Use of clay and olive pruning waste for building materials with high hygrothermal performances

Abstract Several clayey materials incorporating different percentages of leaves and small branches derived from the pruning of olive trees were prepared and tested in Thermophysical Laboratory of Polytechnic University of Bari. Hygrothermal properties were measured according to technical standards. In order to consider the potential of earthen materials to improve indoor comfort, the software WUFI ® Plus was used to simulate the hygrothermal behavior of a Test Building, placed in a Mediterranean climate. The analysis was carried out considering the internal surface of the walls of the building covered by two different plasters i.e. gypsum plaster and clayey plaster with 6% of olive waste. Results demonstrated that when considering an unconditioned scenario (without HVAC system) the clayey plaster lead up to a greater improvement of the hygric performances, unlike traditional coverings as gypsum plaster. However, in presence of HVAC system any significant variations occurs in terms of energy saving

Aid, the public sector and the real exchange rate: the case of Indonesia

In 1965 the New Order Government took office in Indonesia, following years of severe economic turmoil. Since then the Indonesian economy has performed well, owing much to large oil export revenues and appropriate economic policies. This thesis presents a study of the Indonesian economy focused on three main themes: aid, the public sector and the real exchange rate (RER). In particular, we emphasise aid effectiveness on fiscal behaviour and on the RER. The thesis is organised in five chapters. Chapter 1 presents a synthetic overview of the main episodes in Indonesian economic history. Chapter 2 reviews theoretical and empirical issues on aid. Chapter 3 presents a dynamic model of government behaviour aimed at assessing aid’s impact on fiscal budget and on other real variables in the Indonesian economy. Following Heller’s seminal contribution (1975) and White’s new insights (1993), we insert the government sector into a simple macroeconomic framework: a constrained utility maximising framework which allows for feedback effects through higher income and dynamic linkages. The model is tested for the Indonesian case over the period 1968-93 and the estimated parameters are used to carry out a simulation exercise. We conclude with a positive assessment of aid giving, provided it is given in loans. Loans are found to encourage tax collection, public and private investment and consumption. Exchange rate management has played a significant role in Indonesia as an instrument to ensure competitiveness during and after the oil boom. Chapter 4 analyses the behaviour of the RER for the Indonesian rupiah and offers a theoretical and statistical background. Unit root testing has been extensively used to test for stationarity. We have consistently rejected the hypothesis of RER stationarity, except in those cases in which the full sample series have been used and/or two breaks have been allowed. Chapter 5 presents a modelling approach to RER determination. Following Edwards (1989), we present an econometric model of the RER and develop an extension of it in terms of the Error Correction Mechanism (ECM). Central to the analysis is the role of fundamentals, in particular aid and the price of oil, in determining the RER. The estimated parameters are then used to construct the equilibrium RER in order to study RER misalignment. Simulations are also carried out to investigate the impact of exogenous shocks and policy options on the RER. Results show that the Indonesian RER suffered from misalignment especially during the oil boom and until the early 1990’s. We also find that aid and the real price of oil do matter: both act as fundamental determinants of RER behaviour and contribute to RER stability, a finding confirmed by the simulation exercise. Interestingly, aid and government consumption appear to influence in differences and not in levels the RER

Thromboembolic Events in Patients with Influenza: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Influenza is an acute respiratory infection that usually causes a short-term and self-limiting illness. However, in high-risk populations, this can lead to several complications, with an increase in mortality. Aside from the well-known extrapulmonary complications, several studies have investigated the relationship between influenza and acute cardio and cerebrovascular events. Reviews of the thromboembolic complications associated with influenza are lacking. Objectives: the study aims to conduct a scoping review to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients suffering from influenza and thromboembolic complications. Materials and methods: A computerized search of historical published cases using PubMed and the terms "influenza" or "flu" and "thrombosis", "embolism", "thromboembolism", "stroke", or "infarct" for the last twenty-five years was conducted. Only articles reporting detailed data on patients with thromboembolic complications of laboratory-confirmed influenza were considered eligible for inclusion in the scoping review. Results: Fifty-eight cases with laboratory documented influenza A or B and a related intravascular thrombosis were retrieved. Their characteristics were analyzed along with those of a patient who motivated our search. The localizations of thromboembolic events were pulmonary embolism 21/58 (36.2%), DVT 12/58 (20.6%), DVT and pulmonary embolism 3/58 (5.1%), acute ischemic stroke 11/58 (18.9%), arterial thrombosis 4/58 (6.8%), and acute myocardial infarction 5/58 (8.6%). Discussion: Our findings are important in clarifying which thromboembolic complications are more frequent in adults and children with influenza. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism and influenza can be very similar, so a careful clinical evaluation is required for proper patient management, possible instrumental deepening, and appropriate pharmacological interventions, especially for patients with respiratory failure

