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Background UltraViolet-C (UV-C) lamps may be used to supplement current hospital cleaning and disinfection of surfaces contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. Our aim is to provide some practical indications for the correct use of UV-C lamps. Methods We studied three UV-C lamps, measuring their spatial irradiance and emission over time. We quantify the error that is committed by calculating the irradiation time based exclusively on the technical data of the lamps or by making direct irradiance measurements. Finally, we tested specific dosimeters for UV-C. Results Our results show that the spatial emission of UV-C lamps is strongly dependent on the power of the lamps and on the design of their reflectors. Only by optimizing the positioning and calculating the exposure time correctly, is it possible to dispense the dose necessary to obtain SARS-CoV-2 inactivation. In the absence of suitable equipment for measuring irradiance, the calculated irradiation time can be underestimated. We therefore consider it precautionary to increase the calculated times by at least 20%. Conclusion To use UV-C lamps effectively, it is necessary to follow a few simple precepts when choosing, positioning and verifying the lamps. In the absence of instruments dedicated to direct verification of irradiance, photochromic UV-C dosimeters may represent a useful tool for easily verifying that a proper UV-C dose has been delivered.

Graphene has been proposed to be integrated with Si Photonics because of its very high mobility, fast carrier dynamics and ultra-broadband optical properties. High speed graphene photodetectors have been demonstrated so far, however the most are based on the photo-bolometric or photo-conductive effect. These devices are characterized by large dark current, in the order of milli-Amperes. Photothermal effect (PTE) photodetectors can be used in voltage detection mode with no dark current, it is ultra fast and it operates near zero-bias. Graphene PTE-based photodetectors have been reported so far but high-speed optical telecommunication signal detection has not been shown yet. Here, we report on a graphene PTE-based photodetector on SOI waveguide. Thanks to the optimized design we show a direct detection of 105Gb/s non-return to zero (NRZ) and 120Gb/s 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) optical signals.

Background UltraViolet-C (UV-C) lamps may be used to supplement current hospital cleaning and disinfection of surfaces contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. Our aim is to provide some practical indications for the correct use of UV-C lamps. Methods We studied three UV-C lamps, measuring their spatial irradiance and emission over time. We quantify the error that is committed by calculating the irradiation time based exclusively on the technical data of the lamps or by making direct irradiance measurements. Finally, we tested specific dosimeters for UV-C. Results Our results show that the spatial emission of UV-C lamps is strongly dependent on the power of the lamps and on the design of their reflectors. Only by optimizing the positioning and calculating the exposure time correctly, is it possible to dispense the dose necessary to obtain SARS-CoV-2 inactivation. In the absence of suitable equipment for measuring irradiance, the calculated irradiation time can be underestimated. We therefore consider it precautionary to increase the calculated times by at least 20%. Conclusion To use UV-C lamps effectively, it is necessary to follow a few simple precepts when choosing, positioning and verifying the lamps. In the absence of instruments dedicated to direct verification of irradiance, photochromic UV-C dosimeters may represent a useful tool for easily verifying that a proper UV-C dose has been delivered.

The potential virucidal effects of UV-C irradiation on SARS-CoV-2 were experimentally evaluated for different illumination doses and virus concentrations (1000, 5, 0.05 MOI). At a virus density comparable to that observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection, an UV-C dose of just 3.7 mJ/cm2 was sufficient to achieve a more than 3-log inactivation without any sign of viral replication. Moreover, a complete inactivation at all viral concentrations was observed with 16.9 mJ/cm2. These results could explain the epidemiological trends of COVID-19 and are important for the development of novel sterilizing methods to contain SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A new photopolymer system for holographic recording is presented. It exploits the free-radical ring opening polymerization of a cyclic allylic sulfide monomer, 7-methylene-1,5-dithiacyclooctan-3-yl acetate (MDTOA). Such a system allows for the transferring of the sinusoidal holographic pattern with great fidelity, independently on the rigidity of the host matrix. For this purpose, experiments were carried out in a cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB-531-1, Eastman) matrix, using Irgacure 784® as photoinitiating system. The films show excellent optical properties in terms of uniformity and transparency (complete bleaching). The measured diffraction efficiency curves indicate that the written pattern is nearly ideal and it well matches with the theoretical curves computed according to the Kogelnik model. The stability during time of the gratings is monitored and a decrease of efficiency is evident. This means that the formed polymer chains tend to countermigrate smoothing the refractive index modulation. The formation of a crosslinked network is therefore mandatory to obtain stable gratings.

