CRITERI DI CORRELAZIONE TRA PROVE MOTORE AL BANCO E IMPIEGO SU STRADA: MODELLI TEORICI E VERIFICA SPERIMENTALE

Lo stage, svolto presso IVECO, ha riguardato l’ottimizzazione del piano di sperimentazione del motore, essendo la “sperimentazione” l’ aspetto fondamentale nella validazione di un nuovo prodotto. L’obiettivo è quello di diminuire la numerosità e la durata delle prove motore, ricorrendo in misura sempre maggiore alle prove al banco in parziale sostituzione di quelle veicolari in quanto queste, oltre ad essere di più difficile monitoraggio, risultano essere più onerose in termini di tempi e costi. Il lavoro si è svolto in due fasi principali: 1) Analisi delle anomalie evidenziate nelle prove di sperimentazione volta all’individuazione di relazioni tra i tipi di guasto e le modalità di accadimento al banco e su veicolo 2) Studio delle usure riscontate, su alcuni componenti, dalle prove motore al banco e su veicolo al fine dell’individuazione di eventuali correlazioni tra ore prova motore al banco e km di prova veicolare

The effects of statins on blood pressure: current knowledge and future perspectives

Statin therapy has gained interest in the field of hypertension due to the potential role of different statin agents in blood pressure (BP) lowering [1-3]. The potential mechanisms involved include the downregulation of the angiotensin II-type 1 receptor, the decrease of vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 levels, and the increase in the endothelial production of nitric oxide (NO), an effect that is correlated with the upregulation of endothelial NO synthase expression [4-6]. Furthermore, we have recently reported the effects of statin treatment on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with hypertension and normal cholesterol levels [7]. Yet, despite the beneficial effects shown by statins in hypertensive animal models as well as in small clinical studies, the results from meta-analyses and large clinical trials have been controversial. Indeed, the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial-Lipid Lowering Arm (ASCOT-LLA) [8] demonstrated that the combination of amlodipinebased therapy and atorvastatin was highly effective in preventing cardiovascula

Transformation of the Gibbs measure of the cubic NLS and fractional NLS under an approximated Birkhoff map

We study the Gibbs measure associated to the periodic cubic nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation. We establish a change of variable formula for this measure under the first step of the Birkhoff normal form reduction. We also consider the case of fractional dispersion

Pain perception and stabilometric parameters in people with chronic low back pain after a pilates exercise program: A randomized controlled trial

Various exercise interventions, such as Pilates exercises and traditional physical therapy methods, are employed to decrease low back pain (LBP). Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is distinct from LBP, however, as the distribution of pain is restricted to the region between the costal margin and the inferior gluteal. The aim of our randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a program of Pilates exercises on pain perception and stabilometric parameters in patients with NSLBP.Thirty-eight participants were randomly allocated, using a 1:1 scheme, to either the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The EG completed a 14-week program of Pilates exercises, performed thrice per week under the supervision of an exercise specialist, while the CG was managed with a social program only. Measures of posturography and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for pain perception were obtained at baseline (T0) and after the 14 weeks of intervention (T)1.Posturography measures improved for patients in the EG, with both eyes open and eyes closed (P\u200a<\u200a0.05). There were no statistical differences in posturography in the CG. ODI decreased significantly in both groups over the 14 weeks of the study protocol: EG, T0, 13.7\u200a\ub1\u200a5.0 compared with T1, 6.5\u200a\ub1\u200a4.0 (P\u200a<\u200a0.001); and CG, T0, 10.7\u200a\ub1\u200a7.8 compared with T1, 8.4\u200a\ub1\u200a7.8 (P\u200a<\u200a0.01). A greater extent of reduction in pain was achieved in the EG.The Pilates exercise program yielded improvements in pain and posturography outcomes. Our study also confirms the applicability of posturography in evaluating postural instability in patients with NSLBP. Due to our relatively small study group, future studies would be necessary to confirm our findings

Liver injury, SARS-COV-2 infection and COVID-19: What physicians should really know?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which in males, especially in advanced age, can sometimes evolve into acute respiratory distress syndrome. In addition, mild to moderate alterations in liver function tests (LFTs) have been reported in the worst affected patients. Our review aims to analyse data on the incidence and prognostic value of LFT alterations, the underlying mechanisms and the management of pre-existing liver disease in COVID-19 affected patients

Progressive visceral leishmaniasis misdiagnosed as cirrhosis of the liver: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially life-threatening infectious disease which is caused by parasites of the genus <it>Leishmania</it> and characterized in most cases by the presence of fever as well as signs and symptoms similar to those found in liver cirrhosis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this case report we describe the history of a 50-year-old Caucasian man incorrectly diagnosed as having hepatitis C virus-associated liver cirrhosis, with a massive weight loss of around 100 kg during the previous 2 years. However, suspecting a lymphoproliferative disorder, we were able to make a correct diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis by bone marrow examination. After a course of therapy with Liposomal Amphotericin-B the patient recovered and now, 20 months post-treatment, he is well and has regained a good part of the lost weight.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This case taught us that patients with massive splenomegaly, even with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, should be investigated for infectious or lymphoproliferative diseases.</p

