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The optical diffuse reflectance data of a semiconductor material is usually converted into the Kubelka–Munk function before proceeding to process the conventional Tauc’s plot from which optical bandgap energy can be determined. Firstly, it is conventional/ customary to convert the percentage reflectance (R∞(%)) data which is obtained from UV-vis measurement into an equivalent reflectance (R∞) that range between 0 and 1 before processing the Tauc’s plot. Secondly, the Kubelka–Munk function is usually multiplied by the incident photon energy, hv, to produce an all-elements/ comprehensive Tauc’s plot. Literature is scarce to convincingly demonstrate that a correct bandgap value can also be obtained from the Tauc’s plot that is derived directly from the (R∞(%)) data without having to convert to R∞. Also, publication is rarely available to demonstrate that a correct bandgap value can be determined without having to multiply the Kubelka–Munk function by hv. Investigation shows diminutive differences in the bandgap values estimated from the R∞(%)-based Tauc’s plots and the equivalent R∞-based Tauc’s plots. This suggests that either of the methods can be employed for a proper bandgap estimate. Additionally, a comparison between the magnitude of the bandgap energies determined from the comprehensive Tauc’s plot and when the Kubelka–Munk function is not multiplied by \(hv\) shows insignificant differences in the estimated values. This suggests that either of the two methods can be used to obtain a reliable bandgap for direct and indirect optical gap semiconductors.

Crosscutting concerns are an intrinsic problem of legacy systems, hindering their maintenance and evolution. A possible solution is to modernize these systems employing aspect-orientation, which provides suitable abstractions for modularizing these kind of concerns. Architecture-Driven Modernization is a more specific kind of software reengineering focused on employing standard metamodels along the whole process, promoting interoperability and reusability across different tools/vendors. Its main metamodel is the Knowledge Discovery Metamodel (KDM), which is able to represent a significant amount of system details. However, up to this moment, there is no extension of this metamodel for aspect-orientation, preventing software engineers from conducting Aspect-Oriented Modernizations. Therefore, in this paper we present our experience on creating a heavyweight and a lightweight extension of KDM for aspect-orientation. We conducted two evaluations. The first one showed all aspect-oriented concepts were represented in both extensions. The second one was a experiment, in which we have analyzed the productivity of software engineers using both extensions. The results showed that the heavyweight extension propitiate a more productive environment in terms of time and number of errors when compared to the lightweight one.

Many of us in the animal research community regularly face an internal conflict. We witness developments of new treatments while recognizing that animals experience study-based harms despite our systems of care. Beauchamp and DeGrazia identify significant gaps left by reigning models of harm–benefit principles and the Three Rs. Their six principles must be seriously considered in debates about the conditions of morally justified animal research because they provoke bioethical questions neglected by harm–benefit analyses (HBA) and the Three Rs. However, some problems need more discussion than can be found in Beauchamp and DeGrazia’s framework. For example, more material on basic research and its justification would be helpful, as would analysis of how improvements in study design are paramount for increasing the benefit of HBA.

Context: The modernization of a legacy software system is a reality of companies that need to improve their systems. Architecture-Driven Modernization (ADM) is a model-driven blueprint that support modernization engineers in the modernization processes. ADM considers the usage of reengineering and model driven architecture (MDA) concepts and advocates the employment of standard metamodels, such as Knowledge Discovery Metamodel (KDM). One of the main challenges while considering ADM is on how modernization tools (MTs) should be developed in order to allow the success of modernization projects that follows the ADM blueprint. Objective: In this paper we address the main requirements and guidelines on how modernization tools should be designed by means of a Reference Architecture (RA) for ADM-based Modernization Tools named RADMoTo. Methodology: We followed a four-steps methodological process to build RADMoTo and to evaluate it we submitted the RA technical report and a survey to ADM experts and software architects in order to get a feedback of the RA acceptance level. Results: As a result, we found out that, in general, the participants believe that our RA provides an acceptable level while considering the architectural views. Conclusion: The feedback from the participants helped in the improvement process of the RA. Thus, we claim that this paper provides concrete guidelines on how modernization tools should be designed and on how architectural instances derived from our RA could benefit from reusability and interoperability.

