512 research outputs found
Numerical analysis on a reversible connection for steel modular buildings
Modular buildings are a new type of structural system composed by prefabricated modular units and assembled on site through inter-modular connections. These structures can form complete building blocks with suspended ceilings and installations, including electrical and water systems. These modular solutions can be adapted to any use like hospitals, housing schools, etc.
This work focuses on the analysis of structural behavior on a reversible steel connection modelling with finite element approach.
To this scope, in the paper an ideal case study is considered, characterized by steel elements.
The modules are assembled by inter-module connections that allow for rapid assembly onsite, without any need of skilled workmanship reducing the welding and the use of bolts. Therefore, Midas Fea NX is used to define the contact between steel elements in detail
Ketogenic diet-induced weight loss is associated with an increase in vitamin d levels in obese adults
Vitamin D is an important micronutrient involved in several processes. Evidence has shown a strong association between hypovitaminosis D and cardio-metabolic diseases, including obesity. A ketogenic diet has proven to be very effective for weight loss, especially in reducing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a ketogenic diet-induced weight loss on vitamin D status in a population of obese adults. We enrolled 56 obese outpatients, prescribed with either traditional standard hypocaloric Mediterranean diet (SHMD) or very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by chemiluminescence. The mean value of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in the whole population at baseline was 17.8 +/- 5.6 ng/mL, without differences between groups. After 12 months of dietetic treatment, in VLCKD patients serum 25(OH)D concentrations increased from 18.4 +/- 5.9 to 29.3 +/- 6.8 ng/mL (p < 0.0001), vs 17.5 +/- 6.1 to 21.3 +/- 7.6 ng/mL (p = 0.067) in the SHMD group (for each kilogram of weight loss, 25(OH)D concentration increased 0.39 and 0.13 ng/mL in the VLCKD and in the SHMD groups, respectively). In the VLCKD group, the increase in serum 25(OH)D concentrations was strongly associated with body mass index, waist circumference, and fatty mass variation. In a multiple regression analysis, fatty mass was the strongest independent predictor of serum 25(OH)D concentration, explaining 15.6%, 3.3%, and 9.4% of its variation in the whole population, in SHMD, and VLCKD groups, respectively. We also observed a greater reduction of inflammation (evaluated by high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) values) and a greater improvement in glucose homeostasis, confirmed by a reduction of HOMA values, in the VLCKD versus the SHMD group. Taken together, all these data suggest that a dietetic regimen, which implies a great reduction of fat mass, can improve vitamin D status in the obese
Variation of Vitamin D in cowâs milk and interaction with ÎČ-lactoglobulin
Vitamin D is the collective name for a group of closely related lipids, whose main biological function is to maintain serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations within the normal range by enhancing the efficiency of the small intestine to absorb these minerals from the diet. We used a commercially available ELISA method for the determination of vitamin D in bovine milk. Individual milk samples from two different Italian Friesian herds were analysed. The enzyme immunoassay method used was confirmed as a useful tool to measure the vitamin D in the milk as it greatly reduces the time required to perform the conventional HPLC analysis. An interesting variation was found among individual animals that may be associated with management factors and specific genetic effects. A relationship was highlighted between vitamin D and the genetic polymorphism of ÎČ-lactoglobulin, the main bovine whey protein which is involved in the transport of small hydrophobic molecules such as retinol and vitamin D. The relatively high content of vitamin D in most milk samples suggests an opportunity to improve the natural content of vitamin D in milk either by acting on the herd management or selecting individuals genetically predisposed to produce milk with a higher vitamin D content
Immunity, Inflammation and Heart Failure: Their Role on Cardiac Function and Iron Status
Aims: Heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by subclinical systemic inflammation and immune system activation associated with iron deficiency. No data exist on the various activations of immune-mediated mechanisms of inflammation in heart failure patients with reduced/preserved ejection fraction. We aimed to (1) investigate possible differences in inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress, and (2) detect a different iron status between groups. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 50 consecutive Caucasian outpatients with heart failure. All patients underwent echocardiographic measurements, laboratory determinations, evaluation of iron status and Toll-like receptors, and NF-ÎșB expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines. All statistical calculations were made using SPSS for Mac version 21.0. Results: Patients with reduced ejection fraction showed significantly lower hemoglobin levels (12.3 ± 1.4 vs. 13.6 ± 1.4 g/dl), serum iron (61.4 ± 18.3 vs. 93.7 ± 33.7 mcg/dl), transferrin iron binding capacity (20.7 ± 8.4 vs. 31.1 ± 15.6 %), and e-GFR values (78.1 ± 36.1 vs. 118.1 ± 33.9 ml/min/1.73 m2) in comparison to patients with preserved ejection fraction, while unsaturated iron binding capacity (272.6 ± 74.9 vs. 221.7 ± 61.4 mcg/dl), hepcidin (4.61 ± 0.89 vs. 3.28 ± 0.69 ng/ml), and creatinine (1.34 ± 0.55 vs. 1.03 ± 0.25 mg/dl) were significantly higher in the same group. When considering inflammatory parameters, patients with reduced ejection fraction showed significantly higher expression of both Toll-like receptors-2 (1.90 ± 0.97 vs. 1.25 ± 0.76 MFI) and Toll-like receptors-4 (4.54 ± 1.32 vs. 3.38 ± 1.62 MFI), respectively, as well as a significantly higher activity of NF-ÎșB (2.67 ± 0.60 vs. 1.07 ± 0.30). Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6, was significantly higher in patients with reduced ejection fraction, while the protective cytokine interleukin-10 was significantly lower in the same group. Correlational analyses demonstrated a significant and inverse relationship between left ventricular function and inflammatory parameters in patients with reduced ejection fraction, as well as a direct correlation between ferritin and inflammatory parameters. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate a different immune-mediated inflammatory burden in heart failure patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction, as well as significant differences in iron status. These data contribute to further elucidate pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to cardiac dysfunction
Medical imaging in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis: a review
Schistosomiasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases and it is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. Clinical and laboratory data are fundamental for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, but diagnostic imaging techniques such as x-rays, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) may be helpful in the evaluation of disease severity and complications. In this context, the aim of this review is to explore the actual role of diagnostic imaging in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, underlining advantages and drawbacks providing information about the utilization of diagnostic imaging techniques in this context. Furthermore, we aim to provide a useful guide regarding imaging features of schistosomiasis for radiology and nuclear medicine physicians of non-endemic countries: in fact, in the last years non-endemic countries have experienced important flows of migrants from endemic areas, therefore it is not uncommon to face cases of this disease in daily practice
Diversidade de Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) em mata de galeria no Distrito Federal.
Os coleĂłpteros pertencentes a subfamĂlia Scarabaeinae sĂŁo popularmente conhecidos como besouros rola-bosta, devido ao hĂĄbito de manipular fezes para alimentação e construção dos seus ninhos. Apesar de ser considerado um grupo relativamente bem estudado, pouco se conhece a respeito das espĂ©cies que habitam ĂĄreas de mata de galeria na regiĂŁo do Cerrado. No entanto, sabe-se que a cobertura florestal representa um elemento determinante da estrutura e diversidade da fauna destes besouros e que as matas de galeria no Cerrado podem ter influĂȘncias de outros biomas, como a AmazĂŽnia e Mata AtlĂąntica. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade de Scarabaeinae em um fragmento de mata de galeria localizado na Fazenda Experimental Ăgua Limpa da Universidade de BrasĂlia (FAL), BrasĂlia, DF. Foram utilizadas 15 armadilhas do tipo pitfall iscadas com carne de porco, moela de frango e fezes humanas, distribuĂdas em cinco pontos, a uma distĂąncia de 15 metros entre si; alĂ©m de uma armadilha de interceptação de voo. As iscas foram repostas e os besouros coletados semanalmente, durante quatro meses (novembro de 2013 a março de 2014). Foram coletados 2.643 espĂ©cimes e 21 espĂ©cies, distribuĂdas em 9 gĂȘneros: Anomiopus, Canthidium, Coprophanaeus, Delthochilum, Dichotomius, Eurysternus, Eutrichillum, Onthophagus e Phanaeus. O gĂȘnero Dichotomius foi o que apresentou maior riqueza (6 espĂ©cies) e tambĂ©m a maior abundĂąncia (1.399 indivĂduos). As espĂ©cies Dichotomius (Selenocopris) quadraticeps (429 indivĂduos) e D. (Selenocopris) bicuspis (309 indivĂduos), que obrigatoriamente ocorrem em ambientes florestais, e uma espĂ©cie de D. (Luederwaldtinia) do grupo assifer, predominante em ĂĄreas de Mata AtlĂąntica, foram as trĂȘs mais abundantes do gĂȘnero. Ambas foram atraĂdas pelas trĂȘs iscas, enquanto D. depressicoliis apenas por fezes. Armadilhas do tipo pitfall mostraram-se mais eficientes na coleta de rola-bostas, entretanto, o gĂȘnero Anomiopus foi capturado apenas na interceptação de voo
