This study aims to investigate a friction stir welded joint between steel and aluminum alloy. Friction stir welding is nowadays one of the most interesting joining technique due to the possibility to connect materials and thicknesses that are difficult or impossible to weld with traditional techniques. The main advantage is that Materials are not affected by thermal cycle problems during solidification and cooling and the absence of fumes and pollution during the process favors the quality of the welded joint. The life of metal joints could be greatly reduced in a corrosive environment, since the less noble material will tend to increase its corrosion rate while the nobler one will reduce its electrochemical dissolution. Accelerated ageing tests (i.e. salt fog test) are used to estimate the lifetime of metal joints in highly aggressive environments. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the durability at long ageing time in salt spray test (according to ASTM B117) of carbon steel/aluminum alloy joints, obtained by FSW. In this first part, mechanical tests results are reported. A deep metallographic and chemical investigation are going to be reported in the part 2.

Friction Stir Welding is a suitable solid-state joining technology to connect dissimilar materials. To produce an effective joint, it requires a phase of optimization which leads to the definition of process parameters such as pin geometry, tool rotational speed, rotation direction, welding speed, thickness of the sheets or tool tilt angle. The aim of this review is to present a complete and detailed frame of the main process parameters and their effect on the final performance of a friction stir welded joint in terms of mechanical properties and microstructure. Particularly, the attention was focused on the connection between different aluminum alloys. Moreover, the experimental results were correlated to the development and the applications of tools, which can effectively use in the design of the manufacturing process, such as finite element analyses, artificial neural networks, statistical studies. The review wants to be also a point of reference to identify the best combinations of process parameters based on the dissimilar aluminum to be joined.

Mercury (Hg) fish and seafood contamination is a global concern and needs worldwide sea investigations in order to protect consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the Hg concentration by means of a rapid and simple analytical technique with direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80) in pelagic fish species, Tetrapturus belone (spearfish), Thunnus thynnus (tuna) and Xiphias gladius (swordfish) caught in the Mediterranean Sea. Hg contents were evaluated also in Salmo salar (salmon) as pelagic fish not belonging to the Mediterranean area. The results obtained were variable ranging between 0,015-2,562 mg kg-1 for T. thynnus specie, 0,477-3,182 mg kg-1 for X. gladius, 0,434-1,730 mg kg-1 for T. belone and 0,004-0,019 mg kg-1 for S. salar, respectively. The total Hg tolerable weekly intake (TWI) and % tolerable weekly intake (TWI%) values according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) were calculated. The results highlighted that the pelagic species caught in the Mediterranean Sea should be constantly monitored due to their high Hg contents as well as their TWI and TWI% with respect to S. salar samples.

In the context of energy conversion from renewable sources to distribution grids (insulated or not), a converter is often required to transfer energy from a low voltage source, towards three-phase grids. This paper presents the HW design, the simulation results and the conversion performance of a CSI converter intended to interface low voltages renevable sources to three-phase grids. The main focus of this paper is to obtain the best performance in terms of voltage increase towards the output stage while maximizing the conversion efficiency. In comparison with the currently used energy conversion systems for small photovoltaic systems, hereafter some solutions were adopted to level and maximize the energy flow from the source to the DC-link and improve the quality of current supplied in terms of harmonic distortion. The proposed system is composed of two conversion stages: the first, voltage-to-current, the second current-to-current via a three-phase CSI bridge modulated with SVM technique. The stages are not completely decoupled from an electrical point of view, therefore, in order to mitigate the effects of these interactions, synchronization strategies have been adopted.

The application of space robotic manipulators and heightened autonomy for ios represents a paramount pursuit for leading space agencies, given the substantial threat posed by space debris to operational satellites and forthcoming space endeavors. This work presents a guidance algorithm based on drl to solve for the space manipulator path-planning during the motion synchronization phase with the mission target. The goal is the trajectory generation and control of a spacecraft equipped with a 7-dof robotic manipulator, such that its end effector remains stationary with respect to the target point of capture. The ppo drl algorithm is used to optimize the manipulator’s guidance law, and the autonomous agent generates the desired joints rates of the robotic arm, which are then integrated and passed to a model-based feedback linearization controller. The agent is first trained to optimize its guidance policy and then tested extensively to validate the results against a simulated environment representing the motion synchronization scenario of an ios mission.

Background: Lithium di-silicate dental ceramics bonding, realized by using different resins, is strictly dependent on micro-mechanical retention and chemical adhesion. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the capability of a 1070 nm fiber laser for their surface treatment. Methods: Samples were irradiated by a pulsed fiber laser at 1070 nm with different parameters (Peak Power from 5 kW to 5 kW, RR 20 kHz, speed from 10 to 50 mm/s, total Energy Density from 1.3 to 27 kW/cm²) and the thermal elevation during the experiment was recorded by a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) temperature sensor. Subsequently, the surface modifications were analysed by optical microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Results: With a Peak Power of 5 kW, RR of 20 kHz and speed of 50 mm/s, the microscopic observation of the irradiated surface showed increased roughness with small areas of melting and carbonization. EDS analysis revealed that, with these parameters, there are no evident differences between laser-processed samples and controls. Thermal elevation during laser irradiation ranged between 5 °C and 9 °C. Conclusions: 1070 nm fiber laser can be considered as a good device to increase the adhesion of Lithium di-silicate ceramics.

The dissolution of CO₂ in seawater in the form of bicarbonate ions is an attractive alternative to the storage in geological formations, on the conditions that the storage is stable over long times and does not harm the marine environment. In this work, we focus on the long-term chemical stability of CO₂ absorbed in seawater as bicarbonate, by monitoring the physico-chemical properties of the solutions (pH, dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity), in six different sets of experiments on both natural and artificial seawater lasting up to three months. The bicarbonate treatment of natural seawater consists in pouring pre-equilibrated solutions obtained from the reaction of CO₂ and Ca(OH)₂. If the pre-equilibrated mixture does not exceed a critical threshold (ca. 1000-1500 mmol/L), the resulting bicarbonate-rich solutions can be stable for over three months.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), obtained by mechanical fragmentation, on radiographic bone healing in dogs subjected to tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). Twenty dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate disease were enrolled and randomly assigned to the treatment group (MFAT) or the control group (NT). The MFAT group underwent TPLO and autologous MFAT intra-articular administration while the NT group underwent TPLO alone. The adipose tissue was collected from the thigh region and MFAT was obtained by mechanical fragmentation at the end of the surgery. The patients were subjected to X-ray exam preoperatively, immediately postoperatively (T0) and at 4 (T1) and 8 (T2) weeks postoperatively. Two radiographic scores that had previously been described for the evaluation of bone healing after TPLO were used. A 12-point scoring system (from 0 = no healing to 12= complete remodelling) was used at T0, T1 and T2, while a 5-point scoring system (from 0 = no healing to 4 = 76%–100% of healing) was used at T1 and T2. The median healing scores were significantly higher at T1 and T2 for the MFAT group compared with the NT group for the 12-point (p < 0.05) and 5-point (p < 0.05) scoring systems. The intra-articular injection of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue can accelerate bone healing after TPLO without complications.

In this paper, a robust nonlinear dynamic controller is designed for a wind turbine with a permanent magnet synchronous generator. The wind turbine is subject to variations in all the parameters appearing in its mathematical model. Furthermore, the wind velocity is considered unavailable for direct measurement. This situation is of particular interest in practical applications, where only the nominal parameter values are known, and accurate wind velocity measurement is challenging due to perturbations caused by the turbine itself, even with appropriate sensors. The problem addressed in this work involves tracking the reference angular velocity corresponding to the wind velocity. To achieve accurate tracking, appropriate compensation of the perturbation terms resulting from parameter uncertainties and wind estimation errors is required. To address this problem, an estimator of the wind velocity is utilized, along with high–order sliding mode parameter estimators, to ensure high–performance operation of the turbine.

Studying and understanding the behavior of people and vehicles on public roads can be of utmost importance for supporting the activities of many institutional stakeholders. It may allow automated supervision of the ongoing situation in a given place, with warnings or alarms raised in case of anomalies. It may be used to plan their interventions on road and town organization. It may provide them with advanced support to decision-making. The number of involved entities and places to manage makes it infeasible to manually handle all the traffic-related tasks. Moreover, the complexity of the tasks to be carried out requires the adoption of advanced approaches. Many AI solutions are nowadays mature to support these requirements. In some cases, the motivations and objectives of traffic management require the AI outcomes to be understandable, interpretable and explainable. In this paper, we propose TrAnSIT (TRaffic ANalysis Supervision and Interpretation Tool), an AI-based framework that combines several modules, each aimed at tackling a specific traffic-related task, so as to cover a wide landscape of traffic-related issues, from overall urban or suburban traffic management to surveying specific road segments that fall under the scope of one camera. Most of these modules are based on AI techniques that support a human-level understanding of the outcomes.

The protection of grapevine from the diseases is now particularly focused on the development of environmentally friendly strategies. Although sulphur is not in itself a toxic substance, a large use towards powdery mildew, in organic vineyards especially, may cause problems to environment, health and safety of viticultural workers and plant phytotoxicity. The activity on powdery mildew of sulphur applied at doses reduced up to 50% in tank mixtures with silicates and Equisetum arvense based products, never tested on grapevine, was assessed. Two-year trials were carried out applying the products every 7-9 days in the period of greatest risk for spring ascosporic infections, in two organic vineyards in the Abruzzo region, Italy. The effectiveness towards the disease of the mixtures was demonstrated, often to a greater extent than that of full-dose sulphur, normally used in the vineyards. Furthermore, in vines treated with the mixtures, increases in yield quantity and quality, such as higher contents of soluble solids and lower levels of total acidity, have been shown. Due to the strong efficacy demonstrated on the leaves, silicon-based products + sulphur mixtures can also be recommended in eradicative applications, aimed at reducing the inoculum of the disease. The great activity of the mixtures demonstrated in this study suggests confirmation through further investigations on different cultivars and vine-growing areas at different levels of infection, also testing the effectiveness of individual silicon products against the disease.

The cold-pressed hempseed oil (HO) has been increasingly exploited in human diet for its excellent nutritional and healthy properties. However, it has a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and chlorophylls, which inevitably accelerate its oxidative deterioration, especially in presence of light. In this scenario, the filtration technology may ameliorate the oxidative stability of the oil, with positive effects on its nutritional quality and shelf-life. Therefore, in this study, the oxidative stability and minor compounds of non-filtered and filtered HO (NF-HO and F-HO) were monitored over 12 weeks of storage in transparent glass bottles. F-HO showed a better hydrolytic and oxidative status than NF-HO during storage. As a result, F-HO displayed also a better preservation of total MUFA and PUFA in the autoxidation process. Filtration consistently reduced chlorophylls, thus, causing a variation of the natural color of HO. Accordingly, F-HO not only revealed an increased resistance to photooxidation but was also suitable for storage in clear bottles within 12 weeks. F-HO predictably showed lower carotenoids, tocopherols, polyphenols, and squalene compared to NF-HO. However, filtration appeared to play a “protective role” toward these antioxidants, which had lower degradation rates in F-HO than NF-HO for 12 weeks. Interestingly, the element profile of HO was not affected by filtration and remained stable during the study period. Overall, this study may be of practical use to both producers and marketers of cold-pressed HO.

Seafood products are the main dietary source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), which are essential for human health. However, due to the widespread use of processed fish products, the presence of these n-3 PUFAs may be subject to changes related to different processing methods. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition, with a focus on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), in different processed fish and shellfish food of EU and non-EU origin purchased in supermarkets and ethnic food shops in Messina (Italy), using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detector (GC-FID). From the fatty acid profile, the atherogenic index (AI), thrombogenicity index (TI) and flesh-lipid quality index (FLQ) were determined: 0.13-1.04 (AI), 0.31-9.84 (TI) and 0.41-29.90 (FLQ). The percentages of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids had the following ranges: 13.55-50.48%, 18.91-65.58%, 13.84-52.73%, respectively. All samples showed a good presence of PUFAs and, in particular, eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) were the main n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morpho-functional change of the patellar ligament in dogs affected by cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The hypothesis is that it may show increased thickening and stiffness with increasing days from trauma to diagnosis. Understanding this aspect have implications on the choice of timing to treat patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament rupture, and also in the contextualization of patellar ligament desmitis pictures after surgical treatment with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy or tibial tuberosity advanced. Thirty-three dogs were affected affected by unilateral cranial cruciate rupture were examined and divided into three groups based on the time elapsed from the onset of lameness to diagnosis: Group 1 (from 1 to 15 days), Group 2 (from 16 to 60 days), Group 3 (over 60 days). Conventional B-mode ultrasonographic and elastosonographic examinations of patellar ligament were performed without sedation for each dog. At the ultrasonographic examination, all dogs showed alterations in the echostructure of the patellar ligament. In addition, the patellar ligament tended to become harder and less soft with increasing days after rupture, although there were not significant differences between groups. Our results showed that as time increases between the onset of cranial cruciate ligament rupture and diagnosis and treatment, the patellar ligament progressively thickens and loses its elasticity.

