A Differential Mechatronic Device: Design, Simulation and Experimental Results

Differential mechanisms are widely studied in literature, from a theoretical viewpoint and for applicative reasons. A differential mechanism is a mechanical system with one or more output motions resulting from the combination of different input motions acting on the same degree of freedom. In this work, we point the attention on planar differential systems (a monoaxis and a Cartesian device) composed by belts and pulleys. Particularly the Vernier effect is used to realize high-speed and highaccuracy devices with low-cost components. Simplified models of these two systems are presented to show the main kinematic and dynamic features. An advanced model is then realized for the Cartesian device with the aid of the Dymola software and simulation results are compared with the expected ones from the simplified model. The control of the system is realized with three PI systems (proportionalintegrative) optimized via an adaptive logic. Finally early experimental results are presented only for the monoaxis system

On the Use of Quantum Chemistry for the Determination of Propagation, Copolymerization, and Secondary Reaction Kinetics in Free Radical Polymerization

Throughout the last 25 years, computational chemistry based on quantum mechanics has been applied to the investigation of reaction kinetics in free radical polymerization (FRP) with growing interest. Nowadays, quantum chemistry (QC) can be considered a powerful and cost-effective tool for the kinetic characterization of many individual reactions in FRP, especially those that cannot yet be fully analyzed through experiments. The recent focus on copolymers and systems where secondary reactions play a major role has emphasized this feature due to the increased complexity of these kinetic schemes. QC calculations are well-suited to support and guide the experimental investigation of FRP kinetics as well as to deepen the understanding of polymerization mechanisms. This paper is intended to provide an overview of the most relevant QC results obtained so far from the investigation of FRP. A comparison between computational results and experimental data is given, whenever possible, to emphasize the performances of the two approaches in the prediction of kinetic data. This work provides a comprehensive database of reaction rate parameters of FRP to assist in the development of advanced models of polymerization and experimental studies on the topic

Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage Sites in Albania.

UNESCO has a vital role to play in constructing a global culture of disaster preparedness and mitigation, building in the minds of people a Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage Sites in Albania culture of resilience to risk, promoting awareness, education and capacity and foremost a different way to approach the domain of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and preparedness. UNESCO is also the secretariat of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, of which the properties have recently been the focus of substantial advancement in securing better capacity in risk management and reduction. Since UNESCO is engaged in important actions for the protection of cultural heritage it implements several projects in post disaster scenarios. This book has been elaborated as a final outcome of the project \u201cNatural Risk Preparedness and Mitigation - Building capacity in the field of risk mitigation for Cultural Heritage properties in Albania\u201d during the period 2011-2013. The project aimed to streamline disaster risk management in the Country, using its World Heritage properties as demonstration sites. The project was conceived to assist the country in order to enhance its capacity for Disasters Risk Management (DRM) and advancement in seismological and geological vulnerability of Cultural Heritage properties

Environmental education about grassland biodiversity, pasture management and research social utility

Dry grassland ecosystems represent a fundamental resource of plant species richness and are defined as ‘habitat of priority importance’ for nature conservation by EU, in particular as orchid species concerns. Biodiversity conservation depends on key elements such as habitat productivity, plant species functional features, type of management, density and grazing behaviour of herbivores. Information about the aforementioned interactions can offer key knowledge to promote grassland biodiversity conservation and for management decision making, and may help to improve the governance of economic benefit as indicated by EU agricultural policies. In this perspective, the dissemination of information could be a paramount tool to understand the importance of environmental scientific researches for the territory development. In the Marche Region, the agri-environmental project for the biodiversity guardianship comes from the grassland research activities, provided economic aid to the farmer that manages the natural grassland systems in agreement with European Community guidelines for the biodiversity maintenance and the use of animals for habitat prevention/maintaining. Research projects have been turned into an environmental educational project aimed to educate and sensitise the primary school children to the environmental issues, in addition to show the social utility of research. Our environmental educational project was carried out by means of the following steps: - definition of biodiversity and ecosystem, - illustration of grassland plant and animal biodiversity, - biodiversity threats and their interplay with other environmental, social and economic issues, - example of research project leading with biodiversity conservation, animal welfare and zootechnic activities. Students of the first university degree in Natural and Environmental Sciences participated to the project with the aim to acquire specific competences about scientific dissemination. Children have shown great involvement and attention towards environmental problems

Optogalvanic Signals From Argon Metastables In A Rf Glow-Discharge

Laser optogalvanic (LOG) signals at 667.7, 751.5, and 696.5 nm from the 3 P 1 and 3 P 2 levels of Ar were studied at a pressure of 250 mTorr in a rf glow discharge. Signals with unexpected signs and time dependences were found. The results are interpreted as being due to radiative trapping effects and collisional mixing between resonance and metastable levels. An average electron energy of 2.1 eV is derived from modeling the data

NMR Metabolomics for Stem Cell type discrimination

Cell metabolism is a key determinant factor for the pluripotency and fate commitment of Stem Cells (SCs) during development, ageing, pathological onset and progression. We derived and cultured selected subpopulations of rodent fetal, postnatal, adult Neural SCs (NSCs) and postnatal glial progenitors, Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OECs), respectively from the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the olfactory bulb (OB). Cell lysates were analyzed by proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy leading to metabolites identification and quantitation. Subsequent multivariate analysis of NMR data by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) allowed data reduction and cluster analysis. This strategy ensures the definition of specific features in the metabolic content of phenotypically similar SCs sharing a common developmental origin. The metabolic fingerprints for selective metabolites or for the whole spectra demonstrated enhanced peculiarities among cell types. The key result of our work is a neat divergence between OECs and the remaining NSC cells. We also show that statistically significant differences for selective metabolites characterizes NSCs of different ages. Finally, the retrived metabolome in cell cultures correlates to the physiological SC features, thus allowing an integrated bioengineering approach for biologic fingerprints able to dissect the (neural) SC molecular specificitie

Surgical site infection after caesarean section. Space for post-discharge surveillance improvements and reliable comparisons

Surgical site infections (SSI) after caesarean section (CS) represent a substantial health system concern. Surveying SSI has been associated with a reduction in SSI incidence. We report the findings of three (2008, 2011 and 2013) regional active SSI surveillances after CS in community hospital of the Latium region determining the incidence of SSI. Each CS was surveyed for SSI occurrence by trained staff up to 30 post-operative days, and association of SSI with relevant characteristics was assessed using binomial logistic regression. A total of 3,685 CS were included in the study. A complete 30 day post-operation follow-up was achieved in over 94% of procedures. Overall 145 SSI were observed (3.9% cumulative incidence) of which 131 (90.3%) were superficial and 14 (9.7%) complex (deep or organ/space) SSI; overall 129 SSI (of which 89.9% superficial) were diagnosed post-discharge. Only higher NNIS score was significantly associated with SSI occurrence in the regression analysis. Our work provides the first regional data on CS-associated SSI incidence, highlighting the need for a post-discharge surveillance which should assure 30 days post-operation to not miss data on complex SSI, as well as being less labour intensive

Sensitivity to Gravitational Waves from Compact Binary Coalescences Achieved during LIGO's Fifth and Virgo's First Science Run

We summarize the sensitivity achieved by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors for compact binary coalescence (CBC) searches during LIGO's fifth science run and Virgo's first science run. We present noise spectral density curves for each of the four detectors that operated during these science runs which are representative of the typical performance achieved by the detectors for CBC searches. These spectra are intended for release to the public as a summary of detector performance for CBC searches during these science runs.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure