2,178 research outputs found
L'Ombrie : Umbria, M. R. Prete Pedrini
No full textDalmasso Etienne. L'Ombrie : Umbria, M. R. Prete Pedrini. In: Annales de Géographie, t. 80, n°437, 1971. pp. 105-106
Evaluation of benzene exposure in petrol pump attendants and in mechanics by urinari trans, trans-muconic acid (t, t-MA) determination
No full textOccupational exposure to benzene in petrol pump attendants and in mechanics was studied by examining the benzene content in both the air breathed and in the urinary metabolite trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA).
Thirty petrol pump attendants and thirty mechanics (as exposed workers) and thirty adult male office workers
(as non exposed workers) were involved in the study. Measures were taken at the begin and at the end of the
working shifts. The benzene concentrations in the breathing air samples varied from 2 to 88 μg m3 , lower than
the EU acceptable limit for occupational environment. The average urinary t,t -MA in the petrol pump
attendants at the begin and at the end of the working shifts ranged between 133 ± 69 and 255 ± 174 μg g-1
creatinine and in the mechanics between 204 ± 139 and 300 ± 211 μg g-1 creatinine, respectively. In all the
participants the mean levels of urinary t,t-MA at the end of the working shifts were significantly higher than
those at the beginning. In the exposed workers mean levels of urinary t,t-MA were significantly higher than in
those of the non-exposed workers. The influence of the smoking was demonstrated by the urinary t,t-MA
levels in smoking non-exposed subjects
CD30, Th2 cytokines and HIV infection: a complex and fashinating link
No full textCD30 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor superfamily, and was originally described as a marker of Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma. CD30 is preferentially expressed on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell clones that produce T helper 2 (Th2)-type cytokines, and is also released in a soluble form by these cells. Elevated serum levels of soluble (s)CD30 have been found in some conditions in which a pathogenic role for Th2 cells has been suggested, such as atopy, Omenn's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as following infection with measles virus or human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). Here, Gianfranco Del Prete and colleagues suggest a complex and fascinating link between the expression and release of CD30, and the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection
Innovative methodology for the identification of the most suitable additive technology based on product characteristics
No full textThis paper reports the study and development case of an innovative application of the Cloud Manufacturing paradigm. Based on the definition of an appropriate web-based application, the infrastructure is able to connect the possible client requests and the relative supply chain prod-uct/process development capabilities and then attempt to find the best available solutions. In par-ticular, the main goal of the developed system, called AMSA (Additive Manufacturing Spare parts market Application), is the definition of a common platform to supply different kinds of services that have the following common reference points in the Additive Manufacturing Technologies (DFAM, Design For Additive Manufacturing): product development, prototypes, or small series production and reverse engineering activities to obtain Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models starting from a physical object. The definition of different kinds of services allows satisfying several client needs such as innovative product definition characterized by high performance in terms of stiffness/weight ratio, the possibility of manufacturing small series, such as in the motorsport field, and the possibility of defining CAD models for the obsolete parts for which the geometrical information is missed. The AMSA platform relies on the reconfigurable supply chain that is dynamic, and it depends on the client needs. For example, when the client requires the manufacture of a small series of a component, AMSA allows the technicians to choose the best solutions in terms of delivery time, price, and logistics. Therefore, the suppliers that contribute to the definition of the dynamic supply chain have an important role. For these reasons, the AMSA platform represents an important and innovative tool that is able to link the suppliers to the customers in the best manner in order to obtain services that are characterized by a high-performance level. Therefore, a provisional model has been implemented that allows filtering the technologies according to suitable performance in-dexes. A specific aspect for which AMSA can be considered unique is related with the given possibility to access Design for Additive Manufacturing Services through the Web in accordance with the possible additive manufacturing technologies
Sheet metal forming optimization methodology for servo press process control improvement
