Prime verifiche del laboratorio nazionale dell'irrigazione nel settore degli irrigatori a pioggia

Se presenta una breve descripción del Laboratorio Nacional del Riego de Italia y su banco de ensayo cubierto de riego por aspersión, así como las especificaciones de los procedimientos de prueba utilizados para evaluar las prestaciones del sistema y de las unidades. El primer ensayo completo con los métodos descritos fue realizado con un pequeño aspersor de turbina de Rain Bird, utilizado en jardines y pequeñas zonas verdes. Los resultados se describen en términos de los parámetros de calificación propuestos por este Laboratorio, que son análogos a los que describen las normas ISO. La distribución del agua en el suelo se ilustra mediante diagramas espaciales e histogramas de frecuencia. Los polígonos de área húmeda acumulada proveen una representación bastante efectiva de la distribución del agua en el suelo, lo que permite una determinación inmediata del campo de variación del caudal del aspersor comparado con los valores medios, conforme aumenta el área bañada por el mismo Este primer ensayo confirma que la metodología utilizada, así como la capacidad operativa y funcional del banco de ensayos responden perfectamente a los requisitos que se buscaban en la fase de diseño

Auditory training: assessment of the benefit of hearing aids in elderly individuals

BACKGROUND: hearing impairment has a negative impact on communication. This impact can be minimized by hearing aids fitting and auditory training. AIM: to verify the effectiveness of auditory training in elderly individuals, new users of hearing aids, regarding the benefit in fitting. METHOD: forty-two individuals with mild to moderate neurosensorial hearing loss, ranging in age from 60 to 90 years, were selected. Individuals were new users of bilateral hearing aids and were divided in two groups: Experimental Group (EG) and Sham Group (SG). The EG was submitted to training in an acoustic cabin during six sessions. Both groups were assessed through the following tests: Speech in Noise, Dichotic Digits and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit Aphab self-assessment questionnaire, without the hearing aids, four and eight weeks after they were fitted. RESULTS: there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in both of the used tests, and for the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit Aphab in the second and third assessments in the sub-scales of: Communication Easiness, Reverberation and Environmental Noise. CONCLUSION: auditory training favored the improvement in the auditory processing abilities and benefited the hearing aid fitting process.TEMA: a deficiência auditiva acarreta dificuldades na comunicação, as quais podem ser minimizadas por meio da adaptação de próteses auditivas e do treinamento auditivo. OBJETIVO: o objetivo geral deste estudo foi verificar a efetividade do treinamento auditivo em idosos novos usuários de próteses auditivas, quanto ao benefício no processo de adaptação. MÉTODO: foram selecionados 42 indivíduos, portadores de deficiência auditiva neurossensorial de grau leve a moderado, com idades entre 60 e 90 anos, novos usuários de próteses auditivas bilaterais, distribuídos em dois grupos: Grupo Experimental (GE) e Grupo Sham (GS). O GE foi submetido a um programa de treinamento auditivo em cabina acústica durante seis sessões. Ambos os grupos foram avaliados com os testes de Fala com Ruído, Escuta com Dígitos, e questionário de auto-avaliação Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), em três momentos: sem próteses (primeira avaliação), quatro semanas (segunda avaliação), e oito semanas (terceira avaliação), após a adaptação das próteses. RESULTADOS: houve diferença estatisticamente significante para os dois testes aplicados, e para o questionário Aphab (quanto ao benefício) na segunda e na terceira avaliações, nas subescalas: Facilidade de Comunicação, Reverberação e Ruído Ambiental. CONCLUSÃO: o programa de treinamento auditivo em cabina acústica foi efetivo com relação ao benefício durante o processo de adaptação das próteses auditivas.Empresa Phonak do Brasil Sistemas Audiológicos LtdaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de FonoaudiologiaUSP Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia OcupacionalUNIFESP, Depto. de FonoaudiologiaSciEL

Using XML as a means to access legislative documents: Italian and foreign experiences

In this paper we describe the goals and the organisation of the ongoing project "Norme in Rete" (NIR --- http://www.normeinrete.it), which involves several important Italian institutions and organisations. This project aims at the production of tools for the access to Italian normative documents, and data formats for the standardisation of the text of laws and rules both national and local. One of its many goals is the conversion of the national law corpus into XML.Within the context of this project, our effort has concentrated on the development of an XML DTD already, and of an XML Schema very soon, to describe Italian national and local laws. We illustrate in this paper the overall structure of the DTDs. They are organised in a stricter, normative set of rules, with normative power, for new law drafts, and of a looser, descriptive set of rules for existing documents over which no rules can be imposed. In this paper we examine both types of DTD (strict and loose), their global organisation, the modules for legal elements, for textual and tabular tags (resembling HTML), and for modular, generic elements, that allow easy extendibility to the DTD. Also the treatment of meta-information is examined in this paper.We produce a short account of several analogous experiences in Northern Europe, carried out by both public institutions and private legal publishers. Mention is also made of the European Union\u27s similar projects

