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The development and growth of the territory has for centuries been conditioned by the availability of resources on site. The minor architecture which is presented as a vast and varied repertoire of unique architectural forms, perfected over time to meet the needs of living places, is the repository of the formal and cultural testimonies that represent the integration between man and environment, which took place in a constant process of adaptation and enhancement of limits and resources in terms of climate, materials, soil morphology and geology. The "not only formal" result of this growth process is a consolidated iconography that summarizes the profound reasons for building through techniques developed according to the characteristics of the available materials and the needs of life and daily work, an absolute synthesis between form and function that gives rise to the repertoire of the lexicon of the architecture of a place and of the landscape. Starting from these reflections, the proposed study seeks to investigate the reasons for the constructive lexicon of some examples of vernacular architecture related to different contexts, identifying the reasons for the constructive choices in terms of relationships between the function of technical elements and construction characteristics; the purpose of this approach is to regulate constructive interventions in consolidated settlements of vernacular architecture by proposing a study methodology that highlights the rules and reasons for those constructive choices so that purely formal distortions and misunderstandings do not occur in current practices. The selected case studies are the rural settlements of Terzigno, a municipality in the province of Naples (Italy) on the slopes of Vesuvius and some of the rural settlements in the Danube Delta, in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an experimental investigation on the sintering process induced in fumed silica powders by isochronal thermal treatments at T=1270 K. Three types of fumed silica are considered, consisting of amorphous SiO2 (a-SiO2) particles with mean diameters 7, 14, and 40 nm. The study is performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), to follow the morphological changes, and by Raman scattering, to obtain information on the concomitant structural modifications. The former method indicates that the sintering process proceeds by aggregation of single particles into larger grains, whose sizes increase with the thermal treatment duration. Furthermore, for each fumed silica type considered, the quantitative analysis of the AFM images shows that the grain growth process takes place approximately at constant rate for thermal treatment durations up to 290 h. Nevertheless, the value of the grain growth rate is sensitive to the system properties. In fact, it is found to increase with decreasing the particle mean diameter, giving a strong quantitative evidence of the size-dependence of the sintering process. On the other hand, Raman measurements indicate that the structure of the as-received fumed silica nanoparticles is significantly modified with respect to that of ordinary bulk a-SiO2, in agreement with previous experimental evidences. However, it rapidly relaxes upon thermal treatment at T=1270 K and its characterizing features are almost completely lost after treatment for about 80 h. Finally, the comparison of AFM and Raman data shows that the nanoparticles structure are completely relaxed (resembling that of bulk a-SiO2) when the grains formed by thermal treatment reach diameters greater than about 43 nm, indicating that it represents the characteristic size above which the effects of spatial confinement on the structure of the material become almost negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an experimental investigation by electron paramagnetic resonance of the doublet of lines split by ∼1.3 mT and centered on the E′γ center resonance line in the spectrum of irradiated amorphous SiO2. Commercial and sol-gel materials, some of which subjected to hydrogen-deuterium exchange, were investigated. Exposure to γ or β rays at room temperature of the samples and subsequent thermal treatments were carried out to induce the defects and to study their thermal stability. In all the materials used the ratio between the signal of the E′γ centers and that of the 1.3 mT doublet is constant and independent of the OH and OD contents. Furthermore, the 1.3 mT doublet and the E′γ center feature similar thermal stability. These results support the attribution of the 1.3 mT doublet to the hyperfine interaction between the unpaired electron magnetic moment of the E′γ center and the nuclear magnetic moment of a second near neighboring 29Si atom. Our results also suggest that the E′γ site needs an appropriate surrounding of 29Si in back-bond configuration to experience this hyperfine interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an experimental investigation by electron paramagnetic resonance of the doublet of lines split by ∼1.3 mT and centered on the E′γ center resonance line in the spectrum of irradiated amorphous SiO2. Commercial and sol-gel materials, some of which subjected to hydrogen-deuterium exchange, were investigated. Exposure to γ or β rays at room temperature of the samples and subsequent thermal treatments were carried out to induce the defects and to study their thermal stability. In all the materials used the ratio between the signal of the E′γ centers and that of the 1.3 mT doublet is constant and independent of the OH and OD contents. Furthermore, the 1.3 mT doublet and the E′γ center feature similar thermal stability. These results support the attribution of the 1.3 mT doublet to the hyperfine interaction between the unpaired electron magnetic moment of the E′γ center and the nuclear magnetic moment of a second near neighboring 29Si atom. Our results also suggest that the E′γ site needs an appropriate surrounding of 29Si in back-bond configuration to experience this hyperfine interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sintering process induced in fumed silica powders by isochronal thermal treatments is examined. The comparison of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman data has shown that the nanoparticles structure are relaxed when the grains formed by thermal treatment reach diameters greater than 43 nm, which has represented the size above which the effects of spatial confinement on the structure of the material has become almost negligible.