No full textIn sheet metal forming manufacturing operations the use of servo presses is gaining more interest due to the opportunity to improve process performance (quality, productivity, cost reduction, etc.). It is not yet clear how to proceed in the engineering process when this type of operating machine is used to achieve the maximum possible potential of this technology. Recently, several press builders have developed gap‐ and straight‐sided metal forming presses adopting the mechanical servo‐drive technology. The mechanical servo‐drive press offers the flexibility of a hydraulic press with the speed, accuracy and reliability of a mechanical press. Servo drive presses give the opportunity to improve the productivity of process conditions and improve the quality of stamped parts. Forming simulation and numerical optimization can be useful tools to define beforehand the optimal process parameter set‐up in terms of servo press downward curve properties. This is done by carrying out a sensitivity analysis of the forming parameters having influence on said curve. The authors have developed a numerical methodology able to analyze the influence factors, for comparison with the degrees of freedom made available by the usage of a servo press, in terms of stroke profile management, to obtain an optimized process parameters combination
Experimental Pharmacological Management of Psoriasis
No full textElena Campione,1 Terenzio Cosio,1 Monia Di Prete,2 Caterina Lanna,1 Annunziata Dattola,1 Luca Bianchi1 1Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy; 2Anatomic Pathology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, ItalyCorrespondence: Elena CampioneDermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier,1, Rome, 00133, ItalyTel +39.06.20900252Email [email protected]: Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, immune-mediated systemic disease. Its pathogenesis is complex and not fully understood yet. Genetic and epigenetic factors interact with molecular pathways involving TNF-α, IL-23/IL-17 axis, and peculiar cytokines, as IL-36 or phosphodiesterase 4. This review discusses the mechanisms involved in the development of the disease, as well as the therapeutic options proposed following the investigation of the inflammatory psoriatic pathways. We performed a comprehensive search using the words “psoriasis” and the newest molecules currently under investigation and approval. From these data, a new scenario in psoriasis is occurring to personalize the therapies - especially systemic ones and those using small molecules – and avoid topical and injectable drugs. We reported the newest therapeutic opportunities, including the inhibitors of Janus kinase/tyrosine kinase 2, phosphodiesterase-4 and IL-36 receptor. Today, more than 20 molecules are under investigation for the treatment of cutaneous psoriasis. Most of them are constituted by small molecules or biologic therapies. This underlines how psoriasis needs systemic therapies, due to its complex pathogenesis and multisystemic involvement.Keywords: psoriasis, janus kinase inhibitors, tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitors, phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, IL-36 receptors inhibitor
Why Do Tourists Escape from Overtourism? Cognitive and Emotional Determinants Affecting Farm Tourists Behavior
No full textRecent trends (WTO, 2019) show that tourists, increasingly aware and mindful of their choices of vacation, are likely to refuse standardized models of mass tourism and overtourism, defined as “an excessive negative impact of tourism on the host communities and/or natural environment” (Koens, Postma and Papp, 2018, p. 2). More and more visitors prefer niche destinations such as rural destinations, far from large urban centers, that offer distinctive, authentic, and attractive experiences (Brown, 2013; Palmi, Esposito and Prete, 2021). Nowadays and increasingly in the near future, the tourism and travel industry could be disrupted and suffer the short-, medium-, and long-term economic effects caused by the infectious disease COVID-19, as a consequence of travel restrictions and social distancing. According to some estimations, the demand in the tourism sector could be reduced by 75% (Ruiz Estrada, Park and Lee, 2020). Therefore, a reduction in the international demand for mass and overly visited touristic places in favor of the most peripheral and landscape areas could be recorded. An effective solution to this challenge can be represented by new and alternative types of tourism, such as eco-tourism, slow tourism, food-and-wine tourism, wellness tourism, health tourism, and above all, agritourism. Agritourism, which includes a series of activities proposed on farms to attract tourists (Barbieri and Mshenga, 2008), is a relevant segment of the rural tourism sector. It attracts visitors to rural areas, often located outside traditional tourist circuits and it can promote employment, income, and sustainable development of rural communities (Hall, Mitchell and Roberts, 2003: Govindasamy and Kelley, 2014). It also represents a farm diversification strategy (Busby and Rendle, 2000; Shen Cottrell, Hughey and Morrison, 2009; Barbieri, 2013; Addinsal et al., 2017). Farmhouses are often ancient farms from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, appropriately renovated and restored, respecting the authenticity, traditions, and memories of the local community culture..