Durability tests on lime-based mortars from the historic built heritage of Catania (Eastern Sicily, Italy): An experimental study

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108137Mortars, like any other natural and artificial stone materials, are subject to atmospheric weathering agents which affect their durability according to the intrinsic characteristics of the material, such as mineralogical composition, texture and pore structure. This paper aims to investigate the physical-chemical durability of lime-based mortars made with two different volcanic aggregates, locally known as azolo and ghiara, peculiar of the historic built heritage of Catania (Eastern Sicily, Italy). An experimental approach has been used, based on the reproduction in laboratory of historic mortars by using ancient recipes. The experimental samples have been characterized from a physical point of view and then subject to accelerated aging tests. Specifically, the samples have undergone: i) mineralogical investigations through X-ray diffraction (XRD); ii) thin section analysis by polarized optical microscopy; iii) pore structure analysis through mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP); iii) water absorption by capillarity; iii) water vapor permeability test; iv) accelerated aging test by salt crystallization; v) decay by sulfur dioxide. Results obtained highlight that the higher microporosity which characterizes the ghiara mortars is certainly responsible for their greater water absorption by capillarity as well as for their lower resistance to salt crystallization and exposure to sulfur dioxide, with respect to azolo-based ones.PNRR project PE5 “CHANGES - Cultural Heritage Active Innovation for Sustainable Society” – Spoke 5 (CUP E63C22001960006)EU-funded PON REACT project (CUP E65F21002200005)RNM 179 of the Junta de Andalucía (Spain

Effects of pilates exercise programs in people with chronic low back pain: a systematic review

The Pilates method has recently become a fast-growing popular way of exercise recommended for healthy individuals and those engaged in rehabilitation. Several published studies have examined the effects of Pilates method in people with chronic low back pain (LBP).The objective of this study is to describe and provide an extensive overview of the scientific literature comparing the effectiveness of the Pilates method on pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP. The study is based on the data from the following sources: MEDLINE-NLM, MEDLINE-EBSCO, Scopus Elsevier, Cochrane, DOAJ, SciELO, and PLOSONE.Original articles and systematic reviews of adults with chronic nonspecific LBP that evaluated pain and/or disability were included in this study; studies in which the primary treatment was based on Pilates method exercises compared with no treatment, minimal intervention, other types of intervention, or other types of exercises.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were adopted. The literature search included 7 electronic databases and the reference list of relevant systematic reviews and original articles to July 2014. Two independent investigators conducted the literature search and performed the synthesis as follows: Study Design; Sample (n); Disability measure; Intervention; and Main results.The searches identified a total of 128 articles. From these, 29 were considered eligible and were included in the analysis. The items were stratified as follows: Pilates method versus other kind of exercises (n = 6 trials) and Pilates method versus no treatment group or minimal intervention for short-term pain (n = 9 trials); the therapeutic effect of the Pilates method in randomized cohorts (n = 5); and analysis of reviews (n = 9).We found that there is a dearth of studies that clearly demonstrates the efficacy of a specific Pilates exercise program over another in the treatment of chronic pain. However, the consensus in the field suggests that Pilates method is more effective than minimal physical exercise intervention in reducing pain. These conclusions need to be supported by other proper investigations

Cytochrome P450 2E1 variable number tandem repeat polymorphisms and health risks: A genotype-phenotype study in cancers associated with drinking and/or smoking

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is one of the main enzymes involved in the oxidation of ethanol and in the transformation of a number of potentially dangerous compounds. It has various polymorphic sites, one of which is a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism previously described in the 5'-flanking region. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotype-phenotype association between CYP2E1 VNTR polymorphisms and risky health habits in healthy subjects and to analyze the associations between these polymorphisms with drinking- and/or smoking-related cancers. We analyzed 166 healthy subjects by genotyping for the CYP2E1 VNTR polymorphism associated with drinking and/or smoking habits by the more sensitive restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) method, using the NlaIV restriction enzyme. Sixty cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) and 66 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), were also genotyped. Statistical analysis was carried out to investigate the genotype-phenotype associations and to compare certain genotypes and cancer. We found 7 genotypes both in the healthy subjects and patients. The A1/A1 genotype was observed to be mainly associated with non-drinkers and -smokers (87.5 and 75.0%, respectively); moreover it was never found in the PA or HCC patients. Conversely, a weak association between A2/A3 with smokers (45.8%) and A4/A4 with drinkers (53.9%) was detected. In addition, the A4/A4 genotype was found to be significantly associated to PA [odds ratio (OR)=3.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-7.50]. Our data demonstrate that certain CYP2E1 VNTR genotypes are associated with drinking and/or smoking habits; consequently, they may contribute either to the decreased or increased risk of developing drinking- and/or smoking-related cancers. In particular, we hypothesize that the A1/A1 VNTR genotype may have a protective role against drinking- and/or smoking-related cancers, and that A4/A4 may be a high-risk genotype during the early stages of cancer