Electron paramagnetic resonance of the doublet of lines split by 1.3 mT and centered on the [E.sub.[gamma].sup.t] center resonance line in the spectrum of irradiated amorphous Si[O.sub.2] is examined. The results have shown that the [E.sub.[gamma].sup.t] site requires an appropriate surrounding of [super 29]Si in back-bond configuration to experience the hyperfine interaction.

This paper analyses and publishes a diptych of texts on the origins of the Orsini family preserved in the manuscript Florence, BNC, II.VII.82. The texts are fully in line with the trend of ‘unbelievable genealogies’ developing in Italy during the 16th century. The first of the texts recounts the remote origins of the noble family and is attributed to an otherwise unknown son of Marsilio Ficino. The second one narrates Orsine events in the Carolingian era and is instead attributed to Francesco Petrarca.

Trimodal therapy consisting of neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy has become the standard of care in North America for locally advanced esophageal cancer. While cisplatin/5-fluorouracil has been a common concurrent chemotherapy regimen since the 1980s, its utilization has declined in recent years as the Chemoradiotherapy for Oesophageal Cancer Followed by Surgery Study (CROSS) trial regimen of carboplatin/paclitaxel has become widely adopted. The efficacy of the CROSS regimen compared to alternate chemotherapy choices, however, has rarely been evaluated when each is used as a component of a trimodal treatment approach. The aim of this study is to report our institutional experience with these two concurrent chemotherapy regimens at a specialized esophageal cancer center. We performed an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional foregut registry from a single National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Esophageal cancer patients who completed trimodal therapy with a chemotherapy regimen of either carboplatin/paclitaxel or cisplatin/5-fluorouracil were identified and divided into groups based on their chemotherapy regimens. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze pathologic complete response rates, while the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to evaluate recurrence-free and overall survival. Analytical models were adjusted for age, clinical stage, radiation dose, histologic subtype (adenocarcinoma vs. squamous cell carcinoma), and time interval from completion of neoadjuvant therapy to surgery. One hundred and forty-two patients treated between January of 2000 and July of 2015 were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Of this group, 87 had received the CROSS regimen of carboplatin/paclitaxel, while 55 had completed cisplatin/5-fluorouracil. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the cisplatin/5-fluorouracil.group had an increased odds of pathologic complete response (odds ratio = 2.68, 95% confidence interval, P = 0.032), as well as significantly improved recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.21-0.73, P = 0.003) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.87, P = 0.016), compared to the carboplatin/paclitaxel group. Concurrent chemotherapy with cisplatin/5-fluorouracil in locally advanced esophageal cancer is associated with higher rates of pathologic complete response and improved recurrence-free and overall survival compared to the CROSS regimen of carboplatin/paclitaxel. This suggests that, for select patients, alternate neoadjuvant chemotherapy approaches, such as cisplatin/5-fluorouracil, merit reconsideration as potential primary treatment choices in the management of this highly morbid disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trimodality therapy for resectable esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers utilizing preoperative radiotherapy with concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is being increasingly utilized secondary to the results of the phase III CROSS trial. However, there is a paucity of reports of this regimen as a component of chemoradiotherapy in North America. We aim to report on our clinical experience using a modified CROSS regimen with higher radiotherapy doses. Patients with advanced ( cT2- cT4 or node positive) esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma who received preoperative carboplatin/paclitaxel-based chemoradiotherapy with radiation doses of greater than 41.4 Gray ( Gy) followed by esophagectomy were identified from an institutional database. Patient, imaging, treatment, and tumor response characteristics were analyzed. Twenty-four patients were analyzed. All but one tumor had adenocarcinoma histology. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy. Pathologic complete response was achieved in 29% of patients, with all receiving 50.4 Gy. Three early postoperative deaths were seen, due in part to acute respiratory distress syndrome and all three patients received 50-50.4 Gy. With a median follow-up of 9.4 months (23 days-2 years), median survival was 24 months. Trimodality therapy utilizing concurrent carboplatin/paclitaxel with North American radiotherapy doses appeared to have similar pathologic complete response rates compared with the CROSS trial, but may be associated with higher toxicity. Although the sample size is small and further follow-up is necessary, radiation doses greater than 41.4 Gy may not be warranted secondary to a potentially increased risk of severe radiation-induced acute lung injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective masticatory performance assessment using two-coloured specimens relies on image processing techniques; however, just a few approaches have been tested and no comparative studies are reported. The aim of this study was to present a selection procedure of the optimal image analysis method for masticatory performance assessment with a given two-coloured chewing gum. Dentate participants ( n = 250; 25 ± 6·3 years) chewed red-white chewing gums for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 25 cycles (2000 samples). Digitalised images of retrieved specimens were analysed using 122 image processing methods (IPMs) based on feature extraction algorithms (pixel values and histogram analysis). All IPMs were tested following the criteria of: normality of measurements (Kolmogorov-Smirnov), ability to detect differences among mixing states ( anova corrected with post hoc Bonferroni) and moderate-to-high correlation with the number of cycles (Spearman's Rho). The optimal IPM was chosen using multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Measurements provided by all IPMs proved to be normally distributed ( P < 0·05), 116 proved sensible to mixing states ( P < 0·05), and 35 showed moderate-to-high correlation with the number of cycles (|ρ| > 0·5; P < 0·05). The variance of the histogram of the Hue showed the highest correlation with the number of cycles (ρ = 0·792; P < 0·0001) and the highest MCDA score (optimal). The proposed procedure proved to be reliable and able to select the optimal approach among multiple IPMs. This experiment may be reproduced to identify the optimal approach for each case of locally available test foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the impact of preoperative staging on the treatment of clinical T2 N0 (c T2 N0) esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy. We reviewed a retrospective cohort of 27 patients treated at a single institution between 1999 and 2011. Clinical staging was performed with computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and endoscopic ultrasound. Patients were separated into two groups: neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery ( NEOSURG) and surgery alone ( SURG). There were 11 patients (41%) in the NEOSURG group and 16 patients (59%) in the SURG group. In the NEOSURG group, three of 11 patients (27%) had a pathological complete response and eight (73%) were partial or nonresponders after neoadjuvant therapy. In the SURG group, nine of 16 patients (56%) were understaged, 6 (38%) were overstaged, and 1 (6%) was correctly staged. In the entire cohort, despite being clinically node negative, 14 of 27 patients (52%) had node-positive disease (5/11 [45%] in the NEOSURG group, and 9/16 [56%] in the SURG group). Overall survival rate was not statistically significant between the two groups ( P = 0.96). Many c T2 N0 patients are clinically understaged and show no preoperative evidence of node-positive disease. Consequently, neoadjuvant therapy may have a beneficial role in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We synthesized CdSe/CdS giant-shell nanocrystals, with a CdSe core diameter between 2.8 nm and 5.5 nm, and a CdS shell thickness of up to 7–8 nm (equivalent to about 20 monolayers of CdS). Both the core and shell have a wurtzite crystal structure, yielding epitaxial growth of the shell and nearly defect-free crystals. As a result, the photoluminescence (PL) quantum efficiency (QE) is as high as 90%. Quantitative PL measurements at various excitation wavelengths allow us to separate the nonradiative decay into contributions from interface and surface trapping, giving us pathways for future optimization of the structure. In addition, the NCs do not blink, and the giant shell and concurring strong electron delocalization efficiently suppress Auger recombination, yielding a biexciton lifetime of about 15 ns. The corresponding biexciton PL QE equals 