Preliminay study for the Italian validation of the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP)

Introduction

The screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) is a brief, accessible scale designed for detecting cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to test the SCIP's validity as a cognitive test by comparison with standard neuropsychological scale using the Pearson's correlation.

Aims Test the convergent and discriminant validity of the SCIP within the Italian SCIP validation project.

Methods

Patients between 18 and 65 years who are in a stable phase of the disease, diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar I disorder were enrolled in this study, from the community mental health department of Ferrara.

Results

The tests were administered to 110 patients (mean age: 45 ± 11,4) and to 86 controls (mean age: 35 ± 12,6) of both sex. SCIP presents high correlation with the R-BANS total score (P < 0.01) and the subscales (verbal learning test-immediate, working memory, verbal fluency test, verbal learning test-delayed, processing speed test, P < 0.01). There are significant differences (P < 0.01) in all SCIP dimensions between patient and control group (Table 1).

Conclusions

Our analysis confirm the results of the English, French and Spanish version of the SCIP regarding convergent and discriminant validity. The SCIP represents a valid, simple and brief screening tool for the cognitive evaluation of patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Comparative germination responses to water potential across different populations of Aegilops geniculata and cultivar varieties of Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum

Crop Wild Relatives are often used to improve crop quality and yields because they contain genetically important traits that can contribute to stress resistance and adaptation. Seed germination of different populations of Aegilops geniculata Roth collected along a latitudinal gradient was studied under different drought stress in order to find populations suitable for improving drought tolerance in wheat. Different accessions of Aegilops neglecta Req. ex Bertol., Triticum aestivum L. and T. durum Desf. were used as comparison. Under full hydration, germination was high in all populations, but increasing drought stress led to reduced and delayed germination. Significant differences in final germination and mean time to germinate were detected among populations. Wheat, durum wheat and the southern population of Ae. geniculata were not significantly affected by drought stress, germinating similarly under all treatments. However, seed germination of the northern populations of Ae. geniculata was significantly reduced under high water stress treatment. Differences between populations of the same species could not be explained by annual rainfall across populations' distributions, but by rainfall during seed development and maturation. Differences in the germination responses to drought found here highlight the importance of source populations as criteria for genotype selection for pre-breeders.

Abstract PD1-02: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): A real-time application of precision medicine to the management of metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Background: Molecular diagnostic, in particular next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, improved the detection of actionable mutations (muts) in MBC at baseline and recurrence. We evaluated the ability of ctDNA to detect molecular abnormalities, monitor disease progression and predict outcome.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 91 patients (pts) with locally advanced and MBC, who had longitudinal assessment of their disease by ctDNA analysis. The plasma-based assay was performed utilizing Guardant360 (Guardant Health, CA), a digital NGS technology to sequence a panel of &gt; 50 cancer genes. After tabulating number of muts and quantification of overall ctDNA detected for every patient at baseline, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to identify the best cut-offs that separated the pts who had a disease progression from those who hadn't, and the patients who died from those still alive. The overall survival (OS) analysis has been performed using Kaplan-Meier curves.

Results: 84 pts (92%) had stage IV cancer. 63% cases were ER+, 27% HER2+, 29% TNBC. 277 blood samples were collected and 84% had muts. 65% of the pts had serial samples. The average number of alterations detected in each sample was 3 (0-27) and the average ctDNA fraction detected was 4.5% (0-88.2%). The most common alterations were: TP53 (52%), PIK3CA (40%), ERBB2 (20%), NOTCH1 (15.5%), APC (14%), MET (13%). 16 pts (19%) were initiated on a targeted therapy based on ctDNA test results. At the time of analysis 36 pts (39.6%) were dead, 55 (60.4%) were currently alive. PFS was 5.2 months (ms) and OS was 21.5 ms. A statistically significant difference in PFS and OS by log rank test was found between % ctDNA at baseline &lt; 0.5 versus ≥ 0.5 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.012, respectively) and number of muts at baseline &lt; 2 versus ≥ 2 (p = 0.059 borderline and p = 0.0015). Moreover, a statistically significant association by Fisher's exact test was found between the number of alterations and the % ctDNA detected in the baseline sample (% of pts with muts ≥ 2 was 19% when % ctDNA &lt; 0.5%, versus 85% when % ctDNA ≥ 0.5%; p &lt; 0.0001).

