Human tularemia in Italy. Is it a re-emerging disease?

In order to evaluate whether tularemia is re-emerging in Italy, data on mortality and morbidity (obtained by the National Institute of Statistics; ISTAT), Italian cases described in the scientific literature and data concerning hospitalizations for tularemia (obtained by the National Hospital Discharge Database) were analysed. From 1979 to 2010, ISTAT reported 474 cases and no deaths. The overall number of cases obtained from the literature review was at least 31% higher than that reported by ISTAT. Moreover, the number of cases reported by ISTAT was 3·5 times smaller than hospitalized cases. The real frequency of the disease should be carefully investigated and taken into account in order to implement specific prevention measures.Tularemia is a contagious infectious disease due to Francisiella tularensis that can cause serious clinical manifestations and significant mortality if untreated. Although the frequency and significance of the disease has diminished over the last decades in Central Europe, over the past few years, there is new evidence suggesting that tularemia has re-emerged worldwide. To know the real epidemiology of the disease is at the root of correct control measures. In order to evaluate whether tularemia is re-emerging in Italy, data on mortality and morbidity (obtained by the National Institute of Statistics; ISTAT), Italian cases described in the scientific literature and data concerning hospitalizations for tularemia (obtained by the National Hospital Discharge Database) were analysed. From 1979 to 2010, ISTAT reported 474 cases and no deaths. The overall number of cases obtained from the literature review was at least 31% higher than that reported by ISTAT. Moreover, the number of cases reported by ISTAT was 3·5 times smaller than hospitalized cases. In Italy tularemia is sporadic, rarely endemic and self-limiting; but, although the trend of reported tularemia does not support the hypothesis of a re-emerging disease, the study demonstrates a wide underreporting of the disease. The real frequency of the disease should be carefully investigated and taken into account in order to implement specific prevention measures

Riuso delle acque grigie in ambiente domestico: implicazioni per la sanità pubblica

The Authors describe the main microbiological characteristics of gray and rain waters, the evidence of infections related to the reuse of such waters and the main Italian and international standards and guidelines in this regard. In light of the review, the authors conclude that the limits defined by the Italian regulations are very precautionary and should ensure a very low risk of bacterial and/or viral infection (< 10.5 and 10.9 cases/year). It remains an open problem the risk of parasitic infections, for which the evidences to draw final conclusions are not sufficient yet

Integrated management of ash from industrial and domestic combustion : a new sustainable approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy conversion

This work supports, for the first time, the integrated management of waste materials arising from industrial processes (fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration and coal fly ash), agriculture (rice husk ash), and domestic activities (ash from wood biomass burning in domestic stoves). The main novelty of the paper is the reuse of wood pellet ash, an underestimated environmental problem, by the application of a new technology (COSMOS-RICE) that already involves the reuse of fly ashes from industrial and agricultural origins. The reaction mechanism involves carbonation: this occurs at room temperature and promotes permanent carbon dioxide sequestration. The obtained samples were characterized using XRD and TGA (coupled with mass spectroscopy). This allowed quantification of the mass loss attributed to different calcium carbonate phases. In particular, samples stabilized using wood pellet ash show a weight loss, attributed to the decomposition of carbonates greater than 20%. In view of these results, it is possible to conclude that there are several environmental benefits from wood pellet ash reuse in this way. In particular, using this technology, it is shown that for wood pellet biomass the carbon dioxide conversion can be considered negative

Cooling induces phase separation in membranes derived from isolated CNS myelin

Purified myelin membranes (PMMs) are the starting material for biochemical analyses such as the isolation of detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-rich domains (DIGs), which are believed to be representatives of functional lipid rafts. The normal DIGs isolation protocol involves the extraction of lipids under moderate cooling. Here, we thus address the influence of cooling on the structure of PMMs and its sub-fractions. Thermodynamic and structural aspects of periodic, multilamellar PMMs are examined between 4°C and 45°C and in various biologically relevant aqueous solutions. The phase behavior is investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Complementary neutron diffraction (ND) experiments with solid-supported myelin multilayers confirm that the phase behavior is unaffected by planar confinement. SAXS and ND consistently show that multilamellar PMMs in pure water become heterogeneous when cooled by more than 10–15°C below physiological temperature, as during the DIGs isolation procedure. The heterogeneous state of PMMs is stabilized in physiological solution, where phase coexistence persists up to near the physiological temperature. This result supports the general view that membranes under physiological conditions are close to critical points for phase separation. In presence of elevated Ca2+ concentrations (> 10 mM), phase coexistence is found even far above physiological temperatures. The relative fractions of the two phases, and thus presumably also their compositions, are found to vary with temperature. Depending on the conditions, an “expanded” phase with larger lamellar period or a “compacted” phase with smaller lamellar period coexists with the native phase. Both expanded and compacted periods are also observed in DIGs under the respective conditions. The observed subtle temperature-dependence of the phase behavior of PMMs suggests that the composition of DIGs is sensitive to the details of the isolation protocol

