numerical evaluation of internal heat generation of roller coaster polyurethane wheels

n/

Operando Spectroscopy of Catalysts Exploiting Multi-technique and Modulated Excitation Approaches

Operando spectroscopy combines the in situ determination of material structure by spectroscopy/diffraction techniques with the measurement of material performance, which is conversion/selectivity in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. A central question in operando spectroscopy is whether the signatures visible by the characterization methods are responsible for catalyst performance. Individual analytical methods can provide useful information, but their combination (multi-technique approach) is essential to obtain a complete perspective on molecular reaction mechanisms. This approach must be coupled to experimental protocols and mathematical algorithms enabling the ability to disentangle the contribution of the active structure from the unresponsive one. Here, we report an account with examples from our own research activities in catalysis science

One Diamictite and Two Rifts: Stratigraphy and Geochronology of the Gataga Mountain of Northern British Columbia

Neoproterozoic glacial diamictites and rift-related volcanics are preserved throughout the North American Cordillera, yet the nature and timing of both glaciation and rifting are poorly constrained. New geochronological, geochemical, and stratigraphic data from the Cryogenian Gataga volcanics and bounding units at Gataga Mountain, in the Kechika Trough of northern British Columbia, better constrain the age of these rift-related volcanics and suggest that they erupted during glaciation. At Gataga Mountain, three informal sequences are exposed; a basal quartzite, the Gataga volcanics, and an overlying mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession. The basal quartzite is dominated by cross-bedded sandstone with an intertidal facies assemblage including bidirectional cross-stratification and mud-cracks, indicative of non-glacial deposition. The overlying Gataga volcanics are over one kilometer thick, comprising both mafic and felsic units, with volcaniclastic breccia and interbedded sedimentary units including iron formation and matrix-supported diamictite with exotic clasts. Magmatic ages in the upper Gataga volcanics span 696.2 0.2 to 690.1 0.2 Ma, and detrital zircon from the underlying non-glacial quartzite provide a maximum age constraint on the onset of glaciation \u3c735.8 0.6 Ma. We interpret interfingering beds of matrix-supported diamictite with exotic clasts within the Gataga volcanics to record sub-ice shelf sedimentation and volcanism during the Sturtian Glaciation. Although volcanic facies are consistent with eruption in a sub-ice to sub-aqueous (below ice shelf) environment, we acknowledge the difficulty of distinguishing sub-glacial from sub-aqueous explosive volcanic facies. Overlying the Gataga volcanics, a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession contains minor basalt flows that are geochemically distinct from the underlying volcanic rocks. Based on chemostratigraphic and lithostratigraphic similarities, we suggest that this sequence is correlative with Ediacaran strata to the north. Together, we suggest that the stratigraphy and geochemical signature of volcanic rocks at Gataga Mountain records two episodes of Neoproterozoic extensionrelated sedimentation and volcanism, the first indicated by the Cryogenian Gataga volcanics and interbedded sedimentary strata and the second by the overlying Ediacaran carbonate-siliciclastic succession with interfingering basalt

Relationship between default mode network and resting-state electroencephalographic alpha rhythms in cognitively unimpaired seniors and patients with dementia due to alzheimer’s disease

Here we tested the hypothesis of a relationship between the cortical default mode network (DMN) structural integrity and the resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease with dementia (ADD). Clinical and instrumental datasets in 45 ADD patients and 40 normal elderly (Nold) persons originated from the PDWAVES Consortium (www.pdwaves.eu). Individual rsEEG delta, theta, alpha, and fixed beta and gamma bands were considered. Freeware platforms served to derive (1) the (gray matter) volume of the DMN, dorsal attention (DAN), and sensorimotor (SMN) cortical networks and (2) the rsEEG cortical eLORETA source activities. We found a significant positive association between the DMN gray matter volume, the rsEEG alpha source activity estimated in the posterior DMN nodes (parietal and posterior cingulate cortex), and the global cognitive status in the Nold and ADD participants. Compared with the Nold, the ADD group showed lower DMN gray matter, lower rsEEG alpha source activity in those nodes, and lower global cognitive status. This effect was not observed in the DAN and SMN. These results suggest that the DMN structural integrity and the rsEEG alpha source activities in the DMN posterior hubs may be related and predict the global cognitive status in ADD and Nold persons.IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana of Rome ; Ministero della Salut

467 Update on supra-annular sizing of transcatheter aortic valve prostheses in raphe-type bicuspid aortic valve disease according to the LIRA method

