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The medicinal use of cannabis oil is increasing all over the world. Few analytical methods for the quantification of cannabinoids have been validated using internationally accredited guidelines. This work describes the development and validation of a selective and sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the qualitative analysis of the main cannabinoids, namely cannabidiolic acid, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, cannabigerol, and cannabichromene as well as quantitative determination of cannabidiol, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabinol, present in cannabis oils. The method was fully validated according to Food and Drug Administration and International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. A linear range of 0.1–30 μg/mL was obtained for CBD and Δ9-THC and 0.034–11.7 μg/mL for CBN, presenting determination coefficients above 0.99. The lower limits of quantification ranged from 0.034 to 0.1 μg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision, calculated in terms of relative standard deviation, were 3.9–13.8 and 4.7–14.1%, respectively. Extraction efficiency at lower limits of quantification was 95–103%. Verification of method validity was performed with authentic cannabis oil samples. To our knowledge, this is the first method available in Argentina, validated according to international guidelines, for quantification of CBD, Δ9-THC, and CBN in cannabis oil. The primary application of this method is to differentiate between cannabis oils with high or low content of Δ9-THC, CBD, or mixed Δ9-THC/CBD. This is of fundamental importance for the patient and so that the physicians can carry out a suitable therapy.

Innovation is the key to the success of manufacturing companies in an increasingly complex business environment combining volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) characteristics. In manufacturing companies, innovation predominantly involves temporarily destabilizing value-adding processes that are designed and optimized for stability. The Toyota Kata is a holistic management philosophy that strives for stability by providing cybernetic routines. These routines or katas support people in solving complex socio-technical problems in unstable environments. This contribution investigates the adoption of those problem-solving routines for innovating business processes and provides insight into a case in the manufacturing industry.

This work is part of a multi-disciplinary study aimed at creating the first scientific database to support the future authentication of paintings on the art market. In particular, five fake paintings attributed to the Italian painter Pippo Oriani (1909-1972) have been characterized. Since no scientific literature concerning the material composition used by the artist is available, the five paintings were studied with a multi-technique approach aiming at better understanding the forgery process. The obtained results can be used in the future as a first step to support the authentication of Oriani's artworks on the art market. In particular, it allows to evaluate the con-sistency of data obtained from future scientific investigations on Oriani's artwork with the forgery process re-ported in the present database. Non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as UV imaging, IR and IR-false colour photography, XRF, mu-Raman and FTIR spectroscopies have been used to fully characterize the fake paintings. The combination of these techniques led to obtaining useful information on the support preparation method, the pictorial materials, and the execution technique of the artist/forger(s).A wide range of inorganic pigments and organic dyes have been detected, together with the use of oil and wax as binders. The results revealed a strong similarity among the different paintings, thus supporting the idea that the forger(s) knew very well the original Oriani's pictorial technique.The detailed identification of all the materials used in the forgery process for Oriani's fake paintings will help to support the authentication of other ambiguous paintings in future cases.

Most pyrethroid insecticides (PYRs) share a similar primary target site in mammals. However, the potency estimates of the lethal and sublethal effects of these compounds differ up to 103-fold. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the dose administered, the target tissue dose, and the effect of 2 highly toxic PYRs, tefluthrin (TEF; 0.1–9 mg/kg) and bifenthrin (BIF; 0.5–12 mg/kg), by using the oral route, a corn oil vehicle (1 ml/kg) and subcutaneous temperature (Tsc) monitoring assays in adult rats. The Tsc was determined at 30-min intervals for 5 h (TEF) or 4.5 h (BIF) after dosing. Rats were sacrificed at 6 h after dosing, and BIF and TEF concentrations were determined in blood (Bd), liver (Lv), and cerebellum (Cb) by using a GC-ECD system. The minimal effective dose of BIF (3 mg/kg) affecting Tsc was similar to that found in prior studies using other testing paradigms. Regarding TEF, a very steep relationship between the dose administered and toxicity was observed, with a near-threshold to low-effective range for Tsc at 0.1–6 mg/kg, and a near lethal syndrome at ≥ 7.5 mg/kg. At 6–7.5 mg/kg TEF, the Cb/Bd and Cb/Lv concentration ratios were both > 1. Conversely, for BIF, the Cb concentration was barely over the Bd concentration and the Cb/Lv concentration ratio remained < 1. Our results and previous findings call for more comprehensive consideration to establish the relevance of the distribution into target tissues and the tissue dosimetry for health risks through the exposure to PYRs in humans.

The authors present the unexpected discovery of a previously unknown finishing treatment of the architectural surfaces of the stone monuments of the Perrsepolis terrace.

