Embodied energy and operational energy evaluation in tall buildings according to different typologies of façade

Abstract Although recent studies demonstrate the importance of including the Embodied Energy (EE) in building analysis, only the Operational Energy (OE) is currently taken into account in building energy demand calculation method. In particular, the EE plays an important role in tall buildings evaluation, because the energy demand increases with building height. Aim of this study was to assess the Embodied Energy in evaluation of different types of tall building facade systems performances along with the Operational Energy, pointing out the importance of taking into account both these aspects. Within the research activity here presented, 8 glazed envelope typologies, in 5 different climate zones, have been evaluated

Robot-Assisted Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer: Review of Surgical and Oncological Outcomes

Robot-assisted procedures are being increasingly incorporated in gynaecologic oncology. Several studies have confirmed the feasibility and safety of robotic radical hysterectomy for selected patients with early-stage cervical cancer. It has been demonstrated that robotic radical hysterectomy offers an advantage over other surgical approaches with regard to operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay. Also initial evidences concerning oncological outcomes seem to confirm the equivalence to traditional open technique. Despite the fact that costs of robotic system are still high, they could be partially offset by several health-related and social benefits: less pain, faster dismissal, and return to full activity than other surgical approaches. The development of robotic technology may facilitate the spread of minimally invasive surgery in gynaecological oncology, overcoming some drawbacks of laparoscopic technique for challenging intervention such as radical hysterectomy. Further studies are needed to evaluate overall and disease-free survival of this technique and associated morbidity after adjuvant therapies

Early life of Neanderthals

The early onset of weaning in modern humans has been linked to the high nutritional demand of brain development that is intimately connected with infant physiology and growth rate. In Neanderthals, ontogenetic patterns in early life are still debated, with some studies suggesting an accelerated development and others indicating only subtle differences to modern humans. Here we report the onset of weaning and rates of enamel growth using an unprecedented sample set of three late (~70-50 ka) Neanderthals and one Upper Paleolithic modern human from Northeastern-Italy via spatially-resolved chemical/isotopic analyses and histomorphometry of deciduous teeth. Our results reveal that the modern human nursing strategy, with onset of weaning at 5-6 months, was present among these Neanderthals. This evidence, combined with dental development akin to modern humans, highlights their similar metabolic constraints during early life and excludes late weaning as a factor contributing to Neanderthals' demise

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Profiling \u2018Red Bologna\u2019: Between neoliberalisation tendencies and municipal socialist legacy

This city profile frames Bologna as an appropriate context in which to elaborate reflections that bring to the same table representatives of two schools of urban scholarship: the advocates of the neoliberalisation thesis, who are predominantly Anglo-American (e.g., Theodore and Brenner, 2002; Brenner, Peck and Theodore, 2010), and those who criticise the vague and unreflective application of the concept (e.g., Pinson and Morel Journel, 2016; Le Gal`es, 2016), who are mainly based in continental/Southern Europe. The medium-sized Italian city of \u201cRed Bologna\u201d (Harvey, 2007, p. 12) is chosen because of its municipal socialist legacy, characterised by a traditional communist political subculture and a hybrid form of cooperative, market-based territorial development called the \u201cEmilian Model\u201d. The paper seeks to gauge some of the main contemporary challenges that the city has faced, most of which have been exacerbated by the sudden boost in tourist arrivals and the quick opening up to the visitor economy over the last decade. Ultimately, the paper explores how European third-tier cities can incorporate entrepreneurial orientations and international policy discourses into existing governance structures and modes of development while exhibiting signs of distinct and competing ideologies (Shepherd, 2018)

Longitudinal field studies of Avian metapneumovirus and Turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus in turkeys suffering from colibacillosis associated mortality

The aim of this study was to evaluate if the exposure to Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) and/or to Turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV) was significant for the induction of episodes of colibacillosis in aMPV and THEV vaccinated turkeys. Colibacillosis-associated mortality was recorded and longitudinal virological studies performed in three consecutive turkey flocks reared in the same farm. aMPV and THEV diagnostic swabs and blood samples were made once a week up to 14 weeks of age. Swabs were processed by molecular techniques for viruses detection and antibody titres were evaluated. Field subtype B aMPVs were detected in all flocks at different ages of life always associated with respiratory signs and increase of colibacillosis-associated mortality. THEV has been consistently detected in all flocks since the 9th week of age. Vaccination with a single dose of the THEV commercial inactivated vaccine available in Italy seems does not protect the birds from the infection. Sequence comparison of the hexon protein of one of the THEV strains detected, and strains isolated worldwide, revealed high similarity between them. These results are consistent with the notion that the hexon protein, being the major antigenic component of the virus, is highly conserved between the strains. Results showed that field aMPV infection is directly correlated to colibacillosis-associated mortality. Less clear appears the role of THEV because the endemicity of aMPV makes difficult to evaluate its role in predisposing colibacillosis in absence of aMPV. It would be interesting to further investigate this issue through experimental trials in secure isolation conditions

