Effect of cerium on growth and antioxidant metabolism of Lemna minor L

An increasing input rate of rare earth elements in the environment is expected because of the intense extraction of such elements form their ores to face human technological needs. In this study Lemna minor L. plants were grown under laboratory conditions and treated with increasing concentrations of cerium (Ce) ions to investigate the effects on plant growth and antioxidant systems. The growth increased in plants treated with lower Ce concentrations and reduced in plants treated with higher concentrations, compared to control plants. In plants treated with higher Ce concentrations lower levels of chlorophyll and carotenoid and the appearance of chlorotic symptoms were also detected. Increased levels of hydrogen peroxide, antioxidant metabolites and antioxidant activity confirmed that higher Ce concentrations are toxic to L. minor. Ce concentration in plant tissues was also determined and detectable levels were found only in plants grown on Ce-supplemented media. The use of duckweed plants as a tool for biomonitoring of Ce in freshwater is discussed

Introducing a sector-wide pooled fund in a fragile context: mixed-methods evaluation of the health transition fund in Zimbabwe.

IntroductionAid effectiveness and improving its impact is a central policy matter for donors and international organisations. Pooled funding is a mechanism, whereby donors provide financial contributions towards a common set of broad objectives by channelling finance through one instrument. The results of pooled funds as an aid mechanism are mixed, and there is limited data on both methodology for, and results of, assessment of effectiveness of pooled funding.MethodsThis study adapted a conceptual framework incorporating the Paris Principles of Aid Effectiveness and qualitative methods to assess the performance of the Health Transition Fund (HTF) Zimbabwe. 30 key informant interviews, and 20 focus group discussions were conducted with informants drawn from village to national level. Descriptive secondary data analysis of Demographic Health Surveys, Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) and policy reports complemented the study.ResultsThe HTF combined the most optimal option to channel external aid to the health sector in Zimbabwe during a period of socioeconomic and political crisis. It produced results quickly and at scale and enhanced coordination and ownership at the national and subnational level. Flexibility in using the funds was a strong feature of the HTF. However, the initiative compromised on the investment in local capacity and systems, since the primary focus was on restoring essential services within a nearly collapsed healthcare system, rather than building long-term capacity. Significant changes in maternal and newborn health outcomes were observed during the HTF implementation in Zimbabwe.ConclusionA framework which can be used to assess pooled funds was adapted and applied. Future assessments could use this or another framework to provide new evidence regarding effectiveness of pool donor funds although the frameworks should be properly tested and adapted in different contexts

Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Hook into Biocoral Scaffold Forming an Engineered Biocomplex

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs), as well as human osteoblasts, when challenged on a Biocoral scaffold, which is a porous natural hydroxyapatite. For this purpose, human DPSCs were seeded onto a three-dimensional (3D) Biocoral scaffold or on flask surface (control). Either normal or rotative (3D) cultures were performed. Scanning electron microscopic analyses, at 8, 24 and 48 h of culture showed that cells did not adhere on the external surface, but moved into the cavities inside the Biocoral structure. After 7, 15 and 30 days of culture, morphological and molecular analyses suggested that the Biocoral scaffold leads DPSCs to hook into the cavities where these cells quickly start to secrete the extra cellular matrix (ECM) and differentiate into osteoblasts. Control human osteoblasts also moved into the internal cavities where they secreted the ECM. Histological sections revealed a diffuse bone formation inside the Biocoral samples seeded with DPSCs or human osteoblasts, where the original scaffold and the new secreted biomaterial were completely integrated and cells were found within the remaining cavities. In addition, RT-PCR analyses showed a significant increase of osteoblast-related gene expression and, above all, of those genes highly expressed in mineralized tissues, including osteocalcin, OPN and BSP. Furthermore, the effects on the interaction between osteogenesis and angiogenesis were observed and substantiated by ELISA assays. Taken together, our results provide clear evidence that DPSCs differentiated into osteoblasts, forming a biocomplex made of Biocoral, ECM and differentiated cells

STUDIO DELLA CIRCOLAZIONE IDRICA A SCALA INGEGNERISTICA IN ACQUIFERI FRATTURATI

NAPOLI RODOLFO MARIA, FIDELIBUS DOLORES, DE MARINIS GIOVANN

interventi di restauro e indagini archeologiche nel "giardino delle milizie" di lucrezia ungaro e massimo vitti

In questo volume di Forma Urbis viene trattato da Lucrezia Ungaro e Massimo Vitti il rogetto di Luigi Franciosini e Riccardo d'Aquino per l'intervento di recupero del giardino delle Milizie

luoghi dell'archeologia e usi contemporanei. archeology's place and contemporary uses. a call for proposals of architectural designs.

la mostra ed il catalogo relativo raccolgono gli esiti della call for proposals "luoghi dell'archeologia e usi contemporanei" organizzata nel 2009 dall'area di ricerca architettura e archeologia dello IUAV di Venezia in occasione dell'omonimo convegno internazionale. I 16 progetti selezionati tra le 130 proposte inviate da architetti italiani ed internazionali, tra i quali un progetto dell'autore Luigi Franciosini, offrono un contributo alla definizione di strategie per la valorizzazione di siti archeologici.

Interventi di restauro e sistemazione museale presso i Mercati di Traiano di Roma

Nel saggio viene descritto l'intervento di restauro e di sistemazione museale all'interno del complesso dei Mercati di Traiano

Archeologia e architettura. Tutela e valorizzazione. Progetti in aree antiche e medioevali.

Interventi per la fruibilità di via Biberatica, via della Torre e Giardino delle Milizie nel complesso dei Mercati di Traiano. Gli elaborati in mostra descrivono gli intyerventi sui parterre archeologici a completamento, integrazione o restauro delle pavimentazioni originali, oltre che agli elementi inseriti nel contesto archeologico per il superamento delle barriere architettoniche. Nel giardino delle Milizie, nell'ex-convento di Santa Caterina è messa in evidenza la metodologia di consolidamento delle strutture e di fruizione della spazialità ipogea.