La diagnostica sonica nell'arboricoltura ornamentale

Il tomografo sonico è uno strumento di recente applicazione nell’analisi morfo-sintomatica delle alberature. Si tratta di uno strumento che sfrutta la propagazione delle onde sonore nel legno per determinarne la densità e le possibili alterazioni interne. Oltre all’applicazione su larga scala in un parco di Imola, per effettuare una valutazione approfondita di tutti gli esemplari, lo strumento è stato applicato per scopi diversi. In prima analisi è stato utilizzato per valutare stadi precoci di alterazione e l’evoluzione delle patologie interne nel tempo. Successivamente si voleva identificare il percorso di sostanze liquide iniettate con mezzi endoterapici nel tronco, attraverso l’applicazione di tomografia sonica sopra e sotto il punto di iniezione. In ultima analisi è stato effettuato un confronto tra tomografia sonica e risonanza magnetica nucleare per identificare patologie invisibili ai normali strumenti utilizzati nell’analisi della stabilità delle piante.

Solving the cooling flow problem through mechanical AGN feedback

A fundamental gap in the current understanding of collapsed structures in the universe concerns the thermodynamical evolution of the ordinary, baryonic component. Unopposed radiative cooling of plasma would lead to the cooling catastrophe, a massive inflow of condensing gas toward the centre of galaxies, groups and clusters. The last generation of multiwavelength observations has radically changed our view on baryons, suggesting that the heating linked to the active galactic nucleus (AGN) may be the balancing counterpart of cooling. In this Thesis, I investigate the engine of the heating regulated by the central black hole. I argue that the mechanical feedback, based on massive subrelativistic outflows, is the key to solving the cooling flow problem, i.e. dramatically quenching the cooling rates for several billion years without destroying the cool-core structure. Using an upgraded version of the parallel 3D hydrodynamic code FLASH, I show that anisotropic AGN outflows can further reproduce fundamental observed features, such as buoyant bubbles, cocoon shocks, sonic ripples, metals dredge-up, and subsonic turbulence. The latter is an essential ingredient to drive nonlinear thermal instabilities, which cause cold gas condensation, a residual of the quenched cooling flow and, later, fuel for the AGN feedback engine. The self-regulated outflows are systematically tested on the scales of massive clusters, groups and isolated elliptical galaxies: in lighter less bound objects the feedback needs to be gentler and less efficient, in order to avoid drastic overheating. In this Thesis, I describe in depth the complex hydrodynamics, involving the coupling of the feedback energy to that of the surrounding hot medium. Finally, I present the merits and flaws of all the proposed models, with a critical eye toward observational concordance.

Detection and Modeling of Boundary Layer Height

This thesis tackles the problem of the automated detection of the atmospheric boundary layer (BL) height, h, from aerosol lidar/ceilometer observations. A new method, the Bayesian Selective Method (BSM), is presented. It implements a Bayesian statistical inference procedure which combines in an statistically optimal way different sources of information. Firstly atmospheric stratification boundaries are located from discontinuities in the ceilometer back-scattered signal. The BSM then identifies the discontinuity edge that has the highest probability to effectively mark the BL height. Information from the contemporaneus physical boundary layer model simulations and a climatological dataset of BL height evolution are combined in the assimilation framework to assist this choice. The BSM algorithm has been tested for four months of continuous ceilometer measurements collected during the BASE:ALFA project and is shown to realistically diagnose the BL depth evolution in many different weather conditions. Then the BASE:ALFA dataset is used to investigate the boundary layer structure in stable conditions. Functions from the Obukhov similarity theory are used as regression curves to fit observed velocity and temperature profiles in the lower half of the stable boundary layer. Surface fluxes of heat and momentum are best-fitting parameters in this exercise and are compared with what measured by a sonic anemometer. The comparison shows remarkable discrepancies, more evident in cases for which the bulk Richardson number turns out to be quite large. This analysis supports earlier results, that surface turbulent fluxes are not the appropriate scaling parameters for profiles of mean quantities in very stable conditions. One of the practical consequences is that boundary layer height diagnostic formulations which mainly rely on surface fluxes are in disagreement to what obtained by inspecting co-located radiosounding profiles.

