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In this report we present a case of subcutaneous cardioverter defibrillator (S–ICD) implantation complicated by pneumothorax (PNX), in the absence of alteration of electrical parameters nor lung parenchyma involvement. After implantation in secondary prevention (1995) of an abdominal transvenous defibrillator (TV–ICD) via the left subclavian vein, a replacement (2009) with a new contralateral TV–ICD system, and the withdrawal of the proximal edge of the right ventricular (RV) lead in the abdominal region, a 78–years–old man presented in our center for pocket erosion. The trans–esophageal echocardiography was suspect for vegetations, while PET/CT and blood cultures were negative. Transvenous extraction of the right–sided ICD system was performed (the original RV lead was left in place due to his complex course), then the patient underwent implantation of a S–ICD with the intermuscular 2–incision technique. In the end of this well tolerated procedure the electrical parameters were optimal, the defibrillation test was effective and the position of the S–ICD was judged correct on the chest X–ray. Few hours later, the patient complained for local pain and progressive respiratory failure. A chest CT showed a PNX at the lateral insertion of the lead, which reached the pleural space, along the left scissure (Fig.1). During lead repositioning, programmed with stand–by thoracic surgery, the lead was easily disconnected from the generator through the lateral incision, pulled–back through the subxiphoid one and tunneled in the correct plane without complications (Fig.2). Serial chest CT confirmed PNX resolution. The patient was discharged in 8 days. At the 1–month follow–up visit electrical parameters were stable, in absence of infective complications. In literature there are few cases of PNX, so that it’s challenging to define their risk factors. We assume that, despite a correct implantation technique, a barrel chest configuration and the aging of the fascia favored the wrong tunnelling. In conclusion, PNX is a rare and unexpected complication of S–ICD implantation and can go unnoticed when of limited dimensions, in the absence of clinical and radiological signs nor alteration of electrical parameters. Fluoroscopic and CT imaging is recommended for diagnosis. Thoracic surgery is useful during repositioning of the lead, which can also be performed by simple traction. CT imaging is of utmost importance for planning such a procedure and predicting its complexity.

A large class of modern distributed file systems treat metadata services as an independent system component, separately from data servers. The availability of the metadata service is key to the availability of the overall system. Given the high rates of failures observed in large-scale data centers, distributed file systems usually incorporate high-availability (HA) features. A typical approach in the development of distributed file systems is to design and develop metadata services from the ground up, at significant cost in terms of complexity and time, often leading to functional shortcomings. Our motivation in this paper was to improve on this state of things by defining a general-purpose architecture for HA metadata services (which we call RMS) that can be easily incorporated and reused in new or existing file systems, reducing development time. Taking two prominent distributed file systems as case studies, PVFS and HDFS, we developed RMS variants that improve on functional shortcomings of the original HA solutions, while being easy to build and test. Our extensive evaluation of the RMS variant of HDFS shows that it does not incur an overall performance or availability penalty compared to the original implementation.

Some rare neurological diseases affecting children have no well defined etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms. In this article diseases like Reye syndrome, Behçet disease, pediatric neurosarcoidosis, Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome are described. Some of the main neuroradiological differential aspects are also critically considered. Reye syndrome is characterized by symmetric thalamic, white matter and basal ganglia lesions, in children with recent history of salycilates or immunosuppressive drugs intake. The most typical MRI feature of neurosarcoidosis is basilar meningeal thickening and enhancement with intraparenchymal enhancing nodules and white matter focal abnormalities. The classical distribution of lesions helps differential diagnosis with infectious meningoencephalitis. Differential diagnosis with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis his helped by the evidence of meningeal abnormalities. Neuro-Behçet is characterized by mesodiencephalic lesions in children with encephalopathy and coexistence of oral and genital ulcers and ocular abnormalities. PRES can be differentiated from vasculitis for the typical posterior white matter involvement and the different clinical features.

