Hybrid nanoreceptors for high sensitivity detection of small molecules by NMR chemosensing

Self-assembled gold nanoparticles onto colloidal silica nanoparticles exhibited higher magnetization transfer efficiencies in NMR chemosensing experiments, allowing the detection of analytes as low as 10 μM

Implementation of a cogeneration plant for a food processing facility. A case study

The present work presents an investigation regarding the feasibility analysis of a cogeneration plant for a food processing facility with the aim to decrease the cost of energy supply. The monthly electricity and heat consumption profiles are analyzed, in order to understand the consumption profiles, as well as the costs of the current furniture of electricity and gas. Then, a detailed thermodynamic model of the cogeneration cycle is implemented and the investment costs are linked to the thermodynamic variables by means of cost functions. The optimal electricity power of the co-generator is determined with reference to various investment indexes. The analysis highlights that the optimal dimension varies according to the chosen indicator, therefore it is not possible to establish it univocally, but it depends on the financial/economic strategy of the company through the considered investment index

Cervical spine sagittal alignment variations following posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

The aim of this study is to quantify the changes in the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis following posterior spinal fusion. Patients eligible for study inclusion included those with a diagnosis of mainly thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated by means of posterior multisegmented hook and screw instrumentation. Pre and post-operative anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs of the entire spine were reviewed to assess the changes of cervical sagittal alignment. Thirty-two patients (3 boys, 29 girls) met the inclusion criteria for the study. The average pre-operative cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) was 4.0°±12.3° (range −30° to 40°) of lordosis. Postoperatively, the average CSA was 1.7°±11.4° (range −24° to 30°). After surgery, it was less than 20° in 27 patients (84.4%) and between 20° and 40° in 5 patients (15.6%). The results of the present study suggest that even if rod precontouring is performed and postoperative thoracic sagittal alignment is restored, improved or remains unchanged after significant correction of the deformity on the frontal plane, the inherent rigidity of the cervical spine limits changes in the CSA as the cervical spine becomes rigid over tim

ThreMA: Ontology-based Automated Threat Modelling for ICT Infrastructures

Threat Modelling allows defenders to identify threats to which the target system is exposed. Such a process requires a detailed infrastructure analysis to map threats to assets and to identify possible flaws. Unfortunately, the process is still mostly done manually and without the support of formally sound approaches. Moreover, Threat Modelling often involves teams with different levels of security knowledge, leading to different possible interpretation in the system under analysis representation. Threat modelling automation comes with two main challenges: (i) the need for a standard representation of models and data used in various stages of the process, establishing a formal vocabulary for all involved parties, and (ii) the requirement for a well-defined inference rule set enabling reasoning process automation for threat identification. The paper presents the ThreMA approach to automating threat modelling for ICT infrastructures, aiming at addressing the key automation issues through the use of ontologies. Specifically, a formal vocabulary for modelling an ICT infrastructure, a threat catalog and a set of inference rules needed to support the reasoning process for threat identification are provided. The proposed approach has been validated against actual significant case studies provided by different Stakeholders of the Italian Public Sector

3D bioprinted human cortical neural constructs derived from induced pluripotent stem cells

Bioprinting techniques use bioinks made of biocompatible non-living materials and cells to build 3D constructs in a controlled manner and with micrometric resolution. 3D bioprinted structures representative of several human tissues have been recently produced using cells derived by differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Human iPSCs can be differentiated in a wide range of neurons and glia, providing an ideal tool for modeling the human nervous system. Here we report a neural construct generated by 3D bioprinting of cortical neurons and glial precursors derived from human iPSCs. We show that the extrusion-based printing process does not impair cell viability in the short and long term. Bioprinted cells can be further differentiated within the construct and properly express neuronal and astrocytic markers. Functional analysis of 3D bioprinted cells highlights an early stage of maturation and the establishment of early network activity behaviors. This work lays the basis for generating more complex and faithful 3D models of the human nervous systems by bioprinting neural cells derived from iPSCs

Futures of Work: Perspectives from the Maker Movement

The work presented in this report attempts to explore other realms about the future(s) of work beyond the strongly driven narrative of digital transformation. We have addressed one particular grassroots community, the Maker Movement, which is de facto enabling new models of education, collaborative work, and manufacture. Movements like the Maker Movement can be inspirational of policy making in areas of great complexity and uncertainties as work, employment, jobs are. We suggest that debates about futures of work need to mobilise the imagination, insights and expectations of wide ranges of society. Policy making should be nurturing necessary studies, experiments and conversations until some resilient ideas are found.JRC.I.2-Foresight, Behavioural Insights and Design for Polic

