Performance analysis of a common-rail Diesel engine fuelled with different blends of waste cooking oil and gasoil

An experimental campaign was performed to study the behavior of a common-rail Diesel engine in automotive configuration when it is fuelled with blends of Diesel fuel (DF) and waste cooking oil (WCO). In particular the tested fuels are: B20 blend, composed of 20% WCO and 80% DF; B50, composed of 50% WCO and 50% DF; WCO 100% and 100% DF. In order to fuel the engine with fuel having a similar viscosity, this quantity, together with density, has been meas-ured at temperature ranging from rom to about 80 °C. According to these measurements, before fuelling the engine B20 was heated up to 35 °C and B50 to 75 °C. An in-house software was developed to acquire the data elaborated by the electronic control unit. Results show the trend in torque and global efficiency at different gas pedal position (gpp) and different engine speed. The experiments show that larger discrepancies are measured at smaller gpp values, while at larger ones dif-ferences become smaller. A similar trend is noticed for engine global efficiency

CarPatch: A Synthetic Benchmark for Radiance Field Evaluation on Vehicle Components

Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) have gained widespread recognition as a highly effective technique for representing 3D reconstructions of objects and scenes derived from sets of images. Despite their efficiency, NeRF models can pose challenges in certain scenarios such as vehicle inspection, where the lack of sufficient data or the presence of challenging elements (e.g. reflections) strongly impact the accuracy of the reconstruction. To this aim, we introduce CarPatch, a novel synthetic benchmark of vehicles. In addition to a set of images annotated with their intrinsic and extrinsic camera parameters, the corresponding depth maps and semantic segmentation masks have been generated for each view. Global and part-based metrics have been defined and used to evaluate, compare, and better characterize some state-of-the-art techniques. The dataset is publicly released at https://aimagelab.ing.unimore.it/go/carpatch and can be used as an evaluation guide and as a baseline for future work on this challenging topic.Comment: Accepted at ICIAP202

Condylar Asymmetry in Children with Unilateral Posterior Crossbite Malocclusion: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Unilateral posterior crossbite (UXB) is a common, severely asymmetric malocclusion, characterized by maxillary hypoplasia and masticatory dysfunction. The aim of this research is to evaluate the asymmetry of mandibular condyles and rami in children with UXB. This comparative cross-sectional study included 33 children with UXB (girls = 15, boys = 18; mean age ± SD = 8.0 ± 1.3 years.months]) and 33 age- and gender-matched controls (girls = 15, boys = 18; mean age ± SD = 8.4 ± 1.3 years.months]). Pre-treatment OPGs were analyzed by comparing the height of condyles and rami between the sides using the method by Habets et al. (1988); the result was considered significant if the degree of asymmetry was >6%. Children with UXB showed a significantly increased asymmetry of mandibular condyles (mean ± SD = 10.7% ± 9, p < 0.001), but not of rami (mean ± SD = 1.9% ± 2.3), compared to controls. The rami did not show significant asymmetry in either group. The presence of an increased condylar asymmetry index in a developing patient with unilateral posterior crossbite is a sign of altered skeletal growth and should be considered in the diagnostic process and treatment plan

Update on Fundamental Mechanisms of Thyroid Cancer

The incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased worldwide over the past four decades. TC is divided into three main histological types: differentiated (papillary and follicular TC), undifferentiated (poorly differentiated and anaplastic TC), and medullary TC, arising from TC cells. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms associated to the pathogenesis of different types of TC and their clinical relevance. In the last years, progresses in the genetic characterization of TC have provided molecular markers for diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment targets. Recently, papillary TC, the most frequent form of TC, has been reclassified into two molecular subtypes, named BRAF-like and RAS-like, associated to a different range of cancer risks. Similarly, the genetic characterization of follicular TC has been proposed to complement the new histopathological classification in order to estimate the prognosis. New analyses characterized a comprehensive molecular profile of medullary TC, raising the role of RET mutations. More recent evidences suggested that immune microenvironment associated to TC may play a critical role in tumor invasion, with potential immunotherapeutic implications in advanced and metastatic TC. Several types of ancillary approaches have been developed to improve the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration biopsies in indeterminate thyroid nodules. Finally, liquid biopsy, as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for body fluid genotyping, brings a new prospective of disease and therapy monitoring. Despite all these novelties, much work remains to be done to fully understand the pathogenesis and biological behaviors of the different types of TC and to transfer this knowledge in clinical practice

