A portable X-ray fluorescence device for in situ analyses of mural paintings

Within the context of a research program for studying with nondestructive methods the preparation and realisation techniques of mural paintings used in the Roman age, a portable ED-XRF device for elemental analysis has been set up. Preliminary tests have been carried out on two Roman mural paintings belonging to the Baia Archaeological Complex (Naples). Datable to different periods, the two paintings show different manufacturing and conservation states, thus representing a good test for verifying the ED-XRF device capability. In situ and laboratory measurements, performed on materials of different origin and nature, have permitted the determination of the pigments and the recognition of pollution traces

A portable X-ray fluorescence device for in situ analyses of mural paintings

Within the context of a research program for studying with nondestructive methods the preparation and realisation techniques of mural paintings used in the Roman age, a portable ED-XRF device for elemental analysis has been set up. Preliminary tests have been carried out on two Roman mural paintings belonging to the Baia Archaeological Complex (Naples). Datable to different periods, the two paintings show different manufacturing and conservation states, thus representing a good test for verifying the ED-XRF device capability. In situ and laboratory measurements, performed on materials of different origin and nature, have permitted the determination of the pigments and the recognition of pollution traces

Assessment of the Risk of Nodal Involvement in Rectal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: The NOVARA Score, a Multicentre Retrospective Study

open14noRectal neuroendocrine tumors (r‐NETs) are rare tumors with overall good prognosis after complete resection. However, there is no consensus on the extension of lymphadenectomy or regarding contraindications to extensive resection. In this study, we aim to identify predictive factors that correlate with nodal metastasis in patients affected by G1–G2 r‐NETs. A retrospective analysis of G1–G2 r‐NETs patients from eight tertiary Italian centers was performed. From January 1990 to January 2020, 210 patients were considered and 199 were included in the analysis. The data for nodal status were available for 159 cases. The nodal involvement rate was 9%. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to identify the diameter (>11.5 mm) and Ki‐67 (3.5%), respectively, as cutoff values to predict nodal involvement. In a multivariate analysis, diameter > 11.5 mm and vascular infiltration were independently correlated with nodal involvement. A risk scoring system was constructed using these two predictive factors. Tumor size and vascular invasion are predictors of nodal involvement. In addition, tumor size > 11.5 mm is used as a driving parameter of better‐tailored treatment during pre‐operative assessment. Data from prospective studies are needed to validate these results and to guide decision‐making in r‐ NETs patients in clinical practice.openRicci A.D.; Pusceddu S.; Panzuto F.; Gelsomino F.; Massironi S.; De Angelis C.G.; Modica R.; Ricco G.; Torchio M.; Rinzivillo M.; Prinzi N.; Rizzi F.; Lamberti G.; Campana D.Ricci A.D.; Pusceddu S.; Panzuto F.; Gelsomino F.; Massironi S.; De Angelis C.G.; Modica R.; Ricco G.; Torchio M.; Rinzivillo M.; Prinzi N.; Rizzi F.; Lamberti G.; Campana D

A visual analytics framework for spatio-temporal analysis and modelling

To support analysis and modelling of large amounts of spatio-temporal data having the form of spatially referenced time series (TS) of numeric values, we combine interactive visual techniques with computational methods from machine learning and statistics. Clustering methods and interactive techniques are used to group TS by similarity. Statistical methods for TS modelling are then applied to representative TS derived from the groups of similar TS. The framework includes interactive visual interfaces to a library of modelling methods supporting the selection of a suitable method, adjustment of model parameters, and evaluation of the models obtained. The models can be externally stored, communicated, and used for prediction and in further computational analyses. From the visual analytics perspective, the framework suggests a way to externalize spatio-temporal patterns emerging in the mind of the analyst as a result of interactive visual analysis: the patterns are represented in the form of computer-processable and reusable models. From the statistical analysis perspective, the framework demonstrates how TS analysis and modelling can be supported by interactive visual interfaces, particularly, in a case of numerous TS that are hard to analyse individually. From the application perspective, the framework suggests a way to analyse large numbers of spatial TS with the use of well-established statistical methods for TS analysis

Delineating Geographical Regions with Networks of Human Interactions in an Extensive Set of Countries

Large-scale networks of human interaction, in particular country-wide telephone call networks, can be used to redraw geographical maps by applying algorithms of topological community detection. The geographic projections of the emerging areas in a few recent studies on single regions have been suggested to share two distinct properties: first, they are cohesive, and second, they tend to closely follow socio-economic boundaries and are similar to existing political regions in size and number. Here we use an extended set of countries and clustering indices to quantify overlaps, providing ample additional evidence for these observations using phone data from countries of various scales across Europe, Asia, and Africa: France, the UK, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and Ivory Coast. In our analysis we use the known approach of partitioning country-wide networks, and an additional iterative partitioning of each of the first level communities into sub-communities, revealing that cohesiveness and matching of official regions can also be observed on a second level if spatial resolution of the data is high enough. The method has possible policy implications on the definition of the borderlines and sizes of administrative regions.National Science Foundation (U.S.)Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technolog

Management of Asymptomatic Sporadic Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (ASPEN) ≤2 cm: Study Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: The optimal treatment for small, asymptomatic, nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NF-PanNEN) is still controversial. European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) guidelines recommend a watchful strategy for asymptomatic NF-PanNEN 18 years, the presence of asymptomatic sporadic NF-PanNEN ≤2 cm proven by a positive fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or by the presence of a measurable nodule on high-quality imaging techniques that is positive at 68Gallium DOTATOC-PET scan. Conclusion: The ASPEN study is designed to investigate if an active surveillance of asymptomatic NF-PanNEN ≤2 cm is safe as compared to surgical approach.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Management of Asymptomatic Sporadic Non-Functioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms No Larger Than 2 Cm: Interim Analysis of Prospective ASPEN Trial

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prognostic impact of the cumulative dose and dose intensity of everolimus in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

The aim of this work is to assess if cumulative dose (CD) and dose intensity (DI) of everolimus may affect survival of advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) patients. One hundred and sixteen patients (62 males and 54 females, median age 55\ua0years) with advanced PNETs were treated with everolimus for 653\ua0months. According to a Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, patients were stratified into two groups, with CD\ua0 64\ua03000\ua0mg (Group A; n\ua0=\ua068) and CD\ua0>\ua03000\ua0mg (Group B; n\ua0=\ua048). The response rate and toxicity were comparable in the two groups. However, patients in group A experienced more dose modifications than patients in group B. Median OS was 24\ua0months in Group A while in Group B it was not reached (HR: 26.9; 95% CI: 11.0-76.7; P\ua0<\ua00.0001). Patients who maintained a DI higher than 9\ua0mg/day experienced a significantly longer OS and experienced a trend to higher response rate. Overall, our study results showed that both CD and DI of everolimus play a prognostic role for patients with advanced PNETs treated with everolimus. This should prompt efforts to continue everolimus administration in responsive patients up to at least 3000\ua0mg despite delays or temporary interruptions