Analisi dei cantieri di Cippatura in merito ad aspetti operativi e di salvaguardia degli operatori

La cippatura è un processo produttivo fondamentale nella trasformazione della materia prima forestale in biomassa combustibile che coinvolgerà un numero sempre più crescente di operatori. Scopo dello studio è stato quantificare la produttività e il consumo di combustibile in 16 cantieri di cippatura e determinare i livelli di esposizione alla polvere di legno degli addetti alla cippatura, in funzione di condizioni operative differenti. Sono state identificate due tipologie di cantiere: uno industriale, con cippatrici di grossa taglia (300-400kW) dotate di cabina, e uno semi-industriale con cippatrici di piccola-media taglia (100-150kW) prive di cabina. In tutti i cantieri sono stati misurati i tempi di lavoro, i consumi di combustibile, l’esposizione alla polvere di legno e sono stati raccolti dei campioni di cippato per l’analisi qualitativa. Il cantiere industriale ha raggiunto una produttività media oraria di 25 Mg tal quali, ed è risultato 5 volte più produttivo di quello semi-industriale, che ha raggiunto una produttività media oraria di 5 Mg. Ipotizzando un utilizzo massimo annuo di 1500 ore, il cantiere semi-industriale raggiunge una produzione annua di 7.410 Mg, mentre quello industriale di 37.605 Mg. Il consumo specifico di gasolio (L per Mg di cippato) è risultato molto minore per il cantiere industriale, che consuma in media quasi la metà di quello semi-industriale. Riguardo all’esposizione degli operatori alla polvere di legno, tutti i campioni hanno riportato valori di esposizione inferiori a 5 mg/m3 (limite di legge previsto dal D.Lgs. 81/08). Nei cantieri semi-industriali il valore medio di esposizione è risultato di 1,35 mg/m3, con un valore massimo di 3,66 mg/m3. Nei cantieri industriali si è riscontrato che la cabina riduce drasticamente l’esposizione alle polveri di legno. I valori medi misurati all’esterno della cabina sono stati di 0,90 mg/m3 mentre quelli all’interno della cabina sono risultati pari a 0,20 mg/m3.

La città e i consumi. Consumi e trasformazioni urbane a Bologna tra anni '50 e '70

Il primo capitolo di questo lavoro è dedicato all’opera svolta dagli amministratori locali e da un ente governativo come la Camera di commercio per arrivare a decifrare le effettive caratteristiche del quadro locale dal punto di vista economico, sociale, della percezione e del significato che assumono i consumi e gli spazi urbani ad essi dedicati. La caratteristica più originale rilevata dagli amministratori (che contano tra le proprie fila studiosi come Ardigò, Zangheri e Bellettini) è quella di una notevole omogeneità politica e culturale del quadro sociale. E questo, nonostante le massicce immigrazioni che sono, in proporzione, seconde solo quelle di Milano, ma per la stragrande maggioranza provenienti dalla stessa provincia o, al massimo, dalla regione e da analoghi percorsi di socializzazione e di formazione. Fondando essenzialmente su questa omogeneità (capitolo secondo), gli enti bolognesi cercarono di governare la trasformazione della città e anche l’espansione dei consumi che appariva colpita da eccessi e distorsioni. Facendo leva sulle pesanti crisi del 1963-1965 e del 1973-1977, gli amministratori locali puntarono ad ottenere la propria legittimazione fondandola proprio sui consumi, sulla base di una precisa cognizione del nuovo che arrivava, ma schierandosi decisamente a contenerne gli effetti dirompenti sul tessuto locale e indirizzando gli sforzi acquisitivi dei bolognesi sulla base di una temperante razionalizzazione nutrita di pianificazione urbanistica. Ritardi, spinte dal basso, ostacoli burocratici e legislativi resero questi percorsi difficili, o comunque assai poco lineari; fino a che l’ingresso negli anni Ottanta non ne modificò sensibilmente il corso. Ma questo, allo stato attuale delle conoscenze, è già tema per nuova ricerca. Il terzo capitolo è dedicato alla visualizzazione cartografica (GIS) dell’espansione degli spazi commerciali urbani durante le fasi più significative del miracolo.