A chiral sodium glicerophosphate is successfully exploited as catalyst in Michael addition of methyl malonate to a number of chalcones. The reactions furnished the target adducts in satisfactory yields and good enantiomeric excesses. A tentative of computational study is presented aiming to understand the reaction mechanism.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may be due to different causes, ranging from benign secondary forms to severe cardiomyopathies. Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) and ECG are the first level examination for LVH diagnosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) defines accurately LVH type, extent and severity. Objectives: to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of CMR in patients with TTE and/or ECG evidence of LVH. Methods: We performed CMR in 300 consecutive patients with echocardiographic and/or ECG signs of LVH. Results: Overall, 275 patients had TTE evidence of LVH with initial suspicion of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in 132 (44%), cardiac amyloidosis in 41 (14%), hypertensive LVH in 48 (16%), aortic stenosis in 4 (1%), undetermined LVH in 50(16%). The initial echocardiographic diagnostic suspicion of LVH was confirmed in 172 patients (57.3%) and changed in 128 patients (42.7%, p<0.0001): the diagnosis of HCM increased from 44% to 71% of patients; hypertensive and undetermined LVH decreased significantly (respectively to 4% and 5%). CMR allowed a diagnosis in 41 out of 50 (82%) with undetermined LVH at TTE. CMR also identified HCM in 17 out of 25 patients with apparently normal echo but with ECG criteria for LVH. Finally, the reclassification of the diagnosis by CMR was associated with a change of survival risk of patients: after CMR reclassification no events occurred in patients with undetermined or hypertensive LVH. Conclusions: CMR changed echocardiographic suspicion in almost half of patients with LVH. In the subgroup of patient with abnormal ECG, CMR identified LVH (particularly HCM) in 80% of patients. This study highlights the indication of CMR to better characterize the type, extent and severity of LVH detected at echocardiography and suspected with ECG.

PVC items are environmentally friendly as, unlike polyolefins, they are mainly based on chlorine, one of the most abundant elements on earth. However, in the eco-design context, articles' durability plays the crucial role, contributing to the enhancement of their sustainability. In this framework the research on additives capable of increasing the weatherability of outdoor articles is essential. The theory section of the paper reviews the mechanisms of weathering leading to PVC degradation that undermine the durability of items such as window frames or roller shutters. The weathering of PVC items is a complex phenomenon involving photo-chemical and secondary chemical reactions, that yields the formation of conjugated polyene sequences underskin in absence of oxygen and carbonyls in the surface. Here the chain scission of the polymer backbone occurs, bringing the disintegration of the surface of the item and causing the typical discoloration called chalking, especially evident in dark-colored articles. In the experimental section of the paper the effect of different acid scavengers on the item weathering has been studied with natural outdoor and two accelerated exposures, xenon-arc and Q-UV testing devices. Results confirm that some acid scavengers are efficient in preventing chalking, but some are ineffective or even detrimental. Thus, the PVC formulations of durable articles upon weathering still depend on a complex choice of the appropriate ingredients, and several outdoor and indoor accelerated weathering tests are needed to predict the articles' lifetime.

Cancer cells can release EGF-like peptides, acquiring the capacity of autocrine stimulation via EGFR-mediated signaling. One of these peptides (HBEGF) was found to be released from a membrane-bound precursor protein, and is critically implicated in the proliferative potential of cancer cells. We observed that the increased lactate levels characterizing neoplastic tissues can induce the release of uPA, a prote-ase promoting HBEGF shedding. This effect led to EGFR activation and increased ERK1/2 phosphoryla-tion. Since EGFR-mediated signaling potentiates glycolytic metabolism, this phenomenon can induce a self-sustaining deleterious loop, favoring tumor growth. A well characterized HBEGF inhibitor is CRM197, a single-site variant of diphtheria toxin. We observed that when administered individually, CRM197 did not trigger evident antineoplastic effects. However, its association with a uPA inhibitor caused dampening of EGFR-mediated signaling and apoptosis induction. Overall, our study highlights that the increased glycolytic metabolism and lactate production can foster the activated state of EGFR receptor, and suggests that the inhibition of EGFR-mediated signaling can be attempted by means of CRM197 administered with an appropriate protease inhibitor. This attempt could help in overcoming the problem of the acquired resistance to the conventionally used EGFR inhibitors.

This study investigated the aerodynamic performances of various trains with different nose shapes, using as design variables two angles α,β for the heads shape and the bluntness angle γ, without crosswind. The effect on aerodynamic performances, such as the train drag coefficient, pressure distribution along the train surface, flow structures around the train and the wake, head pressure pulse, were analyzed. The results indicate that the increase of the train nose length for flat shapes decreases the CD values by 21.47% and 19.11%, decreasing the high-pressure region in the leading head. The duck-nose configuration emerges as a compromise between drag reduction and nose length. Increasing the angle γ a further drag reduction of 8.5% is featured. Drag formation along the train is also analyzed. The steeper the variation of the geometry, the higher the peak intensity and the slope of the curve. Regarding the flow features around the train, two-main counter-rotating vortices are captured in the wake. Moreover, the higher the nose length and the higher the bluntness angle γ, the weaker and narrower the wake. Again, a longer nose shape yields to a softer jump in terms of pressure difference, crucial for train homologation and safety.

In the last decade, robotic-mediated rehabilitation has emerged as a potential solution to improve repetitive task training. Each device in this field has a unique development history shaped by engineers’ expertise in specific programming languages or platforms. In this work we adopt an approach that tries to abstract from the final implementation with the aim to make control logic more shareable and understandable. The authors will present the outcomes of the application of a Rapid Control Prototyping strategy to an upper-limb robotic exoskeleton. A model-based design approach implemented on a real-time target machine is presented. This modern design approach was explored with several control strategies and was used to test the exoskeleton’s performances. The proposed method highlights how it is possible to develop the entire control architecture in a single programming environment.

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of four different computational vision algorithms for implementing an unpalleting system in a factory environment, under typical edge computing constraints. The primary objective is to automate the process of detecting and locating specific variable-shaped objects on a pallet, enabling a robotic system to accurately unstack them. The four algorithms evaluated are Pattern Matching, Scale-Invariant Feature Transform, Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF, and Haar cascade classifiers. Each technique is described in detail in this paper, and their implementations are outlined. Experimental results are thoroughly analyzed, assessing the algorithms’ performance based on accuracy, robustness to variability, computational speed, detection sensitivity, and resource consumption. The findings reveal the strengths and limitations of each algorithm, providing valuable insights for selecting the most appropriate technique based on the specific requirements of the unpalleting system. This research contributes to the advancement of automated object detection and localization in industrial environments, paving the way for more efficient and reliable unpalleting systems.

We evaluated progress towards animal biodiversity research in Georgia, a key area in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. By reviewing recently (1990-2018) published articles in all areas of animal diversity research, we unmasked the trends in biodiversity inventory, ecological and biogeographical studies, and conservation issues in Georgia. We concluded that species inventory and biodiversity research in Georgia has significantly increased during the last ten years, however the rate and extent of investigation is far from satisfactory. Major gaps remain in all branches of animal diversity research in Georgia, and consequently existing knowledge is inadequate to address modern challenges related to species and ecosystem conservation. We urge local governmental authorities and international scientific societies to support development of stronger research facilities and cultivate interest in biodiversity inventory and research in Georgia as an important step towards maintaining globally important biodiversity in the Caucasus.

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) is one of the most controversial diseases in pediatric rheumatology. Despite its first description being published more than 25 years ago as the sudden and rapid onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorder symptoms as complications of a Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) infection, precise epidemiological data are still lacking, and there are no strong recommendations for its treatment. Recent advances in the comprehension of PANDAS pathophysiology are largely attributable to animal model studies and the understanding of the roles of Ca++/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) II, disrupted dopamine re-lease in the basal ganglia, and striatal cholinergic interneurons. The diagnosis of PANDAS should be made after an exclusion process and should include prepubescent children with a sudden onset of OCD and/or a tic disorder, with a relapsing/remitting disease course, a clear temporal association between GAS infection and onset or exacerbation of symptoms, and the association with other neurological abnormalities such as motoric hyperactivity and choreiform movements. Antibiotic medications are the primary therapeutic modality. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of randomized studies and validated data, resulting in a scarcity of solid recommendations.

The realization of a BRST cohomology of the 4D topological gauge-affine gravity is established in terms of a superconnection formalism. Identification of fields in the quantized theory is occurred directly as usual in terms of superconnection and its supercurvature components with the double covering of the general affine group GA¯(4,R). Then, by means of an appropriate decomposition of the metalinear double-covering group SL¯(5,R) with respect to the general linear double-covering group GL¯(4,R) one can easily obtain the enlargements of the fields while remaining consistent with the BRST algebra. This leads to the descent equations allowing us to build the observables of the theory by means of the BRST algebra constructed using a sa¯(5,R) algebra-valued superconnection. In particular, we discuss the construction of topological invariants with torsion.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) remains, despite significant scientific progress, a pathological condition that is incomprehensible, due toits paradoxical psychological and behavioral symptoms. The presentwork aims at assessing current phenomenological understandings of this pathology. Among the cognitive models used today, post-rationalist cognitivism and cognitive neuropsychological psychotherapy, which both incorporate a phenomenological approach, seem most effective at grasping OCD patients’ experiences of the world, which are typically characterized by hyper-reflexivity, at the expense of "natural evidence." For OCD patients, the emotional sense of the world becomes a set of sterile rules that determine a suffering life.

Background. Cervical esophageal reconstruction is vital for improving the quality of life in cancer surgery patients. Microsurgery is crucial, providing vascularized tissue for defect repair, particularly in secondary cases with a higher risk of failure due to larger defects and damage from previous surgery and radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of a series of patients who underwent secondary repair of esophageal defects and provide practical information for the management and treatment of such cases based on the authors' experience and the literature review. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of the Plastic Surgery Clinic at the University of Trieste to identify cases of patients who underwent secondary esophageal microsurgical reconstructions following oncological surgery. Patient demographics, etiology of esophageal defects, previous surgical history, and preoperative assessments were collected from medical records. Surgical techniques employed for reconstruction, such as pedicled flaps or free tissue transfers, were documented along with intraoperative details. Postoperative outcomes, including complications, graft viability, and functional outcomes, were evaluated during follow-up. Results. We treated 13 cases of secondary esophageal reconstructions from 2011 to 2022. Most commonly, Antero-Lateral Thigh (ALT) flaps were used in 10 cases, while 2 cases employed Radial Forearm Flap (RFF), and 1 a chimeric parascapular flap. No flap failures occurred during a median 50-month follow-up. One ALT flap patient experienced post-op stricture but maintained swallowing ability. A single tracheoesophageal fistula occurred in a RFF patient with a history of radiotherapy and completion lymph node dissection. Conclusions. Cervical esophageal reconstruction significantly impacts patients' quality of life by restoring oral feeding and phonation. When local flaps fall short, microsurgical reconstruction with intestinal flaps is valuable, but burdened by limitations. For challenging secondary cases, ALT or RFF flaps emerge as safer options due to their robust pedicles, yielding low complication rates and positive functional outcomes.

