Exploring protandry and pupal size selection for Aedes albopictus sex separation

Background: We explored the possibility to improve male/female separation (sexing) in Aedes albopictus by selection of two strains, one toward increasing sex dimorphism and another toward increasing protandry. In the laboratory we selected and crossed small males with large females to exploit dimorphism, and early pupating males with late pupating females to exploit protandry. Results: While selection for enhanced dimorphism was not a profitable character, the selection for enhanced protandry up to F10 produced significant improvement in the time interval between male and female pupation. By collecting the pupae at 24 h from the beginning of pupation, without any sieving operation, we obtained about 28.50% of pupae (calculated in relation to the estimated initial number of first instar larvae used), vs 26.49% we had in the control strain, and, more interestingly, when checking the sex ratio of these pupae we observed a presence of females of 0.92% vs 23.02% in the control strain. We also modified our egg hatching protocol from the previous standard procedure that required keeping the eggs in the glass hatching container overnight (for about 14-16 h) to a new protocol where eggs are kept in the hatching container for 4 h in order to obtain more synchronized larvae. This was possible without any reduction in the egg hatching rate. Conclusions: In Aedes albopictus it is possible to develop hyper-protandric strains useful to produce male pupae without applying other sexing systems. This represents a considerable achievement assisting the Sterile Insect Technique application, allowing improvement of the current sexing method based on mechanical separation. More investigations are under way in order to further enhance the male productivity capacity of the strain and to determine whether the selection has any impact on the male fitness parameters

Fat Grafting in Body Contouring

Fat transfer had been used since the first decades of the twentieth century for body contouring and reconstruction. Since then, a lot of controversies and ongoing research regarding indications, harvesting and transplantation technique had been a concern for plastic surgeons. More recently, the use of fat as a source of stem cells had been the major point of research joining both the aesthetic and the regenerative advantages. Body reshaping using fat graft is nowadays a common non-invasive resource in the surgeon’s armamentarium popularized as body sculpturing merging the benefits of liposuction and lipofilling to improve the aesthetic of virtually all the regions of human body. In this chapter, the role of fat grafting in aesthetic body contouring will be discussed. The association of stem cells is exposed to give the reader the possibility to better understand this option of treatment. Fat harvesting/grafting techniques are explained and the authors’ preferred choice is exposed. Lipofilling details are discussed per area of the body with practical tips and pitfalls for the experienced or the newbie surgeon. A final summary on complications will remind all the possible incidences that may occur in the short- and long term after surgery

The role of Microenvironment in tumorigenesis. Focus on dendritic cells in human papillomavirus E6, E7-transformed keratinocytes

The inception of tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex and dynamic system constituted by different types of cells engaged by tumor and extracellular matrix surrounding cancer cells, is a way for them to elude the immune surveillance. Dendritic cells (DCs), as a sentinel, are able to recognize alteration in the microenvironment and predispose the immune system response. The relationship between cancer and virus infection is well documented. High-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) has a well-characterized transforming property and has been associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the ano-genital and oral tracts. Transforming ability of HR-HPVs is based on the function of E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins, which interact and inactivate p53 and pRb oncosuppressors, respectively. Recently, it was demonstrated that HPV oncoproteins are also able to affect a number of microRNAs (miRNAs) regulating the expression of genes involved in proliferative control. For these reasons DC-based vaccines targeting oncogenic E6 and E7 are ideal candidates to elicit strong immune responses. Here we summarize significant data about the analysis of TME in HPV-induced tumorigenesis. We also report original results produced by cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vitro priming against E6 and E7 HPV16 antigens, performed using human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Dendritic cells, maturated by the exposition to necrotic or apoptotic keratinocytes expressing both oncoproteins of HPV16, show different expression levels of specific maturation markers. Evidence indicating the ability of necrotic keratinocytes to alter the microRNA profile in DCs, macrophages (MΦ) and Langerhans cells (LCs) compared to prototypical stimuli as bacterial lipopolysaccharide was also provided. We can speculate that, based on transformed cells death pathway (i.e. apoptosis versus necrosis), virus-induced immune alterations might show different results in creating an immunotolerogenic microenvironment during the carcinogenesis process

Train-feeder modes in Italy. Is there a role for active mobility?

The transport mode used to reach a train station is an important determinant of the urban traf\ufb01c and rail transport attractiveness. In this paper, we have investigated train-feeder mode choice on the basis of 185 in-terviews with Italian train users living in cities of different size. We analyzed their current choice and their stated choices under hypothetical scenarios using various discrete choice model speci\ufb01cations. Their current train- feeder mode choice is mainly car-based: 63.2% of the respondents use the car, as either drivers or passengers. The active modes cycling and walking are chosen by 18.4% and 9.7% of the respondents, respectively; the remaining using either the bus or the scooter. Our estimates con\ufb01rm that travel time and travel cost play a relevant role with two covariates, commuter and gender, explaining the large heterogeneity of the active mobility travel time variable. However, the performed scenario analysis suggests that, in many instances, it is extremely dif\ufb01cult to alter the existing train-feeder mode choice in favor of the active modes and that promoting active mobility in Italy requires a coordinated effort at many levels, including territorial planning, infrastructural investment and traf\ufb01c regulations

Nasal histamine responses in nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilic syndrome

