A stochastic model for the stepwise motion in actomyosin dynamics

A jump-diffusion process is proposed to describe the displacements performed by single myosin heads along actin filaments during the rising phases. The process consists of the superposition of a Wiener and a jump process, with jumps originated by sequences of Poisson-distributed energy-supplying pulses. In a previous paper, the amplitude of the jumps was described by a mixture of two Gaussian distributions. To embody the effects of ATP hydrolysis, we now refine such a model by assuming that the jumps' amplitude is described by a mixture of three Gaussian distributions. This model has been inspired by the experimental data of T. Yanagida and his co-workers concerning observations at single molecule processes level.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

SEISMIC FRAGILITY ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL COMPONENTS

Shake table tests on a full scale three-dimensional model of a consultation room has been carried out at the University of Naples, Federico II ,Italy . The sample room con-tains a number of typical medical components, which are either directly connected to the panel boards of the perimeter walls or are simple free-standing elements. System identifica-tion was firstly carried out in order to identify the modal properties of the tested components. Selected ground motion records were scaled to detect different limit states for the medical de-vices. Fragility analysis has also been carried out; in so doing, the fragility curves have been evaluated according to a systemic approach. Simplified yet reliable finite element models of the experimentally tested sample components are defined upon the laboratory outcomes through the computer platform routinely used for practical applications. The implemented numerical model is capable to simulate the variations of natural frequency as provided by the experimental tests, in case the component is shaken along the two horizontal directions. The main finding of the present analytical study is therefore that simple models are able to ade-quately simulate the dynamic properties of the tested cabinets

Private Collaborative Business Benchmarking in the Cloud

Collaborative business benchmarking helps organizations to evaluate their performance against current and future-state business goals. Cloud-based business benchmarking provides valuable insight for organizations to understand and compare their efficiency and effectiveness against peers. However, collaborative benchmarking entails sharing sensitive data, privacy of the benchmarking is very critical for organizations. We present a privacy-preserving prototype for collaborative business benchmarking in the cloud. Sensitive business’s data is encrypted and can only be decrypted by a set of parties through a threshold group decryption scheme

Surgical management of cervico-mediastinal goiters: Our experience and review of the literature

We analyze and discuss the clinical presentation, the diagnostic procedures and the surgical technique in relation to post-operative complications and results in cervico-mediastinal thyroid masses admitted in Thoracic Surgery Unit of AOU Second University of Naples from 1991 to 2006 and in Thoracic Surgery Unit of AOU "S. Giovanni di Dio & Ruggi D'Aragona" of Salerno over a period of 3 years (2011-2014)