Reachability in Biochemical Dynamical Systems by Quantitative Discrete Approximation (extended abstract)

In this paper, a novel computational technique for finite discrete approximation of continuous dynamical systems suitable for a significant class of biochemical dynamical systems is introduced. The method is parameterized in order to affect the imposed level of approximation provided that with increasing parameter value the approximation converges to the original continuous system. By employing this approximation technique, we present algorithms solving the reachability problem for biochemical dynamical systems. The presented method and algorithms are evaluated on several exemplary biological models and on a real case study.Comment: In Proceedings CompMod 2011, arXiv:1109.104

Recurrent Spontaneous Pneumothoraxes as A Complication of Osteosarcoma Metastases: A Case Report

The most prevalent primary malignant bone tumour in children and adolescents is osteosarcoma. Osteosarcomas are extremely aggressive tumours with a poor prognosis historically. However, with the addition of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the survival rate has significantly increased. This case report describes a 18-year-old boy who had a left fibula osteosarcoma whose progress was worsened by recurring pneumothoraces associated with the tumour. Recurrent pneumothoraces are a relatively uncommon complication of osteosarcoma, but they provide a significant obstacle to patient care that improves outcomes and quality of life

Role of laser contrast and foil thickness in target normal sheath acceleration

In this paper we present an experimental investigation of laser driven light-ion acceleration using the ILIL laser at an intensity of 2×1019 W/cm2. In the experiment we focused our attention on the identification of the role of target thickness and resistivity in the fast electron transport and in the acceleration process. Here we describe the experimental results concerning the effect of laser contrast in the laser–target interaction regime. We also show preliminary results on ion acceleration which provide information about the role of bulk target ions and surface ions and target dielectric properties in the acceleration process

Monitoraggio idrobiologico della sorgente carsica di Gologone (Sardegna): indagini preliminari

The analysis of biological water quality of the aquifer feeding Gologone springs was performed using the methodology proposed by Gaiter et al. (2004); researches on benthic fauna and organic component of the sediment in spring waters were carried out. The site was selected due to its location within the pristine area of Supramonte and the northen part of Gennargentu Mt. For this reason, Gologone springs, may be used as a reference site for assessing biological water quality of the Sardinian karstic springs, defining the structure of the macrobenthic assemblages and their relationships with the abiotic parameters.Questo lavoro ha permesso l’analisi della qualità biologica dell’acquifero che alimenta le sorgenti di Gologone, mediante la sperimentazione della metodologia proposta da Gaiter et al. (2004) consistente nell’analisi della fauna bentonica e della componente organica del sedimento in acque sorgive. Il sito è stato scelto in relazione all’integrità della sua area di alimentazione costituta dal Supramonte e dalla porzione settentrionale del massiccio del Gennargentu. In questo modo, è possibile fissare per le sorgenti carsiche sarde uno scenario ecologico di riferimento sul quale basare futuri studi sulla qualità biologica delle acque, definendo il popolamento macrobentonico dell’acquifero che alimenta le sorgenti e la sua interrelazione con i parametri abiotici

Determining the WIMP mass using the complementarity between direct and indirect searches and the ILC

We study the possibility of identifying dark matter properties from XENON-like 100 kg experiments and the GLAST satellite mission. We show that whereas direct detection experiments will probe efficiently light WIMPs, given a positive detection (at the 10% level for $m_{\chi} \lesssim 50$ GeV), GLAST will be able to confirm and even increase the precision in the case of a NFW profile, for a WIMP-nucleon cross-section $\sigma_{\chi-p} \lesssim 10^{-8}$ pb. We also predict the rate of production of a WIMP in the next generation of colliders (ILC), and compare their sensitivity to the WIMP mass with the XENON and GLAST projects.Comment: 32 pages, new figures and a more detailed statistical analysis. Final version to appear in JCA

The Multi-center Evaluation of the Accuracy of the Contrast MEdium INduced Pd/Pa RaTiO in Predicting FFR (MEMENTO-FFR) Study.

AIMS: Adenosine administration is needed for the achievement of maximal hyperaemia fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment. The objective was to test the accuracy of Pd/Pa ratio registered during submaximal hyperaemia induced by non-ionic contrast medium (contrast FFR [cFFR]) in predicting FFR and comparing it to the performance of resting Pd/Pa in a collaborative registry of 926 patients enrolled in 10 hospitals from four European countries (Italy, Spain, France and Portugal). METHODS AND RESULTS: Resting Pd/Pa, cFFR and FFR were measured in 1,026 coronary stenoses functionally evaluated using commercially available pressure wires. cFFR was obtained after intracoronary injection of contrast medium, while FFR was measured after administration of adenosine. Resting Pd/Pa and cFFR were significantly higher than FFR (0.93±0.05 vs. 0.87±0.08 vs. 0.84±0.08, p<0.001). A strong correlation and a close agreement at Bland-Altman analysis between cFFR and FFR were observed (r=0.90, p<0.001 and 95% CI of disagreement: from -0.042 to 0.11). ROC curve analysis showed an excellent accuracy (89%) of the cFFR cut-off of ≤0.85 in predicting an FFR value ≤0.80 (AUC 0.95 [95% CI: 0.94-0.96]), significantly better than that observed using resting Pd/Pa (AUC: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.88-0.91; p<0.001). A cFFR/FFR hybrid approach showed a significantly lower number of lesions requiring adenosine than a resting Pd/Pa/FFR hybrid approach (22% vs. 44%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: cFFR is accurate in predicting the functional significance of coronary stenosis. This could allow limiting the use of adenosine to obtain FFR to a minority of stenoses with considerable savings of time and costs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio