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In this paper we address the problem of restoration of fragmented glass plate photographs. We propose an algorithm based on the roto-translation of the fragments. A preprocessing adjustment in the contour combined with final interpolation is necessary to avoid artifacts.

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund. Fish are an important model for the pharmacological and toxicological characterization of human pharmaceuticals in drug discovery, drug safety assessment and environmental toxicology. However, do fish respond to pharmaceuticals as humans do? To address this question, we provide a novel quantitative cross-species extrapolation approach (qCSE) based on the hypothesis that similar plasma concentrations of pharmaceuticals cause comparable target-mediated effects in both humans and fish at similar level of biological organization (Read-Across Hypothesis). To validate this hypothesis, the behavioural effects of the anti-depressant drug fluoxetine on the fish model fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) were used as test case. Fish were exposed for 28 days to a range of measured water concentrations of fluoxetine (0.1, 1.0, 8.0, 16, 32, 64 μg/L) to produce plasma concentrations below, equal and above the range of Human Therapeutic Plasma Concentrations (HTPCs). Fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, were quantified in the plasma of individual fish and linked to behavioural anxiety-related endpoints. The minimum drug plasma concentrations that elicited anxiolytic responses in fish were above the upper value of the HTPC range, whereas no effects were observed at plasma concentrations below the HTPCs. In vivo metabolism of fluoxetine in humans and fish was similar, and displayed bi-phasic concentration-dependent kinetics driven by the auto-inhibitory dynamics and saturation of the enzymes that convert fluoxetine into norfluoxetine. The sensitivity of fish to fluoxetine was not so dissimilar from that of patients affected by general anxiety disorders. These results represent the first direct evidence of measured internal dose response effect of a pharmaceutical in fish, hence validating the Read-Across hypothesis applied to fluoxetine. Overall, this study demonstrates that the qCSE approach, anchored to internal drug concentrations, is a powerful tool to guide the assessment of the sensitivity of fish to pharmaceuticals, and strengthens the translational power of the cross-species extrapolation.

Copyright @ 2014 de Polo et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. This article was made available through open access by the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund. The majority of ecotoxicological studies are performed under stable and optimal conditions, whereas in reality the complexity of the natural environment faces organisms with multiple stressors of different type and origin, which can activate pathways of response often difficult to interpret. In particular, aquatic organisms living in estuarine zones already impacted by metal contamination can be exposed to more severe salinity variations under a forecasted scenario of global change. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of copper exposure on the response of fish to osmotic stress by mimicking in laboratory conditions the salinity changes occurring in natural estuaries. We hypothesized that copper-exposed individuals are more sensitive to osmotic stresses, as copper affects their osmoregulatory system by acting on a number of osmotic effector proteins, among which the isoform two of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA2) was identified as a novel factor linking the physiological responses to both copper and osmotic stress. To test this hypothesis, two in vivo studies were performed using the euryhaline fish sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) as test species and applying different rates of salinity transition as a controlled way of dosing osmotic stress. Measured endpoints included plasma ions concentrations and gene expression of CA2 and the α1a-subunit of the enzyme Na+/K+ ATPase. Results showed that plasma ions concentrations changed after the salinity transition, but notably the magnitude of change was greater in the copper-exposed groups, suggesting a sensitizing effect of copper on the responses to osmotic stress. Gene expression results demonstrated that CA2 is affected by copper at the transcriptional level and that this enzyme might play a role in the observed combined effects of copper and osmotic stress on ion homeostasis.

The ubiquitous fruition of cultural and artistic heritage in the field of photography requires as a first step the conversion of a huge amount of old printed material into digital form, for successive manipulation and data management. This process is particularly delicate for photographic prints, which often show the effects of aging. This paper reports a list of the principal defects that can be detected in an old photography; the different origins of them, and their different features, suggest different restoration approaches.

Background Trials have shown a beneficial effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with a previous myocardial infarction or heart failure. We evaluated the potential benefit of such therapy in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerotic vascular disease who had not had a myocardial infarction. Methods In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we enrolled a cohort of patients who were followed by a network of 860 general practitioners in Italy. Eligible patients were men and women with multiple cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerotic vascular disease but not myocardial infarction. Patients were randomly assigned to n-3 fatty acids (1 g daily) or placebo (olive oil). The initially specified primary end point was the cumulative rate of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. At 1 year, after the event rate was found to be lower than anticipated, the primary end point was revised as time to death from cardiovascular causes or admission to the hospital for cardiovascular causes. Results Of the 12,513 patients enrolled, 6244 were randomly assigned to n-3 fatty acids and 6269 to placebo. With a median of 5 years of follow-up, the primary end point occurred in 1478 of 12,505 patients included in the analysis (11.8%), of whom 733 of 6239 (11.7%) had received n-3 fatty acids and 745 of 6266 (11.9%) had received placebo (adjusted hazard ratio with n-3 fatty acids, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.08; P=0.58). The same null results were observed for all the secondary end points. Conclusions In a large general-practice cohort of patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, daily treatment with n-3 fatty acids did not reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. (Funded by Societa Prodotti Antibiotici and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00317707.).

