Decay search in the OPERA experiment

The CERN-Neutrinos–to–Gran Sasso project (CNGS) is devoted to prove unambiguously the νμ → ντ oscillation channel in the atmospheric sector. The high-energy and high-intensity CNGS muon neutrino beam, generated at CERN, is directed towards the Italian Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), where the OPERA long-baseline experiment searches for ντ appearance. In this paper, a review of the performance and physics potential of the experiment together with the description of dedicated strategies to observe events with decay topologies in the OPERA target will be given

Achieving Cost-Effective Software Reliability Through Self-Healing

Heterogeneity, mobility, complexity and new application domains raise new software reliability issues that cannot be met cost-effectively only with classic software engineering approaches. Self-healing systems can successfully address these problems, thus increasing software reliability while reducing maintenance costs. Self-healing systems must be able to automatically identify runtime failures, locate faults, and find a way to bring the system back to an acceptable behavior. This paper discusses the challenges underlying the construction of self-healing systems with particular focus on functional failures, and presents a set of techniques to build software systems that can automatically heal such failures. It introduces techniques to automatically derive assertions to effectively detect functional failures, locate the faults underlying the failures, and identify sequences of actions alternative to the failing sequence to bring the system back to an acceptable behavior

Stratificazione del rischio negli infarti senza onde-Q: ruolo dell'ecocardiografia a riposo e da sforzo

To assess the relation between the extent of myocardial necrosis and the presence of myocardium at risk in myocardial infarction without Q waves (NQMI) we studied by echocardiography the prevalence of jeopardized myocardium in a group of NQMI stratified on the basis of left ventricular wall motion (akinesis, hypokinesis, normal kinesis). We have studied 60 consecutive patients with non-Q myocardial infarction. Patients were examined by 2D echo at rest (V-VI day from the acute episode) and during symptoms limited bicycle ergometric test (ExT) (XX-XXX day). Regional left ventricular wall motion was evaluated as normal or asynergic (severe hypokinetic, akinetic) and the ExT was considered positive in case of new asynergic areas or ECG criteria. 2D echo at rest was technically satisfactory in 56 patients, 19 showed almost an akinetic segment (Aci) 17 had hypokinetic areas (Ipo) and 20 had normal left ventricle kinesis (Norc). Wall motion abnormalities were localized more frequently in the apex and lateral areas. During exercise 2D echo was performed in 46 patients (82%) with 23 positive tests (50%). Stratifying the population on the basis of left ventricle wall motion we observed a major number of positive tests in the group of patients with normal wall motion in comparison with those with asynergic areas at rest (Norc 66.6%, Ipo 35.7%, Aci 42.6% p less than 0.05 Nore vs Ipo and Nore vs Aci) despite the same CAD extension. These data show the heterogeneity of the NQMI that likely includes patients with transmural (asynergy group) and subendocardial MI (normal kinesis group), the latter with a higher degree of myocardium at risk

Eye-related emergencies incidence at a tertiary referral center in Southern Italy during COVID-19 related lockdown

Background: In order to contain the community spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Italy, a stringent lockdown was imposed, which also impacted the healthcare services. The purpose of this study is to investigate the drop in the number of outpatients in the Ophthalmic Emergency Service (OES) in the Eye Clinic of University of Bari during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A retrospective analysis of electronic medical records from a tertiary referral center in Southern Italy was performed. Demographics and medical characteristics of patients examined in the OES between March 10th, 2020 and May 3rd, 2020 were assessed and compared with records from the same period in 2019. We categorized the patients by sex, age group, and by the type of eye disease that was recorded as the principal diagnosis. The change (%) in the number of patients and diseases between the study periods was analyzed. Results: We observed a reduction in the number of OES visits during the lockdown (-63.4%) compared to the number of visits in 2019. The greatest changes were observed in the youngest (≤20 years; -76.6%) and the most elderly patients (≥81 years; -70.9%). The decrease in the number of patients presenting with each pathology ranged from -82% to -28.5%, depending on the pathology, and mainly involved the orbital and palpebral pathologies, anterior segment disorders, non-specific visual symptoms, and minor injuries. The diagnosis of chronic pathologies, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and vitreous haemorrhage increased by 134%, 100%, and 75%, respectively. Conclusions: Our results revealed the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on OES activities in the Eye Clinic of University of Bari. A drop in number of visits across all age groups was observed. The number of patients presenting with minor and nonurgent conditions decreased, whereas the number of patients presenting with chronic diseases and urgent but deferrable conditions increased

