Showing papers by "University of Naples Federico II published in 1981"

On interacting defaults

Abstract: Although most commonly occurring default rules are normal when viewed in isolation, they can interact with each other in ways that lead to the derivation of anomalous default assumptions*. In order to deal with such anomalies it is necessary to re-represent these rules, in some cases by Introducing non-normal defaults. The need to consider such potential interactions leads to a new concept of integrity, distinct from the conventional Integrity Issues of first order data bases. The non-normal default rules required to deal with default interactions all have a common pattern, Default theories conforming to this pattern are considerably more complex than normal default theories. For example, they need not have extensions, and they lack the property of semi-monotonicity.

Geochemical characteristics of potassic volcanics from Mts. Ernici (Southern Latium, Italy)

Abstract: Major elements, trace elements and 87Sr/86Sr data are reported for the Quaternary potassic alkaline rocks from the Mts. Ernici volcanic area (Southern Latium — Italy). These rocks are represented by primitive types which display high Mgv, low D.I., variable degrees of silica undersaturation and different K2O contents which allowed the distinction of a potassium series (KS) and a high potassium series (HKS). All the analyzed samples have high LIL element contents and high 87Sr/86Sr which ranges between 0.707–0.711. They also have fractionated REE patterns. The KS rocks have lower LIL element concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr ratios than the HKS rocks with a large compositional gap between the two series. Minor but still significant isotopic and trace element variations are also observed within both KS and HKS. The genesis cannot be completly explained either by crystal liquid fractionation, mixing or assimilation processes or by different degrees of equilibrium partial melting from a homogeneous source, thus indicating that both the KS and HKS consist of several geochemically and isotopically distinct magma types. The data suggest that the KS and HKS magmas originated by low degrees of melting of a garnet peridotite mantle heterogeneously enriched in LIL elements and radiogenic strontium, possibly accompanied by disquilibrium melting of some accessory phases. The occurrence of a geochemical anomaly within the mantle is believed to be due to fluid metasomatism probably generated by dehydration of a lithospheric slab subducted during the Late Tertiary development of the Apennine Chain.

Echographic Differential Diagnosis of Optic-Nerve Lesions

Abstract: With B-scan echography, the normal optic nerve can be traced along its anterior course within the orbit, the optic disc can be located and large lesions of the optic nerve can be detected.

Palaeomagnetic determination of emplacement temperature of Vesuvius AD 79 pyroclastic deposits

Abstract: The city of Herculaneum was hurried under 20 m of pyroclastic deposits during the AD 79 eruption of Vesuvius, whose crater is only 7 km to the east. These deposits have been interpreted as the deposits of mudflows1 or hot pyroclastic flows2–5. Maury's studies6 of incinerated wood in Herculaneum demonstrate heating to at least 400 °C. We have studied the variation of remanent magnetism with temperature for specimens taken from the deposits, including specimens of the matrix material and of embedded lithic fragments. We conclude that the temperature of the deposit at emplacement is unlikely to have been greater than 400 °C, which further supports the interpretation of the pyroclastic deposits at Herculaneum as largely ignimbrites (hot pyroclastic flow deposits).

Increased lymphocyte adenosine deaminase in typhoid fever.

Abstract: Adenosine deaminase in the peripheral lymphocytes (L-ADA) was determined in 27 patients with typhoid fever and in 15 normal controls. Increased values of enzymatic activity were found in the typhoid fever patients compared with the controls. The increase was prolonged and not correlated to treatment. L-ADA levels could be related to the immune response.

Chromosome banding homologies in Swamp and Murrah buffalo

Abstract: Silver staining of Swamp buffalo (2n = 48) metaphase chromosomes revealed telomeric nucleolus organizer regions (NOR's) located on five pairs of autosomes identified by R-banding as numbers 4 p (submetacentric), 8, 20, 22, and 23 (acrocentrics); interphase nuclei also showed no more than five nucleoli. The Murrah buffalo (2n = 50) was previously reported to have telomeric NOR's located on six pairs, -3 p and 4 p (submetacentric), 8, 21, 23, and 24 (acrocentrics). By comparing the two types of buffalo it was concluded that: all of the chromosomes are similar in banding patterns; chromosome 1 of Swamp results from a telomere-centromere tandem fusion between two chromosomes identified as 4 p and 9, respectively, in the Murrah karyotype, thus accounting for the reduced diploid number of Swamp buffalo; the fusion causes the loss of NOR's on the telomeres of chromosome 4, thus accounting for the reduced number of NOR chromosome pairs of Swamp; the presence of a pale C-band are in the region of junction between chromosome 4 and 9 involved in the fusion suggests that the centromeric region of the later is retained and altered.

