Search

In cultural buildings, processes of degradation are a direct or indirect result of unsuitable environmental conditions. We studied ancient Crypts located in different sites in Italy, showing different types of decay. Some have moulds, fungi, algae and bacteria present on columns and shafts; while in others salt efflorescence is spread along the masonry and on the base of the columns. To characterize the complex interactions leading to damage in these historical buildings, microclimatic conditions were accurately monitored. In addition, non-destructive methodologies, involving biological and physico-chemical approaches, were utilized and the experimental results are compared and discussed. Then, building location, historical background, climatic characteristics, stone typology and features, natural-artificial lighting and ventilation were taken into account and correlated in order to properly understand the state of conservation and to address possible strategies for the safeguard of these Crypts.

Objectives: Nomograms are statistical models designed to maximize predictive accuracy. We have tested the statistical correlation between the predictions of International Bladder Cancer Nomogram Consortium and the clinical outcomes in a multicenter Italian cohort of patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph-nodes dissection. Methods and materials: Two hundred four patients who underwent RC were selected for multiple variable and then enrolled in the study. Patients were tested by the "online tool" based on the nomogram, then stratified and risk grouped for 5-year predicted disease-free survival (pDFS): low risk (67%-100%), intermediate risk (34%-66%), and high risk group (0%-33%). Receiving operating characteristic curve (ROC) quantified the area under curve (AUC) as predictive accuracy. Actual overall survival (aOS) and actual disease-free survival (aDFS) were calculated with Kaplan-Meyer analysis. Median of pDFS was compared with 5-year aDFS. Results: AUC was 0.69 (P < 0.001). The aOS is 50% (95% confidence interval (95% Cl, -7.68/+8.23) at 5-years after RC, the aDFS is 65.5% (95% Cl, -7.56/+8.98). The 5-year aDFS is 75.3% (-8.82/+12.53) in low risk group; 67.3% (-12/+16.4) in intermediate risk group; 28.3% (-20/+17.2) in high risk group. The 5-year aDFS was well calculated by the nomogram but in all groups the nomogram slightly underestimated the prediction. In intermediate risk group, 5-year aDFS overscored both the nomogram pDFS and the pDFS range of this group (34%-66%). In all patients investigated, the pDFS was 65%, a value close to the 5-year aDFS found (65.6%). Conclusion: Statistical correlation between postoperative nomogram prediction and the clinical reality was observed. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.

As part of a feasibility study of suppressed ROs, we report here on a single-mode tunable Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) Laser monolithically integrated with EOF and fabricated in a low-cost generic foundry process [5]. The measurements show that the laser system behaves in good agreement with the predictions, as the first two broad regions of operation with reduced relaxation-oscillation have been observed. In these regions the side-mode suppression is maintained above 40 dB. This may form the basis for RO-instability-free lasers while using weak EOF.

