Acoustic Optimization of an Intake System by Means of Geometry CAD Modifications

Abstract The intake system of internal combustion engines represents the most prominent noise source at high load and low vehicle speeds because of the de-throttling strategies which are realized in order to maximize the cylinders filling. Therefore, a good acoustic performance of intake systems represents a very important challenge in order to respect the overall noise emission, according to the more strict European standards. In general, the most used method for characterizing the acoustic performances of a system is represented by the Transmission Loss computation. In this study, a 3D numerical analysis by using the Finite Element Method onan intake system for a commercial spark ignition engine has been exploited for the Transmission Loss calculation. The numerical findings of the finite element model have been validated by means of experimental investigations. A very good agreement between numerical and experimental data has been reached. For this reason, an optimization procedure, by implementing different CAD modifications on the system, has been investigated, as well. All the foreseen geometry changes do not modify the overall size of the original system

Knock Detection in SI Engines by Using the Discrete Wavelet Transform of the Engine Block Vibrational Signals

Abstract In the present work, the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) has been applied on the vibrational signals acquired by an accelerometer placed on the cylinder block of a Spark Ignition (SI) engine, for detecting knock phenomena. In order to collect both vibrational data and in-cylinder pressures, useful for the analysis, a series of experiments on a four cylinder, four stroke Internal Combustion (IC) engine has been carried out. The obtained results show how the presented knock detection algorithm is able to monitor the goodness of the combustion phase in absence of knock phenomena, and otherwise to determine its intensity. This algorithm uses a Multi-Resolution Analysis (MRA) performed on the vibrational signals of the engine block as acquired. The same kind of analysis has been executed by using the traditional index MAPO, which is widely applied on the pressure data, and the results of the two methods have been compared. The comparison, showing how the results are very similar, confirm that the use of the DWT represents a very valid alternative to the traditional knock detection techniques

Recreational exposure during algal bloom in carrasco beach, uruguay: A liver failure case report

In January 2015, a 20-month-old child and her family took part in recreational activities at Carrasco and Malvín beaches (Montevideo, Uruguay). An intense harmful algae bloom (HAB) was developing along the coast at that time. A few hours after the last recreational exposure episode, the family suffered gastrointestinal symptoms which were self-limited except in the child’s case, who was admitted to hospital in Uruguay with diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, and jaundice. The patient had increased serum levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin and five days later presented acute liver failure. She was referred to the Italian Hospital in Buenos Aires, being admitted with grade II-III encephalopathy and hepatomegaly and requiring mechanical respiratory assistance. Serology tests for hepatitis A, B, and C, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus were negative. Laboratory features showed anemia, coagulopathy, and increased serum levels of ammonium, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin. Autoimmune Hepatitis Type-II (AH-II) was the initial diagnosis based on a liver kidney microsomal type 1 antibodies (LKM-1) positive result, and twenty days later a liver transplant was performed. The liver histopathology had indicated hemorrhagic necrosis in zone 3, and cholestasis and nodular regeneration, which were not characteristic of AH-II. LC/ESI-HRMS (liquid chromatography electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry) analysis of MCs in the explanted liver revealed the presence of Microsytin-LR (MC-LR) (2.4 ng·gr-1 tissue) and [D-Leu1]MC-LR (75.4 ng·gr-1 tissue), which constitute a toxicological nexus and indicate a preponderant role of microcystins in the development of fulminant hepatitis.Fil: Vidal, Flavia. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Sedan, Daniela Yazmine. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Química. Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: D'Agostino, Daniel. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Cavalieri, María Lorena. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Mullen, Eduardo. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Parot Varela, María Macarena. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Flores, Cintia. Instituto de Diagnóstico Ambiental y Estudios del Agua; EspañaFil: Caixach, Josep. Instituto de Diagnóstico Ambiental y Estudios del Agua; EspañaFil: Andrinolo, Dario. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Química. Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Report on research activities carried out for determination of mercury neuro-toxicological effects on cetacean brain

In this study we analyzed Hg and Se concentrations in dolphin brain tissues of fifteen specimens of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and eight specimens of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas, in order to assess the toxicological risks associated with Hg exposure. High Hg concentrations were found in brain tissues of both analyzed specie (1.86–243mg/kg dw for striped dolphin and 2.1–98.7 mg/kg dw for bottlenose dolphin), exceeding levels associated with marine mammals neurotoxicity. Although the results clearly suggest that the protective effects of Se against Hg toxicity occur in cetaceans’ brain tissues, a molar excess of mercury with respect to selenium was found, particularly in adult specimens of Stenella coeruleoalba. On contrary, negligible neuro-toxicological risks were found for Tursiops truncatus specimens, due to detoxification processes. Data obtained allowed to prove a more marked neuro-toxicological risk for adult specimens of Stenella coeruleoalba in both Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas

EV20-mediated delivery of cytotoxic auristatin MMAF exhibits potent therapeutic efficacy in cutaneous melanoma.