Infections caused by KPC-producing K. pneumoniae continue to pose a significant clinical challenge due to emerging resistance to new antimicrobials. We investigated the association between two drugs whose roles have been repurposed against multidrug-resistant bacteria: fosfomycin and temocillin. Temocillin exhibits unusual stability against KPC enzymes, while fosfomycin acts as a potent “synergizer”. We conducted in vitro antimicrobial activity studies on 100 clinical isolates of KPC-producing K. pneumoniae using a combination of fosfomycin and temocillin. The results demonstrated synergistic activity in 91% of the isolates. Subsequently, we assessed the effect on Galleria mellonella larvae using 5 different KPC-Kp isolates. The addition of fosfomycin to temocillin increased larvae survival from 73 to 97% (+Δ 32%; isolate 1), from 93 to 100% (+Δ 7%; isolate 2), from 63 to 86% (+Δ 36%; isolate 3), from 63 to 90% (+Δ 42%; isolate 4), and from 93 to 97% (+Δ 4%; isolate 10), respectively. Among the temocillin-resistant KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates (24 isolates), the addition of fosfomycin reduced temocillin MIC values below the resistance breakpoint in all isolated except one. Temocillin combined with fosfomycin emerges as a promising combination against KPC-producing K. pneumoniae, warranting further clinical evaluation.

In the conservation of monumental heritage, the collection and utilization of information are of primary importance. The Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) procedure harnesses the potential of three-dimensional models, offering significant advantages in accessing documentation, interoperability, multidimensionality of intervention design, cost evaluation and maintenance management. Attention here is focused on the Certosa di Pisa, a large historical complex built in the 14th century as a monastery of the Carthusian order, currently in a state of deterioration and in need of restoration and re-functionalization. The multifaceted nature of this monumental complex, with its intricate interplay of architectural elements spanning different historical periods and featuring diverse techniques, poses a significant challenge for structural safety assessment. This case study presents an opportunity to explore an HBIM approach to streamline the diagnostic process and facilitate the intervention design phase. The goal is achieved by utilizing an accurate 3D model enriched with data from multiple sources and automating certain operations for structural assessment. The usefulness of the HBIM methodology is highlighted as a valuable tool in the realm of Cultural Heritage structures for both technicians and scholars alike.

Woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) is an underutilized plant species, appreciated by consumers for its qualitative features. Utilizing technical means of production, such as plant biostimulants, that can increase crop productivity and quality could be highly important in woodland strawberry cultivation. The scope of the present study was to appraise the influence of two biostimulants (Trichoderma atroviride and plant protein hydrolysate) - used either alone or combined - on plant performance and economic profitability of two woodland strawberry genotypes (‘Alpine’ and ‘Regina delle Valli’). Overall, data showed that ‘Alpine’ had the highest productive performances, whereas ‘Regina delle Valli’ revealed the highest fruit qualitative traits. T. atroviride inoculation and V-PH application significantly boosted plant marketable yield (+20.5% for T. atroviride and +12.9% for V-PH), total sugars (+1.9% for Trichoderma and +1.4% for V-PH) and anthocyanins (+14.1% for T. atroviride and +9.8% for V-PH) compared to non-treated plants. Plants supplied with both biostimulants had higher marketable yield (+34.8%), mean fruit weight (+6.0%), fruit dry matter (+13.8%), total sugars (+3.5%), ascorbic acid (+12.7%), flavonoid (+26.3%) and anthocyanins (+29.9%) compared to non-treated plants. Furthermore, our study revealed that the highest fruit polyphenols concentration was recorded in both genotypes treated with the combination of biostimulants and in ‘Regina delle Valli’ sprayed with V-PH, whereas the highest antioxidant activity was found in ‘Regina delle Valli’ fruit when plants were supplied with both biostimulants. Our study pointed out that the application of microbial and non-microbial biostimulants, especially in combination, might be an useful strategy for improving performances of underutilized species and, therefore, encourage its cultivation, valorisation and economic profitability (+10195.3 €/ha when plants were exposed to both biostimulants).

Photosystem I is a key component of primary energy conversion in oxygenic photosynthesis. Electron transfer reactions in Photosystem I take place across two, parallel, electron transfer chains that converge after a few electron transfer steps, sharing both the terminal electron acceptors, that are a series of three Iron-Sulphur (Fe-S) clusters known as , and , and the terminal donor, . The two electron transfer chains show kinetic differences which are, due to their close geometrical symmetry, mainly attributable to the tuning of the physical-chemical reactivity of the bound cofactors, exerted by the protein surroundings. The factors controlling the rate of electron transfer between the terminal Fe-S clusters are still not fully understood because of the difficulties of monitoring these events directly. Here we present a discussion concerning the driving forces associated to electron transfer between and as well as and , employing a tunnelling-based description of the reaction rates coupled to the kinetic modelling of forward and recombination reactions. It is concluded that the reorganisation energy for oxidation shall be lower than 1 eV. Moreover, it is suggested that the analysis of mutants with altered redox properties can also provide useful information concerning the upstream, phylloquinone, cofactor energetics.

Abstract: Purpose: High-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (HGISL) is a severe condition, associated with low-back pain (LBP) and radiculopathies. The present study is a monocentric prospective observational study investigating the clinical-radiological outcomes of a bilateral minimally invasive TLIF (bm-TLIF) for HGISL. Material and Methods: Patients who underwent bm- TLIF for HGISL at our institution, were considered for inclusion. Clinical-radiological outcomes and complications were collected. Results: Twenty-one patients (14M:7F) were included and the mean clinical follow-up (FU) time was 27(±6) months. There was a significative improvement of the mean VAS-back, VAS-legs, ODI, and SF-36 PCS scores, comparing pre- and last FU measurements. The mean pelvic tilt (p0,05). The univariate analysis showed that residual slip angle (> or  10°) may independently influence VAS-b (p

The edible portion of Cannabis sativa L. are the seeds. The seeds are generally used for the production of hemp oil, appreciated for the high percentage of α-linolenic acid. The waste obtained after seeds oil extraction, reduced in fine powder, is the subject of this study. Since hemp seeds are considered to be a source of many valuable bioactive compounds, the addition of hemp seed flour to durum wheat for making fortified bread could have an effect on the health of consumers. The aim of this study was to use variable percentages of hemp seed flour for the production of bread, and to determine the fortification impact on chemicals, texture, organoleptic characteristics, crumb color, changes in crumb texture, total polyphenols, free radical scavenging activity and amino acids contents. The rheological and chemical qualities of bread samples, obtained by using a durum wheat cultivar Ciclope fortified with defatted hemp seeds flours, were evaluated. The solid residue left after the extraction of the oil from seeds (generally thrown away as waste or added to feed) was shredded and sieved at 0.530 mm (Hemp 1) or 0.236 mm (Hemp 2). Samples of fortified breads were obtained by substitution of variable percentages of durum wheat flour with the two hemp flours (5%, 7.5%, and 10%). Fortified bread’s total phenolic content was in a range of 0.73±0.017 and 1.73±0.029 mg GAE/g and an-ti-radical scavenging activity was included in the range from 1.17±0.099 and 3.18±0.071mmol TEAC/100g, according to the increasing fortification. Comparison between bread made with Ciclope semolina and hemp flour fortified breads, showed a large increase in amino acid content in fortified samples ones. In particular, bread fortified with 10% Hemp 2 flour highlights a greater content of glutamic acid, tyrosine, proline and essential amino acids such as leucine and isoleucine, compared to the other samples with same percentage of substitution. The amount of hemp seed flour influenced the color of the crumb by increasing the yellow index from 18.24 (100% Ciclope) to 21.33 (bread with Hemp 2 flour at 5%).

Ultrasound (US) scans of the inferior vena cava (IVC) provide useful information on the volume status of a patient. However, their investigation is user-dependent and prone to measurement errors. An important technical problem is the objective difficulty in studying a very compliant blood vessel like IVC, which makes large respirophasic movements and shows a complicated three dimensional geometry. Using bi-dimensional (2D) B-mode views either in long or short axis has improved the characterization of IVC dynamics compared to a measurement along a single direction (M-mode). However, specific movements of the IVC can challenge also the information provided by these 2D sections. Thus, these two orthogonal views, provided by an US system in X-plane, are here integrated by an innovative method. It is tested on simulated videos of the IVC performing complicated movements, that are compensated by the new method, overcoming the biased measurements provided by 2D scans. The method is then applied on example experimental data.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease, characterized by progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons in the cortex and spinal cord. Although the pathogenesis of ALS remains unclear, evidence on the role of the clonotypic immune system is growing. Adaptive immunity cells often appear changed in number or activation profile peripherally and centrally. However, their role in ALS appears conflicting. Data, from human and animal model studies, currently reported in literature show that each subset of lymphocytes and their mediators may mediate a protective or toxic mechanism in ALS, affecting both its progression and risk of death. In the present review article and attempt is made to shed light on the actual role of the cellular clonotypic immunity in ALS by integrating recent clinical studies and experimental observations.

Hematological malignancies refer to a heterogeneous group of neoplastic conditions of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissues classified in leukemias, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple myeloma, according to their presumed cell of origin, genetic abnormalities, and clinical features. Metabolic adaptation and immune escape, which influence various cellular functions including proliferation and survival of hematological malignant tumor cells, are major aspects of these malignancies that lead to therapeutic drug resistance. Targeting specific metabolic pathways is emerging as novel therapeutic strategy in hematopoietic neoplasms, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma. In this context, CD147, also known as Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) or Basigin, is one target-candidate involved in reprogramming metabolism in different cancer cells, including hematological malignant tumor cells. CD147 overexpression significantly contributes to the metabolic transformation of these cancer cells, by mediating signaling pathway, growth, metastasis and metabolic reprogramming, through its interaction, direct or not, with various membrane proteins related to metabolic, regulation including monocarboxylated transporters, integrins, P-glycoprotein and Glucose Transporter 1. This review explores the metabolic functions of CD147 and its impact on the tumor microenvironment, influencing the progression and neoplastic transformation in leukemias, myeloma and lymphomas. Furthermore, we highlight new opportunities for the development of targeted therapies against CD147, potentially improving the treatment of hematologic malignancies.

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.

The object of this research project is the investigation of the forgotten landscape of transhumance in mainland Greece, focusing on areas abandoned by modern society and their historical passage. The objective is to revive these lands by restoring their cultural heritage and creating a sustainable community that balances the needs of people, livestock, and the environment. The investigation employs a dual approach: studying transhumance as a cultural and natural practice and analyzing anonymous architecture to preserve collective memory. This involves extensive historical research and a simultaneous analysis of spatial, social, symbolic, and architectural elements. The study identifies convergence points between cultural practices and architectural heritage, applying these insights to modern redevelopment scenarios. Findings reveal a significant interplay between transhumance practices and the region’s anonymous architecture. Key characteristics of the landscape and its spatial identity are documented, providing insights into effective preservation and redevelopment strategies. Specific case studies validate these strategies, demonstrating their relevance to current and future efforts. The study concludes that understanding the historical context and spatial identity of transhumance landscapes is crucial for sustainable redevelopment. By preserving cultural practices and architectural heritage, this project offers a framework for revitalizing these forgotten landscapes, ensuring balanced coexistence of people, livestock, and the environment.

Background: Escalating climate change concerns have prompted the healthcare sector, particularly anaesthesia, to reassess its practices to align with environmental sustainability. Anesthetic gases like desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane significantly impact the environment due to their high Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) and prolonged atmospheric lifetimes. This manuscript investigates these impacts and advocates for strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of anesthetic care while maintaining patient safety. Methods: We reviewed the environmental impacts of anesthetic gases and explored various strategies for sustainable anaesthesia. These strategies include adopting anesthetics with lower GWPs, enhancing recycling and waste reduction techniques, transitioning to intravenous anaesthesia, and implementing low-flow anaesthesia methods. We also examined barriers to these strategies, such as educational gaps, technological challenges, resistance to change, and policy limitations. Results: Adopting anesthetics with lower GWPs, such as sevoflurane over desflurane, and implementing low-flow anaesthesia can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling and waste reduction techniques, though challenging, offer additional environmental benefits. Transitioning to intravenous anaesthesia can eliminate the direct GWP contributions from volatile anesthetic gases. However, these strategies require comprehensive education, advocacy for research and innovation, strategic change management, and supportive policies. Conclusions: Continuous monitoring and evaluation are crucial to ensure the effectiveness of sustainable practices in anaesthesia. Establishing robust Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and utilizing advanced analytical tools will enable the anaesthesia community to adapt and refine practices. Collaborative efforts among clinicians, policymakers, and stakeholders are essential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of anaesthesia and promote ecological responsibility within healthcare.

