Radiative Transfer in a Translucent Cloud Illuminated by an Extended Background Source

We discuss the radiative transfer theory for translucent clouds illuminated by an extended background source. First we derive a rigorous solution based on the assumption that multiple scattering produce an isotropic flux. Then we derive a more manageable analytic approximation showing that it nicely matches the results of the rigorous approach. To validate our model, we compare our predictions with accurate laboratory measurements for various types of well characterized grains, including purely dielectric and strongly absorbing materials representative of astronomical icy and metallic grains, respectively, finding excellent agreement without the need of adding free parameters. We use our model to explore the behavior of an astrophysical cloud illuminated by a diffuse source with dust grains having parameters typical of the classic ISM grains of Draine & Lee (1984) and protoplanetary disks, with an application to the dark silhouette disk 114-426 in Orion Nebula. We find that the scattering term modifies the transmitted radiation, both in terms of intensity (extinction) and shape (reddening) of the spectral distribution. In particular, for small optical thickness our results show that scattering makes reddening almost negligible at visible wavelengths. Once the optical thickness increases enough and the probability of scattering events become close to or larger than 1, reddening becomes present but appreciably modified with respect to the standard expression for line-of-sight absorption. Moreover, variations of the grain refractive index, in particular the amount of absorption, also play an important role changing the shape of the spectral transmission curve, with dielectric grain showing the minimum amount of reddening.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication on The Astrophysical Journa

Integrated process of images and acceleration measurements for damage detection

The use of mobile robots and UAV to catch unthinkable images together with on-site global automated acceleration measurements easy achievable by wireless sensors, able of remote data transfer, have strongly enhanced the capability of defect and damage evaluation in bridges. A sequential procedure is, here, proposed for damage monitoring and bridge condition assessment based on both: digital image processing for survey and defect evaluation and structural identification based on acceleration measurements. A steel bridge has been simultaneously inspected by UAV to acquire images using visible light, or infrared radiation, and monitored through a wireless sensor network (WSN) measuring structural vibrations. First, image processing has been used to construct a geometrical model and to quantify corrosion extension. Then, the consistent structural model has been updated based on the modal quantities identified using the acceleration measurements acquired by the deployed WSN. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Clinical utility of ingenol mebutate in the management of actinic keratosis. Perspectives from clinical practice

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are epidermal cutaneous neoplasia observed predominantly in middle-aged and older subjects with mainly photo type I and photo type II on sun-exposed surfaces as a result of DNA damage. AKs have historically been characterized as being "precancerous"; however, now it is considered by many authors a carcinoma in situ that can persist or progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with metastatic potential. Despite the advances in the recognition of typical clinic, dermoscopic and histologic patterns, currently it is not yet possible to predict which AKs will progress to SCC. For this reason, early diagnosis and effective therapy are recommended based on cost/risk/benefit analysis. Current treatment consists of lesion-directed or field-directed therapies or a combination of both. Among the topical field therapies, ingenol mebutate stands out for its therapeutic efficacy, both as directed lesion therapy and as field directed therapy. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the utility of ingenol mebutate in the management of AK in daily clinical practice and to highlight data from real world in order to confirm evidence from pivotal studies. In order to explore clinical data from real world, PubMed searches were performed with the search terms "clinical data ingenol mebutate" and "real world ingenol mebutate". The hits were examined for relevant articles using defaults criteria. The timeframe for the sample search started from the first publication on this topic in 2008 up to now. A total of 23 articles were found using the keywords specified above. The overview points out a low number of real-life studies on the effectiveness and tolerability of this novel treatment due to short period of clinical experience for its recent approval. Further real-life studies are required in order to better identify the efficacy, safety and adherence of the drug on a larger population

La Sicurezza nel Settore Lapideo. Sviluppo di un Sistema di Gestione secondo lo standard BS OHSAS 18001:2007.

SOMMARIO Nel presente lavoro di tesi, risultato di uno stage di cinque mesi svolto presso lo Studio di Ingegneria Pandolfi, è descritta la progettazione di un Sistema di Gestione per la Sicurezza e la Salute dei Lavoratori (SGSL) conforme allo standard BS OHSAS 18001:2007. La struttura del SGSL e il relativo approccio per processi sono analizzati in particolare per quanto riguarda la gestione dei rischi presenti nelle attività di estrazione del marmo. Tale sistema, adattabile con i dovuti accorgimenti a diverse realtà del settore, è stato applicato ad una cava a cielo aperto operante in un bacino marmifero apuano, grazie alla collaborazione con l’azienda cliente e a una serie di sopralluoghi effettuati nel cantiere estrattivo. Per facilitarne la comprensione e descrivere l’applicazione della metodologia di valutazione dei rischi a diversi livelli di dettaglio, nella presente trattazione è presentato un focus su come viene gestito un processo standard del ciclo di coltivazione - il taglio al monte delle bancate - e il deployment dello stesso in attività specifiche, con particolare attenzione all’utilizzo della tagliatrice a catena dentata, un macchinario tanto impiegato, quanto storicamente fonte di incidenti più o meno gravi nel territorio. ABSTRACT This thesis is the result of a five months internship carried out at consulting engineering Studio Pandolfi. The objective is to describe the design of an Organizational Health and Safety System, in compliance with BS OHSAS 18001:2007 standard. The system’s structure and the related PDCA approach have been analyzed in particular for what concerns the management of the risks presents in marble extraction’s activities. This system, adaptable, with a necessary customization, to various firms which operates in this sector, was implemented for an open sky quarry sited in the Apuan Alps, thanks to the collaboration with the customer company and various inspections carried out in the mining yard. In order to facilitate the understanding and to describe the application of the risk management methodology at different levels, this paper is focused on the following steps: the management of a standard step in the exploitation cycle - the cut of the benches - and the deployment of this step in specific activities, with particular focus on the use of the chain saw, a machine that has widely been used, being also the source of a lot of accidents in the district

Reducing the burden of depression in youth: what are the implications of neuroscience and genetics on policies and programs?

Mood disorders are a leading cause of the burden of disease in youth. Three critical lessons emerge from the reviews in this issue that are relevant to our understanding of these common mental disorders: first, that the brain is in a highly dynamic stage of its development during youth; second, that environmental factors interact with genetic factors to influence the probability of risk behaviors and dysphoric states; and third, that shared developmental and genetic factors may account for the bulk of emotional and behavioral outcomes in youth, and that environmental influences may affect the specific expression of the phenotypes associated with these pathways. Although this evidence does not immediately indicate the potential for new interventions, it is consistent with current policy and practice recommendations. Interventions should focus on both improving the early detection and management of depressive disorders as well as preventive strategies that aim to train children and youth to improve cognitive control and manage stress more effectively. Limiting access to harmful risk-taking situations and providing opportunities to engage are less harmful, but equally exciting, alternatives in a pragmatic universal prevention policy option. Key research priorities and paradigms emerge from this evidence, particularly in the context of the grand challenges in global mental health

Design of Wireless Sensor Nodes for Structural Health Monitoring applications

Enabling low-cost distributed monitoring, wireless sensor networks represents an interesting solution for the implementation of structural health monitoring systems. This work deals with the design of wireless sensor networks for health monitoring of civil structures, specifically focusing on node design in relation to the requirements of different structural monitoring application classes. Design problems are analysed with specific reference to a large-scale experimental setup (the long-term structural monitoring of the Basilica S. Maria di Collemaggio, L’Aquila, Italy). Main limitations emerged are highlighted, and adopted solution strategies are outlined, both in the case of commercial sensing platform and of full custom solutions