Literatur im 21. Jahrhundert: Zeitgeistphänomene, Medienkonkurrenz, Funktion und ökonomische Aspekte der Ware Buch unter Bezugnahme auf aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Buchbranche

Welche Literatur liegt im Trend? Welche Aktionen und Instrumente bietet der Markt, um Bücher an den Leser zu vermitteln? Wie lässt sich das gegenwärtige Literaturverständnis beschreiben – auch in Abgrenzung und im Vergleich zu den etablierten Literaturtheorien? Diese allgemeinen Fragen wurden in der vorliegenden Arbeit spezialisiert und auf Schwerpunkte konzentriert. In den Vordergrund rückte – unter dem Aspekt des Zeitgeistphänomens – die junge deutsche Literatur, auf die bei diesem Projekt aus persönlichem Interesse heraus der Fokus gelegt wurde. Erforscht wurde, welche Bücher, Themen und Autoren zeitweise populär waren, wie es um Status und Selbstpräsentation letztgenannter bestellt war und ist. Als Beispiele zu nennen sind Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre und Florian Illies, beide sich ihres (Markt-)Wertes wohl bewusste Vertreter der Pop- und Generationsliteratur, die in den letzten Jahren einen Boom erlebte. Beide Schriftsteller wurden mit ihren Werken einer detailgenauen Analyse unterzogen. Spricht man über Literatur, ist es unumgänglich, das – vorherrschende – nicht unproblematische Literaturverständnis zu durchleuchten. Galten Bücher einst als Status- und Bildungssymbol, ist von dieser Wertschätzung und von solch hohem Prestige heute nicht mehr allzu viel vorhanden. Das Erarbeiten eines Literaturbegriffs bot sich in der Auseinandersetzung mit in der Germanistik gängigen Theorien an (z. B. Empirische Theorie der Literatur nach S. J. Schmidt). Reduzierte man (als ein Ergebnis) Leistung und Wert von Literatur tatsächlich nur noch auf reine, unkomplizierte und schnelllebige Unterhaltung, führte dies zwangsweise zur Frage nach einer Medienkonkurrenz in erster Linie mit dem Fernsehen, dann mit dem Computer und seinen Möglichkeiten. Im dritten und letzten Abschnitt der Arbeit wurde anhand von ausgewählten Beispielen dargestellt, wie das gegenwärtige Literaturverständnis mit dem Markt konform geht, sprich welche Aktionen an der Schnittstelle Markt – Leser stattfinden, mit denen letztere auf Literatur aufmerksam gemacht und zum Lesen animiert werden sollen. In diesem Rahmen wurde u. a. das System der Literaturkritik knapp beschrieben und anhand von drei aktuellen Rezensionsbeispielen veranschaulicht.

