Intensive irradiation studies, monitoring and commissioning data analysis on the ATLAS MDT chambers

The ATLAS MDT chambers have been extensively studied, starting from irradiation test to commissioning activities. First, a detailed description of high rate and high background tests is given. These tests have been carried out on a small ATLAS-like MDT chamber, by the Cosenza and Roma TRE groups. The precision tracking chambers of the muon spectrometer, in fact, have to operate for more than 10 years in the harsh LHC background, due mainly to low energy neutrons and photons. Aging effects, such as the deterioration of the tube themselves can appear and difficulties in pattern recognition and tracking may occur. Moreover an upgrade to Super-LHC is foreseen. Then, there is an accurate description of the MDTGnam package, the official software for the on-line monitoring of MDT performances. When dealing with a complex apparatus, such as the ATLAS experiment, an on-line monitoring system is a fundamental tool. The GNAM project, developed by Cosenza, Pavia, Pisa and Napoli groups, is a monitoring framework to be used by all the ATLAS detectors. The work described in this thesis consisted in writing and optimizing the GNAM C++ code for the MDT detector specific part. The last part is devoted to commissioning data analysis from barrel sector 13. Sector 13 was used as a pilot system to test different detector data taking in their final conditions. Up to November 2006, 13 MDT chambers were installed and their performance monitored both by means of usual noise tests and by cosmic rays penetrating the ATLAS cavern. In addition, the barrel toroid was switched on for the first time at the nominal current. Results from the magnet test are also reported

The analysis of individual tactics in the women's water polo

In water polo lacks a codified methodology for tactics training, which is thus only left to coach’s discretion. The aim of this study is to create a methodology that is to fill such vacancy. Aim of the work is to verify the efficacy of different attack patterns, in order to create a codified methodology for teaching water polo through tactics. The data, collected via video-analysis, were analyzed trough which returned basic descriptive statistics and the correlation coefficient of each pattern with events outcomes. The research approach is integrated and consists of 3 distinct methods: case study (9 matches of the Italian Serie A1 Women's Championship, for the analysis of matches, action research method for coach contribution, and theoretical-argumentative method to deduce a theoretical framework in which define the data processing. The data, collected via Dartfish TeamPro, for each athlete were established 4 patterns, we have provided quantitative data, we also have processed data from the analysis (qualitative) of the video. An evaluation table was constructed by combining, for each single event, the Boolean evaluation of the coach on the compliance of patterns with the event final outcome. Then were processed, Confrontations of pattern design with Dartfish screenshot of pattern implemented during game; Basic descriptive statistics. Linear regression scatter plot for single patterns; the survey of data is entrusted to performance analysis, carried out with the help of a water polo coach, a statistician and a performance analyst. The assessment of compliance for the tactical patterns is entrusted to the coach, on the basis of the video analysis-aided confrontation, of 4 patterns previously identified for each athlete in the relative phases of the game against pattern effectively implemented during match. A total of 186 Plate were analyzed, about 20 Plate every athlete. The results showed a general efficacy of tactical patterns, but showed significant differences within correlation coefficients of single patterns. A more consistent data base is needed, in order to establish direct, evident and general relationship between so calculated coefficient and pattern efficacy, and the research team is conscious of internal validity of this kind of qualitative analysis, which can’t extend, without adjustments, to other teams. Although, analysis results represents a tool for the coach, in order to better train team in next season, which were an aim of action research, and showed a general trend on tactical pattern efficacy, which will be deeply investigated in future works

Technical movements in archery

The archery is a typically closed skill sport. It is a "closed skill" sport characterized by repetition, as precise as possible, of a movement already known automated. The aim is to evaluate the effects of motor imagery practice in training. The motor imagery is a cognitive process of mental simulation of actions in absence of movement. There are two methods to improve skills learning through motor imagery: in first person and in third person. The biological basis on which the motor imagery theory is founded, is formed by: mirror neurons. It is an experimental approach and it consists of two steps. Both groups were videotaped in the execution of sport skills and evaluated, through a check list made by archery indicators: positioning phase, traction and aim, release and follow through in 4 level of descriptors by technicians every four months. A sample of archery team of children (9-11 years old) splitting in control and experimental groups, after a pre-assessment, performed by technicians, about technical skills through an evaluation grid prepared "ad hoc" on technical fundamentals taken into the study to form two homogeneous groups (Experimental group n = 10, control group n = 10). Experimental group using modeling video performed by a athletes of National Italian Archery Team could lead to significant changes in technical skills. Data recruit at starting, ongoing and final training program and their analysis, evaluation and comparison by control group show percentage of 9% better outcomes. Particularly, at final training shows a minimum improvement 3.2% than ongoing phase that gives a maximum improvement 9.6%, while a substantial balance in the control group with a medium improvement of 3.2% in every phase of training program. In this study two basic aspects of the performance are examined: the motor execution and the motor imagine. Both share the same neuromotor mechanism: the motor imagery. Concerning the woman artistic gymnastics, it can be useful during the training and the race. So providing the athletes and trainers of a means which uses the motor imagery as a possible application for the improvement of the performance. So in conclusion, the study aims to provide a standard training feasible on a large scale to train the cognitive and physical abilities of an athlete and provide a support tool in the race in order to improve performance, optimize time and to reduce the margin of error