– EuropeanaPhotography is an EU-funded digitization project that will provide Europeana with over 430.000 of the finest examples of early photography, for an impressive increase in the number of photos available in the Europeana. These photographs provide a unique insight into the evolution of European society and of the art of photography between the 19th and 20th century, which is a valuable source for research in many fields (history, economics, sociology…). EuropeanaPhotography will also enrich Europeana with materials from countries with a currently limited display, for a wider overview of European history. ispartof: pages:36-41 ispartof: Electronic Imaging & the Visual Arts pages:36-41 ispartof: EVA 2013 location:Florence date:15 May - 16 May 2013 status: published

To evaluate features of macular edema assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT)and other imaging tools such as infrared, blue retinography and autofluorescence, and fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in different pathologic conditions.The principal causes of macular edema were reviewed to evaluate its aspect in each pathology. Correlations between OCT and other imaging techniques were analyzed.Optical coherence tomography and other imaging tools allowed the authors to confirm the existence of different macular edema patterns for different pathologies and to describe their characteristics; in particular, some conditions, like idiopathic macular telangiectasias and age-related maculopathy, were found to present specific edema patterns.Simultaneous use of different imaging techniques allowed a better evaluation and follow-up of conditions causing cystoid macular edema.

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright @ 2011 SETAC. An effort is ongoing to develop a biotic ligand model (BLM) that predicts copper (Cu) toxicity in estuarine and marine environments. At present, the BLM accounts for the effects of water chemistry on Cu speciation, but it does not consider the influence of water chemistry on the physiology of the organisms. We discuss how chemistry affects Cu toxicity not only by controlling its speciation, but also by affecting the osmoregulatory physiology of the organism, which varies according to salinity. In an attempt to understand the mechanisms of Cu toxicity and predict its impacts, we explore the hypothesis that the common factor linking the main toxic effects of Cu is the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA), because it is a Cu target with multiple functions and salinity-dependent expression and activity. According to this hypothesis, the site of action of Cu in marine fish may be not only the gill, but also the intestine, because in this tissue CA plays an important role in ion transport and water adsorption. Therefore, the BLM of Cu toxicity to marine fish should also consider the intestine as a biotic ligand. Finally, we underline the need to incorporate the osmotic gradient into the BLM calculations to account for the influence of physiology on Cu toxicity. Brunel University

Le but de ce chapitre est de proposer un guide, pratique mais assez complet, pour aider a la detection de l’œdeme maculaire et pour decrire ses caracteristiques en fonction des diverses etiologies.

The aim of the chapter is to provide a practical but exhaustive guide in detecting macular edema and to describe its features depending on the retinal condition which cause it. The most useful imaging techniques and tools (Biomicroscopy, retinography, Optical Coherence Tomography, Fluorescein/Indocyanine-Green Angiography) will be analysed in order to identify the best diagnostic algorithm in each pathology. At the end of the chapter a summary table synthesize what previously widely described.

To analyze corneal curvature and visual acuity after asymmetric intrastromal corneal rings implantation, not following the nomogram proposed by the manufacturer.Seven eyes of seven keratoconus patients which had asymmetric corneal rings implanted in their corneal stroma were studied.A flattening of the average corneal keratometry was noted in all patients, as well as an increase of the postoperative corneal asymmetry.Asymmetric intrastromal corneal ring implant improves the postoperative visual acuity with and without correction. As a result we noticed flattening of the corneal curvature at the thicker ring implantation spot and increase of corneal asymmetry.