There is no prescribed stage or standardized point at which an animal model protocol is reviewed for reproducibility and translatability. The method of review for a reproducible and translatable study is not consistently documented in peer literature, and this is a major challenge for those working with animal models of human diseases. If the study is ill designed, it is impossible to perform an accurate harm/benefit analysis. In addition, there may be an ethical challenge if the work is not reproducible and translatable. Animal welfare regulations and other documents of control clearly state the role of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees are to look at science justification within the context of animal welfare. This article, concentrating on models not governed by regulations, outlines issues and offers recommendations for refining animal model review with a goal to improve study reproducibility and translatability.

Purpose Cardiomyocytes progenitor cells (CMPCs) are a candidate cell source for cardiac regenerative therapy. To assess their full potential for cardiac regeneration, it is essential to know if and how CMPCs sense and respond to the three-dimensional (3D) environment and the mechanical stimuli provided by the beating heart. Therefore, we study the response to cyclic strain of undifferentiated and predifferentiated human CMPCs in a 2D environment, as well as CMPC responses to unidirectionally constrained versus stress-free (unconstrained) 3D environments. The latter responses were studied using a hydrogel system that allows for interaction of the cells with a simulated ‘host’ tissue. Methods To test mechanosensitivity of CMPCs in 2D and 3D environments, the response of L9TB CMPCs to uniaxial (cyclic) strain (10% with 0.5 Hz) was investigated. To represent the 3D environment, CMPCs were cultured in unidirectionally constrained and stress-free collagen/Matrigel hydrogels, where the constrainment provides a static strain to the cells. The cellular mechanoresponse to the applied (cyclic) strain was quantified by cellular re-orientation away from the strain direction (strain avoidance). Next to cellular re-orientation, the effect of strain on cell differentiation was analyzed. Results Our results indicate that while undifferentiated cells maintain their original orientation, upon early cardiomyogenic differentiation (predifferentiated) CMPCs exhibit a distinct strain avoidance response during 48hrs of cyclic straining in a 2D environment. In 3D unidirectionally constrained hydrogels, undifferentiated CMPCs retain their cardiomyogenic profile. CMPCs cultured in 3D collagen/Matrigel hydrogels respond to static mechanical strains as expected by cell alignment. Conclusions Our results suggest that CMPCs respond to the presence of mechanical stimuli, in this research mimicked by the application of uniaxial (cyclic) strain in 2D and 3D environments, suggesting that CMPCs are indeed mechanosensitive. Although in 2D environments, mechanosensitivity of the CMPCs is dependent on their differentiation status. Our findings provide the first understanding of the ability of human CMPCs to sense mechanical stimuli, which is the first initial step in mechanotransduction. Mechanotransduction is essential for optimal recruitment, migration, and mechanical integration of progenitor cells into the injured myocardium. Therefore, the presented results can contribute to enhance efficacy of current treatments of cardiac disease, as well as to develop novel endogenous regeneration strategies.

Architecture-Driven Modernization (ADM) is an initiative of the Object Management Group (OMG) whose main purpose is to provide standard metamodels for software modernization activities. The most important metamodel is the Knowledge Discovery Metamodel (KDM), which represents software artifacts in a language-agnostic fashion. A fundamental step in software modernization is refactoring. However, there is a lack of tools that address how refactoring can be applied in conjunction with ADM. We developed a tool, called KDM-RE, that supports refactorings in KDM instances through: (i) a set of wizards that aid the software modernization engineer during refactoring activities; (ii) a change propagation module that keeps the internal metamodels synchronized; and (iii) the selection and application of refactorings available in its repository. This paper evaluates the application of refactorings to KDM instances in an experiment involving seven systems implemented in Java. We compared the pre-refactoring versions of these systems with the refactored ones using the Quality Model for Object-Oriented Design (QMOOD) metric set. The results from this evaluation suggest that KDM-RE provides advantages to software modernization engineers refactoring systems represented as KDMs.

The structural properties and relaxation processes of magnetization in [Ni 81 Fe 19 ( t 1 )/Ru( t 2 )] N superlattices ( N =number of bilayers) were analyzed by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) with a fixed microwave frequency. One series of samples was deposited with constant NiFe layer thickness ( t 1 ) and variable Ru layer thickness ( t 2 ); the other series, with constant t 2 and variable t 1 . A single FMR mode was observed for t 2 t 1 >75 A and it has been attributed to the resonance of the exchange-coupled NiFe layers across the Ru interlayers. For the other values of t 1 and t 2 , several FMR modes appeared and they were associated to non-coupled magnetic phases with different effective magnetization formed during the multilayer growth. The FMR linewidths were analyzed as a function of the magnetic layer thickness and a strong dependence on t 1 −2 was observed. It was attributed to the contribution of the two-magnon scattering mechanism for the linewidth.

