Mothballed: Transforming the Carcass of a Naval Warehouse into an Agricultural Incubator

Philadelphia has one of the oldest and most rich industrial heritages in the United States. The Philadelphia Navy Yard itself was one of the first established shipyards in the United States. After a long history of shipbuilding, the end of the Cold War had rendered the site and its production of military ships inoperative. Since the yard's closure in 1996, the remaining derelict buildings and vessels are a ghostly reminder of the Navy Yard's past significance. This thesis will explore the stimulation of the yard by reestablishing its reason for being. The rapid progression of technological advancements has left shipbuilding a trade of the past. As a result, many structures that were once hubs of superior industrial manufacturing now remain neglected. This project will investigate adaptively reusing the abandoned carcass of a naval warehouse and its surrounding officer quarters. Memory of the site's industrial past will foster the integration of an agricultural research center that demonstrates state-of-the-art processes as part of a renewed form of technological tradition. This research center will become a beacon of agricultural research, education, and exhibition, while carrying on the building and Navy Yard's tradition as a place of technology and production

Knowledge and attitudes towards smoking cessation counselling: an Italian cross-sectional survey on tertiary care nursing staff

Background: One of the most effective smoking cessation strategies involves care and advice from nurses due to their role in the front line of treatment. Lack of education on smoking cessation counselling may be detrimental, and adequate smoking cessation training during healthcare studies is needed. Objectives: The study aimed to examine nurses’ attitudes, belief, and knowledge of smoking cessation counselling; knowledge of the health risks associated with smoking was also assessed. Design: A cross-sectional survey on 77 nurses from the nursing staff of Cardiology, Cardiac Intensive Care and Surgical Oncology Units of two tertiary hospitals. Methods: Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to assess the questionnaire’s internal consistency, and three composite indicators were computed to assess the three dimensions of the questionnaire (knowledge, attitude, belief). Furthermore, a stepwise linear regression model was used to predict the attitude to be engaged in smoking cessation counselling, related to demographic and behavioural variables, as well as knowledge and belief indicators. The analysis was stratified by Unit. Results: Nurses from three Units had a significantly different attitude score (2.55 ± 0.93 for Cardiology, 2.49 ± 0.72 for Cardiac Intensive Care and 2.09 ± 0.59 for Surgical Oncology Unit) (P-value = 0.0493). Analogously, knowledge of smoking cessation counselling was reported to be higher for Cardiac Intensive Care Unit nurses (3.19 ± 0.70) compared to Surgical Oncology nurses (2.73 ± 0.74) (P-value = 0.021). At the multivariable analysis, attitude towards smoking cessation counselling was significantly related to the nurse’s belief about counselling, for Cardiology staff (coeff = 0.74, 95% CI [0.32–1.16], P-value = 0.002) and for Surgical Oncology staff (coeff = 0.37, 95% CI [0.01–0.72], P-value = 0.042). Conclusions: Incorporation of smoking cessation interventions in nurses’ and nursing managers’ education could improve the nursing staff’s attitude, belief, and knowledge regarding smoking cessation counselling, which would lead to the inclusion of tobacco prevention and cessation as an integral part of patient care

Microstructure Role in Permanent Magnet Eddy Current Losses

The impact of granular microstructure in permanent magnets on eddy current losses are investigated. A numerical homogenization procedure for electrical conductivity is defined. Then, an approximated simple analytical model for the homogenized conductivity able to capture the main features of the geometrical and material dependences is derived. Finally eddy current losses analytical calculations are given, and the two asymptotic expressions for losses in the stationary conduction limit and advanced skin effect limit are derived and discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Fisheye Photogrammetry to Survey Narrow Spaces in Architecture and a Hypogea Environment

Nowadays, the increasing computation power of commercial grade processors has actively led to a vast spreading of image-based reconstruction software as well as its application in different disciplines. As a result, new frontiers regarding the use of photogrammetry in a vast range of investigation activities are being explored. This paper investigates the implementation of fisheye lenses in non-classical survey activities along with the related problematics. Fisheye lenses are outstanding because of their large field of view. This characteristic alone can be a game changer in reducing the amount of data required, thus speeding up the photogrammetric process when needed. Although they come at a cost, field of view (FOV), speed and manoeuvrability are key to the success of those optics as shown by two of the presented case studies: the survey of a very narrow spiral staircase located in the Duomo di Milano and the survey of a very narrow hypogea structure in Rome. A third case study, which deals with low-cost sensors, shows the metric evaluation of a commercial spherical camera equipped with fisheye lenses

itorin1 an active site inhibitor of mtor suppresses prostate cancer cell growth induced by activated α2m macroglobulin ligation of cell surface grp78

In this study, we reported the effect of the ATP binding site competitive inhibitor Torin1 on activated α2-macroglobulin (α2M*)-induced cell proliferation and activation of mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling in prostate cancer cells. Torin1 significantly inhibited α2M*-induced cellproliferation as measured by protein and DNA synthesis. Translational activity, a major cellular response in malignant cells,is coordinately regulated by the mTORC1-S6-kinaseand mTORC1-4EBP1 axes. Torin1 significantly inhibited α2M*- and insulin-induced activation of mTORC1 as determined by phosphorylation of S6-kinaseat Thr389 and 4EBP1 at Thr37/46 compared to untreated cells employing Raptor immunoprecipitates. Torin1 also significantly inhibited α2M*- and insulin-induced upregulation of p-AktT308 and p-AktS473 in prostate cancer cells. The effect was comparable to that of insulin employed as a positive control. Finally, Torin1 inhibited α2M*- and insulin-induced activation of mTORC2 kinase assayas measured by phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 inRictor immunoprecipitates of prostate cancer cells

