Misura indiretta della deformazione delle rotaie del bacino n.1 dell\u27INSEAN: correzione in tempo reale della misura delle immersioni per le prove in assetto libero

In the present report we analyzed the deformation of the rails of the towing tank n.1 at INSEAN and its influence on the measurement of sinkage and trim for classical resistance tests. The rails of the towing Tank n.1, through the years, have undergone a deformation mainly in the terminal segment (last 100 meters). This deformation (of order of few millimeters) makes very problematic the measurement with the model in fixed conditions, but also affects the measurement of trim and, mainly, sinkage in free conditions. In particular, it influences the measurement of the submersion at bow and stern due to the changing distance between carriage and water surface during the run. The introduced error is a function of the carriage position along the basin. It is important to remark that the maximum deformation is about 3 mm and mostly regards the end of the rails, while for the initial segment of the rails (up to 200 meters) the deformation is lower than 1 mm. The compromise is to limit the tests with the model in fixed condition at 200 meters, while for the free conditions test a correction for the submersion measurements has to be applied in order to improve the quality of data and extend the run to the rails end. A function fr(x), where x is the carriage position along the rails has been obtained by fitting the acquired data by a ultrasonic probe during a carriage run.Il presente rapporto riguarda la misura delle deformazioni delle rotaie del bacino n.1 dell\u27INSEAN e la loro influenza sulla misura degli assetti nelle prove di rimorchio in assetto libero. Le rotaie del bacino n.1 dell\u27INSEAN, nel corso degli anni, hanno subito una deformazione principalmente nel tratto finale della corsa. Tale deformazione - dell\u27ordine di pochi millimetri - rende problematiche le misure di campo in assetto bloccato, ma incide anche sulla correttezza delle misure delle immersioni per le prove in assetto libero. In particolare introduce nella misura un errore dipendente dalla posizione del carro lungo la corsa dovuto alla differente distanza delle rotaie e quindi del carro dalla superficie libera. ? da rimarcare il fatto che la massima deformazione (circa 3 mm) si ha nella parte finale della corsa, mentre nella parte centrale la deformazione ? dell\u27ordine del millimetro. Come detto, nelle prove ad assetto bloccato sarebbe problematico operare una correzione e si preferisce allo stato attuale limitare la corsa alla parte centrale del bacino, dove le deformazioni sono meno influenti sulla misura finale. D\u27altra parte la limitazione della corsa per le prove in assetto libero che sono le pi? frequenti comporterebbe un aumento delle corse importante. Per questo tipo di prove, considerando che la resistenza non ? affetta da questo errore, si ? deciso di operare una correzione della misura degli assetti in tempo reale. A partire dalla misura della distanza della superficie libera dal carro durante la corsa, ? stata sviluppata una funzione continua fr(x) in grado di descrivere, per ogni posizione x del carro, l\u27entit? della deformazione, al fine di apportare le opportune correzioni alle misure delle immersioni in tempo reale in fase di acquisizione

DETERMINAZIONE DEL FABBISOGNO IN FREDDO DELL'ALBICOCCO: INTERAZIONI TRA GENOTIPO E HABITUS.

Relatore: Dott. Raffaella Viti Correlatore: Dott. Susanna Bartolini Corso di Laurea: Produzioni Agroalimentari e Gestione degli Agroecosistemi Titolo della tesi: Determinazione del fabbisogno in freddo dell'albicocco: interazioni tra genotipo e habitus. Riassunto: Introduzione: Le problematiche di adattabilità ambientale dell’albicocco (Prunus Armeniaca L.) sono condizionate direttamente dalla necessità di superare in maniera ottimale, la fase di dormienza attraverso il soddisfacimento del fabbisogno in freddo (F.F). I diversi genotipi di albicocco sono caratterizzati da un’elevata variabilità di portamenti e da una certa rigidità in termini di adattabilità ambientale, tale da condizionare in maniera significativa la fisiologia della pianta e conseguentemente la capacità produttiva. Le esigenze pedoclimatiche di questa specie, variabili in relazione al genotipo, sono determinanti per il superamento della fase di dormienza e del relativo F.F. Scopo: Lo scopo della ricerca è stato quello di individuare l’habitus che contraddistingue i diversi genotipi in modo tale da poter analizzare le relazioni che intercorrono con l’uscita della dormienza. E’ stato evidenziato il comportamento delle varie cultivar nelle condizioni climatiche reali della maremma toscana, in modo da valutare l’influenza dell’habitus e delle diverse posizioni dei rami produttivi all’interno della chioma, sul processo di sviluppo delle gemme a fiore. Materiali e metodi: Il lavoro è stato condotto su tre differenti genotipi, scelti in base alle loro diverse caratteristiche morfologiche ed agronomiche. Durante il periodo di osservazione sono state registrati i caratteri biometrici dei genotipi; lo stadio fenologico delle gemme a fiore per la determinazione della percentuale di cascola e fioritura; l’indice di fertilità e l’epoca di fioritura; le temperature giornaliere per il calcolo delle Chilling Units al fine di determinare l’accumulo in freddo. Attraverso il test della forzatura si è analizzato il soddisfacimento del F.F., per individuare il termine della fase di endo ed ecodormienza, associato all'osservazione dello sviluppo dei vasi xilematici. Risultati: Il decorso delle temperature invernali registrate nel 2014, non hanno rappresentato un limite nell'evoluzione dei processi fisiologici legati alla dormienza. Sono state individuati 3 tipologie di habitus (aperto, assurgente e regolare) evidenziando nell’angolo di inserzione e nell’indice volumetrico i parametri fondamentali nella classificazione del portamento. A prescindere dall’habitus l’utilizzo della forzatura, è risultata utile solo nelle cv a basso F.F. L’analisi conclusiva dei risultati sembra quindi confermare un ruolo importante del genotipo, del portamento e della posizione dei rami sulla chioma sul comportamento produttivo dell’albicocco, in quanto condiziona in maniera diretta i processi legati al soddisfacimento del fabbisogno in freddo ed al superamento della fase di dormienza

