Shape optimization of an elastic thin shell under various criteria

The aim of this study is to propose a methodology for optimizing the shape (middle surface and thickness) of an elastic general thin shell (i) under different criteria: minimization of the weight, of the stresses, of the strain energy; (ii) with or without constraints: if any, these can be bounds on some displacements, on some stresses.This is a common problem in real life, the engineer has to construct structures which have the best mechanical behaviour and the best price; the price is often proportional to the weight of the structure.In this paper only the general continuous formulation of the problems is considered. From this strong basis a corresponding discrete formulation and some industrial applications will subsequently be developed.     

A method based on Graph Theory and Three Way Decisions to evaluate critical regions in epidemic diffusion:

Applied Intelligence - The paper reports the results of an analysis of COVID-19 diffusion in Italy. The analysis was carried out with a new method based on the combined use of a 3 Way Decisions...     

Link quality estimation in wireless multi-hop networks using Kernel based methods

A new approach for link modelling in wireless multi-hop networks is described for portable devices, based on Kernel Regression Statistics. A non-parametric estimation of errors in the wireless medium provides an efficient and accurate model of link errors between any two nodes. This estimation results from the analysis of the inter-arrival time between any periodically sent packets. The obtained results prove that it is possible to infer on link quality without having unrealistic assumptions or additional overhead, by using Kernel Methods. Moreover, similar performances were achieved for different scenarios, without requiring model recalculations. The presented results show that the proposed link quality estimation can be used in order to improve wireless connectivity and ubiquity in future networks.     

Risk in Transport Investments

We discuss how the standard Cost-Benefit Analysis should be modified in order to take risk (and uncertainty) into account. We propose different approaches used in finance (Value at Risk, Conditional Value at Risk, Downside Risk Measures, and Efficiency Ratio) as useful tools to model the impact of risk in project evaluation. After introducing the concepts, we show how they could be used in CBA and provide some simple examples to illustrate how such concepts can be applied to evaluate the desirability of a new project infrastructure.     

Nitric Oxide (NO) Scaffolds the Peroxisomal Protein–Protein Interaction Network in Higher Plants

The peroxisome is a single-membrane subcellular compartment present in almost all eukaryotic cells from simple protists and fungi to complex organisms such as higher plants and animals. Historically, the name of the peroxisome came from a subcellular structure that contained high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and the antioxidant enzyme catalase, which indicated that this organelle had basically an oxidative metabolism. During the last 20 years, it has been shown that plant peroxisomes also contain nitric oxide (NO), a radical molecule than leads to a family of derived molecules designated as reactive nitrogen species (RNS). These reactive species can mediate post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins, such as S-nitrosation and tyrosine nitration, thus affecting their function. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how NO could affect peroxisomal metabolism and its internal protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Remarkably, many of the identified NO-target proteins in plant peroxisomes are involved in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), either in its generation or its scavenging. Therefore, it is proposed that NO is a molecule with signaling properties with the capacity to modulate the peroxisomal protein-protein network and consequently the peroxisomal functions, especially under adverse environmental conditions.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blocking Pyrroline Derivatives Endowed with Both Antiarrhythmic and Antioxidant Activities

Under the hypothesis that cardioprotective agents might benefit from synergism between antiarrhythmic activity and antioxidant properties, a small series of mexiletine analogues were coupled with the 2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrroline moiety, known for its antioxidant effect, in order to obtain dual-acting drugs potentially useful in the protection of the heart against post-ischemic reperfusion injury. The pyrroline derivatives reported herein were found to be more potent as antiarrhythmic agents than mexiletine and displayed antioxidant activity. The most interesting tetramethylpyrroline congener, a tert-butyl-substituted analogue, was at least 100 times more active as an antiarrhythmic than mexiletine.     

Self-scaling cooperative discovery of service compositions in unstructured P2P networks

We propose an efficient technique for improving the performance of automatic and cooperative compositions in unstructured Peer-to-Peer networks during service discovery. The technique exploits a probabilistic forwarding algorithm that uses different sources of knowledge, such as network density and service grouping, to reduce the amount of messages exchanged in the network. The technique, analysed in several network configurations by using a simulator to observe resolution time, recall and message overhead, presents good performance especially in dense and large-scale service networks.     

What Borromini Might Have Known About Ovals. Ruler and Compass Constructions

This paper is about drawing ovals using a given number of certain parameters. New constructions are displayed, including the case when the symmetry axes are not given. Many of these constructions make use of a recent conjecture by Ragazzo, for which a Euclidean proof is found, thus suggesting it might have been known at the time Borromini chose the ovals for the dome of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. A geometric proof of the same conjecture—as well as constructions—in the more general case of eggs and polycentric curves is the subject of the first part of this same research (Mazzotti, a Euclidean approach to eggs and polycentric curves, 2014).     

Variability for oil and fatty acid composition in castorbean varieties

Thirty-six castorbean varieties were surveyed for oil and fatty acid composition, in order to determine variability of these seed compounds. A large variability of seed oil percentage was observed, ranging from 39.6 to 59.5%. Concerning the fatty acids, little variability was observed for ricinoleic acid, which was the most abundant in the oil, ranging from 83.65 to 90.00%. The other fatty acids appeared in small concentrations and showed a small range: 0.87 to 2.35, 0.68 to 1.84, 2.96 to 5.64, 3.19 to 5.98, and 0.34 to 0.91%, for palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid, respectively. Non-significant correlations were observed between fatty acids and seed oil percentage. However, significant correlations were observed among fatty acid concentrations: positive and negative ones. These significant correlations could be associated with the biosynthetic pathways of the fatty acids, which are not fully elucidated. They suggest, however, that selection for a particular fatty acid will tend to increase those positively correlated, and decrease those negative ones. Selection and plant breeding techniques could then be applied to modify the oil content of the castorbean seeds, considering the variability observed. For the fatty acid composition, however, the variability was not large enough to make substantial changes in their concentrations by selection procedures. More varieties should be surveyed to find out if such variability is available.