Loop expansion around the Bethe approximation through the MM-layer construction

For every physical model defined on a generic graph or factor graph, the Bethe $M$-layer construction allows building a different model for which the Bethe approximation is exact in the large $M$ limit and it coincides with the original model for $M=1$. The $1/M$ perturbative series is then expressed by a diagrammatic loop expansion in terms of so-called fat-diagrams. Our motivation is to study some important second-order phase transitions that do exist on the Bethe lattice but are either qualitatively different or absent in the corresponding fully connected case. In this case the standard approach based on a perturbative expansion around the naive mean field theory (essentially a fully connected model) fails. On physical grounds, we expect that when the construction is applied to a lattice in finite dimension there is a small region of the external parameters close to the Bethe critical point where strong deviations from mean-field behavior will be observed. In this region, the $1/M$ expansion for the corrections diverges and it can be the starting point for determining the correct non-mean-field critical exponents using renormalization group arguments. In the end, we will show that the critical series for the generic observable can be expressed as a sum of Feynman diagrams with the same numerical prefactors of field theories. However, the contribution of a given diagram is not evaluated associating Gaussian propagators to its lines as in field theories: one has to consider the graph as a portion of the original lattice, replacing the internal lines with appropriate one-dimensional chains, and attaching to the internal points the appropriate number of infinite-size Bethe trees to restore the correct local connectivity of the original model

Medium-Long-Term Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes after Surgical Treatment of Intra-Articular Tibial Pilon Fractures by Three Different Techniques

The goal of this retrospective, observational, case series study was to evaluate the medium-long-term clinical and radiographic results of the three most common surgical osteosynthesis techniques used for the treatment of articular tibial pilon fractures: ORIF, MIPO, and EF. Materials and Methods. A consecutive series of patients with articular pilon fractures who underwent surgery at our institution were enrolled in this study. Fractures were classified according to the M\ufcller AO classification system. Overall outcomes took the following into account: radiographic quality of reduction, evaluated using Ovadia and Beals\u2019 criteria; clinical assessment, evaluated using the AOFAS questionnaire; and general health, evaluated with the SF36-v2 Health Survey. Results. A total of 94 articular pilon fractures (34 type 43-B and 60 43-C) were evaluated with a mean follow-up of 56.34 months (range 33\u2013101). The techniques used were ORIF, MIPO, and EF in 63 (67%), 17 (18.9%), and 14 cases (14.1%), respectively. According to Ovadia and Beals\u2019 criteria, good, fair, and poor results were reported in 61 (64.89%), 26 (27.66%), and 7 (7.45%) cases, respectively. The mean AOFAS score was 82.41 for MIPO, 79.83 for ORIF, and 50.57 for EF, respectively. Thirty-nine patients (41.49%) presented early and/or late complications. Conclusion. Satisfactory outcomes using the three different techniques were reported. In particular, the radiographic outcomes were inversely proportional to the fracture comminutions and statistically different between internal and external osteosynthesis, but comparable between ORIF and MIPO techniques. On the other hand, the clinical outcomes were closely related to the soft tissue conditions and the anatomical reconstruction of the joint

INFUSION PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM

An infusion pressure control system for ophthalmic surgery includes: - intraocular pressure detection means; - arterial pressure detection means; and a control unit operatively connected to said intraocular pressure detection means and said arterial pressure detection means and configured for calculating the mean ocular perfusion pressure value based on the intraocular pressure and arterial pressure values provided by said intraocular pressure detection means and by said arterial pressure detection means, and for comparing said calculated mean ocular perfusion pressure value and at least one predetermined threshold value

Novel perspectives in redox biology and pathophysiology of failing myocytes: modulation of the intramyocardial redox milieu for therapeutic interventions - A review article from the Working Group of Cardiac Cell Biology, Italian Society of Cardiology

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is still increasing worldwide, with enormous human, social, and economic costs, in spite of huge efforts in understanding pathogeneticmechanisms and in developing effective therapies that have transformed this syndrome into a chronic disease. Myocardial redox imbalance is a hallmark of this syndrome, since excessive reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can behave as signaling molecules in the pathogenesis of hypertrophy and heart failure, leading to dysregulation of cellular calcium handling, of the contractile machinery, of myocardial energetics and metabolism, and of extracellular matrix deposition. Recently, following new interesting advances in understanding myocardial ROS and RNS signaling pathways, new promising therapeutical approaches with antioxidant properties are being developed, keeping in mind that scavenging ROS and RNS tout court is detrimental as well, since these molecules also play a role in physiological myocardial homeostasis

