Investigation of the Impact of Dual-Lane Axle Spacing on Lateral Load Distribution, 2016

The spacing of adjacent wheel lines of dual-lane loads induces different lateral live load distributions on bridges, which cannot be determined using the current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) or Load Factor Design (LFD) equations for vehicles with standard axle configurations. Current Iowa law requires dual-lane loads to meet a five-foot requirement, the adequacy of which needs to be verified. To improve the state policy and AASHTO code specifications, it is necessary to understand the actual effects of wheel-line spacing on lateral load distribution. The main objective of this research was to investigate the impact of the wheel-line spacing of dual-lane loads on the lateral load distribution on bridges. To achieve this objective, a numerical evaluation using two-dimensional linear elastic finite element (FE) models was performed. For simulation purposes, 20 prestressed-concrete bridges, 20 steel bridges, and 20 slab bridges were randomly sampled from the Iowa bridge database. Based on the FE results, the load distribution factors (LDFs) of the concrete and steel bridges and the equivalent lengths of the slab bridges were derived. To investigate the variations of LDFs, a total of 22 types of single-axle four-wheel-line dual-lane loads were taken into account with configurations consisting of combinations of various interior and exterior wheel-line spacing. The corresponding moment and shear LDFs and equivalent widths were also derived using the AASHTO equations and the adequacy of the Iowa DOT five-foot requirement was evaluated. Finally, the axle weight limits per lane for different dual-lane load types were further calculated and recommended to complement the current Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) policy and AASHTO code specifications.

Caratterizzazione dei consumi idropotabili da tecnologia smart meter - Analisi delle utenze turistiche di Rapallo

La risorsa idrica, nel nostro territorio, è sottoposta a diversi fattori avversi che inficiano fortemente la sua disponibilità. Le cause di maggiore impatto hanno natura climatica o antropica. Tra queste il consumo idropotabile collegato al turismo in particolari contesti può comportare un eccessivo sfruttamento delle fonti idriche e un sovraccarico sulla rete di distribuzione. Lo studio pone l'attenzione sul Comune di Rapallo, ne analizza la domanda idropotabile di alcune strutture ricettive e ne determina caratteristiche comuni su cui basare future valutazioni sulla pianificazione delle infrastrutture e la realizzazione di modelli idraulici. A fondamenta dello studio, è stata effettuata un'analisi climatica dell'area, al fine di determinare la tipologia e la mole di turismo che caratterizza la zona; gli strumenti che lo hanno permesso sono principalmente le stazioni pluviometriche site a Rapallo e nelle aree limitrofe. Successivamente, sono stati ricavati i consumi idropotabili dei grandi utenti, delle strutture recettive e degli stabilimenti balneari dell'area di studio per il biennio 2016-2017. Questi dati sono stati poi correlati ai vari servizi offerti dagli alberghi. Lo studio si è soffermato su una utenza sportivo ricreativa, valutandone il consumo e il suo impatto sul triennio 2018-2020. Inoltre, l’installazione da parte di IREN S.p.A., di smart meter presso 11 strutture alberghiere ha reso disponibili informazioni sul consumo idropotabile ad intervalli inferiori all’ora ed è stato quindi possibile effettuare un'analisi di dettaglio sulla variabilità temporale del consumo negli alberghi. Sono emerse alcune analogie tra strutture simili per servizi offerti e differenze giornaliere nei periodi analizzati, riconducibili anche alla stagionalità che caratterizza le utenze turistiche.

L'immunoterapia in associazione alla terapia standard per i pazienti con Mieloma Multiplo di nuova diagnosi candidabili alla chemioterapia ad alte dosi