Segregating one space from another is a rudimentary act of architecture and the basic principle of this act is creating differentiation between outside and inside. Thresholds, in their expanded or summed form, also produce spaces. They establish the staging for threshold areas in conjunction with space-defining elements. Threshold spaces are typically complicated spatial formations that serve as transition points. They pose a challenge to the interacting human senses in terms of perception. In this research threshold areas have been studied under a specific typology of architecture i.e the traditional housing in historic cities of India. The traditional dwelling settlements have evolved and grown over multiple layers of history, influenced by the culture, society, economy, climate and topography. The purpose of this research is to examine the characteristics of these transition spaces of the traditional dwelling units in relation to the symbolic reference and social meanings assigned to them that influence the architectural and urban spaces attached to them. It seeks to describe transition space in terms of its nature, character, morphology, and social significance. Transparency and material articulation, as well as hierarchy and enclosure, will be investigated. The importance and quality of the nature of "transition" will be examined from the inside to the outside. The research reveals that the space has great functional and socio-cultural importance. It allows multiple activities, provides protection from sun and rain, defines boundaries, connects people within the neighborhood, enhances security and gives an identity to the owner. The contributions made by this research have the potential to improve design considerations for transition areas between the dwelling units and the street.

Conservation agriculture (CA) could be very effective for agricultural sustainability under Mediterranean environments, where farmers rely on short rotation based on durum wheat. In this work we investigated the effect of different combination of tillage treatments and crop sequence (conventional tillage and wheat monocropping, CT-WW; conventional tillage, and wheat following faba-bean, CT-WF; zero tillage and wheat monocropping, ZT-WW; zero tillage and wheat following faba-bean, ZT-WF) on yield, grain quality traits as well as on diseases incidence and severity in durum wheat (var. Saragolla). The results of a two-years of data of a long-term experiment (7-year experiment; split-plot design) are discussed. The CA approach (ZT+WF), which induced always the highest grain yields (6.1 t ha-1 and 3.3 t ha-1 in 2016 and 2017) thanks to an increased number of spikes m-2 (296 vs 269 and 303 vs 287 spikes m-2 in 2016 and 2017, respectively) as well as to a more pronounced ear length, demonstrated significant positive influences in terms of grain quality. It promoted grain protein accumulation (12.1% for ZT+WF versus 11.4% for ZT+WW and 12.4% for ZT+WF versus 10.6% for ZT+WW in 2016 and 2017), improved gluten quality (in terms of SDS sedimentation test) and colour of the grain. The abundance of crop residues determined a higher incidence and severity of Zymoseptoria tritici leaf symptoms under CA system; nevertheless the late appearance of infection was the main reason of not affecting yield and quality traits. The presence of faba-bean (WF) in the rotation significantly reduced leaf symptoms of Z. tritici.

This paper describes the first results of an Image Recognition Based Location (IRBL) for mobile application focusing on the procedure to generate a Database of range images (RGB-D). In an indoor environment, to estimate the camera position and orientation, a prior spatial knowledge of the surrounding is needed. In order to achieve this objective a complete 3D survey of two different environment (Bangbae metro station of Seoul and E.T.R.I. building in Daejeon – Republic of Korea) was performed using LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) instrument and the obtained scans were processed in order to obtain a spatial model of the environments. From this, two databases of reference images were generated using a specific software realized by the Geomatics group of Politecnico di Torino (ScanToRGBDImage). This tool allow to generate synthetically different RGB-D images) centered in the each scan position in the environment. Later, the external parameters (X, Y, Z, ω, φ, κ) and the range information extracted from the DB images retrieved, are used as reference information for pose estimation of a set of acquired mobile pictures in the IRBL procedure. In this paper the survey operations, the approach for generating the RGB-D images and the IRB strategy are reported. Finally the analysis of the results and the validation test are described.

Rare Earth Elements (REE), also known as Lanthanides (Ln3+), are a group of 17 elements showing peculiar physical and chemical properties. Unlike technological applications, very little is known about the physiological role and toxicity of Ln3+ on biological systems, in particular on microorganisms (e.g., bacteria), which represent the most abundant domains on our planet. Up to now, very limited studies have been conducted due to Ln3+ precipitation with some anions commonly present in the culture media. Therefore, the development of a minimal medium is essential to allow the study of Ln3+-microbial interactions, limiting considerably the precipitation as insoluble salts. In this regard, a new minimal culture medium capable of solubilizing large amounts of Ln3+, and allowing the growth of different microbial taxa, was successfully developed. Assays have shown that the medium is capable of solubilizing Ln3+ up to 100 times more than other common culture media and allowed the growth of 63 bacteria and 5 fungi. The kinetic growth of one yeast and one gram-positive bacterium has been defined, proving to support superior growth and biomass compared to other commonly used minimal media. Moreover, the sensitivity and uptake/absorption of a Bacillus stratosphericus strain was tested, highlighting its capability to tolerate concentrations up to 10 mM of either Cerium, Gadolinium or Lanthanum and accumulate different quantities of the three.

Treatment of HIV-associated lymphoma (HIV-Ly) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has shown a surprisingly low relapse rate in several series. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of HIV-Ly and lymphomas of the general population receiving ASCT. We compared two series of consecutive HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, based on a 1:1 propensity score analysis, matching for age, sex, histology, disease status and prior therapies. We identified 44 patients in both groups. All HIV-positive patients received combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). With a median follow-up of 51 months, PFS was significantly higher in HIV-positive patients (4-years PFS 81% and 51%, in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, respectively, p=0.027). Four-year OS was 81% for HIV-positive and 67% in HIV-negative patients (p=0.15). The relapse rate was significantly higher in HIV-negative patients (36% vs 23%) (p=0.04). Our results clearly show that ASCT is an effective curative option for HIV-Ly, with better PFS and lower relapse rate compared to uninfected patients. A favourable effect of ASCT on HIV infection and immune system recovery, potential off-target effects of cART or other yet unknown factors may account for this observation.

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.

Background: Current management of COPD is predominantly focused on respiratory aspects. A multidimensional assessment including nutritional assessment, quality of life and disability provides a more reliable perspective of the true complexity of COPD patients. Methods: Prospective observational study of 120 elderly COPD patients at high risk of acute exacerbations. The Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was administered in addition to the usual respiratory assessment. The primary outcome was a composite of moderate or severe acute exacerbations during 52 weeks of follow-up. Results: The median MNA Short Form (SF) score was 11 (8-12), 39 participants (32.50%) had normal nutritional status, 57 (47.5%) were at risk of malnutrition and 24 (20%) were malnourished. Our multivariate linear logistic models showed that the MNA score was associated with dyspnea and respiratory symptoms severity assessed by the Modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, with spirometric variables, in particular with the severity of airflow limitation based on the value of FEV1 and with poorer QoL as assessed by the EQ-5D-3 questionnaire. Cox regression analysis according to nutritional status based on the MNA score showed that COPD participants "at risk of malnutrition" and "malnourished" had a higher risk of moderate to severe acute exacerbations with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.54 (p=0.002) and 8.20 (p=0.0001), respectively. Conclusion: Our study confirms the importance of assessing nutritional status in elderly COPD patients and its prognostic value.

The increasing demand for craft beer drives the search for novel ale yeast cultures from brew-ing-related wild environments. The focus of bioprospecting for craft cultures is to identify feral yeasts suitable to imprint unique sensorial attributes to the final product. Here, we integrated phylogenetic, genotypic, genetic, and metabolomic techniques to demonstrate that sour beer during aging in wooden barrel is a source of suitable craft ale yeast candidates. Differently from traditional lambic beer maturation phase, during aging of sour-matured production style beer, different biotypes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae dominated the cultivable in-house mycobiota, fol-lowed by Pichia membranifaciens, Brettanomyces bruxellensis, and Brettanomyces anomalus. In addi-tion, three putative S. cerevisiae x Saccharomyces uvarum hybrids were identified. S. cerevisiae feral strains sporulated, produced viable monosporic progenies, and have STA1 gene as well as the full-length promoter. During hopped wort fermentation four S. cerevisiae strains and the S. cere-visiae x S. uvarum hybrid WY213 overcame non-Saccharomyces strains in fermentative rate and ethanol production, except for P. membranifaciens WY122. This strain consumed maltose after a long lag phase, in contrast with the phenotypic profile descripted for the species. According to STA1+ genotype S. cerevisiae partially consumed dextrin, but no 4-vynil guaiacol was detected among VOCs, suggesting that these strains were phenolic off flavor-negative (POF-). In conclu-sion, the strains characterized here have relevant brewing properties and are exploitable as in-digenous craft beer starters.

This paper presents the design and analysis of a novel 3-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) parallel ma-nipulator equipped with self-sensing Ni-Ti (Nitinol) actuators. The manipulator's architecture and mechanical design are elucidated, emphasizing the integration of Nitinol actuators. The self-sensing technique implemented in a previous work was extended to a 20 mm actuator length, and the actuator was used to design the 3 DOF manipulator. Kinematic analyses were conducted to eval-uate the manipulator's performance under various operating conditions. A dynamic model was implemented for the dynamic dimensioning of the actuators, which work synergistically with a bias spring. The manipulator was realized, and a control strategy was implemented. Experimental tests, although documenting some positioning accuracy issues, show the efficacy and potential applica-tions of the proposed manipulator in robotics and automation systems, highlighting the advantages of self-sensing Nitinol actuators in small parallel manipulator designs.

Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (PDEVs) contain high levels of antioxidants, especially when deriving from organic. PDEVs from different vegetal sources has shown an increased antioxidant power, compared to PDEVs from single plants, suggesting a synergistic effect of the bioactives constitutively expressed in the PDEVs from single fruits. With this study we wanted to investigate the beneficial effects of a mix of PDEVs on human skin cells. We found detectable levels of Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Catalase and SOD in a mix of PDEVs deriving from 5 different fruits (Grape, Red Orange, Papaya, Pomegranate and Tangerine). We then treated H2O2-conditioned fibroblasts with the mix of PDEVs. The results showed that the PDEVs ‘mix reverted the H2O2-induced redox imbalance, restoring the mitochondrial homeostasis, with a strong reduction of mitochondrial anion superoxide and increase of sirtuin levels. The antioxidant action was consistent with a wound repair on a lesion produced in a Fibroblasts’ monolayer. This result was consistent with an increased level of Vimentin and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9, whose expression is directly related to the efficiency of the reparative processes. These data support a beneficial role of PDEVs in both preventing and treating skin injuries, through their potent antioxidant and reparative activities.

Background: The validation of laser usage during laparoscopic procedures, notably by Camran Nezhat in the late 1980s, has been significant. Lasers offer precision and depth control in tissue vaporization without bleeding. Surgical intervention remains central in managing endometrio-sis-associated pain and infertility, especially for patients unresponsive to hormonal therapy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 200 patients with SPE who underwent laparo-scopic laser vaporization. Surgery was performed using a CO2 laser, and histological confirma-tion of endometriosis was obtained for all cases. Pain scores and SF-36 questionnaire domains were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Fertility outcomes were evaluated among pa-tients desiring pregnancy. Results: Significant improvements in pain score and SF-36 questionnaire domains were ob-served postoperatively (p-value

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), comprising aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, is the cornerstone of post-percutaneous coronary intervention treatment to prevent stent thrombosis and reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The selection of an optimal DAPT regimen, considering the interplay of various antiplatelet agents, patient profiles, and procedural characteristics, remains an evolving challenge. Traditionally, a standard duration of 12 months has been recommended for DAPT in most patients. While contemporary guidelines provide general frameworks, DAPT modulation with longer or shorter treatment courses followed by aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy are evolving towards an individualized strategy to optimize the balance between efficacy and safety. This review comprehensively examines the current landscape of DAPT strategies after coronary stenting, with a focus on emerging evidence for treatment individualization.

