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Objective Mental illness and suicidal ideation are among the strongest correlates of suicidal behaviors, but few adolescents with these risk factors make a suicide attempt. Therefore, it is critical to identify factors associated with the transition from suicide ideation to attempts. The present study tested whether deficits in cognitive control in the context of suicide-relevant stimuli (ie, suicide interference) reliably differentiated adolescent ideators and attempters. Methods Adolescents (n = 99; 71 girls) aged 13-18 years (mean = 15.53, SD = 1.34) with recent suicide ideation (n = 60) or a recent suicide attempt (n = 39) were recruited from an acute residential treatment facility between August 2012 and December 2013. We measured interference to suicide-related, negative, and positive words using the Suicide Stroop Task (SST). Results When stimuli were analyzed separately, suicide attempters showed greater interference for suicide (t₉₇ = 2.04, P = .044, d = 0.41) and positive (t₉₇ = 2.63, P = .010, d = 0.53) stimuli compared to suicide ideators. An additional omnibus interference (suicide, negative, positive) x group (suicide ideator, suicide attempter) analysis of variance revealed a main effect of group (F₁,₉₇ = 4.31, P = .041, ηp² = 0.04) but no interaction (P = .166), indicating that attempters showed greater interference for emotional stimuli, regardless of valence. Multiple attempters drove this effect; single attempters and ideators did not differ in SST performance (P = .608). Conclusions General deficits in cognitive control in the context of emotional stimuli may be a marker of adolescent suicide risk.

The work is addressed to investigating the potentiality of calcination of organic-inorganic (O-I) hybrids as a feasible approach to produce silica particles, at mild temperature conditions and with tailored morphology. Two different innovative hybrid systems were obtained through sol-gel process with a siloxane content ranging from 6 to 26wt%. The two O-I hybrids differed for i) the organic matrix (methacrylic or epoxy), ii) its crosslinking mechanism (photopolymerization for methacrylic systems or thermal cold-cure for epoxy systems) and iii) the rate ratio between sol-gel and crosslinking reactions. Different characterization techniques were used to understand the effect of composition and curing method on the morphology of the silica obtained from O-I hybrids after calcination in air. The results confirm the morphology and properties of silica particles in terms of surface and porosity may be tailored over a wide range by varying the composition and nature of organic and inorganic precursors of hybrids.

The influence of different graphite-based nanofillers on epoxide ring opening reactions, as induced by amines for diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), is studied. Direct kinetic studies, with full chemical characterization and quantitative evaluation of the low molecular mass products, for reactions of DGEBA with primary and secondary monoamines as well with alcohols, are conducted. Moreover, the kinetic behavior of a commercial epoxy resin based on DGEBA and a diamine, leading to crosslinked insoluble networks, is studied by indirect methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rheometry. The reported results show a relevant catalytic activity of graphene oxide on epoxy resin crosslinking by amines. For instance, for a graphene oxide content of 3 wt%, the exothermic crosslinking DSC peak is shifted (upon heating at 10 °C min−1) from 113 °C down to 96 °C, while the gel time at 50 °C is reduced by a factor of 2.5. This behavior is due to the ability of graphene oxide to catalyze primary amine–epoxy, secondary amine–epoxy and mainly hydroxyl–epoxy additions.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of weighted-incidence syndromic combination antibiograms (WISCAs) to inform the selection of empirical antibiotic regimens for suspected paediatric bloodstream infections (BSIs) by comparing WISCAs derived using data from single hospitals and from a multicentre surveillance dataset. Methods: WISCAs were developed by estimating the coverage of five empirical antibiotic regimens for childhood BSI using a Bayesian decision tree. The study used microbiological data on ~2000 bloodstream isolates collected over 2 years from 19 European hospitals. We evaluated the ability of a WISCA to show differences in regimen coverage at two exemplar hospitals. For each, a WISCA was first calculated using only their local data; a second WISCA was calculated using pooled data from all 19 hospitals. Results: The estimated coverage of the five regimens was 72%-86% for Hospital 1 and 79%-94% for Hospital 2, based on their own data. In both cases, the best regimens could not be definitively identified because the differences in coverage were not statistically significant. For Hospital 1, coverage estimates derived using pooled data gave sufficient precision to reveal clinically important differences among regimens, including high coverage provided by a narrow-spectrum antibiotic combination. For Hospital 2, the hospital and pooled data showed signs of heterogeneity and the use of pooled data was judged not to be appropriate. Conclusions: The Bayesian WISCA provides a useful approach to pooling information from different sources to guide empirical therapy and could increase confidence in the selection of narrow-spectrum regimens. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

The paper presents the results of an experiment carried out with a hybrid along-track (AT) / across-track (XT) interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) configuration in order to simultaneously estimating the velocity and the elevation pattern of the illuminated sea surface. In particular, the experiment has been carried out in 2013 with the X-band InSAeS4 airborne SAR system, which is equipped with three antennas installed in such a way to allow the simultaneous presence of three AT baselines and three XT baselines. The test-site is the coastline stretch of the Campania region, in the South of Italy, close to the Volturno river.

