Heat-pulse propagation along nonequilibrium nanowires in thermomass theory

AbstractWe analyze the consequences of the nonlinear terms in the heat-transport equation of the thermomass theory on heat pulses propagating in a nanowire in nonequilibrium situations. As a consequence of the temperature dependence of the speeds of propagation, in temperature ranges wherein the specific heat shows negligible variations, heat pulses will shrink (or extend) spatially, and will increase (or decrease) their average temperature when propagating along a temperature gradient. A comparison with the results predicted by a different theoretical proposal on the shape of a propagating heat pulse is made, too

Il banco Salviati di Pisa: commercio e finanza di una compagnia fiorentina tra il 1438 e il 1489

Attività di un banco fiorentino a Pisa, attraverso lo studio dei libri contabili della famiglia Salviati dal 1438 al 1489

Nonlocal and nonlinear effects in hyperbolic heat transfer in a two-temperature model

AbstractThe correct analysis of heat transport at nanoscale is one of the main reasons of new developments in physics and nonequilibrium thermodynamic theories beyond the classical Fourier law. In this paper, we provide a two-temperature model which allows to describe the different regimes which electrons and phonons can undergo in the heat transfer phenomenon. The physical admissibility of that model is showed in view of second law of thermodynamics. The above model is applied to study the propagation of heat waves in order to point out the special role played by nonlocal and nonlinear effects

Epoetin alfa increases frataxin production in Friedreich's ataxia without affecting hematocrit.

Objective of the study was to test the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two single doses of Epoetin alfa in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. Ten patients were treated subcutaneously with 600 IU/kg for the first dose, and 3 months later with 1200 IU/kg. Epoetin alfa had no acute effect on frataxin, whereas a delayed and sustained increase in frataxin was evident at 3 months after the first dose (+35%; P < 0.05), and up to 6 months after the second dose (+54%; P < 0.001). The treatment was well tolerated and did not affect hematocrit, cardiac function, and neurological scale. Single high dose of Epoetin alfa can produce a considerably larger and sustained effect when compared with low doses and repeated administration schemes previously adopted. In addition, no hemoglobin increase was observed, and none of our patients required phlebotomy, indicating lack of erythropoietic effect of single high dose of erythropoietin. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society

Familial Polyposis Coli: The Management of Desmoid Tumor Bleeding

There is currently no standard treatment for desmoid tumors (DTs) associated with familial polyposis coli (FAP). Familial adenomatous polyposis in DT patients is sometimes a life-threatening condition

Late onset of hypoxemia due to a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation during selective estrogen receptor modulator therapy.

A76-year-old woman with unexplained hypoxemia and severe exertional dyspnea was admitted to our department. The symptoms had appeared during tamoxifen therapy after resection of breast carcinoma; history revealed recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding, epistaxis, and a granddaughter deceased because of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation. Chest computed tomography scan showed the presence of a highly vascularized nodule in the right lower lobe. Right pulmonary artery angiography demonstrated a large pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) (Online Video 1) with massive right-to-left shunt (A, B, C; Online Video 2); this confirmed the diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (1). The arrows point to the right upper pulmonary vein. We decided to percutaneously close the PAVM. An occlusion test was performed before the procedure (D); O2 saturation rose from 87% to 96%. The PAVM was subsequently closed using a vascular occlusion device (E) with complete abolishment of the right-to-left shunt (F; Online Video 3). It is likely that selective estrogen receptor modulator therapy may have been responsible for the enlargement of the PAVM in our patient (2)