The Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) are Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) systems with coupled dynamics which cause interactions among the control loops of the Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). This undesired effect lead to performance degradation in the voltage control. To mitigate the effects of these unavoidable coupling, the present paper proposes a systematic design procedure based on the analysis of the interaction's sources. In details, each DER is equipped with a double loop PI to control the active and reactive powers output by the Voltage Source Converter (VSC) which connects the DER to the network's node. Furthermore, to guarantee Ancillary Services (ASs), the two loops are coupled by a simple mechanism of cooperation of the active power to voltage regulation realized by a filtered droop law. To achieve voltage regulation with reduced loop interactions, the PI parameters and the filter's pulse are designed according to a two sequential steps procedure based on the (Internal Model Control) IMC technique. Simulation studies are finally presented to demonstrate that the proposed design method achieves both reduction of the loop interaction and robust voltage control in presence of model parameter uncertainty in the MIMO model.

The aim of this study was to measure the effects on 3D active cervical Range of Motion (ACROM) and perceived pain of a n elastic taping (ET) application in the cervical area. Thirty participants (n: 22M and 8F, age 35.4±4.4 years; body height 173.1±8.4 cm; body mass 73.5±12.8 kg) for the study group (SG) and twenty subjects (n: 11M and 9F, age 32.6±3.9 years; body height 174.9±10.9 cm; body mass 71.2±12.9 kg) for the control group (CG) were recruited. All subjects were symptomatic for neck and cervical pain in baseline condition. Each group performed on ACROM test and the perceived pain on neck basing as Numerical Rating Scale (NRS 0-10, a.u.): at the baseline (T0); after 20' from ET application (T1); after three days of wearing the ET application (T2). Between T0 and T1 an ET was applied on the cervical area of the SG participants. Statistical analysis did not show any significant change in CG in any measurement session for ACROM and neck pain parameters. Conversely, the SG showed significant improvements for ACROM rotation left (T0 64.8 ± 7.7° - T2 76.0 ± 11.1° p < 0.000) and right (T0 66.0 ± 11.9° - T2 74.2 ± 9.6° p < 0.000); lateral inclination left (T0 37.5 ± 6.9° - T2 40.6 ± 10.8° p < 0.000) and right (T0 36.5 ± 7.9° - T2 40.9 ± 5.2° p < 0.000); flexion posterior (T0 47.0 ± 12.9° - T2 55.1 ± 12.3° p < 0.001) and anterior (T0 55.0 ± 3.6° - T2 62.9 ± 12.0° p < 0.006). A significant decrease was measure also in SG for pain NRS between T0 and T2 (T0 7.5 ± 1.0° - T1 5.5 ± 1.4 - T2 1.4 ± 1.5° p < 0.000). In conclusion, the results of this study underline the usefulness of a bilateral and symmetrical ET cervical application in terms to enhance multiplanar ACROM and to reduce subjective self-perceived cervical pain when it is needed. These findings can be applied for managing musculoskeletal health of different kind of individuals.

Melatonin is a ubiquitous molecule found in living organisms, ranging from bacteria to plants and mammals. It possesses various properties, partly due to its robust antioxidant nature and partly owed to its specific interaction with melatonin receptors present in almost all tissues. Melatonin regulates different physiological functions and contributes to the homeostasis of the entire organism. In the human eye, a small amount of melatonin is also present, produced by cells in the anterior segment and the posterior pole, including the retina. In the eye, melatonin may provide antioxidant protection along with regulating physiological functions of ocular tissues, including intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, it is conceivable that the exogenous administration of sufficiently high amounts of melatonin to the eye could be beneficial in several instances: for the treatment of eye pathologies like glaucoma, due to the IOP-lowering and neuroprotection effects of melatonin; for the prevention of other dysfunctions, such as dry eye and refractive defects (cataract and myopia) mainly due to its antioxidant properties; for diabetic retinopathy due to its metabolic influence and neuroprotective effects; for macular degeneration due to the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties; and for uveitis, mostly owing to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This paper reviews the scientific evidence supporting the use of melatonin in different ocular districts and provides data suggesting that the topical administration of melatonin as eye drops is a real possibility. This way, its distribution and concentration in different ocular tissues may support its pleiotropic therapeutic effects.

Durum wheat is an important staple food used to obtain several products. At first the wheat is milled to obtain different products: bran, semolina and flour. These products are the base of several artifacts with varying properties both from a nutritional point of view and flavoring characteristics. It is known that most elements concentrate in the outer layers of the wheat seed (pericarp and aleurone) so that the content of the elements vary a lot in the ground products. The present study investigates the characterizing elements of the milled products and the effect of cultivation protocol applied. We measured, by ICP-OES, the concentration of 28 elements in the whole seed and in any grinding products; the results show that only few elements characterize each product. Few elements, but different for each product, permit to disclose the kind of agri-cultural method used: organic or conventional protocol. Five elements: B, Cd, Cu, K, Se, are the most important to distinguish between organic and conventional agriculture by PCA and PLS analysis; these elements also permit some differentiation of products.

Traditional methodologies for measuring combat effectiveness rely on various contribution factors, where the main challenge lies in the complexity and subjectivity of these factors. Using frontline variation to measure combat effectiveness circumvents the limitations of many previous methods regarding complexity and subjectivity. Employing this methodology, we have quantitatively measured the combat effectiveness of both parties in the Russo-Ukrainian War across various temporal scales. Utilizing the time series data derived from our measurements, we constructed Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Annual Candlestick Charts to illustrate the variation trends in combat effectiveness between the two sides across different temporal scales. This comprehensive approach facilitated a nuanced and all-encompassing analysis of the conflict, capturing the intricate dynamics of individual military engagements and the broader strategic operations' context. This case underscores the distinctive utility of our method in quantifying combat effectiveness, offering detailed and strategically significant insights.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive skin cancer characterized by two etiologies: the first one, observed in most cases, is attributed to Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a DNA tumor virus, while the second one is due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. Currently, there are limited diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers available for MCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that do not code for proteins but regulate various cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The dysregulation of miRNAs has been associated with a wide range of cancers since they can act as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. This paper aims to collect, summarize and re-organize the recent discoveries concerning miRNAs, whose dysregulation in the pathogenesis and progression of MCC is slowly emerging. Furthermore, the potential clinical applications of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers, possible differentiation between MCPyV-related and unrelated MCC, predictors of response to therapy and prognostics are also discussed. From this review, it emerges that miRNAs may have, in the near future, the potential to become clinically significant in improving the diagnostic accuracy, prognostic evaluation, and therapeutic options of MCCs. Finally, the new perspectives on the poorly explored field of artificial intelligence in MCC are provided.

Disease, trauma, and aging account for a significant number of clinical disorders. Regenerative medicine is emerging as a very promising therapeutic option. The design and development of new cell-customized biomaterials able to mimic ECM functionalities represent one of the major strategy to control the cell fate and stimulate tissue regeneration. Recently, hydrogels have received a considerable interest for their use in the modulation and control of cell fate during regeneration processes. Several synthetic bioresponsive hydrogels are being developed in order to facilitate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. In this review new strategies and future perspectives of such synthetic cell microenvironment will be highlighted.

Multilayer absorbers based on Cr2O3 and Cr, designed to improve the Solar-to-thermal conversion efficiency at mid temperatures in high vacuum flat thermal panel, are fabricated via sputtering deposition on bulk copper substrates and characterized by thermal and optical analysis. The refractive index of the single layers has been measured and used to estimate absorber thermal efficiency at the operating temperatures. Multilayers have been produced via sputtering deposition on bulk copper substrates. The absorber multilayers can be 10% more efficient than the commercial alternative at 250 °C operating temperatures, reaching 380 °C stagnation temperature without Sun concentration. The thermal stability has been checked at temperature of 400 °C in vacuum for four hours. High vacuum flat thermal collectors, equipped with the produced selective solar absorbers can obtain unprecedented performances and can give important contribution to the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy for efficient heat production.

Multirotors are gaining great importance in the layout of innovative and more agile mobility. In this framework, a possible solution to developing an aircraft complying with the stringent size requirements characterizing this type of application can be a coaxial rotor configuration. To exploit the several possibilities linked to coaxial rotors, a scaled experimental model is designed to evaluate the performances of the counter-rotating propellers system, concerning the distance between the two propellers. Both thrust and noise are considered as parameters of interest. Two brushless motors are deployed whereas the propellers' angular velocity, in terms of round per minute (rpm), is controlled by an external control system. Tests are conducted on both single isolated propellers as well as on the counter-rotating system: the two propellers and their respective motors have been characterized concerning the thrust. Furthermore, a comparison with a numerical model is performed. Noise evaluation on the single propeller has shown a motor contribution prevalence at a low rpm regime (1140-1500 rpm) and a propeller prevalence for angular velocities higher than 1860 rpm. By varying the distances between the propellers a sensitivity analysis is performed with the aim of identifying the optimum configuration taking into account both noise and thrust performances.

We describe the development and validation of a HPLC-MS/MS method to assess the pharmacokinetics and tumour distribution of fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid chemically related to all-trans-retinoic acid, after administration of a novel oral nanoformulation of fenretinide, called bionanofenretinide (BNF). BNF was developed to overcome the major limitation of fenretinide: its poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability due to its hydrophobic nature. The method proved to be reproducible, precise, and highly accurate for the measurement of the drug and the mains metabolites. The lower limit of quantification resulted 1 ng/mL. The curve range of 1-500 ng/mL and 50-2000 ng/mL, for plasma and tumor homogenate respectively, was appropriate for the analysis, as demonstrated by the accuracy between 96.8% and 102.4% for plasma and 96.6-102.3% for tumor. The inter-days precision and accuracy determined on quality controls at 3 different levels were in ranges of 6.9%-7.5% and 99.3-101.0% and 0.96-1.91% and 102.3-105.8% for plasma and tumour, respectively.

The use of Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) for orientation estimation is now common practice in a wide range of applications, e.g., robotics and human motion tracking, aerial vehicles and aerospace, gaming and virtual reality, indoor pedestrian navigation and maritime navigation. The integration of the high-rate measurements can provide very accurate estimates, but these can suffer from errors accumulation due to the sensors drift over longer time scales. To overcome this issue, inertial sensors are typically combined with additional sensors and techniques. As an example, camera-based solutions have drawn a large attention by the community, thanks to their low-costs and easy hardware setup; moreover, impressive results have been demonstrated in the context of Deep Learning. This work presents the preliminary results obtained by DOES , a supportive Deep Learning method specifically designed for maritime navigation, which aims at improving the roll and pitch estimations obtained by common AHRS. DOES recovers these estimations through the analysis of the frames acquired by a low-cost camera pointing the horizon at sea. The training has been performed on the novel ROPIS dataset, presented in the context of this work, acquired using the FrameWO application developed for the scope. Promising results encourage to test other network backbones and to further expand the dataset, improving the accuracy of the results and the range of applications of the method.

