1,721,062 research outputs found
Sistemi e Soluzioni Innovativi per la Gestione del Traffico di Aeromobili senza Equipaggio
No full textLa rapida crescita del mercato degli aeromobili senza equipaggio ha condotto alla definizione di uno spazio aereo regolamentato che garantisca alti livelli di sicurezza considerando anche l’impatto sociale ed economico dell’integrazione di tali velivoli nello spazio aereo civile. Questo studio presenta lo sviluppo di sistemi e soluzioni innovativi per supportare la gestione del traffico dei velivoli senza equipaggio. Una configurazione di sistema modulare è stata definita per sviluppare un’avanzata integrazione delle unità di bordo grazie all’identificazione di una sezione core e una custom in uno scenario che coinvolge diversi tipi di piattaforma e operazione. La sezione core include le unità di elaborazione che possono essere installate a bordo di un generico velivolo. La sezione custom include le unità specifiche per un tipo di velivolo o missione. Le unità coinvolte dai servizi per la gestione del traffico sono state analizzate e soluzioni innovative sono state implementate e testate mediante test di volo. In particolare, un metodo basato su algoritmi di Deep Learning è stato sviluppato per la previsione del tempo di volo e della scarica della batteria di un aeromobile senza equipaggio durante una generica rotta pianificata. Una tecnica per stimare la capacità della batteria è stata riportata per prevedere lo stato di carica. Un metodo di stima dell’angolo di heading basato sull’integrazione di una camera polarimetrica è stato sviluppato per uno spazio aereo in cui la navigazione satellitare è sfidante. Inoltre, tecniche avanzate di elaborazione dei dati del payload sono state implementate analizzando le capacità di sciame degli aeromobili senza equipaggio anche come supporto alla gestione di situazioni emergenziali. La definizione e lo sviluppo di test di volo hanno permesso di implementare soluzioni e procedure standard che possono essere adottate per supportare la gestione del traffico degli aeromobili senza equipaggio.The rapid increase of the Unmanned Aerial System market needed the definition of a regulated airspace that guarantees high accuracy and integrity levels, also considering the economic and social impact of unmanned platforms in the civil airspace. This study presents the development of innovative systems and solutions to support the Unmanned Traffic Management. A modular system configuration was defined for an innovative integration of on-board units thanks to the identification of a core section and a custom section in a multi-platform and multi-mission scenario. The core section includes the processing units that can be installed on-board a generic platform. The custom section includes the units that are specific for platform and mission. The units that are involved by the Unmanned Traffic Management services were analyzed and innovative solutions were implemented and tested thanks to flight tests. Specifically, a Deep-Learning based method for Trajectory Prediction was developed to predict the UAS time-of-flight and battery discharge during a generic path. A technique to estimate the battery capacity was reported to predict the battery state of charge. An innovative method for heading angle estimation based on a Sun light polarization camera was developed for airspace where the satellite-based navigation is challenging. Moreover, advanced techniques for payload data processing were implemented analyzing Unmanned Aerial System swarming capabilities also as support to emergency situations. The definition and development of flight tests allowed to implement standard solutions and procedures that can be applied to support the Unmanned Traffic Management
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Core-shell nanocarriers for cancer therapy. Part I: biologically oriented design rules
No full textINTRODUCTION:
The application of nanotechnologies to the cancer field for therapeutic, imaging or diagnostic purposes represents an advanced and very attractive approach to overcome the main limits related to conventional chemotherapy. In particular, core-shell nanocarriers can be engineered to provide adequate features to overcome the main biological barriers encountered by free anti-cancer drugs.
AREAS COVERED:
This review will try to summarise the design rules - as dictated by biological requirements - to take into account for proper nanocarrier design and to highlight the potential of administration routes other than intravenous.