Molecular characterisation of an endophyte showing a strong antagonistic activity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae

Abstract Background and aims Endophytic bacteria have been often studied as biological control agents of plant pathogens and many of their secondary metabolites involved in antagonism are Non Ribosomal Peptides (NRPs). In this study, the molecular basis of the biocontrol properties of the endophyte Pseudomonas synxantha, isolated from Actinidia chinensis, against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the causal agent of bacterial kiwi canker, has been investigated. Methods Antagonism-deficient mutants of P. synxantha strain DLS65 were generated by insertion of minitransposon mTn5-GNm in its genome. Southern blot analysis allowed the selection of single transposon insertion-mutants. Amplification of the transposon flanking regions by means of arbitrary and single primer PCR in selected mutants was perfomed to obtain amplicons for sequencing purposes. Results Sequencing results of the amplicons obtained from three antagonism-deficient mutants led to the localization of the transposonin three genes, which implies their involvement in the antagonism of P. synxantha: an acyl-homoserine lactone acylase gene (pvdQ), a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (zwf) and an mbtH-like gene were identified. It is known from the literature that these three genes are involved directly or indirectly in NRPs synthesis. Conclusions We suggest that a molecule with antibiotic properties, produced by NRP synthetases, contributes to the antagonistic activity of P. synxantha. Keyword

The Body I Live in. Perceptions and Meanings of Body Dissatisfaction in Young Transgender Adults: A Qualitative Study

Body dissatisfaction in individuals with Gender Incongruence (GI) represents a primary source of suffering. Several studies have highlighted how this suffering has psychological, physical, and biological implications. This work aims to explore experiences related to body dissatisfaction and investigate the issues associated with living in a body perceived as incongruent for individuals with GI. Thirty-six individuals, aged between 18 and 30 years old and at stage T0 of hormone treatment, participated in the study. Body dissatisfaction and experiences related to it were investigated using the Clinical Diagnostic Interview. The Consensual Qualitative Research methodology was applied to the transcripts of the interviews. Several themes emerged: experiences with GI development, experiences with puberty and bodily changes, perception of one’s body, psychological problems and complex behavioral patterns related to body dissatisfaction. Results pointed out the complexity implied in the relationship with one’s body for individuals with GI, highlighting specific aspects of body dissatisfaction among these individuals (e.g., eating disorders, sexual difficulties, social withdrawal). This study underlines the need for a deeper understanding of some aspects of GI to better define guidelines for a correct assessment of it. In this way it will be easier to avoid negative outcomes for the psychological and general health of transgender people

Psychological well-being of trans* people in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic: critical issues and personal experiences

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic represents risk to physical health and psychological well-being. Specifcally, it causes concerns among minoritized communities, such as transgender/non-binary individuals. The study investigates the experience of this group in Italy during the pandemic and identifes risk factors that exerted negative impacts on psychological well-being and physical health. Methods The study developed an online questionnaire to investigate psychological status, access to medical health services, and factors such as predictors of risk outcomes among transgender/non-binary people during lockdown restrictions. Responses were collected (n=256) on April 2020. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis of variance, and t-test were conducted. Results The respondents confrmed several issues, such as worries about the future (58.2%), negative emotions (46.9%), and self-uncertainty (52.7%) during the pandemic. Difculties in undertaking hormone therapy and access to health facilities were reported. Living with family members represented a signifcant stressor for psychological well-being, whereas lack of support from LGBT+communities was reported. Subjects undergoing psychological therapy during the pandemic reported increases in depression, anxiety, somatization, and lack of privacy in the household. Conclusions The study fndings provide a framework for critical aspects experienced by transgender/non-binary individuals during the pandemic. Specifcally, the study provides evidence of the vulnerability of this population underlined by multiple difculties. Policy Implications The study fndings provide an overview of the experience of transgender and non-binary people during the pandemic, insights regarding risk factors, and aspects that require adequate attention and care