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Lateral Open Wedge Osteotomy and Lateral Condyle Fusion In Situ for Children With Condyle Nonunion and Cubitus Valgus Deformity
No full textPurpose: Long-term nonunion of the lateral humeral condyle (LHC) can result in progressive cubitus valgus, elbow pain, instability, and delayed ulnar nerve palsy. Various techniques have been proposed for correction, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to introduce a lateral open wedge osteotomy (LOWO) procedure combined with in situ osteosynthesis of nonunited LHC for the treatment of long-term LHC nonunion with cubitus valgus deformity.
Methods: We evaluated 18 pediatric patients who had a cubitus valgus deformity greater than 10 degrees after nonunion of the LHC for more than 2 years. The LHC was fixed in situ with 1 or 2 cancellous screws, and the LOWO was fixed with a locking plate. All patients underwent clinical and radiologic evaluation, and the pre- and postoperative carrying angle (CA), range of motion (ROM), and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS)
were analyzed.
Results: Eighteen patients, with a mean age of 9.9 ± 3.9 years, underwent treatment for LHC nonunion and cubitus valgus deformity after a mean interval of 61.6 ± 24.1 months from the initial injury. The mean follow-up period was 57.6 ± 22.8 months. Union of the LHC and LOWO was achieved in all patients. The mean CA decreased significantly from 31.6 ± 4.8 degrees before surgery to 10.4 ± 2.2 degrees after surgery (P< 0.001). Surgery did not decrease elbow range of motion (P= 0.202). The mean MEPS increased significantly from a preoperative value of 55 ± 4.9 to a postoperative value of 91.1 ± 5.6 (P< 0.001). No significant complications were observed.
Conclusions: LOWO combined with in situ fixation of nonunited LHC is an effective approach for treating long-term LHC nonunion associated with cubitus valgus deformity.Purpose: Long-term nonunion of the lateral humeral condyle (LHC) can result in progressive cubitus valgus, elbow pain, instability, and delayed ulnar nerve palsy. Various techniques have been proposed for correction, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to introduce a lateral open wedge osteotomy (LOWO) procedure combined with in situ osteosynthesis of nonunited LHC for the treatment of long-term LHC nonunion with cubitus valgus deformity. Methods: We evaluated 18 pediatric patients who had a cubitus valgus deformity greater than 10 degrees after nonunion of the LHC for more than 2 years. The LHC was fixed in situ with 1 or 2 cancellous screws, and the LOWO was fixed with a locking plate. All patients underwent clinical and radiologic evaluation, and the pre- and postoperative carrying angle (CA), range of motion (ROM), and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) were analyzed. Results: Eighteen patients, with a mean age of 9.9 ± 3.9 years, underwent treatment for LHC nonunion and cubitus valgus deformity after a mean interval of 61.6 ± 24.1 months from the initial injury. The mean follow-up period was 57.6 ± 22.8 months. Union of the LHC and LOWO was achieved in all patients. The mean CA decreased significantly from 31.6 ± 4.8 degrees before surgery to 10.4 ± 2.2 degrees after surgery (P<0.001). Surgery did not decrease elbow range of motion (P=0.202). The mean MEPS increased significantly from a preoperative value of 55 ± 4.9 to a postoperative value of 91.1 ± 5.6 (P<0.001). No significant complications were observed. Conclusions: LOWO combined with in situ fixation of nonunited LHC is an effective approach for treating long-term LHC nonunion associated with cubitus valgus deformity
A Comprehensive Thermodynamic Analysis of Gas Turbine Combined Cycles With Pressure Gain Combustion Based on Humphrey Cycle
No full textThe paper describes a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of the gas turbine combined cycle (CC) equipped with pressure gain combustion (PGC) based on the Humphrey cycle. PGC is represented by a steady-state zero-dimensional constant volume combustion (CVC) model with practical loss models for a realistic interpretation. Simulations were performed in WTEMP (Web-based Thermo-Economic Modular Program) software, a modular cycle analysis tool developed at the University of Genova. PGC gas turbine combined cycle is studied using methane as fuel with three different configurations of heat recovery steam generator, namely, one pressure-level without reheat, two pressure-level with reheat and three pressure-level with reheat, in order to study a wide range of CC application. An on-design performance map of the PGC gas turbine is presented and a sensitivity analysis is performed to understand the impact of cycle loss parameters and turbine cooling technology. Results were analyzed at the optimistic and realistic PGC loss scenarios. For the PGC open cycle, with optimistic combustor losses, efficiency was higher than Joule at all operating conditions. However, with realistic combustor losses, a higher TIT was found to alleviate some of the losses in the combustor and at a pressure ratio of 25, a 1700°C TIT cycle showed a benefit of 1.7 p.p., while 1300°C TIT showed no advantage. Moreover, with the reduction in first turbine stage efficiency from pulsating outflow, only the high TIT cycle showed benefit at pressure ratios less than 15. Looking into combined cycles with realistic combustor losses, PGC was found to be advantageous in terms of specific work but not efficiency at actual operating conditions. However, with a further reduction of combustor-related losses, the PGC CC could outperform the Joule equivalent in terms of efficiency. The sensitivity analysis with losses showed that the mitigation of constant pressure combustion loss is more important than the inlet pressure loss for PGC in CC application. Finally, it was shown that the improvements in turbine cooling technology could increase the efficiency of a high TIT PGC combined cycle by 0.25 p.p. and specific work output by 4.1 p.p.
