Microstructural characterization of high-performance steel fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete

Due to growing environmental and economic concerns associated with conventional building materials, research interest gravitates towards the development of novel environmentally friendly materials as alternatives to conventional Portland cement concrete. Geopolymer concrete is a class of novel advanced and sustainable structural materials that hold promise for the future of infrastructure. Its synthesis comprises industrial by-products (fly ash and slag among others) in the role of binder and thus reduces the demand in Portland cement leading to a significant carbon footprint reduction. In the present study a High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete (HPFRGC) is synthesized from first principles and is subsequently characterized, with particular emphasis on its microstructural and mineralogical properties. The study explores the linkage between the microstructure and mineralogy of the precursors, and the properties of the final product. Both fresh and hardened HPFRGC are studied. Experimental results illustrate the correlation between microstructure, mineralogy and final mechanical properties can be used as an indicator of suitability of industrial by-products for geopolymer precursors. The effect of these choices on stability and physical properties of the material is also explored in the study

Validity of Italian adaptation of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and evaluation of the quality of life in patients with acute dizziness

The impact of dizziness on Quality of Life (QoL) can be assessed by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), which is used as a discriminative and evaluative tool. Although the DHI is available in several languages, an equivalent version for the Italian population is not yet available. Aim of this study was to translate the DHI into the Italian language (DHI-I), assess its correlation to the Italian version of the Short Form-36 Health Survey and to investigate its reliability in evaluating the QoL of patients with acute dizziness. The study population consisted of 50 patients (76% females and 24% males), mean age 51.6 years, range 25-85 years (SD = 14.5). A cross-sectional design was used to examine the internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and concurrent validity (Pearson’s product moment correlation r). The application followed the stages of translation from English to Italian and linguistic adaptation, grammatical and idiomatic equivalence review. To confirm the external validity of DHI-I, the Pearson correlation test between the total score and single subscales of DHI-I and the 8 scales of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was performed. The Cronbach α coefficients for internal consistency were 0.92 for the DHI-I and 0.82, 0.84 and 0.75 for the sub-scale functional, emotional and physical, respectively. The frequency distribution of no one item showed a percentage higher than 75% in a single possible answer (0, 2, 4), excluding a ceiling or floor effect. Correlations with the total score of DHI-I were consistent and the correlation between total score of DHI-I and total score on SF-36 was -0.593. Of the single subscales, the emotional scale showed a closer correlation with almost all scales of the SF-36. The correlation between the total score of SF-36 and the single sub-scale of DHI-I (functional, emotional, physical) were respectively -0.599, -0.563, -0.398. The DHI was culturally and linguistically adapted for its application in the Italian population. The DHI-I demonstrated a good reliability and is recommended as a measure of disability in patients with dizziness and unsteadiness. According to the DHI-I, patients with acute dizziness and with a clinical diagnosis of vestibular syndrome presented a decreased QoL; the physical aspects were the most compromised

Prediction of hearing recovery in sudden deafness treated with intratympanic steroids

The present study aims to obtain a probability model allowing the prediction of the auditory recovery in patients affected by sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated exclusively with intratympanic steroids. A monocentric retrospective chart review of three-hundred eighty-one patients has been performed. A Probit model was used to investigate the correlation between the success of the treatment (marked or total recovery according to Furuashi's criteria), and the delay between the onset of disease and the beginning of therapy. The age of the patients and the audiometric curve shapes were included in the analysis. Results show that delay is negatively correlated with the variable success. Considering the entire sample, each day of delay decreases by 3% the probability of success. The prediction model shows that for every day that passes from the onset of the disease the probability of success declines in absence of the medical treatment, hence we conclude that early treatment is strongly recommended

Mortality rate and gender differences in COVID-19 patients dying in Italy: A comparison with other countries

Current evidence about COVID-19 symptoms and mortality rate derives from data collected in large case series mainly in China, where the virus first emerged, even if the rate of new cases in the country has nearly stopped. There are now many more COVID-19 cases outside of China than there were inside of it at the height of the outbreak, that is now involving many other countries with relevant impact in particular in Spain, United States, and Italy. As of the end of March 2020, Italy is the country with the highest number of COVID-19-related deaths with a total of 12428 deaths and a mortality rate close to 12

Let’s play at the library: Creating innovative play experiences for babies and toddlers

Young children build an understanding of their world through play. Play starts in infancy and continues to evolve as children develop. Research shows strong links between play and early literacy, as well as other key developmental skills. This paper reviews what very young children learn through play, as well as optimal adult interactions that best support early literacy development. It looks at certain barriers to play and addresses what impedes parents and caregivers from being present and responsive during their children’s play. At Brooklyn Public Library the authors have developed a play-based curriculum for babies and toddlers, which the paper describes, including suggested play activities and practical tips for setting up “play stations” in traditional storytime programs or in full-scale play events. Finally, the authors share examples of how librarians throughout the United States are implementing innovative play programming for babies and toddlers

SMN protein promotes membrane compartmentalization of ribosomal protein S6 transcript in human fibroblasts

