462 research outputs found
Impiego di una rete neurale nella stima delle grandezze nodali di una rete AT in condizioni di avaria del sistema di acquisizione dati
No full textThe Holonic Production System: a Multi Agent Simulation Approach
No full textToday’s turbulent markets are facing unpredictable and sudden variations in demand. In this context, the Holonic Production System (HPS) seems to be able to overcome the operational and economic problems of traditional production
systems. The HPS’ ability to adapt and react to business environment changes, whilst maintaining systemic synergies
and coordination, leverage on its network organizational structure, assuring both flexibility and profitability. In this
paper we study HPS experimentally, modeling holon-firms as agents. In our simulation, holon-firms interact both with
each other and with the external environment without predetermined hierarchies and following their own aims and internal decision rules with a negotiation-based control system. The Multi Agent System Approach we propose aims to
evaluate and test the performance of the HPS to adjust to changes in market demand by simulating variations in
holon-firms’ capacity and reconfiguration costs in real time in a distributed enterprise network. Hence we demonstrate
that, through a collaborative negotiation approach, the HPS results in a better adaptability and improved network responsiveness
Determinazione della concentrazione di Black Carbon (BC) nel particolato atmosferico raccolto su supporti in Teflon
No full textCorrelation of temporomandibular dysfunction classification index with cephalometric indicators of facial structure: a study on adult female subjects.
No full textAIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether associations exist between temporomandibular dysfunction index (TMI) and craniofacial morphology. METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 symptomatic (mean age 28.3+/-6.7; range 24-39 years, TMI 0.48+/-0.21) and 30 asymptomatic women (mean age 27.4+/-9.2; range 22-42 years, TMI 0.1+/-0.05) seeking orthodontic treatment at Department of Dental Sciences ''''G. Messina'''', University of Palermo, who had routine lateral cephalograms. Symptoms and signs of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) were assessed by a standardized clinical examination and the TMI (a clinical measure of dysfunction used to evaluate the severity of TMD). Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate skeletal and dental characteristics of the two groups. Unpaired t test was used to compare the symptomatic subjects with the control subjects. RESULTS: The sella-nasion-supramentale (SNB) angle (P<0.038, indicating mandibular retrognathism relative to cranial base), the lower facial height and the palatal plane-mandibular plane angle (P<0.025 and P<0.037 respectively, indicating hypodivergent facial profile) were significantly smaller in the symptomatic than in the asymptomatic women. The occlusal plane was steeper (P<0.033) and the cranial flexion was higher (P<0.035) in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group. In addition the overjet (P<0.008) and the overbite (P<0.005) were significantly greater in symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group. CONCLUSION: This study showed a significant correlation between dentofacial characteristics and TMD
Binocular motility system and temporomandibular joint internal derangement: A study in adults
No full textAbstract
INTRODUCTION:
Ocular convergence defects have been confirmed in adults with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, but few studies of the relationship of the oculomotor apparatus to TMJ disc displacement have been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of disc displacement on the oculomotor capacity of the eyes in adults.
METHODS:
Fifty symptomatic patients with bilateral TMJ disc displacement (13 men, 37 women; mean age, 28.84 +/- 8.22 years; range, 18-40 years) were compared with the same number of asymptomatic volunteers with normal disc position (14 men, 36 women; mean age, 29.96 +/- 5.04 years; range, 18-37 years). All subjects underwent standardized clinical examinations, bilateral TMJ magnetic resonance imaging, and sensorial and motor orthoptic tests by an orthoptist.
RESULTS:
Subjects with TMJ disc displacement had alterations in binocular function, including reductions in convergence (P <0.023) and positive fusional vergence (break point [P <0.046] and recovery point [P <0.045]) compared with those with normal disc positions.
CONCLUSIONS:
Significant alternations in binocular function were seen in patients with TMJ disc displacement compared with healthy control subjects
Un sistema ottico automatico per la determinazione del contenuto di Black Carbon in filtri standard per la raccolta del particolato atmosferico
No full textA partire dai risultati di studi preliminari [1] abbiamo progettato e costruito un nuovo sistema motorizzato, gestito in piattaforma Labview 8.5, che consente la determinazione del contenuto di Black Carbon su filtri standard da 47 mm. Lo strumento è basato su un laser 635 nm e su alcuni fotodiodi che misurano la luce trasmessa ad angoli differenti. Il sistema, completamente automatizzato, è composto da una ruota, in grado di alloggiare fino a 16 filtri, e da tre motori passo-passo che consentono la scansione della superficie dei filtri.
Presentiamo i risultati della messa a punto e caratterizzazione del sistema, inclusa la calibrazione effettuata per confronto con altri strumenti ottici e termo-ottici, e i primi risultati ottenuti su campioni di PM10, PM2.5 raccolti in aree urbane e marine. Discutiamo anche i possibili sviluppi futuri per l’analisi di campioni disomogenei quali quelli prodotti da impattori inerziali a cascata
Confronto fra differenti tecniche per la determinazione dei carbonati
No full textIl particolato carbonioso solitamente viene classificato nei suoi due costituenti principali: carbonio organico (OC) e carbonio elementare (EC). La componente carbonatica (CC) o inorganica viene infatti spesso trascurata a causa del suo basso contributo alle concentrazioni di particolato fine. In presenza di particolari sorgenti (i.e. attività estrattive, cementifici, polveri sahariane) il carbonato può però contribuire in modo significativo alle concentrazioni di particolato. La quantificazione accurata del CC è resa difficile dal suo comportamento basico: le particelle di carbonato, una volta campionate, possono reagire con le particelle di solfato e nitrato d’ammonio, con una conseguente perdita dello ione carbonato e dello ione ammonio [1].La presenza di CC, se non opportunamente valutata, può inoltre rappresentare un importante interferente nella corretta determinazione di OC ed EC tramite la tecnica termo-ottica (TOT).
In questo lavoro sono stati utilizzati i campioni provenienti da 4 diversi siti interessati da elevate concentrazioni di CC: Massa Carrara (estrazione del marmo), Elche – Spagna (cementificio), Lecce e Rimini (polveri Sahariane) e sono state confrontate diverse tecniche di misura per la quantificazione del CC. Sui campioni di Massa Carrara campionati su filtri in teflon è stata effettuata un’estrazione a diversi pH per la completa solubilizzazione del carbonato e la quantificazione del CC tramite il bilancio ionico è stata messa a confronto con quella ottenuta tramite FT-IR [2]. Sui campioni di Lecce e Rimini (filtri in fibra di quarzo) il bilancio ionico è stato confrontato con la quantificazione del CC ottenuta dalla deconvoluzione delle curve di evoluzione della CO2 dell’analisi TOT [1]. La disponibilità di particolato di diversa granulometria (PTS, PM10, PM2.5) campionato simultaneamente a Rimini ha permesso, oltre alla determinazione della distribuzione dimensionale del CC, anche la valutazione dell’influenza nell’analisi TOT dell’effetto catalitico dovuto alla presenza di carbonati. Sui campioni di Elche invece sono stati confrontati i risultati dell’analisi TOT ottenuti con due diversi protocolli NIOSH e EUSAAR_2.
Bibliografia
[1] Maria Rita Perrone et al., Atmospheric Environment 45 (39) , 7470-7477
[2] Eleonora Cuccia et al., Atmospheric Environment 45 (35) , 6481-648
Acral malignant melanoma and striated palmoplantar keratoderma (Brunauer-Fohs-Siemens syndrome): a fortuitous association?
No full textBACKGROUND: Striated palmoplantar keratoderma or Brunauer-Fohs-Siemens syndrome is a very rare, focal, nonepidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma with autosomal inheritance. Unlike other palmoplantar keratodermas, no association with visceral or skin cancer has ever been reported.
OBJECTIVE: We report a case of malignant melanoma arising in the hyperkeratotic lesions on the right heel of a patient with striated palmoplantar keratoderma. The lesion was completely excised; our patient also underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and then was treated with high-dose interferon adjuvant therapy.
METHODS: Sentinel lymph node biopsy incision was made in elliptical fashion, long enough to harvest a full-thickness skin graft to cover the wide local excision defect. The skin graft was defatted by sharp dissection. Several perforations were made in graft and it was secured in place with sutures and bolster dressing.
RESULTS: At follow-up, the grafted skin showed hyperkeratotic changes but no local or systemic signs of the disease was observed.
CONCLUSION: The association between striated palmoplantar keratoderma and acral melanoma is discussed
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