Fetal magnetoencephalography (fMEG) is used to study neurological functions of the developing fetus by measuring magnetic signals generated by electrical sources within the fetal brain. For this aim either auditory or visual stimuli are presented and evoked brain activity or spontaneous activity is measured at the sensor level. However a limiting factor of this approach is the low signal to noise ratio (SNR) of recorded signals. To overcome this limitation, advanced signal processing techniques such as spatial filters (e.g., beamformer) can be used to increase SNR. One crucial aspect of this technique is the forward model and, in general, a simple spherical head model is used. This head model is an integral part of a model search approach to analyze the data due to the lack of exact knowledge about the location of the fetal head. In the present report we overcome this limitation by a coregistration of volumetric ultrasound images with fMEG data. In a first step we validated the ultrasound to fMEG coregistration with a phantom and were able to show that the coregistration error is below 2 cm. In the second step we compared the results gained by the model search approach to the exact location of the fetal head determined on pregnant mothers by ultrasound. The results of this study clearly show that the results of the model search approach are in accordance with the location of the fetal head.

The ideal lithotripter which all companies hope to achieve in the near future, should be characterized by high efficacy, low impact on the patient's sensitivity to pain and least detrimental action on the surrounding tissues. Yet, even the most modern technology seems to be still very far from achieving these goals. For around 1 year our Department has been using the last generation lithotripter Piezolith 3000® (variable triple-focus). Compared to its predecessor, this machine has some changes such as: a) triple focus module that allows to adjust the focal distance to the size of the calculation, b) greater focal depth ranging from 15 cm in Piezolith 3000® fixed focus to 16.5 cm in the new lithotripter, allowing for an easier and more effective treatment of obese patients, c) increase in power by opening the SW variable focal length (F1: 0.20–3.26 mJ/mm2, F2: 0.08–1.64 mJ/mm2, F3: 0.030–0.41 mJ/mm2). The objective of our work is to assess whether the technical characteristics of the new Piezolith 3000® determine a real improvement in management of urinary calculi. Methods 265 patients undergoing ESWL with variable triple-focus lithotripter from January 2008 to January 2009 (Group A) were compared to 265 patients treated with an equal lithotripter Piezolith 3000® fixed focus (Group B). The two groups were homogeneous as for the following variables: age, size and location of the calculi, which are distributed as follows: superior calyx (6), medium (20), inferior (32), renal pelvis (36), pyeloureteral junction (12), lumbar ureter (50), iliac (12), pelvis (6), iuxtavesical (70), bladder (7), multiple sites (14). The ESWL was performed in both groups with ultrasound exclusive point. Results In Group A the time of fragmentation is lower compared to Group B (p2). However, the increase of this energy results in parallel increased perception of pain during ESWL. Conclusions Piezolith 3000® represents a real improvement in the effectiveness of fragmentation but there is, compared to the previous model, a significant reduction in the time of expulsion. This suggests that this variable is affected by other factors.

In 85% of patients, renal colic is caused by renal-ureteral stones with extrinsic obstructions such as pelvic, retroperitoneal or intestinal abnormalities, and intrinsic reno-ureteral obstructions, e.g. junction pathologies and malformation, accounting for only 10 and 5%, respectively. The objectives of therapy for renal colic therapy are to eliminate pain, preserve renal function and eliminate the obstruction by the excretory pathway. Many drugs can be used to relieve pain: non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), opioid analgesics, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), loco-regional anesthesia and acupuncture. Opiates are the first-choice therapy during pregnancy as no other drug is indicated because of tetragenic potential. Paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) is the only NSAID that is registered for pediatric use because it has none of the adverse side effects that are associated with NSAIDs. Tamsulosin, an alpha-lithic drug, has very recently been included among the drugs that are used for stone expulsion. The rationale underlying its use is that a high concentration of α-1D adrenergic receptors has been recently detected in the terminal ureter, especially in the intramural tract. Inhibition of α-1D receptor stimulation should relax smooth muscle in the intramural ureteral tract, making stone expulsion easier.

A 67-year-old man presented with a maculopapular exanthem which started over the major joints. Within a few days, it spread to the entire skin surface and was accompanied by blisters as well as changes of the oral mucosa. The histological examination revealed subepidermal blistering. Targeted laboratory examinations detected serum antibodies against the epidermal basement membrane and autoantibodies against type VII collagen. The findings supported the diagnosis of a generalized inflammatory epidermolysis bullosa acquisita with mucosal involvement.

