We investigate kinetic entropy-based measures of the non-Maxwellianity of distribution functions in plasmas, i.e. entropy-based measures of the departure of a local distribution function from an associated Maxwellian distribution function with the same density, bulk flow and temperature as the local distribution. First, we consider a form previously employed by Kaufmann & Paterson (J. Geophys. Res., vol. 114, 2009, A00D04), assessing its properties and deriving equivalent forms. To provide a quantitative understanding of it, we derive analytical expressions for three common non-Maxwellian plasma distribution functions. We show that there are undesirable features of this non-Maxwellianity measure including that it can diverge in various physical limits and elucidate the reason for the divergence. We then introduce a new kinetic entropy-based non-Maxwellianity measure based on the velocity-space kinetic entropy density, which has a meaningful physical interpretation and does not diverge. We use collisionless particle-in-cell simulations of two-dimensional anti-parallel magnetic reconnection to assess the kinetic entropy-based non-Maxwellianity measures. We show that regions of non-zero non-Maxwellianity are linked to kinetic processes occurring during magnetic reconnection. We also show the simulated non-Maxwellianity agrees reasonably well with predictions for distributions resembling those calculated analytically. These results can be important for applications, as non-Maxwellianity can be used to identify regions of kinetic-scale physics or increased dissipation in plasmas.

We apply field–particle correlations – a technique that tracks the time-averaged velocity-space structure of the energy density transfer rate between electromagnetic fields and plasma particles – to data drawn from a hybrid Vlasov–Maxwell simulation of Alfvén-ion cyclotron turbulence. Energy transfer in this system is expected to include both Landau and cyclotron wave–particle resonances, unlike previous systems to which the field–particle correlation technique has been applied. In this simulation, the energy transfer rate mediated by the parallel electric field $E_{\Vert }$ comprises approximately 60 % of the total rate, with the remainder mediated by the perpendicular electric field $E_{\bot }$. The parallel electric field resonantly couples to protons, with the canonical bipolar velocity-space signature of Landau damping identified at many points throughout the simulation. The energy transfer mediated by $E_{\bot }$ preferentially couples to particles with $v_{tp}\lesssim v_{\bot }\lesssim 3v_{tp}$, where $v_{tp}$ is the proton thermal speed, in agreement with the expected formation of a cyclotron diffusion plateau. Our results demonstrate clearly that the field–particle correlation technique can distinguish distinct channels of energy transfer using single-point measurements, even at points in which multiple channels act simultaneously, and can be used to determine quantitatively the rates of particle energization in each channel.

The question of whether the rise in CO2 levels observed during the industrial era has influenced the rates of tree biomass growth represents one of the main unsolved questions in the field of climate change science. In this framework, the African tropical forest represents one of the most important carbon (C) sinks, but detailed knowledge of its response to elevated CO2 is still lacking, especially regarding tree growth rate estimations. A major limitation to determining growth rates in the African tropical region is that many trees lack seasonality in cambial activity determining annual growth rings. In this study, several species of trees characterizing the African tropical forest have been investigated to estimate their biomass growth rate by means of a procedure based on 14C and growth models. A total of 71 subsamples were analyzed for a Entandrophragma cylindricum (sapele) tree, and 38 and 25 wood subsamples for Erythrophleum suaveolens (tali) and Triplochiton scleroxylon (ayous) trees, respectively, using radiocarbon measurements at the Centre for Isotopic Research on Cultural and Environmental Heritage (CIRCE). All measured modern samples were in agreement with the Southern Hemisphere (SH) 14C bomb-spike curve. Observed preliminary results indicate a decrease in the growth rate of the sapele tree (∼350 yr old) in the industrial period compared to the pre-industrial era. Growth rates for trees of the other 2 species were higher than sapele, with ayous being the fastest-growing species.

The status of the AMICA project is reported. Final tests are currently running at Teramo Observatory before moving the instrument to Antarctica. AMICA is a camera equipped with two array detectors to perform astronomical imaging in the 2–28 μm band. It will be mounted at the IRAIT focal plane. Its very special feature is the antarctic operability. AMICA subsystems have been tested at typical antarctic conditions, in order to adopt technological solutions that ensure the correct operation of AMICA even on the antarctic plateau. Moreover, since human operations are not possible during the antarctic “winter", AMICA has been designed to operate in a completely automatic mode. AMICA is essentially aimed to demonstrate the potential of Antarctica for Infrared Astronomy and should therefore produce significant data, both for astronomy and site-testing. In addition, the experience gained in its technological development will be useful for building future astronomical instruments for extreme environment sites.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been demonstrated to cause substantial disease in elderly and immunocompromised subjects. The relationship of serum antibody to RSV infection and the risk of infection in elderly subjects is controversial, thus we evaluated the presence of neutralizing antibodies to RSV in healthy people of different age groups and the correlation with viral protection. Baseline blood samples from 197 subjects aged 20–80 years were analysed for the presence of anti-RSV antibodies either by indirect immunofluorescence and microneutralization test. The percentage of people who had neutralizing antibodies to RSV was significantly higher (P=0·001) in the youngest group (92·51%) compared to the frail group (36·21%). The RSV antibody level tends to wane in some older people; this factor could determine proneness to RSV re-infections in the elderly who are at a greater risk of developing severe respiratory disease.

