Environmental profile of the manufacturing process of perovskite photovoltaics: Harmonization of life cycle assessment studies

The development of perovskite solar cell technology is steadily increasing. The extremely high photoconversion efficiency drives factor that makes these devices so attractive for photovoltaic energy production. However, the environmental impact of this technology could represent a crucial matter for industrial development, and the sustainability of perovskite solar cell is at the center of the scientific debate. The life cycle assessment studies available in the literature evaluate the environmental profile of this technology, but the outcomes vary consistently depending on the methodological choices and assumptions made by authors. In this work, we performed the harmonization of these life cycle assessment results to understand which are effectively the environmental hotspots of the perovskite solar cell fabrication. The outcomes of this analysis allowed us to outline an environmental ranking of the profiles of the several cell configurations investigated and, most importantly, to identify the material and energy flows that mostly contribute to the technology in terms of environmental impac

Familial hypercholesterolemia: The Italian Atherosclerosis Society Network (LIPIGEN)

Primary dyslipidemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal levels of circulating lipoproteins. Among them, familial hypercholesterolemia is the most common lipid disorder that predisposes for premature cardiovascular disease. We set up an Italian nationwide network aimed at facilitating the clinical and genetic diagnosis of genetic dyslipidemias named LIPIGEN (LIpid TransPort Disorders Italian GEnetic Network)

Liraglutide and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes

In a randomized, controlled trial that compared liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue, with placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk who were receiving usual care, we found that liraglutide resulted in lower risks of the primary end point (nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes) and death. However, the long-term effects of liraglutide on renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes are unknown

Refined multiscale entropy using fuzzy metrics : validation and application to nociception assessment

The refined multiscale entropy (RMSE) approach is commonly applied to assess complexity as a function of the time scale. RMSE is normally based on the computation of sample entropy (SampEn) estimating complexity as conditional entropy. However, SampEn is dependent on the length and standard deviation of the data. Recently, fuzzy entropy (FuzEn) has been proposed, including several refinements, as an alternative to counteract these limitations. In this work, FuzEn, translated FuzEn (TFuzEn), translated-reflected FuzEn (TRFuzEn), inherent FuzEn (IFuzEn), and inherent translated FuzEn (ITFuzEn) were exploited as entropy-based measures in the computation of RMSE and their performance was compared to that of SampEn. FuzEn metrics were applied to synthetic time series of different lengths to evaluate the consistency of the different approaches. In addition, electroencephalograms of patients under sedation-analgesia procedure were analyzed based on the patient's response after the application of painful stimulation, such as nail bed compression or endoscopy tube insertion. Significant differences in FuzEn metrics were observed over simulations and real data as a function of the data length and the pain responses. Findings indicated that FuzEn, when exploited in RMSE applications, showed similar behavior to SampEn in long series, but its consistency was better than that of SampEn in short series both over simulations and real data. Conversely, its variants should be utilized with more caution, especially whether processes exhibit an important deterministic component and/or in nociception prediction at long scales

Familial hypercholesterolemia: The Italian Atherosclerosis Society Network (LIPIGEN)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Primary dyslipidemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal levels of circulating lipoproteins. Among them, familial hypercholesterolemia is the most common lipid disorder that predisposes for premature cardiovascular disease. We set up an Italian nationwide network aimed at facilitating the clinical and genetic diagnosis of genetic dyslipidemias named LIPIGEN (LIpid TransPort Disorders Italian GEnetic Network). METHODS: Observational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study involving about 40 Italian clinical centers. Genetic testing of the appropriate candidate genes at one of six molecular diagnostic laboratories serving as nationwide DNA diagnostic centers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: From 2012 to October 2016, available biochemical and clinical information of 3480 subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia identified according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score were included in the database and genetic analysis was performed in 97.8% of subjects, with a mutation detection rate of 92.0% in patients with DLCN score 656. The establishment of the LIPIGEN network will have important effects on clinical management and it will improve the overall identification and treatment of primary dyslipidemias in Italy

Abitare straniero

Il percorso di analisi dell’abitare straniero nasce dall'ipotesi che l’abitare dei migranti sia una chiave di lettura efficace per interpretare e conoscere alcuni fenomeni urbani che dovrebbero essere centrali per la pianificazione odierna, quali, ad esempio, l’esclusione, il conflitto, la questione aperta della cittadinanza. Nel caso dei migranti, come nel caso di tutti gli esclusi dal bene città, l'abitare trova il modo di riversarsi in quegli spazi, che definiremo come porosi: spazi di conflitto, ma anche di rigenerazione. Spazi che dobbiamo necessariamente tornare a leggere.-

Impact of endocrine disruptor chemicals in gynaecology

The potential hazardous effects that estrogen- and androgen-like chemicals may have both on wildlife and human health have attracted much attention from the scientific community. Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are chemicals that have the capacity to interfere with normal signalling systems. EDCs may mimic, block or modulate the synthesis, release, transport, metabolism and binding or elimination of natural hormones. Even though potential EDCs may be present in the environment at only very low levels, they may still cause harmful effects, especially when several different compounds act on one target. EDCs include persistent pollutants, agrochemicals and widespread industrial compounds. Not all EDCs are man-made compounds; many plants produce substances (phytoestrogens) that can have different endocrine effects either adverse or beneficial in certain circumstances. Natural substances such as sex hormones from urban or farm wastes can become concentrated in industrial, agricultural and urban areas; thus, such wastes may be considered potential ‘EDCs’ for humans and/or wildlife. Much attention has focussed on changing trends in male reproductive parameters in relation to EDC exposure; however, studies on the female reproductive system have been less comprehensive. We have focussed this article on four major aspects of female reproductive health: fertility and fecundability, endometriosis, precocious puberty and breast and endometrial cancer