Reazioni di ipersensibilita' al Tocilizumab

Il Tocilizumab è un anticorpo monoclonale umanizzato diretto contro il recettore per l’interleuchina-6 recentemente immesso in commercio per trattare disordini immuno-mediati. Il nostro obiettivo è analizzare la frequenza di reazioni di ipersensibilità in pazienti trattati con Tocilizumab e valutare il ruolo dei test cutanei (skin prick test e intradermoreazioni) nella diagnosi. Dei 72 pazienti trattati con Tocilizumab, abbiamo effettuato test cutanei in 5 pazienti che hanno manifestato reazioni di ipersensibilità (4 anafilassi e uno prurito generalizzato), in 3 pazienti che hanno sospeso la terapia per inefficacia e in 10 soggetti sani volontari. Sono state osservate reazioni positive ai test cutanei in 3 dei 4 pazienti che avevano avuto una reazione anafilattica, mentre i 3 pazienti che avevano sospeso il trattamento per inefficacia e i 10 soggetti sani volontari sono risultati negativi ai test. Sulla base di quanto osservato si può concludere che questo studio dimostra l’utilità diagnostica dei test cutanei per la diagnosi di reazioni di ipersensibilità IgE-mediate a questo agente biologico

An Analysis Method for Superconducting Resonator Parameter Extraction with Complex Baseline Removal

A new semi-empirical model is proposed for extracting the quality (Q) factors of arrays of superconducting microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs). The determination of the total internal and coupling Q factors enables the computation of the loss in the superconducting transmission lines. The method used allows the simultaneous analysis of multiple interacting discrete resonators with the presence of a complex spectral baseline arising from reflections in the system. The baseline removal allows an unbiased estimate of the device response as measured in a cryogenic instrumentation setting

Evaluating the incompleteness magnitude using an unbiased estimate of the bb value

The evaluation of the $b$ value of the Gutenberg-Richter (GR) law, for a sample composed of $n$ earthquakes, presents a systematic positive bias $\delta b$ which is proportional to $1/n$, as already observed by Ogata \& Yamashina (1986). In this study we show how to incorporate in $\delta b$ the bias introduced by deviations from the GR law. More precisely we show that $\delta b$ is proportional to the square of the variability coefficient $CV$, defined as the ratio between {the standard deviation of the magnitude distribution and its mean value.} When the magnitude distribution follows the GR law $CV=1$ and this allows us to introduce a new procedure, based on the dependence of $b$ on $n$, which allows us to {identify} the incompleteness magnitude $m_c$ as the threshold magnitude leading to $CV=1$. The method is tested on synthetic catalogs and it is applied to estimate $m_c$ in Southern California, Japan and New Zealand

The James Webb Telescope

No abstract availabl

Temporal and Spatial Variations of Geodia cydonium (Jameson) (Porifera, Demospongiae) in the Mediterranean Confined Environments

Confined marine environments are particularly susceptible to climate change and anthropic pressures. Indeed, the long-term monitoring of benthic assemblages in these environments allows us to understand the direction of changes over time. The demosponge Geodia cydonium is a suitable study case, since it is widely represented in many Mediterranean environments, while being a long-living and important habitat-forming species. Here, we report the results of a descriptive study on temporal and spatial variations of this demosponge in three semi-enclosed environments along the Italian coast: Marsala Lagoon, Porto Cesareo Bay, and Mar Piccolo of Taranto. At Marsala and Porto Cesareo, the study compares the present data with those reported by the literature at the end of the 1990s. Caused by the modification of its preferential habitats, the data indicated the loss and a remarkable regression of this species at Porto Cesareo and Marsala, respectively. In addition, we hypothesized that the increase in severe weather phenomena in the small Bay of Porto Cesareo recorded during the last 20 years may have had a marked impact on water mass, thus affecting the sponge assemblages. At Taranto, despite a remarkable environmental degradation, G. cydonium has appeared stable and persistent in the last 45 years, thus representing one of the richest and most well-preserved populations in the Mediterranean Sea

Modelling the spread of Covid19 in Italy using a revised version of the SIR model