The idea of an extension of life for CubeSats is proposed to reduce space debris in a low-earth orbit. In this work, a gripper is designed for geometry-based grasping in berthing tasks. The grasping operation is outlined for square- and rectangle-profiled CubeSats. Equilibrium conditions are used to choose fingertips shape and parameters for grasping the CubeSat body. A design scheme is proposed to provide the required accuracy. A design concept is developed into a lab prototype by using low-cost 3D printing technique, and a mock-up grasping task that is representative of the berthing operation is evaluated with the lab prototype. Center-mass hanging setup for the prototype and grasped body is used to evaluate the impact of grasping, partially replicating the conditions in space by reducing the effect of gravity on the system.

One of the most important problems in the presence of epidemics and pandemics is an accurate prediction and preparedness. Scholars and experts argue that future pandemics and/or epidemics are almost inevitable events and is not whether next pandemics will happen, but when a new heath emergency will emerge. Epidemiologic models for prediction of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have shown many limitations because of unpredictable dynamics of the new viral agent SARS-CoV-2 in environment and society. The main goals of this study are twofold: first, the analysis of anthropogenic activities and factors that may trigger pandemic threats; second, the planning of new directions for strategies to reduce risks that a pandemic threat emerges and/or in the initial phase to reduce vast diffusion and negative impact of new viral agents that can generate hazards and problems in public health, environment and socioeconomic systems. In particular, the investigation and understanding of sources and driving factors concerning the emergence and diffusion of new pandemics have critical aspects for strategic actions of forecast, prevention and preparation of effective policy responses to cope with next pandemic crises and health emergencies. Insights here endeavor, whenever possible, to clarify these problems to increase the knowledge of the sources and factor determining the emergence of new viral agents in order to design optimal response policies to face next pandemic diseases similar to COVID-19. .

Artificial intelligence and Quantum science supports path-breaking technologies for main technological change. The investigation goal of this study is to examine their scientific and technological development to explain drivers of these disruptive technologies. Analyses of data, based on publications and patents in quantum science and artificial intelligence, with a technometric model show that that quantum science and technology has a growth rate of 1.07, artificial Intelligence ha a rate of growth of 1.37, whereas the interaction of quantum science and artificial intelligence generates a convergent technological trajectory that has an accelerated rate of growth of 1.58, higher than trends of these technologies taken individually. These findings here clarify one of the fundamental determinants of the evolution of path-breaking technologies that can support decision making of policymakers, technology analysts and R&D managers to direct R&D investments towards fruitful inter-relationships between radical technologies that foster scientific and technological change in knowledge economies.

(1) Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by immune system dysregulation with frequent extraintestinal manifestations, including airways involvement. Reduction in CO diffusing capacity and functional alterations in small airways have been described. The extended analysis of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), may distinguish the sites of production and the presence of small airways inflammation being a useful, non-invasive marker for these patient’s follow up. The aim of our study was to compare PFTs, FeNO and CANO values of UC patients with different clinical disease activity and healthy subjects to reveal lung function abnormalities and the presence of subclinical airway inflammation. (2) Methods: We enrolled 42 adult outpatients with different clinical activity stages of UC (mean age 39±13 years) and a healthy control group of 41 subjects (mean age 29±3 years). C-reactive protein (CRP) and FeNO values at different flows (50,100 and 200 ml/sec) were collected. All patients performed pulmonary function tests (PFT’s) with static volumes and diffusing capacity (DLCO). (3) Results: FENO, CANO and CRP values were significantly increased in UC patients when compared with controls (p=0.02 and p<0.0001, respectively) and proportionally to the disease activity (FeNO class 3: 27.1 ppb vs class 1-2: 6.2 ppb; CANO values class 3: 8.1 ppb vs class 1-2: 2.0 ppb (p < 0.0001). TLC and DLCO were significantly reduced in UC patients compared to controls (p=0.011 and p<0.0001, respectively). (4) The results of this study show significant lung functional abnormalities in UC patients and suggest the presence of airway inflammation directly correlated with the disease activity suggesting an integrated approach in routine assessment.

Origin, mechanics and properties of the Solar System are analysed in the framework of the Complete Relativity theory (by the same author). According to Complete Relativity, everything is relative. Any apparent absolutism (notably invariance to scale of dimensional constants, absolute elementariness, invariance to time) is an illusion stemming from limits imposed by [or on] polarized observers that will inevitably lead to misinterpretation of phenomena (another illusion) occurring on non-directly observable scales or even on observable but distant scales in space or time. If everything is relative, reference frames will exist where particles are planets and where planets are living beings. Earth is, therefore, analysed here in more detail, both as a particle and, as a living evolving being (of, hypothesized, extremely introverted intelligence). The analysis confirms the postulates and hypotheses of the theory (ie. existence of discrete vertical energy levels) with a significant degree of confidence. During the analysis, some new hypotheses have emerged. These are discussed and confirmed with various degrees of confidence. To increase confidence or refute some hypotheses, experimental verification is necessary. Main conclusions that stem from my research and are further confirmed in this paper are: universes are, indeed, completely relative; Solar System is a scaled (inflated, in some interpretations) Carbon isotope with a nucleus in a condensed (bosonic) state and components in various vertically excited states; life is common everywhere, albeit extroverted complex forms are present on planetary surfaces only during planetary neurogenesis; anthropogenic climate change is only a part (trigger from one perspective) of bigger global changes; major extinction events on a surface of a planet are relative extinctions, a regular part of transformation and transfer of life in the process of planetary neurogenesis.

Almost fifty years after the first installations, I identify the main lessons learned from fighting drought and poverty in Africa with direct solar-powered pumps thanks to Father Bernard Verspieren and Mali Aqua Viva. Six main findings and three main recommendations emerge from the present analysis. They are of direct relevance to all Africa’s countries whose population has gone from 438 million in 1977 to 1,308 million in 2019, with about 600 million still having no access to electricity. In place of “awareness campaigns” and extraordinary courses held by international organizations, I recommend to establish national solar energy institutes whose task will include the education of solar energy professionals giving practice-oriented workshops on solar-powered drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting throughout each Africa’s country. Said education will critically include the economic and social aspects of distributed “generation” of energy and water from sunlight and rainfall.

MRI shows in-vivo the three archetypal patterns of CNS volume loss underlying progressive ataxias, namely spinal atrophy (SA), cortical cerebellar atrophy (CCA) and olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA). The MRI-based CNS atrophy pattern was reviewed in 128 progressive ataxias. A CNS atrophy pattern was identified in 91 conditions: SA in Freidreich’s ataxia, CCA in 5 acquired and 72 (24 dominant, 47 recessive,1 X-linked) inherited ataxias, OPCA in Multi-System Atrophy and 12 (9 dominant, 2 recessive,1 X-linked) inherited ataxias. The MRI-based CNS atrophy pattern may be useful for genetic assessment, identification of shared cellular targets, and repurposing therapies or enlargement of drugs indications in progressive ataxias.

Daridorexant, as the first Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist (DORA) marketed in Europe, offers a novel therapeutic approach to insomnia. However, data regarding its real-world safety are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess its safety profile using a large-scale pharma-covigilance database. Daridorexant-related Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System were scrutinized, and ADRs were selected using reporting odds ratio (ROR) as a measure of disproportionality. Frequencies of events related to daridorexant were compared to all other drugs (reference group, RG1) and only to other DORAs (RG2). Only significant disproportionalities to both RGs were evaluated in-depth. A total of 845 dari-dorexant-related reports were selected; nightmares (n = 146; Dari vs. RG1: ROR = 113.74; 95%CI[95.13, 136]; Dari vs. RG2: ROR = 2.35; 95CI%[1.93, 2.85]), depression (n = 22; Dari vs. RG1: 2.13; [1.39, 3.25]; Dari vs. RG2: ROR = 2.31; 95CI%[1.45, 3.67]), and hangover (n = 20; Dari vs. RG1: ROR = 127.92; 95CI%[81.98, 199.62]; Dari vs. RG2: 3.38; [2.04, 5.61]) were considered as safety signals. These data provide valuable insights into the real-world safety profile of dari-dorexant, supporting the existence of safety signals related to nightmares, depression, and hang-over.

This review deals with the functionalization of double bonds carried out in the presence of a chiral catalyst exploiting the intramolecular attack to haliranium ions by nucleophilic nitrogen of amides or carbamates prepared from achiral aminoalkenes, and the C-N bonds formation leads to highly enantioenriched non-aromatic heterocycles. A range of protocols are reported, emphasizing the synthesis of many natural and biologically active products of pharmacological interest prepared according to this methodology.

Fostering fruitful collaboration between chemistry and physics scholars, the analysis of the differences in the practical approach to single atoms in chemistry and in physics affords a number of conceptual outcomes pointing to a more balanced relationship between chemistry and physics.

The fabrication of thin-film multilayer structures by sputtering technique usually requires multi-cathode deposition machine. This study proposes a simpler approach based on the RF power modulation: silicon nitride (SiN$_x$) thin films were prepared by RF reactive sputtering in (Ar + N$_2$) atmosphere at room temperature. The samples were analyzed to highlight the effects of different deposition conditions on the morphological and optical properties of the films in the visible and near/mid-IR regions. The refractive index of the films was changed in the range of 1.5 - 2.5 (at $\lambda$=800 nm) by tuning the sputtering power. IR reflectance measurements revealed the absence of spurious (oxygen- or hydrogen-based) phases, while atomic force and scanning electron microscopies confirmed the presence of flat and defect-free samples surfaces.

With a relatively small population, Russia accesses huge oil, natural gas, coal and uranium resources, and hosts advanced nuclear energy, oil and natural gas industries. However, the combined effect of today’s low cost electricity generation via photovoltaic modules, water and wind turbines and similarly low cost storage in Li-ion battery and solar hydrogen obtained via water electrolysis will have a profound impact on Russia’s energy and automotive industries.

From professors overwhelmed by anxiety-driven e-mails from students, through faculty and administrative staff wasting valued time on e-mail minutia, misuse of electronic mail in the academy has become ubiquitous. After a brief overview of the unique features of e-mail communication, this study provides insight and guidelines to plan new educational activities on healthy and productive utilization of e-mail in the academy of the digital era. The overall aim is to prioritize scholarly deep work by focusing on teaching and research work, freeing working time wasted on unproductive use of e-mail.

A quantum time-dependent spectrum analysis, or simply, quantum spectral analysis (QSA) is presented in this work, and it’s based on Schrödinger’s equation. In the classical world, it is named frequency in time (FIT), which is used here as a complement of the traditional frequency-dependent spectral analysis based on Fourier theory. Besides, FIT is a metric which assesses the impact of the flanks of a signal on its frequency spectrum - not taken into account by Fourier theory and let alone in real time. Even more, and unlike all derived tools from Fourier Theory (i.e., continuous, discrete, fast, short-time, fractional and quantum Fourier Transform, as well as, Gabor) FIT has the following advantages, among others: a) compact support with excellent energy output treatment, b) low computational cost, O(N) for signals and O(N2) for images, c) it does not have phase uncertainties (i.e., indeterminate phase for a magnitude = 0) as in the case of Discrete and Fast Fourier Transform (DFT, FFT, respectively). Finally, we can apply QSA to a quantum signal, that is, to a qubit stream in order to analyze it spectrally.