More than 14000 fragments of common use bronze objects found more than 130 years ago in the so-called "Ripostiglio di San Francesco" (St. Francesco hoard), in Bologna, analysed by a portable EDXRF, requiring a chemometrics analysis of the metal alloy constituents (Cu, Sn, Pb, Fe, Sb, Ag, As) to try to identify the different composition in function of the destination of use.

The project aims to characterize, through a body of archaeometric analyses, an assemblage of copperbased finds known as 'Fucino bronzes', most of which lack any finding data. The Fucino bronzes include artefacts that emerged during the drainage of Lake Fucino at the end of the XIX century, as well as bronzes acquired locally or dug out later by several collectors on behalf of the various Italian museums where finds are currently distributed. Our work explores the dynamics related to the objects assembled and relationships between production centres, local workshops, and the emergence of iron. This study proceeds concurrently with the following research and cataloguing procedures: quantification, portable ED-XRF analysis, metallography, and the development of a database. The finds are grouped into three main categories: ornaments and accessories, instruments, and weapons. The quantification is also classed in terms of typology, technology, chronology, and territory whenever possible, in order to establish customized models for the interpretation of data. Metallographic analysis is carried out using optical microscope (OM) and SEM. On this occasion we report the results of selected materials, such as 'Kardiophylakes' that make up about one-third of the known samples in the assemblage, thirty eight of which have a reported provenance from specific Fucino sites.

It has been shown that the expression of the morphine (MOR) withdrawal syndrome precipitated by naloxone (NAL) is more intense in male mice than in females, but the reasons for this phenomenon remain uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether this sexual dimorphism might be due to differences in MOR and/or NAL plasma levels after a chronic treatment with MOR. Prepubertal Swiss male and female mice were rendered dependent by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of MOR (2 mg/kg), twice daily for 9 days. On day 10 dependent mice received NAL (6 mg/kg, i.p.) 60 min after MOR injection. Blood samples were taken at different times in order to determine MOR and NAL plasma levels by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed no differences between male and female mice either for MOR or for NAL. In conclusion, although males and females respond differentially to NAL-precipitated withdrawal, this dimorphic behavior would not be influenced by a pharmacokinetic factor. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Questo contributo presenta gli studi preliminari e le scelte metodologiche finalizzate all'intervento di restauro dell'impianto decorativo polimaterico della Sala da Pranzo del Villino Ximenes, casa e studio dello scultore Ettore Ximenes (1855-1926), esempio significativo di architettura Liberty a Roma. Questa sala, uno degli ambienti più suggestivi di tutta l'abitazione, è ricca di raffinati particolari e ricercate tecniche esecutive in linea con le correnti moderniste che rispondono al concetto di funzionalità dell'opera d'arte. L'intero ambiente mostrava differenti problematiche conservative, era dunque necessario procedere con una campagna diagnostica preliminare per conoscere le tecniche esecutive e accertare le cause dei differenti stati di degrado. Alle indagini eseguite hanno collaborato esperti in differenti discipline. Come già previsto in fase progettuale, per l'intervento conservativo ci si è orientati verso scelte ecosostenibili con metodologie e prodotti innovativi a minor impatto ambientale nel rispetto dell'opera, dell'operatore e dell'ambiente. L'unità stilistica dell'ambiente, è stata il filo conduttore di questo lavoro che ha avuto come obiettivo la conservazione e il rispetto dell'intera sala affrontando le problematiche inserite nella loro complessità contestuale oltre che dei singoli manufatti.

Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) has been used successfully for some time now in non-destructive diagnostic examinations of art works, especially for paintings and bronze works. Furthermore, such examinations may be carried out with portable equipment, allowing studies in situ. EDXRF-analysis of paintings generally provides the following information: –possible presence of elements on the surface (sulphur, chlorine) due to pollution; –identification of the elements, and therefore giving a good indication of the pigments, employed by the artist; and –identification of previous restoration areas, by detecting the presence of “modern” elements, such as titanium, zinc, cadmium, etc. Recently, the famous Chapel of the Scrovegni painted by Giotto in Padua in 1303–1305 was analysed in detail to obtain all the information described above. Another example of application of EDXRF-analysis to paintings was a recent examination of 11 paintings believed to be by De Chirico the outcome of which was compared ...

Organochlorinated contaminants integrate the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) group, according to the Stockholm Convention. Persistent organic pollutants are synthetic chemicals highly lipophilic that cause harmful effects on human health. The extensive use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in agriculture and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on industry, in confluence with its resistance to metabolic degradation, determined its persistence in the environment.

The present project aims to characterise, through a combination of archaeometric analyses, an assemblage of prehistorical and proto-historical copper-based finds known as “Fucino bronzes”; any data regarding context or specific provenance is lacking for most of these. The assemblage of Fucino bronzes includes artefacts that emerged during the drainage of Lake Fucino at the end of the ninteenth century, as well as bronzes acquired locally or excavated later by several collectors on behalf of the various Italian museums where the finds are currently located. Contextual and provenance data sometimes exist in varying degrees of completeness.

