MHD oblique stagnation-point flow of a Newtonian fluid

The steady two-dimensional oblique stagnation-point flow of an electrically conducting Newtonian fluid in the presence of a uniform external electromagnetic field (E0, H0) is analyzed, and some physical situations are examined. In particular, if E0 vanishes, H0 lies in the plane of the flow, with a direction not parallel to the boundary, and the induced magnetic field is neglected, it is proved that the oblique stagnation-point flow exists if, and only if, the external magnetic field is parallel to the dividing streamline. In all cases it is shown that the governing nonlinear partial differential equations admit similarity solutions, and the resulting ordinary differential problems are solved numerically. Finally, the behaviour of the flow near the boundary is analyzed; this depends on the Hartmann number if H0 is parallel to the dividing streamline

MHD THREE-DIMENSIONAL STAGNATION-POINT FLOW OF A MICROPOLAR FLUID

The steady three-dimensional stagnation-point flow of an electrically conducting micropolar fluid in the absence and in the presence of a uniform external electromagnetic field (E0,H0) is analyzed and some physical situations are examined. In particular, we proved that if we impress an external magnetic field H0, and we neglect the induced magnetic field, then the steady MHD three-dimensional stagnation-point flow of such a fluid is possible if, and only if, H0 has the direction parallel to one of the axes. In all cases it is shown that the governing nonlinear partial differential equations admit similarity solutions. Moreover in the presence of an external magnetic field H0, it is found that the flow of a micropolar fluid has to satisfy an ordinary differential problem whose solution depend on H0 through the Hartmann number M. Finally, the skin-friction components along the axes are computed

MHD OBLIQUE STAGNATION-POINT FLOW OF A MICROPOLAR FLUID

The steady two-dimensional oblique stagnation-point flow of an electrically conducting micropolar fluid in the presence of a uniform external electromagnetic field (E0,H0) is analyzed and some physical situations are examined. In particular, if E0 vanishes, H0 lies in the plane of the flow, with a direction not parallel to the boundary, and the induced magnetic field is neglected. It is proved that the oblique stagnationpoint flow exists if, and only if, the external magnetic field is parallel to the dividing streamline. In all cases it is shown that the governing nonlinear partial differential equations admit similarity solutions and the resulting ordinary differential problems are solved numerically. Finally, the behaviour of the flow near the boundary is analyzed; this depends on the three dimensionless material parameters, and also on the Hartmann number if H0 is parallel to the dividing streamline

