Contribution to the vascular flora of Papasidero (north-western Calabria, Italy)

A floristic survey of the Papasidero municipality (54.65 km2) was carried out from 2008 to 2011, allowing us to list 580 specific and infraspecific taxa (567 verified by us), belonging to 353 genera and 89 families. Several species are rather interesting from a phytogeographic and/or conservation point of view. 14 exotic species were also recorded, 10 of which are considered invasive in the regional flora. The most represented families are Asteraceae (66 taxa), Fabaceae (56), Lamiaceae (40), Poaceae (31), while most represented genera are Trifolium (11), Euphorbia and Ophrys (9), Lathyrus and Geranium (8). Biological and chorological spectra show a clear dominance of Hemicriptophytes and Mediterranean elements respectively, as one can expect based on the climatic conditions of the area at issues

Evaluation of graft success of grapevine after incubation room by means of thermographic, electrical and mechanical techniques

Grafting is an important technique for getting good yields in plant multiplication. Understanding the success of the graft after the incubation stage is important to the evaluation of the suitable grafting for the open field (nursery). Successful grafting in vines requires the development of a functional vascular system between the scion and the rootstock. The graft compatibility and its augmentation depend upon various natural factors like environment, soil conditions and protective measures. The present study examines the capability of thermographic, mechanical and electrical techniques to assess the graft quality and success after the incubation stage. The trial was carried out at Vivai Mannone, (Petrosino, Western Sicily, 37\uc2\ub042'26.28''N - 12\uc2\ub029'09.57''E). After the different tests, various grafting combinations were planted in the nursery and followed for the vegetative season. Before the evaluation procedure was performed graft unions have been subjected to a moderate heating from ambient temperature, then the thermal transient toward ambient temperature was monitored by means of a thermal imaging camera. As far as the electrical testing procedure was concerned, a sinusoidal voltage was applied through the grafts-cuttings, and the voltage attenuation at different points at increasing distances from the source was measured by an oscilloscope. The mechanical strength of the graft undergoing a controlled rate flexural loading was monitored by a PC remote controlled digital dynamometer. Experimental results show that we were able to distinguish the successful grafting only with the thermographic test. Moreover, this technique was the only non-destructive test from which it was possible to derive quantitative parameters, useful to provide successful nursery forecast. Engraftment results detected at the nursery showed a 15% error in forecast based on the proposed thermal image method, which is a satisfactory value for a feasibility study

On the impact of recycling strategies on energy demand and CO2 emissions when manufacturing Al-based components

The industrial world is facing the challenge of reducing emissions by means of energy- and resource-efficient manufacturing strategies. In some cases, the exerted emissions and the energy demands related to conventional manufacturing processes are not as intensive as those required to extract and produce the raw materials of which the workpieces are made. Therefore, the consciousness of the impact of material usage and the eco-informed choice of the end-of-life scenarios are both needed in view of sustainable development. Aim of this paper is to offer a contribution to a better understanding of the environmental impact of forming and machining processes, for the production of Al-based components, when varying the aluminum recycling strategy

Fabrication of Billet from Aluminum Alloys AA 2011-T3/7075 Chips through Friction Stir Consolidation

Recently evolving Solid-State Recycling (SSR) techniques have shown promising features to recycle metals scraps more efficiently compared to remelting-based approaches. Among these SSR methods, Friction Stir Consolidation (FSC) has been successfully tested to transform metals chips directly into semi or final solid products. Therefore, researchers explored FSC critical process parameters and their subsequent effects on quality in terms of the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the billet. All the previous studies of FSC were limited to developing billet of mono materials. Therefore, in this research, an attempt was made to go beyond the idea of recycling; in fact, a billet of two dissimilar aluminum alloys AA 7075 and AA 2011-T3 out of chips was obtained. The mechanical and metallurgical properties were assessed through the Vickers hardness measurements and microstructure analysis. The experimental results of this research illustrate that the FSC process is a feasible approach to develop a billet of dissimilar materials with achieving quality closer to the corresponding billet of mono-material

Are Cancer Stem Cells a Suitable Target for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy?

There is substantial evidence to suggest that complete tumor eradication relies on the effective elimination of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have been widely described as mediators of resistance to conventional therapies, including chemo- and radiotherapy, as well as of tumor metastasization and relapse in different tumor types, including breast cancer. However, the resistant phenotype of CSCs makes their targeting a tough task, and immunotherapy may therefore be an interesting option. Nevertheless, although immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer treatment have generated great enthusiasm due to recent success in clinics, breast cancer treatment mostly relies on standard approaches. In this context, we review the existing literature on the immunological properties of breast CSC and immunotherapeutic approaches to them. We will thus attempt to clarify whether there is room for the immunotargeting of breast CSCs in the current landscape of breast cancer therapies. Finally, we will provide our opinion on the CSC-targeting immunotherapeutic strategies that could prospectively be attempted

A Trnsys Simulation of a Solar-Driven Air Refrigerating System for a Low-Temperature Room of an Agro-Industry site in the Southern part of Italy

Solar cooling technologies are of great interest because the cooling load in buildings is directly correlated to the intensity of solar radiation. In this paper, a feasibility study of a solar cooling system for a cold room in the Southern part of Italy is carried out. This feasibility study can be an example for future achievements in Southern of Italy. The cold room is part of an agro-industrial structure; the set point of temperature is 10°C. The room is 11.0 m long, 9.5 m wide and 3.5 m high. Two sliding doors 3.0 m high are present and strawberries are inside mainly. Thermal loads are evaluated by means of the software TRNSYS 17. Parabolic Though Collectors (PTCs) are employed to capture the solar energy. The solar field extends for 210 m2. Two double-effect chillers (with a total installed power equal to 150 kW) for the collectors are employed. In addition, a conventional heat pump is installed to meet the demand for refrigeration during unfavorable weather conditions or during the maintenance of chillers. There are two different storage tanks: a tank with volume 10 m3 for hot water storage and a tank with volume 40 m3 for cold storage. The terminal part is constituted by dry coolers. Results are given in terms of heat transfer rates and solar fraction. Besides, an economic analysis is carried out to evaluate the payback time

Toll-like receptor 2 at the crossroad between cancer cells, the immune system, and the microbiota

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expressed on myeloid cells mediates the recognition of harmful molecules belonging to invading pathogens or host damaged tissues, leading to inflammation. For this ability to activate immune responses, TLR2 has been considered a player in anti-cancer immunity. Therefore, TLR2 agonists have been used as adjuvants for anti-cancer immunotherapies. However, TLR2 is also expressed on neoplastic cells from different malignancies and promotes their proliferation through activation of the myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) pathway. Furthermore, its activation on regulatory immune cells may contribute to the generation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and of the pre-metastatic niche, promoting cancer progression. Thus, TLR2 represents a double-edge sword, whose role in cancer needs to be carefully understood for the setup of effective therapies. In this review, we discuss the divergent effects induced by TLR2 activation in different immune cell populations, cancer cells, and cancer stem cells. Moreover, we analyze the stimuli that lead to its activation in the tumor microenvironment, addressing the role of danger, pathogen, and microbiota-associated molecular patterns and their modulation during cancer treatments. This information will contribute to the scientific debate on the use of TLR2 agonists or antagonists in cancer treatment and pave the way for new therapeutic avenues