Non-prismatic Timoshenko-like beam model

The present paper combines an effective beam theory with a simple and accurate numerical technique opening the door to the prediction of the structural behavior of planar beams characterized by a continuous variation of the cross-section geometry, that in general deeply influences the stress distribution and, therefore, leads to non-trivial constitutive relations. Accounting for these peculiar aspects, the beam theory is described by a mixed formulation of the problem represented by six linear Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) with non-constant coefficients depending on both the cross-section displacements and the internal forces. Due to the ODEs complexity, the solution can be typically computed only numerically also for relatively simple geometries, loads, and boundary conditions; however, the use of classical numerical tools for this problem, like a (six-field) mixed finite element approach, might entail several issues (e.g., shear locking, ill-conditioned matrices, etc.). Conversely, the recently proposed isogeometric collocation method, consisting of the direct discretization of the ODEs in strong form and using the higher-continuity properties typical of spline shape functions, allows an equal order approximation of all unknown fields, without affecting the stability of the solution. This makes such an approach simple, robust, efficient, and particularly suitable for solving the system of ODEs governing the non-prismatic beam problem. Several numerical experiments confirm that the proposed mixed isogeometric collocation method is actually cost-effective and able to attain high accuracy

Computational methods in cardiovascular mechanics

The introduction of computational models in cardiovascular sciences has been progressively bringing new and unique tools for the investigation of the physiopathology. Together with the dramatic improvement of imaging and measuring devices on one side, and of computational architectures on the other one, mathematical and numerical models have provided a new, clearly noninvasive, approach for understanding not only basic mechanisms but also patient-specific conditions, and for supporting the design and the development of new therapeutic options. The terminology in silico is, nowadays, commonly accepted for indicating this new source of knowledge added to traditional in vitro and in vivo investigations. The advantages of in silico methodologies are basically the low cost in terms of infrastructures and facilities, the reduced invasiveness and, in general, the intrinsic predictive capabilities based on the use of mathematical models. The disadvantages are generally identified in the distance between the real cases and their virtual counterpart required by the conceptual modeling that can be detrimental for the reliability of numerical simulations.Comment: 54 pages, Book Chapte

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Proposição de práticas para a apropriação das recomendações da ISO 14000 no desenvolvimento de produtos: estudo de caso no curso de desenho industrial

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.Pesquisa que parte do pressuposto de que é extensa a possibilidade de atuação do designer, tanto na fase de projeto quanto na fase de produção de bens industriais, se não apenas pela questão ética, a aplicação de condicionantes ambientais agrega valor ao produto se adequando a um novo e exigente consumidor. Foram analisadas as concepções e estruturas das faculdades de Design abordadas no texto, dando ênfase a disciplina de Metodologia Projetual do curso de Desenho Industrial da PUC-PR, onde aplicou-se experimentalmente um programa de aprendizagem comprometido com o ecodesign. Na pesquisa são apresentadas as relações dos produtos e processos produtivos com os principais problemas ambientais atuais, bem como um panorama das atuações ou posicionamentos dos governos, empresários e consumidores em relação ao meio ambiente. A pesquisa foi pautada por uma abordagem que privilegia a ética e a educação como forma de conscientizar as futuras gerações. As conclusões foram efetivadas à partir de entrevistas junto a docentes do curso de Desenho Industrial e pretendem demonstrar seu o comprometimento com o ensino e a aprendizagem do ecodesign e sua relação com a redução de impactos ambientais

Proposição de práticas para a apropriação das recomendações da ISO 14000 no desenvolvimento de produtos

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.Pesquisa que parte do pressuposto de que é extensa a possibilidade de atuação do designer, tanto na fase de projeto quanto na fase de produção de bens industriais, se não apenas pela questão ética, a aplicação de condicionantes ambientais agrega valor ao produto se adequando a um novo e exigente consumidor. Foram analisadas as concepções e estruturas das faculdades de Design abordadas no texto, dando ênfase a disciplina de Metodologia Projetual do curso de Desenho Industrial da PUC-PR, onde aplicou-se experimentalmente um programa de aprendizagem comprometido com o ecodesign. Na pesquisa são apresentadas as relações dos produtos e processos produtivos com os principais problemas ambientais atuais, bem como um panorama das atuações ou posicionamentos dos governos, empresários e consumidores em relação ao meio ambiente. A pesquisa foi pautada por uma abordagem que privilegia a ética e a educação como forma de conscientizar as futuras gerações. As conclusões foram efetivadas à partir de entrevistas junto a docentes do curso de Desenho Industrial e pretendem demonstrar seu o comprometimento com o ensino e a aprendizagem do ecodesign e sua relação com a redução de impactos ambientais

Zapruder. Rivista di storia della conflittualità sociale. Vol. 63: Romanes eunt domus

Il periodo “classico” (come modello, come memoria, come fondamento identitario) affolla il nostro immaginario quotidiano. Nel numero 63 di «Zapruder» cerchiamo di cogliere il peso dell’antico nella contemporaneità, per indagare come la storia antica – il suo utilizzo, recupero, sedimento – sia parte di un gioco di specchi continuo con la contemporaneità e i conflitti che la attraversano. A partire dal campo di studi stesso: intrecciato al potere, patriarcale, eurocentrico. Per andare oltre il concetto di “classico” è infatti necessario mettere in discussione quella forma mentis che ha creato la tradizione per nutrirsene. E se il timore è che l’abbandono del canone precostituito mandi in frantumi l’intera struttura culturale e identitaria nazionale, ben venga dotarsi di nuovi strumenti, nuovi sguardi, nuove domande, per evitare di chiedersi solo: «quanto spesso pensi all’impero romano