The role of Industry 4.0 technologies in implementing circular economy strategies

ope

Food supplements to complement brain functioning. The benefits of a combination of magnesium, folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E

Diet and nutrition play a fundamental role not only in human body composition and in physiology, but have also relevant effects on mood, mental well-being and cognitive performance. In particular, the preservation of mental well-being through a healthy lifestyle, including a well-balanced diet and, in case, through the intake of specific food supplements, is of particular relevance in the perspective of global human ageing, as the brain is affected significantly by a persistent presence of stress factors. Due to the increasing burden of mental and neurological disorders and to the universality of food as a modifiable risk factor, even limited improvements in nutritional habits may translate to a considerable rise of well-being and mental health in the global population. Moreover, the use of targeted, well-balanced food supplements aiming to support the mental health and well-being will probably represent a relevant tool in future decades, together with an increased awareness of the importance of nutrition, also considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the related stressful events and limitations we are still experiencing at global level. The aim of this review is to summarize the experimental and clinical data reported in the literature concerning the beneficial effects of a subset of micro- and macronutrients contained both in food and in supplements, namely magnesium, folic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and alpha-tocopherol, on a series of disorders, including stress, anxiety, low sleep quality, and low cognitive performance

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of ketogenic diet. New perspectives for neuroprotection in alzheimer’s disease

The ketogenic diet, originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy in non-responder children, is spreading to be used in the treatment of many diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The main activity of the ketogenic diet has been related to improved mitochondrial function and decreased oxidative stress. B-Hydroxybutyrate, the most studied ketone body, has been shown to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), improving mitochondrial respiration: it stimulates the cellular endogenous antioxidant system with the activation of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), it modulates the ratio between the oxidized and reduced forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) and it increases the efficiency of electron transport chain through the expression of uncoupling proteins. Furthermore, the ketogenic diet performs anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) activation and nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome as well as inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs), improving memory encoding. The underlying mechanisms and the perspectives for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are discussed

Leukocyte telomere length and plasma interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 levels in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: new biomarkers for diagnosis and disease progression?

No abstract availabl

A multimethodological approach for the valorization of “Senatore Cappelli” wheat milling by-products as a source of bioactive compounds and nutraceutical activity

Wheat is the third most cultivated cereal in the world and represents the major contributor to human nutrition. Milling wheat by-products such as husks (17–20% of the total processing output weight), even if still containing high-value-added bioactive compounds, are often left untreated or unused, thus resulting in environmental and human health burdens. In these regards, the present study is aimed at evaluating in a multimethodological approach the nutraceutical properties of durum wheat husks belonging to the ancient cultivar “Senatore Cappelli”, thus assessing their potential as bioactive compound sources in terms of phytochemical, cytotoxic, and nutraceutical properties. By means of HPLC-FD analyses, wheat husk samples analyzed revealed a higher content of serotonin, amounting to 35% of the total BAs, and were confirmed to occur at biogenic amines quality index (BAQI) values <10 mg/100 g. In addition, spectrophotometric assays showed a signif- icant variable content in the phenolic (189.71–351.14 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant compounds (31.23–37.84 mg TE/100 g) within the wheat husk samples analyzed, according to the different cul- tivar areas of origin. Considering wheat husk extracts’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, in vitro analyses were performed on BV-2 murine microglia cells cultured in the presence or absence of LPS, thus evaluating their ability to promote microglia polarization towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Cytotoxicity assays showed that wheat extracts do not affect microglia viability. Wheat husks activity on microglial polarization was assessed by analyzing the expression of M1 and M2 markers’ mRNA by RT-PCR. Wheat husk antioxidant activity was assessed by analysis of NRF2 and SOD1 mRNA expression. Moreover, the sustainability assessment for the recovery of bioactive components from wheat by-products was carried out by applying the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology using SimaPro v9.2.2. software

