The study of the mural painting in the 12th century monastery of Santa Maria delle Cerrate (Puglia-Italy): characterization of materials and techniques used

none6A multidisciplinary research was conducted by the University of Salento in collaboration with the Lecce Provincial Museum, in order to study different forms of art widespread in the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy) very valuable from an artistic point of view and important as driving force for the tourism of the area. In this research, the archaeometrical analysis was used to study the first cycle of paintings of the church of Santa Maria delle Cerrate, an italo-greek monastery located in the country about 15 km north-east of Lecce, probably built in the 12th century. Microscopic, chromatographic and spectrometric techniques were used: optical microscopy was used to study samples and the relevant stratigraphy, micro-Raman Spectroscopy to identify pigments and Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometric Detection to investigate the techniques masters used to decorate the monastery church. Further information on organic and inorganic materials present in the samples were obtained from Fourier transform infrared analysis in attenuated total reflectance. Materials and techniques were clearly ascertained, and, interestingly, pigments were applied both by fresco and egg-based tempera. Among the various pigments detected, the identification of both lapis lazuli and lead white opened new perspectives both from the historical and conservative points of view. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Giuseppe E. De Benedetto;Daniela Fico;Eleonora Margapoti;Antonio Pennetta;Antonio Cassiano;Brizia MinervaDE BENEDETTO, Giuseppe, Egidio; Fico, Daniela; Eleonora, Margapoti; Pennetta, Antonio; Antonio, Cassiano; Brizia, Minerv

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool for business strategy

The growing concern about the development of sustainable production systems leads organizations to seek the support of management tools for decision-making. Considering the whole life cycle of the product, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has an important role in this scenario. The objective of this paper is to present, through the theoretical discussion, the role of LCA in strategic planning of the organization. It showed the enormous potential for decision making on the environmental aspect, but also the critical factor in the development shares in the competitive context. The use of LCA can reduce the environmental impacts of the system under study (primary purpose) and guide the range of advantages in the fields of marketing, legislation and environmental labeling, competitive strategies, efficiency use of resources and others

Life Cycle Assessment as Entrepreneurial Tool for Business Management and Green Innovations

A transition for a green economy has encouraged companies to use new tools which promote internal corporate entrepreneurship, increase the competitiveness and achieve sustainable results. This article presented a theoretical discussion of how the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can presents as an entrepreneurial tool for modern business management and green innovation. Studies of LCA were analyzed showing benefits and applications in the areas of strategic planning, production, process of development of products, search and development, social and environmental responsibility, and marketing. As for green innovations, there were analyzed studies of innovations in products, processes and services. The tool assists in making sustainable decisions, fortifies the management of the business processes, the management of operations and the promotion of greener innovations

Efeito da hipomagnesemia e da suplementação de magnésio sobre a insuficiência renal aguda pós-isquêmica

Hypothesis:The aim of this study is to verify the effect of hypomagnesemia and magnesium supplementation on postischemic renal failure. Methods: Five groups of male Wistar rats were studied: control; posthypomagnesemic;post-ischemic; postischemic + hypomagnesemia and post-ischemic + magnesium supplementation. Clearance and hemodynamic measurements were performed.Results: In postischemic rats, hypomagnesemia induces a marked decrease in GFR, RBF and increases the RVR. In rats with Magnesium supplementation increased GFR and decreased FeH2O were observed when compared with rats on a normaldiet.Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia potentiates postischemic renal failure and magnesium supplementation protectsagainst renal ischemia.Hipótese: Este trabalho visa avaliar os efeitos da hipomagnesemia e da suplementação de magnésio nainsuficiência renal aguda pós- isquêmica. Materiais e Métodos: Foram utilizados ratos machos Wistar, divididos emcinco grupos: controle, hipomagnesêmico, isquêmico, hipoMg+ isquêmico, suplementado + isq. Foi feito o estudo de clearance de inulina e a determinação de medidas funcionais. Resultados: A hipomagnesemia no contexto de uma isquemia renal levou a uma queda mais acentuada do RFG (Cin) e FSR e aumento da RVR. Nos animaissuplementados, houve um aumento dos valores de Cin e FeH2O. Conclusões: A hipomagnesemia na insuficiênciarenal aguda (IRA) potencializa os efeitos desta sobre a função renal. A suplementação de Magnésio protege parcialmente dos efeitos da IRA pós-isquêmica

