Nanoarchitectonics of metal oxide materials for sustainable technologies and environmental applications

Sustainable development compliant with environment and human health protection motivates researchers to explore green solutions towards improved economic and social wellbeing. These objectives, still very far from being achieved especially in developing countries, must necessarily be pursued through the tailored fabrication of low-cost, eco-friendly, efficient and stable multi-functional materials. In particular, nanostructures based on first-row transition metal oxides are amenable candidates for clean energy production, air purification and self-cleaning/anti-fogging purposes, especially if obtained through fabrication strategies allowing a careful modulation of their characteristics. In this highlight, after a brief introduction of the above issues, we provide selected representative examples of green oxide-based nanoarchitectures for the targeted end-uses. Attention is focused on the interplay between the material chemico-physical properties and the resulting functional performances, with the aim of providing some hints to control material behavior by design. In addition, we provide a critical outlook not only on the unique opportunities, but also on the main open challenges related to the use of the above multi-functional materials, in an attempt to stimulate further advancements in these emerging research areas

Critical evaluation of hazardous pollutants in edible insects: A simple review

The use of edible insects offers significant environmental benefits, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimising water and land use. Recently, some species of edible insects have been recognised as novel foods in the European Union, regulated by Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 until the end of 2022. In this context, it is necessary to pay close attention to the assessment of the health risks posed by the contaminants ingested by insects. Indeed, there are numerous risks associated with the consumption of insects for human consumption. This review highlights the importance of assessing the health risks associated with contaminants in edible insects. Similar to other animal-derived foods, insects can accumulate hazardous substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, dioxins and flame retardants. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of contaminant levels in edible insects, based on studies published over the last two decades, in order to assess the potential health risks associated with their consumption

Estimating GDP at the Parish (County) Level: An Evaluation of Alternative Approaches (Bulletin #890)

Gross Domestic Product or GDP is estimated for each parish from earnings and employment data from more than 60 industries in Louisiana.https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/agcenter_bulletins/1005/thumbnail.jp

A multilayer panel in cork and natural phase change materials: thermal and energy analysis

This paper presents thermal and energy analysis of a multilayer panel in bio-based cork material and natural phase change materials (PCMs) for the development of prefabricated, recyclable and energy-efficient and autonomous building modules. For this purpose, a calculation tool is developed for the dynamic simulation of the thermal and energy behaviour of the sandwich panel. In particular, through an extensive parametric survey, the panel is sized with the identification of the arrangement of the layers, PCM temperature, and layer thicknesses to optimize the insulating and damping properties, considering typical climatic conditions of the Mediterranean climates of Southern Italy. From the conducted simulations, the types of sandwich panels that have the best insulating and storage characteristics for the building module construction were chosen. The results of these simulations will be used in future research for the preliminary design of tests to be carried out in a climatic chamber and to build a building module in real conditions to be constantly monitored through the automatic instrumental survey of internal and external physical quantities such as temperature, humidity and radiant temperature

AKT, p-AKT, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in Mural Granulosa Cells Are Not Correlated to Different Ovarian Stimulation Protocols in Patients Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatment

(1) Background: In this paper we aim to study the relationship between the expression levels of molecules involved in apoptotic/survival pathways, considered as molecular markers of oocyte competence (i.e., AKT, p-AKT, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2) in mural granulosa cells (MGCs) and the administration of r-FSH alone or combined with exogenous r-LH, in ovarian stimulation protocol. Moreover, we aim to evaluate oocyte competence by comparing normally cleaved embryos that were transferred in the uterus, with embryos that were arrested during in vitro culture. (2) Methods: The study included 34 normo-responder women undergoing ICSI procedures. All subjects were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 18 women stimulated with r-FSH and used as a control group; Group B consisted of 14 women stimulated with r-FSH combined with r-LH. The MGCs were obtained from individual follicles. Immunoblot analyses were carried out to analyze the AKT, p-AKT, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 levels in MGCs and to correlate them with the ovarian stimulation protocol. Furthermore, the oocyte competence was evaluated, for each follicle, according to the development of the embryo during in vitro culture and the pregnancy outcome. (3) Results: We found no significant difference in the levels of molecules in isolated MGCs between groups A and B. These results, in light of our previous research, suggest for the first time, to our knowledge, that cumulus cells and mural granulosa cells in the same follicle show different expression levels of molecules involved in the apoptotic mechanism. (4) Conclusions: Our results could clarify some controversial data in the literature where cumulative cell pools of cumulus and granulosa were analyzed, described as ovarian follicle cells, and used as markers of oocyte competence. In this paper, we found evidence that cumulus and granulosa cells need to be analyzed separately

