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We present results of the timing performance studies of the optical part and front-end electronics of the time-of-flight subdetector prototype for the ATLAS Forward Proton (AFP) detector obtained during the test campaigns at the CERN-SPS test-beam facility (120 GeV π+ particles) in July 2016 and October 2016. The time-of-flight (ToF) detector in conjunction with a 3D silicon pixel tracker will tag and measure protons originating in central exclusive interactions p + p → p + X + p, where the two outgoing protons are scattered in the very forward directions. The ToF is required to reduce so-called pileup backgrounds that arise from multiple proton interactions in the same bunch crossing at high luminosity. The background can fake the signal of interest, and the extra rejection from the ToF allows the proton tagger to operate at the high luminosity required for the measurement of the processes. The prototype detector uses fused silica bars emitting Cherenkov radiation as a relativistic particle passes through them. The emitted Cherenkov photons are detected by a multi-anode micro-channel plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) and processed by fast electronics.

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We present the construction of the optical part of the ToF (time-of-flight) subdetector prototype for the AFP (ATLAS Forward Proton) detector. The ToF detector in conjunction with a 3D silicon pixel tracker will tag and measure protons originating in central exclusive interactions p + p → p + X + p, where the two outgoing protons are scattered in the very forward directions. The ToF is required to reduce so-called pileup backgrounds that arise from multiple proton interactions in the same bunch crossing at high luminosity. The background can fake the signal of interest, and the extra rejection from the ToF allows the proton tagger to operate at the high luminosity required for measurement of the processes. The prototype detector uses fused silica bars emitting Cherenkov radiation as a relativistic particle passes through it. The emitted Cherenkov photons are detected by a micro-channel plate multi-anode Photomultiplier Tube (MCP-PMT) and processed by fast electronics.

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The aim of the experiment was to study possible differences between the kinematic strategies for the "involuntary" arm lowering of hypnotized highly susceptible subjects (H-Highs) and for the voluntary movement of non-hypnotizable simulators (Sims) during suggestions of arm heaviness (Part I). In addition, a comparison between awake susceptible subjects (W-Highs) and H-Highs was carried out to clarify the specific role of the hypnotic state and hypnotizability (Part II). Subjects' absorption and attentional/imagery capabilities were evaluated through neuropsychological tests. Their arm movements were monitored three-dimensionally at hand, wrist and elbow level through a Polhemus Fastrack system. A final interview collected self-reports concerning the perception of movement involuntariness. Neuropsychological tests showed better "absorption" and imagery capabilities in Highs. In the interview, H-Highs perceived a higher involvement in the task and greater involuntariness and difficulties in contrasting the arm lowering than the Sims. Kinematic analysis showed significant differences between H-Highs and Sims for arm displacements along the vertical axis and on the horizontal plane. In fact, the former lowered the left arm earlier and to a greater degree than the right arm; on the horizontal plane, a forearm flexion was observed for H-Highs on the right side. On comparing W-Highs and H-Highs, hypnosis appeared to magnify the waking motor strategies, but also to induce specific changes, mainly concerning the horizontal plane. These results cannot be interpreted on the basis of "role playing" and socio-cognitive factors. They are believed to be due to a balance between the effectiveness of the frontal executive control towards the selection of behaviors and movement automaticity, which is in line with the neo-dissociation theory of hypnosis.

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It was previously suggested that the peculiar mechanism of action of the novel anticancer drug Yondelis (ET-743, trabectedin) was due to part of the molecule, units A and B, binding to DNA in the minor groove, causing an alkylation at the N2 of guanine, while unit C protrudes out of DNA, possibly interacting with transcription factors or other DNA binding proteins. To test this hypothesis, we have compared the biological activity and the mode of action of Yondelis with its analogue ET-637, which has the same chemical structure except for the lack of the C ring. Yondelis and ET-637 showed similar cytotoxic potency and cell cycle perturbations. As already reported for Yondelis, the UV-96 cell line, deficient in ERCC-1, was less sensitive to ET-637 than the parental cell line. The binding of Yondelis or ET-637 to DNA-oligonucleotides was demonstrated by gel shift assay and SDS did not reverse the binding. Both compounds blocked the temperature-induced activation of the HSP40 promoter in the range of 1-10 nM. This study indicates that ET-637 acts similarly to Yondelis and demonstrates that the C ring of Yondelis may not be required for its biological activity.

