Search results for "FLEX"

Targeted steel frames by means of innovative moment resisting connections

2021

Abstract The present paper proposes the use of stepped cross section devices on steel frames aiming at reproducing a pre-established target push-over curve. To this aim a Limited Resistance Plastic Device (LRPD) to be inserted along selected structural members is proposed. The following two main specific features for LRPD are required: any elastic flexural stiffness variation of the original selected member must be avoided; an ultimate plastic bending moment value equal to an assigned percentage of the original limit resistance value must be ensured. Steel frames equipped with LRPD are modeled by means of an extension of a recently proposed Fibre Smart Displacement Based (FSDB) beam element…

Nuovi derivati della Dopamina nell’Addiction da sostanze d’abuso: studi preclinici su modelli sperimentali murini

Studies on a new potential dopaminergic agent: in vitro BBB permeability, in vivo behavioural effects and molecular docking evaluation.

2015

2-Amino-N-[2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-phenyl-propionamide (DA-PHEN) has been previously synthesized to obtain a potential prodrug capable of release dopamine (DA) into CNS. However, DA-PHEN could act per se as a dopaminergic drug. In this study, the permeability transport (Pe), obtained by parallel artificial permeability assay (PAMPA), indicated a low passive transcellular transport (Pe = 0.32 ± 0.01 × 10(-6 )cm/s). Using the Caco-2 cell system, the Papp AP-BL in absorptive direction (3.36 ± 0.02 × 10(-5 )cm/s) was significantly higher than the Papp BL-AP in secretive direction (1.75 ± 0.07 × 10(-5 )cm/s), suggesting a polarized transport. The efflux ratio (Papp AP-BL/Papp BL-AP = 0…

A survey on IVIVC/IVIVR development in the pharmaceutical industry – Past experience and current perspectives

2017

The present work aimed to describe the current status of IVIVC/IVIVR development in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on the use and perception of specific approaches as well as successful and failed case studies. Two questionnaires have been distributed to 13 EFPIA partners of the Oral Biopharmaceutics Tools Initiative and to the Pharmacokinetics Working Party of the European Medicines Agency in order to capture the perspectives and experiences of industry scientists and agency members, respectively. Responses from ten companies and three European Agencies were received between May 21st 2014 and January 19th 2016. The majority of the companies acknowledged the importance of IVIVC/IVIVR…

Validity and reliability of the DiCI for the measurement of shoulder flexion and abduction strength in asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects

2021

Background A higher risk of shoulder injury in the athletic and non-athletic population is frequently associated with strength deficits. Therefore, shoulder strength assessment can be clinically useful to identify and to quantify the magnitude of strength deficit. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of a DiCI (a new hand-held dynamometer) for the measurement of shoulder flexion and abduction strength in asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Methods Forty-three recreational athletes (29 males and 14 females; age: 22.1 ± 0.47 years; body mass: 68.7 ± 13.1 kg; height = 173.3 ± 9.7 cm) and 40 symptomatic subjects (28 males and 12 females; age: 49.9 ± 8.1 y…

Specific modulation of corticospinal and spinal excitabilities during maximal voluntary isometric, shortening and lengthening contractions in synergi…

2011

Non-technical summary  The neural control of muscle activity differs during voluntary shortening and lengthening contractions. In this paper, we show that the relative contribution of both cortical and spinal mechanisms to the modulation of neural activation is specific during lengthening contraction and differs between synergist muscles. Knowledge of spinal and corticospinal excitabilities modulations during shortening and lengthening muscle contraction improves our understanding of the processes that underlies the neural control of muscles during dynamic contractions.

Swing options in commodity markets: a multidimensional Lévy diffusion model

2013

Author's version of an article in the journal: Mathematical Methods of Operations Research. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00186-013-0452-7 We study valuation of swing options on commodity markets when the commodity prices are driven by multiple factors. The factors are modeled as diffusion processes driven by a multidimensional Lévy process. We set up a valuation model in terms of a dynamic programming problem where the option can be exercised continuously in time. Here, the number of swing rights is given by a total volume constraint. We analyze some general properties of the model and study the solution by analyzing the associated HJB-equation. Furthermo…

Suppressive Efficacy by a Commercially Available Blue Lens on PPR in 610 Photosensitive Epilepsy Patients

2006

Purpose Photosensitivity can represent a serious problem in epilepsy patients, also because pharmacologic treatment is often ineffective. Nonpharmacologic treatment using blue sunglasses is effective and safe in controlling photosensitivity, but large series of patients have never been studied. Methods This multicenter study was conducted in 12 epilepsy centers in northern, central, southern, and insular Italy. A commercially available lens, named Z1, obtained in a previous trial, was used to test consecutively enrolled pediatric and adult epilepsy patients with photosensitivity. Only type 4 photosensitivity (photoparoxysmal response, PPR) was considered in the study. A standardized method …

Management in the 24/7-society raises concerns of fairness and social responsibility

2018

Purpose Despite the pressure on work-family polices arising from the increase in nonstandard working times in various sectors, only a few studies have addressed management practices in 24/7 workplaces. This paper aims to investigate the challenges Finnish managers face in meeting the various tensions stemming from nonstandard working hours and services operating 24/7. Two typical 24/7 work contexts are focused: the hospitality and retail industries and flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. The emphasis is on management practices relating to the planning of work shifts and children’s care schedules. Design/methodology/approach Study 1 comprises focus group i…

Privilege or tragedy? : Educators’ accounts of flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care

2017

This article explores accounts given by Finnish educators ( n = 31) on the topic of flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care (i.e. childcare provided during non-standard as well as standard hours). Previous research has shown this to be a sensitive topic because of the contradiction between what is deemed in the interests of children and the fact of providing childcare during non-standard hours. The research follows the principles of discursive psychology. Educators’ accounts were labelled as excusing, compensating, normalising and justifying. Accounts categorised as excusing and compensating shared concern over the effects of childcare during non-standard hours on children’s w…