Secure keyword search in shared infrastructures prevents stored documents from leaking sensitive information to unauthorized users. A shared index provides confidentiality if it is exclusively used by users authorized to search all the indexed documents. We introduce the Lethe indexing workflow to improve query and update efficiency in secure keyword search. The Lethe workflow clusters together documents with similar sets of authorized users, and creates shared indices for configurable document subsets accessible by the same users. We examine different datasets based on the empirical statistics of a document sharing system and alternative theoretical distributions. We apply Lethe to generate indexing organizations of different tradeoffs between the search and update cost. With measurements over an open-source distributed search engine, we experimentally confirm the improved search and update performance of particular configurations that we introduce.

In RM l'uso di sequenze standard, anche eseguite dopo infusione di mdc, non è sufficientemente specifico nel discriminare la natura delle lesioni encefaliche in generale, e in particolare, nel caso dei tumori cerebrali, il loro grado di malignità e limiti anatomici, né consente di distinguere una recidiva da lesioni indotte dalla terapia radiante (radionecrosi). La recente introduzione in RM di tecniche che studiano la perfusione cerebrale, apre nuove prospettive in questa direzione. Scopo di questo lavoro è quello di correlare i risultati dello studio di alcuni tipi di neoplasie cerebrali intra-assiali, eseguito con sequenze RM standard e con tecnica RM - perfusionale, con i rispettivi dati istopatologici. Sono stati sottoposti a RM 15 pazienti (9 maschi e 6 femmine) portatori di neoplasia intra-assiale unica (9 glioblastomi, di cui 3 recidivati dopo exeresi chirurgica e trattamento radiante; 3 oligodendrogliomi; 3 metastasi da carcinoma). Essi sono stati sottoposti a esame RM mediante sequenze standard e sequenza perfusionale (GRE-EPI T2*) dopo infusione di mdc in bolo. Delle immagini ottenute è stata effettuata una post-elaborazione in grado di fornire mappe di perfusione “pixel by pixel” dei principali parametri emodinamici: rCBV (regional Cerebral Blood Volume), rCBF (regional Cerebral Blood Flow), MTT (Mean Transit Time), T0 (Time to Arrival), TP (Time to Peak). L'analisi anatomopatologica ha riguardato: istotipo; entità della proliferazione cellulare (tramite indice MIB-1/Ki67); grado di malignità; grado di neoangiogenesi. È stata riscontrata nel gruppo dei glioblastomi una correlazione lineare tra rCBV medio e volume tumorale nel senso di una andamento decrescente dell'rCBV al crescere del volume tumorale. Tale andamento è confermato sia escludendo, che comprendendo le aree tumorali necrotiche. Sempre nel gruppo dei glioblastomi è stata rilevata una correlazione lineare crescente tra rCBV massimo e indice di proliferazione (MIB-1/Ki67). Non è stata evidenziata alcuna correlazione tra rCBV e grado di neoangiogenesi, probabilmente perché molti dei vasi neoformati, con caratteristiche strutturali anomale, non risultano idonei a fungere da collettori di circolo. L'andamento dell'rCBV (massimo e medio) in rapporto alle varie tipologie neoplastiche ha mostrato, l'attestarsi dei valori di rCBV medio dei tumori ad alto grado su livelli nettamente più alti rispetto ai tumori a basso grado. Tale andamento è mostrato anche dall'rCBF. Si è riscontrata una differenza significativa nei valori di rCBF tra i glioblastomi non trattati e quelli recidivi, mostrando questi ultimi una marcata riduzione dell'rCBF rispetto ai primi. Tale andamento si spiega con un allungamento del tempo di transito medio (MTT). Circa le conclusioni, l'attuale limitatezza della casistica consente di valutare solo come preliminari i risultati ottenuti. Il rapporto di proporzionalità inversa riscontrato tra rCBV e volume tumorale fornisce un ulteriore elemento per la comprensione dei meccanismi alla base della necrosi, che si realizza, come mostrato, quando la proliferazione vasale (rCBV) diventa insufficiente rispetto alla crescita cellulare. Esiste inoltre tra i glioblastomi una correlazione lineare crescente tra rCBV e indice di proliferazione (MIB-1/Ki67):questo risultato, se confermato da più ampi studi, potrebbe fornire informazioni sul grado di aggressività di una data neoplasia partendo da valutazioni di tipo perfusionale. Risulta poi significativo l'avere confermato la netta differenziazione dell'rCBV tra tumori ad alto grado e quelli a basso grado di malignità. La riduzione dei valori di rCBF tra i glioblastomi recidivi potrebbe inoltre consentire di individuare un nuovo criterio di tipo perfusionale per giungere più agevolmente alla diagnosi differenziale tra radionecrosi e recidiva neoplastica, quest'ultima già caratterizzata da livelli di rCBV nettamente superiori rispetto al tessuto cerebrale sede della necrosi post-attinica.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical usefulness of magnetic resonance myelography (MR-M), to suggest technical improvements and to evaluate the results obtained by comparing them with conventional MRI and conventional myelography. A series of 14 healthy volunteers and 43 patients with myelinic or radicular disease were studied by conventional MR and MR-M on an 0.5T unit using sequences pre-optimized for the acquisition of myelographic images. MR-M did not modify the diagnosis made by conventional MRI in cases of myelinic or radicular compression, but it did provide useful additional information in 38% of cases. It provided no additional information on compressive disease. Similar results in terms of quality of information were obtained from the correlation with conventional myelography. In our opinion, MR-M is useful only for cases of discal or spondylogenetic disease.

