Gender assessment through three-dimensional analysis of maxillary sinuses by means of Cone Beam Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE: The availability of a low dose radiation technology such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in dental practice has increased the number of scans available for forensic purposes. Moreover, specific software allows for three-dimensional (3D) characterization of the maxillary sinuses. This study was performed to determine whether sinus maxillary volumes can be useful to identify gender after validating the use of the Dolphin software as a tool for volumetric estimation of maxillary sinus volumes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The validation was performed by four different operators measuring the volume of six phantoms, where the real volume was already known. The maxillary sinus volumes of 52 patients (26 males and 26 females) mean age 24.3 were calculated and compared between genders and sagittal skeletal class subdivision. The measurements for patients and phantoms were based on CBCT scans (ILUMA™) processed by Dolphin 3D software. RESULTS: No statistical difference was observed between the real volume and the volume measurements performed by the operators. No statistical difference was found in patient's maxillary sinus volumes between gender. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, it is not possible to support the use of maxillary sinuses to discern sexual difference in corpse identification

No more time to stay ‘single’ in the detection of Anisakis pegreffii, A. simplex (s. s.) and hybridization events between them: a multi-marker nuclear genotyping approach

A multi-marker nuclear genotyping approach was performed on larval and adult specimens of Anisakis spp. (N = 689) collected from fish and cetaceans in allopatric and sympatric areas of the two species Anisakis pegreffii and Anisakis simplex (s. s.), in order to: (1) identify specimens belonging to the parental taxa by using nuclear markers (allozymes loci) and sequence analysis of a new diagnostic nuclear DNA locus (i.e. partial sequence of the EF1 α−1 nDNA region) and (2) recognize hybrid categories. According to the Bayesian clustering algorithms, based on those markers, most of the individuals (N = 678) were identified as the parental species [i.e. A. pegreffii or A. simplex (s. s.)], whereas a smaller portion (N = 11) were recognized as F1 hybrids. Discordant results were obtained when using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR–RFLPs) of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) on the same specimens, which indicated the occurrence of a large number of ‘hybrids’ both in sympatry and allopatry. These findings raise the question of possible misidentification of specimens belonging to the two parental Anisakis and their hybrid categories derived from the application of that single marker (i.e. PCR–RFLPs analysis of the ITS of rDNA). Finally, Bayesian clustering, using allozymes and EF1 α−1 nDNA markers, has demonstrated that hybridization between A. pegreffii and A. simplex (s. s.) is a contemporary phenomenon in sympatric areas, while no introgressive hybridization takes place between the two species

On the ultraviolet behaviour of quantum fields over noncommutative manifolds

By exploiting the relation between Fredholm modules and the Segal-Shale-Stinespring version of canonical quantization, and taking as starting point the first-quantized fields described by Connes' axioms for noncommutative spin geometries, a Hamiltonian framework for fermion quantum fields over noncommutative manifolds is introduced. We analyze the ultraviolet behaviour of second-quantized fields over noncommutative 3-tori, and discuss what behaviour should be expected on other noncommutative spin manifolds.Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX version, a few references adde

Mortalità per sclerosi multipla nella regione Toscana

OBIETTIVI: Valutare il trend di mortalità per Sclerosi Multipla (SM) in Toscana nel ventennio 1987-2006. METODI: I dati sulla mortalità per SM sono stati ottenuti consultando gli archivi informatici delle schede di morte presso l’Agenzia Regionale di Sanità Toscana. I dati raccolti sono stati suddivisi per i quattro quinquenni compresi tra il 1987 e il 2006: (1987-1991), (1992-1996), (1997-2001), (2002-2006). Sono stati calcolati i tassi standardizzati di mortalità (metodo di standardizzazione diretta) per SM rispetto alla popolazione toscana del 2000 e i tassi di mortalità per SM specifici per sesso ed età. RISULTATI: I tassi standardizzati di mortalità con causa SM calcolati per ogni anno mostrano una diminuzione della mortalità, in entrambi i sessi, particolarmente marcata nel primo quinquennio (1987-1991). Per i maschi si osserva, nei quattro quinquenni analizzati, un trend decrescente dei tassi di mortalità che va da 0,61 per il quinquennio 1987-1991 a 0,42 per 100.000 per quello 2002-2006. Analogamente per le femmine si osserva una diminuzione da 1,29 a 0,60 per 100.000. Analizzando i tassi di mortalità per SM specifici per età abbiamo osservato un picco della mortalità nei maschi in corrispondenza della fascia di età 75-79 anni, mentre nelle donne nella fascia 65-69 anni. In entrambi i sessi il numero dei decessi aumenta fortemente dopo i 45 anni e diminuisce dopo i 79 anni. Considerando l’età di esordio, che andava dai 25 ai 35 anni, e la sopravvivenza delle persone, pari a 30-35 anni dalla diagnosi, la mortalità maggiore si riscontra nelle fasce di età da noi osservate. CONCLUSIONI: A causa della piccola dimensione del campione, tutti i valori vanno interpretati con cautela, ma i dati presenti in letteratura sono in accordo con i dati osservati nel nostro studio relativi al primo quinquennio. Infatti, il decremento di mortalità nel periodo 1987-1991 è in linea con i dati precedentemente pubblicati in uno studio sulla mortalità per SM in Italia dal 1974 al 1993 (Tassinari, 2001). Per gli anni successivi non esistono dati in letteratura relativi alla mortalità per SM in Italia. La mortalità più elevata nelle femmine riflette il maggior numero di casi di SM nella popolazione femminile ed è supportata anche dai dati presenti in letteratura sia in Italia che all’estero (Massey e Schoenberg, 1982). La mortalità per SM osservata nel nostro studio è presumibilmente una sottostima poiché talvolta l’SM non viene indicata come causa di morte

Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators for Pico Hydropower Application: A Parametrical Study

A pico hydropower plant is an energy harvesting system that allows energy production using the power of the water flowing in small watercourses, and in water distribution network. Axial Flow Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (AFPMSG) are particularly suitable for this application, being efficient machines that achieve high power with small dimensions. This paper presents a parametrical study of several configurations and topologies of three-phase and single-phase AFPMSG, for pico hydropower application, to assess the most suitable dimensional characteristics for the most energy production using a safe voltage of 25 V. The AFPMSGs here considered has a simple single stator and rotor configuration, commercial-type permanent magnets, and concentric windings, to facilitate their cost-effective construction and the spread of their use also in developing countries. For each AFPMSG considered, the power output was calculated using 3-D modelling and Finite Element Analysis; besides, the different parameters and features that affect the power output were evaluated at different rotational speeds. The results achieving a power density up to 100 W/cm(3), at 1000 rpm with energy produced to 1.7 kWh/day

Report 1 PHIN-CARE-JRA2-WP3 Second Task: Pulse Shaping

This report presents the activity developed on laser pulse shaping argument in years 2004-2005 by Milano-INFN within the framework of CARE /JRA2 \Charge production with Photoinjectors" second task \Pulse Shaping". A dedicated laser system with the relative diagnostic tools have been developed. A liquid crystal programmable spatial light modulator(LCP-SLM) shaper have been studied and set for the generation of di®erent waveforms. The shaper is integrated in the laser system for an automatic generation of the target waveforms via the insetion of a computer which drives the system through the developed software. The system can be programmed to generate any target waveform compatible with the spectral bandwidth of the laser system and some exemples are presented. The following issues are treated: (i) the operation stability as function of perturbations of the set-up parameters, (ii) the design of the shaper for the SPARC project, (iii) a new shaper concept for the generation of long target waveforms and (iiii) the rectangular pulse generation at the second harmonic

WSN-Based Near Real-Time Environmental Monitoring for Shelf Life Prediction Through Data Processing to Improve Food Safety and Certification

This position paper aims to support a control technique in the perishables goods supply-chain through a combination of near real-time wireless sensor network (WSN) for environmental monitoring and further data processing to predict the shelf life of the product. This approach returns a low cost, versatile and efficient tool that can significantly improve the safety and food certification through the organoleptic qualities control using three different sensors, i.e. temperature, light and humidity. In this article, therefore, the advantages of the proposed technique are explained and a case study is presented to support this approach, as well as an example of processing algorithm for shelf life evaluation

Fredholm Modules on P.C.F. Self-Similar Fractals and their Conformal Geometry

The aim of the present work is to show how, using the differential calculus associated to Dirichlet forms, it is possible to construct Fredholm modules on post critically finite fractals by regular harmonic structures. The modules are d-summable, the summability exponent d coinciding with the spectral dimension of the generalized laplacian operator associated with the regular harmonic structures. The characteristic tools of the noncommutative infinitesimal calculus allow to define a d-energy functional which is shown to be a self-similar conformal invariant.Comment: 16 page

Osteomalacia and vitamin D status: a clinical update 2020

Historically, rickets and osteomalacia have been synonymous with vitamin D deficiency dating back to the 17th century. The term osteomalacia, which literally means soft bone, was traditionally applied to characteristic radiologically or histologically documented skeletal disease and not just to clinical or biochemical abnormalities. Osteomalacia results from impaired mineralization of bone that can manifest in several types, which differ from one another by the relationships of osteoid (ie, unmineralized bone matrix) thickness both with osteoid surface and mineral apposition rate. Osteomalacia related to vitamin D deficiency evolves in three stages. The initial stage is characterized by normal serum levels of calcium and phosphate and elevated alkaline phosphatase, PTH, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]—the latter a consequence of increased PTH. In the second stage, serum calcium and often phosphate levels usually decline, and both serum PTH and alkaline phosphatase values increase further. However, serum 1,25(OH)2D returns to normal or low values depending on the concentration of its substrate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD; the best available index of vitamin D nutrition) and the degree of PTH elevation. In the final stage, hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia are invariably low with further exacerbation of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The exact,or even an approximate, prevalence of osteomalacia caused by vitamin D deficiency is difficult to estimate, most likely it is underrecognized or misdiagnosed as osteoporosis. Signs and symptoms include diffuse bone, muscle weakness, and characteristic fracture pattern, often referred to as pseudofractures, involving ribs, scapulae, pubic rami, proximal femurs, and codfish-type vertebrae. The goal of therapy of vitamin D-deficiency osteomalacia is to alleviate symptoms, promote fracture healing, restore bone strength, and improve quality of life while correcting biochemical abnormalities. There is a need for better understanding of the epidemiology of osteomalacia. Simplified tools validated by concurrent bone histology should be developed to help clinicians promptly diagnose osteomalacia. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research