Graphene stacks/epoxy nanocomposites were produced and characterized in order to analyse the effect of different graphene precursors on cure reaction of a model epoxy matrix. A kinetic analysis of the cure mechanism of the epoxy resin associated to the catalytical activity of the graphite based fillers was performed by isothermal DSC measurements. The DSC results showed that the addition of all graphite based fillers greatly increased the enthalpy of epoxy reaction and the reaction rate, confirming the presence of a catalytic activity of graphitic layers on the crosslinking reaction between the epoxy resin components (epoxide oligomer and di-amine). A kinetic modelling analysis, arising from an autocatalyzed reaction mechanism, was finally applied to isothermal DSC data, in order to predict the cure mechanism of the epoxy resin in presence of the graphite based nanofiller.

Riassunto Obiettivi Lo scopo di questa revisione della letteratura consiste nel valutare le attuali conoscenze circa la relazione esistente tra malocclusione di Classe II di Angle (in particolare della divisione 2) disfunzioni temporo-mandibolari (Temporomandibular Disorder, TMD). Materiali e metodi E stata realizzata una ricerca attraverso il database elettronico Medline, utilizzando criteri di inclusione ed esclusione specifici e le parole chiave “temporomandibular disorder AND malocclusion class II”. Dei 252 articoli risultanti dalla ricerca ne sono stati selezionati 23 che soddisfacevano tutti i criteri di inclusione di questa review. Risultati Gli studi prospettici, longitudinali e retrospettivi analizzati non sostengono in ultima analisi un ruolo primario dell’occlusione, in particolare della malocclusione di Classe II divisione 2, nello sviluppo di problematiche articolari e supportano altresi l’ipotesi di una teoria multifattoriale all’origine di problematiche articolari. Conclusioni Non risulta corretto effettuare qualsiasi previsione di sviluppo di TMD sulla base della presenza o assenza di una malocclusione anche se, in alcuni studi, la malocclusione di Classe II e stata associata a una piu alta prevalenza di problematiche muscolo-tensive. Pertanto, mentre risulta chiara una scarsa associazione a problematiche strettamente articolari (click, blocco articolare, lussazioni), la malocclusione di Classe II in letteratura e correlata a problematiche di tipo muscolare.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety and complication rate of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair for small babies weighing 3 kg or less. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the surgical charts of 67 infants (47 boys and 20 girls) weighing 3 kg or less who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair in a 3-year period. A regular 5-mm scope was used for visualization, and 2 or 3-mm instruments were used for the closure of the inner inguinal ring using 3/0 non-absorbable suture. The median weight at surgery was 2,600 g (range 1,450-3,000 g). All except three were premature. RESULTS: Of the 67 infants, 15 (22.3 %) presented with an irreducible hernia. In three cases of irreducible hernias, we also performed a transumbilical appendectomy at the end of the hernia repair. Minor problems related with anesthesia were noted in four cases. Hernia recurrence was observed in three patients (4.4 %). No cases of testicular atrophy occurred. In 10 boys, we observed 12 cases of high testes, only 4 testes requiring subsequent orchiopexy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair for babies weighing 3 kg or less is feasible, safe and perhaps even less technically demanding than open inguinal herniotomy.

Riassunto Obiettivi Lo scopo di questo lavoro consiste nella valutazione degli effetti della menopausa sulla salute orale delle pazienti, delle problematiche piu frequenti e delle strategie di prevenzione attuabili in questa particolare categoria di pazienti. Materiali e metodi E stata condotta una ricerca nel database elettronico di Medline, utilizzando criteri di inclusione ed esclusione specifici e le seguenti parole chiave: “oral health and menopause”. Degli articoli trovati sono stati selezionati alcuni articoli di interesse per questa ricerca. Sono stati poi aggiunti alcuni articoli pubblicati su riviste non indicizzate e alcune considerazioni tratte da testi inerenti. Risultati e conclusioni La menopausa e un periodo di grandi cambiamenti ormonali e il parodonto e un tessuto particolarmente suscettibile a queste variazioni. Diversi sono i quadri clinici che si presentano piu di frequente: gengivite desquamativa, stomatopirosi, xerostomia, gengiviti e parodontopatie piu in generale. Va quindi applicata una rigida prevenzione di tutte le forme di parodontopatie per ridurre al minimo il rischio di perdita di elementi dentari o dell’instaurarsi di problematiche infiammatorie e infettive a carico di gengive e mucosa orale.

