Paleogenomics focuses on the recovery, manipulation, and analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) from historical or long-dead organisms to reconstruct and analyze their genomes. The aDNA is commonly obtained from remains found in paleontological and archaeological sites, conserved in museums and in other archival collections. Herbarium collections represent a great source of phenotypic and genotypic information, and their exploitation allowed to infer and to clarify previously unsolved taxonomic and systematic relationships. Moreover, Herbarium specimens offered a new source to study phenological traits in plants and to disentangle biogeography and evolutionary scenarios of species. More recently, advances in the molecular technologies went in parallel with the decreasing costs of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, that paved the way to the utilization of aDNA for whole-genome studies. Although many studies have been carried out combining modern analytic techniques and Herbarium specimens, this research field is still relatively unexplored, due to the need of improving strategies for aDNA manipulation and exploitation. The higher susceptibility of aDNA to degradation and contamination during the Herbarium conservation and manipulation, and the occurrence of biochemical post-mortem damages, can result in the more challenging reconstruction of the original DNA sequence. Here, we review the methodological approaches that have been developed for the exploitation of historical Herbarium plant materials, such as the best practices for aDNA extraction, amplification and genotyping. We also focus on some strategies to overcome the main problems related to the utilization of Herbarium specimens for their exploitation in plant evolutionary studies.

Several cities are experiencing an increase in flood hazard and exposure, and consequentially in flood risk, attributable to the coupled effect of climate change and urbanization. Non-structural protection strategies demonstrate significant potential in the short term for mitigating hydraulic risk in urban areas, particularly where the implementation of structural measures is impeded by a complex urban environment. This work proposes an Early Warning System (EWS) for fluvial floods developed for the city of Palermo (Italy). It is based on the preliminary definition of po-tential Flood Event Scenarios (FESs) as a function of typical potential precursors. Each FES pre-dicts first points of flooding, flood areas and water depths, also providing specific hazard maps for people, vehicles, and buildings. The EWS uses rainfall depth-duration thresholds to assess the expected hydrograph as a function of rainfall forecasts and the water stage observed in real time at an upstream section of the river crossing the city. This last also allows for estimating the ante-cedent wetness conditions. Based on this information, the EWS retrieves an expected FES from a pre-built library with a preannouncement time up to 36 h. The EWS is here successfully tested on a historical flood event.

This study aims to demonstrate the possibility of incorporating a natural antioxidant biomolecule, into polymeric porous scaffolds. To this end, Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) scaffolds were produced using the Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) technique and additivated with different amounts of Rosmarinic Acid (RA). The scaffolds, with a diameter of 4 mm and a thickness of 2 mm, were characterized with a multi-analytical approach. Specifically, Scanning Electron Mi-croscopy analyses demonstrated the presence of an interconnected porous network, character-ized by a layer of RA at the level of the pore’s surfaces. Moreover, the presence of RA biomole-cules increased the hydrophilic nature of the sample, as evidenced by the decrease in contact angle with water from 128° to 76°. This approach is cost-effective, and it could be customized with different biomolecules, offering the possibility of producing porous polymeric structures con-taining antioxidant molecules. These scaffolds meet the requirements of tissue engineering and could be offered a potential solution to reduce inflammation associated with scaffold implantation thus improving tissue regeneration.

Background: Dual disorders (DD) involve the coexistence of substance use disorder (SUD) with another mental illness, often from psychotic and affective categories. This study explores the ef-fectiveness of brexpiprazole, a third-generation antipsychotic, in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (DSM-V) and comorbid AUD/SUD (DSM-V). Methods: Eighteen enrolled patients underwent psychometric assessments at baseline and one month into brexpiprazole treatment administered at a mean dosage of 2 mg/day. Results: Brexpiprazole demonstrated significant reductions in psychopathological burden (PANSS total score, p=0.004), improved CGI total score (p=0.042), and decreased MOAS total score (p=0.012). Quality of life improved in SF-36 subscales (p<0.05). Substance craving reduction, though observed, did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence supporting brexpiprazole's efficacy and safety with positive effects on psychopathology and quality of life, emphasizing the need for tailored, comprehensive treatment strategies in this complex patient population.

Mast cells are tissue-resident immune cells distributed in all tissues and strategically located close to blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves. Thanks to the expression of a wide array of receptors, mast cells act as tissue sentinels, able to detect the presence of bacteria and parasites and to respond to different environmental stimuli. Mast cells originate from bone marrow progenitors that enter the circulation and mature in peripheral organs under the influence of microenvironment factors, thus differentiating in heterogeneous tissue-specific subsets. Even though mast cell activation has been traditionally linked to IgE-mediated allergic reactions, a role for these cells in other pathological conditions including tumor progression has recently emerged. However, several aspects of mast cell biology remain to be clarified. The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing platforms has provided the opportunity to understand mast cell origin and differentiation as well as the phenotype and functions within different tissues, including the gut. This review recapitulates how single cell transcriptomic studies provided insight into mast cell development as well as into the functional role of intestinal MC subsets in health and disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate the parameters affecting the extraction of positive molecules such as chlorogenic acids and antioxidants, as well as potentially carcinogenic substances such as acrylamide, in different coffee brewing methods. Three coffee varieties, each assigned to different roasting degree, were used to prepare coffee brews following eight diverse preparation methods. Acrylamide was quantified by HPLC-MS/MS instrument while chlorogenic acids and caffeine by HPLC-DAD system. Three spectrophotometric analyses were also performed (DPPH, TFC and TPC) to evaluate antioxidant activity as well. The results showed that the main brewing parameters, that have the greatest influence on the final content of these compounds were the volume of water used, more specifically the brewing ratio (coffee to water ratio), the extraction time and the particle size of the coffee powder.

Since the beginning of the mass immunization with COVID-19 vaccines of patients with multiple sclerosis, many data on the efficacy and safety of these vaccines have been produced. Considering that MS is an autoimmune disease whose pathology can be explained by an altered immune system and that some DMTs seem to be able to decrease the antibody response against COVID-19 vaccines, we carried out this retrospective study with the aim to evaluate the safety in terms of AEFIs occurrence and the antibody response after the third dose of COVID-19 vaccines in people with MS. Third doses were administered from October 2021 to January 2022. Two hundred and ten patients (64.8% female; mean age: 46 years) received the third dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and were included in the study. The majority of patients (n=193) were diagnosed with RRMS and EDSS values were ≤3.0 in 72.4% of them. DMTs most commonly used by included patients were interferon Beta 1-a, dimethyl fumarate, natalizumab and fingolimod. Overall, 160 patients (68.8% female) experienced 294 AEFIs, of which about 90% were classified as short-term, while 9.2% were classified as long-term. The most commonly reported following the booster dose were pain at the injection site, flu-like symptoms, headache, fever and fatigue. Regarding the immune response, consistently with literature data, we found that patients receiving ocrelizumab and fingolimod had lower IgG titer than patients receiving other DMTs.