Der irische Buchmarkt

Der irische Buchmarkt als Teil des englischsprachigen Buchmarktes ist stark von der Geschichte des Landes geprägt. Die Fremdbestimmung im Rahmen des Commonwealth unterdrückte eine eigenständige Verlagslandschaft bis weit ins 20. Jahrhundert hinein. Mit der Unabhängigkeit des irischen Staates stieg die Anzahl der Verlage langsam aber stetig an. In den 70er Jahren kam die irische Verlagslandschaft zu einem fast explosionsartigen Erblühen. Die Gründung des Verlegerverbandes Clé war einer von vielen Schritten, um den nationalen Buchmarkt von der Dominanz britischer Bücher in Buchhandlungen und Bibliotheken zu emanzipieren. Die Nachfrage nach Irish-Interest-Titeln ist im Inland hoch. Britische Verlage hatten bis dato diesen Bedarf übersehen, und so füllten irische Verlage diese Nische. Die Einführung eines von Großbritannien unabhängigen Lehrplans führte zur Etablierung eines eigenständigen Schulbuchmarktes, inklusive Lehrwerke zur irischen Sprache bzw. Titel auf Irisch. Irische Verlage sind in ihrem Programm größtenteils breit aufgestellt und selten spezialisiert. Sie sind erstaunlich häufig unabhängige mittelständische Unternehmen. Nur wenige Verlage sind staatlich geführt oder gehören ausländischen Konzernen an. Auch der stationäre Buchhandel ist überwiegend eigenständig, da die – vor dem Wirtschaftsboom wenig kaufkräftige - Republik von den expandierenden britischen Buchhandelsketten vernachlässigt wurde. Erst nach dem Wirtschaftsboom und dem damit verbundenen soziokulturellen Wandel von einer traditionellen Agrar- hin zu einer modernen Informationsgesellschaft stiegen die Umsätze mit Büchern stark an. Sobald der Buchmarkt eine nennenswerte wirtschaftliche Größe erreichte, eröffneten britische Buchhandlungen Filialen in irischen Städten. Sie vermochten jedoch nicht, die Sortimentsvielfalt der irischen Buchhandelslandschaft zu zerstören. Die fehlende Buchpreisbindung ist keine Bedrohung der Titelvielfalt, da Handelsformen wie Buchclubs, Supermärkte und Internethandel – die mit teils aggressivem Preismarketing arbeitenden Nebenmärkte – hier nur eine Randexistenz führen. In diesem Fall wandelt sich die geringe (Umsatz-) Größe und damit Attraktivität des Buchmarktes zum Vorteil. Die staatliche Kulturförderung ist ein bedeutender Beitrag zum Verlegen von Literatur, die wirtschaftlich gerechnet keine Daseinsberechtigung hätte. Irische Verleger mit relativ geringem Budget sind nicht in der Lage, solche unökonomischen Titel mit dem finanziellen Erfolg eines Bestsellers in Mischkalkulation aufzufangen. Hier greift die staatliche Unterstützung. Die Subventionierung von Titeln über die irischen Sprache bzw. von Literatur auf Irisch führte zur Herausbildung eines Marktsektors, der vor der Staatsgründung nicht existierte. Die Übersetzungsförderung verstärkt die Verbreitung von bis dato unbekannter irischer Literatur im Ausland und stimuliert das Lizenzgeschäft. Die aktuelle staatliche Kulturpolitik setzt ihren Schwerpunkt auf Marketing, PR sowie Nachfolgeregelung und fördert so nachhaltig statt bloß in Form einer kurzlebigen Titelsubvention. Eine noch mehr in die Zukunft gerichtete Förderung würde genauso wie die Unterstützung von Fortbildungsmaßnahmen zu besseren wirtschaftlichen Rahmenbedingungen führen. Auch wenn die nationale Verlagsszene im Aufschwung begriffen ist, befindet sich der irische Buchmarkt insgesamt in fester Hand der britischen Verlagsproduktion. Der britische Buchmarkt mit seinen multinationalen und finanzkräftigen Verlagen lebt vom Export. Aus Sicht von Großbritannien ist heutzutage der Nachbar Irland, einst Teil des britischen Buchmarktes, einer der besten Kunden. Dieser Aspekt bezieht sich nicht nur auf die langjährig entwickelten Handelsbeziehungen. In kulturellen Aspekten orientiert sich Irland stark am britischen Vorbild: Ein britischer Bestseller wird fast immer auch ein Bestseller in Irland. Lediglich Irish-Interest-Titel durchbrechen diesen Automatismus. Während Irish Interest im Inland hohe Umsätze vorweist, sind diese Titel im Ausland lediglich ein Nischenprodukt. Zusätzlich müssen irische Verlage außerhalb des Landes mit britischen und US-amerikanischen Verlagen in Konkurrenz treten, die ebenfalls Irish-Interest-Titel für die irische Diaspora anbieten. Es besteht daher nur eine geringe Chance, erfolgreich am globalen englischsprachigen Buchmarkt mitzuwirken. Bis dato haben Versuche, dem irischen Buchmarkt durch Export zu Umsatzwachstum zu verhelfen, keinen nennenswerten Erfolg gebracht. Lediglich auf dem Gebiet der populären Literatur und in Form von Kooperationen mit britischen Verlagskonzernen vermögen irische Verlage, am internationalen Buchhandel teilzuhaben.

Pre-clinical and clinical development of leukemia stem cell inhibitors in acute leukemias

In Leukemias, recent developments have demonstrated that the Hedgehog pathway plays a key-role in the peculiar ability of self renewal of leukemia stem cells. The aim of this research activity was to investigate, through a first in man, Phase I, open label, clinical trial, the role and the impact, mainly in terms of safety profile, adverse events and pharmacokinetics, of a Sonic Hedgehog inhibitor compound on a population of heavely pretreated patients affected by AML, CML, MF, or MDS, resistant or refractory to standard chemotherapy. Thirty-five patients have been enrolled. The drug was administered orally, in 28 days cycles, without rest periods. The compound showed a good safety profile. The half life was of 17-35 hours, justifying the daily administration. Significant signs of activity, in terms of reduction of bone marrow blast cell amount were seen in most of the patients enrolled. Interestingly, correlative biological studies demonstrated that, comparing the gene expression profyiling signature of separated CD34+ cells before and after one cycle of treatment, the most variably expressed genes were involved in the Hh pathway. Moreover, we observed that many genes involved in MDR (multidrug resistance)were significantly down regulated after treatment. These data might lead to future clinical trials based on combinatory approaches, including, for instance, Hh inhibitors and conventional chemotherapy.

