IMAGE BASED MODELING FROM SPHERICAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND STRUCTURE FOR MOTION. THE CASE OF THE TREASURY, NABATEAN ARCHITECTURE IN PETRA

This research deals with an efficient and low cost methodology to obtain a metric and photorealstic survey of a complex architecture. Photomodeling is an already tested interactive approach to produce a detailed and quick 3D model reconstruction. Photomodeling goes along with the creation of a rough surface over which oriented images can be back-projected in real time. Lastly the model can be enhanced checking the coincidence between the surface and the projected texture. The challenge of this research is to combine the advantages of two technologies already set up and used in many projects: spherical photogrammetry (Fangi, 2007,2008,2009,2010) and structure for motion (Photosynth web service and Bundler + CMVS2 + PMVS2). The input images are taken from the same points of view to form the set of panoramic photos paying attention to use well-suited projections: equirectangular for spherical photogrammetry and rectilinear for Photosynth web service. The performance of the spherical photogrammetry is already known in terms of its metric accuracy and acquisition quickness but time is required in the restitution step because of the manual homologous point recognition from different panoramas. In Photosynth instead the restitution is quick and automated: the provided point clouds are useful benchmarks to start with the model reconstruction even if lacking in details and scale. The proposed workflow needs of ad-hoc tools to capture high resolution rectilinear panoramic images and visualize Photosynth point clouds and orientation camera parameters. All of them are developed in VVVV programming environment. 3DStudio Max environment is then chosen because of its performance in terms of interactive modeling, UV mapping parameters handling and real time visualization of projected texture on the model surface. Experimental results show how is possible to obtain a 3D photorealistic model using the scale of the spherical photogrammetry restitution to orient web provided point clouds. Moreover the proposed research highlights how is possible to speed up the model reconstruction without losing metric and photometric accuracy. In the same time, using the same panorama dataset, it picks out a useful chance to compare the orientations coming from the two mentioned technologies (Spherical Photogrammetry and Structure for Motion)

Controlling the Limit-Cycle of the Ziegler Column via a Tuned Piezoelectric Damper

This paper is about the nonlinear analysis of a piezoelectric controlled Ziegler column. The piezoelectric controller, here referred to as Tuned Piezoelectric Damper (TPD), possesses evanescent characteristics and, moreover, it is tuned to the first natural frequency of the mechanical system, thus resembling the well-known Tuned Mass Damper. This means that the flow of energy between mechanical and electrical subsystems is driven by the resonance (Den Hartog principle) and magnified by the singularity of the evanescent electrical characteristics. Numerical simulations, showing how the proposed control strategy is effective in increasing the linear stability domain and decreasing the amplitude of the limit-cycles in the postcritical range, are presented

Nanoparticles modified screen printed electrode for electrochemical determination of COD

The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is a parameter widely used to determine organic pollutants in water and is defined as the number of oxygen equivalents necessary to oxidize the organic compounds. The standard method for COD measurement (the dichromate titration) suffers from several inherent drawbacks such as the long time of the process and the consumption of toxic chemicals. Hence, interest is growing towards those methods employing electrochemical oxidation of organic compounds, as they allow to dispense with toxic reagents and above all to perform a continuous determination. In this work a new electrochemical method for COD measurement has been developed based on direct oxidation of organic molecules on suitably modified electrodic surfaces. In particular, we have developed various sensors based on modified working electrode surfaces obtained by electrodepositing copper and/or nickel oxide nanoparticles onto several commercial screen printed electrodes. Glucose was used as the standard compound for COD measurements: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O The metallic nanoparticles catalyze the oxidation of the glucose, as well as of different organic pollutants, and make the detection possible at relatively low potential, also in presence of chloride as interferent. The analytical parameters were optimized and the results obtained highlight how the electrodeposition of different metallic nanoparticles onto several screen printed electrode surfaces can influence the selectivity and sensitivity towards the COD detection in real matrices, via electrochemical method. The results were compared with those obtained by the standard method and showed a good agreement. These findings provide an interesting strategy to obtain a simple, cheap, portable and eventually continuous sensor for COD measurement

A simplified model for improving thermal stability of Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium ion batteries represent a well established technology in a range of applications (laptops, mobile phones, etc.) but they are becoming key factors in many other areas were reliability and safety are of paramount importance (e.g. the space and automobile industries). However, a number of drawbacks still raise concerns about their wider use and hamper a more structured introduction in these additional applications. In particular, the management of heat effects remains a challenge, as an excessive temperature rise can cause reduction of cycle life, battery failures and, above all, may lead to thermal runaway of individual cells or of an entire battery pack, with associated damages to the surrounding people or environment. In the present paper, a simplified model capable of predicting the thermal behaviour of a battery pack refrigerated with a cooling fluid, is presented. It allows to quickly estimating the efficiency of a given cooling system under specific working conditions, and thus identify the range of operation within which a given energy storage system can safely operate

Genetics and breast cancer screening in a Pennsylvanian managed care organization