The challenge of next generation datacom and telecom communication is to increase the available bandwidth while reducing the size, cost and power consumption of photonic integrated circuits. Silicon (Si) photonics has emerged as a viable solution to reach these objectives. Graphene, a single-atom thick layer of carbon5, has been recently proposed to be integrated with Si photonics because of its very high mobility, fast carrier dynamics and ultra-broadband optical properties. Here, we focus on graphene photodetectors for high speed datacom and telecom applications. High speed graphene photodetectors have been demonstrated so far, however the most are based on the photo-bolometric (PB) or photo-conductive (PC) effect. These devices are characterized by large dark current, in the order of milli-Amperes , which is an impairment in photo-receivers design, Photo-thermo-electric (PTE) effect has been identified as an alternative phenomenon for light detection. The main advantages of PTE-based photodetectors are the optical power to voltage conversion, zero-bias operation and ultra-fast response. Graphene PTE-based photodetectors have been reported in literature, however high-speed optical signal detection has not been shown. Here, we report on an optimized graphene PTE-based photodetector with flat frequency response up to 65 GHz. Thanks to the optimized design we demonstrate a system test leading to direct detection of 105 Gbit s-1 non-return to zero (NRZ) and 120 Gbit s-1 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) optical signals

The potential virucidal effects of UV-C irradiation on SARS-CoV-2 were experimentally evaluated for different illumination doses and virus concentrations (1000, 5, 0.05 MOI). Both virus inactivation and replication inhibition were investigated as a function of these parameters.At a virus density comparable to that observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection, an UV-C dose of just 3.7 mJ/cm2 was sufficient to achieve a 3-log inactivation,and complete inhibition of all viral concentrations was observed with 16.9 mJ/cm2. These results could explain the epidemiological trends of COVID-19 and are important for the development of novel sterilizing methods to contain SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Graphene is an ideal material for optoelectronic applications. Its photonic properties give several advantages and complementarities over Si photonics. For example, graphene enables both electro-absorption and electro-refraction modulation with an electro-optical index change exceeding 10$^{-3}$. It can be used for optical add-drop multiplexing with voltage control, eliminating the current dissipation used for the thermal detuning of microresonators, and for thermoelectric-based ultrafast optical detectors that generate a voltage without transimpedance amplifiers. Here, we present our vision for grapheme-based integrated photonics. We review graphene-based transceivers and compare them with existing technologies. Strategies for improving power consumption, manufacturability and wafer-scale integration are addressed. We outline a roadmap of the technological requirements to meet the demands of the datacom and telecom markets. We show that graphene based integrated photonics could enable ultrahigh spatial bandwidth density , low power consumption for board connectivity and connectivity between data centres, access networks and metropolitan, core, regional and long-haul optical communications.

Within the astronomical field, Volume Phase Holographic Gratings (VPHGs) cover nowadays a relevant position as dispersing elements (DE) because each observation could take advantage of specific devices with design and features tailored for achieving the best performances. The manufacturing of highly efficient and reliable VPHGs require holographic materials where it is possible to precisely control the parameters that define the throughput of the device (namely both the refractive index modulation and the film thickness), this is especially true for complex and novel optical designs, where the realization tolerances have to be strictly fulfilled to achieve the theoretical expectations. Moreover, in the design phase, it is crucial to take into account scattering effects and absorption losses to predict with accuracy the final behavior of the optical element. For this application, the most promising materials are the photopolymers because, beside the ability to provide the tuning feature, they bring also advantages such as self-developing, high refractive index modulation and ease of use thanks to their simple thin structure, which is insensitive from the external environment. Thanks to the advantages made available by photopolymeric materials, in this paper we propose innovative solutions for designing stacked spectral-multiplexed VPHGs and transmission dispersing elements (GRISMs) that can cover more than one octave in spectral range by using more than one diffraction order, providing huge advantages for the astronomers in terms of spectral resolution R or time allocation of the instrument for performing the observations. In this context, we also give hints for the process optimization that is crucial for achieving the results reported.