Controvérsias sobre a somatização

BACKGROUND: Somatization is frequently found in different health services and it presents controversies in its approaches, diagnoses and referrals to treatment. OBJECTIVES: Making a systematic review on somatization, characterizing how it has been discussed in scientific literature and its indiscriminate use in several clinical settings. We intend to circumscribe the concept and to demonstrate the need of a univocal definition of this classification. METHODS: A literature review was conducted in the Medline and Lilacs databases between the years 2001 and 2004 with the search terms somatization, somatoform disorders and psychosomatic medicine. We proposed a content classification according to the main theme, in association with the concept of somatization, emphasizing questions about classification. RESULTS: We found contradictions in definitions, uses and classifications of somatization. Currently most papers on somatization are connected to psychiatry (191), followed by other medical specialties (139), detecting the spreading out of the concept in many clinical occasions and settings. CONCLUSIONS: There is increasing need for a better understanding of this very prevalent condition in medical settings, causing high costs to health systems. More studies on classification are necessary in order to solve controversies, to simplify the diagnostic process and to improve the somatization approach by health professionals.CONTEXTO: A somatização é freqüentemente encontrada nos diversos serviços de saúde e apresenta controvérsias quanto a sua abordagem, diagnóstico e encaminhamentos para tratamento. OBJETIVOS: Realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre o tema somatização, caracterizando como vem sendo discutido na literatura científica e empregado indiscriminadamente em diversos campos de atuação clínica. Pretendemos delimitar o conceito, demonstrando a necessidade de uma definição unívoca dessa classificação. MÉTODOS: Uma revisão da literatura foi conduzida nos indexadores Medline e Lilacs, entre os anos 2001 e 2004, com os termos somatização, transtornos somatoformes e medicina psicossomática. Propusemos categorias de conteúdo, de acordo com o tema principal associado ao conceito de somatização, priorizando questões sobre classificação. RESULTADOS: Encontramos contradições nas definições, usos e classificação da somatização. A maioria dos artigos do período (191) enfocava a somatização na psiquiatria, seguida por outras especialidades médicas (139), observando-se grande dispersão dos contextos e situações clínicas em que ela é empregada. CONCLUSÕES: Há premente necessidade de melhor entendimento dessa condição, muito freqüente em diferentes áreas médicas, que gera altos custos para os sistemas de saúde. Mais estudos sobre classificação são necessários no sentido de solucionar controvérsias, simplificar o diagnóstico e melhorar o manejo da somatização por parte dos profissionais da saúde

Introductory background for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of pure silk fabric

The main goal of this study is to provide an introductory background to development of the Life Cycle Assessment studies of pure silk fabric. There are not studies available on the life cycle of pure silk fabric. In this sense, was developed a scenario model for LCA application, following the methodology established by the Standard BNR ISO 14040:2009, which establishes principles and framework for an LCA study. It was considered one of the first steps in ISO, being the definition of the purpose and scope. The limits considered for the system had as a starting point the wiring step within the company, and as a final limit the stage of the finishing of the fabric, where you get the finished product. The information used in this study was collected directly from the company entitled 'Fio de Seda', a Brazilian industry. In order to construct the scenario proposed, was used the software Umberto® 5.6 v. Acad and through it, it was possible to generate the scenario model for the production of the silk fabric. Based on this scenario, the accomplishment of the later stages is possible, as outlined in ISO 14040, thus obtaining the inventory of the LCA for the pure silk fabric, as well as its life cycle inventory assessment

Unidirectional endobronchial valves for management of persistent air-leaks. Results of a multicenter study

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of Endo-Bronchial Valves in the management of persistent air-leaks (PALs) and the procedural cost. Methods: It was a retrospective multicenter study including consecutive patients with PALs for alveolar pleural fistula (APF) undergoing valve treatment. We assessed the efficacy and the cost of the procedure. Results: Seventy-four patients with persistent air leaks due to various etiologies were included in the analysis. In all cases the air leaks were severe and refractory to standard treatments. Sixty-seven (91%) patients underwent valve treatment obtaining a complete resolution of air-leaks in 59 (88%) patients; a reduction of air-leaks in 6 (9%); and no benefits in 2 (3%). The comparison of data before and after valve treatment showed a significant reduction of air-leak duration (16.2±8.8 versus 5.0±1.7 days; P<0.0001); chest tube removal (16.2±8.8 versus 7.3±2.7 days; P<0.0001); and length of hospital stay (LOS) (16.2±8.8 versus 9.7±2.8 days; P=0.004). Seven patients not undergoing valve treatment underwent pneumo-peritoneum with pleurodesis (n=6) or only pleurodesis (n=1). In only 1 (14%) patient, the chest drainage was removed 23 days later while the remaining 6 (86%) were discharged with a domiciliary chest drainage removed after 157±41 days. No significant difference was found in health cost before and after endobronchial valve (EBV) implant (P=0.3). Conclusions: Valve treatment for persistent air leaks is an effective procedure. The reduction of hospitalization costs related to early resolution of air-leaks could overcome the procedural cost

Odontogenic cysts : demographic profile in a Brazilian population over a 38-year period

Objective: To determine the distribution of odontogenic cysts diagnosed histologically over a period of 38 years in a Brazilian population according to age, gender and site affected and to compare these data with previously reported studies from other countries. Study design: A total of 1019 cases of odontogenic cysts diagnosed between 1970 and 2007 were studied. Clinical features obtained from the patient records and microscope slides were reviewed according to the 1992 World Health Organization classification. Results: The mean age was 31.0 years, and there was a predominance of females. The most frequent odontogenic cysts were radicular cysts (61.4%), followed by dentigerous cysts (20.1%) and odontogenic keratocysts (6.4%). Radicular cysts were more frequent in females (62.0%), and the maxillary teeth were the site most commonly involved (63.05%). The peak incidence of dentigerous cysts occurred in the second decade of life, with the posterior region of the mandible being the site most affected (46.3%), followed by the anterior region of the maxilla (27.8%). Odontogenic keratocysts showed a peak incidence between the third and fourth decades of life and predominance among females. The posterior region of the mandible was the site most frequently affected (65.6%). Conclusion: The present results showed a similar frequency of odontogenic cysts in this Brazilian population and other populations around the world, with inflammatory cysts being identified as the most frequent odontogenic cyst. Radicular cysts, dentigerous cysts, and odontogenic keratocysts are the most common cystic lesions, accounting for 87.9% of all odontogenic cysts