Bending modes, elastic constants and mechanical stability of graphitic systems

The thermodynamic and mechanical properties of graphitic systems are strongly dependent on the shear elastic constant C44. Using state-of-the-art density functional calculations, we provide the first complete determination of their elastic constants and exfoliation energies. We show that stacking misorientations lead to a severe lowering of C44 of at least one order of magnitude. The lower exfoliation energy and the lower C44 (more bending modes) suggest that flakes with random stacking should be easier to exfoliate than the ones with perfect or rhombohedral stacking. We also predict ultralow friction behaviour in turbostratic graphitic systems.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

DESIGN OF Pb-17Li/WATER BLANKETS FOR A DEMONSTRATION FUSION REACTOR

Two types of Pb-17Li/water blankets developed for a DEMO tokamak reactor are presented. The first one, consisting of circular breeder modules, is intended for the central zones around the plasma. The second one, consisting of layers of breeder and cooling tubes, is suited for zones behind the divertor plates. A simplified calculation of tritium breeding in the European DEMO configuration, based on 1D calculations, indicates that tritium self-sufficiency can be achieved. Confirmation of these results by 3D analysis looks mandator

Modelling of the thermal mechanical behaviour of a single size beryllium pebble bed

The Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) Blanket for fusion power reactors and the ITER breeding blanket are based on the use of pebble beds of lithium ceramics as breeder and beryllium as neutron multiplier. Experimental activities were performed at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe concerning the measurement of pebble bed heat transfer parameters. At the Department of Nuclear Engineering of the University of Palermo, the experimental results have been reproduced by means of the ABAQUS finite element code. Moreover, a thermal-mechanical theoretical model has been developed for single size beryllium pebble beds. In the paper the results from the numerical and theoretical analyses and the comparison with experimental data are presented and critically discussed

TRITRIAL: The Impact of Fixed Triple Therapy with Beclometasone/Formoterol/Glycopyrronium on Health Status and Adherence in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in an Italian Context of Real Life

Luca Richeldi,1 Pietro Schino,2 Elena Bargagli,3 Alberto Ricci,4 Alberto Rocca,5 Francesca Marchesani,6 Alfio Pennisi,7 Gianna Camiciottoli,8,9 Maria D’Amato,10 Francesco Macagno,1 Ulrica Scaffidi Argentina,11 Eleonora Ingrassia,11 Alessio Piraino11 1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; 2Miulli Hospital, Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Bari, Italy; 3Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Neuro Sciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy; 4Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Via di Grottarossa 1035, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 5Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy; 6Division of Pneumology, Ospedale di Macerata, Macerata, Italy; 7Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Clinic “Casa di Cura Riabilitativa Calaciura”, Catania, Italy; 8Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; 9Department of Cardiothoracovascular, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze, Italy; 10UOSD Malattie Respiratorie ”Federico II”, Ospedale Monaldi, Napoli, 80131, Italy; 11Medical Affairs, Chiesi Italia S.p.A, Parma, ItalyCorrespondence: Ulrica Scaffidi Argentina, Chiesi Italia S.P.A, Via Giacomo Chiesi 1, Parma, 43122, Italy, Tel +39 0521 1689690 ; +39 346 82 61 074, Email [email protected]: The TRITRIAL study assessed the effects of beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate/glycopyrronium (BDP/FF/G) fixed combination in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a real-world setting, focusing on patient’s experience and perspective through the use of patients reported outcomes.Patients and Methods: TRITRIAL was a multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted on patients with moderate-severe COPD treated with BDP/FF/G fixed therapy for 12 months. The main objective was to evaluate the impact of BDP/FF/G on health status through the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score. Additional assessments included adherence and satisfaction, measured by the TAI-10/12 questionnaire and a specifically designed eight-item questionnaire, quality of life through the EQ-5D-5L test, sleep quality through the COPD and Asthma Sleep Impact Scale (CASIS), as well as safety and disease-related outcomes.Results: Data from 655 patients were analyzed in the study. The mean total CAT score significantly improved (from 22.8 at baseline to 18.1 at 6 months and 16.5 at 12 months; p < 0.0001), as well as all the eight CAT sub-items, which decreased on average by 0.5– 0.9 points during the study. Adherence and usability of the inhaler also improved during the study, with a decrease in poor compliance (from 30.1% to 18.3%) and an increase in good compliance (from 51.8% to 58.3%) according to the TAI score. Patients also benefited from significantly improved quality of life (EQ Index from 0.70 to 0.80; EQ-5D VAS score from 55.1 to 63.1) and sleep quality (CASIS score from 41.1 to 31.8). Finally, patients reported a significant reduction in exacerbation during the past 12 months.Conclusion: TRITRIAL showed that the BDP/FF/G fixed combination is effective and safe in patients with moderate-severe COPD and poorly controlled disease, improving patients’ HRQoL, sleep quality, adherence and inhaler usability and reducing COPD symptoms and the risk of exacerbation in a real-life setting.Keywords: beclometasone/formoterol/glycopyrronium, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, real-world, fixed triple therapy, adherence, patient-reported outcome