Abstract Cutaneous melanoma is one of the cancers with the fastest rising incidence and in its advanced metastatic form is a highly lethal disease. Despite the recent approval of several new drugs, the 5-year overall survival rate for advanced cutaneous melanoma is still below 20% and therefore, the development of novel treatments remains a primary need. Antibody-Drug Conjugates are an emerging novel class of anticancer agents, whose preclinical and clinical development has recently seen a remarkable increase in different tumors, including melanoma. Here, we have coupled the anti-HER-3 internalizing antibody EV20 to the cytotoxic drug monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF) to form a novel antibody-drug conjugate (EV20/MMAF). In a panel of human melanoma cell lines, this novel ADC shows a powerful, specific and target-dependent cell killing activity, independently of BRAF status. Efficacy studies demonstrated that a single administration of EV20/MMAF leads to a long-lasting tumor growth inhibition. Remarkably, the effect of this novel ADC was superior to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in preventing kidney, liver and lung melanoma metastases. Overall, these results highlight EV20/MMAF as a novel ADC with promising therapeutic efficacy, warranting extensive pre-clinical evaluation in melanoma with high levels of HER-3 expression

ANALISI E STIMA DEL TRASPORTO SOLIDO FLUVIALE NEI BACINI CALABRESI

Over recent decades, Soil Erosion by Water (WSE) has become a severe issue worldwide, especially in European Mediterranean countries because they are subject to prolonged dry periods followed by heavy erosive rains. All this is very important in the case of river basins characterized by steep slopes and erodible soils. The paper analyzed and quantified river transport in Calabrian basins. Calabria is a region of Southern Italy that represents an interesting case study due to its geomorphological peculiarities for which it is generally subject to WSE. The analysis was carried out by applying the Erosion Potential Method (EPM), particularly reliable for rivers such as most of the Calabrian ones where most of the sediment transport is linked to the WSE and is divided into four main phases: morphometric characterization, estimate of average yearly precipitation and temperature, estimate of EPM coefficient, and estimate of river transport. The main result is that Calabrian rivers are characterized by a high river transport, especially in those with torrential and irregular hydrological regime

S10.8 Remodelling of mitochondrial function by the p13 protein of HTLV-1: Effects on reactive oxygen species and cell death

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Patrón temporal de remoción de semillas por granívoros en estepas arbustivas de Península Valdés, Chubut

Conocer la identidad y patrón temporal de actividad de los principales grupos de granívorosen ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos es clave para entender la dinámica de regeneraciónde la vegetación. Este conocimiento es particularmente escaso en los ecosistemas del norestepatagónico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar estacionalmente la remoción desemillas por aves, roedores y hormigas en comunidades vegetales típicas de PenínsulaValdés, Chubut. Se seleccionaron tres estepas arbustivo-herbáceas en la Reserva de VidaSilvestre San Pablo de Valdés. En cada una se registró la remoción de semillas empleandocomederos artificiales de acceso exclusivo a cada grupo de granívoros (aves, roedores yhormigas), con una frecuencia estacional a lo largo de un año. Fueron seleccionados 10sitios por comunidad vegetal en cada uno de los cuales se dispusieron 5 comederos activadospor 5 días con 10 gramos de semillas de Phalaris canariensis: acceso exclusivo a aves,roedores, hormigas, acceso total y clausura total (30 comederos de cada tipo por fecha).Se empleó un Modelo Lineal Generalizado Mixto con remoción de semillas (si/no) comovariable respuesta binomial, tipo de comedero y estación del año como factores fijos ycomunidad vegetal y sitio como factores aleatorios anidados. La proporción de comederoscon semillas removidas varió entre el 9 - 25 %, 10 - 47 % y 5 - 53 % para aves, hormigasy roedores, respectivamente. Se encontró una interacción significativa entre tipo de comederoy fecha. La actividad de remoción por hormigas fue máxima en verano y otoño,mientras que para los otros dos grupos fue máxima en primavera y otoño. Sin embargo,la variación de la remoción en los comederos con acceso total entre estaciones (7 3 - 86 %)no fue significativa. Estos resultados evidencian constancia en la actividad de granívorosa lo largo del año como resultado de la complementariedad en los patrones de actividadde cada grupo.Fil: Pazos, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: Lamuedra González, Laura Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaFil: D'agostino, Romina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Sede Puerto Madryn; ArgentinaFil: Udrizar Sauthier, Daniel Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; ArgentinaXXVIII Reunión Argentina de EcologíaMar del PlataArgentinaAsociación Argentina de EcologíaConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costera