Surface and buoyancy driven free convection

Abstract: A system of two interfacing immiscible fluids subject to an imposed temperature difference in a gravity field is considered. The fluids, the gravity level, the temperature difference and the extension of the interface are arbitrary. An order of magnitude analysis is applied to determine: (i) the types of flow regimes that can be attained in natural, Marangoni or combined free convection; (ii) how the problem's data identify which type of free convection and of flow regime prevails in each specific case.

Development of brush border peptidases in human and rat small intestine during fetal and neonatal life.

Abstract: Development of Brush Border Peptidases in Human and Rat Small Intestine during Fetal and Neonatal Life

Hygrothermal history dependence of moisture sorption kinetics in epoxy resins

Abstract: A history dependent solubility model is generalized in accordance with the Dual Mode Sorption Theory to take into account a history dependency of effective water diffusion coefficients in epoxy resins, based on hypothesized microcavitational damage due to the combined effects of temperature and sorbed moisture. Sorption data presented in a different paper are analyzed in the light of a transport model in which part of diffusing molecules are completely immobilized in the formed microcavities. The nature of the hypothesized damaging process is in agreement with the diffusion coefficient depressions and solubility increases experimentally found and theoretically predicted by the model.

Laser Light Scattering and Fluorescence Diagnostics of Rich Flames Produced by Gaseous and Liquid Fuels

Abstract: Rich combustion systems present a much more complex chemistry than stoichiometric or lean ones: compounds from unsaturated C2 hydrocarbons to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are formed and destroyed, soot particles nucleate, grow and agglomerate and eventually burn out at different stages of the combustion. Furthermore, the fuel is introduced in the form of liquid droplets in many practical systems.

Assay of total estradiol receptor in tissue homogenate and tissue fractions by exchange with sodium thiocyanate at low temperature.

Abstract: After injection of radioactive estradiol to ovariectomized rats, the [3H]estradiol--receptor complex transferred to the nuclei can be solubilized by low concentrations of NaSCN. The extraction by NaSCN is significantly more efficient than that obtained by KCl and is, in fact, complete; i.e., no radioactivity can be found in the nuclei after extraction. Since NaSCN also induces the exchange of receptor-bound estradiol with free hormone [Sica, V., Puca, G. A., Molinari, A. M., Buonaguro, F. M., & Bresciani, F. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 83], a simple assay method has been set up which measures receptor in tissue and tissue fractions, including nuclei and whole homogenate, at 0--4 degrees C, irrespective of whether the receptor is or is not interacting with endogenous hormone. The procedure consists of a simple incubation step at 0--4 degrees C overnight (16 h) of the nuclear fraction, cytosol, and a total homogenate in the presence of excess radioactive estradiol and 0.5 M NaSCN. This method is very easy to carry out, accurate, and precise and avoids the loss of binding sites which results from the heating procedures utilized in other methods. The ability to measure the binding in both the soluble and the particulate fractions of rat uterus permits the determination of the rate of the cytoplasmic to nuclear transfer of estrogen after injection of various hormone concentrations. No nuclear transfer was observed after administration of other nonestrogen hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, or hydrocortisone while a nonsteroid antiestrogen, tamoxifen, was able to translocate the receptor. It was found that 2 h after injection of estradiol into ovariectomized rats total receptor content of uterus shows a decrease which is proportional to the amount of hormone injected. After injection of a hyperphysiological dose of 17 beta-estradiol, a certain amount of the receptor--hormone complex remains in the cytosol for at least 4 h. The nuclear turnover of estradiol receptor related to the progesterone receptor induction has been studied. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide prevent nuclear processing.

