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We consider the thorny issue of whether ascribing to an agent the obligation to φ implies that it is possible for the agent to φ. Traditionally, this issue has been interpreted as whether “ought” implies “can”. But another linguistic interpretation is available, namely, whether “must” implies “can” (MIC). We show that “must” does imply “can” via a convergent argument. First, we prove MIC from a well-established theory of modality in natural language, namely, that proposed by Kratzer. Second, we present novel acceptability judgement studies showing that MIC predicts and explains the linguistic behaviour of native English speakers.

Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) is growing more and more important in the Space operations and mission analysis field, given how much the crowded environment building up near Earth can hamper them. Italy is involved in SST operations, collaborating with partners both within and outside the EU. The Italian Space Operation Centre (ISOC) has recently upgraded its systems to the ISOC 2.0 Suite, an integrated web-based platform providing multiple functions and services in the SST/SSA domain. The present work describes its sensor tasking module, called SNOS (Sensors Network Optimal Scheduler), developed thanks to a collaboration involving the Italian Air Force, the Leonardo Company and Politecnico di Milano. After the definition of the software architecture, its prototype version has been developed in Python and then translated to C++ language to grant the highest performances in the operational environment. Given the list of available sensors together with their characteristics, the time window in which the observations must be scheduled and the catalogue of objects to be observed, SNOS is able to generate a user specified number of schedules, optimized both in terms of catalogue coverage and expected quality of the measurements. The results are provided to the sensor operation authority as a JSON file conveying all the information needed for the correct execution of the task and as a Tracking Data Message (TDM), which is the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) standard for this kind of operations. SNOS can handle optical sensors as well as mono- or bi-static radar and laser sensors. The process starts from the analysis of Two Line Elements (TLE) or Orbit Ephemeris Message (OEM) representing the state of the catalogued objects to identify the visible passes, i.e. the portions of their orbits which are visible from any of the sensors of the network. These are subdivided based on the priority assigned to the related object and conflicting situations are identified, such as the ones in which multiple passes from different objects are simultaneously visible by the same sensor. The candidate solutions are then gradually built by selecting passes (or portions of them) with a heuristic optimization approach. The generated schedules are assigned a score based on the catalogue coverage and the expected quality of the measurements, which weights factors such as the elevation of the object, the distance from the observer, and the duration of the pass. The scheduler also grants the possibility to modify an already ongoing schedule to allocate tasks for unforeseen necessities highlighted by the sensor authority, while still retaining the optimality of the solution. Finally, SNOS can compute the necessary sensor pointing sequence for different kind of tasks, namely tracking tasks and various survey modes of practical interest, such as the one for the surveillance of the GEO belt and the ones designed for the identification of new debris through the inspection of areas along the orbit of an object which is expected to have suffered fragmentation. The SNOS software is currently successfully employed to run the network managed by the ISOC centre.

Navicular bone fractures of the foot are rare , but can have serious consequences because of the essential role of the talonavicular joint. A classification system was devised on the basis of the direction of the fracture line, the pattern of disruption of the surrounding joints, and the direction of displacement of the foot.

Cryopreservation is a valuable tool for aquaculture as it provides continuous seed production, regardless of the spawning season of the brood stock. The selection of a suitable cryoprotectant with low toxicity and high water solubility is important to avoid membrane injuries and intracellular ice crystallization. This study has been aimed at the assessment of the toxic effects of two usually applied cryoprotectants, 1-2 propylene glycol (PG) and methanol (MetOH), on spermatozoa of the of lion-paw scallop Nodipecten nodosus, by evaluating the sperm motility and the development of D larvae after fertilization procedure. Sperm was exposed at room temperature (22 degrees C) for 10, 20 and 30min to different concentration ranges of two cryoprotectants. Regarding the sperm motility, PG5%, PG7%, MetOH4% and MetOH6% did not show differences compared to control (semen incubated in seawater) (P

During 2008 nine italian laboratories participating to Unichim working group performed five intercalibration ring tests considering embryotoxicity test with Mytilus galloprovincialis LMK. All research group worked with mussels from the same population (Gulf of Taranto). Results from four ring tests were statistically acceptable, determining the repeteability within laboratory and the reproducibility between laboratories.

