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Accurate estimation and optimal control of tail risk is important for building portfolios with desirable properties, especially when dealing with a large set of assets. In this work, we consider optimal asset allocation strategies based on the minimization of two asymmetric deviation measures, related to quantile and expectile regression, respectively. Their properties are discussed in relation with the 'risk quadrangle' framework introduced by Rockafellar and Uryasev [The fundamental risk quadrangle in risk management, optimization and statistical estimation. Surv. Oper. Res. Manag. Sci., 2013, 18(1–2), 33–53], and compared to traditional strategies, such as the mean–variance portfolio. In order to control estimation error and improve the out-of-sample performance of the proposed models, we include ridge and elastic-net regularization penalties. Finally, we propose quadratic programming formulations for the optimization problems. Simulations and real-world analyses on multiple datasets allow to discuss pros and cons of the different methods. The results show that the ridge and elastic-net allocations are effective in improving the out-of-sample performance, especially in large portfolios, compared to the un-penalized ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A method has been developed for determination of thorium isotopes in water and soil samples by α-spectrometry. After fusion with Na2CO3 and Na2O2 at 600°C, soil samples were leached with HNO3 and HCl. Thorium in water sample or in soil leaching solution was coprecipitated together with iron (III) as hydroxides and/or carbonates at pH 9 with ammonia solution, separated from uranium and other α-emitters by a Microthene-TOPO (tri-octyl-phosphine oxide) chromatographic column, electrodeposited on a stainless steel disk, and measured by α-spectrometry. The method was checked with two certified reference materials supplied by the IAEA, and reliable results were obtained. The detection limits of the method for water (soil) samples are 0.44μBql−1 (0.070Bqkg−1) for 232Th, 0.80μBql−1 (0.13Bqkg−1) for 230Th and 1.0μBql−1 (0.16Bqkg−1) for 228Th, respectively, if 100l of water (0.50g) for each sample are analysed. A variety of water or soil samples were analysed using this procedure and giving average thorium yields of 75.5±14.2% for water and 93.4±4.5% for soil. The obtained concentrations of thorium isotopes in water samples are in the range of 0.0007–0.0326mBql−1 for 232Th, ⩽0.0008–0.0258mBql−1 for 230Th and 0.0014–1.32mBql−1 for 228Th. The 230Th/232Th and 228Th/232Th ratios are in the range of ⩽0.57–3.9 and 1.06–717, respectively. The disequilibrium between 232Th and 228Th activity in water is observed and the fate of thorium isotopes in water was studied. The exposure impact due to intake of thorium in the analysed drinking water was evaluated, showing a negligible amount of dose contribution. The concentrations of 232Th, 230Th and 228Th in the analysed soil samples are in the range of 30.2–48.6, 32.5–60.5 and 31.0–53.0Bqkg−1, respectively. The obtained mean ratio is 1.04±0.05 for 228Th/232Th and 1.20±0.41 for 230Th/232Th. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A sensitive and accurate method for determination of radium isotopes in soil samples by α-spectrometry has been developed 225Ra, which is in equilibrium with its mother 229Th, was used as a yield tracer. Radium in soil samples was fused together with Na2CO3 and Na2O2 at 600 °C, leached with HNO3, HCl and HF, preconcentrated by coprecipitation with BaSO4, separated from uranium, thorium and iron using a Microthene-TOPO chromatographic column, isolated from barium in a cation-exchange resin column using 0.05M 1,2-cyclohexylene-dinitrilo-tetraacetic acid monohydrate as an eluant, electrodeposited on a stainless steel disc, and counted by α-spectrometry. The detection limit of the method is 0.43 Bq·kg−1 for 226Ra, 228Ra and 224Ra if 0.50 g of soil sample are analyzed. The method was checked with two certified reference materials supplied by the IAEA, and reliable results were obtained Fourteen soil samples collected from the refractory industry in Italy were also analyzed. The mean radiochemical yields for radium were 85.7±4.3%, and the obtained radium concentrations in the soil samples were in the range of 8.08–3878 Bq·kg−1 for 226Ra, of 1.60–678 Bq·kg−1 for 228Ra and 1.25–550 Bq·kg−1 for 224Ra, with 228Ra/226Ra and 224Ra/226Ra ratios ranged from 0.159–0.821 and from 0.142 to 0.525, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the determination of low-level radium isotopes in mineral and environmental water samples by alpha-spectrometry has been developed. Radium-225, which is in equilibrium with its mother 229Th, was used as a yield tracer. Radium were preconcentrated from water samples by coprecipitation with BaSO4and iron (III) hydroxide at pH 8-9 using ammonia solution, then isolated from uranium, thorium and iron using a Microthene-TOPO chromatography column at 8M HCl, separated from barium in a cation-exchange resin column using 0.05M 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid monohydrate at pH 8.5 as an eluant, and finally electrodeposited on a stainless steel disc in a medium of 0.17M (NH4)2C2O4at pH 2.6 and current density of 400 mA. cm-2, and counted bya-spectrometry. Optimum experimental conditions for radium separation, purification and electrodeposition have been studied and discussed in the paper. The lower limits of detection of the method are 0.11 mBq. l-1for 226Ra, 228Ra and 224Ra, respectively, if 2 l of water are analyzed. The method has been checked with a certified reference material IAEA-Soil-6 supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency and reliable results were obtained. Eighteen water samples collected in Italy have been analyzed with the method, the mean radiochemical yields for radium were 86.2±6.5%. The obtained radium concentrations were in the range of 0.50-60.8 mBq. l-1for 226Ra, of 0.10-25.7 mBq. l-1for 228Ra, and of£LLD-7.97 mBq. l-1for 224Ra. The 228Ra/226Ra and 224Ra/226Ra ratios were in the range of 0.189-4.45 and£LLD-0.941, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the selectivity of the uranium isotopes determination in environmental samples, further studies have been carried out, including (1) interference of 210Po with uranium isotope determination, (2) distribution coefficients of polonium between 5% TOPO in toluene and aqueous hydrochloric and nitric acids, (3) decontamination factor of uranium from polonium of the recommended procedure, and (4) leaching effect comparison of two different leaching procedures in a lichen sample. Based on the new findings, a more accurate extraction chromatographic/ a-spectroscopy method has been developed. For the method's validation, four kinds of reference materials supplied by the IAEA have been tested. It is observed that nearly all the 238U, 234U and 235U concentrations obtained are in good agreement with the recommended or information values, showing that the method can give reliable results. A comparison with existing uranium determination methods has also been made. It is concluded that due to involving preconcentration and chemical separation, the extraction chromatographic/a-spectroscopy method is a more selective, very sensitive and accurate, and low cost method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A method for determination of low-level radium isotopes in mineral water samples by α-spectrometry has been developed. Ra-225, which is in equilibrium with its mother 229Th, was used as a yield tracer. Radium were preconcentrated from water samples by coprecipitation with BaSO4 and iron (III) hydroxide, isolated from uranium, thorium and iron using a Microthene tri-octyl-phosphine oxide (TOPO) chromatography column, separated from barium in a cation-exchange resin column, electrodeposited on a stainless steel disc in a medium of oxalate, and counted by α-spectrometry. The lower limits of detection of the method are 0.12 mBq l−1 for 226Ra and 224Ra, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS) was identified as a contaminant in certain heparin preparations as the cause of adverse reactions in patients. OSCS was found to possess both plasma anticoagulant activity and the ability to activate prekallikrein to kallikrein. Differentially sulfated chondroitin sulfates were prepared by synthetic modification of chondroitin sulfate and were compared to the activity of OSCS purified from contaminated heparin. Whilst chondroitin sulfate was found to have minimal anticoagulant activity, increasing sulfation levels produced an anticoagulant response which we directly show for the first time is mediated through heparin cofactor II. However, the tetra-sulfated preparations did not possess any higher anticoagulant activity than several tri-sulfated variants, and also had lower heparin cofactor II mediated activity. Activation of prekallikrein was concentration dependent for all samples, and broadly increased with the degree of sulfation, though the di-sulfated preparation was able to form more kallikrein than some of the tri-sulfated preparations. The ability of the samples to activate the kinin system, as measured by bradykinin, was observed to be through kallikrein generation. These results show that whilst an increase in sulfation of chondroitin sulfate did cause an increase in anticoagulant activity and activation of the kinin system, there may be subtler structural interactions other than sulfation at play given the different responses observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the optimization of the design of piezoelectric transducer elements integrated on doubly-clamped microbeam resonators