Reperti lapidei di et\ue0 romana rinvenuti a Fornovo Taro: provenienza e circolazione

Nelle collezioni del Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Parma tra i reperti litici di et\ue0 romana figurano anche tre oggetti recuperati a Fornovo Taro o nelle sue adiacenze diversi per contesto di ritrovamento e destinazione d\u2019uso, di cui si \ue8 analizzata la pietra ai fini di determinarne la provenienza e le possibili rotte commerciali. In particolare sono stati presi in esame:- una epigrafe frammentaria (n.inv. L 49), databile al II secolo d.C., gi\ue0 murata in uno dei pilastri della Pieve ed entrata a far parte delle collezioni museali nel 18671; - una piccola scultura raffigurante Afrodite accovacciata secondo il modello dello scultore ellenistico Doidalsas (n.inv. MANPr 31963), recuperata negli anni Ottanta del secolo scorso al margine occidentale di Piazza IV Novembre, databile ai primi decenni sempre del II secolo d.C.2; - una base di colonna (mancante di n.inv. e abbreviata con la sigla BCG), recuperata nel 1980 a Roncolungo di Sivizzano tra i materiali accatastati ai margini della strada statale dal proprietario del terreno in attesa di disfarsene

Tracing deep fluid source contribution to groundwater in an active seismic area (central Italy): A combined geothermometric and isotopic (δ13C) perspective

An understanding of the origin and migration pathways of geofluids in an active seismic area is of paramount importance in terms of societal challenges such as mitigation of seismic hazards. This study investigates the relationship between the stable isotope ratio 13C/12C of deep CO2 and geothermometry in selected groundwater samples located close to extensional faults in central Italy. The temperature range is inferred from an equation based on the Na/Li ratio and chemical geothermal modelling: 113–130 °C. Globally, the calculated temperature range agrees with that resulting from deep boreholes in the Northern Apennines. An alternative method is also included to better evaluate the difference in isotopic composition between the aqueous and gaseous δ13C(CO2) at deep condition. A review of previously published data shows that monitoring of the isotopic composition of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in springs fed by meteoric origin located in seismically active areas must take into account mass and isotopic balance to correctly evaluate the component, and the role, of deep fluid during seismic events. In particular, the coupled (and corrected) isotope and geothermometrical monitoring of the springs could help to distinguish between deep gas or deep fluid contributions to shallow aquifers. The results of this study indicate that faults play a crucial role in controlling the migration of crustal fluids. In addition, they reveal that possible evaluation of potential seismic precursors mandatorily requires a long period of monthly monitoring

In-doped Sb nanowires grown by MOCVD for high speed phase change memories

We investigated the Phase Change Memory (PCM) capabilities of In-doped Sb nanowires (NWs) with diameters of (20-40) nm, which were self-assembled by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. The PCM behavior of the NWs was proved, and it was shown to have relatively low reset power consumption (~ 400 μW) and fast switching capabilities with respect to standard Ge-Sb-Te based devices. In particular, reversible set and reset switches by voltage pulses as short as 25 ns were demonstrated. The obtained results are useful for understanding the effects of downscaling in PCM devices and for the exploration of innovative PCM architectures and materials. Keywords: Phase change memories, Nanowires, MOCVD, In-Sb, TEM, XR

In-doped Sb nanowires grown by MOCVD for high speed phase change memories

We investigated the Phase Change Memory (PCM) capabilities of In-doped Sb nanowires (NWs) with diameters of (20-40) nm, which were self-assembled by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. The PCM behavior of the NWs was proved, and it was shown to have relatively low reset power consumption (~ 400 μW) and fast switching capabilities with respect to standard Ge-Sb-Te based devices. In particular, reversible set and reset switches by voltage pulses as short as 25 ns were demonstrated. The obtained results are useful for understanding the effects of downscaling in PCM devices and for the exploration of innovative PCM architectures and materials

Holocene climate variability from ice core records in the Ross Sea area (East Antarctica)

