Minkowski4_4 ×\times S2S^2 solutions of IIB supergravity

We classify $\mathcal N = 2$ Minkowski$_4$ solutions of IIB supergravity with an $SU(2)_R$ symmetry geometrically realized by an $S^2$-foliation in the remaining six dimensions. For the various cases of the classification, we reduce the supersymmetric system of equations to PDEs. These cases often accommodate systems of intersecting branes and half-maximally supersymmetric AdS$_{5,6,7}$ solutions when they exist. As an example, we analyze the AdS$_6$ case in more detail, reducing the supersymmetry equations to a single cylindrical Laplace equation. We also recover an already known linear dilaton background dual to the $(1,1)$ Little String Theory (LST) living on NS5-branes, and we find a new Minkowski$_5$ linear dilaton solution from brane intersections. Finally, we also discuss some simple Minkowski$_4$ solutions based on compact conformal Calabi-Yau manifolds.Comment: 43 pages, 1 appendix. v2: typos corrected, references adde

The bounce of the body in hopping, running and trotting: different machines with the same motor

The bouncing mechanism of human running is characterized by a shorter duration of the brake after ‘landing’ compared with a longer duration of the push before ‘takeoff’. This landing–takeoff asymmetry has been thought to be a consequence of the force–velocity relation of the muscle, resulting in a greater force exerted during stretching after landing and a lower force developed during shortening before takeoff. However, the asymmetric lever system of the human foot during stance may also be the cause. Here, we measure the landing–takeoff asymmetry in bouncing steps of running, hopping and trotting animals using diverse lever systems. We find that the duration of the push exceeds that of the brake in all the animals, indicating that the different lever systems comply with the basic property of muscle to resist stretching with a force greater than that developed during shortening. In addition, results show both the landing–takeoff asymmetry and the mass-specific vertical stiffness to be greater in small animals than in large animals. We suggest that the landing–takeoff asymmetry is an index of a lack of elasticity, which increases with increasing the role of muscle relative to that of tendon within muscle–tendon units

Deconstruction of the Corso Grosseto viaduct and setup of a testing site for full scale load tests

BRIDGE|50 is a research project recently launched in Italy in the context of the Torino-Ceres construction works jointly with Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, public authorities and private companies. The aim of the BRIDGE|50 research project is to investigate the residual structural performance of the Corso Grosseto 50-year-old prestressed concrete bridge through an experimental campaign. The dismantling and demolition procedures of Corso Grosseto viaduct are presented in this paper, including the setup of the field laboratory where several deck beams and pier caps will be tested up to collapse

Vision-related quality of life and symptom perception change over time in newly-diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma patients.

To evaluate the change over time of vision-related quality of life (QoL) and glaucoma symptoms in a population of newly-diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Multicenter, prospective study. Consecutive newly-diagnosed POAG patients were enrolled and followed-up for one year. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 6 and 12 months from baseline. At each visit, vision-related QoL and glaucoma-related symptoms were assessed by the means of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) and the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS), respectively. Trends over time for NEI-VFQ-25 and GSS scores were evaluated with longitudinal linear mixed models. One-hundred seventy-eight patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, early to moderate glaucoma stages were associated with higher scores for most GSS and NEI-VFQ-25 items, while lower best-corrected visual acuity was associated with lower scores for 4 of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 items. During the follow-up, all the GSS scores, the NEI-VFQ-25 total score, and 7 of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 scores significantly improved (p < 0.05). In multivariate model, higher increases of most GSS and NEI-VFQ-25 scores were modeled in patients with low scores at baseline. Vision-related QoL and glaucoma-related symptom perception significantly improved during the one-year follow-up in this population of newly diagnosed POAG patients

Dynamic tests and modal identification of Corso Grosseto viaduct decks before the dismounting

