Macroscopic description of microscopically strongly inhomogenous systems: A mathematical basis for the synthesis of higher gradients metamaterials

We consider the time evolution of a one dimensional $n$-gradient continuum. Our aim is to construct and analyze discrete approximations in terms of physically realizable mechanical systems, called microscopic because they are living on a smaller space scale. We validate our construction by proving a convergence theorem of the microscopic system to the given continuum, as the scale parameter goes to zero.Comment: 20 page

Ultrabiomicroscopy anterior segment evaluation of ocular contusive trauma caused by pressurized bottled drink caps. a case report

We report the case of a patient presented to the emergency department because of a contu-sive trauma from a pressurized bottled drink cap. During the visit, the patient indicated that he had been hit in his left eye by a cork while he was opening a sparkling wine bottle. He underwent a total ophthalmology examination. He had an important reduction of visual acuity, corneal swelling, Descemet’s folds, and hyphema. Therefore, we decided to perform ultrabio-microscopy (UBM) of the anterior segment to study the endothelial damage and Descemet’s membrane. UBM images confirmed the direct biomicroscopy, highlighting the damaged loca-tion

Ocriplasmin in the treatment of vitreomacular traction in a patient with central retinal vein occlusion. a case report

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin (JETREA®) in the treat-ment of vitreomacular traction (VMT). Materials and Methods: An 81-year-old man with VMT associated with central retinal vein occlusion in his left eye, was treated with a single intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin (25 μg). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular fundus, and optical coherence tomography were examined before and after treatment. Results: Complete release of VMT produced a reduction of central macular thickness, ranging from 459 to 141 μm. BCVA remained stable. Discussion and Conclusions: The use of ocriplasmin was effective in the treatment of VMT. Ocriplasmin represents a valid alternative to conventional pars plana vitrec-tomy

Use of peas in organic buffalo farming: effects on nutrient digestibility and milk production

Twenty lactating buffalo cows, organically farmed, were used to examine the effects of including peas in total mixed ration. Two concentrates were formulated to contain, as the main protein sources, either 350 g/kg of soybean cake (CC) or 450 g/kg of peas (ExpC). Cows were blocked into two groups according to parity and previous milk yield and were assigned to one of two dietary treatments: one group was fed a diet with 6 kg/d of CC, whereas the treatment group was fed diet in which 3kg/d of CC were replaced by an equal quantity of ExpC. Digestibility of the diets and milk production of the cows were measured. The experimental period covered the whole lactation period. No differences were observed between groups for milk yield and composition, and for total tract apparent digestibility. The main hypothesis tested, that the replacement of soybean cake with peas in buffalo diet would not affect milk yield and composition, was confirmed. This suggested that the partial substitution of soybean cake with peas in diet for buffalo cows can be possible without affect performances

Analisi FEM di un piede piatto

La patologia del piattismo dell’arco plantare comporta una distribuzione non uniforme dei carichi, rispetto ad un piede sano, dando luogo a disallineamenti del bacino e ad atteggiamenti cifotici e/o scoliotici. Il presente lavoro riguarda l’analisi FEM di un piede affetto da tale patologia. Il modello numerico è stato realizzato da TAC, mediante tecniche di Reverse Engineering di segmentazione della densità, definendo geometricamente la struttura ossea e i tessuti morbidi. Successivamente è stata impiegata la modellazione CAD per la defi nizione geometrica delle cartilagini e per un affi namento del modello stesso

Simulation of forest harvesting alternative processes and concept design of an innovative skidding winch focused on productivity improvement

In contexts in which mechanized harvesting is limited, such as in the northwestern Black Sea region of Turkey, it is important to improve timber harvesting productivity while preserving operators' safety and reducing environmental damage. This study aims to introduce a methodology in which the harvesting process is simulated with discrete-event simulation (DES) software in order to identify bottlenecks. An alternative process is compared to the original within the DES software, carrying out further steps oriented to the generation of new innovative product concepts. As a case study, the design of an innovative skidding winch is proposed. The development of the product was focused towards customer satisfaction by collecting customer requirements and identifying quality characteristics with a quality function deployment approach. Contradictions identified in the design phase were solved using the TRIZ contradiction toolkit, generating different product concepts. Inventive solutions provided by TRIZ were designed within parametric CAD software. The concepts were compared in a virtual environment, eventually selecting an optimal solution. The results showed that, with the concept adopted, it is possible to achieve a substantial increase in productivity, from 121% to 133%, in terms of kilograms of logs per hour deposited on the landing

Experimental characterization of cyclic behaviour of pure lead: temperature sensitivity and strain-rate effects

Proton beam pulses with an energy of 20 GeV/c collide with a pure-lead based target installed in the neutron Time-Of-Flight facility (n_TOF) at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN). The interaction between the proton beam and lead produces neutrons via spallation mechanism and results in a rapid temperature increase and propagation of stress waves. To evaluate the material response in such challenging conditions, a reliable thermo-mechanical characterization is necessary for the calibration of an appropriate constitutive model for pure lead that is valid under cyclic plasticity and high temperature. In this work, the experimental bases for the development of such constitutive material description are lied. Starting with metallurgical characterization, the typical grain size of the material was initially investigated as well as any variations in the metallurgical features. The grains appeared to have an equivalent size ranging from 2 to 6 mm. Then, static tensile tests were conducted at room temperature and different strain-rates from 10−1 to 10−4 s−1. The obtained results were crucial for optimizing the specimen geometry and test setup for the subsequent cyclic tests. Tension-compression cyclic tests were performed at different strain amplitudes from 0.1 to 1.5%, and at three different temperatures (room temperature, 90 °C and 150 °C). The strain amplitudes were controlled by an extensometer and the strain field evolution during the test was recorded by means of 2D DIC.acceptedVersio

Cervical dystonia patients display subclinical gait changes

Gait disorders in cervical dystonia (CD) are reported in patients under DBS or in severe cases complicated with spinal deformities