Objective: Recent work suggests that delivery of continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an acceptable layperson resuscitation strategy, although little is known about layperson preferences for training in continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We hypothesized that continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation education would lead to greater trainee confidence and would encourage wider dissemination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills compared to standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation training (30 compressions: two breaths). Design: Prospective, multicenter randomized study. Setting: Three academic medical center inpatient wards. Subjects: Adult family members or friends ( > =18 yrs old) of inpatients admitted with cardiac-related diagnoses. Interventions: In a multicenter randomized trial, family members of hospitalized patients were trained via the educational method of video self-instruction. Subjects were randomized to continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation or standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation educational modes. Measurements: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance data were collected using a cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill-reporting manikin. Trainee perspectives and secondary training rates were assessed through mixed qualitative and quantitative survey instruments. Main Results: Chest compression performance was similar in both groups. The trainees in the continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation group were significantly more likely to express a desire to share their training kit with others (152 of 207 [73%] vs. 133 of 199 [67%], p = .03). Subjects were contacted 1 month after initial enrollment to assess actual sharing, or “secondary training.” Kits were shared with 2.0 ± 3.4 additional family members in the continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation group vs. 1.2 ± 2.2 in the standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation group (p = .03). As a secondary result, trainees in the continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation group were more likely to rate themselves “very comfortable” with the idea of using cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills in actual events than the standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation trainees (71 of 207 [34%] vs. 57 of 199 [28%], p = .08). Conclusions: Continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation education resulted in a statistically significant increase in secondary training. This work suggests that implementation of video self-instruction training programs using continuous chest compression cardiopulmonary resuscitation may confer broader dissemination of life-saving skills and may promote rescuer comfort with newly acquired cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge.

To identify aspects of health in postmenopausal Brazilian women using a health-related educational program provided by a multidisciplinary team as part of the primary care approach for early and late postmenopausal symptoms.A prospective cohort was formed with 69 postmenopausal women; they were divided into groups corresponding to early (n = 32) and late postmenopause (n = 37) through gynecological and clinical evaluations. We administered the Kuppermann-Blatt Menopausal Index and the Women's Health Questionnaire before and after health education instructions.The average age for the onset of menopause was 47.9 years (n = 69). Fifty women (72.5%) in this study had completed their primary education, 78.3% (n = 54) performed manual labor, and 60.9% (n = 42) showed concomitant chronic illnesses. After attending a series of health-related presentations, the mean weight of the women was reduced by 3.54% in early postmenopausal women (p0.001) and by 2.06% in the late postmenopausal group (p0.001). The mean abdominal circumference was reduced by 1.75% (p0.001) in the early postmenopausal group. In addition, the total score in the Kuppermann-Blatt Menopausal Index decreased by 34.38% in the early and by 33.33% in the late postmenopausal groups. According to the Women's Health Questionnaire, there was a decrease in the domain Depressive mood by 0.839 to 0.700 (p0.001) in the early and by 0.814 to 0.648 (p0.001) in the late postmenopausal groups.Regardless of improving menopausal symptoms and anthropometric parameters, the effects of the multidisciplinary team activities in early postmenopausal women may be similar to those in late postmenopausal women.

An experimental study was carried out for the development and characterization of innovative photopolymerizable siloxane-modified acrylic formulations for possible use as protective coatings for stone substrates. Two amounts of calcarenitic stone particles (25 wt.% and 35 wt.%) were added to a siloxane-modified acrylic mixture. The effect of stone particles inclusion on the reactivity and surface properties of the photopolymerizable systems was investigated. To this aim, the kinetics of the radical photo-polymerization reaction, induced by UV radiations in the presence of a suitable photoinitiator, was studied by calorimetric analysis, both in air and nitrogen atmosphere. The formulations, coated on a glass substrate, were photo-cured by using a medium pressure Hg UV lamp in air. On the coatings photo-polymerized in air were measured: gel content, transparency, scratch and surface hardness.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:613–618 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Objectives: Risk stratification of patients with potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is difficult. Patients with prior revascularization are considered higher risk, but they can also have symptoms from noncardiac causes. This study evaluated whether the presenting clinical characteristics were predictive of an increased risk of 30-day cardiovascular events in patients with prior revascularization presenting to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms of potential ACS. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the DISPO-ACS study, a 2000-patient, four-site, randomized controlled trial of patients presenting with potential ACS. Process outcomes were evaluated using point-of-care cardiac markers compared to standard laboratory-based markers. Data included demographics, history, presenting symptoms, laboratory and electrocardiogram (ECG) results, hospital course, and 30-day cardiovascular events (death, acute myocardial infarction [AMI], revascularization). The association between presenting characteristics and 30-day cardiovascular events was assessed using univariable analysis and logistic regression; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are given. Results: Of 2,000 patients enrolled, 611 had prior revascularization (538 percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], 232 coronary artery bypass graft [CABG], 159 both). The mean (±SD) age was 66 (±14) years, 44% were female, and 22% were black. By 30 days, 101 patients (17%) had cardiovascular events (81 during the index visit, 20 during follow-up). There were four deaths, 28 AMIs, and 67 revascularizations within 30 days; 20 patients had multiple endpoints. Being male (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.62) or nonblack (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.07 to 3.56) or having a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD; OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.32 to 3.3), elevated lipids (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.04 to 2.82), prior AMI (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.16 to 2.76), abnormal ECG on arrival (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.33 to 3.34), and a positive initial troponin (OR = 14.7, 95% CI = 6.8 to 32.2) were predictive of cardiovascular events. The multivariable model found family history of CAD (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.26 to 3.36), abnormal initial ECG (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.16 to 3.09), and positive initial troponin (OR = 13.3, 95% CI = 5.9 to 29.6) remained predictive of 30-day cardiovascular events. Conclusions: In patients with prior revascularization, the initial ECG and early cardiac marker elevations, but not clinical presentation, predict odds of 30-day death, AMI, or revascularization.

