Urban solar photovoltaics potential: An inventory and modelling study applied to the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles

Procedures for analyzing the potential of solar photovoltaic collectors to meet energy requirements in a metropolitan region are described and a modeling effort is applied to the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. The procedure involves a series of steps designed to produce maps and tabulations revealing the amount of rooftop area available for establishing solar collectors and the proportion of energy requirement that could be potentially supplied by solar photovoltaics within each of the 533 mainline feeder service areas in the study area. For the sixty five square mile study area, the results showed that, with half the available flat and south facing roofs used and assuming the availability of energy storage, 52.7 percent of the actual kWh energy requirements could have been met in 1978 using photovoltaic collectors. Hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly fluctuations in potential supply and actual loads and recommendations of avenues for further research are discussed. Some further potential applications of the modeling technique are suggested

Wakefields due to surface waves in a beam pipe with a periodic rough surface

The problem of the wakefields generated by an ultrarelativistic particle traveling in a long beam tube with a periodic rough surface has been revisited by means of a standard theory based on the hybrid modes excited in a periodically corrugated rectangular waveguide. Slow surface waves synchronous with the particle can be excited in the structure, producing wakefields whose frequency and amplitude depend on the depth of the corrugation. We apply our results to the case of the CERN Large Hadron Collider beam screen and the Linac Coherent Light Source undulator. (19 refs)

Direct comparison of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP in a large population of patients with chronic and symptomatic heart failure: the Valsartan Heart Failure (Val-HeFT) data

Background: The B-type or brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) and the amino-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are good markers of prognosis and diagnosis in chronic heart failure (HF). It is unclear, however, whether differences in their biological characteristics modify their clinical correlates and prognostic performance in HF. This work aimed to provide a direct comparison of the prognostic value of BNP and NTproBNP in patients with chronic and stable HF. Methods: We measured BNP and NT-proBNP at baseline in 3916 patients enrolled in the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial. To identify the variables associated with both peptides, we conducted simple and multivariable linear regression analyses. We used Cox multivariable regression models to evaluate the independent prognostic value for all-cause mortality, mortality and morbidity, and hospitalization for HF. Prognostic performance was assessed by pairwise comparisons of the area under the curve of receiver-operator characteristic curves. Results: NT-proBNP and BNP had similar relationships with age, left ventrical ejection fraction, and internal diameter and creatinine clearance. Either peptide ranked as the first independent predictor of outcome after adjustment for major confounding clinical characteristics. ROC curves were almost superimposable for all-cause mortality (area under the curve (SE): BNP 0.665 (0.011) vs NT-proBNP 0.679 (0.011); P 0.0734), but NT-proBNP was superior to BNP for predicting mortality and morbidity (P 0.032) or hospitalization for HF (P 0.0143). Overall sensitivity and specificity ranged from 0.590 to 0.696. Conclusions: The natriuretic peptides BNP and NTproBNP showed subtle differences in their relation to clinical characteristics and prognostic performance in a large population of patients with chronic and stable HF. They were the most powerful independent markers of outcome in HF

Dementia Among Migrants and Ethnic Minorities in Italy: Rationale and Study Protocol of the ImmiDem Project

Introduction: Due to the ongoing demographic and epidemiological transitions, estimating the phenomenon of dementia in migrants and minority groups, exploring its characteristics and challenges and implementing dedicated healthcare policies, constitute emerging and urgent matters for Western countries. In the present paper we describe the rationale and design of the 'Dementia in immigrants and ethnic minorities living in Italy: clinical-epidemiological aspects and public health perspectives" (ImmiDem) project. Methods and analysis: Three main aims will be pursued by the ImmiDem project. First, a survey of all Italian dementia services will be conducted with dedicated questionnaires in order to estimate and describe the proportion and characteristics of migrants seeking help for cognitive disturbances. The different clinical approaches for diagnosing dementia and the challenges encountered in the assessment of cognitive functioning and in the provision of care in these groups of individuals will also be investigated. Second, record linkage procedures of data routinely collected in regional Health Information Systems will be conducted in order to identify and monitor migrant individuals with dementia living in the Lazio region. Third, tailored national and local care-coordination pathways and/or good practices dedicated to migrants affected by dementia and cognitive disorders will be identified and promoted. Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Italian National Institute of Health (protocol 10749; 5 April 2018). The project was launched in November 2018 and will end in November 2021. The findings of the project will be disseminated through scientific peer-reviewed journals as well as to the public via the Dementia Observatory website (https://demenze.iss.it)

Developing a questionnaire evaluating knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on audit & feedback among general practitioners. A mixed methods study

