Environmental Assessment of Solar Photo-Fenton Processes at Mild Condition in the Presence of Waste-Derived Bio-Based Substances

[EN] The assessment of environmental sustainability has assumed great importance during the study and implementation of a new process, including those aimed to waste valorization and reuse. In this research, the environmental performance of the photo-Fenton processes was evaluated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. In particular, photo-Fenton conducted in mild conditions (almost neutral pH), using soluble bio-organic substances as auxiliary agents were compared with the "classic" photo-Fenton run at pH 2.8. The evaluation was carried out both, at the laboratory level and at pilot plant scale. LCA analysis shows that working in mild conditions reduces the environmental burden associated with the use of chemicals. On the other hand, the occurring drop in effectiveness significantly increases the overall impact, thus evidencing the need of considering the process as a whole.Costamagna, M.; Arqués Sanz, A.; Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Bianco Prevot, A. (2022). Environmental Assessment of Solar Photo-Fenton Processes at Mild Condition in the Presence of Waste-Derived Bio-Based Substances. Nanomaterials. 12(16):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162781113121

Argumentation in mathematics: mediation by means of digital interactive storytelling

This work is framed in a wider research aimed at outlining an online interactive platform model organizing mathematical learning activities based on a Vygotskian approach. This paper reports on a pilot study concerning a first implementation of a mathematical Learning Activity, as part of an interactive digital storytelling in mathematics, aiming at developing students’ argumentative competences. We present the outcomes of the protocols’ analysis and discuss them with respect two main points: the production of arguments for supporting of the solution to a question and the different functioning of the device according to the student’s attitude with respect to the story and the team work. L’argomentazione in matematica: la mediazione attraverso il digital interactive storytellingQuesto lavoro è inserito in una ricerca più ampia volta a realizzare un modello di piattaforma interattiva online che implementi Learning Activity in matematica basate su un approccio vygotskiano. Questo articolo riporta uno studio pilota riguardante una prima implementazione di un task matematico, come parte di un digital storytelling interattivo in matematica, che mira a sviluppare competenze argomentative negli studenti. Presentiamo i risultati delle analisi dei protocolli e li discutiamo rispetto a due punti principali: sviluppo nella produzione di argomentazioni a supporto della risoluzione ad un quesito e diverso funzionamento del dispositivo a seconda dell’atteggiamento dello studente rispetto alla storia e al lavoro di gruppo

Liquid Dynamics in a Horizontal Capillary: Extended Similarity Analysis

Abstract The topic of this study is an extended similarity analysis for a one-dimensional model of liquid dynamics in a horizontal capillary. The bulk liquid is assumed to be initially at rest and is put into motion by capillarity, that is the only driving force acting on it. Besides the smaller is the capillary radius the steeper becomes the initial transitory of the meniscus location derivative, and as a consequence the numerical solution to a prescribed accuracy becomes harder to achieve. Here, we show how an extended scaling invariance can be used to define a family of solutions from a computed one. The similarity transformation involves both geometric and physical feature of the model. As a result, density, surface tension, viscosity, and capillary radius are modified within the required invariance. Within our approach a target problem of practical interest can be solved numerically by solving a simpler transformed test case. The reference solution should be as accurate as possible, and therefore we suggest to use for it an adaptive numerical method. This study may be seen as a complement to the adaptive numerical solution of the considered initial value problems

The Hay Wells Syndrome-Derived TAp63aQ540L Mutant has Impaired Transcriptional and Cell Growth Regulatory Activity

p63 mutations have been associated with several human hereditary disorders characterized by ectodermal dysplasia such as EEC (ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, clefting) syndrome, ADULT (acro, dermato, ungual, lacrimal, tooth) syndrome and AEC (ankyloblepharon, ectodermal dysplasia, clefting) syndrome (also called Hay-Wells syndrome). The location and functional effects of the mutations that underlie these syndromes reveal a striking genotype-phenotype correlation. Unlike EEC and ADULT that result from missense mutations in the DNA-binding domain of p63, AEC is solely caused by missense mutations in the SAM domain of p63. In this paper we report a study on the TAp63alpha isoform, the first to be expressed during development of the embryonic epithelia, and on its naturally occurring Q540L mutant derived from an AEC patient. To assess the effects of the Q540L mutation, we generated stable cell lines expressing TAp63alpha wt, DeltaNp63alpha or the TAp63alpha-Q540L mutant protein and used them to systematically compare the cell growth regulatory activity of the mutant and wt p63 proteins and to generate, by microarray analysis, a comprehensive profile of differential gene expression. We found that the Q540L substitution impairs thetranscriptional activity of TAp63alpha and causes misregulation of genes involved in the control of cell growth and epidermal differentiation

Ultrasonography-guided central venous catheterisation in haematological patients with severe thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: Cannulation of the internal jugular vein (CVC) is a blind surface landmark-guided technique that could be potentially dangerous in patients with very low platelet counts. In such patients, ultrasonography (US)-guided CVC may be a valid approach. There is a lack of published data on the efficacy and safety of urgent US-guided CVC performed in haematological patients with severe thrombocytopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the safety of urgent CVC procedures in haematological patients including those with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <30×10(9)/L). From January 1999 to June 2009, 431 CVC insertional procedures in 431 consecutive patients were evaluated. Patients were included in the study if they had a haematological disorder and required urgent CVC insertion. Patients were placed in Trendelenburg's position, an 18-gauge needle and guide-wire were advanced under real-time US guidance into the last part of the internal jugular vein; central venous cannulation of the internal jugular vein was performed using the Seldinger technique in all the procedures. Major and minor procedure-related complications were recorded. RESULTS: All 431 patients studied had haematological disorders: 39 had severe thrombocytopenia, refractory to platelet transfusion (group 1), while 392 did not have severe thrombocytopenia (group 2). The general characteristics of the patients in the two groups differed only for platelet count. The average time taken to perform the procedure was 4 minutes. Success rates were 97.4% and 97.9% in group 1 and group 2, respectively. No major complications occurred in either group. DISCUSSION: US-guided CVC is a safe and effective approach in haematological patients with severe thrombocytopenia requiring urgent cannulation for life support, plasma-exchange, chemotherapy and transfusio

