In the analysis of reliability performance of distribution utilities, as well as in continuity of supply regulation, criteria are needed for separating normal operation data from exceptional events. ...In recent years a number of statistical methodologies has been proposed for this purpose. We present here the new methodology that was adopted by the Italian regulatory authority at the beginning of 2008. The decision is supported by a statistical analysis of the number of faults on the medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) networks, for each six-hour time interval in a three year time span, for different provinces and distribution companies. The new methodology is employed in the reward and penalty mechanisms that regulate the SAIDI, SAIFI, and MAIFI indicators and, with some original provisions, also in the Guaranteed Standard on maximum restoration times.
The Italian regulatory mechanism for quality of service in electricity distribution links the tariff to the SAIDI indicator of the average duration of interruptions per consumer. In order to separate ...major interruption events data from normal operation data, the regulator introduced, in the year 2000, a criterion based on a given definition of force majeure . For the new regulatory period, beginning in 2004, the authors studied the possibility of substituting this criterion with one based on a statistical definition of major event days. The statistical two-step methodology illustrated here was tested using real data and proposed to interested parties in the consultation process; it was found to be at the same time equitable, unambiguous, and simple to implement. This criterion was thus adopted in the new regulatory framework.
Two three-dimensional receptor interaction models for EAAT substrates and nontransportable inhibitors have been developed, and new glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) analogues have been synthesized. ...The analogues 1a and 3 represent novel lead compounds for the development of EAAT substrates and nontransportable inhibitors, selective for EAATs over iGluRs, as possible neuroprotective agents useful to minimize the progression of chronic or acute neurodegenerative diseases. The role played by the protonatable amine function in the interaction with EAATs has been discussed.
Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComa) are exceedingly rare mesenchymal neoplasms arising in a variety of anatomic sites. mTOR inhibitors are active in these neoplasms. However, no other ...effective treatments are available in those patients progressing to them. The PI3K–Akt–mTOR signaling pathway modulates neoplastic growth through signaling activation of ER and the EGF receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinases. ER drives PI3K/AKT activation in response to mTORC1 inhibition. This provides a rationale for combining anti-estrogens and mTORC1 inhibitors.
We retrospectively identified patients with advanced PEComa treated with mTOR inhibitors since January 2002 at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan – Italy. In a subgroup of them, exemestane was added at the time of progression.
Twenty-eight patients with advanced PEComa treated with mTOR inhibitors were identified. Twenty–six were evaluable for response. Twelve out 26 (46%) had a PR and seven (27%) a SD, with a median PFS of 7 months. At the time of progression to sirolimus, 5 patients received a combination of sirolimus and exemestane and one of sirolimus, exemestane and GnRH. Three patients out 6 had a PR, 2 out 6 had a SD, and 1 out 6 had a PD, with a median PFS of 6 months. In this subgroup of patients treated with the combination, previous PFS to mTOR inhibitors was 6.6 months.
In this small retrospective series, the combination of mTOR inhibitors and exemestane obtained a reversion of resistance to mTOR inhibitors in one half of patients.
The authors.
Has not received any funding.
R. Sanfilippo: Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Lilly; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: PharmaMar; Research grant / Funding (institution): Advanchen Laboratories; Research grant / Funding (institution): Amgen Dompe; Research grant / Funding (institution): AROG Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Blueprint Medicines; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Deciphera; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Epizyme Inc; Research grant / Funding (institution): Galxo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Karyopharm; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer. C. Fabbroni: Research grant / Funding (institution): Advanchen Laboratories; Research grant / Funding (institution): Amgen Dompe’; Research grant / Funding (institution): AROG Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): bayer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Blueprint Medicines; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Deciphera; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly; Research grant / Funding (institution): Epizyme Inc; Research grant / Funding (institution): Glaxo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Karyopharm Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Research grant / Funding (institution): PharmaMar. E. Fumagalli: Research grant / Funding (institution): Advenchen Laboratories; Research grant / Funding (institution): Amgen dompe’; Research grant / Funding (institution): AROG Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Blueprint Medicines; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Deciphera; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly; Research grant / Funding (institution): Epizyme; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): PharmaMar; Research grant / Funding (institution): Glaxo; Research grant / Funding (institution): karyopharm Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer. R. Bertulli: Research grant / Funding (institution): Karyopharm Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly; Research grant / Funding (institution): Advenchen Laboratories; Research grant / Funding (institution): Amgen