Two-scale asymptotic homogenization in a MEMS auxetic structure for over etch identification

The development and optimization of Micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices, due to their small size scale, require testing and precise characterization. As an example, over etch, which is the deviation between the designed masks and the effective dimensions of the suspended parts, strongly influences the performances of MEMS; therefore, to predict the correct functioning of the device its actual value must be carefully identified. In this work, we propose an efficient, time-saving tool to identify fabrication imperfections in MEMS devices. In particular, we replace the complex geometry of a MEMS mechanical filter with an equivalent homogeneous medium, whose linear-elastic effective properties are evaluated employing two-scale asymptotic homogenization and we identify the over etch by minimizing the relative error between experimental data and corresponding predictions obtained for different combinations of over etch

Use of biochar-based cathodes and increase in the electron flow by pseudomonas aeruginosa to improve waste treatment in microbial fuel cells

In this paper, we tested the combined use of a biochar-based material at the cathode and of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain in a single chamber, air cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) fed with a mix of shredded vegetable and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) in a 30% solid/liquid ratio. As a control system, we set up and tested MFCs provided with a composite cathode made up of a nickel mesh current collector, activated carbon and a single porous poly tetra fluoro ethylene (PTFE) diffusion layer. At the end of the experiments, we compared the performance of the two systems, in the presence and absence of P. aeruginosa, in terms of electric outputs. We also explored the potential reutilization of cathodes. Unlike composite material, biochar showed a life span of up to 3 cycles of 15 days each, with a pH of the feedstock kept in a range of neutrality. In order to relate the electric performance to the amount of solid substrates used as source of carbon and energy, besides of cathode surface, we referred power density (PD) and current density (CD) to kg of biomass used. The maximum outputs obtained when using the sole microflora were, on average, respectively 0.19 Wm(-2)kg(-1) and 2.67 Wm(-2)kg(-1), with peaks of 0.32 Wm(-2)kg(-1) and 4.87 Wm(-2)kg(-1) of cathode surface and mass of treated biomass in MFCs with biochar and PTFE cathodes respectively. As to current outputs, the maximum values were 7.5 Am-2 kg(-1) and 35.6 Am(-2)kg(-1) in MFCs with biochar-based material and a composite cathode. If compared to the utilization of the sole acidogenic/acetogenic microflora in vegetable residues, we observed an increment of the power outputs of about 16.5 folds in both systems when we added P. aeruginosa to the shredded vegetables. Even though the MFCs with PTFE-cathode achieved the highest performance in terms of PD and CD, they underwent a fouling episode after about 10 days of operation, with a dramatic decrease in pH and both PD and CD. Our results confirm the potentialities of the utilization of biochar-based materials in waste treatment and bioenergy production

Performance Evaluation of Microbial Fuel Cells Fed by Solid Organic Waste: Parametric Comparison between Three Generations

Abstract In this paper, the results of three generations of reactors for the direct conversion of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) in electrical energy are presented. The different generations corresponds to the prototype realized in the Energy Lab of the University of Naples "Parthenope" and have been monitored along a period of over three years in terms of polarization and power curves, in order to assess the feasibility of Microbial Fuel Cell as a promising source for future, sustainable energy generation

I Say “no”. You Say “it Isn't”. About a New Understanding of the Concept of Negation

Introduction: In our opinion there is still confusion about the exact meaning of the term negation. As a consequence of this the importance of negation in the psychotherapeutic work is until now underestimated. Objectives For psychiatrists who work according to Fagioli's human birth theory the concept of negation is fundamental. Negation is a notion that refers to unconscious reality. Aims: The task of the psychiatrist is to identify and to interpret the negation in the deformed dream images during the psychotherapeutic process. Methods: In contrast to an intentional lie, which is communicated through verbal speech, negation corresponds to unconscious thoughts, which we can find in dreams. During sleep a transformation occurs, language is altered and expressed through images. Negation deforms the image. This deformation of the image happens in an unconscious process. This negation distorts the reality of the patient and his ability to interact with the other. Corresponding the relationship will be aggressive/destructive. The only way to identify this deformation is dream interpretation. Results: Through this therapeutic process the patient will be able to intuit and realize instead of negate the positive qualities of the other and integrate these into his reality. Only human interaction that is free from negation enable the patient to overcome the ideo-affective splitting, which allows recovery of positive affects and the possibility of developing evolutive relationships. Conclusions: Only a clarification of the term negation allows a psychotherapeutic process with the aim of developing evolutive relationships

Uno studio sulle caratteristiche di un campione di pazienti internati presso l'Ospedale Psichiatrico Giudiziario di Castiglione delle Stiviere e dimessi nella regione Lazio.

Aim. The aim of this study was: i) To identify socio-demographic and clinical data in a sample of inmates in the Criminal Mental Hospital (CMH) at Castiglione delle Stiviere; ii) to assess the presence of characteristics which could foresee the commission of a crime of psychiatric interest; iii) to assess the frequency of crime repetition. Materials and Methods. This study was carried out on a sample of 38 patients. A descriptive analysis of the sample was carried out and the associations among several variables were analyzed. Results. The sample is characterized by a high frequency of schizophrenia diagnosis (73.0%), the presence of hospitalization before the commission of the crime (68.4%) and the absence of criminal precedents (71.1%). For men the age of the commission of the crime is equal to 33.72±10.6 years and for women to 45.18±11.4 years (p=0.011). The time between the onset and the commission of the crime is longer in patients who have received therapy (treatment) than in those ones with no treatment (p=0.012). About 12% of the sample committed new crimes. Conclusions. The results showed previous criminal acts are not predictive for the commission of new crimes of psychiatric interest. However many patients had previous contacts with community facilities before their first admission to hospital and the treatment extended the interval between the onset of the disease and the commission of the crime. The relapse rate after the discharge was very low if compared with samples coming from other services that offered more custodial rather than rehabilitative facilities

