Image-Derived Input Function for Human Brain Using High Resolution PET Imaging with [11C](R)-rolipram and [11C]PBR28

The aim of this study was to test seven previously published image-input methods in state-of-the-art high resolution PET brain images. Images were obtained with a High Resolution Research Tomograph plus a resolution-recovery reconstruction algorithm using two different radioligands with different radiometabolite fractions. Three of the methods required arterial blood samples to scale the image-input, and four were blood-free methods. values was quantified using a scoring system. Using the image input methods that gave the most accurate results with Logan analysis, we also performed kinetic modelling with a two-tissue compartment model.)-rolipram, which has a lower metabolite fraction. Compartment modeling gave less reliable results, especially for the estimation of individual rate constants.C]PBR28), the more difficult it is to obtain a reliable image-derived input function; and 4) in association with image inputs, graphical analyses should be preferred over compartmental modelling

Internal Insulation of Historic Buildings: A Stochastic Approach to Life Cycle Costing Within RIBuild EU Project

The application of internal insulation is a widespread and effective solution for energy renovation of historic buildings.However, it entails quite high installation costs and a certain risk of failure due to moisture-related problems. A probabilistic risk assessment of both hygrothermal performance and life cycle costs can be used to address internal insulation issue, in order to support riskmanagement and decisionmaking. This paper presents the application of a probabilistic approach to Life Cycle Costing developed within the EU project RIBuild (Robust Internal Thermal Insulation of Historic Buildings), to five internal insulations solutions widely used in Italy. The method provides estimates of the range and likelihood of global costs and payback periods, also considering alternative energy and future economic scenarios. The impact of insulation systems service life on global costs is also addressed, in order to highlight the possible connection of the method to a stochastic estimation of insulation systems durability based on hygrothermal and damage assessments

A Sensitive Tg Assay or rhTSH Stimulated Tg: What's the Best in the Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma?

Sensitivity of thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) can be optimized by using a sensitive Tg assay and rhTSH stimulation. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of a sensitive Tg assay and rhTSH stimulated Tg in the detection of recurrences in the follow-up of DTC. Additionally the value of imaging techniques for the localization of recurrences was evaluated. We included 121 disease free patients in long-term follow-up for DTC (median 10 years, range 1–34). Tg during thyroid hormone suppression therapy (Tg-on) and rhTSH stimulated Tg were measured with a sensitive Tg assay. Patients with rhTSH stimulated Tg ≥1.0 ng/ml underwent imaging with neck ultrasound, FDG-PET and post therapy 131I WBS. Sensitive Tg measurement resulted in 3 patients with Tg-on ≥1.0 ng/ml, recurrence could be localized in 2 of them. RhTSH stimulation resulted in Tg ≥1.0 ng/ml in another 17 of 118 patients. Recurrence could be localized in only 1 additional patient (1 out of 118 patients). Recurrence was localized by neck ultrasound in 1 of 3, by FDG-PET in 2 of 3 and by post therapy 131I WBS in 2 of 3 patients. In the detection of recurrences in DTC, rhTSH stimulation had very limited additional value in comparison to Tg-on measurement with a sensitive Tg assay. We consider this too low to justify rhTSH stimulation in all patients during long-term follow up. Neck ultrasound, FDG-PET and post therapy 131I WBS showed complementary value in localization of disease, but were only positive in a small fracture of all procedures

I nuovi contratti d'impresa

Una fra le caratteristiche connaturate all’attività d’impresa è il dinamismo, che si riflette anche nell’evoluzione degli strumenti giuridici impiegati nell’ambito degli scambi e delle operazioni commerciali e impone quella flessibilità e quella fantasia che sono necessarie per affrontare (e talora anticipare) i mutevoli scenari del mercato. In questa prospettiva, il settore dei contratti d’impresa rappresenta una vera e propria sfida per l’interprete, chiamato a individuare – fra le disposizioni già presenti nell’ordinamento – le norme necessarie per colmare le lacune di disciplina che, giocoforza, conseguono all’impiego di forme contrattuali innovative e all’“ibridazione” di quelle preesistenti. Il manuale, pur con l’agilità richiesta dalla trattazione del settore, dà conto, oltre che della disciplina generale, dei profili peculiari e degli snodi esegetici dei contratti d’impresa, con uno sguardo sempre attendo alle novità maturate nella prassi dei commerci e agli stimoli provenienti dalle esigenze del mercato

Infrastrutture di Dati Territoriali e Knowledge Management nella relazione fra mercato e sostenibilità

The present paper, following the previous issue (Territori, n. 10), refers to the topic of energy policy which plays a fundamental role in the government orientation, at international and European level. It is assumed that the e-government politics success in every European Country, nowadays, is necessarily due to the use of operational systems pointed to consciousness and support of interoperability based decisions, accessibility facts and interaction between different individuals. Therefore we try to consider the possibility of implementing the Real Estate Observatory of the city of Turin shifting from TIS to LIS and, finally, to SDI. We can do this beginning with the scale of the building (the physical features of the constructions, with a special regard to the architectural elements that are very important from the energetic point of view, the noticed energy consumption, the energy certification's data, the real estate values). All these elements are useful to analyse the energy conditions of urban property. In order to contribute to the administrative choices, we propose a range of analysis instruments based not only on traditional statistic models, but also on advanced statistic spatial models, improving the test and check of actions such as the sustainable energetic re-qualification, from an economic point of vie