Transformation of rat thyroid epithelial cells by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus

Abstract: Fischer rat thyroid epithelial cells (FRT) growing continuously in culture were infected with the Kirsten murine sarcoma virus KiMSV(KiMuLV) and found to produce this virus constitutively. Although the morphology of the FRT cells did not change appreciably, the cells became malignant after infection with KiMSV(KiMuLV) as shown by the growth of infected cells in semi-solid media (uninfected FRT cells did not grow) and by the tumorigenicity of infected cells when injected into syngeneic animals (uninfected FRT cells or FRT cells infected with non-transforming retro-viruses were not tumorigenic). The induced tumors morphologically resembled moderately differentiated carcinomas. Two markers of thyroid epithelial differentiation were absent in the original FRT clone and remained unexpressed after transformation. Fully differentiated rat thyroid epithelial cells (FRT-L cells) infected with another strain of the Kirsten murine sarcoma virus, the KiMSV(MolMuLV), were also transformed as demonstrated by the ability also of these cells to grow as carcinomas (after in vitro transformation) in syngeneic animals. Our results clearly demonstrate that the Kirsten murine sarcoma virus can transform in vitro cells of epithelial as well as of fibroblastic origin.

Identification, nucleotide sequence and expression of the regulatory region of the histidine operon of Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract: A restriction fragment has been isolated and its nucleotide sequence determined. This fragment contains sites for RNA polymerase binding, initiation and termination of transcription of the Escherichia coli histidine operon. In vitro transcription of plasmids containing this region generates one single histidine-specific, attenuated, small RNA: the leader RNA. This RNA is more efficiently transcribed when the template DNA is supercoiled. Another promoter was identified on the same fragment of deoxyribonucleic acid by in vitro transcription, DNA sequencing and RNA polymerase binding. Both promoters, transcribing in opposite direction, are very A-T rich and are separated by a G-C rich region containing a palyndromic structure.

Excess enthalpies of aqueous solutions of polyols at 25

Abstract: The excess enthalpies of aqueous solutions of nine polyols were determined at 25°C and reported in the virial form. The most interesting and new feature of this family of solutes is that the sign of the enthalpic pair interaction coefficients hxx is positive for the first members of the series and negative for the higher homologues. Other points are the large differences found among the values of hxx for stereoisomers, whereas pairs of enantiomers show the same values within experimental errors. An application of the group additivity method is also discussed.

Different properties of residual n-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase in fibroblasts from patients with mild and severe forms of morquio disease type a

Abstract: DIFFERENT PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL N-ACETYLGALACTOSAMINE-6-SULFATE SULFATASE IN FIBROBLASTS FROM PATIENTS WITH MILD AND SEVERE FORMS OF MORQUIO DISEASE TYPE A

Physical characterization of microporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) gels.

Abstract: Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-(PHEMA) has been prepared by polymerizing in presence of different types of water-soluble additives, at various amounts, which were removed by swelling in water. Mechanical properties of swollen samples have been measured and analyzed by using the classical theory of rubber elasticity. Water permeability measurements were also performed to detect the presence of micropores and to determine the type of water transport. It has been shown that it's possible, using different types and amounts of additives, to obtain a wide range of physical properties of swollen PHEMA as required for various biomedical applications.

Evolution of genome size and DNA base composition in reptiles

Abstract: The evolution of genome size and base composition of DNA from various reptiles has been studied. DNA amount was measured cytophotometrically and GC concentration estimated by thermal denaturation. The Reptilia appear to be a fairly homogeneous group with respect to DNA quantity, although chelonians stand out because of their higher inter- and intrafamilial variability and DNA content. Quantitative DNA variations do not show a single evolutionary trend, but rather seem to have followed different patterns within each group. The differences in genome size between related species seem to be mainly the result of duplication or loss of DNA sequences characterized by a similar mean denaturation temperature. This agrees with observations of other authors that quantitative variations in reptiles are mainly due to differences in the amount of repetitive DNA. Several hypotheses on the significance of quantitative DNA variations in reptiles are discussed.

Muzolimine: a new high-ceiling diuretic suitable for patients with advanced renal disease.

