Stress has been identified as one of the major causes of automobile crashes which then lead to high rates of fatalities and injuries each year. Stress can be measured via physiological measurements and in this study the focus will be based on the features that can be extracted by common wearable devices. Hence the study will be mainly focusing on the heart rate variability (HRV). This study is aimed to develop a good predictive model that can accurately classify stress levels from ECG-derived HRV features, obtained from automobile drivers, testing different machine learning methodologies such as K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Random Forest (RF) and Gradient Boosting (GB). Moreover, the models obtained with highest predictive power will be used as reference for the development of a machine learning model that would be used to classify stress from HRV features derived from HRV measurements obtained from wearable devices. We demonstrate that MLP was the ideal stress classifier by achieving a Recall of 80%. The proposed method can be also used on all applications in which is important to monitor the stress level e. g. in physical rehabilitation, anxiety relief or mental wellbeing.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to assess the role of ECG-gated Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) in the diagnosis, imaging follow-up, and treatment guidance in post-procedural/surgical interventions of the heart and thoracic aorta (PTCA, TAVI, PMK/ICD placement, CABGs).

This study evaluated the effect of low-level laser irradiation induces by diode laser on the speed of orthodontic tooth movement of canines submitted to initial retraction. Twenty-four mandibular canines were retracted by using NiTi spring (force of 150 g/side). Thirteen of those were irradiated with a diode laser 980-nm diode laser (Wiser Laser Doctor Smile, Lambda) operating at an 810-nm wavelength (1 W of output power, continuous wave of 66.7 J/cm2) that was equipped with a 0.6-mm optical fiber in continuous-wave mode. The canine retraction was accomplished by using prefabricated coil springs. The right of the mandible was chosen to be irradiated with the laser, whereas the left side was considered the control without laser irradiation. The laser was applied with 0-, 3-, 7-, and 14-day intervals. The amount of canine retraction was measured with a digital electronic caliper while the pain level was prompted by a patient questionnaire. The speed of tooth movement was significantly greater in the laser group than in the control group. The pain intensity was also at a lower level in the laser group. Our findings suggest that diode laser therapy can highly accelerate tooth movement during orthodontic treatment and can also effectively reduce pain level.

Machine Learning (ML) approaches have been fruitfully applied to several classification problems of neurophysiological activity. Considering the relevance of emotion in human cognition and behaviour, ML found an important application field in emotion identification based on neurophysiological activity. Nonetheless, the literature results present a high variability depending on the neuronal activity measurement, the signal features and the classifier type. The present work aims to provide new methodological insight on ML applied to emotion identification based on electrophysiological brain activity. For this reason, we recorded EEG activity while emotional stimuli, high and low arousal (auditory and visual) were provided to a group of healthy participants. Our target signal to classify was the pre-stimulus onset brain activity. Classification performance of three different classifiers (LDA, SVM and kNN) was compared using both spectral and temporal features. Furthermore, we also contrasted the classifiers performance with static and dynamic (time evolving) features. The results show a clear increased in classification accuracy with temporal dynamic features. In particular, the SVM classifiers with temporal features showed the best accuracy (63.8 %) in classifying high vs. low arousal auditory stimuli.

Background The main aim of reconstructive surgery (RS) is to restore the integrity of soft tissues damaged by trauma, surgery, congenital deformity, burns or infection. Microsurgical techniques consist of harvesting tissues that are separated from the vascular sources of the donor site and anastomosed to the vessels of the recipient site. In these procedures, there are some preoperative modifiable factors that have the potential to influence the outcome of the flap transfer and its anastomosis. Methods Chronic inflammatory anaemia (ACD) is a constant condition in patients who have undergone RS and correlates with the perfusion of the free flap. In RS, it is important to maintain good tissue oxyporesis, avoiding blood hyperviscosity. From January 2017 to September 2019, we studied 16 patients (16 males, mean age 38 years) who underwent microsurgical procedures for RS. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels, Corpuscular Indexes, Transferring saturation (TSAT) ferritin concentrations and creatinine clearance have been measured the first day after surgery (T0), after the first week (T1) and after five weeks (T2). At T0 all patients showed low hemoglobin levels (average 7.4 g/dl, STD 0,71range 6,2-7,4 g dL-1), with an MCV of 72, MCH 28, MCHC 33, RDW 16, Sideremy 35, Ferritin 28, Ret% 1,36, TRF 277 and Creatinine Clearance 119. . We assessed all patients for clinical status, medical history and comorbidities before starting therapy. Results. In collaboration between the two departments, we started a therapeutic protocol with erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs) (Binocrit 6000 UI/week) and intravenous iron every other day, on the second day after surgery. Thirteen patients received ESAs and FCM (500-1000 mg per session), three patients received ESAs and iron gluconate (1 vial every other day). No patients received blood transfusions. No side effects were observed and, most importantly, no limb or flap rejection. Conclusions Preliminary data from our protocol show an optimal therapeutic response in a surgical setting with limited data in the scientific literature. The enrolment of further patients will allow us to validate this therapeutic protocol with statistically significant data.

The increasing regulatory pressure to monitor and reduce GHG emissions and air pollutants requires cost-effective methods for their surveillance. The most common technique used for scientific investigations on gas concentration monitoring in barns are accurate but expensive and with a complex maintenance. This research study analysed the potential use of a low-cost portable measurement devices for the measurement of ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in an open dairy barn. A comparison between gas concentrations acquired at different heights from the floor by using portable devices and those acquired by a photoacoustic infrared multigas spectroscope (i.e., reference measurement) in the same sampling locations was carried out to determine the precision of the low-cost portable devices. The performance of low-cost portable devices was statistically analysed by the application of the one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis and regression analysis. The results showed a significant difference between gas concentration values at various heights from the floor for both NH3 and CO2. The correlations between concentrations acquired by the low-cost portable device and the INNOVA were statistically significant (r=0.83; P<0.001) for gas concentrations monitored at 0.4 m from the floor. Compared with the reference measurement device, the low-cost devices were effective in the monitoring of NH3 concentrations at 0.40 m from the floor though it underestimated them in the barn at increasing of the height from the floor, whereas the device was not adequate for CO2 concentrations. In detail, the relative measurement error of the low-cost devices compared to INNOVA was reduced close to the floor during NH3 concentration measurements. Within these limitations, this device could be useful for monitoring NH3 concentration in the barn and to assess variation in NH3 concentrations mainly related to the animal occupied zone. Further efforts are needed in this field of research to identify low-cost device that could simplify emission estimation from open dairy barns.

Abdominal entry is the critical initial step of laparoscopic surgery as it is associated with unexpected complications. Acceptable working space is a prerequisite for safe minimal access surgery. Direct trocar insertion (DTI) technique has been often reported to be time-consuming and capable of causing injuries. We aim to facilitate conventional DTI employing an easy-to-use self-designed abdominal wall-lifting device, OneShot-M. We tested its safety in a porcine model. 18 pigs were randomized into three groups (n=6): open laparoscopy (Group A), DTI (Group B), DTI using OneShot-M (Group C), suitable for a 5-mm trocar. Outcomes were access time, entry-related minor and major complications. Median access time was shorter in C (43 seconds; range: 35-49 seconds), followed by B (82.5; 72-90) and A (190.5; 182-240). Statistically significant differences in procedural time between techniques were detected (p-value = 0.0005). Pairwise comparisons exhibited a statistically significant difference between A and C in terms of access time. Only one difficulty in entry was seen in C; pigs experienced several occurrences in A and B. This pilot study suggests that OneShot-M appears to be a technically feasible, fast and safe method for pneumoperitoneum induction in a porcine model, as it provides sufficient exposure of the operative field without access-related complications. Further clinical studies are needed.

The existence of a common ancestor to all living organisms in Earth is a necessary corollary of Darwin idea of common ancestry. The Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) has been normally considered as the ancestor of cellular organisms that originated the three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. Recent studies about the nature of LUCA indicate that this first organism should present hundreds of genes and a complex metabolism. Trying to bring another of Darwin ideas into the origins of life discussion, we went back into the prebiotic chemistry trying to understand how LUCA could be originated under gradualist assumptions. Along this line of reasoning, it became clear to us that the definition of another ancestral should be of particular relevance to the understanding about the emergence of biological systems. Together with the view of biology as a language for chemical translation, on which proteins are encoded into nucleic acids polymers, we glimpse a point in the deep past on which this Translation mechanism could have taken place. Thus, we propose the emergence of this process shared by all biological systems as a point of interest and propose the existence of this non-cellular entity named FUCA, as the First Universal Common Ancestor. FUCA was born in the very instant on which RNA-world replicators started to be capable to catalyze the bonding of amino acids into oligopeptides. FUCA has been considered mature when the translation system apparatus has been assembled together with the establishment of a primeval, possibly error-prone genetic code. This is FUCA, the great-grandmother of LUCA.

Mesenteric ischemia diagnosis is challenging with an overall mortality in up to 50% of cases despite advances in treatment. The main problem that affects the outcome is the delayed diagnosis because of non-specific clinical presentation. Multi Detector CT Angiography (MDCTA) is the first line investigation for the suspected diagnosis of vascular abdominal pathologies and is the diagnostic test of choice in suspected mesenteric bowel ischemia. MDCTA can accurately detect the presence of arterial and venous thrombosis, determine the extension and the gastrointestinal tract involved, and provide detailed information determining the subtype and the stage progression of the diseases helping clinicians and surgeons for the proper management. CT can differentiate forms that are still susceptible to pharmacological or interventional treatment (NOM= non-operative management) from advanced disease with transmural necrosis in which a surgical approach is required. Knowledge of CT imaging patterns and corresponding vascular pathways is mandatory in Emergency settings to reach a prompt and accurate diagnosis. The aims of this paper are 1. to provide technical information about the optimal CTA protocol; 2. To empathize the CTA arterial and venous supply to gastrointestinal tract and relative ischemic pattern; 3. To describe vascular, bowel and extraintestinal CT findings for the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.

This work focused on Diplectanum aequans, a gill parasite of Dicentrarchus labrax. Analyzes allowed us to detect factors regulating parasites distribution on Corsican fish-farms, and to highlight the ecological structure of D. aequans communities on gills of fish. The study of parasite distribution showed that bigger fish appear more parasitized and that the infection dynamics of D. aequans can be explained by several factors such as biotic factors or farm environment conditions. The study of gill repartition of D. aequans showed that parasites tend to have a homogeneous distribution with no statistically significant difference in infection between two sides on each fish. However, the distribution of the number of parasites on gill arches varies according to the total number of parasites. Results differ depending on infection degree and host weight. When parasites are numerous, the individuals are distributed on the gill arches according to an antero-posterior gradient, while with low rates of infection, the parasites are randomly distributed on the 4 arches. The spatial distribution of D. aequans appears to be determined by the differential action of water flow through gill arch and the size of anterior arches. We also proposed a tool in order to reduce the sampling effort and allow optimal exploitation for fish farmers.

As the world’s population age, Cognitive Frailty (CF) is becoming one of the most serious health problems and elucidating its biological mechanisms along with prevention and treatments becomes increasingly important also considering the associated health costs. This pilot study aims to investigate the potential cognitive and neuropsychological effects of a 5-week treatment with a therapy based on the regenerative properties of ozone (O3) in a cohort of patients stratified according to CF. We also study the potential effects of O3 on blood-based biomarkers indicative of specific biological systems that may be altered in CF. Seventy-five older persons have been recruited and randomly assigned to receive the active treatment (150cc of oxygen-O2-O3 mixture at the concentration of 30ug of O3 per cc of O2) or O2, or the placebo (air) for 5 weeks. The primary endpoint is a change in the scores of clinical scales from baseline (T0) to weeks 3 (T3), 9 (T9), 15 (T15) after treatment. The secondary endpoint is a change in biomarkers levels resulting from transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomic patterns at the same times. This study will evaluate whether an intervention with the O2-O3 therapy could have potential cognitive, neuropsychological and biological effects on CF.

Background: Amyloid beta peptides (Aβ) have been identified as the main pathogenic agents in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Soluble Aβ oligomers, rather than monomer or insoluble amyloid fibrils, show membrane-binding capacity to red blood cells (RBCs) and trigger several morphological and functional alterations in RBCs that can result in impaired oxygen transport and delivery. Since bioactive lipids have been recently proposed as potent protective agents against Aβ toxicity, we investigated the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in signaling pathways involved in the mechanism underlying ATP release in Aβ-treated RBCs. Methods: In RBCs following different treatments, ATP, 2,3 DPG, cAMP levels, and caspase 3 activity were determined by spectrophotometric and immunoassay. Results: S1P rescued the inhibition of ATP release from RBCs triggered by Aβ through a mechanism involving caspase-3 and restoring 2,3 DPG and cAMP levels within the cell. Conclusions: These findings reveal the molecular basis of S1P protection against Aβ in RBCs and suggest new therapeutic avenues in AD.

Lipid peroxidation (LP) is the most important type of oxidative-radical damage in biological systems, owing to its interplay with ferroptosis and to its role in secondary damage to other biomolecules, such as proteins. The chemistry of LP and its biological consequences are reviewed with focus on the kinetics of the various processes, which helps understand the mechanisms and efficacy of antioxidant strategies. The main types of antioxidants are discussed in terms of structure-activity rationalization, with focus on mechanism and kinetics, as well as on their potential role in modulating ferroptosis. Phenols, pyri(mi)dinols, antioxidants based on heavy chalcogens (Se and Te), diarylamines, ascorbate and others are addressed, along with the latest unconventional antioxidant strategies based on the double-sided role of the superoxide/hydroperoxyl radical system.

An evanescent wave is a non-propagating wave with an imaginary wave vector. In this study, we prove that these are solutions of the tachyon-like Klein–Gordon equation, and that in the tunneling of ultrarelativistic spin-1/2 particles they describe superluminal states arising from interactions between a particle and barrier. These states decay as a particle emerges from the opposite side of a potential barrier, conserving the same initial energy but not necessarily the same mass. The obtained theory is applied to the neutrino, to explain flavor oscillations during free flight and determine the conditions that maximize the probability of their occurrence.

We generate numerically on a lattice an ensemble of stationary metrics, with spherical symmetry, which have Einstein action S_E « ħ. This is obtained through a Metropolis algorithm with weight exp(-β²S_E²) and β » ħ^-1. The squared action in the exponential allows to circumvene the problem of the non-positivity of S_E. The discretized metrics obtained exhibit a spontaneous polarization in regions of positive and negative scalar curvature. We compare this ensemble with a class of continuous metrics previously found, which satisfy the condition S_E=0 exactly, or in certain cases even the stronger condition R(x)=0 for any x. All these gravitational field configurations are of considerable interest in quantum gravity, because they represent possible vacuum fluctuations and are markedly different from Wheeler's ''spacetime foam''.

In a hypothetical scenario where space travels outside the solar system is possible and affordable, I examine the possible implications of infinite resources and the universalization of freedom in the social and individual spheres. I argue that freedom is the figure of man's emancipation and the supreme end of history, which represents a theme affirming the infinite and indefinite progress of history and science. Also discussed is Bakunin's theory of the critique of contractualism, which denies the idea of a mythical and primordial natural freedom that existed before the constitution of society. Furthermore, I highlight the deep pathos of romantic culture that feeds into Bakunin's anarchist thought and emphasize the relevance of the notion of freedom in the context of future space travel.

In this study the data of the OPERA and MINOS experiments, together with those related to the SN1987A supernova, are discussed in the context of the recent theories proposed for the superluminal muon neutrino. It is proved that for the models in which the Lorentz symmetry is violated, the decay mechanism leading to neutrino oscillation becomes possible. Within this framework, a new model based on the Hartman effect is proposed, according to which the neutrino becomes superluminal by quantum tunnelling, crossing a potential barrier generated by its interaction with the earth's crust matter. This model does not violate the Lorentz symmetry since the tachyonic state is generated by the quantum fluctuation of the neutrino initial energy, even if it requires to conjecture the presence of a quantum field that we ascribe to be that due to dark matter. In this model all superluminal neutrino decay mechanisms proposed in other studies are allowed. The hypothetical boson mediating the interaction between neutrino and dark matter is also discussed.

Contemporary cities are facing many challenges, from social and economic issues to the new risks related to the impacts of climate change. Focusing on energy consumptions, and the related GHG emissions, cities are considered not only the main global contributors but also the areas most exposed to risks, because of their density of population and economic activities. Implementing urban planning strategies with the purpose of increasing energy efficiency and resilience overall are, for all these reasons, considered a top priority. This paper investigates the innovative contents about energy-efficient and energy-resilient urban planning solutions that have started to be implemented in the cities of the Emilia-Romagna region. Two kinds of planning instruments are therefore analyzed: the voluntary Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) and the mandatory General Urban Plans (GUPs), recently approved in several cities of Emilia-Romagna. A comparative analysis of three cities in the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna, Modena and Ravenna, is proposed on the strategies of their newly local city plans and SECAPs with focus on energy management and planning. The aim is to assess whether the new structure of local city plans and the influence of SECAPs could be useful in implementing such urban energy resiliency solutions.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a persistent neurodevelopment disorder frequently co-occurring with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and behavior-related disorders. While behavioral therapy is the first-line option to manage ASD core symptoms, pharmacological therapy is sometimes needed to treat acute problems, such as agitation and aggressive behaviors. Recent guidelines recommend neuroleptics to reduce psychomotor agitation in people with ASD. However, since children with ASD are often drug-resistant, alternative treatments are often justified. Reports from literature showed that intra-venous valproate (IV-VPA) can be effective in reducing agitation in psychiatric patients, with lower frequency of adverse events compared to convention-al treatments. However, since findings are occasionally inconsistent, IV-VPA is not an approved option in clinical psychiatry. We aim at improving the knowledge on the IV-VPA treatment option in emergency psychiatry in the pediatric age. Methods: We report the case of a 11-year-old boy suffering from a complex neurodevelopmental condition, who experienced a psychotic episode with severe aggressive and disruptive behaviors, successfully treated with IV-VPA. Besides, we conducted an up-dated literature review on this topic. Conclusion: In our case, first-line therapies proved to be ineffective. On the contrary, IV-VPA led to a safe and prompt clinical success, in line with other reports. Based on our literature review, IV-VPA can be highly effective and can reduce the risk of adverse events that frequently occur with the use of high-dose standard medications in emergency psychiatry.

In recent years, many studies have highlighted the consistent finding of amoxicillin in waters destined for wastewater treatment plants, in addition to superficial waters of rivers and lakes in both Europe and North America. In this paper, the amoxicillin degradation pathway was investigated by simulating the chlorination process normally used in a wastewater treatment plant to reduce similar emerging pollutants at three different pH values. The structures of 16 isolated degradation byproducts (DPs), one of which was isolated for the first time, were separated on a C-18 column via a gradient HPLC method. Then, combining mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/TOF) and nuclear magnetic resonance, we compared commercial standards and justified a proposed formation mechanism beginning from the parent drug. Microbial growth inhibition bioassays with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were performed to determine the potential loss of antibacterial activity in isolated degradation byproducts. An increase of antibacterial activity in the DPs was observed compared to the parent compound.

This report describes the experience in implementing the FAIR principles for the GoTriple Discovery Platform for the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). It shows how adherence to FAIR should be considered as a continuous process throughout the entire lifespan of any information management system, including GoTriple, rather than a static goal with decisions only made at design time. The report presents an introduction highlighting the importance of the FAIR principles, indicating how they can be assessed in data management systems. Then the GoTriple case is presented, with a general overview of this discovery platform before describing some of the implemented practices in support of FAIR. The Discussion section shows on the one hand some virtuous reuse of GoTriple data, together with one major pitfall in the platform’s FAIR implementation. In this sense, this report serves as a case study that can offer insights and actionable advice for those implementing information systems aligned, from the very outset, with the FAIR principles.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the impact of two different phytotherapeutic agents on the decision making regarding prostate biopsy in patients with higher-than-normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Methods: From June 2022 to May 2023, all patients attending two urological institutions due to higher-than-normal PSA levels were randomized to receive either oral capsules of Curcuma Longa, Boswellia, Pinus pinaster and Urtica dioica (Group A) or Serenoa Repens 320 mg (Group B), for 3 months. At the follow-up visit after 3 months all patients underwent PSA test and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI). Results: In the per-protocol analysis, data from 66 patients in Group A and 76 in Group B were analyzed. Fifty patients in Group A (75.7%) showed a significant reduction of total PSA compared to 49 in Group B (64.4%) (p<0.001). Twenty-eight patients had PI-RADS III or higher at mpMRI: 12 in Group A and 14 in Group B. Twenty-three patients (34.8%) in Group A underwent prostate biopsy based on mpMRI findings and PSA values and 59 (77.6%) in Group B (p<0.001). Three patients in Group A showed a significant reduction of total PSA value while having positive findings at mpMRI (6%) compared with 9 in Group B (19.5%) (p<0.001). On the contrary, 7 patients in Group A did not show a significant reduction of total PSA value and had negative findings at mpMRI (43%) compared to 22 in Group B (81.4%) (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, a three-month course of a combination of Curcuma Longa, Boswellia, Pinus pinaster, and Urtica dioica seems an interesting tool to avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies in men with higher-than-normal PSA levels.

This work is aimed at showcasing one of the most engaging geoparks in Europe, the Gole della Breggia Geopark. By following its geotrail, the visitors can observe a great deal of features that encompass a wide variety of sedimentary, stratigraphic, tectonic and paleogeographic processes. Its contents are valorized by a comprehensive geotrail that encompasses 23 geostops, enriched with explanatory panels, which enable viewers to gain an overall picture of the complex processes that led to the present-day configuration of the outcrops encountered in the Geopark. We have selected five significative outcrops, which we have regarded as fully-fledged geosites, and which encompass the whole 170-million-year interval, from Early Jurassic to Late Miocene times, during which the rocks of the Geopark were deposited and deformed. We have performed an assessment of the five geosites, using the most common criteria that can be applied for geosite evaluation. The result of the assessment show that the most valuable geosite is the Lombardian Maiolica, highly representative of a pelagic limestone, which is rich in fossil contents, marked by integrity, scien-tific interest and has a major educational value. All geosites, thanks to a QR code added to each figure along the text, can be viewed as Virtual Geosites (VGs), integrated by 360° videos.

The Upper Hunter Valley is a major coal mining area containing approximately 40% of the currently identified total coal reserves in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Due to the ongoing increase of mining activities, PM10 (air-borne particle with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micrometres) pollution has become a major air quality concern in local communities. This paper summarises the spatial and temporal variability modes of PM10 pollution in the region, based on long-term multi-site monitoring data and the application of the rotated principal component analysis (RPCA) and wavelet analysis techniques. RPCA identified two distinct air quality clusters/subregions in the valley, one in the west/northwest, the other in the southeast. Wavelet analysis revealed the annual cycle to be most persistent temporal mode of PM10 variability in both subregions, with intermittent signals observed at time scales of around 120, 30~90 and under 30 days. How these variation modes are related to the effects of local PM10 emissions and the influence of meteorology at different time scales deserves further attention in future work. The findings will be used in air quality reporting and forecasting in NSW. The methodology and results can also be useful for air quality research in similar regions elsewhere.

Taxanes have been shown to be the most effective treatment for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. However, for patients pretreated with taxanes, more active and possibly less toxic drugs are needed. In this retrospective study, we investigated on the effectiveness and safety of eribulin mesylate in 91 taxane-refractory subjects, extracted from the ESEMPIO database, which included 497 metastatic breast cancer patients treated with eribulin allover the Italy. This analysis included only those patients who have shown disease progression while receiving taxane therapy (primary refractory), or those who achieved a response followed by progression while still on therapy (taxane failure). Overall, 41/91 patients (45.2%) showed a clinical benefit; 1 complete response (2.2%) and 16 partial responses (17.6%) were observed. The median progression free survival was 3.1 months (95% CI: 2.8–3.5) and the median overall survival was 11.6 months (95% CI: 8.7–16.7). With regard to toxicity, 53 patients (58%) experienced asthenia/fatigue, 23 (25%) showed peripheral neurotoxicity, 18 (20%) alopecia, 12 (13%) mild constipation and 27 (30%) neutropenia. The toxicity related to the treatment led to eribulin dose reduction in 19 (21%) and discontinuation in 9 (10%) patients, respectively. In conclusion, this study suggests that eribulin is effective and well tolerated also in taxane-refractory patient.

