Formal convention in Verdi\u27s Falstaff

Falstaff (premiered in 1893) draws more explicitly on primo ottocento formal conventions for duets, arias, and central finales than scholars have previously argued. A description of those conventions (generally referred to as the solita forma) is followed by the analytical application of those conventions to selected passages from Falstaff. A general description of the solita forma for duets and arias is followed by a pertinent example from Rossini’s Semiramide. Three passages from Falstaff are then shown to have strong grounding in the solita forma. These passages include Falstaff’s “Honor” monologue in act I, part 1; the scene for Mrs. Quickly, Alice, Meg and Nannetta at the beginning of act I, part 2; and the scene for Mrs. Quickly, Alice, Meg and Nannetta at the beginning of act II, part 2. A general description of formal conventions for central finales is followed by a pertinent example from Rossini (the act I finale of Il barbiere di Siviglia). The Falstaff act II finale is then analyzed with reference to those conventions. The form of the Falstaff act II finale is also shown to bear a resemblance to forms encountered in the central finales of middle and late nineteenth-century French composers. In addition to revealing a stylistic continuity between Falstaff and earlier operas, an awareness of the reliance of certain passages in Falstaff on formal conventions from earlier in the nineteenth century allows for a more precise understanding of the dramaturgy of Falstaff

Nonlinear Models for Silicon Semiconductors

In this paper we present exact closures of the 8-moment and the 9-moment models for the charge transport in silicon semiconductors based on the maximum entropy principle. The validity of these models is assessed by numerical simulations of an n-n-n device. The results are compared with those obtained from the numerical solution of the Boltzmann Transport Equation both by Monte Carlo method and directly by a finite difference scheme

Building trust in autonomous vehicles: Role of virtual reality driving simulators in HMI design

The investigation of factors contributing at making humans trust Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) will play a fundamental role in the adoption of such technology. The user's ability to form a mental model of the AV, which is crucial to establish trust, depends on effective user-vehicle communication; thus, the importance of Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) is poised to increase. In this work, we propose a methodology to validate the user experience in AVs based on continuous, objective information gathered from physiological signals, while the user is immersed in a Virtual Reality-based driving simulation. We applied this methodology to the design of a head-up display interface delivering visual cues about the vehicle' sensory and planning systems. Through this approach, we obtained qualitative and quantitative evidence that a complete picture of the vehicle's surrounding, despite the higher cognitive load, is conducive to a less stressful experience. Moreover, after having been exposed to a more informative interface, users involved in the study were also more willing to test a real AV. The proposed methodology could be extended by adjusting the simulation environment, the HMI and/or the vehicle's Artificial Intelligence modules to dig into other aspects of the user experience

Design of an Innovative Graphite Exchanger for Adsorption Heat Pumps and Chillers

Abstract In this work, an innovative adsorber for application in adsorption heat pumps and chillers is presented. The adsorber consists of several assembled graphite plates and the flow path of heat transfer fluid. Each plate consists of a process side (where zeolite is deposited onto) and a heat transfer fluid (HTF) side where liquid water flows. The resulting adsorbent heat exchanger is able to deliver about 0.5-1 kW cooling power and possesses attractive thermo physical properties, especially in term of low weight, volume and thermal capacity. Experimental testing of the full-scale adsorber by a testing station available at CNR ITAE is currently ongoing

Severe Kawasaki disease in a 3-month-old patient: a case report

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease is a multi-system vasculitis which usually occurs in children under 5 years of age. In infants under three months of age, it is very rare and usually associated with a high incidence of incomplete or atypical forms, often unresponsive to treatment. This condition increases the risk of cardiovascular complications such as coronary artery aneurysms. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 3-month-old infant who developed early and severe aneurysms in three coronary arteries despite a timely administration of intravenous immunoglobulins, followed by three days of intravenous methylprednisolone. CONCLUSION: This case report underlines that the development of coronary artery aneurysm correlates with a delayed diagnosis and treatment, incomplete or atypical forms of the disease, and additionally the severity of clinical presentation, especially in cases of very young infants below 3 months of age. Our case is notable because of the very young age of the patient, the severity of clinical presentation with an early development of coronary artery aneurysms and the unresponsiveness to the therapy

Hepatitis B vaccination failure in children with Diabetes Mellitus? The debate continues

The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of specific antibodies against HBsAg in diabetic children (IDDM) previously vaccinated against hepatitis B virus.110 diabetic children were retrospectively studied and 100 healthy controls were recruited. In all patients surface antigen, HBV core IgG, antibodies against HBV "e" antigen and quantitative HBV surface antibodies were detected. In 45 patients molecular typing of HLA alleles was performed. Metabolic control was evaluated as mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and all patients were compliant to insulin therapy.46 of 110 diabetic children (41.8%) and 16 of 100 healthy controls (16%) were found to have not anti-HBs antibodies (p0.0001). The mean antibody titer was found significantly-lower (p0.0001) in IDDM children than healthy controls. No correlation was found between antibody titer, age, duration of disease and HbA1c. We did not find any difference of gender, age, years of onset of the disease and metabolic control, between diabetics with anti-HBs antibodies and those without.Our data confirm the reduced seroprotection rate for HBV vaccination in diabetics. However it remains poorly clarify the real clinical significance of this result. In our study no diabetic children showed markers of HBV infection

Type III pleuropulmonary blastoma in a 7-month-old female baby with impending respiratory failure: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a very rare, aggressive, embryonal pulmonary neoplasm which mostly affects children under the age of 5. According to the histopathological features, three subtypes of pleuropulmonary blastoma have been recognized: type I (purely cystic), type II (grossly visible cystic and solid elements) and type III (purely solid). Characteristics of type I and type II blastoma allow an earlier diagnosis compared with type III. Here we present a case report of an unusual presentation of type III pleuropulmonary blastoma. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 7-month-old female baby of Italian mother and Kurdish father who was diagnosed with type III pleuropulmonary blastoma, which entirely occupied her right hemithorax. CONCLUSIONS: The reported case is an unusual presentation because type III pleuropulmonary blastoma typically occurs in older children. The complete re-expansion of her residual, previously totally compressed, right lung observed immediately after the resection of the lesion suggests an atypical rapid growth of this embryonal tumor in the late phase of gestation or after delivery. This case report suggests that, in addition to other childhood tumors, type III pleuropulmonary blastoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of solid nonhomogeneous thoracic large masses, compressing the mediastinal and chest wall structures in infants. This is an original case report of interest for several specialities such us pediatrics, radiology, surgery and oncology

Allergic Rhinitis and Quality of Life in Children

Allergic rhinitis is a respiratory disease caused by an inflammatory process related to IgE mediated reaction versus allergens to which the subject is sensitized. Allergic rhinitis is not an isolated disease because the nasal mucosa inflammation involves paranasal sinuses and lower airways, thus worsening the asthmatic symptoms. Recently, a new classification of allergic rhinitis based on the duration and severity of clinical symptoms has been proposed. This classification takes into consideration both the quality of life and the possible impact of the symptoms on school, work and free-time activities. Children's quality of life is severely compromised by frequent night awakenings, easy fatigue, defects of language and irritability, which can have a negative influence on learning abilities. Allergic rhinitis has a negative impact on the quality of life of the whole family because it can cause interference on social life, and financial costs