Real-Time Engine Diagnostic and Control Based on Acoustic Emissions Analysis

Engine developers are putting more and more emphasis on the research of maximum thermal and mechanical efficiency in the recent years. Research advances have proven the effectiveness of downsized, turbocharged and direct injection concepts, applied to gasoline combustion systems, to reduce the overall fuel consumption while respecting exhaust emissions limits. These new technologies require more complex engine control units. The sound emitted from a mechanical system encloses many information related to its operating condition and it can be used for control and diagnostic purposes. The thesis shows how the functions carried out from different and specific sensors usually present on-board, can be executed, at the same time, using only one multifunction sensor based on low-cost microphone technology. A theoretical background about sound and signal processing is provided in chapter 1. In modern turbocharged downsized GDI engines, the achievement of maximum thermal efficiency is precluded by the occurrence of knock. Knock emits an unmistakable sound perceived by the human ear like a clink. In chapter 2, the possibility of using this characteristic sound for knock control propose, starting from first experimental assessment tests, to the implementation in a real, production-type engine control unit will be shown. Chapter 3 focus is on misfire detection. Putting emphasis on the low frequency domain of the engine sound spectrum, features related to each combustion cycle of each cylinder can be identified and isolated. An innovative approach to misfire detection, which presents the advantage of not being affected by the road and driveline conditions is introduced. A preliminary study of air path leak detection techniques based on acoustic emissions analysis has been developed, and the first experimental results are shown in chapter 4. Finally, in chapter 5, an innovative detection methodology, based on engine vibration analysis, that can provide useful information about combustion phase is reported.Negli ultimi anni, nel panorama automobilistico mondiale è stata introdotta una nuova generazione di motori, che rappresentano la ricerca della massima efficienza termica e meccanica. Numerose ricerche hanno dimostrato l'efficacia dei concetti di iniezione diretta, riduzione della cilindrata, sovralimentazione applicate a sistemi di combustione ad accensione comandata, per ridurre il consumo e rispettare i limiti di emissioni. Queste nuove tecnologie richiedono sistemi di gestione sempre più complessi. Il suono emesso da un sistema meccanico racchiude molte informazioni relative alla sua condizione operativa e attraverso una opportuna elaborazione può essere utilizzato con finalità di controllo e diagnostica. Nella tesi verrà mostrato come funzioni specifiche svolte da sensori differenti presenti in vettura, possono essere eseguite tramite un unico sensore multifunzione basato su una tecnologia microfonica a basso costo. Il primo capitolo introdurrà alcune nozioni di acustica e del trattamento dei segnali. Il capitolo 2 illustra lo sviluppo di indici di detonazione basati sull’elaborazione del segnale acustico applicati sia a motori automobilisti che motociclistici. Questa tecnica di identificazione è stata implementata in una reale centralina di produzione. Nel terzo capitolo viene analizzata la capacità di rilevamento di mancate accensioni mediante l’analisi sonora. Nel dominio delle basse frequenze sonore, è possibile individuare caratteristiche relative a ciascun ciclo di combustione di ogni cilindro. Il vantaggio presentato da questa metodologia di identificazione è di non essere influenzato dalle condizioni della linea di trasmissione e della strada, come invece accade per la tecnologia più largamente utilizzata, che è basata sull’analisi della velocità istantanea dell’albero motore. Nel capitolo 4 vengono mostrati i primi studi e risultati sperimentali nello sviluppo di una tecnica di identificazione di perdite del giro aria mediante analisi acustica. Nel capitolo 5 verrà descritta una metodologia di analisi innovativa del segnale accelerometrico in grado di fornire informazioni utili per la determinazione della fase di combustione

Alzheimer's Disease Promotion by Obesity: Induced Mechanisms—Molecular Links and Perspectives

The incidence of AD is increasing in parallel with the increase in life expectancy. At the same time the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in western populations. Stress is one of the major inducers of visceral fat and obesity development, underlying accelerated aging processes. Adipose tissue is at present considered as an active endocrine organ, producing important mediators involved in metabolism regulation as well as in inflammatory mechanisms. Insulin and leptin resistance has been related to the dysregulation of energy balance and to the induction of a chronic inflammatory status which have been recognized as important cofactors in cognitive impairment and AD initiation and progression. The aim of this paper is to disclose the correlation between the onset and progression of AD and the stress-induced changes in lifestyle, leading to overnutrition and reduced physical activity, ending with metabolic syndrome and obesity. The involved molecular mechanisms will be briefly discussed, and advisable guide lines for the prevention of AD through lifestyle modifications will be proposed