The microbiota is now recognized as one of the major players in human health and disease, in-cluding cancer. As regards breast cancer (BC), a clear link between microbiota and oncogenesis is still to be confirmed. Yet, part of the bacterial gene mass inside the gut, constituting the so called “estrobolome”, influences the sexual hormonal balance and, since the increased exposure to estrogens is associated with an increased risk, it may impact on the onset, progression, and treatment of hormonal dependent cancers, which account for more than 70% of all BCs. The hormonal dependent BCs are also affected by environmental and dietary endocrine disruptors and phytoestrogens which interact with microbiota in a bidirectional way: on one side disruptors can alter the composition and functions of the estrobolome, on the other the gut microbiota influences the metabolism of endocrine active food components. This review highlights the current evidence about the complex interplay between endocrine disruptors, phytoestrogens, microbiome, and BC, within the frames of a new “oncobiotic” perspective.

ABSTRACT Background: To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the foremost health concern for humankind in the new millennia. This paper aims to describe the related hospitalizations in Italy during the first two years of the health emergency. Design and methods: This is a retrospective, population-based study of Italian hospitalizations for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 period, extracted from the National Hospital Discharge Registry. The outcome variables considered include hospital admissions, costs, and length of stay, among other hospitalization-level variables. Costs were estimated through the charges associated with the Diagnosis-Related Group and Major Diagnostic Categories coding system, plus an additional cost attributed to COVID-19 admissions. To these charges was added an extra cost defined by the ministry of health. Results: In Italy, there were 357,354 hospitalizations for COVID-19 attributed to 298,856 patients in 2020 and 399,043 hospitalizations for COVID-19 attributed to 333,447 patients in 2021. COVID-19 patients faced a transfer rate thrice that of other patients. Hospitalizations were concentrated predominantly in the northern regions, particularly in the first year. Hospitalization rates varied by age in a sine wave pattern, peaking in the youngest and oldest age groups, with mortality rates escalating with age— tending to remain below 3% for those under 44 but surging to 40% in individuals over 75. The financial impact of COVID-19 hospitalizations was substantial, with total costs reaching €3.97 billion in 2020 and €4.99 billion in 2021. Costs per admission and per day also rose, from €11,112 and €807 in 2020 to €12,503 and €844 in 2021, respectively. Excluding the added financial burden of COVID-19, costs would have been notably lower. Hospitalizations involving continuous invasive mechanical ventilation were particularly costly (about 24.000 euros x admission), reflecting the significant resources required for these treatments. Conclusion: Implementing a protective pad around the entire health system that leverages networks of family doctors and nurses, connected in real time to the entire health system, can be crucial. Such a network, tasked with monitoring the local epidemiological situation, protecting vulnerable individuals also through telehealth visits, and establishing a triage system for infections in the initial phase, may effectively help in managing virus spread and protecting hospitals from unpredictable waves of admission demand. Strengthening primary health care could be a decisive factor for the future and enhance the system's resilience in facing new challenges.

The mechanism of the mechanically assisted mineral carbonation of commercial olivine under flow of CO2/N2 mixture has been elucidated by ex situ powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The overall CO2 conversion depends to the rotation frequency of the mill’s engine, and reached 85% within 90 minutes of mechanical treatment, at a flow rate of 2.5 l min-1. By tuning the frequency rotation, the kinetics of CO2 conversion changed from a sigmoid behaviour into a more complex reaction pathway, involving subsequent steps. The structural analyses suggest the clinochlore, a Mg- and Fe- containing aluminosilicate gathered among the components of olivine, is formed and consumed in different stages, thus promoting the CO2 sequestration that eventually results into the formation of hydrated and anhydrous Mg-based carbonates.

Superconducting split ring resonator arrays allow to overcome two main limitations affecting metallic metamaterial resonating in the Terahertz (THz) range: Ohmic losses and tunability of their optical response. In this work, we design and experimentally realize direct and complementary square arrays of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) split ring resonators working in the THz spectral range. The main purpose of this paper is to show how the metamaterial resonances can be tuned by temperature (T) when crossing the superconducting transition temperature Tc of YBCO. The tuning property can be quantified by describing the THz transmittance of the patterned YBCO films vs. T through a model of coupled resonators. This model allows us to estimate the THz resonances of split-ring arrays and their interaction, showing how the kinetic inductance Lk in the superconducting state is the main parameter affecting the metamaterial properties.

Monitoring the integrity of aeronautical structures is fundamental for safety. Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMS) perform real-time monitoring functions, but their performances must be carefully assessed. In this work the damage detection performances of a strain-based SHMS, were evaluated on a composite helicopter rotor blade root. The SHMS monitored the bonding between the central core and the surrounding antitorsional layer. A damage detection algorithm was trained through Finite Element analyses performed on the component. The effects of the loads variability and of damages were decoupled by including a load recognition step in the algorithm. Load recognition was accomplished in different ways: version#1 adopted an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) trained on blades in pristine condition; version#2 was trained also on damaged blades; version#3 adopted a calibration matrix method. Anomaly detection, damage assessment, and localization were performed by using an ANN. Results showed a higher load identification and anomaly detection accuracy for version#1 and version#2 compared to version#3. Gaussian noise reduced anomaly detection and damage assessment performances, and reduced damage localization accuracy for bigger damages. The damage detection performance were obtained for a fibre optic based-SHMS, including the trade-off between probability of detection and false alarm rate for different damage sizes.

Although the field of geomatics has seen multiple technological advances in the recent years which enabled new applications and simplified the consolidated ones, some tasks remain challenging, inefficient, and time- and cost-consuming. This is the case of accurate tridimensional surveys of narrow spaces. Static laser scanning is an accurate and reliable approach but impractical for extensive tunnel environments; portable laser scanning is on the other hand time-effective and efficient but not very reliable without ground control constraints. This paper describes the development process of a novel image-based multi-camera system meant to solve this specific problem: delivering accurate, reliable, and efficient results. The development is illustrated from the system conceptualization and initial investigations to the design choices and requirements for accuracy. The resulted working prototype has been put to the test to verify effectiveness of the proposed approach.

In this paper we explore extending the concept of common cross-study Common Data Element concepts beyond simple demographics to cover disease-specific concepts relevant to imaging. We test interactively linking the resulting database to the associated images in a federated manner. We examine the use of existing standards, not only for terminology, but for interchange of serialized data in forms familiar to imaging and clinical trials specialists and their dedicated systems. Our intent is to perform preliminary work to inform both the upcoming Imaging Data Commons specifically, as well as more general integration projects beyond imaging.

It has long been known that phytohormone auxin plays a promoting role in tuber formation and stress tolerance in potatoes. Our study aimed to identify and characterize the complete sets of auxin-related genes that presumably constitute the entire auxin signaling system in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The corresponding genes were retrieved from sequenced genomes of the doubled monoploid S. tuberosum DM1-3-516-R44 (DM) of the Phureja group, the heterozygous diploid line RH89-039-16 (RH), and the autotetraploid cultivar Otava. Both canonical and noncanonical auxin signaling pathways were considered. Phylogenetic and domain analyzes of deduced proteins were supplemented by their expression profiling and 3D molecular modeling. The canonical and ABP1-mediated pathways of auxin signaling appeared to be well conserved. Total number of potato genes/proteins presumably involved in canonical auxin signaling is 46 and 108 in monoploid DM and tetraploid Otava, respectively. Among studied potatoes, spectra of expressed genes obviously associated with auxin signaling were partly cultivar-specific and quite different from analogous spectrum in Arabidopsis. Most of the noncanonical pathways found in Arabidopsis appeared to be low probable in potato. This was equally applied to all cultivars used irrespective of their ploidy. Thus, some important features of the (noncanonical) auxin signaling pathways may be variable and species-specific.

Background and Objectives: Ischemic and idiopathic heart failure are two different etiologies, however reactive cardiac fibrosis together with impaired vasculogenesis has been described in both of them. Implication of main proangiogenic factors as: angiogenin, agiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) has been described mainly in experimental models of heart failure. However, differences in molecular pathways between these cardiomyopathies are still under investigation. In this short communication we aimed to evaluate and compare the expression of pro-angiogenic molecules in the heart tissue of patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF) of ischemic and idiopathic etiology. Methods and Results: Heart tissue from left ventricular walls was obtained at transplantation from ischemic heart disease (IHD), idiopathic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients. Tissue samples were examined using immunohistochemistry for angiogenic molecules. Immunopositivity (I-pos) for angiopoietin-1 was mainly observed in the cardiomyocytes, while I-pos for Ang-2 and Tie-2 receptor mainly in endothelial cells. Procollagen-I (PICP), angiogenin, Ang-1, Tie-2 receptor, were similarly expressed in IHD and ICM patients. In contrast, endothelial immunopositivity for Ang-2 was higher in IHD samples compared to ICM (p=0.03). Conclusions: Ang-2 expression is different in heart tissue of ICM and ICM patients and distribution of Ang-1 and angiogenin is higher in cardiomyocytes, whereas Ang-2 higher in endothelial cells, suggesting a different pattern of angiogenic stimulation, or at least of altered endothelial integrity. This data may serve for further studies investigating angiogenesis signaling pathways and in HF of different etiology.

Background: Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) believe that diet is a key factor in the pathogenesis of their disease and in worsening their symptoms; they often follow restrictive diets that can lead to malnutrition, anxiety, and stress. Recent studies have found an association between eating disorders and IBD, particularly anorexia nervosa and ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). None of these studies report the association with orthorexia nervosa, that is the obsession with healthy and natural foods. Aim: to assess the risk of orthorexia nervosa in patients with IBD. Methods: 158 consecutive subjects were recruited, including 113 patients diagnosed with IBD and 45 controls. The Donini standardized questionnaire ORTO-15 was administered to assess the risk of orthorexia; clinical and demographic data were also collected. Results: patients with IBD have a prevalence of orthorexia of 77%, significantly higher than the 47% observed in the control group. In patients with IBD, the risk of orthorexia is associated with lower BMI and history of previous surgery. Conclusion: Many patients with IBD develop orthorexia nervosa that impacts the patient's psychological and social sphere, exposes them to a high risk of nutritional deficiencies, and affects quality of life. Further high quality studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical impact of orthorexia and its correlation with clinical features and frank eating disorders.

This study aimed to characterize the genetic subtypes of HCV-GT4 and identify the presence of natural occurring resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in Saudi Arabia patients. A total of 17 GT4 patients was analyzed. Sequence analysis of NS3, NS5A and NS5B regions was performed by direct sequencing. In addition, phylogenetic analysis was used to determine genetic subtypes, RAS and polymorphisms. Nine patients were infected by a GT4a, one with GT4o, 3 with GT4d. The remaining four patients were infected with a recombinant virus (GT4a+GT4o in three patients, GT4c+GT4d in a patient). Natural RASs were found in six patients (35%), including three infected by GT4a, two by GT4a+GT4o and one patient infected by GT4c+GT4d. In particular, NS3-RAS V170I was demonstrated in three patients, while NS5A-RASs (L28M, L30R, L28M+M31L) were detected in the remaining three patients. All patients were treated with sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir; three patients were lost to follow-up whereas 14 patients completed the treatment. A sustained virological response (SVR) was obtained in all but one patient carrying NS3-RAS V170I who later relapsed. GT4a is the most common subtype in this small cohort of Saudi Arabia patients infected with hepatitis C infection. Natural RASs were observed in about a third of patients, but only one of them showed a treatment failure.

The commercial aviation industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological innovation and the growing demand for more efficient and environmental friendly transportation solutions. In this context, the design and development of next-generation aircraft is a crucial task, with the goal of reducing environmental impact and improving flight efficiency while continuing to ensure passenger comfort and safety. This paper aims at evaluating the technical feasibility as well as economic and environmental viability of a narrow body aircraft powered by hydrogen for direct combustion. Notably, the paper offers innovative insights regarding the update of literature models for conceptual design, in order to consider the impact of hydrogen fuel on the sizing loop at aircraft level. Moreover, it also focuses on the evaluation of operating costs for the aforementioned aircraft class, highlighting the required model updates and considerations to properly match the effect on costs of the introduction of the innovative fuel. Ultimately, a preliminary analysis of upstream sustainability of the concept, considering fuel life cycle, is provided, in order to understand the overall competitiveness, not only in terms of monetary resources but also of environmental impact, beyond the pure operating life of the airplane.

We present the use of interconnected optical mesh networks for early earthquake detection and localization, exploiting existing terrestrial fiber infrastructure. Employing a Waveplate model, we integrate real ground displacement data from seven earthquakes, magnitudes ranging from four to six, to simulate the strains within fiber cables and collect large set of light’s polarization evolution data. These simulations help to enhance a Machine-Learning model that is trained and validated to detect Primary waves arrivals that precede earthquakes’ destructive Surface waves. The validation results show that the model achieves over 95% accuracy. The Machine-Learning model is then tested against an M4.3 earthquake, exploiting three interconnected mesh networks as a smart sensing grid. Each network is equipped with a sensing fiber placed to correspond with three distinct seismic stations. The objective is to confirm earthquake detection across the interconnected networks, localize the epicenter coordinates by a triangulation method and calculate fibers to epicenter distance. This setup allows early warning generation to municipalities close to epicenter location, and progressing to those further away. The model testing shows 98% of accuracy in detecting primary wave and one-second of detection time, affording nearby areas 21-seconds to take countermeasures, and an extended 57-seconds in more distant areas.

Modern organic synthesis is majorly focused on developing environmentally benign synthetic protocols by employing green chemistry principles. Accordingly, in our recent research work, we herein report the use of modified supramolecular host cyclodextrin as an effective solid based green catalyst for accessing structurally diverse and medicinally relevant pyrimidone architectures. The catalyst and the synthesized compounds 4 (a-r) were characterized using FT-IR, NMR and GC-Mass spectroscopy. Major highlights of the reported work include: atom economical process, extremely milder reaction conditions, operational simplicity, high isolated yields, and excellent catalyst turnover number. The molecular docking studies suggest that the compound 4n has the hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and π-pair interactions with the active site of active sites of CXT M 15 receptor.

Laser-Powder Directed Energy Deposition (DED-LB/Powder) is an additive manufacturing process that is gaining popularity in the manufacturing industry due to its numerous advantages, particularly in repairing operations. However, its application is often limited to case studies due to some critical issues that need to be addressed, such as the degree of internal porosity. This paper investigates the effect of the most relevant process parameters of the DED-LB/Powder process on the level and distribution of porosity. Results indicate that, among the process parameters examined, porosity is less affected by travel speed and more influenced by powder mass flow rate and laser power. Additionally, a three-dimensional finite element transient model was introduced, which was able to predict the development and location of lack-of-fusion pores along the building direction.

Saliva is a promising matrix with several purposes. Our aim is to verify if salivary anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody determination is suitable for monitoring immune response. One-hundred eighty-seven subjects were enrolled at University-Hospital Padova: 105 females (56.1%) and 82 males (43.9%), 95 (50.8%) children and 92 (49.2%) adults. Subjects self-collected saliva using Salivette; nineteen subjects collected three different samples within the day. A serum sample was obtained for all individuals. The N/S anti-SARS-CoV-2 salivary IgG (sal-IgG) and serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG (ser-IgG) were used for determining anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The mean (min-max) of age was 9.0 (1–18) for children and 42.5 (20–61) for adults. Of 187 samples, 63 were negative for sal-IgG (33.7%), while 7 were negative for ser-IgG (3.7%). Spearman’s correlation was 0.56 (p&lt;0.001). Sal-IgG and ser-IgG levels were correlated with age, but not with gender, comorbidities, prolonged therapy, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection or time from last COVID-19 infection/vaccination. The repeatability ranged from 23.8% (7.4kAU/L) to 4.0% (3.77kAU/L). Linearity of the assay missed in 4/6 samples. No significant intra-subject differences were observed in sal-IgG across samples collected at different time points. Sal-IgG have a good agreement with ser-IgG. Non-invasive saliva collection represents an alternative method for antibody measurement, especially in children.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has been prescribed for neuropathic pain for several years. This study is mainly addressed to summarize what has been published on the topic in the last decades, and how appropriate the numerous prescriptions are. Among others, it examines the innovative EquiPEA^® patent, which aims to address obstacles encountered with conventional PEA formulations. EquiPEA^® seems to partially ameliorate the bioavailability and the targeted distribution. It seems to introduce novel advancements that have the potential to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of PEA in terms of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. The deep literature analysis aims to examine the potential advantages of this innovative formulation, in the context of several pathological conditions that may benefit from this molecule. In particular, it investigates the potential enhanced bioavailability and targeted delivery system of EquiPEA^®. Also, it tries to understand if it can modernize the field of therapy based on PEA, thus offering a better treatment option for individuals with long-term inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuropathic or mixed pain with a neuropathic component. The study examines the possible impact of EquiPEA^® on personalized medicine strategies and its potential for translation into clinical practice. It analyses the possibilities that EquiPEA^® has in enhancing patient outcomes in a range of central nervous system and inflammatory conditions. This narrative review makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing comprehension of PEA therapy. It establishes a foundation for further exploration in research and potential uses in clinical settings.

Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairing and enhancing the structure and function of damaged myocardium. This review offers a comprehensive overview of current advancements and strategies in cardiac regeneration, with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering-based approaches. Stem cell-based therapies, which involve the utilization of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells hold immense potential for replenishing lost cardiomyocytes and facilitating cardiac tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering also plays a prominent role employing synthetic or natural biomaterials, engineering cardiac patches and grafts with suitable properties, and fabricating upscale bioreactors to create functional constructs for cardiac recovery. These constructs can be transplanted into heart to provide mechanical support and facilitate tissue healing. Additionally, the production of organoids and chips that accurately replicate the structure and function of the whole organ is an area of extensive research. Despite significant progress, several challenges persist in the field of cardiac regeneration. These include enhancing cell survival and engraftment, achieving proper vascularization, and ensuring the long-term functionality of engineered constructs. Overcoming these obstacles offering effective therapies to restore cardiac function could improve the quality of life for individuals with heart diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented effect on national radiological investigations. Since the World Health Organization officially declared the COVID-19 as a global pandemic, health policies have been rapidly organized to limit the spread of the virus and decrease the risk of exposure. These restrictions, in combination with home-stay arrangements and the onset of economic recession. As a result of public policies, financial difficulties and patient fear, many radiology departments have suffered a significant reduction in diagnostic examinations with important implications for their economic stability. The aim of this work is to evaluate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Radiology Department of an infectious disease hospital.

GvHD still remains, despite the continuous improvement of transplantation platforms, a fearful complication of transplantation from allogeneic donors. Being able to separate GvHD from GvL represents the greatest challenge in the allogeneic transplant setting. This may be possible through continuous improvement of cell therapy techniques. In this review, current cell therapies are taken into consideration which are based on the use of TCR alpha/beta depletion, CD45 RA depletion, T regulatory cells enrichment, NK cell-based immunotherapies and suicide gene therapies in order to prevent GvHD and maximally amplify the GvL effect in the setting of haploidentical transplantation.

Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic agents. Sedum telephium L. (syn. Hylotelephium telephium (L.) H. Ohba) leaf juice, known for its traditional medicinal uses, was evaluated for its wound healing properties. This study aimed to chemically characterize the leaf juice and assess its efficacy in promoting wound healing in vitro. Fresh leaves were collected and processed to obtain the juice, which was analyzed for polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and proteins. Key bioactive compounds, including flavonols such as kaempferol glycosides and quercetin glycosides, were identified. The juice and its polysaccharidic fraction were tested on human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (HFF-1) to assess cell viability, wound closure, and the production of growth factors and pro-collagen I. Our results indicated that the whole juice significantly enhanced wound closure in both cell types, with a marked increase in fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and LAP(TGF-β1) production in keratinocytes, highlighting its potential mechanisms of action. The polysaccharidic fraction alone showed limited efficacy, emphasizing the importance of the complete phytocomplex. These findings suggest that Sedum telephium L. represents a promising candidate in the setting of skin regeneration and repair.

Background: Malnutrition commonly affects patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which contributes to worsening prognosis. Moreover, specific strategies for diagnosing and managing malnutrition in OSCC are lacking. Methods: This retrospective study included 52 consecutive patients with OSCC who underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Palermo (I) from Jan 2020 to May 2023. In-hospital nutritional support was provided by a dedicated team. The patients were compared with a historical control group of 11 patients. The nutritional treatment consisted of standard oral (ON) or artificial nutrition (AN). Traditional measurements, including bioimpedance-derived body composition and volumetric reconstruction of the posterior paraspinal muscles at the C3 level based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-C3), were obtained in 16 patients to investigate sarcopenia. Results: The patients were categorized according to TNM stage: groups A (TNM stages I-III) and B (IVa-IVc). The prevalence of group A patients was 59.6% in the case group and 90.9% in the control group (P

Infrared thermography is a contactless imaging technique, useful to measure surface temperature at distance which has been widely applied in animal production. The possible applications within the pig husbandry include sow heat detection, reduction of the incidence of neonatal mortality, recognition of febrile state caused by pathogens, study of metabolic efficiency, evaluation of stress caused by heat, by constraints, or by aggressive interaction and meat quality prediction. Even if this technique could be easily influenced by environmental factors, the continuous improvement in the procedures and the decrease in the cost of the equipment will allow in the next future new and more applications in swine farming.

Objective: Interstitial fibrosis / tubular atrophy (IFTA) is a common, irreversible, and progressive form of chronic kidney allograft injury, and it is considered a critical predictor of kidney allograft outcomes. The extent of IFTA is estimated through a graft biopsy, while a non-invasive test is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of an MRI radiomic-based machine learning (ML) algorithm in estimating the degree of IFTA in a cohort of transplanted patients. Approach: Patients who underwent MRI and renal biopsy within a 6-month interval from 1/1/2012 to 1/3/2021 were included. Stable MRI sequences were selected, and renal parenchyma, renal cortex and medulla were segmented. After image filtering and pre-processing, we computed radiomic features which were subsequently selected through a LASSO algorithm for their highest correlation with the outcome and lowest intercorrelation. Selected features and relevant patients’ clinical data were used to produce ML-algorithms using 70% of the study cases for feature selection, model training and validation with a 10-fold cross-validation, and 30% for model testing. Performances were evaluated using AUC with 95% confidence interval. Main results: 70 coupled tests (63 patients, 35.4% females, mean age 52.2 years) have been included and subdivided into a wider cohort of 50 for training and a smaller cohort of 20 for testing. For IFTA ≥ 25%, AUCs in test cohort were 0.60, 0.59, and 0.54 for radiomic features only, clinical variables only, and combined radiomic-clinical model, respectively. For IFTA ≥ 50%, AUCs in training cohort were 0.89, 0.84, 0.96, and in test cohort were 0.82, 0.83, and 0.86, for radiomic features only, clinical variables only, and combined radiomic-clinical model, respectively. Significance: An ML-based MRI radiomic algorithm showed promising discrimination capacity for IFTA>50%, especially when combined with clinical variables. These results need to be confirmed in larger cohorts.

Despite soccer popularity, comparatively little scientific information is available concerning the assessment of youth players’ physiological characteristics. The use of medical software integrating wearable sensors to provide accurate and objective data is necessary. In the present study, the objective assessment of physical performance of 128 adolescent soccer players at two timepoints (pre-season and end-season) has been performed. Participants completed a comprehensive test battery including stability, countermovement jumps (CMJ), plyometric jumps (PJ), agility, and quick feet tests. A single Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor provided quantitative data on various performance metrics. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced the dataset to four principal components (PCs) explaining over 80% of the variance: power (PC1), balance (PC2), speed/agility (PC3), and stiffness (PC4). Paired samples t-test between the two timepoints showed no significant differences in the PCs between the two timepoints, indicating that the training program did not significantly alter the assessed physical attributes. However, subtle individual changes may still inform personalized training adjustments. The study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and individualized training strategies to optimize athlete performance and reduce injury risk.

The decarbonization of the built environment, both in new construction and renovation, is crucial to mitigate its relevant impact on climate change and achieve the Paris agreement goals. This study presents a systematic LCA-based methodology to assess the whole life carbon emissions of buildings, applied to a proposal for the regeneration of one of Milan’s disused railway yards. As an entry for the 2020 Reinventing Cities competition, Scalo Lambrate is a project for a mainly residential neighborhood with a public park. Strategies to reduce carbon emissions deriving both from the operational energy and construction and maintenance were evaluated and their effects compared to a reference scenario over a time horizon of 100 years. The results show that, while the opportunities to reduce carbon emissions during the use phase are somehow limited due to the already stringent performance requirements for new builds, the use of fast-growing biogenic materials for construction materials, even if mixed with more traditional ones, can provide a significant reduction of the global warming potential over the whole life cycle, with a reduction of 70% over the baseline. The remaining emissions can be offset with afforestation initiatives that, however, must be assessed against land use issues.

