Regeneration of cellulose by water addition to phosphoric acid/cellulose mixture

In the last years, phosphoric acid has been increasingly considered as a simple and economic solvent for cellulose pretreatment before its degradation to glucose. Cellulose swells in 71–80% phosphoric acid solutions, whereas at higher H3PO4 concentrations dissolution appears to occur. In addition, it is reported that regenerated cellulose is more easily fermentable to bioethanol. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism for cellulose regeneration following treatment with phosphoric acid at room temperature. CPMAS 13C NMR spectra revealed a downfield shift of the 13C NMR signals from the regenerated cellulose as compared to the crystalline one. CPMAS 31P NMR spectroscopy showed presence of organic phosphate in the regenerated cellulose. These results suggested that cellulose regeneration consisted in the precipitation of a phosphorylated polymer. Fast field cycling NMR relaxometry confirmed such hypothesis. In fact, the correlation time of water saturated crystalline cellulose was shorter than that measured for the water saturated regenerated cellulose. The phosphate groups bound to the regenerated cellulose surface allow restriction of water mobility, thereby producing longer correlation times. Finally turbidimetric analyses revealed that the mechanism of regeneration consisted in a first reduction of the colloidal cellulose size followed by aggregation, colloidal size increment and flocculation. This study is of paramount importance to understand how phosphoric acid interact with cellulose in order to address its possible uses in biomass transformation for bioenergy purposes

Behavioral aspects in children's brothers affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders

Introduction: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a permanent and complex disability arising within the first three years of life characterized by a socio-communicative disorder and by fixed interests and repetitive behaviors. The present pilot study aims to evaluate behavioral aspects in a small population of siblings of ASD children. Material and methods: Population: 5 school-aged children (2 males, 3 females) (mean age 9.235 ± 2.041) were enrolled, as siblings of ASD children, and for comparison, 12 healthy (7 males, 5 females) children (average age 9,528 ± 3,351). All subjects underwent evaluation of the behavioral with Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scale. Results: The two groups were statistically comparable by age (p = 0.86) and gender distribution (p = 0.87). From the behavioral point of view evaluated with the CBCL scale, siblings of ASD have a higher degree of overall problem (Total problems) compared to control children (p=0.003), in addition they have significantly higher scores in the subscales of behavior examined (Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn, Somatic Complaints, Social, Thought, Attention, Delinquent, Aggressive) as well as a greater share of disturbances both internalizing (p=0.004) and externalizing (p = 0.007) (Table 1). Conclusions: The present preliminary data confirm the need for a global management of the entire family structure for the correct management of Autistic Disorders

ADDICTIONS SUBSTANCE FREE DURING LIFESPAN

The addictions substance free is an umbrella definition comprises internet addiction, sexual addiction, gambling pathological, workholism, videogames and computer addiction. Actually, the technological addictions is frequent in young adolescents. The term Digital Natives indicates the children born in an information system of learning and communication different from that of the generations previous. This temporal range was strongly characterized by growing presence of technological communication toolsin daily life. The effects of hyper-exposition to technological tools tend to create a relational virtuality without a body is born,therefore, already within the family ties and during adolescence he moved to the digital socialization network. The technological object it interacts between the adolescent and the world of peers and adults, becoming the facilitator object that as the psychotropic substance, it conveys new modes of communicatio

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Tool to Investigate Motor Cortex Excitability in Sport

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, since its introduction in 1985, has brought important innovations to the study of cortical excitability as it is a non-invasive method and, therefore, can be used both in healthy and sick subjects. Since the introduction of this cortical stimulation technique, it has been possible to deepen the neurophysiological aspects of motor activation and control. In this narrative review, we want to provide a brief overview regarding TMS as a tool to investigate changes in cortex excitability in athletes and highlight how this tool can be used to investigate the acute and chronic responses of the motor cortex in sport science. The parameters that could be used for the evaluation of cortical excitability and the relative relationship with motor coordination and muscle fatigue, will be also analyzed. Repetitive physical training is generally considered as a principal strategy for acquiring a motor skill, and this process can elicit cortical motor representational changes referred to as use-dependent plasticity. In training settings, physical practice combined with the observation of target movements can enhance cortical excitability and facilitate the process of learning. The data to date suggest that TMS is a valid technique to investigate the changes in motor cortex excitability in trained and untrained subjects. Recently, interest in the possible ergogenic effect of non-invasive brain stimulation in sport is growing and therefore in the future it could be useful to conduct new experiments to evaluate the impact on learning and motor performance of these techniques