A flexible and swift approach for 3D image–based survey in a cave

In the geomatics field, modelling and georeferencing complex speleological structures are some of the most challenging issues. The use of conventional survey methods (for example, those employing total stations or terrestrial laser scanner) becomes more difficult, especially because of the space constraints and the often critical light conditions. In this work, a flexible and swift methodology to survey an in-progress excavation is presented, through image-based modelling techniques. The proposed approach allows obtaining a reliable and georeferenced three-dimensional model of the underground environments, preserving the integrity of the scene. The 3D model is scaled and georeferenced through three ground control points located just outside the cave, using data acquired by a double-frequency GNSS receiver in static session mode. Further targets were employed to check the deformation of the model inside the cave. The surveys were conducted on two archaeological sites: La Sassa cave and Guattari cave, both located in southern Latium

Soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor is increased in endotracheal aspirates from infants and children after cardiopulmonary bypass

ObjectiveCytokine dysregulation contributes to the systemic inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass. Clearance of cytokine binding proteins may be important in the resolution of inflammation. Our aim was to determine whether the cytokine binding protein α2-macroglobulin and its soluble receptor were upregulated in endotracheal aspirates from infants and children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.MethodsSeventy tracheal aspirates were collected before and after cardiopulmonary bypass from 35 infants and children undergoing surgical correction of congenital heart defects. α2-Macroglobulin and the soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor were identified by Western blot. With the use of multi-analyte cytokine profiling, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were quantified, normalized to total protein, and expressed as ratios. Paired t tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed between prebypass and postbypass samples. Correlations were examined among α2-macroglobulin, soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor, cytokine ratios, and the clinical variables of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic crossclamp, and circulatory arrest times.Resultsα2-Macroglobulin increased by 50% (mean densitometry increase 82,683 ± 184,594, P = .012), and soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor increased by 17% (mean densitometry increase 506,148 ± 687,037, P = .0001) after cardiopulmonary bypass. The ratio of interleukin-8/interleukin-4 increased by 136% (P = .0001), and interleukin-8/interleukin-10 increased by 102% (P = .001). The increase in soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor was positively correlated with the ratios of interleukin-8/interleukin-4 and interleukin-8/interleukin-10. There were no statistically significant positive correlations between the increase in α2-macroglobulin or soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor and measured clinical variables.ConclusionsWe report for the first time the upregulation of α2-macroglobulin and soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor in tracheal aspirates after cardiopulmonary bypass in infants and children. Soluble α2-macroglobulin receptor correlates with increased α2-macroglobulin and a disproportionate increase in pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios

Prion Protein Paralog Doppel Protein Interacts with Alpha-2-Macroglobulin: A Plausible Mechanism for Doppel-Mediated Neurodegeneration

Doppel protein (Dpl) is a paralog of the cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC), together sharing common structural and biochemical properties. Unlike PrPC, which is abundantly expressed throughout the central nervous system (CNS), Dpl protein expression is not detectable in the CNS. Interestingly, its ectopic expression in the brain elicits neurodegeneration in transgenic mice. Here, by combining native isoelectric focusing plus non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis, we identified two Dpl binding partners: rat alpha-1-inhibitor-3 (α1I3) and, by sequence homology, alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M), two known plasma metalloproteinase inhibitors. Biochemical investigations excluded the direct interaction of PrPC with either α1I3 or α2M. Nevertheless, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed a high affinity binding occurring between PrPC and Dpl. In light of these findings, we suggest a mechanism for Dpl-induced neurodegeneration in mice expressing Dpl ectopically in the brain, linked to a withdrawal of natural inhibitors of metalloproteinase such as α2M. Interestingly, α2M has been proven to be a susceptibility factor in Alzheimer's disease, and as our findings imply, it may also play a relevant role in other neurodegenerative disorders, including prion diseases

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and cardiovascular damage in hypertensive subjects: an Italian case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in regulation of endothelial function and in the control of blood pressure. However, the results from some studies on the association between three clinically relevant eNOS gene polymorphisms (G894T, T786C and intron 4b/a) and essential hypertension are unclear. We designed a case-control study to evaluate the influence of eNOS polymorphisms on target organ damage in 127 hypertensives and 67 normotensives. Clinical evaluation, biochemical parameters, Urinary Albumin Excretion (UAE) and echocardiogram were performed to characterize target organ damage. eNOS polymorphism were recognized by PCR method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The distribution of eNOS genotypes was similar in hypertensives and normotensives but 4aa was present in the 2.5% of hypertensives and completely absent in normotensives. Subjects with 4bb, G894T, and T786C genotypes showed an increased prevalence of target organ damage. Moreover prevalence of G894T and introne 4 variants was significantly higher in hypertensives than in normotensives both with cardiovascular damage. Logistic regression analysis didn't show any association between eNOS polymorphisms, Body Mass Index (BMI), hypertension, gender and cardiovascular damage. Only the age (OR 1.11; IC 95% 1.06–1.18) was predictive of cardiovascular damage in our population.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results seem to indicate a lack of association with eNOS variants and cardiovascular damage onset.</p