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Galaxy clusters are assembled via merging of smaller structures, in a process that generates shocks and turbulence in the intra cluster medium and produces radio diffuse emission in the form of halos and relics. The cluster pair A 399–A 401 represents a special case: both clusters host a radio halo. Recent Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) observations at 140 MHz revealed the presence of a radio bridge connecting the two clusters along with two relic candidates. These relics include one South of A 399 and the other in between the two clusters, in proximity of a shock front detected in X-ray observations. In this paper we present observations of the A 399–A 401 cluster pair at 1.7, 1.4, 1.2 GHz, and 346 MHz from the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT). We detect the radio halo in the A 399 cluster at 346 MHz, extending up to ∼650 kpc and with a 125 ± 6 mJy flux density. Its spectral index between 140 MHz and 346 MHz is α = 1.75 ± 0.14. The two candidate relics are also seen at 346 MHz and we determine their spectral indices to be α = 1.10 ± 0.14 and α = 1.46 ± 0.14. The low surface brightness bridge connecting the two clusters is below the noise level at 346 MHz therefore we constrain the bridge average spectral index to be steep, i.e. α > 1.5 at 95 per cent confidence level. This result favours the scenario where dynamically-induced turbulence is a viable mechanism to reaccelerate a population of mildly relativistic particles and amplify magnetic fields on scales of a few Mpcs.

Context. Abell 1213, a low-richness galaxy system, is known to host an anomalous radio halo detected in data of the VLA. It is an outlier with regard to the relation between the radio halo power and the X-ray luminosity of the parent clusters. Aims. Our aim is to analyze the cluster in the optical, X-ray, and radio bands to characterize the environment of its diffuse radio emission and to shed new light on its nature. Methods. We used optical data from the SDSS to study the internal dynamics of the cluster. We also analyzed archival XMM-Newton X-ray data to unveil the properties of its hot intracluster medium. Finally, we used recent data from LOFAR at 144 MHz, together with VLA data at 1.4 GHz, to study the spectral behavior of the diffuse radio source. Results. Both our optical and X-ray analysis reveal that this low-mass cluster exhibits disturbed dynamics. In fact, it is composed of several galaxy groups in the peripheral regions and, in particular, in the core, where we find evidence of substructures oriented in the NE-SW direction, with hints of a merger nearly along the line of sight. The analysis of the X-ray emission adds further evidence that the cluster is in an unrelaxed dynamical state. At radio wavelengths, the LOFAR data show that the diffuse emission is ~510 kpc in size. Moreover, there are hints of low-surface-brightness emission permeating the cluster center. Conclusions. The environment of the diffuse radio emission is not what we would expect for a classical halo. The spectral index map of the radio source is compatible with a relic interpretation, possibly due to a merger in the N-S or NE-SW directions, in agreement with the substructures detected through the optical analysis. The fragmented, diffuse radio emissions at the cluster center could be attributed to the surface brightness peaks of a faint central radio halo., 14 pages, 16 figures, 5 tables. In press on Astronomy & Astrophysics. Paper resubmitted after revision by the language editor

We observed four nearby spiral galaxies (NGC 3627, NGC 4254, NGC 4736 and NGC 5055) in the K band with the 64-m Sardinia Radio Telescope, with the aim of detecting the Anomalous Microwave Emission (AME), a radiation component presumably due to spinning dust grains, observed so far in the Milky Way and in a handful of other galaxies only (most notably, M 31). We mapped the galaxies at 18.6 and 24.6 GHz and studied their global photometry together with other radio-continuum data from the literature, in order to find AME as emission in excess of the synchrotron and thermal components. We only find upper limits for AME. These non-detections, and other upper limits in the literature, are nevertheless consistent with the average AME emissivity from the few detections: it is $\epsilon^\mathrm{AME}_{\mathrm{30~GHz}} = 2.4\pm0.4 \times 10^{-2}$ MJy sr$^{-1}$ (M$_\odot$ pc$^{-2}$)$^{-1}$ in units of dust surface density (equivalently, $1.4\pm0.2 \times 10^{-18}$ Jy sr$^{-1}$ (H cm$^{-2}$)$^{-1}$ in units of H column density). We finally suggest to search for AME in quiescent spirals with relatively low radio luminosity, such as M~31., Comment: A&A Letter, accepted

The MIllimetric Sardinia radio Telescope Receiver based on Array of Lumped elements KIDs, MISTRAL, is a cryogenic W-band (77–103 GH) LEKID camera which will be integrated at the Gregorian focus of the 64 m aperture Sardinia Radio Telescope, in Italy, in Autumn 2022. This instrument, thanks to its high angular resolution ($$\sim 13~{\mathrm{arcsec}}$$ ∼ 13 arcsec ) and the wide instantaneous field of view ($$\sim 4~{\mathrm{arcmin}}$$ ∼ 4 arcmin ), will allow continuum surveys of the mm-wave sky with a variety of scientific targets, spanning from extragalactic astrophysics to solar system science. In this contribution, we will describe the design of the MISTRAL camera, with a particular focus on the optimisation and test of a prototype of the focal plane.