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.

Introduction: In recent years, generative Artificial Intelligence models, such as ChatGPT, have been increasingly utilized in healthcare. Despite acknowledging the high potential of AI models in terms of quick access to sources and formulating a response to a clinical question, the results obtained using these models still require validation through comparison with established clinical guidelines. This study compares the responses of the AI model to eight clinical questions with the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) guidelines for ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: The authors used the Delphi method to evaluate responses from ChatGPT and the AIOM guidelines. An expert panel of healthcare professionals assessed responses based on clarity, consistency, comprehensiveness, usability, and quality using a 5-point Likert scale. The GRADE methodology assessed the evidence quality and the recommendations' strength. Results: A survey involving 14 physicians revealed that the AIOM guidelines consistently scored higher averages compared to the AI models with a statistically significant difference. Post-hoc tests showed that AIOM guidelines significantly differed from all AI models, with no significant difference among the AI models. Conclusions: While AI models can provide rapid responses, they must match established clinical guidelines regarding clarity, consistency, comprehensiveness, usability, and quality. These findings underscore the importance of relying on expert-developed guidelines in clinical decision-making and highlight potential areas for AI model improvement.

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.

Background: Endometriosis is a female chronic inflammatory disease in which endometrial tissue develops outside the uterine cavity. It is a complex pathology, that significantly contributes to morbidity in premenopausal women, leading to chronic pain, infertility, and subfertility negatively impacting the physical, and emotional well-being and overall quality of life. The public health burden of endometriosis remains elusive and challenging to determine, and this uncertainty can lead to inadequate healthcare services and treatments. Objective: To estimate the incidence and prevalence of endometriosis in Italy using the hospital discharge records database. Population-based retrospective study. Nationwide between 2011 and 2020. Methods: From the National Hospital Discharge Database were selected all admissions with a diagnosis of endometriosis (ICD-9-CM, codes 617.x), supported by the presence of a procedure code of laparoscopy or any other surgical procedure allowing direct visualisation of the lesions. Main outcomes measures Incidence and prevalence of endometriosis were estimated for the entire 2010-2020 period and by individual year, analysing the time trend and variability in different geographical areas of Italy. Results: A total of 134,667,646 women aged 15–50 years with one or more hospitalisations for endometriosis in all Italian hospitals. The incidence of endometriosis in Italy during this period was 0.839 per 1000 women (CI95% 0.834-0.844), exhibiting a statistically significant decreasing trend over the years. A discernible north-south gradient was observed, with higher rates documented in the northern regions. The prevalence rate stood at 14.0 per 1000 during the same period, and a similar north-south geographical gradient was identifiable in the prevalence rates as well. Conclusions: The utilization of national-level hospital data enables the generation of incidence and prevalence data for endometriosis without variations in methods and definitions, facilitating the evaluation of temporal trends and regional comparisons. Understanding and quantifying this phenomenon is essential for appropriate healthcare planning in various Italian regions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We analyze the information that can be retrieved from the tracking parameters produced by an innovative wearable eye tracker. The latter is based on a permanent-magnet marked corneal lens and by an array of magnetoresistive detectors that measure the magnetostatic field in several positions in the eye proximity. We demonstrate that, despite missing information due to the axial symmetry of the measured field, physiological constraints or measurement conditions make possible to infer complete eye-pose data. Angular precision and accuracy achieved with the current prototypical device are also assessed and briefly discussed. The results show that the instrumentation considered is suitable as a new, moderately invasive medical diagnostics for the characterization of ocular movements and associated disorders.

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.

This paper provides an exhaustive narrative review of third-generation antipsychotics (TGAs), focusing on aripiprazole, cariprazine, brexpiprazole, and lurasidone for managing substance-induced psychosis. It includes a comprehensive literature review to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of these medications. The paper emphasizes the distinct challenges in treating substance-induced psychosis, which is a psychiatric condition triggered by the misuse or withdrawal of various substances, leading to symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, and is distinct from primary psychotic disorders. It underscores the potential of TGAs in addressing both psychotic symptoms and substance-related issues, while highlighting the need for more research on long-term effects and advocating for an integrated approach combining pharmacological and psychological interventions

Power disaggregation aims at determining the appliance-by-appliance electricity consumption leveraging upon a single meter only, which measures the entire power demand. Data-driven procedures based on Factorial Hidden Markov Models have been proven remarkable results on energy disaggregation. Nevertheless, those procedures have various weaknesses: there is a scalability problem as the number of devices to observe raises and the algorithmic complexity of the inference step is severe. DNN architectures, such as Convolutional Neural Networks, have demonstrated to be a viable solution to deal with FHMMs shortcomings. Nonetheless, there are two significant limitations: a complicated and time-consuming training system based on back-propagation has to be employed to estimates the neural architecture parameters, and large amounts of training data covering as many operation conditions as possible need to be collected to attain top performances. In this work, we aim to overcome those limitations by leveraging upon the unique and useful characteristics of the extreme learning machine technique, which is based on a collection of randomly chosen hidden units and analytically defined output weights. Experiment evaluation has been conducted using the UK-DALE corpus. We find that the suggested approach achieves similar performances to recently proposed ANN-based methods and outperforms FHMMs. Besides, our solution generalises well to unseen houses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Background: The identification of novel therapeutic strategies for Ovarian cancer (OC), the most lethal gynecological neoplasm, is of utmost urgency. Here, we have tested the effectiveness of the compound 2c (4-Hydroxy-2,6-bis(4-nitrobenzylidene)cyclohexanone 2). 2c interferes with cyste-ine-dependent deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), thus affecting the ubiquitin-proteasome de-pendent degradation of proteins. Methods: 2c phenotypic/molecular effects were studied in two OC cell lines, primary tumor cells cultured in 2D/3D and in a mouse xenograft model. We also propose an in-silico model of 2c interaction with DUBs. Finally, we tested the effect of 2c conju-gated to several linkers to generate 2c-derivatives usable for improved drug delivery. Results: 2c effectively impairs OC cell line and primary tumor cell viability in both 2D and 3D conditions. The effectiveness is confirmed in a xenograft mouse model of OC. We show that 2c impairs pro-teasome activity and triggers apoptosis most likely by interacting with DUBs; we propose a mechanism for the interaction with a model DUB via an in-silico evaluation of the en-zyme-inhibitor complex. 2c also reduces cell growth by down-regulating the level of the transcrip-tion factor E2F1. Finally, 2c activity is often retained after the conjugation with linkers. Conclu-sion: Our data strongly support the potential therapeutic value of 2c/derivatives in OC.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Background: Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), are characterized by chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial for enhancing diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating therapeutic responses. This study explores the potential of serum Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) as a biomarker for these conditions and concurrently examines its relationship with free light chain (FLC) expression levels in the same patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on serum samples from 120 patients (60 RA, 60 SLE), alongside 50 healthy donors (HD). Serum levels of κ and λ FLCs were determined by turbidimetric assay, while SDC-1 levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analyses, including the Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test, multivariable linear regression and Spearman’s correlation, were employed to compare biomarker levels across groups and to explore correlations among them. Results: Significantly increased levels of SDC-1, κ-FLC, and λ-FLC were observed in patients diagnosed with RA and SLE compared to HD (p < 0.001), while no significant differences in the κ/λ ratio were noted among the groups (p = 0.4). A statistically significant difference in subject age was also identified. However, multivariate regression analysis indicated that RA and SLE statuses are significantly associated with the levels of these markers, with minimal confounding by age. A significant correlation was observed separately in all groups between the FLC markers. Conversely, no correlation was detected between SDC-1 and FLCs, nor between these markers and age. Conclusion: Elevated serum levels of FLCs and SDC-1 in RA and SLE patients compared to healthy controls underscore their potential as biomarkers for SARDs. The findings also suggest sustained plasma cells activation, supporting the SDC-1 role in the pathogenesis of these conditions.

