8 research outputs found
Diagnostic performance of inflammatory biomarkers and cytological analysis in salivary gland tumors
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum inflammatory biomarkers in salivary gland tumors with dubious results following cytological analysis.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 239 cases following surgery between January 2011 and June 2022 was performed. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were drawn and areas under the curves were computed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the inflammatory biomarkers (SII, SIRI, PLR, and NLR). Optimal cut-offs for each marker were determined by maximizing the Youden index.
Results: Analysis showed that among the major biomarkers examined, SIRI performed an AUC of 0.77. The best SIRI cut-off was 0.94 with an accuracy of 79.9%. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of cytological analysis were 77.8%, 59.6%, and 90.7% respectively. By combining SIRI with cytological analysis we demonstrated an increase in sensitivity to 82.8%.
Conclusions: Inflammatory biomarkers could be evaluated to support the diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors in difficult cases
Superconducting Qubit Network as a Single Microwave Photon Detector for Galactic Axion Search
Experimental search of galactic axions requires detection of single photons in the microwave range. We work on a novel approach to detect single microwave photons based on a coherent collective response of quantum states occurring in a superconducting qubit network (SQN) embedded in a low-dissipative superconducting resonator. We propose a two resonators detector configuration with two parallel resonators without common part and with separated input and output terminals. The device consists of a low-dissipative resonator with embedded SQN in which microwave photons arrive (“signal resonator”), and a transmission line for measuring the frequency dependent transmission coefficient demonstrating resonant drops at the qubit frequencies (“readout resonator”). In comparison with T-type three terminal device recently proposed and investigated by us, the device with two resonators with separated input and output terminals doesn’t contain common part of both resonators and exclude an unwanted noise from measurement readout circuits to the signal resonator. A layout of two resonators four terminal SQN detectors containing 5 flux
qubits weakly coupled to a low-dissipative signal and readout resonator was developed and optimized. The samples were fabricated by Manhattan Al-based technology with Nb resonator circuits. The SQN detector was experimentally tested in terms of microwave measurements of scattering parameters of both resonators and crosstalk properties. Comparison of experimental data with results of the simulations permits one to conclude that the electromagnetic conditions of the fundamental resonant peak of 8.5 GHz of both resonators aren’t affected by the crosstalk phenomenon and their performances provided by the design remain not altered for correct device operation
Effects of Fitlight training on cognitive-motor performance in élite judo athletes
Aims: The aims of this study were to verify if a 5-week cognitive-motor training (CMT) using FitlightsTM induced changes in young adult judo athletes compared to a non-intervention group. Specifically, it was verified if CMT influenced executive functions (EFs), physical fitness and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Additionally, athletes' competitive results were compared between groups. Method: Twenty-seven athletes (14 males and 13 females; age = 19.5 ± 2.0 years) were assigned to the Fitlight (FG) and control (CG) groups which performed 5 weeks of CMT, respectively, including 25 min per day of Fitlight training or traditional judo practice. All participants performed cognitive (flanker task and forward/backward digit span) and fitness tests (counter movement jump, handgrip test, dynamic and isometric chin up). In addition, BDNF was collected by saliva sampling and competitive results after the intervention period were considered. Results: RM-ANOVA showed significant differences in FG for the accuracy of flanker (p = 0.028) and backward digit span (p < 0.001). Moreover, significant differences in FG were found for relative dynamic chin up (p = 0.027) and counter movement jump (p = 0.05). In addition, a significant difference in FG was found for competitive results after the intervention period (p < 0.01).No significant differences were found for BDNF and other cognitive and fitness measures (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A 5-week judo-specific CMT improved EFs and motor performance in élite judo athletes. It seems that CMT with FitlightTM could be considered an additional support to coaches during the training period
L ’educazione fisica in Italia: scenari, sfide, prospettive. Documento di consenso del Gruppo di Studio “Educazione Fisica & Pedagogia dello Sport” della SISMeS (Società Italiana delle Scienze Motorie e Sportive)
Questo documento di consenso riporta la riflessione di un ampio gruppo di ricercatori italiani
su contenuti, riferimenti culturali, prospettive e sfide dell’Educazione fisica contemporanea. Si
tratta del primo lavoro di questo tipo svolto in forma collettiva in Italia.
