1,094 research outputs found
Genetics of ALS and Correlations Between Genotype and Phenotype in ALS â A Focus on Italian Population
Application of photogrammetry techniques for the visual assessment of vessels' cargo hold
Visual inspection is an integral part of Condition and Class surveys, with the results comprising of the surveyorsâ opinion, documented by a sum of pictures indicating areas of interest. Although this way provides the most essential information, the communication of the results may be difficult, since isolated images cannot provide the context. Photogrammetry exploits pictorial data to provide 3D models, with a high level of accuracy and is not an uncommon method in the maritime environment. Use of such methods to support visual survey activities is examined in this work, providing the methodology for the data collection, which is structured in an algorithmic way, to enable realization by automated means (robots). The 3D model is provided, along with accuracy results
Application of photogrammetry techniques for the visual assessment of vesselsâ cargo hold
Visual inspection is an integral part of Condition and Class surveys, with the results comprising of the surveyorsâ opinion, documented by a sum of pictures indicating areas of interest. Although this way provides the most essential information, the communication of the results may be difficult, since isolated images cannot provide the context. Photogrammetry exploits pictorial data to provide 3D models, with a high level of accuracy and is not an uncommon method in the maritime environment. Use of such methods to support visual survey activities is examined in this work, providing the methodology for the data collection, which is structured in an algorithmic way, to enable realization by automated means (robots). The 3D model is provided, along with accuracy results
Analisi ragionata della casistica giurisprudenziale penale: in particolare gli artt. 439, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448 c.p. e art. 5 della l. 30 aprile 1962 n. 283
Analisi ragionata della casistica giurisprudenziale penale in materia agroalimentare (439, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448 c.p. e art. 5 della l. 30 aprile 1962 n. 283
Symbolic verification of eventâconditionâaction rules in intelligent environments
In this paper we show how state-of-the art SMT-based techniques for software verification can be employed in the verification of eventâconditionâaction rules in intelligent environments. Moreover, we exploit the specific features of intelligent environments to optimise the verification process. We compare our approach with previous work in a detailed evaluation section, showing how it improves both performance and expressivity of the language for eventâconditionâaction rules
Spectrally multimode squeezed states generation at telecom wavelengths
We report on the experimental demonstration of a source that generates
spectrally multimode squeezed states of light over the infrared C-Band. This is
achieved using a single-pass Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC)
process in a periodically-poled KTP waveguide that is pumped with the second
harmonic of a femtosecond laser. Our measurements show significant squeezing in
more than 21 frequency modes, with a maximum squeezing value over 2.5 dB.
Moreover, we demonstrate multiparty entanglement across 8 individual frequency
bands by measuring the covariance matrix of their quadratures. Finally, we use
reconfigurable mode-selective homodyne detection to mold the output into
cluster states of various shapes. This result paves the way for the
implementation of continuous variable quantum information protocols at
telecommunication wavelengths, with applications in multiparty,
entanglement-based quantum communication and computation
Etiology and management of pediatric intestinal failure: Focus on the non-digestive causes
Background: Intestinal failure (IF) is defined as reduction in functioning gut mass below the minimal amount necessary for adequate digestion and absorption. In most cases, IF results from intrinsic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (digestive IF) (DIF); few cases arise from digestive vascular components, gut annexed (liver and pancreas) and extra-digestive organs or from systemic diseases (non-digestive IF) (NDIF). The present review revised etiology and treatments of DIF and NDIF, with special focus on the pathophysiological mechanisms, whereby NDIF develops. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of published literature from January 2010 to the present by selecting the following search strings: âintestinal failureâ OR âhome parenteral nutritionâ OR âshort bowel syndromeâ OR âchronic pseudo-obstructionâ OR âchronic intestinal pseudo-obstructionâ OR âautoimmune enteropathyâ OR âlong-term parenteral nutritionâ. Results: We collected overall 1656 patients with well-documented etiology of IF: 1419 with DIF (86%) and 237 with NDIF (14%), 55% males and 45% females. Among DIF cases, 66% had SBS and among NDIF cases 90% had malabsorption/maldigestion. Conclusions: The improved availability of diagnostic and therapeutic tools has increased prevalence and life expectancy of rare and severe diseases responsible for IF. The present review greatly expands the spectrum of knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms through which the diseases not strictly affecting the intestine can cause IF. In view of the rarity of the majority of pediatric IF diseases, the development of IF Registries is strongly required; in fact, through information flow within the network, the Registries could improve IF knowledge and management