PFS (ms) p = 0.059 (log rank test)Muts &lt; 2 (n = 32)Muts ≥ 2 (n = 58)658%40%1230%13%1821%6%24--PFS(ms) p = 0.003 (log rank test)% ctDNA &lt; 0.5(n = 27)% ctDNA ≥ 0.5(n = 60)665%39%1241%10%1823%6%24--

OS(ms) p = 0.002 (log rank test)Muts &lt; 2(n = 32)Muts ≥ 2(n = 57)697%66%1288%51%1888%42%24-29%OS(ms) p = 0.012 (log rank test)% ctDNA &lt; 0.5(n = 27)% ctDNA ≥ 0.5(n = 59)696%69%1290%55%1885%48%24-35%

Conclusions: ctDNA liquid biopsy provides a real-time, quantitative NGS-based assessment of MBC which is useful for treatment planning, disease monitoring and prognostic evaluation. Future prospective studies should consider the use of ctDNA for molecular and prognostic stratification.

Citation Format: Rossi G, Austin LK, Nagy RJ, Rademaker AW, Gradishar WJ, Santa-Maria CA, Curry-Edwards RL, Jain S, Flaum LE, Lima Barros Costa R, Zagonel V, Platanias LC, Giles FJ, Talasaz A, Cristofanilli M. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): A real-time application of precision medicine to the management of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD1-02.

Abstract P1-01-05: Prognostic values of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAML) enumerations in metastatic breast cancer: The role for innate immunity in the metastatic process

Background: The enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using the CellSearch assay is a well-established prognostic and predictive marker for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, additional prognostic markers are lacking in patients with ≥ 5 CTCs in 7.5 ml of blood. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are derived from circulating monocytes or tissue-resident macrophages. TAMs have a controversial role in metastasis and anti-tumor processes. Recent studies showed that circulating cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) are specialized phagocytic myeloid cells and found in the peripheral blood of patients with solid tumors including breast cancer, but not in healthy individuals. The presence of CAMLs may indicate the activation of innate immunity in cancer patients. The function and prognostic value of CAMLs in MBC is unknown. In the current study, we measured CTCs and CAMLs on the CellSearch™ platform and investigated their prognostic values in MBC.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 127 stages IV breast cancer patients were collected at baseline before starting first-line therapy. The detection and enumeration of CTCs and CAMLs in 7.5 ml blood sample were performed on the CellSearch™ system. CTCs were identified by cytokeratins (CK-8, 18, and 19) positive and CD45 negative staining. CAMLs were defined by positive staining for cytokeratins and CD45 (Adams et al, PNAS, 111(9):3514-9, 2014). CTCs and CAMLs enumeration in associations with the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients were evaluated using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards modeling.

Results: The image review of CAMLs by using CellSearch analysis showed heterogeneous morphological phenotypes. CAMLs are large cells presenting enlarged nuclei or multiple individual nuclei, and both cytokeratin and CD45 positive with diffused cytoplasmic staining. Among the 127 MBC patients, 38 (29.9%) had elevated CTCs (≥5 CTCs), and 21 (16.5%) had at least one CAML detected. Patients with CAMLs had a significantly increased PFS (p=0.0374) and OS (p=0.0042), compared to patients without CAMLs at baseline. Patients with elevated baseline CTCs and CAMLs had worse PFS with a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.04 (95% CI 2.16 -7.56, P&lt;0.0001), compared to patients with &lt; 5 CTCs and without CAMLs. The combined analysis of baseline CTCs enumeration and CAMLs showed similar effect on patient OS. Compared to patients with &lt; 5 CTCs and without CAMLs, patients with &lt; 5 CTCs and with CAMLs, patients with ≥ 5 CTCs and without CAMLs, and patients with ≥ 5 CTCs and with CAMLs, had an increasing trend of death risk, with an HR of 2.66 (95% CI 0.53-13.21), 6.14 (2.10-17.92), and 9.13 (3.05-27.37), respectively (p for trend&lt;0.0001).