The aims of study was to evaluate the effects of rates, sources and timing of nitrogen application under cover of transgenic corn yield cultivated in Amazon Biome. The experiments were conducted in Parauapebas city, State of Pará, Brazil, in two years (2016/2017 and 2017/2018). The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 5x2x2 factorial scheme, consisting of five rates of N (0; 45; 90; 135; and 180 kg ha-1), two nitrogen sources (urea and ammonium sulfate) and two application times of N (phenological stages V4 and V8), with four replications. The factor N rates promoted adjustment of linear equation (leaf area index, mass of thousand grains, and yield) and quadratic equation (dry mass of leaf index). Nitrogen fertilization promoted significant increases in mass of thousand grains and yield, obtaining the best results with 180 kg ha-1 of N applied at V4 phenological stage. Based on results obtained in two years of corn cultivated under conditions of Amazon Biome, the application of N at V4 phenological stage at rates of 121 to 131.39 kg ha-1 of N showed the best results for vegetative growth, while 180 kg ha-1 of N, regardless of source used, urea or ammonium sulfate, promoted greater grain weight and greater yield.

The scratch test consists in pushing a tool across the surface of a material at a given penetration depth or applied load. It has several applications in Science and Engineering including strength testing, damage and quality control of thin films and coatings. Despite numerous attempts in scientific literature, the application of scratch test to characterizations of fracture properties remains a heavily controversial topic. Therefore, this investigation arises as an experimental study in order to assess the fracture toughness using scratch test. A study on the effect of cryogenic treatment, performed after tempering, on fracture toughness, via scratch test experiments, of different tool steels has been made. A laboratory investigation on AISI D2, AISI M2 and X105CrCoMo18 steel confirms the possibility of increasing the fracture toughness by carrying out the cryogenic treatment after the usual heat treatment

Background: The purpose of this review is to clarify the natural course of Benign Paroxysmal Torticollis (BPT) and to update the relationship of this disorder with migraine. BPT belongs to a group of “episodic syndromes that may be associated with migraine” and is diagnosed when according to diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. It is present in infants and young children and it is an underdiagnosed manifestation, because it is not well recognized and in most cases with a benign evolution, but requires careful differential diagnosis. It was first described by Snyder in 1969 as a movement disorder, a cervical dystonia consequent to labyrinthic disorder.Materials and methods: The PubMed and Web of Science databases were consulted from 1968 to 2024, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines ,2020.( PRISMA)Results: 113 articles were identified, 86 selected and 20 considered for the purpose of this review. The clinical studies were considered in relation to evolution, cognitive and motor development, to genetic and not genetic etiology, to the relationship with migraine with and without aura, vestibular migraine, hemiplegic migraine, and paroxysmal vertigo.

The Upper Hunter Valley is a major coal mining area in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Due to the ongoing increase of mining activities, PM10 (air-borne particle with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micrometres) pollution has become a major air quality concern in local communities. The early part of this study identified two air quality subregions in the valley. This paper aims to provide a holistic summarisation of the relationships between elevated PM10 pollution in two subregions and the local- and synoptic-scale meteorological conditions for spring and summer, when PM10 pollution is relatively high. A catalogue of twelve synoptic types and a set of six local meteorological patterns have been quantitatively derived and linked to each other using the self-organising map (SOM) technique. The complex meteorology-air pollution relationships have been visualised/interpretated on the SOM planes for two representative locations. It was found that the influence of local meteorological patterns differed significantly for mean PM10 levels vs the occurrence of elevated pollution events and between air quality subregions. In contrast, synoptic types showed generally similar relationships with mean vs elevated PM10 pollution in the valley. Two local meteorological patterns, the hot-dry-northwesterly wind conditions and the hot-dry-calm conditions, were found most PM10 pollution conducive in the valley when combined with a set of synoptic counterparts. These synoptic types are featured with the influence of eastward migrating continental high pressure system and westerly troughs, or a ridge extending northwest towards coastal northern NSW or southern Queensland from the Tasman Sea. The method and results can be used in air quality research for other locations of NSW, or similar regions elsewhere.

In this work, the nearest neighbor distances and Voronoi cell features of the Cu-Ag deposits were analyzed and fitted with Lognormal, Weibull, and Gamma distributions. The nearest neighbor distance distributions of the samples were compared with those of complete spatially random points, showing spatial inhomogenity due to the nucleation exclusion effect. The radial distribution function was calculated, showing both influences from the grain size and the nucleation exclusion effect. Voronoi cells were generated based on the shape of the grains. The size, occupancy, and coordination of the Voronoi cells were examined and fitted. The results show that despite the Cu-Ag deposits seem to be governed by instantaneous nucleation mode, the spatial distribution of the nuclei is more impacted by the nucleation exclusion effect than the Cu-only samples. This behavior is also justified by the grain size distribution generated with Voronoi cell size and occupancy distributions.

FeIFeI Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6(µ-CO) (1a-CO) and its FeIFeII cationic species (2a+-CO) are the simplest model of the CO-inhibited [FeFe] hydrogenase active site, which is known to undergo CO photolysis within a temperature- dependent process whose products and mechanism are still a matter of debate. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) computations, the ground state and low-lying excited state potential energy surfaces (PESs) of 1a-CO and 2a+-CO have been explored aimed at elucidating the dynamics of the CO photolysis yielding Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6 (1a) and Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6+ (2a+), two simple models of the catalytic site of the enzyme. Two main results came out from these investigations. First, a-CO and 2a+-CO are both bound with respect to any CO dissociation with lowest free energy barriers around 10 kcal mol-1, suggesting that at least 2a+-CO might be synthetized. Second, focusing on the cationic form, we found at least two clear excited state channels along the PESs of 2a+-CO that are unbound with respect to equatorial CO dissociation.

This study explores the innovative use of CO2 laser technology in frenuloplasty, a significant shift from traditional methods like scalpel surgery or electrocautery, towards a minimally invasive approach. The research involved 15 patients aged 25 to 50, undergoing frenuloplasty with a CO2 laser system equipped with a 7-inch defocused handpiece, set at 20Hz and 0.3W. This method diverges from conventional laser techniques, focusing on controlled laser passes combined with manual traction to elongate the fibrous tissue of the frenulum. The results demonstrated that the CO2 laser technique allowed for a precise and progressive modification of the frenulum, significantly reducing the risks of hemorrhage and secondary in-tention fibrosis. The healing process was notably expedited, with patients reporting satisfactory outcomes within a two-week period. Statistically significant improvements were observed in pa-tient-reported outcomes, as evidenced by the increases in the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) scores, with the mean Physical Component Summary (PCS) score rising from 32.5 to 47.5 and the mean Mental Component Summary (MCS) score from 39.3 to 52.3 (p < 0.001 for both). The study concludes that CO2 laser frenuloplasty is an effective and safe technique, offering sub-stantial benefits in terms of reduced healing time and enhanced patient satisfaction. The signifi-cant improvements in SF-12 scores underscore the positive impact on patient quality of life, ad-vocating for the broader application of this technique in clinical practice. Further research is warranted to explore its potential in a wider clinical context.

This work aims to produce a cartographic model that identifies areas with a greater probability of finding karstic caves - the endokarst potential - in the northern sector of Santo António Plateau (Estremadura Limestone Massif, Central Portugal). Geological, topographic, hydrogeological, and vegetation cover data were collected, processed, and integrated into a spatial database using a geographic information system (GIS). The location of known cave entrances in the study area was also identified from the records of local public institutions and speleological teams. Four conditioning factors were extracted from the collected data, including lithostratigraphic units, fracture density, relief energy, and land cover. In a multi-criteria decision-making analysis framework, each previously chosen conditioning factor and respective classes/categories were weighted using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). With an agreement of 81.9%, the results of the cartographic model constructed in GIS seem to be promising, considering that the entrances of the known caves are mainly located in areas classified as having high to very high endokarst potential. This prototype of the endokarst potential map for the study area can be used in strategic and operational environmental planning (at least on a local scale), as it can assist decision-makers, competent authorities, and local speleological teams in a more accurate and thoughtful definition of the areas that should be investigated, providing a substantial reduction in times and costs field prospecting.

Pediatric psychology action in the pediatric clinical-surgical high complexity unit has become increasingly necessary. It allows for the possibility of integrating complex pediatric clinical-surgical operations by reducing painful effects on the emotional world of children and adolescents. The pediatric psychologist in a pediatric unit continuously oversees children and adolescents (C/A) throughout the entire therapeutic process, extending activity to parents and healthcare personnel. In ill children and adolescents, physical pain and psychological suffering follow, with minimal temporary variations, the same clinical path with continuous changes which put a strain on the ability of children, adolescents, parents and healthcare staff to cope with stress.

Abstract: Cancer cells are originated by normal cells and with those share the need to be fed. Metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells is not yet fully understood although there is a vast literature suggesting that huge amounts of both energy and substrates are require for synthesis of components of new neoplastic cells so that any macronutrient may be efficiently utilized. Recently, in vitro data show that EAA supplementation promoted colon cancer cells apoptosis by enhanced autophagy. Therefore, in this study we tested in vivo the effects of matched macronutrients standard laboratory diet (control) versus EAA rich modified diet (EAArmd) in mice injected with colon cancer cells. Results of the first set of 12 animals, 6 controls and 6 EAArmd-fed, showed that controls mice develop cancer volume cancers 5 times larger and heavier than EAArmd-fed. If confirmed, these results would open new scenarios for the cancer integrate therapies.

In the last four years, the evolution and adoption of blockchain and, more generally, distributed ledger systems have shown the affirmation of many concepts and models with significant differences in system governance and suitable applications. This work aims to update the critical analysis of blockchain technologies carried out by our previous contribution to this journal, extending the focus to distributed ledger components and systems. Starting from the topical concept of decentralization, we introduce concepts and building blocks currently adopted in the available systems centering on their functional aspects and impact on possible applications. We present some conceptual framing tools helpful in the application context, and we will propose the concept of process authenticity, which we will discuss through two use cases: blockchain document dematerialization and e-voting.

To maintain proteostasis, cells must integrate information and activities that supervise protein synthesis, protein folding, conformational stability, and also protein degradation. Extrinsic and intrinsic conditions can both impact on normal proteostasis, causing the appearance of proteotoxic stress. Initially, proteotoxic stress elicits adaptive responses aimed to restore proteostasis, allowing cells to survival the stress condition. However, if the proteostasis restoration fails, a permanent and sustained proteotoxic stress can be deleterious and cell death ensues. Many cancer cells convive with high levels of proteotoxic stress and this condition could be exploited in a therapeutic perspective. Understanding the cell death pathways engaged by proteotoxic stress is instrumental to better hijack the proliferative fate of cancer cells.

A number of research projects and a rich literature have dealt with the theme of abandoned medieval villages in Sardinia since the end of the 60s of the last century. Some more or less precise catalogues and reviews of villages in limited territories have been published. Only recently, however, this subject is being addressed in an interdisciplinary manner, combining traditional historical research with the results of archaeological surveys and excavation campaigns, geo-archaeology, toponymy, paleoclimatology. This allows us to have a picture of the landscape and human settlement evolution with its historical changes, conditioned not only by institutional superstructures but also by human and natural traumatic events. Particular attention will be given to the sudden changes that occurred between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. To carry out this survey, it is possible to use some very powerful IT tools which, through the aggregation, organization, correlation and management of information, allow the geo-localization of abandoned villages as proven by the documentary evidence. Thus, on this documentation, existing and acquired in the future, is founded the construction of the related information system. The most easy and suitable tools for this purpose are the CMSs (Content Management Systems) which, in association with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) engines, allow spatial and contextual analysis of the settlements, as they were inserted in their territory. This type of tools aggregates different peculiarities of the object of study, supporting a multidisciplinary reading on the argument. The computerized tools, integrated as a system, offer the possibility to implement it, feeding it and correcting it continuously, basing on new acquisitions. In this study, we will examine a historical areal, for which we have a sufficient number of sources available: Sarrabus, Colostrai and Quirra, adding to the geographical visual information, the temporal visual evolution.