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 dynamic response of a Bell-and-Bloom magnetometer to a parallel (to the bias field) time-dependent field is modelled beyond the commonly assumed quasi-static regime. The results unveil features that are related to the parametric nature of the considered system. It is shown that a for low-amplitude time-dependent field different operating conditions are possible and that, beside the commonly reported low-pass-filter behaviour, a band-pass response emerges. Moreover, we numerically show that for larger field amplitude the system, due to its parametric nature, has a kind of ``non-linear'' response.

Sequential reactions of aminoalkynes represent a powerful tool to easily assembly biologically important polyfunctionalized nitrogen heterocyclic scaffolds. Metal catalysis often plays a key role in terms of selectivity, efficiency, atom economy and green chemistry of these sequential approaches. This review examines the existing literature on the applications of reactions of aminoalkynes with carbonyls which are emerging for their synthetic potential. Aspect concerning the features of the starting reagents, the catalytic systems, alternative reaction conditions and the pathways as well as the possible intermediates are provided.

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.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) represents an important public health problem with a prevalence between 1.3% and 12.5%. Several population-based randomized trials have evaluated ultrasound screening for AAA providing evidence of a reduction in aneurysm-related mortality in the screened population. The aim of our study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk factors for AAA. We conducted a systematic review of observational studies and we performed a meta-analysis that evaluated the following risk factors: gender, smoking habits, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Coronary Artery Disease and family history of AAA. Abdominal aortic aneurysm prevalence is higher in smokers and in males. It is important to underline that all countries, where AAA screening was set up, had high income level and the majority belong to Western Europe (United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Spain and Belgium). Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is fundamental for public health. It would avoid deaths, ruptures, and emergency surgical interventions if abdominal aortic aneurysm was diagnosed early in the population target for screening.

Mini-drones can be used for a variety of tasks, such as weather monitoring, package delivery, search and rescue, and recreation. Their uses are mostly restricted to outside locations with access to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and/or similar systems since their usefulness, safety, and performance substantially rely on ubiquitously accurate positioning and navigation. Indoor localization is getting better, thanks to technologies like Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (V-SLAM). However, more advancements are still required for mini-drone navigation applications with greater safety standards. In this research, a novel method for enhancing indoor mini-drone localization performance is proposed. By merging Oriented Rotated Brief SLAM (ORB-SLAM2), Semi-Direct Monocular Visual Odometry (SVO), and an Adaptive Complementary Filter, the suggested strategy improves V-SLAM approaches (ACF). The findings demonstrate that, when compared to other widely-used indoor localization algorithms, the suggested methodology performs better at estimating location under various situations (low light, low texture, and dynamic environments).

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.

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.

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.

Extracellular vesicles represent a large heterogeneous class of near and long-distance intercellular communication mediators, released by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Specifically, the scientific community has shown a growing interest in exosomes, which are nano-sized vesicles with an endosomal origin. Not so long ago, the physiological goal of exosome generation was largely unknown and required more investigation; at first, it was hypothesized that exosomes are able to remove excess, rejects and unnecessary constituents from cells to preserve cellular homeostasis. However, thanks to recent studies, the central role of exosomes in regulating cellular dialogue has emerged. Exosomes act as vectors on cell-cell signaling by their cargo, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and influence physiological and pathological processes. The findings on exosomes are widespread in a large spectrum of biomedical applications from diagnosis and prognosis to thera-pies. In this review, we describe exosome biogenesis and the current methods for their isolation and characterization, emphasizing the role of their cargo in female reproductive processes, from gametogenesis to implantation, and the potential involvement in human female disorders.

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) are anchored floating structures often made with cheap scrapped materials and used to aggregate pelagic fish under their artificial shadow. Globally, the dangerous impact of FADs has well known. They pose a severe threat due to known and unknown levels of bycatch, the danger to navigation, and their high potential to become marine litter. Entanglement and consequent mortality in FADs of protected species and species of conservation concern (e.g., sharks, sea turtles, and cetaceans) are a serious concern for several international inter-governmental bodies (e.g., EU, GFCM, and IWC). This work describes the first case of a cetacean, a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), killed by a FAD in the Mediterranean Sea. This dolphin was found stranded along the coast of the central Tyrrhenian Sea. The evidence suggests that this specimen suffered a painful death. Although this is the first confirmed case of a cetacean killed by a FAD in Italian waters, given the extent of the deployment of FADs, the scale of this type of interaction with protected species might be seriously underestimated. Therefore, actions and monitoring need to be implemented urgently to effectively protect and conserve marine biodiversity.

In this study, the external magnetic field emitted by a wireless power transfer (WPT) system and the internal electric field induced into human body models during recharging operations of a compact electric vehicle (EV) are evaluated. To this aim an ad-hoc formulation for the source modeling is coupled with a commercial software that performs numerical dosimetry. Specifically, two realistic anatomical models both in a driving position and in a standing posture are considered, and the chassis of the EV is modeled either as a currently employed aluminum alloys and as a futuristic carbon fiber composite panel. Aligned and misaligned coil configurations of the WPT system are considered as well. The analysis of the obtained results shows that the ICNIRP reference levels are exceeded in the driving position, especially for the carbon fiber chassis, whereas no exceedance is observed in terms of basic restrictions, at least for the considered scenarios.