Aging Salamandrina perspicillata (Savi, 1821) by skeletochronology

We assessed age and first reproduction age in Salamandrina perspicillata females by means of skeletochronological analysis. As we examined sections from the third toe of the hind limbs, the tecnique herewith introduced is non-letal and compatible with ecological investigations. Females reached sexual maturity at four or five years; the oldest female was 12. SVL is a reliable body size index for assessing age (r2 = 0.74)

Archaeology and virtual acoustics. A pan flute from ancient Egypt

This paper presents the early developments of a recently started research project, aimed at studying from a multidisciplinary perspective an exceptionally well preserved ancient pan flute. A brief discussion of the history and iconography of pan flutes is provided, with a focus on Classical Greece. Then a set of non-invasive analyses are presented, which are based on 3D scanning andmaterials chemistry, and are the starting point to inspect the geometry, construction, age and geographical origin of the instrument. Based on the available measurements, a preliminary analysis of the instrument tuning is provided, which is also informed with elements of theory of ancient Greek music. Finally, the paper presents current work aimed at realizing an interactive museum installation that recreates a virtual flute and allows intuitive access to all these research facets

Palliative embolization arteries or veins for a recurrent pelvic chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor characterized by the formation of cartilage structures of varying degrees of ma-turity. They account for approximately 20 % of malignant skele-tal tumors. Chondrosarcoma most often affects the pelvis (iliac bone), the proximal femur and humerus, ribs. The chondrosar-coma of the pelvis has a low response to chemo- and radiation therapy, so they are usually resected by standard hemipelvec-tomy. New surgical reconstructive techniques allow surgeons to perform major reconstructions, thereby improving patients' quality of life. Clinical case: male, 64 years old, with complains of the left thigh pain for 6 months. The patient was made a com-prehensive examination \u2014 standard X-rays, MRI and CT scan of the pelvis, biopsy of the pathological formation. Diagnosis: chondrosarcoma II clinical group, stage IIB. Primary sur-gery \u2014 wide-field excision and reconstruction with a massive bone allograft was performed and bipolar hip replacement. Two major local recurrences were detected in 3 years. Due to inef-ficiency of chemo- and radiation therapy, refusal of the patient from amputation, high degree of tumor vascularization, arterial embolization was applied. A selective study of both the medial and lateral femoral arteries was performed using a uroangio-graphic contrast medium. The achievement of complete devas-cularization of the greatest lesion was confirmed angiographi-cally. After 20 days due to partial revascularization, re-emboli-zation of the lateral circular femoral artery was made. The final embolization of all arterial branches that fed the tumor was performed after 3 months with acrylic (n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate) glue for larger-sized vessels and microparticles of polyvinyl al-cohol (150\u2013 250 \u3bcm) for the smallest branches. Conclusion: em-bolization can be effectively used as a palliative treatment for highly vascularized pelvic chondrosarcoma. Key words: chond-rosarcoma, pelvis, embolization, palliative, polyvinyl alcohol microparticles

Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Ceftobiprole in the Treatment of Severe Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal Infections

Ceftobiprole is a fifth-generation cephalosporin used for different Gram-positive bacterial infections. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted in real-life clinical patients to assess the adequacy of current dosages. Population pharmacokinetics was conducted using non-linear mixed effect modeling. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine the probability of target attainment (PTA) of free trough or steady-state concentration over MIC (fCtrough/MIC or fCss/MIC) >= 1 or >= 4 associated with both the standard and intensified dosing regimens adjusted for renal function. Cumulative fraction of response (CFR) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) were also calculated. A total of 132 patients with 503 concentrations were included. Most of them (107/132, 81.1%) had hospital- or community-acquired pneumonia, endocarditis, and bacteremia. A three-compartment model adequately fitted ceftobiprole concentration-time data. Estimated glomerular filtration rate significantly affected drug clearance. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the optimal target of fCtrough/MIC or fCss/MIC >= 4 is achieved only with the use of the standard dosages administered by continuous infusion (CI) against MRSA infections in patients with preserved renal function. Intensified dosages administered by CI are needed in patients with impaired renal function and/or augmented renal clearance against MRSA and in patients with preserved renal functions against MRSE