High-level simulation is becoming commonly used for design space exploration of many-core systems. We have been working on high-level simulation techniques for the microthreaded many-core architecture at the University of Amsterdam. In previous work different levels of high-level simulation for instruction execution have been proposed, where the objective of every level is to keep the highest possible abstraction in order to achieve the least complexity and highest simulation speed with a compromise on the amount of accuracy. In this article we propose a new breakthrough in abstraction by simulating entire components in applications using analytical models. This simulation technique greatly reduces the complexity of the simulator and increases the simulation speed by orders of magnitude compared to the other levels of the high-level simulator, without affecting the simulation accuracy.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]ARCEAU [TR2_IRSTEA]GEUSI; The main objectives of the project have been addressed by combining a European modelling approach with case study analysis and regional (local) knowledge of water demand and water availability considering climate change as well as socio-economic developments. An integrated assessment for entire Europe was performed under the consideration of different scenarios and cli-mate change projections. This large-scale perspective allows indicating regions which are po¬ten-tially vulnerable to climate change and furthermore to identify regional adaptation measures which could be promoted at the EU level. Additionally three case studies were selected across Europe to in¬vestigate changes in hydrologic regimes, water availability and sectoral water use. These case stu¬dies are focusing on three different water management issues in three different regions. In the first case study, the influence of climate change on the hydromorphological conditions according to the WFD were evaluated for a section of the Eder River (Germany). The objective of this case study was to examine whether the environmental WFD objectives can be achieved in a typical river section considering climate change impacts. The second case study investigated water management, especially drinking water provision, and flood alleviation in the Seine river basin (France), which is partly based on the operation of artificial reservoirs. Scenarios were developed linking the impact of climate change on water resources and changes in water demand and its management. The third case study assesses the quantitative effects of climate change on water balance components and water use in the agricultural sector of the Italian Apulia region, in order to support the adoption of adaptation measures. Actually, in the Apulia region agriculture still remains the primary user of water and the primary economical resource.; Les principaux objectifs du projet ont été adressés en combinant une approche de modélisation européenne avec une analyse de cas d'études et la connaissance régionale (locale) des demandes et disponibilités en eau en considérant le changement climatique ainsi que les développements socio-économiques. Une estimation intégrée pour l'Europe entière a été entreprise en considérant différents scénarios et projections de changement climatique. Cette perspective à large échelle permet d'identifier des régions qui sont potentiellement vulnérables au changement climatique mais aussi d'identifier les mesures d'adaptation qui pourraient être développées au niveau européen. De plus, trois cas d'étude ont été sélectionnés à travers l'Europe pour étudier les changements dans les régimes hydrologiques, la disponibilité en eau, et les usages de l'eau. Ces cas d'étude concernent trois différents problèmes de gestion de l'eau dans trois régions différentes. Dans le premier cas d'étude, l'influence du changement climatique sur les conditions hydromorphologiques selon la DCE ont été évaluées pour une section de la rivière Eder (Allemagne). L'objectif de ce cas d'étude était d'examiner si l'objectif environnemental de la DCE peut être rempli dans une section typique de la rivière en considérant le changement climatique. Le second cas d'étude s'est penché sur la gestion de l'eau, plus spécialement de la fourniture en eau potable, et sur la mitigation des crues sur le bassin de la Seine (France), qui est partiellement basée sur l'exploitation de réservoirs artificiels. Des scénarios ont été développés pour évaluer l'impact du changement climatique sur les ressources en eau en testant différents modes de gestion des réservoirs. Le troisième cas d'étude a évalué les effets quantitatifs du changement climatique sur les composantes du bilan en eau et sur l'utilisation de l'eau sur le secteur agricole de la région des Pouilles en Italie, afin de soutenir l'adoption de mesures d'adaptation. En fait, la région des Pouilles l'agriculture reste le principal utilisateur d'eau et la principale ressource économique.

Knock is a phenomenon of abnormal combustion which has to be avoided during the operation of a spark ignition engine. Traditional techniques for knock detection use the in-cylinder pressure signal. At the current state of art, this kind of signal is impossible to measure on a marching vehicle due to several drawbacks. In this work the possibility of reconstructing the incylinder pressure by using the engine block vibrational signals is investigated. The reconstruction has been made applying the complex cepstrum transform to the signal coming from an accelerometer which has been placed on the engine head. The presented results show how the reconstruction is possible, with low percentage error, in zone of the pressure waveform over the top dead centre, which is the critical zone for knock occurrence. © 2014 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l.-All rights reserved.

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are considered as the way to make photonic systems or subsystems cheap and ubiquitous. PICs still are several orders of magnitude more expensive than their microelectronic counterparts, which has restricted their application to a few niche markets. Recently, a novel approach in photonic integration is emerging which will reduce the R&D and prototyping costs and the throughput time of PICs by more than an order of magnitude. It will bring the application of PICs that integrate complex and advanced photonic functionality on a single chip within reach for a large number of small and larger companies and initiate a breakthrough in the application of Photonic ICs. The paper explains the concept of generic photonic integration technology using the technology developed by the COBRA research institute of TU Eindhoven as an example, and it describes the current status and prospects of generic InP-based integration technology.

Lo scopo di questo lavoro, è stato quello di approfondire lo studio della detonazione nei motori a combustione interna,attraverso il perseguimento di due obiettivi principali: (I) effettuare la ricostruzione del ciclo indicato, utilizzando le emissioni acustiche del motore e i segnali vibrazionali del monoblocco; (II) applicare lo studio della wavelet analysis, alfine di poter eseguire una knock detection mediante l'uso di segnali provenienti da un accelerometro posto sul monoblocco di un motore ad accensione comandata. I dati utili a tale intento sono stati acquisiti durante il funzionamento di un motore a ciclo Otto prodotto dall'Alfa Romeo. La ricostruzione del ciclo indicato è stata effettuata mediante la trasformazione complex cepstrum, giudicata migliore rispetto ad altre metodologie in virtù della semplicità di implementazione e del fatto che l'operazione di convoluzione diviene una semplice somma. La knock detection è stata eseguita processando i segnali vibrazionali del monoblocco così come acquisiti con la trasformata wavelet discreta. I risultati ottenuti mostrano come l'algoritmo di knock detection presentato sia in grado di monitorare la bontàdella fase di combustione in assenza di fenomeni detonativi, ed in caso contrario stabilirne l'intensità.