Conclusion: Baseline enumerations of both individual CTCs and CAMLs are feasible and increase our ability to accurately predict outcome in MBC patients. Evaluation of CAMLs in peripheral blood may be a marker of innate immunity and provide additional prognostic values for MBC.

Citation Format: Mu Z, Wang C, Ye Z, Rossi G, Austin L, Yang H, Cristofanilli M. Prognostic values of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAML) enumerations in metastatic breast cancer: The role for innate immunity in the metastatic process [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-05.

Abstract P1-05-06: Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): A guide to the management of advanced breast cancer (ABC)

Background: Estrogen receptor (ER)-α is expressed in about 70% of breast cancers and drugs that target the receptor function, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) represent the standard of care for patients (pts) with ER+ breast cancer. Nevertheless, prolonged exposure to endocrine therapy may result in acquired resistance and subsequent progression of disease. Recent evidence showed that activating mutations (muts) in the ligand-binding domain of ER-α occur in approximately 20% of pts exposed to endocrine therapies and those genomic abnormalities may represent the driver of endocrine resistance. In this context, ctDNA provides a non-invasive source for real-time next generation sequencing (NGS) studies, in order to understand the biology of ABC and guide and monitor treatment.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 91 pts with ABC, including 57 pts with ER+ tumor, who had longitudinal assessment of their disease by ctDNA analysis. At the time of baseline sampling, 50/57 pts had stage IV cancer. The total number of blood samples collected was 184. 38 (67%) pts had serial samples. The average number of samples for each pt was 3 (range 1-7). The plasma-based assay was performed utilizing Guardant360 (Guardant Health, CA), a digital NGS technology to sequence a panel of &gt; 50 cancer genes.

Results: Among the ER+ subgroup (57 pts), we identified 11 pts (19%) harboring ESR1 muts in ctDNA. All 11 pts had metastatic disease: 2 (18%) had bone metastases, 2 (18%) had visceral metastases, 7 (64%) had both sites of disease. The median age was 55 years (range 33-73). 5 pts had inflammatory breast cancer. The most common ESR1 muts were: Y537S (6/11, 55%), D538G (4/11, 36%) and Y537N (3/11, 27%). 7 pts carried polyclonal muts. At the time of testing, 10 pts had already failed at least 1 line of endocrine therapy (average 2, range 1-5), including 6 pts that had received a fulvestrant-containing regimen, 8 pts ≥ 1 line of AIs. After the mut detection, 5 pt were on endocrine therapy and 4 pts were started on/continued chemotherapy. ESR1 muts disappeared in 2 pts (fulvestrant-palbociclib and chemotherapy respectively) who achieved stable disease as best response. Three pts continued to harbour muts and then progressed (one died). 2 pts had tissue NGS and ESR1 mut was not identified. Progression free survival and overall survival were 8 months (ms) and 21.5 ms in ESR1+ subpopulation versus 6.2 ms and 22.2 ms in the ESR1- pts (p = 0.78 and p = 0.97, respectively). At the time of analysis 5 pts were dead, 6 were currently alive.

  ESR1+ (n. pts) ESR1- (n. pts) Pts (total n.)1146 Previous chemotherapies11 (100%)31 (67%) Previous fulvestrant-containing regimens6 (54%)20 (43%) Previous AIs ± targeted therapy8 (73%)27 (59%)

Conclusions: We observed that ESR1 muts, a known driver of endocrine resistance, occurs at a high frequency in heavily pre-treated estrogen receptor positive ABC. Blood-based diagnostics can be used to identify ESR1 muts sometimes not detected by tissue-based sequencing of the metastatic lesions indicating tumor heterogeneity and allowing dynamic monitoring of ABC.

Citation Format: Rossi G, Lima Barros Costa R, Nagy RJ, Rademaker AW, Gradishar WJ, Santa-Maria CA, Curry-Edwards RL, Jain S, Flaum LE, Zagonel V, Platanias LC, Giles FJ, Talasaz A, Cristofanilli M. Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): A guide to the management of advanced breast cancer (ABC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-05-06.

