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Objectives: This study was aimed at investigating the prognostic role of multiple lymph node basin drainage (MLBD) in patients with positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy.Background: MLBD is frequently observed in patients with trunk melanoma undergoing SLN. The prognostic value of MLBD in SLN-positive patients is still debated.Methods: Retrospective data from 312 trunk melanoma patients with positive SLN biopsy (1991-2012) at 6 Italian referral centres were gathered in a multicentre database. MLBD was defined at preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. Clinical and pathological data were analysed for their association with disease-free interval (DFI) and disease-specific (DSS) survival.Results: MLBD was identified in 34.6% of patients (108/312) and was significantly associated with >1 positive SLN (37 vs. 15.2%; p < 0.001) and with >1 positive lymph node (LN) after complete lymph node dissection (CLND) (50.9 vs. 34.8%; p = 0.033). No differences were observed according to drainage pattern in patients who had negative and positive non-SLN at CLND. MLBD was not associated with either DFI or DSS. Multivariate analyses showed that tumour thickness, ulceration, and number of metastatic LNs were associated with worse DFI and DSS, while regression confirmed its protective role in survival.Conclusion: In positive SLN patients, MLBD has no association with survival, which is mainly related to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) prognostic factors. Since the overall number of positive LNs drives the prognosis, the importance of a CLND in all the positive basins is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titania nanotubes are widely studied for their potential applications in several fields. In this paper, the electrochemical characterization of a dental implant, made of commercially pure titanium grade 2, covered by titania nanotubes, when immersed in Hank's solution, is proposed. Few papers were found in the scientific literature regarding this topic, so a brief review is reported, concerning the use of some equivalent circuits to model experimental data. The analysis of results, obtained by using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, showed that: (i) a good correlation exists between the variation of Ecorr and the estimated values of the charge transfer resistance for both the bare- and the nanotube-covered samples, (ii) the nanostructured surface seems to possess a more active behaviour, while the effect could be over-estimated due to the real extent of the surface covered by nanotubes, (iii) the analysis of the "n" parameter, used to fit the experimental data, confirms the complex nature of nanostructured layer as well as that the nanotubes are partially filled by compounds containing Ca, P and Mg, when immersed in Hank's solution. The results obtained in this work give a better understanding of the electrochemical behaviour of the nanotubes layer when immersed in Hank's solution and could help to design a surface able to improve the implant osseointegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-organized TiO2 nanotube layer has been formed on titanium screws with complex geometry, which are used as dental implants. TiO2 nanotubes film was grown by potentiostatic anodizing in H3PO4 and HF aqueous solution. During anodizing, the titanium screws were mounted on a rotating apparatus to produce a uniform structure both on the peaks and on the valleys of the threads. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and electrochemical characterization were used to evaluate the layer, chemical composition and electrochemical properties of the samples. Aging in Hank's solution of both untreated and nanotubes covered screw, showed that: (i) samples are covered by an amorphous oxide layer, (ii) the nanotubes increases the corrosion resistance of the implant, and (iii) the presence of the nanotubes catalyses the formation of chemical compounds containing Ca and P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation of reinforced concrete ( RC) structures is a serious safety problem affecting all industrialized countries, and the economical aspect of this problem cannot be neglected. One of the main reasons for the degradation of RC is the corrosion of steel reinforcing bars as a result of concrete cover cracking and reduction in bar cross section. As a consequence, the structural capacity of RC elements decreases progressively as degradation develops. Nondestructive testing and/or analytical formulation represent high-quality rapid methods for evaluating the corrosion penetration of bars and provide useful parameters for designing retrofits. This paper presents an additional tool that can be used to evaluate and assess the vulnerability of existing structures in terms of the determination of bar cross section lost. Using simple charts and formulas, this can be accomplished by calculating reinforcing bar cross section loss due to corrosion by measuring external crack widths in the concrete cover. Predictions were obtained by using two analytical models developed. These predictions have been satisfactorily compared with both the literature and new experimental results, as well as with previous empirical models available in the scientific literature. The experimental results were obtained by corroding real-scale concrete specimens reinforced with smooth and ribbed bars (according to old and modern building codes) using 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution and an applied current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1898 C. S. Peirce declares that the medieval doctrine of consequences had been the starting point of his logical investigations in the 1860s. This paper shows that Peirce studied the scholastic theory of consequentiae as early as 1866-67, that he adopted the scholastics' terminology, and that that theory constituted a source of logical doctrine that sustained Peirce for a lifetime of creative and original work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, AA2139 rolled sheets were friction stir welded in butt joint configuration and anodized in sulfo-tartaric acid solution. Both the microstructure and the corrosion behavior of the joints were studied. Electrochemical spectroscopy measurements were carried out in aggressive solution (NaCl 0.6N with 5mV amplitude sine wave), and the mechanism of formation and degradation of the surface oxide was discussed. Micro-polarization tests were carried out to show the electrochemical behavior of the different metallurgical zones produced by the welding process. Exfoliation tests were also carried out. Different microstructures were observed; such a result is in agreement with the available literatureon friction stirwelding. The Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed the occurrence of corrosion phenomena and pointed out the need for a different sealing treatment; moreover, the exfoliation test proved that the weld bead behaves as a cathode with respect to the base material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the paper featured by Helmut Pape concerning the dynamic object of a sign designed by philosopher Charles S. Peirce. Topics discussed include the transitive relation which governs the identity determination of a sign's dynamic object, the quantification of Pierce's distinction between immediate and dynamic object, and the teridentity conception.

An essay is presented which discusses the American philosopher and logician Charles Sanders Peirce and the German logician, psychologist and philosopher Johann Friedrich Herbart's perspective on logic, including in regard to consciousness and the relationship between logic and psychology. An overview of Herbart's attitude towards apperception, including the influence that this had on Peirce, is provided.

Titanium and its alloys are currently considered as successful biocompatible materials because titanium made implants become easily, structurally and functionally, connected to biological systems. As far as biological systems is concerned, antibacterial activity for medical implants are worth of interest to prevent inflammation at implant site. In this study RF cold plasma is employed as potential technology to prevent or reduce bacterial activity on Ti samples. Several plasma parameters are investigated for finding the best antibacterial process conditions against Escherichia coli 32. Main results of this investigation show that high antibacterial activity is exhibited by Ti samples in several experimental set-ups. In addition, the antibacterial activity detected at same level of previous, 16 days after the treatment suggests the effectiveness of the plasma surface modification. Finally, an attempt is made to correlate antibacterial effect with plasma treated titanium surface energy and plasma parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his later years, Peirce devoted much energy to the project of a book on logic, whose intended title was 'Logic, considered as Semeiotic.' That the science of logic is better considered as semeiotic is indeed one of the most fundamental tenets of Peirce's mature philosophy of logic. But what is the primary motivation for considering logic as semeiotic and what advantages did Peirce see in doing so? If logic is to be considered as semeiotic, this can only mean that its objects and their functioning are to be described in purely semeiotical terms. But did Peirce succeed in providing such a description? This paper focuses on the semeiotical functioning of the fundamental triad of logic: terms (rhemes), propositions (dicisigns), and arguments; it also discusses the idea of an extension of the science of logic and offers examples of the kind of extension that Peirce had in mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]