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

Bone gain after maxillary sinus lift: 5-years follow-up evaluation of the graft stability

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate, through digital radiographic measurements, the long term changes in bone gain after maxillary sinus floor elevation surgery to obtain a stable and predictable volume augmentation for implant-prosthetic rehabilitation.Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 72 patients affected by atrophy of posterior maxilla. All patients were treated with a lateral wall approach, using 100% deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) as graft material, with simultaneous implant placement. Panoramic radiographs were taken immediately after the sinus floor augmentation procedure (t0) and after 5-years follow-up (t1). For the analysis, the distance from the implant platform to the apex of the grafted material in the maxillary sinus at t0 and t1 was detected (d).Results 166 implants were placed in patients ranging in age from 43 to 74 years. The results of this study showed a survival rate of 100%forall implants inserted. The mean change of "d" at t0 was 19.5 +/- 3.53 mm. The mean change of "d" at t1 was 18.25 +/- 4.25 mm. The mean of the difference between t1 and t0 resulted to be 1.37 +/- 0.138 mm. There was a statistically significant difference (p < .001) between measurements be-fore and after sinus regenerative therapy (paired t-test).Conclusions These results demonstrate that the graft material remained clinically and radiographically stable after 5-years follow-up, with an average vertical resorption of 1.37 +/- 0.138 mm

The outcome of tilted distal implants immediately loaded under screw-retained cross-arch prostheses. A 5-year retrospective cohort study

Aim The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of tilted distal implants immediately loaded with metal-resin screw-retained cross-arch fixed prostheses 5 years after loading. Material and Methods One-hundred-seventy-six consecutive patients received four to six implants to be placed with a torque superior 35 Ncm. Two-hundred-nineteen metal-resin screw-retained fixed prostheses (120 mandibular and 98 maxillary) were to be delivered within 3 days. Implant failures and biological complications were evaluated by the treating clinician. Results A total of 922 implants were placed, 407 of which were tilted distal implants. Two patients dropped-out (died). Five years after loading all patients were wearing fixed prostheses. Ten tilted distal implants failed in 9 (5.17%) patients versus six non-distal implants in five patients (2.87%). Fifty-one biological complications occurred at tilted distal implants in 42 patients (24.14%) versus 37 complications occurred at non-distal implants in 24 patients (13.79%). Conclusions In conclusion, tilted distal implants have a double chance of failing or having biological complications when compared to mesial implants

On the Accuracy of Dielectric Characterization of Solid Materials by Open-Ended Coaxial Cable

In the field of electromagnetic characterization of solid materials, waveguides have long been regarded as the gold standard. However, when dealing with high-technology epoxy resins, this method can be inefficient as it may require a large amount of material resulting in a huge expense in manufacturing the prototype under test and associated additional costs. Alternatively, a method employing an in-house open-ended coaxial probe technology is presented in this work. Specifically, the proposed technique can be applied to broadband assess the dielectric properties of resins in a more cost-effective and non-destructive manner, utilizing a small amount of material. In the literature, it is well stated that the main drawback in the dielectric characterization of solid material by using open coaxial probe is the formation of air gaps at the probe tip-to-material interface. To overcome these limitations, we have designed an appropriate mechanical support. To evaluate the reliability of the method, experimental measurements were performed in the 6.4 GHz-8.2 GHz frequency range and then compared with standard waveguide measurements. This study demonstrates that the proposed system is a valid alternative for preliminary dielectric characterization of hard materials such as epoxy resins