Multiscale investigation of the functional properties of the human femur

The mechanical strength of human bones has often been investigated in the past. Bone failure is related to musculoskeletal loading, tissue properties, bone metabolism, etc. This is intrinsically a multiscale problem. However, organ-level performance in most cases is investigated as a separate problem, incorporating only part (if any) of the information available at a higher scale (body level) or at a lower one (tissue level, cell level). A multiscale approach is proposed, where models available at different levels are integrated. A middle-out strategy is taken: the main model to be investigated is at the organ level. The organ-level model incorporates as an input the outputs from the body-level (musculoskeletal loads), tissue-level (constitutive equations) and cell-level models (bone remodelling). In this paper, this approach is exemplified by a clinically relevant application: fractures of the proximal femur. We report how a finite-element model of the femur (organ level) becomes part of a multiscale model. A significant effort is related to model validation: a number of experiments were designed to quantify the model's sensitivity and accuracy. When possible, the clinical accuracy and the clinical impact of a model should be assessed. Whereas a large amount of information is available at all scales, only organ-level models are really mature in this perspective. More work is needed in the future to integrate all levels fully, while following a sound scientific method to assess the relevance and validity of such an integrated model.     

Study of the microstructure of inkjet-printed P3HT:PCBM blend for photovoltaic applications

Recently, great interest has been devoted to cost-effective alternative energy sources such as organic solar cells because of the mechanical flexibility and the versatility of chemical structure, the low cost of fabrication, and ease of processing. As regards this last point, the possibility to deposit organic materials from solutions at low temperatures makes them employable for fabricating printed solar cells by direct printing methods. In this study, we used the inkjet-printing technology to deposit P3HT blends with various fullerene acceptors ([60]PCBM, [70]PCBM and bis[60]PCBM) dissolved in single solvents, 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) and chlorobenzene (CB), and their mixtures. After optimizing the printing parameters (printhead speed, drop emission frequency, and substrate temperature), the effect of the solvents on the morphology of the photoactive layers was analyzed through Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Polymer solar cells with the structure glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/blend/Ca/Al were fabricated and characterized by current–voltage (I–V) measurements under 100 mW/cm² AM 1.5G illumination. A comparative study of the performances of the devices was performed based on three different fullerene derivatives, correlating them to the microstructure of the printed blend films. The optimal devices were obtained when the blend films were deposited from a mixture of DCB:CB 4:1 by volume: this was in agreement with the most favorable morphology of these films.     

Randomized Approaches for Control of QuadRotor UAVs

A systematic mixed deterministic-randomized approach for filter design is presented. This method has two advantages: (i) it is a computational efficient algorithm for the deterministic parameters and (ii) we can design fixed order controllers because we follow a randomization approach. Different filter forms are selected to prove the effectiveness of this algorithm and the obtained results are applied to a multi rotor UAV. Both linear and experimental models are analyzed. For the linear case a comparison with a LQR controller is proposed to prove that with this filter the designed controller permits to minimize the noise due to the coupling effects between the different control axes. This design is useful to reduce the set up time of an adaptive controller filter if different maneuvers or aircraft parameters are considered.     

Design and Validation of an ${\mathcal{L}}_{1}$ Adaptive Controller for Mini-UAV Autopilot

The dynamics of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is nonlinear and subject to external disturbances. The scope of this paper is the test of an \({\mathcal{L}_1}\) adaptive controller as autopilot inner loop controller candidate. The selected controller is based on piecewise constant adaptive laws and is applied to a mini-UAV. Navigation outer loop parameters are regulated via PID control. The main contribution of this paper is to demonstrate that the proposed control design can stabilize the nonlinear system, even if the controller parameters are selected starting from a decoupled linear model. The main advantages of this technique are: (1) the controller can be implemented for both linear and nonlinear systems without parameter adjustment or tuning procedure, (2) the controller is robust to unmodeled dynamics and parametric model uncertainties. The design scheme of a customized autopilot is illustrated and different configurations (in terms of mass, inertia and airspeed variations) are analyzed to validate the presented approach.     