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the US: annually > 230,000 women are diagnosed and > 40,000 die. Although breast cancer screening (BCS) is a covered benefit and associated with a reduction in breast cancer, mortality, a large percentage of the population are not screened. Methods: Women 52-74 years old enrolled continuously in the (Managed Care Organization) MCO between October 1, 2014-December 31, 2016 were included in the analysis: 3,624 were BCS utilizers and 3,298 were non-utilizers. I used the Behavioral Model of Health Care Utilization framework to identify predictors of BCS utilization, including predisposing (e.g., age group), enabling (e.g., area of residence), and need-related (e.g., smoking) factors. Differences between groups were assessed using chi-square and logistic regression analyses. Results: Overall, mean age of the women was 59 (±4) years, 20% were African American and 12% were Hispanic. Approximately 5% had family history of breast cancer, 23% were from rural areas, 39% had 3-5 chronic health conditions, 10% were obese, 15% were smokers, and 48% were non-BCS utilizers. Results showed utilizers were more likely to be African American (OR: 1.28; 95%CI: 1.12-1.47), Hispanic (OR: 1.88; 95%CI: 1.51-2.35), have a family history (OR: 6.95; 95%CI: 4.94-9.83), smoke (OR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.04-1.39), and had more PCP visits (OR: 1.02; 95%CI: 1.00-1.03). Women residing in rural areas (OR: 0.77; 95%CI: 0.68-0.88), Southwest PA (OR: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.61-0.87), and with no chronic health conditions (OR: 0.30; 95%CI: 0.21-0.42) were less likely to be utilizers. Conclusion: Despite evidence that regular screening improves diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, screening rates were low. I observed reverse health disparities with regards to race and ethnicity. Women with higher numbers of PCP visits and/or family history of breast cancer were more likely to be screened. Geographical disparities were also observed. These results indicate the MCO should target specific interventions to educate and remind women about their annual screening and services. Increasing the rate of breast cancer screening would increase the detection of early stage breast cancer and treatment, which would improve overall public health

Liposarcoma of the colon presenting as an endoluminal mass

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcoma of adult life, usually occurring in the retroperitoneum and the extremities. Primary liposarcoma of the colon is very rare. The optimal treatment has not been established due to the small number of cases reported. We report a case of primary liposarcoma of the colon presenting as a massive intraluminal lesion.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 79-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, progressive constipation and weight loss. A CT scan and a colonoscopy revealed an intraluminal mass in the transverse colon and multiple intraperitoneal lesions. The patient underwent surgical resection of the lesions. Pathologic examination was consistent with pleomorphic liposarcoma of the colon.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although no guidelines are available for the management of liposarcoma of the colon, surgical resection should be performed when feasible. Our patient's overall survival was satisfactory in spite of the multiple negative prognostic factors.</p

IL Diritto di recesso nelle società di capitali

In 2003 the legislator, in order to facilitate to right of withdrawal, decided to demolish the two main pillars on which, up to that point it rested, i.e. the mandatory legitimizing nature of the grounds for, and the elimination of criteria having a penalizing effect on the withdrawer at the liquidation of shares. The negative attitude surrounding a withdrawal was justified, before the reform, by the need to ensure stability and completeness of the company's assets. Currently, the right to withdrawal has regained force, due to a greater legal autonomy accorded by the legislator granting the withdrawer both an economic function-the possibility of concessions when withdrawing capital, and a legal function-a valid defense instrument for the minorities. The research focused on the analysis of individual irrevocable grounds and on those lawfully revocable as well as those disciplined by the art. 2437c.c.The research then went on to analyze terms and conditions of the exercise of this right, paying particular attention to determining the value of shares and the process of liquidation. The regulation of withdrawal in the case of a limited liability company is different from that of a joint-stock company inasmuch as the regulation is permeated with the personalizing character of the relationship. This is valid both for the motivating elements, as well as the method of exercising this right. They both are affected by the legal autonomy conceded by the legislator to this type of Company.</br

Deformation patterns in a second-gradient lattice annular plate composed of "Spira mirabilis" fibers

In this paper, we aim to explore the mechanical potentialities of a material made of an orthogonal net of fibers arranged in logarithmic spirals. Therefore, an annular plate described with a second-gradient model is envisaged to evaluate the behavior of such material in a nonlinear elastic regime when large displacements and deformations occur. Several mechanical tests are performed numerically under the finite element method approximation obtained directly with a weak formulation based on the elastic energy that it is assumed to be predictive for this kind of network system of fibers. Plots reporting the mechanical characteristics in all the considered tests are provided to illustrate the overall mechanical behavior of the evaluated system

Effects of process parameters on the deformation energy in a sheet-bulk metal forming process for an automotive component

The present study investigates the effects of the process parameters on cold forming process of an automotive component in AISI 1006 low carbon steel. The material formability was characterised up to 250°C. The material flow behaviour and the related thermal distributions during the geometrical transformations were analyzed. Coining and forming operations were investigated by using a coupled 3D Thermo-mechanical FEM with different die geometries and friction conditions in order to optimize the final die geometry and to reduce the energy consumption. FEM simulation results were validated by comparison with the experimental trials. The detailed study of the component allowed defining the energy required by the severe bending of the initial thick plate. The FEM predictions led to a reduction of deformation energy of about 20%, a mass reduction of 28% on the final product and permitted avoiding secondary machining operations

Effects of environmental and electric perturbations on the pKa of thioredoxin cysteine 35: a computational study

Here we present a theoretical-computational study dealing with the evaluation of the pKa of the Cysteine residues in Thioredoxin (TRX) and in its complex with the Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). The free energy differences between the anionic and neutral form of the Cysteine 32 and 35 have been evaluated by means of the Perturbed Matrix Method with classical perturbations due to both the environment and an exogenous electric field as provided by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The evaluation of the free energies allowed us to show that the effect of the perturbing terms is to lower the pKa of Cysteine 32 and Cysteine 35 with respect to the free amino-acid. On the other hand, in the complex TRX-TXNIP, our data show an enhanced stabilization of the neutral reduced form of Cys 35. These results suggest that external electric stimuli higher than 0.02 V/nm can modulate the Cysteine pKa, which can be connected to the tight regulation of the TRX acting as an antioxidant agent