Probing the chemical environment of 3-hydroxyflavone doped ormosils by a spectroscopic study of excited state intramolecular proton transfer

Abstract The spectroscopic properties of 3-hydroxyflavone (3-HF) molecules entrapped in films and in monoliths of sol–gel derived organically modified silicates (Ormosils) xerogels are studied by excitation and fluorescence spectroscopy as a function of the sol–gel precursors used for the synthesis. Different molar ratios of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and phenyltriethoxysilane (PTES) as precursors are used for the sol preparation. Emission and excitation spectra in the ultraviolet–visible range and photo-degradation curves as a function of time are collected with a spectrofluorimeter. The 3-hydroxyflavone optical properties change in the different networks, owing to the effects of the chemical environment on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer and to the solubility of the dye molecules in the different sol–gel systems. It turns out that the spectroscopic features can be used to probe the chemical state of the dye molecules microenvironment

Facing complications of direct anterior approach in total hip arthroplasty during the learning curve

This study aims to evaluate complications and early postoperative clinical outcomes of direct anterior approach (DAA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA)

Episyenites within the Tauern Window metagranitoids: unpredictable?

The core of the Tauern tectonic window (Eastern Alps) consists of dominant pre-Alpine granitoids (∼ 295 Ma) that were metamorphosed and deformed during the Alpine orogenesis (at ∼ 30 Ma). Ductile deformation at peak conditions (550-600 ̊C and 0.5-0.7 GPa) was followed by cataclastic faulting (Pennacchioni and Mancktelow, 2007). Both deformation phases occurred in a fluid-rich environment with formation of veins filled with quartz-calcite-biotite-feldspar and quartz-chlorite-epidote-adularia-calcite, respectively. Faults are typically low displacement strike-slip structures (offset < 1m) organized in en-echelon arrays at different scales with a stepping geometry consistent with the sense of fault slip (e.g. left-stepping for dextral slip). Fault stepovers include pervasive fracturing dominated by a set of antithetic faults (Pennacchioni and Mancktelow, 2013). These faults were locally exploited by episyenitic alteration which represented the "last" event of fluid-rock interaction in the Tauern meta-granitoids. Episyenites within metagranodiorites have a macroscopic porosity in the range between 25 and 35% volume (determined by microtomography), mostly derived from dissolution of multi-mm-sized quartz. Recent glacier-polished outcrops provide a unique opportunity to investigate the relationships between episyenites and overprinted faults. Detailed field mapping of a selected outcrop indicates that episyenites: (i) are spatially linked to precursor faults and statically overprinted all previous structures; (ii) occur discontinuously along faults; (iii) have a thickness (of as much as a few meters) that does not correlate with either the amount of fault slip or the density of the fracture network; (iv) developed independently of rock type (passing "undisturbed" lithologic boundaries with conspicuous variations of quartz grain size of the protolith lithology). Although the faults in the studied outcrop are extensively decorated by relatively large volumes of episyenite, occurrences of episyenite in the Tauern granitoids are generally rare. This study indicates that there is not a simple way to predict the location and the extent of episyenite alteration from the geometry and fracturing patterns of the network of precursor cataclastic faults. The dominant quartz dissolution during episyenitization was accompanied and/or followed by: (i) pervasive substitution of oligoclase and chlorite/biotite of the metagranodiorite by albite and clay-minerals, respectively, and (ii) limited precipitation of new adularia, anatase, calcite, hematite and zeolite within pores. Isotopic data from calcite filling the episyenite porosity suggest a meteoric source of the fluids (δ18 O (SMOW) ≈ -2 per mil). In contrast, fluids synkinematic with previous episodes of fluid-rock interaction during faulting and ductile shearing had a deeper origin (δ18O (SMOW) ≈ 8-9 per mil). References Pennacchioni, G., Mancktelow, N.S., 2007. J. Struct. Geol. 29, 1757-1780. Pennacchioni, G., Mancktelow, N.S., 2013. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 125, 1468-1483

Individual Differences, Economic Stability, and Fear of Contagion as Risk Factors for PTSD Symptoms in the COVID-19 Emergency

On January 30th 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Italy has been one of the most affected countries in the world. To contain further spread of the virus, the Italian government has imposed an unprecedented long-period lockdown for the entire country. This dramatic scenario may have caused a strong psychological distress, with potential negative long-term mental health consequences. The aim of the present study is to report the prevalence of high psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population, especially considering that this aspect is consistently associated with PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the present study aims to identify the risk factors for high PTSD symptoms, including individual differences and subjective perception of both economic and psychological aspects. We administered an online survey to 1253 participants during the peak period of the contagion in Italy. A logistic regression on the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) scores was used to test the risk factors that predict the possibility to develop PTSD symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender (female), lower perceived economic stability, higher neuroticism, and fear and consequences of contagion were predictors of high PTSD symptomatology. The results, highlighted in the present study, extend our understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the population’s mental health, by identifying individuals at high-risk of developing PTSD. This may help with the implementation of specific protocols to prevent the possibility of developing symptoms of PTSD in target populations

Psychological Factors and Consumer Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a health crisis: it has unpredictably changed our whole way of life. As suggested by the analysis of economic data on sales, this dramatic scenario has also heavily impacted individuals’ spending levels. To better understand these changes, the present study focused on consumer behavior and its psychological antecedents. Previous studies found that crises differently affect people’s willingness to buy necessities products (i.e., utilitarian shopping) and non-necessities products (i.e., hedonic shopping). Therefore, in examining whether changes in spending levels were associated with changes in consumer behavior, we adopted a fine-grained approach disentangling between necessities and non-necessities. We administered an online survey to 3833 participants (age range 18–64) during the first peak period of the contagion in Italy. Consumer behavior toward necessities was predicted by anxiety and COVID-related fear, whereas consumer behavior toward non-necessities was predicted by depression. Furthermore, consumer behavior toward necessities and non-necessities was predicted by personality traits, perceived economic stability, and self-justifications for purchasing. The present study extended our understanding of consumer behavior changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results could be helpful to develop marketing strategies that consider psychological factors to meet actual consumers’ needs and feelings

