Epuraea imperialis (Reitter, 1877). New invasive species of Nitidulidae (Coleoptera) in Europe, with a checklist of sap beetles introduced to Europe and Mediterranean areas

Australian species Epuraea imperialis (Reitter, 1877), previously introduced to New Zealand, is recorded as a new invasive species from the Canary Islands, Continental Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, and Italy. It is redescribed and figured, and its taxonomic position in the genus Epuraea Erichson, 1843 is discussed. A tentative checklist of sap beetles introduced to Europe and the Mediterranean areas is finally included

INFLUENCE OF BOND-SLIP ON NUMERICAL FRAGILITY CURVES AND STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY OF RC STRUCTURAL INTERNAL BEAM-COLUMN SUB-ASSEMBLY

In this paper results obtained from monotonic nonlinear static analyses performed on Re-inforced Concrete (RC) internal beam-column sub-assembly are shown. Bond-slip phenome-non between steel longitudinal bars and surrounding concrete is also taken into account in order to predict the numerical response under lateral actions of the RC internal beam-column sub-assembly investigated. The study is addressed, through parametric models and Monte Carlo simulations, to pro-pose preliminary fragility curves for different damage states of the RC internal beam-column sub-assembly, including materials inherent uncertainties

Seismic risk analysis on masonry buildings damaged by L’Aquila 2009 and Emilia 2012 earthquakes

Earthquakes in the recent past continue to provide more and more information on the seismic behavior of existing buildings and on the related economic losses. For the reason it is interesting to compare the damage of buildings stocks archived after earthquakes survey activities. In this paper a study of the damage occurred on masonry buildings after L’Aquila 2009 and Emilia 2012 earthquakes is carried out, by considering the data available in the web-gis Da.D.O platform. Firstly, fragility curves are illustrated and compared by considering the vulnerability classes of Da.D.O. (Class A, Class B and Class C1). Then, an approach is proposed in order to evaluate the total Expected Annual Loss (EALtot) and its contributions due to the several damage level (D1, …, D5). The preliminary obtained results show that, with reference to the two masonry buildings stocks considered, the higher contribution to the (EALtot) is given by the damage level D3, that may be considered as the life safety limit state. In the case analyzed, the corresponding EALD3 results almost equal to 1/3 of EALtot

Typological seismic losses assessment by damaged masonry buildings after L’Aquila 2009 and Emilia 2012 earthquakes

In this paper a seismic risk analysis of masonry buildings based on damage data from the 2009 L'Aquila and 2012 Emilia earthquakes. The seismic vulnerability is described by fragility curves from which economic loss curves are derived for each representative typological class of masonry buildings. The information on the buildings was collected by the Italian Civil Protection Department with the AeDES form and available in the Observed Damage Database (D.a.D.O.). The reliability of the database considered, however, was improved by carrying out a process of estimating undamaged buildings from data from the 15th ISTAT census. Finally, for each damage level, according to EMS-98 scale, a procedure to derive the Expected Annual Loss is presented, so as to express its percentage contribution in the seismic risk assessment

Elective surgery for colorectal cancer in the aged: a clinical-economical evaluation.

A series of 56 consecutive patients, referred for surgery to a specialized institute, had elective laparotomies with various surgical procedures aimed at curing locoregional colorectal cancer. Data defining patient and tumour-related preoperative, operative and postoperative variables, including costs, were collected. The study group was divided into two age groups (< 65 vs > or = 65 years), which were similar in terms of patient- and tumour-related variables. Differences were not statistically significant (Pounds 440; 95% exact CI; Pounds -50; 1800). There is no evidence to suggest that there are any total charge differences in treating the two age groups, as confirmed by the cost analysis

Evaluation of antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of nano-sized bioactive glass/collagen composites releasing tetracycline hydrochloride

Aims: To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of silicate bioactive glass nanoparticles/collagen composites functionalized with tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). Methods and Results: Different concentrations of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) were incorporated on silicate bioactive glass nanoparticles/collagen composites by dipping these biomaterials for 48 h at 37°C in a solution of simulated body fluid (SBF) plus 0 05, 0 20 or 0 35 mg ml1 of the antibiotic. TCH release was assessed in double-distilled water at 37°C up to 72 h. The antibacterial activity of the samples has been evaluated in two ways: inhibition zone test and plate count method. The experiments were performed in vitro up to 48 h on four staphylococci strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, ATCC25923, ATCC6538P and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC12228). The new composites were also tested for cytotoxicity on MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. The results showed that the incorporation and release of TCH was dependent on the initial concentration of TCH in SBF. The biomaterials also inhibited the Staph. aureus cell growth even though the efficacy was similar for all concentration. On the other hand, no cytotoxic effects were found on osteoblast-like cells, even at the highest concentration. Conclusions: Considering all results, it can be concluded that the new composite acts as a suitable bioactive carrier of TCH and could have potential in the prevention of biomaterial related infections. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results suggest a potential application as wound dressing.Fil: Rivadeneira, Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Di Virgilio, Ana Laura. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Audisio, Marcela Carina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Boccaccini, A. R.. University of Erlangen-Nuremberg; AlemaniaFil: Gorustovich Alonso, Alejandro Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnologías y Ciencias de la Ingeniería "Hilario Fernández Long"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; Argentin