Optimization of an axial fan for air cooled condensers

We report on the low noise optimization of an axial fan specifically designed for the cooling of CSP power plants. The duty point presents an uncommon combination of a load coefficient of 0.11, a flow coefficient of 0.23 and a static efficiency ηstat > 0.6. Calculated fan Reynolds number is equal to Re = 2.85 x 107. Here we present a process used to optimize and numerically verify the fan performance. The optimization of the blade was carried out with a Python code through a brute-force-search algorithm. Using this approach the chord and pitch distributions of the original blade are varied under geometrical constraints, generating a population of over 24000 different possible individuals. Each individual was then tested using an axisymmetric Python code. The software is based on a blade element axisymmetric principle whereby the rotor blade is divided into a number of streamlines. For each of these streamlines, relationships for velocity and pressure are derived from conservation laws for mass, tangential momentum and energy of incompressible flows. The final geometry was eventually chosen among the individuals with the maximum efficiency. The final design performance was then validated through with a CFD simulation. The simulation was carried out using a RANS approach, with the cubic k -  low Reynolds turbulence closure of Lien et al. The numerical simulation was able to verify the air performance of the fan and was used to derive blade-to-blade distributions of design parameters such as flow deviation, velocity components, specific work and diffusion factor of the optimized blade. All the computations were performed in OpenFoam, an open source C++- based CFD library. This work was carried out under MinWaterCSP project, funded by EU H2020 programme

Inflammation, neurodegeneration and protein aggregation in the retina as ocular biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in the 3xTg-AD mouse model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. In the pathogenesis of AD a pivotal role is played by two neurotoxic proteins that aggregate and accumulate in the central nervous system: amyloid beta and hyper-phosphorylated tau. Accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta plaques and intracellular hyper-phosphorylated tau tangles, and consequent neuronal loss begins 10-15 years before any cognitive impairment. In addition to cognitive and behavioral deficits, sensorial abnormalities have been described in AD patients and in some AD transgenic mouse models. Retina can be considered a simple model of the brain, as some pathological changes and therapeutic strategies from the brain may be observed or applicable to the retina. Here we propose new retinal biomarkers that could anticipate the AD diagnosis and help the beginning and the follow-up of possible future treatments. We analyzed retinal tissue of triple-transgenic AD mouse model (3xTg-AD) for the presence of pathological hallmarks during disease progression. We found the presence of amyloid beta plaques, tau tangles, neurodegeneration, and astrogliosis in the retinal ganglion cell layer of 3xTg-AD mice, already at pre-symptomatic stage. Moreover, retinal microglia in pre-symptomatic mice showed a ramified, anti-inflammatory phenotype which, during disease progression, switches to a pro-inflammatory, less ramified one, becoming neurotoxic. We hypothesize retina as a window through which monitor AD-related neurodegeneration process

Statistical correlation between enterovirus genome copy numbers and infectious viral particles in wastewater samples

Aims: Classic virological tests are time consuming and labour-intensive; realtime RT-PCR has proven to be a fast method to detect and quantify enterovirus genomes in clinical and environmental samples. This method is unable to discriminate between infective and noninfective enterovirus particles; few clinical studies have compared real-time RT-PCR and viral culture. We wondered if the enterovirus genome quantification could be correlated to the infectivity. Methods and Results: We used the statistical approach to verify our hypotheses to correlate data, obtained by the standard method (most probable number of cytopathic units—MPNCU) and molecular test (real-time RT-PCR), on wastewater treatment plant samples. Chi-squared test was used, considering several cut-off values (‘50’-‘100’-‘200’ genome copy numbers), to determine statistical significance in comparison of the two methods. Chi-square value was not significant when cut-off of 50 (P = 0Æ103) and 100 (P = 0Æ178) was assumed but was significant with cut-off of 200 (P = 0Æ044). Conclusion: This limit, 200 genome copy, could be used as cut-off value to indicate enterovirus survival in environmental monitoring. Significant and Impact of the Study: To introduce a fast procedure that is able to compensate for disadvantages of cell culture method for viral environmental analyses

Role of traditional and new biomarkers in breast carcinogenesis

In recent decades, several biomarkers have been investigated as predictors of breast cancer risk, development, prognosis and treatment efficacy

Element specific characterization of heterogeneous magnetism in (Ga,Fe)N films

We employ x-ray spectroscopy to characterize the distribution and magnetism of particular alloy constituents in (Ga,Fe)N films grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. Furthermore, photoelectron microscopy gives direct evidence for the aggregation of Fe ions, leading to the formation of Fe-rich nanoregions adjacent to the samples surface. A sizable x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) signal at the Fe L-edges in remanence and at moderate magnetic fields at 300 K links the high temperature ferromagnetism with the Fe(3d) states. The XMCD response at the N K-edge highlights that the N(2p) states carry considerable spin polarization. We conclude that FeN{\delta} nanocrystals, with \delta > 0.25, stabilize the ferromagnetic response of the films.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Traumatic brain injury and suicide risk

Among the various consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI), evidence supports the notion that individuals exposed to such events may be at higher risk of suicide. We therefore aim at reviewing the literature by focusing on possible association between TBI and features of the suicidal spectrum, such as suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and completed suicides. We carried out a computerized search for reports of studies involving TBI and suicide risk. A total of 35 reports provide data with preliminary support of this association. Seven articles showed a direct correlation between TBI and completed suicides. Thirteen articles have shown a direct relationship between TBI and suicide attempts; five articles demonstrated a positive correlation with suicidal ideation and suicidality. We also found negative results failing to show a correlation between TBI and completed suicides (one article), suicide attempts (one article) and suicidality (one article). In addition, one article showed that patients who received psychological treatment (CBT therapy) after suffering a head injury showed a significant reduction in suicidal ideation. These preliminary findings encourage further testing of the association between TBI and suicide risk regardless of the psychiatric history. Furthermore, those who have a history of psychiatric illness before the TBI present a greater risk of suicide than those who do not have psychiatric precedents

Evolution of International Psychiatry

International psychiatry is currently facing serious challenges triggered by the global economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. These global events lead to the need to broaden our nosographic and therapeutic horizons, and to make use of the newest psychological approaches and the latest neuroscience acquisitions. The focus should be on the psychological consequences of the pandemic, not only on people suffering from mental disorders, but also on the general population, for which the risk of developing psychic symptoms appears to be increased. A population that needs special attention is that of health workers involved in the management of the pandemic. In facing these problems, psychiatry today can use numerous new clinical applications and technologies in the fields of precision medicine. These include genomics, neuroimaging, and microbiomics, which can also be integrated with each other through machine learning systems. They can provide new contributions both in treatment personalization and in the evolution of nosographic systems. Besides this, the contribution of psychotherapies and dynamic and clinical psychology appears to be indispensable for a complete understanding of the clinical and personological aspects of patients. This journal aims to include innovative studies deriving from original, clinical, and basic research in the fields of mental health, precision psychiatry, genomics, neuroimaging, neuropsychopharmacology, and dynamic and clinical psychology