Kant e la pace perpetua.

Si tratta della visione kantiana della pace perpetua all'interno della visione caratteristica dell'illuminismo tedesco

3d crs analysis: a new data-driven optimization strategy for the simultaneous estimate of the eight stacking parameters

We devised a data-driven strategy for the simultaneous estimate of the eight CRS traveltime attributes, solving a global non-linear minimization problem without the need of computing gradients. The essential elements in this Eni research and development activity are the following: a conjugate-direction method supported by well known convergence properties and an iterative line-search implementing the strong Wolfe-Powell rule for the control of the steplength. The resulting algorithm can reach very good solutions in presence of many local minima.3284-329

PSPI: streamlining 3D echo-reconstructive imaging

Echo­reconstruction techniques for subsurface imaging, widely used in oil exploration, are based on experiments in which short acoustic impulses, emitted at the surface, illuminate a certain volume and are backscattered by inhomogeneities of the medium. The inhomogeneities act as reflecting surfaces which cause signal echoing; the echoes are then recorded at the surface and processed through a propagation model (which acts as a “computational lens”) to yield an image of those very inhomogeneities. Migration, based on the scalar wave equation, is the standard imaging technique for seismic applications [1]. In the migration process, the recorded pressure waves(called the seismic traces or the seismic section) are used as initial conditions for a wave field governed by the scalar wave equation in an inhomogeneous medium

45,X/46,X,i(Yp): Importance of Assessment and Support during Puberty and Adolescence

The Y-chromosome genes are primarily involved in sex determination, stature control, spermatogenesis, and fertility. Among structural rearrangements of the Y chromosome, the isochromosome of Yp, i(Yp), appears to be the most uncommon. We describe a detailed evolution of puberty in a boy with 45,X/46,X,i(Yp). Array CGH found 2 cell lines, one with i(Yp) and the other with monosomy X. Genetic analysis of currently known genes involved in Kallmann syndrome/normosomic central hypogonadotropic hypogonadism showed no abnormality. The patient presented with a pubertal course suggestive of a delayed puberty with gynecomastia, reduced growth rate, and infertility that need testosterone treatment to induce the appearance of the secondary sex characteristics. This patient shows the potential effects of i(Yp) and emphasizes the importance of appropriate management of puberty in people with 45,X/46,X,i(Yp). Early hormone treatment, concerns regarding fertility, emotional support, and a successful transition to adult care may help improve the physical and psychosocial well-being of affected patients

Zinc, thymic endocrine activity and mitogen responsiveness (PHA) in piglets exposed to maternal aflatoxicosis B1 and G1

Growth retardation, thymic involution and impaired peripheral immune efficiency are constantevents in piglets exposed to maternal aflatoxicosis. Zinc may play a key role because of itsrequirement for good immune responses, including thymic endocrine activity. Zinc is required to.activate a thymic hormone, i.e. thymulin ZnFTS , which is responsible for cell-mediatedimmunity. Zinc deficiency and decreased thymic endocrine activity are present in piglets fed from.sows exposed to aflatoxins AF B and G as compared with healthy control piglets. In particular,11.active ZnFTS is decreased while concentrations of inactive thymulin FTS are high. The in vitroaddition of zinc up to the plasma samples induces a reduction of inactive thymulin. The.lymphocytes mitogen responsiveness PHA is decreased and a thymic cortical lymphocytedepletion is also present. These data suggest that the thymic defect, followed by impairedperipheral immune efficiency, may largely depend by the low peripheral zinc bioavailability tosaturate all thymulin molecules produced

Precision measurements of Linear Scattering Density using Muon Tomography

We demonstrate that muon tomography can be used to precisely measure the properties of various materials. The materials which have been considered have been extracted from an experimental blast furnace, including carbon (coke) and iron oxides, for which measurements of the linear scattering density relative to the mass density have been performed with an absolute precision of 10%. We report the procedures that are used in order to obtain such precision, and a discussion is presented to address the expected performance of the technique when applied to heavier materials. The results we obtain do not depend on the specific type of material considered and therefore they can be extended to any application.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

CRMS/CFSPID subjects carrying D1152H CFTR variant: can the second variant be a predictor of disease development?

