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A study examined adaptive behavior profiles in children (ages 21-108 months) with moderate to severe developmental delay and autism (n=23) and without autism (n=27). The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales was administered, and contrary to initial predictions, the sample presented fairly homogeneous adaptive behavior profiles. (Contains references.) (CR)

The aim of this article is to describe the diagnosis process made on the timber structure that holds up the vault of the Diplomatic Room of the Royal Palace in Naples (Italy). After a brief historical description of the Royal Palace and the Diplomatic Room, it discusses the methodology according to Italian regulations and the speci­fic problems that arose during the works. To complete the diagnosis, a dendrochronological analysis of the wooden elements was performed. The results show the residual mechanical properties of each structural element and the main problems to be resolved by the restorers. The dendrochronological conclusions yield that the dating of the elements is compatible with that of the frescoes on the vault and therefore demonstrate that the elements have not been replaced.

This article addresses the discipline of dendrochronology and, especially, one of its most useful aspects for the study, restoration and appreciation of architectonic heritage: dating. In its pages it deals with the origin, foundations and principles of this technique, the requisites for its application, the different ways of obtaining samples, the use of statistics and the various difficulties, limitations and aspects of dating. Finally, it touches upon the ­field of dendroprovenance, that is, the technique used to discover the geographic origin of timber by means of concrete examples of works performed by the authors, such as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Background/Aims: According to experimental data, a transdermal application is preferred by caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients compared with oral medications. The AXEPT study compared compliance to treatment among community-dwelling patients with mild-to-moderate AD treated with transdermal application compared to oral medications and caregiver satisfaction in a real clinical setting. Methods: Data from 45 memory clinics in Italy were collected between September 8, 2010 and January 31, 2011. Compliance to treatment and caregiver satisfaction were measured using the Caregiver Medication Interview. Results: A total of 855 AD patients and their caregivers participated in the study. Nearly 80% of caregivers of patients on patch were not concerned about adherence to treatment compared with 64% of caregivers of patients on oral drugs. Among caregivers of patients on patch, 94% did not report any difficulties in remembering to administer treatment compared with 73% of caregivers of patients on oral medications. The highest level of compliance and satisfaction was reported by caregivers of patients on transdermal application. Conclusion: Caregivers of patients treated with a transdermal application appeared to be more satisfied and reported a higher level of compliance than caregivers of patients receiving anti-AD oral medications.

This article reviews the developmental profile of a child with autism during the first 3 years of life. Analysis of home videos showed how the child appeared to make progress up to 12 months followed by decreases in social interaction, communication, and language. Discussion suggests that this particular profile is one of the possible pathways through which autism may development. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

An experiment to search for 2β processes in 106Cd with the help of 106CdWO4 crystal scintillator (mass of 215 g), enriched in 106Cd up to 66 %, is in progress at the Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN (Italy). After 1320 h of data taking, limits on double beta processes in 106Cd have been established on the level of 1019 − 1020 yr, in particular (all the results at 90 % C.L.): T1/2(0ν2ε) > 3.6 · 1020 yr, T1/2(2νεβ+) > 7.2 · 1019 yr, and T1/2(2ν2β+) > 2.5 · 1020 yr. Resonant 0ν2ε processes have been restricted as T1/2(0ν2K) > 1.4 · 1020 yr and T1/2(0νLK) > 3.2 · 1020 yr. A possible resonant enhancement of the 0ν2ε processes is estimated in the framework of the QRPA approach.

DAMA/LIBRA is running at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. The data collected in the first six annual cycle have already been released. The cumulative exposure – including that of the former DAMA/NaI experiment (0.29 t · yr) – is now 1.17 t · yr, corresponding to 13 annual cycles; this exposure is orders of magnitude larger than the exposures typically collected in the field. The data further confirm the model independent evidence of the presence of Dark Matter (DM) particles in the galactic halo on the basis of the DM annual modulation signature (8.9 σ C.L. for the cumulative exposure). In particular, the modulation amplitude of the single-hit events in the (2 - 6) keV energy interval measured in NaI(Tl) target is (0.0116 ± 0.0013) cpd/kg/keV, the measured phase is (146 ± 7) days and the measured period is (0.999 ± 0.002) yr, values well in agreement with those expected for the DM particles. Various related arguments are addressed.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a relevant mechanism in cardiac aging. Here, we investigated the effects of late-life enalapril administration at a non-antihypertensive dose on mitochondrial genomic stability, oxidative damage, and mitochondrial quality control (MQC) signaling in the hearts of aged rats. The protein expression of selected mediators (i.e., mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, energy metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and autophagy) was measured in old rats randomly assigned to receive enalapril (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8) from 24 to 27 months of age. We also assessed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, citrate synthase activity, oxidative lesions to protein and mtDNA (i.e., carbonyls and the abundance of mtDNA4834 deletion), and the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) binding to specific mtDNA regions. Enalapril attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative stress-derived damage (mtDNA oxidation, mtDNA4834 deletion, and protein carbonylation), while increasing mitochondrial antioxidant defenses. The binding of mitochondrial transcription factor A to mtDNA regions involved in replication and deletion generation was enhanced following enalapril administration. Increased mitochondrial mass as well as mitochondriogenesis and autophagy signaling were found in enalapril-treated rats. Late-life enalapril administration mitigates age-dependent cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative damage, while increasing mitochondrial mass and modulating MQC signaling. Further analyses are needed to conclusively establish whether enalapril may offer cardioprotection during aging.

