Boundary layer control for airships

An investigation is summarized of the aerodynamic principle of boundary layer control for nonrigid LTA craft. The project included a wind tunnel test on a BLC body of revolution at zero angle of attack. Theoretical analysis is shown to be in excellent agreement with the test data. Methods are evolved for predicting the boundary layer development on a body of revolution and the suction pumping and propulsive power requirements. These methods are used to predict the performance characteristics of a full-scale airship. The analysis indicates that propulsive power reductions of 15 to 25 percent and endurance improvements of 20 to 40 percent may be realized in employing boundary-layer control to nonrigid airships

INTEGRATING ONTOLOGY AND COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS FOR NATURAL LANGUAGE PRODUCTION AND UNDERSTANDING

Ontologies have been designed to capture the semantic knowledge of a domain in a machine understandable form. Current standards for managing ontologies like OWL are lacking in linguistic grounding, and are not able to achieve a clear link with natural language. Bridging this gap, unskilled users could be able to infer the information described in the ontology and it would be possible either producing or parsing utterances about the represented domain automatically. Moreover, as in the case of enterprises, it could be very useful to extract information from external documental corpora that are related to the same domain. Many attempts have been made with the aim to create a natural language interface to ontology but very few of them use grammars during interaction; such interfaces are focused only on verbalizing information contained in the ontology, while it is often necessary to give exhaustive answers to the users\u2019s queries by retrieving data outside of the knowledge base. The work presented in this thesis has been inspired by theories in the field of Cognitive Linguistics, and in particular by the Construction Grammar, to create a grammar-based tool for ontology verbalization that combines OWL ontologies with Fluid Construction Grammar (FCG). Currently, FCG is the only computational implementation of Construction Grammar that performs both production, and parsing using the same set of constructions. The main idea is to compute both lexical and grammatical constructions (the meaning-form couples) in the FCG from the ontology. To achieve this goal, a suitable set of rules based on linguistic typology have been defined to infer semantics and syntax from the RDF triples inside the OWL structure, while combining them as the poles of constructions in the FCG. To allow verbalization from external documents related to the ontology, synonymous constructions have been defined, which are matched to free text. Computing all possible syntactic forms for the same meaning was achieved using linguistic rules. The information retrieval procedure outlined above allows semantic annotation of the text as a side effect. A system for automatic generation of contents for Semantic MediaWiki from standard Wikipedia pages has been implemented in this respect. The combination of OWL with FCG and the integration of external documents in the ontology are the core of the system whose theoretical background, modeling, design, and evaluation with respect to other contributes in this research field form the main subjects of this thesis

PROGETTAZIONE E VERIFICA SPERIMENTALE DI UNA MICROTURBINA IDRAULICA PER L\u2019INDUSTRIA ALIMENTARE

In questo articolo sono descritte le attivit\ue0 di ricerca e sviluppo di una micro-turbina idraulica inserita all\u2019interno di un macchinario che opera un nuovo processo di abbattimento della carica batterica applicabile nell\u2019industria dell\u2019imbottigliamento delle bevande. Peculiarit\ue0 della turbina progettata \ue8 la geometria della palettatura della girante, dritta ed a sviluppo puramente assiale, che ne rende estremamente economica la realizzazione. Lo scambio di energia avviene grazie al moto vorticoso impresso al fluido (swirl) mediante opportuno posizionamento dei condotti di adduzione. Lo studio della turbina \ue8 stato condotto mediante classico approccio unidimensionale, mentre il dimensionamento \ue8 stato effettuato con l\u2019ausilio di simulazioni CFD. Ultimata la progettazione, la turbina \ue8 stata realizzata e si \ue8 avviata una campagna di prove sperimentali su un banco di flussaggio appositamente allestito che ha consentito di verificare il soddisfacimento delle specifiche progettuali

MALFORMATIONS OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: GENERAL ISSUES

Malformations of the central nervous system (CNS) encompass a heterogeneous group of congenital anomalies that may be isolated or appear as part of a genetic syndrome. Advances in identifying the genetic etiology underlying many CNS malformation and syndromes have led to the current genetic-based classifications that allows us to better estimate prognosis and potential complications. Herein, we discuss the main genetic, clinical and radiological features and their implications for diagnostic testing and disease managemen

A Case of Fatal Drug Rash Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms from Allopurinol

Hypereosinophilia is a systemic condition that has several possible etiologies: allergies, medications, infectious, autoimmune or other systemic diseases, and finally idiopathic forms. Skin involvement seems to relate to subcutaneous inflammatory infiltration in this condition, as can be observed in parasitic, autoimmune and bullous diseases, as well as in drug reactions. Generalizing, a severe adverse drug-induced reaction may cause a systemic inflammatory disease: Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). Its diagnosis requires the application of a complex diagnostic algorithm and immediate identification to prevent inauspicious evolution. The prognosis is severe; drug discontinuation is sometimes not enough and so far the proposed therapies are not always valid. We describe a case of fatal DRESS in which we report: a) difficulties in the management and therapy of the syndrome in its most severe form, and b) need for caution in prescribing drugs potentially inducing DRESS, especially in elderly patients

The "Safari" technique to perform difficult subintimal infragenicular vessels

The purpose of this study was to describe the efficacy of planned combined subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade– retrograde intervention (SAFARI) to obtain the precise recanalization of the patent portion of a distal runoff vessel in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients presenting long occlusions involving the popliteal trifurcation. Four patients at risk of limb loss due to long occlusions involving the leg vessel tree and not suitable for a surgical bypass were treated by the subintimal antegrade and retrograde (posterior tibial or anterior tibial artery) approach. The patent portion of the runoff vessel was previously assessed by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and directly punctured under Doppler ultrasound (US) guidance. A subintimal channel rendezvous was performed to allow snaring of the guidewires. Subsequently, a balloon dilatation was performed without stent deployment. All patients were successfully recanalized and had complete healing of the limb lesions. At the 12-month follow-up all patients showed clinical improvement with no major complications related to the procedure. This combined antegrade and retrograde subintimal approach is currently an excellent endovascular option in patients with long occlusions extending onto the leg vessels trifurcation and at risk of limb loss. Key words: Critical limb ischemia—Subintimal technique— Popliteal branches—Retrograde acces

