Regularity bounds by minimal generators and Hilbert function

Let $\rho_C$ be the regularity of the Hilbert function of a projective curve $C$ in \mbox {P}^n_K over an algebraically closed field $K$ and $\beta_1, \ldots, \beta_{n-1}$ be degrees for which there exists a complete intersection of type ($\beta_1, \ldots, \beta_{n-1}$) containing properly $C$. Then the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of $C$ is bounded above by max $\{\rho_C +1, \beta 1 + \ldots + \beta_n-1 -(n-1)\}$ .We investigate the sharpness of the above bound, which is achieved by curves algebraically linked to ones having degenerate general hyperplane section

Computational and experimental investigation of mixing in microchannels

This paper was presented at the 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009), which was held at Brunel University, West London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IPEM, the Italian Union of Thermofluid dynamics, the Process Intensification Network, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.Mixing is a key process for the successful of all chemical or biochemical reactions, so effective micromixers represent essential components for micro total analysis systems (μTAS) or lab-on-a-chip. In the present study a combined computational and experimental approach was adopted to evaluate how the efficiency of a Y-mixer can be enhanced by modifying its downstream geometry. Three different geometries were studied and compared: Y-straight channel, Y-sine channel and Y-wrinkled wall channel. For each of them the influence of perfusing flow rates and channel cross section aspect ratio was investigated. Physical prototypes were built using a simple technique based on a xerographic process, and their mixing performance was experimentally evaluated. Computational models of the designed micromixers were generated: the Navier-Stokes equations for an incompressible Newtonian fluid and the advection-diffusion equation were solved with an uncoupled approach by means of the finite volume method. The computational and experimental results were critically compared, revealing Y-wrinkled wall mixer as the best performer among those considered and suggesting criteria of possible improvements and optimization

Sviluppo di un approccio formativo innovativo interdisciplinare orientato alla realizzazione di policy istituzionali: percorso integrato di Coaching individuale e di Team, di Mentoring e Formazione d’aula

Introduction The increasing of people affected by chronic diseases implies a significant commitment of resources to ensure continuity of long-term healthcare services. Italian Healthcare Authorities have adopted a National Chronicity Plan focusing on empowerment as the center of a pact of care between professionals and patients and caregivers to deal with global healthcare needs through multidisciplinary management, with the ambitious aim of changing the history of chronicity. IPACS (Institutional & Public Coaching Services) has set as it’s own primary objective the development of the specific aspect of professional interdisciplinary role in the socio-health field, considered critical for implementing the policies on chronicity of the Ministry of Health. Material and Methods IPACS has developed an experiential integrated training device (Mentoring + Individual Coaching + Team Coaching + Classroom Training + Art) lasting 6 months addressed to healthcare professionals, conducted by Institutional mentors and coaches with credentials of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The IPACS protocol utilizes validated questionnaires, observation sheets and other training tools/devices such as training pills and initial and final post-assessment feedback. Results The use of a standard methodology for evaluation and observation in the integrated coaching protocol allows the measurement of training results and the validation of the relative impact on the achievement of the system objectives and plan of action. The data relating to a study protocol are entered in the IPACS Empowerment platform which measures and describes the evolution curve of the individual and the team's capabilities, as well as the effects on the organization, going to form the database for the Health Technology Assessment of training technology. Conclusions The IPACS integrated coaching protocol, a process innovation tool capable of modifying the evolution curve of the individual and the reference team's capabilities, as well as the effects on the organization, offers useful technological innovation

A stacked ensemble learning and non-homogeneous hidden Markov model for daily precipitation downscaling and projection

Global circulation models (GCMs) are routinely used to project future climate conditions worldwide, such as temperature and precipitation. However, inputs with a finer resolution are required to drive impact-related models at local scales. The nonhomogeneous hidden Markov model (NHMM) is a widely used algorithm for the precipitation statistical downscaling for GCMs. To improve the accuracy of the traditional NHMM in reproducing spatiotemporal precipitation features of specific geographic sites, especially extreme precipitation, we developed a new precipitation downscaling framework. This hierarchical model includes two levels: (1) establishing an ensemble learning model to predict the occurrence probabilities for different levels of daily precipitation aggregated at multiple sites and (2) constructing a NHMM downscaling scheme of daily amount at the scale of a single rain gauge using the outputs of ensemble learning model as predictors. As the results obtained for the case study in the central-eastern China (CEC), show that our downscaling model is highly efficient and performs better than the NHMM in simulating precipitation variability and extreme precipitation. Finally, our projections indicate that CEC may experience increased precipitation in the future. Compared with around 26 years (1990–2015), the extreme precipitation frequency and amount would significantly increase by 21.9%– 48.1% and 12.3%–38.3%, respectively, by the late century (2075–2100) under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 585 climate scenario

Metastatic lung cancer presenting as thoracic empyema: A Case report

Increased cancer risk in patients with inflammatory and infectious diseases has been reported in many studies and lung cancer\u2010associated empyema in <0.3% patients. We present a patient with empyema in whom the final diagnosis was metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Purulent pleural fluid obtained by drainage or thoracentesis must always been examined because the association of malignant tumors and empyema should be taken into consideration

Unexpected thymoma in a challenging case of hyperparathyroidism

We report the case of a woman with primary hyperparathyroidism suspected of mediastinal ectopic parathyroid adenoma revealed to be a thymoma. Our aim was to focus on some possible criticisms in distinguishing between ectopic parathyroid and thymus

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG Counteracts Rotavirus-Induced Ion Secretion and Enterocyte Damage by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Through Specific Effects of Living and Postbiotic Preparations

Background: Administration of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to children with gastroenteritis is recommended by universal guidelines. Rotavirus (RV) causes diarrhea through combined cytotoxic and enterotoxic effects. Aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of efficacy of LGG in an in-vitro model of RV diarrhea in its viable form (LGG) and conditioned medium (mLGG). Methods: Ion secretion corresponding to the NSP4 enterotoxic effect, was evaluated by short circuit current (Isc) and the cytotoxic effect by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in Ussing chambers, upon exposure to RV in Caco-2 enterocyte monolayers treated or not with living probiotic or its culture supernatant. Mechanisms of enterotoxic and cytotoxic damage were evaluated including oxidative stress measured by reactive oxygen species, apoptosis evaluated by DAPI and nuclear staining, NFkβ immunofluorescence. Results: RV induced Isc increase and TEER decrease, respectively indicating ion secretion and epithelial damage, the two established pathways of diarrhea. Both probiotic preparations reduced both diarrheal effects, but their potency was different. Live LGG was equally effective on both enterotoxic and cytotoxic effect whereas mLGG was highly effective on ion secretion and showed minimal protective effects on cytoskeleton, apoptosis and NFkβ. Conclusions: LGG counteracts RV-induced diarrhea by inhibiting both cytotoxic and enterotoxic pathogenic mechanisms. Namely, LGG inhibits chloride secretion by specific moieties secreted in the medium with a direct pharmacologic-like action. This is considered a postbiotic effect. Subsequently, live bacteria exert a probiotic effect protecting the enterocyte structure