Abstract Aims Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) still represents a challenge due to the peculiar anatomy and the lack of consensus for the optimal CT scan sizing method for prosthesis selection. Recent evidences have shown that transcatheter heart valve (THV) anchoring in BAV patients might occur at the raphe-level, known as the LIRA (Level of Implantation at the RAphe) plane. Furthermore, a novel supra-annular sizing method based on the measurement of the perimeter at the raphe-level (LIRA-method) was shown to be safe and effective in 20 consecutive BAV patients with severe aortic stenosis. The purpose of this study was to confirm the safety and the efficacy of the LIRA method in a larger study population. Methods and results the LIRA plane method was applied to all consecutive patients with raphe-type BAV disease between November 2018 to September 2021 in our centre. We prospectively sized TAVI prosthesis according to the manufacture recommendations on the basis of baseline CT scan perimeters at the LIRA plane. Post-procedural device success, defined according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria, was evaluated in the overall cohort. Forty-four patients were identified as having a raphe-type BAV disease at pre-TAVI CT scans. Mean patient age was 80 ± 6.2 years and 74% were males; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) predicted risk of mortality score was 4.3 (3.0–6.5). Three different BAV anatomies (36 patients with BAV type 1 with calcific raphe, 5 patients with BAV type 1 with fibrotic raphe, and 3 patients with BAV type 2) were implanted with different types of TAVI prostheses (6 Acurate Neo 2,16 Acurate Neo, 21 Core Valve Evolut R/Pro , 1 Lotus) sized prospectively according to the LIRA plane method. In all patients, there was a significant discrepancy between LIRA and virtual basal ring (VBR) measurements with LIRA plane perimeter smaller than VBR perimeter (mean perimeter LIRA 73.1 ± 8.3 mm vs. mean perimeter VBR 81.5 ± 6.6 mm; P < 0.001). The prostheses were sized according to the manufacture recommendations on the basis of the LIRA plane perimeter (diameter prosthesis implanted/diameter prosthesis according to LIRA plane = 1) (DPI/DP LIRA = 1) and significantly downsized according to the VBR perimeter (DPI/DP VBR 0.89; P < 0.001). The median prosthesis size was 25 mm (23–27). Pre-dilatation was frequently performed (86%) with a median balloon size of 20 mm (18–22), whereas post-dilatation was applied in 27% of the cases with a median balloon size of 23 mm (20–26). The LIRA plane method appeared to be highly successful (100% VARC-2 device success) with no procedural mortality, no valve migration, residual trivial/mild paravalvular leak with no cases of moderate-severe regurgitation and low transprosthetic gradient (residual mean gradient of 8.3 ± 3.5 mmHg) with no cases of mean gradient >20 mmHg pre-discharge. The rate of new pacemaker implantation was 9%. Conclusions Supra-annular sizing according to the LIRA plane method confirmed to be safe with a high device success in a larger study population. The application of the LIRA plane method might optimize TAVI prosthesis sizing in patients with raphe-type BAV disease

Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake and Cognitive Status in Southern Italian Older Adults

Background: Aging society faces significant health challenges, among which cognitive-related disorders are emerging. Diet quality has been recognized among the major contributors to the rising prevalence of cognitive disorders, with increasing evidence of the putative role of plant-based foods and their bioactive components, including polyphenols. Dietary polyphenols, including phytoestrogens, have been hypothesized to exert beneficial effects toward brain health through various molecular mechanisms. However, the evidence on the association between dietary phytoestrogen intake and cognitive function is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between phytoestrogen intake and cognitive status in a cohort of older adults living in Sicily, Southern Italy. Methods: Dietary information from 883 individuals aged 50 years or older was collected through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Cognitive status was assessed through the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Results: The highest total isoflavone (including daidzein and genistein) intake was inversely associated with cognitive impairment compared to the lowest (odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20–0.92). Higher intake of total lignans and, consistently, all individual compounds (with the exception of secoisolariciresinol) were inversely associated with cognitive impairment only in the unadjusted model. Conclusions: A higher intake of phytoestrogens, especially isoflavones, was associated with a better cognitive status in a cohort of older Italian individuals living in Sicily. Taking into account the very low intake of isoflavones in Italian diets, it is noteworthy to further investigate selected populations with habitual consumption of such compounds to test whether these results may be generalized to the Italian population

Heavy Metals in Soil and Salad in the Proximity of Historical Ferroalloy Emission