Comparative characterization of human and equine Wharton’s jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capability to differentiate into wide range of specialized cells of mesodermal origin such as osteocytes, chondrocytes, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, muscle fibers. Due to these properties, MSCs are considered as a new emerging treatment option and therapeutic agent in regenerative medicine. Promising results have been obtained after application of MSCs for treating tendon and joint disease in the equine model, making it favorable for therapeutic application. While the horse is considered a highly suitable model for orthopedic diseases, knowledge is lacking regarding the level of analogy of equine MSCs and their human counterparts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the properties of human and equine Wharton’s jelly derived MSCs in a direct comparison. Obtained MSCs, were characterized for their staminal markers, proliferation and adhesion potential, ultrastructural morphology and their ability in differentiate towards osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages. Results showed a similar pattern in the expression of staminal markers, while a light difference was observed in the proliferation and adhesion potential. Ultramorphological analysis showed nuclear and citoplasmatic features comparable in human and equine MSCs. Finally, both MSCs were able to differentiate towards osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages. In conclusion, although revealing some potentially relevant differences, the study demonstrates a high level of analogy between human and equine MSCs, providing a basis for translational research in the equine model

Correction to: MicroRNA-34 Contributes to the Stress-related Behavior and Affects 5-HT Prefrontal/GABA Amygdalar System through Regulation of Corticotropin-releasing Factor Receptor 1

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The Florence Psychiatric Interview

The Florence Psychiatric Interview (FPI) is an interviewing instrument for evaluating psychopathology in the community. The FPI is designed to be completed by clinical interviewers, and focuses on single episodes of illness where the symptoms are assessed and graded according to their severity on five-point scales. Psychiatric symptoms are evaluated regardless of their diagnostic collocation, and period and lifetime diagnoses may be generated by combining the episodes and using the appropriate algorithms (the information provided by the FPI covers the requirements of all the present diagnostic systems). Other aspects of psychiatric disorders that are usually ignored in other interviews are investigated (for example, costs of illness, use of health facilities, life events, and personality traits). Data on reliability (inter-rater agreement and test-retest reliability) and agreement with other instruments such as the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID) seem encouraging. The FPI's ability to collect lifetime symptoms by combining episodes matches that of an interview (the CIDI) that uses the lifetime approach. Agreement between fully qualified psychiatrists and trained residents was excellent. The ability of the cases to recall symptoms experienced several years before was also acceptable. This instrument is therefore proposed for clinical studies at the epidemiological level. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd

Transcript Regulation of the Recoded Archaeal α-L-Fucosidase In Vivo

Genetic decoding is flexible, due to programmed deviation of the ribosomes from standard translational rules, globally termed “recoding”. In Archaea, recoding has been unequivocally determined only for termination codon readthrough events that regulate the incorporation of the unusual amino acids selenocysteine and pyrrolysine, and for −1 programmed frameshifting that allow the expression of a fully functional α-l-fucosidase in the crenarchaeon Saccharolobus solfataricus, in which several functional interrupted genes have been identified. Increasing evidence suggests that the flexibility of the genetic code decoding could provide an evolutionary advantage in extreme conditions, therefore, the identification and study of interrupted genes in extremophilic Archaea could be important from an astrobiological point of view, providing new information on the origin and evolution of the genetic code and on the limits of life on Earth. In order to shed some light on the mechanism of programmed −1 frameshifting in Archaea, here we report, for the first time, on the analysis of the transcription of this recoded archaeal α-l-fucosidase and of its full-length mutant in different growth conditions in vivo. We found that only the wild type mRNA significantly increased in S. solfataricus after cold shock and in cells grown in minimal medium containing hydrolyzed xyloglucan as carbon source. Our results indicated that the increased level of fucA mRNA cannot be explained by transcript up-regulation alone. A different mechanism related to translation efficiency is discusse

Psychological Distress in Patients with Autoimmune Arthritis during the COVID-19 Induced Lockdown in Italy

Lockdowns imposed by governments worldwide as a way to limit the spread of severe atypical respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) have had heavy psychological and economic consequences. Arthritis patients are a vulnerable population at an increased risk of peritraumatic stress. This could be due to several reasons, including the fear of shortage of medicine and difficulty receiving periodical medical checks. In the present case-control study, psychological distress in patients with autoimmune arthritis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were investigated. An electronic survey was conducted to gather information on the perceived change in the emotional state, general health (GH), fatigue, joint pain, and disease activity during the lockdown, in 100 patients with autoimmune arthritis and 100 controls. Mental health status was measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) was used to assess the frequency of peritraumatic stress disorders related to COVID-19. Patients reported a significant worsening of perceived GH (36% vs. 7%; p &lt; 0.001), a significantly higher mean CPDI score (p &lt; 0.001) than controls. Using multivariate analysis, arthritis patients had significantly higher CPDI scores (+3.67 points; p = 0.019), independent of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, comorbidities, and sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of reporting worsened GH was 9-fold higher in patients than controls (p &lt; 0.001). Patients with autoimmune arthritis are at higher risk of psychological distress related to COVID-19 pandemic; thus targeted intervention should be designed to strengthen coping capacity in this vulnerable populatio