Marine alien species in Italy: A contribution to the implementation of descriptor D2 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

A re-examination of marine alien species or Non Indigenous Species (NIS) reported in Italian Seas, until December 2018, is provided, focusing on establishment success, year of first record, origin, potential invasiveness, and likely pathways, in particular. Furthermore, their distribution is assessed according to the marine subregions outlined by the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive: Adriatic Sea (ADRIA), Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea (CMED), and Western Mediterranean Sea (WMED). In Italy, 265 NIS have been detected with the highest number of species being recorded in the CMED (154 species) and the WMED (151 species) subregions, followed by the ADRIA (143) subregion. Most of these species were recorded in more than one subregion. One hundred and eighty (180 or 68%) NIS have established stable populations in Italian Seas among which 26 have exhibited invasive traits. As regards the taxa involved, Macrophyta rank first with 65 taxa. Fifty-five of them are established in at least one subregion, mostly in the ADRIA and the CMED. Crustacea rank second with 48 taxa, followed by Polychaeta with 43 taxa, Mollusca with 29 taxa, and Fishes with 28 taxa, which were mainly reported from the CMED. In the period 2012-2017, 44 new alien species were recorded, resulting in approximately one new entry every two months. Approximately half of the NIS (~52%) recorded in Italy have most likely arrived through the transport-stowaway pathway related to shipping traffic (~28% as biofoulers, ~22% in ballast waters, and ~2% as hitchhikers). The second most common pathway is the unaided movement with currents (~19%), followed by the transport-contaminant on farmed shellfishes pathway (~18%). "Unaided" is the most common pathway for alien Fishes, especially in the CMED; escapes from confinement account for ~3% and release in nature for ~2%. The present NIS distribution hotspots for new introductions were defined at the first recipient area/location in Italy. In the ADRIA, the hotspot, Venice, accounts for the highest number of alien taxa introduced in Italy, with 50 newly recorded taxa. In the CMED subregion, the hotspots of introduction are the Taranto and Catania Gulfs, hosting 21 first records each. The Strait of Sicily represents a crossroad between alien taxa from the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific area. In the WMED, bioinvasion hotspots include the Gulfs of Naples, Genoa and Livorno. This review can serve as an updated baseline for future coordination and harmonization of monitoring initiatives under international, EU and regional policies, for the compilation of new data from established monitoring programs, and for rapid assessment surveys

A cognitive architecture for inner speech

A cognitive architecture for inner speech is presented. It is based on the Standard Model of Mind, integrated with modules for self- talking. Briefly, the working memory of the proposed architecture includes the phonological loop as a component which manages the exchanging information between the phonological store and the articulatory control system. The inner dialogue is modeled as a loop where the phonological store hears the inner voice produced by the hidden articulator process. A central executive module drives the whole system, and contributes to the generation of conscious thoughts by retrieving information from long-term memory. The surface form of thoughts thus emerges by the phonological loop. Once a conscious thought is elicited by inner speech, the perception of new context takes place and then repeating the cognitive loop. A preliminary formalization of some of the described processes by event cal- culus, and early results of their implementation on the humanoid robot Pepper by SoftBank Robotics are discussed

A calculus for robot inner speech and self-awareness

The inner speech is the common mental experience the humans have when they dialogue with themselves. It is widely acknowledged that inner speech is related to awareness and self-awareness. The inner speech reproduces and expands in the mind social and physical sources of awareness. In this preliminary work, a calculus based on a first-order modal logic to automate inner speech is presented. It attempts to make the existing inner speech theories suitable for robot. By making robot able to talk to itself, it is possible to analyze the role of inner speech in robot awareness and self-awareness, opening new interesting research scenarios not yet investigated

Cultural and socio-economic impacts of Mediterranean marine protected areas

Marine protected areas (MPAs) may be important for protecting the marine environment, but they may also have substantial socio-cultural impacts about which very little is currently known, or acknowledged. In the Mediterranean, few data are available on the socio-economic consequences of MPAs. The present study reviews the existing data on MPAs in Spain, France, Italy and Greece. A general increase in tourist activities in Mediterranean MPAs is evident, as are increases in the abundances of larger fish species, although there are no data indicating yields for fisheries increase adjacent to MPAs. A large increase in the number of divers and vessels using MPAs has already had impacts on natural benthic communities as a result of diver damage, mooring and the feeding of large fish by divers. Emphasis has been given in only a few MPAs to promoting public awareness of these impacts. Although the conservation of nature should be considered the fundamental objective of MPAs, neglecting their social, cultural and economic impacts has at times led to poor local consensus, if not hostility. We believe that planning and managing MPAs should be conducted on a multidisciplinary basis. Nonetheless, no single model can be considered valid for the whole Mediterranean. The very variable characteristics of coastal areas, from those of small uninhabited islands to those of cities, require different weightings to be assigned for each factor in order to achieve a durable equilibrium and realize the original objectives of each MPA. Only with such flexibility of management will it be possible to reach a greater understanding of the MPA system and create a lasting consensus in favour of conservation, a consensus which would mean an overwhelming majority of people actively avoiding damaging nature and preventing others from doing so.This paper was realized with funds from the EU CEC DGXII–MAST III contract number: MAS3-ct97–0155