Paul before Gallio: The Heuristic Crossroads between the Roman Law and the Parting of the Ways
No full textElectrically Conductive and Recyclable Biocomposite Coatings for Robotic Grippers and Touch Sensors
No full textAs automation expands across industries, robotics is becoming increasingly essential. However, the sector's growth raises concerns about sustainability, making crucial the integration of sustainable materials into robots. Many robotic systems rely on moving components, such as arms, touch sensors, and grippers, that frequently interact with humans or objects, making them highly susceptible to wear and tear. A promising strategy to address this challenge is designing easily replaceable parts made from green, recyclable materials using low-energy fabrication methods. This approach not only reduces waste generation but also enhances the functionality and durability of these critical components. In this work, electrically conductive biocomposite coatings that functionalize a commercial foam are presented, enabling its use as a robotic gripper or as a touch sensor based on piezoresistive or piezocapacitive feedback mechanism, respectively. The conductive coatings are composed of polybutylene adipate terephthalate biodegradable polymer binder and carbon fillers, achieving sheet resistance in the order of kΩ sq−1, and are chemically recyclable. The coated foams have stable performance, exhibiting low hysteresis piezoresistive and piezocapacitive responses over 100 deformation cycles, making them a viable solution as robotic grippers and touch sensors. Using sustainable and recyclable materials, the approach supports environmentally friendly practices in robotics and sensing applications
La comunità del gusto kantiana come modello per una comunità interculturale
No full textIn these pages, I propose a pathway that starts from the analysis of communities outlined by Kant, passing through a general overview of multicultural perspectives, to arrive at a possible taxonomy of axiological judgements in the intercultural sphere. This is aimed at fostering conscious communication in plural contexts. If an intercultural community wishes to promote dialogue and interactivity between its members, it has to be effective first of all from a communicative point of view.
In contrast to the Kantian political and ethical-religious communities - which make more or less direct reference to practical moral universality - in the community of taste of the Third Critique the aspect of communicability is especially emphasises. This community, by virtue of its characteristics of inter-subjectivity, dynamism, non-determinability and absence of coercion, is a community that is well suited to the acceptance and preservation of the differences, and that takes into account the coexistence of different points of view. I therefore propose to consider the formal structure of the aesthetic normativity of the Third Critique as a starting point for outlining a communicative model capable of fostering a fruitful and conscious intercultural communication.
After an analysis of the communities outlined by Kant, I will examine the notion of aesthetic normativity by referring to the contemporary debate on subjective universality, and I will deepen the concept of sensus communis, which I will propose as the central element of a processual normativity. This kind of normativity manages, in fact, to take into account the unpredictability component of human life, as well as the modifiability of norms and the importance of the everyday context. These reflections refer to the problem of the relationship between the universal and the particular, and attempt to find a mediation between these dimensions through the common, so as to avoid both the rigidity of fundamentalism and the indifference of relativism.
I will then proceed with a brief overview of multicultural and intercultural perspectives in order to frame the challenge of plural contexts from a more contemporary perspective.
Finally, I will propose a taxonomy of axiological judgments (1. Integrable, 2. Acceptable, 3. Inacceptable) in the intercultural sphere as a first possible approach for the dialogue. This taxonomy is understood as a dynamic model that takes into account the importance of differences, as well as the characteristics of the Kantian aesthetic community. It is not conceived as a series of imperatives, laws or prescriptions that cannot be changed, but it is aimed to provide a minimum and simple regulative scheme to create and preserve a modifiable common ground, a public space in which confrontation is possible, avoiding isolation between different communities in view of an active and conscious coexistence
The Expression of Shmt Genes in Amphioxus Suggests a Role in Tissue Proliferation Rather than in Neurotransmission
No full textSerine hydroxymethyltransferases (SHMTs) are key enzymes in one-carbon metabolism, with vertebrates possessing two paralogs, cytosolic SHMT1 and mitochondrial SHMT2, implicated in nucleotide biosynthesis and glycine metabolism. In this study, we investigate the evolutionary history of animal Shmt genes and analyze the expression patterns of Shmt genes in developing amphioxus (Branchiostoma lanceolatum). Phylogenetic analyses indicate the presence of Shmt1 and Shmt2 orthologs in deuterostomes, spiralians and placozoans, which is consistent with an ancient Shmt gene duplication event predating bilaterian diversification. Gene expression analyses in developing amphioxus show that Shmt2 expression is confined to the somites and absent from neural tissues. In contrast, Shmt1 is broadly expressed across germ layers, but its transcription is restricted to tissues characterized by strong cell proliferation. Notably, Shmt1 expression in the nervous system does not match the distribution of glycinergic neuron populations, implying a negligible role in glycine neurotransmitter synthesis. Instead, the spatial correlation of Shmt1 expression with mitotically active domains suggests a primary function in nucleotide biosynthesis via one-carbon metabolism. These findings indicate that SHMTs predominantly support cell proliferation rather than neurotransmission in amphioxus
Abstract 2981: Glioblastoma reduced sensitivity to tumor treating fields (TTFields) is associated with changes in electrical membrane properties of tumor cells
No full textGlioblastoma (GBM) is recognized as the most aggressive type of brain tumor, and current treatments generally fail to prevent recurrence. Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) is an innovative therapy that improves patients' life expectancy. Although the initial application of TTFields slows tumor progression, it typically does not prevent tumor relapse in most patients. To model tumor recurrence after surgical intervention, we exposed patient-derived GBM primary cultures to continuous electric field stimulation. Remarkably, three days of uninterrupted TTFields stimulation completely halted the proliferation of tumor cells. However, the surviving cells eventually become less sensitive to TTFields, and rescue proliferation at their maximum rate within 8 to 10 days. In this study, we analyzed transcripts of several patients’ tumor tissues derived from primary and secondary surgical resection. Eight of these patients received TTFields treatment between the two surgical interventions. Their transcriptomic profile was compared with those who received the standard therapy but not TTFields between the surgeries. The tumor samples collected during initial surgeries and untreated GBM cells displayed significant inter-heterogeneity in their transcript profiles. These differences were less pronounced following TTFields application, which unveiled several commonly altered cytosolic pathways including inhibition of proliferation. Many of the upregulated pathways are not viable therapeutic targets, as they involve positive or negative modulations of physiological cellular functions. In addition, RNA extracts from human glioblastoma primary cultures were matched with those of patients treated with TTFields. After the TTFields application, several stemness pathways were significantly upregulated in isolated cells and human biopsies. Previous studies demonstrate that glioblastoma stem cells are enriched in transmembrane Chloride Intracellular Channel 1 (tmCLIC1) and its inhibition slows down tumor cell proliferation. CLIC1 transcript does not appear to be modulated in patients by electric field stimulation. However, following prolonged TTFields exposure in primary cell lines we observed a significant increase in the membrane protein activity. This indicates that tmCLIC1 could serve as a valuable target for a combined antitumoral therapy alongside TTFields to impair glioblastoma development
Multi-aspect assessment for the retrofitting of operating vessels in ports by using advanced power systems
No full textOptimising transportation plans for multi-warehouse, multi-product systems: mitigating the impact of new purchase and sales orders
No full textIn the rapidly evolving landscape of supply chain management, the agility to adapt to changing demands while maintaining operational efficiency is paramount. This paper introduces a novel approach to managing transportation plans within a multi-warehouse, multi-product framework, focussing on minimising disruptions to existing schedules in response to new purchase and sales orders. Our research aims to redefine existing transportation plans, originally set before the arrival of additional orders, with the objective of implementing the least possible alterations while satisfying all customer requirements. The primary challenge addressed in this study is to maintain stock levels above a predefined minimum threshold in various warehouses without compromising the efficiency of the distribution network. Unlike traditional routing problems, the focus is not on selecting the routes for transportation, but on strategically deciding when to initiate a vehicle trip or adjusting the number of products in already scheduled trips. To address the problem, a mixed-integer linear programming model based on a flow network graph is proposed. To reduce the size of the network, exact and heuristic pre-processing procedures are developed. A first set of computational tests was conducted on data provided by a textile industry that needs to minimise changes in the transport plan to meet the variation in demand for different goods. A detailed analysis of the results of instances with up to 14,000 products and 23 million items is reported. Further computational tests were randomly generated to verify the efficiency of the proposed techniques in different scenarios. The promising results of the computational tests highlight the applicability of the proposed approach in the industrial scenario analysed