Prognostic factors and historical trends in the epidemiology of candidemia in critically ill patients: an analysis of five multicenter studies sequentially conducted over a 9-year period

To describe temporal trends in the epidemiology, clinical management and outcome of candidemia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.This study was a retrospective analysis of 1,392 episodes of candidemia in 647 adult ICU patients from 22 Brazilian hospitals. the characteristics of candidemia in these ICU patients were compared in two periods (2003-2007, period 1; 2008-2012, period 2), and the predictors of 30-day mortality were assessed.The proportion of patients who developed candidemia while in the ICU increased from 44 % in period 1 to 50.9 % in period 2 (p = 0.01). Prior exposure to fluconazole before candidemia (22.3 vs. 11.6 %, p < 0.001) and fungemia due to Candida glabrata (13.1 vs. 7.8 %, p = 0.03) were more frequent in period 2, as was the proportion of patients receiving an echinocandin as primary therapy (18.0 vs. 5.9 %, p < 0.001). the 30-day mortality rate decreased from 76.4 % in period 1 to 60.8 % in period 2 (p < 0.001). Predictors of 30-day mortality by multivariate analysis were older age, period 1, treatment with corticosteroids and higher APACHE II score, while treatment with an echinocandin were associated with a higher probability of survival.We found a clear change in the epidemiology and clinical management of candidemia in ICU patients over the 9-year period of the study. the use of echinocandins as primary therapy for candidemia appears to be associated with better outcomes.MSDPfizerUnited MedicalUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Serv Publ Estadual São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilIrmandade Santa Casa de Misericordia Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Ciencias Sau Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Prognostic factors and historical trends in the epidemiology of candidemia in critically ill patients: an analysis of five multicenter studies sequentially conducted over a 9-year period (vol 40, pg 1489, 2014)

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Serv Publ Estadual São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilIrmandade Santa Casa de Misericordia Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Ciencias Saude Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

A New Combined Protocol to Treat the Dentin Hypersensitivity Associated with Non-Carious Cervical Lesions: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this research is to assess the desensitizing effect of a diode laser on non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) responsible for dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in two separate output forces implemented both independently and in sequential combination modalities. A randomized controlled trial for this study was applied. Sixty-nine NCCLs responsible for DH pain with severity between 6 and 9 on the VAS scale were considered. Three study groups were developed using just one lesion from three different quadrants of the oral cavity of each patient. All treatment procedures were conducted using a laser diode (810 nm, 5 W) with varying power outputs used separately or in combination. The pain by DH was evaluated at baseline, at treatment completion, and at 15 days and 3 months after each laser procedure. Data analysis was performed using a Wilcoxon test for paired samples, a one-way ANOVA test, and an unpaired t-test. The significant reduction of the mean VAS score was estimated in each study group immediately and at 15 days and 3 months after the end of treatment and compared with the baseline mean VAS score (p-value < 0.0001). The best result concerning the improvement of DH symptomatology was assessed when a combined protocol of two different output powers of the diode laser was used. The authors conclude that the diode laser (810 nm) therapy procedure combining two separate output forces (low and high power) can improve the painful symptoms of DH from NCCLs

Diagnostic Yield and Miss Rate of EndoRings in an Organized Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: the SMART (Study Methodology for ADR-Related Technology) Trial

