Transient diffusion with n-order irreversible chemical reaction: A finite element approach

Using the GALERKIN procedure, a finite element approximation of the non linear equation describing transient diffusion with irreversible chemical reactThe outlined method, accounting for a variety of complex geometrical domains and boundary conditions, is applicable to a wide variety of problems in wh     

An 84 GHz Bandwidth and 20 dB Gain Broadband Amplifier in SiGe Bipolar Technology

This paper reports on the design, fabrication, and characterization of a lumped broadband amplifier in SiGe bipolar technology. The measured differential gain is 20 dB with a 3-dB bandwidth of more than 84 GHz, which is the highest bandwidth reported so far for broadband SiGe bipolar amplifiers. The resulting gain bandwidth product (GBW) is more than 840 GHz. The amplifier consumes a power of 990 mW at a supply of -5.5 V.     

A study on nonlinear averagings to perform the characterization ofpower spectral density estimation algorithms

This paper analyzes algorithms which are suitable for spectral estimates of noisy signals in the frequency domain based on the use of the fast Fourier transform (FFT). Several causes of inaccuracy are analyzed and characterized so that the expressions of different components of error on the power spectral density (psd) estimate are given, in terms both of spectral properties of noise and typical parameters of the used filter. These simple expressions point out how an appropriate choice of some window parameters may increase considerably the accuracy of the estimate. The effects of choice on the accuracy are examined. In any case, the performance of the psd estimator can be improved by adopting linear or nonlinear averaging techniques; in the paper the statistical properties of geometric mean of periodograms are particularly examined and compared with those of the more traditional Welch's method. It is proved that, under appropriate conditions, the geometric mean produces a reduction both of bias and variance of psd. Numerical simulations confirm these theoretical results     

Raw milk traditional Italian ewe cheeses as a source of Lactobacillus casei strains with acid-bile resistance and antigenotoxic properties

Twenty-five Lactobacillus casei group strains isolated from ewe cheeses from Abruzzo region, central Italy, were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, differentiated by RAPD-PCR analysis and characterized as in vitro for acid-bile tolerance and antigenotoxic properties. All the strains were very susceptible to simulated gastric fluid (pH 2.0) but most of them recovered viability (ca. 2-3 log-units) when transferred and maintained in simulated intestinal fluid (0.5% w/v bovine bile) for 3 h. Some strains showed potential for deactivating representative genotoxins as highlighted by the SOS-Chromotest. Twelve were active and nine moderately active against 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, and one active and only one moderately active against N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The active strains produced evident spectroscopic modification of genotoxins after co-incubation. Most isolates with antigenotoxic activity resulted as acid-bile tolerant demonstrating that cheese autochthonous lactobacilli may reach the gut as a viable form and prevent genotoxin DNA damage.     

Identification of a βCD-Based Hyper-Branched Negatively Charged Polymer as HSV-2 and RSV Inhibitor

Cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives were demonstrated to improve the antiviral potency of numerous drugs, but also to be endowed with intrinsic antiviral action. They are suitable building blocks for the synthesis of functionalized polymer structures with potential antiviral activity. Accordingly, four water-soluble hyper-branched beta cyclodextrin (βCD)-based anionic polymers were screened against herpes simplex virus (HSV-2), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus (HRoV), and influenza virus (FluVA). They were characterized by FTIR-ATR, TGA, elemental analyses, zeta-potential measurements, and potentiometric titrations, while the antiviral activity was investigated with specific in vitro assays. The polymer with the highest negative charge, pyromellitic dianhydride-linked polymer (P_PMDA), showed significant antiviral action against RSV and HSV-2, by inactivating RSV free particles and by altering HSV-2 binding to the cell. The polymer fraction with the highest molecular weight showed the strongest antiviral activity and both P_PMDA and its active fractions were not toxic for cells. Our results suggest that the polymer virucidal activity against RSV can be exploited to produce new antiviral materials to counteract the virus dissemination through the air or direct contact. Additionally, the strong HSV-2 binding inhibition along with the water solubility of P_PMDA and the acyclovir complexation potential of βCD are attractive features for developing new therapeutic topical options against genital HSV-2 infection.     