In this paper we derive a unified perspective for Optimal Transport (OT) theory and Mean Field Control (MFC) theory to analyse the learning process for Neural Networks algorithms in a high-dimensional framework. We consider Mean Field Neural Networks in the context of MFC theory, specifically the mean field formulation of OT theory that allows the development of highly efficient algorithms while providing a powerful tool in the context of explainable Artificial Intelligence.

Cetacean Morbillivirus, the most relevant pathogen impacting the health and conservation of cetaceans worldwide, has shown in recent years an increased tendency to cross “interspecies barriers”, thereby giving rise to disease and mortality outbreaks in free-ranging dolphins and whales. The present article deals with the evolutionary “trajectories” of this viral pathogen, likely originating from Rinderpest Virus, along with its “journey” from land to sea (and viceversa), mimicking that of cetaceans' terrestrial ancestors.

Contemporary diagnostic practice in psychiatry relies on the tick-box approach of diagnostic manuals. In light of the obvious limitations of diagnostic systems, narrative formulations, whether in the form of biological, psychodynamic or behavioural cognitive ones, have been proposed. Their approach, which can be caricatured as one of drawing arrows, enriches our clinical tools and practice but in their explicitly theoretical orientation, as well as expanding the field of discovery, they also constrain it. In two previous papers I summarized the resulting limitations, with specific reference to the patient’s experience and proposed further enriching clinical perspicacity by attending to images and parataxis. The specific intent of attending to the patient’s experiences through a process that explicitly eschews narrativization, but allows clinical phenomena to “hang loose”, is to facilitate a process of clinical discovery and healing through practices of co-production between patient and clinician. In the present paper, I expand the range of phenomena that may assist in this co-production through adding attention to dreams to that of images and parataxis. In particular, I turn to the work of the Italian novelist Guido Morselli. Morselli agrues that the self is created through bundling experiences together through acts of “will” in order to establish our personal narrative. In doing so, however, the “will” forbids access to phenomena that do not fit the dominant narrative. Experience is therefore impoverished. Dream consciousness is a type of consciousness not harnessed by the constraints of narrativity. It allows a slipping of the narrative vigilance which bundles phenomena together to create a coherent narrative and thus offers a richer menu of potential experiences, including “bizarre” images that can serve to challenge our usual self-narrative and offer a new perspective on ourselves.

ORF7b-2 is an accessory protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus of only 43 amino acids. It has been implicated in various functional hypotheses, some of which predict its involvement as a trans-membrane protein. In this study, ORF7b-2 has often been compared to ORF7b-1 of the SARS virus to highlight differences and similarities with a protein that should have a similar biological role. Structural analysis of ORF7b-2 and its electrostatic characteristics show a polypeptide with both ends negatively charged and a diffuse negative charge over the entire structure. Therefore, its behavior in solution is like that of a weak negative polyelectrolyte, more precisely a polyanion with a net charge of – 4 at neutral pH. Its structure was modeled with two different modeling systems, one of which was ab initio. The two best models are similar, as confirmed by the Ramachandran plot, and show a central alpha-helical structure with two disordered and mobile ends. A normal mode analysis characterized the low-frequency dynamic aspects of the protein. The analysis of the structural shows a rigid central segment with mobile and fluctuating extremities, involved in a conformational equilibrium of the helix ↔ coil type. The calculation of the dipole moment shows its vector is not aligned with the main axis of the structure with an outward tilt of 24°. Molecular dynamics simulations were also conducted and the one in water is in good agreement with the previous results. While, the simulation performed by inserting a pre-oriented dimer (OMP) into a solvated lipid showed the low tendency of the protein to solvate in the apolar environment of the membrane. ORF7b-2 also shows a widespread distribution of negative surfaces that dynamically adjust to changes in structural organization. The BioGrid platform's [Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets] through the BioGrid COVID-19 Coronavirus Curation Project shows a very large number of experimentally proven physical interactions unique to ORF7b-2, some of them with cytoplasmic proteins. These features of ORF7b-2, evaluated together, suggest a remarkable propensity of ORF7b-2 to interact with multiple molecular partners on both an electrostatic and hydrophobic basis. All this makes it unreasonable that the only biological function of this protein should be that exerted as an intramembrane protein.

The statistical bundle is the set of couples $(Q,W)$ of a probability density Q and a random variable W such that $\mathbb{E}$_Q [W] = 0. On a finite state space, we assume Q to be a probability density with respect to the uniform probability and give an affine atlas of charts such that the resulting manifold is a model for Information Geometry. Velocity and accelleration of a one-dimensional statistical model are computed in this set up. The Euler-Lagrange equations are derived from the Lagrange action integral. An example of Lagrangian using minus the entropy as potential energy is briefly discussed.

Bilateral recurrent nerve damage following total thyroidectomy in thyroid surgery represents severe complications. These complications have almost low incidence thanks also by using the Nerve Intraoperative Monitoring. The aim of this observational retrospective study is to evaluate the inception mode and the recovery time for different clinical laryngeal pictures that arise from this surgery. We enrolled 25 patients with bilateral vocal folds mobility deficit between October 2017 and October 2022, diagnosed in ENT Unit of University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, out of a total of 1417 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. The 25 patients (23F,2M) aged from 24 to 78 years old (average age 51.7) presented a bilateral vocal folds motility deficit (occurring in about 0.1% of cases). All patients underwent 9 months diagnostic/therapeutic process, which started approximately 30 days after thyroid surgery. There are several outcomes of these complications with functional laryngeal defects being mainly related to respiratory and phonatory activities. These clinical manifestations evolve in different ways within a context of a wide range of possibilities, from spontaneous bilateral or monolateral recovery to functional or surgical restoration. This study allowed the acquisition of useful information about prognostic indications and an adequate therapeutic process, based on the specific clinical characteristics.

School-museum relations have gained considerable attention in the academic literature in recent decades. However, there still needs to be more research on their role in enhancing science education. This work reports the outcomes of the recovery, study, and valorization of the 18th-century geo-mineralogical collection belonging to the Collegio Nazareno, now housed at the Istituto San Giuseppe Calasanzio in Rome. The project consisted of four phases: 1) the securing of more than 1720 specimens; 2) their cataloging using the Italian national catalographic standards for the mineralogical and petrological heritage; 3) the establishment of new exhibit and storage areas; 4) the development of a self-instructive exhibition itinerary. The project, which was participated by the students enrolled in the fourth and fifth high school classes, revealed fascinating and unique specimens such as the ones collected by prominent Italian naturalists –e.g., Scipione Breislak (1750–1826) and Carlo Giuseppe Gismondi (1762–1824) – or those comprising the mineralogical collection donated by the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II (1741–1740) to the Mineralogical Cabinet of the Collegio Nazareno in 1785. This work thus offers significant insights into the importance of natural history school museums as useful (and oft-forgotten) learning tools in science education.

Tourism may not sustainably support territories with limited natural resource stock as islands. The volume in visitor arrivals and the industry investments can increase the pressure even beyond sustainable levels. There is an evident and unresolved tension between these two great polarities, sustainability and economic growth driven by tourism. The aim for policymakers is to find an acceptable equilibrium between these two dimensions. This paper investigates the tourism evolution between 2007 and 2019 in 15 Mediterranean islands, comparing the tourism pressures through statistical indicators. The analysis will compare tourism demand and supply trends in these contexts. The performances will be evaluated to identify the Islands positioning between sustainability needs and tourism development opportunities considering post-covid-19 challenges.

Variance-driven decomposition based on the singular spectrum analysis of the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) dD, CO2 and CH4 records allowed a novel quantitative structural interpretation of all glacial/interglacial cycles and glacial terminations of the last 800 kyr. This bottom-up approach used the response components of EPICA stacked records to reconstruct the envelope of the thermal response through a physical interference model. The aim was to improve the understanding regarding the features of intensity, amplitude, and asymmetry of 73 marine isotope stages (MIS) and seven terminations. The Antarctic stack record can be described by a variance-weighted interference model of ten thermal waves of different origins (mid-term oscillation, orbitals and suborbitals) that stochastically interfere at a given time according to their relative differences in frequency, intensity, and polarity. Interglacial/glacial stages resulted from constructive interference and bipolar amplification of warming/cooling responses, respectively. The low intensity MISs (including 90% of substages) and the unbiased-dated terminations fell in the low interference regions where dominant destructive patterns minimise the thermal envelope. The positive skewness of the EPICA stack resulted from the constructive interference with a strong bias in the warming direction, especially after the Mid-Brunhes Event. Duration analysis of short eccentricity hemicycles exhibited an intrinsic unexpectedly prolonged mean cooling in the nominal solution (5.8 kyr) and its EPICA response as well (8.6 kyr), along with an interference-induced asymmetry (21.1 kyr). The overall effect resulted in the saw-tooth shape of glacial cycles which is heavily induced by interference and related to the intermediate feedback mechanisms controlled by short eccentricity.

It is yet unknown how the formation of aneurysm inside the human body occurs. Thus, the understanding and analysis of the Coanda effect will result in a better overview of the overall fluid mechanics that develops inside such a structure, leading not only to better treatment plans, but also to diminished postoperative risks. This paper presents how the fluid behaves in this situation, and takes into consideration how this physical phenomenon influences the hemodynamics inside numerous anatomical regions, located in the central nervous system, where aneurysms usually develop. Analyzing the three main areas in which cerebral aneurysms form the Coanda effect can potentially lead to the rupture of the aneurysm, by changing the blood flow trajectory, it should be taken into consideration when choosing a treatment plan, especially in postoperative care. In addition, there are other factors that can influence the evolution of an aneurysm such as shape, size, localization and the patient’s health condition. Understanding and analysis of the Coanda effect will result in a better overview of the overall fluid mechanics that develops inside such a structure, leading not only to better treatment plans, but also to diminished postoperative risks.

An innovative wireless sensor network (WSN) based on Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology for 3D accurate superficial monitoring of ground deformations, as landslides and subsidence, is proposed. The system has been designed and developed as part of an European Life+ project, called Wi-GIM (Wireless Sensor Network for Ground Instability Monitoring). The details of the architecture, the localization via wireless technology and data processing protocols are described. The flexibility and accuracy achieved by the UWB two-way ranging technique is analysed and compared with the traditional systems, such as robotic total stations (RTSs), Ground-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (GB-InSAR), highlighting the pros and cons of the UWB solution to detect the surface movements. An extensive field trial campaign allows the validation of the system and the analysis of its sensitivity to different factors (e.g., sensor nodes inter-visibility, effects of the temperature, etc.). The Wi-GIM system represents a promising solution for landslide monitoring and it can be adopted in conjunction with traditional systems or as an alternative in areas where the available resources are inadequate. The versatility, easy/fast deployment and cost-effectiveness, together with the good accuracy, make the Wi-GIM system a possible solution for municipalities that cannot afford expensive/complex systems to monitor potential landslides in their territory.

A full electrification of many local railway lines is often not feasible or sustainable in terms of construction and maintenance costs or alternatively for the presence of additional constraints and limitations deriving from environmental or infrastructural limitations. Battery Operated or other kind of hybrid solutions powertrains are currently proposed as sustainable alternatives to Internal combustion engines for the propulsion of rolling stock on not electrified lines. In this work, authors propose the adoption of a partial electrification of lines to assure higher performances and reliability of battery-operated rolling stock designed to be recharged and feed using standard technologies such as pantographs gathering power from suspended catenaries. This innovative solution is designed for a benchmark test vehicle inspired from an existing one and simulated considering some possible scenario of application corresponding to some existing railway lines in Italy.

In this article, the general solution of the tachyonic Klein-Gordon equation is obtained as a Fourier integral performed on a suitable path in the complex \omega-plane. In particular, it is proved that under given boundary conditions this solution does not contain any superluminal components. On the basis of this result, we infer that all possible spacelike wave equations describe the dynamics of subluminal particles endowed with imaginary mass. This result is validated for the Chodos equation, used to describe the hypothetical superluminal behaviour of neutrino. In this specific framework, it is proved that the wave packet propagates in spacetime with subluminal group velocities and that for enough small energies it behaves as a localized wave.