Plasma and red blood cell pufas in home parenteral nutrition paediatric patients—effects of lipid emulsions
Background: Mixed lipid emulsions (LE) containing fish oil present several advantages compared to the sole soybean oil LE, but little is known about the safety of essential fatty acids (EFA) profile in paediatric patients on long-term Parenteral Nutrition (PN). Aim of the study: to assess glycerophosfolipid polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels on plasma and red blood cell (RBC) membrane of children on long term PN with composite LE containing fish oil (SMOF), and to compare it with a group receiving olive oil LE (Clinoleic®) and to the reference range for age, previously determined on a group of healthy children. Results: A total of 38 patients were enrolled, median age 5.56 (0.9–21.86) years, 15 receiving Clinoleic®, 23 receiving SMOF. Patients on SMOF showed significantly higher levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), lower levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) and Mead acid (MEAD)/ARA ratio in plasma and RBC compared with patients on Clinoleic® and with healthy children. Triene:tetraene (T:T) ratio of both groups of patients did not differ from that of healthy children-median plasma (MEAD/ARA: 0.01, interquartile rage (IQR) 0.01, p = 0.61 and 0.02, IQR 0.02, p = 0.6 in SMOF and Clinoleic® patients, respectively), and was considerably lower than Holman index (>0.21). SMOF patients showed no statistically significant differences in growth parameters compared with Clinoleic® patients. Patients of both groups showed stiffness class F0-F1 of liver stiffness measure (LSM) 5.6 (IQR 0.85) in SMOF patients and 5.3 (IQR 0.90) in Clinoleic® patients, p = 0.58), indicating absence of liver fibrosis. Conclusions: Fatty acids, measured as concentrations (mg/L), revealed specific PUFA profile of PN patients and could be an accurate method to evaluate nutritional status and eventually to detect essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). SMOF patients showed significantly higher EPA, DHA and lower ARA concentrations compared to Clinoleic® patients. Both LEs showed similar hepatic evolution and growth
Analysis of Elliptically Polarized Maximally Entangled States for Bell Inequality Tests
When elliptically polarized maximally entangled states are considered, i.e.,
states having a non random phase factor between the two bipartite polarization
components, the standard settings used for optimal violation of Bell
inequalities are no longer adapted. One way to retrieve the maximal amount of
violation is to compensate for this phase while keeping the standard Bell
inequality analysis settings. We propose in this paper a general theoretical
approach that allows determining and adjusting the phase of elliptically
polarized maximally entangled states in order to optimize the violation of Bell
inequalities. The formalism is also applied to several suggested experimental
phase compensation schemes. In order to emphasize the simplicity and relevance
of our approach, we also describe an experimental implementation using a
standard Soleil-Babinet phase compensator. This device is employed to correct
the phase that appears in the maximally entangled state generated from a
type-II nonlinear photon-pair source after the photons are created and
distributed over fiber channels.Comment: 8 page
Fecal occult blood and fecal calprotectin as point-of-care markers of intestinal morbidity in Ugandan children with Schistosoma mansoni infection.
BACKGROUND: Calprotectin is a calcium-binding cytoplasmic protein found in neutrophils and increasingly used as a marker of bowel inflammation. Fecal occult blood (FOB) is also a dependable indicator of bowel morbidity. The objective of our study was to determine the applicability of these tests as surrogate markers of Schistosoma mansoni intestinal morbidity before and after treatment with praziquantel (PZQ).
METHODS: 216 children (ages 3-9 years old) from Buliisa District in Lake Albert, Uganda were examined and treated with PZQ at baseline in October 2012 with 211 of them re-examined 24 days later for S. mansoni and other soil transmitted helminths (STH). POC calprotectin and FOB assays were performed at both time points on a subset of children. Associations between the test results and infection were analysed by logistic regression.
RESULTS: Fecal calprotectin concentrations of 150-300 ”g/g were associated with S. mansoni egg patent infection both at baseline and follow up (OR: 12.5 P = 0.05; OR: 6.8 P = 0.02). FOB had a very strong association with baseline anemia (OR: 9.2 P = 0.03) and medium and high egg intensity schistosomiasis at follow up (OR: 6.6 P = 0.03; OR: 51.3 P = 0.003). Both tests were strongly associated with heavy intensity S. mansoni infections. There was a significant decrease in FOB and calprotectin test positivity after PZQ treatment in those children who had egg patent schistosomiasis at baseline.
CONCLUSIONS: Both FOB and calprotectin rapid assays were found to correlate positively and strongly with egg patent S. mansoni infection with a positive ameloriation response after PZQ treatment indicative of short term reversion of morbidity. Both tests were appropriate for use in the field with excellent operational performance and reliability. Due to its lower-cost which makes its scale-up of use affordable, FOB could be immediately adopted as a monitoring tool for PC campaigns for efficacy evaluation before and after treatment
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