The Single-chip Cloud Computer (SCC) is a 48-core experimental processor created by Intel Labs targeting the manycore research community. It has extensive frequency and voltage scaling support as well as on board power monitors. In this paper we present a detailed study of the power properties of the SCC. Then, we show how the SCC can be used as a substrate to emulate asymmetric multi processor systems on chip (MPSoCs) to be used for studying power/performance trade-offs.

In this work we describe the fabrication and characterization of straight and angled etched facets compatible with the standard COBRA active-passive process. The implementation of these structures enables advanced packaging of photonic integrated circuits with multiple optical inputs and outputs.

PURPOSE: Experimental data suggest a complex cross-talk between HER-2 and estrogen receptor, and it has been hypothesized that HER-2-positive tumors may be less responsive to certain endocrine treatments. Clinical data, however, have been conflicting. We have conducted a meta-analysis on the interaction between the response to endocrine treatment and the overexpression of HER-2 in metastatic breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Studies have been identified by searching the Medline, Embase, and American Society of Clinical Oncology abstract databases. Selection criteria were (a) metastatic breast cancer, (b) endocrine therapy (any line of treatment), and (c) evaluation of HER-2 expression (any method). For each study, the relative risk for treatment failure for HER-2-positive over HER-2-negative patients with 95\% confidence interval was calculated as an estimate of the predictive effect of HER-2. Pooled estimates of the relative risk were computed by the Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: Twelve studies (n = 2,379 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The overall relative risk was 1.42 (95\% confidence interval, 1.32-1.52; P < 0.00001; test for heterogeneity = 0.380). For studies involving tamoxifen, the pooled relative risk was 1.33 (95\% confidence interval, 1.20-1.48; P < 0.00001; test for heterogeneity = 0.97); for studies involving other hormonal drugs, a pooled relative risk of 1.49 (95\% confidence interval, 1.36-1.64; P < 0.00001; test for heterogeneity = 0.08) was estimated. A second meta-analysis limited to tumors that were either estrogen receptor positive, estrogen receptor unknown, or estrogen receptor negative/progesterone receptor positive yielded comparable results. CONCLUSIONS: HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer is less responsive to any type of endocrine treatment. This effect holds in the subgroup of patients with positive or unknown steroid receptors..

Integrated spot size converters (SSCs) are key components for efficient coupling between Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and fibre-arrays. We report a compact SSC which is suitable for integration into dense arrays with a pitch down to 25 µm and compatible with our generic InP-based platform technology, which supports integration of SOAs and Electro Optical Modulators with a range of passive components. The small pitch supports coupling tens of on-chip optical waveguide ports to fiber arrays via a low-loss dielectric interposer chip. The density allows the design of a customized optical bus between the InP PIC and the interposer chip. The dielectric chip may simply expand to the pitch of a fiber array but also contain low-loss passive circuitry like delay-lines, high Q-filters and multiplexers. The latter enables the formation of a hybrid integration platform with our InP-based technology. Efficient coupling is obtained by adiabatically transforming the sub-micron modes of the InP waveguides to the 3 µm diameter mode of the interposer. We tested our SSCs by coupling to a lensed fibre with a mode field diameter of 2.5 µm. Coupling losses were found to be as low as 0.6 dB per fiber chip coupling for device lengths of a few 100 µm. We also measured the crosstalk from one input port to output ports adjacent to the targeted output port. We present simple design rules for reducing the crosstalk to neighbouring output ports below -50 dB. The quality and uniformity of the SSCs is demonstrated by fabrication of an 8 x 8 AWG demultiplexer between two SSC arrays placed at input and output ports. We measured an insertion loss between fibres of 4 dB for the central channel of the AWG, which is record low for an InP-based device.

In this work we describe the fabrication and characterization of couplers realized with a wet etching process that is compatible with the standard COBRA active-passive process. The implementation of this broadband structure allows for wafer-scale waveguide loss and absolute-wavelength measurements.

We are developing a generic integration platform for Fhoto,iic Integrated Circuits with a target wavelength of2 pm. The platform is based on the platform process .for 1.55 pm which supports monolithic integration of a wide range of passive and active components as anipl~fiers, modulators and detectors. In this paper we discuss the extension to longer wavelengths and its impact on the performance of the passive components. supported by initial characterization results of the waveguide loss and an Arrayed Waveguide Grating in a wavelength windowfrom 1.88 to 2 pm.

