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L’architettura dell’Industria elettrica in Sardegna dal 1911 al 1961
No full textAt the beginning of the Twentieth Century, Sardinian industrial production was
still strictly related to steam machines and only a few enlightened industries
exploited electric power.
The development of electrical industry in Sardinia has been an essential moment
on a political, social and economic level; the design of artificial lakes has deeply
changed the morphology and the hydrology of the Isle, and the modern electrical
plants built along the coasts enlarged the industrial heritage which marks the
Sardinian landscape.
The studied time frame goes from 1911 and 1961, fifty years during which the
Società Elettrica Sarda (S.E.S.) has been in charge of the design and construction
of the hydroelectrical and thermic plants and power lines. The research focuses
on the architectures related to Sardinian electrization: the S.E.S., along with its
scientific committee led by Angelo Omodeo e Giulio Dolcetta, has built high
quality architectures and high level factories. The dykes and the plants not
only reached high technical performances, but are also the result of a fertile
architectural research that has no equals in the hystory of Sardinia.
Few of the plants have been demolished and some of them now are only ruins that
still demand for a solution; two of the hydroelectrical plants are still productive
and still provide for electrical power.
The aim of the research is to create an archive that puts together all documents
that are now stored in various archives in the whole country and also to deeply
investigate the buildings to discover the constructive and design ideas; all
architectures are studied trough drawing, that helps the understanding process
throughrout all components of the architecture, its materials and its building
techniques. The research will become an organic record that contains an accurate
study of the buildings designed by S.E.S. during the most active years of electrical
revolution in Sardinia; it also wants to become a solid means for a future design
action
Ossibutinina ER versus ossibutinina nel trattamento conservativo della vescica neurogena nei bambini affetti da spina bifida
Get PDFINTRODUCTION
The neurogenic bladder in children is caused primarily by neural tube
defects, which include: myelomeningocele (MMC), meningocele, closed
spina bifida, lipomeningoceles, caudal agenesis, tethered cord associated
with imperforate anus, malformations of the cloaca. Other minor causes are:
spinal cord injury, infectious diseases, cancer, malformations and vascular
insults. The neurogenic bladder can be caused by injury affecting different
levels of the nervous system, which can determine different clinical
conditions: overactive bladder (OAB) with detrusor/sphincter dyssynergia
(DSD), detrusor hyperactivity and ipereflexia or areflexia of urethral
sphincter, loss of bladder contractility. The diagnosis of neurogenic bladder
can be difficult especially in cases of closed spina bifida. In the very first
months of the children there may be no clinical signs of disease indeed, but
there could be only the presence of cutaneous markers on the lower back.
The neurogenic bladder diagnosis is made by clinical and instrumental
exams. Videourodynamics
is the gold standard for diagnosis, but if this is
not available, then a filling cystometry continuing into a pressure flow study
should be performed. Approximately 50% of children with MMC and 25% of
children with closed spina bifida, have overactive bladder and
detrusor/sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) and thus a higher risk of having high
intravesical pressures that cause progressive renal damage.
For this reason is necessary to start medical treatment (with clean
intermittent catheterization and antimuscarinic drugs) and neurogenic bowel
management as soon as possible to preserve renal function and to prevent
other complications.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of the study is the therapeutic outcome of oxybutynin ER
evaluation in a group of patients with spina bifida, already treated with clean
intermittent catheterization (CIP) and oxybutynin immediate release, for
neurogenic bladder.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 12 patients (5 male and 7 female), aged 6 to 17 years
(mean age 9,8 years) with neurogenic bladder referred to our hospital.
All these patients are already performing clean intermittent catheterization
(CIP) and had undergone medical treatment with oxybutynin immediate
release since at least one year. All 12 pts have received a cystomanometry,
has filled the frequency volume chart and the Child Behavior Checklist
(CBLC/618).
All 12 patients enrolled were subjected to treatment with
oxybutynin ER with an initial dose of 5 mg/day. It has been necessary to
raise the dose to 15 mg/day gradually for following 3 weeks for 7/12 pts.