Performance of photoelectron spin polarimeters with continuous and pulsed sources: from storage rings to free electron lasers

In this work the experimental uncertainties concerning electron spin polarization (SP) under various realistic measurement conditions are theoretically derived. The accuracy of the evaluation of the SP of the photoelectron current is analysed as a function of the detector parameters and specifications, as well as of the characteristics of the photoexcitation sources. In particular, the different behaviour of single counter or twin counter detectors when the intensity fluctuations of the source are considered have been addressed, leading to a new definition of the SP detector performance. The widely used parameter called the figure of merit is shown to be inadequate for describing the efficiency of SP polarimeters, especially when they are operated with time-structured excitation sources such as free-electron lasers. Numerical simulations have been performed and yield strong implications in the choice of the detecting instruments in spin-polarization experiments, that are constrained in a limited measurement time. Our results are therefore applied to the characteristics of a wide set of state-of-the-art spectroscopy facilities all over the world, and an efficiency diagram for SP experiments is derived. These results also define new mathematical instruments for handling the correct statistics of SP measurements in the presence of source intensity fluctuations.

Vinflunine for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Vinflunine belongs to the class of vinca alkaloids and acts by disrupting the microtubule dynamics during cell cycle; this agent is currently available for previously treated advanced transitional cell carcinoma in Europe. The aim of this invited review is to evaluate the potential role of vinflunine for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Areas covered: The potential role of vinflunine in NSCLC is discussed on the basis of the available data, including full papers and meeting abstracts. Relevant preclinical studies describing the pharmacological properties of vinflunine are also included. The review also summarizes clinical studies, including phase I trials involving NSCLC among other tumors as well as phase II/III trials specifically addressing this malignancy. Additionally, the safety profile and the current regulatory status of vinflunine is discussed. Expert opinion: Vinflunine is active as single agent and as part of platinum-based combinations in NSCLC. It results non-inferior to docetaxel in a randomized phase III trial including previously treated NSCLC patients; additionally, its safety profile is generally considered manageable. Ultimately, further studies are needed to confirm the role of vinflunine in NSCLC, in consideration of the evolving evidence regarding targeted therapies and immune check-point inhibitors.

On the development of a magnetoresistive sensor for blade tip timing and blade tip clearance measurement systems

A simultaneous blade tip timing (BTT) and blade tip clearance (BTC) measurement system enables the determination of turbomachinery blade vibrations and ensures the monitoring of the existing running gaps between the blade tip and the casing. This contactless instrumentation presents several advantages compared to the well-known telemetry system with strain gauges, at the cost of a more complex data processing procedure. The probes used can be optical, capacitive, eddy current as well as microwaves, everyone with its dedicated electronics and many existing different signal processing algorithms. Every company working in this field has developed its own processing method and sensor technology. Hence, repeating the same test with different instrumentations, the answer is often different. Moreover, rarely it is possible to achieve reliability for in-service measurements. Developments are focused on innovative instrumentations and a common standard. This paper focuses on the results achieved using a novel magnetoresistive sensor for simultaneous tip timing and tip clearance measurements. The sensor measurement principle is described. The sensitivity to gap variation is investigated. In terms of measurement of vibrations, experimental investigations were performed at the Air Force Institute of Technology (ITWL, Warsaw, Poland) in a real aeroengine and in the von Karman Institute (VKI) R2 compressor rig. The advantages and limitations of the magnetoresistive probe for turbomachinery testing are highlighted.

Disordered eating behavior and mental health correlates among treatment seeking obese women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Previous research has suggest that obesity is associated with increased risk for psychopathological disorders, however, little is known about which obese patients are most vulnerable to psychopathological disorders. We therefore investigated 126 treatment-seeking obese women to describe eating disorder pathology and mental health correlates, and to identify disordered eating behaviors that may place obese at increased risk for psychopathological disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) was used to identify Eating Disorders (ED). A battery of psychological tests, including the Anxiety Scale Questionnaire (ASQ,) Clinical Depression Questionnaire (CDQ), Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) scales and structured clinical interview were administered to all the patients. We analyzed the link between psychopathological disorders and eating attitudes by using both multiple regression analysis and non-parametric correlation.