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Erythropoietin (Epo) is a hydrophobic sialoglycoproteic hormone produced by the kidney and responsible for the proliferation, maturation, and differentiation of the precursors of the erythroid cell line. Human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEpo) is used to treat different types of anemia, not only in uremic patients but also in newborns with anemia of prematurity, in patients with cancer-related anemia or myeloproliferative disease, thalassemias, bone marrow transplants, or those with chronic infectious diseases. The pleiotropic functions of Epo are well known. It has been shown that this hormone can modulate the inflammatory and immune response, has direct hemodynamic and vasoactive effects, could be considered a proangiogenic factor because of its interaction with vascular endothelial growth factor, and its ability to stimulate mitosis and motility of endothelial cells. The multifunctional role of Epo has further been confirmed by the discovery in the central nervous system of a specific Epo/Epo receptor (EpoR) system. Both Epo and EpoR are expressed by astrocytes and neurons and Epo is present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Therefore, novel functions of Epo, tissue-specific regulation, and the mechanisms of action have been investigated. In this review we have tried to summarize the current data on the role of Epo on brain function. We discuss the different sites of cerebral expression and mechanisms of regulation of Epo and its receptor and its role in the development and maturation of the brain. Second, we discuss the neurotrophic and neuroprotective function of Epo in different conditions of neuronal damage, such as hypoxia, cerebral ischemia, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the consequent possibility that rHuEpo therapy could soon be used in clinical practice to limit neuronal damage induced by these diseases.

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It is now widely known that erythropoietin (Epo) does not only affect the haematopoietic system, but it can be considered a multifunctional trophic factor with an effect on the general homoeostasis of the entire organism. The recent discovery of a specific Epo/Epo-receptor system in the central nervous system (CNS) and cerebrospinal fluid, independently of the haematopoietic system, has further paved the way for new studies aimed at investigating the different sites of cerebral expression of Epo and its receptor, the regulation of their expression and, finally, the effects that this hormone has on the development and maturation of the brain. A further aim has been to investigate how it influences CNS homoeostasis and neurotransmission in adult brain. Attention has also been focused on the neurotrophic and neuroprotective function of Epo in different conditions of neuronal damage, such as hypoxia, cerebral ischaemia and subarachnoid haemorrhage, and therefore on the possibility that human recombinant Epo therapy could soon be used in clinical practice, also to limit neuronal damage induced by these diseases.

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This article describes the treatment of 56 early and late vascular complications of native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in patients with end-stage renal disease, between January 1987 and January 1999. Twenty-six were arteriovenous aneurysms and 2 pseudoaneurysms; 25 were thromboses. We also observed two cases of periarteritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and one complex iatrogenic lesion caused by an attempt at percutaneous restoration of potency. We applied microsurgical principles, instruments, and techniques. It was possible to restore a vascular access at the original site, using the same vessels in 45 cases (80.4%). In 10.7% of cases, we were able to rescue the original AVF by microsurgical revision. A new vascular access had to be created proximally in the same limb or in the contralateral forearm in 11 cases of aneurysms (19.6% of the total, 42% of the aneurysms). After a minimum follow-up of 8 months, a total of four patients had to be reoperated for further complications (7.2%). Our data support the idea that microsurgical treatment of vascular complications of native AVF is highly successful compared with results obtained by conventional surgery and, in a defined subgroup of patients, permits salvage of the fistula.

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In the period from January 1st 1988 to January 15th 1994 inclusive, we observed 36 patients with epididymal neoformations. In patients with a considerable oligospermia, we associated microsurgical extirpation of neoformations, with the "testis biopsy" operation, to assess eventual histologic alterations of the interstice and seminiferous tubulus. The authors show as the application of microsurgical techniques with the help of magnifying optical instruments, permits to remove these neoformations with respect to near by structures besides consenting the accurate reconstruction of structures operated and maintenance or recovery of functionality mostly in young people, where fertility recovery is obligatory.

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The authors report their experience of the application of microsurgical techniques in total and subtotal thyroidectomy operations from January 1984-January 1997. Four hundred and eighty-six patients with thyroid diseases were operated upon with both traditional and microsurgical techniques. The comparison of results shows that microsurgical skills are effective in reducing the dangers and important complications in both laryngeal nerves and parathyroids.

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