Patients evaluation started 46
weeks after giving of oxybutynin ER.
Parameters used for patient assessment were: clinical improvement;
improving urodynamic examination, occurrence of side effects, treatment
compliance by patients and parents and changes in the score obtained with
the CBLC/618.
The clinical improvement was evaluated on the basis of the
following parameters: number of episodes of urinary incontinence and/or
the amount of urine lost involuntarily, urge incontinence and reduction of the
frequency of urinary tract infections.
The compliance of the therapy was evaluated by filling out the drug intake
form. All the parents of the 12 pts have to refill again the CBLC/618
to
detect changes.
RESULTS
8/12 children (66%) had a reduction of incontinence.
The 2 pts (17%) who have had urge incontinence have slightly improved but
not resolved the symptoms.
Only 3 of 12 pts (25%), 2 females and 1 male, have had febrile infections of
the upper urinary tract infections (UTIs), which were treated with antibiotics
administered orally for 7 days, with rapid defervescence of fever and
negativity of urine test on the third day of therapy. However, the incidence
of febrile UTIs has not changed with the administration of oxybutynin ER.
Only 7/12 pts had a urodynamic examination control. For 4/7 pts it was
observed an improvement of urodynamic path relative to a better bladder
compliance related to an improvement of the maximum cystometric capacity
(MCC) and reduction of abdominal leak point pressure.
The administration of oxybutynin ER didn’t show any new side effect and
those already present has not got worse. Among children with dry mouth,
3/12 pts (25%) reported disappearance of the symptom, while 2/12 pts
(17%) describe a slight improvement. The ophthalmic xerosis, described by
1 patient out of 12 (8%), has not improved with the new therapy. Within 7/12
pts (58%) with constipation, after the new therapy, 4/12 pts (33%) reported
a slight improvement, while the remaining 3/12 pts (25%) not. Also they
have not reported other side effects.
Only 17% (2/12 ptz) does not appear to have taken the therapy correctly; so
the compliance of the therapy is good and results to be 95%.
Finally the analysis of the first and second CBCL/618
forms did not show
significant differences.
CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study agree with data reported in the literature.
Especially if we refer both to the better adhesion of parents/patients to
therapy with oxybutynin ER, both to the appearance of minor side effects
(and/or milder side effects) compared to the use of oxybutynin IR.
In patients with neurogenic bladder it's important to preserve renal function
and ensure early urinary continence, not only to get life expectancy, but
also to improve life quality.
Increased patient adherence to therapy allows you to have better control on
the lower urinary tract by reducing the risk of developing kidney damage
I movimenti rigidi da Euler al Programma di Erlangen
Get PDFThis dissertation about the history of geometrical transformation focuses on the
roots of the concept of isometry. This study examines the concept of rigid motion
and gives a first historical account of its evolution during the period going from
the Introduction in analysin infinitorum by Euler (1748) to the Erlangen Programm
by Klein (1872). In the second and third part of this dissertation works by Euler
(1707-1783), Chasles (1793 - 1880), Jordan (1838-1922) and Klein (1849 - 1925)
dealing with rigid motions are studied. The study reveales a long standing connection
between rigid motion and kinematics and the absence of the concept of re
ection
as transformation. Particular attention is devoted to Jordan's revolutionary memoir
Memoire sur le groupes de mouvements (1868) in which groups of rigid motion are
introduced and applied to crystallography
Clustering analysis using Swarm Intelligence
Get PDFThis thesis is concerned with the application of the swarm intelligence methods in
clustering analysis of datasets. The main objectives of the thesis are
∙ Take the advantage of a novel evolutionary algorithm, called artificial bee colony,
to improve the capability of K-means in finding global optimum clusters in
nonlinear partitional clustering problems.
∙ Consider partitional clustering as an optimization problem and an improved antbased
algorithm, named Opposition-Based API (after the name of Pachycondyla
APIcalis ants), to automatic grouping of large unlabeled datasets.
