, dopo aver osservato una comparazione tra l’originale, il sottotitolaggio e il doppiaggio in italiano. Si presta particolare attenzione alle tecniche utilizzate per preservare l’intenzione comunicativa, il tono e l’identità linguistica delle scene selezionate nel film

Preliminary basin scale assessment of CO2 geological storage potential in Santos Basin, Southeastern Brazil: Merluza Field study case / Avaliação preliminar do potencial para armazenamento geológico de CO2 da Bacia de Santos, sudeste do Brasil: estudo de caso do Campo de Merluza

The global community has authorized, through the Paris Agreement, the choice of an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the 21st century. The high world dependence on fossil fuels indicates that a quick energy transition—based on the use of renewable fuels or even considering the reduction of total energy consumption—will not be possible without structural changes in the neoliberal way of production and consumption. Thus, carbon capture and storage technologies emerge as a relevant tool for emergency action to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The search for adequate reservoirs is a relevant part of the CO2 storage endeavor and the Santos Basin has a privileged location, being close to oil producing and consuming centers. This work culminated in the study of the Merluza Field zone. Geochemical data and compiled lithological descriptions suggest a possible use of Jureia Formation and Itajaí-Açu Formation. A storage capacity estimation study is also presented. This favorability is not only geological: the presence of infrastructure installed in the Merluza zone as a fixed platform and an exclusive gas pipeline suggests greater economy and less environmental damage from the adaptation of depleted fields for use as a geological reservoir of CO2