Photocatalytic activity of nanotubular TiO2films obtained by anodic oxidation: A comparison in gas and liquid phase

The availability of immobilized nanostructured photocatalysts is of great importance in the purification of both polluted air and liquids (e.g., industrial wastewaters). Metal-supported titanium dioxide films with nanotubular morphology and good photocatalytic efficiency in both environments can be produced by anodic oxidation, which avoids release of nanoscale materials in the environment. Here we evaluate the effect of different anodizing procedures on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2nanostructures in gas and liquid phases, in order to identify the most efficient and robust technique for the production of TiO2layers with different morphologies and high photocatalytic activity in both phases. Rhodamine B and toluene were used as model pollutants in the two media, respectively. It was found that the role of the anodizing electrolyte is particularly crucial, as it provides substantial differences in the oxide specific surface area: nanotubular structures show remarkably different activities, especially in gas phase degradation reactions, and within nanotubular structures, those produced by organic electrolytes lead to better photocatalytic activity in both conditions tested

Neuropsychological profile of Alzheimer's disease based on amyloid biomarker findings results from a South American cohort.

Objective: Increased life expectancy and exponential growth of adults suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide, has led to biomarkers incorporation for diagnosis in early stages. Use of neuropsychological testing remains limited. This study aimed to identify which neuropsychological tests best indicated underlying AD pathophysiology.Methods: One hundred and forty-one patients with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) were studied. A neuropsychological test battery based on the Uniform Data Set (UDS) from the Alzheimer's Disease Centers program of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) was performed and amyloid markers recorded; according to presence or absence of amyloid identified by positive PIB-PET findings, or low CSF Aβ42 levels, patients were separated into MCI amyloid-(n:58) and MCI amyloid + (n = 83) cases.Results: Statistical differences were found in all memory tests between groups. Delayed recall score at thirty minutes on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) was the best predictor of amyloid pathology presence (AUC 0.68), followed by AVLT total learning (AUC 0.66) and AVLT Recognition (AUC 0.59) scores, providing useful cut off values in the clinical setting.Conclusions: Use of neuropsychological testing, specifically AVLT scores with cutoff values, contributed to the correct diagnosis of MCI due to AD in this SouthAmerican cohor

Alteration of Smell and Taste in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients in Sicily, Italy.

Objectives: Alteration of smell and taste has been reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The incidence and clinical-symptomatic manifestation of COVID-19 is different between northern and southern Italy. This study aims to evaluate the onset of alteration of smell and taste in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients in Sicily (extreme south of Italy). Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was performed on asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 patients tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) from May 1 to May 15, 2020. A questionnaire was used for evaluating the prevalence of smell and taste disorders in COVID-19 patients before performing nasopharyngeal swab. Results: Of the total 292 patients, 242 (83.2%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2 and 50 were positive (16.8%). Twenty-six of the 50 (52%) SARS-CoV-2 positive patients reported smell/taste disorders. Twenty-eight of the 50 (57.1%) SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were hospitalized (group A), and 22 (42.9%) were nonhospitalized (group B). The mean age in group A and group B was 45.4 ± 13.7 years and 57.0 ± 15.0, respectively ( P = .007). The symptoms reported by hospitalized patients were fever (71.4%), cough (64.2%), fatigue (82.1%), and dyspnea (100%), while in nonhospitalized patients, the most reported symptoms were sore throat (72.7%), rhinorrhea (77.2%), and altered smell (81.8%). Anosmia/hyposmia reported in group A and group B was 28.5% and 81.8%, respectively ( P = .001). Conclusion: These preliminary results indicate that the majority of SARS-Cov-2 positive patients in southern Italy did not require hospitalization and presented with milder symptoms or no symptoms and the alterations in smell and taste occurred

