| 1. |
- Soffitta, Paolo, et al.
(author)
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XIPE : the X-ray imaging polarimetry explorer
- 2013
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In: Experimental astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 36:3, s. 523-567
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- X-ray polarimetry, sometimes alone, and sometimes coupled to spectral and temporal variability measurements and to imaging, allows a wealth of physical phenomena in astrophysics to be studied. X-ray polarimetry investigates the acceleration process, for example, including those typical of magnetic reconnection in solar flares, but also emission in the strong magnetic fields of neutron stars and white dwarfs. It detects scattering in asymmetric structures such as accretion disks and columns, and in the so-called molecular torus and ionization cones. In addition, it allows fundamental physics in regimes of gravity and of magnetic field intensity not accessible to experiments on the Earth to be probed. Finally, models that describe fundamental interactions (e.g. quantum gravity and the extension of the Standard Model) can be tested. We describe in this paper the X-ray Imaging Polarimetry Explorer (XIPE), proposed in June 2012 to the first ESA call for a small mission with a launch in 2017. The proposal was, unfortunately, not selected. To be compliant with this schedule, we designed the payload mostly with existing items. The XIPE proposal takes advantage of the completed phase A of POLARIX for an ASI small mission program that was cancelled, but is different in many aspects: the detectors, the presence of a solar flare polarimeter and photometer and the use of a light platform derived by a mass production for a cluster of satellites. XIPE is composed of two out of the three existing JET-X telescopes with two Gas Pixel Detectors (GPD) filled with a He-DME mixture at their focus. Two additional GPDs filled with a 3-bar Ar-DME mixture always face the Sun to detect polarization from solar flares. The Minimum Detectable Polarization of a 1 mCrab source reaches 14 % in the 2-10 keV band in 10(5) s for pointed observations, and 0.6 % for an X10 class solar flare in the 15-35 keV energy band. The imaging capability is 24 arcsec Half Energy Width (HEW) in a Field of View of 14.7 arcmin x 14.7 arcmin. The spectral resolution is 20 % at 6 keV and the time resolution is 8 mu s. The imaging capabilities of the JET-X optics and of the GPD have been demonstrated by a recent calibration campaign at PANTER X-ray test facility of the Max-Planck-Institut fur extraterrestrische Physik (MPE, Germany). XIPE takes advantage of a low-earth equatorial orbit with Malindi as down-link station and of a Mission Operation Center (MOC) at INPE (Brazil). The data policy is organized with a Core Program that comprises three months of Science Verification Phase and 25 % of net observing time in the following 2 years. A competitive Guest Observer program covers the remaining 75 % of the net observing time.
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| 2. |
- de Simone, Giovanni, et al.
(author)
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Hypertension in children and adolescents. : A consensus document from ESC Council on Hypertension, European Association of Preventive Cardiology, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions, ESC Council for Cardiology Practice and Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology
- 2022
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In: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1522-9645 .- 0195-668X. ; 43:35, s. 3290-3301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Definition and management of arterial hypertension in children and adolescents are uncertain, due to different positions of current guidelines. The European Society of Cardiology task-force, constituted by Associations and Councils with interest in arterial hypertension, has reviewed current literature and evidence, to produce a Consensus Document focused on aspects of hypertension in the age range of 6-16 years, including definition, methods of measurement of blood pressure, clinical evaluation, assessment of hypertension-mediated target organ damage, evaluation of possible vascular, renal and hormonal causes, assessment and management of concomitant risk factors with specific attention for obesity, and anti-hypertensive strategies, especially focused on life-style modifications. The Consensus Panel also suggests aspects that should be studied with high priority, including generation of multi-ethnic sex, age and height specific European normative tables, implementation of randomized clinical trials on different diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, and long-term cohort studies to link with adult cardiovascular risk. Finally, suggestions for the successful implementation of the contents of the present Consensus document are also given.
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| 3. |
- Popescu Chair, Bogdan A, et al.
(author)
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Training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography : the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Recommendations
- 2020
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In: European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2047-2404 .- 2047-2412. ; 21:12, s. 1305-1319
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The primary mission of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) is 'to promote excellence in clinical diagnosis, research, technical development, and education in cardiovascular imaging'. Echocardiography is a key component in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease and is essential for the high quality and effective practice of clinical cardiology. The EACVI aims to update the previously published recommendations for training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography since these activities are increasingly recognized by patients, physicians, and payers. The purpose of this document is to provide the general requirements for training and competence in echocardiography, to outline the principles of quality evaluation, and to recommend a set of measures for improvement, with the ultimate goal of raising the standards of echocardiographic practice. Moreover, the document aims to provide specific guidance for advanced echo techniques, which have dramatically evolved since the previous publication in 2009.
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| 4. |
- Bech-Hanssen, Odd, 1956, et al.
(author)
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Atrial function in heart transplant recipients operated with the bicaval technique.
- 2016
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In: Scandinavian cardiovascular journal : SCJ. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-2006 .- 1401-7431. ; 50:1, s. 42-51
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In heart transplantation (HTx) with the bicaval technique the whole right atrium (RA) is donor tissue while the left atrium (LA) consists of both donor and recipient tissue. The aims of the study were to describe atrial function in comparison with healthy controls and to identify determinants of dysfunction.
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| 5. |
- Ferrara, Francesco, et al.
(author)
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The Right Heart International Network (RIGHT-NET) : Rationale, Objectives, Methodology, and Clinical Implications
- 2018
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In: Heart Failure Clinics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1551-7136. ; 14:3, s. 443-465
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Right Heart International Network is a multicenter international study aiming to prospectively collect exercise Doppler echocardiography tests of the right heart pulmonary circulation unit (RHPCU) in large cohorts of healthy subjects, elite athletes, and individuals at risk of or with overt pulmonary hypertension. It is going to provide standardization of exercise stress echocardiography of RHPCU and explore the full physiopathologic response.
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| 6. |
- Galderisi, Maurizio, et al.
(author)
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Standardization of adult transthoracic echocardiography reporting in agreement with recent chamber quantification, diastolic function, and heart valve disease recommendations : an expert consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging
- 2017
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In: European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 2047-2404 .- 2047-2412. ; 18:12, s. 1301-1310
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims This European Association Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) Expert Consensus document aims at defining the main quantitative information on cardiac structure and function that needs to be included in standard echocardiographic report following recent ASE/EACVI chamber quantification, diastolic function, and heart valve disease recommendations. The document focuses on general reporting and specific pathological conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery and valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and systemic diseases. Methods and results Demographic data (age, body surface area, blood pressure, and heart rhythm and rate), type (vendor and model) of ultrasound system used and image quality need to be reported. In addition, measurements should be normalized for body size. Reference normal values, derived by ASE/EACVI recommendations, shall always be reported to differentiate normal from pathological conditions. This Expert Consensus document suggests avoiding the surveillance of specific variable using different ultrasound techniques (e.g. in echo labs with high expertise in left ventricular ejection fraction by 3D and not by 2D echocardiography). The report should be also tailored in relation with different cardiac pathologies, quality of images, and needs of the caregivers. Conclusion The conclusion should be concise reflecting the status of left ventricular structure and function, the presence of left atrial and/or aortic dilation, right ventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary hypertension, leading to an objective communication with the patient health caregiver. Variation over time should be considered carefully, taking always into account the consistency of the parameters used for comparison.
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