In this review, special emphasis will be placed on red grape polyphenols for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, their capacity to inhibit major pathways responsible for activation of oxidative systems and expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines will be discussed. Furthermore, regulation of immune cells by polyphenols will be illustrated with special reference to the activation of T regulatory cells which support a tolerogenic pathway at intestinal level. Furthermore, the effects of red grape polyphenols will be analyzed in obesity, as a low grade systemic inflammation. Also, possible modifications of inflammatory bowel disease biomarkers and clinical course have been studied upon polyphenol administration, either in animal models or in clinical trials. Moreover, the ability of polyphenols to cross the blood-brain barrier has been exploited to investigate their neuroprotective properties. In cancer, polyphenols seem to exert several beneficial effects, even if conflicting data are reported about their influence on T regulatory cells. Finally, the effects of polyphenols have been evaluated in experimental models of allergy and autoimmune diseases. Conclusively, red grape polyphenols are endowed with a great anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential but some issues, such as polyphenol bioavailability, activity of metabolites and interaction with microbiota, deserve deeper studies.

Resistance to therapy and disease progression are the main causes of mortality in most cancers. In particular, the development of resistance is an important limitation affecting the efficacy of therapeutic alternatives for cancer, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Signaling pathways are largely responsible for the mechanisms of resistance to cancer treatment and progression, and multiple myeloma is no exception. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) is downstream of several signaling pathways specific to treatment resistance and progression. Therefore, in recent years, developing therapeutic alternatives directed at p38 MAPK has been of great interest, in order to reverse chemotherapy resistance and prevent progression. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the role of p38, including recent advances in our understanding of its expression and activity as well as its isoforms, and its possible clinical role based on the mechanisms of resistance and progression in multiple myeloma.

In numerous instances, the fate of a single cell not only represents its peculiar outcome but also contributes to the overall status of an organism. In turn, cell division cycle and its control strongly influence cell destiny playing a critical role in targeting it towards a specific phenotype. Several factors participate to the control of growth and among them p27 and p57, two proteins modulating various transitions of cell cycle, appear to play key functions. In this review, the major features of p27 and p57 will be described, focusing in particular on their recently identified roles not directly correlated to cell cycle modulation. Then, their possible role as molecular effectors of polyphenols activities are discussed. Polyphenols represent a large family of natural bioactive molecules that have been demonstrated to play promising protective activities against several human diseases. Their use has also been proposed in association with classical therapies for ameliorating their clinical effects and for diminishing their negative side activities. The importance of p27 and p57 in polyphenol cellular effects will be discussed with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of important human diseases, such as cancers, characterized by an altered control of growth.

Obturator herniæ are a quite rare type of abdominal hernia, accounting for less then 1% of all abdominal wall hernias and for 0.2-1.6% of patient with a small bowel obstruction. The obturator canal is the only portion of the obturator foramen that is not obliterated by the membrane of the same name and hosts the obturator neurovascular bundle; it is, for this reason, a locus minoris resistentiae, through which obturator hernias are formed, generally in elderly, multiparous women. Despite the fact that Computed Tomography offers the possibility of a quick, correct preoperative diagnosis, often signs and symptoms of obturator herniæ are quite unspecific; considering that, at the same time, patients with an obturator hernia are generally elderly, with concurrent conditions, this might cause delays in the diagnosis and treatment and produces the high postoperative mortality rates that obturator herniæ yield

The range of interactions between Cladosporium, an ubiquitous fungal genus, and insects, a class including about 60% of the animal species, is extremely diverse. The broad case history of antagonism and mutualism connecting Cladosporium and insects is reviewed in this paper based on the examination of the available literature. Certain strains establish direct interactions with pest or beneficial insects, or indirectly influence them through their endophytic development in plants. Entomopathogenicity is often connected to the production of toxic secondary metabolites, although there is a case where these compounds have been reported to favor pollinators attraction, suggesting an important role in angiosperm reproduction. Other relationships include mycophagy, which on the other hand may reflect an ecological advantage for these extremely adaptable fungi using insects as carriers for spreading in the environment. Several Cladosporium species colonize insect structures, such as galleries of ambrosia beetles, leaf-rolls of attelabid weevils and galls formed by cecidomyid midges, playing a still uncertain symbiotic role. Finally, the occurrence of Cladosporium in the gut of several insect species has intriguing implications in pest management, also considering that some strains have proven to be able to degrade insecticides. These interactions especially deserve further investigation to understand the impact of these fungi on pest control measures and strategies to preserve beneficial insects.

The corneal epithelium (CE) is spread between two domains, the outer vascularized limbus and the avascular cornea proper. Epithelial cells undergo constant migration from the limbus to the vision-critical central cornea. Coordinated with this migration the cells undergo differentiation changes where a pool of unique stem/precursor cells at the limbus yields the mature cells that reach the corneal center. Differentiation is heralded by the expression of the corneal-specific Krt12. Processing data acquired by scRNA-Seq we found that the increase of Krt12 expression occurs in four distinct steps within the limbus plus a single continuous increase in the cornea. Differential gene analysis demonstrated that these domains reflect discreet stages of CE differentiation and yielded extensive information of the genes undergoing down or up regulation in the sequential transition from less to more differentiate conditions. The approach allowed the identification of multiple gene cohorts, including a) the genes that have maximal expression in the most primitive, Krt12-negative cell cohort, which is likely to include the stem/precursor cells; b) the sets of genes that undergo continuous increase or decrease along the whole differentiation path, and c) and the genes showing maximal positive or negative correlation with the changes in Krt12.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy that adversely affects maternal and offspring health. A variety of risk factors, such as BMI and age, have been associated with increased risks of gestational diabetes. However, in many cases gestational diabetes occurs in healthy nulliparous women with no obvious risk factors. Emerging data suggest that the tendency to develop gestational diabetes has genetic and environmental components. Here we develop a polygenic risk score for gestational diabetes. We further investigate relationships between the genetic architecture of GDM and genetically constructed risk factors and biomarkers. Our results show that genetics can be used as an early screening tool that identifies at-risk at higher risk of GDM before its onset to propose comprehensive monitoring and preventative programs to mitigate the risks.

Large-scale integration of solar energy technologies in Rome’s built environment epitomizes the needed general adoption of distributed generation via functionalization of buildings of all size and end use across the world, to become active energy generators and no longer energy users only. This paper identifies selected technology solutions and critical policy and educational initiatives to effectively achieve within the next decade (2018-2027) the widespread uptake of decentralized solar energy systems in the built environment on a global scale.

One of the main issues for underwater robots navigation is represented by the accurate vehicle positioning, which heavily depends on the orientation estimation phase. The systems employed to this scope are affected by different noise typologies, mainly related to the sensors and to the irregular noise of the underwater environment. Filtering algorithms can reduce their effect if opportunely configured, but this process usually requires fine techniques and time. This paper presents DANAE++, an improved denoising autoencoder based on DANAE, which is able to recover Kalman Filter IMU/AHRS orientation estimations from any kind of noise, independently of its nature. This deep learning-based architecture already proved to be robust and reliable, but in its enhanced implementation significant improvements are obtained both in terms of results and performance. In fact, DANAE++is able to denoise the three angles describing the attitude at the same time, and that is verified also on the estimations provided by the more performing Extended KF. Further tests could make this method suitable for real-time applications on navigation tasks.

The goal of the study presented in this article is to investigate interconnection issues of the Intelligent Electrical Networks (IENs) with the existing ones, as well as the deployment of the appropriate load forecasting demand techniques. The concept of IENs has recently emerged as a potential solution to the global energy problem, due to the more flexible dispersed production units that are involved. In the same context, additional issues, such as the reduction of production-transfer-distribution costs as well as power losses are analyzed as well, via the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs). To this end, it is necessary to use appropriate advanced infrastructure, where in combination with modern telecommunication networks will make possible the full exploitation of IENs. Moreover, to make the electricity system more efficient, to avoid voltage and frequency imbalance issues and to implement optimal production and consumption planning, the Electric Load Forecast (ELF) is a vital process and plays a key role in the planning as well as in the management of electricity systems. Therefore, recent state of the art approaches in ELF methods are discussed as well.

Reducing the levels of toxic chemicals that cause adverse health and environmental impacts is a challenge for the international community. There is a need of a global strategy. Indeed, too often the problems associated to the exposure of chemical substances is recognized a posteriori, in the presence of consequences already observed. The prediction of the likely effects of chemical exposure on human health is based on classical tests with animals, which are time and money consuming, may deviate from an accurate prediction towards humans, and arises ethical concerns. Regulations are now considering the adoption of in silico (or computational) methods, which can be used for prioritizing substances according to the probability to be toxic for the biosphere. Several initiatives have prioritized chemicals, typically based according to some criteria, such as chemicals which may be endocrine disruptors, or persistent, bioaccumulative, or toxic (PBT). However, these initiatives focused on a certain range of adverse properties, and covered a certain number of substances only. We applied a set of largely validated and widely used predictive methods to large collections of chemicals: (i) to about 340,000 with a defined function, and (ii) to about 6 millions, which have been synthetized. The aim of this study is to quantify the putative impact of existing and future chemicals on towards human health, ecological and environment properties. The impact on the environment is the cause of major concern. This is the case of pesticides and hazardous, which is quite expected; however, also pharmacologically active candidate compounds of natural origin may have a high level of ecotoxicity. Pesticides and hazardous are also the categories of higher concern for humans, followed by pharmaceuticals. The pesticides and the hazardous are the categories of higher concern also on the environmental point of view. The results of our analysis could be the basis for the identification of new safety rules.

Driven by the rapid uptake of battery electric vehicles, Li-ion power batteries are increasingly reused in stationary energy storage systems, and eventually recycled to recover all the valued components. Offering an updated global perspective, this study provides a circular economy insight on lithium-ion battery reuse and recycling.

Background: Melatonin is a potent mitochondrial, cytoprotective and antioxidant molecule with potentially strong anti-aging properties. Topical melatonin has shown to improve the clinical signs of skin aging. Melatosphere™ is a new lipid-based delivery system able to improve stability and skin penetration of melatonin when used in topical formulations. No clinical studies, using objective instrumental data, are available so far regarding the positive effect of Melatosphere™ in improving wrinkles in women with mild-to-moderate skin aging. Study Aim: We evaluate, in an open prospective, evaluator-blinded trial, the effects on skin texture of 2 months treatment with a Melatosphere™ based cream. Subjects and Methods: 15 women aged >45 years with mild to moderate facial skin aging (Glogau score ≥2) participated in the trial, after their informed consent. An ANTERA 3D computer-assisted skin analysis evaluation for the assessment of coarse and fine wrinkles of the periorbital area and melanin content was performed at baseline and after two months of treatment. An evaluator-blinded Investigator Global assessment of skin elastosis, roughness, level of dyscromia, skin dryness and presence of actinic damage was also performed at the same time points using a 4-grade score from 0 (no sign) to 3 (severe sign). Results: At baseline the mean (SD) IGA score was 8.2(1.0). After 2 months the IGA score significantly decrease to 4.2(1.4) (49% reduction) (P=0.0007). ANTERA 3D evaluations showed a significant reduction in skin coarse and fine wrinkles volume in the target area of -31% and -18%, respectively. Melanin content was reduced significantly by -17%. Conclusion: Topical melatonin carried in Melatosphere improves in the short-term signs of skin aging evaluated clinically and by ANTERA 3D device in women with mild to moderate skin aging.

