Several exoplanets have been detected towards the Galactic bulge with the microlensing technique.... more Several exoplanets have been detected towards the Galactic bulge with the microlensing technique. We show that exoplanets in M31 may also be detected with the pixel-lensing method, if telescopes making high cadence observations of an ongoing microlensing event are used. Using a Monte Carlo approach we find that the mean mass for detectable planetary systems is about 2 M J. However, even small mass exoplanets ( ${M_{\rm P} < 20 M_{\oplus}}$ ) can cause significant deviations, which are observable with large telescopes. We reanalysed the POINT-AGAPE microlensing event PA-99-N2. First, we test the robustness of the binary lens conclusion for this light curve. Second, we show that for such long duration and bright microlensing events, the efficiency for finding planetary-like deviations is strongly enhanced with respect to that evaluated for all planetary detectable events.
We present measurements of the flavor-changing neutral current decays B --> Kl+l- and B --> K*l+l... more We present measurements of the flavor-changing neutral current decays B --> Kl+l- and B --> K*l+l-, where l+l- is either an e+e- or mu+mu- pair. The data sample comprises 229 x 10^6 Y(4s) -->to BBbar decays collected with the BaBar detector at the PEP-II e+e- storage ring. Flavor-changing neutral current decays are highly suppressed in the Standard Model and their predicted properties could be significantly modified by new physics at the electroweak scale. We measure the branching fractions B(B --> Kll) = (0.34 +- 0.07 +- 0.02) x 10^{-6}, B(B --> K*ll) = (0.78^{+0.19}_{-0.17} +- 0.11) x 10^{-6}, the direct CP asymmetries of these decays, and the relative abundances of decays to electrons and muons. For two regions in l+l- mass, above and below m(Jpsi), we measure partial branching fractions and the forward-backward angular asymmetry of the lepton pair. In these same regions we also measure the K* longitudinal polarization in B --> K*l+l- decays. Upper limits are obtained for the lepton flavor-violating decays B --> Kemu and B --> K*emu. All measurements are consistent with Standard Model expectations.
Physicochemical factors governing initial rates of microbial deposition onto reverse osmosis (RO)... more Physicochemical factors governing initial rates of microbial deposition onto reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes were studied using direct microscopic observation. Deposition rates for three different microorganisms onto four NF/RO membranes increased with (a) increasing permeate velocity, (b) decreasing crossflow velocity, (c) increasing salt rejection, (d) increasing cell size, (e) increasing membrane surface roughness, (f) decreasing (cell-membrane) free energy of adhesion, and (g) decreasing (cell-membrane) electrostatic double layer repulsion. Relatively hydrophilic, smooth surfaces produced macroscopically repulsive interfacial interactions (i.e., cells should not deposit); however, microscopic heterogeneities -which appear inherent to interfacially polymerized polyamide thin films -facilitated sufficient microbial deposition onto clean membranes that microcolonies formed within minutes to hours. At fluxes greater than ∼8 m s −1 (∼20 lmh or 16 gfd), permeate drag forces overwhelmed repulsive interfacial forces leading to purely convective deposition. Concentration polarization of rejected salt ions destabilized cells and enhanced deposition onto NF/RO membrane surfaces. The complex interplay between membrane surface properties, concentration polarization, and hydrodynamics was reasonably captured by a simple, analytical interfacial force model. These results help explain why polyamide NF/RO membranes are prone to bacterial adhesion and how the balance between crossflow and permeate hydrodynamics governs initial microbial deposition onto clean NF/RO membranes.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the tensile strength of the bond between a silicone ... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the tensile strength of the bond between a silicone lining material and heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resin after Er:YAG laser treatment with different pulse durations and energy levels. PMMA test specimens were fabricated and each received one of six surface treatments: no treatment (control), and five Er:YAG laser treatments comprising (1) 100 mJ, 1 W, long pulse duration, (2) 200 mJ, 2 W, long pulse duration, (3) 200 mJ, 2 W, very short pulse duration, (4) 300 mJ, 3 W, long pulse duration, and (5) 400 mJ, 4 W, long pulse duration. The resilient liner specimens (n = 15) were processed between two PMMA blocks. The tensile strengths of the bonds between the liners and PMMA were determined using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. The mode of failure was characterized as cohesive, adhesive, or mixed modes. One-way ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test were used to analyze the data (α = 0.05). There was a statistically significantly difference in tensile bond strength between laser-treated and untreated specimens (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). The 300-mJ, 3 W, long pulse duration laser treatment produced the highest mean tensile bond strength. In addition, the long pulse duration treatments resulted in greater bond strength than very short pulse duration treatment (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Laser irradiation produced significant surface texture changes of the denture base material and improved the adhesion between denture base and soft lining material. In addition, different pulse durations and energy levels were found to effectively increase the strength of the bond.
Extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) have recently been used in resolving tendinitis. However, mechan... more Extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) have recently been used in resolving tendinitis. However, mechanisms by which ESW promote tendon repair is not fully understood. In this study, we reported that an optimal ESW treatment promoted healing of Achilles tendintis by inducing TGF-b1 and IGF-I. Rats with the collagenease-induced Achilles tendinitis were given a single ESW treatment (0.16 mJ/mm 2 energy flux density) with 0, 200, 500 and 1000 impulses. Achilles tendons were subjected to biomechanical (load to failure and stiffness), biochemical properties (DNA, glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline content) and histological assessment. ESW with 200 impulses restored biomechanical and biochemical characteristics of healing tendons 12 weeks after treatment. However, ESW treatments with 500 and 1000 impulses elicited inhibitory effects on tendinitis repair. Histological observation demonstrated that ESW treatment resolved edema, swelling, and inflammatory cell infiltration in injured tendons. Lesion site underwent intensive tenocyte proliferation, neovascularization and progressive tendon tissue regeneration. Tenocytes at the hypertrophied cellular tissue and newly developed tendon tissue expressed strong proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after ESW treatment, suggesting that physical ESW could increase the mitogenic responses of tendons. Moreover, the proliferation of tenocytes adjunct to hypertrophied cell aggregate and newly formed tendon tissue coincided with intensive TGF-b1 and IGF-I expression. Increasing TGF-b1 expression was noted in the early stage of tendon repair, and elevated IGF-I expression was persisted throughout the healing period. Together, low-energy shock wave effectively promoted tendon healing. TGF-b1 and IGF-I played important roles in mediating ESW-stimulated cell proliferation and tissue regeneration of tendon.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1997
The role played by endothelins (ETs) and their receptor subtypes (ET A and ET B ) in the regulati... more The role played by endothelins (ETs) and their receptor subtypes (ET A and ET B ) in the regulation of steroid hormone secretion in human adrenal gland remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the gene expression of ET-1 and its receptors in highly pure preparations of human adrenocortical cells and the effect of ET-1 on their secretory activity. Reverse transcription-PCR with primers specific for prepro-ET-1, ET-converting enzyme-1, ET A , and ET B complementary DNAs demonstrated the expression of all of these genes in human adrenocortical cells. ET-1 increased the secretion of aldosterone and cortisol by enhancing both earlier and late steps of their synthesis. The secretory response to ET-1 was partially (60%) inhibited by BQ-123 and BQ-788, which are selective antagonists of the ET A and ET B receptors, respectively. When added together, the two antagonists suppressed the secretagogue effect of ET-1. Collectively, these findings suggest that ET-1, acting via both ET A and ET B receptors, may exert an autocrine/paracrine regulation of the function of the human adrenal cortex. (J Clin
The time-resolved fluorescence spectra of the main arterial fluorescent compounds were retrieved ... more The time-resolved fluorescence spectra of the main arterial fluorescent compounds were retrieved using a new algorithm based on the Laguerre expansion of kernels technique. Samples of elastin, collagen and cholesterol were excited with a pulsed nitrogen laser and the emission was measured at 29 discrete wavelengths between 370 and 510 nm. The expansion of the fluorescence impulse response function on the Laguerre basis of functions was optimized to reproduce the observed fluorescence emission. Collagen lifetime (5.3 ns at 390 nm) was substantially larger than that of elastin (2.3 ns) and cholesterol (1.3 ns). Two decay components were identified in the emission decay of the compounds. For collagen, the decay components were markedly wavelength dependent and hydration dependent such that the emission decay became shorter at higher emission wavelengths and with hydration. The decay characteristics of elastin and cholesterol were relatively unchanged with wavelength and with hydration. The observed variations in the timeresolved spectra of elastin, collagen and cholesterol were consistent with the existence of several fluorophores with different emission characteristics. Because the compounds are present in different proportions in healthy and atherosclerotic arterial walls, characteristic differences in their time-resolved emission spectra could be exploited to assess optically the severity of atherosclerotic lesions.
