Transport and energy in India. Energy used by Indian transport systems and consequent emissions: the need for quantitative analyses (Well-to-Wheel, Lifecycle)

The purpose of this work is, at first, a general overview on the state-of-art of the transportation system in India outlining the related energy consumption, for the different transport modes, with consequent estimated emissions. These elements are essential for the preparation of a high-level strategic transport planning on the whole energy issue, to help India in the choices of most suitable transportation systems, according to the well-to-wheel analysis (WTW). Pursuing a WTW global index for India that takes into account both the energy and environmental aspects on a uniform basis is an important aim: it allows the best choices to be made as well as enabling the comparison between some of the most important powertrain and fuel options on the Indian market, the results are discussed from three different points of view: energy, environmental and economic impac

Sustainable transport systems: trends on needs, constraints, solutions

In this historical moment, technology can guarantee transport systems some good solutions which seems to be quite in line with actual needs, by improving efficiency of engines (ICEs) or of travels or even rationalizing the consumption of related activities by using ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) and by developing systems which can be sustainable through their whole life-cycle (LCC). Main results of the paper can be synthesised in pursuing the independence from the main source transport systems are based on, which is a nearly-monopoly, and use of lower unitary energy in motorised mobility in order to reduce the fuel consumption per person or per ton and – consequently – the emissions. This aim can be pursued either through higher capacity transport modes (e.g. trains, metros and automated people movers), yet guaranteeing as far as possible vehicles loaded more than their break-even in energy, or with a low level of black-oil energy used for vehicles: e.g., FEV, PHEV, natural gas for heavy-duty vehicles. The WTW analysis synthesises most of this idea

Comparison between telelaryngoscopy and suspension laryngoscopy in the diagnosis of benign vocal fold lesions

Proper diagnosis of laryngeal benign lesions still brings doubts among experienced laryngologists, despite current diagnostic progress. AIM: the goal of this study was to compare telelaryngoscopy (preoperative) with suspension laryngoscopy (intraoperative) on the diagnosis of vocal fold benign lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a restrospective study analyzing 79 charts from patients followed up in a University Hospital. In all the charts there was at least diagnostic hypothesis suggested by telelaryngoscopy, which was later on compared to intraoperative findings of suspension laryngoscopy. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds of the patients were females, with ages varying between 12 and 66 years (mean of 37 years). Of the 79 patients studied, we diagnosed 95 lesions with telelaryngoscopy and 124 with suspension laryngoscopy. The most frequently found benign lesion was the vocal polyp in both methods. In 64.5% of the cases the diagnosis of the lesions in the outpatient ward was the same as those in the surgical findings. CONCLUSION: Laryngologists must be prepared to alter their surgical planning and treatment approaches because of diagnostic changes that may happen during surgery.O correto diagnóstico das lesões benignas da laringe ainda causa dúvida em laringologistas experientes, apesar dos avanços diagnósticos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar a telelaringoscopia (pré-operatória) com a laringoscopia de suspensão (intra-operatória) no diagnóstico das lesões benignas das pregas vocais. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo através da análise de 79 prontuários de pacientes acompanhados em um hospital universitário. Em todos os prontuários havia pelo menos uma hipótese diagnóstica ambulatorial sugerida pela telelaringoscopia, que posteriormente foi comparada aos achados intra-operatórios da laringoscopia de suspensão. RESULTADOS: Quase dois terços dos pacientes eram do gênero feminino, com idade variando de 12 aos 66 anos (média de 37 anos). Dos 79 pacientes estudados, foram diagnosticadas 95 lesões com a telelaringoscopia e 124 com a laringoscopia de suspensão. A lesão benigna mais freqüente foi pólipo vocal em ambos os métodos. Em 64,5% dos casos, o diagnóstico das lesões feito no ambulatório foi o mesmo dos achados cirúrgicos. CONCLUSÃO: O laringologista deve estar preparado para alterar seu planejamento cirúrgico e abordagens terapêuticas devido às mudanças diagnósticas que ocorrem no intra-operatório.UNIFESP-EPMUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e PescoçoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMUNIFESP, Depto. de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e PescoçoUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Corrigendum to: Structure, functional organization and biological traits of macroinvertebrate assemblages from leaf-bags and benthic samples in a third-order stream of Central Apennines (Italy) [Ecological Indicators 46 (2014) 84–91]

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Multidisciplinary study of biological parameters and fatigue evolution in quay crane operators

In intermodal terminals the handling of containers and the number of accidents still depends on a wide range of human errors due to fatigue despite the automation level reached nowadays. For this reason it is very important to increase knowledge about the factors affecting the propensity of operators to make errors, increasing the chance of accidents happening. The aim of this work is to propose a novel approach to assess fatigue and performance lev els in quay crane operators as a function of physiological parameters and of the many varying boundary conditions encountered in daily work. During their work, quay crane operators have to deal with variable environmental conditions, such as task type, wind speed and direction, lighting conditions that redu ce visibility that can require an exacting level of attention. In the trial eight operators have been examined in a session lastin g four hours. All actual conditions are reproduced through a fully imme rsive quay crane simulator. The operator completes the assigned task (the same for each one) and can see through four wide monito rs a high quality virtual reality view of the simulation. Most biological parameters are acquired using different devices including a Holter ECG monitor, electromyographic monitoring the four trunk muscles most involved in the test, eye tracker and seat - body pressure interface for both seat pan and backrest. Changes in physiological parameters have been monitored during the trial and interesting correlations with performance levels and boundary conditions ha ve been f ound for each operator, in accord ance with their age and skills. The present study can form the basis for further investigations aimed at developing a cost effective, reliable and robust system for monitoring increasing fat igue and for predicting the critical conditions that may result in an acciden