Lo scopo è contribuire ad una più chiara ed aggiornata definizione della disciplina, oggi posta
di fronte a pressanti richieste della collettività. C’è un’esigenza di chiarezza cui si è cercato di
contribuire, innanzitutto, elaborando un articolato glossario di termini e concetti. Tante sono le
“scienze” e le “pratiche” che hanno influenzato l’Educazione fisica lasciando in eredità un linguaggio
ampio, ma spesso confuso e non sempre coerente. Si è ritenuto che rendere esplicita
questa complessità e proporre delle scelte possa servire a capirci meglio nella comunità di chi
opera nell’Educazione fisica e a farci meglio comprendere ed apprezzare da studenti e società.
I riferimenti culturali della disciplina sono stati individuati con un attento confronto, sia attingendo
alla specifica tradizione italiana, sia interpretando le attuali sollecitazioni della ricerca e
dell’elaborazione culturale internazionale.
Le indicazioni metodologiche e didattiche per la progettazione e la conduzione delle lezioni
di Educazione fisica cercano di riepilogare l’eterogeneità dei contributi della ricerca scientifica
internazionale, con ricadute necessarie e fondamentali anche nella formazione iniziale ed in
itinere dei docenti.
Il contributo, frutto di un anno di lavoro di trenta ricercatori di sedici università, è a disposizione
di insegnanti, dirigenti scolastici, ricercatori, responsabili di corsi universitari di scienze motorie,
decisori politici e responsabili amministrativi. Le riflessioni, le critiche ed i suggerimenti
che i lettori vorranno farci pervenire aiuteranno la crescita di tutta la comunità dell’Educazione
fisica
Science with the Cherenkov Telescope Array
The Cherenkov Telescope Array, CTA, will be the major global observatory for
very high energy gamma-ray astronomy over the next decade and beyond. The
scientific potential of CTA is extremely broad: from understanding the role of
relativistic cosmic particles to the search for dark matter. CTA is an explorer
of the extreme universe, probing environments from the immediate neighbourhood
of black holes to cosmic voids on the largest scales. Covering a huge range in
photon energy from 20 GeV to 300 TeV, CTA will improve on all aspects of
performance with respect to current instruments.
The observatory will operate arrays on sites in both hemispheres to provide
full sky coverage and will hence maximize the potential for the rarest
phenomena such as very nearby supernovae, gamma-ray bursts or gravitational
wave transients. With 99 telescopes on the southern site and 19 telescopes on
the northern site, flexible operation will be possible, with sub-arrays
available for specific tasks. CTA will have important synergies with many of
the new generation of major astronomical and astroparticle observatories.
Multi-wavelength and multi-messenger approaches combining CTA data with those
from other instruments will lead to a deeper understanding of the broad-band
non-thermal properties of target sources.
The CTA Observatory will be operated as an open, proposal-driven observatory,
with all data available on a public archive after a pre-defined proprietary
period. Scientists from institutions worldwide have combined together to form
the CTA Consortium. This Consortium has prepared a proposal for a Core
Programme of highly motivated observations. The programme, encompassing
approximately 40% of the available observing time over the first ten years of
CTA operation, is made up of individual Key Science Projects (KSPs), which are
presented in this document
Science with the Cherenkov Telescope Array
The Cherenkov Telescope Array, CTA, will be the major global observatory for very high energy gamma-ray astronomy over the next decade and beyond. The scientific potential of CTA is extremely broad: from understanding the role of relativistic cosmic particles to the search for dark matter. CTA is an explorer of the extreme universe, probing environments from the immediate neighbourhood of black holes to cosmic voids on the largest scales. Covering a huge range in photon energy from 20 GeV to 300 TeV, CTA will improve on all aspects of performance with respect to current instruments. The observatory will operate arrays on sites in both hemispheres to provide full sky coverage and will hence maximize the potential for the rarest phenomena such as very nearby supernovae, gamma-ray bursts or gravitational wave transients. With 99 telescopes on the southern site and 19 telescopes on the northern site, flexible operation will be possible, with sub-arrays available for specific tasks. CTA will have important synergies with many of the new generation of major astronomical and astroparticle observatories. Multi-wavelength and multi-messenger approaches combining CTA data with those from other instruments will lead to a deeper understanding of the broad-band non-thermal properties of target sources. The CTA Observatory will be operated as an open, proposal-driven observatory, with all data available on a public archive after a pre-defined proprietary period. Scientists from institutions worldwide have combined together to form the CTA Consortium. This Consortium has prepared a proposal for a Core Programme of highly motivated observations. The programme, encompassing approximately 40% of the available observing time over the first ten years of CTA operation, is made up of individual Key Science Projects (KSPs), which are presented in this document