Muscular modifications in chronic spinal cord injured patients

In this thesis muscular modifications in chronic spinal cord injured patients have been investigated. Using a translational approach, a mini-invasive muscular biopsy technique in Spinal Cord Injured patients has been validated. Moreover, the possible role of circulating levels of myostatin as a possible candidate biomarker for muscular modifications in chronic SCI patients has been evaluated. Lastly, the molecular modifications of PGE2 pathway on muscular specimens of chronic SCI patients has been studied. All material is original and based on direct Author \u2019s experience

Towards Efficient Full Pose Omnidirectionality with Overactuated MAVs

Omnidirectional MAVs are a growing field, with demonstrated advantages for aerial interaction and uninhibited observation. While systems with complete pose omnidirectionality and high hover efficiency have been developed independently, a robust system that combines the two has not been demonstrated to date. This paper presents VoliroX: a novel omnidirectional vehicle that can exert a wrench in any orientation while maintaining efficient flight configurations. The system design is presented, and a 6 DOF geometric control that is robust to singularities. Flight experiments further demonstrate and verify its capabilities.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, ISER 2018 conference submissio

Investment and risk appraisal in Energy Storage Systems: a real options approach

The increasing penetration of variable renewable energy is becoming a key challenge for the management of the electrical grid. Electrical Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are one of the most suitable solutions to increase the flexibility and resilience of the electrical system. This paper presents an innovative methodology for the appraisal of the investment in ESS. The methodology is based on the Real Option Analysis and it is able to properly consider investment risks and uncertainties as well as the options available for the investor. The paper assesses the value of the option to wait for a change in the market conditions before investing and re-evaluates the profitability of the investment after each step of the development of the ESS project. In order to exemplify relevant results, this method is applied to the UK energy market and assesses the technical and economic feasibility of investing in ESS operating price arbitrage and Short Term Operating Reserves. The results show that the implementation of the Real Option Analysis increases the economic performance of ESS. Nevertheless, ESS still requires limited incentives to be economically viable

Optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography in uveitis : a review

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has dramatically changed the understanding and management of uveitis and other ocular conditions. Currently, OCT angiography (OCTA) combines structural information with the visualization of blood flow within the imaged area. The aim of this review is to present the basic principles of OCT and OCTA interpretation and to investigate the role of these imaging techniques in the diagnosis and management of uveitis. Common complications of intraocular inflammation such as macular oedema and inflammatory choroidal neovascularization are often diagnosed and followed with OCT/OCTA scans. However, uveitis specialists can obtain much more information from tomographic scans. This review provides a comprehensive description of typical OCT/OCTA findings characterizing different ocular structures in uveitis, proceeding from the cornea to the choroid. A careful interpretation of OCT/OCTA images can help in the differential diagnosis, the prediction of clinical outcomes, and the follow-up of patients with uveitis

The cumulative effects of known susceptibility variants to predict primary biliary cirrhosis risk.

Multiple genetic variants influence the risk for development of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To explore the cumulative effects of known susceptibility loci on risk, we utilized a weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) to evaluate whether genetic information can predict susceptibility. The wGRS was created using 26 known susceptibility loci and investigated in 1840 UK PBC and 5164 controls. Our data indicate that the wGRS was significantly different between PBC and controls (P=1.61E-142). Moreover, we assessed predictive performance of wGRS on disease status by calculating the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve. The area under curve for the purely genetic model was 0.72 and for gender plus genetic model was 0.82, with confidence limits substantially above random predictions. The risk of PBC using logistic regression was estimated after dividing individuals into quartiles. Individuals in the highest disclosed risk group demonstrated a substantially increased risk for PBC compared with the lowest risk group (odds ratio: 9.3, P=1.91E-084). Finally, we validated our findings in an analysis of an Italian PBC cohort. Our data suggested that the wGRS, utilizing genetic variants, was significantly associated with increased risk for PBC with consistent discriminant ability. Our study is a first step toward risk prediction for PBC

Zero Emission Geothermal Flash Power Plant

The successful exploitation of geothermal energy for power production relies on the availability of nearly zero emission and efficient technologies. Two zero emission flash plant layouts, with full reinjection of the geothermal fluid (non-condensable gas included), are considered. This paper focusses on the CO2issue, and therefore only the carbon dioxide is considered as non-condensable gas present in the geothermal fluid; the CO2 flow is separated, compressed, and reinjected with the geothermal fluid. Both the reservoir and the power plant are simulated. A first scheme of plant presents a conventional layout in which the CO2is separated and compressed after the condenser. The second scheme presents a plant layout that allows the separation of the CO2at higher pressure with respect to the conventional layout, thus reducing the requested power consumption. The conventional plant scheme performs always better at higher temperature and at lower concentration of CO2. The new layout results better for low temperature and higher gas content

3D Bioprinting of Gelatin–Xanthan Gum Composite Hydrogels for Growth of Human Skin Cells

In recent years, bioprinting has attracted much attention as a potential tool for generating complex 3D biological constructs capable of mimicking the native tissue microenvironment and promoting physiologically relevant cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. The aim of the present study was to develop a crosslinked 3D printable hydrogel based on biocompatible natural polymers, gelatin and xanthan gum at different percentages to be used both as a scaffold for cell growth and as a wound dressing. The CellInk Inkredible 3D printer was used for the 3D printing of hydrogels, and a glutaraldehyde solution was tested for the crosslinking process. We were able to obtain two kinds of printable hydrogels with different porosity, swelling and degradation time. Subsequently, the printed hydrogels were characterized from the point of view of biocompatibility. Our results showed that gelatin/xanthan-gum bioprinted hydrogels were biocompatible materials, as they allowed both human keratinocyte and fibroblast in vitro growth for 14 days. These two bioprintable hydrogels could be also used as a helpful dressing material