2-dimensional K\"ahler-Einstein metrics induced by finite dimensional complex projective spaces

We give a complete list of non-isometric bidimensional rotation invariant K\"ahler-Einstein submanifolds of a finite dimensional complex projective space endowed with the Fubini-Study metric. This solves in the aforementioned case a classical and long-staying problem addressed among others in [5] and [24].Comment: 13 page

Single-session bridge-to-surgery choledochoduodenostomy and duodenal stenting in patient with malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction

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Nanostructures for SERS in living cell

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has received renewed interest in recent years in fields such as trace analysis, biorelated diagnosis, and living cell study. However, the interference of impurities left on the surface from the preparation process of substrates limits to some extent the application of SERS. In the present paper, we propose a method to prepare clean SERS substrates by a combined method of hydrothermal green synthesis and thermal treatment to obtain a clean and impurity-free surface for SERS measurements, suitable for cells growth. The goal of such activity was the study of the membrane proteome, with special attention to prion protein (PrPC), in its physiological ambient. SERS has been used to evidence the PrPC-Cu(II) interaction in a rat neuroblastoma cell line (B104), known to overexpress the cellular prion protein PrPC

High ordered biomineralization induced by carbon nanoparticles in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

A surprising and unexpected biomineralization process was observed during toxicological assessment of carbon nanoparticles on Paracentrotus lividus (sea urchin) pluteus larvae. The larvae activate a process of defense against external material, by incorporating the nanoparticles into microstructures of aragonite similarly to pearl oysters. Aiming at a better understanding of this phenomenon, the larvae were exposed to increasing concentrations of carbon nanoparticles and the biomineralization products were analyzed by electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. In order to evaluate the possible influence of Sp-CyP-1 expression on this biomineralization process by larvae, analyses of gene expression (Sp-CyP-1) and calcein labeling were performed. Overall, we report experimental evidence about the capability of carbon nanoparticles to induce an increment of Sp-CyP-1 expression with the consequent activation of a biomineralization process leading to the production of a new pearl-like biomaterial never previously observed in sea urchins

Nanoclustering in Silicon Induced by Oxygen Ions Implanted

We report about the nanoclustering induced by oxygen‐implantation in silicon. A tandem‐type accelerator, with a maximum acceleration voltage of 3 MV, equipped with a sputtering ion source suitable for the production of high current ion beams by sputtering of solid cathodes has been used.   The surface modifications and the structure of nanoclusters are investigated. The topographic images, obtained by scanning tunnelling microscope showed that the surface is covered with a dense array of tetragonal nanostructures oriented with respect to the substrate. Raman spectroscopy data allowed us to estimate an average cluster size of about 50 nm. Resistivity and Hall effect measurements evidenced that the electron transport in the implanted silicon samples is affected by the nanoclusters array and it could be explained by thermally activated hopping between localized state

Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis: How to Differentiate Carriers and Patients Using Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

Background: Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis is a rare disease caused by transthyretin (TTR) gene mutations. The aim of our study was to identify early signs of cardiac involvement in patients with a TTR gene mutation in order to differentiate carriers from patients with neurological or cardiac disease. Methods: A case-control study was carried out on 31 subjects with the TTR mutation. Patients were divided into three groups: 23% with cardiac amyloidosis and polyneuropathy (group A), 42% with only polyneuropathy (group B) and 35% carriers (group C). Speckle-tracking echocardiography (left-ventricular global longitudinal strain-GLS, atrial stiffness) was performed in all patients. The apical/basal longitudinal strain ratio (SAB) and relative apical sparing (RAS) were assessed in all subjects. Results: Analyzing groups C and B, we only found a significant difference in the SAB (p-value 0.001) and RAS (p-value 0.039). These parameters were significantly more impaired in group A compared to group B (SAB p-value 0.008; RAS p-value 0.002). Also, atrial stiffness was significantly impaired in groups A and B compared to group C. Conclusions: Our study suggests the diagnostic role of the SAB and RAS in cardiac amyloidosis. The SAB and RAS showed a gradual increase from carriers to patients with neurological and cardiac diseases. Thus, these parameters, in addition to atrial stiffness, could be used to monitor carriers. More extensive data are needed

Can influence anxiety and depression the six-minute walking test performance in post-surgical heart valve patients? A pilot study

Various functional indicators are utilized to measure outcome in cardiac rehabilitation. Little information exists regarding the role played by psychological variables during the rehabilitative period, after cardiac valve surgery. The present study aims at exploring the relationship existing between different levels of functional capacity measured by six-minute walking test, (6MWT) and emotional aspects such as anxiety and depression. Materials and methods. 126 post-surgical heart valve patients underwent at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitative programme: 1) 6MWT; 2) assessment of anxiety and depression (A-D Questionnaire according to the CBA-2.0 Primary Scale). Results. Cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a general and significant improvement in the 6MWT (273+98 metres versus 363+96; p<0.001) and the functional performance parameters (diastolic blood pressure; p<0.001 and fatigue p<0.001). Simultaneously there was a significant improvement of patient-reported quality of life, revealed by the A-D questionnaire in both male and female patients. The Depression Questionnaire score is predictive of functional capacity. It was demonstrated that no matter what the clinical condition of the patient, the depression score influences the patient’s performance during the 6MWT, not only regards the distance covered (p=.008), but also fatigue expressed by the Borg RPE index (p=.044). Conclusion. Depression, an emotional variable, selfevaluated by the standardized questionnaire can, even if only partially, influence the 6MWT, a functional indicator of exercise tolerance, widely utilized in cardiac rehabilitation

Isotope correlations as a probe for freeze-out characterization: central 124Sn+64Ni, 112Sn+58Ni collisions

124Sn+64Ni and 112Sn+58Ni reactions at 35 AMeV incident energy were studied with the forward part of CHIMERA multi-detector. The most central collisions were selected by means of a multidimensional analysis. The characteristics of the source formed in the central collisions, as size, temperature and volume, were inspected. The measured isotopes of light fragments (3 <= Z <=8) were used to examine isotope yield ratios that provide information on the free neutron to proton densities.Comment: 4 pages, Contribution to 8th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Moscow 200

Mass and charge identification of fragments detected with the Chimera Silicon-CsI(Tl) telescopes

Mass and charge identification of charged products detected with Silicon-CsI(Tl) telescopes of the Chimera apparatus is presented. An identification function, based on the Bethe-Bloch formula, is used to fit empirical correlation between Delta E and E ADC readings, in order to determine, event by event, the atomic and mass numbers of the detected charged reaction products prior to energy calibration.Comment: 24 pages, 7 .jpg figures, submitted to Nucl.Instr.