The prevalence of sustaining fall-related injuries is high in the middle-aged workforce. Deficits in postural control/muscle strength represent important fall-risk factors. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of balance and strength training followed by detraining on postural control and muscle strength in the workforce. Thirty-two adults with sedentary office work participated in this study and were assigned to an intervention (age 56.0 ± 3.7 yrs) or a control group (age 55.5 ± 3.4 yrs). The intervention group participated in 8 weeks of balance and strength training conducted at the worksite, followed by 8 weeks of detraining. Tests included the measurement of (a) total centre of pressure (COP) displacements during one-legged standing, (b) gait velocity and stride-to-stride variability, (c) peak isometric/isokinetic torque and rate of torque development (RTD) of the plantar flexors, and (d) jumping height. After training, significant improvements in COP displacements, gait velocity, peak isometric/isokinetic torque, RTD, and jumping height were observed. During detraining, muscle strength deteriorated, whereas postural control improved. This fall-preventive training program conducted at the worksite proved to be feasible and effective. It is suggested that this training program should be permanently conducted to maintain/improve muscle strength.

A hyperbranched polymer (HBP), based on a highly branched polyester, was added to a trifunctional triglycidyl-p-aminophenol (TGAP) epoxy resin as a possible route to increase the toughness of the resin. Different amounts of the HBP, up to 26.5% wt. of resin, were dispersed in the TGAP resin. The rheological behavior of the formulations produced was studied as function of the shear rate and the filler content using a cone and plate rheometer. The rheological behavior of the TGAP resin, initially Newtonian, was modified displaying a pseudo-plastic trend when the hyperbranched polymer was added. An increase in the viscosity of the resin was observed with increasing volume fraction of the filler. The Cross equation was used to predict the viscosity of each formulation as a function of the shear rate. A novel procedure was developed to predict the viscosity of each mixture as a function of the filler volume fraction. This could be employed to provide quantitative information on the filler volume fraction in epoxy/HBP systems, necessary to achieve the characteristic viscosity values corresponding to the typical shear rates for a specific processing technology.

In this work nanocomposite in a polyurethane (PU) matrix, using an organically modified montmorillonite (OMM), were studied. An amount of organoclay ranging from 2% up to 6% by volume was added to the polyol component of the resin before mixing with isocyanate. The basal distance of OMM before and after mixing with the polyol and after curing was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of PU nanocomposites, measured using differential scanning calorimeter, increases with increasing the volume fraction of OMM. On the other hand, the heat capacity increment, ΔCp, decreases from that the unfilled PU to that of the sample with 5.7 vol.% of OMM. Therefore the rigid amorphous fraction of the PU nanocomposites increases with increasing volume fraction of OMM. Finally, a three-phase model similar to that applied to study semi-crystalline polymers, was used to analyze the intercalation of the PU chains between OMM lamellae. The definition of molecular cooperativity was discussed for these systems and the characteristic length of the cooperative region was determined, using Donth equation.

Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) originates mostly from erythroblasts and lesser from reticulocytes. The usefulness of sTfR has been implicated in several clinical situations, mainly as a marker of accelerated erythropoiesis or iron deficiency. The assessment of sTfR may be useful in the period of rapid growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence. We evaluated sTfR and the other quantitative and qualitative parameters of the erythropoiesis (Hb, MCV, CHr, Ret-He) and of the iron storage (serum ferritin, sTfR/ferritin index) in a total of 916 children aged 6-10 years. Children were divided into three groups: (A) healthy children, (B) with storage iron deficiency (serum ferritin12 microg/l) and (C) Beta trait carriers (HbA23.3). We determined reference intervals by sex and by age in healthy children. sTfR showed a slight but statistically significant age related increase but did not show significant sex differences. We compared sTfR and the other parameters investigated in the three groups of children. sTfR is not a decisive parameter that can be utilized alone in discriminating the border-line situations between normal and pathologic ones but can help in completing the panel of tests in iron deficiency and in thalassaemia Beta trait carriers.