Co-precipitation of Cathode Active Materials Precursors in Lithium-ion Batteries Recycling: Experiments and Modeling

Recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is becoming an imperative task given the large flow of spent batteries that in the next future will have to be managed. Among the current three main recycling routes to convert spent LIBs into recycled products, that is, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, or direct recycling, the co-precipitation route lies between the last two routes: its key unit operations are the leaching of battery materials and the co-precipitation of a precursor for the re-synthesis of the cathode active material (CAM). High susceptibility to impurities in the leached solution and a strong link between high-quality CAM precursors and the composition of the dissolved metal salts, makes experimental analysis on spent LIBs a crucial step to find the best operating conditions. For this reason, we present an experimental campaign to study the co-precipitation and formation of the complex chemical compounds involved in the process. Moreover, we also exploit the support that rigorous models are giving in many industrial fields, also benefiting chemical engineering and laboratory analysis. Therefore, in this study we also present a rigorous simulation model on UniSim Design® with the thermodynamic package OLI® that enables the possibility to consider most of the different liquid-solid equilibria needed. A validation of the model is performed with experimental data and a sensitivity analysis on metal concentrations, pH, and chelating agent is performed to find the critical parameters that regulate the co-precipitation outcomes. The aim is to optimize the choice of operating conditions to limit the number of laboratory tests and complex analyses that are often expensive and time-consuming

New exploitation strategies of the by-products deriving from the hazelnut supply chain

Hazelnut processing industry generates significant waste streams, in particular cuticles and shells. Extractives are the main components of the cuticle fraction (~36 wt%), mainly including polyphenols and fatty acids, which can be advantageously used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Focusing on the shell fraction, this represents ~50 % of the total nut weight (about 273 thousand metric tons, based on the 2021-2022 worldwide data on hazelnut production). Differently from cuticles, shells are rich in recalcitrant lignin (~38 wt%), in addition to cellulose and hemicellulose (each component accounting for ~23 wt%). Up to now, this waste, which is preponderantly produced in Italy and Turkey, is mostly underutilized, being limitedly used as a boiler fuel for domestic heating and for landscaping. On the other hand, these both fractions of hazelnut shells can be successfully valorized and, in this perspective, we have proposed a new cascade approach, converting its cellulosic fraction into levulinic acid (∼9-12 wt%), and recovering an abundant carbonaceous hydrochar as the final waste (∼45 wt%), mainly composed of aromatic and furanic units. In this work, the exploitation of this waste biomass-derived hydrochar for environmental applications has been investigated, after its pyrolysis and chemical activation treatments (H3PO4, ZnCl2, KOH, NaOH). The synthesized new active carbons (ACs) have been properly characterized and used as adsorbents for CO2 and methylene blue removal. This proposed integrated approach makes possible to fully exploit the hazelnut shell feedstock, smartly closing the biorefinery cycle of the hazelnut wastes, in a sustainable and circular perspective

Video-assisted parathyroidectomy: a series of 85 cases

Abstract AIM OF THE STUDY: To verify the feasibility of video-assisted parathyroidectomy, set up the indications and report the results in a series of 85 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1997 to 1999, 85 patients affected by primary hyperparathyroidism due to single gland disease, with an adenoma smaller than 35 mm as demonstrated by preoperative imaging, were referred for video-assisted parathyroidectomy. There were 62 females and 23 males. Mean age was 53 years, (range 23-82). Video-assisted parathyroidectomy was associated with intra-operative PTH quick-assay. Calcium testing was controlled before leaving the hospital, 1 month and 3 months later, and postoperative laryngoscopy was performed in all patients. RESULTS: There were five conversions to open cervicotomy: three due to a contra-lateral second adenoma, two because of an intrathyroidal adenoma. The mean operative time for video-assisted procedure was 59 minutes (range: 25-180). Circulating PTH levels 10 minutes after the removal of the affected gland(s) always dropped significantly, and pathological report confirmed the parathyroid nature of the specimens (mean diameter 13 mm, range 7-35). Morbidity consisted of five cases of transient hypocalcemia and one permanent laryngeal nerve paralysis. We registered no persistent or recurrent disease (mean follow-up 12.8 months, range 1-28). CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted parathyroidectomy is feasible, and its results are similar to those of traditional procedure, while it seems superior as regards postoperative course and aesthetic results. It also allows different strategical decisions even during operation (i.e. bilateral exploration or thyroid lobectomy) by the same approach