Taking due account of users' perspectives is crucial for improving the quality of healthcare services. This study aimed to analyse the representations and evaluation criteria that users of a public health agency express towards care and treatment services and to explore whether and how the content and meaning of their communications varied according to pre-pandemic, pandemic or post-pandemic periods. 501 communications (73.4% complaints, 16% appreciations, 10.6% enquiries) sent to the public relations office of an Italian health agency were collected. An automatic content analysis procedure (ACASM) was applied to the textual corpus. Four main thematic cores were identified concerning the request for care and respect, the value of the doctor-patient relationship and the difficulties in contacting services and accessing care. Two main latent dimensions of meaning were identified, which capture the dialectic between the demand for relationships and the demand for access to care, and between attention to the relational competence of health workers and attention to the needs and rights of users. Communications collected during the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods mainly concern the difficulty of access to care; those collected during the pandemic period mainly concern the doctor-patient relationship. Interpersonal aspects and timely access to care appear to be crucial in users' assessment of the quality of care.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has proven to be effective in reducing the rate of recurrence and disease as secondary prevention (evidence-based intervention) in patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction (MI). CR is a multidisciplinary path in which the patient is followed pharmacologically, from a psychological, nutritional, nursing and physiotherapy point of view. Post-MI patients present a reduction in the performance of the diaphragm muscle, the main inspiratory muscle, and this condition can become a risk factor for further relapses or for the onset of heart failure. Despite the solidity of the international guidelines for CR, the latter are lacking in specifically indicating an evaluation and training path regarding the inspiratory muscles in post-MI patients who have not undergone cardiac surgery. The article reviews the information on the adaptation of the diaphragm post-MI and highlights the need for clearer indications for a rehabilitation process that gives importance to the diaphragm.

This study aimed to evaluate the hazards posed by foodborne bacteria of the Listeria genus by analyzing prevalence, diversity and virulence of Listeria spp. in food and food manufacturing plants. Seventy five isolates obtained from the routine analysis of 653 samples by three diagnostic laboratories in Northern Italy were genotipically differentiated by Repetitive Extragenic Palindrome (rep) PCR with the GTG5 primer, identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene and examined by specific PCR tests for the presence of L. monocytogenes virulence determinants occasionally found to occur in other species of the genus. The identity of the amplification products was confirmed by sequencing. Fifty seven isolates were identified as L. innocua, 12 as L. monocytogenes, 5 as L. welshimeri and one as L. seeligeri. All L. monocytogenes isolates belonged to the serotype 1/2a and were predicted to be virulent for the presence of the inlJ internalin gene. Potentially virulent strains of L. innocua, L. seeligeri and L. welshimeri, carrying the L. monocytogenes inlA gene and/or hly gene, were identified, and most isolates were found to possess the toxin-antitoxin system mazEF for efficient adaptation to heat shock. Results indicated the need to reinforce food contamination prevention measures against all Listeria species by efficiently defining their environmental distribution.

The ovary is the major determinant of female reproductive health. Ovarian functions are mainly related to the primordial follicle pool, which is gradually loss with aging. Ovarian aging and reproductive dysfunctions share oxidative stress as common underlying mechanism. ROS signaling is essential for normal ovarian processes yet can contribute to various ovarian disorders when disrupted. Therefore, balance in the redox system is crucial for proper ovarian functions. In the present study, by focusing on mRNAs and ncRNAs described in the ovary and taking into account only validated ncRNA interactions, we built up an ovarian antioxidant ceRNA network, namely OvAnOx ceRNA, composed of 5 mRNAs (SOD1, SOD2, CAT, PRDX3, GR), 10 miRNAs and 5 lncRNAs (XIST, FGD5-AS1, MALAT1, NEAT1, SNHG1). Our bioinformatic analysis indicated that the components of the OvAnOx ceRNA not only contribute to antioxidant defence, but are also involved in other ovarian functions. Indeed, antioxidant enzymes encoded by mRNA of OvAnOx ceRNA operate within a regulatory network that impacts ovarian reserve, follicle dynamics, and oocyte maturation in normal and pathological conditions. The OvAnOx ceRNA represents a promising tool to unravel the complex dialogue between redox potential and ovarian signalling pathways involved in reproductive health, aging and diseases.

Food-borne transmission is a recognized route for many viruses associated with gastrointestinal, hepatic or neurological diseases. Therefore, it is essential to identify new bioactive compounds with broad-spectrum antiviral activity is needed to exploit innovative solutions against these hazards. Lately, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been recognized as promising antiviral agents. Indeed, while the antibacterial and antifungal effects of these molecules have been widely reported, their use as potential antiviral agents has not yet been fully investigated. Herein, the antiviral activity of previously identified or newly designed AMPs, was evaluated against the non-enveloped RNA viruses, Hepatitis A virus (HAV), and Murine Norovirus (MNV), a surrogate for human Norovirus. Moreover, specific assays were performed to recognize at which stage of the viral infection cycle the peptides could function. Results showed that almost all peptides displayed virucidal effects with about 90% of infectivity reduction on HAV or MNV. However, the decapeptide RiLK1 demonstrated, together with its antibacterial and antifungal properties, a notable reduction in viral infection for both HAV and MNV, possibly through direct interaction with viral particles or inhibition of the viral bonding to the cell receptors. Hence, RiLK1 could represent a versatile ‘antimicrobial agent effective against various foodborne pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

This study explores advanced feature engineering and semantic enrichment methods to enhance text classification, focusing on detecting figurative language in tweets. The novel features introduced, Syno\_Lower\_Mean and Syn\_Mean, measure the use of uncommon synonyms and the mean frequency of synonyms, capturing semantic richness crucial for detecting figurative expressions. Using resources like SenticNet and Framester, we enrich our feature set with sentiment and frame semantic information. Our approach includes extensive data preprocessing, sophisticated feature selection, and implementing various classification models, such as SVM, KNN, Logistic Regression, Decision Trees, Random Forest, BERT, and LSTM networks. We rigorously evaluate each model's performance to assess the effectiveness of our features and enrichment methods. Putting emphasis on model explainability, we use decision tree analysis, feature importance analysis, and the TREPAN algorithm to approximate SVM decisions. Although we focus on figurative language detection, our methods have broader implications for various NLP text classification tasks. Our findings demonstrate significant improvements in classification accuracy and interpretability through innovative feature design and dataset enrichment.