Background: Audit and Feedback (A&F) is one of the most common strategies used to improve quality in healthcare. However, there is still lack of awareness regarding the enabling factors and barriers that could influence its effectiveness. The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of general practitioners (GPs) regarding A&F. The study was performed in the context of the EASY-NET program (project code NET-2016-02364191). Methods: The survey was developed according to two steps. Firstly, a scoping review was performed in order to map the literature on the existing similar instruments with the aim of identifying the sub-domains and possible items to include in a preliminary version of the questionnaire. In the second phase, the questionnaire was reviewed by a multidisciplinary group of experts and administrated to a convenience sample in a pilot survey. Results: Ten papers were included in the scoping review. The survey target and development methodology were heterogenous among the studies. The knowledge, attitudes and behaviors domains were assessed in six, nine and seven studies, respectively. In the first step, 126 pertinent items were extracted and categorized as follows: 8 investigated knowledge, 93 investigated attitudes, and 25 investigated behaviors. Then, 2 sub-domains were identified for knowledge, 14 for attitudes and 7 for behavior. Based on these results, a first version of the survey was developed via consensus among two authors and then revised by the multidisciplinary group of experts in the field of A&F. The final version of the survey included 36 items: 8 in the knowledge domain, 19 in the attitudes domain and 9 in the behaviors domain. The results of the pilot study among 15 GPs suggested a good acceptability and item relevance and accuracy, with positive answers totaling 100% and 93.3% in the proposed questions. Conclusions: The methodology used has shown to be a good strategy for the development of the survey. The survey will be administrated before and after the implementation of an A&F intervention to assess both baseline characteristics and changes after the intervention

Case Identification and Characterization of Migrants with Dementia in the Lazio Region Using Health Administrative Data

Background: A crucial step for planning effective public health policies for migrants with dementia is the collection of data on the local dimensions of the phenomenon and patients' characteristics.Objective: This study aimed to identify and characterize migrants with dementia in the Lazio region using health administrative databases.Methods: Residents with dementia aged 50 years or older, living in the Lazio region as of December 31, 2018, were identified using a validated algorithm based on hospital discharge(s), claims for antidementia drugs, and co-payment exemption for dementia. Migrants were defined as people born abroad and grouped in migrants from High Migratory Pressure Countries (HMPCs) and Highly Developed Countries (HDCs). Overall and age-specific prevalence rates were estimated in native- and foreign-born patients.Results: Dementia was ascertained in 38,460 residents. Among them, 37,280 (96.9%) were born in Italy, 337 (0.9%) were migrants from HDCs, and 843 (2.2%) from HMPCs. Dementia prevalence was higher among natives (1.15%, 95%CI 1.14-1.16) relative to migrants from HDCs (0.60%, 95%CI 0.54-0.67) and HMPCs (0.29%, 95%CI 0.27-0.31). The prevalence of comorbidities did not differ between groups. Migrants with dementia had a lower likelihood of receiving antidementia treatments compared with natives (51.6% in migrants from HDCs, 49.3% in migrants from HMPCs, and 53.5% among Italians).Conclusion: Routinely collected data in healthcare administrative databases can support the identification of migrants with dementia. Migrants exhibited a lower age-standardized prevalence of registered dementia and lower access to dedicated treatments than Italians. These findings are suggestive of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of dementia in migrants

Addition of Amines to a Carbonyl Ligand: Syntheses, Characterization, and Reactivities of Iridium(III) Porphyrin Carbamoyl Complexes

