731 research outputs found
Virtual Environment for Next Generation Sequencing Analysis
No full textNext Generation Sequencing technology, on the one hand, allows a more accurate analysis, and, on the other hand, increases the amount of data to process. A new protocol for sequencing the messenger RNA in a cell, known as RNA- Seq, generates millions of short sequence fragments in a single run. These fragments, or reads, can be used to measure levels of gene expression and to identify novel splice variants of genes. The proposed solution is a distributed architecture consisting of a Grid Environment and a Virtual Grid Environment, in order to reduce processing time by making the system scalable and flexibl
A preliminary analysis of a new Chandra observation (ObsID 6148) of Cir X-1
No full textWe present the preliminary spectral analysis of a 25 ks long Chandra observation of the peculiar source Cir X-1 near the periastron passage. We estimate more precise coordinates of the source compatible with the optical and radio counterpart coordinates. We detect emission lines associated to Mg XII, Si XIII, Si XIV, S XV, S XVI Ar XVII, Ar XVIII, Ca XIX, Ca XX, Fe XXV, Fe XXVI showing a redshift of 470 km s(-1). The more intense emission features at 6.6 keV show a double-peaked shape that can be modelled with two or three Gaussian lines. RI Iaria, Rosario/F-2520-201
Relativistically Smeared Iron Lines in the Spectra of Bright NS LMXB
No full textWe present preliminary results of a study on three bright accreting low-mass X-ray binaries hosting a neutron star, based on XMM-Newton observations. These sources (GX 340+0, GX 349+2 and SAX J1808.4-3658) show a broad Fe K alpha iron line in their spectra. This feature can be well described by relativistic line profile in each case; the good spectral resolution of the EPIC/PN and the high statistics spectra allow to put very good constraints on the disk geometry and ionization stage of the reflecting matter. RI Iaria, Rosario/F-2520-201
Il latte e il formaggio sulla mensa del papa: tra dono e pratica culinaria nei secoli XIV-XV
No full textIl contributo prende in esame il consumo di latte e dei suoi derivati presso la mensa pontificia alla luce dei fattori che ne determinavano l’uso (differenziazione sociale, precetti religiosi e parere dei medici). Si sottolinea inoltre come il formaggio fosse oggetto di dono da parte dei sovrani francesi al papa e come i contatti con il mondo transalpino influenzarono il consumo di latticini nel corso del XV secolo
Spectral evolution of Scorpio X-1 along its color-color diagram
No full textWe analyze a large collection of RXTE archive data of the bright X-ray source Scorpius X-1 in order to study the broadband spectral evolution of the source for different values of the inferred mass accretion rate by selecting energy spectra from its Color-Color Diagram. We model the spectra with the combination of two absorbed components: a soft thermal component, which can be interpreted as thermal emission from an accretion disk, and a hybrid Comptonization component, which self-consistently includes the Fe K alpha fluorescence line and the Compton reflected continuum. The presence of hard emission in Scorpius X-1 has been previously reported, however, without a clear relation with the accretion rate. We show, for the first time, that there exists a common trend in the spectral evolution of the source, where the spectral parameters change in correlation with the position of the source in the CD. Using a hybrid thermal/non-thermal Comptonization model (EQPAIR code), we show that the ratio of the power supplied to the non-thermal distribution to the total power injected into the Comptonizing plasma correlates with the accretion rate, being the highest at the lowest accretion rates. We discuss the physical implications derived from the results of our analysis, with a particular emphasis on the hardest part of the X-ray emission and its possible origin. RI Iaria, Rosario/F-2520-201
Hybrid Course Delivery: Impact on Learning and Assessment
No full textTechnology is influencing education, blurring the boundaries of delivery modes. A combination between online and traditional teaching style, the hybrid/blended course, may present a solution with many benefits. This paper provides definitions of the different delivery approaches, and then evaluates four years of data from a course that has been converted from traditional face-to-face delivery, to a hybrid system. It is determined that the revised course, in hybrid delivery mode, is at least as good, if not better, than it previously was
Is it safe and effective to perform repeated hepatectomies in a small-volume center ?
No full textBackground
Repeated hepatectomies for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) are considered safe but are mostly carried out in highly specialized hepato-biliary units. Aim of this study was to review the outcomes of re-hepatectomies in the setting of a general surgery Division and to compare them with the data included in Livermetsurvey.
Patients and Methods
We made a retrospective analysis of all comers who underwent liver resection for CLM between January 2002 and December 2011 in our General Surgery Department. Postoperative outcome was analyzed and compared with a control group of single hepatectomies. Three-year survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Mayer method. The differences in morbidity and mortality between the single-only and the repeated hepatectomies cohort were exhibited through the chi-square test. Our data were compared with the Livermetsurvey Registry.
Results
74 patients underwent 101 hepatectomies for CLM. 20(27%) patients received 27 repeated hepatectomies for recurrent metastases, 17 had a second hepatectomy, 2 underwent a third hepatectomy and 1 had a fourth procedure. Postoperative mortality was 1,3% after first hepatectomies and nihil after repeated resections. No difference in terms of mortality was observed between first and second hepatectomies (p=0.79). Postoperative morbidity after the first hepatectomy was 16%, while with repeated resections reached 30%.(p=0.3) The three-year overall survivals after the first and the repeated hepatectomies were respectively 61% and 39%, similar to the data reported by the Livermetsurvey Registry (61% and 58%).
Conclusion
Repeated hepatectomies for colorectal liver metastases may be performed safely in a relatively low-volume center with good outcomes. The survival rates are equivalent to those reported by Livermetsurvey
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