Raman spectroscopy (RS) turns out to be a promising tool for cancer di- agnosis. In particular, in the last years several studies have demonstrated how the diagnostic performances of Raman Spectroscopy can be significantly improved by employing Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for the interpre- tation of Raman-based data. In line with these findings, in this paper, we demonstrated how RS coupled with ML allowed to accurately distinguish the three grades of Chondrosarcoma and to distinguish Chondrosarcoma and a benign counterpart called Enchondroma. We obtained such results by ana- lyzing a dataset composed of a relatively small number of Raman spectra, collected in a previous study. Such spectra were acquired from micromet- ric tissue sections with a Confocal Raman Microscope. In particular, we tested the classification performances of a Support Vector Machine and a Random Forest Classifier, as representative of Machine Learning, and two versions of the Multi-Layer Perceptron, as representative of Deep Learning (DL). These models showed excellent classification performances, especially those belonging to DL, with accuracy reaching 99.7%. This outcome makes the aforementioned models a promising route for future improvements of di- agnostic devices focused on detecting bone cancerous tissues. In addition, we highlighted how the ML models studied resulted in slightly worse classifi- cation performances in comparison to DL. Alongside the diagnostic purpose, the aforementioned approach allowed to identify characteristic molecules, i. e. amino acids, nucleic acids and bioapatites, relevant for the obtainment of the final diagnostic response, through the analysis of the so-called Per- mutation Feature Importance. Permutation Feature Importance could hence represent a promising parameter for the understanding of the biochemical processes on the basis of the tumor progression. In turn, the spectral bands highlighted by Permutation Feature Importance could represent precious in- dicators in the attempt to restrict the spectral acquisition to specific Raman bands. This last objective could help to reduce the amount of experimental data needed to obtain an accurate final grading outcome, with consequent reduction of the computational cost.

Objectives We tested the hypothesis that poor adherence is associated with a greater risk of alcohol-caused mortality and morbidities within the first year of discontinuing this medication. Materials and Methods Retrospective cohort study of 3319 individuals who received Acamprosate® in the East of Scotland in a 10-year period using a health informatics approach with record linkage of dispensing data, hospital utilization (SMR) and General Register Office of Scotland (GROS) data. Primary outcome was adherence between one to six months of initiating Acamprosate® medication. Secondary outcome was all cause morbidities and mortality. Results Of the total 3319 individuals identified, good adherence index of >80% was found in 59% of those prescribed Acamprosate® after three months and 6% after six months. There were significant linear trends of poorer adherence with increased risk of alcohol-caused mortality (HR1.2), medical morbidities especially neoplasm (HR 4.1|) and poisoning (HR 1.4) and psychiatric morbidities especially stress (HR 35.1), psychotic (HR 5.6) and neurotic disorders and directly alcohol induced conditions (7.4 HR) after adjustment for other factors within a one-year period of initiation of Acamprosate® treatment. Discussion and Conclusions Further exploratory studies using this digitalized approach should be encouraged in order to capture role of compliance to Acamprosate® and other types of medication that are known to reduce relapse into alcohol dependence and its direct relationship to mortality and morbidities in this population.

Circular Economy (CE) is a growing topic among scholars, industry and government aiming at decoupling economic growth and development from the consumption of finite resources. CE incorporates different meanings, from reduce, reuse and recycle activities to environmental degradation or resource scarcity, and supported by specific indicators to attain sustainable development. However, so far, there has been no agreement to measure how effective an industry/product is in making the transition from linear to circular approaches, particularly those affected the society. This research work aims to perform a systematic literature review (n=60) to analyze and discuss how social aspects have been considered and integrated in the CE research so far. Moreover, this review provides and overview of the literature on social impact within CE, that resulted in three main outputs: a knowledge map of the CE, an analysis of social aspects within CE, and the theories/frameworks used to evaluate social impact of CE. Finally, this study brings to light how CE implementation can affect society and highlights the importance of social dimension in the domains of CE and policy-making community, which could help moving CE towards a sustainable development.

Variability is the predisposition of the elements in systems to assume different values over time and space. In biology, the variability is basic to explain differences and development in organisms but in the fields of scientific and technological information, the effects of variability on evolutionary dynamics of disciplines and technologies are unknown. In a broad analogy with the principles of biology, the variability within research fields can be a central argument to explain trajectories in scientific development and technological evolution. The purpose of the present study is to see whether statistical evidence supports the general hypothesis that the rate of growth in technologies can be explained by the level of variability in scientific fields and with this principal goal to analyze the relation between scientific variability and rate of growth in technologies. Proposed hypothesis of scientific variability here endeavors to explain basic sources of scientific development and technological evolution to lay the foundations for a general theory. The test here is based on emerging research fields of quantum technologies: Quantum Imaging, Quantum Meteorology, Quantum Sensing and Quantum Optics. A preliminary statistical evidence seems in general to support the hypothesis stated that the rate of growth in technological fields can be explained by the level of scientific variability in research fields, measured with relative entropy index. Nonparametric correlation based on Spearman’s rho shows a positive coefficient of 0.80 of these variables; linear model of the rate of technological growth = f(scientific variability) reveals a coefficient of regression equal to 1.63 (R²=0.60). Findings here suggest a general law that scientific variability positively drives scientific development and technological evolution. In particular, a higher variability within research fields can support scientific development and a high rate of growth in technological evolution (measured with scientific and technological information). Proposed hypothesis of scientific variability is especially relevant in environments of rapid change to explain determinants and dynamics of technological change within a general theoretical framework that supports technological management and forecasting of promising innovations.

A proposed interpretation of the characteristics and causes of the variation in science dynamics for technological evolution is described. The theoretical approach focuses on variability in research topics that guide scientific and technological evolution. Statistical method verifies the proposed approach by applying entropy, measures of dispersion and variance decomposition. The statistical evidence, using data of four main research fields in quantum technologies, suggests the following empirical properties: a) the growth of heterogeneity in research topics is inversely proportional to the age of research fields: recent research fields have a higher variability between topics with uncertainty in evolutionary dynamics, whereas older research fields have a lower variability and more concentration in specific research topics with stable evolution towards clear directions; b) the nature of research fields has a systematic effects in variability guiding the evolution of technologies. The theoretical approach and findings clarify main characteristics and causes of the evolution of science and technologies considering the underlying homogeneity or heterogeneity in research topics, providing main implications to improve the scientific and technological forecasting that may support appropriate R&D investments towards promising research fields and technologies

True randomness is necessary for the security of any cryptographic protocol, including quantum key distribution (QKD). In QKD transceivers, randomness is supplied by one or more local private entropy sources of quantum origin, which can be either passive (e.g. a beam splitter) or active (e.g. an electronic quantum random number generator). In order to understand better the role of randomness in QKD we revisit the well-known "detector blinding" attack on BB84 QKD protocol, which utilizes strong light to achieve an undetectable and complete recovery of the secret key. We present two findings. First, we show that the detector blinding attack is in fact an attack on the receiver’s local entropy source. Second, based on this insight, we propose a modified receiver station and a statistical criterion which together enable robust detection of any bright-light attack and thus restore security.

Preprints are regularly cited in peer reviewed journal articles, books and conference paper. Are preprint citations somehow less important than citations to peer reviewed research papers? This study investigates citation patterns between 2017 and 2020 for preprints published in three preprint servers, one specializing in biology (bioRxiv), one in chemistry (ChemRxiv), and another hosting preprints in all disciplines (Research Square). As evaluation of scholarship continues to largely rely on citation-based metrics, this analysis and its outcomes will be useful to inform new research-based education in today’s scholarly communication.

In most world’s countries, scholarship evaluation for tenure and promotion continues to rely on conventional criteria of publications in journals of high impact factor and grant funding. Continuing to hire and promote scholars for their achievements in research and in securing research funds exposes universities at risk because students, directly and indirectly through government funds, are the main source of revenues for academic institutions, whereas talented young researchers are those who actually carry out most of the published research. Purposeful scholarship evaluation needs to include all three areas of scholarly activity: research, teaching and mentoring, and service to society. Young scholars seeking tenure and promotion benefit from the practice of open science because it provides better and more impactful results with respect to each of the three areas of scholarship.

In the digital era in which over 4 billion people regularly access the internet, the conventional process of publishing scientific articles in academic journals following peer review is undergoing profound changes. Following physics and mathematics scholars who started to publish their work on the freely accessible arXiv server in the early 1990s, researchers of all disciplines increasingly publish scientific articles in the form of freely accessible and fully citeable preprints before or in parallel to conventional submission to academic journals for peer review. The full transition to open science, I argue in this study, requires to expand the education of students and young researchers to include scholarly communication in the digital era.

Sharing the same raw material, recycling and composting are in direct conflict with incineration of municipal solid waste in combined heath and power plants. Indeed, waste-to-energy plants in regions with high recycling rates import urban waste from other countries to use otherwise unused capacity, and raise revenues. Using the case of Italy’s second largest and economically most developed region, I discuss the economic viability of municipal solid waste incineration to produce electricity and heath in the context of the increasing role of electricity production from renewable energy sources as well as of the emerging mass-scale uptake of bioplastics. Four lessons and three guidelines aimed to local authorities and policy makers emerge from the present study.

During the last 25 years the scientific community has coexisted with the most fascinating protocol due to Quantum Physics: quantum teleportation (QTele), which would have been impossible if quantum entanglement, so questioned by Einstein, did not exist. In this work, a complete architecture for the teleportation of Computational Basis States (CBS) is presented. Such CBS will represent each of the possible 24 classical bits commonly used to encode every pixel of a 3-color-channel-image (red-green-blue, or cyan-yellow-magenta). For this purpose, a couple of interfaces: classical-to-quantum (Cl2Qu) and quantum-to-classical (Qu2Cl) are presented with two versions of the teleportation protocol: standard and simplified.

During the last century, entanglement was the bone of contention between the two main pillars of Physics: General Relativity (GR) and Quantum Mechanics (QM). This began in 1935 with the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox (EPR paradox) which concluded that although Quantum Mechanics is not wrong, it is an incomplete theory to represent physical reality. In this paper it is demonstrated that some byproducts resulting from entanglement and which we will call avatars act as a hinge that link both theories making the completeness of QM clear. Moreover, a thorough analysis of the non-locality of this effect will be carried out. Besides, it is demonstrated that entanglement is an instantaneous phenomenon and that it does not require the use of a superluminal signaling for this purpose. Finally, the avatars will also appear in each wormhole resulting from an entanglement process (WREP) demonstrating that they are traversable with an equivalent path of null length which can be crossed in a null time with all that this implies in Quantum Communications.