utilized as (bio)chemical sensors. We report and emphasize the often forgotten influence of membrane stresses on defining the dimensions and optimal position of the piezoelectric transducer elements. The study takes into account stress induced structural changes and provides models for the equivalent motional parameters of resonators with particular shapes of the transducers matching the flexural modes of vibration. The above is analyzed theoretically using numerical models and is confirmed by impedance measurements and optical measurements of fabricated doubly-clamped beam resonators. We propose various transducer designs and highlight the advantages of using higher order vibration modes by implementing specially designed mode matching transducer elements. It is concluded that the paper describes and highlights the importance of accounting for the membrane stresses to optimize the resonator performance and the low power in electronic feedback of resonating sensing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe the axial flux oscillations in PWRs by means of the Onega and Kisner model (1978), a two-point xenon oscillation model based on the one-group, one-dimensional neutron diffusion equation with nonlinear power reactivity feedback and on the nonlinear xenon and iodine balance equations. We investigate the feasibility of using genetic algorithms for estimating the effective nuclear parameters involved. This approach has the advantage of allowing the periodic re-estimation of the effective parameter values pertaining to each reactor on the basis of its recent history. By so doing, other effects, such as the burn up, are automatically taken into account. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The formation of foams on lakes is a complex phenomenon whose origin is often hardly identifiable. Recently (2007, 2008, and 2010) foam episodes started to occur in Lake Maggiore, northern Italy. The present work aimed to verify the hypothesis of an endogenous-natural origin of these foams, driven by trophic or climatic changes. To this purpose, a long-term (2000-2013) analysis of phytoplankton biovolumes, meteorological, and hydrological data has been performed together with the chemical characterization of foams. Foams resulted of endogenous origin and likely related to phytoplankton biomass degradation. Data analysis highlighted atypical warm temperature and residual lake stratification in winter in two of the three years of foam events, coupled with exceptional Bacyllariophyceae blooms in spring. Tabellaria flocculosa mostly contributed in terms of biomass in 2007 and 2008, but not in 2010; thus overall algal biomass seemed a better predictor of the risk of foam formation. Foam events occurred from July to December, driven by atypically windy conditions, and congruently with the time needed to degrade biomass into surface-active compounds. A co-occurrence of different factors resulted essential to generate foams, and climate changes likely contribute to enhance their occurrence in Lake Maggiore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cold aqueous extraction of basidiocarps (fruiting bodies) of the edible mushroom Lentinus edodes (shiitake) gave rise to a heteropolysaccharide, whose chemical structure, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties were determined. Its chemical structure was based on monosaccharide composition, methylation analysis, and NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY, HSQC-NOESY, and coupled HMQC). It was found to be a fucomannogalactan with a main chain of (1→6)-linked α-d-galactopyranosyl units, partially substituted at O-2 by single-unit β-d-Manp or α-l-Fucp side chains. The polysaccharide produced a marked and dose-related effect when assessed against acetic acid-induced visceral nociception. Prevention of peritoneal capillary permeability and leukocyte infiltration caused by the acetic acid was similar in potency and effectiveness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A polysaccharide (M w 2.39×104 g/mol) was extracted with cold water from the basidiomycete Pleurotus pulmonarius, and its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated. It was a mannogalactan (MG), whose structure was characterized using mono- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis, and a controlled Smith degradation. It had a main chain of (1→6)-linked α-d-galactopyranosyl and 3-O-methyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl units, both of which are partially substituted at O-2 by β-d-mannopyranosyl non-reducing ends. The MG was tested for its effects on the acetic acid-induced writhing reaction in mice, a typical model for inflammatory pain, causing a marked and dose-dependent inhibition of the nociceptive response, with ID50 of 16.2 (14.7–17.7)mg/kg and inhibition of 93±3% at a dose of 30mg/kg. An inflammatory response