Estudo do temperamento de ovinos Santa InĂȘs e Morada Nova criados em SĂŁo Carlos, SP.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a influĂȘncia da raça e dos dias de avaliação no temperamento de ovinos. Foram utilizadas 32 fĂȘmeas ovinas das raças Santa InĂȘs e Morada Nova, com idade entre 17 e 25 meses. As medidas de temperamento avaliadas foram: movimentação na balança (MB), nĂșmero de vocalizaçÔes (Vocal), tipo de marcha (TM) e tempo de fuga (TS). Os dados obtidos para cada variĂĄvel foram analisadas utilizando o procedimento GLM do SAS. Para dias de avaliação, foram verificados efeitos significativos para todas as variĂĄveis analisadas Com exceção do TS, foram verificados efeitos significativos de raça para as variĂĄveis MB e Vocal, apresentando mĂ©dias maiores no Ășltimo dia de avaliação nas duas raças, possivelmente influenciados pela experiĂȘncia prĂ©via
The 21Na(p,gamma)22Mg Reaction and Oxygen-Neon Novae
The 21Na(p,gamma)22Mg reaction is expected to play an important role in the
nucleosynthesis of 22Na in Oxygen-Neon novae. The decay of 22Na leads to the
emission of a characteristic 1.275 MeV gamma-ray line. This report provides the
first direct measurement of the rate of this reaction using a radioactive 21Na
beam, and discusses its astrophysical implications. The energy of the important
state was measured to be E= 205.7 0.5 keV with a resonance
strength meV.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter
A development cooperation Erasmus Mundus partnership for capacity building in earthquake mitigation science and higher education
Successful practices have shown that a communityâs capacity to manage and reduce its seismic risk relies on
capitalization on policies, on technology and research results. An important role is played by education, than contribute to
strengthening technical curricula of future practitioners and researchers through university and higher education programs. EUNICE
is a European Commission funded higher education partnership for international development cooperation with the
objective to build capacity of individuals who will operate at institutions located in seismic prone Asian Countries. The project
involves five European Universities, eight Asian universities and four associations and NGOs active in advanced research on
seismic mitigation, disaster risk management and international development. The project consists of a comprehensive mobility
scheme open to nationals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Maldives, North Korea, Philippines, and Sri Lanka who plan to enroll in school or conduct research at one of five European
partner universities in Italy, Greece and Portugal. During the 2010-14 time span a total number of 104 mobilities are being
involved in scientific activities at the undergraduate, masters, PhD, postdoctoral and academic-staff exchange levels.
Researchers, future policymakers and practitioners build up their curricula over a range of disciplines in the fields of earthquake
engineering, seismology, disaster risk management and urban planning
EU-NICE, Eurasian University Network for International Cooperation in Earthquakes
Despite the remarkable scientific advancements of earthquake engineering and seismology in many countries,
seismic risk is still growing at a high rate in the worldâs most vulnerable communities. Successful practices have shown that a communityâs capacity to manage and reduce its seismic risk relies on capitalization on policies, on
technology and research results. An important role is played by education, than contribute to strengthening
technical curricula of future practitioners and researchers through university and higher education programmes.
In recent years an increasing number of initiatives have been launched in this field at the international and global
cooperation level. Cooperative international academic research and training is key to reducing the gap between
advanced and more vulnerable regions. EU-NICE is a European Commission funded higher education
partnership for international development cooperation with the objective to build capacity of individuals who
will operate at institutions located in seismic prone Asian Countries. The project involves five European
Universities, eight Asian universities and four associations and NGOs active in advanced research on seismic
mitigation, disaster risk management and international development.
The project consists of a comprehensive mobility scheme open to nationals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
China, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, North Korea, Philippines, and
Sri Lanka who plan to enrol in school or conduct research at one of five European partner universities in Italy,
Greece and Portugal. During the 2010-14 time span a total number of 104 mobilities are being involved in
scientific activities at the undergraduate, masters, PhD, postdoctoral and academic-staff exchange levels.
This high number of mobilities and activities is selected and designed so as to produce an overall increase of
knowledge that can result in an impact on earthquake mitigation. Researchers, future policymakers and
practitioners build up their curricula over a range of disciplines in the fields of engineering, seismology, disaster
risk management and urban planning. Specific educational and research activities focus on earthquake risk
mitigation related topics such as: anti-seismic structural design, structural engineering, advanced computer
structural collapse analysis, seismology, experimental laboratory studies, international and development issues in
disaster risk management, social-economical impact studies, international relations and conflict resolution
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