178,854 research outputs found
Seismotectonic Information System of the Sicily Region
No full textGeneral coordination: Giuseppe Vilardo. Database GIS: Rosa Nappi, Eliana Bellucci Sessa, Giuseppe Vilardo. WEB GIS: Giovanni Bronzino.The Seismotectonic Information System of the Sicily Region is oriented to the production ad dissemination of scientific and technical information for seismotectonic applications in this highly active geo-dynamics region. This work was initially supported by A.S.I.-A.R.S.Published5.5. TTC - Sistema Informativo Territorialeope
Clinical and aberrometric evaluation of a new extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens based on spherical aberration
No full textPurpose: To compare the refractive, visual, and aberrometric results with a new extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL) based on alternating positive and negative spherical aberration in the central 3.0 mm optical zone and an aspheric monofocal IOL of the same platform.Setting: Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Verona, Italy.Design: Prospective case series.Methods: Cataract patients free from other ocular disease had bilateral implantation of the EDOF Mini Well IOL or the monofocal Mini IOL. Four to 6 weeks after second-eye surgery, the refraction, visual acuity, defocus curve, contrast sensitivity, and photic symptoms were assessed. Wavefront analysis was performed. The primary endpoint of was the amplitude of the dioptric interval for 0.1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity. The secondary endpoint was an aberration comparison between the two IOLs.Results: The study comprised two groups of 25 patients each. The corrected distance visual acuity was better with the monofocal IOL by 0.02 logMAR (P = .03). The 0.1 logMAR dioptric interval was 2.0 diopters (D) for the EDOF IOL and 1.0 D for the monofocal IOL (P < .001). The mean CDVA at -2.0 defocus was 0.15 logMAR +/- 0.08 (SD) and 0.52 +/- 0.14 logMAR, respectively (P < .001). There was no difference in contrast sensitivity or photic symptoms. The optical aberrations at 4.0 mm and 6.0 mm aperture diameters were similar in the two groups.Conclusion: The EDOF IOL based on spherical aberration provided greater depth of focus than the aspheric monofocal IOL without increasing optical aberrations and with few photic symptoms. (C) 2019 ASCRS and ESCR
The Structure of Neuronal Calcium Sensor-1 in Solution Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
No full textNeuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) is a protein able to trigger signal transduction processes by binding a large number of substrates and re-shaping its structure depending on the environmental conditions. The X-ray crystal structure of the unmyristoilated NCS-1 shows a large solvent-exposed hydrophobic crevice (HC); this HC is partially occupied by the C-terminal tail and thus elusive to the surrounding solvent. We studied the native state of NCS-1 by performing room temperature molecular dynamics (MD) simulations starting from the crystal and the solution structures. We observe relaxation to a state independent of the initial structure, in which the C-terminal tail occupies the HC. We suggest that the C-terminal tail shields the HC binding pocket and modulates the affinity of NCS-1 for its natural targets. By analyzing the topology and nature of the inter-residue potential energy, we provide a compelling description of the interaction network that determines the three-dimensional organization of NCS-1. © 2013 Bellucci et al
Endothelial Keratoplasty in a Newborn Baby With CHED
No full textPurpose: Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) may be present at birth in the form of whitish cloudy corneas. Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty has been attempted to solve the problem but never in babies. We report a case of successful bilateral surgery in a 3-month-old baby.Methods: CHED was detected at birth in a newborn female, but surgery was deferred to increase the chance of success. At 3 months, endothelial keratoplasty was performed in the left eye without any attempt to remove the existing endothelium. As the cornea cleared up soon after the surgery, the right eye was operated 4 weeks later.Results: Both corneas were clear 10 and 9 months after the surgery, respectively. Central thickness was 580 mm in the right eye and 530 mm in the left eye. The baby followed the light and started smiling at the lactating mother. There were no signs of graft rejection. Steroid eye drops are currently employed.Conclusions: Endothelial keratoplasty without endothelium removal has been successfully employed in a newborn with CHED for the first time. This procedure may be the best option for newborns with cloudy corneas
Enantioconvergent transformation of racemic cis-beta-alkyl substituted styrene oxides to (R,R) threo diels by microsomal epoxide hydrolase catalysed hydrolysis
No full textBoth enantiomers of cis-beta-ethyl, beta-n-propyl, beta-n-butyl, and beta-n-hexyl substituted styrene oxides undergo microsomal epoxide hydrolase catalysed hydration at the (S) carbon to give the corresponding (R,R) three diols in a > 90% e.e. A complete kinetic resolution of the racemic epoxide is also obtained with the beta-ethyl substituted substrate, but not with its higher homologues
Customary Norms vs State Law : French Courts’ Responses to the Traditional Practice of Excision
