The multiscale nexus among land use-land cover changes and water quality in the Suquía River Basin, a semi-arid region of Argentina.

Agricultural intensification and urban sprawl have led to significant alterations in riverscapes, and one of the critical consequences is the deterioration of water quality with significant implications for public health. Therefore, the objectives of this study were the assessment of the water quality of the Suquía River, the assessment of LULC change at different spatial scales, and the analysis of the potential seasonal correlation among LULC change and Water Quality Index (WQI). The Sample Sites (SS) 1 and 2 before Cordoba city had the highest WQI values while from SS3 the WQI decreased, with the lowest WQI close to the wastewater treatment plant (SS7) after Cordoba city. From SS8 in a agricultural context, the WQI increases but does not reach the original values. In light of analysis carried out, the correlation between water quality variables and the different LULC classes at the local and regional scales demonstrated that WQI is negatively affected by agricultural and urban activities, while natural classes impacted positively. The spatialization of the results can help strongly in assessing and managing the diffusion of point and non-point pollution along the riverscape. The knowledge gained from this research can play a crucial role in water resources management, which supports the provision of river ecosystem services essential for the well-being of local populations.

Phonon Laser in the Quantum Regime.

We demonstrate a trapped-ion system with two competing dissipation channels, implemented independently on two ion species cotrapped in a Paul trap. By controlling coherent spin-oscillator couplings and optical pumping rates we explore the phase diagram of this system, which exhibits a regime analogous to that of a (phonon) laser but operates close to the quantum ground state with an average phonon number of n[over ¯]<10. We demonstrate phase locking of the oscillator to an additional resonant drive, and also observe the phase diffusion of the resulting state under dissipation by reconstructing the quantum state from a measurement of the characteristic function.

Arthroscopic surgery or exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal lesions: a systematic review of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is widely applied for the treatment of degenerative meniscal lesions in middle-aged patients; however, such injury is often associated with mild or moderate osteoarthritis and has been reported by MRI in asymptomatic knees. Previous studies suggested, in most patients, a lack of benefit of surgical approach over conservative treatment, yet many controversies remain in clinical practice. Our aims were to assess the functional and pain scores between exercise therapy and arthroscopic surgery for degenerative meniscal lesions and to evaluate the methodological quality of the most recent systematic reviews (SRs). METHODS: Two authors independently searched PubMed and Google Scholar for SRs comparing the outcome (in knee pain and functionality) of arthroscopic treatment and exercise therapy or placebo for degenerative meniscal lesions. The timeframe set was from 2009 to 2019 included. RESULTS: A total of 13 SRs were selected. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each paper using the AMSTAR 2 tool: seven scored as "moderate," four obtained a "low" grade while the remaining two were evaluated as "critically low." SRs agreed that in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal lesions arthroscopic surgery appears to grant no long-term improvement in pain and function over exercise therapy or placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment based on physical therapy should be the first-line management. However, most SRs revealed subgroups of patients that fail to improve after conservative treatment and find relief when undergoing surgery. In the future, randomized controlled trials, evidence should be looked for that APM can be successful in case of the unsatisfactory results after physical therapy.

Microdosimetric measurements of a monoenergetic and modulated Bragg Peaks of 62 MeV therapeutic proton beam with a synthetic single crystal diamond microdosimeter.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate for the first time the performance of a synthetic single crystal diamond detector for the microdosimetric characterization of clinical 62 MeV ocular therapy proton beams. METHODS: A novel diamond microdosimeter with a well-defined sensitive volume was fabricated and tested with a monoenergetic and spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) of the CATANA therapeutic proton beam in Catania, Italy. The whole sensitive volume of the detector has an active planar-sectional area of 100 µm × 100 µm and a thickness of approximately 6.3 um. Microdosimetric measurements were performed at several water equivalent depths, corresponding to positions of clinical relevance. From the measured spectra, microdosimetric quantities such as the frequency mean lineal energy ( y ¯ F ), dose mean lineal energy ( y ¯ D ) as well as microdosimetric relative biological effectiveness (RBEµ ) values were derived for each depth along both a pristine Bragg curve and SOBP. Finally, Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations were performed modeling the detector geometry and CATANA beamline in order to calculate the average linear energy transfer (LET) values in the diamond active layer and water. RESULTS: The microdosimetric spectra acquired by the diamond microdosimeter show different shapes as a function of the water equivalent depths. No spectral distortion, due to pile-up events and polarization effects, was observed. The experimental spectra have a very low detection threshold due to the electronic noise during the irradiation of about 1 keV/µm. The y ¯ F and y ¯ D values were in agreement with expected trends, showing a sharp increase in mean lineal energy at the distal edge of the Bragg peak. In addition, a good agreement between the mean lineal energy values and the calculated average LET ones was also observed. Finally, the RBE values evaluated with the diamond microdosimeter were in excellent agreement with those obtained with a mini tissue equivalent proportional counter as well as with radiobiological measurements in the same proton beam field. CONCLUSIONS: The microdosimetric performance of the tested synthetic single crystal diamond microdosimeter clearly indicates its suitability for quality assurance in clinical proton therapy beam.

Acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in children: a systematic review of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: Septic arthritis and osteomyelitis are rare in children, but they are difficult to treat and are associated with a high rate of sequelae. This paper addresses the main clinical issues related to septic arthritis and osteomyelitis by means of a systematic review of systematic reviews. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The major electronic databases were searched for systematic reviews/meta-analyses septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. The papers that fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria were selected. RESULTS: There were four systematic reviews on septic arthritis and four on osteomyelitis. Independent assessment of their methodological quality by two reviewers using AMSTAR 2 indicated that its criteria were not consistently followed. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these works provide strong evidence regarding a large number of issues including classification, epidemiology and risk factors, causative organisms, clinical presentation, laboratory markers, imaging, diagnostic needle aspiration, antibiotic therapy, surgical therapy, and prognosis. A clinical summary based on the best evidence is supplied.

Encoding a qubit in a trapped-ion mechanical oscillator.

The stable operation of quantum computers will rely on error correction, in which single quantum bits of information are stored redundantly in the Hilbert space of a larger system. Such encoded qubits are commonly based on arrays of many physical qubits, but can also be realized using a single higher-dimensional quantum system, such as a harmonic oscillator1-3. In such a system, a powerful encoding has been devised based on periodically spaced superpositions of position eigenstates4-6. Various proposals have been made for realizing approximations to such states, but these have thus far remained out of reach7-11. Here we demonstrate such an encoded qubit using a superposition of displaced squeezed states of the harmonic motion of a single trapped 40Ca+ ion, controlling and measuring the mechanical oscillator through coupling to an ancillary internal-state qubit12. We prepare and reconstruct logical states with an average squared fidelity of 87.3 ± 0.7 per cent. Also, we demonstrate a universal logical single-qubit gate set, which we analyse using process tomography. For Pauli gates we reach process fidelities of about 97 per cent, whereas for continuous rotations we use gate teleportation and achieve fidelities of approximately 89 per cent. This control method opens a route for exploring continuous variable error correction as well as hybrid quantum information schemes using both discrete and continuous variables13. The code states also have direct applications in quantum sensing, allowing simultaneous measurement of small displacements in both position and momentum14,15.

Repeated multi-qubit readout and feedback with a mixed-species trapped-ion register.

Quantum error correction is essential for realizing the full potential of large-scale quantum information processing devices1,2. Fundamental to its experimental realization is the repetitive detection of errors via projective measurements of quantum correlations among qubits, as well as corrections using conditional feedback3. Repetitive application of such tasks requires that they neither induce unwanted crosstalk nor impede further control operations, which is challenging owing to the need to dissipatively couple qubits to the classical world for detection and reinitialization. For trapped ions, state readout involves scattering large numbers of resonant photons, which increases the probability of stray light causing errors on nearby qubits and leads to undesirable recoil heating of the ion motion. Here we demonstrate up to 50 sequential measurements of correlations between two beryllium ion microwave qubits using an ancillary optical qubit in a calcium ion, and implement feedback that allows us to stabilize two-qubit subspaces as well as Bell states, a class of maximally entangled states. Multi-qubit mixed-species gates are used to transfer information within the register from the qubit to the ancilla, enabling readout with negligible crosstalk to the data qubits. Heating of the ion motion during detection is mitigated by recooling all three ions using light that interacts with only the calcium ion, known as sympathetic cooling. A key element of our experimental setup is a powerful classical control system that features flexible in-sequence processing for feedback control. The methods employed here provide essential tools for scaling trapped-ion quantum computing, quantum-state control and entanglement-enhanced quantum metrology4.

