Effect of Martian Suspended Dust on Albedo Measurements from the MGS-TES Data

Suspended dust on Mars influences albedo measurements by orbiting instruments, but not necessary the real surface albedo. The aim of this study is to characterize the role of suspended aerosols on albedo measurement by remote sensing instruments

Computation of the inverse Laplace Transform based on a Collocation method which uses only real values

We develop a numerical algorithm for inverting a Laplace transform (LT), based on Laguerre polynomial series expansion of the inverse function under the assumption that the LT is known on the real axis only. The method belongs to the class of Collocation methods (C-methods), and is applicable when the LT function is regular at infinity. Difficulties associated with these problems are due to their intrinsic ill-posedness. The main contribution of this paper is to provide computable estimates of truncation, discretization, conditioning and roundoff errors introduced by numerical computations. Moreover, we introduce the pseudoaccuracy which will be used by the numerical algorithm in order to provide uniform scaled accuracy of the computed approximation for any x with respect to ex . These estimates are then employed to dynamically truncate the series expansion. In other words, the number of the terms of the series acts like the regularization parameter which provides the trade-off between errors. With the aim to validate the reliability and usability of the algorithm experiments were carried out on several test functions

a case of angioinvasive cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma completely regressed after low dose systemic methotrexate

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Osteoporosis in adult with Marfan syndrome: casuality or causality?

Nearly 100 years ago, Antoine Marfan first described a recurrent systemic disorder of connective tissue characterized by overgrowth of the long bones (1). It took an additional 50 years before ocular and cardiovascular manifestations were associated with this disorder, now termed Marfan syndrome (MFS). MFS is an inherited connective tissue disorder transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. This relatively common genetic condition affects approximately 2 to 3 per 10,000 individuals, without a particular gender, racial, geographic, or ethnic predilection (2). The disorder results from mutations in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene located on chromosome 15q21.1(3). Approximately 15% of cases occur in the absence of a family history, representing new mutations; infact to date, over 550 mutations have been identified in patients with MFS and related connective tissue diseases. However, about a half of MFS cases do not possess mutations in the FBN1 gene..

Sjogren's syndrome: apoptosis by anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies

The pathogenesis of the Sjogren's Syndrome (SjS) has not yet been completely defined. However, the cell-mediated immunity plays an important role and the apoptosis of the ductal and acinar epithelial cells is responsible of the glandular tissue damage, through the cytotoxic T-cells, particularly of the CD4+ subpopulation, by the release of proteases (such as perforin and granzyme B) and by the interaction of the Fas Ligand (FasL; CD95L) of the T-lymphocytes, with the Fas (Apo-1; CD95) of the epithelial cells. The apoptotic death of the epithelial cells is the autocrine Fas/FasL interaction also. The anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies are the immunological markers of the Sjogren's syndrome, but it is not yet understood if they have pathogenetic implications...

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on patients with lysosomal storage disorders and restoration of services: experience from a specialist centre

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lysosomal disorders unit (LSDU) at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL), a highly specialised national service for diagnosis and management of adults with lysosomal storage disorders (LSD). Review of home care enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and emergency care, and COVID-19 shielding categories as per UK government guidance. New clinical pathways were developed to manage patients safely during the pandemic; staff well-being initiatives are described. LSDU staff were redeployed and/or had additional roles to support increased needs of hospitalised COVID-19 patients. During the first lockdown in March 2020, 286 of 602 LSD patients were shielding; 72 of 221 had home care ERT infusions interrupted up to 12 weeks. During the pandemic, there was a 3% reduction in home care nursing support required, with patients learning to self-cannulate or require support for cannulation only. There were no increased adverse clinical events during this period. Twenty-one contracted COVID-19 infection, with one hospitalised and no COVID-19 related deaths. In 2020, virtual clinics were increased by 88% (video and/or telephone) compared to 2019. RFL well-being initiatives supported all staff. We provide an overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staff and patients attending a highly specialised rare disease service. As far as we are aware, this is the first detailed narrative on the challenges and subsequent rapid adaptations made, both as part of a large organisation and as a specialist centre. Lessons learnt could be translated to other rare disease services and ensure readiness for any future pandemic

Sound absorption performance of sustainable foam materials: Application of analytical and numerical tools for the optimization of forecasting models

Traditional models used to predict acoustic properties of poroelastic materials are usually applied to fibrous layers or polyurethane foams. However, for new materials like complex cellular foams these procedures may not be applied due to the different cell microstructure. To this aim, the sound absorbing properties of novel sustainable foam materials are investigated as a function of the nature and loading of waste powders and their effects on the microstructure and the acoustic properties. The foams are prepared from naturally occurring alginates that are in situ polymerized. The morphology and the acoustic properties of the foam-cells appear linked to the particle size distribution of the starting powder. Determination of the parameters of Johnson\u2013Champoux\u2013Allard acoustic model (tortuosity, viscous characteristic length, thermal characteristic length, porosity and flow resistivity) was performed using five different forecasting methods, including traditional analytical model for fibrous materials as well as inverse procedure. A new procedure for tortuosity computation of foam is proposed and validated. Transfer Matrix Method calculation of the absorption coefficient was performed and compared with the experimental data, in order to assess the validity of the model. Indirect method technique is demonstrated to be dependent on experimental measurement of thermal characteristic length

Pharmaceutical Applications of Biocompatible Polymer Blends ontaining Sodium Alginate

Biocompatible polymer blends, such as alginate blends, have a widespread use in pharmaceutical and medical applications due to their specific features, such as biodegradation, adhesiveness, and thermo- and pH sensitivity and that can be obtained from the mixture composition. In this work, the use of alginate blends was tested in a novel production methodology of therapeutic dosage forms based on polymeric chain reticulation phenomena induced by exposure to bivalent ions. Two kinds of sodium alginate were used to obtain gel films (structured films) in blends with Pluronic F127®. The blends were considered for applications in gel paving of drug-eluting stents. Sodium alginate was also used in shell–core particle production (structured particles) to obtain shell-barrier reducing drug release in the preparative steps (see wash operations). Both structures, films and particles, were obtained using Cu2+ and Ca2+ ions, respectively. Film/shell barrier properties were tested in dissolution experiments using vitamin B12 as an active molecule model. Experimental work demonstrated that the alginate composition is a crucial point in defining reticulated structures

the strange case of a patient affected by acromegaly with osteoporomalacia without hypogonadism

Acromegaly is a rare disease that, in the majority of cases, is due to the presence of a benign growth hormone (GH)- producing tumor of the pituitary. Growth hormone has profound effects on linear bone growth, bone metabolism, and bone mass. In acromegaly, the skeletal effects of chronic GH excess have been mainly addressed by evaluating bone mineral density (BMD). Most data were obtained in patients with active acromegaly, and apparently high or normal BMD was observed in the absence of hypogonadism. The Autors describe a case of patient affected by acromegaly without hypogonadism with serious osteoporosis and biological signs of osteomalacia