Design and Experimental Characterization of EDFA Based WDM Ring Networks with Free ASE Light Re-circulation and Link Control for Network Survivability

In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the performance of erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)-based WDM ring networks with free amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light recirculation. We show that, with proper network and amplifier design, the lasing light generated by free ASE recirculation within the looped network provides an effective gain clamping technique, ensuring limited signal power excursions under WDM channels add-drop operations. Considering a ring network composed of eight fiber sections and eight EDFAs, maximum signal power overshoots below 2.5 dB have been measured under 23 24 WDM channels drop. Optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) analysis and bit-error rate (BER) measurement at 10 Gb/s confirm acceptable performances and negligible penalties due to polarization effects and relative intensity noise transfer from laser light to WDM signals. We also propose and demonstrate a new link control technique which overcomes the main limiting factors of such networks, respectively, related to OSNR degradation, stability and survivability to fiber and EDFA breakages

Variations of neck structures after supracricoid partial laryngectomy: a multislice computed tomography evaluation

Background: Surgery of laryngeal cancer used to profoundly alter the anatomy of the cervical region. Accurate anatomo-embryologic studies and repeated surgical trials allowed recognition of the cricoarytenoid complex as the smallest anatomofunctional unit able to maintain all the laryngeal functions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether significant variations of neck anatomical parameters exist after partial laryngectomy, and to analyze whether some of these parameters are associated with a positive functional outcome. Methods: Out of 48 patients treated with a surgical technique according to Mayer-Piquet (cricohyoidoepiglottopexy, CHEP) over a 6-year period, 18 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were all males with a mean age of 60 years. Cervical structures and their relationships were measured by computed tomography, and the measurements before and after surgery were compared. Results: Our data showed that hyoid bone is modified, both in morphology and position during CHEP. More specifically the relation of the hyoid bone to other neck structures ( identified by the alpha-angle) is modified. The neolarynx and trachea undergo a caudocranial shift. All diameters of the cricoid cartilage remain unchanged after surgery. The position of the epiglottis after CHEP, in particular its relation with the arytenoid cartilage, is closely related to swallowing function outcome and recovery time. Conclusions: Our study showed that these structures, and more specifically the relations among them, undergo significant variations after CHEP. Our results identify some parameters, i.e. the alpha-angle, width of the hyoid bone and position of the epiglottis, that may predispose to a positive functional outcome after surgery

Characterization of exopolysaccharides produced by seven biofilm-forming cyanobacterial strains for biotechnological applications

The molecular identification of seven biofilmforming cyanobacteria and the characterization of their exopolysaccharides were made and considered in terms of potential biotechnological applications. The studied strains were isolated from phototrophic biofilms taken from various Italian sites including a wastewater treatment plant, an eroded soil, and a brackish lagoon. The polysaccharides were characterized by use of ion exchange chromatography, circular dichroism, and cytochemical stains. All strains produced exopolysaccharides with differing ratios of hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties depending on the species, the polysaccharide fraction (i.e., whether capsular or released), and the ambient conditions. It was shown that the anionic nature of the exopolysaccharides was due to the presence of carboxylic and sulfated groups and is likely the main characteristic with industrial applicability. Potential biotechnological applications are discusse

Switching from an EFV-Based STR to a RPV-Based STR is Effective, Safe and Improves HIV Patients Health Status

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Indium(111) pentetreotide single photon emission computed tomography (In-111 pentetreotide SPECT): a new technique to evaluate somatostatin receptors in chordomas

Chordomas are rare neoplasms originating along the neuraxis. Although they do not usually show cytological atypia, metastases have been reported in 30 per cent of cases. Survival rates in cases of skull base locations are low, and local recurrence is common after local excision. Radiation therapy is used in post-operative treatment and proton radiation therapy as the primary treatment. In the present paper we present the case of a 50-year-old Caucasian man affected by chordoma of the clivus, with liver and chest metastases, relapsed after several surgical local excisions, to discuss improvements in therapeutic and imaging techniques. Indium(III) (In-III) pentetreotide single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was employed to assess the presence of somatostatin receptors and to treat the tumour with radiolabelled Y-90-DOTA-lanreotide. Imaging, performed 2 months afterwards, showed stable disease in the lungs but a local progression in the metastases, in comparison with pre-treatment uptake. These data suggest the usefulness of radiolabelled somatostatin analogues in the diagnosis and therapy of chordomas

Characterization for biofilm-forming cyanobacteria for biomass and lipid production

Aims: This work reports on one of the first attempts to use biofilm-forming cyanobacteria for biomass and lipid production. Methods and Results: Three isolates of filamentous cyanobacteria were obtained from biofilms at different Italian sites and characterized by a polyphasic approach, involving microscopic observations, ecology and genetic diversity (studying the 16S rRNA gene). The isolates were grown in batch systems and in a semi-continuous flow incubator, specifically designed for biofilms development. Culture system affected biomass and lipid production, but did not influence the fatty acid profile. The composition of fatty acids was mainly palmitic acid (>50%) and less amounts of other saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Only two isolates contained two polyunsaturated fatty acids. Conclusions: Data obtained from the flow-lane incubator system would support a more economical and sustainable use of the benthic microorganisms for biomass production. The produced lipids contained fatty acids suitable for a high-quality biodiesel production, showing high proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Significance and Impact of the Study: Data seem promising when taking into account the savings in cost and time derived from easy procedures for biomass harvesting, especially when being able to obtain the co-production of other valuable by-products

