1,777 research outputs found
Signaling Pathways in Inflammation and Its Resolution: New Insights and Therapeutic Challenges
No full text: Tissue inflammation is a dynamic process that develops step by step, in response to an injury, to preserve tissue integrity [...]
Hypertension in Cushing's Syndrome: from Pathogenesis to treatment
No full textHypertension is one of the most distinguishing features of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS), as it is present in about 80% of adult patients whereas in children its prevalence is about 47%. Hypertension in CS is significantly correlated with the duration of hypercortisolism and results from the interplay between several pathophysiological mechanisms regulating plasma volume, peripheral vascular resistance and cardiac output, all of which are increased in this state. Glucocorticoids cause hypertension through several mechanisms: their intrinsic mineralocorticoid activity; through activation of the renin-angiotensin system; by enhancement of vasoactive substances, and by causing suppression of the vasodilatory systems. In addition, glucocorticoids may exert some hypertensive effects on cardiovascular regulation through the CNS via both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. Hypertension in CS usually resolves with surgical removal of the tumor, but some patients require pharmacological antihypertensive treatment both pre- and postoperatively. Thiazides and furosemide should be avoided, while adrenergic blockade and calcium channel antagonists are usually ineffective. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, Ang II blockers and ACE inhibitors are good anti-hypertensive options; PPAR-γ agonists may help in many aspects of the insulin resistance syndrome. The relatively selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist Mifepristone (RU 486) could reduce blood pressure in patients with CS. Neuromodulatory agents such as the serotonin inhibitors cyproheptadine and ritanserin, valproid acid, dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogs may occasionally be effective, as well as drugs acting directly at the adrenal levels, such as Ketoconazole and aminoglutetimide or even opDDD. Treating hypertension in CS remains a difficult task and a big challenge, in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.</jats:p
Archaeometric approach to identifying the provenance of white marbles from the shipwreck of Cala Cicala (Crotone, Calabria, Italy)
No full textThis paper presents the results of an archaeometric study performed on white marbles from the shipwreck of Cala Cicala (Crotone, Calabria, Italy). The stone materials, especially the white marbles, are an excellent tool for reconstructing the trade routes of the past and studying the relationships between ancient populations. The purposes of this study were to establish the provenance of the white marbles of the shipwreck of Cala Cicala (Crotone, Calabria, Southern Italy) and to use analysis of their composition to acquire more knowledge about trade routes in the Roman imperial age. The 35 samples of white marble were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRPD), optical microscopy (OM), and isotopic analysis (δ13C and δ18O). All of the archaeometric data collected indicate that the marble blocks in the cargos are from the Greek island of Thasos, in the northern Aegean Sea
Navi graffite dalle fortificazioni medioevali di Velia
No full textLe fortificazioni medioevali dell’Acropoli di Velia hanno restituito alcuni graffiti visibili sui rivestimenti parietali nella torre circolare, posta ai margini del Terrazzo superiore, raffiguranti navi ed imbarcazioni, ricordati solo da Oreste Dito, nella sua monografia su Velia del XIX secolo.
Lo studio è stato condotto, innanzitutto, sull’edificio, attraverso l’analisi delle stratigrafie murarie, che ha consentito di recuperare una serie di dati sulle diverse fasi costruttive della torre, restata inedita dopo gli scavi degli anni Cinquanta del Novecento.
Per quanto riguarda i graffiti, considerata la loro peculiarità ed il buono stato di conservazione, si è tentato di proporre un inquadramento della tipologia delle diverse imbarcazioni rappresentate, tenendo conto di alcune caratteristiche tecniche e costruttive, utili anche sul piano cronologico.
L’insieme delle navi sembra riferibile ad un’unica scena di carattere portuale, che offre anche qualche elemento per valutare la continuità d’uso della Torre e dei possibili attracchi lungo il litorale di Velia sul finire dell’età medioevale
Strutture produttive e trasformazione degli spazi: il caso di Paestum e Velia
No full textA research project by the University of Naples Federico II, started in the 2014, focuses on the problems about the Archaeology of Production. Among many case studies, in Italy and abroad, Elea-Velia and the sanctuary of Hera at the mouth of the Sele River in the territory of Poseidonia-Paestum provide interesting elements, both for the analysis of ‘products’ and for ‘indicators for production’. This paper analyzes the relationship between the production
structures and the transformations of the city and its monumental evidences, particularly the sacred ones, of these two important sites of Magna Graecia
A comparison of declarative AI techniques for computer automated design of elevator systems
No full textLike other custom-built machinery, elevators are charecterized by a design process which includes selection, sizing and placement of components to fit a given configuration, satisfy users' requirements and adhere to stringent normative regulations. Unlike mass-produced items, the design process needs to be repeated almost from scratch each time a new configuration is considered. Since elevators are still designed mostly manually, project engineers must engage in time-consuming and error-prone activities over and over again, leaving little to be reused from one design to the next. Computer automated design can provide a cost-effective solution as it relieves the project engineer from such burdens. However, it introduces new challenges both in terms of efficiency - the search space for solutions grows exponentially in the number of component choices - and effectiveness - the perceived quality of the final design may not be as good as in the manual process. In this paper we compare three mainstream AI techniques that can provide problem-solving capabilities inside our tool LIFTCREATE for automated elevator design, namely Genetic Algorithms (GAs), Constraint Programming (CP) and Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT). A special-purpose heuristic search technique embedded in LIFTCREATE provides us with a yardstick to evaluate the solutions obtained with GAs, CP and SMT and to assess their feasibility for practical applications
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