Biobased products represent a great opportunity to reconcile sustainable long-term growth with environmental protection through the wise and forethoughtful use of renewable resources for industrial purposes. Managing those resources in a sustainable manner implies addressing major social, economic and environmental challenges and facing potential risks associated with direct and indirect land use change as well as competition with the food industry. The Horizon 2020 project STAR-ProBio addressed this very issue by promoting the development of sustainability schemes (including standards, labels and certifications) for the assessment of biobased products, which are considered fundamental to the establishment of a cutting-edge sustainable bioeconomy. This book builds on the work and results obtained in the STAR-ProBio journey, collecting six main chapters (plus an introductory and a concluding chapter), which cover a range of issues spanning from upstream and downstream environmental assessment, techno-economic assessment, social assessment, to crosscutting issues such as indirect land use change (iLUC) and end-of-life options.

Objective The purpose of the study was to evaluate the post-operative course and follow up of women who had undergone laparoscopic removal of intramural fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity. Design Retrospective study. Setting Center for Reconstructive Pelvic Endosurgery, Italy. Population Thirty-four women with fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity. Methods Laparoscopic myomectomy. Main outcome measures Feasibility and safety of surgical technique, length of operation, blood loss, intra- or post-operative complications, length of hospital stay, resolution of symptoms and future obstetric outcome. Results The mean operative time was 79 (SD 30) minutes; the mean reduction in haemoglobin was 1.1 ± 0.9 g/dL. No intra- or post-operative complications were observed. The average post-operative stay in hospital was 54 (SD 22) hours. Nineteen (73%) out of 26 patients who had experienced symptoms prior to surgery reported resolution of these symptoms post-operatively. All patients resumed work within a mean time of 20 (SD 8) days. Among 23 of the 32 patients attempting pregnancy during the follow up period, nine (39%) conceived within one year. Seven pregnancies went to term without complications. Conclusion The clinical results of this study suggest that laparoscopic myomectomy for intramural fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity is a safe procedure, providing well known advantages of minimal access surgery.

The goal of this work is to constrain the strength and structure of the magnetic field associated with the environment of the radio source 3C 449 by using observations of Faraday rotation, which we model with a structure function technique, and by comparison with numerical simulations. We present detailed rotation measure images for the polarized radio source 3C 449. All of the observations are consistent with pure foreground Faraday rotation. We also use depolarization measurements to estimate the minimum scale of the field variations. We then develop three-dimensional models with a gas density distribution derived from X-ray observations and a random magnetic field with this power spectrum. The rotation measure and depolarization data are consistent with a broken power-law magnetic-field power spectrum, with a break at about 11 kpc and slopes of 2.98 and 2.07 at smaller and larger scales respectively. The maximum and minimum scales of the fluctuations are ≈65 and ≈0.2 kpc, respectively. The average magnetic field strength at the cluster centre is 3.5 ± 1.2 μG, decreasing linearly with the gas density within ≈16 kpc of the nucleus. At larger distances, the dependence of field on density appears to flatten, but this may be an effect of errors in the density model. The magnetic field is not energetically important.

Study Objective To evaluate in a prospective series whether, even in presence of a large uterus, total laparoscopic hysterectomy is feasible and safe, and may be substituted for abdominal hysterectomy. Design Randomized comparison (Canadian Task Force classification I). Setting Center for Reconstructive Pelvic Endosurgery, Bologna, Italy. Patients One hundred twenty-two women with large uterus (>14 wks' gestation) caused by myomas. Intervention Total laparoscopic hysterectomy and total abdominal hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results Sixty women underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (group 1) and 62 abdominal hysterectomy (group 2). Mean longitudinal diameter of the uterus, mean number and diameter of myomas, operating time, and average drop in hemoglobin were similar in the groups. One conversion to laparotomy was necessary because of a bowel injury in a patient with severe pelvic adhesions. Cystotomy occurred in one woman in group 2 and was immediately repaired. Febrile morbidity was statistically more frequent in group 2 than in group 1. Postoperative hospitalization and convalescence were statistically shorter in group 1. Conclusion Laparoscopic hysterectomy is safe and feasible even in the presence of large uterus, and is a valid alternative to abdominal hysterectomy when the vaginal route is contraindicated.

