An archaeometric study of Hellenistic glass vessels: evidence for multiple sources

In the present study, 53 glass fragments from core-formed vessels and 3 glass beads are investigated using SEM/EDX, EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. All samples were excavated in the Latin settlement of Satricum in central west Italy and apart from two, were found in the so-called fourth–third c. BC Hellenistic Votive deposit, also known as Votive Deposit III, discovered in front of the sanctuary of Mater Matuta on top of the acropolis. The analytical results indicate that the glass from Satricum is a typical soda-lime-silica type with natron used as a flux. Its chemical compositions display a relatively low compositional variation. Small differences in the concentrations of major and minor oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, CaO and Fe2O3) and in trace elements (Sr, Zr and Nd) between individual samples suggest the use of different types of raw materials, especially sand. In turn, this suggests that the glass derived from more than one glass making centre. The combined investigation of colourants (Co, Cu and Mn) reinforces and confirms the idea that glass from Satricum was made using different manufacturing traditions during the Hellenistic period

Mounier-Kuhn Syndrome in an Elderly Female with Pulmonary Fibrosis

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (MKS), or tracheobronchomegaly, is a rare clinical and radiologic condition characterized by pronounced tracheobronchial dilation and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Tracheobronchomegaly presents when the defect extends to the central bronchi. MKS can be diagnosed in adult women when the transverse and sagittal diameters of the trachea, right mainstem bronchus, and left mainstem bronchus exceed 21, 23, 19.8, and 17.4 mm, respectively. Its diagnosis is based on chest radiograph and chest computed tomography (CT). Patients, usually middle-aged men, may be asymptomatic or present with clinical manifestations ranging from minimal symptoms with preserved lung function to severe respiratory failure. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) typically reveal a restrictive pattern. This report presents an elderly woman with previously diagnosed pulmonary fibrosis with symptoms of increased sputum production and haemoptysis. High-resolution chest CT showed tracheal and main stem bronchi dilatation along with bronchial diverticulosis. PFTs indicated a restrictive pattern characteristic of the underlying pulmonary fibrosis. The patient is the oldest, referred to the female gender, at presentation of MKS hitherto reported. This case highlights the need to include MKS in the differential diagnosis of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, even in older subjects

Technical Report: Optimal Current Trajectories for Power Converters with Minimal Common Mode Voltage

This article addresses the topic of computing optimized pulse patterns with common mode voltage constraints. The main thrust is to obtain tractable reformulations of the CMV constraints in the frequency domain in order to avoid complex mixed time-frequency formulations. The resulting optimization problem is a nonlinear one for which efficient numerical solvers are readily available. Moreover, we provide an algorithmic way of reducing the conservatism in the reformulated problem and validate our method with numerical illustrations that highlight the benefit of the proposed approach

Association of Body Condition Score with Ultrasound Measurements of Backfat and Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Thickness in Periparturient Holstein Cows

Most cows experience a period of nutrient deficit during the periparturient period. Body condition scoring (BCS) is widely used on farms to assess body nutrient reserves and mobilization. The aims of this study were to: (i) determine the association of BCS with ultrasound measurements of backfat (BFT) and longissimus dorsi muscle thickness (LDT) during the periparturient period of Holstein cows from different herds, accounting for potential sources of variation, such as herd, parity and period relative to calving and (ii) establish reference intervals (RIs) for BFT and LDT per BCS estimate. Two-hundred and fifty-two cows from six commercial farms were used. Body condition scores, BFT and LDT were assessed at seven time-points during the periparturient period. Assessments of BCS estimates as predictors of BFT and LDT and the contribution of BFT and LDT to BCS estimates were performed with the use of linear mixed models. Reference intervals for BFT and LDT per BCS estimate were established with the Reference Value Advisor. One unit of BCS change was associated with 8.2 mm of BFT and 10.9 mm of LDT pre- and postpartum. Range of BFT and LDT in established RIs per BCS was wide with significant overlap. Both subcutaneous fat and, to a lesser degree, skeletal muscle reserves contribute to BCS estimation. Repeated BCS estimations credibly predict energy balance status in periparturient dairy cows. The metabolic state of muscle tissue should be assessed by repeated ultrasound measurements.</jats:p

Removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto Ca(OH)2 treated natural clinoptilolite

Phosphorus (P) recovery from wastewater is of great interest especially when the loaded adsorbent can be used in the agriculture as slow-release fertilizer. The application depends on environmental concerns related to the chemical modification of the adsorbent and the release of toxic compounds from the loaded material to the soil or the water during adsorption. The present work focused on the phosphate (PO4-P) removal from aqueous solutions under low P concentrations (0.5–10mg/L) by using Ca(OH)2-pretreated natural zeolite (CaT-Z). As activation agent, Ca(OH)2 presents benefits in terms of pretreatment costs and environmental impact of the applied adsorbent. The pretreatment of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) with 0.25mol/L Ca(OH)2 led to an increase of P removal from 1.7 to 97.6% at initial P concentration of 10mg/L, pH 7 and 298K. Low residual concentrations of 81–238μg P/L were achieved at 298K rendering CaT-Z a promising sorbent for tertiary wastewater treatment. At 200mg P/L, the adsorption capacity was 7.57mg P/g CaT-Z. The P removal efficiency was pH-independent suggesting a beneficial use of CaT-Z under acidic and alkaline conditions. Adsorption was found to be an endothermic and slow process reaching equilibrium after 120h, whereas the half of the PO4-P was adsorbed in the first 8h. The applied kinetic models showed that both film and intraparticle diffusion contributed to phosphate removal. Phosphate sorption decreased in the presence of the anionic surfactant SDS, Fe2+, HCO3−, acetate and citrate anion. The predominant mechanisms of ligand exchange and Ca-P surface precipitation were confirmed by the IR-ATR and SEM-EDS analyses, respectively

Endoscopic Treatment of a Gastrocutaneous Fistula Using the Over-The-Scope-Clip System: A Case Report

The over-the-scope-clip (OTSC; Ovesco Endoscopy GmbH, Tuebingen, Germany) system is a newly designed method for the mechanical compression of large areas in the gastrointestinal tract. So far, indications for OTSC application are hemostasis of primary or postinterventional bleeding, closure of iatrogenic full-thickness or covered perforations. Recently closure of gastrointestinal tract fistulas using this device has been described. A 44-year-old man developed a gastrocutaneous fistula after surgical treatment for a perforated gastric ulcer. We describe the successful endoscopic closure of the fistula using the OTSC system. The patient's clinical followup was uneventful. Fistula closure was successfully implemented as it was documented by imaging and endoscopic examinations performed on the 2nd day and 6th week after the application of the clip. Endoscopic application of the OTSC device was safe and effective for the treatment of a gastrocutaneous fistula

Effect and Safety of Mycophenolate Mofetil or Sodium in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Background. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) with treatment ineffective. Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide an estimate of the safety and efficacy profile of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) or sodium (MMS) in SSc-ILD patients. Materials and Methods. All studies were reviewed systematically. The main end-points were safety and efficacy profile as estimated by forced vital capacity (FVC)% and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO)% of the predicted normal value (%pred.) before and after treatment in patients with SSc-ILD. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Results. Seventeen studies were reviewed systematically. Six studies, one prospective, were eligible for analysis encompassing 69 patients, including 10 subjects from our, yet unpublished, retrospective study. There was no statistically significant difference in both efficacy outcomes of interest, including FVC% pred. (weighted mean difference 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): −2.77 to 5.72, P = 0.49) and DLCO % pred. (weighted mean difference −0.83, 95% CI: −4.75 to 3.09, P = 0.93). No cases of clinically significant side effects were documented. Conclusions. Meta-analysis data suggest that MMF is a safe therapeutic modality which was associated with functional stabilization in patients with SSc-ILD

Rapunzel Syndrome: A Rare Presentation with Giant Gastric Ulcer

The Rapunzel syndrome refers to an uncommon and rare form of trichobezoar that extends past the stomach into the small intestines. The Rapunzel syndrome is usually found in young female patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, mainly trichotillomania and trichophagia. We describe a case of Rapunzel syndrome in a 15-year-old girl who presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss. We performed a surgical laparotomy and successfully removed a huge trichobezoar extending into the small intestine