A simplified version of the quantum teleportation protocol is presented in here. Its experimental confirmation will have deep implications for a better understanding of Quantum Entanglement with a particular projection on Quantum Communications.

On June 8 and June 9, 2017, we gave two invited lectures at the Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry (ZIOC) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. The first lecture, “Sol-Gel Catalysts: Making Green Chemistry Possible”, focused on the practical outcomes of 25 years of research on sol-gel entrapped catalysts. The second, “Chemistry for the Bioeconomy: From Discussion to Action”, offered a critical insight to the forthcoming bioeconomy. Both lectures aroused much interest in the audience and ended with a vigorous discussion lasting about one hour. An outlook is provided herein.

Solar green roofs, namely rooftops functionalized with properly selected living vegetation and photovoltaic modules, achieve an ideal symbiotic relationship in which promotion of biodiversity and onsite renewable energy production are both enhanced whereas the roof provides a wide range of environmental, health, aesthetic and economic benefits. This study provides a unified outlook of this eminent sustainable technology at the dawn of its uptake across the world, especially in polluted urban areas.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis, is a rare form of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation that predominantly affects medium and small size vessels. Generally respiratory tracts and kidneys are the most affected organs. Neurological manifestations of GPA usually involve the peripheral nervous system causing mononeuritis multiplex or and cranial nerve palsies. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is rare and characterized by cerebral vasculitis, meningeal inflammation, or mass lesions. The CNS involvement is often linked to Ear Nose Throat (ENT) system disease. In this report, we present two cases of patients diagnosed with GPA who exhibit CNS involvement as first symptom. In the first one with an ischemic stroke while in the second with an atypical headache. In the first patient, a positive medical history indicating involvement of the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) facilitated a precise diagnosis through the prompt execution of autoimmune screening. This, in turn, enabled a timely commencement of treatment, resulting in neurological improvement. In the second case, the significance of ENT involvement was initially overlooked in the context of pathological definition, leading to a substantial delay in diagnosis and an ultimately grim prognosis for the patient. The ENT involvement could be an easy marker to suspect GPA in patient with atypical CNS presentation and could help to make a prompt diagnosis.

Hydroxychloroquine, a known antiviral metabolite of chloroquine, is increasingly used along with antibiotic azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19 infection. In about one month India, the world’s largest manufacturer, delivered hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19 to over 50 countries. The therapy is being used across the world both for patients staying at home at the early phase of symptoms, as well as for patients hospitalized. We summarize achievements as of late April 2020, review possible modes of action and suggest avenues for the quick scale-up of production of hydroxychloroquine.

The natural distribution of stress in the femur is altered when total hip arthroplasty (THA) is performed. In fact, when a stem is inserted inside the femur, there is a variation in stress due to the difference in rigidity between the material with which the stem is made and the femur. This generates the phenomenon of stress-shielding. The aim of this study is to design an optimized prosthesis that guarantees excellent rotational stability and re-duced stress shielding. Methods: through the finite element method (FEM) the mechanical behavior of the stem subjected to the loads described by ISO 7206-4: 2010 is studied. Re-sults: Through topological optimization, there is a reduction in stress shielding in the proximal zone of 31.46%. The addition of ridges on the dorsal side of the stem also im-proves rotational stability by 27.82%. Conclusions: The decrease in stiffness that is rec-orded with the optimized stem, guarantees a greater distribution of stress on the bone. The presence of dorsal ridges also favors the corticalization of the bone as it loads the bone near the dorsal ensuring further stability. The perforated prosthesis presented in this study, shows an increase in primary stability and an improvement in rotational stability. As there is also a bone regrowth inside the prosthesis.

High Vacuum Flat Plate Collectors (HVFPCs) are the only type of Flat Plate Thermal Collectors capable of producing thermal energy for middle-temperature applications (until 180 °C). As the trend of research plans to develop new Selective Solar Absorbers to extend the range of HVFPC application until 250 °C, it is necessary to correctly evaluate the collector efficiency up to such temperature to predict the energy production accurately. We propose an efficiency model for these collectors based on the selective absorber optical properties. The proposed efficiency model explicitly includes the radiative heat exchange with the ambient, which is the main source of thermal losses for evacuated collectors at high temperatures. It also decouples the radiative losses that depend on the optical properties of the absorber adopted from the other thermal losses due to HVFPC architecture. The model has been validated by applying it to MT-Power HVFPC manufactured by TVP-Solar, and it has been used to predict the efficiency and energy production of HVFPC equipped with new, optimized selective solar absorbers developed in recent years.

In Mexico there is a deficit in the production of pine resin, because it depends on natural forests. Therefore, it is necessary to select provenances and phenotypes of potential species such as P. oocarpa. The objective was to determine the difference between provenances and the variation of resin components and quality, as well as the effect of geographic and climatic factors. Resin from five provenances was collected from southern Mexico. The percentage of rosin, turpentine and water was obtained, as well as the acidity and saponification index. P. oocarpa resin had 80.94 % rosin, 7.7 % turpentine and 11.49 % water. The saponification and acidity index was 125.47 and 117.49 mg KOH.g_1, respectively. All variables showed differences (p≤ 0.0001) between provenances. The provenance contributed between 6.44 and 11.71 % to the total variance, the error contributed between 88.29 and 93.56 %. Geographic and climatic variables only had an effect on the percentage of turpentine; the correlation was negative with altitude and longitude, but positive with temperature and precipitation. The results allow defining seed collection sites for resin plantations and orienting the selection for a P. oocarpa improvement program.

How do sensor research and technologies grow over time? This paper applies the network analysis with a new computational approach to map the structure and evolution of sensor research and technologies over a 30-year time frame (1990-2020).The goal of this study is to analyze the evolution of sensor research for forecasting emerging scientific and technological trajectories. Results show that the scientific interaction within ecosystem (represented with networks) of sensor generates a co-evolution of scientific fields supporting the accelerated growth of different technological tra-jectories, such as: wireless sensors, fiber optic and optical sensors, gas sensors and biosensors. These results suggest main theoretical implications that explain the evolution of sensor research with critical aspects of innovation management to support R&D investments towards new technological trajectories having a high potential of growth.

Large volume bone defect regeneration is complex and demands time to complete. Several regeneration phases with unique characteristics including immune responses follow, overlap, and interdepend on each other and, if successful, lead to the regeneration of the organ bone's form and function. However, during traumatic, infectious, or neoplastic clinical cases, the intrinsic bone regeneration capacity may exceed, and surgical intervention is indicated. Scaffold-guided bone regeneration (SGBR) has recently shown efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies. To investigate different SGBR strategies over periods of up to 3 years we have established a well characterized large segmental tibial bone defect ovine model, for which we have developed and optimized immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocols. We present an overview of the immunohistochemical characterization of different experimental groups in which all ovine segmental defects were treated with a bone grafting technique combined with a three-dimensionally printed medical-grade polycaprolactone-tricalcium phosphate (mPCL-TCP) scaffold. The qualitative data set is based on osteoimmunological findings gained from IHC analyses of over >350 sheep surgeries over the past two decades. Our systematic and standardized IHC protocols enabled us to gain further insight into the complex and long-drawn-out bone regeneration processes, which ultimately proved to be a critical element for successful translational research.

Background:Caregiving for individuals with neurological disease involves providing physical, emotional, and social support, which can be a challenging and stressful experience. This study aims to compare the caregivers' burden, including the impact on mental and physical health, social support, and quality of life, in different neurodegenerative disorders. Methods:Fifty-five primary caregivers (F=41;mean age=53.07±12.29) of patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD=26), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA=16), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS=13), took part in the study. Standardized screening scales for the quality of life (EQ-5D/EQ-VAS and PQoL), levels of the caregiving burden (CBI and FSQ), and the assessment of the anxiety-depressive axis (HADS) were administered. Results: The mean CBI score was higher for caregivers of MSA patients (28.81±21.90) and ALS (25.15±16.23) than for caregivers of PD patients (16.08±10.34; p=0.036). Critical burden (cut-off>36) was present in the caregivers of MSA (31.3%), ALS (23.1%), and PD (19.2%) patients. Caregivers of patients with ALS had a worse perception of quality of life (EQ-5D total score) than caregivers of patients with MSA and PD (p

Soil texture is key information in agriculture for improving soil knowledge and crop performance, so the accurate mapping of this crucial feature is imperative for rationally planning cultivations and for targeting interventions. We studied the relationship between radioelements and soil texture in the Mezzano Lowland (Italy), a 189 km² agricultural plain investigated through a dedicated airborne gamma-ray spectroscopy survey. The K and Th abundances were used to retrieve the clay and sand content by means of a multi-approach method. Linear (simple and multiple) and non-linear (machine learning algorithms with deep neural networks) predictive models were trained and tested adopting a 1:50,000 scale soil texture map. The comparison of these approaches highlighted that the non-linear model introduces significant improvements in the prediction of soil texture fractions. The predicted maps of the clay and of the sand content were compared with the regional soil maps. Although the macro-structures were equally present, the airborne gamma-ray data permits us shedding light on finer features. Map areas with higher clay content were coincident with paleo-channels crossing the Mezzano Lowland in Etruscan and Roman periods, confirmed by the hydrographic setting of historical maps and by the geo-morphological features of the study area.

Graphs are largely used in computer science to model relations, or associations, among entities the compose complex systems. More recently, they found a broad field of application in bioinformatics and medical informatics supporting modelling, analysis of many systems. The applications span from representing interactions among molecules within cells, to model the functions of the brains. In order to support research, algorithms from graph theory that are able to extract knowledge from network should be coupled to efficient visualisation techniques. Although the importance of such topic, we retain that many challenges should be faced in the futures, such as automated pathway and network layout to better match biologists’ needs, the developing of a standard able to give more and better choices to represent nodes, edges finally, the developing of automated mechanism able to improve the network navigation methods that help users manage large and complex networks with the goal to improve the usability.

Vaccination, particularly against pneumoccus and influenza, is a low-cost primary prevention, useful to avoid hard complications, particularly among frail older people. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of a strategy for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for outpatients, never practiced before, evaluating what could stimulate or demotivate vaccination among older people. This study was conducted during the 2023-2024 influenza season at the outpatient clinics of the Geriatrics section, University Hospital of Palermo (Italy). A total of 101 vaccinations were carried out. Half of the patients could be considered as pre-frail and about 20% frail, according to a comprehensive geriatric evaluation. Among participants, 46.3% received only vaccination against Pneumococcus and 26.8% only anti-influenza or the combination of anti-pneumococcus and anti-influenza. Compared with the previous seasons, a 19.5% increase of influenza and 90.2 % of pneumococcal vaccine uptake was observed. Side effects of vaccination were the main reason of the previous rejections, namely 74.8% for influenza and 29.5% for anti-pneumococcal vaccination. In conclusion, our study indicates how a new vaccination strategy in different settings is possible. Proposing influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for outpatients could be an effective instrument to improve immunization coverage that is still low among older people.