Intercondylar eminence fracture treated by resorbable magnesium screws osteosynthesis: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial spine avulsion fractures are mostly a paediatric injury which appropriate treatment is currently debated in literature. The choice between conservative and surgical treatment is based on the radiographic classification of Meyers-McKeever. The most diffused surgical techniques involve either internal fixation devices (screws) or bone tunnels fixation with resorbable sutures. Today, a third option is represented by resorbable magnesium screws which could combine the best features of the two classical systems. Objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of these new devices in the surgical treatment of tibial spine avulsions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 2014 we have seen seven patients with tibial eminence fracture. Patients underwent clinical and radiological examination (MRI, CT scan) before surgery. Only 3 patients that presented with a grade III or IV lesion were treated surgically with internal fixation with magnesium resorbable screws. In post-operative follow-up, functional recovery was evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 months, clinically and by X-ray. Lysholm and IKDC scores were submitted at 1, 2, 6 and 12 months. MRI was repeated at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: All three surgical patients showed progressive clinical and functional improvement during the follow-up period. The first case showed a quicker overall recovery rate, which might be due to the lower grade of the lesion. Radiographs and MRI evaluation showed regular healing of the injury. The devices appeared completely resorbed at the 6 months follow-up and replaced by newly formed bone at the 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of tibial spine avulsion fractures with arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) technique by magnesium resorbable screws seems to result in an excellent functional recovery without complications related to fixation devices, which were completely resorbed after 6 months and replaced by newly formed bone after 12 months. This new method could be considered as an alternative option to classic techniques by non resorbable fixation devices or bone tunnel fixation. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the efficacy of these new devices in a wider group of patients.

Prematurity, ventricular septal defect and dysmorphisms are independent predictors of pathogenic copy number variants: a retrospective study on array-CGH results and phenotypical features of 293 children with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or multiple congenital anomalies.

BACKGROUND: Since 2010, array-CGH (aCGH) has been the first-tier test in the diagnostic approach of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) or multiple congenital anomalies (MCA) of unknown origin. Its broad application led to the detection of numerous variants of uncertain clinical significance (VOUS). How to appropriately interpret aCGH results represents a challenge for the clinician. METHOD: We present a retrospective study on 293 patients with age range 1 month - 29 years (median 7 years) with NDD and/or MCA and/or dysmorphisms, investigated through aCGH between 2005 and 2016. The aim of the study was to analyze clinical and molecular cytogenetic data in order to identify what elements could be useful to interpret unknown or poorly described aberrations. Comparison of phenotype and cytogenetic characteristics through univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: Copy number variations (CNVs) with a frequency < 1% were detected in 225 patients of the total sample, while 68 patients presented only variants with higher frequency (heterozygous deletions or amplification) and were considered to have negative aCGH. Proved pathogenic CNVs were detected in 70 patients (20.6%). Delayed psychomotor development, intellectual disability, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), prematurity, congenital heart disease, cerebral malformations and dysmorphisms correlated to reported pathogenic CNVs. Prematurity, ventricular septal defect and dysmorphisms remained significant predictors of pathogenic CNVs in the multivariate logistic model whereas abnormal EEG and limb dysmorphisms were mainly detected in the group with likely pathogenic VOUS. A flow-chart regarding the care for patients with NDD and/or MCA and/or dysmorphisms and the interpretation of aCGH has been made on the basis of the data inferred from this study and literature. CONCLUSION: Our work contributes to make the investigative process of CNVs more informative and suggests possible directions in aCGH interpretation and phenotype correlation.

