Search results for "flux [cosmic radiation]"
showing 10 items of 153 documents
Sensorless Speed Control for Double-Sided Linear Induction Motor Applications
2019
In this work, a flux and speed observer for double-sided linear induction motor applications is presented and experimentally validated. More in detail, from a Double-Sided Linear Induction Motor (DLIM) prototype, the complete modelling and the determination of the related parameters are here reported. Furthermore, the equations for a d-flux and q-flux observer are conceived and several simulation tests are performed. From the good agreements between the trends over time of the speed estimated by the observer and the simulated one, it can be stated that the observer is well designed. Moreover, in order to experimentally validate the proposed observer, a test bench is set-up for the DLIM/obse…
EFMviz
2020
Elementary Flux Modes (EFMs) are a tool for constraint-based modeling and metabolic network analysis. However, systematic and automated visualization of EFMs, capable of integrating various data types is still a challenge. In this study, we developed an extension for the widely adopted COBRA Toolbox, EFMviz, for analysis and graphical visualization of EFMs as networks of reactions, metabolites and genes. The analysis workflow offers a platform for EFM visualization to improve EFM interpretability by connecting COBRA toolbox with the network analysis and visualization software Cytoscape. The biological applicability of EFMviz is demonstrated in two use cases on medium (Escherichia coli, iAF1…
Protective and regenerative effects of a novel medical device against esophageal mucosal damage using in vitro and ex vivo models.
2020
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common digestive disorder that causes esophagitis and injuries to the esophageal mucosa. GERD symptoms are recurrent during pregnancy and their treatment is focused on lifestyle changes and nonprescription medicines. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanism of action of a new patented medical device, an oral formulation containing hyaluronic acid, rice extract, and amino acids dispersed in a bioadhesive polymer matrix, by assessing its protective effects in in vitro and ex vivo models of esophageal mucosa damage. Acidic bile salts and pepsin cocktail (BSC) added to CP-A and COLO-680 N esophagus cells were used as an in vitro GERD mo…
HIV infection results in metabolic alterations in the gut microbiota different from those induced by other diseases.
2016
Imbalances in gut bacteria have been associated with multiple diseases. However, whether there are disease-specific changes in gut microbial metabolism remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (n=33) changes, at quantifiable levels, the metabolism of gut bacteria. These changes are different than those observed in patients with the auto-immune disease systemic lupus erythaematosus (n=18), and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (n=6). Using healthy controls as a baseline (n=16), we demonstrate that a trend in the nature and directionality of the metabolic changes exists according to the type of the disease. The impact on the gut microbia…
Nature lessons: the whitefly bacterial endosymbiont is a minimal amino acid factory with unusual energetics
2016
Reductive genome evolution is a universal phenomenon observed in endosymbiotic bacteria in insects. As the genome reduces its size and irreversibly losses coding genes, the functionalities of the cell system, including the energetics processes, are more restricted. Several energetic pathways can also be lost. How do these reduced metabolic networks sustain the energy needs of the system? Among the bacteria with reduced genomes Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum, obligate endosymbiont of whiteflies, represents an extreme case since lacks several key mechanisms for ATP generation. Thus, to analyze the cell energetics in this system, a genome-scale metabolic model of this endosymbiont was const…
Psychometric validation of the Italian translation of the gastrointestinal symptom-rating scale and quality of life in reflux and dyspepsia questionn…
2007
Background: Symptoms of heartburn and their impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) are often evaluated in clinical trials. When a questionnaire is translated into a new language, a linguistic validation is necessary but not sufficient unless the psychometric characteristics have been verified. Objective: To document the psychometric characteristics of the Italian translation of the Gastrointestinal Symptom-Rating Scale (GSRS) and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) questionnaire. Patients and methods: 152 consecutive patients with symptoms of heartburn (mean ±SD age 46.5 ± 16.2 years; 40.1% males) completed the Italian translation of GSRS, the heartburn version of QO…
Effects of rainfall events on the evapotranspiration retrieved by an energy balance model
2009
An alternative way to map the actual evapotranspiration (ET) spatial distribution at daily scale is the application of residual surface energy balance models to satellite images that are characterised by high temporal frequency and moderate spatial resolution, like those acquired by the MODIS sensors on board of TERRA and AQUA platforms. Within this research the well-known SEBAL model has been applied on an area located in the southern part of Sicily (Imera Meridionale catchment) using four images acquired between the 27th of March and the 11th of April 2007. The catchment extends for about 2000 km2 and includes both mountains and hill areas: the first are located in the northern part (the …
Lomitapide affects HDL composition and function
2016
Abstract Background Lomitapide reduces low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) but also high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The latter may reduce the clinical efficacy of lomitapide. We investigated the effect of lomitapide on HDL-C levels and on cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of HDL in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Methods and results Four HoFH patients were treated with increasing dosages of lomitapide. Lomitapide decreased LDL-C (range −34 to −89%). Total HDL-C levels decreased (range −16 to −34%) with a shift to buoyant HDL. ABCA1-mediated CEC decreased in all patients (range −39 to −99%). The changes of total, ABCG1- and SR-BI-me…
Hiatal hernia, gastro-oesophageal reflux and oesophagitis: videofluorographic, endoscopic and histopathological correlation
2004
The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between hiatal hernia and gastro-oesophageal reflux and related histological abnormalities in patients without endoscopic oesophagitis. A consecutive series of 78 patients with a history of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and hiatal hernia, as defined by videofluorography combined with a water siphon test, underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and multiple biopsies. Hiatal hernia was confirmed endoscopically in 99% of cases. The water siphon test was positive for reflux in 72% of cases. At endoscopy 42% of patients had oesophagitis and/or Barrett's oesophagus and 58% had no lesions. In the group without endoscopic lesions, at histology…
Reflux nephropathy: a clinico-pathological study of 16 cases.
1991
The pathologic features of 16 nephrectomy specimens obtained from patients with a radiological diagnosis of reflux nephropathy were analyzed. Chronic pyelonephritis was diagnosed in 7 cases, renal dysplasia in 5 and segmental atrophy in 4. Clear correlations between pathologic pictures and pathogenic mechanisms involved in the development of renal lesions in kidneys with reflux are difficult to establish. These results show, however, that 'reflux nephropathy' is a broad term, which encompasses both congenital and acquired renal lesions.