We report on a C-band double layer graphene electro-absorption modulator on a passive SOI platform showing 29GHz 3dB-bandwith and NRZ eye-diagrams extinction ratios ranging from 1.7 dB at 10 Gb/s to 1.3 dB at 50 Gb/s. Such high modulation speed is achieved thanks to the quality of the CVD pre-patterned single crystal growth and transfer on wafer method that permitted the integration of high-quality scalable graphene and low contact resistance. By demonstrating this high-speed CVD graphene EAM modulator integrated on Si photonics and the scalable approach, we are confident that graphene can satisfy the main requirements to be a competitive technology for photonics.

Affecting 2.5 million people worldwide, multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the main causes of acquired disability among young adults. In French West Indies (FWI), where MS has arisen from the end of the 80's, a low therapeutic response to interferons beta1 (IFN beta1) in patients of African descent, restrains the therapeutic options. Fingolimod is a Sphingosine-1-Phosphate receptor modulator whose efficacy in the treatment of MS has recently been shown in three phase III studies. Nevertheless, data are currently lacking concerning the use of Fingolimod among populations of African descent, particularly in a real-world setting. Efficacy and safety information collected during the first two years of follow-up have been analysed retrospectively for all patients in whom Fingolimod treatment was introduced in FWI between its marketing date and December 2015. Fifty-two consecutive patients with a relapsing remitting MS started Fingolimod therapy in the FWI, according to the European guidelines. After 24 months, 40 patients were still receiving the treatment. The average Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) dropped by 81%, and 72.5% of patients remained free from disability progression during the 24 months on Fingolimod. MS remained controlled (according NEDA 3 criteria) for 41% of patients who were still on therapy at 24 months. Nine participants presented with a moderate or major side effect. Unlike IFN beta1 therapy, Fingolimod appears to be effective in Afro-Caribbean patients in a real-world setting with a similar benefit to what has been observed in phase III studies in more selected populations.

Two new acetoxyphenyl thiophenes with different conjugation length and undergoing the photo-Fries reaction upon exposure to UV light are presented. These molecules have been characterized in solution by means of different spectroscopic techniques in order to study the evolution and selectivity of the photo-induced reaction. During such a reaction, isosbestic points appear in the UV–vis spectra, indicating a good selectivity of the reaction for both the derivatives. By means of IR measurements, we follow the reaction and determine the kinetics and the quantum yield. The photoproducts are isolated by HPLC and characterized by 1H-NMR whose results confirm the formation of the ortho derivative as the most probable one and we estimate the degree of conversion of the reaction. High-level quantum mechanical calculations both in gas and solvated phase are employed to strongly support the interpretation of the experimental results, and assess the reaction product.

Specific astronomical science cases could take advantage of VPHG devices with design and features tailored for achieving the best performances. The manufacturing process require materials where it is possible to precisely control the efficiency response, specially in complex optical designs, where the realization tolerances have to be strictly fulfilled. In this paper, we present an innovative design for the DOLORES spectrograph @ TNG as an example of complex VPHG (in GRISM mode) based on photopolymers. This dispersing element and its prisms were designed to cover, with low R, more than one octave and to disentangle 1st and 2nd diffraction orders avoiding the typical contamination. The ok-sky results are finally presented.