Introduction We investigated the effect of high-energy extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) on immatur... more Introduction We investigated the effect of high-energy extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) on immature tibial epiphysis in a rabbit model. Materials and methods Twenty New Zealand white immature rabbit were used in this study. Animals were divided into two groups and they received 14 kW, 0.6 mJ/mm2, 1,500 or 3,000 shots for three times with an interval of 7 days. After 6 weeks all rabbits were killed. The all tibia epiphysis were assessed by histology. The epiphyseal plaque thickness of right tibiae of the 3,000-shot ESW group was significantly higher than those of the 1,500-shot ESW group and the left tibia epiphyses of the 1,500- and 3,000-shot ESW groups as controls (P < 0.05). Results The epiphyseal plaque thickness of right tibiae of the 1,500-shot ESW group was significantly higher than that of the left tibia epiphyses of the 1,500- and 3,000-shot ESW groups as controls (P < 0.05). Discussion We demonstrated that high-energy ESW stimulated the growth of immature rabbit epiphysis. The long-term effect of shock wave on the immature rabbit epiphysis deserves further study.
inside the joint and than retrieved from lateral portal with a grasper. A Minilok suture anchor (... more inside the joint and than retrieved from lateral portal with a grasper. A Minilok suture anchor (Mitek -Ethicon Inc, Norwood, MA) is inserted in the talus site. The post strand of the anchor wire is carried through the ligament by the polysorb and than a sliding knot is performed to tie the suture obtaining the ligament re-insertion. We to leave a drainage for 24 h with the leg immobilized in a long emiplaster, then after the drainage remove we complete the cast. The method we suggest is easy to perform and allows to repair partial & complete lesions of the ligament even in case of talar avulsion and even if the follow-up is really short the good results till now obtained encourage us to continue in performing this technique in selected cases.
Several exoplanets have been detected towards the Galactic bulge with the microlensing technique.... more Several exoplanets have been detected towards the Galactic bulge with the microlensing technique. We show that exoplanets in M31 may also be detected with the pixel-lensing method, if telescopes making high cadence observations of an ongoing microlensing event are used. Using a Monte Carlo approach we find that the mean mass for detectable planetary systems is about 2 M J. However, even small mass exoplanets ( ${M_{\rm P} < 20 M_{\oplus}}$ ) can cause significant deviations, which are observable with large telescopes. We reanalysed the POINT-AGAPE microlensing event PA-99-N2. First, we test the robustness of the binary lens conclusion for this light curve. Second, we show that for such long duration and bright microlensing events, the efficiency for finding planetary-like deviations is strongly enhanced with respect to that evaluated for all planetary detectable events.
We present measurements of the flavor-changing neutral current decays B --> Kl+l- and B --> K*l+l... more We present measurements of the flavor-changing neutral current decays B --> Kl+l- and B --> K*l+l-, where l+l- is either an e+e- or mu+mu- pair. The data sample comprises 229 x 10^6 Y(4s) -->to BBbar decays collected with the BaBar detector at the PEP-II e+e- storage ring. Flavor-changing neutral current decays are highly suppressed in the Standard Model and their predicted properties could be significantly modified by new physics at the electroweak scale. We measure the branching fractions B(B --> Kll) = (0.34 +- 0.07 +- 0.02) x 10^{-6}, B(B --> K*ll) = (0.78^{+0.19}_{-0.17} +- 0.11) x 10^{-6}, the direct CP asymmetries of these decays, and the relative abundances of decays to electrons and muons. For two regions in l+l- mass, above and below m(Jpsi), we measure partial branching fractions and the forward-backward angular asymmetry of the lepton pair. In these same regions we also measure the K* longitudinal polarization in B --> K*l+l- decays. Upper limits are obtained for the lepton flavor-violating decays B --> Kemu and B --> K*emu. All measurements are consistent with Standard Model expectations.
Physicochemical factors governing initial rates of microbial deposition onto reverse osmosis (RO)... more Physicochemical factors governing initial rates of microbial deposition onto reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes were studied using direct microscopic observation. Deposition rates for three different microorganisms onto four NF/RO membranes increased with (a) increasing permeate velocity, (b) decreasing crossflow velocity, (c) increasing salt rejection, (d) increasing cell size, (e) increasing membrane surface roughness, (f) decreasing (cell-membrane) free energy of adhesion, and (g) decreasing (cell-membrane) electrostatic double layer repulsion. Relatively hydrophilic, smooth surfaces produced macroscopically repulsive interfacial interactions (i.e., cells should not deposit); however, microscopic heterogeneities -which appear inherent to interfacially polymerized polyamide thin films -facilitated sufficient microbial deposition onto clean membranes that microcolonies formed within minutes to hours. At fluxes greater than ∼8 m s −1 (∼20 lmh or 16 gfd), permeate drag forces overwhelmed repulsive interfacial forces leading to purely convective deposition. Concentration polarization of rejected salt ions destabilized cells and enhanced deposition onto NF/RO membrane surfaces. The complex interplay between membrane surface properties, concentration polarization, and hydrodynamics was reasonably captured by a simple, analytical interfacial force model. These results help explain why polyamide NF/RO membranes are prone to bacterial adhesion and how the balance between crossflow and permeate hydrodynamics governs initial microbial deposition onto clean NF/RO membranes.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the tensile strength of the bond between a silicone ... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the tensile strength of the bond between a silicone lining material and heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resin after Er:YAG laser treatment with different pulse durations and energy levels. PMMA test specimens were fabricated and each received one of six surface treatments: no treatment (control), and five Er:YAG laser treatments comprising (1) 100 mJ, 1 W, long pulse duration, (2) 200 mJ, 2 W, long pulse duration, (3) 200 mJ, 2 W, very short pulse duration, (4) 300 mJ, 3 W, long pulse duration, and (5) 400 mJ, 4 W, long pulse duration. The resilient liner specimens (n = 15) were processed between two PMMA blocks. The tensile strengths of the bonds between the liners and PMMA were determined using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. The mode of failure was characterized as cohesive, adhesive, or mixed modes. One-way ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test were used to analyze the data (α = 0.05). There was a statistically significantly difference in tensile bond strength between laser-treated and untreated specimens (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). The 300-mJ, 3 W, long pulse duration laser treatment produced the highest mean tensile bond strength. In addition, the long pulse duration treatments resulted in greater bond strength than very short pulse duration treatment (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Laser irradiation produced significant surface texture changes of the denture base material and improved the adhesion between denture base and soft lining material. In addition, different pulse durations and energy levels were found to effectively increase the strength of the bond.
Extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) have recently been used in resolving tendinitis. However, mechan... more Extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) have recently been used in resolving tendinitis. However, mechanisms by which ESW promote tendon repair is not fully understood. In this study, we reported that an optimal ESW treatment promoted healing of Achilles tendintis by inducing TGF-b1 and IGF-I. Rats with the collagenease-induced Achilles tendinitis were given a single ESW treatment (0.16 mJ/mm 2 energy flux density) with 0, 200, 500 and 1000 impulses. Achilles tendons were subjected to biomechanical (load to failure and stiffness), biochemical properties (DNA, glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline content) and histological assessment. ESW with 200 impulses restored biomechanical and biochemical characteristics of healing tendons 12 weeks after treatment. However, ESW treatments with 500 and 1000 impulses elicited inhibitory effects on tendinitis repair. Histological observation demonstrated that ESW treatment resolved edema, swelling, and inflammatory cell infiltration in injured tendons. Lesion site underwent intensive tenocyte proliferation, neovascularization and progressive tendon tissue regeneration. Tenocytes at the hypertrophied cellular tissue and newly developed tendon tissue expressed strong proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after ESW treatment, suggesting that physical ESW could increase the mitogenic responses of tendons. Moreover, the proliferation of tenocytes adjunct to hypertrophied cell aggregate and newly formed tendon tissue coincided with intensive TGF-b1 and IGF-I expression. Increasing TGF-b1 expression was noted in the early stage of tendon repair, and elevated IGF-I expression was persisted throughout the healing period. Together, low-energy shock wave effectively promoted tendon healing. TGF-b1 and IGF-I played important roles in mediating ESW-stimulated cell proliferation and tissue regeneration of tendon.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1997