Nanocomposite coatings based on a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin (3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3′,4′-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate – CE) with two different o-Boehmites (content ranging from 5 to 10 wt.%) were prepared by cationic photopolymerization. Two different in situ monitoring techniques, photocalorimetry (p-DSC) and real time FT-IR spectroscopy (RT-IR) were used in order to investigate the kinetics of the photopolymerization process. A theoretical approach for establishing the equivalence of the irradiation conditions in the two experimental set-ups was developed in order to compare the obtained results. A substantial correspondence of the two techniques was found for the qualitative trend of the final conversion of the epoxy groups of the filled formulations relatively to the pure CE resin. Conversely, the final conversion of the epoxy groups and the reaction rate were found to be quite different. Higher kinetic profiles were obtained in RT-IR experiments, in which were also observed lower final conversions of the epoxy groups relatively to the p-DSC measurements. The presence of the nanofillers resulted in a decrease in the reactivity of the epoxy system, which was attributed to the light absorbance of Boehmites due to scattering from the clusters in the micron-size range. All the nanocomposites exhibited a high level of transparency and high Tg values, which were found to decrease slightly with increasing the nanofiller content.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents, and depressed youth are six times more likely to make suicide attempts as compared to non-depressed adolescents. The present study examined the unique and interactive effects of two well-established correlates of suicidality - childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and disinhibition - in predicting suicide attempts among depressed adolescents. METHOD: Participants were 163 adolescents (125 females) aged 13-18 (M=15.60, SD=1.27) diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (n=95, 58.3%) and/or Dysthymia (n=69, 42.3%) recruited from an acute residential treatment service. Participants completed interviews assessing psychopathology and suicidality, self-report measures of depressive symptoms and CSA, and a computerized disinhibition task. RESULTS: Consistent with hypotheses, CSA moderated the association between disinhibition and adolescents' report of their past year and lifetime suicide attempts. Specifically, higher disinhibition was associated with a greater likelihood of having made a suicide attempt among adolescents with a history of CSA, but not among those without. The same pattern of results held in analyses of suicide attempt frequency. LIMITATIONS: Primary findings were based on observational, cross-sectional data, and therefore, causal relationships cannot be inferred. The gender imbalance in the sample precluded stratifying our analyses by gender. CSA was ascertained by self-report; replication of the results with more objective measures is warranted. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that CSA and disinhibition may work together to predict elevated suicide risk, and these results have implications for early identification efforts in youth at high risk for suicide. Language: en

We show that one of the advantages of quorum-based decision-making is an ability to estimate the average value of a resource that fluctuates in quality. By using a quorum threshold, namely the number of ants within a new nest site, to determine their choice, the ants are in effect voting with their feet. Our results show that such quorum sensing is compatible with homogenization theory such that the average value of a new nest site is determined by ants accumulating within it when the nest site is of high quality and leaving when it is poor. Hence, the ants can estimate a surprisingly accurate running average quality of a complex resource through the use of extraordinarily simple procedures.

In order to retrieve information about the sea surface velocity in coastal Mediterranean regions from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, in this work we exploit spaceborne as well as airborne data. In particular, we apply two different processing techniques. The first one exploits a single SAR image, whereas the second one, referred to as Along-Track SAR Interferometry, exploits SAR data pairs. The first technique has been applied to spaceborne ENVISAT-1 SAR data, whereas the second one has been applied to airborne data acquired by the Italian InSAeS4 X-band SAR system.

Background: Adolescent depression and suicide are pressing public health concerns, and identifying key differences among suicide ideators and attempters is critical. The goal of the current study is to test whether depressed adolescent suicide attempters report greater anhedonia severity and exhibit aberrant effort–cost computations in the face of uncertainty. Methods: Depressed adolescents (n¼101) ages 13–19 years were administered structured clinical interviews to assess current mental health disorders and a history of suicidality (suicide ideators¼55, suicide attempters¼46). Then, participants completed self-report instruments assessing symptoms of suicidal ideation, depression, anhedonia, and anxiety as well as a computerized effort–cost computation task. Results: Compared with depressed adolescent suicide ideators, attempters report greater anhedonia severity, even after concurrently controlling for symptoms of suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, when completing the effort–cost computation task, suicide attempters are less likely to pursue the difficult, high value option when outcomes are uncertain. Follow-up, trial-level analyses of effort–cost computations suggest that receipt of reward does not influence future decision-making among suicide attempters, however, suicide ideators exhibit a win–stay approach when receiving rewards on previous trials. Limitations: Findings should be considered in light of limitations including a modest sample size, which limits generalizability, and the cross-sectional design. Conclusions: Depressed adolescent suicide attempters are characterized by greater anhedonia severity, which may impair the ability to integrate previous rewarding experiences to inform future decisions. Taken together, this may generate a feeling of powerlessness that contributes to increased suicidality and a needless loss of life.

