Electrical Impedance Tomography and Prone Position During Ventilation in COVID-19 Pneumonia: Case Reports and a Brief Literature Review

At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases, with high needs of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients. It is still unclear whether different types of COVID-19 pneumonia require different ventilator strategies. With electrical impedance tomography (EIT) we evaluated, in real time and bedside, the distribution of ventilation in the different pulmonary regions before, during, and after pronation in COVID-19 respiratory failure. We present a brief literature review of EIT in non-COVID-19 patients and a report of 2 COVID-19 patients: one that did not respond well and another one that improved during and after pronation. EIT might be a useful tool to decide whether prone positioning should or should not be used in COVID-19 pneumonia

A review of circularity performance assessment methods

Globalization and consumerism behaviours are depleting natural resources and downgrading the environment. This negative perspective is pushing worldwide the interest on Circular Economy (CE). CE wants to eliminate wastes, retain value from products and materials, foster the use of renewable energies and eliminate toxic chemicals. However, it is still not fully explained how to measure and assess the circularity performance of a system. To this aim, the paper wants to detect, through a systematic literature review, the existing CE performance assessment methods, by describing their relations with both product lifecycle stages and other methods

Industry 4.0 solutions supporting Circular Economy

Industrial automation supported by the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) paradigm has become a driving force in production systems. According to current product lifecycles and mass customization, I4.0 technologies, architectures and services offer a new perspective on automated and flexible production systems. Within this context, smart sustainability represents a new way for making goods and managing processes with a lower environmental impact. Experts already assessed the relation between I4.0 and Circular Economy (CE), but practical demonstrations are lacking. The aim of this paper is presenting a laboratory application case showing the integration of I4.0 and CE, specifically at product End-of-Life stage

Aspetti riproduttivi di Ostrea edulis (L., 1758) (Bivalvia: Ostreacea) nel Mar Grande di Taranto (Mar Ionio Settentrionale)

The reproductive features of O. edulis were investigated collecting monthly samples from a breeding population in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea). A total of 240 gonads were observed. Macroscopic observations were compared with histological preparations. Mature eggs and sperms were observed throughout the year. Spawning and incubation of larvae occur during spring and summer with a lowering during July and August, when the highest temperatures were recorded into the sea

LINCOLN Integrated Solution Supporting the Design of Specialized Connected Vessels

The maritime industry has been working to apply unique solutions capable of improving design and development performances (Koenig, Narita, & Baba, 2002; Liker & Lamb, 2001; Milanovic, 2016; Radovic & Macclaren, 2004). Over the past several decades, the industry has faced changes related to the increasing complexity of the dynamic global market. Activities to meet these challenges have been carried out in the marine space (e.g. aquaculture, renewable energy, environmental monitoring, accident response and clean up), however, design methodologies have remained rather unchanged, regardless of demand for the incorporation of new technologies and materials. Literature and multiple case studies have been utilized to develop a design approach, that aims to transform the design process for the extension of serviceability and reduction of design time. This paper describes an innovative maritime design framework, based on the comprehensive usage of design methodologies, (economic and environmental) sustainability analysis and Internet of Things (IoT) in vessel design

Towards a conceptual framework for developing sustainable digital innovation hubs

As digitalization and smartification affect businesses of all kinds ever more profoundly, the growing concern is about how such opportunities can promote companies' productivity through improved and customized smart solutions and also costumer engagement. To meet these new requirements and engage in new collaborative initiatives, Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), by leveraging digital technologies and benefiting of diverse minds inclusion, from one side help companies to become more competitive with regard to their business/production processes, products, or services, and from the other side allow end users to benefit from more customized products and services. To create long term value and exploit new commercial opportunities, DIHs ideally need to embrace sustainability and/or develop their sustainability strategies. On that basis, this study by taking into account the related studies and considering the major needs and goals of DIHs, proposes a conceptual framework contains five dimensions that can be used as guide for establishing and developing sustainable DIHs. The potential application of the proposed framework in some projects and active DIHs are discussed

EFFECT OF ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT ON BONE METABOLISM AND CYTOKINES IN SURGICAL MENOPAUSE

The effect of oestrogen replacement on bone metabolism and serum cytokine levels (IL1,IL6) was investigated in surgical menopause. The study included 40 female subjects; 10 healthy premenopausal women underwent total hysterectomy without oophorectomy. Thirty healthy premenopausal women underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy. They were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 subjects. The first group received natural estradiol (0,05 mg/ day) for 6 months; the second group received natural estradiol (0,05 mg/day) and medroxyprogesteron acetate (10 mg/day) for 6 months, the third group received no therapy. Calcium-phosphorus metabolism, inflammatory indices, serum IL1 and IL6 levels were tested before and 6 months after surgery in all patients. A significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary cross-links, serum PTH and IL1-IL6 was observed in the untreated women with total hysterectomy and oophorectomy. No significant variation in any of the parameters considered was observed in patients treated with oestrogen, in those treated with oestrogens and medroxyprogesteron nor in patients without oophorectomy. These results in human ''in vivo'' confirm that ovarian steroids play an important role in regulating the production of IL1 and IL6 which could regulate bone resorption