Passive smoking indicators in Italy: does the gross domestic product matter?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyse the correlation between regional values of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and passive smoking in Italy. METHODS: The outcome measures were smoking ban respect in public places, workplaces and at home, derived from the PASSI surveillance for the period 2011⁻2017. The explanatory variable was GDP per capita. The statistical analysis was carried out using bivariate and linear regression analyses, taking into consideration two different periods, Years 2011⁻2014 and 2014⁻2017. RESULTS: GDP is showed to be positively correlated with smoking ban respect in public places (r = 0.779 p < 0.001; r = 0.723 p < 0.001 in the two periods, respectively), as well as smoking ban respect in the workplace (r = 0.662 p = 0.001; r = 0.603 p = 0.004) and no smoking at home adherence (r = 0.424 p = 0.056; r = 0.362 p = 0.107). In multiple linear regression GDP is significantly associated to smoking ban respect in public places (adjusted β = 0.730 p < 0.001; β = 0.698 p < 0.001 in the two periods, respectively), smoking ban in workplaces (adjusted β = 0.525 p = 0.020; β = 0.570 p = 0.009) and no smoking at home (adjusted β = 0.332 p = 0.070; β = 0.362 p = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking ban is more respected in Regions with higher GDP. For a better health promotion, systematic vigilance and sanctions should be maintained and strengthened, particularly in regions with low compliance with smoking bans

Nanostructured electrochemical devices for sensing, energy conversion and storage

Nanostructured materials are attracting growing interest for improving performance of devices and systems of large technological interest. In this work, the principal results about the use of nanostructured materials in the field of electrochemical energy storage, electrochemical water splitting, and electrochemical sensing are presented. Nanostructures were fabricated with two different techniques. One of these was the electrodeposition of the desired material inside the channels of a porous support acting as template. The other one was based on displacement reaction induced by galvanic contact between metals with different electrochemical nobility. In the present work, a commercial polycarbonate membrane was used as template. In the field of the electrochemical energy storage, the attention was focused on lead-acid battery, and it has been found that nanostructured morphology enhances the active mass utilization up to about 80%, with consequent increase of specific energy and cycling rates to unattainable values for the commercial battery. Nanostructured Ni-IrO2 composite electrodes showed valuable catalytic activity for water oxidation. By comparison with other Ni-based electrocatalyst, this electrode appears as the most promising anode for electrochemical water splitting in alkaline cells. Also in the field of sensing, the nanostructured materials fabricated by displacement reaction showed performance of high interest. Some new results about the use of copper nanowires for H2O22 sensing will be showed, evidencing better performance in comparison with copper thin film. In this work, we will show that nanostructured electrodes are very promising candidate to form different electrochemical setups that operate more efficiently comparing to device with flat electrode materials

Knowledge and perception about climate change among healthcare professionals and students: A cross-sectional study

Aim:&nbsp;The aim of this study was to assess knowledge on Climate Change (CC) and related consequences among students and professionals of healthcare setting. Methods:&nbsp;A cross-sectional study involving 364 people was conducted. The survey was performed at Sapienza University (Rome) using questionnaire previously developed and validated by the same research group. Results:&nbsp;Findings indicate awareness about CC and its effects and correct identification of practices that could help to mitigate its repercussions. The majority of the participants believed that CC had an impact on the health of humans (96.7%), animals (99.5%) and on the environment (99.7%). Results from the multivariate analysis regarding overall knowledge, show an increased odd in professionals (OR=2.08; 95%CI=1.02-4.26), individuals from the North (OR=3.34; 95%CI=1.37-8.15) and from the Center (OR=2.07; 95%CI=1.17-3.66). Regarding factors able to modify Earth's climate, correct answer had higher odds of being chosen by professionals (OR=2.83; 95%CI=1.41–5.70), and from individuals from South/Islands than by the ones from the Center (OR=0.65; 95%CI=0.40-1.06). The main sources of information resulted to be TV and school/university. Conclusions:&nbsp;These new evidences could guide policymakers on increasing the awareness of the population about this fundamental subject. Funding:&nbsp;This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors

Knowledge and perception about climate change among healthcare professionals and students: A cross-sectional study

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge on Climate Change (CC) and related consequences among students and professionals of healthcare setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 364 people was conducted. The survey was performed at Sapienza University (Rome) using questionnaire previously developed and validated by the same research group. Results: Findings indicate awareness about CC and its effects and correct identification of practices that could help to mitigate its repercussions. The majority of the participants believed that CC had an impact on the health of humans (96.7%), animals (99.5%) and on the environment (99.7%). Results from the multivariate analysis regarding overall knowledge, show an increased odd in professionals (OR=2.08; 95%CI=1.02-4.26), individuals from the North (OR=3.34; 95%CI=1.37-8.15) and from the Center (OR=2.07; 95%CI=1.17-3.66). Regarding factors able to modify Earth's climate, correct answer had higher odds of being chosen by professionals (OR=2.83; 95%CI=1.41–5.70), and from individuals from South/Islands than by the ones from the Center (OR=0.65; 95%CI=0.40-1.06). The main sources of information resulted to be TV and school/university. Conclusions: These new evidences could guide policymakers on increasing the awareness of the population about this fundamental subject. Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. &nbsp; Author contributions: Conceptualization, G.L.T. and A.D.C..; Methodology, G.L.T. and A.M..; Formal Analysis, A.D.P.B., C.S., R.A.C., D.B.; Investigation, A.D.P.B., C.S., R.A.C., D.B.; Data Curation, A.D.P.B., C.S.; Writing – Original Draft Preparation, R.A.C., D.B.; Writing – Review &amp; Editing, R.A.C., D.B., A.M..; Supervision, G.L.T..; Project Administration, G.L.T. &nbsp; Conflicts of interest: None declare