∙ Define partitional clustering as a multiobjective optimization problem. The
aim is to obtain well-separated, connected, and compact clusters and for this
purpose, two objective functions have been defined based on the concepts of
data connectivity and cohesion. These functions are the core of an efficient
multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm, which has been devised
for and applied to automatic grouping of large unlabeled datasets.
For that purpose, this thesis is divided is five main parts:
∙ The first part, including Chapter 1, aims at introducing state of the art of swarm
intelligence based clustering methods.
∙ The second part, including Chapter 2, consists in clustering analysis with combination
of artificial bee colony algorithm and K-means technique.
∙ The third part, including Chapter 3, consists in a presentation of clustering
analysis using opposition-based API algorithm.
∙ The fourth part, including Chapter 4, consists in multiobjective clustering analysis
using particle swarm optimization.
∙ Finally, the fifth part, including Chapter 5, concludes the thesis and addresses
the future directions and the open issues of this research
Utilità clinica dell’array-CGH nello studio di pazienti in età pediatrica con Leucemia Linfatica Acuta
Get PDFAcute leukemia represent the most common malignancy in children, with the 80% of
cases of lymphoblastic type. Most patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia are
reported to have acquired chromosomal abnormalities in their leukemic bone marrow
cells. Multiple chromosome rearrangements have been described, and their
associations with specific clinical, biologic, and prognostic features are well defined.
Conventional cytogenetic analysis is critical in the diagnosis of LLA, identifying
characteristic chromosomal abnormalities associated with a given prognosis, therein
facilitating optimized treatment.
We investigated the utility of array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH)
for detection of chromosomal abnormalities compared to standard clinical evaluation
with karyotype and fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH). In the present study 19
LLA pediatric bone marrows were analyzed, 12 diagnosis and 7 relapse sample.
Array-CGH detected unbalanced chromosome rearrangements in all cases except
testicular relapses. The most recurrently altered chromosome regions were 9p (
deletion of CDKN2A/B, JAK2, PAX5 genes) and 21q (amplification of RUNX1
gene). The complementary use of microarray and conventional cytogenetics would
allow for more sensitive, comprehensive, and accurate analysis of the underlying
genetic profile, with concomitant improvement in prognosis and treatment for
pediatric LLA
Caratterizzazione morfodinamica della spiaggia del Poetto
Get PDFThe impact of storms on a sandy coast can drastically modify the geomorphological aspect of beaches, including along the coastal zone where beach front intense human activities cause coastal damage, as well as civil protection issues. This factor is particularly relevant along urban beaches, where managing coastal erosion and maintaining beaches are the most important forms of defence against flooding and storms. In Sardinia (western Mediterranean), the most important urban beach, Poetto, is a wide, semi-enclosed beach that is about 8 km in length and fronts the city of Cagliari. Poetto Beach is a wave-dominated urbanized sandy beach that is characterized by an inner shelf with large seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows that are mainly developed on the eastern side of the submerged beach. The aim of this study is to investigate the morphodynamic behaviour of a Mediterranean urban beach using a multidisciplinary approach that includes remote sensing, field surveys and numerical models. In particular, the use of video monitoring techniques and numerical modelling provides a low cost and very reproducible methodology for: evaluating urban beach processes, including the effects of storms and human stressors; and helping local managers to properly manage the beach space. Wave data, beach profiling, sediment sampling and analyses, low-cost video monitoring techniques and numerical modelling were used to investigate the beach dynamics. A multidisciplinary methodology coupling wave data, sediment sampling and analyses, beach profiling, video monitoring techniques and numerical modelling was used to investigate the Poetto Beach dynamics. On the basis of the data obtained it was possible to apply the morphodynamic classification method of Short (1999). The classification is based on the dimensionless fall velocity Ω. The climate data (wave and wind) and morphodynamic and sedimentological characteristics of the study area were utilized to set up the numerical model. Both the Delft3D-FLOW (Lesser et al., 2004) and Delft3D-WAVE models were used to simulate the hydrodynamics and waves forcing on to Poetto Beach. The main hydrodynamic scenario identified in the area of Poetto Beach was simulated. The results derived from the wave data and sediment and beach profile analyses were coupled with a video monitoring analysis to classify Poetto Beach’s morphodynamic state. The morphodynamic classification results (Short, 1999) are compatible with morphologies detected with a coastal video monitoring system. The numerical simulation (Delft3D) showed good agreement with the field data and video image analyses for the distribution and direction of the rip and longshore currents. Finally, this study highlighted that the application of a low cost and easily reproducible methodology (video monitoring) can be very useful for investigating the dynamics of an urban beach, and can provide a helpful tool for beach managers to plan how to prevent and minimize the effects of storms and flooding
Role of labellar and ovipositor taste sensilla of Drosophila suzukii in host recognition: a morpho-functional and behavioural approach.