Cardiac injury and mortality in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): insights from a mediation analysis

Patients at greatest risk of severe clinical conditions from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and death are elderly and comorbid patients. Increased levels of cardiac troponins identify patients with poor outcome. The present study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of a cohort of Italian inpatients, admitted to a medical COVID-19 Unit, and to investigate the relative role of cardiac injury on in-hospital mortality

Activador Ruminal de elaboración Casera. Implementación de un suplemento nutricional casero para ovinos en campos de la Meseta Central Santacruceña

La planificación del pastoreo permite ajustar la carga animal para así poder satisfacer los requerimientos de los ovinos a lo largo del año y no sobrepastorear el recurso forrajero (Fariña y col, 2019). Sin embargo, hay momentos críticos del ciclo productivo donde la calidad del pastizal natural no llega a cubrir las necesidades de los animales (Anchorena y col., 2001) o cuando se presentan contingencias naturales como las sequias, nevadas y cenizas donde el recurso forrajero no está disponible (Giraudo, 2011). En estos momentos, es donde la suplementación se presenta como una herramienta estratégica para estabilizar o mejorar los resultados productivos (Clifton, 2004). Si bien la suplementación estratégica en campos de meseta, en diversas categorías, ha sido validada, demostrando un efecto positivo en la mejora de los índices productivos (Ceballos y col., 2013; Aguilar y col., 2008; Aguilar y Alvarez, 2016), presenta algunas limitantes al momento de su implementación tales como el costo de los insumos, la infraestructura necesaria (comederos, entre otros) y la logística para distribuir el suplemento a campo bajo condiciones extensivas. Trabajos recientes (Aguilar y col., 2017), a pequeña y mediana escala, han demostrado la factibilidad de utilizar un nuevo tipo de suplemento nutricional, activador ruminal de elaboración casera (ARC), presentado en forma de bloques en momentos críticos del año donde la calidad del pastizal natural no llega a cubrir los requerimientos nutricionales de los animales. Este tipo de suplemento, de composición energético/proteica, favorece el desarrollo de la flora ruminal mejorando la degradación de la fibra de forrajes de baja calidad nutricional (Schacht y col., 1992; Galindo y col., 2017). El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la factibilidad de la implementación del ARC como un suplemento estratégico, en campos de la Meseta Central Santacruceña (MCS) a escala real de producción y su impacto en los índices productivos y económicos.EEA Santa CruzFil: Aguilar, Marcelo Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia de Extensión Rural San Julián; Argentina.Fil: Alvarez, Roberto Horacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia de Extensión Rural San Julián; Argentina.Fil: Andrade, Larry. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Unidad Académica San Julián; Argentina.Fil: Schorr, Alan Geoffrey. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; ArgentinaFil: Ceccato, Diana Valeria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Agencia de Extensión Rural San Julián; Argentina.Fil: Bonil, Ricardo Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; ArgentinaFil: Andrade, Miguel Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Andrade, Miguel Alberto. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Unidad Académica Río Gallegos; Argentina.Fil: Ceballos, Demian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Esquel; Argentina

Unidades de Conservação em Terras de Uso da União: Subsídios à Implantação do Parque Natural Municipal Canto do Morcego, Itajaí/Santa Catarina

Dentre as ações incluídas nas políticas públicas para a Conservação está a criação de Unidades de Conservação (UCs) e a respectiva elaboração dos planos de manejo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar como são tratadas nos planos de manejo de UCs as áreas com cessão da SPU às Forças Armadas Brasileiras, em especial em Santa Catarina e à Marinha do Brasil, e o seu uso público, como forma de subsídio a implantação do Parque Natural Municipal Canto do Morcego, em Itajaí, onde incide um Farol. Foi realizado um levantamento junto aos documentos do SPU e em websites institucionais, além de entrevista a Delegacia da Capitania dos Portos em Itajaí. Verificou-se cinco UCs Federais de Santa Catarina com presença das Forças Armadas, além de mais cinco Federais em outros Estados e duas Estaduais. Nos planos de manejo há inserção das áreas militares, assim como a definição de medidas de manejo específicas para as áreas de cessão do SPU. Diferentes medidas de gestão foram verificadas com intuito de facilitar a gestão compartilhada com as Forças Armadas do Brasil. Quando a área militar está inserida na UC, prevalece o zoneamento como Zona de Uso Conflitante. Este fato ocorre não em função de haver um conflito, mas porque os objetivos das áreas militares possuem funções que não são compatíveis com o objetivo primordial das UCs. A parceria entre as Forças Armadas e os órgãos gestores foi verificada em todas as situações, mesmo onde a área não está inserida nos limites, mas na Zona de Amortecimento, ocorrendo importante colaboração em função de acesso, manutenção e fiscalização, seja da UC, ou dos Faróis de uso militar, que acabam sendo um atrativo para a visitação pública. Portanto, as informações contribuíram para definir que no planejamento do Parque Canto do Morcego possa existir uma gestão compartilhada entre o órgão ambiental municipal e o SPU/Marinha do Brasil, constituindo uma ZUC na área do Farol, com visitação de forma indireta