Genetic landscape of ultra-stable chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has a heterogeneous clinical course. Beside patients requiring immediate treatment, others show an initial indolent phase followed by progression and others do not progress for decades. The latter two subgroups usually display mutated IGHV genes and a favorable FISH profile. Patients and methods: Patients with absence of disease progression for over 10 years (10-34) from diagnosis were defined as ultra-stable CLL (US-CLL). Forty US-CLL underwent extensive characterization including whole exome sequencing (WES), ultra-deep sequencing and copy number aberration (CNA) analysis to define their unexplored genetic landscape. Microarray analysis, comparing US-CLL with non-US-CLL with similar immunogenetic features (mutated IGHV/favorable FISH), was also carried out to recognize US-CLL at diagnosis. Results: WES was carried out in 20 US-CLL and 84 non-silent somatic mutations in 78 genes were found. When re-tested in a validation cohort of 20 further US-CLL, no recurrent lesion was identified. No clonal mutations of NOTCH1, BIRC3, SF3B1 and TP53 were found, including ATM and other potential progression driving mutations. CNA analysis identified 31 lesions, none with known poor prognostic impact. No novel recurrent lesion was identified: most cases showed no lesions (38%) or an isolated del(13q) (31%). The expression of 6 genes, selected from a gene expression profile analysis by microarray and quantified by droplet digital PCR on a cohort of 79 CLL (58 US-CLL and 21 non-US-CLL), allowed to build a decision-tree capable of recognizing at diagnosis US-CLL patients. Conclusions: The genetic landscape of US-CLL is characterized by the absence of known unfavorable driver mutations/CNA and of novel recurrent genetic lesions. Among CLL patients with favorable immunogenetics, a decision-tree based on the expression of 6 genes may identify at diagnosis patients who are likely to maintain an indolent disease for decades.

Quantum Harmonic Oscillator State Control in a Squeezed Fock Basis.

We demonstrate control of a trapped-ion quantum harmonic oscillator in a squeezed Fock state basis, using engineered Hamiltonians analogous to the Jaynes-Cummings and anti-Jaynes-Cummings forms. We demonstrate that for squeezed Fock states with low n the engineered Hamiltonians reproduce the sqrt[n] scaling of the matrix elements which is typical of Jaynes-Cummings physics, and also examine deviations due to the finite wavelength of our control fields. Starting from a squeezed vacuum state, we apply sequences of alternating transfer pulses which allow us to climb the squeezed Fock state ladder, creating states up to excitations of n=6 with up to 8.7 dB of squeezing, as well as demonstrating superpositions of these states. These techniques offer access to new sets of states of the harmonic oscillator which may be applicable for precision metrology or quantum information science.

Una década del Registro de Artroplastias de Cataluña (RACat): exhaustividad, variabilidad y supervivencia de las prótesis entre 2005 y 2014 / A decade of the Catalonian Arthroplasty Register (RACat): variability, exhaustivity, and survival of prostheses between 2005 and 2014

Antecedentes y objetivo. El Registro de Artroplastias de Cataluña (RACat) es un registro poblacional basado en el sistema sanitario público para analizar y evaluar artroplastias de cadera y rodilla en Cataluña. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar los resultados tras 10 años de funcionamiento (de enero de 2005 a diciembre de 2014). Metodología. A partir de la información del RACat y del conjunto mínimo básico de datos al alta hospitalaria, se analizó la calidad y exhaustividad de los datos y se realizaron análisis descriptivos de pacientes, prótesis y proceso asistencial. Además, se analizó la supervivencia calculando la incidencia acumulada de revisión (según causa de intervención en artroplastias de cadera y preservación o sacrificio del ligamento cruzado posterior en artroplastia de rodilla) y la asociación entre riesgo de revisión y técnica de fijación de las prótesis como modelos de riesgos competitivos ajustados por sexo, edad y comorbilidad. Resultados. El principal motivo de intervención en artroplastias primarias de cadera y rodilla fue la artrosis. La incidencia acumulada de revisión a los 10 años fue del 3,9% en artroplastias de cadera causadas por artrosis y del 2,3% en las causadas por fractura. Las artroplastias de rodilla que conservan el ligamento cruzado posterior son el 4,4% y las que no lo conservan, el 5,1%. Discusión. El RACat se consolida como herramienta para la evaluación de las artroplastias con gran potencial en el análisis de la efectividad a medio y largo plazo, el estudio de la variabilidad de la práctica clínica y la vigilancia poscomercialización (AU)

