CUB models: a preliminary fuzzy approach to heterogeneity

In line with the increasing attention paid to deal with uncertainty in ordinal data models, we propose to combine Fuzzy models with \cub models within questionnaire analysis. In particular, the focus will be on \cub models' uncertainty parameter and its interpretation as a preliminary measure of heterogeneity, by introducing membership, non-membership and uncertainty functions in the more general framework of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets. Our proposal is discussed on the basis of the Evaluation of Orientation Services survey collected at University of Naples Federico II.Comment: 10 pages, invited contribution at SIS2016 (Salerno, Italy), in SIS2016 proceeding

Multidisciplinary Consideration of Potential Pathophysiologic Mechanisms of Paradoxical Erythema with Topical Brimonidine Therapy.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease with transient and non-transient redness as key characteristics. Brimonidine is a selective α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist approved for persistent facial erythema of rosacea based on significant efficacy and good safety data. The majority of patients treated with brimonidine report a benefit; however, there have been sporadic reports of worsening erythema after the initial response. A group of dermatologists, receptor physiology, and neuroimmunology scientists met to explore potential mechanisms contributing to side effects as well as differences in efficacy. We propose the following could contribute to erythema after application: (1) local inflammation and perivascular inflammatory cells with abnormally functioning ARs may lead to vasodilatation; (2) abnormal saturation and cells expressing different AR subtypes with varying ligand affinity; (3) barrier dysfunction and increased skin concentrations of brimonidine with increased actions at endothelial and presynaptic receptors, resulting in increased vasodilation; and (4) genetic predisposition and receptor polymorphism(s) leading to different smooth muscle responses. Approximately 80% of patients treated with brimonidine experience a significant improvement without erythema worsening as an adverse event. Attention to optimizing skin barrier function, setting patient expectations, and strategies to minimize potential problems may possibly reduce further the number of patients who experience side effects.FundingGalderma International S.A.S., Paris, France

Thermal Conductivity Enhancement of Al2O3 Nanofluid in Ethylene Glycol and Water Mixture

AbstractThe ability of nanofluids that exhibits enhanced thermal performance is acknowledged by researchers through studies since decades ago. However, the observation of thermal properties for nanofluids in water and ethylene glycol based is not fully explored yet. Hence, this paper presents the thermal conductivity of water and ethylene glycol (EG) based Al2O3 nanofluid. The 13 nm sized Al2O3 nanoparticles were dispersed into three different volume ratio of water: EG such as 40:60, 50:50 and 60:40 using a two-step method. The measurement of thermal conductivity was performed using KD2 Pro Thermal Properties Analyzer at working temperatures of 30 to 70 ̊C for volume concentration of 0.5 to 2.0%. The results indicate that the thermal conductivity increases with the increase of nanofluid concentration and temperature. While the percentage of ethylene glycol increase, the range of thermal conductivity decreases due to ethylene glycol properties. The measurement data of the nanofluids give maximum enhancement of thermal conductivity at condition 2.0% volume concentration, temperature of 70 ̊C and for all base fluid

Minimum bias and soft QCD ATLAS results

Soft-QCD measurements in proton-proton collisions at √s = 900 GeV and √s = 7TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC using a single-arm minimum bias trigger are presented. The charged particle multiplicity distribution, its dependence on transverse momentum and pseudorapidity and its correlation with the average transverse momentum will be shown. Moreover, the measurement of the underlying event properties using charged particles is discussed. Finally the measurement of the angular correlations between charged particles is presented. All the measurements are compared with Monte Carlo predictions

Perspectives for the measurement of pp → Z → μμ+X cross-section with the ATLAS detector at LHC

This work describes the measurement of the inclusive cross-section of the channel Z → μμ that will represent one of the first physics measurements in ATLAS. A description of the analysis model used together with a discussion on the overall selection efficiency and acceptance calculation will be given. A discussion on the main source of uncertainty on the cross-section measurement will be given as well

Multiscale three-dimensional scaffolds for soft tissue engineering via multimodal electrospinning

A novel (scalable) electrospinning process was developed to fabricate bio-inspired multiscale three-dimensional scaffolds endowed with a controlled multimodal distribution of fiber diameters and geared towards soft tissue engineering. The resulting materials finely mingle nano- and microscale fibers together, rather than simply juxtaposing them, as is commonly found in the literature. A detailed proof of concept study was conducted on a simpler bimodal poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold with modes of fiber distribution at 600 nm and 3.3 μm. Three conventional unimodal scaffolds with mean diameters of 300 nm and 2.6 and 5.2 μm, respectively, were used as controls to evaluate the new materials. Characterization of the microstructure (i.e. porosity, fiber distribution and pore structure) and mechanical properties (i.e. stiffness, strength and failure mode) indicated that the multimodal scaffold had superior mechanical properties (Young's modulus ∼40 MPa and strength ∼1 MPa) in comparison with the controls, despite the large porosity (∼90% on average). A biological assessment was conducted with bone marrow stromal cell type (mesenchymal stem cells, mTERT-MSCs). While the new material compared favorably with the controls with respect to cell viability (on the outer surface), it outperformed them in terms of cell colonization within the scaffold. The latter result, which could neither be practically achieved in the controls nor expected based on current models of pore size distribution, demonstrated the greater openness of the pore structure of the bimodal material, which remarkably did not come at the expense of its mechanical properties. Furthermore, nanofibers were seen to form a nanoweb bridging across neighboring microfibers, which boosted cell motility and survival. Lastly, standard adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation tests served to demonstrate that the new scaffold did not hinder the multilineage potential of stem cells. © 2009 Acta Materialia Inc

RF MEMS ohmic switches for matrix configurations

Two different topologies of radio frequency micro-electro-mechanical system (RF MEMS) series ohmic switches (cantilever and clamped–clamped beams) in coplanar waveguide (CPW) configuration have been characterized by means of DC, environmental, and RF measurements. In particular, on-wafer checks have been followed by RF test after vibration, thermal shocks, and temperature cycles. The devices have been manufactured on high resistivity silicon substrates, as building blocks to be implemented in different single-pole 4-throw (SP4 T), double-pole double-throw (DPDT) configurations, and then integrated in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) technology for the realization of large-order Clos 3D networks

Effect of maternal panic disorder on mother-child interaction and relation to child anxiety and child self-efficacy

To determine whether mothers with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia interacted differently with their children than normal control mothers, 86 mothers and their adolescents (aged between 13 and 23 years) were observed during a structured play situation. Maternal as well as adolescent anxiety status was assessed according to a structured diagnostic interview. Results showed that mothers with panic disorder/agoraphobia showed more verbal control, were more criticizing and less sensitive during mother-child interaction than mothers without current mental disorders. Moreover, more conflicts were observed between mother and child dyadic interactions when the mother suffered from panic disorder. The comparison of parenting behaviors among anxious and non-anxious children did not reveal any significant differences. These findings support an association between parental over-control and rejection and maternal but not child anxiety and suggest that particularly mother anxiety status is an important determinant of parenting behavior. Finally, an association was found between children’s perceived self-efficacy, parental control and child anxiety symptoms