Flight test of a resident backup software system

A new fault-tolerant system software concept employing the primary digital computers as host for the backup software portion has been implemented and flight tested in the F-8 digital fly-by-wire airplane. The system was implemented in such a way that essentially no transients occurred in transferring from primary to backup software. This was accomplished without a significant increase in the complexity of the backup software. The primary digital system was frame synchronized, which provided several advantages in implementing the resident backup software system. Since the time of the flight tests, two other flight vehicle programs have made a commitment to incorporate resident backup software similar in nature to the system described in this paper

Durability of biodegradable polymers for the conservation of cultural heritage

The use of polymers for conservation of cultural heritage is related to the possibility to slow down or stop natural deterioration which, in many cases, corresponds to stopping the entrance of liquid water and to favor spontaneous water vapor removal. Unfortunately, hydrophobicity is generally favored by surface roughness and thus competitive with transparency. It is therefore important to find an optimal balance hydrophobicity, transparency and durability (especially to photooxidation). However, polymers typically used for applications in this field come from non-renewable resources and are not biodegradable. In this work, the mechanical, structural, and optical properties of PLA, PBAT, and a PBAT/PLA blends, as well as surface properties and water vapor permeability, were investigated before and after exposure to UV irradiation, in order to evaluate their durability and suitability for conservation of cultural heritage

Effect of sodium bicarbonate treatment on the properties of sisal fibers and their geopolymer composites

Eco-friendly and cheap treatments based on the use of mildly alkaline solutions have been recently investigated to modify natural fibers, altering their surface and improving their compatibility mainly with polymer matrices. A challenge for the researchers is nowadays represented by the assessment of this kind of treatments as a viable approach also for geopolymer based composites. In such a context, this study presents a novel and sustainable approach for enhancing sisal fibers for geopolymer composites using a sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) treatment. While the treatment offers a greener alternative to conventional methods, its key advantage lies in achieving a balance between fiber properties. Although it slightly reduces raw fiber strength, the NaHCO3 treatment effectively removes impurities, promoting improved crystallinity and, more importantly, significantly enhances fiber surface roughness and homogeneity. This tailored surface modification fosters superior interfacial bonding with the geopolymer matrix, resulting in composites with significantly enhanced flexural toughness (82 %) – a critical property for construction materials – compared to those reinforced with untreated fibers. Flexural strength is also improved by (53 %). This work not only demonstrates the effectiveness of NaHCO3 treatment but also highlights its potential for developing high-performing, eco-friendly construction materials. A comprehensive evaluation, including three-point bending tests to assess toughness, validates this promising approach

ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS OF SWALLOWING SOUNDS: A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR ASSESSING DYSPHAGIA

Objective: To perform acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds, using a microphone and a notebook computer system, in healthy subjects and patients with dysphagia affected by neurological diseases, testing the positive/negative predictive value of a pathological pattern of swallowing sounds for penetration/aspiration. Design: Diagnostic test study, prospective, not blinded, with the penetration/aspiration evaluated by fibreoptic endo scopy of swallowing as criterion standard. Subjects: Data from a previously recorded database of normal swallowing sounds for 60 healthy subjects according to gender, age, and bolus consistency was compared with those of 15 patients with dysphagia from a university hospital referral centre who were affected by various neurological diseases. Methods: Mean duration of the swallowing sounds and postswallowing apnoea were recorded. Penetration/aspiration was verified by fibreoptic endoscopy of swallowing in all patients with dysphagia. Results: The mean duration of swallowing sounds for a liquid bolus of 10 ml water was significantly different between patients with dysphagia and healthy patients. We also described patterns of swallowing sounds and tested the negative/positive predictive values of post-swallowing apnoea for penetration/aspiration verified by fibreoptic endoscopy of swallowing (sensitivity 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.24–0.94); specificity 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.56–1.00)). Conclusion: The proposed technique for recording and measuring swallowing sounds could be incorporated into the bedside evaluation, but it should not replace the use of more diagnostic and valuable measures

Thermal structure of the northern outer Albanides and adjacent Adriatic crustal sector, and implications for geothermal energy systems

none8sìopenSantini, S.; Basilici, M.; Invernizzi, C.; Mazzoli, S.; Megna, A.; Pierantoni, P.P.; Spina, V.; Teloni, S.Santini, S.; Basilici, M.; Invernizzi, C.; Mazzoli, S.; Megna, A.; Pierantoni, P. P.; Spina, V.; Teloni, S

Hidradenitis suppurativa: guidelines of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (SIDeMaST) for the use of anti-TNF-α agents.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by nodules, abscesses and sinus tracts, primarily affecting the intertriginous areas. The occlusion of the upper part of the folliculopilosebaceous unit, leading to rupture of the sebofollicular canal with the consequent development of perifollicular lympho-histiocytic inflammation, is believed to be the initial pathogenic event in HS. Giving the chronic nature of HS, its destructive impact on social, working and daily life of patients, its management is often frustrating both for patients and physicians. The HS treatment choices are influenced by disease severity and its individual subjective impact. In this article, the Board of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (SIDeMaST) on HS has prepared a document focusing on the role of biologic drugs (anti-TNF-α) in HS management, providing also a flow-chart for HS handling and the inclusion and exclusion criteria for HS treatment with anti-TNF-α

Thermal Structure of the Northern Outer Albanides and Adjacent Adriatic Crustal Sector, and Implications for Geothermal Energy Systems

Using an analytical methodology taking into account heat flow density data, frictional heating, temperature variations due to the re-equilibrated conductive state after thrusting and geological constrains, we calculated surface heat flow, geotherms and isotherms along a balanced and restored regional geological cross-section. Our results highlight the impact of frictional heating produced by thrusts on the thermal structure of the study area, leading to a raising of the isotherms both in the inner Albanides to the E and in the Adriatic sector offshore. Minimum values of Qs in the surroundings of Tirana and the reconstructed 2D thermal structure suggest less favorable conditions for exploitation of geothermal energy, besides the direct use (Borehole Heat Exchanger-Geothermal Heat Pump systems). Nevertheless, the occurrence of the "Kruja geothermal zone", partially overlapping this area and including hot spring manifestations, emphasize the structural control in driving hot fluids to the surface with respect to the regional thermal structure

Acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds: A new technique for assessing dysphagia

Objective: To perform acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds, using a microphone and a notebook computer system, in healthy subjects and patients with dysphagia affected by neurological diseases, testing the positive/negative predictive value of a pathological pattern of swallowing sounds for penetration/aspiration. Design: Diagnostic test study, prospective, not blinded, with the penetration/aspiration evaluated by fibreoptic endo scopy of swallowing as criterion standard. Subjects: Data from a previously recorded database of normal swallowing sounds for 60 healthy subjects according to gender, age, and bolus consistency was compared with those of 15 patients with dysphagia from a university hospital referral centre who were affected by various neurological diseases. Methods: Mean duration of the swallowing sounds and postswallowing apnoea were recorded. Penetration/aspiration was verified by fibreoptic endoscopy of swallowing in all patients with dysphagia. Results: The mean duration of swallowing sounds for a liquid bolus of 10 ml water was significantly different between patients with dysphagia and healthy patients. We also described patterns of swallowing sounds and tested the negative/positive predictive values of post-swallowing apnoea for penetration/aspiration verified by fibreoptic endoscopy of swallowing (sensitivity 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.24–0.94); specificity 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.56–1.00)). Conclusion: The proposed technique for recording and measuring swallowing sounds could be incorporated into the bedside evaluation, but it should not replace the use of more diagnostic and valuable measures