A toddler with an unusually severe polyarticular arthritis and a lung involvement: a case report

COPA syndrome is a rare hereditary inflammatory disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the coatomer protein subunit alpha, causing excessive production of type I interferon. This case is a reminder for the general paediatrician, highlighting the relevance of the association between arthritis and lung involvement in toddlers

Metallic functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles enhances the selective removal of glyphosate, AMPA, and glufosinate from surface water

Glyphosate (GLY) is the most used herbicide worldwide, raising concerns due to its toxicity and mobility in water. The concurrent spread of similar herbicides, i.e., glufosinate (GLUF) and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA, a metabolite of GLY), also causes a serious concern to the environment. The application of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) gained wide attention as a promising approach for the environmental remediation of GLY. However, the fast agglomeration, low removal efficiency, and saturation of MNPs by non-target chemicals remain a challenge. Herein, we used polydopamine as a coating agent followed by functionalization with different metal ions, i.e. Ti(iv), Zr(iv), and Cu(ii), for selective removal of GLY, AMPA, and GLUF from deionised water in laboratory trials. Finally, we tested the performance of MNPs in surface waters contaminated with GLY at 0.17 & PLUSMN; 0.02 & mu;g L-1. The GLY removal efficiency (RE, %) of MNPs was optimized by using different GLY to MNP ratios and incubation times, in the presence of GLY-analogues and competitive species, i.e., phosphates. The results indicate that all metallic functionalized MNPs are more stable toward aggregation and effective in removing GLY than bare MNPs, up to 150 & mu;g L-1. The optimal ratio was 500 & mu;g(GLY) g(MNPs)(-1) (50 & mu;g GLY to 100 mg MNP), with RE > 80%. MNPs functionalized with Ti(iv) and Zr(iv) performed more efficiently than MNPs functionalized with Cu(ii), reaching an RE of 99.9% after a incubation time of 15 min. The presence of Ti(iv) and Zr(iv) in the MNPs increased the selectivity of the particles toward GLY and GLY analogues that can be removed with similar efficiency, and prevented competition with phosphates at much higher concentrations (1000 & mu;g L-1). Finally, GLY analogues can be easily re-eluted with ammonia, and the functionalized MNPs can be efficiently re-used up to four cycles. The use of metal-functionalized MNPs is a promising approach for the removal of target pollutants from contaminated water

Water intake, consumption of sport drinks and knowledge on hydration of amateur tennis players