All alpha-lithic drugs provide encouraging results in terms of stone expulsion from the intramural lower ureteral tract. However Tamsulosin seems the most promising because of its high selectivity for alpha 1-D receptors which are well distributed in this area.

Objective: Recurrence of urolithiasis is frequent. There are no reliable markers able to indicate recurrent stone former patients. Fetuin-A inhibits hydroxyapatite crystals formation and expansion. This study aims at evaluating whether serum fetuin-A may predict recurrent urolithiasis in young adults. Materials and methods: This is a multicentre study. Young adults patients with recurrent urolithiasis attending 3 urology clinics were enrolled from July 2011 to December 2012. Inclusion criteria were: age 18-40 years, presence of more than one kidney stone. Exclusion criteria were: diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, infection diseases. Controls were participants without history of urolithiasis and currently undetected stones. Routine biochemistry, serum concentration of oxalate, fetuin-A, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were assessed; 24/h urinary excretion of creatinine, uric acid, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, glucose, oxalate, amylase, and protein was measured. Kidney ultrasonography and plain X-ray examination was performed. Results: The total cohort was represented by 120 young adults participants (90 patients, and 30 controls). Clinical characteristics were not different between patients and controls. No significant differences were found in serum concentrations as well as in 24/h urinary excretion of recorded variables. No significant difference was found in serum concentration of fetuin-A (median 35.1 ± 18.62 SD Vs 35.12 ± 14.12, μg/ml; p = 0,908). Conclusions: The data of present study do not substantiate the hypothesis that serum fetuin-A may be a reliable predictor of recurrent urolithiasis in young adults.

Sono stati valutati retrospettivamente 120 casi di metastasi spinali esaminati mediante RM presso il nostro Centro. Le tre sedi primitive con maggior tendenza metastatica spinale sono risultate essere il polmone, la mammella e la prostata, confermando la tendenza della letteratura classica. La localizzazione delle forme intra-vertebrali con diametro inferiore ai 2,5 cm mostra tendenza di distribuzione priva di differenze significative tra localizzazioni centro-vertebrali o localizzazioni periferiche in relazione al tumore di origine. Questi ultimi dati contrastano con l'ipotesi di una via metastatica differente tra tumori polmonari (via arteriosa) e da altre sedi (via venosa retrograda). Infine la tendenza di crescita posteriore delle metastasi sembra rispettare la linea mediana.

This paper shows how to use the ntcc calculus constructors to model binder-receptor biological systems, it is shown by building an ntcc model for the HIV life cycle. In order to make the model more accurate, we also tackle the problem of using the parallel ntcc operator with reactions that share a same type of molecule in the same time unit.

