Defeasible inheritance networks are a non-monotonic framework that deals with hierarchical knowledge. On the other hand, rational closure is acknowledged as a landmark of the preferential approach to ...non-monotonic reasoning. We will combine these two approaches and define a new non-monotonic closure operation for propositional knowledge bases that combines the advantages of both. Then we redefine such a procedure for Description Logics (DLs), a family of logics well-suited to model structured information. In both cases we will provide a simple reasoning method that is built on top of the classical entailment relation and, thus, is amenable of an implementation based on existing reasoners. Eventually, we evaluate our approach on well-known landmark test examples.
The FAZIA apparatus exploits Pulse Shape Analysis (PSA) to identify nuclear fragments stopped in the first layer of a Silicon-Silicon-CsI(Tl) detector telescope. In this work, for the first time, we ...show that the isotopes of fragments having atomic number as high as Z∼20 can be identified. Such a remarkable result has been obtained thanks to a careful construction of the Si detectors and to the use of low noise and high performance digitizing electronics. Moreover, optimized PSA algorithms are needed. This work deals with the choice of the best algorithm for PSA of current signals. A smoothing spline algorithm is demonstrated to give optimal results without requiring too much computational resources.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Background
Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) and several antioxidant agents, namely, selenium, quercetin, enalapril, vitamin C,
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine, and ...melatonin, have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and its consequences in primary culture of orbital fibroblasts. In addition, selenium is effective for the treatment of mild GO. Here, we investigated the action of three additional antioxidants in orbital fibroblasts, namely, retinol, β-carotene, and vitamin E.
Methods
Primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts were established from GO patients and control subjects. To induce oxidative stress, cells were treated with H
2
O
2
, after which glutathione disulfide (GSSG) (a parameter of oxidative stress), cell proliferation, hyaluronic acid, TNFα, IFNγ, and IL1β were measured.
Results
H
2
O
2
-dependent oxidative stress (augmented GSSG) was associated with increased cell proliferation and cytokine release. All the three antioxidant substances reduced GSSG in both GO and control fibroblasts. β-carotene reduced proliferation in GO, but not in control fibroblasts. IL1β was reduced by all three substances. Retinol reduced IFNγ in GO and control fibroblasts.
Conclusions
Our study supports an antioxidant role of retinol, β-carotene, and vitamin E in orbital fibroblasts from patients with GO and provides a basis for a possible clinical use these substances.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Objective
Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) and an antioxidant approach has been advocated for GO treatment. Here, we investigated the action of three ...antioxidants in orbital fibroblasts, namely, vitamin C,
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine, and melatonin.
Methods
Primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts from six GO patients and six control subjects were established. Cells were treated with H
2
O
2
to induce oxidative stress. Cell vitality assays were performed to determine the non-cytotoxic dose of each antioxidant. The following assays were performed: glutathione disulfide (GSSG), as a measure of oxidative stress, cell proliferation, hyaluronic acid (HA), TNFα, IFNγ, and IL1β.
Results
H
2
O
2
induced oxidative stress (augmented GSSG), increased cell proliferation as well as cytokine release, but did not affect HA release. All of the three antioxidant substances reduced H
2
O
2
-dependent oxidative stress. Vitamin C reduced proliferation in GO, but not in control fibroblasts.
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine reduced proliferation and IFNγ in GO, and HA and IL1β in both GO and control fibroblasts. Melatonin reduced IL1β and HA in GO and control fibroblasts, and IFNγ only in GO fibroblasts.
Conclusions
Our study provides evidence in support of an antioxidant role of vitamin C,
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine and melatonin in orbital fibroblasts. Some of the effects of these compounds are exclusive to GO fibroblasts, whereas some other are observed also in control fibroblasts. Our observations provide a basis for a possible clinical use of these substances in patients with GO.
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Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract
The onset of Multifragmentation phenomenon is investigated at low excitation energies. A detailed study on the origin of Intermediate Mass Fragment (IMF, Z>=3) produced in central collisions ...in the
58
Ni+
40
Ca reaction at 25 AMeV is presented. The experimental campaign was performed with CHIMERA multi-detector at INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Sud in Catania (Italy). The multiple identification techniques of the 4p apparatus, together with low detection thresholds, enable the performance of a careful selection of Fusion-evaporation residues, Multifragmentation sources and their decay products. Comparisons with dynamical approach based on Boltzmann-Langevin-One-Body (BLOB) model predictions coupled with sequential emission code, were used as useful tools to depict and understand the characteristics of fragments emitted from an equilibrated compound nucleus or formed simultaneously in the multifragmenting source. A comparison with the preliminary results obtained for fragment production in central collisions of the same system,
58
Ni+
40
Ca, at higher incident energies E
beam
=35AMeV, allows to study and characterize the evolution of multifragmentation phenomenon at the lower end of Fermi energies.
The multiplicity of peptidergic receptors and of the transduction pathways they activate offers the possibility of
important advances in the development of specific drugs for clinical treatment of ...central nervous system disorders.
Among them, retinal ischemia is a common clinical entity and, due to relatively ineffective treatment, remains a common
cause of visual impairment and blindness. Ischemia is a primary cause of neuronal death, and it can be considered as a sort
of final common pathway in retinal diseases leading to irreversible morphological damage and vision loss. Neuropeptides
and their receptors are widely expressed in mammalian retinas, where they exert multifaceted functions both during
development and in the mature animal. In particular, in recent years somatostatin and pituitary adenylate cyclase
activating peptide have been reported to be highly protective against retinal cell death caused by ischemia, while data on
opioid peptides, angiotensin II, and other peptides have also been published. This review provides a rationale for
harnessing the peptidergic receptors as a potential target against retinal neuronal damages which occur during ischemic
retinopathies.
Anticlines of the Lurestan Province in the Zagros fold-thrust belt have been studied by integrating field-based analysis with the use of high-resolution satellite images and data available from the ...literature. The distribution of folds in the southeastern Lurestan Province, expressed in terms of axial length and wavelength distribution, shows a direct link with the characteristics of the sedimentary multilayer in which the folds developed. Within the carbonate deposits of the Late Cretaceous Bangestan Group the transition from pelagic to neritic facies determines a threefold increase in anticline spacing and promotes the development of thrust structures in the forelimb of anticlines. The Oligocene-Miocene Shahbazan-Asmari unit folds harmonically with the Bangestan Group, except in the areas where the Palaeogene deposits interposed between the two units exceed 1300 m of thickness. In these areas the Shahbazan-Asmari carbonates display short-wavelength folds indicating a complete decoupling from the underlying folds of the Bangestan Group. It is suggested that this decoupling occurs because the summed thickness of the incompetent units separating the two carbonate units exceeds the extension of the zone of effective contact strain of the Bangestan Group folds.
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