Mechanistic model for the compression strength prediction of masonry columns strengthened with fibre–polymer composites

A mechanistic model is presented for the strength prediction of squared columns made of masonry with a periodic arrangement and strengthened with a fibre–polymer composite jacketing. The formulation is based on an incremental plasticity theory that relies on equilibrium, compatibility, and kinematic equations. The strength domain of brick units and mortar joints is bounded by a multi-surface yield criterion: a Mohr–Coulomb strength domain with a linear cap in compression and a Rankine cut-off in tension. An elasto-plastic response with limited ductility is assumed for both masonry components. Differently, the FRP response is assumed elastic with a brittle failure governed by a limited tensile strain. Phenomenological-based assumptions are undertaken and justified. Details are also provided for the computational implementation of the procedure. The model accuracy is validated against experimental data on masonry squared columns and compared with existing standard-based formulas. Results demonstrate it provides real-time and accurate compressive strength solutions for squared masonry columns with or without a polymer-based wrapping and yet requiring few input parameters for the masonry constituents and reinforcement

Leading advertisers efficiency evaluated by data envelopment analysis

ISSN: 1828-688

Indicatori di qualità microbiologica delle acque: problemi e prospettive

Gli indicatori convenzionali di contaminazione fecale forniscono un prezioso contributo alla valutazione della qualità igienica dell’acqua. Negli ultimi anni sono stati individuati alcuni limiti importanti che ne hanno messo in discussione la validità e hanno posto il problema della necessità di una rivisitazione del loro significato. Nei Paesi industrializzati, nei quali la normativa vigente che concerne la qualità delle acque è molto rigorosa, si sono verificate numerose epidemie, nonostante gli indicatori convenzionali di contaminazione fecale indicassero una qualità microbiologica adeguata. Queste epidemie sono state attribuite a microrganismi patogeni emergenti, che sono spesso caratterizzati da una resistenza ai processi di disinfezione superiore rispetto agli indicatori convenzionali.Per assicurare un’adeguata qualità microbiologica delle acque, sono stati avviati vari percorsi tra i quali i Water Safety Plans dell’Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità, la rivisitazione del ruolo dei possibili indicatori di qualità microbiologica, la messa a punto di metodi specifici per alcuni microrganismi patogeni e di metodi per una rapida rilevazione di qualità microbiologica non adeguata

A fractional optimal control problem for maximizing advertising efficiency

ISBN: 978-5-7525-1858-

Velhices femininas: subjetividades compostas em grupo

This article presents an experience report composed of psychologists included in the Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS). With the objective of establishing a dialogue between psychology, social assistance and the female ageing, we gather narratives from therapeutic workshops. This paper aims to the study, reflection and discussion about the feminine aging and the insertion of the psychologist in the CRAS.  Keywords: Feminine ageing; Psychology; Social Assistence.Este artículo presenta el relato de experiencia de un grupo de psicólogos que trabajan en el Centro de Referencia de Asistencia Social (CRAS). Con el fin de entablar un diálogo entre psicología, asistencia social y vejez femenina, recopilamos narrativas de talleres terapéuticos. A partir de estos datos, nuestro trabajo se propone estudiar, reflexionar y discutir el envejecimiento femenino y la inclusión de la psicóloga en CRAS.Keywords: Envejecimiento femenino; Psicología; Asistencia social.Este artigo apresenta o relato de experiência de um grupo de psicólogas inseridas no Centro de Referência da Assistência Social (CRAS). Com o objetivo de estabelecer um diálogo entre psicologia, assistência social e velhice feminina, compilamos narrativas oriundas de oficinas terapêuticas. A partir desses dados, nosso trabalho se propõe ao estudo, reflexão e discussão sobre o envelhecimento feminino e a inserção do psicólogo no CRAS.Palavras-chave: Envelhecimento feminino; Psicologia; Assistência Social

MORRER EM VIDA: OS LUTOS DA VELHICE FEMININA

Esse trabalho apresenta um relato de experiência de uma atividade desenvolvida em conjunto com idosas frequentadoras de uma oficina da Universidade Aberta à Terceira Idade (UNATI) da UNESP/Assis. O objetivo desse texto é analisar e discutir as perdas relacionadas ao processo de envelhecimento feminino. Partimos do pressuposto de que o luto não precisa ser elaborado apenas em situações de morte concreta, mas também se faz necessário quando há mortes simbólicas, como é o caso da aposentadoria, das mudanças corporais e das expectativas de comportamento que acompanham a velhice. O método adotado foi a Análise de Conteúdo, utilizado para refletir sobre as falas recolhidas durante a realização das atividades