Adaptive Systems (ASs) can adapt themselves to achanging environment or new user needs. Monitors are essential in AS, being responsible for collecting and processing data from environment. There exist different kinds of monitors with distinct characteristics. Based on a literature review, we have noticed that Monitors are usually designed and implemented in an inadequate way: i) making them obscure in the source-code, ii) compelling all of them to have the same polling rate and also iii) predetermining the execution order among them. This leads to maintenance, evolution and performance problems. Besides, based on our observations, this erroneous way monitors are implemented follows a pattern and it is a recurrent practice. Therefore, we believe it can be classified asMonitor Smells of Adaptive Systems. In this paper we present two architectural smells we have identified: the Obscure Monitor and the Oppressed Monitors. The first smell occurs when the monitors are not evident in the source-code. The second smell occurs when monitors are compelled to have the same poling rate and an immutable execution order at runtime. The presence of these smells compromises the reusability, evolvability and maintainability. We have also conducted an exploratory study by comparing the impact of maintenance tasks in the original version of an AS called PhoneAdapter with a refactored version, in which the smells were removed. The results indicate the maintenance is facilitated in the version without the smells.

Members of the research community aim to both produce high-quality research and ensure that harm is minimized in animals. The primary means of ensuring these goals are both met is the 3Rs framework of replacement, reduction, and refinement. However, some approaches to the 3Rs may result in a ‘check box mentality’ in which IACUC members, researchers, administrators, and caretakers check off a list of tasks to evaluate a protocol. We provide reasons for thinking that the 3Rs approach could be enhanced with more explicit discussion of the ethical assumptions used to arrive at an approved research protocol during IACUC review. Here we suggest that the notion of moral considerability, and all of the related issues it gives rise to, should be incorporated into IACUC discussions of 3Rs deliberations during protocol review to ensure that animal wellbeing is enhanced within the constraints of scientific investigation.

IntroductionWellness self-management is an adaptation and expansion of the illness management and recovery, an internationally recognized best practice. WSM is a recovery-oriented, curriculum-based practice designed to help adults with severe mental health problems make decisions and take action to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.ObjectivesIn the present study, the Italian translation of the WSM was implemented and validated. Moreover, the impact of its application in a day hospital setting on cognitive functions, psychopathology, personal resources and real-life functioning with respect to treatment as usual (TAU) was investigated.AimsThe study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a semi-structured version of WSM in a day hospital setting in patients with severe mental illness.MethodsFourteen patients with a diagnosis of severe mental illness were recruited and randomly assigned to either WSM or TAU. WSM participants attended four 2-hour sessions per week for 1 month, including lessons selected on the basis of the goals of participants. Both groups received weekly planned treatment in the day-hospital setting and continued their pharmacotherapy.ResultsThe two groups of patients were comparable for age, education, cognitive functioning and psychopathological severity. WSM produced a significantly greater improvement in neurocognition, psychopathology, personal resources and real-life functioning with respect to TAU.ConclusionsOur results offer promising preliminary evidence that the use of WSM provides an effective complement to current mental health treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A surface characterization technique based on the Internal Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) in optoelectronic devices has been used to study the mirror degradation of 1.55 μm semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) exposed to an antireflection coating deposition technique and 980 nm pump lasers suffering from mirror oxidation during life-tests. In both cases, an overall increase in SH emission was observed, as a consequence of mechanical stress enhancement and defects formation due to oxidation phenomena occurring at the interface between semiconductor and coating film. In the case of pump lasers, an oscillating, periodic trend superimposed to the general increasing one was also observed and interpreted as the periodic relaxation of compressive strain in the active layer due to vacancies formation in the near-mirror semiconductor layer.

