Graffiti removal from granite cladding by abrasive water-jet

This study focuses on the assessment of a graffiti removal system based on abrasive water-jet technology (AWJ). Spray paints were applied on samples of an important Italian granite commercially-named as “Rosa Limbara”. This granite has been used worldwide as dimension stone for paving and cladding. Two different commercial abrasives have been added in the high-pressure water-jet in order to clean the granite saw-plane surfaces from graffiti. After a check by the naked eye, different criteria have been chosen for assessing the effectiveness of the cleaning process: the similarity in roughness (Ra, Rz, and Rmax) between the original surface and the one resulted after cleaning, the total colour difference (ΔE) and the depth of material removed by the AWJ action. The tests showed that excellent cleaning results can be achieved with both abrasives by correctly combining the operational parameters of the technology (i.e., water pressure, spacing between passes, stand-off distance, travel speed and abrasive flow-rate) without giving any damage to the stone material. The two abrasives showed good results in total colour difference although one of them gave better results in both roughness difference and material removal. Economic considerations on paint removal with AWJ technology are also offered

Large fluctuations of the nonlinearities in isotropic turbulence. Anisotropic filtering analysis

Using a Navier–Stokes isotropic turbulent field numerically simulated in a box with a discretization of 10243 (Biferale et al., 2005), we show that the probability of having a stretching–tilting larger than a few times the local enstrophy is low. By using an anisotropic kind of filter in the Fourier space, where wavenumbers that have at least one component below a threshold or inside a range are removed, we analyze these survival statistics when the large, the small inertial or the small inertial and dissipation scales are filtered out. By considering a flow obtained by randomizing the phases of the Fourier modes, and applying our filtering techniques, we identified clearly the properties attributable to turbulence. It can be observed that, in the unfiltered isotropic Navier–Stokes field, the probability of the ratio (|ω·∇U|/|ω|2) being higher than a given threshold is higher than in the fields where the large scales were filtered out. At the same time, it is lower than in the fields where the small inertial and dissipation range of scales is filtered out. This is basically due to the suppression of compact structures in the ranges that have been filtered in different ways. The partial removal of the background of filaments and sheets does not have a first order effect on these statistics. These results are discussed in the light of a hypothesized relation between vortical filaments, sheets and blobs in physical space and in Fourier space. The study in fact can be viewed as a kind of test for this idea and tries to highlight its limits. We conclude that a qualitative relation in physical space and in Fourier space can be supposed to exist for blobs only. That is for the near isotropic structures which are sufficiently described by a single spatial scale and do not suffer from the disambiguation problem as filaments and sheets do. Information is also given on the filtering effect on statistics concerning the inclination of the strain rate tensor eigenvectors with respect to vorticity. In all filtered ranges, eigenvector 2 reduces its alignment, while eigenvector 3 reduces its misalignment. All filters increase the gap between the most extensional eigenvalue ⟨λ1⟩ and the intermediate one ⟨λ2⟩ and the gap between this last ⟨λ2⟩ and the contractile eigenvalue ⟨λ3⟩. When the large scales are missing, the modulus of the eigenvalue 1 becomes nearly equal to that of the eigenvalue 3, similarly to the modulus of the associated components of the enstrophy production

Voltage- and Temperature-Dependent Allosteric Modulation of α7 Nicotinic Receptors by PNU120596

Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChR) are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and are found at particularly high levels in the hippocampus and cortex. Several lines of evidence indicate that pharmacological enhancement of α7 nAChRs function could be a potential therapeutic route to alleviate disease-related cognitive deficits. A recent pharmacological approach adopted to increase α7 nAChR activity has been to identify selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). α7 nAChR PAMs have been divided into two classes: type I PAMs increase agonist potency with only subtle effects on kinetics, whereas type II agents produce additional dramatic effects on desensitization and deactivation kinetics. Here we report novel observations concerning the pharmacology of the canonical type II PAM, PNU120596. Using patch clamp analysis of acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated currents through recombinant rat α7 nAChR we show that positive allosteric modulation measured in two different ways is greatly attenuated when the temperature is raised to near physiological levels. Furthermore, PNU120596 largely removes the strong inward rectification usually exhibited by α7 nAChR-mediated responses

