LEOSTAR: A Small Spacecraft for LEO Communication Missions

This paper outlines the major features of LEOSTAR, a small spacecraft able to support two way data message communications and position reporting missions with a multisatellite constellation. LEOSTAR is a three-axis gravity gradient stabilized satellite. A semi-passive control concept is envisaged with an extensible boom providing attitude stabilization together with three orthogonal Magnetic Torquers, an on-board dedicated computer and other devices. Thrusters provide the station keeping and transfer maneuvers according to an optimized strategy. A bipropellant system with monomethyhl hydrazine as propellant and nitrogen tetroxide as oxidizer is adopted. Large autonomy is envisaged through the adoption of an onboard system management processor. The communications\u27 payload power/mass range from 100 W/40 Kg to 200 W/60 Kg. A payload volume of 0.12 m3 and a maximum antenna dimension of 1 m. are allowed. LEOSTAR is designed to be compatible both with SCOUT and PEGASUS launchers in single or double launch configurations. It can also be launched by large vehicles such ARIANE 4 and Delta in cluster and/or piggy back modes

Image segmentation applied to the investigation of craquelure domains in paintings

Old paintings are generally characterized by the presence of cracks patterns, formed during the drying process. This network of cracks, known as craquelure, represents a key feature for the authentication of artworks and the discovery of forgery. In this work, an image segmentation approach is used for a quantitative study of cracks patterns in paintings. We will show how the size distribution and orientation of the craquelure domains can be evaluated using this technique

Poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) in colorectal cancer: what is and ought to be known.

The counting of poorly differentiated clusters of 5 or more cancer cells lacking a gland-like structure in a tumor mass has recently been identified among the histological features predictive of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. Poorly differentiated clusters can easily be recognized in the histological sections of colorectal cancer routinely stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Despite some limitations related to specimen fragmentation, counting can also be assessed in endoscopic biopsies. Based on the number of poorly differentiated clusters that appear under a microscopic field of a ×20 objective lens (i.e., a microscopic field with a major axis of 1 mm), colorectal cancer can be graded into malignancies as follows: tumors with <5 clusters as grade 1, tumors with 5 to 9 clusters as grade 2, and tumors with ≥10 clusters as grade 3. High poorly differentiated cluster counts are significantly associated with peri-neural and lympho-vascular invasion, the presence of nodal metastases or micrometastases, as well as shorter overall and progression free survival to colorectal cancer. The morphological aspects and clinical relevance of poorly differentiated clusters counting in colorectal cancer are discussed in this review

Universality, vortices and confinement: modified SO(3) lattice gauge theory at non-zero temperature

We investigate the adjoint SU(2) lattice gauge theory in 3+1 dimensions with the Wilson plaquette action modified by a Z(2) monopole suppression term. For the zero-twist sector we report indications for the existence of a finite temperature effect decoupled from the unphysical bulk transitions.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures. Some figures and text added. To appear on Phys. Rev.

Clinical impact and prognostic role of KRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA mutations in stage I colorectal cancer

Stage I colorectal carcinoma has excellent prognosis, with 5-year survival rate up to 95%. The occurrence of lymphovascular invasion, tumor budding, high number of PDC, or lymph node micrometastases is associated with tumor progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mutational status of 62 stage I colorectal carcinomas (CRC) (taken from 37 patients surviving more than five years since the initial diagnosis and from 25 patients who died of disease) and to correlate it with histopathological features and the clinical outcome. Mutations of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA genes were analyzed through Myriapod Colon Status Kit, using the high-throughput genotyping platform Sequenom MassARRAY System. Mutations in those genes were found in 31 cases (50%) and mainly in those with poor prognosis. The most frequent mutations occurred at codons 12 and 13 of the KRAS gene (40% of cases). We found concomitant PIK3CA mutations in 5 cases (8%). The presence of PIK3CA mutations was mainly observed in tumors with poor prognosis and with unfavorable histopathological prognostic features. High PDC grade (P = 0 0112), the presence of tumor budding (P = 0 0334), LVI (P < 0 0001), KRAS mutations (P = 0 0228), PIK3CA mutations (P = 0 0214), multiple genetic mutations in KRAS and PIK3CA genes (P = 0 039), and nodal micrometastases (P < 0 0001) were significant prognostic variables for CSS. The presence of LVI was the only independent and statistically significant prognostic variable for CSS in our cohort of pTNM stage I CRCs. The analysis of KRAS/PIK3CA mutational status may be used to identify patients with stage I CRC at high risk of bad outcome and who may need additional treatments, including biological therapies

On the effect of freeze-drying on paper-borne microorganisms

Today there is an ever-increasing interest in recovering flooded archival materials. Freeze-drying stands out as a valuable method as the water is frozen and the ice is then removed through sublimation. The present work is focused on the effect of freeze-drying on flooded paper contaminated with biodeteriogenic microorganisms (i.e. a bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis, a yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and a filamentous fungus Alternaria alternata). The effect of freezing and drying on microorganism survival and growth has been separately evaluated. In particular, different operative conditions for freezing (in a domestic freezer at about -20°C, at -40°C with a freezing rate of -1°C/min) and drying (200 μbar at 0°C and 20°C) have been tested. All the tested strains were able to survive after freezing and drying phases, nevertheless a different behaviour was observed: the growth of S. epidermidis was the same as that of the control, R. mucilaginosa showed a slight growth and carotenoid production increase, while A. alternata was inhibited, in particular after the freezing at -40°C, followed by a low temperature drying rate step

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of new trans 1-heteroaryl-2-(1-methylpyridinium-2-yl) ethylenes

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