Role of outgrowth endothelial cells for applications in tissue engineering

Co-culture systems, consisting of outgrowth endothelial cells (OEC) and primary osteoblasts (pOB), represent a prom¬ising instrument to mimick the natural conditions in bone repair processes and provide a new concept to develop constructs for bone replacement. Furthermore, co-culture of OEC and pOB could provide new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control essential processes during bone repair. The present study described several advantages of the co-culture of pOB and OEC for bone tissue engineering applications, including beneficial effects on the angiogenic activation of OEC, as well as on the assembly of basement membrane matrix molecules and factors involved in vessel maturation and stabilization. The ongoing angiogenic process in the co-culture system proceeded during the course of co-cultivation and correlated with the upregulation of essential angiogenic factors, such as VEGF, angiopoietins, basement membrane molecules and mural cell-specific markers. Furthermore the co-culture system appeared to maintain osteogenic differentiation capacity.rnrnAdditional treatment of co-cultures with growth factors or morphogens might accelerate and improve bone formation and furthermore could be useful for potential clinical applications. In this context, the present study highlights the central role of the morphogen, sonic hedgehog, which has been shown to affect angiogenic activation as well as osteogenic differentiation in the co-culture model of OEC and pOB. Treatment of co-cultures with sonic hedgehog resulted in an increased formation of microvessel-like structures as early as after 24 hours. This proangiogenic effect was induced by the upregulation of the proangiogenic factors, VEGF, angiopoietin1 and angiopoietin 2. In contrast to treatment with a commonly used proangiogenic agent, VEGF, Shh stimulation induced an increased expression of factors associated with vessel maturation and stabilization, mediated through the upregulation of growth factors that are strongly involved in pericyte differentiation and recruitment, including PDGF-BB and TGFbeta. In addition, Shh treatment of co-cultures also resulted in an upregulation of osteogenic differentiation markers like alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteonectin and osteopontin, as well as an increased matrix calcification. This was a result of upregulation of the osteogenic differentiation regulating factors, BMP2 and RUNX2 which could be assessed in response to Shh treatment. rn

Analisi del fenomeno bring your own device: La nuova sfida per affrontare la mobilita lavorativa analizzata all?interno di una multinazionale farmaceutica.

Imprese di piccole e grandi dimensioni hanno dovuto convivere con il ritmo di uscita di nuovi e più potenti modelli di PC, consolle per videogiochi, telefoni cellulari, tablet, fotocamere digitali. I cicli di vita si sono ridotti drasticamente, tanto da far sembrare un’emergenza il rilascio di un nuovo prodotto quasi ogni anno. Le aziende, se ancora non lo hanno fatto, sono chiamate ad affrontare una transizione interna per aggiornare le politiche aziendali in modo da stare al passo con il progresso tecnologico. Se un tempo le regole interne vietavano o scoraggiavano l’utilizzo di dispositivi personali nell’ambiente di lavoro, nell’era moderna sono costrette ad accettarlo se non addirittura ad incoraggiarlo ed il fenomeno che mi accingerò ad analizzare in questo elaborato, denominato Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), punta proprio all’esplorazione degli sforzi progettuali che sono richiesti ad una grande azienda multinazionale per poter recepire i trend informatici. Con più di cinque miliardi di dispositivi mobili in tutto il mondo – e solo 2 miliardi di computer – il passaggio al ‘mobile’ come forma principale di collegamento alle reti aziendali procede con sempre maggiore rapidità. Negli anni recenti si è potuto assistere all’evoluzione del panorama di dispositivi portatili che ha permesso ad un pubblico di users sempre più vasto di potersi permettere l’acquisto di dispositivi di ultima generazione a prezzi non proibitivi. I fornitori di tecnologie hanno confezionato prodotti sempre più pensati per un uso privato, fornendo un’ampia scelta di soluzioni non solo a livello enterprise, come accadeva agli albori del boom tecnologico, ma maggiormente rivolte al singolo consumatore. Guardando ai trend sviluppatisi negli anni recenti, è possibile riconoscere una scia di segnali che preannunciavano quanto sta avvenendo adesso con il BYOD.