Forensic laboratories can be called to examine illicit Cannabis samples (marijuana) to identify their geographical origin. They can also be required to compare different seizures to establish whether they were drawn from the same original lot. The quantitative determination of selected organic components is one of the criteria currently used in such investigations. This study aimed at evaluating the inorganic element pattern of marijuana as a possible additional diagnostic tool. Four commercial cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. were grown in field experiments planned so that edaphic and climatic growth conditions varied slightly among the fields. The experimental design produced six populations. Population variability for the elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo) accumulation in leaves (L) and inflorescences (FL) of female plants was determined. For each element, the analytical data for the L and FL ...

One of the research areas of modern medicine is to work on the identification of biological markers, such as biomolecular ones, for neoplastic diseases from occupational origin. MiRNA, short RNA no-codifing sequences, are recently identified such as diagnostic markers in several type of cancer. For this reason, the aim of our study is to analyze the possible role of miRNA in malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive tumor with a strong resistance to conventional therapies and poor prognosis. Total RNA, containing also miRNA, was extracted, and RNA was retro-transcripted with specific primers. Then, miRNA expression was tested using real-time PCR method and particular probes for each miRNA. The RNU6B was used such as housekeeping gene, for data normalization. This work represents the first step for the identification of a specific miRNA pattern for MPM, which will be useful in the diagnosis of MPM and for a personalized therapeutic treatment.

Gynaecological laparoscopic surgery outcomes can be compromised by the formation of de novo adhesions. This randomized, double-blind study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of 4% icodextrin solution (Adept(®)) in the reduction of de novo adhesion incidence compared to lactated Ringer's solution (LRS).Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for removal of myomas or endometriotic cysts were treated with randomized solution as an intra-operative irrigant and 1l post-operative instillate. De novo adhesion incidence (number of sites with adhesions), severity and extent were independently scored at a second-look procedure and the efficacy of the two solutions compared. The effect of surgical covariates on adhesion formation was also investigated. Initial exploratory analysis of individual anatomical sites of clinical importance was progressed. RESULTS Of 498 patients randomized, 330 were evaluable (160 LRS--75% myomectomy/25% endometriotic cysts; 170 Adept--79% myomectomy/21% endometriotic cysts). At study completion, 76.2% LRS and 77.6% Adept had ≥ 1 de novo adhesion. The mean (SD) number of de novo adhesions was 2.58 (2.11) for Adept and 2.58 (2.38) for LRS. The treatment effect difference was not significant (P = 0.909). Assessment of surgical covariates identified significant influences on the mean number of de novo adhesions regardless of treatment, including surgery duration (P = 0.048), blood loss in myomectomy patients (P = 0.019), length of uterine incision in myomectomy patients (P0.001) and number of suture knots (P0.001). There were 15 adverse events considered treatment-related in the LRS patients (7.2%) and 18 in the Adept group (8.3%). Of 17 reported serious adverse events (9 LRS; 8 Adept) none were considered treatment-related.The study confirmed the safety of Adept in laparoscopic surgery. The proportion of patients with de novo adhesion formation was considerably higher than previous literature suggested. Overall there was no evidence of a clinical effect but various surgical covariates including surgery duration, blood loss, number and size of incisions, suturing and number of knots were found to influence de novo adhesion formation. The study provides direction for future research into adhesion reduction strategies in site specific surgery.

The electron velocity distribution function in the solar wind has often been described as the superposition of an isotropic core, a moderately energetic and slightly anisotropic halo and a high energy field aligned beam. The relative weight of these components depends on the characteristics of the solar wind streams (fast and slow) and on the heliocentric distance. We present kinetic simulations using the model given in [1] to study the effects of electron‐electron and electron‐proton collisions on the electron velocity distribution function in the interplanetary space beyond ∼0.3 AU from the Sun. We show that collisions do naturally generate a two population electron velocity distribution with an isotropic and cold “core” and a hot and collimated “halo.” The temperature profiles and temperature anisotropies observed in our simulations are consistent with spacecraft observations [2, 3, 4]. Since waves are not included in our simulations we suggest that Coulomb collisions are an essential ingredient which should be included in any model of the evolution of the electron velocity distribution function in interplanetary space.

