Coherence-factor-based rough surface clutter suppression for forward-looking GPR imaging

We present an enhanced imaging procedure for suppression of the rough surface clutter arising in forward-looking ground-penetrating radar (FL-GPR) applications. The procedure is based on a matched filtering formulation of microwave tomographic imaging, and employs coherence factor (CF) for clutter suppression. After tomographic reconstruction, the CF is first applied to generate a "coherence map" of the region in front of the FL-GPR system illuminated by the transmitting antennas. A pixel-by-pixel multiplication of the tomographic image with the coherence map is then performed to generate the clutter-suppressed image. The effectiveness of the CF approach is demonstrated both qualitatively and quantitatively using electromagnetic modeled data of metallic and plastic shallow-buried targets

Advanced mortar coatings for cultural heritage protection : Durability towards prolonged UV and outdoor exposure

In the present work, two kinds of hybrid polymeric\u2013inorganic coatings containing TiO2 or SiO2 particles and prepared starting from two commercial resins (Alpha\uaeSI30 and Bluesil\uaeBP9710) were developed and applied to two kinds of mortars (an air-hardening calcic lime mortar [ALM] and a natural hydraulic lime mortar [HLM]) to achieve better performances in terms of water repellence and consequently damage resistance. The two pure commercial resins were also applied for comparison purposes. Properties of the coated materials and their performance were studied using different techniques such as contact angle measurements, capillary absorption test, mercury intrusion porosimetry, surface free energy, colorimetric measurements and water vapour permeability tests. Tests were also performed to determine the weathering effects on both the commercial and the hybrid coatings in order to study their durability. Thus, exposures to UV radiation, to UV radiation/condensed water cycles and to a real polluted atmospheric environment have been performed. The effectiveness of the hybrid SiO2 based coating was demonstrated, especially in the case of the HLM mortar

Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (Bmmcs) for the treatment of uncomplicated grade 2 ununited anconeal process (uap) in six dogs: Preliminary results

The aim of this study was to report the results of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation as a minimally invasive treatment for grade 2 UAP in dogs. This was an observational case series on six German shepherd dogs affected by grade 2 UAP as defined according to their clinical condition as well as radiographic and CT findings. Bone marrow was collected from the iliac crest and the mononuclear fraction was separated with density gradient centrifugation. Cells were suspended in fibrin glue before BMMC administration and implanted via transcutaneous injection under IB or CT guidance, using a spinal needle directly inserted into the ossification centre between the anconeal process and the olecranon. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed for up to 6 months. Microradiographic assessment was performed on one dog that died of other causes. A progressive reduction of pain within 3 weeks after BMMC administration was observed in all dogs, with gradually increased weight bearing on the affected limb. Radiographic and CT follow-up revealed the progressive fusion of the ossification centre at 90 days without any signs of secondary OA. The examination of microradiographs showed newly formed bone tissue in which a residue of calcified cartilage was present at the site of BMMC implantation. On the basis of these results, BMMC therapy for grade 2 UAP may be considered to be an effective and minimally invasive treatment option for dogs

Which route of antibiotic administration should be used for third molar surgery? A split-mouth study to compare intramuscular and oral intake

Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of two different routes of antibiotic administration in preventing septic complications in patients undergoing third molar extraction. Materials and Methods. Twenty-four healthy patients requiring bilateral surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars were successfully enrolled for this study. Depth of impaction, angulation, and relationship of the lower third molars with the mandibular branch had to be overlapping on both sides. A split-mouth design was chosen, so each patient underwent both the first and second surgeries, having for each extraction a different antibiotic route of administration. The second extraction was carried out 1 month later. To compare the effects of the two routes of antibiotic administration, inflammatory parameters, such as edema, trismus, pain, fever, dysphagia and lymphadenopathy were evaluated 2 and 7 days after surgery. Side effects of each therapy were evaluated 48h after surgery. Results. oral and intramuscular antibiotic therapies overlap in preventing post-operative complications in dental surgery (p>0.05), even if the oral intake, seems to promote the onset of significant gastrointestinal disorders (p=0.003). Conclusions. This study could help dentists in their ordinary practice to choose the right route of antibiotic administration in the third molar surgery. At the same effectiveness, the higher cost and the minor compliance of the patient seem not to justify a routine antibiotic intramuscular therapy, reserving it for patients with gastrointestinal disorders