The caffeine content of different beverages from Argentina's market was measured. Several brands of coffees, teas, mates, chocolate milks, soft and energy drinks were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. The highest concentration level was found in short coffee (1.38 mg ml(-1)) and the highest amount per serving was found in instant coffee (95 mg per serving). A consumption study was also carried out among 471 people from 2 to 93 years of age to evaluate caffeine total dietary intake by age and to identify the sources of caffeine intake. The mean caffeine intake among adults was 288 mg day(-1) and mate was the main contributor to that intake. The mean caffeine intake among children of 10 years of age and under was 35 mg day(-1) and soft drinks were the major contributors to that intake. Children between 11 and 15 years old and teenagers (between 16 and 20 years) had caffeine mean intakes of 120 and 240 mg day(-1), respectively, and mate was the major contributor to those intakes. Drinking mate is a deep-rooted habit among Argentine people and it might be the reason for their elevated caffeine mean daily intake.

Wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) based on IEEE 802.16 standard are widely deployed to provide users with wireless network connectivity, anytime, anyplace. In particular IEEE 802.16 standard has been developed to provide fixed and mobile broadband applications at lower costs for installation as compared with traditional wired infrastructures. In this paper we present the main results of a measurement campaign on propagation at 3.5 GHz conducted by BT Italy and Ericsson with the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Path loss channel model obtained from experimental data are also presented.

Dilatació aòrtica; Aneurisma de l'aorta ascendent; Anàlisi espai-temporal Dilatación aórtica; Aneurisma de la aorta ascendente; Análisis espacio-temporal Aortic dilation; Ascending aorta aneurysm; Spatiotemporal analysis Motivated by the evidence that the onset and progression of the aneurysm of the ascending aorta (AAo) is intertwined with an adverse hemodynamic environment, the present study characterized in vivo the hemodynamic spatiotemporal complexity and organization in human aortas, with and without dilated AAo, exploring the relations with clinically relevant hemodynamic and geometric parameters. The Complex Networks (CNs) theory was applied for the first time to 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) velocity data of ten patients, five of them presenting with AAo dilation. The time-histories along the cardiac cycle of velocity-based quantities were used to build correlation-based CNs. The CNs approach succeeded in capturing large-scale coherent flow features, delimiting flow separation and recirculation regions. CNs metrics highlighted that an increasing AAo dilation (expressed in terms of the ratio between the maximum AAo and aortic root diameter) disrupts the correlation in forward flow reducing the correlation persistence length, while preserving the spatiotemporal homogeneity of secondary flows. The application of CNs to in vivo 4D MRI data holds promise for a mechanistic understanding of the spatiotemporal complexity and organization of aortic flows, opening possibilities for the integration of in vivo quantitative hemodynamic information into risk stratification and classification criteria. Open access funding provided by Politecnico di Torino within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.

We present an innovative compact dual-modality detector, which integrates an ultrasound probe with a scintigrafic γ -camera for molecular imaging in medicine, in order to get both morphological and functional information in a single three-dimensional image. The scintigraphic detector consists of a 2 × 2 array of a multi-anode PMT Hamamatsu H8500-Mod8 and a 4.0 mm thick continuous LaBr 3 (Ce) crystal equipped with four segment slant-hole collimators for single photon imaging (SPET). The collimator permits to recover the depth of a lesion by rotating around its vertical axis (z) without the need of rotating the camera around the investigated object. This detector can take advantage from being positioned close to the object and overcome the intrinsic limitations in spatial resolution arising from the geometry of SPET/CT gantry. The aim of this work is to describe preliminary phantom analysis and to provide a 3D US/SPET image.

The development of the molecular imaging technique based on radiopharmaceuticals is requiring sophisticated devices with sub-millimeter spatial resolution and high detection efficiency. Recently, in the field of scintillation gamma camera, it has been demonstrated that continuous crystals may improve spatial resolution with respect to the use of scintillation arrays. In this work we propose a new algorithm that improves spatial resolution. It calculates the position from a single scintillation event by squaring the charge collected on a multi-anodes photomultiplier tube (MA-PMT). It is able to remove the position linearity distortion due to the light reflections and the truncations at the crystal edge. We present measurements from a compact gamma camera based on a 51 mm × 51 mm × 4.0 mm LaBr3:Ce continuous scintillation crystal, coupled to a MA-PMT Hamamatsu H8500. The results show a strong improvement in spatial resolution and confirm the high potential in using of LaBr continuous crystal for molecular imaging applications. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The performance of the new prototype of high quantum efficiency PMT (43% at 380 nm), Hamamatsu R7600U-200, was studied coupled to a LaBr 3 :Ce crystal with the size of ∅12.5 mm×12.5 mm. The energy resolution results were compared with ones from two PMTs, Hamamatsu R7600U and R6231MOD, with 22% and 30% quantum efficiency (QE), respectively. Moreover, the photodetectors were equipped with tapered and un-tapered voltage dividers to study the non-linearity effects on pulse height distribution, due to very high peak currents induced in the PMT by the fast and intense light pulse of LaBr 3 :Ce. The results show an energy resolution improvement with UBA PMT of about 20%, in the energy range of 80–662 keV, with respect to the BA one.