Behaviour and applications of elastic waves in structures and metamaterials

The present thesis focuses on elastic waves behaviour in ordinary structures as well as in acousto-elastic metamaterials via numerical and experimental applications. After a brief introduction on the behaviour of elastic guided waves in the framework of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) and on the study of elastic waves propagation in acousto-elastic metamaterials, dispersion curves for thin-walled beams and arbitrary cross-section waveguides are extracted via Semi-Analytical Finite Element (SAFE) methods. Thus, a novel strategy tackling signal dispersion to locate defects in irregular waveguides is proposed and numerically validated. Finally, a time-reversal and laser-vibrometry based procedure for impact location is numerically and experimentally tested. In the second part, an introduction and a brief review of the basic definitions necessary to describe acousto-elastic metamaterials is provided. A numerical approach to extract dispersion properties in such structures is highlighted. Afterwards, solid-solid and solid-fluid phononic systems are discussed via numerical applications. In particular, band structures and transmission power spectra are predicted for 1P-2D, 2P-2D and 2P-3D phononic systems. In addition, attenuation bands in the ultrasonic as well as in the sonic frequency regimes are experimentally investigated. In the experimental validation, PZTs in a pitch-catch configuration and laser vibrometric measurements are performed on a PVC phononic plate in the ultrasonic frequency range and sound insulation index is computed for a 2P-3D phononic barrier in the sonic frequency range. In both cases the numerical-experimental results comparison confirms the existence of the numerical predicted band-gaps. Finally, the feasibility of an innovative passive isolation strategy based on giant elastic metamaterials is numerically proved to be practical for civil structures. In particular, attenuation of seismic waves is demonstrated via finite elements analyses. Further, a parametric study shows that depending on the soil properties, such an earthquake-proof barrier could lead to significant reduction of the superstructure displacement.

Muffin, brownie e cupcake: specialità anglosassoni alla conquista dell'Italia

Muffin, brownie e cupcake hanno conosciuto negli ultimi anni in Italia un vero boom: grazie a programmi e reality televisivi, ma non solo, anche editoria e social network hanno giocato un ruolo importante. In questo lavoro i tre dolci verranno trattati dal punto di vista storico per poi analizzare le differenze tra ricettari anglosassoni e italiani. In seguito verrà proposta una traduzione di alcune ricette di muffin, brownie e cupcake dall'inglese all'italiano insieme a un commento. Infine, verrà proposta un'analisi culturale del fenomeno dolci anglosassoni sotto diversi aspetti anche grazie a dati raccolti tramite interviste a bakery e cuochi in Italia.

The role of indigenous people in national development processes: Participation and marginalisation of indigenous Bedouin in South Sinai tourism development

The Bedouin of South Sinai have been significantly affected by the politics of external powers for a long time. However, never had the interest of external powers in Sinai been so strong as since the Israeli-Egyptian wars in the second half of the 20th century when Bedouin interests started to collide with Egypt’s plans for a development of luxury tourism in South Sinai. rnrnThe tourism boom that has started in the 1980s has brought economic and infrastructure development to the Bedouin and tourism has become the most important source of income for the Bedouin. However, while the absolute increase of tourists to Sinai has trickled down to the Bedouin to some extent, the participation of Bedouin in the overall tourism development is under-proportionate. Moreover, the Bedouin have become increasingly dependent on monetary income and consequently from tourism as the only significant source of income while at the same time they have lost much of their land as well as their self-determination.rnrnIn this context, the Bedouin livelihoods have become very vulnerable due to repeated depressions in the tourism industry as well as marginalization. Major marginalization processes the Bedouin are facing are the loss of land, barriers to market entry, especially increasingly strict rules and regulations in the tourism industry, as well as discrimination by the authorities. Social differentiation and Bedouin preferences are identified as further factors in Bedouin marginalization.rnrnThe strategies Bedouin have developed in response to all these problems are coping strategies, which try to deal with the present problem at the individual level. Basically no strategies have been developed at the collective level that would aim to actively shape the Bedouin’s present and future. Collective action has been hampered by a variety of factors, such as the speed of the developments, the distribution of power or the decay of tribal structures.rnWhile some Bedouin might be able to continue their tourism activities, a large number of informal jobs will not be feasible anymore. The majority of the previously mostly self-employed Bedouin will probably be forced to work as day-laborers who will have lost much of their pride, dignity, sovereignty and freedom. Moreover, with a return to subsistence being impossible for the majority of the Bedouin, it is likely that an increasing number of marginalized Bedouin will turn to illegal income generating activities such as smuggling or drug cultivation. This in turn will lead to further repression and discrimination and could escalate in a serious violent conflict between the Bedouin and the government.rnrnDevelopment plans and projects should address the general lack of civil rights, local participation and protection of minorities in Egypt and promote Bedouin community development and the consideration of Bedouin interests in tourism development.rnrnWether the political upheavals and the resignation of president Mubarak at the beginning of 2011 will have a positive effect on the situation of the Bedouin remains to be seen.rn