Medición de las características fotométricas de sistemas de iluminación natural

La calidad de la iluminación en espacios interiores depende en gran medida, de las propiedades luminosas de los sistemas de iluminación natural empleados. Las características fotométricas de éstos, especialmente de los sistemas innovativos, que interceptan la luz solar para difundirla y/o redistribuirla, están determinadas por su diseño y por las propiedades de sus materiales. En el presente trabajo se exponen las tareas de acondicionamiento de un dispositivo experimental para mediciones de distribución de intensidades luminosas de tres alternativas de sistema de iluminación natural (uno opaco y dos traslúcidos) colocados en el interior de una ventana. Se comparan los resultados de las mediciones de distribución de intensidades luminosas efectuadas. Éstas muestran direcciones predominantes opuestas entre los difusores de tablillas opacas y los dos de tablillas traslúcidas (tela y policarbonato), permitiendo una mayor homogeneidad luminosa del espacio el caso medido de las tablillas de policarbonato.The quality of illumination in interior spaces depends largely on the luminous properties of the lightning systems utilized. The photometric characteristics of these systems, specially the innovative ones, that intercept the sun light diffusing and/or redistributing it, are determinate by their material’s properties and design. This paper describes the design of a testing device to measure the luminous intensity distribution on three alternatives of daylighting systems (one with opaque louvers, and other two with translucent louvers) installed on a window's inner side. The results obtained from the different diffusing baffles show distributions with opposite light directions between opaque diffusing baffle and translucent diffusing baffles (with fabric and polycarbonates louvers), performs a better luminous homogeneity on the room in the case of the polycarbonates louvers.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Medición de las características fotométricas de sistemas de iluminación natural

La calidad de la iluminación en espacios interiores depende en gran medida, de las propiedades luminosas de los sistemas de iluminación natural empleados. Las características fotométricas de éstos, especialmente de los sistemas innovativos, que interceptan la luz solar para difundirla y/o redistribuirla, están determinadas por su diseño y por las propiedades de sus materiales. En el presente trabajo se exponen las tareas de acondicionamiento de un dispositivo experimental para mediciones de distribución de intensidades luminosas de tres alternativas de sistema de iluminación natural (uno opaco y dos traslúcidos) colocados en el interior de una ventana. Se comparan los resultados de las mediciones de distribución de intensidades luminosas efectuadas. Éstas muestran direcciones predominantes opuestas entre los difusores de tablillas opacas y los dos de tablillas traslúcidas (tela y policarbonato), permitiendo una mayor homogeneidad luminosa del espacio el caso medido de las tablillas de policarbonato.The quality of illumination in interior spaces depends largely on the luminous properties of the lightning systems utilized. The photometric characteristics of these systems, specially the innovative ones, that intercept the sun light diffusing and/or redistributing it, are determinate by their material’s properties and design. This paper describes the design of a testing device to measure the luminous intensity distribution on three alternatives of daylighting systems (one with opaque louvers, and other two with translucent louvers) installed on a window's inner side. The results obtained from the different diffusing baffles show distributions with opposite light directions between opaque diffusing baffle and translucent diffusing baffles (with fabric and polycarbonates louvers), performs a better luminous homogeneity on the room in the case of the polycarbonates louvers.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Medición de las características fotométricas de sistemas de iluminación natural

La calidad de la iluminación en espacios interiores depende en gran medida, de las propiedades luminosas de los sistemas de iluminación natural empleados. Las características fotométricas de éstos, especialmente de los sistemas innovativos, que interceptan la luz solar para difundirla y/o redistribuirla, están determinadas por su diseño y por las propiedades de sus materiales. En el presente trabajo se exponen las tareas de acondicionamiento de un dispositivo experimental para mediciones de distribución de intensidades luminosas de tres alternativas de sistema de iluminación natural (uno opaco y dos traslúcidos) colocados en el interior de una ventana. Se comparan los resultados de las mediciones de distribución de intensidades luminosas efectuadas. Éstas muestran direcciones predominantes opuestas entre los difusores de tablillas opacas y los dos de tablillas traslúcidas (tela y policarbonato), permitiendo una mayor homogeneidad luminosa del espacio el caso medido de las tablillas de policarbonato.The quality of illumination in interior spaces depends largely on the luminous properties of the lightning systems utilized. The photometric characteristics of these systems, specially the innovative ones, that intercept the sun light diffusing and/or redistributing it, are determinate by their material’s properties and design. This paper describes the design of a testing device to measure the luminous intensity distribution on three alternatives of daylighting systems (one with opaque louvers, and other two with translucent louvers) installed on a window's inner side. The results obtained from the different diffusing baffles show distributions with opposite light directions between opaque diffusing baffle and translucent diffusing baffles (with fabric and polycarbonates louvers), performs a better luminous homogeneity on the room in the case of the polycarbonates louvers.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Invasive Candida infection: epidemiology, clinical and therapeutic aspects of an evolving disease and the role of rezafungin

Introduction: Invasive Candida Infections (ICIs) have undergone a series of significant epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical changes during the last decades, with a shift toward non-albicans species, an increase in the rate of exogenous infections and clinical manifestations ranging from candidemia to an array of highly invasive and life-threatening clinical syndromes. The long-acting echinocandin rezafungin exhibits potent in-vitro activity against most wild-type and azole-resistant Candida spp. including C. auris. Areas covered: The following topics regarding candidemia only and ICIs were reviewed and addressed: i) pathogenesis; ii) epidemiology and temporal evolution of Candida species; iii) clinical approach; iv) potential role of the novel long-acting rezafungin in the treatment of ICIs. Expert opinion: Authors' expert opinion focused on considering the potential role of rezafungin in the evolving context of ICIs. Rezafungin, which combines a potent in-vitro activity against Candida species, including azole-resistant strains and C. auris, with a low likelihood of drug-drug interactions and a good safety profile, may revolutionize the treatment of candidemia/ICI. Indeed, it may shorten the length of hospital stays when clinical conditions allow and extend outpatient access to treatment of invasive candidiasis, especially when prolonged treatment duration is expected