was not inhibited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The interactions between Cu(II) ions and heparin were investigated using several complementary spectroscopic techniques. NMR indicated an initial binding phase involving specific coordination to four points in the structure that recur in slightly different environments throughout the heparin chain; the carboxylic acid group and the ring oxygen of iduronate-2-O-sulfate, the glycosidic oxygen between this residue and the adjacent (towards the reducing end) glucosamine and the 6-O-sulfate group. In contrast, the later binding phase showed little structural specificity. One- and two-dimensional correlated FTIR revealed that complex out of phase (asynchronous) conformational changes also occurred during the titration of Cu(II) ions into heparin, involving the Cx2013;H stretches. EPR demonstrated that the environments of the Cu(II) ions in the initial binding phase were tetragonal (with slightly varied geometry), while the later non-specific phases exhibited conventional coordination. Visible spectroscopy confirmed a shift of the absorbance maximum. Titration of Cu(II) ions into a solution of heparin indicated (both by analysis of FTIR and EPR spectra) that the initial binding phase was complete by 15–20 Cu(II) ions per chain; thereafter the ions bound in the non-specific mode. Hetero-correlation spectroscopy (FTIR–CD) improved resolution and assisted assignment of the broad CD features from the FTIR spectra and indicated both in-phase and more complex out of phase (synchronous and asynchronous, respectively) changes in interactions within the heparin molecule during the titration of Cu(II) ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The structure of pullullan-like polysaccharides produced as exocellular material by different strains of Cryphonectria parasitica, the fungus responsible for chestnut tree cankers, was investigated with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. 13C, mono- and bidimensional 1H, and 1H–13C heteronuclear correlated NMR spectra (HSQC and HMBC) were recorded. Advanced analysis of the NMR spectra allowed the main resonance of the atoms in the maltotriose and in the maltotetraose repeat units of pullulan-like polysaccharides from C. parasitica to be recognised with confidence. In all cases investigated, the presence of large amounts of α-(1→6) maltotetraose subunits was evidenced, in addition to the α-(1→6) maltotriose subunits, corresponding to the repeating unit of pullulan produced by Aureobasidium pullulans and other fungi. The results were in agreement with other data from this laboratory, obtained with independent techniques. The belief that in ‘pullulans’ the maximum amount of α-(1→6) maltotetraose subunits is about 7% can thus be considered as definitely outdated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The three main polysaccharides from the lichenized fungus Umbilicaria mammulata were isolated and characterized. Their structures were determined using GC-MS of derived alditol acetates, GC-MS-methylation analysis and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Two of them were (1→3)-and (1→6)-linked β-glucans, namely laminaran and pustulan, respectively. The other was a galactofuranomannan, which was analyzed as well as a galactose-free polysaccharide formed on partial hydrolysis. The former consisted of a main chain of (1→6)-linked α-mannopyranosyl residues, part of them being substituted at O-2, O-4, and O-2,4 by complex, branched side chains containing α-mannopyranosyl and β-galactofuranosyl units. This heteropolysaccharide is related to those of other Umbilicariaceae, and its chemical characterization presents a useful tool for the systematics of lichenized fungi. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A representative National Survey to evaluate the exposure to natural sources of ionizing radiation in dwellings was conducted in all the 21 Italian Regions from 1989 to 1998, and the complete results are reported in this paper. Radon concentration was measured for two consecutive 6-month periods (generally covering the spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons) in one room, usually the main bedroom, of each surveyed dwelling. Validated radon concentration measurements were obtained for a total of 5631 dwellings, distributed in 232 towns (all the 50 towns with more than 100,000 inhabitants and 182 randomly sampled smaller towns). The national average, weighted by the population of each Region, of the annual radon concentration is , the geometric mean is , and the geometric standard deviation is 2.1. The fraction of dwellings with a radon concentration exceeding the reference levels of 150, 200, 400, and are 7.7%, 4.1%, 0.9%, and 0.2%, respectively. Regional averages ranged from about to about . The uncertainty of regional values can be relevant in