Analisi Affidabilistica di un impianto di produzione di laterizi

L’obiettivo del lavoro è un miglioramento sensibile dell’affidabilità impiantistica mediante la progettazione di un efficace sistema di gestione della manutenzione

Traffic Stream Analysis by Radar Sensors on Two-Lane Roads for Free-Moving and Constrained Vehicles Identification

This paper focuses on the analysis of traffic streams on two-lane highways, which are crucial components of transportation networks. Traffic flow measurement technologies, such as detection stations, radar guns, or video cameras, have been used over the years to detect the level of traffic and the operating conditions. This type of sensor can record a large amount of data which is useful to evaluate and monitor road traffic conditions, and it is possible to identify free-moving and constrained vehicles by processing the collected data. This study introduces an exponential headway model to identify the headway threshold above which vehicles can be considered as unconditioned. However, this value could identify vehicles which still retain some autonomy in their speed and maneuvering. Therefore, an additional criterion to distinguish between apparently and actually conditioned vehicles has been introduced, analyzing the speed differences between a vehicle and the preceding one. Three-month sequences of traffic monitored through radar devices placed on some Italian two-lane roads have been analyzed and an exponential headway model has been introduced, as an illustrative example. The results show that introducing the criterion of maneuvering freedom can significantly improve traffic flow analysis, modifying the starting critical values of 4 and 8 s per each studied section, to 2.5 and 3 s, approaching the values suggested by international manuals for traffic flow quality analysis

Complex phenotype in an Italian family with a novel mutation in SPG3A.

Mutations in the SPG3A gene represent a significant cause of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia with early onset and pure phenotype. We describe an Italian family manifesting a complex phenotype, characterized by cerebellar involvement in the proband and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like syndrome in her father, in association with a new mutation in SPG3A. Our findings further widen the notion of clinical heterogeneity in SPG3A mutations

Smoking, DNA Adducts and Number of Risk DNA Repair Alleles in Lung Cancer Cases, in Subjects with Benign Lung Diseases and in Controls

Smoke constituents can induce DNA adducts that cause mutations and lead to lung cancer. We have analyzed DNA adducts and polymorphisms in two DNA repair genes, for example, XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln genes and XRCC3 Thr241Met gene, in 34 lung cancer cases in respect to 30 subjects with benign lung cancer disease and 40 healthy controls. When the study population was categorized in base to the number of risk alleles, adducts were significantly increased in individuals bearing 3-4 risk alleles (OR = 4.1 95% C.I. 1.28–13.09, P = .009). A significant association with smoking was noticed in smokers for more than 40 years carrying 3-4 risk alleles (OR = 36.38, 95% C.I. 1.17–1132.84, P = .040). A not statistically significant increment of lung cancer risk was observed in the same group (OR = 4.54, 95% C.I. 0.33–62.93, P = .259). Our results suggest that the analysis of the number of risk alleles predicts the interindividual variation in DNA adducts of smokers and lung cancer cases

Exploring interaction modes between polysaccharide-based selectors and biologically active 4,4′-bipyridines by experimental and computational analysis

In the last few years, chiral 4,4′-bipyridine derivatives have been developed for different applications in catalysis, enantioseparation science, supramolecular and theoretical chemistry by modulating the activity of the molecular system through the introduction of specific substituents in the heteroaromatic scaffold. More recently, the biological activity of 2′-substituted-3,3′,5,5′-tetrachloro-2-iodo-4,4′-bipyridines has been explored in the field of transthyretin (TTR) fibrillogenesis inhibition, and the anticancer cytotoxicity of some derivatives is currently under systematic investigation. In this frame, the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) enantioseparation of four atropisomeric 2,2′-disubstituted-4,4′-bipyridines (R, R’ = Ar, I), which contain multiple interaction sites, such as hydrogen bonding (HB) donors and acceptors, halogen bond (XB) donors, and -extended electronic clouds, was explored by using n-hexane (Hex)/2-propanol (2-PrOH) 90:10 v/v as a mobile phase (MP), and eight chiral columns with coated and immobilized amylose- and cellulose-based relectors. The impact of subtle structural variations of analytes and selectors on their mutual intermolecular interactivity was evaluated in terms of retention (k) and selectivity () factors. On this basis, chromatographic analysis based on systematic screening of analytes and selectors was integrated with electrostatic potential (V) analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as computational techniques. The effect of temperature on retention, selectivity, and enantiomer elution order (EEO) of the analytes with coated and immobilized amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) was also considered by comparing the variation of the thermodynamic profile associated with each enantioseparation. Chromatographic responses proved to be strictly dependent on specific regions within the analyte, and functions of different interactions sites of the analytes as the structure of the chiral selector changes were significantly disclosed

Benign hereditary chorea: clinical and neuroimaging features in an Italian family.