Emissions of manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) from ferro-alloy operations has taken place in Valcamonica, a pre-Alp valley in the province of Brescia, Italy, for about a century until 2001. Metal concentrations were measured in the soil of local home gardens and in the cultivated vegetables. Soil analysis was carried out using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer in both surface soil and at 10 cm depth. A subset of soil samples (n = 23) additionally was analysed using the modified BCR sequential extraction method and ICP-OES for intercalibration with XRF (XRF Mn = 1.33 * total OES Mn – 71.8; R = 0.830, p < 0.0001). Samples of salads (Lactuca sativa and Chichorium spp.) were analyzed with a Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) technique. Vegetable and soil metal measurements were performed in 59 home gardens of Valcamonica, and compared with 23 gardens from the Garda Lake reference area. Results indicate significantly higher levels of soil Mn (median 986 ppm vs 416 ppm), Pb (median 46.1 ppm vs 30.2 ppm), Fe (median 19,800 ppm vs 13,100 ppm) in the Valcamonica compared to the reference area. Surface soil levels of all metals were significantly higher in surface soil compared to deeper soil, consistent with atmospheric deposition. Significantly higher levels of metals were shown also in lettuce from Valcamonica for Mn (median 53.6 ppm vs 30.2) and Fe (median 153 vs 118). Metals in Chichorium spp. did not differ between the two areas. Surface soil metal levels declined with increasing distance from the closest ferroalloy plant, consistent with plant emis- sions as the source of elevated soil metal levels. A correlation between Mn concentrations in soil and lettuce was also observed. These data show that historic ferroalloy plant activity, which ended nearly a decade before this study, has contributed to the persistence of increased Mn levels in locally grown vegetables. Further research is needed to assess whether this increase can lead to adverse effects in humans and plants especially for Mn, an essential element that can be toxic in humans when exceeding the homeostatic ranges

Monitoring cfDNA in plasma and in other liquid biopsies of advanced EGFR mutated NSCLC patients: A pilot study and a review of the literature

In order to study alternatives at the tissue biopsy to study EGFR status in NSCLC patients, we evaluated three different liquid biopsy platforms (plasma, urine and exhaled breath condensate, EBC). We also reviewed the literature of the cfDNA biological sources other than plasma and compared our results with it about the sensitivity to EGFR mutation determination. Twenty-two EGFR T790M-mutated NSCLC patients in progression to first-line treatment were enrolled and candidate to osimertinib. Plasma, urine and EBC samples were collected at baseline and every two months until progression. Molecular analysis of cfDNA was performed by ddPCR and compared to tissue results. At progression NGS analysis was performed. The EGFR activating mutation detection reached a sensitivity of 58 and 11% and for the T790M mutation of 45 and 10%, in plasma and urine samples, respectively. Any DNA content was recovered from EBC samples. Considering the plasma monitoring study, the worst survival was associated with positive shedding status; both plasma and urine molecular progression anticipated the radiological worsening. Our results confirmed the role of plasma liquid biopsy in testing EGFR mutational status, but unfortunately, did not evidence any improvement from the combination with alternative sources, as urine and EBC

Cryo-EM structure of ex vivo fibrils associated with extreme AA amyloidosis prevalence in a cat shelter

AA amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by deposition of misfolded serum amyloid A protein (SAA) into cross-β amyloid in multiple organs in humans and animals. AA amyloidosis occurs at high SAA serum levels during chronic inflammation. Prion-like transmission was reported as possible cause of extreme AA amyloidosis prevalence in captive animals, e.g. 70% in cheetah and 57–73% in domestic short hair (DSH) cats kept in zoos and shelters, respectively. Herein, we present the 3.3 Å cryo-EM structure of AA amyloid extracted post-mortem from the kidney of a DSH cat with renal failure, deceased in a shelter with extreme disease prevalence. The structure reveals a cross-β architecture assembled from two 76-residue long proto-filaments. Despite >70% sequence homology to mouse and human SAA, the cat SAA variant adopts a distinct amyloid fold. Inclusion of an eight-residue insert unique to feline SAA contributes to increased amyloid stability. The presented feline AA amyloid structure is fully compatible with the 99% identical amino acid sequence of amyloid fragments of captive cheetah

Cryo-EM structure of ex vivo fibrils associated with extreme AA amyloidosis prevalence in a cat shelter.

AA amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by deposition of misfolded serum amyloid A protein (SAA) into cross-β amyloid in multiple organs in humans and animals. AA amyloidosis occurs at high SAA serum levels during chronic inflammation. Prion-like transmission was reported as possible cause of extreme AA amyloidosis prevalence in captive animals, e.g. 70% in cheetah and 57-73% in domestic short hair (DSH) cats kept in zoos and shelters, respectively. Herein, we present the 3.3 Å cryo-EM structure of AA amyloid extracted post-mortem from the kidney of a DSH cat with renal failure, deceased in a shelter with extreme disease prevalence. The structure reveals a cross-β architecture assembled from two 76-residue long proto-filaments. Despite >70% sequence homology to mouse and human SAA, the cat SAA variant adopts a distinct amyloid fold. Inclusion of an eight-residue insert unique to feline SAA contributes to increased amyloid stability. The presented feline AA amyloid structure is fully compatible with the 99% identical amino acid sequence of amyloid fragments of captive cheetah