11% in 5.5/18.1 nm CdSe/CdS. Variable-temperature time-resolved PL and PL under magnetic fields further reveal that the emission at cryogenic temperature originates from a negative trion-state, in agreement with other CdSe/CdS giant-shell systems reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report an experimental study on the photoluminescence band peaked at 2.7eV (blue band) induced by thermal treatments in nanometric amorphous SiO2. In particular the emission dependence on the nanometric particles size as a function of their mean diameter from 7nm up to 40nm is investigated. We found that the emission amplitude increases on decreasing the particle diameter, showing a strong correlation between the blue band and the nanometric nature of the particles. By Raman spectroscopy measurements it is evidenced that the SiO2 nanoparticles matrix is significantly affected by the reduction of size. Basing on the shell-like model, these findings are interpreted assuming that the defects responsible for the photoluminescence are localized on a surface shell of the particles and not simply on their surface. In addition it is found that the generation efficiency of these defects depends on the structural properties of the SiO2 matrix in the surface shell. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present work we report an experimental investigation by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy on the hyperfine structure of the E' $_\gamma$ point defect, probing the local arrangement of the network (range-II order), and by Raman spectroscopy on the D1 and D2 lines, probing mean features of the network (range-III order). Our studies, performed on a-SiO2 samples thermally treated at 1000 °C in air for different time durations, show that changes of the hyperfine structure and of the D1 and D2 lines occur in a correlated way. These results give strong evidence that the range-II and range-III order properties are intimately related to each other and that these properties are determined by the history of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the concept of ontology and ethics in the philosophies of Hungarian Marxist philosopher Gyorgy Lukács. Correlation between the works of Lukács and the European philosophy of irrationalism in the early 1900s; Reflections on the works of philosophers Martin Heidegger and Georg Simmel; Basis of the theories proposed by French philosopher Lucien Goldmann on irrationalism.

Abstract: The visible luminescence of nanometer-sized silica particles (7 nm mean diameter) was investigated using time resolved spectroscopy. This luminescence is characterized by a wide excitation in the visible and ultraviolet range. The emission spectrum is centred at 2.72 eV with a full width at half maximum of 0.70 eV when excited above 3.5 eV, whereas it progressively empties on the high energy side when excited below 3.5 eV. Moreover, the lifetime falls in the ns timescale and decreases on increasing the emission energy. These features are due to the exceptionally broad inhomogeneous distribution of the emitting centres peculiar to the silica nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report an experimental investigation by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopy on a variety of amorphous silicon dioxide materials. Our study by EPR have permitted us to point out that the splitting of the primary hyperfine doublet of the center shows a relevant sample-to-sample variability, changing from ∼41.8 to ∼42.6mT in the set of materials we considered. The parallel study by Raman spectroscopy has enabled us to state that this variability is attributable to the different Si–O–Si angle characterizing the matrices of the different materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report an experimental investigation on the effects of thermal treatments at different temperatures (room—1270K) and for different duration (0–75h) on amorphous silica nanoparticles (fumed silica) in powder tablet form. Three types of fumed silica are considered, comprising nearly spherical particles of 40nm, 14nm and 7nm mean diameter. The experimental techniques used here are Raman and infrared absorption (IR) spectroscopy together with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Raman and IR spectra indicate that the structure of nanometer silica particles is significantly different with respect to that of a bulk silica glass. In particular, the main differences regard the positions of the IR band peaked at about 2260cm−1, the Raman R-band peaked at about 440cm−1 and the intensity of the D1 and the D2 Raman lines, related to the populations of 4- and 3-membered rings, respectively. Our data also indicate that, under thermal