Removing one key barrier to the industrial uptake of green chemistry and nanocatalysis in the fine and specialty chemical industry requires to fill an ongoing “talent shortage” via expanded chemistry education. In this study we show how the use of hybrid sol-gel catalysts to synthesize fine chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients in flow chemistry reactors illustrates new ideas to reshape chemistry education based on recent research outcomes, visualization and digital tools. Several lessons learned from the industrial and academic utilization of these materials in continuous-flow conversions conclude the study.

Variability is the predisposition of phenomena to assume different values over time. Variability is higher when the differences of cases from each other are larger or diverge from a specific value, such as arithmetic mean. This study focuses on the variability of research topics within and between research fields to explain, whenever possible, how the variability shapes the structure and dynamics of technological trajectories. Analysis of variability here applies the entropy and variance decomposition on main research fields in quantum technologies. Empirical evidence shows that variability in research topics is inversely proportional to the age of research fields. Inductive implications are that higher variability in research topics of recent scientific fields is due to uncertain dynamics that generates a heterogeneity of different technological trajectories some of them can growth and develop towards fruitful directions others can be dismissed. Hence the variability seems to be one of the drivers that shapes technological evolution and can provide policy and managerial implications to improve the scientific and technological forecasting that may support appropriate decisions of R&D investments towards promising research fields and technologies.

The number of applications for nanobodies is steadily expanding, positioning these molecules as fast-growing biologic products in the biotechnology market. Several of their applications require protein engineering, which in turn would greatly benefit from having a reliable structural model of the nanobody of interest. However, as with antibodies, structural modeling of nanobodies is still a challenge. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), several methods have been developed in recent years that attempt to solve the problem of protein modeling. In this study, we have compared the performance in nanobody modeling of several state-of-the-art AI-based programs, either designed for general protein modeling, such as AlphaFold2, OmegaFold, ESMFold and Yang-Server, or specifically designed for antibody modeling, such as IgFold, and Nanonet. While all these programs performed rather well in constructing the nanobody framework and CDRs 1 and 2, modeling of CDR3 sill represents a big challenge. Interestingly, tailoring an AI method for antibody modeling does not necessarily translate into better results for nanobodies.

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 growing body of evidences is showing that dysbiotic gut microbiota may correlate with a wide range of disorders; hence, the clinical use of microbiota maps and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can be exploited in the clinic of some infectious diseases. Through direct or indirect ecological and functional competition, FMT may stimulate decolonization of pathogens or opportunistic pathogens, modulating immune response and colonic inflammation, and restoring intestinal homeostasis, with reduction of host damage. Herein, we discuss how diagnostic parasitology may contribute to design clinical metagenomics pipelines and FMT programs, especially in pediatric subjects. The consequences of a more specialized diagnostics in the context of gut microbiota communities may improve the clinical parasitology and extend its applications to the prevention and treatment of several communicable and even noncommunicable disorders.

The paper addresses the problem of a statistically significant numerical evaluation of the biomechanics of respiration using the motion of the ribcage through the identification of the kinematics of the sixth rib. We report the results of an experimental campaign conducted using a RESPIRholter device prototype for efficient, comfortable, and numerical monitoring on two groups of volunteers, namely with healthy people and with chest operated patients. The results are reported in terms of statistical processing of the data extracted from the monitoring which are represented in plots of acquired motion characteristics with movement graphs in terms of angles and accelerations. This experimental campaign can be considered a first result for the construction of a database useful for a reference of diagnostics as reported by the discussed example case study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of breast (females), prostate, testicular and thyroid cancer in the Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs), served by cancer registries, where the presence of endocrine disruptors (EDs), reported to be linked to these tumors, was documented. Evidence of carcinogenicity of EDs present in NPCs was assessed based on evaluation by international scientific institutions/committees. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) were computed for each NPCS and cancer site with reference to the time window 1996-2005. Excess incidence of one or more cancer site at study was found in twelve out of fourteen NPCSs. Significantly increased SIRs were found for breast cancer in eight NPCSs, for prostate cancer in six, for thyroid cancer (both gender) in four and for testicular cancer in two. Non significantly increased SIRs were found in five NPCSs for testicular cancer and in two for thyroid cancer (males). Even if increased incidence of one or more cancer sites at study were found in several NPCSs, the ecological study design and the multifactorial etiology of the considered tumors do not allow reaching conclusions in terms of causal links with environmental contamination. In light of the observation of some excesses in SIRs, continuing epidemiological surveillance is warranted.

Over the years, network analysis became a promising strategy to analyze complex system, i.e. systems composed by a large number of interacting elements. In particular, multilayer networks have emerged as a powerful framework for modelling and analysing complex systems with multiple types of interactions. Network analysis can be applied to pharmacogenomics to gain insights into the interactions between genes, drugs, and diseases. By integrating network analysis techniques with pharmacogenomic data, the goal consists to uncover complex relationships and identify key genes to use in pathway enrichment analysis to figure out biological pathways involved in drug response and adverse reactions. In this study, we model omics, diseases and drugs data together through the multilayer network representation. Then, we mined the multilayer network with a community detection algorithm by obtaining top communities. After that, we used the identified list of genes from the communities to perform pathway enrichment analysis (PEA) to figure out the biological function affected form the selected genes. The results show that the genes forming the top community have the multiple roles through different pathways.

This work deals with the performance evaluation of novel flat photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) modules under vacuum. Through a 1D (dimensional) steady-state-energy-balance numerical model developed in MATLAB, two different layouts are studied: the first consisting of a photovoltaic (PV) cell installed just below the glass encapsulating the flat panel, and the second where the PV cell is placed on the selective solar absorber (SSA). In both cases the thermal and electrical efficiencies have been evaluated at different SSA operating temperatures, in the range of 323 K to 423 K. The analysis has been conducted at different energy bandgap (E_bg) of the PV cell and assuming a variable transmittance or emittance of the PV cell, depending on the design. The two systems efficiency comparison has been carried out at the same operating temperature. Overall, this work highlights the importance of high vacuum insulation, which guarantees the reduction of convective thermal losses, and shows that the maximum energy is produced for PV cells with E_bg ≈1.5-1.7 eV, depending on layout and operating temperature, by including the thermal output in the PV-T optimization. The energy and exergy efficiencies obtainable using the proposed PV-T systems are considerably improved compared to the results previously reported in the literature.

A probe of a patient, seeking help in an emergency ward of a French hospital in late December 2019 because of Influenza like symptoms, was retrospectively tested positive to COVID-19. Despite the early appearance of the virus in Europe, the prevalence and virulence appeared to be low for several weeks, before the spread and severity of symptoms increased exponentially, yet with marked spatial and temporal differences. Here, we compare the possible linkages between peaks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the sudden, explosive increase of hospitalizations and mortality rates in the Swiss Canton of Ticino, and the Greater Paris and London regions. We also discuss the influence of Saharan dust intrusions on the COVID-19 outbreak observed in early 2020 on the Canary Islands. We find that high PM2.5 concentrations – possibly favored by air temperature inversions or Saharan dust intrusions – are not only modulating but even more so boosting severe outbreaks of COVID-19. We conclude that the overburdening of the health services and hospitals as well as the high over-mortality observed in various regions of Europe in spring 2020 can be linked to peaks of PM2.5 and likely particular weather situations that have favored the spread and enhanced the virulence of the virus. In the future, we recommend to monitor not only the prevalence of the virus, but also to consider the occurrence of weather situations that can lead to sudden, very explosive COVID-19 outbreaks.

This study aims to develop a hybrid approach based on backpropagation Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and spatial analysis techniques to predict particulate matter of size 2.5 µm (PM2.5) from vehicle exhaust emissions in the State of California using Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and several climatic indicators (relative humidity, temperature, precipitation, and wind speed). The PM2.5 data were generated using Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES), the measured climatic variables and AOD were obtained from the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS), and NASA’s Moderate Resolution Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The data were resampled to a seasonal format and downscaled over grids of 10 by 10 to 150 by 150, and precipitation was determined to be the most important independent variable. Coefficient of determination ( ), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were used to assess the quality of the ANN prediction model. The model peaked at winter seasons with = 0.984, RMSE = 0.027, and MAPE = 25.311, whereas it had the lowest performance in summer with = 0.920, RMSE = 0.057, and MAPE = 65.214. These results indicate that the ANN model can accurately predict the PM2.5 concentration and can be used to forecast future trends.

Background: Residents of a large area of North-Eastern Italy were exposed for decades to high concentrations of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via drinking water. Despite the large amount of evidence in adults of a positive association between serum PFAS and metabolic outcomes, studies focusing on children and adolescents are limited. We evaluated the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and lipid profile, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) in highly exposed adolescents and children. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 6669 adolescents (14-19 years) and 2693 children (8-11 years) enrolled in the health surveillance program of the Veneto Region. Non-fasting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), total cholesterol (TC) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured and BMI z-score accounting for age and sex was estimated. The associations between ln-transformed PFAS (and categorized into quartiles) and continuous outcomes were assessed using generalized additive models. Analyses were stratified by gender and adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Among adolescents, significant associations were detected between all investigated PFAS and TC, LDL-C, and to a fewer extent HDL-C. Among children, PFOS and PFNA had significant associations with TC, LDL-C and HDL-C, while PFOA and PFHxS had significant associations with HDL-C only. Increased serum concentrations of PFAS, particularly PFOS, were associated with decreased BMI z-score. No statistically significant associations were observed between PFAS concentrations and BP. Conclusions: Our study supports a consistent association between PFAS concentration and serum lipids, stronger for PFOS and PFNA and with a greater magnitude among children compared to adolescents, and a negative association of PFAS with BMI.

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex multi-stage process involving direct and indirect cell communication events with the aim of efficiently restoring the barrier function of the skin. One key aspect in cutaneous wound healing is associated with cell movement and migration into the physically, chemically and biologically injured area resulting in wound closure. Understanding the conditions under which cell migration is impaired and elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that improve healing dynamics is therefore crucial in devising novel therapeutic strategies to elevate patient suffering, reduce scaring and eliminate chronic wounds. Following the global trend towards automation, miniaturization and integration of cell-based assays into microphysiological systems, conventional wound healing assays such as the scratch assay or cell exclusion assay have recently been translated and improved using microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies. These miniaturized cell analysis systems allow precise spatial and temporal control over a range of dynamic microenvironmental factors including shear stress, biochemical and oxygen gradients to create more reliable in vitro models that resemble the in vivo microenvironment of a wound more closely on a molecular, cellular, and tissue level. The current review provides (a) an overview on the main molecular and cellular processes that take place during wound healing, (b) a brief introduction into conventional in vitro wound healing assays, and (c) a perspective on future cutaneous and vascular wound healing research using microfluidic technology.