The use of FEA in the simulation of a metal cutting operations in the presence of random uncertainty
No full textForces and temperatures in specific orthogonal cutting conditions and calculated by finite element analysis, have been evaluated taking into account the uncertainty of some process conditions. A traditional deterministic approach, in machining simulations, is not able to explain the uncertain physical variations related to material characteristics (yield and tensile strenght, hardness, etc.) and tool/chip/workpiece interface conditions (friction and tool wear). During machining operations many different sources of non-controllable process variations usually display their effect leading to a degree of uncertainty in the final parts quality. Statistical tools and methods are increasingly being used in combination with FE numerical simulation, in order to take into account of the variability of the process. Then, if one of the purposes of process design is to study and model robustness or reliability of a given process in aleatory conditions, a CAE study might become a feasible way to do it. Today, the evaluation of the performances of a metal cutting process is possible using several commercial FEA packages. These software tools automatically allow the preventive evaluation of the robustness of technological decisions. In this work the authors, by means the integration between stochastic simulation tools and machining FE codes, have evaluated the process sensitivity to a random variation of uncontrollable parameters or conditions. Furthermore, a specific experimental and numerical activity has been performed in order to better understand the technical capabilities in terms of process simulation in stochastic conditions
Spatial Abilities at High Altitude Exploring the Role of Cultural Strategies and Hypoxia
No full textBondi, Danilo, Vittore Verratti, Raffaella Nori, Laura Piccardi, Giulia Prete, Tiziana Pietrangelo, and Luca Tommasi. Spatial abilities at high altitude Exploring the role of cultural strategies and hypoxia. High Alt Med Biol. 22 157-165, 2021. Background Over the past couple of decades, the number of people of different cultures traveling to places of high altitude (HA) increased. At HA, a decline in cognitive abilities has been described, including spatial skills. However, it is still unknown whether people accustomed to hypobaric hypoxia are less susceptible to cognitive decline. Method We aimed to determine if three ethnic groups would show any difference in the performance of spatial abilities. Italian trekkers (46.20 ± 15.83 years), Nepalese porters (30.33 ± 8.55 years), and lowlander and highlander Sherpas (30.33 ± 8.55 and 37.00 ± 16.51 years) were tested with a building photograph recognition, a map orienting, and a mental rotation task during a Himalayan expedition. Accuracy and response times were collected at low altitude (LA) and HA. Results Nepalese performed the worst (photograph task p = 0.015, η2p = 0.36; map task p = 0.016, η2p = 0.36), but the difference was mitigated after correcting for length of schooling. Participants took more time to respond at LA than in HA condition (photograph task 24.0 ± 15.3 seconds vs. 12.7 ± 6.3 seconds, p = 0.008, η2p = 0.57; map task 12.5 ± 1.8 seconds vs. 7.8 ± 0.6 seconds, p = 0.038, η2p = 0.40). In the map task, participants performed with greater accuracy at LA (5.1 ± 0.4 vs. 4.4 ± 0.4 number of correct responses, p = 0.006, η2p = 0.59). Conclusions Altitude hypoxia elicited impairments in cognitive spatial tasks. This may be due to the inability to acquire new unfamiliar patterns, and to the difficulty in managing a high cognitive workload. The ethnic differences were ascribed to schooling, even we consider the different system of reference usually exploited in each culture (egocentric dependent, or allocentric independent from the personal viewpoint), and that Westerners are more likely to focus on specific details of the scene. Further studies should investigate the diverse strategies to complete spatial tasks
Lattice structures integration with conventional topology optimization
No full textAdditive manufacturing (AM) processes enable the production of functional parts with complex geometries, multi-materials as well as individualized mass production. Another significant benefit of AM is the ability to produce optimized geometries with near perfect strength to weight ratios. For several years now, the topology optimization techniques assist the designers in order to develop components that have a good material distribution in order to reduce the weight ensuring the request stiffness. Therefore, the topology optimization generates concepts based on the subtractive approach and usually these geometries require a further post processing in order to obtain a geometry "ready to produce" that represents a compromise between the topologic result and the manufacturing constraints. The advent of the AM opens new scenarios in terms of definition of innovative geometries that are not feasible with the conventional processes (such as lattice structures). In order to exploit the AM capabilities, new topology optimization tools are emerging that allow to define innovative concepts that could reach structural performance greater than the result obtainable with conventional topology optimization. In this paper the Authors have studied a new concept design and the performance improvement, of PIN installation equipment, used for thin-walled aerospace workpiece, in order to solve critical dimensioning issues, due to the overcoming of the allowable range tolerances (strain and displacement). Topology optimization has been applied in order to define a new concept design able to satisfy the functionality requirements. Moreover, it has been conducted a study to evaluate the possible advantages offered by the integration of the lattice structure in the topology design in order to improve the performance in terms of weight and structural characteristics
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