Abstract: Benign hereditary chorea is an autosomal domi- nant disorder characterized by early onset nonprogressive chorea, caused by mutations of the thyroid transcription factor-1 (TITF-1) gene. Clinical heterogeneity has been reported and thyroid and respiratory abnormalities may be present. We describe 3 patients of an Italian family carrying the S145X mutation in the TITF-1 gene with mild motor delay, childhood onset dyskinesias, and subtle cognitive impairment. A child in the third generation pre- sented with congenital hypothyroidism and neonatal respi- ratory distress. Imaging studies in 2 patients showed mild ventricular enlargement and empty sella at magnetic reso- nance imaging and hypometabolism of basal ganglia and cortex at 18-Fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography

. Double-microcatheter technique through tortuous anatomy for coil embolization of a saccular splenic aneurysm: a technical report

We report on a case of an asymptomatic splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) with a large neck in a 53-year-old female with an extreme vessel tortuosity which was treated with a Double Microcatheter Technique. This endovascular procedure consists of embolization of the aneurysm using detachable coils with no application of any glue, stent or balloon. At the end of procedure, no complications occurred. At the three-month follow-up an MRI showed the aneurysm’s complete exclusion and patency of the splenic artery

Central Pancreatectomy to Treat a Giant Solid Pseudopapillary Tumor of the Pancreas - An Uncommon Surgical Procedure for a Rare Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Context Solid pseudopapillary tumor is a rare tumor of the pancreas. Solid pseudopapillary tumor is nine times more frequent in the body and tail than in the head of the pancreas. It usually does not reach a large size. The majority of patients are young females and most of them are asymptomatic. Neoplasms of the midportion of the pancreas, not suitable for enucleation, can be treated with central pancreatectomy. The central pancreatectomy is commonly proposed for tumors that do not exceed 5 cm of dimension. Case report We report a case of seventeen-years-old woman who was admitted to our institution with abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the left hypochondrial area. US, CT and RMN scan revealed a giant (> 10 cm.) well-demarcated and encapsulated solid mass in the body of the pancreas, with a great amount of intralesional cystic-hemorrhagic component. The patient was treated by a variant of central pancreatectomy without splenectomy and pancreatic duct reconstruction. There was no metastatic disease in either the liver or peritoneum. The histological analysis identifies the tumor as a Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas. Fifteen years' follow-up period showed no recurrence. Conclusions Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas behaves like a potentially malignant tumor and has good prognosis. Surgical resection is dictated by tumor location and is the treatment of choice. The increasing interest in parenchyma-sparing pancreatic surgery has found large application in treatment of Solid pseudopapillary tumor, with the aim of preserving exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function, and achieving a better quality of life after surgery. Considering the low malignant potential, the central pancreatectomy can be considered an excellent therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this type of tumor also when they have giant dimensions and are localized in the central-pancreatic portion

Inflammation and frailty in the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The pathogenesis of frailty and the role of inflammation is poorly understood. We examined the evidence considering the relationship between inflammation and frailty through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search of papers providing data on inflammatory biomarkers and frailty was carried out in major electronic databases from inception until May 2016. From 1856 initial hits, 35 studies (32 cross-sectional studies n=3232 frail, n=11,483 pre-frail and n=8522 robust, and 563 pre-frail+robust; 3 longitudinal studies n=3402 participants without frailty at baseline) were meta-analyzed. Cross-sectional studies reported that compared to 6757 robust participants, both 1698 frail (SMD=1.00, 95%CI: 0.40-1.61) and 8568 pre-frail (SMD=0.33, 95%CI: 0.04-0.62) participants had significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Frailty (n=1057; SMD=1.12, 95%CI: 0.27-2.13) and pre-frailty (n=4467; SMD=0.56, 95%CI: 0.00-1.11) were associated with higher serum levels of interleukin-6 compared to people who were robust (n=2392). Frailty and pre-frailty were also significantly associated with elevated white blood cell and fibrinogen levels. In three longitudinal studies, higher serum CRP (OR=1.06, 95%CI: 0.78-1.44,) and IL-6 (OR=1.19, 95%CI: 0.87-1.62) were not associated with frailty. In conclusion, frailty and pre-frailty are associated with higher inflammatory parameters and in particular CRP and IL-6. Further longitudinal studies are needed