Barreras de género en el acceso al sistema de salud de varones adolescentes en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Este artículo presenta avances respecto de los objetivos planteados en la investigación UBACyT 2017/2019 “Barreras de género en la prevención y atención de la salud de varones adolescentes significados y prácticas de usuarios y profesionales de la salud”. A partir de los resultados obtenidos en el Proyecto UBACyT 13/16 “Equidad de Género en la Calidad de Atención en Adolescencia”, se identificó la dificultad para incluir las experiencias y necesidades específicas de los varones adolescentes en el diseño de los modelos clínicos dirigidos a esa franja etaria y etapa vital (Tajer et al, 2014, 2015). Por esta razón, se decidió indagar la dimensión subjetiva de género en las prácticas que el sector salud dirige a la prevención y atención de la salud de los varones adolescentes, desde una perspectiva de salud colectiva, género y subjetividad. El supuesto que guía la investigación está centrado en la invisibilidad de componentes de la dimensión subjetiva de género en las prácticas que el sector salud dirige a la prevención y atención de la salud de los varones adolescentes, lo cual podría traducirse en distintas barreras de accesibilidad para estos últimos. La presente investigación tiene un diseño exploratorio y comprensivo. En el caso de este estudio es el modo de aproximarnos al entramado de decisiones y actuaciones de los/las profesionales del sector salud y de los varones adolescentes.Eje temático 1: Neoliberalismo y desigualdades sociales. Precariedades de la vida cotidiana y de la trama institucional.Grupo de trabajo 6: Desafíos y reflexiones del Trabajo Social y/o el Equipo de Salud en torno a las determinaciones sociales de la salud colectiva.Facultad de Trabajo Socia

Prognostic value of atn alzheimer biomarkers: 60-month follow-up results from the argentine alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative

Purpose: To describe results of the Amyloid, Tau, Neurodegeneration (ATN) research framework classification in the Argentine-Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (arg-ADNI) cohort. Methods: Twenty-three patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 12 dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT), and 14 normal controls were studied following the ADNI2 protocol. Patients were categorized according to presence or absence of the biomarkers for amyloid beta (Aβ; A: amyloid positron emission tomography [PET] scan or cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] Aβ42), tau (T: CSF phosphorylated-tau), and neurodegeneration (N: CSF total-tau, fluorodeoxyglucose [FDG]-PET scan, or structural magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scan). Results: A+T+N+ biomarker profile was identified at baseline in 91% of mild dementia patients, 20% of early MCI patients, 46% of late MCI patients, and 14% of control subjects. Suspected non-AD pathophysiology (SNAP, A-T-N+) was found in 8% of mild dementia, 20% of early MCI, 15% of late MCI, and 7% of control subjects. Conversion rates to dementia after 5-year follow-up were 85% in A+T+N+ MCI patients and 50% in A-T-N+ patients. Conclusions: We present initial 5-year follow-up results of a regional ADNI based on AD biomarkers and the ATN classification

An Innovative Superconducting Magnetic Trap for Probing β-decay in Plasmas

The main aim of Plasmas for Astrophysics Nuclear Decays Observation and Radiation for Archaeometry (PANDORA) project is to build a compact and flexible magnetic plasma trap where plasma reaches a densityne∼ 1011–1013 cm−3, and a temperature, in units ofkT,kTe∼ 0.1–30 keV in order to measure, for the first time, nuclearβ-decay rates in stellar-like conditions. One of the most important aspects of an ECR Ion Source (ECRIS) is its magnetic system. In this paper, the numerical design of the PANDORA magnetic system is presented and validated by using the commercial simulators OPERA and CST Studio Suite, showing an excellent agreement between each other in terms of axial and radial field profiles. In conjunction to the magnetic system design, the overall injection system, including the microwave lines for plasma heating and the isotopes injection schemes with a focus on the developments of the oven for solid elements, has been conceived and will be discussed

"Ruta crítica" de la salud de las mujeres: integralidad y equidad de genero en las prácticas de salud de las mujeres en la ciudad de Buenos Aires

Este Proyecto se inscribe dentro del principio de la introducción de la perspectiva de género en el campo de las políticas públicas en salud (Tajer, 2004); considerando a la noción de género como una construcción de carácter histórico y social acerca de los roles, las identidades y los valores que son atribuidos a varones y mujeres e internalizados mediante los procesos de socialización (Gamba, S., 2007).Eje: Estudios de género y subjetividad.Facultad de Psicologí