In recent years stone disease has become more widespread in developed countries. At present the prevalence is 5.2 and 15% of men and 6% of women are affected. The increase is linked to changes in lifestyle, eating patterns and obesity which has become very common. The ‘metabolic syndrome’ includes all the diseases, e.g. hypertension, lipid imbalances, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gout and cardiovascular disease, which are concomitant in the majority of stone formers. Dietary patterns, besides leading to stone formation, also determine stone chemistry. With a diet that is rich in oxalates, calcium oxalate will constitute 75% of stones, struvite 10–20%, uric acid 5–6% and cystine 1%. As approximately 50% of patients with stones suffer recurrences, metabolic and/or pharmacological prophylaxis is recommended.

The electron-target-asymmetries A_parallel and A_perpendicular with target spin parallel and perpendicular to the momentum transfer q were measured for both the two-- and three-body breakup of 3He in the 3He(e,e'p)-reaction. Polarized electrons were scattered off polarized 3He in the quasielastic regime in parallel kinematics with the scattered electron and the knocked-out proton detected using the Three-Spectrometer-Facility at MAMI. The results are compared to Faddeev calculations which take into account Final State Interactions as well as Meson Exchange Currents. The experiment confirms the prediction of a large effect of Final State Interactions in the asymmetry of the three-body breakup and of an almost negligible one for the two-body breakup.

A SiGe HBT Class-B power amplifier has been developed with a voltage-controlled variable load, for constant efficiency also at low power levels. The output matching network includes varactor diodes that can change the load impedance at the collector of the transistor. The load line can therefore be adjusted to provide a variable output power saturation level, shifting the peak of the efficiency to the desired power level. Constant efficiency over a wide output power range is obtained. This amplifier minimises power consumption for variable output power applications, as required in mobile communications systems.

Objectives: Worldwide the urolithiasis is the third most frequent urological disease affecting both males and females. In literature there are not recent Italian epidemiological data about stone disease. The objective of this study is the evaluation of current epidemiology of urolithiasis in Italy using the Health Search/CSD Longitudinal Patient Database (HS) database. Material and methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective trial was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: family physician- assisted Italian living population member of HS database within 31 December 2012, both genders, age over 17 years, at least two years of clinical history recorded from the beginning the trial. Data were collected by HS database and elaborated by its software Millewin®. Results: In Italy prevalence of urolithiasis in 2012 was 4.14%, it was higher in males than in females (4.53% versus 3.78%) with a positive relation with increasing age. The highest prevalence rate of urolithiasis was reported in the region Campania (6.08%). The general incidence was 2.23 *1000, with the highest incidence in the region Sicilia (3.15 *1000). Incidence was higher in group age 65-74 years (3.18 *1000). Conclusions: In Italy the incidence and prevalence of urolithiasis is increasing with particular distribution in relation to gender, age and regional position.

This study focusses on abdominal sacral colpopexy which appears to provide the most anatomically correct restoration and secure and durable support for advanced vaginal or uterovaginal prolapse. 21 patients underwent colposacropexy or hysterocolposacropexy using Gore-tex mesh. All patients referred symptoms of vaginal heaviness and urinary dysfunctions. Five presented with complete vaginal vault prolapse, 7 with third-degree anterior colpoceles and 9 with uterovaginal prolapse. Hydronephrosis was present in 4. Five patients had previously undergone total hysterectomy, and underwent only sacropexy; 9 underwent standard total abdominal hysterectomy before sacropexy; 7 underwent hysterocolposacropexy, preserving the uterus. In colposacropexy anchorage was designed to provide a large vagina-mesh contact area thus reducing the risk of suspension failure. Hysterocolposacropexy was performed using 3 stitches to anchor the synthetic mesh to the vagina and the uterine isthmus. Postoperative follow-up times range from 12 to 68 months. Overall results for 19/21 patients were satisfactory. In all 21 patients the descensus was markedly reduced. Hydronephrosis was completely resolved. Slight incontinence persisted in 3, but protection was not required. Slight dysuria persisted in 2. First-degree cystoceles recurred only in 3 patients who underwent hysterocolposacropexy. Sacropexy with synthetic mesh seems to be the most valid support of uterovaginal prolapse as the physiological vaginal axis is restored and vaginal function is preserved. Our success rate and the overall satisfaction expressed by 19/21 patients have encouraged us to continue in this surgical approach.

