A new family of maximum scattered linear sets in PG(1,q^6)

We generalize the example of linear set presented by the last two authors in "Vertex properties of maximum scattered linear sets of PG(1; qn)" (2019) to a more general family, proving that such linear sets are maximum scattered when q is odd and, apart from a special case, they are new. This solves an open problem posed in "Vertex properties of maximum scattered linear sets of PG(1; qn)" (2019). As a consequence of Sheekey's results in "A new family of linear maximum rank distance codes" (2016), this family yields to new MRD-codes with parameters (6; 6; q; 5)

Association between diverticulosis and colonic neoplastic lesions in individuals with a positive faecal immunochemical test

Background The association between diverticulosis and colonic neoplastic lesions has been suggested, but data in literature are conflicting. This study aimed to investigate such a relationship in patients participating in a colorectal cancer screening program who underwent high-quality colonoscopy.Methods Data from consecutive individuals 50-75 years of age with a positive faecal immunological test were considered. Diverticulosis was categorised as present or absent. The prevalence of neoplastic lesions (adenoma, advanced adenoma, and cancer) between individuals with and those without diverticula was compared. A multivariate analysis was performed.Results Overall, data from 970 consecutive individuals were evaluated, and diverticulosis was detected in 354 (36.5%) cases. At least one adenoma was detected in 490 (50.5%) people, at least one advanced adenoma in 264 (27.2%), multiple adenoma in 71 (7.3%), whilst a cancer was diagnosed in 48 (4.9%) cases. At univariate analysis, the adenoma detection rate in patients with diverticula was significantly higher than in controls (55.9% vs 47.4%; p=0.011). At multivariate analysis, presence of diverticulosis was an independent risk factor for both adenoma detection rate (OR=1.58; 95% CI=1.14-2.18; p=0.006) and advanced adenoma (OR=1.57; 95% CI=1.10-2.24; p=0.013), but not for colorectal cancer.Conclusions In a colorectal screening setting, the adenoma detection rate was significantly higher in individuals with diverticulosis than in controls

High concordance between trained nurses and gastroenterologists in evaluating recordings of small bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE)

Background & Aims: The video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is an accurate and validated tool to investigate the entire small bowel mucosa, but VCE recordings interpretation by the gastroenterologist is time-consuming. A pre-reading of VCE recordings by an expert nurse could be accurate and cost saving. We assessed the concordance between nurses and gastroenterologists in detecting lesions on VCE examinations. Methods: This was a prospective study enrolling consecutive patients who had undergone VCE in clinical practice. Two trained nurses and two expert gastroenterologists participated in the study. At VCE pre-reading the nurses selected any abnormalities, saved them as “thumbnails” and classified the detected lesions as a vascular abnormality, ulcerative lesion, polyp, tumor mass, and unclassified lesion. Then, the gastroenterologist evaluated and interpreted the selected lesions and, successively, reviewed the entire video for potential missed lesions. The time for VCE evaluation was recorded. Results: A total of 95 VCE procedures performed on consecutive patients (M/F: 47/48; mean age: 63 ± 12 years, range: 27−86 years) were evaluated. Overall, the nurses detected at least one lesion in 54 (56.8%) patients. There was total agreement between nurses and gastroenterologists, no missing lesions being discovered at a second look of the entire VCE recording by the physician. The pre-reading procedure by nurse allowed a time reduction of medical evaluation from 49 (33-69) to 10 (8-16) minutes (difference:-79.6%). Conclusions: Our data suggest that trained nurses can accurately identify and select relevant lesions in thumbnails that subsequently were faster reviewed by the gastroenterologist for a final diagnosis. This could significantly reduce the cost of VCE procedure

Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis for New FUA Inner Strategic Asset: A Case Study of the Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy

Functional urban areas represent integrated urban contexts whose territories are economically interconnected. They, therefore, include a central city and all the municipalities that make up the commuting area for work reasons. The economic energies and settlement transformations that characterize these territories have been consolidated over time. The current geographic conformation, as defined today, does not provide information on each municipality's rank (role) in the overall functioning. In this perspective, the work presented examines the demographic and urban dynamics that have affected the FUA of Milan in the last 60 years and then evaluates the presence of possible homogeneous geographic clusters (hot and cold spots) through spatial correlation techniques. Statistic validation was performed through the ANOVA and subsequent posthoc analysis (Tukey-Kramer method). Results show a new configurational asset within the FUA of Milan, which could provide a new key to interpreting the territory, aimed at identifying homogeneous areas to adopt new and more effective forms of strategic planning

Intrahepatic persistent fetal right umbilical vein: a retrospective study

Introduction: To appraise the incidence and value of intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV). Methods: This was a single-center study. Records of all women with a prenatal diagnosis of intrahepatic PRUV were reviewed. The inclusion criteria were women with gestational age greater than 13 weeks of gestation. Exclusion criteria were fetuses with situs abnormalities, due to the hepatic venous ambiguity, and extrahepatic PRUV. The primary outcome was the incidence of intrahepatic PRUV in our cohort. The secondary outcomes were associated malformations. Results: 219/57,079 cases (0.38%) of intrahepatic PRUV were recorded. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 21.8 ± 2.9 weeks of gestations. PRUV was isolated in the 76.7%, while in 23.3% was associated with other major or minor abnormalities. The most common associated abnormalities were cardiovascular abnormalities (8.7%), followed by genitourinary abnormalities (6.4%), skeletal abnormalities (4.6%), and central nervous system abnormalities (4.1%). Within the cardiovascular abnormalities, the most common one was ventricular septal defect (six cases). Conclusion: In most cases PRUV is an isolated finding. Associated minor or major malformations are presented in the 23.3% of the cases, so this finding should prompt detailed prenatal assessment of the fetus, with particular regard to cardiovascular system

Avaliação do desempenho de modelos globais na simulação de cenários de impactos das mudanças climáticas na agricultura.

As mudanças climáticas e seus possíveis impactos vêm sendo amplamente discutidos pela sociedade mundial, principalmente, a partir da divulgação do quarto relatório do IPCC (2007). Os impactos no agronegócio podem acarretar mudanças drásticas no setor econômico do país, já que este é responsável por, aproximadamente, 37% dos empregos nacionais, 23% do PIB e 42% das exportações. Com base nisso, esse trabalho teve o objetivo principal de identificar e avaliar o desempenho dos modelos HadCM3 e IPCM4, considerando sua utilidade na avaliação dos impactos das mudanças climáticas na cultura da soja de ciclo precoce no Estado de São Paulo. Além disso, o trabalho pretendeu analisar, também, as alterações possíveis nas datas de plantio da cultura devidas a esses impactos. Os resultados obtidos mostram uma diminuição no número de municípios e áreas de baixo risco climático para o plantio da soja precoce nos modelos HadCM3 e IPCM4. No entanto, comparados entre si, o modelo HadCM3 apresenta-se mais pessimista para o cultivo da soja, no Estado de São Paulo no período 2070-2099.CBA 2009