Inclusive education in Indonesia has evolved in recent years, in line with the government's commitment to provide equal education for all children, including those with special needs. This article reviews the philosophy of inclusive education and its implementation in Indonesian education. Through literature and policy analysis, it is found that although there is increasing awareness and support for inclusive education, there are still barriers that need to be overcome. These include the lack of accessibility and adequate facilities, limited teaching staff for children with special needs, and social stigma towards children with special needs. This review also identifies the characteristics of inclusive education and its implementation. In conclusion, inclusive education in Indonesia requires a holistic and collaborative approach between the government, communities, and educational institutions to create a truly inclusive and equal learning environment for all learners

Fungal-bacterial co-colonization and co-infections are emerging among TB-suspected patients, yet the underlying mechanisms that enable and arise from their interactions are poorly understood. Understanding how environmental microbes such as fungi and bacteria co-evolve and develop traits to evade host immune responses and resist treatment is critical to controlling opportunistic co-infections. Our previous work has demonstrated that fungal-bacterial interactions can have dramatic impacts on fungal pathogenesis and drug resistance. Here, we, therefore, hypothesize that cross-kingdom synergistic interactions between environmental fungi and bacteria may influence both fungal and bacterial virulence, antimicrobial resistance patterns and aetiology. Through this, we aimed to establish the prevalence of fungal–bacterial microbial communities associated with chronic primary or opportunistic pulmonary infections. Concordantly, through surveilling 302 clinical samples from 151 patients, we established the prevalence of TB (0.7%) to be lower than that of fungi (1.3%) and non-TB bacterial (4.6%) mono-aetiologies Figure 2. However, our main observation was the unexpected taxonomic diversity with a striking twist of fungal-bacterial di-kingdom aetiological conformities. Interestingly, the majority of the patients presented with at least a di or mono-kingdom aetiological pairings. Importantly, fungi and non-TB bacteria formerly regarded as atypical opportunists are now frequently isolated as possible aetiology for chronic pulmonary infection. Hence, we revealed many di-kingdom aetiological pairings here but their significance remains a question of further examination. Among which Acremonium spp + K. pneumoniae (n=5), Acremonium spp +Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=4), Acremonium spp + C. albicans + K. pneumoniae (n=3) were among the most dominant aetiological pairings observed. Interestingly, Acremonium spp + K. pneumoniae pairings were also seen to be the most commonly associated with pulmonary TB both during and after treatment. Isolation from the same infection niche as seen here calls for further investigations into any interaction signatures that may exist between these organisms. Taken together, our data suggest that fungal-bacterial co-existence may influence their virulence attributes and antimicrobial resistance patterns, with relevance to patient outcomes. Therefore, our data reveals an array of fungal-bacterial pairings that may influence the prognosis of chronic pulmonary disease. Importantly, suggesting that the diversity of pulmonary infective fungi and bacteria, and their complex population structures may pose challenges to the analysis and interpretation of conventional data. Thus, there is a need to redirect our diagnostic approaches to encompass polymicrobial aetiology in order to enhance our suspicion index for better management of opportunistic fungal-bacterial co-infections.

Despite available global efforts and funding, Tuberculosis (TB) continues to affect a considerable number of patients worldwide. Policy makers and stakeholders set clear goals to reduce TB incidence and mortality, but the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) complicate the reach of these goals. Drug-resistance TB needs to be diagnosed rapidly and accurately to effectively treat patients, prevent the transmission of MDR-TB, minimise mortality, reduce treatment costs and avoid unnecessary hospitalisations. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of laboratory methods for detecting drug resistance in MTB, focusing on phenotypic, molecular and other drug susceptibility testing (DST) techniques. We found a large variety of methods used, with the BACTEC MGIT 960 being the most common phenotypic DST and the Xpert MTB/RIF being the most common molecular DST. We emphasise the importance of integrating phenotypic and molecular DST to address issues like resistance to new drugs, heteroresistance, mixed infections and low-level resistance mutations. Notably, most of the analysed studies adhered to the outdated definition of XDR-TB and did not consider the pre-XDR definition, thus posing challenges in aligning diagnostic methods with the current landscape of TB resistance.

Recent studies have shown correlations between the microbiota's composition and various health conditions. Machine learning (ML) techniques are essential for analyzing complex biological data, particularly in microbiome research. ML methods help analyze large datasets to uncover microbiota patterns and understand how these patterns affect human health. This study introduces a novel approach combining statistical physics with the Monte Carlo (MC) methods to characterize bacterial species in the human microbiota. We assess the significance of bacterial species in different age groups by using notions of statistical distances to evaluate species prevalence and abundance across age groups and employing MC simulations based on statistical mechanics principles. Our findings show that the microbiota composition experiences a significant transition from early childhood to adulthood. Species such as Bifidobacterium breve and Veillonella parvula decrease with age, while others like Agathobaculum butyriciproducens and Eubacterium rectale increase. Additionally, low-prevalence species may hold significant importance in characterizing age groups. Finally, we propose an overall species ranking by integrating the methods proposed here in a multicriteria classification strategy. Our research provides a comprehensive tool for microbiota analysis using statistical notions, ML techniques, and MC simulations.

The rationalization of single molecule magnets’ (SMMs) magnetic properties by quantum mechanical approaches represents a major task in the field of the Molecular Magnetism. The fundamental interpretative key of molecular magnetism is the phenomenological Spin Hamiltonian and the understanding of the role of its different terms by electronic structure calculations is expected to steer the rational design of new and more performing SMMs. This paper deals with the ab initio calculation of isotropic and anisotropic exchange contributions in the Fe(III) dimer [Fe₂(OCH₃)₂(dbm)₄]. This system represents the building block of one of the most studied Single Molecule Magnets ([Fe₄RC(CH₂O)₃)₂(dpm)₆] where R can be an aliphatic chain or a phenyl group just to name the most common functionalization groups) and its relatively reduced size allows the use of a high computational level of theory. Calculations were performed using CASSCF and NEVPT2 approaches on the X-ray geometry as assessment of the computational protocol, which has then be used to evinced the importance of the outer coordination shell nature through organic ligand modelization. Magneto-structural correlations as function of internal degrees of freedom for isotropic and anisotropic exchange contributions are also presented, outlining for the first time the extremely rapidly changing nature of the anisotropic exchange coupling.

Biochemical recurrence (BCR) after primary treatments for prostate cancer (PC) is an extremely heterogeneous phase and at least a stratification in low and high-risk cases for early progression in metastatic disease is necessary. At now PSA-DT represents the best parameter to define low and high risk BCR PC, but a real precision medicine is strongly suggested to define a tailored management of patients with BCR. Before defining management, it is necessary to exclude the presence of low volume metastasis associated with PSA progression using new generation imaging preferably with PSMA PET/CT. Low risk BCR cases should be actively observed without early systemic therapies. Early treatment of low risk BCR with continuous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can produce disadvantages such the development of castration resistance before the appearance of metastases (non-metastatic castration resistant PC). Patients with high risk BCR benefit from early systemic therapy. The primary end point must be metastasis-free survival (MFS), even with the same overall survival (OS). The EMBARK study is able to impact on the management of high risk BCR, by introducing the concept of anticipation and intensification through the use of androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) and ADT combination therapy. In high risk (PSA-DT ≤ 9 months) BCR cases, the combination of enzalutamide with leuprolide significantly improves MFS when compared to leuprolide alone, maintaining the quality of life unchanged in an asymptomatic phase of the disease. The possibility of using ARSI alone in this early disease setting is suggested by the EMBARK study (arm with enzalutamide alone) with less evidence than the intensification of the combination therapy. Continued use versus discontinuation upon reaching undetectable PSA levels of enzalutamide plus leuprolide intensified therapy needs to be better defined with further analysis. Real world analysis must verify the significant results obtained in the context of a phase 3 study.

