Three Dimensional Distorted Black Holes

We present three-dimensional, {\it non-axisymmetric} distorted black hole initial data which generalizes the axisymmetric, distorted, non-rotating [Bernstein93a] and rotating [Brandt94a] single black hole data developed by Bernstein, Brandt, and Seidel. These initial data should be useful for studying the dynamics of fully 3D, distorted black holes, such as those created by the spiraling coalescence of two black holes. We describe the mathematical construction of several families of such data sets, and show how to construct numerical solutions. We survey quantities associated with the numerically constructed solutions, such as ADM masses, apparent horizons, measurements of the horizon distortion, and the maximum possible radiation loss ($MRL$).Comment: 23 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Static performances of timber-and bamboo-concrete composite beams: A critical review of experimental results

The use of composite beams made with traditional concrete and bio-based materials (such as timber and bamboo) is a valuable solution to reduce the environmental impact of the building sector. Timber-Concrete Composite (TCC) beams have been used for decades in structural applications such as new buildings, refurbishment of old timber structures, and bridges. Recently, different researchers suggested composite beams based on engineered bamboo, commonly named Bamboo-Concrete Composite (BCC) beams. This study presents a systematic comparison of structural performances and connection behavior of TCC and BCC beams under short-term static load. TCCs beams are compared to BCC ones using similar shear connectors. The most important aspects of the two composite systems are compared: mechanical behavior of connectors and structural behaviors of full-scale composite beams (e.g., failure modes, connection stiffness, connection shear strength, ultimate load-carrying capacity, maximum deflection and composite efficiency). This comprehensive review indicates that BCC beams have similar or even better structural performances compared with TCC

Fractional order hereditariness of knee human ligament and tendon

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee, playing a critical role in stabilizing the joint. ACL is highly susceptible to injury, overall during sport activities, often precipitating catastrophic long-term joint outcomes. The ideal replacement graft for a torn ACL would restore native anatomy and function to the knee. Most commonly used autograft and allograft, including patellar tendon (P) and hamstring tendon (H) graft, or bioengineered synthetic grafts, may substantially alter the biomechanics of the knee, permitting a return to only moderate physical activities [1]. Main issues are the sub-optimal graft properties [2] and a still incomplete biomechanics characterization [1]. The goal of the present work is to fully characterize and compare the viscoelastic behavior of the ACL and natural/artificial grafts in order to highlight the differences that should be overcome to achieve a successful biomechanical performance and an ideal graft design

Detection of possible factors favouring the evolution of migraine without aura into chronic migraine

In a minority of cases, the natural history of migraine without aura (MO) is characterised over time by its evolution into a form of chronic migraine (CM). In order to detect the possible factors predicting this negative evolution of MO, we searched in our Headache Centre files for all clinical records that met the following criteria: (a) first visit between 1976 and 1998; (b) diagnosis of MO or of common migraine at the first observation, with or without association with other primary headache types; (c) <15 days per month of migraine at the first observation; and (d) at least one follow-up visit at least 10 years after the first visit. The patients thus identified were then divided into two groups based on a favourable/steady evolution (Group A: n = 243, 195 women and 48 men) or an unfavourable evolution (Group B: n = 72, 62 women and 10 men) of their migraine over time. In the two groups, we compared various clinical parameters that were present at the first observation or emerged at the subsequent follow-up visits. The parameters that were statistically significantly more frequent in Group B--and can therefore be considered possible negative prognostic factors--were: (a) ≥ 10 days per month of migraine at the first observation; (b) presence of depression at the first visit in males; and (c) onset of depression or arterial hypertension after the first observation but before transformation to CM in females. Based on these findings, in MO patients the high frequency of migraine attacks, comorbidity with depression, and the tendency to develop arterial hypertension should require particular attention and careful management to prevent evolution into CM

Monitoring of stress distribution in damaged small-scale masonry walls by using two innovative sensors

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) represents a strategic solution for the preservation of cultural heritage buildings. Existing masonry structures often suffer reductions in mechanical performances due to physiological aging of material constituents, external actions, and effect of catastrophic natural events. In many cases, the prompt prediction of damage in masonry elements is difficult and it can cause sudden collapses, compromising the safety of people. The proposed experimental study examines the effectiveness of two low-cost and innovative stress sensors, i.e. piezoelectric and capacitive stress sensors, for SHM of masonry structures. To this scope, the sensors were embedded in the mortar joints of two small-scale clay brick and calcarenite masonry wall specimens consisting of three panels. Experimental tests were carried out by applying a constant vertical compressive load at the top of each specimen and simulating the damage with a progressive reduction of the cross-section of one of the panels. During the tests, the vertical stress distributions (and their variations), were monitored by the sensors. Experimental outcomes from sensor reading were then compared to that numerically provided by a refined finite element simulation of the test. Results will show that vertical stress variations in masonry structures can be effectively accounted by the adopted sensors and potentially interpreted for the early prediction of structural damage