Boschi vetusti e riserve forestali nel Veneto: patrimoni di biodiversita\u300

Vengono sintetizzate le criticita\u300 emergenti legate alle dinamiche di cambiamento della biodiversita\u300 nelle foreste del Veneto anche esaminando i dati delle politiche forestali degli ultimi decenni e delle trasformazioni di boschi e foreste di montagna, collina e pianura conseguenti all\u2019abbandono colturale e ad iniziative locali di contrasto alle alterazioni del paesaggio forestale, di miglioramento ambientale ed estetico e di difesa della biodiversita\u300 forestale e naturalistica dei territori del Veneto. Seppur in un confronto europeo l'Italia e\u300 forse uno degli stati piu\u300 virtuosi nella gestione del patrimonio boschivo, sia in termini di risparmio di biomassa (35% di prelievo sull'incremento contro la media europea di oltre 60%) che per modalita\u300 di prelievo (e\u300 uno dei pochi stati dove il taglio a raso e\u300 vietato e, a differenza di molti paesi europei, non ammette l'imboschimento con specie esotiche), in questo approfondimento vengono esaminati gli scenari possibili di riferimento per una programmazione piu\u300 mirata, incisiva ed innovativa delle politiche di tutela della biodiversita\u300 forestale del Veneto, guardando ad alcune esperienze europee volte alla tutela e valorizzazione dei boschi antichi o vetusti. Boschi e foreste si stanno espandendo nel Veneto anche in pianura: ma questo trend e\u300 frutto dell\u2019abbandono colturale e/o conseguenza di una programmazione territoriale adeguata? Si propongono linee guida per iniziative locali di contrasto alla banalizzazione estetica ed ambientale del paesaggio e per contro di miglioramento della difesa della biodiversita\u300 forestale e naturalistica dei territori del Veneto partendo dalla tutela del patrimonio genetico dei \u201cboschi vetusti\u201d

Heterogeneity in Preferences towards Complexity

We analyze lottery-choice data in a way that separately estimates the effects of risk aversion and complexity aversion. Complexity is represented by the number of different outcomes in the lottery. A finite mixture random effects model is estimated which assumes that a proportion of the population are complexity-neutral. We find that around 33% of the population are complexity-neutral, around 50% complexity-averse, and the remaining 17% are complexity-loving. Subjects who do react to complexity appear to have a bias towards complexity aversion at the start of the experiment, but complexity aversion reduces with experience, to the extent that the average subject is (almost) complexity-neutral by the end of the experiment. Complexity aversion is found to increase with age and to be higher for non-UK students than for UK students. We also find some evidence that, when evaluating complex lotteries, subjects perceive probabilities in accordance with Prospective Reference Theory

Inattentive Consumers in Markets for Services

In an experiment on markets for services, we find that consumers are likely to stick to default tariffs and achieve suboptimal outcomes. We find that inattention to the task of choosing a better tariff is likely to be a substantial problem in addition to any task and tariff complexity effect. The institutional setup on which we primarily model our experiment is the UK electricity and gas markets, and our conclusion is that the new measures by the UK regulator Ofgem to improve consumer outcomes are likely to be of limited impact

On reminder effects, drop-outs and dominance: evidence from an online experiment on charitable giving

We present the results of an experiment that (a) shows the usefulness of screening out drop-outs and (b) tests whether different methods of payment and reminder intervals affect charitable giving. Following a lab session, participants could make online donations to charity for a total duration of three months. Our procedure justifying the exclusion of drop-outs consists in requiring participants to collect payments in person flexibly and as known in advance and as highlighted to them later. Our interpretation is that participants who failed to collect their positive payments under these circumstances are likely not to satisfy dominance. If we restrict the sample to subjects who did not drop out, but not otherwise, reminders significantly increase the overall amount of charitable giving. We also find that weekly reminders are no more effective than monthly reminders in increasing charitable giving, and that, in our three months duration experiment, standing orders do not increase giving relative to one-off donations