Background: There are no predictive factors of evolution of cystic fibrosis (CF) screen positive inconclusive diagnosis subjects (CFSPIDs). Aim: to define the role of the second CFTR variant as a predictive factor of disease evolution in CFSPIDs carrying the D1152H variant. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated clinical characteristics and outcome of CFSPIDs carrying the D1152H variant followed at five Italian CF centers. CFSPIDs were divided in two groups: Group A: compound heterozygous for D1152H and a CF-causing variant; Group B: compound heterozygous for D1152H and a: (i) non CF-causing variant, (ii) variant with varying clinical consequences, or (iii) variant with unknown significance. The variants were classified according to CFTR2 mutation database. Results:We enrolled 43 CFSPIDs with at least one D1152H variant: 28 (65.1%) were classified in the group A, and 15 (34.9%) in the Group B. CFSPIDs of group A had the first IRT significantly higher compared to those of group B (p < 0.05) and had a more severe clinical outcome during the follow-up. At the end of the study period, after a mean follow-up of 40.6 months (range 6–91.6), 4 (9.3%) out of 43 CFSPIDs progressed to CFTR-RD or CF. All these subjects were in the group A. Conclusions: The genetic profile could help predict the risk of disease evolution in CFSPIDs carrying D1152H, revealing the subjects that need a more frequent follow-up

The α2-adrenergic receptor pathway modulating depression influences the risk of arterial thrombosis associated with BDNFVal66Met polymorphism

Depression is associated with thrombotic risk and arterial events, its proper management is strongly recommended in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. We have previously shown that the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)Val66Met polymorphism, related to depression, is associated with arterial thrombosis in mice, and with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction in humans. Herein, expanding the previous findings on BDNFVal66Met polymorphism, we show that desipramine, a norepinephrine reuptake-inhibitor, rescues behavioral impairments, reduces the arterial thrombosis risk, abolishes pathological coagulation and platelet hyper-reactivity, normalizes leukocyte, platelet, and bone marrow megakaryocyte number and restores physiological norepinephrine levels in homozygous knock-in BDNF Val66Met (BDNFMet/Met) mice. The in vitro data confirm the enhanced procoagulant activity and the alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(2A)-ADR) overexpression found in BDNFMet/Met mice and we provide evidence that, in presence of Met variant, norepinephrine is crucial to up-regulate procoagulant activity and to enhance platelet generation. The alpha(2)-ADR antagonist rauwolscine rescues the prothrombotic phenotype in BDNFMet/Met mice and reduces procoagulant activity and platelet generation in cells transfected with BDNFMet plasmid or exposed to pro-BDNFMet peptide. Finally, we show that homozygous BDNFMet/Met CAD patients have hyper-reactive platelets overexpressing abundant alpha(2A)-ADR. The great proplatelet release from their megakaryocytes well reflects their higher circulating platelet number compared to BDNFval/val patients. These data reveal an unprecedented described role of Met allele in the dysregulation of norepinephrine/alpha(2A)-ADR pathway that may explain the predisposition to arterial thrombosis. Overall, the development of alpha(2A)-ADR inhibitors might represent a pharmacological treatment for depression-associated thrombotic conditions in this specific subgroup of CAD patients

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and pituitary hypoplasia as recurrent features in Ulnar-Mammary syndrome

Ulnar-mammary syndrome (UMS) is characterized by ulnar defects, and nipple or apocrine gland hypoplasia, caused by TBX3 haploinsufficiency. Signs of hypogonadism were repeatedly reported, but the mechanisms remain elusive. We aim to assess the origin of hypogonadism in two families with UMS. UMS was suspected in two unrelated probands referred to an academic center with delayed puberty because of the evident ulnar ray and breast defects in their parents. Clinical, biochemical and genetic investigations proved the existence of congenital normosmic IHH (nIHH) associated with pituitary hypoplasia in the two probands who were heterozygous for novel TBX3 pathogenic variants. The mutations co-segregated with delayed puberty, midline defects (nose, teeth and tongue anomalies) and other variable features of UMS in the two families (absent axillary hairs and nipple hypoplasia, asymmetrical features including unilateral ulnar or renal abnormalities). The combined analysis of these findings and of the previous UMS reports showed delayed puberty and other signs of hypogonadism in 79 and 37% of UMS males, respectively. Proband 1 was followed up to adulthood with persistence of nIHH. In conclusion, UMS should be suspected in patients with delayed puberty and midline defects, including pituitary hypoplasia, in the presence of mild cues for TBX3 mutation, even in the absence of limb malformations. In addition, TBX3 should be included among candidate genes for congenital nIHH