Recent developments, results, and perspectives arising from double beta decay experiments at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) of the INFN by using HPGe detectors and crystal scintillators and by exploiting various approaches and different isotopes are summarized. The measurements here presented have been performed in the experimental set-ups of the DAMA collaboration. These setups are optimized for low-background studies and operate deep underground at LNGS. The presented results are of significant value to the field, and the sensitivity achieved for some of the considered isotopes is one of the best available to date.

Experiment to search for double β decay of 96Ru and 104Ru is in progress in the underground Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN (Italy) with the help of ultra-low background high purity (HP) Ge γ spectrometry. After 2162 h of data taking with 473 g ruthenium sample in low-background set-ups with HP Ge detectors, new improved limits on 2β processes in 96Ru and 104Ru have been established on the level of 1018–1019 yr.

The first results obtained by the DAMA/LIBRA⁻phase2 experiment are presented. The data have been collected over six independent annual cycles corresponding to a total exposure of 1.13 ton × year, deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory. The DAMA/LIBRA⁻phase2 apparatus, about 250 kg highly radio-pure NaI(Tl), profits from a second generation high quantum efficiency photomultipliers and of new electronics with respect to DAMA/LIBRA⁻phase1. The improved experimental configuration has also allowed to lower the software energy threshold. The DAMA/LIBRA⁻phase2 data confirm the evidence of a signal that meets all the requirements of the model independent Dark Matter annual modulation signature, at 9.5 σ C.L. in the energy region (1⁻6) keV. In the energy region between 2 and 6 keV, where data are also available from DAMA/NaI and DAMA/LIBRA⁻phase1, the achieved C.L. for the full exposure (2.46 ton × year) is 12.9 σ .

Profiting of the favourable conditions offered by the Gran Sasso underground laboratory and of the several low-background DAMA set-ups, many and competitive results have been obtained for rare processes. Here the main results will be briefly resumed and some more details about the latest activities will be given. In particular, the searches on ββdecays of 106Cd and 116Cd and the perspectives of a complementary investigation on those Dark Matter (DM) candidates inducing just nuclear recoils, by exploiting the directionality approach with the anisotropic ZnWO4 scintillators, will be underlined.

The DAMA/LIBRA experiment (~ 250 kg sensitive mass composed by highly radio-pure NaI(Tl)) is in data taking in the underground Laboratory of Gran Sasso (LNGS). In its first phase (DAMA/LIBRA-phase1) this experiment and the former DAMA/NaI experiment (~ 100 kg of highly radio-pure NaI(Tl)) collected data for 14 independent annual cycles, exploiting the model-independent Dark Matter (DM) annual modulation signature (total exposure 1.33 ton x yr). A DM annual modulation effect has been observed at 9.3 σ C.L., supporting the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo. No systematic or side reaction able to mimic the observed DM annual modulation has been found or suggested by anyone. Recent analyses on possible diurnal effects, on the Earth shadowing effect and on possible interpretation in terms of Mirror DM will be mentioned. At present DAMA/LIBRA is running in its phase2 with increased sensitivity.

