An exact fluid model for relativistic electron beams: The many moments case

An interesting and satisfactory fluid model has been proposed in literature for the the description of relativistic electron beams. It was obtained with 14 independent variables by imposing the entropy principle and the relativity principle. Here the case is considered with an arbitrary number of independent variables, still satisfying the above mentioned two principles; these lead to conditions whose general solution is here found. We think that the results satisfy also a certain ordering with respect to a smallness parameter $\epsilon$ measuring the dispersion of the velocity about the mean; this ordering generalizes that appearing in literature for the 14 moments case

POSITION PAPER : Credibility of in silico trial technologies - a theoretical framing

Different research communities have developed various approaches to assess the credibility of predictive models. Each approach usually works well for a specific type of model, and under some epistemic conditions that are normally satisfied within that specific research domain. Some regulatory agencies recently started to consider evidences of safety and efficacy on new medical products obtained using computer modelling and simulation (which is referred to as In Silico Trials); this has raised the attention in the computational medicine research community on the regulatory science aspects of this emerging discipline. But this poses a foundational problem: in the domain of biomedical research the use of computer modelling is relatively recent, without a widely accepted epistemic framing for problem of model credibility. Also, because of the inherent complexity of living organisms, biomedical modellers tend to use a variety of modelling methods, sometimes mixing them in the solution of a single problem. In such context merely adopting credibility approaches developed within other research community might not be appropriate. In this position paper we propose a theoretical framing for the problem of assessing the credibility of a predictive models for In Silico Trials, which accounts for the epistemic specificity of this research field and is general enough to be used for different type of models

Free and Dissolved Gases in Castrocaro Spa Waters (Italy)

Free and dissolved gases in cold water samples from the Castrocaro spa, Northern Italy, were analyzed for their chemical composition. These gases were interpreted as the result of the binary mixing between a N2- and a CH4-rich component. CO2 is generally a minor constituent. N2/Ar ratios below the air typical value suggest that air saturated water (ASW) is the most likely source of atmospheric-derived components. This atmospheric end-member is predominant in low-salinity waters. Conversely, CH4-enriched gases are mainly associated with brackish to saline waters. The occurrence of minor amounts of light hydrocarbons (C2-C3) indicates a predominant biogenic origin of CH4. The He isotopic composition of the CH4-richest sample (3He/4He = 0.22 Ra) is in the range of values measured for cold seeps and mud volcanoes along the Northern Apennines foothills, and indicates a predominant crustal origin of this gas

Redox regulation of cellular stress response in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune-mediated neurodegenerative disease with characteristic foci of inflammatory demyelination in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Recent studies have demonstrated not only that axonal damage and neuronal loss are significant pathologic components of MS, but that this neuronal damage is thought to cause the permanent neurologic disability often seen in MS patients. Emerging finding suggests that altered redox homeostasis and increased oxidative stress, primarily implicated in the pathogenesis of MS, are a trigger for activation of a brain stress response. Relevant to maintenance of redox homeostasis, integrated mechanisms controlled by vitagenes operate in brain in preserving neuronal survival during stressful conditions. Vitagenes encode for heat shock proteins (Hsp) Hsp32, Hsp70, the thioredoxin and the sirtuin protein systems. In the present study we assess stress response mechanisms in the CSF, plasma and lymphocytes of control patients compared to MS patients. We found that the levels of vitagenes Hsp72, Hsc70, HO-1, as well as oxidative stress markers carbonyls and hydroxynonenals were significantly higher in the blood and CSF of MS patients than in control patients. In addition, an increased expression of Trx and sirtuin 1, together with a decrease in the expression of TrxR were observed. Our data strongly support a pivotal role for redox homeostasis disruption in the pathogenesis of MS and, consistently with the notion that new therapies that prevent neurodegeneration through nonimmunomodulatory mechanisms can have a tremendous potential to work synergistically with current MS therapies, unravel important targets for new cytoprotective strategies

Pharmacological therapy of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: What drugs are available now and future perspectives

The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the most common cause of chronic liver disease as well as the first cause of liver transplantation. NAFLD is commonly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and this is the most important reason why it is extremely difficult to treat this disease bearing in mind the enormous amount of interrelationships between the liver and other systems in maintaining the metabolic health. The treatment of NAFLD is a key point to prevent NASH progression to advanced fibrosis, to prevent cirrhosis and to prevent the development of its hepatic complications (such as liver decompensation and HCC) and even extrahepatic one. A part of the well-known healthy effect of diet and physical exercise in this setting it is important to design the correct pharmaceutical strategy in order to antagonize the progression of the disease. In this regard, the current review has the scope to give a panoramic view on the possible pharmacological treatment strategy in NAFLD patients