InSAeS4 is an Italian X band airborne SAR system, recently upgraded to a multi-antenna interferometric configuration. The system is able to acquire single pass across-track and along-track multi-baseline data with different acquisition modes characterized by different geometric resolutions and across-track swaths. In recent work we have analyzed the high resolution InSAeS4 products (obtained by transmitting 400 MHz bandwidth pulses), characterized by the narrowest across-track swath (1.5 Km wide). In this work, we focus on the InSAeS4 products characterized by the widest across-track swath, at expenses of the lowest geometric resolution. To this aim we show some results achieved with an interferometric dataset acquired by the system in 2013 over the Napoli area, Italy.

4-Nonylphenol is a widely diffused and stable environmental contaminant, originating from the degradation of alkyl phenol ethoxylates, common surfactants employed in several industrial applications. Due to its hydrophobic nature, 4-nonylphenol can easily accumulate in living organisms, including humans, where it displays a wide range of toxic effects. Since the gastrointestinal tract represents the main route by which 4-nonylphenol enters the body, the intestine may be one of the first organs to be damaged by chronic exposure to this pollutant through the diet. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 4-nonylphenol on a human intestinal epithelial cell line (Caco-2 cells). We demonstrated that 4-nonylphenol was cytotoxic to cells, as revealed by a decrease of the cell number and the decrement of mitochondrial functionality after 24 h of treatment. 4-Nonylphenol also reduced the number of cells entering into S-phase and interfered with epidermal growth factor signalling, with consequent negative effects on cell survival. In addition, 4-nonylphenol induced apoptosis, involving the activation of caspase-3, and triggered an endoplasmic reticulum-stress response, as revealed by over-expression of GRP78 (78 kDa glucose-regulated protein) and activation of XBP1 (X-box binding protein-1). Together, these findings support the hypothesis that prolonged exposure to 4-nonylphenol through the diet may lead to local damage at the level of intestinal mucosa, with potentially negative consequences for intestinal homeostasis and functionality.

A significant effort was directed to the synthesis of graphene stacks/epoxy nanocomposites and to the analysis of the effect of a graphene precursor on cure reaction of a model epoxy matrix. A comparative thermal analysis of epoxy resins filled with an exfoliated graphite oxide eGO were conducted. The main aim was to understand the molecular origin of the influence of eGO on the Tg of epoxy resins. The higher Tg values previously observed for low curing temperatures, for epoxy resins with graphite-based nanofillers, were easily rationalized by a catalytic activity of graphitic layers on the reaction between the epoxy and amine groups of the resin, which leads to higher crosslinking density in milder conditions. A kinetic analysis of the cure mechanism of the epoxy resin associated to the catalytical activity of the graphite based filler was performed by isothermal DSC measurements. The DSC results showed that the addition of graphite based filler greatly increased the enthalpy of epoxy reaction and the reaction rate, confirming the presence of a catalytic activity of graphitic layers on the crosslinking reaction between the epoxy resin components (epoxide oligomer and di-amine). A kinetic modelling analysis, arising from an auto-catalyzed reaction mechanism, was finally applied to isothermal DSC data, in order to predict the cure mechanism of the epoxy resin in presence of the graphite based nanofiller.

Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) exploits the phase differences (interferogram) of SAR data pairs relevant to the same illuminated area and received by slightly different look angles. Within the InSAR processing chain, it is necessary to calculate a proper phase offset (PhOff) value to add to the unwrapped SAR interferogram. To this aim, different algorithms have been proposed in the literature, which typically exploit the external topography information provided by proper Ground Control Points (GCPs) relevant to the observed scene. In this paper we present a Maximum Likelihood (ML) approach for the InSAR PhOff estimation. It is based on the use of GCPs represented either by Corner Reflectors (CRs) or by the pixels of an available external Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the observed area. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is assessed on simulated data.

Similar to other urban centers, many of the school districts located in California State University Dominguez Hills’s (CSUDH) geographic region struggle to provide their K-12 students with quality teachers. This is particularly true in the areas of Special Education, Math, and Science (California Department of Education, 2012; United States Department of Education, 2013). In CSUDH’s efforts to produce quality teachers, mitigate severe teacher shortages and assist school districts in meeting federal legislative mandates stemming from The No Child Left Behind Act (2001) and The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004), an Alternative Certification Credential Route program based upon precepts of the Professional Development School model was developed, implemented, and funded through a Transition to Teaching (TTT) Federal Grant. These authors hold that this unique TTT SPED program is a viable means of easing SET shortages where they are greatest urban centers. In doing so, these authors suggest a model that other universities striving to meet the needs of K-12 students in urban centers can implement. As such, this program overview seeks to add to the extant teacher preparation and ACR literature, specifically in the context of SPED teacher preparation.