Formulating a relativistic equation for particles with arbitrary spin remains an open challenge in theoretical physics. In this study, the main algebraic approaches used to generalize the Dirac and Kemmer–Duffin equations for particles of arbitrary spin are investigated. It is proved that an irreducible relativistic equation formulated using spin matrices satisfying the commutation relations of the de Sitter group leads to inconsistent results, mainly as a consequence of violation of unitarity and the appearance of a mass spectrum that does not reflect the physical reality of elementary particles. However, the introduction of subsidiary conditions resolves the problem of unitarity and restores the physical meaning of the mass spectrum. The equations obtained by these approaches are solved and the physical nature of the solutions is discussed.

In this paper, we revisit the two theoretical approaches for the formulation of the tachyonic Dirac equation. The first approach works within the theory of restricted relativity, starting from a Lorentz invariant Lagrangian consistent with a spacelike four-momentum. The second approach uses the theory of relativity extended to superluminal motions and works directly on the ordinary Dirac equation through superluminal Lorentz transformations. The equations resulting from the two approaches show mostly different, if not opposite, properties. In particular, the first equation violates the invariance under the action of the parity and charge conjugation operations. Although it is a good mathematical tool to describe the dynamics of a space-like particle, it also shows that the mean particle velocity is subluminal. In contrast, the second equation is invariant under the action of parity and charge conjugation symmetries, but the particle it describes is consistent with the classical dynamics of a tachyon. This study shows that it is not possible with the currently available theories to formulate a covariant equation that coherently describes the neutrino in the framework of the physics of tachyons, and depending on the experiment, one equation rather than the other should be used.

The aim of this survey is to review some recent developements in devising efficient preconditioners for sequences of linear systems A x = b. Such a problem arise in many scientific applications, such as discretization of transient PDEs, solution of eigenvalue problems, (Inexact) Newton method applied to nonlinear systems, rational Krylov methods for computing a function of a matrix. Full purpose preconditioners such as the Incomplete Cholesky (IC) factorization or approximate inverses are aimed at clustering eigenvalues of the preconditioned matrices around one. In this paper we will analyze a number of techniques of updating a given IC preconditioner (which we denote as P0 in the sequel) by a low-rank matrix with the aim of further improving this clustering. The most popular low-rank strategies are aimed at removing the smallest eigenvalues (deflation) or at shifting them towards the middle of the spectrum. The low-rank correction is based on a (small) number of linearly independent vectors whose choice is crucial for the effectiveness of the approach. In many cases these vectors are approximations of eigenvectors corresponding to the smallest eigenvalues of the preconditioned matrix P0 A. We will also review some techniques to efficiently approximate these vectors when incorporated within a sequence of linear systems all possibly having constant (or slightly changing) coefficient matrices. Numerical results concerning sequences arising from discretization of linear/nonlinear PDEs and iterative solution of eigenvalue problems show that the performance of a given iterative solver can be very much enhanced by the use of low-rank updates.

In this study the tachyon-like Dirac equation, formulated by Chodos to describe superluminal neutrino, is solved. The analytical solutions are Gaussian wave packets obtained using the envelope method. It is shown that the superluminal neutrino behaves like a pseudo-tachyon, namely a particle with subluminal velocity and pure imaginary mass that fulfils the energy-momentum relation typical of classical tachyons. The obtained results are used to prove that the trembling motion of the particle position around the median, known as Zitterbewegung, also takes place for the superluminal neutrino, even if the oscillation velocity is always lower than the speed of light. Finally, the pseudo-tachyon wave packet is used to calculate the probability of oscillation between mass states, obtaining a formula analogous to the one obtained for the ordinary neutrino. This suggest that in the experiments concerning neutrino oscillation is not possible to distinguish tachyonic neutrinos from ordinary ones.

Recently, a new theory based on superluminal tunnelling has been proposed to explain the transition of highly energetic neutrinos propagating in matter to tachyonic states. In this work, we determine the possible mechanisms that lead neutrinos into a superluminal realm based on the assumption that ultrarelativistic particles travelling in matter lose part of their energy with the emission of Bremsstrahlung radiation. The obtained photons, in turn, can create neutrino-antineutrino pairs, one or both of which can be superluminal. We also prove that pair creation may occur with neutrino flavour oscillation provided that only one of them is a space-like particle. This suggests that mass oscillation and superluminal behaviour could be related phenomena. Finally, using the generalised Lorentz transformations, we formulate the Lagrangian of the kinematically allowed scattering processes. The structure of this Lagrangian is consistent with the formalism of the Standard Model. Based on this Lagrangian, at least one of the particles forming the pair must always be subluminal. The possibility that the pair creation process is mediated by a dark photon is also discussed.

In this study, a novel theory to investigate the mass oscillation of particles is proposed. It has been proven that, at high-energy conditions, the fermion field described by Dirac’s Lagrangian interacts with the half-integer spin tachyon field with negative energy, causing the formation of composite particles whose mass depends on the total angular momentum. The proposed theory is based on a new interpretation of the Majorana equation for particles with arbitrary spin and shows that mass oscillation is a phenomenon in which the component of particle decay prevails over that of mixing mass states. Using the kinematic of Lemke for spacelike particle decay, we propose a mechanism able to explain the neutrino flavour change. The proposed mechanism is also investigated concerning the shape of its spectrum. Finally, the Lagrangian field of composite particles is formulated.

Understanding the nature of the Dark Matter (DM) is one of the current challenges in modern astrophysics and cosmology. Knowing the properties of the DM particle would shed light on physics beyond the Standard Model and even provide us with details of the early Universe. In fact, the detection of such a relic would bring us information from the pre-Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) period, an epoch from which we have no data, and could even hint at inflationary physics. In this work, we assume that the expansion rate of the Universe after inflationary is governed by the kinetic energy of a scalar field ϕ, in the so-called “kination” model. We assume that the ϕ field decays into both radiation and DM particles, which we take to be Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). The present abundance of WIMPs is then fixed during the kination period through either a thermal “freeze-out” or “freeze-in” mechanism, or through a non-thermal process governed by the decay of ϕ. We explore the parameter space of this theory with the requirement that the present WIMP abundance provides the correct DM relic budget. Requiring that BBN occurs during the standard cosmological scenario sets a limit on the temperature at which the kination period ends. Using this limit and assuming the WIMP has a mass m_χ = 100 GeV, we obtain that the thermally-averaged WIMP annihilation cross section has to satisfy the constraints 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁶ GeV⁻² ≲ (σv) ≲ 1.4 × 10⁻⁵ GeV⁻² in order for having at least one of the production mechanism to yield the observed amount of DM. This result shows how the properties of the WIMP particle, if ever measured, can yield information on the pre-BBN content of the Universe.

In this paper, the quantum theory of the infinite-component Majorana field for the fermionic tower is formulated. This study proves that the energy states with increasing spin are simply composite systems made by a bradyon and antitachyons with half-integer spin. The quantum field describing these exotic states is obtained by the infinite sum of four-spinor operators, which each operator depends on the spin and the rest mass of the bradyon in its fundamental state. The interaction between bradyon-tachyon, tachyon-tachyon and tachyon-luxon has also been considered and included in the total Lagrangian. The obtained theory is consistent with the CPT invariance and the spin-statistics theorem and could explain the existence of new forms of matter not predictable within the standard model.

This paper investigates the problem of a relativistic Dirac half-integer spin free particle tunneling through a rectangular quantum-mechanical barrier. If the energy difference between the barrier and the particle is positive, and the barrier width is large enough, there is proof that the tunneling may be superluminal. For first spinor components of particle and antiparticle states, the tunneling is always superluminal regardless the barrier width. Conversely, the second spinor components of particle and antiparticle states may be either subluminal or superluminal depending on the barrier width. These results derive from studying the tunneling time in terms of phase time. For the first spinor components of particle and antiparticle states, it is always negative while for the second spinor components of particle and antiparticle states, it is always positive, whatever the height and width of the barrier. In total, the tunneling time always remains positive for particle states while it becomes negative for antiparticle ones. Furthermore, the phase time tends to zero, increasing the potential barrier both for particle and antiparticle states. This agrees with the interpretation of quantum tunneling that the Heisenberg uncertainty principle provides. This study’s results are innovative with respect to those available in the literature. Moreover, they show that the superluminal behaviour of particles occurs in those processes with high-energy confinement.

In Brazil, Brazilian borreliosis (BB), characterized molecularly, exhibits symptoms akin to Lyme disease (LD) but presents unique epidemiological, clinical, and morphological features. This study explores the incidence, diagnostic challenges, and awareness initiatives regarding this disease in Brazil. Employing a narrative review methodology, data were sourced from Pubmed, Ebsco, Google Scholar, and Web of Science without temporal constraints. Results reveal diagnostic complexities in Brazil due to the low sensitivity of conventional tests and the use of North American B. burgdorferi antigens. Despite challenges, epidemiological studies indicate an upswing in cases in humans and animals. Therefore, there is an urgent need to define new biomarkers, molecular strategies, or new antigenic targets to advance the development of vaccines and diagnostics. Early and accurate pathogen identification is crucial for active surveillance to comprehend and manage this zoonosis.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) refer to a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, causing pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and related muscles. The diagnosis of TMDs typically involved clinical assessment through operator-based physical examination, self-reported questionnaire and imaging studies. To objectivize the measurement of TMD, this study aims at investigating on the feasibility to use machine-learning algorithms fed with data gathered from low-cost and portable instruments to discriminate the presence of TMD in adult subjects. Through this aim, the experimental protocol involved fifty participants, equally distributed between TMD and healthy subjects, acting as control group. The diagnosis of TMD has been performed by a skilled operator through the typical clinical scale. Participants underwent to a baropodometric analysis by using a pressure matrix and the evaluation of the cervical mobility through inertial sensors. Nine machine-learning algorithms belonging to support vector machine, k-nearest neighbours and decision tree were compared. The k-nearest neighbours based on cosine distance was found as the best performing, achieving performance of 0.94, 0.94 and 0.08 for the accuracy, F1-score and G-index, respectively. These findings open the possibility to use such methodology to support the diagnosis of TMDs in clinical environments.

A brief overview of the past and present trajectories made by the A(H5N1) avian influenza virus among domestic birds, avian and mammalian wildlife species and humans is presented here, thereby taking into special account the 2.3.4.4b clade of the virus recently emerged in several geographic areas of the globe.

Keywords: oligozoospermia; male infertility; epididymis; scrotal exploration; scrotal ultrasound; partial epididymal obstruction

The paper aims at presenting the results obtained in the development of a system allowing the detection and monitoring of forest fires and the continuous comparison of their intensity when several events occur simultaneously, as usually happens in the European Mediterranean countries during the summer season. The system, called SFIDE (Satellite FIre DEtection), exploits a geostationary satellite sensor (SEVIRI on board of MSG satellite series). The algorithm was developed several years ago in the framework of a project (SIGRI) funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI). This algorithm has been completely reviewed in order to enhance its efficiency by reducing false alarms rate preserving a high sensitivity. Due to the very low spatial resolution of SEVIRI images (4x4 km² at Mediterranean latitude) the sensitivity of the algorithm should be very high to detect even small fires. The improvement of the algorithm has been obtained by: introducing the sun elevation angle in the computation of the preliminary thresholds to identify potential thermal anomalies (hot spots), introducing a contextual analysis in the detection of clouds and in the detection of night-time fires. The results of the algorithm have been validated in the Sardinia region by using ground true data provided by the regional Corpo Forestale e di Vigilanza Ambientale (CFVA). A significant reduction of the commission error (less than 10%) has been obtained with respect to the previous version of the algorithm and also with respect to fire-detection algorithms based on low earth orbit satellites.

The violation of privacy, others people or personal, is a very current problem, which concerns not only on the web but also in private life. In the years 1990 it was expected that nowadays, that any routine operation was carried out "manually", and it would be performed through mobile phones or personal computers. The problem pertains the distribution network that allows to share and bring together information and as result the network becomes unsafe, if subjected to attacks. Nowaday we put personal information on web because otherwise we are seen as “weak”. This work aims to measure and analyze how much information are shared by users of a pre-established social network and it is carried out through a set of algorithms techniques of machine learning.