Wastewater disinfection with PAA and UV combined treatment: a pilot plant study

This study is part of a larger research project on Advanced Treatments for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Because of Italy's strict microbiological limits on unrestricted wastewater reuse in agriculture (2 MPN/100ml Total Coliforms), a very high degree of disinfection is necessary.The objective of this study is to proceed in validating, with a pilot plant experimentation, previous laboratory results on the disinfection efficacy of the synergic combined treatment between ultraviolet irradiation (UV) and peracetic acid (PAA). The research has been carried out through a 5 month on-site experimental study in a pilot plant, considering four different solutions: PAA addition, UV irradiation, addition of PAA upstream the UV device (PAA+UV) and addition of PAA downstream the UV device (UV+PAA). In the investigated experimental conditions (2-8 ppm of PAA with 10-30 min contact time; 100-300 mJ/cm(2) UV), it has been impossible to meet the microbiological limits through an exclusive use of UV irradiation or PAA. The disinfection efficacy enhances by using the UV+PAA treatment, but a much higher efficacy gain occurs by using the PAA+UV treatment. In this latter case, the higher efficiency is recognized as being brought about by the formation of free radicals due to the photolysis of the PAA when in presence of the UV rays. A preliminary cost analysis has been carried out in order to highlight the more economically advantageous solution which guarantees compliance to the strict limits.     

Preliminary assessment of flying and handling qualities for mini-UAVs

The purpose of this work is to identify some criteria for the evaluation of flying and handling qualities of small scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (mini-UAVs). A possible solution for the evaluation of handling qualities is based on the minimization of cumulative cross track error (estimated along a sequence of waypoints) at constant altitude and speed, assuming gradual variation of the control inputs (throttle, elevator and ailerons). A complete parametric analysis of vehicle open loop dynamics is performed for a demonstrative mini-UAV. The flying and handling qualities are assessed implementing the selected platform in a full state flight simulator including a realistic autonomous navigation and control system. Different target paths are considered and a parametric study based on the minimization of the cross track error is presented. A section of conclusions summarizes the key results and presents suggestions for future work.     

Early use of PEPA dialyzer for light chains removal and for the recovery from myeloma cast nephropathy: A case report

Chemotherapy and extracorporeal treatment reduce serum free light chains (FLCs) allowing the recovery of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by myeloma cast nephropathy (MCN). We report the first case of recovery from AKI in a patient with MCN who underwent the removal of FLCs using the PEPA filter, with an undisclosed cut‐off, combined with chemotherapy for multiple myeloma (MM).     

Experimental study on municipal and industrial reclaimed wastewater refinement for agricultural reuse

The present study is aimed at verifying the possibility of reusing municipal and industrial reclaimed wastewaters for the irrigation of container-grown ornamental shrubs, paying attention to the refinery treatment. The research has been carried out in the district of Pistoia (Central Italy), which represents one of the main nursery areas in Europe. Two experimental sites, each consisting of a refinery treatment pilot plant (filtration and disinfection) and an agronomic area, were set-up. In this paper the attention is focused on the selection of the refinery treatment. The combined process of peracetic acid (PAA) and ultraviolet irradiation (UV) chosen for the disinfection treatment proved to be very effective for the inactivation of microorganisms for both municipal and industrial wastewaters. The high efficiency is recognised as being brought about by the formation of free radicals due to the photolysis of the PAA when in the presence of the UV rays. A preliminary cost analysis has been carried out in order to highlight the most economically advantageous solution which guarantees the compliance to the Italian limits for wastewater reuse in agriculture (Escherichia Coli 10 CFU/100 mL).     

Organic field effect transistors for textile applications.

In this paper, several issues concerning the development of textiles endowed with electronic functions will be discussed. In particular, issues concerning materials, structures, electronic models, and the mechanical constraints due to textile technologies will be detailed. The idea starts from an already developed organic field-effect transistor that is realized on a flexible film that can be applied, after the assembly, on whatever kind of substrate, in particular, on textiles. This could pave the way to a variety of applications aimed to conjugate the favorable mechanical properties of textiles with the electronic functions of transistors. Furthermore, a possible perspective for the developments of organic sensors based on this structure are described.