The study of rare diseases is important not only for the individuals affected but also for the advancement of medical knowledge and a deeper understanding of human biology and genetics. The wide repertoire of structural information now available from reliable and accurate prediction methods provides the opportunity to investigate the molecular origins of most of the rare diseases reviewed in the Orpha.net database. Thus, it has been possible to analyze the topology of the missense mutations found in the 2,535 proteins involved in Mendelian rare diseases (MRD), which form the database for our structural bioinformatics study. The amino acid substitutions responsible for MRD show different mutation site distributions at different three-dimensional protein depths. We then predicted the depth-dependent effects of mutations for the 20,248 pathogenic variants that are present in our database. The results of this structural bioinformatics investigation are relevant, as they provide additional clues to mitigate the damage caused by MRD.

: E-commerce sales surge represents a huge challenge for urban freight transport. Parcel lockers constitute a valid solution for addressing the challenges home deliveries imply. In fact, eliminating courier-consumer contact (also relevant for health-related issues, as made evident by COVID19 pandemic) and delivering in few predefined places might help coping with missed deliveries substantially. Furthermore, this option enables consolidated shipping and reducing delivery trip costs. This paper analyses and compares consumers’ preferences for alternative collection strategies. It investigates home delivery vs parcel locker use and forecasts their future market shares. This is performed based on both customers’ socio-economic variables and attributes characterising these alternative logistic fulfilment strategies. The case study considered rests upon a stated preference survey deployed in the city of Rome. The investigation specifically targets young people (i.e., population under 30 years) since they represent early adopters. Discrete choice models allow both quantifying the monetary value of parcel lockers attributes (i.e., willingness to pay measures) and estimating the potential demand for this innovative delivery scheme. Results show that distance and accessibility are the main choice determinants. Furthermore, there is an overall high propensity to adopt parcel lockers. This research can support policymakers when implementing such solutions.

Environmental contamination has exposed humans to various metal agents, including mercury. It has been determined that mercury is not only harmful to the health of vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children, but is also toxic to ordinary adults in various ways. For many years, mercury was used in a wide variety of human activities. Nowadays, the exposure to this metal from both natural and artificial sources is significantly increasing. Recent studies suggest that chronic exposure, even to low concentration levels of mercury, can cause cardiovascular, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. Possible biological effects of mercury, including the relationship between mercury toxicity and diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, are being studied. As heart rhythm and function are under autonomic nervous system control, it has been hypothesized that the neurotoxic effects of mercury might also impact cardiac autonomic function. Mercury exposure could have a long-lasting effect on cardiac parasympathetic activity and some evidence show that mercury exposure might affect heart rate variability, particularly early exposures in children. The mechanism by which mercury produces toxic effects on the cardiovascular system is not fully elucidated, but this mechanism is believed to involve an increase in oxidative stress. The exposure to mercury increases the production of free radicals, potentially because of the role of mercury in the Fenton reaction and a reduction in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase. In this review we report an overview on the toxicity of mercury and focus our attention on the toxic effects on the cardiovascular system.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) displays clinical heterogeneity, but little information is available for patients with mild or very early disease. We aimed to characterize biomarkers that are useful in discriminating the hospitalization risk in a COVID-19 cohort from Northern Italy during the first pandemic wave. We enrolled and followed for four weeks 76 symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive patients and age/sex-matched healthy controls. Patients with mild disease were discharged (n.42), and the remaining were hospitalized (n.34). Blood was collected before any anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive therapy and assessed for soluble C5b-9/C5a, H3-neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), calprotectin, DNase plasma levels by ELISA, and a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines by ELLA. Calprotectin and NET levels discriminate between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients, while DNase negatively correlates with NET levels; there are positive correlations between calprotectin and both NET and neopterin levels. Neopterin levels increase in patients at the beginning of the disease and more in hospitalized than non-hospitalized ones. C5a and sC5b-9, and other acute phase proteins correlate with neopterin, calprotectin, and DNase. Both NET and neopterin levels negatively correlate with platelet count. We show that calprotectin, NET, and neopterin are important proinflammatory parameters potentially useful in discriminating between COVID-19 patients at risk for hospitalization.

Lattice structures have emerged as promising materials for aerospace structures applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratios, customizable properties, and efficient use of materials. These properties make them at-tractive for use in anti-ice systems, where lightweight and heat exchanging are essential. This paper presents an extensive experimental investigation into mechanical compression properties of lattice trusses fabricated from AlSi10Mg powder alloy, a material commonly used in casted aerospace parts. The truss structures were manufactured using additive manufacturing Selective Laser Melting technique and subjected to uniaxial compressive loading to assess their performance. The results demonstrate that AlSi10Mg lattice trusses exhibit remarkable compressive strength with strong correlations depending upon both topology and cells’ parameters setup. The finding described highlights the potential of AlSi10Mg alloy as a promising material for custom truss fabrication, offering customizable cost-effective and lightweight solutions for aerospace market. The paper also emphasizes the role of additive manufacturing in producing complex structures with pointwise tailored mechanical properties.

A model for enabling the production of lower carbon cement paste is proposed in this research. The model is based on predicting the strength of cement pastes with partial replacement of wheat straw ash (WSA) and silica fume (SF), two major wastes of agricultural and industrial production. The model is set up based on response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design, and included a suite of mechanical tests with distinct replacements following a micro an meso characterization. The model shows capability for predicting strength of any cement paste, including partial substitution of WSA and/or SF at any combination level with excellent accuracy, which is verified with three validation mixtures demonstrating maximum errors of less than 6% at the three ages. The analysis of the response surface evidences that any cement replacement in the range of 0-20% WSA and above 5% SF allows the reduction of the carbon footprint by maximizing the incorporation of both wastes. The proposed model can be used by setting the required strength of cement paste and calculating the maximum possible replacement, which should contribute to making the construction industry more sustainable by utilizing local waste.

This paper deals with the design and kinematic analysis of a novel mechanism for the elbow joint of an upper-limb exoskeleton, with the aim of helping operators, in terms of effort and physical resistance, in carrying out heavy operations. In particular, the proposed eight-bar el-bow joint exoskeleton mechanism consists of a motorized Watt I six-bar linkage and a suitable RP dyad, which connects mechanically the external parts of the human arm with the corre-sponding forearm by hook and loop velcro and thus, helping their closing relative motion for lifting objects during repetitive and heavy operations. This relative motion is not a pure rotation and thus, the upper part of the exoskeleton is fastened to the arm, while the lower part is not rigidly connected to the forearm, but through a prismatic pair which allows both rotation and sliding along the forearm axis. Instead, the human arm is sketched by means of a crossed four-bar linkage, which coupler link is considered as attached to the glyph of the prismatic pair, that is fastened to the forearm. Therefore, the kinematic analysis of the whole ten-bar mecha-nism, which is obtained by joining the Watt I six-bar linkage and the RP dyad to the crossed four-bar linkage, is formulated to investigate the main kinematic performance and for design purposes. The proposed algorithm has given several numerical and graphical results. Finally, a double-parallelogram linkage, as particular case of the Watt I six-bar linkage, was considered in combination with the RP dyad and the crossed four-bar linkage, by giving a first mechanical de-sign and a 3D printed prototype.