Ceramic laser stereolithography is a manufacturing process suitable candidate for the production of complex shape technical ceramics. The green ceramic is produced layer by layer through laser polymerisation of UV curable ceramic suspensions. A number of critical issues deserve attention: high solid loading and low viscosity of the suspensions, high UV reactivity, prevention of interlayer delamination in the green and in the sintered body, good mechanical performance. In this work, ZrO 2 -reinforced Al 2 O 3 components have been obtained from an acrylic modified zircon loaded with alumina powders. The zircon compound is effective as organic photoactivated resin and allows the dispersion of a high volume fraction of Al 2 O 3 powder (up to 50 vol.%) while keeping viscosity at reasonable low values. The zircon compound also represents a liquid ceramic precursor that converts to oxide after burning out of the binder. Thank to the good dispersion of the alumina powder in the zircon acrylate, a uniform dispersion of ZrO 2 submicron particles is obtained after pyrolysis. These are located at the grain boundaries between alumina grains. Formation of both monoclinic and tetragonal ZrO 2 occurs as evidenced by XRD. No delamination occurs in bending tests as evidenced by SEM fractography, satisfactory modulus and strength values were concurrently found.

Ion implantation of titanium nitrite (TiN) coatings attracts a great deal of attention because of the improvement of tribological resistance of the coating surface. In this work we have analysed implanted TiN films by using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Coatings with a thickness of about 4 μm were implanted with C + at energies of 100 keV and fluences ranging from 10 16 to 7 × 10 17 ions/cm 2 . The experiments were performed on commercial TiN films prepared by physical vapour deposition (PVD) on hard metal tools. If reactive elements, like C or N, are implanted to significative fluences, the implant concentration (say greater than 1 at.%) could induce a distortion in the experimental elemental profiles because of a change in the sputtering yield and/or the ionisation probability (matrix effects). While the first point has been shown to be largely insignificant, the second is studied in more detail. In the case of carbon implanted in TiN the influence of matrix effects on the secondary ion signals can be minimised if a primary beam of Cs + and secondary negative ions are chosen for depth profiling up to fluences of technological interest, say 3 × 10 17 ions/cm 2 . In this way the concentration changes induced in the ion implanted region can be quantified. Linear calibration curves were obtained for an accurate quantification and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to extract the starting stoichiometry in the unimplanted TiN film and to assess the chemical state along the depth profiles in the implanted samples. After implantation a swelling of the films was observed and has been discussed. SIMS profiles were measures both by cesium and oxygen primary beams.

Curing reactions of photoactivated epoxy resins are assuming an increasing relevance in many industrial processes, such as coatings, printing, adhesives. Besides these processes, stereolithography makes use of photoactivated resins in a laser induced polymerization for 3D building. The kinetic behaviour of photocuring is a key point for a full comprehension of the cure conditions occurring in the small zone irradiated by the laser beam. Furthermore, the kinetic analysis is very important in order to determine the cure time needed for part building in a stereolithographic equipment. The mechanisms involved in a cationic photopolymerization are complex when compared with radical photopolymerization. In this paper the photoinitiated polymerization of a commercially available epoxy based resin for stereolitography has been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polymerization rate and the amount of unreacted monomer are determined directly from the conversion vs. time curves during DSC isothermal scans. Kinetic characterization of epoxy photopolymerization has been carried out as a function of the temperature and experimental results have been compared with an original mathematical model.

Heparin Binding Hemagglutinin A (HBHA) is hitherto the sole virulence factor associated with tuberculosis dissemination from the lungs, the site of primary infection, to epithelial cells. We have previously reported the solution structure of HBHA, a dimeric and elongated molecule. Since oligomerisation of HBHA is associated with its ability to induce bacterial agglutination, we investigated this process using experimental and modelling techniques. We here identified a short segment of HBHA whose presence is mandatory for the stability of folded conformation, whose denaturation is a reversible two-state process. Our data suggest that agglutination-driven cell–cell interactions do not occur via association of HBHA monomers, nor via association of HBHA dimers and open the scenario to a possible trans-dimerisation process.

L’ostruzione intestinale da fenomeni aderenziali e un problema di rilevante importanza nei bambini. La maggior parte delle ostruzioni da aderenze insorge in seguito a interventi per appendicectomia ed e fondamentale intraprendere misure preventive per ridurne l’incidenza. Rispetto alla chirurgia “open”, l’approccio laparoscopico apporta sostanziali vantaggi. I reinterventi in “open surgery” aumentano la probabilita di sviluppare una recidiva dell’ostruzione, mentre con l’approccio laparoscopico l’incidenza di riostruzione e inferiore rispetto alla chirurgia “open”. Altri indiscutibili vantaggi della laparoscopia sono il miglior risultato estetico e la piu rapida ripresa funzionale.