Evaluating the Switch from Cotton to Corn: Impacts on the Louisiana Economy (Bulletin #888)

This research measures the net economic impact to the Louisiana economy from a major switch in acreage from cotton to corn in 2007.https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/agcenter_bulletins/1007/thumbnail.jp

Analytical Method for Quantification of Several Phthalate Acid Esters by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Coffee Brew Samples

Several phthalate acid esters (PAEs), often called phthalate esters or phthalates, are substances classified as harmful due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, and moreover, as dangerous for humans because they interfere with the endocrine system. In general, phthalic esters are used as plasticizers for different polymers and more other consumer products. In the present study, we describe a simple method to quantify PAEs in coffee brew using a liquid-liquid extraction without purification processes through analysing the obtained organic phase by GCMS in the single ion monitoring mode. The totals of single PAEs, in coffee brew samples analysed by us, are in the range of 159-5305 mu g L-1. Considering that, on average, a person drinks three cups (total 90 mL) of the aforementioned drink per day, this will lead to the uptake of a total 14 to 477 mu g of phthalates

"Hot" Surface Activation of Molecular Complexes: Insight from Modeling Studies

Rock-and-roll over hot floors: Theoretical modeling of the first activation stages of a Cu complex on top of a heated surface (750 K) revealed two mobility regimes, a slow bump-and-rock diffusion over the surface and a fast roll-and-go motion accompanied by significant temperature-induced bond oscillations. This study enables a deeper insight into "hot" surface molecular activation processes.Tanz auf dem Vulkan: Das Modellieren der ersten Aktivierungsstufen eines Cu-Komplexes auf einer beheizten Oberfl\ue4che (750\u2005K) enth\ufcllte zwei Bewegungsarten: eine langsame Diffusion durch \u201eAnsto fen und Taumeln\u201c und eine schnelle Rollbewegung, die mit deutlichen temperaturinduzierten Bindungsoszillationen einhergeht. Diese Befunde geben einen Einblick in die Prozesse bei der Aktivierung durch \u201ehei fe\u201c Oberfl\ue4chen

A Short Review of Simple Analytical Methods for the Evaluation of PAHs and PAEs as Indoor Pollutants in House Dust Samples

Studies on indoor air quality are indispensable when considering that people spend approximately 85% of their time in confined environments. This short review mostly takes into consideration research that uses passive samplers to evaluate the quality of indoor environments (houses, school, cars, etc.). This short review summarizes most analytical methods to detect and quantify PAHs and PAEs in house dust used as a passive sampler. The objective of house dust analysis is to identify the presence, amount and distribution of specific hazardous substances in confined spaces and, if possible, to identify their sources. Household dust and the compounds present in it can enter the human body by inhalation, non-food ingestion and absorption through the skin. The observed differences in concentrations of house dust may also indicate important differences in the chemical and physical nature of pollutants caused by air filtration and absorption during the migration of ambient air into the indoor environment

Determination of Selected Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Wood to Establish the cause of Sinking of an Old Vessel (Scauri wreck) by Fire

The aimof this paper was to establish the cause of sinking of an old wooden vessel by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analyses because wood combustion is a source of PAHs. In particular, the molecular PAH patterns generated by each source are like fingerprints and it is possible to determine the processes that generate PAHs by studying their distribution in wood samples. The relative abundance of high molecular weight PAHs, together with the PAH compound ratios and with total index (proposed by us) has demonstrated that samples owe their PAHs in wood archaeological material to a predominant single mode of origin, i.e. combustion processes, therefore we can say that the sinking of the vessel was caused by a fire