Liquid aspersion efficiency quantification experiment: application in ladder-type distributors

O presente texto descreve um equipamento na escala-piloto e um método simples para comparar a eficiência de distribuidores de líquido. A técnica consiste basicamente em analisar a massa do líquido coletado em 21 tubos verticais de 52mm de diâmetro interno e 800 mm de comprimento dispostos em arranjo quadrático colocados abaixo do distribuidor. Uma manta acrílica que não dispersa o líquido com 50 mm de espessura foi fixada entre o distribuidor e o banco de tubos para evitar respingos. Como exemplo de aplicação foram realizados ensaios com nove distribuidores do tipo espinha de peixe de 4 tubos paralelos cada, para uma coluna com 400 mm de diâmetro. Variaram-se o número (n) de furos (95, 127 e 159 furos/m²), o diâmetro (d) dos furos (2, 3 e 4 mm) e as vazões (q) de (1,2; 1,4 e 1,6m³/h). A melhor eficiência de espalhamento pelo menor desvio-padrão foi obtida com n de 159, d de 2 e q de 1,4 indicando as limitações de regras práticas de projeto. A pressão (p), na entrada do distribuidor, para essa condição, foi de apenas 51000 Pa (0,51 kgf/cm²) e a velocidade média (v) em cada orifício foi de 6,3 m/s.This paper describes a device developed on the pilot scale and a simple approach to compare liquid distributor efficiencies. The technique consists basically of analyzing the mass of the liquid collected in 21 vertical pipes measuring 52 mm in internal diameter and 800 mm in length placed in a quadratic arrangement and positioned below the distributor. A 50 mm thick acrylic blanket that does not disperse liquids was placed between the distributor and the pipe bank to avoid splashes. Assays were carried out with ladder-type distributors equipped with 4 parallel pipes each for a column measuring 400 mm in diameter as an example of the application. The number (n) of orifices (95, 127, and 159 orifices/m²), orifice diameter (d) (2, 3, and 4 mm) and the flowrate (q) (1.2; 1.4; and 1.6 m3/h) were varied. The best spread efficiency, which presented the lowest standard deviation, was achieved with 159 orifices, 2 mm and 1.4 m³/h. The pressure (p) at the distributor's inlet for this condition was only 51000 Pa (0.51 kgf/cm²), while the average velocity (v) was 6.3 m/s in each orifice. These results show some limitations of the practical rules used in distributor designs

Metaverse: rosnące skomplikowanie globalnych warunków egzekwowania opodatkowania

This contribution focuses on the potential impact of the metaverse on tax enforcement. The analysis, intended to prompt discussion on the topic, rather than being an in-depth study of tax regimes, is divided into the perspective of private individuals/businesses and enforcers. The impact of the metaverse on the tax landscape is read from the view of a non-decentralised metaverse in the hands of the same current industry giants. Thus, some inputs are suggested to assess the need for an agile and collaborative regulatory approach, both between businesses and administrations as well as states.Niniejszy artykuł koncentruje się na potencjalnym wpływie Metaversu na egzekwowanie prawa podatkowego. Bieżące dociekania, które nie stanowią pogłębionej analizy systemów podatkowych, lecz mają za zadanie pobudzić do dyskusji na omawiany temat, podzielono na rozważania z perspektywy osób prywatnych/przedsiębiorstw oraz organów egzekwowania prawa. Wpływ Metaversu na sytuację podatkową jest rozpatrywany z punktu widzenia niezdecentralizowanego Metaversu pozostającego w rękach obecnych gigantów przemysłowych. W związku z tym przedstawia się pewne wnioski, które mogą posłużyć do dokonania oceny potrzeby opracowania zwinnego podejścia regulacyjnego opartego na współpracy zarówno między przedsiębiorstwami, administracjami, jak i państwami