An indoor air quality study at the Ambrosiana Art Gallery (Milan)

Indoor air quality in historical buildings and museums is receiving increasing concern nowadays among the scientific community. Many sources of pollutants, both gases and particles, are responsible for the accelerated decay of the works of art. Knowing the levels of indoor pollutants is of critical importance to apply conservation and preservation strategies of cultural heritage [1, 2]. Air quality at the Ambrosiana Art Gallery in Milan has been monitored (in the two periods October-November 2017 and March 2018) inside the room where the preparatory cardboard of the School of Athens (1509-1511), one of most important masterpieces by Raffaello Sanzio, is stored. The cardboard is currently undergoing restoration and will be exposed in a new showcase that will be realized according to the specific environmental and microclimatic conditions of the room. The objective of this study was to monitor the concentration and chemical composition of the aerosol particulate matter (PM) up to the nano fraction, which represents the most dangerous fraction for the works of art surfaces. The monitoring campaigns have been carried out in parallel in the Raffaello room (at present not accessible to visitors) and in a nearby room open to visitors. The set of instuments employed included: a TSP sampler (total suspended particles) (Tecora, Pollution Check, Bravo M2); a DustMonit (Contec) analyzer that measures the concentration of dust up to PM1 and provides 13 granulometric classes (up to 300 nm); a NanoScan Nanoparticle sizer 3910 (TSI) instrument that measures particles concentration up to 10 nm; two instruments for the determination of black carbon (BC) in continuous and in particular a SILIIS instrument (Sphere-Integrated Laser Induced Incandescence Spectroscopy) and a micro aethalometer (AE51 Magee Scientific). Quartz fiber filters have been employed to collect TSP samples to be submitted to chemical analysis. The filters have been fully chemically characterized: main ionic constituents and the carbonaceous fraction (i.e organic carbon, OC and elemental carbon, EC) have been analyzed by IC (ion chromatography) and TOT (thermal optical transmittance) respectively. A particles morphological characterization has been carried out on PM collected on polycarbonate filters by means of SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). Outdoor PM concentrations, obtained for the two seasons (autumn 2017 and spring 2018) from ARPA monitoring stations placed in the city center, have been correlated with indoor data

Performance evaluation of a commercial protective coating through field-exposure tests on three stone substrates

In the last decades, there have been several studies on Cultural Heritage regarding the performance of protective and consolidating coatings for the prevention of decay. A coating must have several characteristics such as efficiency, breathability, and must be durable and reversible. In this research work, the performance of a commercial protective product (Fosbuild FBLE 200) was evaluated. This coating is composed of a TiO2 nanopowder dispersed in an aqueous solution of an acrylic polymer. The product, which exhibits depolluting, antimicrobial, water-repellent and self-cleaning properties, has been applied on three different lithotypes: Carrara marble, Noto stone, and Comiso stone. Field-exposure tests were carried out in two different outdoor environments (Catania and Palermo) in order to assess its suitability. Promising results were obtained for the Carrara marble after one year of exposure; however, a decrease in effectiveness was observed at the end of the second year

LIGHT/TNFSF14 regulates estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss

Bone loss induced by ovariectomy is due to the direct activity on bone cells and mesenchymal cells and to the dysregulated activity of bone marrow cells, including immune cells and stromal cells, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely known. Here, we demonstrate that ovariectomy induces the T-cell co-stimulatory cytokine LIGHT, which stimulates both osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis by modulating osteoclastogenic cytokine expression, including TNF, osteoprotegerin, and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Predictably, LIGHT-deficient (Tnfsf14−/−) mice are protected from ovariectomy-dependent bone loss, whereas trabecular bone mass increases in mice deficient in both LIGHT and T and B lymphocytes (Rag−/−Tnfsf14−/−) and is associated with an inversion of the TNF and RANKL/OPG ratio. Furthermore, women with postmenopausal osteoporosis display high levels of LIGHT in circulating T cells and monocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that LIGHT mediates bone loss induced by ovariectomy, suggesting that patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis may benefit from LIGHT antagonism. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd