Validation of two algorithms to evaluate the interface between bone and orthopaedic implants

The level of fit and fill of the prosthetic stem in the femoral canal is an important parameter when planning a cementless total hip arthroplasty. However, the standard templates used in combination with radiographs are not always effective in the pre-operative evaluation of the level of fitting. For this reason, two algorithms were developed able to provide clinically relevant three-dimensional indicators of the implant fit and fill in the host femur, based on the CT data of each specific patient as collected in vivo. In this study the computational methods were described and validated using digital phantom datasets. Then the algorithms were applied for in vivo datasets and the sensitivity of each indicator was evaluated. The validation showed that the two algorithms are accurate from a computational point of view. Moreover, the in vivo testing demonstrated that the developed methods provide reasonable quantitative indicators of the stem positioning in the femoral CT dataset.     

Context Management for Adaptive Information Systems

Modern technologies enable users accessing services using multiple channels. In the service design phase, this poses additional requirements for high software adaptivity along different technical requirements and different user expectations. During execution, services are usually dynamically selected; this service selection phase requires the identification of the most suitable service along the context that characterizes the users in the time instant in which they send the service request. This paper focuses on the selection phase and it aims at providing a framework to define and manage the context in a general environment characterized by adaptivity and multichannel access. An example to demonstrate the suitability and feasibility of the framework is provided referring to the MAIS (Multichannel Adaptive Information Systems) architecture and considering services related to the tourism domain. The MAIS architecture aims at providing automatically and efficiently services with the appropriate features by choosing among many provider offerings.     

Accounting for quality in data integration systems: a completeness-aware integration approach

Scientometrics - Ensuring the quality of integrated data is undoubtedly one of the main problems of integrated data systems. When focusing on multi-national and historical data integration systems,...     

Role of Physical Exercise and Nutraceuticals in Modulating Molecular Pathways of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and disabling disease that affects millions of patients. Its etiology is largely unknown, but it is most likely multifactorial. OA pathogenesis involves the catabolism of the cartilage extracellular matrix and is supported by inflammatory and oxidative signaling pathways and marked epigenetic changes. To delay OA progression, a wide range of exercise programs and naturally derived compounds have been suggested. This literature review aims to analyze the main signaling pathways and the evidence about the synergistic effects of these two interventions to counter OA. The converging nutrigenomic and physiogenomic intervention could slow down and reduce the complex pathological features of OA. This review provides a comprehensive picture of a possible signaling approach for targeting OA molecular pathways, initiation, and progression.     

In situ synthesis of metal oxides in carbon nanotube arrays and mechanical properties of the resulting structures

In the past, aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been observed to exhibit a foam-like dissipative response in compression, garnering attention for possible mechanical applications. Nanoparticles have previously been integrated with graphitic materials for electrochemical applications. Here, we synthesize nanoparticles of SnO₂ and MnO₂ in the interstices of aligned arrays of CNTs without altering the ordered structure of the arrays, and we characterize their mechanical response. We report that CNT arrays with embedded particles present superior energy dissipation relative to unmodified CNT arrays. In addition, energy dissipation, strain recovery, and structural failure (observed after repeated loading) depend on particle type (SnO₂ versus MnO₂).     

Palladium Supported on Cross‐Linked Imidazolium Network on Silica as Highly Sustainable Catalysts for the Suzuki Reaction under Flow Conditions

Highly cross‐linked imidazolium‐based materials, obtained by radical oligomerization of bis‐vinylimidazolium salts in the presence of 3‐mercaptopropyl‐modified silica gel, were used as supports for palladium catalysts. Thanks to the high imidazolium loading these materials were able to support a high amount of the metal (10 wt%). Such materials were characterized by several techniques (¹³C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller technique, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy). The palladium catalysts displayed good activity allowing the synthesis of several biphenyl compounds in high yields working with only 0.1 mol% of palladium loading at 50 °C in ethanol/water under batch condition. Moreover, a flow apparatus, to optimize the efficiency of the isolation of the pure products and minimize waste (E‐factor), was investigated. For the first time the palladium catalyst and base (K₂CO₃) were placed in two separate columns allowing an easy recovery of the products with very low E‐factor values (<4). Waste production was reduced by over 99% compared to classic batch conditions. Because of the high Pd loading only 42 mg of catalysts were employed in the Suzuki reaction between 160 mmol of 4‐bromotoluene and 180 mmol of phenylboronic acid. No loss in activity was observed.     

Single‐ and Double‐Sided Chemical Functionalization of Bilayer Graphene

An experimental study on the interaction between the top and bottom layer of a chemically functionalized graphene bilayer by mild oxygen plasma is reported. Structural, chemical, and electrical properties are monitored using Raman spectroscopy, transport measurements, conductive atomic force microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Single‐ and double‐sided chemical functionalization are found to give very different results: single‐sided modified bilayers show relatively high mobility (200–600 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at room temperature) and a stable structure with a limited amount of defects, even after long plasma treatment (>60 s). This is attributed to preferential modification and limited coverage of the top layer during plasma exposure, while the bottom layer remains almost unperturbed. This could eventually lead to decoupling between top and bottom layers. Double‐sided chemical functionalization leads to a structure containing a high concentration of defects, very similar to graphene oxide. This opens the possibility to use plasma treatment not only for etching and patterning of graphene, but also to make heterostructures (through single‐sided modification of bilayers) for sensors and transistors and new graphene‐derivatives materials (through double‐sided modification).     

Structural characterization of nanocrystalline lanthanum oxyfluoride films obtained by chemical vapor deposition

This study is devoted to a thorough structural and microstructural characterization of nanophasic LaOF-based thin films. The coatings were synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) onto Si(100) substrates at growth temperatures between 250 and 500 degrees C, using La(hfa)3.diglyme (Hhfa = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione; diglyme = bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether) as both La and F molecular source under nitrogen + wet oxygen atmospheres. The system structure and microstructure were investigated by Glancing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) and X-ray microdiffraction. The most relevant sample features, with particular attention to the phase composition as a function of the synthesis conditions, are critically discussed.     

Yeast dynamics during the fermentation of brined green olives treated in the field with kaolin and Bordeaux mixture to control the olive fruit fly

The yeast microbiota associated with naturally fermented and inoculated green table olives, differently treated in the field with non-conventional repellent and antiovipositional products in the control of Bactrocera oleae, was analysed using a combination of culture-dependent and -independent molecular fingerprinting. The routine yeast isolation gave rise to 118 strains, whose identification was performed by PCR-RFLP of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Total DNA was extracted directly from the brine throughout fermentation by means of an experimental protocol that included the removal of Taq polymerase inhibitors. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of 26S rRNA gene PCR amplicons highlighted the yeast community. Comparison of both culture-dependent and independent methods indicated that the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Candida diddensiae and Issatchenkia orientalis were dominant during fermentation despite the addition of the Lactobacillus plantarum starter used in brining. The resultant isolated species were unaffected by treatments in field, except for C. diddensiae whose growth was delayed by kaolin.