Three dimensional imaging of short pulses

We exploit a slightly noncollinear second-harmonic cross-correlation scheme to map the 3D space-time intensity distribution of an unknown complex-shaped ultrashort optical pulse. We show the capability of the technique to reconstruct both the amplitude and the phase of the field through the coherence of the nonlinear interaction down to a resolution of 10 $\mu$m in space and 200 fs in time. This implies that the concept of second-harmonic holography can be employed down to the sub-ps time scale, and used to discuss the features of the technique in terms of the reconstructed fields.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure

Promoting Awareness about Psychological Consequences of Living in a Community Oppressed by the Mafia: A Group-Analytic Intervention

The effects of the Mafia have been extensively studied from sociological, economic, and historical points of view. However, little research has investigated the influence of the Mafia on individuals and communities in terms of its psychological and social impact. In order to contribute to the advancement of our understanding of the psychological effects of the Mafia on individuals and communities and to promote a participative process of social change, a group analytic intervention was conducted within a Community Based Participatory Research carried out in Corleone, a small Sicilian town with a historically recognized role in the evolution of the Mafia, as well as in the fight against its control. Qualitative findings from the group intervention revealed the development of an awareness process that allowed participants to become aware of their social unconscious anxieties and defenses and to recognize and manage the strong emotional impact related to the Mafia\u2019s presence in their lives. Highlighting how psychological processes can have negative impacts on individual and collective capacity to pursuit transformation and resilience, this article provides important insight on how clinical psychology may operate in socio-cultural contexts to promote the reconstruction of the traumatic social dimensions in the community

Magic mirror on the wall: Selfie-related behavior as mediator of the relationship between narcissism and problematic smartphone use

Objective: Recent research has suggested that problematic smartphone use is associated with several psychological factors and that mobile apps and smartphone-related behavior (i.e. selfi e behavior) may encourage the development of problematic smartphone use. However, little is known about how the interplay between dysfunctional personality characteristics and selfi e-related behavior can infl uence problematic smartphone use. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between narcissism and problematic smartphone use, as well as the mediating role of selfi e-related behavior in this relationship among young men and women. Method: In the current study, a total of 627 undergraduate students (283 males and 344 females) completed a cross-sectional survey. A structural equation model was tested separately for males and females in order to evaluate the associations between narcissism, selfi e-related behavior and problematic smartphone use. Results: The results showed that greater narcissism was related to increased selfi e-related behavior, which in turn were positively associated with problematic smartphone use both for males and females. However, selfi e-related behavior mediated the relationship between narcissism and problematic smartphone use only for females. Conclusions: The study provides fresh insight into our understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying problematic smartphone use, which may inform prevention and treatment interventions

Relationship between device acceptance and patient-reported outcomes in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients

The number of Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) implanted each year is rising. Nevertheless, there are minimal data on device acceptance after LVAD implant, and on its relationship with patient-reported outcomes. We designed a cross-sectional study to address this knowledge gap and test the hypothesis that low device acceptance is associated with poorer quality of life, depression and anxiety. Self-report questionnaires were administered to assess quality of life (12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire quality of life subscale), level of anxiety (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder; GAD-7), level of depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9) and device acceptance (Florida Patient Acceptance Survey; FPAS) to 101 consecutive patients presenting to LVAD clinic. Regression analysis showed a strong correlation between device acceptance and both psychological distress (p\u2009<\u20090.001) and quality of life (p\u2009<\u20090.001). Analysis of the sub-scales of the FPAS showed that patients had significant body image concerns, but return to function and device-related distress were the main drivers of the observed correlation between device acceptance and patient well-being. Younger age was associated with lower device acceptance (r\u2009=\u20090.36, p\u2009<\u20090.001) and lower quality of life (r\u2009=\u20090.54, p\u2009<\u20090.001). These findings suggest that interventions targeting device acceptance should be explored to improve outcomes in LVAD recipients

Fine characterization of immunological mechanisms mediated by the major allergens of Parietaria judaica and hypoallergenic hybrid, rPjEDcys