Volume Phase Holographic Gratings (VPHGs) are diffractive elements widely employed in the field of astronomical spectrographs. Photosensitive materials are used for the production of such elements and photopolymers represent a very interesting possibility. In particular, Bayfol ® HX solid photopolymers are high performance holographic materials that have been already used for the realization of VPHGs working in the visible for small spectrographs. Recently, a new set of GRISMs have been commissioned at BFOSC spectrograph in order to replace worn or outperforming ones and improve the instrument throughput. The first dispersing element covers the Hα band, while the second one is designed to work in the UV down to 330 nm. Issues related to the material absorption and to the light scattering were faced at short wavelengths. A step forward in the implementation of this class of holographic materials is the design of VPHGs working in the infrared. Two gratings were designed, covering the ZJ band (0.8 – 1.35 μm) and the JH band (1.05 – 1.9 μm). RCWA simulations were performed to find the parameters (refractive index modulation and thickness) required to obtain high efficiency in the target spectral ranges. Material absorptions are not negligible in the NIR and have to be taken into account during the design phase. Preliminary writing tests were performed giving interesting results. In order to make the design phase more reliable, a study of the dependence of the refractive index modulation on wavelength was performed.

In the astronomical field, the progressive increase in telescope size and in the complexity of the spectroscopic instrumentation has highlighted how the current technologies and traditional materials for dispersing elements do not completely meet the present and future requirements. Therefore, new materials and solutions have to be developed, not only to realize future astronomical facilities, but also to improve the performances of already available instruments and devices. In this context, the use of photopolymeric materials for the production of Volume Phase Holographic Gratings (VPHGs) is becoming an interesting approach thanks to their key properties, in particular the self-developing, high sensitivity and the simple manufacturing process. Here, the main design parameters and the strategy to address them will be presented considering the whole UV-NIR spectral range showing the actual capabilities together with the results obtained on real observing astronomical facilities.

Within the European Project TERABOARD, a photonic integration platforms including electronic-photonic integration is developed to demonstrate high bandwidth high-density modules and to demonstrate cost and energy cost target objectives. Large count high bandwidth density EO interfaces for onboard and intra-data center interconnection are reported. For onboard large count interconnections a novel concept based on optical-TSV interconnection platform with no intersections and no WDM multiplexing is reported. All input/output coupler arrays based on a pluggable silica platform are reported as well.

Volume phase holographic elements are becoming attractive thanks to the large efficiency and good optical quality. They are based on photosensitive materials where a modulation of the refractive index is induced. In this paper, we highlight the strategies to obtain a change in the refractive index in a dielectric material, namely a change in the material density and/or in the molecular polarizability. Moreover, we show the results achieved for materials that undergo the photo-Fries reaction as function of the molecular structure and the illumination conditions. We also report the results on a system based on the diazo Meldrum’s acid where volatile molecules are produced upon light exposure.

We study the frequency chirp properties of graphene-on-silicon electro-absorption modulators (EAMs). By experimentally measuring the chirp of a 100 µm long single layer graphene EAM, we show that the optoelectronic properties of graphene induce a large positive linear chirp on the optical signal generated by the modulator, giving rise to a maximum shift of the instantaneous frequency up to 1.8 GHz. We exploit this peculiar feature for chromatic-dispersion compensation in fiber optic transmission thanks to the pulse temporal lensing effect. In particular, we show dispersion compensation in a 10Gb/s transmission experiment on standard single mode fiber with temporal focusing distance (0-dB optical-signal-to-noise ratio penalty) of 60 km, and also demonstrate 100 km transmission with a bit error rate largely lower than the conventional Reed-Solomon forward error correction threshold of 10−3.

Mediastinal fibrosis is a rare disease characterised by fibrous proliferation in the mediastinum. It can be idiopathic or secondary to several conditions such as infections and malignancies. Anecdotal reports have described idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis (IMF) in association with other fibro-inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. We report nine new IMF cases recently seen at our Fibro-Inflammatory Disease Clinic and reviewed the IMF cases reported in the English language literature throughout 2006–2016. The purposes of our literature search were to assess the frequency of the association between IMF and other immune-mediated disorders and to analyse which disorders most often coexist with IMF. Of our nine IMF cases, one was associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, one with large-vessel arteritis, three with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (one of which was IgG4-related), one with pancreatitis and one with IgG4-related seminal vesicle involvement. The remaining two cases, in which IMF was not associated with any other disease, were both classifiable as IgG4-related. The literature review showed that, of the 84 IMF cases identified, 27 (32 %) were associated with other idiopathic autoimmune or fibro-inflammatory disorders, particularly small-vessel vasculitis, Behcet disease, retroperitoneal fibrosis and other conditions belonging to the IgG4-related disease spectrum. Based on our own data and the literature review, we conclude that IMF is often associated with other autoimmune or fibro-inflammatory diseases; therefore, its clinical management requires an accurate screening of associated conditions. Immune-mediated mechanisms may be shared by these disorders.

