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Background: In this paper we describe a configurable system based on laser displacement sensors for the contactless acquisition of 3D and 2D shapes of near-planar objects such as the paintings. Methods: The system is based on two single-point laser triangulation sensors, a planar robot and a suite of software for driving the sensors, acquiring and post-processing the collected data. As a demonstration of the developed system we monitored three artifacts with the different aims to monitor the elastic properties of the artworks and the effectiveness of support frames in compensating the micro-climate fluctuations: the 'Annunciazione' Antonello da Messina, the 'Paliotto di San Domenico', and the 'Portiera Oddi-Montesperelli'. Results: In the 'Annunciazione' case, the canvas response to tensioning trials was analyzed. The collected data permitted to quantify a maximum displacement of 0.9 and 1.5 mm for the tensioning tests at 1 and 2 mm, respectively. In the 'Portiera' case, the displacement difference between the left and right canvas sides was (1.0 ± 0.13)%, due to the inherent anisotropy of the material and by the structure of the artifact. In the 'Paliotto' case, instead, minor displacement variations of the gilt leather due to the environment were observed, due to the analysis conducted prior of the restoration. Conclusions: The overall obtained results demonstrated that the system is able to provide useful data for the art conservation field, with a max inaccuracy less than 100 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the pattern of association between the season of conception and cytosolic low molecular weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase (ACP1) genetic polymorphism in 329 consecutively newborn infants from the population of Penne and 361 consecutively newborn infants from the population of Rome. In addition, 329 mothers were studied in the population of Penne. A concordant, highly significant association was observed in the two populations between ACP1 parameters and the season of conception of newborn infants. The total activity of ACP1 shows a minimum in infants conceived in January–February and a maximum in those conceived at the end of the solar year. Analysis of the joint mother-newborn ACP1 distribution in relation to the season of fertilisation has shown that among mothers carrying ACP1*A (the allele showing the lowest activity), the proportion of newborns carrying this allele is higher in those conceived in the first months of the year than in those conceived subsequently. Since ACP1 probably functions as a phosphotyrosine phosphatase and as a flavin mononucleotide phosphatase, low activity could enhance the metabolic rate and would be advantageous in a cold environment. The cycle of variation of ACP1 in infants follows the cycle of solar illumination. It is possible that individuals who have a genetic background allowing them to adapt easily and readily to seasonal demand are more successful in reproducing themselves. The population of zygotes conceived in a given season would therefore reproduce the pattern of gene combination more fit for that season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 203 couples with unexplained habitual abortions and 364 consecutive normal puerperae along with their live-born babies were studied. The analysis of wife-husband joint ABO blood group distribution in couples with habitual abortion showed an excess of A incompatible mating type and a defect of B incompatible type as compared with expected proportions assuming random mating. The joint wife-husband ABO blood group distribution was further analysed in relation to the adenosine deaminase (ADA) genotype. A defect of O-A and A-O couples when the wife carries the ADA*1/*1 genotype and the husband carries the ADA*2 allele, and a defect of O-O and A-A when the wife carries the ADA*2 allele were observed. In the sample of normal puerperae, analysis of the joint mother-newborn ABO distribution in relation to the ADA genotype showed a pattern similar to that observed in couples with habitual abortion, i.e. there is a defect of O-A and A-O when the mother carries the ADA*1/*1 genotype and the newborn carries the ADA*2 allele and a defect of O-O and A-A types when the mother carries the ADA*2 allele. Altogether the data suggest an early loss of O-A and A-O zygotes when they carry the ADA*2 allele and an early loss of O-O and A-A zygotes when the mother carries the ADA*2 allele resulting in a deficit of these zygotic classes among both spontaneously aborted fetuses and live-born infants. The pattern of association observed in the mother-fetus type O-A (incompatible according to conventional terminology) appears similar to that observed for the reciprocal A-O type (compatible according to conventional terminolgy). Therefore strictly conventional immunological mechanisms cannot explain the whole pattern of associations. Cell to cell interactions involving ABO antigens may have an important role at implantation: ADA, through the control of local adenosine concentration, could modulate these interactions influencing the probability of successful implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]