There is an increasing pressure by community and customers forcing companies to insert environmental concerns in their practices. To help companies initiatives, the green bonds market was incepted. Our research question is how to select bonds in a growing billion-dollar market. This paper presents a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model to enable investors identify opportunities based not only in opinions, but grounded on objective facts. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) are two MCDA methods applied in this paper. Top-fifteen green bonds ranked by specialized media were assessed with the proposed MCDA model. Criteria included the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) proposed by Yale University, and common financial indicators as assets, risks (β), and dividends. The new AHP–COPRAS rank is compared with another published by specialized media.

Once considered relatively benign, superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) of the lower limbs is often linked to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Treatment goals include alleviating local symptoms and preventing SVT from recurring or extending into DVT or PE. Fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily for 45 days is the treatment of choice for most patients with SVT. Potential alternatives include intermediate-dose low-molecular-weight heparin or the direct oral factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban. Despite these treatment options, significant gaps remain, including the role of systemic or topical anti-inflammatory agents alone or combined with anticoagulants, and the optimal duration of anticoagulation for patients at varying risk levels. Additionally, the efficacy and safety of factor Xa inhibitors other than rivaroxaban, management of upper extremity SVT, and optimal treatment for SVT near the sapheno-femoral or sapheno-popliteal junctions are not well understood. This narrative review aims to summarize current evidence on anticoagulant treatment for SVT, highlight key unmet needs in current approaches, and discuss how ongoing studies may address these gaps.

Age-related brain deterioration and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pose major challenges as misfolded proteins are deposited in the brain, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities and disruption of neural networks crucial for memory. This article addresses the impact of disrupted spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease and highlights the role of Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the study of cortico-cortical spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Amidst this adversity, the role of STDP emerges as a key player in memory formation by synchronizing neural activity. Progressive neuronal dysfunction decreases neural plasticity and impairs manual dexterity and speed, echoing more general problems in elderly people. The findings highlight the potential of neurally-driven cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) to revitalize neural plasticity and improve motor performance in elderly people, bridging the gap between age-related challenges and Alzheimer's research. This work opens a door to potential rehabilitation strategies for aging populations by unlocking the aging brain's ability to improve motor performance.

Sorption of pure CO2 and CH4 and CO2/CH4 binary gas mixtures in amorphous glassy Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) oxide (PPO) at 35°C up to 1000 Torr is investigated. Sorption experiments were carried out using an approach that combines barometry with FTIR spectroscopy in the transmission mode to quantify the sorption of pure and mixed gases in polymers. The pressure range is chosen to prevent any variation of the glassy polymer density. The solubility within the polymer of the CO2 present in the gaseous binary mixtures is practically coincident with the solubility of pure gaseous CO2, up to a total pressure of the gaseous mixtures equal to 1000 Torr and for CO2 mole fraction of ~0.5 mol mol-1 and ~0.3 mol mol-1. The Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics for Glassy Polymers (NET-GP) modelling approach has been applied to the Non-Random Hydrogen Bonding (NRHB) lattice fluid model to fit the solubility data of pure gases. We have assumed here that no specific interactions are occurring between the matrix and the absorbed gas. The same thermodynamic approach has been then used to predict the solubility of CO2/CH4 mixed gases in PPO resulting in a deviation lower than 9.5% from the experimental results for CO2 solubility.

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

We statistically investigate the Coronavirus Disease 19 (hereinafter Covid-19) epidemics, which is particularly invasive in Italy. We show that the high apparent mortality (or Case Fatality Ratio, CFR) observed in Italy, as compared with other countries, is likely biased by a strong underestimation of infected cases. To give a more realistic estimate of the mortality of Covid-19, we use the most recent estimates of the IFR (Infection Fatality Ratio) of epidemic, based on the minimum observed CFR, and furthermore analyse data obtained from the ship Diamond Princess, a good representation of a ‘laboratory’ case-study from an isolated system in which all the people have been tested. From such analyses we derive more realistic estimates of the real extension of the infection, as well as more accurate indicators of how fast the infection propagates. We then point out from the various explanations proposed, the dominant factors causing such an abnormal seriousness of the disease in Italy. Finally, we use the deceased data, the only ones estimated to be reliable enough, to predict the total number of infected people and the interval of time when the infection in Italy could stop.

Imbalance of homeostasis between the microbial communities and the host system leads to dysbiosis in oral micro flora. DMTU (1,3-di-m-tolyl-urea), is a biocompatible compound that was shown to inhibit Streptococcus mutansbiofilms by inhibiting its communication system (quorum sensing). Here, we hypothesized that DMTU is able to inhibit multispecies biofilms. We developed a multispecies oral biofilm model comprising an early colonizer Streptococcus gordonii, a bridge colonizer Fusobacterium nucleatum, and late colonizers Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. We performed comprehensive investigations to demonstrate the effect of DMTU on planktonic cells and biofilms. Our findings showed that DMTU inhibits and disrupts multispecies biofilms without bactericidal effects. Mechanistic studies revealed significant down regulation of biofilm and virulence related genes in P. gingivalis. Taken together, our study highlights the potential of DMTU to inhibit polymicrobial biofilm communities and their virulence.

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.

Biopolymers are of growing interest, but to improve some of their poor properties and performance, it is required the formulation of bio-based blends and/or adding of nanoparticles. For this purpose, in this work, two different metal oxides, such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), at different concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 %wt.) have been added in polylactic acid (PLA) and polylactic acid/polyamide 11 (PLA/PA11) blends to establish their effects on solid-state properties, morphology, melt behaviour, and photo-oxidation resistance. It seems that the addition of ZnO in PLA leads to a significant reduction of its rigidity probably due to an inefficient dispersion in the melt state, while the addition of TiO2 does not penalise PLA rigidity. Interestingly, the addition of both ZnO and TiO2 in PLA/PA11 blend has a positive effect on the rigidity because of blend morphology refinement and leads to a slight increase in film hydrophobicity. The photo-oxidation resistance of neat PLA and PLA/PA11 blend is significantly reduced due to the presence of both metal oxides, and this must be considered when designing the potential applications. The last results suggest that both metal oxides could be considered as photo-sensitive degradant agents for biopolymer and biopolymer blends.