No full textIntroduction Customary norms and state legal systems often reflect different narratives which creates normative conflicts. Some traditional practices that were ignored when perpetuated only in colonised areas came to be considered crimes once ‘imported’ to Europe and to ‘Western countries’ more generally. These crimes transpose ‘in the realm of criminal law a situation of legal pluralism’. The study of the French legal system’s treatment of female genital cutting (FGC, excision) confirms this remark. FGC is an ancient practice that is widespread in many places, particularly Africa. It consists of the ablation, to varying degrees, of female genital organs. Because FGC violates fundamental rights such as the right to physical integrity, health and non-discrimination on the basis of gender/ethnicity/culture, the practice of excision creates a normative conflict between a customary norm and the state legal system. The written rules of the French Penal Code consider individuals as rights holders and value the right to physical integrity, health and non-discrimination. By contrast, excision, which is transmitted orally but inscribed on the bodies of women, implies a normative order where individuals are considered as part of a group, a group whose interests prevail over its members. In this context, the protection of individuals is usually linked to the maintenance of their ties to the group as well as to the respect of gender and status relations within it. Furthermore, in African traditions both the group and individuals have strong relationships with the ancestors (the dijin), and respect them to an extent unheard of in ‘Western societies’. In African traditional conceptions customary norms draw their strength not only from the moral support of the living, but also from that of the group’s members who have lived in the past. Moving away from tradition and questioning customary norms would be an affront to them and their role in legitimising the established order. The ancestors watch over the living but, if they are not respected, they may retaliate against them, especially against the child, who is the link between them and the adults, and therefore particularly vulnerable. In France, FGC is perpetuated mostly by West African immigrants. Inquiries conducted in this country examine the explanations these immigrants give to the practice and perpetuation of excision. These explanations concern custom, family, marriage, religion, ritual cleanness/purity (propreté), aesthetics and sexuality
Air quality control systems: Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
No full textProblemi di inquinamento e, metodologie di indagine e tecniche di intervento per il corretto funzionamento dehli impianti di climatizzazione dal punto di vista della qualità dell'ari
Public R&D Subsidies: Collaborative versus Individual Place-Based Programs for SMEs
No full textThis paper provides novel empirical evidence on the effectiveness of regional research and innovation policies for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It investigated two subsidy programs implemented at the regional level in central Italy. One program targeted SMEs’ investments in individual research projects, and the other focused on collaborative research projects between SMEs and universities. Using a matched difference-in-differences approach, the empirical analysis showed that the two programs had different effects. The first was successful in stimulating additional private research and development (R&D) investment and improving firms’ performance. The second had weaker effects, mostly restricted to R&D expenditure and employment. These effects were not always uniformly distributed among project participants
Enantioconvergent transformation of racemic cis-dialkyl substituted epoxides to (R,R) threo diols by microsomal epoxide hydrolase catalysed hydrolysis
No full textBoth enantiomers of (+/-)-9,10-epoxystearic acid (1b), cis-(+/-)-5,6-epoxyhexadecane (1c) and cis-(+/-)-11,12-epoxyhexadecan-1-ol (1d) as well as the meso cis-9,10-epoxyoctadecane (1a) undergo microsomal epoxide hydrolase catalyzed hydration at the (S) carbon to give the corresponding (R,R) threo diols in a >90 e.e. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Lt
Identification of myeloma-specific antigens associated with the Graft-vs-Myeloma effect after donor lymphocyte infusion
No full textThe ability of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) to induce complete responses (CR) in patients with relapsed myeloma following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) provides clear evidence of an effective graft vs myeloma (GVM) response. To identify target antigens of the GVM response, we screened a myeloma cDNA expression library with post-DLI serum from 4 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who achieved CR after DLI and 1 patient who was in CR before DLI. We identified a panel of 13 gene products reactive with post-DLI serum but negative with pre-DLI and pre-BMT serum. Antibodies to these proteins were not detected in serum from 10 patients who underwent allogeneic BMT without DLI and 5 patients with acute graft versus host disease (GVHD). Minimal reactivity with these proteins was detected in serum from 20 normal donors and 20 patients with chronic GVHD. In contrast, 5 of these proteins were recognized by more than 1 myeloma DLI responder. Testing of serial serum samples showed an association between antibody response and time of best response after DLI. The expression of these genes was evaluated in primary myeloma cells as well as normal plasma cells. One of the B cell antigens identified in these studies was BCMA, a transmembrane receptor of the TNF superfamily that is selectively expressed by mature B cells. Post-DLI patient serum was able to induce complement-mediated lysis and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of transfected cells and primary myeloma cells expressing BCMA. These studies demonstrate that the GVM response is associated with antibody responses to highly expressed myeloma-associated antigens
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