Lo scenario terapeutico del Mieloma Multiplo (MM) si è ampiamente evoluto nelle ultime decadi con l’introduzione di un numero sempre maggiore di combinazioni di nuovi farmaci molto efficaci. In tal contesto, spicca Daratumumab (dara), grazie ai suoi dati di efficacia e di sicurezza dimostrati sia nel setting del paziente ricaduto/refrattario che di nuova diagnosi. Lo scopo del presente studio è quello di aggiungere dati circa la combinazione di dara con la terapia standard nel contesto di un programma trapiantologico per pazienti di nuova diagnosi candidabili alla chemioterapia ad alte dosi, con un particolare focus sull’impatto dell’anticorpo monoclonale sulla raccolta delle cellule staminali (PBSC). Sono stati analizzati 41 pazienti trattati presso il nostro centro nell’ambito di due studi clinici (EMN17 e EMN18). Con un follow-up mediano pari a 19 mesi, dara aggiunto alla terapia standard ha dimostrato un’ottima efficacia, in termini di risposte profonde e sopravvivenza libera da malattia, ed un buon profilo di sicurezza, senza tossicità aggiuntive o inaspettate. Inoltre, nello studio registrativo CASSIOPEIA dara non ha avuto un impatto negativo sulla raccolta delle PBSC; infatti, nei pazienti sottoposti a dara il numero il numero mediano di PBSC raccolte è risultato inferiore e questi hanno necessitato più frequentemente di Plerixafor, senza, tuttavia, modifiche nell’iter trapiantologico rispetto al gruppo di controllo. Analogamente, nella nostra analisi i pazienti del gruppo dara hanno utilizzato maggiormente Plerixafor ed è emerso come questi possano beneficiare da un dosaggio maggiore di Ciclofosfamide mobilizzante (3 g/mq rispetto 2 g/mq). Durante lo svolgimento del presente progetto dara è stato approvato in pratica clinica prima in Europa (2020) e poi in Italia (2021). Il presente studio ha confermato come dara aggiunto ad un regime di induzione Bortezomib-based rappresenti un nuovo standard of care per i pazienti con MM di nuova diagnosi eleggibili alla chemioterapia ad alte dosi.

Realizzazione di una blockchain privata per la gestione di una rete di pagamenti

Nel seguente documento di tesi lo scopo della tecnologia blockchain è quello di creare un’architettura sicura per gli scambi di utility token basata su un sistema distribuito, ovvero un insieme eterogeneo formato da più calcolatori che appare all’utilizzatore come un unico dispositivo. Questa tesi descrive la progettazione e realizzazione di una rete blockchain Stellar permissioned capace di gestire transazioni di token applicabile a innumerevoli contesti all’interno di un ecosistema di pagamenti e di servizi. La tecnologia blockchain offre molteplici vantaggi tra cui la possibilità di diminuire le commissioni delle transazioni rispetto agli attuali sistemi di pagamento. L’architettura dell’infrastruttura di rete progettata prevede, oltre ai nodi della rete blockchain vera e propria, altri server che si occupano in particolare di offrire un servizio di database di custodia delle chiavi, un servizio di load balancing ed un servizio di accesso ai dati presenti nella rete tramite chiamate API fornite dai nodi Horizon. Oltre a questi è stato creato un elemento ad-hoc, ovvero il software BTKL, utilizzato per semplificare la comunicazione con la blockchain e per incrementare la sicurezza di comunicazione con il database di custodia.

Development and testing of a virtual energy meter using the Labview Environment

The quantity of electric energy utilized by a home, a business, or an electrically powered device is measured by an electricity meter, also known as an electric meter, electrical meter, or energy meter. Electric meters located at customers' locations are used by electric providers for billing. They are usually calibrated in billing units, with the kilowatt hour being the most popular (kWh). Typically, they are read once each billing cycle. When energy savings are sought during specific times, some meters may monitor demand, or the highest amount of electricity used during a specific time. Additionally, some meters feature relays for load shedding in response to responses during periods of peak load. The amount of electrical energy consumed by users is measured by a Watt-hour meter, also known as an energy meter. To charge the electricity usage by loads like lights, fans, and other appliances, utilities put these gadgets everywhere, including in households, businesses, and organizations. Watts are a fundamental power unit. A kilowatt is equal to one thousand watts. One kilowatt is regarded as one unit of energy used if used for one hour. These meters calculate the product of the instantaneous voltage and current readings and provide instantaneous power. This power is distributed over a period and is used during that time. Depending on the supply used by home or commercial installations, these may be single or three phase meters. These can be linked directly between line and load for minor service measurements, such as home consumers. However, step-down current transformers must be installed for greater loads to handle their higher current demands.