La degradazione delle caratteristiche meccaniche di un materiale di impiego aeronautico ha pesanti ricadute sulla sicurezza del volo. Tale degradazione si può manifestare sia per l’effetto combinato tra l’ambiente nel quale il velivolo opera e le sollecitazioni cui è sottoposto sia che a causa di anomalie avvenute in fase produttiva che, dopo un periodo di incubazione, manifestano il loro pericoloso effetto: è questo il caso dell’infragilimento da idrogeno che, nel presente articolo che esamina sia i punti critici del processo di produzione che possono indurlo che la morfologia delle superfici di rottura che ad esso si possono ricondurre. Viene infine presentato un caso di studio che ha interessato un velivolo dell’aviazione generale nel quale è stato individuato l’infragilimento da idrogeno di un componente in acciaio AISI 4130 è stata individuata quale causa primaria dell’incidente.

The caves of Naica (Chihuahua, Mexico) are perhaps the most famous mine caves of the world due to the presence of giganticgypsum crystals. Nevertheless, very little research has been carried out on this karst area until now. A multidisciplinary investigationstarted in 2006 with the aim not only to define the genesis and the age of the Naica gypsum crystals, but also on other scientificaspects of these caves.This paper describes a completely new type of gypsum speleothem: the “sails”, observed only inside the Cueva de las Velas, one ofthe caves of the Naica system. This speleothem consists of extremely thin, elongated skeleton crystals that have grown epitaxiallyonly on the tips of the gypsum crystals pointing upward. The genesis of sails is strictly related to the environmental conditions setup inside the cave just after the artificial lowering of the groundwater by mine dewatering (less than 20 yr ago). In a few years sail speleothems will disappear entirely and therefore this study is fundamental to preserve at least the memory of them.

Noninvasive techniques for ocular blood perfusion assessment are of crucial importance for exploring microvascular alterations related to systemic and ocular diseases. However, few techniques adapted to rodents are available and most are invasive or not specifically focused on the optic nerve head (ONH), choroid or retinal circulation. Here we present the results obtained with a new rodent-adapted compact fundus camera based on laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF).A confocal miniature flowmeter was fixed to a specially designed 3D rotating mechanical arm and adjusted on a rodent stereotaxic table in order to accurately point the laser beam at the retinal region of interest. The linearity of the LDF measurements was assessed using a rotating Teflon wheel and a flow of microspheres in a glass capillary. In vivo reproducibility was assessed in Wistar rats with repeated measurements (inter-session and inter-day) of retinal arteries and ONH blood velocity in six and ten rats, respectively. These parameters were also recorded during an acute intraocular pressure increase to 150 mmHg and after heart arrest (n = 5 rats).The perfusion measurements showed perfect linearity between LDF velocity and Teflon wheel or microsphere speed. Intraclass correlation coefficients for retinal arteries and ONH velocity (0.82 and 0.86, respectively) indicated strong inter-session repeatability and stability. Inter-day reproducibility was good (0.79 and 0.7, respectively). Upon ocular blood flow cessation, the retinal artery velocity signal substantially decreased, whereas the ONH signal did not significantly vary, suggesting that it could mostly be attributed to tissue light scattering.We have demonstrated that, while not adapted for ONH blood perfusion assessment, this device allows pertinent, stable and repeatable measurements of retinal blood perfusion in rats.

We report our analysis of the stability of pulsation periods in the DAV star (pulsating hydrogen atmosphere white dwarf) ZZ Ceti, also called R548. Based on observations that span 31 years, we conclude that the period 213.132605 s observed in ZZ Ceti drifts at a rate dP/dt≤(5.5±1.9)×10−15 s/s, after correcting for proper motion. Our results are consistent with previous Ṗ values for this mode and an improvement over them due to the larger time-base. The characteristic stability timescale implied for the pulsation period is |P/ Ṗ|≥1.2 Gyr, comparable to the theoretical cooling timescale for the star. Our current stability limit for the period 213.132605 s is only slightly less than the present measurement for G117-B15A for the period 215.2 s, another DAV, establishing this mode in ZZ Ceti as the second most stable optical clock known, more stable than atomic clocks and most pulsars.

