The common root of the geometric conditions in Serrin's lower semicontinuity theorem

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BitIodine: Extracting Intelligence from the Bitcoin Network

Abstract. Bitcoin, the famous peer-to-peer, decentralized electronic currency system, allows users to benefit from pseudonymity, by generating an arbitrary number of aliases (or addresses) to move funds. However, the complete history of all transactions ever performed, called “blockchain”, is public and replicated on each node. The data it contains is difficult to analyze manually, but can yield a high number of relevant information. In this paper we present a modular framework, BitIodine, which parses the blockchain, clusters addresses that are likely to belong to a same user or group of users, classifies such users and labels them, and finally visualizes complex information extracted from the Bitcoin network. BitIodine labels users (semi-)automatically with information on their identity and actions which is automatically scraped from openly available information sources. BitIodine also supports manual investigation by finding paths and reverse paths between addresses or users. We tested BitIodine on several real-world use cases, identified an address likely to belong to the encrypted Silk Road cold wallet, or investigated the CryptoLocker ransomware and accurately quantified the number of ransoms paid, as well as information about the victims. We release an early prototype of BitIodine as a library for building more complex Bitcoin forensic analysis tools

A very prolonged asystolic vasovagal syncope is suspended but not aborted by counterpressure manoeuvre

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Cesare Vasoli, un ricordo

Memories and notes on the teaching of Cesare Vasoli (Firenze, 1924-2013) and on the main lines of his studies of philosophy and history of culture

"STUDIO DEGLI INIBITORI COVALENTI DELLA MONOACILGLICEROLO LIPASI"

Questa tesi ripercorre la scoperta dei vari inibitori covalenti della MAGL nel tempo. All'inizio è riportata una sommaria descrizione del sistema endocannabinoide, cannabinoidi esogeni ed endogeni. Subito dopo si passa in rassegna ad analizzare i vari ligandi (inibitori covalenti), cisteinici e serinici ed a valutare i valori di IC50 e le possibili interferenze. Il fine della scoperta di un inibitore superselettivo potrebbe chiarire il ruolo fisiologico dei principali endocannabinoidi, MAGL e FAAH, avendo anche un impatto sulle terapie oncologiche, antinfiammatorie, ansiolitiche e da dipendenza da sostanze

L’esperienza del marxismo nella filosofia della realtà di Croce

Focusing on comparison with 19th century Marxism results to be fundamental for approaching Croce’s philosophy. He credited Marxism as political reality and practical action, even though he felt critic about it as philosophy of the history and social science. Croce’s analysis of Marxist theories influenced his philosophical attempt to re-establish connection between thought and reality

La fondazione estetica della conoscenza nella filosofia di Croce

In the first step of his philosophical system, the book of Estetica, Croce settled the concept of intuizione as primary cognitive form. In this early period historical knowledge also is thought to pertain to aesthetic domain. The following theoretical developments up to Filosofia della pratica and Logica risult in two changes: the historical judgements are identified with individual concepts and ascribed to the sphere of logic; the «pure intuition» of aesthetics is precisely defined as «liric intuition», namely expression of feelings, sentiments or passions. Through the aesthetics we are introduced to the basics of Croce’s theory of knowledge

Additional diagnostic value of implantable loop recorder in patients with initial diagnosis of real or apparent transient loss of consciousness of uncertain origin

Aims Non-syncopal transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC) encompasses disorders that sometimes resemble syncope, and the differential diagnosis with true syncope may be challenging. The implantable loop recorder (ILR) is potentially useful, but has never been systematically assessed. The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of ILR in distinguishing syncope from non-syncopal forms of T-LOC. Methods and results We implanted an ILR in 58 patients (mean age 71 ± 17 years, 25 males) who had had 4.6 ± 2.3 episodes of real or apparent T-LOC, in order to distinguishing epilepsy from syncope (#28), unexplained fall from syncope (#29), or functional pseudo-syncope from syncope (#1). During 20 ± 13 months of follow-up, 33 patients (57%) had a spontaneous event documented by ILR. A diagnosis of syncope was established by ILR documentation of an arrhythmia in 15 (26%) patients: an asystole of 6 s (IQR 4–10 s) duration was documented at the time of the spontaneous event in seven patients with initial suspicion of epilepsy and in five patients with unexplained fall; atrial tachyarrhythmia was documented at the time of the spontaneous event in 1 and 1 patient, respectively, and ventricular tachycardia in 1 patient with unexplained fall. Conversely, in another 18 patients, ILR monitoring documented no significant rhythm abnormalities at the time of T-LOC recurrence, thus excluding an arrhythmic syncope. Finally, ILR was unable to document any syncopal episode in 25 (43%) patients. Among the 15 patients with an established diagnosis of arrhythmic syncope, syncope recurred during follow-up in 2 of 11 patients who were on pacemaker therapy and in 3 of 4 patients who were on other therapies. Conclusion Implantable loop recorder monitoring provides additional diagnostic value in 'difficult' patients with an initial diagnosis of non-syncopal real or apparent T-LOC

A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials with degarelix versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for advanced prostate cancer

Our aim was to systematically evaluate the benefits of degarelix as antagonist versus agonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PC). This comparison was performed either in terms of biochemical or oncological or safety profiles. To this end we, carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.We selected only studies directly and prospectively analyzing the two treatments in the same population (randomized phase III studies). We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-analyses process for reporting studies.After we eliminated studies according to the exclusion criteria, 9 publications were considered relevant to this review. These articles described 5 clinical trials that were eligible for inclusion. The follow-up duration in all trials did not exceed 364 days. This meta-analysis and review comprised a total of 1719 men, 1061 randomized to degarelix versus 658 to GnRH agonists treatment for advanced PC. Oncological results were evaluated only in 1 trial (CS21:408 cases) and they were not the primary endpoints of the study. Treatment emerging adverse events were reported in 61.4% and 58.8% of patients in the degarelix and GnRH agonists group, respectively (odds ratio, OR = 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.78-1.77, P > 0.1). Treatment related severe cardiovascular side effects were reported (trial CS21-30-35) in 1.6% and 3.6% of patients in the degarelix and GnRH agonists group, respectively (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.26-1.14, P > 0.1).Our analysis evidences relevant limitations in particular for the comparative evaluation of the efficacy and the oncological results related to degarelix

Clinical neurophysiology and imaging of nerve injuries: preoperative diagnostic work-up and postoperative monitoring

Peripheral nerve injuries are a heterogeneous group of lesions that may occurs secondary to various causes. Several different classifications have been used to describe the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the clinical deficit, from simple and reversible compression‑induced demyelination, to complete transection of nerve axons. Neurophysiological data localize, quantify, and qualify (demyelination vs. axonal loss) the clinical and subclinical deficits. High‑resolution ultrasound can demonstrate the morphological extent of nerve damage, fascicular echotexture (epineurium vs. perineurium, focal alteration of the cross‑section of the nerve, any neuromas, etc.), and the surrounding tissues. High field magnetic resonance imaging provides high contrast neurography by fat suppression sequences and shows structural connectivity through the use of diffusion‑weighted sequences. The aim of this review is to provide clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of nerve injuries, and the rationale for instrumental evaluation in the preoperative and postoperative periods. While history and clinical approach guide neurophysiological examination, nerve conduction and electromyography studies provide functional information on conduction slowing and denervation to assist in monitoring the onset of re‑innervation. High‑resolution nerve imaging complements neurophysiological data and allows direct visualization of the nerve injury while providing insight into its cause and facilitating surgical treatment planning. Indications and limits of each instrumental examination are discussed