Human superoxide dismutase 1 (hSOD1) maturation through interaction with human copper chaperone for SOD1 (hCCS).

Copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), CCS, is the physiological partner for the complex mechanism of SOD1 maturation. We report an in vitro model for human CCS-dependent SOD1 maturation based on the study of the interactions of human SOD1 (hSOD1) with full-length WT human CCS (hCCS), as well as with hCCS mutants and various truncated constructs comprising one or two of the protein’s three domains. The synergy between electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and NMR is fully exploited. This is an in vitro study of this process at the molecular level. Domain 1 of hCCS is necessary to load hSOD1 with Cu(I), requiring the heterodimeric complex formation with hSOD1 fostered by the interaction with domain 2. Domain 3 is responsible for the catalytic formation of the hSOD1 Cys-57–Cys-146 disulfide bond, which involves both hCCS Cys-244 and Cys-246 via disulfide transfer

Irrigation Scheduling in Idaho

Scheduling the timing and amount of irrigation water applied has changed very little during the last two decades. Professional irrigation scheduling services are rapidly expanding and many of the companies are using a computer program developed by the USDA. This program uses meteorological, soil and crop data to predict irrigation dates and amounts. Service companies modify the program to fit their needs. Periodic field inspections are provided by trained technicians as part of scheduling service. This paper briefly describes the development of the computer program and the current status of its application in Idaho

Late Relapse of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura in an Adolescent Presenting as Severe Gastroduodenitis

Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a systemic vasculitis, commonly affecting children. Gastrointestinal manifestations are observed in 50–75% of patients; it is well known they may occur before skin lesions in about 20% of cases during the first vasculitic episode. Relapses occur in about one third of patients, typically within 4 months from the initial presentation and with milder symptoms. We report the case of a 17-year old girl with an atypical relapse of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, presenting with acute abdominal symptoms 5 years after the first episode. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed duodenal multiple hyperemic and hemorrhagic lesions. To our knowledge this is the first case of hemorrhagic-erosive duodenitis representing a relapse of Henoch-Schönlein purpura occurring several years after the initial episode. Duodenojejunal inflammation should be considered as primary manifestation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, not only during the first episode, but also in relapses. Endoscopy can be helpful for differential diagnosis, especially in patients with atypical manifestations. Further studies are needed to evaluate risk factors for Henoch-Schönlein purpura recurrence and the possible role of fecal calprotectin as an early marker for gastrointestinal involvement

Are circulating Mg2+ levels associated with glucose tolerance profiles and incident type 2 diabetes?

Magnesium (Mg2+) is an enzyme co-factor that plays a key role in many biochemical reactions, as well as in glucose metabolism. Clinical evidences have demonstrated that depletion of serum Mg2+ increases exponentially with the duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diabetes is associated with low Mg2+, and hypomagnesemia is associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. In subjects at high risk of inflammation and insulin resistance, supplementation of Mg2+ alone ameliorates both phenotypes, slowing the development and progression of hepatic steatosis. We analyze the relationship between serum Mg2+ levels and the onset of T2DM in a large cohort of well-characterized adult white individuals participating in the CATAMERI study, who were reexamined after a mean follow-up of 5.6 ± 0.9 years. In our analysis we acquired a significant negative correlation between Mg2+ levels, fasting glucose, and 2h-post load glucose in subjects who underwent an OGTT. Moreover, Mg2+ levels correlated negatively with fasting insulin levels, and positively with the lipid profile. As for the detrimental effect of lower circulating Mg2+ levels, our data revealed a significant reduction of T2DM risk of about 20% for each 1 mg/dL increase of circulating Mg2+. The present results are consistent with the theory that Mg2+ supplementation could ameliorate insulin sensitivity reducing the risk to develop T2DM