To identify bacterial species present in the lower genital tract of males and to investigate the relationship with semen quality.The microscopic analyses and cultures of 696 semen specimens, collected over five years from males investigated for subfertility, were retrospectively assessed.Semen cultures were sterile in 48%; they showed a polymicrobial flora (more than two bacterial species) in 30%, and were positive (1 × 10(3) colony forming units/ml) in 22% of the cases. Gardnerella vaginalis was the most frequently isolated bacterium, followed by Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. Ureaplasma urealyticum was recovered from 13 of 147 samples (9%). Of patients with bacteriospermia 42% had leukospermia (10(6) leukocytes/ml of semen). Bacteriospermia and leukospermia did not correlate with each other although a positive correlation was found between the presence of leukocytes and G. vaginalis isolation. Semen parameters were correlated with the bacterial species isolated most frequently. In comparison with controls, sperm concentration, motility and morphology were mostly deteriorated in the presence of G. vaginalis and U. urealyticum.Positive seminal fluid cultures must be interpreted with caution, taking into account both raised colony counts of single isolates and leukocyte concentration in the semen. Thus the common misdiagnosis of genital tract infection, based on the presence of seminal bacteria, and unnecessary treatment with antibiotics may be avoided.

Two forms of competitive encounters namely Randori (free fight) and Kata (highly ritualized fight) were studied in 22 professional male judo fighters. The dyadic, symmetrical (in terms of body weight and fighting ability) encounters were videotaped to assess relationships between agonistic behavior and individual variations in plasma levels of testosterone (T), cortisol (C) and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-1 beta) measured before and after the competition. Unremarkably, winners showed longer attack but devoted less time to defensive behaviors when compared to losers. T increased only during Randori but the individual pre- and post-competition T levels recorded in such fights were strongly correlated with the corresponding measures in the Kata for the same individuals. Interestingly, the pre- and post-Randori competition T levels were higher in losers than in winners and T variations positively correlated with the frequencies of attacks and with the duration of defensive postures. The T response shows individual variation and seems to reflect evaluation of the likelihood of winning or losing. Both Randori and Kata induced a marked C increase, although the pre- and post-Randori hormonal titers were higher than those found for the Kata. IL-6 significantly increased between the pre- and the post-Randori competition, but no such changes occurred during the Kata. No correlations were found between individual pre- and post-competition C and IL-6 and IL-1 beta levels in either Randori or Kata. This suggests that C and cytokine release are unrelated to emotional or cognitive perception of the possible outcome of fighting but are a consequence of general motor activity. Martial arts appear to provide good human models to understand: (a) the relationships between conflict, hormones and the immune system and (b) the relationships between mood and physiological responses to competitive aggression. Language: en

Gastric or cutaneous habronemosis caused by Habronema microstoma Creplin, 1849 and Habronema muscae Carter, 1865 is a parasitic disease of equids transmitted by muscid flies. There is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of this disease, which is mainly due to limitations with diagnosis in the live animal and with the identification of the parasites in the intermediate hosts. To overcome such limitations, a molecular approach, based on the use of genetic markers in the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of ribosomal DNA, was established for the two species of Habronema . Characterisation of the ITS-2 revealed sequence lengths and G+C contents of 296 bp and 29.5% for H. microstoma , and of 334 bp and 35.9% for H. muscae , respectively. Exploiting the sequence difference (∼40%) between the two species of nematode, primers were designed and tested by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for their specificity using a panel of control DNA samples from common equid endoparasites, and from host tissues, faeces or muscid flies. Effective amplification from each of the two species of Habronema was achieved from as little as 10 pg of genomic DNA. Hence, this molecular approach allows the specific identification and differentiation of the DNA from H. microstoma and H. muscae , and could thus provide a molecular tool for the specific detection of Habronema DNA (irrespective of developmental stage) from faeces, skin and muscid fly samples. The establishment of this tool has important implications for the specific diagnosis of clinical cases of gastric and cutaneous habronemosis in equids, and for studying the ecology and epidemiology of the two species of Habronema .