To validate and clinically characterize mixed bipolar states derived from the concepts of Kraepelin and the Vienna School and defined as sustained instability of affective manifestations of opposite polarity--that usually fluctuate independently of one another--in the setting of marked emotional perplexity.Our criteria for mixed states represent a modified "user-friendly" operationalization of these classical concepts. We compared 143 mixed state patients, so defined, with 118 DSM III-R manic patients, systematically evaluated with the Semistructured Interview for Depression (SID) in our in-patient and day-hospital facilities.The two groups were comparable from demographic and familial standpoints (including family history for bipolar disorder). Mixed states were predominant in the past history of index mixed patients who were more likely to have experienced stressors and to have attempted suicide; manic and hypomanic episodes were more common in the past history of the index manic patients who, in addition, had more episodes and hospitalizations. Although rates of chronicity and rapid cycling were not significantly different in the two groups, the modal episodes in the mixed states were 3-6 months, and in mania they were less than 3 months. Two thirds of both groups arose from a dysregulated baseline temperamental dysregulation, which in manics, was largely hyperthymic, and in mixed patients, was both hyperthymic and depressive. Of our 143 mixed states, only 54% met the DSM III-R criteria for mixed states (which conformed to "dysphoric mixed mania"); of the remaining, 17.5% could be described as "mixed agitated psychotic depressive states" with irritable mood and flight of ideas, and 26% as "unproductive-inhibited manic" with fatigue and indecisiveness. The family history and course of these "non-DSM III-R" mixed states were essentially similar to DSM III-R mixed states.Family history could not be obtained blind to clinical status in patients with severe psychotic mood states.These data favor the classical European approach to mixed states over the grossly under-inclusive current official diagnostic systems.The phenomenology of mixed states is more than the mere superposition of opposite affective symptoms and, in many instances, it represents an expansive-excited phase intruding into a depressive temperament, and a melancholic episode intruding into a hyperthymic temperament.

The etiology and evolution of Peyronie's disease are not well known, and this certainly affects patient management. If spontaneous regression or stabilization of the disease is lacking, actually all therapies, except surgery, seem to be only partially successful. We attended 88 patients affected by Peyronie's disease, and 21 patients (23.6%) were referred for surgery and penile implantation; plaque excision was necessary in 8 patients (38.1%). We implanted 10 malleable prostheses and 11 soft prostheses. So far, potency has been the only parameter for evaluating the results of surgery, but in our view both the patient and his partner should be satisfied aesthetically and functionally.

In the last decade, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has played the main role in the study of diseases affect­ing the central nervous system (CNS). The main limita­tions of the first commercial units were predominantly represented by long acquisition times and low spatial resolution. The dramatic technological developments of the 1990’s have made it possible to overcome these lim­itations by selectively enhancing each parameter influ­encing the magnetic resonance (MR) signal, and have paved the way to functional studies with medium field units.

An MRI-pathological correlation was obtained in 15 disc herniations from 15 patients undergoing surgery. The study showed that when peridiscal enhancement was evident on MRI, granulation tissue with macrophagic cells was present histopathologically. Disc fragment infiltration by this tissue appeared as diffuse enhancement of the disc itself on MRI. High signal on T2-weighted images was related to hyperhydration of the fragment. These data indicate that high signal on T2-weighting and peridiscal enhancement are features typical of the first phases of disc herniation.

Treatment of renal cysts in the ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage, associated with intra-cavital sclerosis-inducing agents to avoid recurrence, is often proposed. This report describes the technique and the most suitable sclerosis inducing agents. The best results are obtained with alcohol. No increase in complications or discomfort was observed.

We prospectively compared 3D Gadolinium-enhanced and 3D-TOF MR angiographic acquisition techniques on the main cerebral arteries and cortical branches.

