Search for single production of a Vector-Like partner of the bottom quark in the bH(bb) final state in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is presented for single-produced vector-like B quark decaying to a Standard Model b-quark and a Higgs boson, itself decaying into a b-quark pair. The B decay system is reconstructed as an association of a large-radius jet and a small-radius jet, respectively taken to reflect the secondary Higgs decay system and the $b$ quark produced in the immediate resonance decay. The search is the first at ATLAS to probe the Higgs to b-quark pair final state in Run-2, and aims at extending the region of the M(B) phase space the current exclusion limits, set by the pair production combination search at 1220 GeV for a Vector-Like B quark occurring as an isospin singlet. For this purpose, a newly designed and optimised event selection was implemented for maximal sensitivity in the 1000-2000 GeV invariant mass region, and a particular effort was dedicated in researching and implementing data-driven modelling techniques to provide a reliable estimation of the main, QCD-Driven, background source to the search. A binned likelihood fit is set up for the statistical interpretation of the results, which are presented in the form of mass- and coupling-dependent 95% CLs exclusion limits on the production cross section of a VLQ-like signal

Flow curvature effects on dynamic behaviour of a novel vertical axis tidal current turbine: numerical and experimental analysis

The paper deals with performances analysis of vertical axis turbine to exploit tidal marine currents. Flow curvature effects on performences of a novel vertical axis turbine have been investuigated. It has been shown that the flow curvature effect allows to design properly an accurate airfoil shape to increase turbine performances

Dynamic behavior of novel vertical axis tidal current turbine: numerical and experimental investigations

This paper presents a summary of the recent work done by the authors regarding the design, construction and test of a novel patented vertical axis and variable pitching blade hydro turbine, named KOBOLD, capable of harnessing clean and renewable energy from marine tidal currents. The KOBOLDturbine, currently moored in Messina Strait, between mainland Italy and Sicily island, is the only existing turbine of this type devoted to exploit tidal currents, and has a 25% global system efficiency. Theoretical analysis and numerical prediction performanceshave been compared and validated with experimental test results on both model and real scale turbines. Moreover, the recent activities in terms of numerical and experimental investigations on vertical axis hydro turbines are presente

Lung disease assessment in primary ciliary dyskinesia: a comparison between chest high-field magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution computed tomography findings

Abstract Background Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is associated with pulmonary involvement that requires periodical assessment. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has become the method of choice to evaluate chronic lung disease, but entails exposure to ionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a potential radiation-free technique in several chest disorders. Aim of our study is to evaluate whether high-field MRI is as effective as HRCT in identifying PCD pulmonary abnormalities. We also analyzed the relationships between the severity and extension of lung disease, and functional data. Methods Thirteen PCD patients (8 children/5 adults; median age, 15.2 yrs) underwent chest HRCT and high-field 3T MRI, spirometry, and deep throat or sputum culture. Images were scored using a modified version of the Helbich system. Results HRCT and MRI total scores were 12 (range, 6–20) and 12 (range, 5–17), respectively. Agreement between HRCT and MRI scores was good or excellent (r > 0.8). HRCT and MRI total scores were significantly related to forced vital capacity (r = -0.5, p = 0.05; and r = -0.7, p = 0.009, respectively) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (r = -0.6, p = 0.03; and r = -0.7, p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusion Chest high-field 3T MRI appears to be as effective as HRCT in assessing the extent and severity of lung abnormalities in PCD. MRI scores might be used for longitudinal assessment and be an outcome surrogate in future studies.</p

Dynamic Behaviour of the Patented Kobold Tidal Current Turbine: Numerical and Experimental Aspects

This paper provides a summary of the work done at DPA on numerical and experimental investigations of a novel patented vertical axis and variable pitching blades hydro turbine designed to harness energy from marine tidal currents. Ponte di Archimede S.p.A. Company, located in Messina, Italy, owns the patented KOBOLD turbine that is moored in the Messina Strait, between the mainland and Sicily. The turbine has a rotor with a diameter of 6 meters, three vertical blades of 5 meters span with a 0.4 m chord ad hoc designed curved airfoil, producing high lift with no cavitation. The rated power is 160 kW with 3.5 m/s current speed, which means 25% global system efficiency. The VAWT and VAWT_DYN computer codes, based on Double Multiple Steamtube, have been developed to predict the steady and dynamic performances of a cycloturbine with fixed or self-acting variable pitch straight-blades. A theoretical analysis and a numerical prediction of the turbine performances as well as experimental test results on both a model and the real scale turbine will be presented and discussed.

Molecular technology and the recombinant TSH have changed diagnostics of thyroid carcinoma with positive I-131 whole body scan but low serum thyroglobulin.

The early detection of recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) cells in the post surgery DTC patients relies on the sensitivity of measuring both the level of thyroglobulin (Tg) and 131-Iodine distribution by Whole Body Scan (WBS). Undetectable level of Tg associated with negative WBS or elevated levels of Tg associated with positive WBS ("concordant") is ordinarily indicative of either absence or presence of disease. At times, elevated level of Tg with negative WBS or low levels of Tg with positive WBS ("discordant") could also occur. In the present study, we retrospectively reviewed series of 573 patients with DTC followed in the Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy of the University "Federico II" of Naples between 1993 and 1997. We focused on 9 out of 573 patients (1.56%) who had a discordant pattern with low level of Tg/positive WBS in the post-surgical follow-up. Four patients were metastatic at presentation while 5 patients with metastasis during follow-up still remained in persistently low levels of Tg (<5 ng/mL). This result does point to some flaw in the evaluation of "discordant" cases. Reviewing data previously described series by resetting cut-off values of Tg <1 ng/ml as undetectable changed the apparent "discordant" subgroup of patients into "concordant". Recent introduction of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) to enhance the expression level of Tg brought significant increase in the sensitivity of diagnostic evaluation of thyroid cancer patients. The role of burdensome WBS in the follow up evaluation of DTC patients is significantly reduced over time especially in low-risk patients while the relevance of Tg assay is steadily increased. Sensitive Tg assays, significantly improved our ability to assess disease status in follow-up of DTC. Given the possibility of late disease relapses, the need for long-term follow-up, and reduced delay in treatment of persistent disease, there is still need for greater sensitive diagnostic tools for DTC

