A new optical recording medium

Method has been developed for doping lithium niobiate crystals with transition metal to increase rate at which crystal can record optical data. Discovery may facilitate development of system for analog storage of TV frames, printed pages, photographs, and other visual information

Single crystals of selected titanates and tungstates

The compound preparation and crystal growth of a number of mixed titanate compositions was investigated. None of the compounds studied were found to melt congruently and therefore, crystal growth was extremely difficult. Various single crystal preparation methods always resulted in mixed phases from which 1-2 mm size crystals could be separated. It is concluded from this study that before successful single crystal growth can be accomplished, a detailed study of the phase diagrams in each of the systems of interest must be completed

A Human-centric AI-driven Framework for Exploring Large and Complex Datasets

Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) is a new frontier of research at the intersection between HCI and AI. It fosters an innovative vision of human-centred intelligent systems, which are systems that take advantage of computer features, such as powerful algorithms, big data management, advanced sensors and that are useful and usable for people, providing high levels of automation and enabling high levels of human control. This position paper presents our ongoing research aiming to extend the HCAI framework for better supporting designers in creating AI-based systems

Germinal ovarian tumors in reproductive age women: Fertility-sparing and outcome

MOGCTs (malignant ovarian germ cell tumors) are rare tumors that mainly affect patients of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fertility and survival outcomes in young women with MOCGTs treated with fertility-sparing surgery (FSS).From 2000 to 2018, data from 28 patients of reproductive age with a diagnosis of MOGCT at the University of Bari were collected. Most received FSS, and in patients treated conservatively, the reproductive outcome and survival were investigated. Data of patient demographics, clinical presentation, oncology marker dosage, staging, type of surgery, histological examination, survival, and reproductive outcome were collected from hospital and office charts. All informed consent was obtained from all patients. The median age was 24 (range: 9-45 years). The majority of the patients had stage IIIC. Twenty-four woman received FSS consisting of unilateral ovariectomy and omentectomy, whereas only 4 women, based on their stage (IIIC), received a radical surgery (hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, lymphadenectomy, and omentectomy). Our study shows that FSS in MOGCTs can produce good results both on reproductive outcomes and on survival. Indeed, in our group, there was only 1 case of exitus as result of recurrence. Furthermore, patients after FSS maintained normal ovarian function and 5 of 5 women who tried to get pregnant succeeded spontaneously. The median follow-up was 90 months (range 3-159).Conservative surgery for MOGCTs should be considered for women of reproductive age who wish to preserve fertility

Extreme rainfall events in karst environments: the case study of September 2014 in the Gargano area (southern Italy)

In the first week of September 2014, the Gargano Promontory (Apulia, SE Italy) was hit by an extreme rainfall event that caused several landslides, floods and sinkholes. As a consequence of the floods, two people lost their lives and severe socio-economic damages were reported. The highest peaks of rainfall were recorded between September 3rd and 6th at the Cagnano Varano and San Marco in Lamis rain gauges with a maximum daily rainfall (over 230 mm) that is about 30% the mean annual rainfall. The Gargano Promontory is characterized by complex orographic conditions, with the highest elevation of about 1000 m a.s.l. The geological setting consists of different types of carbonate deposits affected by intensive development of karst processes. The morphological and climatic settings of the area, associated with frequent extreme rainfall events can cause various types of geohazards (e.g., landslides, floods, sinkholes). A further element enhancing the natural predisposition of the area to the occurrence of landslides, floods and sinkholes is an intense human activity, characterized by an inappropriate land use and management. In order to obtain consistent and reliable data on the effects produced by the storm, a systematic collection of information through field observations, a critical analysis of newspaper articles and web-news, and a co-operation with the Regional Civil Protection and local geologists started immediately after the event. The information collected has been organized in a database including the location, the occurrence time and the type of geohazard documented with photographs. The September 2014 extreme rainfall event in the Gargano Promontory was also analyzed to validate the forecasts issued by the Italian national early-warning system for rainfall-induced landslides (SANF), developed by the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (IRPI) for the Italian national Department for Civil Protection (DPC). SANF compares rainfall measurements and forecasts with empirical rainfall thresholds for the prediction of landslide occurrence. SANF forecasts were compared to the documented landslides and discussed