Predatory research field in science is when an emerging scientific topic destroys current topics and characterizes a main scientific change. Predatory research field can be a basic driver of scientific and technological change that generates a 'creative destruction' in science and society in contexts of knowledge-based competition and rapid changes. The prediction of proposed theory of predatory research fields is that it destroys with a fast growth other research fields. The theoretical approach is tested here in research fields of large language models (LLM) by analyzing the transformers (a deep learning architecture based on the multi-head attention mechanism) proposed in 2017 and from November 2022 started main applications in generative artificial intelligence with innovations of BERT, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot (launched on February 7, 2023) and other natural language processing tools driven by AI technology for engaging conversations, gain insights, automate tasks, etc., etc. Statistical evidence suggests that growth rate of transformer technologies is 80.58%, a high level compared to all other research fields in machine learning (having a growth rate of 13.83%). Moreover, predatory research field of transformers has a destructive power such that all other domains in LLM from 2021 to 2023 have a general reduction of scientific growth. The impact of transformers is much more drastic of previous radical technologies such as CNN having a temporal growth rate of 0.16%, lower than 0.38% by transformers, ceteris paribus. These analysis reveals that transformers have characteristics to generate a radical scientific and technological change in a not-too-distant future. Overall, then, the study suggests that predatory research field on emerging topics and technologies can generate path-breaking innovations and the examination here can clarify the essential elements of the science dynamics for a better theory of scientific and technological change, providing also main implications for knowledge policy to support promising research fields and technologies to guide economic and social change.

Biological systems often need to operate in complex environments where conditions can rapidly change. This is possible due to their inherent ability to sense changes and adapt their behavior in response. Here, we detail recent advances in the creation of synthetic genetic parts and circuits whose behaviors can be dynamically tuned through a variety of intra- and extra-cellular signals. We show how this capability lays the foundation for implementing control engineering schemes in living cells and allows for the creation of biological systems that are able to self-adapt, ensuring their functionality is maintained in the face of varying environmental and physiological conditions. We end by discussing some of the broader implications of this technology for the safe deployment of synthetic biology.

The fundamental question in the field of sensor research is new directions of scientific fields, which play a vital role in the progress of science and technology. This study confronts this question here by developing a bibliometric analysis, which endeavors to explain the evolution of sensor research and new technologies that are critical to science and society. The database of Scopus concerning scientific documents and patents is used for statistical and computational analyses in these topics. Results suggest that emerging technological trajectories in sensors are wireless sensor networks, wearable sensors and biosensors. Main characteristics of these growing research fields and technologies in sensors are described for fruitful implications of research and innovation policy directed to science advances and technological change in society.

Catheter-based revascularization procedures developed as an alternative of systemic thrombolysis for patients at intermediate-high and high-risk pulmonary embolism. USAT IH-PE is a retrospective and prospective multicenter registry of such patients treated with ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed thrombolysis, whose preliminary results are presented in this study. The primary endpoint was the incidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) at follow up. Secondary endpoints were short- and mid-term changes in echocardiographic parameters of right ventricle (RV) function, in-hospital and all-cause mortality, and procedure-related bleeding events. Between March 2018 and July 2023, 102 patients were included. The majority were at intermediate-high risk PE (86%), mostly female (57%), median age 66.5 years (IQR 56-74), and 28.4% had active cancer. Echocardiographic follow-up was available for 70 patients, and in only one the diagnosis of PH was confirmed by right heart catheterization, resulting in an incidence of 1.43% (CI 95%, 0.036-7.7). RV echocardiographic parameters improved both at 24 hours and at follow up. In-hospital mortality was 3.9% (CI 95%, 1.08-9.74) while all-cause mortality was 11% (CI 95%, 5.4-19.2). Only 12% had bleeding complications, oh whom 4.9% were BARC 3. Preliminary results from USAT IH-PE registry showed low incidence of PH, improvement in RV function and a safe profile.

Production and transport of reactive species through plasma-liquid interactions plays a significant role in multiple applications in biomedicine, environment, and agriculture. We experimentally investigated the transport mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and ozone O3, as the typical plasma species, into water. We measured the solvation of gaseous H2O2 and O3 in airflow into water bulk vs. electrosprayed microdroplets while changing the gas and water flow rates, applied voltage that determines the gas-liquid interface area, and treatment time. The solvation rate of H2O2 and O3 increased with the treatment time and the gas-liquid interface area. The total surface area of the electrosprayed microdroplets was larger than that of the bulk, but their lifetime was much shorter. We estimated that only microdroplets with diameters below ~ 40 µm could achieve the saturation by O3 during their lifetime, while the saturation by H2O2 was impossible due to its depletion from air. Besides the short-lived flying microdroplets, the longer-lived bottom microdroplets substantially contributed to H2O2 and O3 solvation in water electrospray. This study contributes to a better understanding of the gaseous H2O2 and O3 transport into water as a function of different parameters and will lead to design optimization of the plasma-liquid interaction systems.

We developed a novel approach in the field of spatiotemporal modelling, based on the spatialisation of time: the Timescape algorithm. It is especially aimed at sparsely distributed datasets in ecological research, whose spatial and temporal variability is strongly entangled. The algorithm is based on the definition of a spatiotemporal distance that incorporates a causality constraint and that is capable of accommodating the seasonal behaviour of the modelled variable as well. The actual modelling is conducted exploiting any established spatial interpolation technique, substituting the ordinary spatial distance with our Timescape distance, thus sorting, from the same input set of observations, those causally related to each estimated value at a given site and time. The notion of causality is expressed topologically and it has to be tuned for each particular case. The Timescape algorithm originates from the field of stable isotopes spatial modelling (isoscapes), but in principle it can be used to model any real scalar random field distribution.

Asphaltenes constitute a heavy fraction of fossil fuels and their characterization is still a very difficult and challenging issue due to their complex and variable composition. Asphaltene components are highly condensed aromatic molecules having some heteroatom and aliphatic functionalities. Their molecular weights distribution span a wide range, from hundreds to millions of units, in dependence on the diagnostic used, leading to speculation about possible occurrence of self-aggregation. In the present work, mass spectrometry, with properly developed mathematical methods, size ex-clusion chromatography and X-ray diffraction analysis have been applied to asphaltenes for giving some further insight on their MW distribution and characteristics. The results here reported give further quantitative support to the experimental data interpretation already reported in previous works.

Irrigated agriculture determines large blue water withdrawals, and it is considered a key intervention area to reach sustainable development objectives. Precision agriculture technologies have the potential to mitigate water resource depletion that often characterizes conventional agricultural approaches. This study investigates the factors influencing farmers' intentions to adopt variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology. The Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM-3) was employed as a theoretical framework to design a survey to identify the factors influencing farmers' decision-making process when adopting VRI. Data were gathered through quantitative face-to-face interviews with a sample of 138 fruit and grapevine producers from the Northeast of Italy (Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia). Data were analyzed using partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM). The results highlight that personal attitudes, such as perceived usefulness and subjective norm, positively influence the intention to adopt VRI. Also, the perceived ease of use positively affects intention, but it is moderated by subject experience.

Carbonate rocks occupy about 6490 km2 in Albania (23% of the country) and the total exploitable karst water resources are estimated in 2.84*109 m3/year (about 65% of the total exploitable groundwater resources in the country, and about 70% of those used for water supply). In addition, karst massifs are very rich in thermal waters, related to the ascending fluids which are essential for the development of hypogenic karstification in the outer Albanides. This type of karst facilitates the circulation regime of deep fluids, which are revealed at the surface through both numerous phenomena of hypogene karst and hot springs. The relatively small Kruja Tectonic Zone is characterized by the presence of SE-NW oriented carbonate structures, rich in thermal sources, and contains more than the 80% of Albania thermal springs. One of its most interesting carbonate structures, for the presence of both cold and thermal waters, is the small karst structure of Makaresh, with a surface of 22 km2. The purpose of this article is to describe the characteristics and factors that affect the quantitative and qualitative formation of cold and thermal groundwater in this massif. Based on the physico-chemical characteristics, groundwaters of the study area are classified in cold and thermal waters. The former are mainly of HCO3-Ca or HCO3-Ca-Mg type (Electrical Conductivity 580-650 μS/cm, Temperature 13.9-16.6° C). Thermal waters are mainly of the Cl-Na-Ca type (EC 7200-7800 μS/cm, T 18.5-22.5° C); further, they are characterized by high hydrogen sulphide concentration, up to about 350 mg/l. The presence of two groundwater types in the Makaresh massif is connected to the presence of two groundwater circulation systems. The main factors of the groundwater physic-chemical quality are the solution of rocks and minerals therein contained, the presence of hypogenic speleogenesis, and the mixing of the groundwater of the two systems. The hydrogeological studies proved that karst rocks contain considerable fresh water resources; the capacity of water wells used for the drinking water supply reaches up to about 50 l/s. Thermal waters are not currently exploited due to their temperature, but they are potentially suitable for thermal uses, by drilling boreholes at depth of about 1000 m.

The initial development of seahorse juveniles is characterized by low digestion capabilities. Stable isotope analysis is an effective tool in studies of trophic food webs and animal feeding patterns. The present study provides new insights for the understanding of growth and food assimilation in early developing seahorses following a laboratory diet switch. The study was performed in early life stages of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi by assessing the influence of diet shift on changes and turnovers in carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope in juveniles. Newborn seahorses were fed for 60 days following two feeding schedules (A6 and A11) based initially on copepods Acartia tonsa and subsequently on Artemia nauplii (since days 6 and 11, respectively). After prey shift, we determined δ13C and δ15N turnover rates as functions of change in either body mass (fitting model G) and days of development (fitting model D), contributions of metabolism and growth to those turnover rates, and diet-tissue discrimination factors. Survival, final dry weight and final standard length for diet A11 were higher compared to diet A6. The shift from copepods to Artemia lead to fast initial enrichments in δ13C and δ15N. Afterwards, the enrichment was gradually reduced until reaching the isotopic equilibrium with diet. In most cases, both fitting models performed similarly. The isotopic analysis revealed that 100% of tissue turnover was attributed to growth in diet A11, whereas 19-25% was endorsed to metabolism in diet A6. Diet-tissue discrimination factors were estimated for the first time in seahorse juveniles, resulting in higher estimates for diet A11 (2.9 ± 0.7‰ for δ13C; 2.5 ± 0.2‰ for δ15N) than in diet A6 (1.8 ± 0.1‰ for δ13C; 1.9 ± 0.1‰ for δ15N). This study highlights the relevance of feeding on copepods and their effect on isotopic patterns and discrimination factors in seahorse juveniles after a dietary shift. Regarding the application of the results achieved to feeding schedules in the rearing of H. reidi, a long period of feeding on copepods during the first days of development is highly recommended.