Blockade of IGF2R improves muscle regeneration and ameliorates Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating fatal X-linked muscle disorder. Recent findings indicate that IGFs play a central role in skeletal muscle regeneration and development. Among IGFs, insulinlike growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a key regulator of cell growth, survival, migration and differentiation. The type 2 IGF receptor (IGF2R) modulates circulating and tissue levels of IGF2 by targeting it to lysosomes for degradation. We found that IGF2R and the store-operated Ca2+ channel CD20 share a common hydrophobic binding motif that stabilizes their association. Silencing CD20 decreased myoblast differentiation, whereas blockade of IGF2R increased proliferation and differentiation in myoblasts via the calmodulin/calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Remarkably, anti-IGF2R induced CD20 phosphorylation, leading to the activation of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and removal of intracellular Ca2+. Interestingly, we found that IGF2R expression was increased in dystrophic skeletal muscle of human DMD patients and mdx mice. Blockade of IGF2R by neutralizing antibodies stimulated muscle regeneration, induced force recovery and normalized capillary architecture in dystrophic mdx mice representing an encouraging starting point for the development of new biological therapies for DMD

Canine pseudopregnancy: an evaluation of prevalence and current treatment protocols in the UK

Background: There is a dearth of literature on pseudopregnancy in the bitch, with only a few treatment-based studies published since the 1990s. Pseudopregnancy may be under-recognised in bitches and may account for a proportion of behavioural cases seen in veterinary practices including aggression. Little is known about commonly used treatments for overtly pseudopregnant bitches and it is possible that current regimes may not be prescribed for a sufficient duration to control any clinical signs including, physical and behavioural changes. To investigate current trends in diagnosis and treatment of canine pseudopregnancy, a postal survey was sent to 2000 randomly selected veterinary surgeons in UK veterinary practices. The questionnaire queried how often vets recognise cases of pseudopregnancy in spayed and entire bitches, which physical or behavioural signs are commonly recognised for diagnosis, and which management or treatment protocols are used. Results: The response rate was 19.8% (397/2000). Ninety-six percent of veterinary surgeons reported seeing pseudopregnant bitches showing behavioural changes without any physical changes within the last 12 months. Of those behavioural changes, collecting and mothering objects was the most frequently reported behavioural sign (96%). Ninety-seven percent of vets had seen aggression in pseudopregnant bitches. Nevertheless, only 52% of vets routinely asked owners about behavioural changes during consultations. Forty-nine percent of respondents reported seeing pseudopregnancy in spayed bitches. The most commonly reported physical sign was enlarged mammary glands and/or milk production (89%). Treatment options varied (surgical, medical or none) and depended on duration and severity of physical and behavioural signs, owners’ preference, cost, concurrent disease, drug availability and previous history. Conclusions: This is the largest epidemiological study of canine pseudopregnancy in the UK. The prevalence and severity of clinical signs in dogs with pseudopregnancy are variable and possibly under-estimated. Dogs with overt pseudopregnancy experience diverse physical and behavioural changes and information on standard treatment protocols are lacking. Although, progress on our understanding of diagnosis and treatment of pseudopregnancy in spayed and entire bitches has been made, further studies are warranted

Determinants of patient satisfaction in ambulatory oncology: a cross sectional study based on the OUT-PATSAT35 questionnaire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with satisfaction with care in cancer patients undergoing ambulatory treatment. We investigated associations between patients' baseline clinical and socio-demographic characteristics, as well as self-reported quality of life, and satisfaction with care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients undergoing ambulatory chemotherapy or radiotherapy in 2 centres in France were invited, at the beginning of their treatment, to complete the OUT-PATSAT35, a 35 item and 13 scale questionnaire evaluating perception of doctors, nurses and aspects of care organisation. Additionally, for each patient, socio-demographic variables, clinical characteristics and self-reported quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among 692 patients included between January 2005 and December 2006, only 6 were non-responders. By multivariate analysis, poor perceived global health strongly predicted dissatisfaction with care (<it>p </it>< 0.0001). Patients treated by radiotherapy (vs patients treated by chemotherapy) reported lower levels of satisfaction with doctors' technical and interpersonal skills, information provided by caregivers, and waiting times. Patients with primary head and neck cancer (vs other localisations), and those living alone were less satisfied with information provided by doctors, and younger patients (< 55 years) were less satisfied with doctors' availability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A number of clinical of socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with different scales of the satisfaction questionnaire. However, the main determinant was the patient's global health status, underlining the importance of measuring and adjusting for self-perceived health status when evaluating satisfaction. Further analyses are currently ongoing to determine the responsiveness of the OUT-PATSAT35 questionnaire to changes over time.</p