Get PDFDrosophila suzukii is an invasive and destructive crop pest that originated in Southeast Asia. Unlike
most other Drosophila species which attack only decaying or rotten fruits, this species has the
ability to infest healthy fruits because of its serrated ovipositor used to pierce the skin of fruits and
lay eggs in them. This saw-like ovipositor represents one key adaptation, but other traits, such as
fruit recognition mediated by the olfactory and/or gustatory systems, are also implicated.
Chemoreception is vital for all animals: by means of chemosensory organs, animals can locate
mates, suitable oviposition sites and even discriminate palatable and beneficial foods from toxic and
harmful substances in their environment. Aim of this thesis was to give a contribution to the general
understanding of chemoreceptive mechanisms. In particular, two main aspects of chemoreception in
insects were investigated, divided in two separate sections.
The first section is a morpho-functional study of the sensilla housed in the ovipositor of D. suzukii,
the role of which is still unknown. The results show that the ovipositor of D. suzukii presents 10
single pore sensilla that respond to gustatory stimuli such as carbohydrates (sucrose, fructose and
glucose), bitter compounds (nicotine and caffeine) and organic acids (ascorbic acid). Behavioural
no-choice and multi-choice trials showed that the flies lay a higher number of eggs on substrates
containing sugars than those with bitter or acid compounds. Our results suggest for the first time, in
a Drosophila species, a chemosensory role for the ovipositor sensilla and their possible involvement
in the choice of the oviposition sites.
Aim of the second study was to evaluate peripheral sensitivity and palatability to different
carbohydrates and assess their nutritional value, in adult insects of D. suzukii, by means of an
electrophysiological and behavioural approach. The spike activity was recorded from the labellar ltype
sensilla stimulated with metabolizable mono- and disaccharides (maltose, sucrose, trehalose,
glucose, fructose) and non-metabolizable sugars (arabinose, sucralose); the response to maltose and
sucrose was stronger than to trehalose and to all monosaccharides, and that to sucralose was lower
than to all other sugars. The palatability of the same sugars was evaluated by recording the
proboscis extension reflex (PER). The palatability to sugars tested was: maltose = sucrose
>trehalose = fructose = arabinose = glucose > sucralose. The nutritional value of the carbohydrates
was assigned by means of survival trials. Flies fed on a diet containing maltose or trehalose lived
longer lifespan than flies on sucrose: this suggests a higher nutritional value for the first two
disaccharides. Flies fed on a diet containing sucralose or arabinose had a shorter lifespan than
fructose and glucose and this suggests a lower nutritional value for the former two monosaccharides.
Sugars that evoke a stronger response are also those that promote a higher activity of PER, thus
suggesting that the more stimulant is a sugar the more appetitive it is for flies. Flies fed on diets
containing metabolizable sugars (maltose, sucrose, trehalose, glucose and fructose) live longer than
those fed on diets with non-metabolizable sugars (arabinose and sucralose). The survival capability
is longer for flies fed with disaccharides, in particular maltose, than fed with monosaccharides
Effetti dell'allenamento intermittente breve ad alta intensità e delle ripetute aerobiche sul Test Repeated Sprint Ability in giovani calciatori d'elite
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of two different training methods:
the repeated aerobic bouts and the short intermittent high intensity workout on the
ability to carry out repeated sprint bouts RSA in a group of young soccer players and
also to determine the impact of training on aerobic and neuromuscular performances.