To evaluate the signs of aortic intramural hematoma with helical CT and the diagnostic role of this technique in patients with this condition.We reviewed the CT findings of 396 patients submitted to emergency examinations for suspected aortic dissection from 1995 to 1999. Only 18 patients (6 women and 12 men) had CT signs of aortic intramural hematoma. Helical CT studies were carried out with the following parameters: slice thickness 10 mm, reconstruction index 10, feed 1.5 mm, conventional algorithm with minimum values of 130 kV and 125 mA. All patients were examined with dynamic contrast-enhanced CT, before and after a power injection of 130 mL ionic contrast material. We studied: hematoma localization and longitudinal extension; thickness and density of aortic wall; presence and location of intimal calcifications; integrity of intimal wall; hemomediastinum and/or hemothorax.Aortic wall thickening appeared as a high density crescent-shaped area at baseline CT and had low density on enhanced images in all patients. Thickening was eccentric in 14/18 patients and concentric in 4/18 only; it always exceeded 4 mm. We found some intimal calcifications in 8 patients and hemothorax and/or hemomediastinum in 9 patients. A patient with type A hematoma died of cardiac tamponade a few hours after CT diagnosis. Six patients (5 type B and 1 type A) underwent anti-hypertensive treatment and radiological follow-up. Eleven patients (6 type A and 5 type B) underwent prosthesis replacement and 5 of them (3 type A and 2 type B) died of postoperative complications. In the 5 type B patients surgery was performed because of treatment-resistant pain and of the onset of ischemic complications to abdominal organs caused by involvement of the main collateral branches of the aorta. One patient with type A hematoma was submitted to drug treatment because it was judged unresectable.Intramural hematoma of the aorta is a distinct pathological entity, which should not be confused with aortic dissection. The imaging techniques (TEE, CT, MRI) have an important role in the final diagnosis of aortic hematoma. Presently Helical CT and MR angiography are the main tools in the early diagnosis of this condition before the development of complications. In our experience helical CT, before and after the administration of contrast material, was accurate in identifying the hematoma localization and extension.

Highly integrated photonic InP circuits raise the demand for an augmented number of optical ports. Therefore, we present the integration of an optical bus in our generic platform consisting of a compact Spot-Size Converter (SSC) array, and we demonstrate it by connecting it to an 8 x 8 AWG. The SSCs have a 25 µm pitch and expand the mode from 0.5 µm in the AWG waveguide layer to 3 µm after the SSC. The adiabatic conversion is based on a vertical taper with two linear sections. We measured 0.7 dB loss per fiber-chip coupling for a 700 µm long SSC device.

The town of Lecce located in the southern part of the Apulia region of Italy, contains the remains of an ancient settlement in the city centre. One of the most important buildings in the town is the Duomo and its crypt. The crypt is found beneath the Duomo and was used as a burial place from the first century AD until the nineteenth century. The area around the crypt is highly urbanized today, but was the locus of social and political life over the centuries for people of different cultures who inhabited the area, starting from the eighth century BC. Therefore this area contains stratigraphically complex layers of buildings and other remains, which can help us understand the usage of this area of the town over many centuries. A ground-penetrating radar survey was performed at the crypt, the data of which were visualized in three-dimensions using a standard amplitude slice technique as well the construction of isosurface images of amplitudes. These images reveal the position of architectural features whose shape, size and burial depth suggest they are Roman and earlier in age. The features mapped are superimposed tombs, which indicates that this area was used for the same purpose over many centuries and demonstrates a long continuity of similar burial practices at this sacred place.

In recent years, the Photonics industry has evidenced a great interest for going toward Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) operating at wavelengths beyond 1.55 µm. The COBRA research group at the University of Eindhoven has initiated development of a generic integration platform functioning at wavelengths up to 2.1 µm. At present, our research is focused on Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs), reversely biased phase shifters, passive waveguides and dense Spot-Size Convertor (SSC) arrays as building blocks for such a platform. Here we present results about several active materials tested in a Fabry-Pérot structure and lasing at wavelengths as long as 2.06 µm. In addition, some investigations are performed for lowering the loss level in passive waveguides via local Zinc diffusion restricted to the active areas.

We report on design and measurement of a series of spot-size converters (SSCs) for adapting the optical mode size in an InP-based photonic integrated circuit. SSCs are designed to transfer the mode of a 0.6mm-thick high-contrast waveguide to that of a 3mm-thick low-contrast waveguide below the core layer using a vertical taper. Fabrication of the taper is compatible with the standard processing and coupling loss values below 1dB have been achieved. Based on the experimental results we have designed an improved structure which enables adiabatic vertical coupling for taper lengths below 1mm. The simulation results predict losses below 0.5dB