La nascita e lo sviluppo della chirurgia laparoscopica e mini-invasiva è il cambiamento più importante avvenuto in chirurgia pediatrica negli ultimi 30 anni. Questo volume permette una rapida consultazione grazie alla praticità della struttura: per ogni patologia sono riportate le indicazioni e le note essenziali di tecnica chirurgica, arricchite da schemi e figure che mostrano le posizioni del paziente, le posizioni dei trocars oltre agli step principali della tecnica chirurgica, ed è completato da un mini DVD che propone filmati delle principali tecniche descritte nel testo. La trattazione degli argomenti - tra i quali laparoscopia, toracoscopia, retroperitoneoscopia, robotica, realtà virtuale e problematiche medico legali - è stata affidata a un team di esperti italiani e internazionali sul campo. Il volume è dedicato primariamente ai chirurghi pediatri, ma può essere valido aiuto anche per i chirurghi generali, gli urologi e i chirurghi delle altre specialità che si trovano ad operare pazienti pediatrici.

BACKGROUND: This is a clinically-controlled study designed to investigate uterine and ovarian blood flow in patients with hypoestrogenic amenorrhoea. METHODS: Twelve women with hypoestrogenic amenorrhoea and 13 eumenorrhoeic subjects (controls) were enrolled. Colour and pulsed Doppler was used to visualize the uterine and ovarian arteries and the blood vessels within the ovarian stroma in both groups. Four blood flow indices were calculated: the pulsatility index, the resistance index, the peak systolic velocity and the end-diastolic velocity. RESULTS: Peak systolic velocity underwent the most significant change in amenorrhoeic patients, being significantly lower in comparison with that of controls, both in the uterine (P 0.0009) and ovarian (P 0.001) arteries. Compared with controls, the end-diastolic velocity of the ovarian artery was significantly lower (P 0.039) in amenorrhoeic patients, and was also lower in the uterine artery (though not statistically significantly so). A reduction in blood flow was also evident in the ovarian stroma in amenorrhoeic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The significant reduction in blood flow observed in hypoestrogenic amenorrhoea suggests that estrogens play an important role in regulating both uterine and ovarian blood flow.

The aim of study was to retrospectively analyze our series of total and partial retroperiotoneoscopic nephrectomies performed in the last 5 years.Twenty-two procedures were performed, 20 patients underwent nephrectomy and 2 patients underwent partial nephrectomy. The 20 patients who underwent nephrectomy were divided in 2 groups: group 1 (G1) patients-1-10, for whom we performed the procedure using monopolar coagulation, and group 2 (G2) patients 11-20 for whom we used a new hemostatic device to perform dissection and hemostasis. The results were analyzed using χ2 test. The results of partial nephrectomies were analyzed separately.No conversion were reported. We analyzed 6 parameters to compare the results: operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), need for transfusion (NT), complications, time to oral intake (TOI), hospital stay (HS). OT in G1 was in median 85 minutes, in G2 65 minutes (P=0.004); EBL was 15 mL for G1 and 5 mL for G2 (P=0.000.), NT was not necessary in both, in G1 we had 2 complications and 1 complication in G2; TOI was day 1 for both groups; median HS was 3 days for both. As for heminephrectomy, OT was 120 and 140 min, EBL 30 mL in both, NT not necessary, TOI was 1 day and HS 4 and 5 days respectively.Our study shows that the use of a new hemostatic devices reduce significantly OT and EBL in children underwent renal ablative surgery for benign pathologies compared with the use of monopolar coagulation.

Urgent coronary angiography following cardiac arrest is an important consideration as part of a therapeutic hypothermia/postresuscitation care bundle. Few data exist to guide the selection of patients who should receive postarrest angiography. This investigation sought to evaluate patient-level variables on initial postarrest presentation and their association with significant coronary lesions on subsequent angiography. Clinical and angiographic data were collected on consecutive postarrest patients from July 2007 to April 2012 who underwent coronary angiography during hospitalization. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the relationship between patient characteristics, clinical data, and the outcome measure, defined as the presence of at least one coronary lesion with75% stenosis. Of 527 cardiac arrest patients, 267 achieved return of spontaneous circulation; 106 of these initial survivors received coronary angiography. This cohort had a mean age of 58.1±13.5 years and a survival to discharge of 73/106 (69%), with therapeutic hypothermia utilized in 79/106 (75%) patients. Significant coronary lesions were found on angiography in 68/106 (64%) patients. Multivariable adjusted analysis demonstrated that significant lesions were associated with a prior known history of coronary disease and/or prior myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR] 6.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-24.4, p=0.009), and with initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.7, p=0.033), but not with hypertension, tobacco use, age, or initial troponin measurements. Prior known history of coronary disease and a shockable arrest rhythm were associated with significant coronary lesions on subsequent angiography. Normal initial troponin values and younger age did not exclude clinically relevant lesions postarrest.