0000000000254263
AUTHOR
M. Saporito
Evaluation of Clutch Plate Integrity with Non-Destructive Methods
Abstract Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) represents an important phase in the life cycle of a product to detect defects both in service and in production. NDE techniques most commonly used to detect surface defects are visual inspection and methods based on eddy current and ultrasound. Laser and non-contact sensors have been recently used to inspect ultrasonically without contact. Components with complex geometry are usually inspected combining several NDE techniques, or simply visually where analysis and evaluation of results are performed by an operator based on specific parameters of acceptance. This last method is currently used to inspect the clutch plates since their complex geometry,…
Predicting the failure in distal femur fractures.
Abstract Introduction The incidence of nonunion after fractures of the distal femur is up to 6%. The distal femoral nonunion is a disabling disease that needs complex steps in his treatment. Aim of our study is to find predicting factors of non-unions. Materials and methods We retrospectively analyzed 116 cases of distal femoral fractures and 20 cases of non-unions. In both surgeries we analyzed: accuracy of reduction, stability of fixation, hardware used, residual medial or lateral bone defect, use of autologous or heterologous bone grafts. Results Malreduction, particularly axial defect, associated with unbalanced fixation, and a medial cortical bone defect of greater or lesser extent wer…
Contact between the components of a knee prosthesis: numerical and experimental study
The aim of this work is the analysis of the contact area in a knee prosthesis using two different approaches. In particular, the interface between the femoral component and the polyethylene insert has been studied both numerically and experimentally. The interest in studying the contact area is related to the fact that the wear of the polyethylene insert, due to the high contact pressures, represents one of the major causes of failure of the total knee prosthesis. The possibility to evaluate the contact area at different loads and mutual position between femur and tibia is, therefore, of fundamental importance to study the service life of a prosthesis and to improve its performance. The fin…
An Update of the Evolving Epidemic of blaKPC Carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae in Sicily, Italy, 2014: Emergence of Multiple Non-ST258 Clones
Background: In Italy, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) strains are highly endemic and KPC producing CC258 is reported as the widely predominating clone. In Palermo, Italy, previous reports have confirmed this pattern. However, recent preliminary findings suggest that an epidemiological change is likely ongoing towards a polyclonal KPC-Kp spread. Here we present the results of molecular typing of 94 carbapenem non susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates detected during 2014 in the three different hospitals in Palermo, Italy. Methods and Results: Ninety-four consecutive, non replicate carbapenem non susceptible isolates were identified in the three largest acute…
Enteral feeding policies for extremely low birth weight infants. A survey in 74 Italian neonatal intensive cAre units
Background: Enterai feeding for infants with birth weight1000 g (ELBWI) is still a controversial issue. The aim of the present survey was to ascertain the attitudes of Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) regarding this point. Method: A questionnaire, with multiple choice answers, regarding the timing of enteral feeding, its progression, the different techniques utilised, the eventual use of fortifiers and the interrupting criteria, was mailed to 92 Italian NICUs. Results: 74 NICUs all over the country participated in the study.1153 ELBWI were hospitalised in 1996 in these Units. Enterai feeding for babies between 501 g and 750 g is started on the 1st day of life in 23.3% of the NI…