Tomato quality is intricately regulated by a combination of factors, including the presence of bioactive compounds referred to as secondary metabolites and various organoleptic characteristics. These attributes are notably influenced and harmonized by the specific growing conditions, with a particular emphasis on the type of fertilization employed. Traditionally, chemical fertilizers have been favoured in crop cultivation due to their cost-effectiveness and ability to accelerate crop growth. However, in pursuit of sustainable and intelligent agricultural practices, there is a growing need for alternative fertilizers. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the impact of fertilizers derived from waste materials, specifically sulphur bentonite and orange residue (referred to as SB), on tomato quality. This assessment extended to examining qualitative and quantitative alterations in aroma-related volatile compounds and the antioxidant systems of tomatoes, in comparison to the conventional use of fertilizers such as horse manure and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). The results obtained revealed distinct effects of different fertilizers on tomato quality. Notably, parameters such as TPRO (total protein), TCARB (total carbohydrate), LIC (lycopene content), TCAR (total carotenoid content), total phenols, total flavonoids, and aroma profiling exhibited significantly superior values in the group treated with SB fertilizer. These findings strongly suggest that the novel fertilizer functioned as a bio-stimulant, enhancing the nutraceutical and sensory attributes of tomatoes, with a pronounced impact on the synthesis of secondary metabolites and the aroma profile of the fruits.

The persistent threat of cancer remains a significant hurdle for global health, prompting the exploration of innovative approaches in the quest for successful therapeutic interventions. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a central player in transcription regulation and cell cycle progression, has emerged as a promising target to combat cancer. Its pivotal role in oncogenic pathways and the pressing need for novel cancer treatments has propelled CDK9 into the spotlight of drug discovery efforts. This article presents a comprehensive study that connects a multidisciplinary approach, combining computational methodologies, experimental validation, and the transformative PROTAC (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera) technology. By uniting these diverse techniques, we aim to identify, characterize, and optimize a new class of degraders targeting CDK9. We explore these compounds for kinase inhibitory properties and potential to induce targeted protein degradation, offering a novel and potentially more sustainable approach to cancer therapy. This cohesive strategy expresses the interface between computational predictions and experimental insights, with the ultimate goal of advancing the development of effective anticancer therapeutics targeting CDK9.

The gate resistance is a parasitic element in transistors for RF and millimeter-wave circuits that can negatively impact power gain and noise figure. To develop accurate device models, a reliable measurement methodology is crucial. This article reviews the standard measurement methodology used in the literature and proposes also an additional method, which is evaluated using suitable test structures in a 16nm FinFET process. The advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches are discussed along with their respective application scenarios

Following an updated outlook of global energy production and utilization, we show through selected examples from both developing and developed countries how distributed generation from renewable energy sources, and from solar energy in particular, is the key solution to ending energy poverty across the world. Guidelines aimed at policy makers suggest a systems view of energy that will be instrumental in guiding the transition from fossil fuels to combustion-free renewable energy for all energy end uses.

The manufacture of SiC-based composites is quite widespread, and currently different methods are employed for to produce them. The most efficient method, taking into account the cost/performance ratio, is reactive melt infiltration. It consists in infiltrating liquid silicon into a porous preform that must contain carbon, so that SiC is produced during infiltration. This chemical reaction is, in fact, the driving force of the process. In the present work, the synthesis of two SiC-based composite materials with very different applications and microstructures has been studied and optimized. In both cases, materials have been obtained with suitable properties for the selected applications. One of the materials studied is SiCp/Si for protection systems such as armor jackets, and the other one is Cf/SiC for use in braking systems. For the optimization, the dwell time and the atmosphere (Ar or primary vacuum) were used as variables. It has been found that in both preforms the optimum conditions are 1 hour dwell time and a vacuum atmosphere at 1450 °C. The effect of these parameters on microstructure and infiltration kinetics are discussed.

Soot is characterized by a multiscale structural organization and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is the only diagnostic tool giving access to it. However, being a diffraction-based technique, TEM images only aromatic systems and thus, it is particularly useful to combine it with electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), able to provide quantitative information about the relative abundance of sp3 and sp2 hybridized carbon. In this paper a method for the EELS spectrum analysis of carbonaceous materials recently developed for electron-irradiated graphite and glassy carbon composition analysis has been applied for the first time on soot samples, in order to test its performance in soot nanostructure study in combination with TEM and High Resolution TEM (HRTEM). Soot samples here analysed were collected in the soot inception region of premixed flames of different hydrocarbon fuels. EELS, in agreement with TEM and HRTEM, showed a quite disordered and heterogeneous structure for young soot, without any significant distinction between soot formed from methane and ethylene fuels.

In the framework of 2D circular membrane Micro-Electric-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS), a new non-linear second-order differential model with singularity in the steady-state case is presented in this paper. In particular, starting from the fact that the electric field magnitude is locally proportional to the curvature of the membrane, the problem is formalized in terms of the mean curvature. Then, a result of existence of at least one solution is achieved. Finally, two different approaches prove that the uniqueness of the solutions is not ensured.

In this paper a more flexible extension of the Fréchet distribution is introduced. The new distribution is defined by means of the stochastic representation as the quotient of two independent random variables, a Fréchet distribution and the power of a random variable with uniform distribution in the interval (0,1). We will call this new extension the Slash Fréchet distribution and one of its main characteristics is that its tails are heavier than the Fréchet distribution. The general density of this distribution and some basic properties are determined. Its moments, skewness coefficients and kurtosis are calculated. In addition, the estimation of the model parameters is obtained by the method of moments and maximum likelihood. Finally, two applications with real data are performed by fitting the new model and comparing it with the Fréchet distribution.

The main aim of this work is to present a step-by-step procedure to model and analyze the power loss distribution of three-level Gallium Nitride (GaN) inverters. It has been applied to three distinct three-phase three-levels voltage source inverters utilized in electric traction drives: Active Neutral Point Clamped, Neutral Point Clamped and T-Type Neutral Point Clamped. The proposed analytical power loss modelling, combined to an equivalent representation of the electrical machine demonstrated to be a viable solution to achieve a time-saving and low computational burden simulation platform, leading to satisfying accuracy results. This has been confirmed by comparing the results carried out from the simulations of a 110kW permanent magnet synchronous motor drive and those determined by considering a simplified circuital representation based on the proposed analytical power loss modelling.

Scaffolds for tissue engineering are expected to respond to a challenging combination of physical and mechanical requirements, guiding the research towards the development of novel hybrid materials. This study introduces innovative three-dimensional bioresorbable scaffolds, in which a stiff poly(lactic acid) lattice structure is meant to ensure temporary mechanical support, while a bioactive gelatin-chitosan hydrogel is incorporated to provide a better environment for cell adhesion and proliferation. The scaffolds present a core-shell structure, in which the lattice core is realized by additive manufacturing, while the shell is nested throughout the core by grafting and crosslinking a hydrogel forming solution. After subsequent freeze-drying, the hydrogel network forms a highly interconnected porous structure that completely envelops the poly(lactic acid) core. Thanks to this strategy, it is easy to tailor the scaffold properties for a specific target application, by properly designing the lattice geometry and the core/shell ratio, which are found to significantly affect the scaffold mechanical performance and its bioresorption. Compression stiffness and strength provided by poly(lactic acid) lattices are overall within the range of values displayed by human bone tissue and remain stable after prolonged immersion in water at body temperature for several weeks. On the other hand, the hydrogel undergoes gradual and homogeneous degradation over time, but the core-shell integrity and structural stability are nevertheless maintained during at least 7-week hydrolytic degradation tests. In vitro experiments with human mesenchymal stromal cells reveal that the core-shell scaffolds are biocompatible and their physical-mechanical properties and architecture are suitable to support cell growth and osteogenic differentiation, as demonstrated by hydroxyapatite formation. These results suggest that the bioresorbable core-shell scaffolds can be considered, and further studied, in view of clinically relevant endpoints in bone regenerative medicine.

Gender Identity Dysphoria (GID) is a condition characterized by a strong and persistent identification with the opposite sex. These people consider themselves victims of a sort of biological accident: "a soul in a wrong body". There are numerous theories on the origin of transsexualism: genetic, hormonal and psychological causes have been hypothesized, but those currently most accredited are the neuroanatomical ones. The cornerstones of hormone conversion therapy (Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy, GAHT) are feminizing hormones for transgender women (MtFs) and virilizing for transgender males (FtMs). GID can be present among adolescents and older people. For adolescents is now accepted reversible treatment of puberty withdrawal with hormones that stops the progression of pubertal development in the biological direction not accepted; for elderly people is suggested GAHT in reduced doses. Physicians should consider and discuss with people with GID about fertility preservation, general and cancer risks. We present also data of 127 transsexual patients enrolled at the Garibaldi-Nesima Andrology Clinic in Catania (Italy) from 2003 to 2020. To optimize the conversion treatment with sex hormones, transsexuals require long-term follow-up. GAHT must be performed by a doctor who is familiar with these problems. Therefore, the “do-it-yourself” trend and the lack of medical and laboratory checks over time should be absolutely discouraged. Before proceeding with the surgical sex reassignment, it is recommended to refer to an endocrinologist and psychologist or psychiatrist for a period of 2-3 years. The transition surgical conclusion process must be practiced by a quality surgical team.

Modern drugs have changed epilepsy, which affects people of all ages. But for young people with epilepsy, the framework of drug development has stalled. In the wake of the thalidomide catastrophe, the misconception emerged that for people <18y antiseizure medications (ASMs) need separate proof of efficacy and safety (E&S), overall called “pediatric drug development.” This has been corrected to some extent. Authorities accept that ASMs are effective in <18y as well, but they still require "extrapolation of efficacy," as if minors were another species. In our view, the real problem is less that relevant parts of pediatric clinical epilepsy research over the past decades were useless, but that this has hampered research on meaningful challenges. We do not need to show that ASMs work also before the 18th birthday. But we need to learn how to best use ASMs to prevent brain damage in young patients and optimize ASMs use considering a broader range of aspects

The objective of the present study is to analyze COVID-19 transmission in specific dampest regions with excess rainfall and recurring fogs. The working hypothesis is that widespread transmission of SARS CoV 2 (leading to COVID-19) and similar viral agents can be explained by specific climate factors having high air humidity. The main case study of the Turkish Black Sea region is investigated. Results reveal that the provinces in region under study have some climate factors and geographical features that foster the accelerated transmission of viral agents, such as SARS-CoV-2, and consequential negative impact on society. In particular, Spearman's Correlation Coefficient shows a statistically significant positive association between the average atmospheric pressure and the spread of the COVID-19 confirmed cases in Samsun province (Spearman’s correlation coefficient rs =0.86, p-value 0.05). A statistically significant positive association between the average precipitation and the spread of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Sinop province (Spearman’s correlation coefficient rs =0.79, p-value 0.05), and finally, a statistically significant negative association between the average sun hour and the spread of the COVID-19 confirmed cases in Samsun province (Spearman’s correlation coefficient rs = 0.89, p-value 0.01). These findings suggest that regions' geographical characteristics, demographic structure, climate and environmental parameters must be considered in the national scale epidemic management plans to design effective anti-pandemic health policies to cope with future waves of the COVID-19 and new airborne diseases and to reduce negative effects on health, social and economic systems.