LIPOXYGENASE 4 CHARACTERIZATION AND CRISPR-CAS9 APPROACH TO ENHANCE FUSARIUM VERTICILLIOIDES (FV) RESISTANCE IN ZEA MAYS

Il Fusarium verticillioides (Fv) causa il marciume rosa della spiga e contamina le cariossidi con fumonisine, una famiglia di micotossine che colpisce mangimi e alimenti considerata cancerogena per l'uomo e gli animali. Sono stati condotti diversi studi per identificare i geni del mais associati alla resistenza della pianta ospite all'infezione da Fv e l'accumulo di fumonisina. È noto che le ossilipine regolano la difesa contro i patogeni e che il cross-talk lipidico ospite-patogeno influenza la patogenesi. A questo proposito, i mutanti di mais trasposonici del gene ZmLOX4, la linea suscettibile W22 e la resistente TZI18 sono stati testati per la resistenza a Fv mediante il saggio biologico Rolled Towel Assay (RTA). Inoltre, sono stati studiati i profili di espressione di 16 geni coinvolti nella via LOX e volatili verdi (GLV) e l'attività della lipossigenasi è stata analizzata nelle stesse linee. Inoltre, è stata applicata la tecnologia di modifica del genoma di Clustered Shortspeed Palindromic Repeat / Cas9 associato (CRISPR / Cas9) regolarmente esaminata per indagare le possibili implicazioni del gene ZmLOX6 e del fattore di trascrizione ZmWRKY125 nei meccanismi di resistenza contro Fv. L'espressione di questi geni è stata precedentemente osservata dagli esperimenti di RNA - Seq in genotipi resistenti al mais e Studi di Genome Wide Association (GWAS) che hanno portato a un SNP significativamente associato a ZmWRKY125. Inoltre, il gene ZmLOX4 è stato overespresso nella linea A188 per valutare un possibile miglioramento della resistenza alla malattia verso Fv. Il lavoro molecolare del CRISPR si basa su una doppia clonazione utilizzando due diverse single guide RNA (sgRNA) per un bersaglio genico. I costrutti sotto il promotore ZmpUBI nel vettore binario p1609 sono stati trasformati nella linea A188 utilizzando la trasformazione mediata da Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Le piante di mais modificate nei geni ZmLOX6 e ZmWRKY125 e ZmLOX4 che sovraesprimono saranno caratterizzate per RTA, prove sperimentali in campo e per il loro contenuto di fumonisina. Inoltre, saranno testati l’attività lipossigenasica totale, i suoi metaboliti derivati ​​e le osslipine, oltre all'analisi dell'espressione dei principali geni coinvolti nella via dell'acido jasmonico.Fusarium verticillioides (Fv) causes ear rot in maize and contaminates the kernels with fumonisins, a family of mycotoxins that affects feed and food and considered carcinogenic for humans and animals. Several studies were conducted to identify maize genes associated with host plant resistance to Fv infection and fumonisin accumulation. It is known that plant lipoxygenase (LOX)-derived oxylipins regulate defense against pathogens and that the host-pathogen lipid cross-talk influences the pathogenesis. In this regard, maize mutants carrying Mu insertions in the ZmLOX4 gene, the susceptible W22 and the resistant TZI18 lines were tested for Fv resistance by the screening method rolled towel assay (RTA). Additionally, the expression profiles of 16 genes involved in the LOX and green leaves volatiles (GLV) pathway were studied and the lipoxygenase activity was investigated in the same lines as well. Furthermore, the genome editing technology of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/associated Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) was applied in order to investigate the possible implication of the lipoxygenase gene ZmLOX6 and the transcription factor ZmWRKY125 in the resistance mechanisms against Fv. The enhanced expression of these genes was previously observed by RNA - Seq experiments in maize resistant genotypes and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) resulted in one SNP significantly associated with ZmWRKY125. Moreover, the gene ZmLOX4 was over-expressed in the line A188 for evaluating a possible improvement of the disease resistance towards Fv. The CRISPR cloning was based on a double cloning using two different guides (sgRNA) for one gene target. The constructs under the maize promoter ZmpUBI in the binary vector p1609 were transformed into the maize A188 line using Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. Maize plants edited in the genes ZmLOX6 and ZmWRKY125, and over-expressing ZmLOX4 will be characterized for Fv resistance using rolled towel assay, field assay and for their fumonisin content. Furthermore, the content of jasmonic acid, its derivative metabolites, and oxylipins will be tested, as well as the expression analysis of the main genes involved in the jasmonic acid pathway will be performed

Machine Learning and Lean Six Sigma to Assess How COVID-19 Has Changed the Patient Management of the Complex Operative Unit of Neurology and Stroke Unit: A Single Center Study

Background: In health, it is important to promote the effectiveness, efficiency and adequacy of the services provided; these concepts become even more important in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, where efforts to manage the disease have absorbed all hospital resources. The COVID-19 emergency led to a profound restructuring-in a very short time-of the Italian hospital system. Some factors that impose higher costs on hospitals are inappropriate hospitalization and length of stay (LOS). The length of stay (LOS) is a very useful parameter for the management of services within the hospital and is an index evaluated for the management of costs. Methods: This study analyzed how COVID-19 changed the activity of the Complex Operative Unit (COU) of the Neurology and Stroke Unit of the San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital of Salerno (Italy). The methodology used in this study was Lean Six Sigma. Problem solving in Lean Six Sigma is the DMAIC roadmap, characterized by five operational phases. To add even more value to the processing, a single clinical case, represented by stroke patients, was investigated to verify the specific impact of the pandemic. Results: The results obtained show a reduction in LOS for stroke patients and an increase in the value of the diagnosis related group relative weight. Conclusions: This work has shown how, thanks to the implementation of protocols for the management of the COU of the Neurology and Stroke Unit, the work of doctors has improved, and this is evident from the values of the parameters taken into consideration