Alterations of RNA homeostasis can lead to severe pathological conditions. The Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, which is reduced in Spinal Muscular Atrophy, impacts critical aspects of the RNA life cycle, such as splicing, trafficking, and translation. Increasing evidence points to a potential role of SMN in ribosome biogenesis. Our previous study revealed that SMN promotes membrane-bound ribosomal proteins (RPs), sustaining activity-dependent local translation. Here, we suggest that plasma membrane domains could be a docking site not only for RPs but also for their encoding transcripts. We have shown that SMN knockdown perturbs subcellular localization as well as translation efficiency of RPS6 mRNA. We have also shown that plasma membrane-enriched fractions from human fibroblasts retain RPS6 transcripts in an SMN-dependent manner. Furthermore, we revealed that SMN traffics with RPS6 mRNA promoting its association with caveolin-1, a key component of membrane dynamics. Overall, these findings further support the SMN-mediated crosstalk between plasma membrane dynamics and translation machinery. Importantly, our study points to a potential role of SMN in the ribosome assembly pathway by selective RPs synthesis/localization in both space and time

Spiral ganglions and speech perception in the elderly. Which turn of the cochlea is the more relevant? a preliminary study on human temporal bones

OBJECTIVES: To identify the cochlear segment in which spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) loss may more severely impact discrimination thresholds. MATERIALS and METHODS: Thirteen temporal bones from 13 subjects between 55 and 77 years of age were analyzed. The organ of corti was analyzed to identify the loss of hair cells, and the number of SGNs in each cochlear segment were counted. The results of the speech perception test (SPT) and pure tone audiometry (PTA) tests were collected. PTA averages for low and high frequencies were calculated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson, Spearman, and multilinear regression tests were performed. RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation was identified between the patient’s age and number of SGNs. Statistically significant differences were observed between the number of SGNs in the different cochlear segments (one-way ANOVA: p<0.0001) and between poor PTA average and SPT scores (negative correlation) (p=0.03). A statistically significant correlation was identified between the overall number of cochlear SGNs and SPT scores (p=0.02) and between the number of SGNs in cochlear segments I (p=0.04) and II and the SPT score (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: We identified that residual SGNs in the basal and middle turns of the cochlea might be determinants of speech perception

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Italian Otolaryngology Units: a nationwide study

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide an accurate picture of the changes which have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the contributions given by Italian Otolaryngology Units. Methods: A 29-item questionnaire was completed and returned by 154 Otorhinolaryngology Units across Italy that investigated geographic distribution, the main changes which occurred in workload management and in clinical and surgical activities and screening procedures for COVID-19 in healthcare personnel and patients. Results: Nearly half of the Otolaryngology Units that responded to the questionnaire were merged with other units, while 22% were converted into COVID-19 units or temporarily closed. A reduction of 8.55% in the number of team members was reported, and about 50% of the units applied uniform work shifts for all staff. Elective activities were uniformly stopped or delayed, passing from 30,295 (pre-COVID data) to 5,684 (COVID data) weekly procedures, with a mean decrease of 81.24% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Most of the elective otolaryngology activities were suspended during the pandemic; the only procedures were for oncology and emergency patients. Italian Otolaryngologists have demonstrated a high availability to collaborate with non-surgical colleagues

Evaluation of dental demands and needs of people experiencing homelessness in the city of Rome, Italy

Objective: poor oral health and oral diseases are common among people experiencing homelessness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental demands and needs of a population of homeless persons in the city of Rome, Italy. Patients and methods: the clinical records of 165 homeless patients admitted between October 2020 and October 2021 to the dental service of the Primary Care Services of the Eleemosynaria Apostolica, Vatican City, were retrospectively reviewed. The service employed dentists to evaluate dental needs and oral conditions in patients experiencing homelessness. The main dental and oral pathological conditions were noted. Results: one hundred and sixty-five records of homeless patients were included in the study. The sample consisted in 138 males (76.97%) and 27 females (23.03%) with a mean age of 46.9 years (range 7-85 years). Acute tooth pain was reported by 132 (80%) patients, 42 (25.45%) had edentulism or missing teeth and 18 (10.91%) patients had oral lesions. Both dental and oral pathologies were intercepted and managed in secondary healthcare facilities. Conclusions: given the specific peculiarities of this vulnerable population, it is important to implement strategies that facilitate the access of persons experiencing homelessness to dental evaluation with a preventive and curative perspective

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the pediatric age: The role of the pneumologist

OBJECTIVE: This review paper aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of the pneumologist in the diagnosis and respiratory treatment of children affected by obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review has been performed on the following topics: obstructive SDB and its clinical entities, indications for respiratory treatment of pediatric SDB, and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) treatment approach to obstructive SDB. RESULTS: OSDB is related to obesity, craniofacial pathologies, neuromuscular disorders and, most commonly, adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Adenotonsillectomy is the first-choice treatment in children with obstructive apnea secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. CPAP and NIPPV are recommended in cases where Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) persists after surgery or when surgery is contraindicated. Treatment interventions are usually implemented gradually by separately addressing each abnormality that would predispose to obstructive SDB, then reevaluating after each intervention to detect any residual disease and to assess the need for additional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Many pediatric patients continue to experience problems and symptoms such as hypersomnia and apnea after adenotonsillectomy and need CPAP/NIPPV treatment. Current knowledge is still incomplete, especially with regard to the mechanisms of pathogenesis of pediatric OSA, the factors affecting pediatric OSA, and the phenotypic variability of the disease. A better understanding of these aspects would contribute to the development of new therapies