treatments, the structure of fumed silica samples is significantly changed, gradually relaxing towards that pertaining to ordinary bulk silica. These changes are interpreted here on the basis of the morphological information provided by the AFM measurements and assuming a two-shell structure for the fumed silica primary particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The histo-blood group antigens P, P1 and Pk are a closely related set of glycosphingolipid structures expressed by red blood cells and other tissues. None of these three characters is expressed on p cells, a null phenotype that arises in the context of homozygous mutation of the A4GALT gene. Subjects with p phenotype spontaneously develop a natural alloantibody named anti-PP1Pk, which is a mixture of IgG and IgM against P1, P and Pk. While anti-P1 is a weak cold antibody with poor clinical significance, anti-P and anti-Pk antibodies are potent haemolysins responsible for severe hemolytic transfusion reactions. The rare anti-PP1Pk alloantibodies are associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion in the first trimester of gestation. P and Pk antigens are expressed at high levels on the placenta and antibodies directed against both these structures are deleterious to placental trophoblasts. Here we describe the use of plasma exchange (PEX) in a nulliparous 39-year-old woman with anti-PP1Pk antibodies and a history of repeated spontaneous early abortions and hypofertility. The patient underwent apheresis starting from the third week throughout the pregnancy and a healthy child was delivered by cesarean section at 35 WG. The newborn required only phototherapy within a few days of life. We can state that an early treatment with the only PEX has proven to be effective and safe in the management of a fetomaternal P-incompatibility caused by a high anti-PP1Pk titer (256). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is an immunosuppressive cytokine upregulated in colorectal cancer. Preclinical data demonstrated improved response to chemoradiation with TGFβ blockade in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Here we report the results of our single arm Phase II study combining the TGFβ type I receptor kinase inhibitor, galunisertib, with neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma. Eligible patients had T3+ or N+ rectal adenocarcinoma planned for surgical resection. Enrolled patients completed a 14-day course of galunisertib, followed by chemoradiation with continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine with radiation to 50.4-54Gy in 28-30 fractions. On day 30, patients underwent another 14-day course of galunisertib concurrent with ongoing chemoradiation. Five to nine weeks after completing neoadjuvant therapy, patients underwent response assessment. Those with complete response by physical exam, proctoscopy, and MRI, could opt for non-operative management and proceed to mFOLFOX6. Those with less than a complete response underwent surgical resection. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) rate, which was a composite of pathologic complete responses in those patients who proceeded to surgery, and clinical complete responses maintained at 1 year after completion of therapy for those who chose non-operative management. Using a Simon Two-Stage approach with 90% power and α=0.05, to detect a 20% improvement in complete response rate compared to historical control (15% vs 35%); we reject the null hypothesis if ≥10/38 patients have a CR. 38 patients were enrolled with 35 patients evaluable. Median age was 51y, 68% of patients were male, 87% of patients were Stage III, 97% of patients were node-positive, and 97% were proficient in mismatch repair. 95% of patients completed study therapy. Toxicity attributed to galunisertib was Grade 1-2. 28 patients went to surgery, with a mean neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score (NAR = 5pN-3(cT-pT)+12]2/9.61) of 11.29, and pathologic complete response (pCR) in 7 patients. 7 patients underwent non-operative management, with 5 achieving clinical complete response (cCR) at 1 year. Therefore, complete responses were observed in 12 patients. Peripheral immune monitoring revealed percent change in CD3+CD4-CXCR3+ T cells and activated effector memory CD8 T cells correlated with response to therapy. Decreased phospho-Smad2 in day 15 biopsies correlated with treatment response. 2y PFS and OS were 81.5% and 97%. The addition of TGFβ inhibition to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer markedly improved response to therapy, was well tolerated, and warrants further investigation. Clinical Trial Information: NCT02688712. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]