Background and aims The add-on EndoRings has been claimed to improve adenoma detection at colonoscopy, but available data are inconsistent. When testing a new technology, parallel and crossover methodologies measure different outcomes, leaving uncertainty on their correspondence. Aims of this study were to compare the diagnostic yield and miss rate of the EndoRings for colorectal neoplasia. Methods Consecutive subjects undergoing colonoscopy after a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) within organized screening program in 7 Italian centers, were randomized between a parallel (EndoRings or Standard) or a crossover (EndoRings/Standard or Standard/EndoRings) methodology. Outcomes measures were the detection rates of (advanced) adenomas (A-)ADR in the parallel arms and miss rate of adenomas in the crossover arms. Results Of 958 eligible subjects, 927 (317 EndoRings; 317 Standard; 142 EndoRings/Standard; 151 Standard/Endorings) were included in the final analysis. In the parallel arms (mean ADR: 51.3%; mean AADR: 25.4%), no difference between Standard and EndoRings was found for both ADR (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.95-1.28) and A-ADR (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.88-1.51), as well as for the mean number of adenomas and advanced adenomas per patient (EndoRings: 1.9±1.3 and 1.0±1.2; Standard 2.1±1.5 and 1.0±1.2; p=NS for both comparisons). In the crossover arms, no difference in miss rate for adenomas between EndoRings and Standard was found at per-polyp (RR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.97-2.10), as well as at per-patient analysis (24% vs 26%; p=0.76). Conclusions No statistically significant difference in diagnostic yield and miss rate between EndoRings and Standard colonoscopy was detected in FIT+ patients. A clinically relevant correspondence between miss and detection rates was shown, supporting a cause-effect relationship

The Ocular Surface in Medically Controlled Glaucoma: An In Vivo Confocal Study

METHODS. We recruited 100 consecutive patients with MCPOAG and 50 healthy controls. Patients had to have been treated with the same medical regimen without variation for the 18 months before enrollment and were excluded if there was a history of dry eye prior to glaucoma diagnosis. Each participant underwent ocular surface clinical and LSCM examination. RESULTS. In MCPOAG patients, subbasal nerve length and tortuosity and dendritic cell density were increased compared to controls (P &lt; 0.01), but there were no clinical abnormalities. Patients treated with preserved drugs (n ¼ 80) had reduced tear film breakup time (P &lt; 0.05, ANOVA), and those preserved with benzalkonium chloride (n ¼ 72) had reduced Schirmer test values (P &lt; 0.001). Patients (n ¼ 50) treated with two or more drugs had increased lissamine green conjunctival staining (P &lt; 0.001, LSD post hoc test). Patients (n ¼ 29) treated with three or more eye drops daily had decreased Schirmer test values. Laser scanning confocal microscopy showed subbasal changes related to preservatives, type and number of drugs, and number of eye drops. CONCLUSIONS. In stable MCPOAG patients without dry eye history, the ocular surface changes due to antiglaucoma medications are mostly subclinical. Active ingredients, preservatives, number of concomitant drugs, and number of eye drops instilled per day are all elements that can induce ocular surface changes. The clinical relevance of these changes remains to be determined

The ocular surface in medically controlled glaucoma : An in vivo confocal study

PURPOSE. To study clinical and in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) ocular surface findings in stable, medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma (MCPOAG) patients. METHODS. We recruited 100 consecutive patients with MCPOAG and 50 healthy controls. Patients had to have been treated with the same medical regimen without variation for the 18 months before enrollment and were excluded if there was a history of dry eye prior to glaucoma diagnosis. Each participant underwent ocular surface clinical and LSCM examination. RESULTS. In MCPOAG patients, subbasal nerve length and tortuosity and dendritic cell density were increased compared to controls (P < 0.01), but there were no clinical abnormalities. Patients treated with preserved drugs (n = 80) had reduced tear film breakup time (P < 0.05, ANOVA), and those preserved with benzalkonium chloride (n = 72) had reduced Schirmer test values (P < 0.001). Patients (n = 50) treated with two or more drugs had increased lissamine green conjunctival staining (P < 0.001, LSD post hoc test). Patients (n = 29) treated with three or more eye drops daily had decreased Schirmer test values. Laser scanning confocal microscopy showed subbasal changes related to preservatives, type and number of drugs, and number of eye drops. CONCLUSIONS. In stable MCPOAG patients without dry eye history, the ocular surface changes due to antiglaucoma medications are mostly subclinical. Active ingredients, preservatives, number of concomitant drugs, and number of eye drops instilled per day are all elements that can induce ocular surface changes. The clinical relevance of these changes remains to be determined