Ecotoxicological tests were performed using fresh and cryopreserved semen of sea bream (S.aurata, L. 1758, Perciformes, Sparidae). Sperm motility after 1h of incubation in metals (Cd, Cr, Pb) and pesticides (Azinphos-methyl, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Pentachlorophenol) was evaluated. Cryopreserved semen showed sensitivity levels comparable or higher than the fresh one.

High resolution camera (HRC) can be useful in small animal imaging. Our HRC shows 4inch2 FOV, CsI crystals are integrated with tungsten blade, square parallel hole collimator and coupled with a position sensitive photomultiplier (PSPMT). Its spatial resolution is 2mm. AIM: To verify if small animal imaging with HRC is more reliable than Anger camera imaging, Methods: We have labelled a rat monoclonal antibody anti-human galectin-3 with 99mTc and studied its targeting potential in n/n balbc mice xenografted with poorly differentiated ARO cell line. Twenty mice were transplanted with galectin-3 positive ARO cells and developed tumours of 0.5-1.0 cm diameter. The animals were injected i.v. with 37MBq (100?Ci) of 99mTc-labeled mAb (30 µg protein). Whole body images were acquired at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 24 hours, using Anger camera and HRC. Images were analyzed by drawing ROIs on the tumour. Hip muscle was taken as background. Uptake was expressed as target to background ratio (T/M). All mice were divided in 5 groups of 4 animals. One animal of each group was scarified at a planned time and tissue samples from blood, major organs and tumours were removed, weighted and counted. The ex vivo bio-distribution of radiolabelled galectin-3 mAb was expressed as % of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g). Ex-vivo T/M ratios obtained from autopsy were compared with data from the two cameras. Results: Inhomogeneous radioactivity within xenografted tumours was identified only by HRC images. In the sites presenting low activity with HRC images, autopsy identified necrotic zones. T/M ratio is reported in table Conclusion. Parallel hole collimator HRC is very useful in small animal imaging. Actually, the trend of T/M ratio was consistent with ex vivo data, owing precise drawing of ROIs and linearity of device counting. In a future, the combination of HRC with highly specific radiopharmaceuticals, such as radiolabelled anti-G3 antibody, can be useful also on man.

F. Del Prete, Handschriftliches Exlibris: "W. Stussi" 990022177550205503_0001 Exemplar der ETH-BIB, Exlibrisstempel: "Orell Füssli & Co. Verlag" 002216654_0001 Exemplar der ETH-BIB, Geschenkexlibris-Etikette: "Geschenk aus dem Nachlasse von August Waldner" 002230365_0001 Exemplar der ETH-BIB, Indirektes handschriftliches Exlibris: "1907, 136", das ist August Waldner 002194263_0003 Exemplar der ETH-BIB

PURPOSE: Diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is an important public health issue and 18F-FDG PET/CT has proven to be more effective than CT alone. Pre-test risk stratification and clinical presentation of SPN could affect the diagnostic strategy. A relevant issue is whether thoracic segmental (s)-PET/CT could be implemented in patients with SPN. This retrospective multicenter study compared the results of FDG whole-body (wb)-PET/CT to those of s-PET/CT. METHODS: 18F-FDG PET/CT of 502 patients, stratified for pre-test cancer risk, were retrospectively analyzed. The thoracic part of wb-PET/CT, considered s-PET/CT, was compared to wb-PET/CT. Clinical and PET/CT variables were investigated for SPN characterization as well as for identification of patients in whom s-PET/CT could be performed. Histopathology or follow-up data were used as a reference. RESULTS: In the study population, 36% had malignant, 35% benign, and 29% indeterminate SPN. 18F-FDG uptake indicative of thoracic and extra-thoracic lesions was detectable in 13% and 3% of the patients. All patients with extra-thoracic metastases (n = 13) had thoracic lymph node involvement and highest 18F-FDG uptake at level of SPN (negative predictive value 100%). Compared to wb-PET/CT, s-PET/CT could save about 2/3 of 18F-FDG dose, radiation exposure or scan-time, without affecting the clinical impact of PET/CT. CONCLUSION: Pre-test probability of malignancy can guide the diagnostic strategy of 18FDG-PET/CT in patients with SPN. In subjects with low-intermediate pretest probability s-PET/CT imaging might be planned in advance, while in those at high risk and with thoracic lymph node involvement a wb-PET/CT is necessary.