MicroRNA expression correlated with hygienic behaviour in honeybees

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) play important roles in modern agriculture regarding zootechnical production and crop pollination. Recently, honeybees have received more attention from the public, beekeepers and researchers due to emerging heath issues. Thus, scientific interest for honeybee health and selection resistance to major pathogens is sharply increasing. Honeybees evolved social immunity mechanisms consisting in the cooperation of individuals to control disease level in the hive, and in particular hygienic behavior (HB), as based on the uncapping and removal of dead, diseased or parasitized brood. HB is affected by heritable and environmental factors, and specific neurogenomic states can be inferred based on the coordinated brain expression of transcription factors and their predicted target genes, including Mblk-1 (transcription factor that function in the mushroom body) and Obp4 (sensitive olfactory detection in the antennae of adult bees). Besides, microRNAs are known to influence neurological status linked to age-related social behaviour in honeybees7. In order to investigate the relationship between microRNA expression and HB, the present work performed the expression profile of selected honeybee brain microRNA in individual\u2019s honeybee from field colonies with high HB level compared to low HB level, in comparison with the expression profile of Mblk-1 and Obp4. The genetic information resulting from this project could help to understand the role of microRNAs in HB and to drive honeybee selection schemes for production, health, and behavioral traits favoring pathogen control

CRITERI DI SCELTA DEL MATERIALE PER L’ALLEGGERIMENTO DI VETTURE SPORTIVE AD ALTE PRESTAZIONI

Per le vetture di lusso ad alte prestazioni, il primo elemento di competitività è dato dalle prestazioni dinamichedella vettura, ragion per cui il fattore peso sta assumendo nel tempo una rilevanza crescente. L’introduzionedi normative sempre più severe in ambito di emissioni, strettamente correlate al consumo dellavettura ha inoltre indotto i progettisti a spostare la propria attenzione non più sulla potenza pura ma sulrapporto potenza/peso. In questo ambito, è stato studiato l’alleggerimento di una vettura sportiva adalte prestazioni, in particolare di una Lamborghini Murciélago, andando a proporre nuovi materiali perla realizzazione di particolari del gruppo sospensivo. Ottimizzando la scelta del materiale, è possibile ridurreil peso, rispetto alla soluzione attuale, del 30-35% relativamente alla molla sospensione anteriore, del 50-70%relativamente alla barra antirollio posteriore, nonché alleggerire il braccio anteriore inferiore dal 3 al30%, dipendentemente dallo stato tensionale del componente, impiegando opportunamente acciai basso legati,leghe di alluminio e leghe di titanio

Incidencia natural de parasitoides em ovos de percevejos (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) encontrados na soja no Distrito Federal.

Um levantamento das especies de parasitoides de ovos de pentatomideos presentes na soja foi realizado em Planaltina, DF. Doze especies de parasitoides de ovos (Telenomus edessae Fabricius, Telenomus podisi Ashmead, Telenomus sp.; Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston), Trissolcus brochymenae Ashmead, Trissolcus sp., Trissolcus teretis Johnson, Trissolcus urichi Crawford; Anastatus auriceps Ashmead, Eupelmus sp., Ooencyrtus sp. e Neorileya sp.) foram encontradas em sete especies de percevejos em soja: Acrosternum aseadum Rolston, Edessa meditabunda (Fabricius), Euschistus heros (Fabricius), Nezara viridula Linnaeus, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) e Thyanta perditor (Fabricius). Registrando-se, pela primeira vez, a ocorrencia de novos hospedeiros de A.auriceps (A.aseadum); T. teretis (E.heros e T.perditor); T.urichi (A.aseadum, P.guildinii e P.nigrispinus)

Understanding the nature of psychiatric comorbidity in migraine: A systematic review focused on interactions and treatment implications

Background: Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder which is commonly linked with a broad range of psychiatric comorbidities, especially among subjects with migraine with aura or chronic migraine. Defining the exact nature of the association between migraine and psychiatric disorders and bringing out the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the comorbidity with psychiatric conditions are relevant issues in the clinical practice. Methods: A systematic review of the most relevant studies about migraine and psychiatric comorbidity was performed using "PubMed", "Scopus", and "ScienceDirect" electronic databases from 1 January 1998 to 15 July 2018. Overall, 178 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the current review. Results: According to the most relevant findings of our overview, the associations with psychiatric comorbidities are complex, with a bidirectional association of major depression and panic disorder with migraine. Importantly, optimizing the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of either migraine or its psychiatric comorbidities might help clinicians to attenuate the burden of both these conditions. Conclusions: The available data highlight the need for a comprehensive evaluation of psychiatric disorders in migraine in order to promote an integrated model of care and carefully address the burden and psychosocial impairment related to psychiatric comorbidities in migraine