FAZIA applications

International audienceThe present status and the perspectives of the FAZIA project are presented. The main achievements in terms of identification thresholds and isotopic resolution are discussed, together with the adopted technical solutions. The detector is particularly well suited for the investigation of isospin transport phenomena at intermediate beam energies; perspectives to reduce the identification thresholds to cope with lower energy ISOL beams are briefly introduced. Some experimental results concerning isospin transport effects obtained with a test telescope are presented. The study of isospin transport phenomena can give information on the symmetry energy term of the nuclear equation of state by comparing the experimental results on isospin related observables with the predictions of transport codes

Effects of stannous fluoride on eroded enamel permeability

This study aimed to evaluate the effect in vitro of a single application of a stannous fluoride- (SnF2-) containing toothpaste on eroded enamel. Forty-eight teeth were subjected to three acid treatments: 15% hydrochloric acid for 120 s (HA group); 1% citric acid (pH=4) for 180 s (CA group); 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s (PA group). They were brushed with an electric toothbrush with pressure control and 1 g of SnF2 (1100 ppm) toothpaste for 2 min. Polyether replicas of buccal enamel surfaces were obtained at baseline, after acid exposure and after brushing, gold sputtered and inspected by SEM for fluid droplets presence. Hydrochloric and citric acid treatments increased enamel permeability while, on the contrary, phosphoric acid reduced enamel fluid release. SnF2 application of ameliorated acid induced permeability in citric and hydrochloric treated samples. Permeability in phosphoric treated enamel was unchanged after topical application of SnF2. Our data show specific acid-dependent effects on enamel permeability and demonstrate that SnF2 application can reverse acid-induced permeability

SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF HAEMOPHILIA IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS: A PSYCHOSOCIAL PERPECTIVE ON COMPLIANCE

Background. This paper is intended as an exploration of the Social Representations of haemophilia, and the normalization process in adolescents and young adults affected by congenital hemorrhagic diseases. An extensive medical literature (Petrini & Seuser, 2009) regarding adolescents with chronic illness shows that during adolescence there is an abandonment of treatment regimens and reduced adherence to medical prescriptions. The purpose of the research was to understand the phenomenon reported in the scientific literature of the reduction of compliance in adolescence in regard to the social representation of haemophilia. In our hypothesis, such representations highlight how haemophilia is included in the process of construction of the Self, specifically referring to the increasing autonomy from the family and the socialization with peers. Materials and methods. The research involved 20 adolescents and young adults suffering from congenital hemorrhagic diseases. We administered semi-structured interview to all the participants. The interviews were analyzed using the Thematic Analysis of Elementary Context from T-Lab software (Lancia, 2004), with the aim of exploring the lexical worlds (Reinert, 1995). Results and Conclusions. The results suggest different themes that organize the affective and cognitive signification process of haemophilia. The recourse to a therapeutic regime like prophylaxis looks like more associated to an integration of the illness in the Self and in the daily life, while the therapy on demand is more associated to a representation of the haemophilia as external to the Self and concerning only the body. Furthermore, different ranges of age are linked to different kinds of representation: haemophilia is considered by the adolescents like a body's break, while it is considered by young adults as a mystery for which researching causes in the family history

In vitro effects of fluoride-based and desensitizing toothpastes on dentine permeability

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness in reducing dentine permeability of three different toothpastes comparing with a sodium fluoride one. Dentine permeability was measured by a fluid filtration system. Dentin discs were randomized in four experimental groups and treated with different commercial toothpastes, as it follows. Group A: Sensodyne Rapid, with strontium acetate; group B: Elmex Sensitive ProfessionalTM, with arginine and 450 ppm monofluoro-phosphate; group C: Colgate Total Advanced , with 1450 ppm NaF; group D: A Pro-Expert , with 1100 ppm SnF2. After brushing specimens of each groups were assigned to two subgroups and: 1) stored in artificial saliva (2 h) and treated with 6% citric acid for 1 min; 2) stored in artificial saliva for 24 h. SEM analysis was performed to investigate dentinal tubules occlusion of acid treated and stored in artificial saliva samples. Dentin permeability proved affected by dentifrice treatments. The toothpastes specifically formulated for hypersensitivity showed significant effects concerning decrease of dentine permeability. SEM observations demonstrated the presence of dentifrice particles on dentin surface and inside dentin tubules. Stannous fluoride treated samples exhibited the greater tubules occlusion

Long-term follow-up of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in 310 patients.

Background and Objectives. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) induces thrombocytopenia by means of an autoimmune mechanism. Despite the available therapies a subset of patients develop chronic refractory severe thrombocytopenia (i.e. a platelet count consistently lower than 20 to 30x109/L), and life-threatening bleeding can occasionally occur. It has been suggested that the risk of major bleeding is higher in elderly patients and in patients with bleeding at diagnosis. However, since clear data on the influence of clinical and/or laboratory parameters on outcome are lacking, some patients may be receiving unnecessary treatment. Design and Methods. We made a retrospective analysis of a series of 310 patients with chronic ITP (108 males and 202 females), with a median age at diagnosis of 40 years (range 8-87 years). The median follow-up time was 121 months, (range 7-434 months). Therapy was most often started in the presence of hemorrhagic complications and/or a platelet count <30x109/L either at diagnosis or during follow-up. Results. Our findings confirmed that patients who were symptomatic at diagnosis were more likely to have bleeding during their follow-up. Moreover, all the patients who suffered major bleeding during their follow-up had median platelet counts of 10x109/L (range 1-20) at that time. Only one patient, aged 43 years, died of hemorrhage following prolonged severe thrombocytopenia. Age >60 years was not associated with any significant differences in incidence of bleeding at diagnosis or during follow-up. Interpretation and Conclusions. We conclude that prospective studies are required to evaluate whether it may be reasonable to treat only symptomatic patients, independently of age. ©2001, Ferrata Storti Foundation

Fission of highly excited 88Mo compound nucleus

Here, a detailed view of the fusion-fission channel analysis is presented. Experimental data were analysed, and compared to calculations done with statistical model code GEMIINI++. Presented is a good agreement between calculations and experimental data. Results prove that GEMINI++ calculations can be used to reproduce experimental fusion-fission cross sections as well as fission fragments velocities

First results on the 32S+40,48Ca reactions at 17.7AMeV studied with GARFIELD setup at LNL

The 32S+40,48Ca systems at 17AMeV have been characterized both for fusion and for peripheral events thanks to the GARFIELD setup, which covers a wide angular range and has high granularity; moreover, isotopic identification for forward emitted ions up to Z around 15 is obtained. The main evidences reported here concern pre-equilibrium emission, which was put into evidence in fusion-evaporation events, and isospin diffusion observed studying the average N/Z of the Quasi-Projectile as a function of the target isospin