PO15 - PBLS and primary school teachers: survey on training needs in first aid environment

n/

In vivo confocal microscopy of an apparent deep stroma corneal dystrophy: a case report

A 41-year-old white woman was referred to our Department to rule out the presence of a Fuch's corneal dystrophy. On slit-lamp biomicroscopy, small bilateral punctuate opacities appearing mostly in the posterior stroma were observed, suggesting a differential diagnosis of pre-Descemet's dystrophy as opposed to Cornea Farinata

Inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins increases NKG2D ligand MICA expression and sensitivity to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma cells. role of cMYC-IRF4-miR-125b interplay

Background: Anticancer immune responses may contribute to the control of tumors after conventional chemotherapy and different observations have indicated that chemotherapeutic agents can induce immune responses resulting in cancer cell death and immune-stimulatory side effects. Increasing experimental and clinical evidence highlight the importance of Natural Killer (NK) cells in immune responses toward Multiple Myeloma (MM) and combination therapies able to enhance the activity of NK cells against MM are showing promise in treating this hematologic cancer. The epigenetic readers of acetylated histones Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) proteins are critical regulators of gene expression. In cancer, they can upregulate transcription of key oncogenes such as cMYC, IRF4, BCL-2 and others. In addition, the activity of these proteins can regulate the expression of osteoclastogenic cytokines during cancer progression. Here, we investigated the effect of BET-bromodomain proteins inhibition, on the expression of Natural Killer (NK) cell-activating ligands in Multiple Myeloma (MM) cells. Methods: Five MM cell lines [SKO-007(J3), U266, RPMI-8226, ARP-1, JJN3] and CD138+ MM cells isolated from MM patients were used to investigate the activity of BET bromodomain inhibitors (BETi) (JQ1 and I-BET-151) and of the selective BRD4-degrader PROTAC (Proteolysis Targeting Chimera) (ARV-825), on the expression and function of several NK cell activating ligands (NKG2DLs and DNAM-1Ls), using Flow Cytometry, Real-Time PCR, transient transfections and degranulation assays. Results: Our results indicate that inhibition of BET proteins via small molecule inhibitors or their degradation via a hetero-bifunctional Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) probe can enhance the expression of MICA, a ligand of the NKG2D receptor, in human MM cell lines and primary malignant plasma cells, rendering myeloma cells more efficient to activate NK cell degranulation. Noteworthy, similar results were obtained using selective CBP/EP300 bromodomain inhibition. Mechanistically, we found that BETi-mediated inhibition of cMYC correlates with the upregulation of miR-125b-5p and the downregulation of the cMYC/miR-125b-5p target gene IRF4, a transcriptional repressor of MICA. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights on the immuno-mediated antitumor activities of BETi and further elucidate the molecular mechanisms that regulate NK cell-activating ligand expression in MM