Disturbances of the autonomic nervous system are common in right hemisphere stroke patients, including a marked decline in male sexual functions. There is a lack of information on the influence of stroke on male secondary sex organs such as the vas deferens. This study investigates the effect of right brain focal ischaemia on the adrenergic and purinergic responses in isolated epididymal and prostatic portions of rat vas deferens. In both epididymal and prostatic portions the concentration-response curves to noradrenaline are flattened resulting in a reduction (up to 67 – 76%) of the maximum contractile response in the tissue from ischaemic rats compared to the controls. In the prostatic portion from ischaemic rats the concentration-response curve to α,β-methylene ATP was also depressed. The first purinergic and the second delayed adrenergic phase to single pulse was not modified by brain ischaemia. In contrast both phasic and tonic components of the electrically induced contractions by trains of stimuli at high frequencies (2 – 30 Hz) were significantly depressed in the epididymal and prostatic portions from ischaemic rats. These results demonstrate an autonomic imbalance at the level of male sexual secondary organs which may contribute to sexual impairment after stroke. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 1723–1732; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704628

An ll-year-old boy presented with a complaint of 3 weeks of dull but persistent headaches. He had no other symptoms, and his physical examination and laboratory studies were unremarkable. At the age of 2, his mother had ‘noticed a “lump” on his jaw, and a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) was made. His cerebrospinal fluid tested positively for leukemic cells. The “lump” was diagnosed as a chloroma of the mandible. He was treated aggressively with systemic chemotherapy, intrathecal methotrexate, whole brain irradiation (2,000 cGy), and radiation therapy targeted to his mandibular lesion as well (1,800 cGy). His disease went into long-term remission, although he was left with a mild learning disability and relatively short stature.

This is a 67-year-old man with a slow-growing hypovascular mass involving the left brachial plexus. Metastases are statistically the most common brachial plexus tumor, but we excluded it because of the absence of a primary tumor. The final differential diagnosis is between a schwannoma and fibrous tissue tumor. Because of the findings observed on aspiration biopsy, the latter pathologic process is favored.

Study Objective To evaluate the efficacy of conservative laparoscopic treatment of genital prolapse in women of reproductive age. Design Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting University hospital, Center of Reconstrutive Pelivc Endosurgery, Reproductive Medical Unit, S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Patients Patients. Fifteen women of reproductive age with genital prolapse. Intervention Interventions. Conservative laparoscopic surgical correction of genital prolapse. Apical prolapse was corrected by sacral colpohysteropexy. Burch colposuspension was always included to treat evident or latent stress urinary incontinence. Anterior compartment defects were treated by laparoscopic paravaginal repair and by the interposition of an intervesicouterine prosthesis. Posterior compartment defects were corrected by a prosthetic reconstruction of the rectovaginal support structure. Measurements and Main Results Measurements and Main Results. All patients underwent surgery between January 1998 and December 2000. They were prospectively evaluated for a minimum of 24 months of follow-up. No woman underwent additional surgery during the follow-up period. All women had resolution of the apical prolapse. In one woman, anterior compartment correction (i.e., correction of the anterior part of endopelvic fascia, including correction of bladder and anterior vaginal wall prolapse) was reported. No woman underwent additional prolapse surgery during the follow-up period. Three women became pregnant after surgery: one had an abortion at 8 weeks' gestation; the other two completed term pregnancies and delivered by cesarean section. Conclusion Laparoscopic therapy of genital prolapse is a desirable procedure in patients of reproductive age because it respects the anatomic structures and maintains the function of the organs. Furthermore, laparoscopic treatment is feasible and well-tolerated and produces good results.

