A procedure for the identification of multiple cracks on beams and frames by static measurements

In this work, a model of the Euler-Bernoulli beam in presence of multiple-concentrated open cracks, based on the adoption of a localized flexibility model, is adopted. The closed-form solution in terms of transversal displacements due to static loads and general boundary condition is exploited to propose an inverse damage identification procedure. The proposed identification procedure does not require any solution algorithm, on the contrary is formulated by means of simple explicit sequential expressions for the crack positions and intensities including the identification of the integration constants. The number of possible detected cracks depends on the couples of adopted sensors. Undamaged beam zones can also be easily detected in relation to the sensor positions. The analytical character of the explicit expressions of the identification procedure makes the inverse formulation applicable to damaged beams included in more complex frame structures. The proposed procedure is applied for the identification of the number, position, and intensity of the cracks along simple straight beams and also to more complex frame structures with the aim of showing its simplicity for engineering applications. In addition, the robustness of the methodology here described is shown through an accurate analysis of the basic assumptions on which the theory relies and by means of a study of the effect of noise on the identification results

True 3q Chromosomal Amplification in Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma by FISH and aCGH Molecular Analysis: Impact on Targeted Drugs

Peer reviewe

The OpenMolcas Web: A Community-Driven Approach to Advancing Computational Chemistry

The developments of the open-source OpenMolcas chemistry software environment since spring 2020 are described, with a focus on novel functionalities accessible in the stable branch of the package or via interfaces with other packages. These developments span a wide range of topics in computational chemistry and are presented in thematic sections: electronic structure theory, electronic spectroscopy simulations, analytic gradients and molecular structure optimizations, ab initio molecular dynamics, and other new features. This report offers an overview of the chemical phenomena and processes OpenMolcas can address, while showing that OpenMolcas is an attractive platform for state-of-the-art atomistic computer simulations

Magi, infanti e martiri nella letteratura cristiana antica

Gli studi raccolti nel volume sono rappresentativi del pluridecennale percorso di ricerca di Francesco Scorza Barcellona e del suo peculiare approccio all’agiografia antica. Una prima sezione propone tre saggi pionieristici sulla santità infantile, indagata attraverso la vicenda omiletica dei santi Innocenti e quella agiografica dei martiri bambini. Nella seconda si ripercorre il culto dei Magi, in un viaggio ideale fra Oriente ed Occidente, dalla letteratura patristica al Milione di Marco Polo. La terza e ultima sezione manifesta il particolare interesse del nostro autore per le identità agiografiche complesse o liminali: Vittore, il martirio femminile e quello donatista. Gli articoli inclusi nella raccolta rimangono a tutt’oggi punti di riferimento obbligati sui soggetti trattati.The studies collected in the volume are representative of Francesco Scorza Barcellona's decades of research and his peculiar approach to ancient hagiography. The first section proposes three pioneering essays on child holiness, investigated through the homiletic story of innocent saints and the hagiographic story of child martyrs. In the second we trace the cult of the Magi, on an ideal journey between East and West, from patristic literature to the Million of Marco Polo. The third and final section expresses our author's particular interest in complex or liminal hagiographic identities: Victor, female martyrdom, and donatist martyrdom. The articles included in the collection remain to this day mandatory reference points on the subjects treated

Hypothenar syndrome

[No abstract available

Endocaval suture of aortocaval fistula

A case of aortocaval fistula complicating a ruptured infrarenal aortic aneurysm is reported. As the length of the defect and the thickness of the aortic wall made repair from within the aorta unsafe, the defect was repaired from within the vena cava. The details of the technique are reported. It can be a useful alternative to inferior vena cava ligation, when standard repair of aortocaval fistulae from within the aorta is risky or difficult to attempt

Multi-Directional Seismic Assessment of Historical Masonry Buildings by Means of Macro-Element Modelling: Application to a Building Damaged during the L'Aquila Earthquake (Italy)

The experience of the recent earthquakes in Italy caused a shocking impact in terms of loss of human life and damage in buildings. In particular, when it comes to ancient constructions, their cultural and historical value overlaps with the economic and social one. Among the historical structures, churches have been the object of several studies which identified the main characteristics of the seismic response and the most probable collapse mechanisms. More rarely, academic studies have been devoted to ancient palaces, since they often exhibit irregular and complicated arrangement of the resisting elements, which makes their response very difficult to predict. In this paper, a palace located in L’Aquila, severely damaged by the seismic event of 2009 is the object of an accurate study. A historical reconstruction of the past strengthening interventions as well as a detailed geometric relief is performed to implement detailed numerical models of the structure. Both global and local models are considered and static nonlinear analyses are performed considering the influence of the input direction on the seismic vulnerability of the building. The damage pattern predicted by the numerical models is compared with that observed after the earthquake. The seismic vulnerability assessments are performed in terms of ultimate peak ground acceleration (PGA) using capacity curves and the Italian code spectrum. The results are compared in terms of ultimate ductility demand evaluated performing nonlinear dynamic analyses considering the actual registered seismic input of L’Aquila earthquake

Response to: reimplanting the superior mesenteric artery on the infra-renal aorta

We thank Manenti et al2 for their comments. Acute intestinal ischemia and intestinal resection associated with chronic, ostial stenosis/ occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) represents a completely different clinical setting and pattern of associated problems than chronic mesenteric ischemia associated with long stenosis/occlusion of the SMA, which is the actual object of our article. We agree with Manenti and his associates that reimplantation of the SMA on the aorta, usually on its right antero-lateral aspect just below the origin of the renal arteries is an excellent method of revascularization. It is the ideal technique when the quality of the aortic wall is good or a well-patent aortic graft is in place and the lesion is confined to the first centimeter of the SMA.1 Short, ostial stenoses of the SMA associated with soft or mildly calcified plaques are well managed by endovascular treatment, whereas we think that heavily calcified stenoses or occlusions are still best treated by operative revascularization. Acute ischemia due to embolism to an undiseased SMA is treated by embolectomy via a transverse arteriotomy after dissecting the artery just out the root of the mesentery. When dealing with long SMA stenoses in contaminated fields, bypass with autogenous greater saphenous vein is a viable alternative, but can involve an excessively long course of the graft, because the greater saphenous vein is more prone to twisting and kinking than Dacron (Intervascular Datascope, La Ciotat, France) or polytetrafluoroethylene

Simultaneous repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm and resection of unexpected, associated abdominal malignancies

Background and Objectives: The management of unexpected intra-abdominal malignancy, discovered at laparotomy for elective treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), is controversial. It is still unclear whether both conditions should be treated simultaneously or a staged approach is to be preferred. To contribute in improving treatment guidelines, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients undergoing laparotomy for elective AAA repair. Methods: From January 1994 to March 2003, 253 patients underwent elective, transperitoneal repair of an AAA. In four patients (1.6%), an associated, unexpected neoplasm was detected at abdominal exploration, consisting of one renal, one gastric, one ileal carcinoid, and one ascending colon tumor. All of them were treated at the same operation, after aortic repair and careful isolation of the prosthetic graft. Results: The whole series' operative mortality was 3.6%. None of the patients simultaneously treated for AAA and tumor resection died in the postoperative period. No graft-related infections were observed. Simultaneous treatment of AAA and tumor did not prolong significantly the mean length of stay in the hospital, compared to standard treatment of AAA alone. Conclusions: Except for malignancies of organs requiring major surgical resections, simultaneous AAA repair and resection of an associated, unexpected abdominal neoplasm can be safely performed, in most of the patients, sparing the need for a second procedure. Endovascular grafting of the AAA can be a valuable tool in simplifying simultaneous treatment, or in staging the procedures with a very short delay. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Surgical treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysm in the elderly

Aim. Until fenestrated endografts will become the standard treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysms, open surgical repair will currently be employed for the repair of this condition. Suprarenal aortic control and larger surgical dissection represent additional technical requirements for the treatment of pararenal aneurysms compared to those of open infrarenal aortic aneurysms, which may be followed by an increased operative mortality and morbidity rate. As this may be especially true when dealing with pararenal aneurysms in an elderly patients' population, we decided to retrospectively review our results of open pararenal aortic aneurysm repair in elderly patients, in order to compare them with those reported in the literature. Methods. Twenty-one patients over 75 years of age were operated on for pararenal aortic aneurysms in a ten-year period. Exposure of the aorta was obtained by means of a retroperitoneal access, through a left flank incision on the eleventh rib. When dealing with interrenal aortic aneurysm the left renal artery was revascularized with a retrograde bypass arising from the aortic graft, proximally bevelled on the ostium of the right renal artery. Results. Two patients died of acute intestinal ischemia, yielding a postoperative mortality of 9.5%. Nonfatal complications included 2 pleural effusions, a transitory rise in postoperative serum creatinine levels in 3 cases, and one retroperitoneal hematoma. Mean renal ischemia time was 23 min, whereas mean visceral ischemia time was 19 min. Mean inhospital stay was I I days. Conclusion. Pararenal aortic aneurysms in the elderly can be surgically repaired with results that are similar to those obtained in younger patient