Twenty-Four (24) male soccer players have been assessed and trained, all of them
partecipating regularly in the 2013-2014 season at the National Championship
"Professional Development Phase" (Allievi Professionisti) with Cagliari Calcio SPA
Football Club. Hereinafter the anthropometric characteristics of the sample tested:
16.33 ± 0.49 years, height 175 ± 6.3, 65.8 ± 6.8 weight.
The 24 athletes were randomly included into two working groups: intermittent training
group (HI. No. 12) and repeated aerobic exercise group (R. Aer. No. 12). Players
underwent two separate sessions of evaluation tests. During the first session, in the
morning, the players performed the vertical jump test (CMJ) with no counter
movement (SJ). In the afternoon session the repeated sprint bouts were carried out
(RSA). Finally the next day the athletes underwent the tests for the aerobic power
(V.BILLAT).
The results regarding the Aerobic Group (R. Aer.) were respectively SJ and CMJ at T0
36,95 ± 4,03cm; 37,44 ± 4,09cm; T1 to 37.99 ± 3.69 cm; 38.63 ± 3.96 cm;
in the RSA tests we obtained the following T0 and T1 values respectively: 7.690 ± 0.12
s; 7,585 ± 0,11s;
The Billat test instead highlighted the following values ± 1506 67,26m; 1596.6 ±
64,95m. The results regarding the Intermittent (HI) group were respectively SJ and
CMJ at T0 36,69 ± 4,99cm; 37,98 ± 3,97cm; T1 to 38.15 ± 4.79 cm; 39.79 ± 3.78 cm;
in the RSA tests we obtained the following T0 and T1 values respectively: 7.64 ± 0.11
s; 7.31 ± 0,11s; The Billat test instead highlighted the following values: 1537.3 ±
77,70m; 1627.1 ± 72,29m. The results indicate one or more variations of the
investigated capacities between pre and post workout within the same group, and also
suggest that by comparing the two methods, intermittent and repeated aerobic, the first
of the two was more effective. The lack of a statistically significant difference on the
capacity of aerobic performance evaluated through the Billat test suggests that both
protocols have their validity in improving this component. While as regards the RSA
test a statistically significant change was detected in favor of the intermittent protocol
with respect to the repeated aerobic bouts. This variation was found through the
reduction of the average execution time of the RSA test. Another result emerged from
the statistical analysis is that both training protocols had no negative effects on
neuromuscular skills assessed through the vertical jump test of the SJ and CMJ, this in
agreement with what was found in previous studies such as Mc Millan (2005) and
Ferrari (2007), in which training protocols for the aerobic performance of the player
very similar to those used in this study were carried out. In conclusion the study
indicated that the short high intensity intermittent method has proved more powerful
than the Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RSA), which is indicated by most researchers
as a key skill in football performance: we believe it respects mostly the kinematic
analogies of the game, accelerations, decelerations and postural situations with minor
variations of the bust concerning the various stages of the player's running (Paradisis
GP. e coll. 2001) by an increased recruitment of the fast fibers in the rapid typical
accelerations/decelerations of this sport. Furthermore we are inclined to hypothesize
that this research reshapes the use of bioenergetic systems, already studied by (Dawson
B. and coll. 1998), (to Ross, et al. 2001), it all along with the possibility of repeating
the sprint at a high intensity with partial recoveries while maintaining a high quality
and the considerable advantage, being soccer a situational sport, to help keep up a
greater lucidity from a cognitive point of view and theoretically to select more logical
and tactically effective choices
Degradation of Cd-yellow pigment: an ab initio study of defects and adsorption of oxygen and water on CdS
Get PDFThe cadmium yellow paints used in impressionist and modernist paintings in early
1900s are undergoing several deterioration processes, including whitening and discoloration.
Relevant e↵ects produced at the surface of modern paintings include the
growth of discolored crusts, formed mainly by white globular hydrated cadmium sulfate
CdSO4*nH2O and cadmium carbonate (CdCO3 ). In view of the fact that the
pigment, cadmium sulfide, was historically synthesized by means of dry and wet processes
and that CdCO3 and CdSO4 are reagents for this procedure, their identification
alone does not constitute conclusive proof of photo-oxidation. The origins of such
chemical and physical alterations are still under debate.