This paper describes the dynamic test campaign carried out on four prestressed concrete decks being part of the viaduct of Corso Grosseto in Turin, before its demolition after a service life of 50 years. Subsequently, 25 beams, 4 box girders and 2 pier caps were collected from the tested decks to be deeply investigated within the frame of BRIDGE|50 research project. The purpose of the preliminary test campaign is to characterize the dynamic behavior of the decks in their service condition. Dynamic measurements were acquired on each deck by using different excitation sources. The collected data have been analyzed in order to extract the principal modal components and the outcomes have been compared to the analytical results given by a FE model. The results of the tests will be used to better investigate the effectiveness of the dynamic tests in the assessment of ageing infrastructures, to explore the effects of damages on single beams and its influence on the global response of this bridge typology

Minkowski Solutions of IIB Supergravity

We classify Minkowski4 solutions of IIB supergravity with an symmetry geometrically realized by an S2-foliation in the remaining six dimensions. For the various cases of the classification, we reduce the supersymmetric system of equations to PDEs. These cases often accommodate systems of intersecting branes and half-maximally supersymmetric AdS5, 6, 7 solutions when they exist. As an example, we analyze the AdS6 case in more detail, reducing the supersymmetry equations to a single cylindrical Laplace equation. We also recover an already known linear dilaton background dual to the (1, 1) Little String Theory (LST) living on NS5-branes, and we find a new Minkowski5 linear dilaton solution from brane intersections. Finally, we also discuss some simple Minkowski4 solutions based on compact conformal Calabi-Yau manifolds

Deconstruction of the Corso Grosseto viaduct and setup of a testing site for full scale load tests

BRIDGE|50 is a research project recently launched in Italy in the context of the Torino-Ceres construction works jointly with Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, public authorities and private companies. The aim of the BRIDGE|50 research project is to investigate the residual structural performance of the Corso Grosseto 50-year-old prestressed concrete bridge through an experimental campaign. The dismantling and demolition procedures of Corso Grosseto viaduct are presented in this paper, including the setup of the field laboratory where several deck beams and pier caps will be tested up to collapse

Metronomic Chemotherapy in Triple-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: The Future Is Now?

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows a very bad prognosis, even in early stages of disease. Metronomic chemotherapy refers to the minimum biologically effective dose of a chemotherapy agent given as a continuous dosing regimen with no prolonged drug-free breaks that leads to antitumor activity. In the present article, we review preclinical and clinical data of metronomic administration of chemotherapy agents with or without biological agents in TNBC cell lines and patients, contextually reporting data from the VICTOR-2 study in the subgroup of patients with TNBC, in order to stimulate new ideas for the design of clinical trials in this subset of patients

Evaluating the Effects of an Ophthalmic Solution of Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients: A Study Protocol

Introduction: The CoQun\uae study is a multicenter, controlled trial aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Coqun\uae, an ophthalmic solution of Coenzyme q10 (CoQ10) and Vitamin E (VitE), in patients affected by primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Pre-clinical studies and small non-controlled clinical trials have previously shown a potential role of CoQ10 and VitE in glaucoma neuroprotection, both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Randomized, parallel arm, multicenter, double-blind study. POAG patients with an IOP ranging from 17 to 21\ua0mm Hg on monotherapy with a prostaglandin analogue (PGA) will be considered for study enrollment. Inclusion criteria will be visual field (VF) mean deviation between 12\ua04 and 12\ua010\ua0dB and VF Pattern Standard Deviation between 4 and 10\ua0dB. Eligible patients will be randomized to receive CoQun\uae (Arm A) or placebo (Arm B), in addition to PGA monotherapy. Planned Outcomes: Primary outcome will be time to progression, defined as the time between the baseline visit and the visit with confirmed VF progression. A total of 612 patients are planned to be enrolled, to detect a hazard ratio of 0.65, with a power of 80% and an alpha error of 0.05 (two-sided). For study power calculation, 10% non-evaluable patients are assumed. This is the first study investigating, in a randomized, double-blind and controlled fashion, the neuroprotective effects of CoQ10 and VitE in POAG patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03611530