the case of small Regions, where few small towns were sampled, however such uncertainties do not affect national values significantly. A log-normal model underestimates the fraction of dwellings with high radon concentration and needs to be adjusted to obtain a better fitting. Two complete 6-month measurements were obtained for 4742 dwellings. The regional values of the geometric mean and of the geometric standard deviation of the winter/summer ratio ranged from 0.81 to 2.58 and from 1.32 to 1.88, respectively. The corresponding national values were 1.23 and 1.71, respectively. These results and their implications are discussed in the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Powdered samples of cotton, flax and viscose from textile fibres were subjected to electron beam irradiation (20–400KGy). ESR signals were observed after irradiation. The intensity of the signals depended on the administered dose and exhibited an exponential decay with time. The ESR spectra, whose pattern depended drastically on the crystallinity of the samples, indicated the simultaneous presence of at least three carbon-centred radical species. When the whole irradiated textile fibres were quenched in a solution of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) a significant increase of the weight was observed, the increase being strongly dependent on the administered dose and on the time interval elapsed between irradiation and quenching. Spectroscopic characterisation evidenced that GMA acted as cellulose radicals scavenger on the unsubstituted carbon of the double bond and was covalently linked to the fibre through a new C–C bond while maintaining unaltered the ester and the epoxide groups, available for further derivatisations. Because irradiation of the whole textile fibres in the range 20–200KGy does not result in significant degradation of the material, GMA quenching of fibres irradiated in this dose range may represent an attractive route to their functionalisation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Crosslinked polysaccharides containing tertiary amine groups have been used for the recovery of various textile dyes from aqueous solutions. These polymers were prepared by reticulation of starch-enriched flour using epichlorohydrin as a cross linking agent in the presence of NH4OH. The reaction was optimized and the products analyzed by IR and NMR techniques. Several sorption studies are presented, focusing on the nature of the polymer, the structure of dyes, and the concentration. The results show that these polymers exhibit high sorption capacities: the kinetics of sorption are dependent on the presence of amino groups and the variation in the amount of the sorption also depends on the nature of the dye. Physical adsorption in the polymer network and chemical interaction of the solute dyes via ion exchange and hydrogen bonding are both involved in the sorption process. The sorption mechanism is also due to the presence of dye–dye interactions. Experiments with mixtures of textile dyes show that the sorption of a given solute may be increased by the presence of another one. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the effects of adding 1 μg · kg-1 fentanyl to ropivacaine 7.5 mg · ml-1 for axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia. Methods: With Ethics Committee approval and written consent, 30 ASA physical status I–II in-patients, scheduled for orthopaedic hand procedures were randomly allocated to receive axillary brachial plexus block with 20 ml of either ropivacaine 7.5 mg · ml-1 (n=15) or ropivacaine 7.5 mg · ml-1+1 μg · ml-1 fentanyl (n=15). Nerve blocks were placed using a nerve stimulator with the multiple injection technique. A blinded observer recorded the time to onset of surgical block (loss of pinprick sensation in the innervation areas of the hand (C6–C8) with concomitant inability to flex the wrist against gravity and move the fingers when squeezing the hand) and first request for pain medication after surgery. Results: No differences in demography, degree of sedation or peripheral oxygen saturation were observed between the two groups. Median (range) time required to achieve readiness for surgery was 15 min (5–36 min) with ropivacaine alone and 15 min (5–40 min) with the ropivacaine-fentanyl mixture. No differences in the intraoperative quality of nerve block were reported between the two groups. Four patients receiving ropivacaine plain and two patients receiving the ropivacaine-fentanyl mixture did not require analgesics during the first 24 h after surgery (P=0.62). The degree of pain experienced at first analgesic request in those patients asking for pain medication, as well as median consumption of postoperative analgesics, were similar in the two groups. First postoperative analgesic request was made at 11 h (25th–75th percentiles: 9.1–14 h) in patients receiving