The use of sweeteners in pregnancy: an analysis of products available in Brazil

Sweeteners are frequently used by women of reproductive age. This is a narrative review about the sweeteners currently sold in the Brazilian commerce. There is a few information on the use of saccharin and cyclamates in pregnancy and their effects on the fetus. Due to the limited information available and their carcinogenic potential in animal species, saccharin and cyclamates should be avoided during pregnancy (risk C). Aspartame has been extensively studied in animals and it is considered safe for use during pregnancy (risk B), except by women homozygous for phenylketonuria (risk C). Sucralose and acessulfame-K are not toxic, carcinogenic or mutagenic in animals, but there are no controlled studies in humans. However, since these two sweeteners are not metabolized, it is unlikely that their use during pregnancy could be harmful (risk B). Stevia, a substance extracted from a native Brazilian plant, is innocuous in animal pregnancies, but there are no controlled studies in humans (risk B). Body agents found in the composition of artificial sweeteners (mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erithrol, lactilol, isomalt, maltilol, lactose, fructose, maltodextrin, dextrin, and inverted sugar) are substances generally regarded as safe for human consumption. In conclusion, according to the currently available evidence, aspartame, sucralose, acessulfame-K and stevia can be safely used during pregnancy.Os adoçantes são freqüentemente utilizados por mulheres em idade reprodutiva. Esta é uma revisão narrativa da literatura a respeito dos adoçantes atualmente comercializados no mercado brasileiro. Existem poucas informações sobre o uso da sacarina e ciclamato na gestação, e seus efeitos sobre o feto. Devido às limitadas informações disponíveis e ao seu potencial carcinogênico em animais, a sacarina e o ciclamato devem ser evitados durante a gestação (risco C). O aspartame tem sido extensivamente estudado em animais, sendo considerado seguro para uso na gestação (risco B), exceto para mulheres homozigóticas para fenilcetonúria (risco C). A sucralose e o acessulfame-K não são tóxicos, carcinogênico ou mutagênicos em animais, mas não existem estudos controlados em humanos. Porém, como esses dois adoçantes não são metabolizados, parece improvável que seu uso durante a gestação possa ser prejudicial (risco B). A estévia, substância derivada de uma planta nativa brasileira, não produz efeitos adversos sobre a gestação em animais, porém não existem estudos em humanos (risco B). Os agentes de corpo usados na formulação dos adoçantes (manitol, sorbitol, xilitol, eritrol, lactilol, isomalte, maltilol, lactose, frutose, maltodextrina, dextrina e açúcar invertido) são substâncias consideradas seguras para o consumo humano. Concluindo, segundo as evidências atualmente disponíveis, o aspartame, a sucralose, o acessulfame e a estévia podem ser utilizados com segurança durante a gestação.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de ObstetríciaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de EndocrinologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de ObstetríciaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de EndocrinologiaSciEL

Immunolocalization of HLA-DR and metallothionein on amalgam tattoos

Despite studies concerning toxic reactions related to amalgam components in the literature, few studies have been devoted to evaluate local noxious effects of amalgam tattoos (AT) on biological tissues. In addition, little is known about activation of inflammatory cells by mucosa-implanted amalgam debris. Tissue reaction to AT depends on the particle size. Human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) is an activation marker of inflammatory cells associated with antigen presentation. Metallothioneins (MT) are proteins involved with metal detoxication, including mercury and silver. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the immunolocalization of HLA-DR and MT in AT with large or powdered particles. Paraffin-embedded AT tissue blocks were sectioned and subjected to immunohistochemistry for HLA-DR and MT localization. The results demonstrated a dense mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate associated with large and powdered debris and positivity for HLA-DR and MT in inflammatory cells. While blood vessel walls and connective fibers impregnated with powdered particles were negative for HLA-DR, they were positive for MT. In addition, wherever epithelial basement membrane impregnation by powdered amalgam particles was observed, a strong positivity for MT was detected. These findings demonstrate that residual elements of AT still have noxious local effects over tissues. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMOPoucos estudos têm investigado a toxicidade tecidual local das tatuagens por amálgama (TA), embora diversos trabalhos demonstrem efeitos nocivos desse material restaurador. Pouco se sabe sobre a ativação de células inflamatórias nesse tipo de lesão. A reação tecidual contra os restos de amálgama varia com o tamanho das partículas implantadas. O antígeno leucocitário humano DR (HLA-DR) está associado com a ativação de células inflamatórias, sendo relacionado à apresentação de antígeno. Metalotioneínas (MT) são proteínas envolvidas com neutralização de metais pesados, tais como mercúrio e prata. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar a imunolocalização de HLA-DR e MT em TA compostas por depósitos teciduais de diferentes tamanhos. Cortes histológicos de lesões fixadas em formol e embebidas em parafina foram submetidos a técnica imunoistoquímica para a detecção dos antígenos mencionados. Os resultados demonstraram denso infiltrado inflamatório associado com partículas grandes ou pulverizadas, observando-se presença de células HLA-DR e MT positivas. Paredes de vasos sangüíneos e fibras de tecido conjuntivo impregnadas por restos de amálgama foram negativas para HLA-DR, mas positivas para MT. Impregnação da membrana basal por partículas de amálgama correspondia a forte positividade para MT no epitélio. Esses resultados demonstram a existência de efeitos nocivos locais das TA sobre os tecidos

