Generalized ballistic-conductive heat conduction in isotropic materials

The general isotropic constitutive equations of heat conduction with second sound and ballistic propagation in isotropic materials is given using Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics with Internal Variables (NET-IV). The consequences of Onsager reciprocity between thermodynamic fluxes and forces and positive definiteness of the entropy production is considered. The relation to theories of Extended Thermodynamics is discussed in detail.Comment: 22 pages, no figure

FEM and Von Mises analysis on prosthetic crowns structural elements: evaluation of different applied materials

The aim of this paper is to underline the mechanical properties of dental single crown prosthodontics materials in order to differentiate the possibility of using each material for typical clinical condition and masticatory load. Objective of the investigation is to highlight the stress distribution over different common dental crowns by using computer-aided design software and a three-dimensional virtual model. By using engineering systems of analyses like FEM and Von Mises investigations it has been highlighted the strength over simulated lower first premolar crowns made by chrome cobalt alloy, golden alloy, dental resin, and zirconia. The prosthodontics crown models have been created and put on simulated chewing stresses. The three-dimensional models were subjected to axial and oblique forces and both guaranteed expected results over simulated masticatory cycle. Dental resin presented the low value of fracture while high values have been recorded for the metal alloy and zirconia. Clinicians should choose the better prosthetic solution for the teeth they want to restore and replace. Both prosthetic dental crowns offer long-term success if applied following the manufacture guide limitations and suggestions

Italian secondary school teachers’ perceptions on history teaching

Questo articolo presenta i risultati di una ricerca volta a scoprire come gli insegnanti italiani (Sicilia) percepiscono l’insegnamento della storia a livello secondario superiore. Lo studio è stato condotto sulla base di un questionario che è stato completato da 96 insegnanti in attività. La ricerca ha uno scopo diagnostico educativo e si basa su un approccio quantitativo. Sono state effettuate analisi descrittive (frequenze) e inferenziali (test non parametrici) per determinare se ci sono differenze tra i sessi. I risultati indicano ci sono differenze significative nel personale docente secondo il genere, con gli uomini che, in generale, mostrano una percezione dell’insegnamento della storia che è vicina ai modelli tradizionali (classe magistrale e libro di testo). Le principali difficoltà segnalate dagli insegnanti sono di natura metodologica, così come i sillabi eccessivi di contenuto e gli alti rapporti studenti/classe. Lo studio conclude che c’è bisogno di promuovere la formazione degli insegnanti in metodi e strategie attive per l’insegnamento della storia.This article presents the results of a research aimed at finding out how Italian (Sicily) teachers perceive the teaching of history at the upper secondary level. The study was conducted on the basis of a questionnaire that was completed by 96 practising teachers. The research has an educational diagnostic purpose and is based on a quantitative approach. Descriptive (frequencies) and inferential (non-parametric tests) analyses were carried out to determine whether there are differences between the sexes. The results indicate there are significant differences in the teaching staff according to gender, with men generally showing a perception of history teaching that is close to traditional models (master class and textbook). The main difficulties reported by teachers are methodological in nature, as well as excessive content syllabi and high student/class ratios. The study concludes that there is a need to promote teacher training in active methods and strategies for teaching history

Intraoperative sonography for nonpalpable breast lesions: Additional indications for a consolidate technique.

This prospective study evaluated the intraoperative ultrasound scan (IUSS) for nonpalpable breast lesions' detection. A total of 108 consecutive female patients underwent surgery using IUSS: Frozen sections demonstrated clear margins in 95.5% of neoplastic patients. Only four (4.5%) patients underwent local re-excision in the same operation. IUSS demonstrated to be quick, accurate, useful, effective, and safe for the intraoperative management of neoplastic nonpalpable breast lesions when performed by a surgeon who has undergone US training, particularly for people in whom alternative approaches can show some limitations due to contraindications or because of scheduling constraints, costs, and patient discomfort

Visceral leishmaniasis, hypertriglyceridemia and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a protozoan disease, is 100 % fatal if left untreated. Anemia is common in VL which plays a role in expression of clinically overt VL disease. Laboratory clues are scarce for strengthening clinical suspicion for severity in VL. Hypertriglyceridemia has emerged as a new concept for the diagnosis and prognosis in VL. The present study is aimed at correlating the magnitude of hypertriglyceridemia with the severity in VL. Materials and methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted between January 2012 to December 2013 among 124 patients coming for treatment from VL endemic areas, who had fever of more than 15 days and did not respond to antimalarials and antibiotics. The parasitologically confirmed VL cases (n = 87) were categorized as mild/moderate (n = 60) and severe (n = 27) groups according to WHO classification for anemia and parasite burden. Serum triglycerides were assayed in VL groups along with controls (n = 37). Results: Serum triglyceride level was significantly higher in VL than controls [mean values were 173.50 ± 47.67 versus 127.1 ± 53.79 mg/dl, respectively (p 161.7 mg/dl) was noted in all severe VL patients, compared to 31.66 % of mild or moderate group (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between mild/moderate VL and controls. Conclusions: It is hypothesized that hypertriglyceridemia could be of additional diagnostic benefit to assess the probability and severity of VL in endemic areas. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Neural monitoring in thyroid surgery

Numerous operating tools and technology transfers are available for thyroid surgery teams performing open, endoscopic and robotic procedures but none, or very few, of them constitutes a mandatory prerequisite. Over the past decade, the choice of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), has been reached certain consensus. Identification and intraoperative assessment of the RLN seems to be more effectively performed with IONM than solely visually or endoscopically. Today, IONM has evolved sufficiently to increase the likelihood of successful functional outcomes in many patients. The transition from the concept of intermitted neural monitoring of the RLN to that of continuous functions evaluation that must be appreciate requires highly skilled knowledge of IONM. This goal will be more likely achieved in Centers highly specialized in thyroid surgery