The role played by endothelins (ETs) and their receptor subtypes (ET A and ET B ) in the regulati... more The role played by endothelins (ETs) and their receptor subtypes (ET A and ET B ) in the regulation of steroid hormone secretion in human adrenal gland remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the gene expression of ET-1 and its receptors in highly pure preparations of human adrenocortical cells and the effect of ET-1 on their secretory activity. Reverse transcription-PCR with primers specific for prepro-ET-1, ET-converting enzyme-1, ET A , and ET B complementary DNAs demonstrated the expression of all of these genes in human adrenocortical cells. ET-1 increased the secretion of aldosterone and cortisol by enhancing both earlier and late steps of their synthesis. The secretory response to ET-1 was partially (60%) inhibited by BQ-123 and BQ-788, which are selective antagonists of the ET A and ET B receptors, respectively. When added together, the two antagonists suppressed the secretagogue effect of ET-1. Collectively, these findings suggest that ET-1, acting via both ET A and ET B receptors, may exert an autocrine/paracrine regulation of the function of the human adrenal cortex. (J Clin
The time-resolved fluorescence spectra of the main arterial fluorescent compounds were retrieved ... more The time-resolved fluorescence spectra of the main arterial fluorescent compounds were retrieved using a new algorithm based on the Laguerre expansion of kernels technique. Samples of elastin, collagen and cholesterol were excited with a pulsed nitrogen laser and the emission was measured at 29 discrete wavelengths between 370 and 510 nm. The expansion of the fluorescence impulse response function on the Laguerre basis of functions was optimized to reproduce the observed fluorescence emission. Collagen lifetime (5.3 ns at 390 nm) was substantially larger than that of elastin (2.3 ns) and cholesterol (1.3 ns). Two decay components were identified in the emission decay of the compounds. For collagen, the decay components were markedly wavelength dependent and hydration dependent such that the emission decay became shorter at higher emission wavelengths and with hydration. The decay characteristics of elastin and cholesterol were relatively unchanged with wavelength and with hydration. The observed variations in the timeresolved spectra of elastin, collagen and cholesterol were consistent with the existence of several fluorophores with different emission characteristics. Because the compounds are present in different proportions in healthy and atherosclerotic arterial walls, characteristic differences in their time-resolved emission spectra could be exploited to assess optically the severity of atherosclerotic lesions.
Introduction We investigated the effect of high-energy extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) on immatur... more Introduction We investigated the effect of high-energy extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) on immature tibial epiphysis in a rabbit model. Materials and methods Twenty New Zealand white immature rabbit were used in this study. Animals were divided into two groups and they received 14 kW, 0.6 mJ/mm2, 1,500 or 3,000 shots for three times with an interval of 7 days. After 6 weeks all rabbits were killed. The all tibia epiphysis were assessed by histology. The epiphyseal plaque thickness of right tibiae of the 3,000-shot ESW group was significantly higher than those of the 1,500-shot ESW group and the left tibia epiphyses of the 1,500- and 3,000-shot ESW groups as controls (P < 0.05). Results The epiphyseal plaque thickness of right tibiae of the 1,500-shot ESW group was significantly higher than that of the left tibia epiphyses of the 1,500- and 3,000-shot ESW groups as controls (P < 0.05). Discussion We demonstrated that high-energy ESW stimulated the growth of immature rabbit epiphysis. The long-term effect of shock wave on the immature rabbit epiphysis deserves further study.
inside the joint and than retrieved from lateral portal with a grasper. A Minilok suture anchor (... more inside the joint and than retrieved from lateral portal with a grasper. A Minilok suture anchor (Mitek -Ethicon Inc, Norwood, MA) is inserted in the talus site. The post strand of the anchor wire is carried through the ligament by the polysorb and than a sliding knot is performed to tie the suture obtaining the ligament re-insertion. We to leave a drainage for 24 h with the leg immobilized in a long emiplaster, then after the drainage remove we complete the cast. The method we suggest is easy to perform and allows to repair partial & complete lesions of the ligament even in case of talar avulsion and even if the follow-up is really short the good results till now obtained encourage us to continue in performing this technique in selected cases.
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Papers by Achilles MJ