Musculoskeletal pain and ageing

Musculoskeletal pain is a complex phenomenon involving biomechanics, inflammation and central pain processing pathways. The ageing process and ageing-related conditions can affect the course of musculoskeletal pain; conversely, the presence of pain can affect the ageing process, contributing to increased risks of adverse health outcomes. Despite the importance of managing pain in older adults, questions remain in terms of the best approach as the use of analgesics in this population is associated with increased risks of adverse events. This thesis contributes to the current knowledge of how age-related conditions such as multimorbidity and frailty interact with musculoskeletal pain and its management. The specific aims are: a) to determine whether frailty status is a risk factor for development of chronic or intrusive musculoskeletal pain; b) to determine whether pain increases the risk of developing the frailty phenotype; c) to describe the current management of vertebral compression fractures, a common and painful musculoskeletal condition typically seen in older adults; and d) to review and appraise the literature on the efficacy and safety of opioid analgesics for older adults with musculoskeletal pain.«br /» To address the first and the second aims, longitudinal data from the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP), a prospective population based cohort study, were used.«strong» «/strong»A total of 1705 men aged 70 years or older, living in an urban area of New South Wales, Australia, were included in the CHAMP baseline study. Data on the presence of chronic pain (daily pain for at least 3 months), intrusive pain (pain causing moderate to severe interference with activities) and the criteria for the Cardiovascular Health Study frailty phenotype were collected in three waves, from January 2005 to October 2013. After adjusting for potential confounders, no association between frailty and future chronic or intrusive pain was observed. However, non-frail (robust and pre-frail) men who reported chronic pain were 1.60 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02 to 2.51, p=0.039) times more likely to develop frailty at follow-up, compared to those with no pain. For those reporting intrusive pain, the odds of developing future frailty were 1.64 (95%CI: 0.97-2.78, p=0.063). In summary, the presence of chronic pain increased the risk of developing the physical frailty phenotype in community-dwelling older men.«br /» To address the third aim, data from the Bettering the Evaluation And Care of Health (BEACH) program collected between April 2005 and March 2015 were used. Each year, a random national sample of approximately 1,000 GPs each recorded information on 100 consecutive patient encounters. All encounters at which vertebral compression fracture was managed were selected. Vertebral compression fractures were managed in 211 (0.022%; 95% CI: 0.018–0.025) of the 977,300 BEACH encounters recorded April 2005– March 2015. At encounters with patients aged 50 years or over, prescription of opioids analgesics (47.1 per 100 vertebral fractures; 95% CI: 38.4–55.7) was the most common management action. Prescriptions of paracetamol (8.2 per 100 vertebral fractures; 95% CI: 4-12.4) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (4.1 per 100 vertebral fractures; 95% CI: 1.1-7.1) were less frequent. Non-pharmacological treatment was provided at a rate of 22.4 per 100 vertebral fractures (95% CI: 14.6-30.1). In summary, prescription of oral opioid analgesics remains the commonest general practice approach for vertebral compression fractures management, despite the lack of evidence to support this approach.«br /» The fourth aim concerns the efficacy and safety of using opioid analgesics in older adults with musculoskeletal pain. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed including 23 randomized controlled trials with mean population age of 60 years or older that compared the efficacy and safety of opioid analgesics with placebo for musculoskeletal pain conditions. Opioid analgesics had a small effect on decreasing pain intensity (Standardised mean difference (SMD): -0.27; 95% CI: -0.33 to -0.20) and improving function (SMD: -0.27, 95%CI: -0.36 to -0.18), which was not associated with daily dose or treatment duration. The risk of adverse events was three times higher (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 2.33 to 3.72) and treatment discontinuation four times higher (OR: 4.04; 95% CI: 3.10 to 5.25) in opioid treated patients. The systematic review concluded that, in older adults suffering from musculoskeletal pain, using opioid analgesics had only a small effect on pain and function at the cost of a higher risk of adverse events and treatment discontinuation. Therefore, for this specific population, the opioid-related risks may outweigh the benefits.«br /» From the results presented in the chapters of this thesis, important conclusions can be drawn: a) chronic musculoskeletal pain increases the risk of developing frailty in older adults and therefore, pain management should be part of a potential strategy to prevent frailty; b) despite being commonly prescribed for musculoskeletal pain in older adults, opioid analgesics alone are not likely to result in significant relief of chronic pain in these patients; c) instead of recommending opioid analgesics for persistent pain in older patients, guidelines should recommend comprehensive pain assessment, multimodal strategies and multidisciplinary approaches