Clinical results with two different methods of root-end preparation and filling in apical surgery: mineral trioxide aggregate and adhesive resin composite

INTRODUCTION: The aim of apical surgery is to hermetically seal the root canal system after root-end resection, thereby enabling periradicular healing. The objective of this nonrandomized prospective clinical study was to report results of 2 different root-end preparation and filling methods, ie, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and an adhesive resin composite (Retroplast). METHODS: The study included 353 consecutive cases with endodontic lesions limited to the periapical area. Root-end cavities were prepared with sonic microtips and filled with MTA (n = 178), or alternatively, a shallow concavity was prepared in the cut root face, with subsequent placement of an adhesive resin composite (Retroplast) (n = 175). Patients were recalled after 1 year. Cases were defined as healed when no clinical signs or symptoms were present and radiographs demonstrated complete or incomplete (scar tissue) healing of previous radiolucencies. RESULTS: The overall rate of healed cases was 85.5%. MTA-treated teeth demonstrated a significantly (P = .003) higher rate of healed cases (91.3%) compared with Retroplast-treated teeth (79.5%). Within the MTA group, 89.5%-100% of cases were classified as healed, depending on the type of treated tooth. In contrast, more variable rates ranging from 66.7%-100% were found in the Retroplast group. In particular, mandibular premolars and molars demonstrated considerably lower rates of healed cases when treated with Retroplast. CONCLUSIONS: MTA can be recommended for root-end filling in apical surgery, irrespective of the type of treated tooth. Retroplast should be used with caution for root-end sealing in apical surgery of mandibular premolars and molars.

Hand and ultrasonic instrumentation for orthograde root canal treatment of permanent teeth

Root canal treatment is a frequently performed dental procedure and is carried out on teeth in which irreversible pulpitis has led to necrosis of the dental pulp. Removal of the necrotic tissue remnants and cleaning and shaping of the root canal are important phases of root canal treatment. Treatment options include the use of hand and rotary instruments and methods using ultrasonic or sonic equipment. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this systematic review of randomized controlled trials were to determine the relative clinical effectiveness of hand instrumentation versus ultrasonic instrumentation alone or in conjunction with hand instrumentation for orthograde root canal treatment of permanent teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The search strategy retrieved 226 references from the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (7), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (12), MEDLINE (192), EMBASE (8) and LILACS (7). No language restriction was applied. The last electronic search was conducted on December 13th, 2007. Screening of eligible studies was conducted in duplicate and independently. RESULTS: Results were to be expressed as fixed-effect or random-effects models using mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was to be investigated including both clinical and methodological factors. No eligible randomized controlled trials were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This review illustrates the current lack of published or ongoing randomized controlled trials and the unavailability of high-level evidence based on clinically relevant outcomes referring to the effectiveness of ultrasonic instrumentation used alone or as an adjunct to hand instrumentation for orthograde root canal treatment. In the absence of reliable research-based evidence, clinicians should base their decisions on clinical experience, individual circumstances and in conjunction with patients' preferences where appropriate. Future randomized controlled trials might focus more closely on evaluating the effectiveness of combinations of these interventions with an emphasis on not only clinically relevant, but also patient-centered outcomes.