Effetto della porosità sulle proprietà meccaniche e osteoinduttive di biomateriali utili per l’ingegneria del tessuto osseo

L'elaborato tratta dell'effetto della porosità sulle proprietà meccaniche e osteoinduttive di un biomateriale utilizzabile in ingegneria del tessuto osseo, per come questo è stato valutato nello studio "Surface porous poly-ether-ether-ketone based on three-dimensional printing for load-bearing orthopedic implant" condotto dai ricercatori Shuai Li, Tianyu Wang, Jiqiang Hu, Zhibin Li, Bing Wang, Lianchao Wang e Zhengong Zhou. In particolare, il biomateriale studiato è rappresentato dal “PEEK”, un polimero termoplastico che viene lavorato, tramite stampante 3D a filamento, in modo da presentare una struttura che include un corpo centrale solido ricoperto da strati porosi sia nello strato superiore sia in quello inferiore. Per la valutazione delle proprietà meccaniche sono state svolte una prova a trazione e una prova a flessione. I valori ottenuti sperimentalmente sono stati confrontati con quelli ottenuti da un’analisi numerica e da un modello teorico. Per la valutazione delle proprietà osteoinduttive sono stati condotti test di proliferazione cellulare e differenziamento osteogenico. I risultati ottenuti concludono che specifici valori della porosità superficiale del biomateriale presentano proprietà meccaniche e osteoinduttive che lo rendono idoneo all’utilizzo come impianto osteogenico in ingegneria tissutale.

Does The Reciproc File Remove Root Canal Bacteria And Endotoxins As Effectively As Multifile Rotary Systems?

To evaluate the effectiveness of Reciproc for the removal of cultivable bacteria and endotoxins from root canals in comparison with multifile rotary systems. The root canals of forty human single-rooted mandibular pre-molars were contaminated with an Escherichia coli suspension for 21 days and randomly assigned to four groups according to the instrumentation system: GI - Reciproc (VDW); GII - Mtwo (VDW); GIII - ProTaper Universal (Dentsply Maillefer); and GIV -FKG Race(™) (FKG Dentaire) (n = 10 per group). Bacterial and endotoxin samples were taken with a sterile/apyrogenic paper point before (s1) and after instrumentation (s2). Culture techniques determined the colony-forming units (CFU) and the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay was used for endotoxin quantification. Results were submitted to paired t-test and anova. At s1, bacteria and endotoxins were recovered in 100% of the root canals investigated (40/40). After instrumentation, all systems were associated with a highly significant reduction of the bacterial load and endotoxin levels, respectively: GI - Reciproc (99.34% and 91.69%); GII - Mtwo (99.86% and 83.11%); GIII - ProTaper (99.93% and 78.56%) and GIV - FKG Race(™) (99.99% and 82.52%) (P < 0.001). No statistical difference were found amongst the instrumentation systems regarding bacteria and endotoxin removal (P > 0.01). The reciprocating single file, Reciproc, was as effective as the multifile rotary systems for the removal of bacteria and endotoxins from root canals.

Impact Of Pharmacist Interventions On Drug-related Problems And Laboratory Markers In Outpatients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Substantial complexity has been introduced into treatment regimens for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Many drug-related problems (DRPs) are detected in these patients, such as low adherence, therapeutic inefficacy, and safety issues. We evaluated the impact of pharmacist interventions on CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, HIV viral load, and DRPs in patients with HIV infection. In this 18-month prospective controlled study, 90 outpatients were selected by convenience sampling from the Hospital Dia-University of Campinas Teaching Hospital (Brazil). Forty-five patients comprised the pharmacist intervention group and 45 the control group; all patients had HIV infection with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Pharmaceutical appointments were conducted based on the Pharmacotherapy Workup method, although DRPs and pharmacist intervention classifications were modified for applicability to institutional service limitations and research requirements. Pharmacist interventions were performed immediately after detection of DRPs. The main outcome measures were DRPs, CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, and HIV viral load. After pharmacist intervention, DRPs decreased from 5.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] =4.1-6.2) to 4.2 (95% CI =3.3-5.1) per patient (P=0.043). A total of 122 pharmacist interventions were proposed, with an average of 2.7 interventions per patient. All the pharmacist interventions were accepted by physicians, and among patients, the interventions were well accepted during the appointments, but compliance with the interventions was not measured. A statistically significant increase in CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in the intervention group was found (260.7 cells/mm(3) [95% CI =175.8-345.6] to 312.0 cells/mm(3) [95% CI =23.5-40.6], P=0.015), which was not observed in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding HIV viral load. This study suggests that pharmacist interventions in patients with HIV infection can cause an increase in CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and a decrease in DRPs, demonstrating the importance of an optimal pharmaceutical care plan.

