Giuliano Cammarata

Some aspects of humoral and cellular immunity in naturally occuring feline infectious peritonitis

Abstract Haematology, antibody titers and serum protein electrophoresis from 48 cats (34 effusive and 14 noneffusive forms) affected with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) were studied and compared with those of 20 healthy cats. In the effusive form, antibody titers and protein electrophoresis in the effusions were analyzed. The distribution of the immune cells and of the virus in FIP lesions were also investigated immunohistochemically with the avidin–biotin complex (ABC) method, using antibodies against the FIP virus (FIPV), myelomonocytic (MAC387) and lymphoid (CD3, CD4 and CD8 for T-cells and IgM and IgG for B-cells) antigens. Seropositive animals (antibody titer>1:100) were present among both the FIP infected cats (73%) and the healthy cats (70%). Cats with effusive FIP had neutrophilic leukocytosis (P>0.05), lymphopenia (P<0.01) and eosinopenia (P<0.001). In both effusive and noneffusive forms decreased albumin/globulin ratio (P<0.001) with hypoalbuminemia (P<0.001), hyperglobulinemia (P<0.001) and increased α2- (P<0.05), β- (P<0.05) and γ-globulins (P<0.001) were found. Hypergammaglobulinemia was not related to the antibody titers, suggesting the presence of other proteins with γ-motility (e.g. complement fractions). The electrophoretic pattern of the effusions was always similar to that of the corresponding serum. Antibody titers higher than those of the corresponding serum were often detected in the effusions. Immunohistochemical findings were not related to the antibody titers, but they were related to the histological aspect of the lesions. In cellular foci of FIP lesions many virus-infected macrophages and few lymphocytes, mainly CD4+, were found. Extracellular viral and myelomonocytic antigens were also detectable in the foci with intercellular necrosis. Only few FIPV-infected cells were present at the periphery of the larger necrotic foci: in these lesions MAC387+ cells were mainly neutrophils, with many MAC387− macrophages, probably due to their activated state; a small number of lymphocytes, with an increasing percentage of CD8+ cells was present. Lymphocytes were more abundant when cellular foci and FIP-infected macrophages were centered around neoformed vessels. IgM and IgG exposing B-cells were always few and scattered. In conclusion the simultaneous analysis of body fluids and of the cellular composition of the lesions showed a complex immune status, on which type III and type IV hypersensitivity could coexist.

Ecotoxicological and human health risk in a petrochemical district of southern Italy

An ecotoxicological investigation has been carried in the petrochemical district of Priolo (Sicily, Italy), one of the largest in Europe. Results indicated a severe mercury contamination in sediments sampled near a chloro-alkali plant. A clear bioavailability of this element was demonstrated in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis (both native and translocated) and the benthic fish Mullus barbatus, which also exhibited marked genotoxic damages. The elevated mercury concentrations in marine organisms are a serious concern for human health; according to the national average fish consumption, the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of Hg would be easily exceeded by at least 4 to 12 fold. Such toxicological risk is of particular importance for pregnant women, being possibly involved in the elevated frequency of neonatal malformations.

Optimization of a liquefaction plant using genetic algorithms

This paper presents an optimization methodology for liquefaction/refrigeration systems in the cryogenic field. The Figure of Merit has been chosen as the evaluation index, and genetic algorithms as evaluation criteria. This methodology has been applied to an existing helium liquefaction system that works according to a Collins cycle. The results show the possibility of adjusting some of the thermal-pressure variables for the system in order to improve the Figure of Merit.

Lumped Parameter Modeling for Thermal Characterization of High-Power Modules

Power electronic modules are realized by integrating several semiconductor chips inside one package. In this paper, a new thermal modeling procedure and its application to a power electronic module are presented. The adopted modeling strategy consists of the derivation of numerical thermal impedances by 3-D finite element models, validated by comparison with available experimental data, and of the coefficients identification of the RC passive network, through a specific topology, here introduced, to obtain a lumped parameter model of the thermal behavior of the module.

A procedure for the optimization of air quality monitoring networks

This paper deals with the processing of air pollutant measures acquired in urban areas. A procedure for the optimization of a network for air pollutant monitoring is addressed. The proposed procedure allows for the optimization of the number of monitoring stations by using adequate mathematical models. Moreover, a continuous two-dimensional (2-D) map is used to search for the optimal reallocation of the monitoring stations. Reconfiguration of the available hardware leads to better performance.

A spiking neural network-based model for anaerobic digestion process

There are many conversion technologies for the transformation of biomass into usable energy forms. Among these technologies, anaerobic digestion is one of the most attractive. In many papers appeared in the literature it has been demonstrated that the application of efficient mathematical models is an essential requirement to improve digesters performance. In this paper a spiking neural network-based model for anaerobic digestion process is proposed. This model performs a long-term prediction of the concentration of the biogas (CH4 and CO2) at the 100th day of the process, by analysing the concentration evolution of 6 measurable marker-molecules (MMM) namely CH4, CH4S, CO2, H2, H2S and NH3 during the first 10 days of the process. For the validation of the model, a small domestic digester was realized. The tests carried out show an excellent agreement between the predicted values and those obtained with the digester.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Airflow and Climate in a Real Operating Theatre under Effective Use Conditions

Abstract In the present study microclimate and airflow patterns in a real operating theatre (OT) under effective use conditions are investigated. Surgical staff movements and sliding door opening/closing effects on the air thermal distribution and velocity fields are considered. Experimental measurements and numerical simulations are carried out for the “at rest” and “operational” conditions of the OT. Two “operational” use conditions are considered: “correct” and “incorrect” during a simulated hip surgery. Numerical and experimental results comparisons are used to check their compliance with the standard limits. Results mainly show the ventilation system effectiveness in providing the expected conditions, even though local perturbations due to operational conditions are clearly pointed out.

Numerical simulation of radiant ceiling panels for indoor cooling

The aim of this work is to analyse the thermal performance in cooling of two different models of radiative ceiling panels, by varying the discharge temperature and the velocity of heatcarrying fluid. The first one geometrical configuration refers to a coil- embedded panel, while the second one is made by a matrix of tubes. Numerical simulations were carried-out by using a FE-approach to solve governing equations for the physical system. Thermal performances were analysed as a function of the inlet temperature and the inlet velocity of the fluid. Then interpolation functions are proposed in order to assess thermal performances for both geometrical configurations against several working conditions.

Modeling of thermal fluid dynamics of radiant panels system in cooling mode by using a neural approach

This paper is focused on on the thermal analysis of two models of radiant panels developed and tested in their thermal performances with Comsol Multiphisics. We have to investigated two different configuration, the “coil” panel and the “array” panel defining the design parameters like size and insulation, and analyzing the physical quantities such as flow rate and fluid temperature in the range from 16 to 24°C with a 2°C increment at each stage. The results obtained from the analysis of the thermal flux of panels have demonstrated that this can leads to the determination of the relationship between the heat transfer and the entry speed at different temperatures by using a neural network approach.

Design optimization of solar chimney power plant by finite elements based numerical model and cascade neural networks

Power output fluctuation is a common problem in the various generating systems of renewable energies. The hybrid energy storage system with water and soil is adopted to decrease the fluctuation of solar chimney power generating systems in the present study. The aim of this paper is a cross-comparison between finite element method (FE) and neural networks (NN) simulation results which were produced for a chosen set of parameters not already considered during the networks training. As main result we propose a prediction tool for investigating the design and performance of a solar system in different working scenarios, not included in reference database exploited for the NN training process.