Study Objective To evaluate whether uterine shrinkage induced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists in women with a large uterus (>14 wks) may facilitate total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Design Randomized, prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification I). Setting University-affiliated hospital. Patients Sixty-two women with symptomatic uterine myomas (size 16–20 wks). Interventions Total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign pathology. Measurements and Main Results Before surgery, women were assigned, at a ratio of 1:1 by random selection, to receive injections of triptorelin depot 11.25 mg 3 months before surgery (group A) or no treatment (group B). Uterine volume, mean operating time, uterine weight, drop in hemoglobin, intraoperative complications, conversions to laparotomy, and hospital stay were recorded. Triptorelin decreased uterine volume, calculated by ultrasonography, by 26.5% in group A, whereas the volume remained unchanged in group B. Statistical differences were found between groups concerning uterine weight, operating time, and drop in hemoglobin level. Three patients in group B were converted to laparotomy because of uterine size. Conclusion In women with a large uterus, a 3-month preoperative course of GnRH may facilitate laparoscopic hysterectomy, decreasing uterine size, operating time, and blood loss.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the post-operative course and follow up of women who had undergone laparoscopic removal of intramural fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity.Retrospective study.Center for Reconstructive Pelvic Endosurgery, Italy.Thirty-four women with fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity.Laparoscopic myomectomy.Feasibility and safety of surgical technique, length of operation, blood loss, intra- or post-operative complications, length of hospital stay, resolution of symptoms and future obstetric outcome.The mean operative time was 79 (SD 30) minutes; the mean reduction in haemoglobin was 1.1 +/- 0.9 g/dL. No intra- or post-operative complications were observed. The average post-operative stay in hospital was 54 (SD 22) hours. Nineteen (73%) out of 26 patients who had experienced symptoms prior to surgery reported resolution of these symptoms post-operatively. All patients resumed work within a mean time of 20 (SD 8) days. Among 23 of the 32 patients attempting pregnancy during the follow up period, nine (39%) conceived within one year. Seven pregnancies went to term without complications.The clinical results of this study suggest that laparoscopic myomectomy for intramural fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity is a safe procedure, providing well known advantages of minimal access surgery.

1. Disturbances of the autonomic nervous system are common in right hemisphere stroke patients, including a marked decline in male sexual functions. There is a lack of information on the influence of stroke on male secondary sex organs such as the vas deferens. 2. This study investigates the effect of right brain focal ischaemia on the adrenergic and purinergic responses in isolated epididymal and prostatic portions of rat vas deferens. 3. In both epididymal and prostatic portions the concentration-response curves to noradrenaline are flattened resulting in a reduction (up to 67 - 76%) of the maximum contractile response in the tissue from ischaemic rats compared to the controls. In the prostatic portion from ischaemic rats the concentration-response curve to alpha,beta-methylene ATP was also depressed. 4. The first purinergic and the second delayed adrenergic phase to single pulse was not modified by brain ischaemia. In contrast both phasic and tonic components of the electrically induced contractions by trains of stimuli at high frequencies (2 - 30 Hz) were significantly depressed in the epididymal and prostatic portions from ischaemic rats. 5. These results demonstrate an autonomic imbalance at the level of male sexual secondary organs which may contribute to sexual impairment after stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic conservative surgery in young women with borderline ovarian tumors who want to preserve their childbearing potential, and to assess whether pregnancy influences the recurrence rate during the follow-up evaluation period. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Center for Reconstructive Pelvic Endosurgery, Reproductive Medicine Unit, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy. Patient(s): Nineteen women (mean age 27.4 ± 4.7) with borderline ovarian tumors who underwent laparoscopy between January 1995 and January 1998. All of the women wanted to preserve their fertility. Intervention(s): A standardized conservative laparoscopic approach and a strict follow-up schedule. Main Outcome Measure(s): A complete preoperative examination. Result(s): Follow-up evaluations (mean 42 ± 19 months) were made available to all patients. Among 19 patients, 10 attempted pregnancy and 6 conceived spontaneously. All six pregnancies went to term and the disease did not affect the gestation or the follow-up period after the pregnancy (24.5 ± 15.7 months). Conclusion(s): Conservative laparoscopic management of borderline ovarian tumors is a potentially safe alternative in young women who want to retain their childbearing potential. Fertility and pregnancy outcome remain excellent in these women. Our preliminary data seem to indicate that the recurrence rate after pregnancy is not influenced by this approach.

Hemoptysis developed in a &year-old Guyanese woman 3 weeks prior to admission. On the day of admission the patient expectorated 3 cups of bright red blood. She denied a history of fever, chills, sweats, or weight loss. At the time, the patient was a heavy smoker. She had had a recent onset of rheumatoid arthritis, and was known to have cystic lung disease for at least 5 years’ duration, involving both apical areas, and for which no cause had been established despite extensive evaluation. The physical examination showed clubbing of the fingers. The blood chemistry values and results from a complete blood analysis were unremarkable with the exception of slightly decreased hemoglobin value. The patient was also found to be anergic on skin testing.