Background and aim. The Catalonian Arthroplasty Register (RACat) is a public health-based population register used to analyse and evaluate hip and knee replacements in Catalonia. The aim of this study is to present the outcomes after 10 years in operation (January 2005-December 2014). Methodology. Using the information from the RACat and the minimum basic data set at hospital discharge, an analysis was made of the quality and exhaustivity of the data, as well as a descriptive analysis of the patients, prostheses, and care process. Survival was also analysed by calculating the accumulated incidence of revisions (according to the cause of intervention in hip replacements and conservation or sacrifice of the posterior cruciate ligament in knee replacement). The relationship between revision risk and the fixation technique of the prosthesis is also analysed, using competitive risk models adjusted for gender, age, and comorbidities. Results. The main reason for the primary hip and knee replacement surgery was arthrosis. The accumulated incidence of revisions at 10 years was 3.9% in hip replacements caused by arthrosis, and 2.3% in those caused by fracture. Conservation of the posterior cruciate ligament was achieved in 4.4% of knee replacements, with sacrifice in 5.1%. Discussion. The RACat is consolidated as a tool for the evaluation of joint replacements, with great potential in the analysis of medium and long-term efficacy, the study of the variability in clinical practice, and post-marketing surveillance (AU)

A decade of the Catalonian Arthroplasty Register (RACat): Variability, exhaustivity, and survival of prostheses between 2005 and 2014. / Una década del Registro de Artroplastias de Cataluña (RACat): exhaustividad, variabilidad y supervivencia de las prótesis entre 2005 y 2014.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The Catalonian Arthroplasty Register (RACat) is a public health-based population register used to analyse and evaluate hip and knee replacements in Catalonia. The aim of this study is to present the outcomes after 10 years in operation (January 2005-December 2014). METHODOLOGY: Using the information from the RACat and the minimum basic data set at hospital discharge, an analysis was made of the quality and exhaustivity of the data, as well as a descriptive analysis of the patients, prostheses, and care process. Survival was also analysed by calculating the accumulated incidence of revisions (according to the cause of intervention in hip replacements and conservation or sacrifice of the posterior cruciate ligament in knee replacement). The relationship between revision risk and the fixation technique of the prosthesis is also analysed, using competitive risk models adjusted for gender, age, and comorbidities. RESULTS: The main reason for the primary hip and knee replacement surgery was arthrosis. The accumulated incidence of revisions at 10 years was 3.9% in hip replacements caused by arthrosis, and 2.3% in those caused by fracture. Conservation of the posterior cruciate ligament was achieved in 4.4% of knee replacements, with sacrifice in 5.1%. DISCUSSION: The RACat is consolidated as a tool for the evaluation of joint replacements, with great potential in the analysis of medium and long-term efficacy, the study of the variability in clinical practice, and post-marketing surveillance.

Estimation of a general time-dependent Hamiltonian for a single qubit.

The Hamiltonian of a closed quantum system governs its complete time evolution. While Hamiltonians with time-variation in a single basis can be recovered using a variety of methods, for more general Hamiltonians the presence of non-commuting terms complicates the reconstruction. Here using a single trapped ion, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a method for estimating a time-dependent Hamiltonian of a single qubit. We measure the time evolution of the qubit in a fixed basis as a function of a time-independent offset term added to the Hamiltonian. The initially unknown Hamiltonian arises from transporting an ion through a static laser beam. Hamiltonian estimation allows us to estimate the spatial beam intensity profile and the ion velocity as a function of time. The estimation technique is general enough that it can be applied to other quantum systems, aiding the pursuit of high-operational fidelities in quantum control.

Generation of large coherent states by bang-bang control of a trapped-ion oscillator.

