Interplay between crystal field splitting and Kondo effect in CeNi9Ge(4-x)Si(x).

The pseudo-ternary solid solution CeNi(9)Ge(4-x)Si(x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 4) has been investigated by means of x-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, electrical resistivity, thermopower and inelastic neutron scattering studies. The isoelectronic substitution of germanium by silicon atoms causes a dramatic change of the relative strength of competing Kondo, RKKY and crystal field (CF) energy scales. The strongest effect is the continuous elevation of the Kondo temperature T(K) from approximately 3.5 K for CeNi(9)Ge(4) to about 70 K for CeNi(9)Si(4). This increase of the Kondo temperature is attended by a change of the CF level scheme of the Ce ions. The interplay of the different energy scales results in an incipient reduction of the ground state degeneracy from an effectively fourfold degenerate non-magnetic Kondo ground state with unusual non-Fermi-liquid features of CeNi(9)Ge(4) to a lower one, followed by an increase towards a sixfold, fully degenerate ground state multiplet in CeNi(9)Si(4) (T(K) ∼ Δ(CF)).

Stone recurrence after lithotripsy in patients with recurrent idiopathic calcium urolithiasis: efficacy of treatment with fiuggi water.

A multicentric study was carried out on 384 patients (231 males, mean age 28.3 years; 153 females, mean age 40.8 years) previously treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for recurrent idiopathic calcium urolithiasis. Patients were selected and submitted to different types of high fluid intake treatment (oligomineral water with a calcium content of 15 mg/l vs. tap water with a calcium content ranging between 55 and 130 mg/l) to evaluate stone recurrence and to identify any potential risk factors. During follow-up (range 14-34 months, mean 19 months) 44 (23%) of the 192 patients treated with tap water presented recurrence versus 32 (17%) of the 192 patients treated with Fiuggi mineral water, the difference in incidence between the two groups being 6%. Of the possible predictors of recurrence, evaluated at the beginning of follow-up and analyzed in a multivariate statistical study, the 24-hour diuresis and calciuria were seen to be directly related to the recurrence.

[An epidemiological study of childhood accidents in the Alto Mantovano area of the Lombardy Region]. / Indagine epidemiologica sugli incidenti in età pediatrica nella zona denominata "Alto Mantovano"--Regione Lombardia.

BACKGROUND: As part of the regional programme for accident prevention, as much detailed information as possible was collected on the epidemiology of accidents involving children in our local Public Health area. A prospective survey was started of accidents reported to the Emergency Wards of the two hospitals in our Local Public Health area and the outpatient clinics of the pediatricians collaborating with the study. The survey was performed from 1 March to 31 August 1996. METHODS: A total of 737 reports of accidents involving children aged between 0 and 15 years old (483 males and 254 females) were collected and compared to other series available in the literature. Data were collected using standard forms containing personal details, date, time, place. The form also recorded how the accident occurred, the injuries it caused, the results and the place where First Aid treatment was provided. The causes of accidents were classified using the ICD 9 classification. RESULTS: Males were the most frequently affected (male-female ratio: 1.9:1) and the ages most frequently involved were 1-5 and over 10 years old; moreover, it was observed that accidents occurred during two peak times: 10-12 a.m. and 4-8 p.m. The most frequent accidents were falls, followed by road accidents and wounds. Among both males and females, the most frequent injuries were those to limbs, followed by cranio-facial injuries; wounds were predominantly surface rather than deep. 13.3% of the cases reported were admitted to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underline the importance of the problem even in a non-metropolitan area and the need to make every effort to ensure a safe and serene future for our children.

[An epidemiological study of breast-feeding practice in the referral population of USSL 46 "Alto Mantovano", the Lombardy region. Unità di servizio screening locale]. / Indagine epidemiologica sulla pratica dell'allattamento al seno nella popolazione consultoriale dell'USSL 46 "Alto Mantovano"--Regione Lombardia.

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of breast feeding in the children population of familial advisory bureau in our territory, the reasons for the choice of this kind of nutrition and its duration. The authors also researched if there is some relationship between the choice of feeding and the kind of parturition, mother age, her education and job. The possible influence of the preparatory course of childbirth attendance, mass media and family on this choice was researched to complete the study.

[Echography of the hip in dislocation disease in newborns and infants]. / Studio dell'ecografia delle anche nella malattia lussante del neonato e del lattante.

At present, ultrasounds represent the most reliable investigation with images for early C.H.D. diagnosis. This test is innocuous so it can be repeated and furnishes, especially in the first months of life, all those informations the traditional radiology cannot give us. In this work the authors report a clinical and ultrasonographic study of 1116 children (2232 hips); 127 of these were newborns and they have been followed-up from their birth to 7th month of life with ultrasound test at 1.-3.-5.-7. month of life. U.S. investigation has proved itself very sensitive and specific.

[Kirner's deformity. Early age spontaneous curving of the terminal phalanx of the 5th finger]. / Deformità di Kirner. Incurvamento spontaneo giovanile della falange terminale del 5 degrees dito.

Kirner's malformation of the fifth finger represents an unusual bony anomaly that has an uncertain etiopathogenesis: there is possibly a connection with a district alteration of the vascularisation of the fifth finger distal phalanx. It must be discriminated from the typical clenodactyly an anomaly which concerns prevalently finger terminal phalanx without bony alterations and which presents a distribution in the family. The case we related concerning a little girl, aged 11, had considerable advantage after a corrective osteotomy.

[Study of cardiac arrhythmias in the healthy newborn infant]. / Studio delle aritmie cardiache nel neonato sano.

Of 426 infants born at the end of a regular pregnancy and delivery, which are apparently in good health, thirteen, showed cardiac arrhythmias (atrial, supraventricular, ventricular premature beats, and parasistole) on a standard E.C.G. and on a unique lead (DII carried out in the first 24 hours of life. This study points out the rise of disorders of the rhythm in healthy newborn infants and suggest further prospectives of research in the natural history of arrhythmias. Furthermore it underlines as the neonatal electrocardiography, simple and non invasive procedure, could be a good help in comparison with the screenings of the newborn. In all cases we have noticed the spontaneous resolution of arrhythmias the second week of life.