Preventive medicine center and health care for students of medicine and health professions at the Sapienza University of Rome: a research protocol

This project aims to develop a Center of Preventive Medicine and Health Care for the students of Medicine and Health profession at Sapienza University of Rome. At the beginning of the university career students, both residents and nonresident s, have to face several difficulties such as: starting smoking or the increase in cigarette consumption ; the independent management of their own health (especially for non residents consequently to the distance of the family doctor) ; unhealthy diet; tuberculosis (TB) biological risk during their university training. These aspects , especially if present at the same time, act as a source stress and adversely affect the quality of life and the academic performance. Specific aims of the project will be: implementing an ambulatory of Preventive Medicine; implementing a virtual ambulatory of general medicine; creating a website on the problems mentioned above. Data collected will be computerized to keep an electronic health record (HER) and to use the information for the purposes of scientific research. The Centre will act in close relationship with the Central Administration, with the Headmasters of the Medical Faculties, and in close collaboration with the Center of Occupational Medicine of Sapienza University

Estrelas e Ases: o retrato fotográfico em Portugal (1916-1936)

Desde o final da década de 1910 e durante os anos 1920, a Fotografia Brasil, uma firma de retrato fotográfico de Lisboa, dirigida por Joaquim da Silva Nogueira, introduziu práticas modernas na fotografia portuguesa, praticamente dominada ainda por um gosto Oitocentista que tinha forte presença na maior parte dos estúdios fotográficos portugueses. Lisboa era escala frequente de artistas internacionais que itineravam a América do Sul e, em particular, o Brasil. O trabalho de Silva Nogueira beneficiou das sessões de pose com esses artistas que escalavam Lisboa durante as tournées artísticas. Desde 1920, a Fotografia Brasil tornou-se a principal fornecedora de retratos de artistas para a imprensa ilustrada portuguesa, sedenta de imagens do teatro. As origens da Fotografia Brasil podem justificar, por exemplo, as ousadas sessões com a bailarina e cantora de origem italiana, Adria Rodi, cujas poses audazes foram captadas pelo olhar moderno de Silva Nogueira, surpreendendo a conservadora sociedade portuguesa e introduzindo um novo padrão estético no retrato fotográfico. Muitos dos mais populares artistas de palco portugueses passaram a fotografar-se no seu estúdio e pontuaram as páginas das secções teatrais dos magazines ilustrados partilhadas com as estralas internacionais, que realçavam a modernidade das imagens de Silva Nogueira. Embora a maior parte dos artistas dos palcos portugueses tenham recorrido a Silva Nogueira durante os cinquenta anos de actividade do estúdio, foi durante os anos 1920 que ele se destacou em especiais cumplicidades com alguns desses artistas como Luísa Satanela que protagonizou um papel chave na transformação da cena teatral portuguesa. Satanela introduziu figurinos, cenários e coreografias modernistas nas representações da revista à portuguesa, um género teatral muito popular em Portugal. Silva Nogueira retratou Satanela de forma extensa em séries fotográficas de modernidade surpreendente, inovando sucessivamente num processo invulgar de cumplicidade, dando o mote para uma renovação decisiva da actividade do retrato fotográfico com ênfase no grande plano e na imagem do corpo. Os jovens artistas e intelectuais procuraram afirmar os valores modernistas na conservadora sociedade portuguesa. Destacou-se António Ferro. Como crítico teatral promoveu o modernismo nos palcos, em particular na revista. A campanha que pôs em 3 marcha nos jornais teve considerável sucesso. Mas Ferro usou a mesma abordagem ao intervir na propaganda, a se dedicou ainda antes de assumir a direcção do SPN. António Ferro teve um papel crucial na afirmação da visualidade em diversos âmbitos da sociedade portuguesa, da literatura ao jornalismo, do teatro à política. Na propaganda política nacional, Ferro suscitou a fotografia e o retrato fotográfico, entre outras áreas das artes para afirmar o novo regime, o Estado Novo, bem como os seus líderes, em particular o Presidente do Conselho, Oliveira Salazar. A afirmação visual do perfil discreto de Salazar representou um desafio particular para Ferro. Em última instância Ferro convocou a capacidade de um fotógrafo moderno, Silva Nogueira para conseguir capturar a imagem oficial de Salazar. Esse retrato esteve presente em todas as repartições públicas e escolas. Por fim, o modernismo, através do retrato fotográfico tinha conseguido assumir-se como a imagem institucional do país.From late 1910’s and throughout the 1920’s the Fotografia Brasil, a Lisbon commercial portraiture studio, led by Joaquim da Silva Nogueira, introduced modernist practices in Portuguese photography, still dominated by late 19th century taste that had a strong expression in most Portuguese photographic studios. Lisbon was then a frequent scale to South America, and especially to Brazilian ports. The work of Silva Nogueira benefited a lot from the posing sessions with foreign artists that scaled Lisbon during their artistic tours. Since 1920, Fotografia Brasil became the leading supplier of artist portraits to the Portuguese illustrated press eager of pictures from theatrical activity. The background of the Fotografia Brasil photographic portraits activity may justify, for instance, the daring photo sessions with the Italian born dancer and singer Adria Rodi, whose audacious poses captured by Silva Nogueira’s modern photographic look surprised the conservative Portuguese society and established a model to the changes in photographic portrait practice. Photographs of other popular artists soon started to be regularly published in special sections of illustrated magazine face to face with international stars highlighting Silva Nogueira’s modern portraits. Though most of Portuguese stage artists called upon the services of Silva Nogueira throughout fifty year of his studio’s activity, it was during the 1920’s that he stood out establishing a special relationship with the actress, singer and dancer Luísa Satanela who played a key role in the transformation of the Portuguese theatrical scene. Satanela introduced modernist design costumes, sceneries and dancing choreographies in the stage performances of revista, a theatrical genre quite popular in Portugal. Silva Nogueira extensively portrayed Satanela in surprisingly modern photographic series, innovating over and over in an unusual complicity process, setting the pace for the decisive renewal of the Portuguese photographic portrait activity with emphasis in close-up and body image. Portuguese young artists and intellectuals tried to assert modernism in Portuguese’s conservative society. António Ferro stood out in this role. As theatre critique he promoted modernist taste in theatrical productions, particularly in light theater. The campaign Ferro carried out in the press gave noticeable results. A transformation in theatre was noticed closing it to the cosmopolitan international productions. But Ferro also followed the same form of intervention in political propaganda, to which he started to devote himself even earlier of his nomination as director of the National Propaganda Secretariat. António Ferro had a crucial role in visuality’s assertion in different aspects of the Portuguese society, from literature to journalism, theater and particularly politics. In national political propaganda, Ferro called upon photography and photographic portrait among other areas of visual arts to disclose the new regime, the Estado Novo, as well as his leaders, particularly the Prime Minister Oliveira Salazar. The assertion of Salazar’s visual discreet profile represented a major challenge to Ferro. Ultimately Ferro called the skills of the modernist photographer Silva Nogueira to succeed in capturing the official image of Salazar. That portrait stood in every governmental office and school. Finally modernism, throughout photographic portrait stand out as Portuguese’s institucional image

