Operational modal analysis of a spar-type floating platform using frequency domain decomposition method

System identification of offshore floating platforms is usually performed by testing small-scale models in wave tanks, where controlled conditions, such as still water for free decay tests, regular and irregular wave loading can be represented. However, this approach may result in constraints on model dimensions, testing time, and costs of the experimental activity. For such reasons, intermediate-scale field modelling of offshore floating structures may become an interesting as well as cost-effective alternative in a near future. Clearly, since the open sea is not a controlled environment, traditional system identification may become challenging and less precise. In this paper, a new approach based on Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD) method for Operational Modal Analysis is proposed and validated against numerical simulations in ANSYS AQWA v.16.0 on a simple spar-type structure. The results obtained match well with numerical predictions, showing that this new approach, opportunely coupled with more traditional wave tanks techniques, proves to be very promising to perform field-site identification of the model structures

Progress on the experimental set-up for the testing of a floating offshore wind turbine scaled model in a field site

This document describes design and realization of a small-scale field experiment on a 1:30 model of spar floating support structure for offshore wind turbines. The aim of the experiment is to investigate the dynamic behaviour of the floating wind turbine under extreme wave and parked rotor conditions. The experiment has been going on in the Natural Ocean Engineering Laboratory of Reggio Calabria (Italy). In this article, all the stages of the experimental activity are presented, and some results are shown in terms of motions and response amplitude operators. Finally, a comparison with corresponding results obtained using ANSYS AQWA software package is shown, and conclusions are drawn. The presented experimental set-up seems promising to test offshore floating structures for marine renewable energy at a relatively large scale in the Natural Ocean Engineering Laboratory field site

Extra-projected implants as an alternative surgical model for breast reconstruction. Implantation strategy and early results.

Abstract The present study reports on patients who underwent breast reconstructions with extra-projection implants. Two-hundred and thirty-four women were treated for 238 breast reconstructions irrespectively of breast shape and size. In this series we aimed to reconstruct for all women a bilateral cosmetic medium-size breast (between 400 and 500 cc), highly projected, with a little to moderate ptosis rather then a ptotic one exactly matching the contra-lateral. This is demonstrated by volume of implants that ranged from 397 cc for ladies with small breast who received an augmentation, to 533 cc for those who side required a reduction surgery. Eighty-six percent of patients received contra-lateral procedures. Complication rate was 8.4% and 66% of reconstructions were rated as good in the patients' opinion. Extra-projection implants, coupled with contra-lateral breast surgery, provide a good aesthetic outcome and avoid myocutaneous flaps only on the basis of breast size and shape

Skin/nipple sparing mastectomies and implant-based breast reconstruction in patients with large and ptotic breast: oncological and reconstructive results.

In this study we performed 77 procedures on 65 patients fulfilling the oncological criteria for skin-sparing mastectomy and presenting with large or medium size breasts. All the operations were performed as a single-stage procedure with an anatomical prosthesis allocated into a compound pouch, made up of the pectoralis major, serratus anterior fascia, and a lower dermal adipose flap. The medium size of the anatomical implants employed was 444.3 cc. The implant removal rate was 14.2%. At a median follow-up of 36 months we reported a 0.5% local recurrence rate per year. The overall specific survival rate was 98.2%. This study confirms the safety and effectiveness of this technical variation of skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies. All breast, irrespective of mammary shape and size, can be reconstructed with medium size implants and, if required, contralateral adjustments. The overall complication rate is in keeping with previous studies

Impact of contra-lateral breast reshaping on mammographic surveillance in women undergoing breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer

Background: The ultimate goal of breast reconstruction is to achieve symmetry with the contra-lateral breast. Contra-lateral procedures with wide parenchymal rearrangements are suspected to impair mammographic surveillance. This study aims to evaluate the impact on mammographic detection of mastopexies and breast reductions for contralateral adjustment in breast reconstruction. Patients and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 105 women affected by uni-lateral breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and immediate two-stage reconstruction between 2002 and 2007. We considered three groups according to the contra-lateral reshaping technique: mastopexy or breast reduction with inferior dermoglandular flap (group 1); mastopexy or breast reduction without inferior dermoglandular flap (group 2); no contra-lateral reshaping (group 3). We assessed qualitative mammographic variations and breast density in the three groups. Results: Statistically significant differences have been found when comparing reshaped groups with non reshaped groups regarding parenchymal distortions, skin thickening and stromal edema, but these differences did not affect cancer surveillance. The surveillance mammography diagnostic accuracy in contra-lateral cancer detection was not significantly different between the three groups (p ¼ 0.56), such as the need for MRI for equivocal findings at mammographic contra-lateral breast (p ¼ 0.77) and the need for core-biopsies to confirm mammographic suspect of contra-lateral breast cancer (p ¼ 0.90). Conclusions: This study confirms previous reports regarding the safety of mastopexies and breast reductions when performed in the setting of contra-lateral breast reshaping after breast reconstruction. Mammographic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity are not affected by the glandular re-arrangement. These results provide a further validation of the safety of current reconstructive paradigms

Outcomes of Different Quality of Life Assessment Modalities After Breast Cancer Therapy : A Network Meta-analysis

Funding/Support: This study was supported by funding from the NHS Grampian Endowment Fund (Mr Masannat).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical management of breast cancer:global trends and future perspectives

Introduction: The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe is forcing surgical oncologists to change their daily practice. We sought to evaluate how breast surgeons are adapting their surgical activity to limit viral spread and spare hospital resources. Methods: A panel of 12 breast surgeons from the most affected regions of the world convened a virtual meeting on April 7, 2020, to discuss the changes in their local surgical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, a Web-based poll based was created to evaluate changes in surgical practice among breast surgeons from several countries. Results: The virtual meeting showed that distinct countries and regions were experiencing different phases of the pandemic. Surgical priority was given to patients with aggressive disease not candidate for primary systemic therapy, those with progressive disease under neoadjuvant systemic therapy, and patients who have finished neoadjuvant therapy. One hundred breast surgeons filled out the poll. The trend showed reductions in operating room schedules, indications for surgery, and consultations, with an increasingly restrictive approach to elective surgery with worsening of the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 emergency should not compromise treatment of a potentially lethal disease such as breast cancer. Our results reveal that physicians are instinctively reluctant to abandon conventional standards of care when possible. However, as the situation deteriorates, alternative strategies of de-escalation are being adopted. Implications for Practice: This study aimed to characterize how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting breast cancer surgery and which strategies are being adopted to cope with the situation. © 2020 AlphaMed Pres

GEN-O-MA project: an Italian network studying clinical course and pathogenic pathways of moyamoya disease—study protocol and preliminary results

Background: GENetics of mOyaMoyA (GEN-O-MA) project is a multicenter observational study implemented in Italy aimed at creating a network of centers involved in moyamoya angiopathy (MA) care and research and at collecting a large series and bio-repository of MA patients, finally aimed at describing the disease phenotype and clinical course as well as at identifying biological or cellular markers for disease progression. The present paper resumes the most important study methodological issues and preliminary results. Methods: Nineteen centers are participating to the study. Patients with both bilateral and unilateral radiologically defined MA are included in the study. For each patient, detailed demographic and clinical as well as neuroimaging data are being collected. When available, biological samples (blood, DNA, CSF, middle cerebral artery samples) are being also collected for biological and cellular studies. Results: Ninety-eight patients (age of onset mean ± SD 35.5 ± 19.6 years; 68.4% females) have been collected so far. 65.3% of patients presented ischemic (50%) and haemorrhagic (15.3%) stroke. A higher female predominance concomitantly with a similar age of onset and clinical features to what was reported in previous studies on Western patients has been confirmed. Conclusion: An accurate and detailed clinical and neuroimaging classification represents the best strategy to provide the characterization of the disease phenotype and clinical course. The collection of a large number of biological samples will permit the identification of biological markers and genetic factors associated with the disease susceptibility in Italy