Progettazione di un percorso di formazione professionale basato su Open Badge

Nell’era digitale, le istituzioni di istruzione e formazione professionale (IFP) sono emerse come ambienti di sviluppo trasformativi e flessibili; di conseguenza, è importante sviluppare opportunità di apprendimento professionale digitale che devono soddisfare i requisiti del mercato del lavoro europeo. Sono state condotte ricerche in merito a tali opportunità al fine di trovare nuovi strumenti per pianificare e condurre studi sul continuo sviluppo professionale e per raggiungere e mantenere le competenze versatili richieste nelle carriere di questi tempi. Questo studio mira a colmare un vuoto di ricerca riguardante lo sviluppo professionale avanzato basato sulle competenze, indagando il processo di apprendimento digitale aperto basato su badge nel contesto della formazione professionale. La domanda di ricerca considera come i badge digitali aperti strutturano il processo di apprendimento nel continuo sviluppo professionale delle nuove professioni pre e in servizio. La ricerca si è posta con l’obiettivo di esplorare le diverse idee, opinioni ed esperienze circa l’utilizzo di un sistema di badging all’interno di percorsi formativi professionali. Attraverso questo percorso si è sviluppata una comprensione profonda dei concetti e delle opportunità per il design di nuove pratiche educative. La domanda di ricerca ha esplorato il design di un percorso digitale di formazione professionale basato sull’applicazione delle logiche del gioco e di un sistema di micro-credentials. Ciò che è stato portato in evidenza è l’introduzione di cambiamenti necessari sia ai sistemi di erogazione, le piattaforme di e-learning, sia a quelli di gestione e pianificazione delle attività formative on line (gli LMS, Learning Management System) sia, infine al modo con cui vengono progettati e realizzati i corsi. La semplice sovrapposizione, come plug in, dei badge nelle piattaforme di e-learning, senza un adeguato progetto di cambiamento radicale del modo di fare formazione digitale, non produrrà i risultati sperati. La domanda generale di ricerca dello studio è la seguente: quali sono le best practice per il design di un percorso di formazione professionale basato open badge? L’entità dell’apprendimento digitale aperto basato su badge comprende materiali di apprendimento, criteri di badge, badge didattici, impalcature e supporto a tutti i corsisti. Questo studio offre approfondimenti sulla struttura del processo e la progettazione a più livelli per l’applicazione dell’approccio basato sulla Design based Research e badge digitali aperti e nello sviluppo professionale.In the digital age, vocational education and training (VET) institutions emerged as transformative and flexible development environments; consequently, it is important to develop digital professional learning opportunities which must meet the requirements of the European labor market. The research has been conducted into these opportunities, in order to find new tools for planning and conducting continuing professional development studies and for achieving and maintaining the versatile skills required in careers these days. This study aims to fill a research gap regarding advanced skills-based professional development by investigating the open badge-based digital learning process in the context of vocational training. The research question considers how open digital badges structure the learning process in the continuous professional development of new pre and in-service professions. The research was aimed to explore different ideas, opinions and experiences regarding the use of a badging system within professional training courses. Through this route we have developed an understanding wave of concepts and opportunities for the design of new educational practices. The research question explored the design of a digital vocational training course based on the application of the logic of the game and a system of micro-credentials. What has been highlighted is the introduction of necessary changes both to the delivery systems, the e-learning platforms, and to those for the management and planning of online training activities (the LMS, Learning Management System) and, finally, to the way in which the courses are designed and implemented. The simple overlapping, as a plug-in, of badges in e-learning platforms, without an adequate project of radical change in the way of doing digital training, will not produce the desired results. The firm's general research question is: “What are the best practices for designing an open badge- based career path” ? The entity of digital learning based on open badge includes learning materials, badge criteria, educational badge, scaffolding and support to all the participants . This study provides insights into the structure of the process and planning at various levels for the 'application of ' approach based on Design Research based and digital badge open and professional development

Modelling the length of hospital stay after knee replacement surgery through Machine Learning and Multiple Linear Regression at San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi daAragonaa University Hospital

Knee arthroplasty is one of the most commonly performed procedures within a hospital. The progressive aging of the population and the spread of clinical conditions such as obesity will lead to an increasing use of this procedure. Therefore, being able to make the process related to this procedure more effective and efficient becomes strategic within hospitals, subject to increasingly stringent clinical and financial pressures. A useful parameter for this purpose is the length of stay (LOS), whose early prediction allows for better bed management and resource allocation, models patient expectations and facilitates discharge planning. In this work, the data of 124 patients who underwent knee surgery in the two-year period 2019-2020 at the San Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d’Aragona university hospital were studied using multiple linear regression and machine learning algorithms in order to evaluate and predict how patient data affect LOS