AMICA (Antarctic Multiband Infrared CAmera) is an instrument designed to perform astronomicalimaging in the near- (1-5 μm) andmid- (5–27 μm) infrared wavelength regions. Equipped with two detectors, an InSb 2562 and a Si:As 1282 IBC, cooled at 35 and 7 K respectively, it will be the first instrument to investigate the potential of the Italian-French base Concordia for IR astronomy. The main technical challenge is represented by the extreme conditions of Dome C (T ~ -90 °C, p ~ 640mbar). An environmental control system ensures the correct start-up, shut-down and housekeeping of the various components of the camera.AMICA will be mounted on the IRAIT telescope and will perform survey-mode observations in the Southern sky. The first task is to provide important site-quality data. Substantial contributions to the solution of fundamental astrophysical quests, such as those related to late phases of stellar evolution and to star formation processes, are also expected.

We report a preliminary study of the main focal plane instrumentfor the IRAIT telescope, currently being built atINAF-Astronomical Observatory of Teramo. The basic requirementsare those of a remotely-controlled camera aimed to perform 10- and20-μm photometry from Dome-C in the standard bandpasses N andQ. Starting from the site properties and the science goals, themain components of AMICA (Antarctic Mid-Infrared CAmera) aredescribed: a Si:As BIB array detector, sensitive in the range 2–28 μm; a fully reflective optical design; a cryostat modified inorder to work at the extreme environmental conditions of theantarctic plateau; a cryocooler maintaining the operatingtemperature of 4.2 K without external intervention; an automatizedand flexible control electronics.
AMICA is designed to fully exploit the unique mid-infrared observing conditions at Dome-C.

We describe the satisfactory use of combined spinal epidural (CSE) anaesthesia in the management of a 29-year-old paraplegic woman, with a spinal cord lesion at the T7 level, suffering from episodes of autonomic hyper-reflexia, during elective Caesarean section.

HDE 245770 = V725 Tau, the optical counterpart of A0535+26, presented in the last three years a period of uncommon optical faintness and of exceptionally low spectral activity. Photometric data obtained in 1997 and 1998 show a fading in all color, followed in 1999 by a nearly constant phase in which the star attained the lowest level of the last 23 years. In 1998 the emission lines became much fainter than in 1997, changing slowly from emission to absorption. In November 1998 only Hα was still showing a weak emission with an absorption core; this behaviour suggests the occurrence of a shell phase.

UBVRI photoelectric monitoring of the Be star X Per, a transient X-ray binary, during the last four years, along with some optical spectra are presented and briefly discussed in the context of the long term behaviour of the system.

To evaluate the quality of intra-operative anaesthesia and recovery characteristics of two different anaesthesia regimens, 60 healthy women undergoing ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization procedures were randomly allocated to receive either a propofol/fentanyl or a midazolam/remifentanil based anaesthesia. The surgical procedure was successful in all patients and no severe side effects were reported by any patient. Four patients in the midazolam/remifentanil group (13%) would not accept the same anaesthetic procedure for further in vitro fertilization treatment due to intra-operative awareness, while all propofol/fentanyl patients were prepared to accept the same procedure again (P < 0.05). Patients in the propofol/fentanyl group required manual ventilation more frequently through a facemask than those patients treated with the midazolam/remifentanil combination (50% and 30%, respectively; P < 0.05). The time to achieve an Aldrete's score of 10 was shorter in the midazolam/remifentanil patients (2±2 min) than in those who received propofol/fentanyl (4±2 min) (P < 0.001), but no differences were observed in the time required to be ‘fit to discharge’ from the post-anaesthesia care unit. We conclude that the use of a midazolam/remifentanil regimen is as effective and safe as a fentanyl/propofol regimen in patients undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization procedures.

We describe the case of a 36-year-old woman, with a previous history of recurrent abortion due to protein S deficiency, undergoing an elective Caesarean section at 39-weeks gestation. During pregnancy no signs of hypertension or cardiovascular disease were reported, but at the end of the surgical procedure, the patient developed acute hypertension, leading to myocardial infarction, severe heart failure and death. The autopsy revealed a 2-cm undiagnosed phaeochromocytoma in the right adrenal gland. Clinical diagnostic features of phaeochromocytoma during pregnancy as well as the main therapeutic approaches suggested in the literature are discussed.

The annealing behavior of silicon implanted SiO2 layers is studied using continuous and time-gated photoluminescence (PL). Two PL emission bands are observed. A band centered at 560 nm is present in as implanted samples and it is still observed after 1000 °C annealing. The emission time is fast (0.2 -2 ns). A second band centered at 780 nm further increases when hydrogen annealing was performed. The emission time is long (1 μs - 0.3 ms).

An evaluation of the antimitotic activity of a group of antitumoral agents was performed. Their action was first assayed on chick embryo blood forming tissue, determining its survival, mitotic index and mitotic differential count: the statistically most active compounds were demecolcin, vinblastine and cyclophosphamide.

The same compounds were also tested on the in vitro blastic transformation of human leukocytes and their incorporation of tritiated DNA and RNA precursors.

The most active compounds in this assay was 5 fluorouracil; a lesser degree of inhibition was caused by vinblastine, cyclophosphamide and mechloretamine.

The effect of a single massive dose of the same compounds in vivo was also studied determining the in vitro activity of leukocytes of such patients, removed 48 hrs after the administration.

Preliminary results show that such leukocytes lose in variable degree their phyto-responsiveness in vitro.