Guinea worm wrap-up

Sudan has reported 21,433 cases of dracunculiasis in January-July 2002, which is 73% of the global total of cases reported for that period. Whereas 36% of 8,058 endemic villages reported in January-July 2001, 62% of 6,224 endemic villages reported during the same period of 2002. The latest update on the status of the program was discussed during the annual Program Review of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programs of Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya on September 30 \ue2\u20ac\u201c October 2. The percentage of known endemic villages with nylon filters in every household increased from 29% to 58% between 2001 and 2002, and over 7 million pipe filters were distributed in 2001. Health education talks by village volunteers have increased from 50% to 83% of endemic villages, and are increasingly supplemented by radio broadcasts in local languages. Abate usage is still limited in all but the northern states of the country

BIOCHAR SURFACE PROPERTIES THROUGH APPLICATION OF AN INNOVATIVE NMR TECHNIQUE: FAST FIELD CYCLING RELAXOMETRY

Biochar is a carbonaceous material obtained by pyrolysis of biomass feedstocks. It is applied to soils in order to improve fertility and mitigate greenhouse-gases emissions. In fact, from the one hand, biochar changes physical-chemical soil properties, thereby affecting soil fertility. From the other hand, biochar is resistant to chemical and biochemical degradation. For this reason, its use allows carbon sequestration in soils and consequent reduction of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Here, dynamics of water at the liquid-solid interface of water saturated biochars is discussed. Results revealed that water dynamics is affected by the nature of biochar parent biomasses. Moreover, biochar chemical physical properties are affected by conditions for their production. It was understood that water undergoes to an inner-sphere interaction mechanism with biochar surface through formation of weak unconventional hydrogen bonds. Recognition of the interaction mechanisms between water and biochar is of paramount importance in order to understand why biochar soil amendments improve soil fertility and crop production

Effect of texture on the dynamics of a water saturated biochar

Biochar is defined as charred organic matter applied to soil in a deliberate manner, with the intent to improve soil properties (Lehmann et al., 2009). Biomass-derived char can be used as energy carrier, as adsorber and as material for the improvement of soil properties. Carbonized organic matter can have different physical and chemical properties depending on the technology used for its production. Moreover char texture influences deeply physical and chemical properties. In this work effect of texture on the dynamics of a water saturated biochar was analyzed by FFC NMR. An industrial biochar derived from gasification of poplar wood was sieved to determine influence of texture on water dynamic on particles surface. Sieves with 2, 1 and 0.3 mm have been used to separate three different texture fractions. Each sample has been saturated with water and then analysed by FFC NMR relaxometry by applying a range of magnetic field from 40MHz to 0.01MHz. Three profiles with different longitudinal relaxation rate have been carried out. Sample with texture 1-2mm has a profile with the lowest longitudinal relaxation rate (R1). Profile of sample with textures <0.3mm has the profile with highest R1. Behavior of water can be explained associating an increment of longitudinal relaxation rate with an increment of porosity. Surface area reduction is achieved when the sizes of the pores increase. As water molecules flow through larger sized pores, their motion occurs at a frequency that is broader than that of water molecules constrained in smaller sized pores. For this reason quickly moving water can not efficaciously interact with either neighboring molecules or with the molecular sites on the surface at the liquid-solid interface. As a consequence intermolecular dipolar interactions are weakened and a reduction of the proton longitudinal relaxation rate (shorter R1 values) can be observed compared with the R1 values for slowly moving or immobilized water systems