Interpersonal sensitivity in the at-risk mental state for psychosis

Background Interpersonal sensitivity is a personality trait described as excessive awareness of both the behaviour and feelings of others. Although interpersonal sensitivity has been found to be one of the vulnerability factors to depression, there has been little interest in its relationship with the prodromal phase of psychosis. The aims of this study were to examine the level of interpersonal sensitivity in a sample of individuals with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis and its relationship with other psychopathological features. Method Method. Sixty-two individuals with an ARMS for psychosis and 39 control participants completed a series of self-report questionnaires, including the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) and the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Results Individuals with an ARMS reported higher interpersonal sensitivity compared to controls. Associations between interpersonal sensitivity, positive psychotic symptoms (i.e. paranoid ideation), avoidant coping and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were also found. Conclusions This study suggests that being 'hypersensitive' to interpersonal interactions is a psychological feature of the putatively prodromal phase of psychosis. The relationship between interpersonal sensitivity, attenuated positive psychotic symptoms, avoidant coping and negative emotional states may contribute to long-term deficits in social functioning. We illustrate the importance, when assessing a young client with a possible ARMS, of examining more subtle and subjective symptoms in addition to attenuated positive symptoms. © 2012 Cambridge University Press

Morbidity related to defunctioning ileostomy closure after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and low colonic anastomosis

Purpose Defunctioning ileostomies are widely performed in order to prevent or treat anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine morbidity related to stoma closure and to identify predictive factors of a complicated postoperative course. Methods A consecutive series of 138 patients were retrospectively analyzed after stoma reversal. Data collection included general demographics and surgery-related aspects. Morbidity related to stoma closure was retrieved from our prospectively collected registry of complications. Results In 74 of 138 patients, defunctioning ileostomy was performed after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouchanal anastomosis (IPAA). The remaining ileostomies (n=64) were constructed after a low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis. A total of 46 complications were recorded in 28 patients resulting in an overall complication rate of 20.3%. Anastomotic leakage rate was 4.3%, and reoperation rate was 8.0%. The number of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification was 5 for grade I (10.9%), 26 for grade II (56.5%), 13 for grade III (28.3%), 1 for grade IV (2.2%), and 1 for grade V (2.2%). Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly higher ASA score in the complicated group (P=0.015, odds ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2-5.6). Conclusions Closure of a defunctioning ileostomy is associated with 20% morbidity and a reoperation rate of 8%. There is an urgent need for criteria on which a more selective use of a defunctioning ileostomy after low colonic anastomosis or IPAA can be based given its associated morbidit

Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Internal Maxillary Artery: A Rare Life-Threatening Hemorrhage as a Complication of Maxillofacial Fractures

Pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery due to a traumatic event is a rare condition. Pseudoaneurysms are usually directly produced by arteries break with extravasation of blood. The compressed perivascular tissue forms the wall of aneurysmal sac. Then, this sac gradually expands and can be damaged. It is rare to see pseudoaneurysms of IMA. They are usually associated with fracture of the neck of the mandible. To the best of our knowledge the pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery related to maxillofacial trauma is an event extremely rare in the literature and if not quickly managed can lead to the patient’s death. This case underlines how the close cooperation between surgeons and radiologists results in a quick diagnosis and management of such pathological events

Study on psychoeducation enhancing results of adherence in patients with schizophrenia (SPERA-S): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to pharmacotherapy negatively affects the course and the outcome of schizophreniaspectrum psychoses, enhancing the risk of relapse. Falloon and coworkers developed a Psychoeducation Program aimed at improving communication and problem-solving abilities in patients and their families. This study set out to evaluate changes in adherence to pharmacotherapy in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum psychoses, by comparing one group exposed to the Falloon Psychoeducation Program (FPP) with another group exposed to family supportive therapy with generic information on the disorders. METHODS: 340 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders according to standardized criteria from 10 participating units distributed throughout the Italian National Health System (NHS), will be enrolled with 1:1 allocation by the method of blocks of randomized permutations. Patients will be reassessed at 6, 12 and 18 months after start of treatment (duration: 6 months).The primary objective is to evaluate changes in adherence to pharmacotherapy after psychoeducation. Adherence will be assessed at three-month intervals by measuring blood levels of the primary prescribed drug using high pressure liquid chromatography, and via the Medication Adherence Questionnaire and a modified version of the Adherence Interview. Secondary objectives are changes in the frequency of relapse and readmission, as the main indicator of the course of the disorder.Enrolled patients will be allocated to the FPP (yes/no) randomly, 1:1, in a procedure controlled by the coordinating unit; codes will be masked until the conclusion of the protocol (or the occurrence of a severe negative event). The raters will be blind to treatment allocation and will be tested for blinding after treatment completion. Intention-to-treat will be applied in considering the primary and secondary outcomes. Multiple imputations will be applied to integrate the missing data. The study started recruitment in February 2013; the total duration of the study is 27 months. DISCUSSION: If the psychoeducation program proves effective in improving adherence to pharmacotherapy and in reducing relapse and readmissions, its application could be proposed as a standard adjunctive psychosocial treatment within the Italian NHS