El objetivo del presente estudio es identificar cuáles son los factores psicosociales que se asocian a un mayor riesgo de acoso en los contextos laborales. En particular, en línea con la hipótesis situacional se tuvieron en cuenta la demanda laboral, el control, la percepción de equidad y el liderazgo. Específicamente se plantea una influencia directa de estos factores sobre las acciones negativas perpetradas en los lugares de trabajo y un efecto moderador de las percepciones de los colegas entre los factores considerados y el riesgo de acoso laboral. El estudio, llevado a cabo en una institución privada hospitalaria, incluyó la aplicación de un cuestionario de auto-reporte a todos los trabajadores de la organización (N = 148). Los resultados han evidenciado que son, sobre todo, la demanda laboral y el liderazgo los que influencian directamente las acciones negativas, mientras que el efecto es más débil entre los antecedentes de carácter más relacional, como el liderazgo, y el acoso laboral. Los datos confirman que la prevención del acoso laboral debe ser implementada a partir del ambiente psicosocial de trabajo y de la gestión de las relaciones que impliquen a los colegas y a los superiores. The aim of the present study is to identify the psychosocial factors that are more related to the risk of workplace bullying in the organizational contexts. According to the work environment hypothesis, job demands, job control, perception of equity and leadership have been considered. It has been hypothesized that all these variables infl uence directly negative acts and also their effects are moderated by perception of colleagues. In order to investigate these relationships, a self-report questionnaire has been administered to 148 participants who represented all the population of a structure of private health care. The main results showed that job demands and leadership are the organizational antecedents more related to workplace bullying. Furthermore, the perception of colleagues has a moderating effect especially between job characteristics, like job demand, and negative acts, while this effect is weaker between relational antecedent, as leadership, and bullying. The data seem to con- fi rm that mobbing prevention can be implemented starting from the psychosocial work environment and management of relationships involving leader and colleagues.

Afferma Otto Kernberg: “Certamente esistono problemi sociali ed economici fondamentali che si trovano al di fuori della sfera di influenza degli interventi psicoanalitici, ma noi abbiamo tardato a sviluppare — in un processo di apprendimento — un pensiero psicoanalitico tale da meglio chiarire i problemi maggiori della societa” (in Ermete Ronchi, 1997).

Digital Rights Management (DRM) describes a set of functionalities which control access to, and the use of, copyright material. In particular, they focus on the acquisition of revenue from copyright material, and the prevention of its re-use and misuse in the online environment. This document describes the DRM system in the cultural heritage sector; the value of the DRMS to the content repositories and also to the end users is described. Managing digital rights is a focal point for any content provider.

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The detection of serum HCV nucleocapsid (core) antigen, besides being a valid alternative, by virtue of its low cost, to direct analysis of the virus in everyday transfusion practice, also aims to be employed in monitoring patients subjected to antiviral therapy. The verification of strict correlation between the two tests is the presupposition for such use.In a group of 112 HCV-positive subjects, we assessed blood transaminases, viremia (by PCR), and the circulating core antigen (by ELISA).Only 16 out of 112 patients were AgHCV-negative, with viremia levels in the 10(2) to 10(4) range; 96 patients were HCV-positive, as indicated both by viremia and by Ag detection (1.9 to 292.4pg/mL). Sensitivity of the ELISA test corresponds to 3.6x10(4) IU/mL of viral load. There is an evident aggregation of results in groups according to antigenemia classes and the corresponding viremia levels:10pg/mL--10(4) IU/mL (6/96); up to 100pg/mL--10(5) IU/mL (55/96); 100-200pg/mL--10(6) IU/mL (31/96); and more than 200pg/mL--10(7) IU/mL (4/96).AgHCV is correlated with elevation of ALT and high or medium-high viral loads. It can discriminate between ongoing and previous infection and is suitable for monitoring the pharmacological therapy in the presence of sufficiently high viral loads and for evaluating the onset of medium-long-term relapses. Neither the genotypes nor pharmacological therapy appear to affect the comparison of viremia with antigenemia. Moreover, this analysis is cheaper as compared with molecular techniques.

Starting from three user scenarios we propose a distributed architecture for cultural heritage institutions or digital archives and professional end users. The interfaces take advantage of intelligent search engines and personalization features. The annotation coherence is automatically guaranteed and propagated to large sets of contents without repetition of the cataloguing that at this time the operator executes by hand.