Italian Mafia: A focus on Apulia Mafia with A literature review

The goal of this paper is a systematic literary review that analyzes the differences between the main Apulia's Mafia organizations and their distinctive murder methods. In homicides committed by criminal organization, the method used intends to be an admonition to other persons. We analyze the criminal organization named "Mafia of Gargano", that is a promontory of Apulia Region, in South-East of Italy. We analyze its homicidal mode, the type of weapon used in murders, the drawn body sites and the action recurrence. Previously named "Faida" of Gargano, the "Garganic Mafia" was certified by legal court as an inveterate mafia system only in 2009. In fact, in the Garganic area an archaic and violent mafia arise for theft of animals; subsequently, the most profitable activities of these clans became drug and weapons trafficking. The "Garganic Mafia" is an extremely traditional Mafia, like "Camorra", with particularly practices of cadaver concealment. Very often, utilizing natural conformation of Gargano promontory, the criminals throw away the bodies into natural canyons. In this manner, the cadavers are discovered after many years accidentally: this method was classified as "Lupara Bianca". Another kind of Apulia's Mafia is the so called "Sacra Corona Unita" (SCU). Originally it was founded by the Camorra's boss but it's inspired by Calabrian 'Ndrangheta: both these mafia associations was found in south of Italy, Camorra in Campania Region and 'Ndragheta in Calabria Region. In the murders committed by the SCU was frequent the recourse to deception to attract the victim, the use of the gun and the method of "Lupara Bianca" with the burning of the body. As previously described, the kind of the murder represents the signature of the mafia organization. These finding are very useful for investigations, helping to identify crime's motivations and the correlation with suspects

Sports training and adaptive changes

Purpose: Sports training and professional experience lead to changes in the human motor cortex and on the autonomic nervous system. This experimental study aims to investigate as sport activities can lead changes on the human motor cortex and on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), analyzing the Heart Rate changes and spontaneous Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) fluctuations in relation to the adaptive changes on the human motor cortex. Methods: Three neurophysiologic parameters (rMT, MEP latency and MEP amplitude) were investigated using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS was applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) of 30 right-handed young karate athletes recruited. To evaluate ANS, HR (at rest and during exercise) and GSR (at rest and post-exercise) were measured. All data were matched with the records obtained by 30 non-athletes. All statistical analyses were performed using R. Results: Statistical significant differences were detected analyzing the data refers to neurophysiologic parameters. The HR and GSR values showed significant differences comparing athletes group with non-athletes group. Conclusions: Our data suggest that there are significant differences analyzing the cortical excitability in athletes, compared to non-athletes. Furthermore, this data confirmed that the exercise training influences the parasympathetic tone, reducing HR. Moreover, a significant reduction in GSR parameters was reported in the athletes group, which is an indicator of stress level. The HR training helps to restore the autonomic balance and improves autonomic control that supports emotional regulation and performance coordination, so the training represents an advantage in reducing anxiety in athletes. Future studies could be used to investigate the differences of these adaptive changes respect to athletes’ level (for example, amateur vs professional)

Aerobic Exercise and Metabolic Syndrome: The Role of Sympathetic Activity and the Redox System

Background: Aerobic exercise can greatly assist in reducing collateral effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Moreover, aerobic exercise is associated with sympathetic activation and adaptive responses to sustain muscle engagement, changes in the release of Orexin A, a pleiotropic neuropeptide.Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise without dietary changes, in a cohort of MetS subjects, focusing on the role of sympathetic and orexinergic activity. Several blood parameters linked to MetS ROS production, heart rate, galvanic skin response, d-ROM test, and Orexin A serum levels were evaluated in ten males with MetS (BMI 30-34.9) before and after a period of 6 months of aerobic exercise compared to ten healthy subjects.Methods: Ten male subjects (aged 54 +/- 4.16) with MetS (MetS group) and ten healthy males (aged 49.7 +/- 2.79, Healthy group) were told about the study protocol and possible risks, signed the informed consent, and voluntarily participated in the study. Several blood parameters were evaluated in the two tested groups and were re-evaluated in the MetS group after 6 months of training (MetS6M group). The training protocol consisted of more than 30 min/day of walking (average speed of 4.5 km/h) and 3 days/week of aerobic activities (jogging under heart rate control - 120-140 bpm for 45 min).Results: The results showed that exercise induced a significant increase in GSR and plasma Orexin A but no significant increase in d-ROM values. Significant decreases in the serum ALT enzyme, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were found, while the HDL levels were significantly higher. Finally, a significant reduction of BMI and resting HR were reported.Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that physical activity is associated with sympathetic activation, having a pivotal role against adverse effects linked to MetS. Moreover, this study demonstrates that, in patients with MetS, Orexin A is involved in hormonal adaptations to exercise