Numerical Simulation of Diesel Injector Internal Flow Field

AbstractIn Diesel engines, fuel-air mixing process and spray evolution drastically affect combustion efficiency and pollutant formation. Within this context, a detailed study of the effects of injector geometry and internal flow is of great importance to understand the effects of turbulence and cavitation on the liquid jet atomization process. To this end, both numerical and experimental tools are widely employed.Objective of this work is to simulate the complex flow behavior inside the injector nozzle taking the most relevant physical phenomena into account. CFD simulations were carried out using a compressible solver with phase change modeling available in the OpenFOAM framework. In particular, cavitation was modeled by using an homogeneous equilibrium model based on a barotropic equation of state while the RANS k-ω SST model was used for turbulence. Experiments performed at Kobe University (Japan) on simplified nozzle geometries were used to validate the proposed approach in terms of velocity and vapor distributions. A rather good agreement between computed and experimental data was achieved in terms cavitation length, mass flow, momentum flux making possible to apply the proposed methodology also to real injector configurations in the near future

Self-Rated Health and Psychological Distress among Emerging Adults in Italy: A Comparison between Data on University Students, Young Workers and Working Students Collected through the 2005 and 2013 National Health Surveys

Background. The present study aimed at comparing self-reported physical health and mental health among university students, workers, and working students aged between 19 years and 29 years. Method. Using data from National Health Surveys held in 2005 and 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 18,612 Italian emerging adults grouped into three groups: university students, workers, and working students. The odds ratios of self-reported anxiety or depression, poor general health, and poor mental health and physical health (as assessed through SF-12) were estimated through logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results. Compared with workers, students showed an increased risk of anxiety or depression and a lower risk of poor general health. Students and working students showed an increased risk of reporting weak mental health compared with that in workers, while students displayed a lower risk of poor physical health. Significant differences were not found between the 2005 and 2013 surveys. Conclusions. These results are of considerable importance for psychologists as well as educational and occupation-based institutions for planning prevention programs and clinical interventions

Trends in mortality by labour market position around retirement ages in three European countries with different welfare regimes

<p>Objectives: In the face of economic downturn and increasing life expectancy, many industrial nations are adopting a policy of postponing the retirement age. However, questions still remain around the consequence of working longer into old age. We examine mortality by work status around retirement ages in countries with different welfare regimes; Finland (social democratic), Turin (Italy; conservative), and England and Wales (liberal).</p> <p>Methods: Death rates and rate ratios (RRs) (reference rates = ‘in-work’), 1970 s–2000 s, were estimated for those aged 45–64 years using the England and Wales longitudinal study, Turin longitudinal study, and the Finnish linked register study.</p> <p>Results: Mortality of the not-in-work was consistently higher than the in-work. Death rates for the not-in-work were lowest in Turin and highest in Finland. Rate ratios were smallest in Turin (RR men 1972–76 1.73; 2002–06 1.63; women 1.22; 1.68) and largest in Finland (RR men 1991–95 3.03; 2001–05 3.80; women 3.62; 4.11). Unlike RRs for men, RRs for women increased in every country (greatest in Finland).</p> <p>Conclusions: These findings signal that overall, employment in later life is associated with lower mortality, regardless of welfare regime.</p&gt

Pathology Laboratory Archives: Conservation Quality of Nucleic Acids and Proteins for NSCLC Molecular Testing

In the molecular era, proper archival conditions within pathology laboratories are crucial, especially for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens retrieved years after the original diagnosis. Indeed, improper preservation can impact the integrity of nucleic acids and protein antigens. This study evaluates the quality status of stored FFPE blocks using multilevel omics approaches. FFPE blocks from 45 Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) cases were analyzed. The blocks were collected from six different pathology archives across Italy with distinct environmental characteristics. Nucleic acids’ quantity and quality, as well as protein antigens, were assessed using various techniques, including MALDI-MSI. RNA was quantitatively higher, but more fragmented, compared to DNA. DNA quantity and quality were suitable for molecular analyses in 94.4% and 62.3% of samples, respectively. RNA quantity was adequate across all samples, but it was optimal only in 22.3% of cases. DNA quality started to deteriorate after 6–8 years, whereas RNA quality diminished only after 10 years of storage. These data might suggest a particular DNA susceptibility to FFPE blocks conservation. Immunohistochemical intensity decreased significantly after 6–8 years of storage, and MALDI-MSI analysis revealed that younger tissue blocks contained more unique proteomic signals than the older ones. This study emphasizes the importance of proper FFPE archiving conditions for molecular analyses. Governance should prioritize attention to pathology archives to ensure quality preservation and optimize predictive testing. By elucidating the nuances of FFPE block storage, this research paves the way for enhanced molecular diagnostics and therapeutic insights regarding oncology and beyond

Immunohistochemistry analysis of PSMA expression at prostatic biopsy in high-risk prostate cancer: potential implications for PSMA-PET patient selection