Purpose: Allergy is a hypersensitivity disease IgE-mediated, affecting more than 25% of the population. The symptoms of IgE-mediated allergies reactions can be transiently ameliorated pharmacologically, but the only curative treatment of allergies is Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (SIT). Recombinant hypoallergenic allergen derivatives with reduced allergenic activity have been engineered to reduce side effects during SIT. Parietaria judaica (Pj) pollen contains two major allergens belonging to the family of Lipid Tranfer Proteins (Par j 1 and Par j 2). By means of DNA recombinant technology, a hybrid hypoallergenic (PjEDcys), expressing disulphide bond variants of Par j 1 and Par j 2, was generated. The aim of this research project is to study the immunological mechanisms activated by the major allergens of Parietaria judaica, Par j 1 and Par j 2, and hypoallergenic hybrid rPjEDcys. Moreover, the project I am involved is trying to address the question whether this engineered hypoallergenic derivative can be a potential products for safer Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (SIT). Methods: Par j 1, Par j 2 and PjEDcys were produced as recombinant proteins. Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) from P. judaica allergic patients were stimulated in vitro with wild-type recombinant allergens and hybrid. PBMC proliferation assay, cytokine secretion assay, magnetic cell sorting of different subset of regulatory T cells, multiparametric flow cytometric analysis and molecular characterization using Real Time-PCR on sorted cells allow to study the biological properties of wild-type recombinant allergens and hybrid hypoallergenic derivate. Results: In vitro analysis suggested that PjEDcys have a reduced allergenity and maintained T cells reactivity. PBMC of P. judaica allergic patients stimulated in vitro with the hybrid and the wild-type recombinant allergens scored a percentage of proliferating CD4+ and CD56+ cell higher than unstimulated sample. Consistent with these data, cytokine secretion assay on CD4+ cells demonstrated that PBMC stimulation with rPjEDcys showed a percentage of IL-5 and IL-13 secreting T CD4+ cells lower than the wild-type allergens. Both rPjEDcys and wild-type stimulation promote the secretion of IFN- \u3b3 and IL-10 by T CD4+ cells. Finally whit the aim to study which subset of regulatory cells respond to wild-tipe allergens and hypoallergenic hybrid new experiment are setting. Discussion: In this experimental setting, the use of the major allergens of Pj and the hybrid polypeptides, rPjEDcys allows me to study the immunological mechanisms activated by the two different antigen stimulation and to investigate differences between the wild-type allergen and the hypoallergenic mutant rPjEDcys. Our data showed that CD4+ cells are clearly the predominant cell population proliferating in response to mixture of Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens. The hypoallergenic derivate rPjEDcys retain the ability to stimulate CD4+ cells proliferation like the mixture of allergens (rPar j 1 and rPar j 2). Moreover these results highlighted a particular interesting datum; the mixture of allergens and the rPjEDcys hybrid showed the ability to stimulate an innate immune response, inducing CD56+ cells proliferative response. Cytokine secretion assay demonstrate that rPjEDcys reduce the secretion of IL-5 and IL-13, Th2 cytokines with a critical role in the development of allergy, compared to wild-type allergens. This may reflect the different biological function exerted by rPjEDcys. Conclusion: Collectivelly, our findings demonstrate that PjEDcys show a reduced allergenicity but maintained its immunogenicity and maybe it is also capable to regulate and redirect the immune response. These results suggest that PjEDcys represent a useful approach for immunotherapy of allergic disease

Hybrid supramolecular gels of Fmoc-F/halloysite nanotubes: systems for sustained release of camptothecin

Supramolecular gel hybrids obtained by self-assembly of Fmoc-L-phenylalanine (Fmoc-F) in the presence of functionalized halloysite nanotubes (f-HNT) were obtained in biocompatible solvents and employed as carriers for the delivery of camptothecin (CPT) molecules. The synthesis of the new f-HNT material as well as its characterization are described. The properties of the hybrid hydrogels and organogels were analyzed by several techniques. The presence of small amounts of f-HNT allows good dispersion of the tubes and the subsequent formation of homogeneous gels. The experimental results show that f-HNT functions only as an additive in the hybrid gels and does not demonstrate gelator behavior. The in vitro kinetic release from both f-HNT/CPT and Fmoc-F/f-HNT/CPT was studied in media that imitates physiological conditions, and the factors controlling the release process were determined and discussed. Furthermore, the antiproliferative in vitro activities of the gels were evaluated towards human cervical cancer HeLa cells. A comparison of data collected in both systems shows the synergistic action of f-HNT and the gel matrix in controlling the release of CPT in the media and maintaining the drug in its active form. Finally, a comparison with pristine HNT is also reported. This study suggests a suitable strategy to obtain two-component gel hybrids based on nanocarriers with controlled drug carrier capacity for biomedical applications