Background: The distinction between Cushing’s disease (Cushing’s syndrome dependent on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting tumors of pituitary origin) and pseudo-Cushing’s states (Cushingoid features and hypercortisolism sometimes present in alcoholic, depressed or obese subjects) can present a diagnostic challenge in clinical endocrinology. Recently, the availability of a highly sensitive immunofluorometric assay for the measurement of total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) provided the possibility to measure serum PSA levels in women. Interestingly, PSA gene expression and protein production has been found to be upregulated by steroid hormones, such as androgens, glucocorticoids, mineral corticoids and progestins. In fact, serum total PSA concentrations appear to be higher in female patients with Cushing’s disease than in normal women. We wondered whether a similar phenomenon also occurs in pseudo-Cushing’s state. Methods: In order to answer this question, we compared the serum total PSA levels measured in 10 female subjects with alcohol-dependent pseudo-Cushing’s state with those observed in 8 female patients with Cushing’s disease and in 15 age-matched healthy women. Serum testosterone, ACTH and cortisol, and 24-hour urinary cortisol levels were measured; cortisol suppression after dexamethasone was also tested in all subjects. Results: The basal serum levels of ACTH and cortisol were significantly lower in normal subjects than in patients with Cushing’s disease or pseudo-Cushing’s state; these latter groups showed similar basal hormonal values. Dexamethasone administration was unable to suppress serum cortisol levels in 5 subjects with Cushing’s disease and 6 subjects with pseudo-Cushing’s state. Serum testosterone values in the group with Cushing’s disease were higher than in the other groups. No differences were observed between pseudo-Cushing’s and normal subjects. Serum total PSA levels were significantly higher in women with Cushing’s disease than in subjects with pseudo-Cushing’s state and normal controls; these latter groups showed similar PSA values. When serum total PSA and testosterone levels were considered together, a significant positive correlation was observed in the group with Cushing’s disease, but not in the other groups. Conclusions: These data indicate that the steroid milieu responsible for the elevation in serum PSA in women with Cushing’s disease is not present in subjects with alcohol-dependent pseudo-Cushing’s state, suggesting the possible use of PSA as a marker of differentiation between these pathological conditions in women.

Objective: To establish the role of hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia during the insulin tolerance test (ITT) in the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and the location with respect to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the glucosensitive areas controlling LH release. Methods: The LH-secretory pattern during an ITT (0.15 IU/kg body weight) was evaluated in 8 normal men during infusion with normal saline (control test), glucose or fructose. Results: lnsulin-induced hypoglycemia produced a significant decrement in serum LH levels in the control test, but not when the concomitant infusion of glucose prevented hypoglycemia. Fructose infusion did not change LH decrease during ITT. Conclusions: These data exclude a direct role of hyperinsulinemia in the mechanism underlying the inhibition of LH secretion during ITT. Furthermore, since glucose but not fructose crosses the BBB, the LH decrease during ITT appears to be generated by hypoglycemia at the level of glucosensitive areas located inside the BBB.

We experimentally demonstrate angle-insensitive (i.e., isotropic) coloration of nanostructured metal surfaces by engineered light scattering from homogenized Pinwheel aperiodic arrays of gold nanoparticles deposited on gold substrates. In sharp contrast to the colorimetric responses of periodically nanopatterned surfaces, which strongly depend on the observation angle, Pinwheel nanoparticle arrays give rise to intense and isotropic structural coloration enhanced by plasmonic resonance. Pinwheel nanoparticle arrays with isotropic Fourier space were fabricated on a gold thin film and investigated using dark-field scattering and angle-resolved reflectivity measurements. Isotropic green coloration of metal films was demonstrated on Pinwheel patterns, with greatly reduced angular sensitivity and enhanced spatial uniformity of coloration compared to both periodic and random arrays. These findings, which are supported by coupled-dipole numerical simulations of differential scattering cross sections and radiation diagrams, could advance plasmonic applications to display, optical tagging and colorimetric sensing technologies.