The development of air traffic in Sicily

The aim of this work is to analyse the air traffic development that interested the airport system in Sicily, consisting of the airport of Palermo “Falcone –Borsellino”, the airport of Catania “Fontanarossa” and that one of Trapani-Birgi “Vincenzo Florio”. The analysis of the possible growth of air traffic volume and performance in Sicily was mainly suggested by the growing importance of the Mediterranean region like a new crossroad of the worldwide traffic on the East-West line. It gives a new chance for the development of this area that mustn’t be loosed. Globalization and the migrant flows from South and East towards the Western Europe, makes of the southern Italy a strategic knot for passengers and goods movements. So, new investments and infrastructures improvements that will be realized in this area are a value added not only for the southern Italy but also for the whole country. We have examined the potential demand attraction for passengers and goods movements in the Sicilian airports considered. For a more careful evaluation of the changes occurred into Sicilian air transport system, the research aimed to: § determine their "catchment area" through the evaluation of accessibility (isochrones); § analyse the air traffic data and the existing degree of integration, not only between the airports and the area, but also in terms of demand in the short and in the long period. Finally, we have evaluated the possibility of integration of traffic flows management among the two airports of Palermo and Trapani, in order to analyse if this two airports are complementary rather than competitors.

Voltammetric Investigation on Uranyl Sorption by Alginate Based Material. Influence of Hydrolysis and pH Dependence

The removal of U(VI) as uranyl (UO22+) from aqueous solutions was investigated by sorption onto alginate based material. The hydrolysis of uranyl ion was always taken into account in the calculations of free (22UO) ion in aqueous solution, in the experimental pH range considered, as well as the acid-base properties of alginate polymer. The sorption process follows a pseudo-second order kinetic model and the sorption rate decreases when the pH value increases. In addition to the classical Langmuir and Freundlich models, the equilibrium data were fitted by using a modified multi-component equilibrium model, never tested before. Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) measurements were carried out in NaNO3 aqueous solutions for the kinetic and equilibrium studies, respectively. Direct measurements of uranyl by DPV were carried out without using complexing agent, as usually reported in the literature; this allowed us to know the free UO22+ concentration and the hydrolyzed species formed in the ~ 2.0 to 5.0 pH range investigated. The physical structure and morphology of biomaterials was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements

Antimitochondrial antibody -M2 positive autoimmune hepatitis during standard of care for chronic hepatitis C.

The current standard of care (SoC) for chronic hepatitis C, i.e. the combination of a pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN) with ribavirin (RBV), may activate underlying autoimmune conditions. Particularly, interferon (IFN) has been known to induce or exacerbate autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in hepatitis C virus patients. We describe a severe, acute-onset antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)-M2 positive AIH appearing during the last weeks of SoC in a woman with chronic hepatitis C and no previous history of autoimmunity, and resolving on protracted steroids. In this context, the relevance of the characterization of the immunoglobulin isotype of portal plasma cells for a more appropriate diagnosis of autoimmune liver diseases can be emphasized

Applicazioni e rischi relativi all’uso dell’air-polishing nella pratica clinica: revisione della letteratura

Obiettivi: Lo scopo di questo lavoro consisteva in una revisione della letteratura scientifica internazionale sull’uso di dispositivi a getto d’aria/acqua (air-polishing) nei trattamenti di profilassi e lucidatura dentale, nonché nei trattamenti non chirurgici parodontali (perio-polishing). La relazione tra enfisemi facciali e l’uso di tali dispositivi di air-polishing è stata anche uno degli obbiettivi principali del presente studio. Materiali e metodi: Numerosi articoli scientifici pubblicati nel periodo compreso tra il 1945 e il 2012 sono stati selezionati dai principali database medici come Medline e Science Direct. Risultati: L'utilizzo di dispositivi a getto d'aria/acqua per i trattamenti di air-polishng e perio-polishing parodontali possono essere considerati un approccio clinico sicuro, vista la scarsa evidenza scientifica sui rischi per la salute degli operatori dentali e pazienti. I casi di enfisemi facciali riscontrati in seguito all’utilizzo di tali dispositivi a getto d’aria/acqua sembrano essere principalmente correlati all'uso inappropriato di tali dispositivi durante l’estrazione di terzi molari o in caso di particolari trattamenti endodontici. Conclusioni: Questo articolo ha messo in evidenza che i trattamenti con air-polishing e perio-polishing parodontali possono essere considerati approcci terapeutici innocui e confortevoli sia per i pazienti che per gli operatori dentali se eseguiti rispettando protocolli basati sull'evidenza scientifica. Objectives: The purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the safety and clinical efficiency of dental air polishing approaches. The connection between air-polishing treatments and the risk for facial emphysemas was also investigated. Materials and methods: For this literature review, several research and clinical scientific articles published in a period comprised between 1945 and 2012 were selected from international medical scientific platform such as Medline and Science direct. Results: The use of air polishing devices in dental and non-surgical periodontal treatments (perio-polishing) results a safe approach as there was not enough clinical and/or scientific evidences on the risks for the health of both clinicians and patients. Cervico-facial emphysema seems to be mainly correlated to use of air-abrasion devices during third molars extraction or endodontic treatments rather than prophylaxis and perio-polishing treatments. Conclusions: This article has highlighted that the treatments of dental air-polishing and perio-polishing may be considered safe and comfortable therapeutic approaches when performed through evidence-based applicative protocols

Disturbi cognitivi nell'epilessia del lobo temporale in età evolutiva

Objectives. To describe the impact of childhood temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) on cognitive functions. Material and methods. Nine patients with TLE aged 11-17 years and 18 healty controls were investigated with a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Results. The performance of children with TLE was significantly worse across language, verbal short term memory and semantic tests, compared with the controls. Verbal and non-verbal recall was also impaired. A supplementary investigation of recognition memory showed a selective impairment in topographical memory. Conclusions. In our patients, the episodic memory impairment is similar, although less severe, to that reported in developmental hippocampal amnesia. Nevertheless, in our patients there are also impairments in semantic memory and more general language disorders. These data suggest that in TLE patients there is a more general dysfunction of the medial temporal left functions

l-Lactate generates hydrogen peroxide in purified rat liver mitochondria due to the putative l-lactate oxidase localized in the intermembrane space

AbstractIn order to ascertain whether and how mitochondria can produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a result of l-lactate addition, we monitored H2O2 generation in rat liver mitochondria and in submitochondrial fractions free of peroxisomal and cytosolic contamination. We found that H2O2 is produced independently on the respiratory chain with 1:1 stoichiometry with pyruvate, due to a putative flavine-dependent l-lactate oxidase restricted to the intermembrane space. The l-lactate oxidase reaction shows a hyperbolic dependence on l-lactate concentration and is inhibited by NAD+ in a competitive manner, being the enzyme different from the l-lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes as shown by their pH profiles

Determinazione di mercurio mediante DMA-80

I fenomeni di contaminazione antropica da mercurio sono sempre più diffusi e preoccupanti, tanto da spingere all’ attivazione di politiche nazionali ed internazionali atte a ridurre o almeno “contenere” i rischi legati a questo metallo tossico. Con quest’obiettivo è prioritaria la necessità di determinare la concentrazione del metallo in maniera veloce, economica ed efficiente. Il seguente report intende fornire informazioni utili nell’utilizzo dello spettrofotometro DMA-80 nell’analisi di Hg in varie matrici ambientali. Lo strumento è stato acquistato dall’IAMC-CNR di Capo Granitola per rispondere alle esigenze progettuali del progetto “Dinamica dei processi di evasione e deposizione del mercurio nell’area industrializzata della Rada di Augusta e definizioni delle mappe di rischio sanitario per le popolazioni residenti” (prot.n°0000466 18/2/2011) finanziato dall’Assessorato alla Salute della Regione Sicilia con l’obbiettivo di verificare il potenziale impatto del mercurio, derivato dalle emissioni dei reflui non trattati dell’impianto di cloro-soda SYNDIAL Priolo-Gargallo sulle popolazioni residenti nell’aria fortemente industrializzata di Augusta-Melilli (Siracusa)