We have studied field-and current-driven domain-wall (DW) creep motion in a perpendicularly magnetized Co/Pt multilayer wire by real-time Kerr microscopy. The application of a dc current of density of less than or similar to 10(7) A/cm(2) assisted only the DW creeping under field in the same direction as the electron flow, a signature of spin-transfer torque effects. We develop a model dealing with both bidirectional spin-transfer effects and Joule heating, with the same dynamical exponent mu = 1/4 for both field-and current-driven creep, and use it to quantify the spin-transfer efficiency as 3.6 +/- 0.6 Oe cm(2)/MA in our wires, confirming the significant nonadiabatic contribution to the spin torque.

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue, including endometrial glands and stroma, outside the uterine cavity. The incidence of endometriosis in the general population is almost unknown, because it varies between 1% and 50%, depending on the paper considered. In any case, the incidence of bladder endometriosis is generally considered about 1% or less of endometriotic patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative exams and the effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment.We enrolled 21 patients operated laparoscopically for a severe stage of endometriosis, including at least a bladder localization of 10 mL; in 60% of cases a bowel surgery was associated in the cause of a digestive endometriosis. A complete preoperative and follow-up evaluation was carried out for all patients.The preoperative investigation, especially abdominal sonography, predicted endometriotic bladder invasion in only 38% of cases. Urinary symptomatology was present in only 61.9% of cases. The postoperative follow-up showed the remarkable effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment for the cancellation of pain and to improve the quality of life for patients.Finally, the treatment of severe endometriosis is possible and effective by laparoscopy even in the cases where there is a bladder localization and when, in the absence of specific symptomatology, it isn't diagnosed preoperatively.

The research was carried out during 1999 in 8 different localities in Northern Italy. The nematodes were extracted from soil samples of rhizosphere of corn plants (Zea mays L.). The objective of the study was to investigate plant-parasite nematodes associated with maize. Some phytophagous genera are common pests of this crop and its yield-loss are often due to their high densities. In addition the nematode community was investigated for the genus composition, the trophic structure and its biodiversity. After the extraction from soil with a Bearmann funnel and Ludox centrifugation, nematodes were identified at genus level. They belonged to 22 families and 45 different genera. The genus Rhabditis, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus and Acrobeloides made up more than 70% of the total nematodes collected. The dominant trophic group was the bacterial feeders (61%) in particular Rhabditis, that was the most abundant and often the dominant one. Phytophagous represented in almost all fields more than 30% of the total nematodes. In all the examined sites biodiversity was quite low, being the H' values no more than 1.08. The data indicates a high level of disturbance. In some localities high densities of Helicotylenchus and Pratylenchus were found. While these nematodes have been identified as being potentially harmful for corn plants in our latitudes, especially in light soils, this research could give an indication for further monitoring studies regarding plant parasitic nematodes of corn crops. This data is particularly important considering that methyl bromide, often used in Italian agriculture against soil pathogens, has been banned since the beginning of 2005.

Few data is available on the nematodes found in Brassicaceae, except for the most important plant parasite. However, studying the structure of nematofauna could be an important database for the soil quality and in order to assess the effects of future disturbance. This is particularly important considering that the diffusion of the canola crop in the world is increasing because of its use as a bio-diesel. Very diffused is also the Bt variety of oil seed rape, and, in this case, the study of the impact on the soil health and on bio-diversity is essential. In this research we have analyzed the nematode community, used as a bio-indicator of the soil condition. The nematofauna found in canola (Brassica napus var. oleifera) fields located in Southern Italy (Metaponto - MT) was investigated. The nematode community was studied considering its abundance, genus composition and trophic structure. Maturity and biodiversity indices were also calculated. A total of 5286 nematodes were extracted. They belong to 14 families and 24 genera. Bacterial and fungal feeders, 50.18% and 42.90% of the total respectively, dominated the trophic structure. Aphelencus is the most abundant genus (23.71%) followed by Acrobeloides (20.49%) and Aphelencoides (19.18%). Among plant feeders (6.59%), Pratylenchus is the dominant genus (2.20%) and Tylenchidae the main family (3.54%). No infestation of Meloidogyne, Heterodera or Naboccus, important plant-parasitic nematodes of canola crops, was recorded. Other important phytophagous were Helycotylenchus (0.5%), Trichotylenchus (0.5%) and Filenchus (0.9%). All of them had an abundance level below injury level. The indices of biodiversity are rather low (H'=0.93, J'=0.67), as is typical for agro ecosystems. However, the nematofauna community is quite well structured (N2=6.31, D=0.16) and the maturity index rather high (EMI=1.94). These values demonstrate that oilseed rape has a lower impact on the soil compared to other crop systems and that it could be taken into consideration for crop rotation programs. Canola could follow other more stressful crops, trying to maintain soil equilibrium.

