Safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with psoriasis undergoing therapy with anti-interleukin agents

Introduction: There is very limited kn3e safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with psoriasis who are being treated with biological agents. We present our experience in 369 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis undergoing therapy with anti-IL agents who were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Areas covered: None of the 369 patients referred to any serious adverse event related to vaccination against COVID-19, while about one-third reported mild adverse events similar to those seen in the general population that were resolved within 48 hours. No patient discontinued biological therapy to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Expert opinion: Our observations provide evidence that COVID-19 vaccines can be considered safe in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who are receiving anti-IL therapy

Type-2 fuzzy control of a fed-batch fermentation reactor

The aim of the paper is to present the application of type-2 fuzzy logic controllers (T2FLCs) to the control of a fed-batch fermentation reactor in which the penicillin production is carried out. The performance of the control system using T2FLCs is compared by simulation with that of a control system using type-1 fuzzy logic controllers (T1FLCs). The non linear model used for the simulation study is an unstructured model characterized by the presence of non linearities, parameter uncertainty and measurement noise. Simulation results confirm the robustness of the T2FLC which shows a better performance than its type-1 counterpart particularly when uncertainties are present in the control system

Adaptive Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Control of Non-Linear Processes

The main objective of this study is to provide a valid and effective approach for the design and development of an adaptive type-2 fuzzy controller (AT2FLC), based on the analysis of the nonlinear process dynamics and the use of an ANFIS technique for the optimization of the controller. The performance of the obtained AT2FLC, characterized by a few number of rules, is higher than the performance of a traditional type-2 fuzzy controller with a larger rule base. The proposed controller is particurarly suitable for the control of processes characterized by uncertainty and time varying parameters

A General Mathematical Formulation for the Determination of Differential Leakage Factors in Electrical Machines with Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Full or Dead-Coil Multiphase Windings

This paper presents a simple and general mathematical formulation for the determination of the differential leakage factor for both symmetrical and asymmetrical full and dead-coil windings of electrical machines. The method can be applied to all multiphase windings and considers Görges polygons in conjunction with masses geometry in order to find an easy and affordable way to compute the differential leakage factor, avoiding the adoption of traditional methods that refer to the Ossanna's infinite series, which has to be obviously truncated under the bound of a predetermined accuracy. Moreover, the method described in this paper allows the easy determination of both the minimum and maximum values of the differential leakage factor, as well as its average value and the time trend. The proposed method, which does not require infinite series, is validated by means of several examples in order to practically demonstrate the effectiveness and the easiness of application of this procedure

Lo studio dei vulcani attivi e delle strutture crostali con reti sismiche temporanee: storia, evoluzione e prospettive della Rete Sismica Mobile dell’Osservatorio Vesuviano (INGV)

In this paper the history of the Mobile Seismic Network of the Osservatorio Vesuviano (at present Department of Napoli of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – INGV) is described. The instrumental development and the main research and monitoring activities since the early 1980’ are reported. Starting from the analog stations with magnetic tape recording to the first digital stations with trigger recording, until the modern multichannel 24bit devices, the technological development of the last 30 years has given a strong contribution to increase the knowledge in the seismology and seismotectonics fields. The Mobile Seismic Network has been engaged in active and passive seismic studies both on volcanic and tectonic areas. Particularly, the contribution of the Mobile Seismic Network for the monitoring of Neapolitan active volcanoes has been very important to improve the Permanent Network. During seismic crises high quality data have been gathered allowing detailed analyses of the seismic activity. Moreover, the time synchronization by means of GPS time code allowed the deployment of the Mobile Network abroad and the collaboration with the main international research institutes. At present, the Mobile Seismic Network of the Osservatorio Vesuviano is developing on multichannel acquisition systems, also in array configuration, to gathered simultaneously seismic signals with a large frequency band

On the playability of stringed instruments

As first noticed by Helmholtz, strings vibrate in a “V-shape” when they are bowed correctly and a full tone is produced, where the vertex of the “V” shuttles back and forth along the visible envelope of the string’s motion. If the instrument is bowed incorrectly, i.e. the instrument does not “speak”, then this “Helmholtz motion” is not produced, and the shape of the string as it vibrates will be quite different. The goal of this research is to gather experimental data from a stringed instrument and use it in the on-going development of a theoretical model of the mechanics of the bowed string, which can be used to investigate which aspects of the violin, strings or bow influence the ease with which this “Helmholtz motion” can be produced. The design, testing and application of a robotic bowing machine are described, which has allowed the speed and force of a bow as it plays a cello to be controlled. Extensive measurements of various aspects of the motion of a cello string being bowed by the bowing machine are presented, and compared with predictions from nominally similar theoretical models. Although certain models do reflect the qualitative behaviour seen in experiment under some conditions, all show vast room for improvement. Aspects of theoretical predictions that are at odds with experimental results, and would therefore impede efforts to use theoretical modelling in the design of a more “playable” violin, are subsequently described. Shortcomings of each model are attributed to physical defects of the theories underpinning them, and various modifications are discussed and tested.This project was financially supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Site effects at the Campi Flegrei,preliminary results