Past polar climate variability can be documented at high resolution thanks to ice core records, which have revealed significant Holocene variations in Antarctica. Paleotemperature reconstructions from Antarctic ice cores are mainly based on δ18O (δD) records, a proxy for local, precipitation-weighted atmospheric temperatures. Here, we present a new climate record spanning the past 12,000 years resulting from high resolution (10 cm) stable isotope analyses of the ice core drilled at Talos Dome (TD) in East Antarctica from 2003 to 2007 in the framework of the TALDICE (TALos Dome Ice CorE) project. Talos Dome (72° 49’S, 15911’E; 2315 m; -41°C) is an ice dome on the edge of the East Antarctic plateau, where moisture is mainly advected from the Indian and western Pacific sectors of the Southern Ocean. Pacific moisture arriving at TD has been transported above the Ross Sea, where extensive presence of sea ice also occurs during summer. High-resolution δ18O data have been measured using both IRMS and CRDS techniques on 10 cm samples, leading to a mean time resolution of two years. The long-term trend of the TALDICE δ18O profile shows characteristic features already observed in other ice cores from the East Antarctic plateau. Following the approach of Pol et al. (2011), high frequency climate variability has been investigated using a 3000-year running standard deviation on the de-trended record. The results are compared to the same analysis performed on the nearby Taylor Dome ice core δ18O O data, which is the single East Antarctic ice core showing a strong Holocene decreasing trend. Despite these trend differences, both sites share common features regarding changes in variance. We also investigate changes in deuterium excess, a proxy reflecting changes in moisture source conditions. Both deuterium excess records show a two-step increasing trend in the first part of the Holocene. Taylor Dome deuterium excess however depicts an enhanced variability since about 7000 years BP. A wavelet analysis shows a change in isotopic variability patterns at 6-7000 years BP at both sites, suggesting changes in regional climate variability attributed to the opening of the Ross Sea area after the deglaciation

Protective Mechanical Ventilation during General Anesthesia for Open Abdominal Surgery Improves Postoperative Pulmonary Function

BACKGROUND:: The impact of intraoperative ventilation on postoperative pulmonary complications is not defined. The authors aimed at determining the effectiveness of protective mechanical ventilation during open abdominal surgery on a modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score as primary outcome and postoperative pulmonary function. METHODS:: Prospective randomized, open-label, clinical trial performed in 56 patients scheduled to undergo elective open abdominal surgery lasting more than 2 h. Patients were assigned by envelopes to mechanical ventilation with tidal volume of 9 ml/kg ideal body weight and zero-positive end-expiratory pressure (standard ventilation strategy) or tidal volumes of 7 ml/kg ideal body weight, 10 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure, and recruitment maneuvers (protective ventilation strategy). Modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score, gas exchange, and pulmonary functional tests were measured preoperatively, as well as at days 1, 3, and 5 after surgery. RESULTS:: Patients ventilated protectively showed better pulmonary functional tests up to day 5, fewer alterations on chest x-ray up to day 3 and higher arterial oxygenation in air at days 1, 3, and 5 (mmHg; mean \ub1 SD): 77.1 \ub1 13.0 versus 64.9 \ub1 11.3 (P = 0.0006), 80.5 \ub1 10.1 versus 69.7 \ub1 9.3 (P = 0.0002), and 82.1 \ub1 10.7 versus 78.5 \ub1 21.7 (P = 0.44) respectively. The modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score was lower in the protective ventilation strategy at days 1 and 3. The percentage of patients in hospital at day 28 after surgery was not different between groups (7 vs. 15% respectively, P = 0.42). CONCLUSION:: A protective ventilation strategy during abdominal surgery lasting more than 2 h improved respiratory function and reduced the modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score without affecting length of hospital stay

Catastrophic NAD+ Depletion in Activated T Lymphocytes through Nampt Inhibition Reduces Demyelination and Disability in EAE

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) inhibitors such as FK866 are potent inhibitors of NAD+ synthesis that show promise for the treatment of different forms of cancer. Based on Nampt upregulation in activated T lymphocytes and on preliminary reports of lymphopenia in FK866 treated patients, we have investigated FK866 for its capacity to interfere with T lymphocyte function and survival. Intracellular pyridine nucleotides, ATP, mitochondrial function, viability, proliferation, activation markers and cytokine secretion were assessed in resting and in activated human T lymphocytes. In addition, we used experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of T-cell mediated autoimmune disease to assess FK866 efficacy in vivo. We show that activated, but not resting, T lymphocytes undergo massive NAD+ depletion upon FK866-mediated Nampt inhibition. As a consequence, impaired proliferation, reduced IFN-γ and TNF-α production, and finally autophagic cell demise result. We demonstrate that upregulation of the NAD+-degrading enzyme poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) by activated T cells enhances their susceptibility to NAD+ depletion. In addition, we relate defective IFN-γ and TNF-α production in response to FK866 to impaired Sirt6 activity. Finally, we show that FK866 strikingly reduces the neurological damage and the clinical manifestations of EAE. In conclusion, Nampt inhibitors (and possibly Sirt6 inhibitors) could be used to modulate T cell-mediated immune responses and thereby be beneficial in immune-mediated disorders