In this paper the response in term of pulse height linearity of two Hamamatsu photomultipliers is investigated, when coupled to a LaBr 3 :Ce scintillation crystal. The two photodetectors have high quantum efficiency and in particular 30% for R6231-01 and 42% for R7600-200 tube. The substantial difference is in the dynode structure, linear focused and metal channel for R6231 and R7600 respectively. In this work in order to verify the non-linearity effects on the pulse height distribution, due principally to the high and fast light production of LaBr 3 :Ce scintillator, we propose a ‘peak by peak’ procedure to calibrate the pulse height distribution. Utilizing a specific fragmentation of the calibration curve in subsets, the calculated energy values are very similar for both PMTs. This result confirmed the potentiality of the procedure to highlight the non-linearity effects on pulse height distribution.

In this work we propose an analysis of a novel Low Energy (LE) parallel hole collimator for high resolution SPET applications. The tested prototype, realized jointly with Nuclear Fields, is a lead parallel hole collimator with 1.0 mm hexagonal hole, 18 mm length, 0.2 mm septa and 10x10 cm2 of useful detection area. It was planned to match the high spatial resolution performances of a compact gamma camera based on LaBr3(Ce) continuous scintillation crystal. The imaging performance of this prototype is compared with a tungsten pinhole collimator (1.0 mm diameter) and with a couple of 1.5 mm parallel hole collimators, 22 mm and 40 mm length with 0.2 mm septa respectively. All the collimators were individually coupled to a scintillation gamma camera based on LaBr3(Ce) continuous crystal and multi anode PMT Hamamatsu H8500. The high intrinsic spatial resolution of the crystal enhances the response of collimators at short source-to-collimator distance –SCD overcoming problems in alignment with the collimator pattern. Spatial resolution and sensitivity were evaluated by scanning the detector field of view at different SCD using a Co57 point source. The parallel hole prototype showed SR better than pinhole with 28 mm FoV. In term of sensitivity, it showed values greater than pinhole one at FoV larger than 2.4 cm. In comparison with LEHR parallel hole collimators, the prototype carried out better SR values at SCD lower than 20 mm with two times more sensitivity. Moreover, the overall SR improved of 20% with respect to the LEGP one at all SCD, with only 35% loss of sensitivity. The collimator prototype seemed complementary with the use of pinhole one and in addition when coupled to the compact LaBr3(Ce) gamma camera can allow a very attractive trade-off between spatial resolution, sensitivity and detection area for radionuclide molecular imaging applications.

The new PMT generation with very high quantum efficiency is very attractive for their potential to improve energy resolution, in particular for applications involving new scintillation crystals with high light yield. Furthermore recent development of new devices, like silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), with high gain and quantum efficiency have raised the competition between silicon and standard photomultiplier device in particular for application where high energy resolution may improve the imaging response of the detector. Hamamatsu has recently developed a new prototype PMT R7600-200 with an Ultra BiAlkali (UBA) photocathode (QE=42%). To evaluate the improvement, we compared the energy resolution obtained by R7600-200 PMT with ones from a standard R7600 PMT (QE=22%); the results from both PMTs was obtained with a standard and a tapered divider circuit respectively. We compared also the data from a MA-PMT H8500 and from a PMT R6231, representing a gold standard. A LaBr3:Ce scintillator crystal (½” diam. x ½” thick) was coupled to all PMTs. Preliminary results show an energy resolution improvement with UBA photocathode of about 30% @122keV with respect to R7600, close to what expected from the higher quantum efficiency (40%). On the contrary they agree with ones from R6231 PMT, thought its lower QE. This result is probably due to the different collection efficiency of first dynode stage related to different dynode structure of tubes. Furthermore an energy resolution improvement smaller than expected resulted from H8500 MA-PMT. Thought the same dynode structure, this result is not well understood and it could probably due to the larger size of MAPMT photocathode, involving a better light collection. In any case, the improvement of 30% between UBA e No-UBA PMT is not in agreement with the expected one (20%), considering the intrinsic energy resolution of LaBr3:Ce (4.4%@ 140 keV). This behavior is not well explained at moment and is matter of next investigations.