Compact parallel transmitters and receivers with an aggregate capacity of 107 Gb/s are built through hybrid integration of arrays of ten 100-GHz spaced directly modulated lasers, arrays of ten avalanche photodiodes, and high-index contrast silica arrayed waveguide grating multi- and demultiplexers. Unamplified transmission over 75 km of standard single-mode fiber and 155-km amplified links is demonstrated in the C-band, by using a modulation format based on spectral offset filtering and electronic dispersion compensation.

We present a 75km-reach 100Gb/s DWDM transmitter based on a fully passive, hybrid assembly of a 10x10Gb/s laser array with a low-loss SiO2 AWG, and its optimization for thermal management, low cost and high yield.

WDM PONs offering point-to-point connectivity, independence of multiple access protocol to share the medium are good candidates for supporting the new fronthaul fibre network requirements. The necessity to allow inventory and maintenance cost reduction will favour WDM PON solutions based on colourless transceivers. We present the proposal of a network embedded self-tuning colourless transmitter, based on reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) self-seeding architectures. We analyse the fibre-to-the-antenna network requirements and evidence the capabilities of the network embedded self-tuning colourless transmitter, showing its principle of operation, the development and the modelling of the active elements. We present and discuss recent experimental results up to 10Gbit/s, which are encouraging for the transmitter exploitation in fronthaul WDM multiplexing technology.

One of the major problems in clinical neuropsychology is to apply ecological, easily administrable and sensitive tests that can help in the diagnosis of executive functions. In the present paper we present normative values for the D-KEFS sorting test (ST), exploring the ability of reasoning, categorization abilities, problem solving, flexibility of thinking and abstraction. We collected normative data in a group of 181 normal Italian subjects aged between 20 and 69 years old, matched for educational level. Multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the potential effects of age, sex and education. Age and education had a significant effect on ST performance. Our study provided normative data for the D-KEFS ST for the adult Italian population, corrections of raw scores for relevant demographic factors, and percentile grids for both baseline data and on re-testing after 9 months of follow-up. These normative Italian values support the use of the D-KEFS ST as a valid instrument for initial neuropsychological evaluation and longitudinal analysis of executive functions in clinical practice and for research purposes.

The studies on the factors that regulate the biology of the neuroblastoma cell lines may offer important information on the development of tissues and organs that derive from the neural crest. In the present paper we study the action of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on two human neuroblastoma cell lines: SK-N-SH which is composed at least of two cellular phenotypes (neuroblastic and melanocytic/glial cells), and its pure neuroblastic subclone SH-SY5Y. The results show that EGF (10 ng/ml) significantly stimulates the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine in the SK-N-SH cells only in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) (control = 58,285 +/- 9327 cpm; EGF = 75,523 +/- 4457, p < 0.05). Such effect is not observed in the presence of a chemical defined medium, that is, in the absence of FBS (control = 100,997 +/- 4375; EGF = 95,268 +/- 4683; NS) In the SH-SY5Y cells the EGF does not modify the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine either in the presence of 10% of BFS (control = 113,838 +/- 6978; EGF = 119,434 +/- 9441; NS) or in its absence (control = 46,197 +/- 3335; EGF = 44,472 +/- 3493; NS). The results here reported suggest that: a) EGF may affect the proliferation of cells derived from a primary human neuroblastoma; b) this is evident by the EGF-induced increase of [3H]-thymidine incorporation in SK-N-SH cells; c) it is required the presence of other growth factors, present in the FBS, for the mitogenic action to be accomplished; d) since the pure neuroblastic SH-SY5Y cell line are refractory to the EGF, the effects observed in SK-N-SH cells probably occur on the melanocytic/glial cell subpopulation.