Principali avversità biotiche dell'eucalipto in Sardegna

Il genere Eucalyptus (fam. Mirtaceae) è originario dell'Oceania e include oltre 600 specie di alberi e arbusti sempreverdi. Nell'Italia centro meridionale la specie più diffusa è l'Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dhenh. La grave diffusione di fenomeni di deperimento e di moria di piante nei popolamenti di eucalipto della Sardegna ha richiesto indagini di carattere entomologico e patologico, condotte in 12 aree dell'Isola

Hospital admissions for hypertensive crisis in the Emergency Departments: a large multicenter Italian study

Epidemiological data on the impact of hypertensive crises (emergencies and urgencies) on referral to the Emergency Departments (EDs) are lacking, in spite of the evidence that they may be life-threatening conditions. We performed a multicenter study to identify all patients aged 18 years and over who were admitted to 10 Italian EDs during 2009 for hypertensive crises (systolic blood pressure ≥220 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥120 mmHg). We classified patients as affected by either hypertensive emergencies or hypertensive urgencies depending on the presence or the absence of progressive target organ damage, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was then performed to assess variables independently associated with hypertensive emergencies with respect to hypertensive urgencies. Of 333,407 patients admitted to the EDs over the one-year period, 1,546 had hypertensive crises (4.6/1,000, 95% CI 4.4-4.9), and 23% of them had unknown hypertension. Hypertensive emergencies (n = 391, 25.3% of hypertensive crises) were acute pulmonary edema (30.9%), stroke (22.0%,), myocardial infarction (17.9%), acute aortic dissection (7.9%), acute renal failure (5.9%) and hypertensive encephalopathy (4.9%). Men had higher frequency than women of unknown hypertension (27.9% vs 18.5%, p<0.001). Even among known hypertensive patients, a larger proportion of men than women reported not taking anti-hypertensive drug (12.6% among men and 9.4% among women (p<0.001). Compared to women of similar age, men had higher likelihood of having hypertensive emergencies than urgencies (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.06-1.70), independently of presenting symptoms, creatinine, smoking habit and known hypertension. This study shows that hypertensive crises involved almost 5 out of 1,000 patients-year admitted to EDs. Sex differences in frequencies of unknown hypertension, compliance to treatment and risk of hypertensive emergencies might have implications for public health programs

PLM in SME, what are we missing? an alternative view on PLM implementation for SME

Part 10: PLM Maturity, Implementation and AdoptionInternational audienceToday, the concept of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is widely accepted as strategically important. It is used to manage the increasing complexity of products, processes and organizations. The need to adopt PLM is growing rapidly for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). PLM implementations are costly and require a lot of effort. The business impact and financial risks are high for SME. Also, SMEs seem to have relatively more difficulties to benefit from PLM. The study at hand addresses the question, based on literature research, why these difficulties exist and how they can be overcome. To answer that question, three sub questions are discussed in this paper. (1) A generic PLM implementation process structure. (2) A list of identified PLM implementation challenges, specific for SME. (3) A classification of PLM research for SME, related to the common PLM implementation process structure. A hypothesis for a PLM implementation failure mechanism in SMEs is formulated, based on the findings. Also, a potential research gap on operational implementation knowledge in SMEs is identified

Giant cell bone lesions in the craniofacial region: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Background: Giant cell tumors of bone (GCTs) are common in the long bones, but rare in the craniofacial region, with only 1% of cases occurring in the latter. Clinical, radiological, and anatomical diagnosis of this locally aggressive disease, which occurs in response to trauma or neoplastic transformation, poses a major challenge in clinical practice. Methods: The present study describes a series of 4 cases and highlights the main features of the differential diagnosis and treatment of these lesions: GCT, giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG), and the brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism. Results: GCT presents as a benign neoplasm, most typically affecting the knees, and rarely in the temporal and sphenoid bones. It is radiologically indistinguishable from GCRG due to its lytic, poorly defined appearance. The distinction can only be made microscopically, as the presence of multinucleated giant cells scattered throughout the stroma and the absence of a history of trauma favor a diagnosis of GCT. The brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism occurs with rapid, localized osteoclast activity secondary to the effects of increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels; parathyroid examination is indispensable. Conclusion: The diagnosis and treatment of these lesions poses a major challenge due to their similar clinical presentation and radiological appearance. Accurate diagnosis is essential for definition of appropriate management, as complete resection is the goal in GCT and GCRG to avoid recurrence, whereas the brown tumor often yields to treatment of the underlying hyperparathyroidism