Treatment of (carbonyl)chloro(meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)iridium(III), (TTP)Ir(CO)Cl (1), with excess primary amines at 23 °C in the presence of Na2CO3 produces the trans-amine-coordinated iridium carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(NH2R)[C(O)NHR] (R = Bn (2a), n-Bu (2b), i-Pr (2c), t-Bu (2d)) with isolated yields up to 94%. The trans-amine ligand is labile and can be replaced with quinuclidine (1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, ABCO), 1-methylimidazole (1-MeIm), triethyl phosphite (P(OEt)3), and dimethylphenylphosphine (PMe2Ph) at 23 °C to afford the hexacoordinated carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (for R = Bn: L = ABCO (3a), 1-MeIm (4a), P(OEt)3 (5a), PMe2Ph (6a)). On the basis of ligand displacement reactions and equilibrium studies, ligand binding strengths to the iridium metal center were found to decrease in the order PMe2Ph \u3e P(OEt)3 \u3e 1-MeIm \u3e ABCO \u3e BnNH2 ≫ Et3N, PCy3. The carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (L = RNH2 (2a,b), 1-MeIm (4a)) undergo protonolysis with HBF4 to give the cationic carbonyl complexes [(TTP)Ir(NH2R)(CO)]BF4 (7a,b) and [(TTP)Ir(1-MeIm)(CO)]BF4 (8), respectively. In contrast, the carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (L = P(OEt)3 (5a), PMe2Ph (6a,c)) reacted with HBF4 to afford the complexes [(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)]BF4 (9) and [(TTP)IrP(OEt)3]BF4 (10), respectively. The carbamoyl complexes (TTP)Ir(L)[C(O)NHR] (L = RNH2 (2a–d), 1-MeIm (4a), P(OEt)3 (5b), PMe2Ph (6c)) reacted with methyl iodide to give the iodo complexes (TTP)Ir(L)I (L = RNH2 (11a–d), 1-MeIm (12), P(OEt)3(13), PMe2Ph (14)). Reactions of the complexes [(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)]BF4 (9) and [(TTP)IrP(OEt)3]BF4 (10) with [Bu4N]I, benzylamine (BnNH2), and PMe2Ph afforded (TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)I (14), (TTP)Ir[P(OEt)3]I (13), [(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)(NH2Bn)]BF4 (16), and trans-[(TTP)Ir(PMe2Ph)2]BF4 (17), respectively. Metrical details for the molecular structures of 4a and17 are reported

Urinary chromium is associated with changes in leukocyte miRNA expression in obese subjects

Background/Objectives:Epidemiological studies suggest a link between chromium (Cr) status and cardiovascular disease. Increased urinary excretion of Cr was reported in subjects with diabetes compared with non-diabetic controls and those with non-diabetic insulin resistance. Epigenetic alterations have been linked to the presence of Cr, and microRNA (miRNA) expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We investigated the association between Cr excretion and miRNA expression in leukocytes from obese subjects. We also examined the relationship between altered miRNA expression and selected clinical parameters to further investigate mechanisms linking Cr to metabolic diseases and CVDs.Subjects/Methods:We analyzed urinary Cr in 90 Italian subjects using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Peripheral blood miRNA levels were screened with TaqMan Low-Density Array Human MicroRNA A. Cr level-associated expression of miRNAs was detected with multivariate regression analyses, and the top 10 candidate miRNAs were selected for validation. We also used multivariate regression analyses to assess possible associations between validated miRNAs and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) and blood pressure (BP). The validated miRNAs were further investigated by functional analysis with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software.Results:Urinary Cr levels (mean: 0.35\u2009\u3bcg/l; s.d.=0.24) ranged from 0.05 to 1.27\u2009\u3bcg/l. In the screening phase, 43 miRNAs were negatively associated with Cr. Of the top 10 miRNAs selected for validation, nine (miR-451, miR-301, miR-15b, miR-21, miR-26a, miR-362-3p, miR-182, miR-183 and miR-486-3p) were downregulated in association with Cr (P-false discovery rate (FDR)<0.10). miR-451 expression was associated with A1c (\u3b2=\u20130.06; P=0.0416), whereas miR-486-3p expression was associated both with diastolic (\u3b2=2.1; P=0.004) and systolic BP (\u3b2=3.3; P=0.003).Conclusions:These results indicate that miR-451 and miR-486-3p are involved in the link between Cr levels and metabolic diseases and CVDs.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 12 October 2016; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2016.197

Mammals of Italy: An annotated checklist

Checklists represent a basic tool for conservation and management of regional faunas. However, our knowledge on species composition in a territory changes over time due to species movements across borders, extinctions, introductions, as well as to new taxonomic evidence. We aimed to provide the most updated data on native and non-native species of mammals occurring, or that used to occur until recently, on the Italian political territory and seas. The checklist only includes species whose taxonomic status was explicitly agreed in the most recent peer-reviewed literature and based on the most updated taxonomic approaches. For each species, we provided the following information: scientific and common name, global and Italian range, relevant information for management and conservation (e.g. whether it is endemic, allochthonous, or listed in international regulations and red list assessments), as well as remarks on taxonomy and distribution. This new check list of Italian mammal fauna includes nine marine and 114 terrestrial species, belonging to seven orders (Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha, Chiroptera, Carnivora, Cetartiodactyla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha), and 28 families. Vespertilionidae represents the richest family (n=27 species), followed by Cricetidae (n=12) and Soricidae (n=11). The list includes 15–16 allocthonous species. Considering the relative small size of the country, Italy is confirmed as a hotspot of mammal diversity in Europe, hosting the highest species richness in relation to the total area