The use of animals in biomedical research is a privilege granted by society, and the rules and regulations that govern this usage are in place to ensure the welfare of the laboratory animal subjects. The IACUC is the institutional commitment to this protection, and IACUC members continually challenge themselves and others to find a balance between achieving both scientific and animal welfare objectives. This is accomplished by incorporating the three Rs (reduction replacement and refinement) into animal usage in research, teaching and testing. IACUC members can be advocates for both the animals and the scientist. A good working relationship between the committee and the attending and/or laboratory animal veterinarian will promote identification, interpretation and clarification of the major rules and regulations. It is ultimately the responsibility of each investigator to comply with regulations for the welfare and safety of the animals and people involved in any research project. Animal models used in inflammation research often have specific considerations that need to be addressed to minimize issues of pain and distress. This includes the use of well-defined endpoints, the proper use of pharmacological interventions and the use of other pain-alleviating methods.

Best practices result from a partnership between law, science, and the people working with the animals on regulated studies. In an ideal setting, people working with animals observe and study animal behavior as influenced by different housing and handling paradigms. These observations are published to create a body of science, and laws are promulgated based on the science. The ideal world does not exist, but there are certain components of best practices common to all species. These components include study design, housing, social contact, diet/feed, enrichment devices, and human interaction. This paper outlines how the forces of law, science, and people work to create best practices for species in regulated studies, specifically mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and nonhuman primates.

To compare morphine and tramadol in the treatment of postoperative pain (POP), using a system of Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA).Randomised comparative study on 88 patients, undergoing general major surgical operations (gastrectomy, colectomy and hemicolectomy).PCA i.v.: group M treated with morphine (at a dilution of 1 mg/ml) and group T with tramadol (at a dilution of 10 mg/ml). Loading dose: 0.05 mg/kg for the group treated with morphine and 0.5 mg/kg for the group treated with tramadol. Baseline infusion: 1.5 ml/h. Bolus on demand: 0.2 ml every 30 minutes. At T0, after 1 hour, 3 and 18 hours assessment of pain intensity, level of sedation, respiratory and cardiocirculatory parameters. After 18 hours assessment of the amount of drug administered, the number of boluses requested and given and any side effects.ANOVA test, Student "t", chi 2.A statistically significant reduction in POP was found after 1 hour, 3 and 18 hours with no significant differences between the two groups. No statistically significant differences in cardiocirculatory or respiratory parameters or level of sedation were found. Few side effects were observed.Tramadol determines pain relief similar to morphine, with the advantage that it does not lead to abuse, tolerance or addiction.

From May 1993 to January 1997, a total of 130 humeral fractures and nonunions were treated using an "elastic" unreamed nail. The elastic nail consists of a cylindrical proximal component tapered for the application of the impactor-extractor, distally containing the proximal ends of four or five secondary nails preloaded to diverge and held together by a retaining system. The surgical approach is through the olecranic fossa apex. Once introduced, the proximal end of the nail locks automatically by diverging the secondary nails in the proximal humeral epiphysis. Distally, the elastic nail is locked with a crossbolt. The elastic nail enables stable fixation of fractures or nonunions and allows early rehabilitation.

Latex allergy has become a real problem among both surgical staff (paramedics and physicians) and patients especially pediatric patients with urogenital malformations and spina bifida. Latex allergy is produced from both natural molecules which compose the substance produced from Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) and industrial additives contents in latex devices. Diagnosis of latex allergy may be carried out through a preoperative Prik-test. A characteristic of latex allergy reaction is the starting of symptoms (more than 15 minutes after allergen contact). Pathophysiology of latex allergy is the same of all allergic reactions; it is an antigen-antibody reaction and type I or II reaction may occur. There are a lot of devices that surgeons and anesthesists use in the operative theatre and that should not be used in presence of a patient with latex allergy. Guaranteed latex-free devices should always be present in store.