In this study, the effects of bicarbonate addition on growth and pigment contents of the unicellular microalga Nannochloropsis oculata, were evaluated. N. oculata represents an interesting source of biomolecules widely used for food supplements and nutraceuticals. The bicarbonate was supplemented to microalgae cultures at concentrations of 0, 6, 18, 30, 42 and 60 mM. The cultures supplemented with salt at highest concentrations (42 and 60 mM) showed a significant increase in algal growth, demonstrated by the optical density spread. The intracellular content of pigments such as chlorophyll a and total carotenoids reached the highest values in cells from cultures supplied with bicarbonate. In fact, concentrations of bicarbonate from 30 to 60 mM strongly improved, for a short period of only 72 h, the cellular levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids. These are interesting pigments with commercial applications. The utilization of bicarbonate could represent an interesting sustainable opportunity to improve microalgae cultivation for cellular growth and pigment contents.

The incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is progressively increasing. Most cases arise from the digestive system, where ileum, rectum and pancreas represent the commonest site of origin. Liver metastases are frequently detected at diagnosis or during the follow-up. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is used in patients with pancreatic NETs (P-NETs) and liver metastases from P-NET but its role has not been standardized. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate CEUS in patients with P-NETs and liver metastases from P-NET both as prognostic factor and predictor of response to therapy with somatostatin analogues (SSAs). CEUS was performed at the diagnosis of NET and 3, 6 and 12 months after the beginning of SSAs. CEUS pattern was compared with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) pattern. There was a significant association between CEUS and CT pattern (X 2 = 79.0; p

The influence of microelectrogenesis on PAHs degradation and detoxification operated by Pseudomonadaceae, Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae was investigated in water environment. Single chamber, air-cathode MFCs and bioreactors were filled with the microbial pool (10(7)-10(8) CFUmL(-1)) inoculated in a 400mL Winogradsky saline solution containing no other carbon and energy source than naphthalene (80 ppm), phenanthrene (40 ppm), pyrene (40 ppm), benzo(a)pyrene (20 ppm). MFCs and bioreactors operated at 25 degrees C for thirteen weeks. Power Density (PD) and Current Density (CD) outputs as well as PAHs degradation rate were measured. The toxic effect of PAHs suspension vs.Raphidocelis subcapitata was quantified by EC1, EC20, EC50, LOEC and NOEC calculations. The results showed a significant variability in PD and CD outputs, with highest PD of 300 mW m(-3) and 25 mA m(-3). After 5 weeks, the overall PAHs concentration in MFCs decreased of a 90%. COD and TOC removal respectively of 62% and 73% after 11 weeks was achieved in MFC inoculated with bacteria (MFC2). Ecotoxicological tests showed for MFCs a lower toxic effect vs.P.subcapitata when bacteria are present. Microelectrogenesis just sped up microbial metabolism rather than take advantage from the interaction of PAHs with graphite electrodes.

The possibility of using the sperm of teleosts as a model system for ecotoxicological assessments has been explored by evaluating sperm motility parameters: (1) time to reach the maximum motility value (activation time), (2) maximum motility value, (3) duration of maximum motility value, and (4) total time of motility (until class 0). Sperm of Dicentrarchus labrax, Sparus aurata, Diplodus puntazzo and Pagellus erythrinus were analysed and compared. The effects of dimethylsulfoxide, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol and methanol on sperm motility in these marine species were investigated. Among the systems tested, sperms of S. aurata and D. labrax were the most sensitive to the tested xenobiotics and S. aurata spermatozoa were shown to be easier to manage for ecotoxicological assays.

Purpose It is not known if in low-risk populations a drug-induced bor-derline-QTc (bQTc, males: 440-500ms, females: 460-500ms) predicts adverse outcomes. We assessed clinical impact, prevalence and risk factors for bQTc in a sample of schizophrenic outpatients taking at least 1 antipsychotic in 24 months.Methods All the schizophrenic outpatients followed by our ward were evaluated (history,electrolytes, ECG). Subjects with possible LQT-syn-drome, use of other QT-elonging drugs, ECG alterations or dyselectroly-temias were excluded. 193 consecutive patients were selected and re-assessed at 9-24 months. Risk factors and hazard were evaluated with logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier and Cox models.Results No deaths, syncope or QTc>500ms were registered. 18% of the sample had a bQTc at the admission. Incomplete RBBB (iRBBB) [OR=3.14; 95%CI:1.473-6.694, p3 drugs [OR=1.87; 95%CI:1.045-3.346, p3 drugs [time-to-bQTc: 20.6 vs. 13.2 months, p