Reactivity during bench-scale combustion of biomass fuels for carbon capture and storage applications

Reactivities of four biomass samples were investigated in four combustion atmospheres using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under two heating rates. The chosen combustion atmospheres reflect carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications and include O2O2 and CO2CO2-enrichment. Application of the Coats–Redfern method assessed changes in reactivity. Reactivity varied due to heating rate: the reactivity of char oxidation was lower at higher heating rates while devolatilisation reactions were less affected. In general, and particularly at the higher heating rate, increasing [O2O2] increased combustion reactivity. A lesser effect was observed when substituting N2N2 for CO2CO2 as the comburent; in unenriched conditions this tended to reduce char oxidation reactivity while in O2O2-enriched conditions the reactivity marginally increased. Combustion in a typical, dry oxyfuel environment (30% O2O2, 70% CO2CO2) was more reactive than in air in TGA experiments. These biomass results should interest researchers seeking to understand phenomena occurring in larger scale CCS-relevant experiments

THE VALUE OF DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND FOR DETECTING OCCULT INGUINAL HERNIA IN PATIENTS WITH GROIN PAIN

Aims: chronic groin pain caused by an occult hernia can be a difficult clinical diagnosis and may require additional investiga- tive modalities. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing occult hernia in patients with recurrent inguinal pain and a negative clinical examination. Patients and methods: over a period of three years, a total of 76 patients were referred for ultrasound examination with clini- cally suspected occult inguinal hernia. Patients with positive US scans were offered surgery, while those with negative US findings were offered further imaging or other diagnostic tests. The ultrasound examination of the inguinal region was conducted using a 5- 10 MHz linear probe. The scan was performed with the patient in the supine and erect positions, in a relaxed state, as well as during coughing and during a Valsalva manoeuvre. Results: overall, ultrasound diagnosed 31 inguinal hernias and all 31 patients with positive scans underwent surgery. Surgery confirmed the ultrasound diagnosis in 30 patients, having only 1/31 no hernia at operation (100% ultrasound sensitivity and 96.9% specificity). Patients undergoing surgery showed complete symptom resolution at a three-month follow-up. Conclusions: this study confirms that ultrasound is capable of accurately diagnosing groin hernia and this may justify its use in patients with chronic groin pain due to a suspected occult herni

Strong coupling of excited heavy mesons

We compute the strong coupling constant $G_{B^{**} B \pi} \; (G_{D^{**} D \pi})$, where $B^{**}$ ($D^{**}$) is the $0^+$ $P-$wave $b \bar q \; (c \bar q)$ state, by QCD sum rules and by light-cone sum rules. The two methods give compatible results in the limit $m_Q \to \infty$, with a rather large value of the coupling constant. We apply the results to the calculation of the hadronic widths of the positive parity $B$ and $D$ states and to the chiral loop contribution to the ratio $f_{D_s}/f_D$.Comment: 31 pages, RevTeX, 4 figures appended as uuencoded fil

CO2 gasification of chars prepared from wood and forest residue

The CO2 gasification of chars prepared from Norway spruce and its forest residue was investigated in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at slow heating rates. The volatile content of the samples was negligible; hence the gasification reaction step could be studied alone, without the disturbance of the devolatilization reactions. Six TGA experiments were carried out for each sample with three different temperature programs in 60 and 100% CO2. Linear, modulated, and constant-reaction rate (CRR) temperature programs were employed to increase the information content available for the modeling. The temperatures at half of the mass loss were lower in the CRR experiments than in the other experiments by around 120 degrees C. A relatively simple, well-known reaction kinetic equation described the experiments. The dependence on the reacted fraction as well as the dependence on the CO2, concentration were described by power functions (n-order reactions). The evaluations were also carried out by assuming a function of the reacted fraction that can mimic the various random pore/random capillary models. These attempts, however, did not result in an improved fit quality. Nearly identical activation energy values were obtained for the chars made from wood and forest residues (221 and 218 kJ/mol, respectively). Nevertheless, the forest residue char was more reactive; the temperatures at half of the mass loss showed 20-34 degrees C differences between the two chars at 10 degrees C/min heating rates. The assumption of a common activation energy, E, and a common reaction order, v, on the CO2, concentration for the two chars had only a negligible effect on the fit quality