The aims of this study were: (1) to analyze the level of agreement of a sample of Italian people with the rights of people with physical and psychical disabilities (PwPHDs and PwPSYDs) to have satisfying sexuality, to marry, to adopt a child; (2) to inquire if PwPSYDs were subject to less recognition than PwPHDs; (3) to verify if socio-demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, education, occupation, geographical origin, relational status, sexual orientation, and religiosity, associated with being against these sexual and parenting rights (SPRs). An online anonymous questionnaire inquired the level of agreement or disagreement with statements regarding the SPRs of PwPHDs and PwPSYDs. 973 participants, aged 18 – 84 years (71.1% females) were considered for analyses; At least 7 out of 10 participants declared in favor of the SPRs of PwPHDs, while the SPRs of PwPSYDs were always subjected to higher underrecognition. Religiosity almost invariably associated to being against the SPRs of PwDs. Being male, of higher age and lower education also associated with lower recognition. A better identification of the less tolerant respondents and of the less recognized categories may allow for specific strategies for promoting the recognition of the SPRs for PwDs.

A low calcium intake is associated with an increased fracture risk. We assessed the dietary calcium intake in a cohort of Italian individuals evaluated for low bone mineral density (BMD). A 7-day food-frequency questionnaire was administered to 1793 individuals consecutively referred at a Centre of the Italian Society for Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism and Skeletal Diseases for low BMD. In 30.3% (544/1793) and 20.9% (374/1793) of subjects the calcium intake was inadequate ( <700 mg/day) and adequate (>1200 mg/day), respectively. Patients with calcium intake <700 mg/day showed a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, idiopathic hypercalciuria and food allergy/intolerance (8.1%, 5.1%, 7.2%, respectively) than patients with calcium intake >700 mg/day (5.3%, 3.0%, 4.1%, respectively, p<0.04 for all comparisons), also after adjusting for age, gender and BMI. In 30.3% of fractured subjects the calcium intake was <700 mg/day. In Italy, a low calcium intake is highly prevalent in individuals at risk for low BMD. Importantly, an inadequate calcium intake is highly prevalent even in patients with history of fragility fractures. Only about a fifth of patients at risk for low BMD reported an adequate calcium intake

Introduction: maxillary hypoplasia and mandibular asymmetry may be corrected with orthognathic surgery at the completion of growth. Many patients require segmental Le Fort I osteotomies to obtain the most stable results. Unfortunately, if Invisalign is chosen for pre-surgical preparation, ClinCheck © software does not allow for prediction when these complex surgeries are planned. The objective of this paper was to show the potential of aligners beyond its software in most complex cases like multiple-piece maxillary osteotomies in cleft and non-cleft patients. Method: Thirteen patients who underwent pre-surgical treatment with clear aligners-Invisalign (study group) were matched in terms of diagnosis, surgical procedure, and orthodontic complexity with thirteen patients treated using fixed appliances (control group). A technique based on simple superimposition was devised to enhance the software for creating a suitable occlusion for segmental pre-surgical treatments. Virtual curves following the lower arch were employed to guide the correct pre-surgical positions of the upper teeth. The amount of impressions required in both groups to achieve satisfactory pre-surgical alignment of the segmented arches was compared. Results: one or no refinement phase were needed in the Invisalign group to reach an acceptable pre-surgical occlusion while the amount of pre-surgical impressions taken in order to reach adequate coordination with fixed appliance treatment was slightly higher. The average overall treatment duration did not show a statistically significant variation between the groups. Conclusions: it appears that clear aligner could serve as an effective treatment for individuals with skeletal discrepancies, including cleft and craniofacial anomalies, necessitating segmental Le Fort I osteotomies when aided by the suggested superimposition approach during digital pre-surgical movement simulations. More sophisticated softwares will certainly be implemented in the future.

Endocrine and nervous systems reciprocally interact to manage physiological individual functions and homeostasis. The nervous system modulates hormone release through the hypothalamus, the main cerebrally specialized structure of the neuroendocrine system. Indeed, it is involved in various metabolic processes, administering hormone and neuropeptide release at different levels. This complex activity is affected by neurons of various cerebral areas, environmental factors, peripheral organs, and mediators through feedback mechanisms. Therefore, neuroendocrine pathways have a key role in metabolic homeostasis control, and their abnormalities have been associated with the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in children. The impaired functioning of genes, hormones, and neuropeptides of various neuroendocrine pathways involved in several metabolic processes has been related to an increased risk of dyslipidaemia, visceral obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. This review examines the neuroendocrine effects on the risk of MetS in children, identifying and underlying the several conditions associated with neuroendocrine pathway disruption. Neuroendocrine systems should be considered in the complex pathophysiology of MetS, and, when genetic or epigenetic mutations in "hot" pathways occur, they could be studied for new potential target therapies in severe and drug-resistant paediatric forms of MetS.

This work aims to shed light on the differential diagnosis of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) within the context of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), which represents an extremely inno-vative field of clinical research. To this end, a critical review of the literature was conducted to identify and compare the clinical patterns and symptomatic overlaps among cPTSD, PTSD, and BPD, with an emphasis on their manifestation in both victims and offenders. The results show that despite some symptomatic similarities, cPTSD, PTSD and BPD have distinct clinical patterns in IPV. Disturbances in Self-Organization (DSO), are more commonly in offenders, while the di-agnosis of cPTSD is more aligned with the victims. In addition, cPTSD and characteristics of BPD, such as fear of rejection and instability of identity, constitute risk factors for IPV victimiza-tion. cPTSD is a predisposing factor not only for victims but also for offenders, while PTSD emerges as a consequential factor. The specific pathways linking PTSD, cPTSD, and BPD with IPV have significant implications for clinical practice. Further research is needed to understand these profiles and the mechanisms linking trauma-related features to IPV, which is crucial for imple-menting effective violence prevention programs.

The comparison of three types of ionosonde data from Europe during an Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection (ICME) and a Stream Interaction Regions (SIRs) / Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) -driven geomagnetic storm event is detailed in this study. The selected events are 16-20 March 2015 for the ICME-driven and 30 May to 04 June 2013 for the SIR/CIR-driven one. Ionospheric data from three European ionosonde stations, namely Pruhonice (PQ), Sopron (SO) and Rome (RO), are investigated. The ionospheric F2-layer responses to these geomagnetic events are analyzed with the ionospheric foF2 and h’F2 parameter, the calculated deltafoF2 and deltahF2 values, ratio of Total Electron Content (rTEC) and Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI) thermospheric [O]/[N2] measurement data. The storm-time and the quiet day mean values are also compared, and it can be concluded that the quiet day curves are similar at all stations while the storm-time ones showed the latitudinal dependence during the development of the storm. As a result of the electron density comparison, during the two events it can be concluded that SSC that characterized the ICME induced a Travelling Atmospheric Disturbance (TAD) seen in the European stations, while this is not in the SIR/CIR-driven ionospheric storm, which showed a stronger and more prolonged negative effect in all stations probably due to the season.

Electronic waste generation has been following a continuously rising trend. With electronics containing a myriad of materials some of which are hazardous, toxic, extremely rare or precious combined with more stringent legislative laws which encourage the reuse and optimised recycling of the materials included in e-waste, the need for a holistic approach is inevitable. Such an approach should not only identify the materials found in the various types of e-waste and their respective quantities but also needs to highlight the possible handling techniques and their respective impacts and associated hazards whether to the environment or human health. Performing such a task manually would be exasperating and costly while requiring extensive resources which might not be met with a justifiable economic gain; thus, the use of the advancement in computational sustainability to draw a complete picture and aid in an informed decision-making process is crucial. The e-waste ontology developed in this paper is one way of addressing the problem since it covers the treatment domain, the hazard and the materials contained within the different types of e-waste. The ontology developed can be used directly from the protégé software or by embedding it into a developed Decision Support System.

Background: Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, and understanding the molecular drivers of this disease is crucial for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Steroid Receptor Coactivator-3 (SRC-3), a member of the SRC family, has emerged as a key player in prostate cancer pathogenesis. This review comprehensively examine the role of SRC-3 in prostate cancer, encompassing molecular mechanisms, clinical implications, and therapeutic opportunities. Methods: A systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in PubMed, PMC, and other relevant databases to identify studies that investigate SRC-3 in prostate cancer. A total of 67 articles were selected based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Results: 785 articles were retrieved from databases using specific keywords and MeSH terms related to SRC-3 and Prostate Cancer. After removing 461 duplicates, 260 articles were excluded based on title and abstract review. Subsequently, a comprehensive screening by three researchers resulted in 47 relevant articles for this systematic review. We summarize its contributions to AR-mediated transcriptional regulation, tumor growth, and metastasis. Evidence suggests that SRC-3 expression correlates with prostate cancer aggressiveness, disease recurrence, and poor patient outcomes. Its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target is explored, offering insights into personalized medicine approaches. Conclusions: SRC-3 plays a pivotal role in prostate cancer, influencing disease progression and clinical outcomes. Understanding the molecular intricacies of SRC-3 in prostate cancer offers new opportunities for precision medicine and innovative therapeutic approaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of SRC-3's involvement in prostate cancer, emphasizing its clinical relevance and potential as a therapeutic target, ultimately contributing to improved patient care in the era of personalized oncology.

Previous studies show that women with a history of high-grade CIN have a greater risk of subsequent high-grade anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia or cancer, and the risk is greater for vaginal cancer than for anal and vulvar cancers. It is hypothesized that the laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure may cause a higher incidence of VaIN in hysterectomized women. There are few studies addressing this issue and they show mixed results. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of high-grade or worse VaIN in the population of women undergoing hysterectomy for CIN3 or benign uterine disease, illustrate treatment options and follow-up. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 170 women who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3) or benign gynecological disease. The follow-up strategy included performing a cotest and colposcopy with biopsy if necessary. The median time between primary treatment and diagnosis of high-grade VaIN was 18 months. Results: High grade or worse VaIN was found in 8 patients after hysterectomy (4.7%). All cases of high-grade VaIN occurred in women with persistent HPV infection. The most frequent genotype was 16. Women hysterectomized for CIN3 showed an 8-fold greater risk than women hysterectomized for benign disease of developing high-grade VaIN. The risk of VaIN is low in women hysterectomized for benign disease. The risk of developing VaIN is greater in women with viral persistence Conclusion. All these elements suggest that it is the history of HPV-related disease of the lower genital tract and viral persistence, rather than hysterectomy itself, that should be considered a risk factor for the development of high-grade VaIN. After hysterectomy, patients with a history of CIN should undergo annual screening with vaginal dome cytology and HPV testing.

Knowledge is not merely the characteristic of certain pieces of information being deemed true, believed and justifiable, but rather a process. The sentences that reaches the status of knowledge forms a universe that provides an interpretation of the reality one aims to describe. Language exchanges information through communication and the justification, if concludes successfully with respect to a sentence, it elevates the information to the status of knowledge. We provide a model where we define the fundamental elements of communication and grammar. As a result, knowledge must be \open\ (everyone must be able to acquire it), \free\ (everyone must be able to justifiy) and \tidy\ (everyone must be able to retrace the justification process in all its parts recursively). Ultimately, the development of knowledge processing, referred to as \emph{knowmatic}, represents the evolution of the information technologies (\it).

In recent years, bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has become a major concern in the medical field. The global misuse of antibiotics in clinics, personal use, and agriculture has accelerated this resistance, making infections increasingly difficult to treat and rendering new antibiotics ineffective more quickly. Finding new antibiotics is challenging due to the complexity of bacterial mechanisms, high costs and low financial incentives for the development of new molecular scaffolds, and stringent regulatory requirements. Additionally, innovation has slowed, with many new antibiotics being modifications of existing drugs rather than entirely new classes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a valid alternative to small molecule antibiotics offering several advantages, including broad-spectrum activity and a lower likelihood of inducing resistance due to their multifaceted mechanisms of action. However, AMPs face challenges such as stability issues in physiological conditions, potential toxicity to human cells, high production costs, and difficulties in large-scale manufacturing. A reliable strategy to overcome the drawbacks associate with the use of small molecule antibiotics and AMPs is the combination therapy, namely the simultaneous co-administration of two or more antibiotics or the synthesis of covalently linked conjugates. This review is intended to cover and critically analyze the design, synthetic strategies, antibacterial activity and, when possible, the cytotoxicity of antibiotic-AMPs conjugates.