Abstract: Muzolimine was administered by mouth to 24 patients with creatinine clearances ranging from 4 to 28 ml/min to treat oedema or hypertension, or both. In four of these 24 patients muzolimine was given after intravenous high-dose frusemide had been unsuccessful. Muzolimine significantly increased urine volume and excretions of sodium, chloride, and potassium ions. Its diuretic efficacy was further shown by a mean reduction in body-weight of 8% and by the disappearance of oedema in all affected patients, even those refractory to intravenous frusemide. No rebound phenomenon was observed after the drug was stopped. Mean blood pressure was reduced in all hypertensive patients. Blood pressure was restored to normal in five out of seven patients treated with muzolimine alone and 10 out of 11 in whom muzolimine had been added to previously unsatisfactory antihypertensive treatment. Muzolimine was well tolerated by all patients. Muzolimine appears to be the diuretic of choice when treating patients with advanced renal disease.

Selective surfaces for natural cooling devices

Abstract: Resume.- L'espace extra-atmospherique fonctionne en pratique comme un absorbeur de radiation et il peut Otre utilise ainsi qu'une sour- ce non conventionnelle d'energie. Les surfaces ayant une 6missivit6 qui s'accorde avec la fenstre at- mosph6rique de transparence (8-13) pm interagissent avec l'espace froid tant qu'elles sont exposees au ciel serein pendant la nuit et refroidissent considerablement. Pendant le jour, la temperature radiative du ciel se maintient bas- se, mais la radiation solaire est tellement plus grande qu'on ne peut pas obtenir un effet de refroidissement. Cependant il est pos- sible de proteger la surface radiante en se servant de couvertures selectives, qui arrstent la radiation solaire sans empOcher l'in- teraction infrarouge avec l'esgace froid. Dans cet ouvrage nous decrivons les propriet6s optiques de quelques films bon march6 en plastique, que nous avons d6veloppes pour le refroidissement radiatif et nous montrons les resultats dans des applications telles qu'une serre inverse et un entrepat frigorifs- re qui emploient ces films s6lectifs. Abstract.- Extra-atmospheric space is gracticallv a pure sink of radiation, and can be'used as a nonconventional energy source. Sur- faces with an emissivity matched with the atmospheric (8

Presence of eosinophilia in progressive systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma.

Abstract: Recent studies on eosinophilic fasciitis have lead to this investigation of eosinophilia in progressive systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma. Eosinophilia (eosinophilic count greater than 300/cmm) was found in ten of 63 progressive systemic sclerosis patients (15.8%) and in two of nine localized scleroderma cases (22.2%). In patients with progressive systemic sclerosis eosinophilia was found occasionally in six cases; it was transitory, but frequent in three cases; it was constant and very high in one case. In patients with localized scleroderma eosinophilia was found occasionally in one case and frequent, but not constant, in the other one. The possible influence of drugs could be excluded in five cases: three progressive systemic sclerosis cases and two affected with localized scleroderma. Therefore, it is possible to confirm that eosinophilia is not a distinctive sign of eosinophilic fasciitis in patients suffering from scleroderma-like syndromes. While eosinophilia is related to inflammation in eosinophilic faciitis, eosinophilia and disease activity could not be correlated in our patients with PSS. Recently, it has been suggested that eosinophilia might be an unfavorable prognostic criterion in progressive systemic sclerosis. Our data does not allow confirmation of this assumption.

Endopolygalacturonase zymograms of Fusarium species

Abstract: Endopolygalacturonase zymograms of 26 isolates belonging to six Fusarium species were detected by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels. Patterns of isolates of each species were identical except for isolates of F. moniliforme and F. solani that exhibited variations in intensity of bands. Comparison of various zymograms obtained showed that endopolygalacturonase patterns of formae speciales of F. oxysporum are more simple than those of other Fusarium species. Four bands of enzyme activity with isoelectric points between pH 5 and 8 characterized the pattern of the formae speciales of F. oxysporum , while the other species showed a number of bands varying from 8 to 11. The results suggest that endopolygalacturonase zymograms could be used as a complementary tool for the identification of Fusarium isolates at species level.