Energy-efficient motors

The use of a copper-squirrel cage in induction motors has been analyzed testing a prototype rated 1.1 kW and comparing the performances with a twin machine with an aluminum cage. The comparison has been made using torque, efficiency, starting torque, and starting current. For the considered machine size, the obtained results show that the simple substitution of the aluminum with copper can improve the efficiency of no more than 1.5% at rated load. Taking into account the copper market cost trend, the use of copper cage increases the break-even time due to the higher cost of copper rotor respect to the aluminum one. For this reason, the discussion about the use of copper cage can be still considered ope

User Value in Modern Payment Platforms: A Graph Approach

Payment platforms have significantly evolved in recent years to keep pace with the proliferation of online and cashless payments. These platforms are increasingly aligned with online social networks, allowing users to interact with each other and transfer small amounts of money in a Peer-to-Peer fashion. This poses new challenges for analysing payment data, as traditional methods are only user-centric or business-centric and neglect the network users build during the interaction. This paper proposes a first methodology for measuring user value in modern payment platforms. We combine quantitative user-centric metrics with an analysis of the graph created by users’ activities and its topological features inspired by the evolution of opinions in social networks. We showcase our approach using a dataset from a large operational payment platform and show how it can support business decisions and marketing campaign design, e.g., by targeting specific users

Real-time reconstruction of long-lived particles at LHCb using FPGAs

Finding tracks downstream of the magnet at the earliest LHCb trigger level is not part of the baseline plan of the upgrade trigger, on account of the significant CPU time required to execute the search. Many long-lived particles, such as $K^0_S$ and strange baryons, decay after the vertex track detector, so that their reconstruction efficiency is limited. We present a study of the performance of a future innovative real-time tracking system based on FPGAs, developed within a R\&D effort in the context of the LHCb Upgrade Ib (LHC Run~4), dedicated to the reconstruction of the particles downstream of the magnet in the forward tracking detector (Scintillating Fibre Tracker), that is capable of processing events at the full LHC collision rate of 30 MHz.Comment: ACAT 2019 proceedings. 7 pages, 2 figure

Analysis of CYP2D6

The CYP2D6 enzyme is involved in the metabolism of many commonly prescribed drugs. The presence of polymorphisms in the CYP2D6 gene may modulate the enzyme level and activity affecting individual responses, to pharmacological treatment in drug level, response and adverse reactions. Aims. This study aimed to analyze the determination of allele frequencies in Sardinians and the comparison to frequencies found in the Caucasian Population. Methods and Materials. We used a Long PCR strategy coupled to direct genomic DNA sequencing analysis. An amplification allele-specific was carried out to infer the correct allelic phase. The TaqMan Gene Copy Number Assay (Applied Biosystems) was used to verify the presence of gene deletions/multiplications. Results and Conclusions. Our results indicated that CYP2D6 allele frequencies in Sardinians differed from those previously detected in the Caucasian Population. Moreover, three new SNPs and four novel haplotypes were identified

Avoidable blindness and value based healthcare: more value with a population approach

   &nbsp

FGF23 and Fetuin-A Interaction in the Liver and in the Circulation

Recently it has been demonstrated that Fetuin-A, an anti-inflammatory protein synthesized by the liver, is produced also in bone by an FGF23-regulated pathway. FGF23 has been also demonstrated to induce inflammatory cytokine production in the liver. This study aimed to explore if FGF23 plays a role in the Fetuin-A production in the liver cells too and the possible relationships with FGF23 pro-inflammatory effects.FGF23 and Fetuin-A were studied in liver, kidney and in plasma with immunochemistry, immunoprecipitation, western blot, chromatin immunoprecipitation, duolink, ELISA, qrtPCR methodology.FGF23 is produced, but not secreted by the liver cells. In hepatocytes and circulation, FGF23 was present only strictly linked to Fetuin-A, while Fetuin-A was found also in unbounded form. No link was observed in the kidney. FGF23 up to 600 pg/ml stimulates, while, at higher concentrations, reduces Fetuin-A expression.Notably, overall the range of concentrations, FGF23 stimulates Fetuin-A promoter, TNF alpha and IL6 expression.In the nucleus, FGF23 seems to act as a direct transcription factor of Fetuin-A promoter. These results suggest that FGF23 played a direct regulatory role in Fetuin-A expression in liver cells with a biphasic effect: Fetuin-A progressively increases when FGF23 increases up to 400-600 pg/mL, and declines at higher FGF23 concentrations.These results lead us to hypothesize: a) a possible epigenetic post-transcriptional regulation; b) a possible counter-regulatory effect of FGF23 induced inflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha/NF-kappa B mechanism). This study could add an additional key for the interpretation of the possible mechanisms linking FGF23, Fetuin-A and inflammation in CKD patients and suggests a role for FGF23 as transcription factor