Triangular resonators re-shaped with the Sierpinski geometry and U-shaped resonators have been designed, linking them with single-pole-double-through (SPDT) RF MEMS switches to provide frequency tuning for potential applications in the K-Band. Prototypes of band-stop narrowband filters working around 20 GHz and 26 GHz, interesting for RADAR and satellite communications, have been studied in coplanar waveguide (CPW) configuration, and the tuning was obtained by switching between two paths of the devices loaded with different resonators. As a result, dual-band operation or fine-tuning can be obtained depending on the choice of the resonator, acting as a building block. The studied filters belong to the more general group of devices inspired by the metamaterial design.

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) form in polar regions typically between 15 and 25 km, when the local temperature is sufficiently low. PSCs play an important role in the ozone chemistry and the dehydration and denitrification of the stratosphere. Lidars with a depolarization channel may be used to detect and classify different classes of PSCs. The main PSC classes are water ice, nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) and supercooled ternary solutions (STS), the latter being liquid droplets consisting of water, nitric acid and sulphuric acid. PSCs have been observed at the lidar observatory at Concordia Station from 2014 on. The harsh environmental conditions at Concordia during winter render successful lidar operation difficult. In order to facilitate the operation of the observatory several measures have been put in place to achieve an almost complete remote control of the system. PSC occurrence is strongly correlated with local temperatures and is affected by dynamics, as the PSC coverage during the observation season shows.

The incremental sheet forming represents a relatively recent technology that guarantees high customization, thanks to the layered manufacturing principle typical of rapid prototyping, and cost-effectiveness, because it does not require dedicated equipment. Research has initially shown that this process is effective in metal materials capable of withstanding plastic deformation but, in recent years, the interest in this technique has been increasing for the manufacture of complex polymer sheet components as an alternative to the conventional technologies, based on heating-shaping-cooling manufacturing routes. Conversely, incremental formed polymer sheets can suffer from some peculiar defects, for example twisting. To reduce the risk of this phenomenon and the occurrence of failures, a viable way is to choose toolpath strategies that make the tool/sheet contact conditions less severe, and this represents the main goal of the present research. Polycarbonate sheets were worked by incremental forming; in detail, cone frusta with a fixed wall angle were manufactured with a reference and a stair toolpath strategy, and both the forming forces and the twist angle were monitored. The analysis of the results highlighted that a stair toolpath involving an alternation of diagonal up and vertical down steps represents a useful strategy to mitigate the forming forces and, with them, the occurrence of the twisting phenomenon in incremental formed thermoplastic sheets.

We consider the Dirac field in polar formulation, showing that when torsion is taken in effective approximation the theory has the thermodynamic properties of a van der Waals gas, that when the limit of zero chiral angle is taken the theory reduces to that of a Weyssenhoff fluid, and that under the spinless condition it gives the Newtonian particle. This nesting of approximations will allow us to interpret the various objects pertaining to the spinor, with torsion providing a form of negative pressure, and the chiral angle being related to a type of internal dynamics.

Background: Infantile tibia vara (ITV) is a rare proximal tibia deformity in infancy, leading to progressive knee varus. High tibial osteotomy is commonly practiced but has high recurrence rates. This study analyzed factors affecting treatment failure and recurrence in children undergoing opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) for ITV. Methods: We retrospectively studied children with ITV who had OWHTO with press-fit cancellous bone allograft between 2000 and 2020, with ≥2-year follow-up. Outcomes included recurrence (knee varus with tibiofemoral angle >10°), complications, and reintervention. Results: We analyzed 39 knees in 29 patients (mean age: 4.8 ± 1.9 years; median follow-up: 7.4 years). Recurrence occurred in 22 cases (56%). Age at surgery significantly influenced recurrence, with rates of 16% before age 5 versus 95% later (hazard ratio: 12.0, p = 0.001). Langenskiöld stage also affected recurrence (β-coefficient: 2.7, 95% C.I. 1.0–4.5, p = 0.002; pseudo-R-squared: 0.50, p = 0.001), with recurrence in all stage III IV or higher cases. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and treatment before age 45, ideally with Langenskiöld stage III or lower, are crucial for stable correction with OWHTO alone. Late, high-grade ITV may require combined, acute or gradual, and/or staged correction. Further evidence is needed for optimal management.

The ongoing expansion in volume, velocity and variety of geospatial data has stimulated the development of artificial intelligence applications and associated online cartographic visualizations. In this context, the cartographic communication through peer-reviewed media evolved to incorporate Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Re-usability (FAIR) principles. In this paper, we review the functionalities proposed by current international peer-reviewed media for accessing, exploring and re-using geospatial data, and situate them on a diagram conceived for peer-reviewed cartography in the artificial intelligence era. We then present an overview of the cartographic infrastructure and workflow currently available in the Terra Digitalis journal for the online publication of massive spatiotemporal data. This free and opensource based solution allows a smooth integration, from data submission to final peer reviewed publication, of dynamic, interactive 2D and 3D maps. As a proof of concept, we present two maps derived from massive spatiotemporal data, related, respectively, to a climate numerical model (raster data) and a bike sharing system’s origin-destination dataset (vector data). We argue that the combination of technologies used in the journal provides an efficient and low-cost solution, unmatched by other publication media, to boost the accessibility and FAIR principles for geospatial big data.

The presence of heavy metals in industrial effluents has recently become a source of concern for human health and the environment. Efficient removal of metal ions and wastewater treatment is essential for protecting public health and the environment. In this study, we present an eco-friendly, green synthesis of reactive and fully dispersed zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) in carbon nanofibers via an electrospinning technique. In this novel study, green tea (GT) was used as environmentally friendly, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used for the stabilization and reduction of nZVI, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was added to provide flexibility and to increase the specific surface area of the nZVI based nanofibers. GT contains polyphenols, which act as reducing agents, converting iron ions into nZVI and the particles can then serve as the building blocks for the carbon nanofibers. TEOS can also contribute to the stability of the nZVI by coating their surfaces with a silica layer. This silica layer helps prevent the oxidation of the nZVI, thereby reducing their catalytic activity. The nZVI-based composite (∼ 400 nm) / carbonized (∼ 200 nm) nanofibrous mats were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The average size of the nZVI embedded in the composite and carbonized nanofibers can range from 50 nm to 100 nm. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of nZVI-based carbon nanofibers showed that there is no crystallinity and a single-phase cubic structure. Both energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis also confirmed the formation of single-phase nZVI-based composite / carbonized nanofibers. The high intensity of the peaks in the FTIR spectrum indicates the formation of nZVI in the nanofibers structure. The electrospun nZVI-based carbon nanofibers have a higher surface area and better reactivity due to small particle size and large surface area-to-volume ratio. They can provide excellent water stability and dispersibility in water compared to bulk nZVI, which tend to agglomerate and settle quickly. Additionally, nanofiber morphology can enhance the mechanical strength and durability of the composite material. Due to low-cost synthesis and their high efficiency in removing pollutants, these nanofibers could be used as nano-filters for wastewater treatment.

Microstructured optical fibres (MOFs) are a new type of optical fibres that possess a wide range of optical properties and many advantages over common optical fibres. Those are provided by unique structures defined by a pattern of periodic or quasi-periodic arrangement of air holes that run through the fibre length. In recent years, MOFs have opened up new possibilities in the field of optics and photonics, enabling the development of advanced devices and novel optical systems for different applications. The key application areas of PCFs vary from telecommunications and high-power energy transmission to quantum optics and sensing. The stack-and-draw method is a standard manufacturing technique for MOFs, where a preform is first manually created and then drawn in a high-tech furnace into a fibre with the required final dimensions and position of the air holes. Since in the manufacturing process experimenters can control only a few parameters, mathematical models and numerical simulations of the drawing process are highly requested. They not only allow to deepen the understanding of physical phenomena occurring during the drawing process, but they also accurately predict the final cross-section shape and size of the fibre. In this manuscript, we assume thermal equilibrium between the furnace and the fibre and propose a functional form of the fibre temperature distribution. We utilise it with asymptotic mass, momentum, and evolution equations for free surfaces already available in the literature to describe the process of fibre drawing. By doing so, the complex heat exchange problem between the fibre and the furnace need not be solved. The numerical results of the whole asymptotic model overall agree well with experimental data available in the literature, both for the case of annular capillaries and for the case of holey fibres.

Coastal inundation is recently requiring a significant attention worldwide. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme events (sea storms, tsunami waves) are highly stressing the coastal envi-ronments, e.g. endangering a large number of residential areas, ecosystems, tourist facilities, and also leading to potential environmental risks. Predicting such events and the generated coastal flooding is thus of paramount importance and can be reached by exploiting the potential of different tools, like remote sensors and numerical modeling. To this aim, a combination is possible between marine radars and wave-resolving propagation models. While instruments like X-band radars are able at precisely reconstructing both wave field and bathymetry within a coastal area that is some kilometers offshore, wave-resolving Boussinesq-type models can reproduce the wave propagation in the nearshore and the consequent coastal flooding. The present work illustrates the reconstruc-tion of coastal data (wave field and seabed depth) conducted using radar signals and a specifically suited data processing, named “Local Method”, and the use of such coastal data to run numerical simulations of wave propagation (using the FUNWAVE-TVD solver) aimed at reproducing coastal inundation over different scenarios. Such scenarios are built using two different European beaches, i.e. Senigallia (Italy) and Oostende (Belgium), and three different directional spreading values, to evaluate the performances in case of either long- or short-crested waves. The overall validation of the methodology, in terms of maximum inundation, shows good performances, especially in case of short-crested wind waves. Furthermore, the application on the Oostende beach demonstrates that the present methodology might work only using open-access tools, i.e. an easy investigation of the coastal inundation and a potential low-cost integration into early warning systems.

In this paper, we present an experimental procedure to enhance the dimensional accuracy of fabrication via Stereolithography (SLA) of features at the micro-scale. Using a custom benchmark part, deviations in feature dimensions (micro-pores diameters and depths) were detected and measured by confocal microscopy. Samples characterization and experimental observations allowed the identification of inaccuracy sources, mainly due to the laser beam scanning strategy and to the incomplete removal of uncured liquid resin in post-processing (i.e., IPA washing). As a technology baseline, the measured dimensional errors on pores diameters were up to -46%. A compensation method of the nominal laser spot diameter (85m) was defined and implemented resulting in relevant improvements in dimensional accuracy of 9.8% and 11.3% on full-open pores diameter and depth, respectively. Further investigation was performed on a customized test part to adjust the calibration procedure. The measurements revealed that the estimate of the laser beam spot size is 968m. Measurements on micro-pores having different sizes revealed that a constant compensation parameter (i.e., C=85, 96, 120m) is not fully effective at the micro-scale, where average errors still remain at -24%, -18.8%, and -16% for compensations equals to 85, 96 and 120m, respectively. A further experimental campaign allowed the identification of an effective nonlinear compensation law where the compensation parameter depends on the micro-feature size C= f (D). Results show a sharp improvement in dimensional accuracy on micro-pore fabrication, with errors consistently below +8.2%. The proposed compensation method can be extended for the fabrication of any micro-features without restrictions on the specific technology implementation. Concerning the inaccuracy introduced by the laser path, experimentation with a customized part allowed the optimization of the part orientation to reduce the errors and their differences along the X and Y machine axes.

Malnutrition, clinically evident primarily with sarcopenia, is present in more than 50% of CHF patients and is an independent factor of morbidity and mortality. Several pathophysiological mechanisms, such as reduced appetite, metabolic imbalance and altered protein synthesis/degradation rate, due to the blood increase of hypercatabolic molecules, have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. Nutritional supplementation with proteins, amino acids and vitamins have all been used to treat malnutrition, acting through mTOR stimulation. However, the success and efficacy of these procedures are often contradictory and not conclusive. Interestingly, data on exercise training show that exercise reduces mortality and increase functional capacity, although it also increases energy expenditure and nitrogen providing substrate needs. Therefore, this paper discusses the molecular mechanisms of integrated nutritional approaches that would stimulate metabolic anabolic pathways. Pivotal in our opinion, is the relationship between exercise and Deptor, a subunit of the mTOR complex. Consequently, we propose a combination of personalized and integrate nutritional supplementation as well as exercise to treat malnutrition and related anthropometric and functional CHF-related disorders.