dompe’; Research grant / Funding (institution): AROG Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Blueprint Medicines; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo ; Research grant / Funding (institution): Deciphera; Research grant / Funding (institution): Epizyme; Research grant / Funding (institution): Glaxo; Research grant / Funding (institution): PharmaMar. S. Stacchiotti: Research grant / Funding (institution): Karyopharm Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant / Funding (institution): PharmaMar; Research grant / Funding (institution): Glaxo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly; Research grant / Funding (institution): Deciphera; Research grant / Funding (institution): Advenche Laboratories; Research grant / Funding (institution): Amgen; Research grant / Funding (institution): AROG Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Research grant / Funding (institution): Blueprint Medicines; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Epizyme; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer. P.G. Casali: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Deciphera; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Lilly; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Nektar Therapeutics; Research grant / Funding (institution): Advenchen Laboratories; Research grant / Funding (institution): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Blueprint Midicines; Research grant / Funding (institution): AROG Pharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): Amgen dompe’; Research grant / Funding (institution): Daiichi Sankyo; Research grant / Funding (institution): Epizyme; Research grant / Funding (institution): Glaxo; Research grant / Funding (institution): KaryopharmPharmaceuticals; Research grant / Funding (institution): PharmaMar. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Short-term alactic anaerobic performance in jumping (5 consecutive jumps with maximal effort), sprint running (8 m) and stair climbing (modified Margaria test) were measured in 75 obese subjects ...(BMI: 40.3+/-5.0 kg/m2) and in 36 lean control subjects (BMI: 22.4+/-3.2 kg/m2) of the same age and gender distribution. The results show that obese subjects attained a significantly lower specific (per unit body mass) power output both in jumping (W(spec,j); p<0.001) and stair climbing (W(spec,s); p<0.001) and run at a significantly lower average velocity (v; p<0.001) during sprinting. In spite of the different motor skillfulness required to accomplish the jumping and climbing tests, W(spec,s) (and hence the vertical velocity in climbing, v(v)) was closely correlated with W(spec,j) (R2=0.427, p<0.001). In jumping, although the average force during the positive work phase was significantly higher in obese subjects (p<0.001), no difference between the 2 groups was detected in absolute power. In stair climbing the absolute power output of obese resulted significantly higher (18%) than that of lean controls (p<0.001). In sprint running, the lower average horizontal velocity attained by obese subjects also entailed a different locomotion pattern with shorter step length (L(s); p<0.001), lower frequency (p<0.001) and longer foot contact time with ground (T(c,r); p<0.001). W(spec,j) seems to be a determinant of the poorer motor performance of obese, being significantly correlated with: I) the vertical displacement of the centre of gravity (R2=0.853, p<0.001) in jumping; II) with v(v) in stair climbing; and III) with T(c,r) (R2=0.492, p<0.001), L(s) (R2=0.266, p<0.001) and v (R2=0.454, p<0.001) in sprinting. The results suggest that obese individuals, although partially hampered in kinetic movements, largely rely on their effective specific power output to perform complex anaerobic tasks, and they suffer from the disproportionate excess of inert mass of fat. Furthermore, in view of the sedentary style of life and the consequent degree of muscle de-conditioning accompanying this condition, it may prove useful to implement rehabilitation programs for obesity with effective power training protocols.
INFN-FBK developments of 3D sensors for High-Luminosity LHC Oide, H.; Alimonti, G.; Boscardin, M. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
04/2019, Letnik:
924
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
3D type of pixel sensors is a promising option for the innermost pixel layer at the High-Luminosity LHC. However, the required very high hit-rate capabilities, finer pixel granularity, extreme ...radiation hardness and reduced material budget call for a downscale of the pixel size as compared to existing 3D sensors, involving smaller pitch (e.g. 50 × 50 or 25×100μm2), shorter inter-electrode spacing (∼30μm), narrower electrodes (∼6μm diameter), and reduced active thickness (∼100–150μm). Within a joint R&D effort with INFN, FBK has produced a new generation of 3D pixel sensors with these challenging features. In this talk preliminary results from the electrical and functional characterisation of the first prototypes are reported, included their behaviour after large radiation fluence, close to the ones expected in the High Luminosity LHC environment. Prospects for the next prototypes are also presented.
Sequential cross-border mergers Fumagalli, Eileen; Vasconcelos, Helder
International journal of industrial organization,
03/2009, Letnik:
27, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
This paper proposes a sequential merger formation game to study how trade policy can influence firms' choice between intra-national and cross-border mergers in an international Cournot oligopoly with ...a cost structure
à la Perry and Porter Perry, M. and Porter, R.H., 1985. Oligopoly and the Incentive for Horizontal Merger. American Economic Review 75(1), 219–227.. We find that the equilibrium market structure depends heavily on: (
i) the level of trade costs; and (
ii) whether or not active antitrust authorities are incorporated within the sequential merger game. In addition, it is shown that whenever mergers occur in equilibrium, they occur in waves and the merger wave comprises at least one cross-border merger.
PDF