Publication in the conference proceedings of EUSIPCO, Viena, Austria, 2004

OBJETIVO: Comparar resultados subjetivos (satisfação dos pacientes) aos dados objetivos (melhora da acuidade visual - AV) após o tratamento de degeneração macular relacionada à idade e/ou membrana neovascular sub-retiniana por terapia térmica transpupilar. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 23 prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico angiofluresceinográfico de degeneração macular relacionada à idade submetidos a uma única aplicação de terapia térmica transpupilar. Observou-se a acuidade visual antes e um mês após a aplicação, e a satisfação dos pacientes obtida com o tratamento. RESULTADOS: Avaliamos 23 pacientes, com idades variando entre 53 e 88 anos (média 74,08), dos quais 15 eram do sexo feminino, e 8 do sexo masculino. Foram encontrados 12 olhos com melhora da acuidade visual, 6 olhos sem alteração da acuidade visual, 6 olhos com acuidade visual piorada. Em relação à satisfação, os resultados obtidos foram: muito satisfeitos (4 olhos), satisfeitos (13 olhos), insatisfeitos (7 olhos) e ainda cruzando-se os dados obteve-se muito satisfeitos com melhora da AV (3 olhos) e muito satisfeitos sem melhora da AV (1 olho); satisfeitos com melhora da AV (7 olhos), satisfeitos sem melhora da AV (3 olhos), e satisfeitos com piora da AV (3 olhos); insatisfeitos com melhora da AV (2 olhos), insatisfeito sem melhora da AV (2 olhos), e insatisfeitos com piora da AV (3 olhos). CONCLUSÃO: Em relação à acuidade visual, esta foi melhorada em 12 olhos, dos 24 estudados; a quantidade de pacientes muito satisfeitos ou satisfeitos atingiu a quantidade de 17 olhos, no intervalo de um mês. Observando-se os resultados acima, pode-se considerar a terapia térmica transpupilar como terapia alternativa ou adjuvante para o tratamento de degeneração macular relacionada à idade. PURPOSE: Comparison of subjective outcome (patient's satisfaction) with objective data (improvement of visual acuity-VA) after treatment of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: In a retrospective study we analyzed 23 charts of patients with angiofluoresceinographic diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration submitted to only one application of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). Visual acuity was recorded before and one month after the application, and the satisfaction of the patients with the treatment. RESULTS: 23 patients (15 females and 8 males), 53 to 88 years old (mean 74.8) were evaluated. 12 eyes were found with improvement of visual acuity, 6 eyes without alteration of visual acuity, 6 eyes with worse visual acuity. Regarding satisfaction the results were: 4 eyes, very satisfied; 13 eyes, satisfied; 7 eyes, not satisfed, and checking the data we found 3 eyes, very satisfied with the improvement of visual acuity and 1 eye, very satisfied without improvement of VA. Satisfied with improvement of visual acuity there were 7 eyes, satisfied without improvement of VA, 3 eyes and satisfied with worsening of VA, 3 eyes. CONCLUSION: Visual acuity was improved in 12 eyes of the 24 studied eyes; the number of very satisfied patients reached 17 eyes within one month. Observing these results transpupillary thermotherapy may be considered as alternative or adjuvant treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

The increasing popularity of mobile technologies and services is originating a dense geographical concentration of base-station equipments (BSE) in both rural and urban environments. In order to reduce the environmental impact, a few cures are beginning to be adopted, such as camouflage structures. Typical solutions are painting the antennas with the same texture of house walls, hiding the BSE pylon by means of an artificial tree or including the BSE within a chimney-pot-like radome for over-building applications. This last solution could, however, cause serious problems to the correct antenna working conditions. The paper presents a numerical investigation into the pattern distortion effect due to several kinds of chimney-pot-like radomes when it 3G panel antenna is considered (f=1970 MHz). A measures-calibrated two-dimensional model permits a detailed parametric analysis to be easily performed through variation of both electrical and geometrical parameters, with the purpose of deriving guidelines for the design of mechanically robust and low-distorting radomes.

Digital restoration is a process in which an existing hard copy photograph is converted into a digital image. After an image stack has been acquired it may be preprocessed to improve image quality prior to 3-D reconstruction. The preprocessing usually involves application of image filters (mathematical algorithms implemented in software) to the entire data set to remove noise and artifacts, smooth or sharpen the images, or to correct for problems with contrast and/or brightness. Median and Gaussian filters have the general affect of smoothing images. These are used to eliminate noise and background artifacts and to smooth sharp edges, but also tend to remove some of the detail in small objects.

The digital revolution has involved the Fratelli Alinari in a complex transformation of its archives from the traditional approach of consultation and usage to on-line access that is differentiated according to the user: internal or external, business or educational. The most difficult task for Alinari has been the long and complex work of inventorying, cataloging and digitizing its wealth of images. This paper is about the best practice experience developed at Alinari during the past 10 years of European based EC projects, and through the knowledge raised for the commercial and educational exploitation and retrieval of the famous Florentine photographic archive.

The unique heritage of the Alinari collections gives life to one of the biggest international centers of photographic and iconographic documentation with over 3.5 million vintage images from the 19the and 20the century from all over the world.Today Alinari is a modern reality operating in the wider field of image and communication: a brand name which guarantees an age-old fund of experience combined with state-of-the-art technological skills. A good example of this sinergy is given in the REGNET project, which aims to set up a functional network of service centres in Europe which provides IT-services dedicated to Cultural Heritage organisations and will be an enabler of eBusiness activities for CH organizations. Multi media industries enabling the production of electronic publications will be integrated. It will provide access and use of digital data (scientific and cultural) as well as of physical goods as provided by museum shops.