EXPERT OPINION:
Although intravenous injection remains the most investigated route of administration for 'nanoncologicals', research interest towards less explored administration routes allowing localised chemotherapy or delivery in close proximity to the tumour site might change the way cancer is treated in the near future. Nevertheless, an experimental set-up more biologically oriented taking into account an in-depth evaluation of stability in complex media, protein interaction, and cell interaction of novel nanoconstructs could allow their successful translation in pre-clinical and clinical settings
Inhalable dry powders for chemically-modified human Cationic AntiMicrobial Peptides (CAMPs): moving toward in vivo application
No full textCationic Antimicrobial Peptides (CAMPs) are a valuable alternative to conventional antibiotics because they have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and low ability to induce the onset of resistant strains. Even if the protein nature of CAMPs makes difficult their use as systemic agents they are ideally suited for direct delivery to airways and lung. The main aim of this project is to develop inhalable dry powders for lung‐delivery of human CAMPs and CAMP‐releasing proteins (CAMP‐RPs) carrying simple chemical modifications which improve their antimicrobial activity.A wide panel of human CAMPs and CAMP‐RPs will be prepared by recombinant DNA procedures and chemical synthesis, modified by means of a method already developed by the proponents and assayed on clinical P. aeruginosa strains to evaluate their bactericidal activity.Moreover during the design and development of the particles we will be considered crucial parameters for transferability in vivo (such as aerodynamic properties, resistance to proteases, and so on). The analysis of the interactions between CAMPs and acidic polysaccharides, such as alginate and hyaluronic acid, will allow to design rationally the inhalable particles.The final result will be a panel of inhalable dry powder formulations containing CAMP(-RP)s suited for direct lung-delivery and able to fight Pseudomonas infection
Inhalable dry powders for chemically-modified human Cationic AntiMicrobial Peptides (CAMPs): moving toward in vivo application
No full textThe diffusion of pan drug resistant bacteria has highlighted the need of new antibiotics, but, so far, progress in developing them has been slow. At this regard, Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides (CAMPs) are a valuable alternative to conventional antibiotics because they have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and low ability to induce the onset of resistant strains. These peptides are secreted from all multicellular eukaryotic organisms and represent an essential component of innate immunity, the first line of defence against microbial invasions. Even if the protein nature of CAMPs makes difficult their use as systemic agents they are ideally suited for direct delivery to airways and lung.
The main aim of this project is to develop inhalable dry powders for lung???delivery of human CAMPs and CAMP releasing proteins (CAMP RPs) carrying simple chemical modifications which improve their antimicrobial activity. A wide panel of human CAMPs and CAMP???RPs will be prepared by recombinant DNA procedures and chemical synthesis, modified by means of a method already developed by the proponents and assayed on clinical P. aeruginosa strains to evaluate their bactericidal activity. The powders, containing one or more CAMP/CAMP RPs, will be prepared at different levels of complexity, exploiting not only technologies and excipients already used for the inhalation in humans, but also polymeric materials of choice in peptide/protein drug formulations already on the market. Moreover during the design and development of the particles we will be considered crucial parameters for transferability in vivo, such as aerodynamic properties, resistance to proteases, release profile of the drug in simulated lung fluids, ability to overcome extracellular pulmonary barriers (mucus, biofilm, etc..). The analysis of the interactions between CAMPs and acidic polysaccharides, such as alginate and hyaluronic acid, will allow to design rationally the inhalable particles.
The most promising formulations will be tested in vivo in a murine model of acute P. aeruginosa, infection both alone and in association with ciprofloxacin, a common broad???spectrum antibiotic.
A systematic approach devoted to strengthening natural human CAMPs and to the development of suitable formulations to administer them and able to fight infection by P. aeruginosa, particularly critical for patients with cystic fibrosis, perfectly meets the mission of the FFC
PEGylated polyester-based nanoncologicals
No full textSeveral PEGylated polyester-based nanoncologicals have been proposed in the literature, some of them nowadays being under preclinical/clinical trials or marketed. In this review, we describe the main features of PEGylated polyesters and their correspondent nanocarriers. A first part is devoted to intravenously injectable PEGylated nanocarriers, which represent the systems most investigated so far. After describing fundamental design rules dictated by the administration route, PEGylated nanocarriers currently under preclinical/clinical investigation or in the market will be described from a technological point of view and related therapeutic implications discussed. Finally, new perspective of use of PEGylated nanocarriers for oral and pulmonary delivery of anticancer drugs will be considered
Light-Activated Nanoparticles for the Combined Therapy of Cancer
No full textSelezionata come presentazione oral
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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