IntroductionProstate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane protein expressed by normal prostatic tissue. Therefore, molecular imaging targeting PSMA (PSMA-PET) has gained particular interest and diffusion for PCa staging and restaging. Several factors may affect PSMA-PET results, and many tools have been proposed to improve patient selection. Furthermore, PSMA expression is not homogeneous among different tissues and within the prostate itself. The aims of this study were to evaluate immunohistochemistry (IHC) features of prostate biopsy samples and to assess their correlation with whole-mount specimens and PSMA-PET parameters.MethodsWe included consecutive high-risk PCa patients who underwent PSMA-PET for staging proposal at our institution from January 2022 to December 2022. The PET parameters selected were SUVmax, total volume (TV), and total lesion activity (TL). Each patient underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and fusion-targeted prostate biopsy prior to surgery. IHC analyses were performed on the index lesion cores. IHC visual score (VS) (1, 2, 3) and visual pattern (VP) (membranous, cytoplasmic, and combined) and the percentage of PSMA-negative tumor areas (PSMA%neg) within biopsy cores were evaluated.ResultsForty-three patients who underwent robotic radical prostatectomy after PSMA-PET were available for analyses. Concordance between VS and VP at biopsy and final pathology showed a Cohen’s kappa coefficient of 0.39 and 0.38, respectively. Patients with PSMA%neg <20% had a higher concordance in VS and VP (Cohen’s kappa 0.49 and 0.4, respectively). No difference emerged in terms of median PSMA-TV (p = 0.3) and PSMA-TL (p = 0.9) according to VS at biopsy, while median SUVmax was higher in patients with VS 3 (p = 0.04). Higher SUVmax was associated with membranous and combined VP expression (p = 0.008). No difference emerged between patients with PSMA%neg <20% or PSMA%neg >20% on biopsy cores in terms of SUVmax, PSMA-TL, and PSMA-TV (p = 0.5, p = 0.5, and p = 0.9 respectively).ConclusionsWe found a correlation between IHC VS and VP on targeted biopsy cores and SUVmax at PSMA-PET. However, the correlation between the IHC parameters of biopsy cores and final pathology was not as high as expected. Nevertheless, the presence of PSMA%neg <20% seems to have a better concordance in terms of visual score

Observation of Exclusive Gamma Gamma Production in p pbar Collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV

We have observed exclusive \gamma\gamma production in proton-antiproton collisions at \sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV, using data from 1.11 \pm 0.07 fb^{-1} integrated luminosity taken by the Run II Collider Detector at Fermilab. We selected events with two electromagnetic showers, each with transverse energy E_T > 2.5 GeV and pseudorapidity |\eta| < 1.0, with no other particles detected in -7.4 < \eta < +7.4. The two showers have similar E_T and azimuthal angle separation \Delta\phi \sim \pi; 34 events have two charged particle tracks, consistent with the QED process p \bar{p} to p + e^+e^- + \bar{p} by two-photon exchange, while 43 events have no charged tracks. The number of these events that are exclusive \pi^0\pi^0 is consistent with zero and is < 15 at 95% C.L. The cross section for p\bar{p} to p+\gamma\gamma+\bar{p} with |\eta(\gamma)| < 1.0 and E_T(\gamma) > 2.5$ GeV is 2.48^{+0.40}_{-0.35}(stat)^{+0.40}_{-0.51}(syst) pb.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Predicting needlestick and sharps injuries in nursing students: Development of the SNNIP scale

© 2020 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Aim: To develop an instrument to investigate knowledge and predictive factors of needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) in nursing students during clinical placements. Design: Instrument development and cross-sectional study for psychometric testing. Methods: A self-administered instrument including demographic data, injury epidemiology and predictive factors of NSIs was developed between October 2018–January 2019. Content validity was assessed by a panel of experts. The instrument's factor structure and discriminant validity were explored using principal components analysis. The STROBE guidelines were followed. Results: Evidence of content validity was found (S-CVI 0.75; I-CVI 0.50–1.00). A three-factor structure was shown by exploratory factor analysis. Of the 238 participants, 39% had been injured at least once, of which 67.3% in the second year. Higher perceptions of “personal exposure” (4.06, SD 3.78) were reported by third-year students. Higher scores for “perceived benefits” of preventive behaviours (13.6, SD 1.46) were reported by second-year students

Knowledge about tuberculosis among undergraduate health care students in 15 Italian universities: a cross-sectional study

Background: The Italian Study Group on Hospital Hygiene of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health conducted a multicentre survey aiming to evaluate undergraduate health care students' knowledge of tuberculosis and tuberculosis control measures in Italy. Methods. In October 2012-June 2013, a sample of medical and nursing students from 15 Italian universities were enrolled on a voluntary basis and asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire investigating both general knowledge of tuberculosis (aetiology, clinical presentation, outcome, screening methods) and personal experiences and practices related to tuberculosis prevention. Data were analysed through multivariable regression using Stata software. Results: The sample consisted of 2,220 students in nursing (72.6%) and medicine (27.4%) courses. Our findings clearly showed that medical students had a better knowledge of tuberculosis than did nursing students.Although the vast majority of the sample (up to 95%) answered questions about tuberculosis aetiology correctly, only 60% of the students gave the correct responses regarding clinical aspects and vaccine details. Overall, 66.9% of the students had been screened for tuberculosis, but less than 20% of those with a negative result on the tuberculin skin test were vaccinated. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age and type of study programme (nursing vs. medical course) were determinants of answering the questions correctly. Conclusions: Although our data showed sufficient knowledge on tuberculosis, this survey underlines the considerable need for improvement in knowledge about the disease, especially among nursing students. In light of the scientific recommendations concerning tuberculosis knowledge among students, progress of current health care curricula aimed to develop students' skills in this field is needed