This study reconsiders the decay of an ordinary particle in bradyons, tachyons and luxons in the field of the relativistic quantum mechanics. Lemke already investigated this from the perspective of covariant kinematics. Since the decay involves both space-like and time-like particles, the study uses the Majorana equation for particles with an arbitrary spin. The equation describes the tachyonic and bradyonic realms of massive particles, and approaches the problem of how space-like particles might develop. This method confirms the kinematic constraints that Lemke’s theory provided and proves that some possible decays are more favourable than others are.

Telecommuting is a flexible form of work that has progressively spread over the last 40 years and which has been strongly encouraged by the measures to limit the Covid19 pandemic. There is still limited evi-dence on the effects it has on workers' health. In this survey we invited 905 workers of companies that made a limited use of telework to fill out a questionnaire to evaluate: Intrusive leadership of managers (IL), the request for work outside traditional hours (OFF-TAJD), workaholism (BWAS), effort / reward imbalance (ERI), happiness and common mental issues (CMIs), anxiety and depression, assessed by the Goldberg scale (GADS). The interaction between these variables has been studied by structural equation modeling (SEM). Intrusive leadership and working after hours were significantly associated with occu-pational stress. Workaholism is a relevant moderator of this interaction: intrusive leadership significantly increased the stress of workaholic workers. Intrusive leadership and overtime work were associated with reduced happiness, anxiety and depression. These results indicate the need to guarantee the right to disconnect, to limit the effect of the OFF-TAJD. In addition to this, companies should implement policies to prevent intrusive leadership and workaholism.

Furthermore, the nasal congestion typical of rhinitis can contribute to upper airway obstruction and sleep-disordered breathing. A vicious circle is created between asthma and sleep-disordered breathing: uncontrolled asthma and sleep-disordered breathing can worsen each other. In children with genetic obesity, despite alterations in the immune system, fewer allergies are found compared to the general population. The causes of this reduced allergenicity are unclear but probably involve genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms. The study emphasizes the importance of jointly evaluating and managing allergies, obesity, and sleep-disordered breathing in children, considering their close interconnection.

Outdoor exercise is beneficial for psychophysical well-being. Limited studies have compared outdoor and virtual reality (VR) indoor physical activities, especially in coastal settings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of outdoor coastal walking and indoor walking in a VR simulation with a similar environment on physiological and psychological variables in healthy adults. Twenty-six subjects (14M and 12F; age 25.2 ± 2.5 years) voluntarily participated in this crossover randomized controlled and counterbalanced study and were allocated under three conditions: VR indoor walking (INVR), outdoor walking (OUT) and standard indoor walking (IN). IN and INVR conditions were performed on a treadmill (speed 4.5 Km/h) and the OUT was per-formed on a seaside pedestrian road. The same outdoor environment was displayed in the visor during the INVR. Heart rate (HRmean/max), Physical Activity Enjoyment (PACES-It) and State of Mindfulness for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) were assessed at the end of each condition. The OUT condition showed significantly greater PACES-It scores and HRmean than IN and INVR (p<0.001) and greater SMS-PA scores and HRmax than IN (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). No significant dif-ferences were found between OUT and INVR regarding HRmax and SMS-PA scores (p>0.05). Findings suggest that physical activity in an immersive technology may lead to physiological loads comparable to the outdoor environment. OUT is more enjoyable than IN and INVR but exhibits a mindfulness response comparable to INVR. Therefore, INVR could be an alternative to OUT for those who cannot engage in outdoor activities for various reasons.

A nutritional approach could be a promising strategy to prevent or slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, since there is no effective therapy for these diseases so far. The beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids are now well established by a plethora of studies through their involvement in multiple biochemical functions, including synthesis of antinflammatory mediators, cell membrane fluidity, intracellular signalling and gene expression. This systematic review will consider epidemiological studies and clinical trials that assessed the impact of supplementation or dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Indeed, treatment with omega-3 fatty acids, being safe and well tolerated, represent a valuable and biologically plausible tool in the management of neurodegenerative diseases in their early stages.

The purpose is to verify trends of scientific production from 2010 to 2020, considering the best universities of the United States, China, the European Union (EU) and private companies. The top 30 universities in 2020 in China, the EU, and the US and private companies were selected from the SCImago institutions ranking (SIR). The positions in 2020, 2015, 2010 in SIR and three sub-indicators were analyzed by means of non-parametric statistics, taking into consideration the effect of time and group on rankings. American and European Union universities have lost positions to Chinese universities and even more to private companies, which have improved. In 2020, private companies have surpassed all other groups considering Innovation as sub-indicator. The loss of leadership of European and partly American universities mainly concerns research linked to the production of patents. This can lead to future risks of monopoly that may elude public control and cause a possible loss of importance of research not linked to innovation.

The COVID-19 pandemics has had an unprecedented global impact, and the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign has been commonly regarded as crucial to overcome the pandemics. Since all-cause mortality is the best way to measure the consequences of a health intervention, the present study was devised to analyze the all-cause mortality data of the United Kingdom (UK), which are made publicly available broken down by vaccination status. Data from April 2021 to May 2023 were retrospectively collected and analyzed according to age groups and vaccination status and the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) for all-cause mortality and for non-COVID-19 were calculated in comparison to the corresponding unvaccinated groups. Results show that, since an age group dependent date, the all-cause mortality SMRs were increasing in any of the age groups considered. Initially, the all-causes death SMRs were less than 1 for all age groups, but due to their growth, for the age groups 18-39, 80-89 and 90+ years by a certain date they exceeded the reference value. For the other age groups, as long as the trend is maintained, it is possible to predict the date in which the SMR would reach the value 1. Non-COVID-19 SMR values show a very similar trend. Their initial values much lower than 1 suggest the presence of significant biases in the ONS dataset which lead to an underestimation of the risks for those vaccinated, as it is not plausible that the vaccine protects from causes other than COVID-19. The finding that all-cause mortality SMRs in vaccinated in comparison to unvaccinated people increases over time requires careful examination to understand the underlying factors. Meanwhile, the other major countries should undertake a systematic collection of all-causes mortality broken down by vaccination status, and should be implemented a moratorium of the promotion of mass vaccination campaigns.

Hydrological models have been widely used for many purposes in water sector projects, including streamflow prediction and flood risk assessment. Among the input data used in such hydrological models, the spatial-temporal variability of rainfall datasets has a significant role on the final discharge estimation. Therefore, accurate measurements of rainfall are vital. On the other hand, ground-based measurement networks, mainly in developing countries, are either nonexistent or too sparse to capture rainfall accurately. In addition to in-situ rainfall datasets, satellite-derived rainfall products are nowadays available globally with high spatial and temporal resolution. An innovative approach called SM2RAIN that estimates rainfall from soil moisture data has been applied successfully to various regions. In this study, firstly soil moisture content derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth observing system (AMSR-E) is used as input into the SM2RAIN algorithm to estimate daily rainfall, SM2R-AMSRE, at different sites in the Karkheh river basin (KRB), southwest Iran. Secondly, the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) hydrological model is applied to simulate runoff using both ground-based observed rainfall and SM2R-AMSRE rainfall as input. The results reveal that the SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data are, in most cases, in good agreement with ground-based rainfall, with correlations R ranging between 0.58 and 0.88, though there is some underestimation of the observed rainfall, due to soil moisture saturation, not accounted for in the SM2RAIN equation. The subsequent SM2R-AMSRE- SWAT- simulated monthly runoff reproduces well the observations at the 6 gauging stations (with coefficient of determination, R² > 0.72), though with slightly worse performances in terms of bias (Bias) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) and, again, some systematic flow underestimation than the SWAT model with ground-based rainfall input. Furthermore, rainfall estimations of two satellite products of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), 3B42 and 3B42RT, are used in the calibrated SWAT- model. The monthly runoff obtained with 3B42- rainfall have 0.39< R2 < 0.70 and are slightly better than those obtained with 3B42RT- rainfall, but not as good as the SM2R-AMSRE- SWAT- simulated runoff above. Therefore, in spite of the afore-mentioned limitations, using SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data in a hydrological model like SWAT, appears to be a viable approach in basins with limited ground-based rainfall data.

The paper deals with the Compound Inverse Rayleigh distribution, shown to constitute a proper model for the characterization of the probability distribution of extreme values of wind-speed, a topic which is gaining growing interest in the field of renewable generation assessment, both in view of wind power production evaluation and the wind-tower mechanical reliability and safety. The first part of the paper illustrates such model starting from its origin as a generalization of the Inverse Rayleigh model - already proven to be a valid model for extreme wind-speeds - by means of a continuous mixture generated by a Gamma distribution on the scale parameter, which gives rise to its name. Moreover, its validity to interpret different field data is illustrated, also by means of numerous numerical examples based upon real wind speed measurements. Then, a novel Bayes approach for the estimation of such extreme wind-speed model is proposed. The method relies upon the assessment of prior information in a practical way, that should be easily available to system engineers. In practice, the method allows to express one’s prior beliefs both in terms of parameters, as customary, and/or in terms of probabilities. The results of a large set of numerical simulations – using typical values of wind-speed parameters - are reported to illustrate the efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed method. The validity of the approach is also verified in terms of its robustness with respect to significant differences compared to the assumed prior information.

Auricular keloids pose significant aesthetic and functional challenges, and traditional treatments often fall short in ad-dressing these. Our study presents an innovative combined approach of ablative CO2 and dye laser therapy for improved keloid management. This treatment protocol was applied to 15 patients with auricular keloids after an initial multispec-tral analysis to assess keloid composition. The laser sequence was tailored per patient based on this analysis. Evalua-tions using the Vancouver Scar Scale and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale were carried out at baseline and at 3-week intervals post-treatment. The results showed a significant reduction in these scores at the final follow-up (p<0.05), suggesting improvements in keloid color, texture, and pliability, with minimal adverse events. Additionally, no recur-rence of keloids was observed. Our findings indicate that this novel methodology of multispectral analysis followed by tailored laser therapy may offer a safe and effective solution for auricular keloids, promising enhanced keloid treatment and prevention of recurrence. However, further investigations, including randomized controlled trials, are needed to confirm and optimize this treatment protocol.

This work estimates yield losses due to drought events in mountain grasslands in north-eastern Italy, laying the groundwork for index-based insurance. Given the high correlation between Leaf Area Index (LAI) and grassland yield, we exploit LAI as a proxy for yield. We estimate LAI by the Sentinel-2 biophysical processor and we compare different gap-filling methods, including time-series interpolation and fusion with Sentinel-1 SAR data. We derive a Forage Production Index (FPI) as the growing season cumulate of the daily product between LAI and a meteorological water stress coefficient. Finally, we calculate the drought index as the anomaly of FPI. The validation of Sentinel-2 LAI with ground measurements showed RMSE of 0.92 [m2 m-2] and R2 of 0.81, on average over all the measurement sites. The comparison between FPI and yield showed R2 of 0.56 at the pixel scale and R2 of 0.74 at the parcel scale. The developed prototype FPI index was used at the end of the growing season of the year 2022 for calculating the payments of an experimental insurance scheme that was proposed to a group of farmers in Trentino-South Tyrol.

The extensive use of rare earth elements (REEs) in a number of technologies is expected to impact on human health, including occupational REE exposures. A body of experimental evidence on REE-associated toxicity has been accumulated in recent decades. Unlike experimental studies, the consequences of REE exposures to human health have been subjected to relatively fewer investigations. Geographical studies have been conducted on residents in the Chinese REE mining districts, reporting on REE bioaccumulation, and associations between REE residential exposures and adverse health effects. A more limited series of studies has been focused on occupational REE exposures, such as movie operator (with occurrence of cerium aerosol) with the observation of pneumoconiosis and lung fibrosis. Similar effects have been reported in case reports for other workers, such as a lens grinder and a printer exposed to carbon-arc lamp emission. As for the occupations related to REE mining and processing, REE bioaccumulation in scalp hair and excess REE urine levels were reported. A study was devoted to workers employed in e-waste separation, showing alterations of several plasma markers. As for other REE occupational exposures, mention should be made of: a) mechanical workshops, with exposures to diesel exhaust microparticulate (containing nanoCeO₂ as a catalytic additive) and, b) production and manufacture of REE supermagnets for hybrid engines and wind turbines. Diesel exhaust microparticulate has been studied in animal models, leading to evidence of several pathological effects in animals exposed by respiratory or systemic routes. As for supermagnet production and manufacture, a body of literature is reviewed of experimental studies, and of human exposure studies showing several pathological effects of static magnetic fields, warranting further investigations.

