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The prediction of the interfacial failure mechanisms for adhesively bonded joints and composite structures is a well-known issue that has been studied both theoretically and/or numerically [1,2]. Small loads usually leave an adhesive junction bonded, where a jump of displacements is allowed due to the compliance of the interface. An increasing load, instead, can lead to adhesive breaks in one or more interface points where a crack starts and propagates along the interface, up to the complete detachment of the adherends. This work focuses on the development of a new theoretical approach to determine the debonding onset and propagation along weak interfaces under different loading conditions. The interfacial problem is addressed by means of the cohesive crack modeling, assuming a linearelastic behavior for the adherends and concentrating all non-linearities at the interface. This means that interfaces are considered as an assemblage of two sublaminates partly bonded together by an elastic interface. Such interface can be modeled as a continuous distribution of elastic springs acting along the normal and/or tangential direction depending on the interfacial loading condition. This generalizes the idea suggested recently in [3] for a single mode-I debonding. The analytical predictions of crack advancement, length of the process zone, maximum load and load-deflection response, are compared to the numerical results as provided by a simple nodeto- segment contact formulation. This is here generalized to handle cohesive forces along the normal and tangential directions, as employed in [4]. The very good agreement between analytical and numerical results confirms the accuracy of the theoretical proposed formulation.

Dermatomycoses due to Trichophyton violaceum are described in Mediterranean Countries, North Africa and in the Horn of Africa where T. soudanense is present too, but it was rare until few years ago in Italy. Aim of the present study was to evaluate an Italian multicenter 9 year (2005-2013) experience concerning these re-emerging pathogens. Fifty three fungal strains were sent from clinical laboratories to the Medical Mycology Committee (CoSM)--Italian Association of Clinical Microbiology (AMCLI) for mycological confirmation. Strains were identified as T. violaceum (23) and T. soudanense (30) by phenotypic and genotypic methods. These dermatophytes present epidemiological (high rate of inter-human transmission, high risk among adopted children coming from countries of either the Horn of Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa also in outbreaks of tinea capitis) and clinical peculiarities (reduced alopecia, presence of exudative lesions) confirming the originality of these "imported" dermatophyte infections.

A recent computational model for tumor growth is presented. The mathematical model, based on thermodynamically con- strained averaging theory (TCAT), is shortly summarized in the first part; then the attention is focused on modeling hypothesis and their impact on numerical results. Perspectives for future developments of the presented multiphase model are outlined at the end of the paper

This paper focuses on the application of NURBS-based isogeometric analysis to Coulomb frictional contact problems between deformable bodies, in the context of large deformations. A mortar-based approach is presented to treat the contact constraints, whereby the discretization of the continuum is performed with arbitrary order NURBS, as well as C0-continuous Lagrange polynomial elements for comparison purposes. The numerical examples show that the proposed contact formulation in conjunction with the NURBS discretization delivers accurate and robust predictions. Results of lower quality are obtained from the Lagrange discretization, as well as from a different contact formulation based on the enforcement of the contact constraints at every integration point on the contact surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This paper focuses on the application of NURBS-based isogeometric analysis to Coulomb frictional contact problems between deformable bodies, in the context of large deformations. A mortar-based approach is presented to treat the contact constraints, whereby the discretization of the continuum is performed with arbitrary order NURBS, as well as C0-continuous Lagrange polynomial elements for comparison purposes. The numerical examples show that the proposed contact formulation in conjunction with the NURBS discretization delivers accurate and robust predictions. Results of lower quality are obtained from the Lagrange discretization, as well as from a different contact formulation based on the enforcement of the contact constraints at every integration point on the contact surface. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The thermo-chemical diffusion process of carburizing and nitriding was modeled in the present study. The analyses led to the prediction of surface hardened layers dimensions and hardness in commercial steels. A diffusion model based on Fick’s laws was applied to such steels in order to describe the growth kinetics of layers, then the analytical model was employed to perform finite element calculations. In such a way it was possible to calculate the carbon and nitrogen concentration in the cross sections of cylindrical samples and the consequent hardness profiles coupled with those of the residual stresses. The results from analytical model and FE calculations were compared with experimental data.