Effect of silane matrix on corrosion protection of zeolite based composite coatings

In the present work, the comparison of the anti-corrosive properties of various types of zeolite based coatings,with different silane matrix on AA6061 aluminum substrates, are reported. High hydrophobicity, good adhesionand resistance to corrosion were observed for silane modified with the addition of SAPO-34 zeolite filler.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were performed on all samples in a 3.5% (w/w) NaClsolution at increasing immersion times. All composite films showed good durability. Depending on the type ofsilane used as a matrix, the composite coating evidenced high stability up to one year of immersion

The importance of gravity vector on adult mammalian organisms: Effects of hypergravity on mouse testis

In the age of space exploration, the effect of hypergravity on human physiology is a relatively neglected topic. However, astronauts have several experiences of hypergravity during their missions. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has proved to be a particularly sensible organ, subject to environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in the Large Diameter Centrifuge machine (ESA, Netherland). We have observed a morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in the junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible for ensuring the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone receptors, was found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological organ performance such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and altered endocrine parameters following hypergravity exposure

Can Endocrine disrupters interfere with Ca2+ homeostasis in invertebrate cells?

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Acute febrile illness is associated with Rickettsia spp infection in dogs

BACKGROUND: Rickettsia conorii is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and causes Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) in humans. Although dogs are considered the natural host of the vector, the clinical and epidemiological significance of R. conorii infection in dogs remains unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether Rickettsia infection causes febrile illness in dogs living in areas endemic for human MSF. METHODS: Dogs from southern Italy with acute fever (n = 99) were compared with case–control dogs with normal body temperatures (n = 72). Serology and real-time PCR were performed for Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. platys and Leishmania infantum. Conventional PCR was performed for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Acute and convalescent antibodies to R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were determined. RESULTS: The seroprevalence rates at first visit for R. conorii, E. canis, A. phagocytophilum and L. infantum were 44.8%, 48.5%, 37.8% and 17.6%, respectively. The seroconversion rates for R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were 20.7%, 14.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The molecular positive rates at first visit for Rickettsia spp., E. canis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, L. infantum, Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. were 1.8%, 4.1%, 0%, 2.3%, 11.1%, 2.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Positive PCR for E. canis (7%), Rickettsia spp. (3%), Babesia spp. (4.0%) and Hepatozoon spp. (1.0%) were found only in febrile dogs. The DNA sequences obtained from Rickettsia and Babesia PCRs positive samples were 100% identical to the R. conorii and Babesia vogeli sequences in GenBank®, respectively. Febrile illness was statistically associated with acute and convalescent positive R. conorii antibodies, seroconversion to R. conorii, E. canis positive PCR, and positivity to any tick pathogen PCRs. Fourteen febrile dogs (31.8%) were diagnosed with Rickettsia spp. infection based on seroconversion and/or PCR while only six afebrile dogs (12.5%) seroconverted (P = 0.0248). The most common clinical findings of dogs with Rickettsia infection diagnosed by seroconversion and/or PCR were fever, myalgia, lameness, elevation of C-reactive protein, thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates acute febrile illness associated with Rickettsia infection in dogs living in endemic areas of human MSF based on seroconversion alone or in combination with PCR

Automatic Deficits can lead to executive deficits in ADHD

It has been well documented an executive dysfunction in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and with Reading Disorder (RD). The purpose of the present study was to test an alternative hypothesis that deficits in executive functioning within ADHD may be partially due to an impairment of the automatic processing. In addition, since the co-occurrence between ADHD and RD, we tested the hypothesis that the automatic processing may be  a possible common cognitive factor between ADHD and RD. We investigated the automatic processing of selective visual attention through two experiments. 12 children with ADHD, 17 with ADHD+RD and 29 typically developing children, matched for age and gender, performed two tasks: Visual Information Processing Task and Clock Test. As expected, ADHD and ADHD+RD groups differed from the control group in controlled process task, suggesting a deficit in executive functioning. All clinical subjects also exhibited a lower performance in automatic processes, compared to control group. The results of this study suggest that executive deficits within ADHD can be partially due to an impairment of automatic processing

Corrosion Behaviour of a Silane Protective Coating for NdFeB Magnets in Dentistry

The corrosion behavior of coated and uncoated Ni/Cu/Ni rare earth magnets was assessed at increasing steps with a multilayering silanization procedure. Magnets’ durability was analyzed in Fusayama synthetic saliva solution in order to evaluate their application in dental field. Corrosion performance was evaluated by using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in synthetic saliva solution up to 72 hours of continuous immersion. The results show that the addition of silane layers significantly improved anticorrosion properties. The coating and aging effects, in synthetic saliva solution, on magnetic field were evaluated by means of cyclic force-displacement curves

The importance of gravity vector on adult mammalian organisms: Effects of hypergravity on mouse testis.

In the age of space exploration, the effect of hypergravity on human physiology is a relatively neglected topic. However, astronauts have several experiences of hypergravity during their missions. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has proved to be a particularly sensible organ, subject to environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in the Large Diameter Centrifuge machine (ESA, Netherland). We have observed a morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in the junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible for ensuring the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone receptors, was found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological organ performance such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and altered endocrine parameters following hypergravity exposure

NiFe2O4 hierarchical nanoparticles as electrocatalyst for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

A NiFe2O4 catalyst with nanoparticle morphology, obtained by hydrothermal treatment using glucose and urea as precursors, is investigated as an anode catalyst in an anion exchange membrane electrolyser. Structure, morphology and composition are confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The catalyst is sprayed onto one side of the Fumasep® FAA3-50 anion-exchange membrane to produce a catalyst-coated membrane (CCM), which, assembled with a cathode based on a 40% Pt/C catalyst, is investigated in a single-cell configuration with a size of 5 cm2, at a temperature of 30–60 °C. A current density of 2.7 A cm−2 is obtained at 2.2 V and 60 °C, a value more than 25% higher than that recorded with a benchmark IrO2 catalyst at the anode, representing a breakthrough for an anion exchange membrane electrolyser based on FAA3-50 membrane. A time-stability test of 72 h demonstrates the promising durability of this catalyst, which makes it a new reference for future investigations.CNR-ITAE authors thank the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) for funding through the FISR2019 project AMPERE (FISR2019_01294). Mexican authors acknowledge the Mexican Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) for financial support through project Ciencia de Frontera Grant no. 845132.Peer reviewe