In women, the bone metabolism is markedly influenced by gonadal steroids and by their fluctuations. Indeed, estrogens influence bone metabolism by influencing endocrine and paracrine functions involved in bone remodelling. In normally cycling women, the administration of oral contraceptives does not increase bone mineral density and does not induce deleterious effects on bone. In women with ovulatory disturbances, bone turnover is increased and bone mineral density is lower than in normally cycling women. In these cases, administration of oral contraceptives is capable of blocking increased bone loss and of restoring a normal bone mineral density. Similarly, in women treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs, the concomitant administration of oral contraceptives completely antagonizes GnRH analog-induced bone loss. The progestogenic component of oral contraceptives seems to contribute to the protective effect of estrogens on bone. Oral contraceptives are safe for bone maintenance in normal adult women, and are indeed indicated to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis in women with ovulatory disturbances.

The dynamics of the development of extremely small scales in magnetic fields is crucial to understand the heating and energetic manifestations of the high temperature plasma of the solar corona. Here we illustrate what could be an essential aspect of the cascade of magnetic energy to small scales via numerical simulations of the propagation of (shear) Alfven waves in a magnetic field with an x-point geometry in 2.5 D. The coupling of the waves with the background field leads to the development of fast-mode shocks whose number depends on the ratio of the Alfven wave frequency to the intrinsic frequency of the x-point. Though the x-point is essential to shock wave formation, dissipation occurs within the shocks which sweep the whole plasma volume. The shocks might also play an important role in modifying particle acceleration around the x-point.

Reimplantation (when possible) represents today the method of choice when dealing with and attempting to resolve cases of deep infection in total hip arthroplasty. In recent years we have, however, had the chance to treat some cases of infection in cementless arthroplasty (without loosening) by conservative treatment: surgical debridement and specific antibiotic therapy (2 cases), or medical therapy alone (1 case), both associated with immobilization in a plaster cast for 2-3 weeks. The long-term results proved to be quite encouraging: none of the 3 patients treated conservatively showed (after 5-6 years) clinical-radiographic signs of recurrence of the infection.

The authors consider poor results in lumbar disc surgery to be commonly caused by the following conditions: 1) recurrence of the hernia; 2) postoperative instability; 3) scarring entrapment of the spinal nerve roots; 4) coexisting local or general pathology; 5) arachnoiditis; 6) psychological causes and those where insurance is involved. In particular patients with insurance-related motivations or those affected with depressive syndromes are frequently observed among those submitted to lumbar surgery. The only indications for surgery include recurrence of disc herniation and postoperative instability. In any of the other situations further surgery often results in worsening of the patient's conditions, or it at any rate does not guarantee improvement in the conditions of the patients.

The authors report the results obtained in 244 patients submitted to anterior interbody fusion. The method involves preoperative reduction in plaster (when necessary) and anterior surgical stabilization, facilitated by improvement in the anatomical and biomechanical conditions obtained with reduction. This method obtained excellent results in 85% of the cases, with fusion and absence of symptoms, and good results in 10% of the cases, with occasional symptoms and/or fibrous. Results were unsatisfactory in 5% of the cases because of residual radiculopathy (4 cases), non-union of the fusion (3 cases), retrograde ejaculation (2 cases), loosening of the graft (1 case) or unthreading of a screw (1 case). It is our opinion that anterior interbody fusion is the best surgical method for the stabilization of Meyerding grades III, IV and V spondylolisthesis. Posterolateral fusion is used to treat some cases with slippage equal to less than 25% (grade I) and cases where more than one level is involved.

Two commercially available synthetic adjuvant systems, trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and TDM + monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), were compared with Freund complete adjuvant (FCA) for the ability to stimulate antibody production in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In addition, each animal was evaluated for adverse reactions. The antigen, rat liver microsomal epoxide hydrolase, was administered SC emulsified with FCA, TDM, or TDM + MPL. Serum antibody titers were stimulated with all 3 adjuvant-antigen combinations. The highest titer was produced by use of FCA; TDM + MPL produced an intermediate response, and TDM produced the lowest titer. All of the rabbits immunized with FCA developed sterile subcutaneous abscesses. Rabbits immunized with TDM or TDM + MPL developed no abscesses, and only slight reactions at the injection site. The synthetic adjuvant system TDM + MPL is recommended for use in rabbits, considering its adequate stimulation of antibody production with minimal adverse reactions.