Monitoring of stress distribution in damaged small-scale masonry walls by using two innovative sensors

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) represents a strategic solution for the preservation of cultural heritage buildings. Existing masonry structures often suffer reductions in mechanical performances due to physiological aging of material constituents, external actions, and effect of catastrophic natural events. In many cases, the prompt prediction of damage in masonry elements is difficult and it can cause sudden collapses, compromising the safety of people. The proposed experimental study examines the effectiveness of two low-cost and innovative stress sensors, i.e. piezoelectric and capacitive stress sensors, for SHM of masonry structures. To this scope, the sensors were embedded in the mortar joints of two small-scale clay brick and calcarenite masonry wall specimens consisting of three panels. Experimental tests were carried out by applying a constant vertical compressive load at the top of each specimen and simulating the damage with a progressive reduction of the cross-section of one of the panels. During the tests, the vertical stress distributions (and their variations), were monitored by the sensors. Experimental outcomes from sensor reading were then compared to that numerically provided by a refined finite element simulation of the test. Results will show that vertical stress variations in masonry structures can be effectively accounted by the adopted sensors and potentially interpreted for the early prediction of structural damage

HYDRAULIC RISK ASSESSMENT IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES SUPPORTED BY AN INTEGRATED DIGITAL SURVEY – CFD (COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS) MONITORING APPROACH

Abstract. This paper presents a methodological approach for analysing and evaluating hydraulic risks in complex archaeological areas, and thereby substantially improve general preservation and conservation efforts involving cultural heritage.The hypogeum of Calaforno (province of Ragusa, Sicily) represents a unique sample of rock-cut architecture in terms of size and architectural features, and an ideal candidate for the case study due to its high historical, archaeological and cultural significance, as well as its intrinsic fragility and criticality associated with hydrogeological and seismic factors.The interdisciplinary research approach involved archaeological and engineering contributions towards the development of numerical models for the assessment of hydraulic risks threatening archaeological heritage. The morphological characteristics of the site rendered the use of a Laser Scanner necessary for three-dimensional survey.The prehistoric structures currently undergoing excavation outside the main entrance of the monument have raised concerns regarding the impact of the Manna stream, which flows a few meters from the main entrance to the hypogeum, which has seen periodic flooding in some of its rooms. Simulations of these flooding events were performed in order to attain better understanding of the hydraulic phenomena influencing the site, especially regarding the dynamics associated with surface runoff.The interdisciplinary approach to this research, combining in-depth archaeological expertise with digital 3D surveying and modelling technologies, has proven fundamental to the effective monitoring of this morphologically complex site, and should perhaps be considered integral to any preventive assessment and risk management initiative involving cultural heritage

Improving water use efficiency in vertical farming: Effects of growing systems, far-red radiation and planting density on lettuce cultivation

Vertical farms (VFs) are innovative urban production facilities consisting of multi-level indoor systems equipped with artificial lighting in which all the environmental conditions are controlled independently from the external climate. VFs are generally provided with a closed loop fertigation system to optimize the use of water and nu-trients. The objective of this study, performed within an experimental VF at the University of Bologna, was to quantify the water use efficiency (WUE, ratio between plant fresh weight and the volume of water used) for a lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth cycle obtained in two different growing systems: an ebb-and-flow substrate culture and a high pressure aeroponic system. Considering the total water consumed (water used for irrigation and climate management), WUE of ebb-and-flow and aeroponics was 28.1 and 52.9 g L-1 H2O, respectively. During the growing cycle, the contribution generated by the recovery of internal air moisture from the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, was quantified. Indeed, by recovering water from the dehu-midifier, water use decreases dramatically (by 67 %), while WUE increased by 206 %. Further improvement of WUE in the ebb-and-flow system was obtained through ameliorated crop management strategies, in particular, by increasing planting densities (e.g., 153, 270 and 733 plants m-2) and by optimizing the light spectrum used for plant growth (e.g., adjusting the amount of far-red radiation in the spectrum). Strategies for efficient use of water in high-tech urban indoor growing systems are therefore proposed