RESULTS

Disordered eating behaviors and emotional behavioral aspects related to Anorexia Nervosa, such as ineffectiveness, are strongly linked to the depression and anxiety in obese subjects. No correlation was found between psychopathological disorders and age or anthropometric measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings corroborate earlier work indicating that psychological distress is elevated in obese treatment seeking, bolstering the need for mental health assessment of such individuals. The feeling of ineffectiveness constitutes the major predictor of psychopathological aspects. This is an important result which may inform the development of effective interventions for obese patients and prevention of psychopathological disorders.

The Third Italian Consensus Conference for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: State of the art and recommendations

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) remains a relevant public health issue, and asbestos exposure is the most relevant risk factor. The incidence has considerably and constantly increased over the past two decades in the industrialized countries and is expected to peak in 2020-2025. In Italy, a standardized-rate incidence in 2011 among men was 3.5 and 1.25 per 100,000 in men and women, respectively, and wide differences are noted among different geographic areas. The disease remains challenging in terms of diagnosis, staging and treatment and an optimal strategy has not yet been clearly defined. The Third Italian Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference on Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma was held in Bari (Italy) in January 30-31, 2015. This Consensus has provided updated recommendations on the MPM management for health institutions, clinicians and patients.

High Level of Agreement Between Pretherapeutic 124I PET and Intratherapeutic 131I Imaging in Detecting Iodine-Positive Thyroid Cancer Metastases

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the level of agreement between PET and scintigraphy using diagnostic amounts of (124)I and therapeutic amounts of (131)I, respectively, in detecting iodine-positive metastases in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

The study included patients who underwent PET /: CT 24 and 120 h after administration of approximately 25 MBq of (124)I and subsequently underwent imaging 5-10 d after administration of 1-10 GBq of (131)I. For each patient, the intratherapeutic (131)I imaging comprised a whole-body scintigraphy scan and a SPECT/CT scan of the neck to distinguish between metastatic and thyroid remnant tissues. Iodine uptake was rated as a metastatic focus if located outside the thyroid bed. Lesion- and patient-based analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The study included 137 patients with 227 metastases iodine-positive on both functional imaging modalities. In the lesion-based analysis, (124)I PET and (131)I imaging detected 98% (223/227) and 99% (225/227) of the iodine-positive metastases, respectively; the level of agreement between (124)I PET and (131)I imaging was 97% (221/227). Four metastases (3 lymph node and 1 bone) in 4 patients were (124)I-negative but (131)I-positive, and 2 lymph node metastases in 2 patients were (131)I-negative but (124)I-positive. In the patient-based analysis, 61 of the 137 patients presented with iodine-positive metastases. (124)I PET and (131)I imaging detected at least one iodine-positive metastasis in 97% (59/61) and 98% (60/61) of the patients, respectively. The level of agreement was 95% (58/61). Both imaging modalities concordantly identified 76 of 137 patients without pathologic iodine uptake.

CONCLUSION

Because of the high level of agreement, pretherapeutic (124)I PET/CT is an adequate methodology in the detection of iodine-positive metastases and can be used as a reliable tool for staging of thyroid cancer patients and individualized treatment planning.

The presence of anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and/or anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) does not exclude the diagnosis of type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis

PURPOSE

It is widely accepted that type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) generally occurs in patients with a normal thyroid gland without signs of thyroid autoimmunity. However, it is currently unknown if the presence of anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and/or anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in AIT patients without other signs of an underlying thyroid disease may impair the response to glucocorticoid therapy.

METHODS

We performed a pilot retrospective cohort study with matched-subject design and an equivalence hypothesis, comparing the response to glucocorticoid therapy between 20 AIT patients with a normal thyroid gland, low radioiodine uptake, undetectable TSH receptor antibodies and positive TgAb and/or TPOAb (Ab+ group), and 40 patients with the same features and absent thyroid antibodies (Ab- group).