20 pts affected by chronic cerebrovascular disease (10) and demyelinating disease (10) were studied by means of conventional MRI and T2*-w dynamic scans (6 slices acquired in 2“, 60 dynamic scans obtained for each slice, total acquisition time ?120”) with the aim of evaluating wether different patterns could be defined between infarctions and demyelinations. 5 subjects were excluded for different reasons. Signal intensity (SI) and transit time (BPAT = Bolus Peak Arrival Time) values were calculated from ROIs positioned on affected and contralateral non affected areas in each pt. In the group affected by demyelinating diseases, data from pathological ROIs were not significantly different from the contralateral, although the basal value of the lesions started from more elevated levels. On the contrary, pts affected by vascular lesions showed significantly different values of SI between pathological ROIs and apparently normal contralateral brain (χ2 test, p

Large plant automation and control systems pose particular requirements on the architecture of the computer system to be employed. After a brief review of these special needs and of the proposed solutions a molecular multimicroprocessor architecture is described which seems particularly apt to these applications. The system is based on local computing modules (molecules) connected by super busses to form multiprocessor of systems which may in turn be loosely linked into more complex structures. Some problems arising in the design of such a system are discussed. In particular various solutions are proposed and analyzed in the areas of super bus structure, addressing methods and interrupt generation and handling.

In a solar power plant the total efficiency is the product of three efficiencies, i.e. concentration, collection and conversion. Owing to the high cost of the heliostat field, the product of the collection (receiver) and conversion (thermodynamic cycle) efficiencies has to be maximised, taking into account the deep mutual interaction. The principal aspects of the reciprocal behaviour are underlined and some optimisation principles suggested on the basis of development of the basic concepts of Brayton and combined cycles, study of the radiant losses of a simple geometry receiver, and study of the influence of a fuel integration.

The Authors report on a case of renal cell carcinoma with vaginal metastasis, which appeared on clinical examination as a primary vaginal disease without urinary symptoms.

Italian and Egyptian governments have decided the design, construction and operation of an agricultural settlement in Egypt (12 hectares in area): (a) with an high level of self-sufficiency for energy and food production (by means of renewable energy sources locally available); (b) able to originate significant flows of tradeable foodstuffs (meat, milk, eggs and vegetables for up to 2000 people) (c) able to act as a local development pole. In the paper the project is described, the energy analysis is outlined and the main difficulties met so far in the project organization are emphasized to set up a check list useful for project managers in other similar jobs.

Human solid tumors are often characterized by an abnormal cellular DNA content, as evidenced by recent studies utilizing flow cytometry (FC). These studies have confirmed that relative cellular DNA content can be a conclusive marker of malignancy and can be used to describe tumor cell heterogeneity in terms of ploidy levels, occurrence of multiclonality and proliferative patterns [1–3]. In our laboratory, where FC is routinely performed on specimens from different tumors, we obtained an aneuploidy value of 79% for over 350 cases [4].

We describe MR findings in patients with a clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Five patients with different extrapyramidal symptoms were submitted to MRI. All patients were clinically followed-up for a minimum period of at least 12 months. MRI study was performed on a 0.5 T system (Philips NT 5 II), using conventional SE, TSE and t-FLAIR sequences on axial and coronal planes. In all cases MR showed bilateral parietal cortical atrophy. t-FLAIR sequences demonstrated cortical signal alteration on both parietal and frontal cortex in four cases and on the parietal cortex alone in 1 case. During the follow-up clinical evolution gave rise to the suspicion of CBD. MRI demonstrated parietal cortex atrophy even in those cases in which symptoms at onset were not specific for CBD, thus helping the diagnosis. Moreover MRI, using t-FLAIR sequences suggested CBD diagnosis even in the earlier phases of the disease, in which cortical damage has not yet become evident as atrophy.

The exploitation of biomasses is affected by an enormous number of variables such as their quality, the environment from which they are extracted and possibly cultivated, the desired end-products and main objectives of their treatment, the quantities to be processed, etc. Besides scientific and technological advancements we need evaluations from simulation models. One should improve communications among the disciplines involved and diffuse the results of modelling. Finally, one should provide correct information to the public and authorities to prevent the usual dichotomy between scientists and technologists on one hand and legislation and financing on the other (and the public expressing still different aims).