Background: Nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilic syndrome (NARES) is persistent, without atopy, but with ≥25% nasal eosinophilia. Hypereosinophilia seems to contribute to nasal mucosa dysfunction. Objectives: This analytical case-control study aimed at assessing the presence and severity of nonspecific nasal hyperactivity and at finding out whether eosinophilia may be correlated with the respiratory and mucociliary clearance functions. Materials: The symptom score was assessed in 38 patients and 15 controls whose nasal smear was also tested for eosinophils and mucociliary transport (MCT). Nonspecific nasal provocation tests (NSNPT) with histamine were also carried out, and total nasal resistance (TNR) was determined. Results: The symptom score of NARES after NSNPT were not significantly different from the control group, and there was poor or no correlation among the single symptoms and the differences studied for every nasal reactivity class. This correlation improved when using the composite symptom score. The most severe eosinophilia was observed in high reactivity groups, and it was correlated with an increase in TNR. MCT worsened as eosinophilia and nasal reactivity increased. Unlike controls, a significant correlation was observed between the increase in MCT and TNR. Conclusions: In NARES, nonspecific nasal hyperreactivity is the result of epithelial damage produced by eosinophilic inflammation, which causes MCT slow down, an increase in TNR, and nasal reactivity classes, with possible impact on classification, prognosis, and treatment control

Extending Implicit Skinning with Wrinkles

We propose a wrinkle system that takes as input the fields created in the implicit skinning framework, calculates the angle between their gradients and builds a scalar angle field. Its gradient resembles plausible wrinkle directions. The system is procedural and works as a post process by projecting vertices in a wrinkle field constituted of convolution surfaces

Does electric car knowledge influence car choice? Evidence from a hybrid choice model

We present the results of a stated preference study undertaken in Italy in 2017 on individuals\u2019 preferences between an electric car (EC) and a petrol car, with the purpose of assessing the impact of the latent variable EC knowledge on purchasing decisions. We estimate a multinomial, a mixed and two hybrid mixed logit models, with the interaction between EC knowledge, car attributes and additional exogenous covariates. We use three measurement equations to estimate the self-assessed car knowledge, assessed EC knowledge and EC driving experience. We report three main findings. First, the inclusion of EC knowledge improves our capability to explain car choice. Second, the degree of EC knowledge does not change the negative perception respondents have, ceteris paribus, on ECs. Third, the level of EC knowledge influences the importance placed on the attributes of the choice model. Specifically, a higher level of EC knowledge is associated with a lower concern with fast charging station density. Our results are useful for car manufacturers who wish to improve their marketing strategies through tailored advertising efforts, and for policy makers who wish to implement educational campaigns as a means to foster EC uptake

Drivers\u2019 preferences for electric cars in Italy. Evidence from a country with limited but growing electric car uptake

So far, Italy has shown a much lower electric vehicle (EV) adoption rate than other European countries. In an effort to understand the motivations for the limited but growing EV uptake, this paper focuses on Italian drivers\u2019 preferences resulting from a stated preference survey carried out in October-December 2018. This paper complements the international literature and updates previous Italian surveys administered by the authors in the past years (Valeri and Danielis, 2015; Giansoldati et al., 2018). The econometric analysis of the stated choices confirms that the vehicle attributes such as purchase price, fuel economy, and driving range play a very relevant role. The time spent to charge the vehicle affects negatively the respondents\u2019 utility, while the fast charging network density is not yet perceived as significant or carries a counter-intuitive sign. On the contrary, the possibility to park EVs for free, even for a limited time, in the city central areas is positively valued by the respondents. Comparing our estimates with previous Italian studies, in particular with Giansoldati et al. (2018) who uses a similar questionnaire but on an earlier and more limited sample, there are hints of a change in the perception of the Italian drivers towards EVs. A noticeable difference is the value of the EV alternative specific constant. Giansoldati et al. (2018) find a negative value while this study finds a positive one. A second finding is that the willingness to pay for an additional driving range kilometre is lower than that previously found, indicating that Italian drivers are becoming more confident on EV driving range. Scenario analysis indicates that in Italy financial incentives would have a larger impact on the probability of buying an EV than technological improvements

Increased growth rate of anodic porous alumina by use of ionic liquid as electrolyte additive

The use of ionic liquids 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl sulfate and 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoborate has been tested in the fabrication of anodic porous alumina. The anodizations of the aluminium substrate have been carried out in oxalic acid in galvanostatic mode. During anodization with 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoborate added electrolyte, proper tuning of the current density and of the additive concentration resulted in a three-fold increase of the growth rate as compared to the bare acidic solution with the same acid concentration. This did not cause cracks in the film during growth, and did not affect the regular structure of the pores at the interface with the substrate

Reconstructing Early Cypriot Metallurgy : the Case of Pyrgos-Mavroraki

Ph. D. Thesis.Due to the extraordinary wealth of its ore deposits, Cyprus was the metal powerhouse of antiquity. The importance of Cypriot ore-mineral deposits has led to a wealth of research on prehistoric copper mining and production. However, this has overwhelmingly concentrated on provenance and exchange studies (via the isotopic fingerprinting of ores and ingots) at the expense of other research strands. In particular, important questions regarding Cypriot copper technology including the role and identity of bronzesmiths still await full investigation. Among the few cases of Early-Middle Bronze Age sites which show metallurgical evidence, Pyrgos-Mavroraki (Limassol) an early 2nd millennium BC settlement site, excavated by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) from 1998-2012, is certainly the richest known so far. The excavations unearthed a vast architectural complex, which hosted several workshops including an olive press, but most importantly, the complex yielded a great deal of metallurgical installations and residues. This research, through a combination of archaeological, analytical and experimental work, including SEM-EDX slag analysis and on-field copper smelting trials, allowed to reconstruct the smelting process used at Pyrgos. The archeological evidence shows that Pyrgos’s metallurgists used a rather primitive smelting technique, involving the use of simple bowlshaped furnaces, small crucibles and blowpipe equipped with simple clay nozzles. However, despite the high viscosity of the slags obtained did not allow a complete separation of the metallic copper, the slag-analysis proved that Pyrgos’s coppersmith were capable to smelt sulfidic ores, which are known to require a multiphase smelting process.Newcastle University, Northern Bridge Consortiu