Protein hydrolysates are largely used as plant biostimulants for boosting crop growth, and improving crop tolerance to abiotic stresses and fruit quality. Protein hydrolysate-based biostimulants are mostly produced by chemical hydrolysis starting from animal wastes. However, an innovative process of enzymatic hydrolysis of legume-derived proteins has been recently introduced by few companies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy use and environmental impact of the production processes of enzymatically-produced protein hydrolysate starting from lupine seeds and protein hydrolysate obtained from chemical hydrolysis of leather wastes through the application of life cycle assessment (LCA). The LCA method was applied through the software GEMIS “Global Emission Model for Integrated Systems”, elaborated at L’Oko-Institute in Germany, and the parameters taken into account were: CO2 emissions in g per kg of protein hydrolysate; the consumption of fossil energy expressed in MJ per kg of protein hydrolysate; and water consumption reported in kg per kg of protein hydrolysate. In the case of legume-derived protein hydrolysate, the evaluation of the energy use and the environmental impact started from field production of lupine grains and ended with the industrial production of protein hydrolysate. In the case of animal-derived protein hydrolysate, the LCA method was applied only in the industrial production process, because the collagen is considered a waste product of the leather industry. The type of hydrolysis is the step that most affects the energy use and environmental impact on the entire industrial production process. The results obtained in terms of CO2 emissions, fossil energy consumption and water use through the application of LCA showed that the production process of the animal-derived protein hydrolysate was characterized by a higher energy use (+26%) and environmental impact (+57% of CO2 emissions) in comparison with the enzymatic production process of lupine-derived protein hydrolysate. In conclusion, the production of legume-derived protein hydrolysate by enzymatic hydrolysis is more environmentally friendly than the production of animal-derived protein hydrolysate through chemical hydrolysis.

The ZnWO4 crystal scintillator has unique features that make it very promising to realize a pioneering experiment to pursue Dark Matter investigation with the directionality technique. In particular in this detector the light output and the scintillation pulse shape for heavy particles (p, α, nuclear recoils) depend on the direction of the impinging particle with respect to the crystal axes, while the response to γ/β radiation is isotropic. The anisotropy of the light output can be considered to point out the presence in the diurnal counting rate of a Dark Matter signal produced by candidate particle inducing just nuclear recoils. In addition this crystal detector has also other important characteristics for a Dark Matter experiment: high light output, high level of radiopurity. In this paper the present performances of the developed ZnWO4 crystal scintillator will be summarized together with the possible future improvements. Some reachable sensitivities – under given assumptions – in the investigation of DM candidate particles with the directionality technique will also be addressed.

Many experimental observations and theoretical arguments have pointed out that a large fraction of the Universe is composed by Dark Matter particles. Many possibilities are open on the nature and interaction types of such relic particles. In particular, this paper summarizes the main results obtained by exploiting the model independent Dark Matter annual modulation signature for the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo by DAMA experiment.

The DAMA/LIBRA experiment (~ 250 kg sensitive mass composed by highly radio-pure NaI(Tl)) is in data taking in the underground Laboratory of Gran Sasso (LNGS). Its first phase (DAMA/LIBRA–phase1) and the former DAMA/NaI experiment (~ 100 kg of highly radio-pure NaI(Tl)) collected data for 14 independent annual cycles, exploiting the model-independent Dark Matter (DM) annual modulation signature (total exposure 1:33 ton × yr). A DM annual modulation effect has been observed at 9.3 σ C.L., supporting the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo. No systematic or side reaction able to mimic the observed DM annual modulation has been found or suggested by anyone. Recent analyses on possible diurnal effects, on the Earth shadowing effect and on possible interpretation in terms of Asymmetric Mirror DM will be mentioned. At present DAMA/LIBRA is running in its phase2 with increased sensitivity.

Introduction. Sleep problems are common in bipolar disorder (BD) and may persist during the euthymic phase of the disease. The aim of the study was to improve sleep quality of euthymic BD patients through the administration of prefronto-cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Methods. 25 euthymic outpatients with a diagnosis of BD Type I or II have been enrolled in the study. tDCS montage was as follows: cathode on the right cerebellar cortex and anode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC); the intensity of stimulation was set at 2 mA and delivered for 20 min/die for 3 consecutive weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality at baseline and after the tDCS treatment. Results. PSQI total score and all PSQI subdomains, with the exception of “sleep medication,” significantly improved after treatment. Discussion. This is the first study where a positive effect of tDCS on the quality of sleep in euthymic BD patients has been reported. As both prefrontal cortex and cerebellum may play a role in regulating sleep processes, concomitant cathodal (inhibitory) stimulation of cerebellum and anodal (excitatory) stimulation of DLPFC may have the potential to modulate prefrontal-thalamic-cerebellar circuits leading to improvements of sleep quality.