Thanks to their cytocidal action on microbial agents, essential oils and their waste products (hydrolates) are object of interest in bioconservation fields. Our research analyses the actions of hydrolates when used, with different methodologies, in order to preserve paper artworks and human health. This work will describe the results obtained with GELYD (GELlan + hYDrolat) made to give the gellan hydrogel both microbial resistance and cytocidal action against biodeteriogens using hydrolates. Furthermore, the preliminary results obtained to evaluate the effectiveness of GELYD when used to control the fungal growth in closed environments, will be showed Micro-broth dilution assays were performed to identify the fungicidal action of 16 hydrolates vs 3 fungal strains. The study concerned the Minimal Fungicidal Concentration, ATP test and pH, colour and ultra-structural variations on paper samples placed in contact with GELYD. The in vitro and in situ tests showed that only two hydrolates (from Monarda fistulosa and Citrus aurantium subsp amara) have fungicidal action when used in GELYD directly in contact with paper. However, the only to be effective in closed environments is the GELYD made with C. aurantium. If confirmed, our data indicate a new and eco-innovative use of hydrolates.

Gli oli essenziali, così come gli idrolati, sono considerati composti bioattivi di origine vegetale e quindi “naturali”. Questo spiega il sempre maggiore interesse verso le potenzialità in svariati ambiti compreso quello della conservazione del patrimonio culturale. Uno dei problemi più annosi da risolvere nel campo della conservazione dei documenti grafici è il trattamento preliminare al restauro per mettere in sicurezza l’opera dal punto di vista microbiologico. Questo problema è stato affrontato dal nostro gruppo di ricerca sviluppando uno studio volto a valutare l’efficacia degli idrolati quando integrati nel gel di gellano (GELYD) per conferirgli un’azione citocida verso i biodeteriogeni della carta. La fase successiva al nostro studio è stata quella di indagare l’azione del GELYD quando posto in ambienti confinati non a diretto contatto con l’opera al fine di valutarne l’azione preventiva vs l’attacco di biodeteriogeni al patrimonio cartaceo. Dati preliminari di laboratorio sono stati ottenuti utilizzando contenitori di diverso volume (piccoli, medi e grandi) sul fondo dei quali sono stati posti tasselli di carta Whatman assieme a piastre Petri contenenti 15 ml di solo gellano o di GELYD ottenuto con idrolati di Monarda citriodora o Citrus aurantium. Sono stati condotti due tipologie di esperimenti. Nel primo caso i tasselli di carta sono stati seminati con 50 l di una sospensione caratterizzata da ceppi fungini isolati da opere cartacee (Aspergillus sydowii, Penicillium chrysogenum e Cladosporium spherospermum) e, settimanalmente, è stato valutato il segnale dell’ATP presente sui tasselli trattati e di controllo. Nel secondo caso i campioni di carta Whatman sono stati lasciati a temperatura ambiente per 7-14 e 21 gg per poi essere analizzati al settimo e al quattordicesimo giorno mediante analisi dei composti volatili eseguita con gascromatografia abbinata a spettrometria di massa (GC-MS). Mentre tutti e tre i tempi sono stati analizzati per la qualità dell’aria negli ambienti confinati mediante campionamento dei composti volatili con tecnica di preconcentrazione denominata microestrazione in fase solida (Solid Phase Microextraction-SPME). I risultati delle analisi microbiologiche mostrano come il GELYD sia in grado di abbattere la carica fungina quando posto in ambienti confinati. Mentre, i dati ottenuti dall’analisi relativa alla qualità dell’aria e ai residui sulla carta, indicano che le componenti volatili terpeniche degli idrolati sono rilevabili sin dai primi giorni di esposizione del GELYD nell’ambiente confinato; le stesse componenti non sono rilevabili sulla carta sin tanto che, per deposizione, non raggiungono una concentrazione superiore alla soglia di sensibilità dello strumento che, nel nostro caso, è raggiunto solo dopo i primi 14 giorni di esposizione. I nostri dati preliminari individuano un nuovo potenziale uso del GELYD nella prevenzione della contaminazione da biodeteriogeni del patrimonio cartaceo posto in ambienti confinati, anche se ulteriori indagini volte a valutarne la sicurezza d’uso sull’opera sono necessarie e in fase di sviluppo.