Efeitos do treinamento com pesos sobre a densidade mineral ossea, força muscular e variaveis funcionais na menopausa

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Effect of cyclic load on vertical misfit of prefabricated and cast implant single abutment

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate misfit alterations at the implant/abutment interface of external and internal connection implant systems when subjected to cyclic loading. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Standard metal crowns were fabricated for 5 groups (n=10) of implant/abutment assemblies: Group 1, external hexagon implant and UCLA cast-on premachined abutment; Group 2, internal hexagon implant and premachined abutment; Group 3, internal octagon implant and prefabricated abutment; Group 4, external hexagon implant and UCLA cast-on premachined abutment; and Group 5, external hexagon implant and Ceraone abutment. For groups 1, 2, 3 and 5, the crowns were cemented on the abutments and in group 4 crowns were screwed directly on the implant. The specimens were subjected to 500,000 cycles at 19.1 Hz of frequency and non-axial load of 133 N in a MTS 810 machine. The vertical misfit (μm) at the implant/abutment interface was evaluated before (B) and after (A) application of the cyclic loading. Data were analyzed statistically by using two-away ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Before loading values showed no difference among groups 2 (4.33±3.13), 3 (4.79±3.43) and 5 (3.86±4.60); between groups 1 (12.88±6.43) and 4 (9.67±3.08), and among groups 2, 3 and 4. However, groups 1 and 4 were significantly different from groups 2, 3 and 5. After loading values of groups 1 (17.28±8.77) and 4 (17.78±10.99) were significantly different from those of groups 2 (4.83±4.50), 3 (8.07±4.31) and 5 (3.81±4.84). There was a significant increase in misfit values of groups 1, 3 and 4 after cyclic loading, but not for groups 2 and 5. CONCLUSIONS: The cyclic loading and type of implant/abutment connection may develop a role on the vertical misfit at the implant/abutment interface.

Relation between implant/abutment vertical misfit and torque loss of abutment screws

This study investigated whether there is a direct correlation between the level of vertical misfit at the abutment/implant interface and torque losses (detorque) in abutment screws. A work model was obtained from a metal matrix with five 3.75 x 9 mm external hex implants with standard platform (4.1 mm). Four frameworks were waxed using UCLA type abutments and one-piece cast in commercially pure titanium. The misfit was analyzed with a comparator microscope after 20 Ncm torque. The highest value of misfit observed per abutment was used. The torque required to loose the screw was evaluated using a digital torque meter. The torque loss values, measured by the torque meter, were assumed as percentage of initial torque (100%) given to abutment screws. Pearson's correlation (α=0.05) between the misfit values (29.08 ± 8.78 µm) and the percentage of detorque (50.71 ± 11.37%) showed no statistically significant correlation (p=0.295). Within the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that great vertical misfits dot not necessarily implies in higher detorque values.

Per capita versus adult-equivalent estimates of calorie availability in household budget surveys

This study aims to estimate an adult-equivalent scale for calorie requirements and to determine the differences between adult-equivalent and per capita measurements of calorie availability in the Brazilian population. The study used data from the 2002-2003 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. The calorie requirement for a reference adult individual was based on the mean requirements for adult males and females (2,550kcal/day). The conversion factors were defined as the ratios between the calorie requirements for each age group and gender and that of the reference adult. The adult-equivalent calorie availability levels were higher than the per capita levels, with the largest differences in rural and low-income households. Differences in household calorie availability varied from 22kcal/day (households with adults and an adolescent) to 428kcal/day (households with elderly individuals), thus showing that per capital measurements can underestimate the real calorie availability, since they overlook differences in household composition.

Indoor and outdoor atmospheric fungal spores in the São Paulo metropolitan area (Brazil): species and numeric concentrations

The aim of this study was to estimate the indoor and outdoor concentrations of fungal spores in the Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo (MASP), collected at different sites in winter/spring and summer seasons. The techniques adopted included cultivation (samples collected with impactors) and microscopic enumeration (samples collected with impingers). The overall results showed total concentrations of fungal spores as high as 36,000 per cubic meter, with a large proportion of non culturable spores (around 91 per cent of the total). Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. were the dominant species both indoors and outdoors, in all seasons tested, occurring in more than 30 per cent of homes at very high concentrations of culturable airborne fungi [colony forming units(CFU) m−3]. There was no significant difference between indoor and outdoor concentrations. The total fungal spore concentration found in winter was 19 per cent higher than that in summer. Heat and humidity were the main factors affecting fungal growth; however, a non-linear response to these factors was found. Thus, temperatures below 16°C and above 25°C caused a reduction in the concentration (CFU m−3) of airborne fungi, which fits with MASP climatalogy. The same pattern was observed for humidity, although not as clearly as with temperature given the usual high relative humidity (above 70 per cent) in the study area. These results are relevant for public health interventions that aim to reduce respiratory morbidity among susceptible populations