Search results for "Article Subject"
showing 10 items of 698 documents
Solving continuous models with dependent uncertainty: a computational approach
2013
This paper presents a computational study on a quasi-Galerkin projection-based method to deal with a class of systems of random ordinary differential equations (r.o.d.e.'s) which is assumed to depend on a finite number of random variables (r.v.'s). This class of systems of r.o.d.e.'s appears in different areas, particularly in epidemiology modelling. In contrast with the other available Galerkin-based techniques, such as the generalized Polynomial Chaos, the proposed method expands the solution directly in terms of the random inputs rather than auxiliary r.v.'s. Theoretically, Galerkin projection-based methods take advantage of orthogonality with the aim of simplifying the involved computat…
Optimal Paths on Urban Networks Using Travelling Times Prevision
2012
We deal with an algorithm that, once origin and destination are fixed, individuates the route that permits to reach the destination in the shortest time, respecting an assigned maximal travel time, and with risks measure below a given threshold. A fluid dynamic model for road networks, according to initial car densities on roads and traffic coefficients at junctions, forecasts the future traffic evolution, giving dynamical weights to a constrained 𝐾 shortest path algorithm. Simulations are performed on a case study to test the efficiency of the proposed procedure.
Best Proximity Points for Some Classes of Proximal Contractions
2013
Given a self-mapping g: A → A and a non-self-mapping T: A → B, the aim of this work is to provide sufficient conditions for the existence of a unique point x ∈ A, called g-best proximity point, which satisfies d g x, T x = d A, B. In so doing, we provide a useful answer for the resolution of the nonlinear programming problem of globally minimizing the real valued function x → d g x, T x, thereby getting an optimal approximate solution to the equation T x = g x. An iterative algorithm is also presented to compute a solution of such problems. Our results generalize a result due to Rhoades (2001) and hence such results provide an extension of Banach's contraction principle to the case of non-s…
Nucleus disc replacement : designs and material selection FEA analysis
2022
Study Design. We selected the materials and implant design and performed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) studies. Background. Nucleus disc replacements, implanted since 1960, have undergone continuous evolution in materials and designs, but subsidence, extrusion, and in vivo degradation limit widespread use. Aim. The aim of this study is to create a new nucleus disc replacement that avoids the abovementioned drawbacks. Material and Methods. We created eighteen designs with varied materials and analyzed them with FEA in compression and shear tests in a lumbar spine model programmed in Ansys Parametric Design Language. Results. Bionate® 80A had the closest mechanical characteristics to the inta…
How to enhance digital support for cross-organisational health care teams? A user-based explorative study
2020
Health care service provision of individualised treatment to an ageing population prone to chronic conditions and multimorbidities is threatened. There is a need for digitally supported care, that is, (1) person-centred, (2) integrated, and (3) proactive. The research project 3P, Patients and Professionals in Productive Teams, aimed to validate and verify the prerequisites for health care systems run with patient-centred service models. This paper presents an explorative study of the digital support of a cross-organisational health care team in Norway, providing services to elderly frail people with multimorbidities in hospital discharge transition. Qualitative research methods were employe…
Two Rare Northern Entoloma Species Observed in Sicily under Exceptionally Cold Weather Conditions
2011
The biology and ecology of manyEntolomaspecies is still poorly known as well as their geographical distribution. In Italy, there are no studies on the influence of weather on fungal abundance and richness and our knowledge on the ecology and distribution ofEntolomaspecies needs to be improved. The discovery of twoEntolomaspecies in Sicily (southern Italy), reported in the literature as belonging to the habitat of north European countries, was the basis leading to the assumption that anomalous climatic conditions could stimulate the growth of northern entolomas in the southernmost Mediterranean regions. The results of this study show that the presence of northernEntolomaspecies in Sicily is …
Listeria spp. in Street-Vended Ready-to-Eat Foods.
2011
Street-vended ready-to-eat food sold in Egypt, including sandwiches and dishes of traditional food, was examined for the presence ofListeriaspecies. Out of 576 samples, 24% were found to containListeriaspecies.L. monocytogenesandL. innocuawere isolated from 57% and 39% of the contaminated samples, respectively. OtherListeriaspp. were detected with lower frequency.L. monocytogenesof ≥103 CFU/g were detected in 7% of the total examined samples, which represent 49% of the contaminated food samples (meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and products of plant origin). Most of the samples contaminated byL. monocytogeneshad high levels of total viable bacterial counts. The results obtained may h…
Antibiotic-Resistant Gram Negative Bacilli in Meals Delivered at a General Hospital, Italy
2009
This study aimed at detecting the presence of antibiotic-resistant Gram-negatives in samples of meals delivered at the University General Hospital of Palermo, Italy. Antibiotic resistant Gram negatives were isolated in July—September 2007 ffrom cold dishes and food contact surfaces and utensils. Bacterial strains were submitted to susceptibility test and subtyped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Forty-six of 55 (83.6%) food samples and 14 of 17 (82.3%) environmental swabs were culture positive for Gram negative bacilli resistant to at least one group of antibacterial drugs. A total of 134 antibiotic resistant strains, 51 fermenters and 83 non-fermenters, were recovered. Fe…
Helicobacter pylori: Infection and New Perspective for the Treatment
2019
The alarming phenomenon of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori suggests to pay close attention in the treatment. In particular, the clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori was designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as high priority for antibiotic research in 2017 [1]. In Italy, the overall primary resistance to clarithromycin can be detected in 35.2% of cases; in France, it can be detected in 26% of cases, while in Spain, clarithromycin resistance is present in 27.2% of strains [2–4]. Natural/innovative strategies, as well as novel potentiators to restore the antibiotic susceptibility in resistant strains, could be used to improve the efficacy of H. pylori eradication, and …
Oxidant antioxidants and adaptive responses to exercise.
2015
The extensive damage produced by unaccustomed (acute) exercise and the health benefits of regular physical activity are well-known phenomena as well as the role played in them by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present issue reports some interesting studies showing that the Janus faced effects of exercise-induced ROS in skeletal muscle. Most studies dealing with ROS contribution to acute exercise-induced tissue damage determine the levels of markers of oxidative damage to specific substances but they do not take into account total redox status of an individual before and after exercise. In their research article D. Stagos et al. used markers measuring plasma static (sORP) and capacity (c…