Fast control of quantum systems is essential to make use of quantum properties before they degrade by decoherence. This is important for quantum-enhanced information processing, as well as for pushing quantum systems towards the boundary between quantum and classical physics. 'Bang-bang' control attains the ultimate speed limit by making large changes to control fields much faster than the system can respond, but is often challenging to implement experimentally. Here we demonstrate bang-bang control of a trapped-ion oscillator using nanosecond switching of the trapping potentials. We perform controlled displacements with which we realize coherent states with up to 10,000 quanta of energy. We use these displaced states to verify the form of the ion-light interaction at high excitations far outside the usual regime of operation. These methods provide new possibilities for quantum-state manipulation and generation, alongside the potential for a significant increase in operational clock speed for trapped-ion quantum information processing.

Observation of Quantum Interference between Separated Mechanical Oscillator Wave Packets.

We directly observe the quantum interference between two well-separated trapped-ion mechanical oscillator wave packets. The superposed state is created from a spin-motion entangled state using a heralded measurement. Wave packet interference is observed through the energy eigenstate populations. We reconstruct the Wigner function of these states by introducing probe Hamiltonians which measure Fock state populations in displaced and squeezed bases. Squeezed-basis measurements with 8 dB squeezing allow the measurement of interference for Δα=15.6, corresponding to a distance of 240 nm between the two superposed wave packets.

Near infrared image processing to quantitate and visualize oxygen saturation during vascular occlusion.

The assessment of microcirculation spatial heterogeneity on the hand skin is the main objective of this work. Near-infrared spectroscopy based 2D imaging is a non-invasive technique for the assessment of tissue oxygenation. The haemoglobin oxygen saturation images were acquired by a dedicated camera (Kent Imaging) during baseline, ischaemia (brachial artery cuff occlusion) and reperfusion. Acquired images underwent a preliminary restoration process aimed at removing degradations occurring during signal capturing. Then, wavelet transform based multiscale analysis was applied to identify edges by detecting local maxima and minima across successive scales. Segmentation of test areas during different conditions was obtained by thresholding-based region growing approach. The method identifies the differences in microcirculatory control of blood flow in different regions of the hand skin. The obtained results demonstrate the potential use of NIRS images for the clinical evaluation of skin disease and microcirculatory dysfunction.

Novel triazolium based 11(th) group NHCs: synthesis, characterization and cellular response mechanisms.

The novel NHC ligand precursor 1,4-bis(4-nitrobenzyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium bromide, [HTz((pNO2Bz)2)]Br, has been synthesized and used in the synthesis of the corresponding metal complexes M[Tz((pNO2Bz)2)]Br (M = Cu(I), Ag(I) or Au(I)). These compounds were characterized by several spectroscopic techniques including NMR and mass spectroscopy. The complete series of Au(I), Ag(I) and Cu(I) 1,2,4-triazole based NHC complexes has been synthesized aiming at a SAR study and at identifying the primary cellular targets accounting for their cytotoxic action. The cytotoxic properties of the NHC complexes have been assessed in various human cancer cell lines, including cisplatin sensitive and resistant cells, the most efficacious antiproliferative compound being Cu(I)-NHC, which was able to promote a growth inhibitory effect up to ten times higher than that promoted by cisplatin. A detailed analysis of molecular and cellular pharmacology allowed us to elucidate the role of the metallic core in determining the biological properties. In particular, gold(I) and silver(I) NHC complexes were found to be able to hamper mammalian thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity in human A431 cervical cancer cells, ultimately leading to a dramatic alteration of the cellular redox state and to the induction of cell death via apoptosis. Conversely, the copper NHC complex was found to be capable of inhibiting proteasome functionality thus determining the induction of a non-apoptotic cell death pathway.

Simultaneous calorimetric and polarization microscopy investigations of light induced changes over phase transitions in a liquid crystal-napthopyran mixture.

We have studied the specific heat and the thermal conductivity in a 4-(n-octyl)-4'-cyanobiphenyl liquid crystal (LC)-photochromic molecules mixture, before, during, and after the photo-activation of the dispersed photochromic molecules, over both the smectic A-nematic and the nematic-isotropic phase transitions. The evaluation of the specific heat has enabled the determination of the changes of the phase transition characteristics induced by the photochromic molecules photoisomerization, while that of the thermal conductivity could be used to monitor the modifications induced in the average LC molecular orientation. The polarization microscopy imaging of the sample texture constituted a valuable support for the interpretation of the obtained thermal conductivity results.