RESULTS

The mean cure time was 54 ± 68 days in the Ab+ group and 55 ± 49 days in the Ab- group (p = 0.63). The equivalence test revealed an equivalent cure rate after 60, 90 and 180 days (p = 0.67, 0.88 and 0.278, respectively). The occurrence of permanent hypothyroidism was higher in the Ab+ group than in the Ab- group (26.3 vs 5.13 %, p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of TgAb and/or TPOAb does not affect the response to glucocorticoid therapy, suggesting that the patients with features of destructive form of AIT should be considered as having a type 2 AIT irrespective of the presence of TGAb or TPOAb. These patients have a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism after the resolution of thyrotoxicosis and should be monitored accordingly.

Design and optimization of a modular setup for measurements of three-dimensional spin polarization with ultrafast pulsed sources

ULTRASPIN is an apparatus devoted to the measurement of the spin polarization (SP) of electrons ejected from solid surfaces in a UHV environment. It is designed to exploit ultrafast light sources (free electron laser or laser high harmonic generation) and to perform (photo)electron spin analysis by an arrangement of Mott scattering polarimeters that measure the full SP vector. The system consists of two interconnected UHV vessels: one for surface science sample cleaning treatments, e-beam deposition of ultrathin films, and low energy electron diffraction/AES characterization. The sample environment in the polarimeter allows for cryogenic cooling and in-operando application of electric and magnetic fields. The photoelectrons are collected by an electrostatic accelerator and transport lens that form a periaxial beam that is subsequently directed by a Y-shaped electrostatic deflector to either one of the two orthogonal Mott polarimeters. The apparatus has been designed to operate in the extreme conditions of ultraintense single-X-ray pulses as originated by free electron lasers (up to 1 kHz), but it allows also for the single electron counting mode suitable when using statistical sources such as synchrotron radiation, cw-laser, or e-gun beams (up to 150 kcps).

Analysis of diagnostic calorimeter data by the transfer function technique

This paper describes the analysis procedure applied to the thermal measurements on the rear side of a carbon fibre composite calorimeter with the purpose of reconstructing the energy flux due to an ion beam colliding on the front side. The method is based on the transfer function technique and allows a fast analysis by means of the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Its efficacy has been tested both on simulated and measured temperature profiles: in all cases, the energy flux features are well reproduced and beamlets are well resolved. Limits and restrictions of the method are also discussed, providing strategies to handle issues related to signal noise and digital processing.

Local environment of metal ions in phthalocyanines: K-edge X-ray absorption spectra

We describe a model for interpreting XAFS spectra of metal phthalocyanines. The near edge spectra are reproduced in a full potential approach.

Spatial organization of seismicity and fracture pattern in NE Italy and W Slovenia

The study focuses on the spatial organization of seismicity and the relation between fracture pattern and earthquakes in the Friuli (north-eastern Italy) and western Slovenia seismic regions. The structural setting is characterized by a complex structure resulting from the superposition of several tectonic phases that generated NW-SE trending Dinaric faults and about E-W trending Alpine faults. The upper crust is characterized by lithological and mechanical heterogeneities. The fractal analysis shows that, in general, the seismicity only partially fills a plane. Only in a few cases, the earthquakes distribute on planar structures. The orientation of planes that fit through the hypocentres shows a different disposition at the two depth intervals analysed. The shallower interval (0-10 km) is characterized by planes with highly variable orientations. The spatial seismicity is investigated in the context of a general damage model, represented by the crack density distribution. The results evidence that the seismicity appears mostly located along sharp transition areas from low crack density to higher crack density, i.e., from zones of low damage to zones of intermediate damage. These zones are characterized by high heterogeneity due to the superposition of different tectonic phases and by the maximum interference between Dinaric and Alpine domains. The orientation of the planes fitting the seismicity at 10-20-km depth appears less dispersed, coinciding with the trend of Dinaric sub-vertical faults in the northern and eastern parts of the study area, and with Alpine low-angle faults in the western and southern parts.