Polarizations and differential calculus in affine spaces

Within the framework of mappings between affine spaces, the notion of $n$-th polarization of a function will lead to an intrinsic characterization of polynomial functions. We prove that the characteristic features of derivations, such as linearity, iterability, Leibniz and chain rules, are shared -- at the finite level -- by the polarization operators. We give these results by means of explicit general formulae, which are valid at any order $n$, and are based on combinatorial identities. The infinitesimal limits of the $n$-th polarizations of a function will yield its $n$-th derivatives (without resorting to the usual recursive definition), and the above mentioned properties will be recovered directly in the limit. Polynomial functions will allow us to produce a coordinate free version of Taylor's formula

POS1344 EVALUATING THE MULTIVISCERAL INVOLVEMENT ON ADULT-ONSET STILL'S DISEASE TO RETRIEVE IMAGING-BASED DIFFERENCES IN PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION SYNDROME; RESULTS FROM A SINGLE-CENTRE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background:Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder usually affecting young adults, burdened by life-threatening complications, mainly macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a secondary form of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis [1]. In this context, the importance of an accurate assessment of AOSD is suggested to promptly recognise the multivisceral involvement of the disease which is associated with life-threatening complications. The assessment of the most aggressive subsets of the disease could guide the clinicians when to apply additional resources but avoiding unnecessary expenditures in patients with a less severe clinical picture.Objectives:In this study, we aimed at describing the multivisceral involvement of the disease to retrieve imaging-based differences in AOSD patients with and without MAS.Methods:The present evaluation has been designed as a cross-sectional study to descriptively compare the multivisceral involvement in AOSD patients with and without MAS. Patients admitted to our Institution, who underwent a total body CT scan, were selected from our historical cohort and assessed. Clinical and CT scan characteristics of AOSD patients with and without MAS were compared. Clinical and CT scan characteristics of AOSD patients with and without MAS were analysed by parametric or non-parametric t tests for all continuous variables, and chi squared test was used for categorical ones, as appropriate. Furthermore, possible correlations among radiological outcomes with laboratory markers and systemic score were estimated by using a point-biserial coefficient correlation.Results:This study evaluated 39 AOSD patients (men 64.1%), mean age of 48.8±16.6 years). Out of those, 14 patients (35.9%) were complicated by MAS. These patients showed higher values of ferritin [AOSD: 770.0 (1306.5) ng/mL vs MAS: 2926.3 (4918.5) ng/mL p=0.003] and systemic score (AOSD: 4.6±1.4 vs MAS: 6.9±1.7, p<0.0001). AOSD patients with MAS presented a higher prevalence of lung disease than others (AOSD: 56.0% vs MAS 85.7% p=0.048). Lung disease correlated with the systemic score (coefficient 0.491, p=0.003). AOSD patients with MAS were more frequently characterised by hepatomegaly (AOSD: 12.0% vs MAS: 50.0% p=0.019) and splenomegaly (AOSD: 16.0% vs MAS 50.0% p=0.033), respectively, than others. Hepatomegaly correlated with CRP (coefficient 0.421, p=0.016), ferritin (coefficient 0.397, p=0.020), and systemic score (coefficient 0.391, p=0.022). Furthermore, the presence of splenomegaly correlated with the systemic score (coefficient 0.439, p=0.009). CT scan features of abdominal effusions were more frequently observed in AOSD patients with MAS than those without this complication (AOSD: 12.0% vs 57.1% p=0.007). Finally, a higher percentage of AOSD patients with MAS showed a significant lymph node enlargement, either mediastinal or abdominal, than others on CT scan (AOSD: 36.0% vs MAS 71.4% p=0.048). The presence of lymphadenomegaly correlated with the systemic score (coefficient 0.368, p=0.032).Conclusion:Our findings showed a higher prevalence of multiorgan involvement in AOSD patients with MAS, suggesting imaging-based differences, although other studies are needed to fully assess this issue. Pulmonary disease, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymph nodes enlargement, and abdominal effusions were associated with these more aggressive patients.References:[1]Giacomelli R, Ruscitti P, Shoenfeld Y. A comprehensive review on adult onset Still's disease. J Autoimmun. 2018 Sep;93:24-36.Disclosure of Interests:None declare

The construction of non-spherical models of quasi-relaxed stellar systems

Spherical models of collisionless but quasi-relaxed stellar systems have long been studied as a natural framework for the description of globular clusters. Here we consider the construction of self-consistent models under the same physical conditions, but including explicitly the ingredients that lead to departures from spherical symmetry. In particular, we focus on the effects of the tidal field associated with the hosting galaxy. We then take a stellar system on a circular orbit inside a galaxy represented as a "frozen" external field. The equilibrium distribution function is obtained from the one describing the spherical case by replacing the energy integral with the relevant Jacobi integral in the presence of the external tidal field. Then the construction of the model requires the investigation of a singular perturbation problem for an elliptic partial differential equation with a free boundary, for which we provide a method of solution to any desired order, with explicit solutions to two orders. We outline the relevant parameter space, thus opening the way to a systematic study of the properties of a two-parameter family of physically justified non-spherical models of quasi-relaxed stellar systems. The general method developed here can also be used to construct models for which the non-spherical shape is due to internal rotation. Eventually, the models will be a useful tool to investigate whether the shapes of globular clusters are primarily determined by internal rotation, by external tides, or by pressure anisotropy.Comment: AASTeX v5.2, 37 pages with 2 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa