Bodily Illusions and Motor Imagery in Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterised by chronic, continuous, widespread pain, often associated with a sense of fatigue, non-restorative sleep and physical exhaustion. Due to the nature of this condition and the absence of other neurological issues potentially able to induce disorders in body representations per se, it represents a perfect model since it provides an opportunity to study the relationship between pain and the bodily self. Corporeal illusions were investigated in 60 participants with or without a diagnosis of FM by means of an ad hoc devised interview. In addition, motor imagery was investigated and illusions relating to body part movements and changes in body size, feelings of alienness, and sensations of body parts not belonging to one's own body (disownership and somatoparaphrenic-like sensations) were found. Crucially, these symptoms do not correlate with any of the clinical measures of pain or functional deficits. The results showed that motor imagery was also impaired, and the severity of the deficits found correlated with the functional impairment of the participant. This indicates that disorders in body representations and motor imagery are part of the clinical expression of FM. However, while motor imagery seems to be linked to reduced autonomy and functional deficits, bodily illusions are independent and potentially represent a concurrent symptom

Comparing the environmental and economic performances of different substrate pre-treatment processes for diamond coating deposition

The deposition of diamond coatings on hard metals substrates is a common strategy to improve mechanical characteristics of parts (e.g. cutting tools), but requires the pre-treatment of substrates. The study aims to investigate the environmental and economic sustainability of two different substrate pre-treatment processes: (i) two-step chemical etching process, and (ii) high-power continuous wave diode laser method. The cradle to gate study considers the superficial treatment of a WC-Co specimen as functional unit. The Life Cycle Assessment results highlight that for most of the ReCiPe impact categories, the environmental impact of laser treatment is greater than that of the chemical process (+38% in case of Climate Change, +45% in case of ReCiPe endpoint Single score), mainly due to the high energy consumption of the laser. The cost estimation, instead, highlights relevant savings for the laser process (about -98%), due to higher cost of chemicals than for electricity.n

Body illusions and misperception in fibromyalgia: how chronic pain impacts on body representation and imagery of actions

Background. That chronic pain changes individuals’ perception of the body is a well-known notion. However, to date, data on which kinds of misperceptions are experienced by patients suffering from Fibromyalgia (FPs) and how these may impact action representations are meagre. Objective. The study assesses the body misperceptions in FPs and their potential correlations with clinical symptoms and motor imagery. Methods. A comprehensive questionnaire battery investigated Corporeal Illusions (Body Feelings and Illusions questionnaire), Motor Imagery (Vividness of Motor Imagery 2) and mood disorders (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score) in 30 FPs and 30 age- and gender-matched control participants. A comparison between the two groups was executed and correlations with clinical symptoms were carried out. Furthermore, Explorative Factor Analysis assessed the potential integration among pain, body misperception and motor imagery. Results. FPs report feelings of disownership of body parts and somatoparaphrenic-like sensations (e.g., detachment or changes in form and size of body parts). They also show reduced abilities in motor imagery and the presence of illusory movements of body parts. Although the feeling of misoplegia towards the sore body parts are reported, these bodily misperceptions are not associated with mood disorders (which are not different between the two groups). The disorders in motor imagery (but not bodily illusions) correlate with the pain. Conclusion. Specific disorders in body representations and motor imagery are present in FPs. This should be specifically investigated and taken into consideration when interventions are planned to help patients in maintaining autonomy and ameliorate their body perception

Thermal, Acoustic, and Hygrothermal Properties of Recycled Bovine Leather Cutting Waste-Based Panels with Different Compositions

This study aims to investigate the thermo-acoustic and hygrothermal properties of innovative panels made of leather waste produced by a bag factory from a circular economy perspective. Their performance was compared with other residual-based insulation panels. The leather scraps were chipped and three boards were fabricated by means of a mold with different compositions, adding adhesive glue. In order to improve the sustainability aspects, a sample was assembled by using a water-based polyurethane glue, in addition to the two panels with vinyl glue. Panels were tested for thermal, acoustic, and hygrothermal performance. Thermal conductivity values in the range of 0.064–0.078 W/mK at 10 °C were measured depending on the composition and the adhesive. A slight thermal performance deterioration occurs when using the natural water-based glue. The samples were characterized by good performance both in terms of sound absorption coefficient (Noise Reduction Coefficient NRC = 0.21–0.28) and Transmission Loss, up to 59 dB values. Water vapor resistance factor values in the 35–48 range were obtained, close to the values of standard materials, such as expanded polystyrene and polyurethane

Thermal, Acoustic, and Hygrothermal Properties of Recycled Bovine Leather Cutting Waste-Based Panels with Different Compositions

This study aims to investigate the thermo-acoustic and hygrothermal properties of innovative panels made of leather waste produced by a bag factory from a circular economy perspective. Their performance was compared with other residual-based insulation panels. The leather scraps were chipped and three boards were fabricated by means of a mold with different compositions, adding adhesive glue. In order to improve the sustainability aspects, a sample was assembled by using a water-based polyurethane glue, in addition to the two panels with vinyl glue. Panels were tested for thermal, acoustic, and hygrothermal performance. Thermal conductivity values in the range of 0.064–0.078 W/mK at 10 °C were measured depending on the composition and the adhesive. A slight thermal performance deterioration occurs when using the natural water-based glue. The samples were characterized by good performance both in terms of sound absorption coefficient (Noise Reduction Coefficient NRC = 0.21–0.28) and Transmission Loss, up to 59 dB values. Water vapor resistance factor values in the 35–48 range were obtained, close to the values of standard materials, such as expanded polystyrene and polyurethane.6n