A number of studies suggested that influenza vaccination can provide protection against COVID-19 but the underlying mechanisms that could explain this association is still unclear. In this study, the effect of the 2021/2022 seasonal influenza vaccination on the immune response to the booster dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was evaluated in a cohort of healthy individuals. One hundred and thirteen participants were enrolled, and 74 of them with no prior COVID-19 diagnosis or significant co-morbidities were considered for the analysis. Participants received the anti-influenza tetravalent vaccine and the booster dose of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine or the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine alone. Blood was collected before and 4 weeks after each vaccination and 12 weeks after SARSCoV2 vaccination and analyzed for anti-flu and anti-spike-specific antibody titers and for in vitro influenza and SARS-CoV-2 neutralization capacity. Results indicated an increased reactivity in subjects who received both influenza and SARSCoV2 vaccinations, as compared to those who received only the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, with sustained anti-spike antibody titers up to 12 weeks post-vaccination. Immune response to influenza vaccine was evaluated and individuals were stratified as high or low responders. High responders showed increased antibody titers against SARSCoV2 vaccine both after 4- and 12-weeks post-vaccination. On the contrary, the individuals classified as low responders were less responsive to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. These data indicate that both external stimuli, such as influenza vaccination, and the host's intrinsic ability to respond to stimuli play a role in the response to vaccine.

Bistatic radar experiments have been used to study surface characteristics of extra-terrestrial bodies in the Solar System, including the Moon, Venus, Mars, and Titan. This paper proposes a 3D model to characterize the scattered field of a Gaussian rough surface on an extra-terrestrial body for an orbital bistatic radar configuration. Specifically, this model will investigate how the variability of surface roughness impacts the spectral broadening of the received signal using physical optics approximations and ray tracing on a surface model using a facet approach with Gaussian properties. A linear relationship between spectral broadening of the signal and surface roughness was found. This relationship is in line with results obtained by commonly used analytical models for bistatic radar on planetary surfaces.

Precipitation patterns are critical for understanding the hydrological and climatological dynamics of any region. Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean sea, with its diverse topography and climatic conditions, serves as an ideal case study for analyzing precipitation data to gain insights into regional water resources, agricultural productivity, and climate change impacts. This paper employs advanced statistical physics methods, particularly Tsallis q-statistics, to analyze sub-hourly precipitation data from 2002 to 2023, provided by the Sicilian Agrometeorological Informative System (SIAS). We investigate several critical variables related to rainfall events, including duration, depth, maximum record, and inter-event time. The study spans two decades (2002-2012 and 2013-2023), analyzing the distributions of relevant variables. Additionally, we examine the simple returns of these variables to identify significant temporal changes, fitting these returns with q-Gaussian distributions. Our findings reveal the scale-invariant nature of precipitation events, the presence of long-range interactions and memory effects, characteristic of complex environmental processes.

The reactivity of 3,5-di-(pyridin-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (L1) with 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (1,4-DITFB) was explored and the halogen-bonded 1:1 co-crystal (1) was successfully isolated and structurally characterized.

The abilities of quantitative description of noise are restricted due to its origin and only the statistical and spectral analysis methods can be applied while an exact time evolution cannot be defined or predicted. It emphasizes the challenges faced in many applications including communication systems where noise can play, on one hand, a vital role impacting signal-to-noise ratio but possessing, on the other hand, unique properties such as infinite entropy (infinite information capacity), exponentially decaying correlation function and so on. Despite the deterministic nature of chaotic systems, the predictability of chaotic signals is limited for a short time window putting them close to random noise. In this article, we propose and experimentally verify an approach to achieve Gaussian-distributed chaotic signals by processing the outputs of chaotic systems. The mathematical criteria, on which the main idea of the study is based on, is the Central Limit Theorem which states that the sum of a large number of independent random variables with similar variances approaches a Gaussian distribution. The study involves more than 40 mostly three-dimensional continuous-time chaotic systems (Chua’s, Lorenz’s, Sprott’s, memristor-based, etc.) whose output signals are analyzed according to criteria that encompass the probability density functions of a chaotic signal itself and its envelope and phase, statistical and entropy-based metrics such as skewness, kurtosis, and entropy power. We found that two chaotic signals of Chua’s and Lorenz’s systems exhibited superior performance across the chosen metrics. Furthermore, our focus extended to determining the minimum number of independent chaotic signals necessary to yield a Gaussian-distributed combined signal. The analytic and experimental results indicate that the sum of at least three non-Gaussian chaotic signals closely approximates Gaussian distribution. It allows generation of reproducible Gaussian-distributed deterministic chaos by modeling simple chaotic systems.

Digital solutions in the field of restorative neurology offer significant assistance, enabling patients to engage in rehabilitation activities remotely. This research introduces ReMoVES, an Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) system delivering telemedicine services specifically tailored for Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation, within the overarching framework of the STORMS project. The ReMoVES platform facilitates the provision of a rehabilitative exercise protocol, seamlessly integrated into the Individual Rehabilitation Project, curated by a multidimensional medical team operating remotely. This manuscript delves into the second phase of the study, elucidating the technology employed, the outcomes achieved, and the practical, professional, and academic implications. The STORMS initiative, as the genesis of digital telerehabilitation solutions, aims to enhance the quality of life for Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition with substantial social and economic consequences. This study focuses on the interplay between genetic and environmen-tal factors in MDD, with particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms such as stochastic epige-netic mutations (SEMs), epigenetic age acceleration, and epigenetic drift. We conducted a meta-analysis of DNA methylation patterns across six datasets (n=1125 MDD cases, 398 controls in whole blood; n=95 MDD cases, 96 controls in brain tissues) from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The analysis did not reveal significant global methylation differences between MDD cases and controls. However, a brain-specific probe (cg25801113) near the SHF gene consistently exhibited hypomethylation, suggesting its potential relevance to MDD. SEMs were assessed, revealing a dis-tinct burden at the gene level in MDD cases, though no significant findings emerged for epigenetic age acceleration, indicating it may not play a central role in MDD. The study also identified rare epivariations in specific genes unique to MDD cases. In blood tissue, 51 genes were associated with these unique epivariations, while 1 gene was highlighted in the brain tissue. These results un-derscore the importance of exploring rare epivariations in understanding the molecular mecha-nisms underlying MDD and offer potential targets for further investigation.

A Brewer Spent Grain (BSG), the most abundant by-product of the brewing process, is mainly used in animal feed and biogas production. The aim of the present work is BSG valorization by yeast fermentation to produce carotenoids. R. mucilaginosa CBS316 was cultured on BSG syrups, supplemented or not with YE and PEP (s-Fsa and Fsa). The biomass and carotenoid production were optimized in flasks and then scaled-up in bioreactor. In flask tests, the maximum biomass concentration was 5.3 and 6.2 g/L for Fsa and s-Fsa cultures, respectively. The maximum carotenoid production was 833 μg/L in Fsa and 1159 μg/L in s-FSA. Considering that the highest specific productivity value (P 7.16 μg/g*h) was obtained with Fsa syrup, this medium was selected for the process scale-up. In bioreactor tests, the maximum concentrations of biomass (4.29 g/L) and carotenoid (396 ug/L) was reached at 72 hours of fer-mentation, 24 h later than in flask. The total carotenoid produced was 524 and 150 ug in bioreactor and flask cultures, respectively. The carotenoids production by R. mucilaginosa was obtained both in Fsa and s-Fsa syrups. The results confirm the possibility to use the syrup as it is, Fsa, thus limiting the process costs.

It is at the chemistry-biology interface that this work that we have carried out takes place. Indeed, the expected goal is to develop simple molecules, capable of activating the catalytic action of certain metalloenzymes such as tyrosinase. The official name of an enzyme includes the type of reaction catalyzed, the name of the substrates involved. In this work, we carried out the study of the catalytic activity of the complexes of organotin carboxylates synthesized vis-à-vis the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecchol. The results obtained show that the various complexes exhibit good catalytic activity for the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecchol under mild conditions. The complexes that showed good catalytic activity are the compounds C1 and C2.

CPPU (Forchlorfenuron (1-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-3-phenylurea), a synthetic cytokinin, is extensively used to enhance fruit size and quality size in several crops, including kiwifruit. This study examines the effects of three different CPPU application strategies on two different crop loads on the main fruit quality parameters. Our results show that a two application of CPPU significantly increased fruit weight, especially under standard crop load conditions, due to better resource allocation. Fruit firmness improved with 2 and 3-times CPPU applications, likely due to enhanced cell wall development, and was consistently affected by crop load, with higher loads resulting in softer fruits. CPPU applied twice did not significantly influence soluble solids content. This parameter was instead significantly influenced by the crop load, with standard load fruit showing higher sugar accumulation. Fruit dry weight showed similar trends, with CPPU having a more pronounced effect under standard crop loads. Overall, CPPU proved to be a cost-effective strategy to enhance fruit quality, particularly in orchards with standard crop loads, by balancing yield and sugar content.

In recent years, the global energy sector has seen significant transformation, particularly in Europe, with a notable increase in intermittent renewable energy integration. Italy and the European Union (EU) have been among the leaders in this transition, with renewables playing a substantial role in electricity generation as of mid-2020s. The adoption of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has become crucial for enhancing grid efficiency, sustainability, and reliability by addressing the intermittent renewable sources. This paper investigates the feasibility and economic viability of batteries into wholesale electricity markets as per EU regulation, focusing on the dynamics of very different markets, namely the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) based on system marginal price and the Cross-Border Intra-day Market (XBID) based on continuous trading. A novel model is proposed to enhance BESS operations, leveraging price arbitrage strategies based on zonal price predictions, levelized cost of storage (LCOS), and uncertain bid acceptance in continuous trading. Machine learning and deep learning techniques are applied for price forecasting and bid acceptance prediction, respectively. The study finds that data-driven techniques outperform reference models in price forecasting and bid acceptance prediction (+7-14% accuracy). Regarding market dynamics, the study reveals a higher competitiveness of the continuous market compared to the DAM, particularly with increased risk factor in bids leading to higher profits. This research provides insights into compatibility between continuous markets and BESS, showing substantial improvements in economic profitability and the correlation between risk and profits in the bidding strategy (+9 M€ yearly revenues are obtained with a strategic behavior that reduces by 60% awarded energy).

Stroke represents one of the neurological diseases most responsible for death and permanent disability in the world. Different factors, such as thrombus, emboli and atherosclerosis, take part in the intricate pathophysiology of stroke. Comprehending the molecular processes involved in this mechanism is crucial to developing new, specific and efficient treatments. Some common mechanisms are excitotoxicity and calcium overload, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are critical in pathophysiology and recovery after cerebral ischaemia. ncRNAs, particularly microRNAs, and the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are essential for angiogenesis and neuroprotection, and they have been suggested to be therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic tools in cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke. This review summarizes the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and delves into the function of miRNAs in the development of brain damage. Furthermore, we will analyze new perspectives on treatment based on molecular mechanisms in addition to traditional stroke therapies.

The persistence of symptoms following COVID-19 infection represents a significant challenge in healthcare management. During the outbreak, tele-rehabilitation emerged as a new tool to support healthcare structures in providing rehabilitation services. This study assessed the effectiveness and the feasibility of a 3-week home-based motor and respiratory rehabilitation program for long COVID-19 individuals after traditional rehabilitation. Twenty-three patients completed the program and underwent functional tests at different time points (i.e. baseline, after hospital discharge, and after tele-rehabilitation). Motor function was evaluated using the instrumented Six-Minutes Walking Test (i6MWT), with monitored heart rate and oxygen saturation. Conversely, respiratory function was measured via forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) tests. Significant improvements (p &lt; 0.05) in motor and respiratory function were observed throughout the intervention, including an 18.3% increase in walked distance from the baseline. The findings suggest that a home-based tele-rehabilitation can enhance motor and respiratory function in post-COVID patients. Despite limitations such as sample size and lack of control group, the positive outcomes seem to support the feasibility of the proposed tele-rehabilitation program in managing long COVID symptoms and promoting functional recovery. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore tele-rehabilitation’s potential in broader patient populations.