Existing research has focused on discussing various issues in isolation, e.g., climate change or deglobalisation, without capturing the geo-political, legal, socio-economic, and technological implications in a holistic manner, especially in China and Southeast Asia. This has hindered the derivation of clear guidelines to navigate the business environment in the next decade, thus leaving the business world with fragmented theories and concepts that are hard to amalgamate and turn into tangible business strategies. Thus, this study illustrates the key challenges that are likely to influence the stability and sustainability of the global business environment by 2030, as well as suggests the main business strategies to leverage to mitigate them. This contribution, for the first time, proposes an alternative holistic approach by highlighting the key threats to global business in the next decade, as well as suggesting clear action points to account for the main ones from geo-political, legal, socio-economic, and technological standpoints in a unified theory. Local and more tailored strategies are described and discussed as referred to various industries to help in navigating a deglobalised and more competitive market by 2030.

This paper describes different variants of broadband and simple attenuator modules for beamforming applications, based on Radio Frequency Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (RF-MEMS), framed within Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) structures. The modules proposed in the first part of this work differ in their actuation voltage, topology, and desired attenuation level. Fabricated samples of basic 1-bit attenuation modules, characterized by a moderate footprint of 690 x 1960 µm2 and aiming at attenuation levels of -2, -3 and -5 dB in the 24.25-27.5 GHz range, are presented in their variants featuring both low actuation voltages (5-7 V) as well as higher values (~ 45V), the latter ones ensuring larger mechanical restoring force (and robustness against stiction). Beyond the fabrication non-idealities that affected the described samples, the substantial agreement between simulations and measurement outcomes proved that the proposed designs could provide precise attenuation levels up to 40 GHz, ranging up to nearly -3 dB and -5 dB for the series and shunt variants, respectively. Moreover, they could be effective building blocks for future wideband and reconfigurable RF-MEMS attenuators. In fact, in the second part of this work, combinations of the discussed cells and other configurations meant for larger attenuation levels will be investigated.

Many metabolic processes at the molecular level support both viral attack strategies and human defenses during Covid-19. This knowledge is of vital importance in the design of antiviral drugs. In this study, we extracted 18 articles (2021-2023) from PubMed reporting the discovery of hub-nodes specific for the liver during covid-19, identifying 142 hub-nodes. They are highly connected proteins from which to get deep functional information on viral strategies when used as functional seeds. Therefore, we evaluated the functional and structural significance of each of them to endorse their reliable use as seeds. After filtering, the remaining 111 hubs were used to get by STRING an enriched interactome of 1111 nodes (13,494 interactions). It shows the viral strategy in the liver is to attack the entire cytoplasmic translational system, including ribosomes, to take control of protein bio-synthesis. We used the SARS2-Human-Proteome Interaction Database (33,791 interactions), de-signed by us with BioGRID data to implement a reverse-engineering process that identified human proteins actively interacting with viral proteins. The results show 57% of human liver proteins di-rectly involved in Covid, a strong impairment of the ribosome and spliceosome, an antiviral defense mechanism against cellular stress of the p53 system, and, surprisingly, a viral capacity for multiple protein attacks against single human proteins that reveal underlying evolutionary-topological molecular mechanisms. Viral behavior over time suggests different molecular strategies for different organs.

Abstract Precision medicine is essentially based on reliable and non-invasive biomarkers. Aim of this review has been to describe the newest biomarkers in the field of kidney transplantation and the kidney rejection, one of the commonest and severe complications. Standard of care tools to identify acute rejection are largely full of errors and of drawbacks. In recent years new and reliable biomarkers have been found. They are avoid of risks, non-invasive and able to detect rejection even in those frequent cases in which acute rejection are clinically asymptomatic and not otherwise identifiable. In recent years several biomarkers have been identified. Very recently have been found new relevant biomarkers able to diagnose rejection with high positive predictive value and low negative predictive value. These are the donor derived cell free DNA found in the recipient, the gene expression profile of the donor found in the recipient and the urinary cytokines that express modification in the graft tissue. The aim of this study has been to find the most recent findings in the literature on this topic and to describe the utility and possible limitation of such new biomarkers on kidney rejection.

In Yaoundé, Cameroon, excessive and inappropriate speeding remains a major public health concern. Part of the problem are the unsafe speed limits, lack of evidence, and effective evaluation of speeding safety performance indicators (SSPIs), and the absence of speed management, hindering the city's ability to mitigate the risks associated with speeding. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by assessing SSPIs using a well-defined methodology and suggesting speed management strategies. Data on speed, traffic volumes and road attributes were collected from a random selection of 16 representative road sections in Yaoundé. Seven SSPIs were calculated, and weights were assigned to evaluate city-level SSPIs. The findings showed that 66.8% of drivers drive within the speed limit, generally operating at speeds of 54 km/h with a speed variation of 26 km/h. Based on the speed analysis, evidence-based strategies are proposed, and implementing these strategies could potentially reduce fatalities and serious injuries by 16% to 84% across study locations, as indicated by Elvik's model. These findings have significant policy implications for reducing speeding in Yaoundé, and the methodological approach can be replicated in other urban settings. Future research should extend SSPI evaluation to the national level and test the effectiveness of the recommended strategies.

As the emission regulations get more and more stringent in the different fields of energy and environmental systems, the electric and fuel cell vehicles (FCV) have attracted growing attention by automakers, governments, and customers. Research and development efforts have been focused on devising novel concepts, low-cost systems, and reliable electric/fuel cell powertrain. In fact, electric and fuel cell vehicles coupled with low-carbon electricity sources offer the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and exposure to tailpipe emissions from personal transportation. In particular, Pedal Assisted Bicycles (PAB) popularity is rising in urban areas due to their low energy consumption and environmental impact. In fact, when electrically moved, they are zero emission vehicles with very low noise emissions, as well. These positive characteristics could be even improved by coupling a PAB with a fuel cell based power generation system, thus increasing the vehicle autonomy without influencing their emissions and consumption performances. In this paper, four types of vehicles are compared from an environmental and accessibility point of view: conventional car, bus, electric PAB and hydrogen fuel cell PAB; for such vehicles, the respective utilization stages are accounted for, i.e. without considering the manufacturing process. The analysis has been carried out comparing different vehicles performance along different routes of an Italian middle-size city, Viterbo, which represents a very good pilot case as its Municipality is adopting many solutions suggested by European Union (EU) through the planning tool called Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). The comparison is based on an ad-hoc developed mathematical procedure, which includes environmental (greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions), health (pollutants toxicity levels) and accessibility time (waiting times) indicators. According to this analysis, electric and fuel cell PAB exhibit interesting advantages over the other vehicles. However, the global economic efficiency of electric or fuel cell apparatus depends substantially on the exploited source of electrical energy.

Exoskeleton robots are a rising technology in industrial contexts to assist humans in onerous applications. Mechanical and control design solutions are intensively investigated to achieve a high performance human-robot collaboration (e.g., transparency, ergonomics, safety, etc.). However, the most of the investigated solutions involve high-cost hardware, complex design solutions and standard actuation. In the presented work, an industrial exoskeleton for lifting and transportation of heavy parts is proposed. A low-cost mechanical design solution is proposed, exploiting compliant actuation at the shoulder joint to increase safety and transparency in human-robot cooperation. A hierarchic model-based controller is then proposed (including the modeling of the compliant actuator) to actively assist the human while executing the task. An inner optimal controller is proposed for trajectory tracking, while an outer fuzzy logic controller is proposed to online deform the task trajectory on the basis of the human’s intention of motion. A gain scheduler is also designed to calculate the optimal control gains on the basis of the performed trajectory. Simulations have been performed in order to validate the performance of the proposed device, showing promising results. The prototype is under realization.

Previous research has either neglected to consider misbehaviour or misconduct in the virtual workplace during the current COVID-19 pandemic or highlighted some challenges encountered with remote working or work from home but in isolation, e.g., misbehaviours or ethical concerns associated with improper use of technology when accessing clients’ confidential information, without understanding their aetiology and context in a holistic manner. This has impacted the ability of existing research in providing recommendations organisations can practically implement to improve the sustainability and productivity of the virtual workplace, especially as they seek to navigate the current pandemic and prepare for the global business environment in the next decade. Instead, this study, for the first time, proposes a novel holistic methodology to identify the aetiologies of ethical and performance challenges with focus to the Information Technology consulting sector, as well as developing a set of recommendations companies can adopt to manage such behavioural and productivity challenges. Thus, this study illustrates the key issues associated with remote working implemented to respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic, which mine not only the individual performance in an organisation but also its overall productivity, as well as suggests the main performance and reward management strategies that can be leveraged to mitigate them. Tailored strategies are described and discussed as referred to this industry to help in navigating a more unstable yet competitive market to manage the virtual employees’ misbehaviours in the workplace and drive growth for individuals and organisations alike.

In this work a new method is proposed to tackle down the multiple objective optimization problem of the calculation of cation distribution in spinels structure, through the difference of intensity ratios between experimental and calculated intensities of cation sensitive Bragg planes, by introducing a new factor, Rabs, in Bertaut method. This factor is introduced as the sum of absolute R factors, and it is minimized by varying cation distribution. To test this method aluminate manganese spinel where synthesized though modified Pechini method and characterized though XRD. The results show to be in agreement with literature for the aluminum inversion in tetrahedral sites, which is near to the reported value of 10%. Also, it was noticed that the manganese atoms are present in octahedral sites with a mixed valence state of +2 and +3. Which might be an indicator that oxygen vacancies are present in the structure, so the vacancies value of oxygen is proposed considering the total charge of cations and thus proposing the value of 3.678 mol per formula unit of the spinel, thus having the next stoichiometry considering normalized Al and Mn, MnAl2O3.678. Finally, the last cation distribution proposed was [Mn0.867^(+2) Al0.129^(+3) ][Mn0.034^(+2) Mn0.098^(+3) Al1.871^(+3) ] O3.678 with a Rabs factor value of 0.6466, which considers the cation distribution and oxygen vacancies.

During the night between 9 and 10 September 2017, multiple flash floods associated to a heavy-precipitation event affected the town of Livorno, located in Tuscany, Italy. Accumulated precipitation exceeding 200 mm in two hours, associated with a return period higher than 200 years, caused all the largest streams of the Livorno municipality to flood several areas of the town. We used the limited-area Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, in a convection-permitting setup, to reconstruct the extreme event leading to the flash floods. We evaluated possible forecasting improvements emerging from the assimilation of local ground stations and X- and S-band radar data into the WRF, using the configuration operational at the meteorological center of Tuscany region (LaMMA) at the time of the event. Simulations were verified against weather station observations, through an innovative method aimed at disentangling the positioning and intensity errors of precipitation forecasts. By providing more accurate descriptions of the low-level flow and a better assessment of the atmospheric water vapour, the results demonstrate that assimilating radar data improved the quantitative precipitation forecasts.

What is the function of cognition? On one influential account, cognition evolved to co-ordinate behaviour with environmental change or complexity (Godfrey-Smith 1996). Liberal interpretations of this view ascribe cognition to an extraordinarily broad set of biological systems – even bacteria, which modulate their activity in response to salient external cues, would seem to qualify as cognitive agents. However, equating cognition with adaptive flexibility per se glosses over important distinctions in the way biological organisms deal with environmental complexity. Drawing on contemporary advances in theoretical biology and computational neuroscience, we cash these distinctions out in terms of different kinds of generative models, and the representational and uncertainty-resolving capacities they afford. This analysis leads us to propose a formal criterion for delineating cognition from other, more pervasive forms of adaptive plasticity. On this view, biological cognition is rooted in a particular kind of functional organisation; namely, that which enables the agent to detach from the present and engage in counterfactual (active) inference.