Pb-PbOHCl Composite Nanowires Synthesized by Galvanic Deposition in Template

In this paper, we report a detailed study on the synthesis of composite nanowires of Pb-PbOHCl via galvanic deposition into the pores of a membrane acting as a template. PbOHCl deposition quantitatively occurs as the solution pH exceeds the value of about 4.12. Simultaneously, owing to the galvanic coupling, electro-deposition of lead occurs, so composite nanowires were formed. The role of different parameters controlling the kinetic evolution of the process, such as oxygen bubbling, solution pH, surface area and type of sacrificial anode were investigated one at a time. The results suggest that every modification accelerating the alkalization of the solution inside the template pores favors growth of composite nanowires richer in PbOHCl. Alumina and polycarbonate membranes were investigated as template, and the best results were obtained for polycarbonate membrane, which can be easily removed by dissolution in CHCl₃ avoiding the collapse and successive loss of the nanowires

Study of a novel electrochemical method for copper recovery from waste printed circuit boards

This study was carried out to recover copper from printed circuit boards of waste computers through an electrochemical process. To simplify the overall recovery process, large pieces of printed circuit boards were used instead of pulverized samples. In particular, these large pieces were directly used as an anode for copper electrorefining. For this purpose, electronic components and solder mask were initially removed from the boards. The electronic components can be treated separately to recover precious metals using various methods. The removal of solder mask was necessary to expose copper layers to the electrolytic solution and it was removed by a chemical treatment with sodium hydroxide. Electrolytic solution was a mixture of copper sulphate and sulphuric acid, and was maintained at 60°C during the process. The recovery of copper was conducted in an electrochemical cell where the anode was supplied by a constant current of 900 mA. The deposited copper was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Results show a uniform cathodic deposit of pure copper having a thickness of about 32.35 μm. The copper current efficiency was of 84% with a removal degree of copper from printed circuit board of about 46%

Metodo e Kit per il recupero di piombo metallico da componenti di un accumulatore esausto al piombo-acido

il metodo consente di ripristinare le piastre presenti nelle batterie al piombo acido esauste per recuperare il piombo presente e per riutilizzarle direttamente in nuove batteri