Complete positivity and thermodynamics in a driven open quantum system

While it is well known that complete positivity guarantees the fulfilment of the second law of thermodynamics, its possible violations have never been proposed as a check of the complete positivity of a given open quantum dynamics. We hereby consider an open quantum micro-circuit, effectively describable as a two-level open quantum system, whose asymptotic current might be experimentally accessible. This latter could indeed be used to discriminate between its possible non-completely positive Redfield dynamics and a completely positive one obtained by standard weak-coupling limit techniques, at the same time verifying the fate of the second law of thermodynamics in such a context.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, LaTe

Relationship between chemical composition and nematicidal activity of different essential oils

In this study, the relationship between nematicidal activity and chemical composition of ten essential oils (EOs) from different plant species was investigated both in in vitro assays on juveniles (J2) and eggs of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and in experiments on tomato in soil infested by M. incognita. Nematode J2 were exposed for 4, 8 or 24 h to 0.78–100 µg mL−1 concentrations of each EO, whereas 24, 48 or 96 h exposures to 250, 500 and 1000 µg mL−1 solutions were tested on M. incognita egg masses. Treatments with 50, 100 or 200 µg kg soil rates of each EO were applied in the experiment on potted tomato. The highest nematicidal potential resulted for the C. verum EO, as highly toxic to both M. incognita J2 and eggs and strongly suppressive on nematode multiplication on tomato roots. The infestation of M. incognita on tomato roots was also strongly reduced by the EOs from E. citriodora and S. aromaticum, both highly toxic to M. incognita J2 but less active on nematode eggs. Adversely, R. graveolens EO strongly inhibited the egg hatch but was limitedly toxic to the infective J2. Chemical composition of the EOs was determined by GC-FID and GC-MS. The ten EOs showed a very different chemical composition in terms of major phytochemicals, with one or two dominant components totally amounting up to 85%. The structure–activity relationship based on the main phytochemicals identified in the assayed EOs and their nematicidal effects on M. incognita was also discussed. Results from this study confirmed that the selection of suitable EO raw materials can lead to the formulation on new effective nematicidal products

Phytochemical and biological characterization of dry outer scales extract from Tropea red onion (Allium cepa L. var. Tropea)–A promising inhibitor of pancreatic lipase

Background: Allium cepa L. var. Tropea is typically cultivated in Calabria (Italy) and it is certified as “Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria-PGI” (Tropea red onion). The use of clinically available anti-obesity drugs such as Orlistat is being gradually dismissed due to their side-effects and this has encouraged the search for alternative inhibitors of intestinal lipases such as phytochemicals showing less side-effects. In this study we aimed to evaluate for the first time the anti-obesity potential of the hydroalcoholic extract from the dry outer scales of Tropea red onion by the assesment of its capacity to inhibit pancreatic lipase. Its possible mechanism of action was also studied with planar lipid membranes (PLMs) surrogate of intestinal membranes. Methods: Specialized metabolites in the extract were determined by GC–MS, HPLC-DAD, HPLC-UV-DAD and HPLC-HRMS analyses. Inhibition of pancreatic lipase was studied in vitro against crude lipase Type II from porcine pancreas. PLMs used in the electrophysiology measurements were made up of DOPS:DOPE:POPC. Results: The extract contained quercetin-4′-O-glucoside, quercetin and quercetin-3,4′-O-diglucoside as the most abundant phenolics. Among apolar constituents, γ-sitosterol, linoleic and stearic acids were dominant. The lipase inhibitory effect of the extract had an IC50 value equal to 0.77±0.03 mg/mL (positive control, IC50 = 0.018 mg/mL). The electrophysiological study demonstrated that the extract is able to incorporate into PLMs and to form transient channel-like events Conclusions: Taken altogether, the results allow us to suggest that the hydroalcoholic extract from the dry outer scales of Tropea red onion could prevent lipid ester hydrolysis and it has a protective effect against phospholipase as found for interfacially active compounds

Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Changes after Osteopathic Care in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) indicates bowel dysfunction due to a lack of nervous control after a central nervous system lesion. Bowel symptoms, such as difficulties with evacuation, constipation, abdominal pain and swelling, are experienced commonly among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Consequentially, individuals with SCI experience a general dissatisfaction with the lower perceived quality of life (QoL). Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of manual therapies on NBD, including Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). This study aimed to explore OMT effects on NBD in individuals with SCI compared with Manual Placebo Treatment (MPT). Methods: The study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial composed of three phases, each one lasting 30 days (i: NBD/drugs monitoring; ii: four OMT/MPT sessions; iii: NBD/drug monitoring and follow-up evaluation). Results: the NBD scale, the QoL on worries and concerns sub-questionnaire, and the perception of abdominal swelling and constipation significantly improved after treatments compared to baseline only for individuals who underwent OMT. Conclusion: These preliminary results showed positive effects of OMT on bowel function and QoL in individuals with SCI, but further studies are needed to confirm our results

Compliance of clinical microbiology laboratories with recommendations for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections

In 2014, the Italian Working Group for Infections in Critically Ill Patient of the Italian Association of Clinical Microbiologists updated the recommendations for the diagnostic workflow for bloodstream infections (BSI). Two years after publication, a nationwide survey was conducted to assess the compliance with the updated recommendations by clinical microbiology laboratories. A total of 168 microbiologists from 168 laboratories, serving 204 acute care hospitals and postacute care facilities, were interviewed during the period January\u2013October 2016 using a questionnaire consisting of nineteen questions which assessed the level of adherence to various recommendations. The most critical issues were as follows: (a) The number of sets of blood cultures (BC) per 1,000 hospitalization days was acceptable in only 11% of laboratories; (b) the minority of laboratories (42%) was able to monitor whether BCs were over or under-inoculated; (c) among the laboratories monitoring BC contamination (80%), the rate of contaminated samples was acceptable in only 12% of cases;(d) the Gram-staining results were reported within 1 hr since BC positivity in less than 50% of laboratories. By contrast, most laboratories received vials within 2\u20134 hr from withdrawal (65%) and incubated vials as soon as they were received in the laboratory (95%). The study revealed that compliance with the recommendations is still partial. Further surveys will be needed to monitor the situation in the future

BMP-7 Does Not Protect against Bleomycin-Induced Lung or Skin Fibrosis

Bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-7 is a member of the BMP family which are structurally and functionally related, and part of the TGFβ super family of growth factors. BMP-7 has been reported to inhibit renal fibrosis and TGFβ1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), in part through negative interactions with TGFβ1 induced Smad 2/3 activation. We utilized in vivo bleomycin-induced fibrosis models in the skin and lung to determine the potential therapeutic effect of BMP-7. We then determined the effect of BMP-7 on TGFβ1-induced EMT in lung epithelial cells and collagen production by human lung fibroblasts. We show that BMP-7 did not affect bleomycin-induced fibrosis in either the lung or skin in vivo; had no effect on expression of pro-fibrotic genes by human lung fibroblasts, either at rest or following exposure to TGFβ1; and did not modulate TGFβ1 -induced EMT in human lung epithelial cells. Taken together our data indicates that BMP-7 has no anti-fibrotic effect in lung or skin fibrosis either in vivo or in vitro. This suggests that the therapeutic options for BMP-7 may be confined to the renal compartment

Early stage sinkhole formation in the acque albule basin of central Italy from geophysical and geochemical observations

Sinkhole occurrence along the Tyrrhenian margin of the Central Apennines is of great importance for applied research, land management and civil protection. This study reports on GPS-altimetry magnetic, gravity, geoelectric, seismic, and soil gas measurements of a rapidly developing sinkhole near the Guidonia military airport. The measurements revealed an elliptical 2-m depression elongated 220 m in the NNE-SSW direction with the minor axis of 110 m. In spring of 2013, two vertical cavities formed in the eastern and northeastern flanks of the depression whose depths and shapes are rapidly evolving with the formation of widespread fracturing along the same side. The geophysical observations image the developing sinkhole to a depth of some 50 m, the presence of the Travertino lithotype around the depression (down to at least 40 m), and the lack of this lithotype below the lowered area. The sinkhole's evolution appears to be structurally controlled by local and regional faulting. These results are useful for designing further geophysical, geotechnical and geochemical studies to monitor the sinkhole's evolution and to assess the hazard it presents in densely urbanized area.Published36-477A. Geofisica di esplorazioneJCR Journalreserve

MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF SUBSIDENCE AND SINKHOLE OCCURRENCES IN THE ACQUE ALBULE BASIN (ROMA, ITALY)

Abstract We present the results of a combined analysis of remote sensing and geophysical‐geotechnical data carried out in the Acque Albule Basin, a sinkhole prone area located close to the city of Roma, where a wide travertine wedge is present. We carried out geophysical measurements and borehole drillings over two test areas to image the subsoil where paroxysmal surficial dynamics occur. One site is marked by subsidence occurring at least since the early 2000s, whereas the other site hosts the "La Regina" and "Colonnelle" sinkhole lakes, which discharge sulfur‐carbonated waters. The stability of these two sites threatens highway, railway, and airport facilities, and this study helps to assess the geological hazard. For example, InSAR and LiDAR data helped define wide scale subsidence over the last 20 years and previously undetected small‐scale morphologies. Geophysical measurements of the latter revealed shallow and deep dissolution affecting the travertine and driving surficial paroxysmal events. Both study sites were found to lie inside a large depression located at the junction between Jurassic carbonate and Plio‐Pleistocene units in association with paleo karst morphologies in the travertine deposits and affected by the present‐past spillage of sulfurous waters. Given these elements, multidisciplinary geophysical observations are crucial for assessing and mitigating the geological risk and guiding land use planning and management

Serum Amyloid P Therapeutically Attenuates Murine Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via Its Effects on Macrophages

Macrophages promote tissue remodeling but few mechanisms exist to modulate their activity during tissue fibrosis. Serum amyloid P (SAP), a member of the pentraxin family of proteins, signals through Fcγ receptors which are known to affect macrophage activation. We determined that IPF/UIP patients have increased protein levels of several alternatively activated pro-fibrotic (M2) macrophage-associated proteins in the lung and monocytes from these patients show skewing towards an M2 macrophage phenotype. SAP therapeutically inhibits established bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, when administered systemically or locally to the lungs. The reduction in aberrant collagen deposition was associated with a reduction in M2 macrophages in the lung and increased IP10/CXCL10. These data highlight the role of macrophages in fibrotic lung disease, and demonstrate a therapeutic action of SAP on macrophages which may extend to many fibrotic indications caused by over-exuberant pro-fibrotic macrophage responses

R|S Atlas: Identifying Existing Cohort Study Data Resources to Accelerate Epidemiological Research on the Influence of Religion and Spirituality on Human Health

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have documented significant associations between religion and spirituality (R/S) and health, but relatively few prospective analyses exist that can support causal inferences. To date, there has been no systematic analysis of R/S survey items collected in US cohort studies. We conducted a systematic content analysis of all surveys ever fielded in 20 diverse US cohort studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to identify all R/S-related items collected from each cohort\u27s baseline survey through 2014. DESIGN: An R|S Ontology was developed from our systematic content analysis to categorise all R/S survey items identified into key conceptual categories. A systematic literature review was completed for each R/S item to identify any cohort publications involving these items through 2018. RESULTS: Our content analysis identified 319 R/S survey items, reflecting 213 unique R/S constructs and 50 R|S Ontology categories. 193 of the 319 extant R/S survey items had been analysed in at least one published paper. Using these data, we created the R|S Atlas (https://atlas.mgh.harvard.edu/), a publicly available, online relational database that allows investigators to identify R/S survey items that have been collected by US cohorts, and to further refine searches by other key data available in cohorts that may be necessary for a given study (eg, race/ethnicity, availability of DNA or geocoded data). CONCLUSIONS: R|S Atlas not only allows researchers to identify available sources of R/S data in cohort studies but will also assist in identifying novel research questions that have yet to be explored within the context of US cohort studies