The results obtained with the total exposure of 1.04 ton × yr collected by DAMA/LIBRA-phase1 deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) of the I.N.F.N. during 7 annual cycles are summarized. The DAMA/LIBRA-phase1 and the former DAMA/NaI data (cumulative exposure 1.33 ton × yr, corresponding to 14 annual cycles) give evidence at 9.3 σ C.L. for the presence of Dark Matter (DM) particles in the galactic halo, on the basis of the exploited model independent DM annual modulation signature by using highly radiopure NaI(Tl) target. The modulation amplitude of the single-hit events in the (2–6) keV energy interval is 0.0112±0.0012 cpd/kg/keV; the measured phase is 144±7 days and the measured period is 0.998±0.002 yr; values are in a good well in agreement with those expected for DM particles. No systematic or side reactions able to mimic the exploited DM signature have been found or suggested by anyone over more than a decade. Some of the perspectives of the presently running DAMA/LIBRA-phase2 are outlined.

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety among community-dwelling older adults has not been studied sufficiently. The aims of this cross-sectional population-based study were to estimate the point prevalence of clinically relevant anxiety symptoms and to describe their socio-demographic and clinical features, with particular focus on the association with somatic illnesses. METHODS: Three-hundred-sixty-six non-demented older adults (mean age 83.7±6.2, range 74-99 years) from the Faenza Project (Northern Italy) were assessed using the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination-Revised (CAMDEX-R) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory short form (GAI-sf). Multi-adjusted regression analyses were used to estimate Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Clinically relevant anxiety symptoms occurred in one out of five participants (point prevalence 21.0%) and were significantly associated with depression (OR 5.6 per rank; 95% CI: 3.1-10.1), physical morbidity (OR 3.5 per illness; 95% CI: 1.0-11.9) and female gender (OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.4-5.5). Further, there were significant associations with a consumption of alcohol exceeding 1 alcoholic unit/day. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety symptoms are very common in older subjects, especially when medically ill. Depression and alcohol consumption often co-occur with late-life anxiety symptoms, thus requiring special attention in daily clinical practice.

Long-term outcomes of mitral valve surgery after mediastinal radiation therapy (MRT) are not well characterized. We analyzed long-term survival in patients who underwent mitral valve repair or replacement after MRT. From 2001 to 2018, 148 patients underwent mitral valve surgery at our institution after MRT for cancer. The association between surgery group and survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards modeling, with propensity score adjustment to control for clinical and operative differences between groups. Mitral valve was repaired in 48 (32.4%) and replaced in 100 (67.6%) patients. The groups (repair vs replacement) were similar in age (62.0 vs 57.1 years, p = 0.10), gender (female n = 38, 79.2% vs n = 65, 65%, p = 0.08), chronic lung disease (n = 12, 25.0% vs n = 37, 37.0%, p = 0.19), congestive heart failure (n = 13, 27.1% vs n = 38, 38.4%, p = 0.20), but differed in atrial fibrillation (n = 17, 35.4% vs n = 13, 13.0%, p = 0.002), first cardiovascular surgery (n = 34, 70.8% vs n = 47, 47.0%, p = 0.006), and time since MRT (median 12, 7-27 years, vs 30, 19-37 years, p < 0.001). Long term survival was no different between groups in the unadjusted (p = 0.835) and propensity-adjusted (p = 0.645) analysis, and inferior to the expected survival of an age- and sex-matched population. Mediastinal irradiation negatively impacts survival in patients who undergo mitral valve surgery. The traditional advantage of mitral valve repair over replacement on long-term survival was not seen in patients with radiation associated mitral valve disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Frailty is a common condition in older adults, characterized by multimorbidity, physical weakness and nutritional deficit. Frailty can be detected early and a prehabilitation treatment could reduce the incidence of disability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-hundred-fifteen elderly patients were admitted to the Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Unit of Policlinico Gemelli for one year. Patients were clinically assessed by Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and blood sample values. Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRS) and Hand Grip Test were assessed before (T0) and after (T1) hospitalization. Number of drugs and number of infections were recorded. RESULTS: Patients were originally hospitalized in orthopaedic, neurology and medical ward. Most patients (68%) after discharge return home. Negative correlations between albumin and CCI and between total protein and CCI were recorded. Positive correlation between CCI cognitive subscore and number of drugs and a negative correlation between that subscore and Vitamin D were detected. An improvement in NRS and in the handgrip strength was recorded. At discharge an increase in the number of drugs and the number of infections was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The handgrip strength improvement increases quality of life. Pain management and NRS indicate a better recovery of activities of daily living. Malnutrition is a real problem; albumin is the principal negative acutephase reactant and is related to a worse clinical condition and low vitamin D levels are associated with worse cognitive function. The goal of a Rehabilitation Unit is to create an effective multidisciplinary transitional care plan, involving the patient and caregivers, creating a continuity of care after discharge and a sustainable project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]