Laparoscopy versus open adrenalectomy in patients with solid tumor metastases: results of a multicenter European study

Background: The outcome of adrenalectomy carried out by laparoscopy or open surgery for solid tumor metastases was assessed. Methods: A total of 317 patients with histologically confirmed adrenal metastatic disease collected from 30 centres in Europe underwent adrenalectomy by laparoscopy (n=146) or open laparotomy (n=171). Differences between laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy were assessed by a single Cox analysis for both procedures. Results: The median overall survival was 24.0 [95% confidence interval (CI): 21.4-26.6] months for open adrenalectomy and 45.0 (95% CI: 22.6-67.4) for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (P=0.008). Survival rates were 68%, 49%, 35% and 29% at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years for open surgery vs. 88%, 62%, 52% and 46% for laparoscopy, respectively. In the subgroup of R0 resections, the difference in survival in favor of laparoscopy (median 46 vs. 27 months) was marginally significant (P=0.073). Renal cancer [hazard ratio (HR) 0.42; 95% CI: 0.23-0.76, P=0.005], surgery of the primary tumor (HR 0.33; 95% CI: 0.19-0.54), and use of chemotherapy (HR 0.62; 95% CI: 0.43-0.88) were associated with a better survival, whereas type of resection (R1/R2 vs. R0) was associated with a worse prognosis (HR 2.29; 95% CI: 1.52-3.44, P<0.001). Conclusions: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy patients showed a longer survival than open adrenalectomy individuals, as minimally invasive approach was attempted more common in less advanced disease which led to higher number of R0 resections

3D models acquisition and image processing for virtual musealization of the spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala, Rome

This study was carried out within the project 'Roma Hispana. Nuevas tecnologías aplicadas al estudio histórico, la musealización y la puesta en valor de Patrimonio Cultural español en Roma: la spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala' (Universitat de València Spain), which is funded by the Conselleria d'Innovació, Universitats, Ciència i Societat Digital of the Generalitat Valenciana (2020-2021) and authorized by the Sovrintendenza Speciale Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio (Special Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape) of Rome, Italy. The spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala was the oldest apothecary in Europe managed by the order of Discalced Carmelite friars. Operating between the second half of the seventeenth century and the mid-twentieth century, over time it acquired great prestige, becoming known as the Pharmacy of the Popes. The aims of the 'Roma Hispana' project are to study, musealize and disseminate the material and immaterial cultural heritage of this historical spezieria by combining physicochemical and cultural studies, new 3D technologies, and artificial intelligence. As a case study, in this paper we report the application of a laser scanner prototype for 3D color imaging of the spezieria's sales room and use a simpler photogrammetry method to collect analogous data in the small nearby storeroom coupled to the high-power capabilities of the ENEA parallel computer facility. Digital data were collected to enable a virtual tour that provides a fully navigable, faithful, high-resolution 3D color model to render this ancient Roman apothecary accessible and usable to interested members of the public and experts in the sector (art historians, restorers, etc.). We also describe the 3D technology used to obtain threedimensional images of the cultural assets of these spaces (mostly drug containers) and its results. The ultimate aim of this study is to achieve the virtual musealization of the heritage complex

Candidate germline biomarkers of lenalidomide efficacy in mantle cell lymphoma: the FIL MCL0208 trial

In the FIL MCL0208 phase III trial, lenalidomide maintenance (LEN) after transplantation (ASCT) in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs observation (OBS). The host pharmacogenetic background was analyzed to decipher whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes encoding transmembrane transporters, metabolic enzymes, or cell surface receptors might predict drug efficacy. Genotypes were obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood (PB) germ line DNA. Polymorphisms of either ABCB1 or VEGF were found in 69% and 79% of 278 patients and predicted favorable PFS vs homozygous wild type (WT) in the LEN arm: 3-year PFS 85% vs 70% (p < 0.05) and 85% vs 60% (p < 0.01), respectively. Patients carrying both ABCB1 and VEGF WT had the poorest 3-year PFS (46%) and overall survival (OS, 76%): in fact, in these patients LEN did not improve PFS vs OBS (3-year PFS 44% vs 60%, p = 0.62). Moreover, CRBN polymorphism (n = 28) was associated with lenalidomide dose reduction or discontinuation. Finally, ABCB1, NCF4, and GSTP1 polymorphisms predicted lower hematological toxicity during induction, while ABCB1 and CRBN polymorphisms predicted lower risk of grade ≥3 infections. This study demonstrates that specific SNPs represent candidate predictive biomarkers of immunochemotherapy toxicity and LEN efficacy after ASCT in MCL. This trial is registered at eudract.ema.europa.eu as 2009-012807-25

Mental health in mothers of malnourished children

BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertaçõe