Search results for " sensitivity"
showing 10 items of 947 documents
The GSA-GLUE approach for uncertainty assessment of an integrated MBR model
2012
In the recent literature, the uncertainty of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) modelling has had relevant interest both for designers and operators. Indeed, the frequent data lacking and the need to improve process knowledge, in case of innovative technologies, make the use of mathematical models more uncertain. Therefore, the need to make model uncertainty more explicit is warmly recommended. However, only few applications of uncertainty analysis in the wastewater field have been carried out. In this work, the combination of the global sensitivity analysis (GSA) and the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) is applied for the uncertainty assessment of a WWTP model, in order …
An intelligent way to predict the building thermal needs: ANNs and optimization
2022
The evaluation of the energy performance of existing or new buildings is a fundamental action to guarantee the feasibility of a project and the achievement of the minimum efficiency requirements. In general, the determination of the thermal loads of a building is carried out via software but their use requires adequate knowledge of physical phenomena and therefore the presence of an expert user. Furthermore, the resolution can be difficult to implement and can require high computational costs; all conditions that can influence the success of a project. Based on these considerations, this work proposes an alternative solution to traditional calculation tools, which in a simple and effective …
Anidulafungin in combination with amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus.
2009
ABSTRACT We investigated the effects of anidulafungin alone and in combination with amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus . Indifference was the only type of interaction observed in vitro. Anidulafungin at 1 and 5 mg/kg of body weight/day, amphotericin B at 1 mg/kg/day, and combination therapy prolonged the survival of mice with invasive aspergillosis. Anidulafungin at 5 mg/kg/day, alone and in combination with amphotericin B, reduced the kidney fungal burden. Overall, the combination was not superior to the most active single drug.
Molecular Epidemiological Survey ofCitrobacter freundiiMisidentified asCronobacterspp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) andEnterobacter hormaecheiIsolated fr…
2011
A total of 75 powdered infant milk formula (PIF) samples collected from pharmacies and drugstores in Western Sicily, Italy, and representative of 12 different brands were analyzed in this study to evaluate their microbiological quality. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration protocol, 32 samples out of 75 were contaminated by enterobacteria. Commercial biochemical API(r) 20E-system identification method indicated that six PIF samples were presumptively contaminated by Cronobacter spp., but further characterization by alpha-glucosidase based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay identification strongly suggested that these strains did not belong to the genus Cronobacter. Phylogen…
Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Potential of Artemisia arborescens L. Essential Oil
2011
This study was undertaken to characterize the essential oil (EO) of Artemisia arborescens growing wild in Sicily. EO, extracted by steam distillation, was examined for its chemical composition and for its capability to inhibit some food-borne pathogen bacteria. A total of 43 compounds (13 monoterpene hydrocarbons, 14 oxygenated monoterpenes, 10 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, three oxygenated sesquiterpenes and less amount of other three compounds), which account 93.73% of the total oil, were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Oxygenated monoterpenes (57.32%) constituted the main fraction, with β-thujone as the main compound (45.04%), followed by the sesq…
In vitro evaluation of the antibacterial activity of cured dentin/enamel adhesive incorporating the antimicrobial agent MDPB
2010
The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the antibacterial effect of a dentin/enamel adhesive containing MDPB (Clearfil Protect Bond) after curing and to compare it with an adhesive not containing MDPB (Clearfil SE Bond). The antibacterial effect of the cured adhesives was tested on Enterococcus faecalis by the evaluation of growth inhibition in a 48-h microplate direct contact test (DCT). The presence of antibacterial activity due to soluble components was also investigated by an agar diffusion test (ADT) performed with the adhesives cured on the surface of dentin disks. In the DCT, both the tested materials showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth until the 7-h reading, reg…
Potential tolerability of ancient grains in non-celiac wheat sensitivity patients: A preliminary evaluation
2022
Background and aimsA wheat-free diet (WFD) represents the elective treatment for Non-celiac Wheat Sensitivity (NCWS) patients. Preliminary reports have shown a possible better tolerability of ancient grains in these subjects. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the frequency of consumption of ancient grains and its correlation with clinical manifestations in NCWS patients.Methods223 NCWS patients were recruited, and their consumption of ancient grains was monitored. Participants were first administered a modified version of the Pavia/Biagi questionnaire to investigate their adherence to “modern WFD.” The appearance/exacerbation of symptoms after ingestion of ancient grains w…
Reply
2016
We thank Volta et al for their interest in our work1 and for their comments and data on the frequency of autoimmune diseases and serum autoantibodies in patients suffering from nonceliac wheat sensitivity (NCWS). These authoritative colleagues have emphasized that celiac disease is a well-established autoimmune condition, and we agree that NCWS is still an undefined syndrome with uncertain pathogenesis.
Non-celiac wheat sensitivity and ANA positivity: is there any association with autoimmune disease?
2016
Introduction: In the last decade non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) has raised great interest but unfortunately little is known about the risks linked to this condition. Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) and of serum anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in these patients. Materials and Methods: We recruited 131 NCWS patients (121 F, mean age 39.1 years), belonging to a historical cohort retrospectively evaluated, at two Internal Medicine Institutes. Two groups of age- and sex-matched controls, respectively composed of celiac (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, were also chosen. Co-existent of AIDs was recorded by a pre-structured questionnaire. …
Non-celiac wheat sensitivity: a search for the pathogenesis of a self-reported condition
2019
A significant percentage of the general population reports gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal symptoms caused by wheat and/or gluten ingestion, even though they do not suffer from celiac disease (CD) or wheat allergy (WS), because they test negative both for CD-specific serology and histopathology. All patients report improvement of symptoms on a gluten-free diet. This clinical condition has been named non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The objective of this paper was to review some studies regarding the pathogenesis of NCGS to summarize the current hypotheses about the mechanisms, which can lead to NCGS. Particular attention was given to the immunologic and the malabsorptive hypo…