Introdução e objetivo: O tênis é um esporte de alta intensidade que exige uma ingestão hídrica adequada para não afetar o desempenho e a saúde do praticante. A hidratação é imprescindível para o atleta e constitui um desafio, pois além da ingestão de água é necessária a reposição de sódio. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a ingestão hídrica, consumo de repositores hidroeletrolíticos e o conhecimento sobre hidratação de tenistas amadores do município de Pelotas-RS. Materiais e métodos: Estudo transversal e descritivo com tenistas do sexo masculino de um clube esportivo de Pelotas, que responderam a um questionário sobre perfil socioeconômico, ingestão hídrica, consumo de repositores hidroeletrolíticos e o conhecimento sobre hidratação. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas no Stata14.0®, com nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Resultados: Dos 49 tenistas avaliados idade variou entre 20 e 59 anos. Quanto à hidratação, a bebida mais utilizada é a água (93,8%), quanto ao momento de se hidratar, 44,9% tem costume antes dos treinos, 44,9% durante e apenas 8,1% após os treinos e a ingestão hídrica é de 500ml a 1litro (40,8%). Discussão: Estudos mostram que a hidratação é muito importante, pois está relacionada ao bom desempenho no esporte. Conclusão: A amostra apresentou baixa ingestão hídrica, pouco consumo de repositores hidroeletrolíticos e apesar disto, a maioria teve conhecimento sobre a importância de uma hidratação adequada.Introduction and objective: Tennis is a   of high intensity sport that requires an adequate water intake so as not to affect the performance and health of the player. Hydration is vital for the athlete and it constitutes a challenge since it is necessary to restore water and electrolytes. The study aimed to evaluate the water intake, the consumption of sport drinks and the knowledge on hydration of amateur tennis players from the city of Pelotas-RS. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted male with amateur tennis players of a sports club of Pelotas, who answered a questionnaire about socioeconomic profile, water intake, consumption of sport drinks and knowledge about hydration. Statistical analyzes were performed in Stata14.0, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Results: A total of 49 players, I was enrollea, aged between 20 and 59 years. About the hydration, the most costumed liquid was water (93.8%) about the timing for hydration 44.9% use to before the training, 44.9% during and only 8.0% after practice, and the water intake is 500ml to 1litro (40.8%). Discussion: Studies show that the hydration is especially important, because it is related to the good performance in sport.  Conclusion: The sample presented low water intake, little consumption of sport drinks, despit most of them had knowledge about the importance of an adequate hydration

One-Handed Rotational Phacoemulsification Technique

Introduction: We described a one-handed rotational phacoemulsification technique to decrease phaco time and power, and surgical stress on the cornea in eyes with different types of cataract. Methods: In this technique a single sutureless corneal incision was made without any side-port incision. After hydrodissection and hydrodelamination were performed, a phaco tip was positioned in contact with the nucleus beside the capsulorhexis edge. By using a peristaltic pump, phacoemulsification was started with high levels of vacuum to keep the probe tip on the edge of the lens and to ensure the rotation of the nucleus, and with low ultrasound energy. The torsional mode used required less occlusion time and volume of fluid. The inclination of the tip was modified to 45-degree, directing it toward the lens center. So the nucleus was aspirated from the periphery toward the center by a rotational movement. Results: The eye in the technical video had a NC4-NO4 cataract. The preoperative vision in this eye was 20/100 with no improvement with refraction. On postoperative day 1, visual acuity had improved to 20/20. We recorded low intraoperative parameters including ultrasound time (21.4 sec), phacoemulsification power (73%), balanced salt solution used (31 mL) and cumulative dissipated energy (7.27) at the conclusion of the case. After 1 month, Central Corneal Thickness changed from 504 µm to 516 µm, and Endothelial Cell Loss was 1.15%. Conclusion: This technique uses a single clear corneal incision, high vacuum and low ultrasound power to reduce the exposition to excessive surgical maneuvers, fluid turbulence and ultrasound energy

Outcome of Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation by Donor Graft CD3+/Tregs Ratio: A Single-Center Experience

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Single step multiple genotyping by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, for evaluation of minor histocompatibility antigens in patients submitted to allogeneic stem cell transplantation from HLA-matched related and unrelated donor

The outcome of patients underwent to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo- SCT) is closely related to graft versus host disease (GvHD) and graft versus leukemia (GvL) effects which can be mediated by mHAgs. 23 mHAgs have been identified and reported to be differently correlated with GVHD or GVL and the aim of this work was develop a method to genotype the mHAgs described so far. For this study we used MALDI-TOF iPLEX Gold Mass Array technology. We tested 46 donor/recipient matched pairs that underwent allo-SCT because of Philadelphia positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (n=29) or Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=17). Our data show that sibling pairs had a lesser number of mHAgs mismatches compared to MUD pairs. Notably, donor/recipient genomic mismatch on DPH1 was correlated with an increased risk of acute GvHD and LB-ADIR-1R mismatch on graft versus host direction was correlated with a better RFS with no increase of GvHD risk. Our work provides a simple, accurate and highly automatable method for mHAgs genotyping and suggest the role of mHAgs in addressing the immune reaction between donor and host