Occurrence of pathogenic and faecal Escherichia coli in layer hens

A total of 117 Escherichia coli from colibacillosis affected (APEC) and clinically healthy birds (AFEC) were serotyped and tested for the presence of virulence genes: iss, tsh, cva. A total of 54.5% E. Coli were typeable and 15 different serogroups were identified. The most common serogroups among APEC strains were O78, O2 and O128, whereas O139 was predominant in faecal strains from healthy birds. Iss, tsh e cva were more frequently detected among the septicaemic E. coli strains. The association of virulence genes was observed. Particularly, the pathotype iss-tsh-cva was present in 46.5% of APEC strains. Referring to serogroups, E. coli O78 and O2 originating from colibacillosis affected birds were always isstsh- cva positive but did not share virulence genes when they came from healthy birds

Migraine mediates the influence of C677T MTHFR genotypes on ischemic stroke risk with a stroke-subtype effect.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective was to investigate the role of C677T MTHFR polymorphism in migraine pathogenesis and in the migraine-ischemic stroke pathway. METHODS: A first genotype-migraine association study was conducted on 100 patients with migraine with aura (MA), 106 with migraine without aura (MO), and 105 subjects without migraine, which provided evidence in favor of association of the TT677 MTHFR genotype with increased risk of MA compared with both control subjects (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.11 to 5.58) and patients with MO (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.82). Based on these findings, mediational models of the genotype-migraine-stroke pathway were fitted on a group of 106 patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection, 227 young patients whose ischemic stroke was unrelated to a spontaneous cervical artery dissection (noncervical artery dissection), and 187 control subjects, and a genotype-migraine partial mediation model was selected. RESULTS: Both migraine and the TT genotype were more strongly associated to the subgroup of patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection (OR, 4.06; 95% CI, 1.63 to 10.02 for MA; OR, 5.45; 95% CI, 3.03 to 9.79 for MO; OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.45 to 5.68 for TT genotype) than to the subgroup of patients with noncervical artery dissection ischemic stroke (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.00 to 4.96 for MA; OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.02 to 3.22 for TT genotype) as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine may act as mediator in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase-ischemic stroke pathway with a more prominent effect in the subgroup of patients with spontaneous artery dissection

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Audouin gulls (Larus audouinii) Could they affect the surviving of the bird colonies

A total of 39 E. coli strains isolated from cloacal swabs and unhatched eggs of Audouin's gulls (Larus audouinii) living the Salento coast (Italy) were serotyped and molecular characterized for the presence of irp2, fyuA, tsh, papC, fimC, iucD, and eae genes described for Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Eight different serogroups (O1, 06, 08, 015, 075, 0139, 0146, 0147) were distinguished: we recorded a very high rate of untypeable strains. Genotyping by PCR achieved to detect fimC and irp2, described for APEC strains, as most predominant genes circulating in the gulls population, accounting for 94.87% and 97.43% respectively. Nevertheless, a significant co-existance of virulence genes was demonstrated to belong to E.coli of eggs origin. Particularly, fimC/tsh/iucD pathotype, recognized as most responsible of illness in poultry, emerged in 8.69% of E. coli of eggs origin

A Review on the Marek’s Disease Outbreak and Its Virulence-Related meq Genovariation in Asia between 2011 and 2021

Marek’s disease is an infectious disease in poultry that usually appears in neural and visceral tumors. This disease is caused by Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 infection in lymphocytes, and its meq gene is commonly used in virulent studies for coding the key protein functional in oncogenic transformation of the lymphocytes. Although vaccines have been introduced in many countries to control its spread and are proven to be efficient, recent records show a decline of such efficiency due to viral evolution. In this study, we reviewed the outbreak of Marek’s disease in Asia for the last 10 years, together with associated meq sequences, finding a total of 36 studies recording outbreaks with 132 viral strains in 12 countries. The visceral type is the most common (13 in 16 studies) form of Marek’s disease, but additional unobserved neural changes may exist. MD induces liver lymphoma most frequently (11 in 14 studies), and tumors were also found in spleen, kidney, heart, gizzard, skin, intestine, lung, and sciatic nerve. Twelve viral strains distributed in China have been reported to escape the CVI988 vaccine, reaching a mortality rate of more than 30%. Phylogenetic analyses show the internal connection between the Middle East (Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia), South Asia (India, Indonesia), and East Asia (China and Japan), while external viral communications might occasionally occur. In 18 strains with both sequential and mortality data, amino acid alignment showed several point substitutions that may be related to its virulence. We suggest more behavioral monitoring in Marek’s disease-endemic regions and further studies on strain virulence, together with its Meq protein structural changes

Multi-functional annular fairing for coupling launch abort motor to space vehicle

An annular fairing having aerodynamic, thermal, structural and acoustic attributes couples a launch abort motor to a space vehicle having a payload of concern mounted on top of a rocket propulsion system. A first end of the annular fairing is fixedly attached to the launch abort motor while a second end of the annular fairing is attached in a releasable fashion to an aft region of the payload. The annular fairing increases in diameter between its first and second ends