Connection between Variations of the Probability Distribution of the Recurrence Time and Phases of the Seismic Activity.

The probability distribution of the interevent time between two successive earthquakes has been the subject of numerous studies for its key role in seismic hazard assessment. In recent decades, many distributions have been considered, and there has been a long debate about the possible universality of the shape of this distribution when the interevent times are properly rescaled. In this work, we aim to discover if there is a link between the different phases of a seismic cycle and the variations in the distribution that best fits the interevent times.

Cerium (III) and (IV) containing mesoporous glasses/alginate beads for bone regeneration: Bioactivity, biocompatibility and reactive oxygen species activity.

A very small number of biomaterials investigated for bone regeneration were reported as able to prevent the oxidative stress. In this study beads based on alginate hydrogel and mesoporous glasses (MG) containing different amounts of cerium oxides (Ce/Ce) exhibiting antioxidant properties were investigated as a good approach to mimic the action of antioxidant enzymes in our organism. The effect of cerium contents on the bioactivity and biocompatibility of beads were investigated.

Cerium (III) and (IV) containing mesoporous glasses/alginate beads for bone regeneration: bioactivity, biocompatibility and reactive oxygen species activity.

A very small number of biomaterials investigated for bone regeneration was reported as able to prevent the oxidative stress. In this study beads based on alginate hydrogel and mesoporous glasses (MG) containing different amounts of cerium oxides (Ce/Ce) exhibiting antioxidant properties were investigated as a good approach to mimic the action of antioxidant enzymes in our organism. The effect of cerium contents on the bioactivity and biocompatibility of beads were investigated.

In-vitro method for assessing femoral implant-bone micromotions in resurfacing hip implants under different loading conditions.

Although prosthesis-bone micromotion is known to influence the stability of total hip replacement, no protocol exists to investigate resurfacing hip implants. An in-vitro protocol was developed to measure prosthesis-bone micromotions of resurfaced femurs. In order to assess the effect of all loading directions, the protocol included a variety of in-vitro loading scenarios covering the range of directions spanned by the hip resultant force in the most typical motor tasks.

Can the rasp be used to predict intra-operatively the primary stability that can be achieved by press-fitting the stem in cementless hip arthroplasty?

Background: Success of cementless hip stems implantation depends mainly on primary stability which, in turn, depends on the degree of press-fitting achieved, and optimal medullary canal filling by the selected stem size. Stem size, based on templating and pre-operative planning software, only partially avoids stem mis-sizing. Mis-sizing can produce implant instability and/or wasting the wrong-sized stem.

Predicting the subject-specific primary stability of cementless implants during pre-operative planning: preliminary validation of subject-specific finite-element models.

Pre-operative planning help the surgeon in taking the proper clinical decision. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop numerical models that allow the surgeon to estimate the primary stability during the pre-operative planning session. The present study was aimed to validate finite-element (FE) models accounting for patient and prosthetic size and position as planned by the surgeon.

Intra-operative evaluation of cementless hip implant stability: a prototype device based on vibration analysis.

Cementless implants are mechanically stabilized during surgery by a press-fitting procedure. Good initial stability is crucial to avoid stem loosening and bone cracking, therefore, the surgeon must achieve optimal press-fitting. A possible approach to solve this problem and assist the surgeon in achieving the optimal compromise, involves the use of vibration analysis.

Stem damage during implantation of modular hip prostheses.

Modular hip prostheses are commonly used today. Dedicated surgical auxiliary instrumentation is indispensable. A correct coupling between the prosthesis and the instrument is necessary to avoid damage.

On the biomechanical stability of cementless straight conical hip stems.

The aim of the present study was to investigation in vitro the effect of deficient bone-implant contact on the primary stability of a straight conical stem. Various possible deficient contact patterns were derived from surgical simulations. The effect of stair climbing loads on the bone-implant micromotion was firstly investigated using a finite element model and then an in vitro test aimed at assessing primary stability.

Device to measure intra-operatively the primary stability of cementless hip stems.

The primary stability of cementless prostheses is critical for the long-term outcome of the operation. Surgeons are currently driven only by their experience in evaluating the extent of stem stability achieved. The aim of the present work was to develop a new device that enables the stability of a cementless stem to be quantitatively assessed intraoperatively.

[Bronchial epidermoid carcinoma with unusual disclosure].

Dissemination has often occurred before the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer. Pancreatic metastases are exceptional and are very rarely the revealing manifestation. The authors report a case of a tumour of the pancreas which led to the discover of an bronchogenic epidermoid carcinoma.

Particle spallation and plasticiser (DEHP) release from extracorporeal circuit tubing materials.

Particle spallation and plasticiser (DEHP) release from medical grade polyvinylchloride (PVC), co-extruded PVC-polyurethane (PIVIPOL)R and an experimentally produced co-extruded PVC-ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) has been studied when used with manually occluded and self-occluding peristaltic pumps over a six hour pumping period. The shore hardness of the tubings studied were similar but the luminal coating thickness differed (0.2 mm polyurethane, 0.

Adequacy of haemodiafiltration.

In this study we have evaluated the influence of blood and ultrafiltration flow rate on the performance of five different high-flux membrane dialysers during haemodiafiltration. On the basis of clearance data we optimised the haemodiafiltration schedule of six uraemic patients to maintain an adequate midweek blood urea nitrogen concentration, while reducing the treatment time from 285 +/- 23 min to 210 min. After a follow-up of 6 months, we observed no difference in the clinical tolerance or in the biochemical parameters, compared to those found during the preceding haemodialysis period.