Energy efficiency in the residential sector: identification of promising policy instruments and private initiatives among selected European countries

Improving residential energy efficiency is widely recognised as one of the best strategies for reducing energy demand, combating climate change, and increasing security of energy supply. However, progress has been slow to date due to a number of market and behavioural barriers that have not been adequately addressed by energy efficiency policies and programmes. This study is based on updated findings of the European Futures for Energy Efficiency Project that responds to the EU Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2014–2015 theme ‘Secure, clean and efficient energy’. This article draws on five case studies from selected European countries—Finland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and the UK—and evaluates recent energy efficiency developments in terms of indicators, private initiatives, and policy measures in the residential sector. Our analysis shows that the UK government has implemented a better range of policies, coupled with initiatives from the private sector, aimed at improving energy efficiency. However, its existing conditions appear to be more problematic than the other countries. On the other hand, the lack of effective and targeted policies in Finland resulted in increased energy consumption, while in Hungary, Spain and Italy some interesting initiatives, especially in terms of financial and fiscal incentives, have been found.     

Application of Wigner-Ville distribution to measurements ontransient signals

This paper deals with an application of the Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) and with usual digital-processing techniques, such as the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), used in dedicated instrumentation for measuring nonstationary signals. The processed real signals are made analytic by means of Hilbert transformations; then suitable implementations of the windowed STFT and of the pseudo Wigner-Ville distribution (PWVD) in the time domain have been performed. Particularly, the fast Hartley transform (FHT) is used to evaluate the PWVD in the real domain. Furthermore, the use of an efficient interpolation algorithm and of a suitable flat-top windowing function is proposed in order to give accurate real-time frequency and amplitude measurements, respectively. With this aim, a dedicated digital system was set up, which uses the LabVIEW software to create virtual instruments (VI), suitable to process the data sequences. Finally, applications of the suggested techniques in analyzing noisy data were also investigated     

Spectral analysis of leak detection in a zigzag pipeline: A filter diagonalization method-based algorithm application

Pipeline monitoring plays a key role in many industrial processes and human activities, in particular, for the management of water resources. Spectral analysis response, used for leak detection, is generally based on fast Fourier transform (FFT). The aim of this paper is to develop an alternative method based on filter diagonalization method (FDM), mainly used in nuclear magnetic resonance, in order to overcome limitations of FFT approach. Thanks to its robustness, FDM allows difficulties created by zigzag pipeline, buried water tubes and in general by the presence of noisily boundary conditions to be solved. Moreover, another objective is reached by reducing FFT recovery error for narrow pipelines. An experimental facility has been constructed to show the results of this alternative approach.     

Screening of potential lactobacilli antigenotoxicity by microbial and mammalian cell-based tests

Antigenotoxicity is considered an important property for probiotic lactobacilli. The ability of non probiotic lactobacilli from dairy products and starters to inhibit two reference genotoxins: 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine was evaluated. The study was carried out using short-term assays with different targets, such as procaryotic cells (SOS-Chromotest for genotoxicity in Escherichia coli and Ames test for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium) and eucaryotic cells (Comet assay for genotoxicity in Caco-2 enterocytes). A high proportion of strains inhibiting 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide activity was found in Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum. Inhibition of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine activity occurred in only one L. acidophilus strain. All the strains with antigenotoxic properties also demonstrated antimutagenic activity and produced modifications in genotoxin spectroscopic profiles. Strain viability during and after genotoxin exposure was confirmed. Concordance of the results obtained with microbial and mammalian cell-based tests is underlined.     

Efficacy and tolerability of ketoprofen 200 mg controlled-release cps vs indomethacin 50 mg cps in patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis. A multicentre study

BACKGROUND: An open-label, randomised, multicentre study was carried out to compare the efficacy and tolerability of indomethacin capsules and ketoprofen controlled-release capsules in the symptomatic treatment of coxarthrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 113 out-patients were enrolled: 57 were assigned to receive indomethacin 50 mg twice daily and 56 ketoprofen 200 mg once daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Indomethacin and ketoprofen proved equally effective in relieving osteoarticular pain and stiffness and in improving the quality of life of patients. There was essentially no difference as to gastrointestinal adverse events which occurred in 25% of patients on indomethacin and in 27% of those on ketoprofen. Indomethacin caused more non-gastrointestinal untoward effects, especially CNS effects (headache and dizziness: 11%) which were not observed with ketoprofen. Indomethacin was discontinued because of adverse events in a larger proportion of patients (20%) than ketoprofen (11%).