In this paper, we present a model to predict the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic and apply it to the specific case of Italy. We started from a simple Susceptible, Infected, Recovered (SIR) model and we added the condition that, after a certain time, the basic reproduction number $R_0$ exponentially decays in time, as empirically suggested by world data. Using this model, we were able to reproduce the real behavior of the epidemic with an average error of 5\%. Moreover, we illustrate possible future scenarios, associated to different intervals of $R_0$. This model has been used since the beginning of March 2020, predicting the Italian peak of the epidemic in April 2020 with about 100.000 detected active cases. The real peak of the epidemic happened on the 20th of April 2020, with 108.000 active cases. This result shows that the model had predictive power for the italian case.Comment: The model presented in this paper has been adopted on Covstat.it. Errata corrige in the abstrac

Analysis of anaerobic power in club level young rowers

Aim: To date, assessment of the anaerobic components to determine performance in rowers is not part of standard evaluation or monitoring set for training. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between anaerobic power output and ergometer rowing performance over 2000 meters, in a group of 14 -17 years old rowers (n = 11). Methods: Each subject performed, in three separate days, two “all-out” tests, over 20 and 60 seconds, and a 2000 meters trial, using a Concept II rowing ergometer. Mean power values over 20 sec (W20) and 60 sec (W60) were measured and compared with the time to perform the 2000 m trial (t2000). Results: Statistical analysis showed high and significant correlation between 2000 meters performance (6.90 ± 0.1 min) and anaerobic power over 20 sec (479.5 ± 93.90 watts; r = 0.941, P = 0.00002) and 60 sec (435.5 ± 64.60 watts; r = 0.964, P = 0.000002). Conclusions: The data of our study confirm that parameters of anaerobic power strongly affect the performance and that the determination of these variables by testing on rowing ergometer can be an useful tool for planning and monitoring of training in young rowers

Microwave TDR for Real-Time Control of Intravenous Drip Infusions

none5This paper explores the use of a microwave-reflectometry- based system for the automatic control and real-time monitoring of the flow and of the liquid level in intravenous (IV) medical infusions. In medical and hospital contexts, other kinds of devices, mainly based on the optical detection and counting of the infusion drops, are used. Nevertheless, the proposed system is aimed at circumventing some typical drawbacks deriving from the adoption of these traditional methods, thus allowing an efficient alternative for automatically monitoring the instantaneous flow of IV medical solutions. To this purpose, the proposed system combines microwave time-domain reflectometry (TDR) measurements with a noninvasive sensing element (i.e., strip electrodes directly attached to the external surface of the infusion bottle). Experimental results confirm that, by using low-cost portable TDR devices, the solution flow process can be controlled with acceptable accuracy. Therefore, the proposed method can be regarded as a promising control tool for in-hospital patient management as well as for telemedicine programs.A. Cataldo; G. Cannazza; N. Giaquinto; A. Trotta; G. AndriaCataldo, Andrea Maria; Cannazza, Giuseppe; N., Giaquinto; A., Trotta; G., Andri

Evaluation of different wood harvesting systems in typical Mediterranean small-scale forests: a Southern Italian case study

Use of small-scale harvesting equipment in forestry is increasing in many regions of the world and tractor-based systemsare the most common type of small-scale forestry equipment. This equipment is smaller, less expensive and less productivethan advanced forestry machines and the choice of method depends on forest site-specific conditions. In southern Italy the prevailingconditions are those characteristic of small-scale forestry: harvested areas and volume are limited and ground-based extraction isstill the most common harvesting technique. Two harvesting systems conventionally adopted in Italian small-scale forestry are thoseusing either winch or grapple fitted farm tractors for wood extraction. A continuous time study was adopted to determine productivityrates and wood extraction costs and develop skidding time prediction models for these two different wood harvesting systems asused in typical Mediterranean forests, in chestnut and silver fir thinning operations. Comparing winch and grapple extraction revealedconsiderable differences in productivity (2.91 and 5.92 m3 h-1 respectively). Factors significantly affecting productivity differenceswere extraction distance and payload per turn. The study concluded that farm tractors can be used for small scale harvesting operationsand its results can be used to set piece rates, design and rationalize work and estimate costs. In order to sustain small-scaleharvesting equipment effectiveness, skid trails should be planned in forests. The use of farm tractors needs to be encouraged as analternative self-sufficient productivity method in small-scale forestry operations