Structural defects in CdS, among other possible causes like photo-oxidation processes,
may play a role in the degradation process. Their presence in the pigment surface
alters the electronic structure of cadmium sulfide by forming acceptor levels in the gap
of the semiconductor. Such levels make the surface more reactive in the interaction
with external agents (oxygen, water ...).
To this end, we present a theoretical study of points defects, namely Cd- and S- vacancies,
in the structural wurtzite structure (bulk) and [10¯10] CdS surface. In order to
understand, at atomic level, the oxidation and hydration mechanisms of these whitish
globules, we present the early stages of the interaction between the hexagonal clean
and defective [10¯10] surface of CdS and O2 and H2O molecules to simulate the combined
e↵ects of exposure to air and humidity.
The geometrical and electronic structures as well as the vacancy formation and adsorption
energies are determined with the use of a first principles method. All the
calculations are performed within the framework of the Density Functional Theory
(DFT) in the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA-PBE) with the use of ultrasoft
pseudopotentials. Despite the standard DFT-GGA ensures a correct order of
electronic states, the G0W0 calculations are strongly required to attribute an accurate position of the trap level.
Considering the possibility to investigate in a broader spectral range, such theoretical
method would be helpful in the interpretation of experimental evidences on fluorescence
emissions produced from by yellow altered. This thesis highlights the key role
that first-principles methods can play in the application of materials science to art
conservation
Marine litter in Sardegna: valutazione dello stato dei rifiuti bentonici come contributo alla Marine Strategy Framework Directory
No full textAnthropogenic debris are known to be present in all marine habitats, from coasts to the most remote points of the planet like deep sea floors and poles. In spite of the growing interest from the political and scientific community regarding this spreading threat, the knowledges on marine litter status still remain fragmentary. Most of studies have been carried out on the sea surface and on coastal habitats, whereas there are few information available about the assessment of anthropogenic debris on the sea bottoms. This PhD thesis aims to evaluate the state of benthic marine litter in terms of composition, density and abundance along the continental shelf and continental slope of FAO Geographical Sub Area 11: Sardinia Island (NW Mediterranean Sea) according to Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Soft bottoms and rocky habitats have been investigated separately by mean of two different sampling methods (trawling and ROV video transect). Trawl surveys are defined as the most appropriate way to collect litter on sandy and muddy seafloors. Within the MEDITS (International Mediterranean Trawls Survey) framework, three years repeated survey permitted the acquisition of a marine debris data in a wide bathymetric range. Uni and multivariate analyses were used to test differences between \inshore and offshore habitats and between geographical zones in terms of litter amount. Results highlighted that, among the 302 investigated stations, plastic resulted by far the main component in terms of occurrence, density and abundance. Concentration of debris derived from land-
2
based activities tends to decrease as we move farther from the coastline. Anthropogenic Marine-based activities are supposed to be the main cause of the sudden increased values of debris observed in the deep habitats, which was investigated through the Deep Sea Cruise PSP15 on a bathymetric range comprise between 800-1600 m. The behaviour of fishermen observed and recorded emphasizes the necessity of a change in the management policy for the conservation of the environment.
Investigation on rocky habitats have been carried out through the non-invasive technique of ROV footage. All canyons and pinnacles surveyed, showed the presence of anthropic pressure in terms of marine litter. Discarded fishing gears are the main components of all litter observed. Distance from coastline do not cause significant difference of the variation of debris density. In the rocky bottom investigated 26.5% of marine litter damaged the benthonic coral community, indeed urgently needing special protection measures.
Our results constitute an important and needed set of information regarding the treat of marine litter in an high ecological value area such as the Mediterranean basin. As a result these information are useful for future spatio-temporal comparisons, as well for a collaboration to create a unique dataset as required by the MSFD, considered a fundamental tool for the development of proper conservation measures