Numerical-experimental investigation into the tensile behavior of a hybrid metallic-CFRP stiffened aeronautical panel

In this work, the tensile behavior of a hybrid metallic-composite stiffened panel is investigated. The analyzed structure consists of an omega-reinforced composite fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) panel joined with a Z-reinforced aluminum plate by fasteners. The introduced numerical model, able to simulate geometrical and material non-linearities, has been preliminary validated by means of comparisons with experimental test results, in terms of strain distributions in both composite and metallic sub-components. Subsequently, the inter-laminar damage behavior of the investigated hybrid structure has been studied numerically by assessing the influence of key structural subcomponents on the damage evolution of an artificial initial debonding between the composite skin and stringers

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Application for a Section of Bologna’s Red Tramway Line

New technologies such as the I-BIM (Infrastructure Building Information Modeling) are radically changing the infrastructure design and construction sector. In this study, the I-BIMapproach has been used for the design of a portion of the future Bologna’s Red Tramway Line. Starting from the topographical survey of the area, a “federated” model was created, aggregating in a single digital environment all the models inherent to the individual disciplines involved. Interference analysis (Clash Detection) between the various disciplines was performed, subject to the preparation of a coordination matrix and the temporal simulation of the worksite phases (BIM4D). The results have shown that the I-BIMapproach represents a powerful tool for optimizing and validating infrastructure design, allowing users to see how the infrastructure integrates and fits into the real 3D environmental context

Patients in a private hospital in India leave the emergency department against medical advice for financial reasons

BACKGROUND: Some reports indicate financial concerns as a factor affecting ED patients leaving the acute care setting against medical advice (AMA). In India, no person is supposed to be denied urgent care because of inability to pay. Since a large proportion of the Indian health care system is financed by out-of-pocket expenses, we investigate the role of financial constraints for ED patients at a private hospital in India in leaving AMA. METHODS: A prospective ED-based cross-sectional survey of patients leaving AMA was conducted at a private hospital in India from 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2010. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to identify associations between financial factors and the decision to leave the hospital AMA. RESULTS: Overall, 55 (3.84%) ED patients left AMA, of which 46 (84%) reported leaving because of financial restrictions. Thirty-nine (71%) respondents indicated the medical bill would represent more that 25% of their annual income. Females (19/19) were more likely to leave AMA for financial reasons compared to males (27/36, p = 0.017). Among females who signed out AMA, the decision was never made by the female herself. CONCLUSION: The number of people leaving the ED AMA in a private Indian hospital is relatively high, with most leaving for financial reasons. In most cases, women did not decide to leave the ED AMA for themselves, whereas males did. This survey suggests that steps are needed to ensure that the inability to pay does not prevent emergent care from being provided

The Evolution of Social Orienting: Evidence from Chicks (Gallus gallus) and Human Newborns

Converging evidence from different species indicates that some newborn vertebrates, including humans, have visual predispositions to attend to the head region of animate creatures. It has been claimed that newborn preferences for faces are domain-relevant and similar in different species. One of the most common criticisms of the work supporting domain-relevant face biases in human newborns is that in most studies they already have several hours of visual experience when tested. This issue can be addressed by testing newly hatched face-na\uefve chicks (Gallus gallus) whose preferences can be assessed prior to any other visual experience with faces

Immediate Loading of Fixed Prostheses in Fully Edentulous Jaws: A 7-Year Follow-Up from a Single-Cohort Retrospective Study

The aim of this retrospective single-cohort study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of four-to-five implants immediately restored with metal-resin screw-retained cross-arch fixed prostheses in edentulous jaws 10 years after loading. One-hundred-and-four consecutive patients received four to five implants placed with a torque superior 35 Ncm. One-hundred-and-twenty-seven metal-resin screw-retained fixed prostheses (59 mandibular and 68 maxillary) were to be delivered within 3 days. Outcome measures, evaluated by the treating clinician, were: prosthesis and implant failures, prosthetic modifications, peri-implant mucositis, and biological and prosthetic complications. A total of 549 implants were placed. Twenty-one implants failed in 14 patients and 102 prostheses were remade, at least once, in 81 patients: 2 due to implant failures and 33 because of fractures of the prostheses. In particular, 25 original metal-resin prostheses had to be remade because of fractures versus only eight of the replacement monolithic metal-resin prostheses. All patients were wearing fixed prostheses at the end of the follow-up. Thirty-six biological complications occurred in 22 patients. Eighty-six prosthetic complications occurred in 42 patients. In conclusion, immediately loaded cross-arch prostheses supported by four-to-five immediately placed implants are a viable therapeutic option if robust prostheses are made