The Campi Flegrei caldera is a complex structure with a high population density, located west of the city of Naples. In addition of being an active volcano it is characterized by a high seismic hazard due to both Appennines regional earthquakes and to local earthquakes occurring during the bradyseismic crises. These unrest phenomena are characterized by slow ground vertical movements, particularly active in the central part of the caldera, and by a high number of low-magnitude earthquakes. In this context, the determination of the site transfer functions of the area has a strong relevance for the Civil Defense aimed to determine the hazard of the area. We have calculated the site transfer function with different techniques (H/V and Generalized Inversion technique) and have collected data on the local geology with the aim of correlating the site transfer functions with lithology and topography. This analysis has been performed on three areas: the Astroni crater, the Camaldoli hill and the Agnano plain. A future development will be to extend this analysis to the whole Campi Flegrei area

Long-term ustekinumab therapy of psoriasis in patients with coexisting rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren syndrome. Report of two cases and review of literature

Background: Inteleukin (IL)12 and IL23 are two main cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated disease. IL12 is produced by macrophages and B lymphocytes and mediates differentiation of Th1 lymphocytes, while IL23 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine essential for the differentiation of Th17 cells. Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against the p40 protein subunit shared by IL12 and IL23, therefore it blocks the signal transmission of both cytokines. Main observations: We present two cases and discuss the long-term efficacy of ustekinumab as a treatment of psoriasis in patients affected by autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome, who presented with severe psoriasis after anti-TNF treatment. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, these are the first cases reported in the literature describing the long-term good efficacy of ustekinumab not only on paradoxical forms of psoriasis induced by anti-TNF-α drugs, but also on the articular involvement in a patient affected by RA and in a patient affected by Sjögren syndrome

Quality of life and psychological impact in patients with atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a dermatological disorder that affects patients' mental health and psychological state in complex ways. The importance of understanding the entire scope of this burden is well recognized, but there is limited comprehensive information about the resulting stress on adult patients with AD. This study aimed to determine the degree of psychological stress in patients with AD compared to healthy participants. A total of 352 adult patients participated in this cross-sectional study-174 with AD and 178 healthy participants. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Itch and sleep disturbance were assessed using a numeric rating scale and a visual analogue scale. The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires were administered to assess the symptoms of alexithymia and depression. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed in AD patients using the Dermatology Quality Index. In our study, we found high TAS-20 and BDI scores among patients with AD. The prevalence of alexithymic personality features was 56.3% in patients with AD versus 21.3% in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Based on BDI scoring (BDI-21 > 13), depression was suspected in a significantly higher number of patients with AD than in the control group (56.9% (99/174) vs. 15.7% (28/178); p < 0.0001). Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score did not show any significant correlations with psychological parameters. Among clinical parameters, only sleep disturbance was positively correlated with depression (R = 0.307, p < 0.005). Our data show that the severity index score as a representative factor of skin involvement has a limited role in predicting the effect of skin diseases on mental status. Screening and assessment for psychiatric disorders, QOL, and sleep disturbance in patients with atopic dermatitis cannot be neglected by physicians and they should be treated in clinical practice with the consideration of psychosomatic approaches

Site effects Estimation and Source_Scaling Dynamics for Local Earthquakes at Mt. Vesuvius, Italy

Local microearthquakes were used to estimate site effects and source dynamic-scaling characteristics at Mt. Vesuvius, Italy. The selected data set is composed of low magnitude events (1.1 £ Md £ 3.6) recorded in 1996 and 1999 by nine digital shortperiod (1-Hz) seismic stations. Site response was evaluated by analysing data with three different approaches: 1) spectral ratios method of S-waves with respect to the average amplitude spectrum; 2) generalized inversion for site and source from the S-waves; and 3) generalized inversion from the coda waves. The results obtained with all three methods showed amplification of a factor of 1.5-2.5 in the 8-14 Hz frequency band for BKE and SGV sites and an amplification of 3 in a narrow band around 8 Hz for the CDT site. Method 2 allowed simultaneous determination of the source spectral shape for each earthquake. By assuming an w2 source model, we estimated the seismic moment Mo and corner frequency fc. The results show that most of the selected earthquakes are characterized by stress drops of 10 bars. The present results are encouraging for further investigation into the techniques for site-effect evaluation and for improving our knowledge of the scaling law of the source spectrum at Mt. Vesuvius