Background: The two-stage technique combining the Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP) with common bile duct (CBD) clearance carried out before the laparoscopic cholecystectomy represents the most common approach for CBD stones. Over time, different techniques have been proposed to manage cholecysto- choledocholithiasis (CCL) advantageously in one stage. Among these, the laparoendoscopic rendez-vous (LERV) addresses the CCL issue with a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with insertion of a guide wire performed at initial stage of the procedure, followed by the clearance of the bile duct carried out by the endoscopists. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safeness of LERV procedure recording results and complications, also making a comparison between our results and current literature. Methods: We reviewed our experience of all consecutive patients with cholecysto-choledocholithiasis managed with LERV between January 2018 and December 2023. LERV success rate, operative time, length of hospital stay, stone recurrence, incidence of endoscopic and surgical complications were analysed. Results: A total of 120 patients underwent LERV in our facilities. We reported a 97% LERV success rate, 1.6% conversion-to-open rate, a median intraoperative time of 122 (range 95-220) min. The median hospital stay was 4 (range 2-38) days. An overall morbidity of 15% was reported (18/120): 15 Clavien-Dindo type 1/2, 2 type 3a and one type 3b. In two cases a re-operation during the hospital stay was necessary. At a median follow-up of 14 months (3-59) five patients experienced stone recurrence requiring redo-ERCP in two cases. Conclusion: LERV offers the significant advantage of a single stage procedure and hospitalisation along with a lower risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, failed CBD cannulation and complications. Our experience confirms safety and effectiveness of the technique for CCL management.

Capturing atmospheric CO2 and storing it in natural rock systems (i.e., alkaline earth silicate and hydroxide minerals) through carbonation reactions is a promising greenhouse gas mitigation research, and largely depends on the use of hydrated ultramafic rocks (serpentinites), which are widespread in orogenic belts around the globe. The Jurassic ophiolites in the Southern Apennines represent a natural analogue and a great opportunity for the mineralogical sequestration of CO2. Serpentinites of the Pollino ophiolite Massif have been widely studied for their mineralogical, petrographic, and chemical characteristics, providing major findings on their impact on environmental and human health issues. Serpentinites here have been divided into cataclastic and massive types based on their structures and are characterized by pseudomorphic and vein textures. The mineralogy of the studied serpentinites consists of lizardite, antigorite, clino-crysotile, Cr-chlorite, magnetite, tremolite, actinolite, pyroxene and calcite, and the most commonly occurring serpentine minerals are polymorphs of serpentine including lizardite, clino-crysotile and antigorite. Systematic petrographic and mineralogical studies of serpentinites in ophiolites, such as those outcropping in the Southern Apennines can represent a starting point for the study of natural materials, which can be used for CO2 storage and sequestration. A particular attention must be given to those carbonate phases, produced by carbonation processes to check whether the serpentinites of the Pollino Massif can be used for the induced mineral Carbon Capture Storage (CCS). If successful, this technique and the Pollino Massif serpentinites can become highly significant in safeguarding the health of our planet's climate.

Anemia is a well-known disorder in CKD dogs, but its frequency in AKI dogs has been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the frequency of anemia, its degree of severity, and regeneration rate in relation to IRIS grade, etiology, therapy, and out-come. Medical records of dogs (2017-2023) with historical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings consistent with AKI were retrospectively reviewed. According to etiology, AKI was classified as ischemic/inflammatory (IS), infectious INF), nephrotoxic (NEP), obstructive (OBS), and unknown (UK). AKI dogs were also classified according to therapeutical management (medical vs hemo-dialysis), survival to hospital discharge (survivors vs non-survivors). AKI dogs were considered anemic in case of HCT 38 g/dL). Regeneration rate was considered absent (RET< 60,000/μL), mild 61,000- 150,000/μL), and moderate (> 150,000/μL). A total of 120 AKI dogs were included the study, and anemia was found in 86/120 dogs (72%). The severity of anemia was mild in 32/86 dogs (37%), moderate in 40/86 dogs (47%), severe in 11/86 dogs (13%), and very severe in 3/86 (3%). Anemia was normo-chromic in 71/86 dogs (83%), hyperchromic in 12/86 dogs (14%), and hypochromic in 3/86 dogs (3%). Normocytic anemia was present in 56/86 dogs (65%), microcytic anemia in 27/86 dogs (31%), and macrocytic anemia in 3/86 dogs (4%). Non-regenerative anemia was found in 76/86 dogs (88%). The frequency of anemia increased significantly (p

Entrepreneurship education has become increasingly relevant. For some years now, the business environment for starting a new company in the Dominican Republic has been considered very propitious. This has generated that many universities have incorporated training in entrepreneurship in their study plans. This study aims to analyse whether the cognitive and affective components, the country's business environment, university training in entrepreneurship and attitudes towards entrepreneurship are antecedents of the entrepreneurial intention of university students. It also seeks to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behaviour of students. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from a sample of 523 students who had taken courses on entrepreneurship. The data have been analysed through the SPSS and Smart-PLS programs. The results of this research highlight the importance of the affective component and attitudes towards entrepreneurship in the formation of students' entrepreneurial intentions. This reinforces the importance of cultivating positive attitudes through educational interventions. These results contribute to the understanding of the factors that drive entrepreneurial intentions among university students and provide a foundation for future research.

Background: The antisense oligonucleotide against APOC3 mRNA volanesorsen was recently introduced to treat Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS). Cases of decreased platelet count are reported among patients treated with volanesorsen. The aim of the study is to evaluate platelet function and thrombin generation (TG) assessment in FCS patients receiving volanesorsen. We performed a cross-sectional study on FCS patients treated with volanesorsen. Methods: changes in PLC were assessed from baseline to Tw12 and Tw36. To assess TG, samples were processed by CAT (with PPP-reagent LOW). The results were expressed by the trombogram graphic (thrombin variation over time); lagTime; Endogenous Thormbin Potential(ETP); peak; time to reach peak(ttpeak), startTail e velocity Index. Platelet aggregation was assessed by testing different agonists using turbidimetry method. Results: Four FCS patients and 4 matched healthy controls were included in the present study. Changes in PLC at Tw12 was 30% and 34% at T36w. Thrombin generation results show values in normal range (for patients and controls respectively lagTime:10,42±4,40 and 9,25±0,99; ttPeak:14,33± 4,01 and 13,10±0,67; startTail:32,13±3,54 and 29,46±1,69; velocityIndex:20,21±3,63 and 33,05±13,21; ETP 599,80±73,47 and 900,2±210,99; peak value 76,84±1,07 and 123,30±39,45) and no significant difference between cases and controls. Platelet aggregation test showed values in range with no significant difference with healthy controls Conclusions: Our study showed for the first time that no significant changes in the general haemostasis assessed by TG and in platelet function have been observed in FCS patients receiving volanesorsen.