Large Follicular Cyst Associated with Upper Third Molar in the Maxillary Sinus with Pterygomaxillary Space Extension: Reflection on a Case Report

BACKGROUND: Follicular cysts are osteolytic lesions characterized by greater growth, differentiation, and degeneration potentials, compared to inflammatory root cysts. Those connected to upper third molars can disrupt the neighboring teeth and extend to maxillary sinus and adjacent anatomical structures. CASE PRESENTATION: In this study, we present a case of a large dimension follicular cyst associated with the upper third molar, extended to maxillary antrum and pterygomaxillary space, uncommon for dimensions, involving meso- and sovra-structure describing the clinical diagnostic procedures, and the surgical strategies adopted. The cone-beam computed tomography allowed a very accurate analysis of the lesion. Surgical excision was performed through Caldwell-Luc technique, approaching to the pterygomaxillary space. A 1-year follow-up shows good clinical, anatomical, and functional conditions. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of follicular cyst. CONCLUSION: Giant follicular cysts require an accurate pre-operative study due to the delicate structures that may be involved

Is the Mandibular Condyle Involved in Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw? Audit of a Single Tertiary Referral Center and Literature Review

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) may manifest as exposed mandible bone. Recent reviews of the incidence of MRONJ report primarily as exposed cortical bone of the mandibular body, ramus, and symphysis with no reports of condylar involvement. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the topographical incidence of MRONJ, comorbidities, demographics data, and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with MRONJ between 2014 and 2019 in the Maxillo-Facial Surgery Department University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", and compare these results with published reports. Methods: Data on 179 patients were collected for the study, including gender, age, underlying malignancy, medical history, and specific lesion location-identifying premaxilla and posterior sectors area involvement for the maxilla and symphysis, body, ramus, and condyle area for the mandible. A literature review was performed in order to compare our results with similar or higher sample sizes and find if any condylar involvement was ever reported. The research was carried out on PubMed database identifying articles from January 2003 to November 2020, where MRONJ site distribution was discussed, and data were examined to scan for condylar localization reports. Results: 30 patients had maxillary MRONJ, 136 patients had mandibular MRONJ, and 13 patients had lesions located in both maxilla and mandible. None of the patients reported condylar involvement, neither as a single site nor as an additional localization. Literature review results were coherent to our findings showing no mention of condylar MRONJ. Conclusion: Results do not show reports of condylar involvement in MRONJ. Although the pathophysiology of the disease has not been fully elucidated, two possible explanations were developed: the first one based on the condyle embryogenetic origin; the second one based on the bisphosphonate and anti-resorptive medications effects on the different vascular patterns of the mandible areas

Anatomical variations in ancient sardinian populations

Archaeological excavations carried out in different burial sites of north-western Sardinia allowed to observe anatomical variations in ancient skeletal remains. A case of brachymetatarsia, consisting of bilateral abnormal shortness of the fourth metatarsal bone, was detected in an adult female uncovered from the Medieval village of Geridu (Sassari), dated back to the late 13th or the first half of the 14th century; such a rare deformity has a clinical incidence of 0.02% to 0.05% (1). Several anatomical variations were diagnosed in individuals brought to light from the plague cemetery of 16th century Alghero (Sassari). The skeleton of a 9-10-year-old child showed a skull malformation due to premature bilateral closure of the coronal suture, diagnosed as non-syndromic brachycephaly (2). Posterior schisis of the first cervical vertebra, consisting of failure of the midline fusion of the two hemiarches with a small gap, was seen in a male aged 20-30 years; this type of anomaly has a current occurrence of approximately 4%. Occipitalization of the atlas associated with posterior spondiloschisis was observed in a male aged 35-45 years. There is complete fusion of the superior articular facets of the first cervical vertebra with the occipital condyles; this congenital anomaly has a current incidence of 0.14 to 0.75% of the pop- ulation. The small number of published osteoarchaeological cases of anatomical variations makes any report important

Hypovitaminosis D: a novel finding in primary ciliary dyskinesia

BACKGROUND: A relationship between low levels of serum vitamin D and respiratory infections has been established. No study has examined the frequency and clinical relevance of vitamin D deficiency in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). METHODS: Vitamin D levels were measured in 22 PCD patients (7 females, 10.5 years, range, 2-34 years). In PCD, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), sputum microbiology, self-reported physical activity (PA) level, and quality of life (QoL) by means of the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), were also assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of PCD patients were vitamin-D deficient-to-insufficient and 28% were sufficient. No differences in PFTs parameters were found between vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency and sufficiency groups. Patients with vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency had significantly higher SGRQ total scores, and thus poorer QoL (p = 0.03). Seventy-nine percent of PCD subjects had limitations in performing vigorous activities, and 53% performed less than 3 hours of PA per week. Vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency and sufficiency groups did not show any differences in age at PCD diagnosis or at onset of respiratory symptoms, BMI, atopy, current asthma or bronchiectasis. However, 79% of patients with bronchiectasis had vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency. No differences were found in the rate of positive sputum cultures and in the number of antibiotic courses between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D is common in PCD patients, and is associated with poorer QoL. We recommend the assessment and treatment of hypovitaminosis D to be included in the routine management of PCD