ropivacaine alone and at 11.8 h (25th–75th percentiles: 9.8–15 h) in patients receiving the ropivacaine-fentanyl mixture (P=0.99). Conclusion: The addition of fentanyl 1 μg · ml-1 to ropivacaine 7.5 mg · ml-1 does not improve the nerve block characteristics of axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia for orthopaedic procedures involving the hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to evaluate the time required to perform anaesthesia, achieve surgical block and fulfil standardized discharge criteria in outpatients receiving knee arthroscopy with either spinal anaesthesia or combined sciatic-femoral nerve block. Methods: After a standard midazolam/ketoprofen premedication and baseline measurement of cardiovascular parameters, 50 ASA I–II patients scheduled for elective outpatient knee arthroscopy were randomized to receive spinal anaesthesia with 8 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (group Spinal, n=25), or combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with 25 ml of mepivacaine 20 mg ml-1 and a multiple injection technique (15 ml for femoral nerve block and 10 ml for sciatic nerve block). Times lasting from skin disinfection to the end of local anaesthetic injection (preparation time) and then to achieve surgical anaesthesia (readiness for surgery), as well as times required for block resolution, micturition, unassisted ambulation, and home discharge were recorded by a blinded observer. Occurrence of adverse events was also recorded. Results: Preparation time (mean±SD) was longer with sciatic-femoral block (8±2.7 min) than spinal anaesthesia (5±2.1 min) (P=0.0002) while no differences were observed in the time required to achieve readiness for surgery (14±5 min and 15±6 min in the Spinal and Sciatic-femoral groups, respectively). No differences in haemodynamic side effects and need for intraoperative additional analgesia were observed. Patients receiving spinal anaesthesia showed a faster resolution of nerve block and longer time to micturition (137±49 min and 231±101 min) than patients receiving peripheral nerve blockade (206±51 min and 145±36 min) (P<0.0005 and P=0.002, respectively); however, no differences were observed in the time required to fulfil standardized discharge criteria (241±101 min in group Spinal and 209±70 min in group Sciatic-femoral; P=0.86). Conclusion: In patients receiving elective outpatient knee arthroscopy, using a combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with 25 ml of mepivacaine 20 mg ml-1 and a multiple injection technique results in a slightly longer preoperative time but provides similarly effective anaesthesia with no differences in home discharge times as compared to spinal anaesthesia with 8 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) has been suggested to cause less pharyngeal trauma than the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), we conducted a prospective, randomised study to compare haemodynamic changes after placing either the COPA or LMA in healthy anaesthetised adults.Methods: After standard midazolam premedication (0.05 mg kg(-1) IV), general anaesthesia (IV propofol 2 mg kg(-1)) was induced in 60 ASA physical status I-II, 18-65-yr-old patients, who were randomly allocated to receive COPA (n=30) or LMA (n= 30) placement and then mechanically ventilated using a 60% nitrous oxide and 1% isoflurane in oxygen mixture (TV=8 ml kg(-1), RR=12 b.p.m., I/E=1/2). Haemodynamic variables were recorded 20 min after the midazolam premedication (baseline), and then every 1 min until 10 min after general anaesthesia induction.Results: Nine patients of group COPA (30%) required chin lift, jaw thrust or head tilt to maintain adequate ventilation, while no problems were observed in the LMA group (P<0.0005); however, in no case did the designed extratracheal airway have to be removed due to unsuccessful mechanical ventilation, and no signs of gastric insufflation or regurgitation were reported. The maximum mean changes in haemodynamic variables were more marked after LMA placement (SAP: 12%+/-13%; DAP: 11%+/-18%; HR: 13%+/-16%) than COPA placement (SAP: -3%+/-18%; DAP: -5%+/-16%; HR: 4%+/-13%) (P<0.005, P<0.005, and P<0.01 for SAP, DAP and HR, respectively). Group LMA showed higher SAP and DAP values than group COPA only during the first 3 min after airway insertion.Conclusion: In healthy, anaesthetised patients, placing a cuffed oropharyngeal airway is associated with smaller cardiovascular changes after airway insertion compared with the laryngeal mask airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the prevention and treatment of hypothermia. Definition of homeothermy; Impact of anesthesia on peri-operative hypothermia; Effects of regional anesthesia on peripheral and central thermoregulatory control; Role of environmental temperature and humidity in body temperature maintenance.