Anchoring selenido-carbonyl ruthenium clusters to functionalised silica xerogels

Silica Xerogels containing carbonyl Ru3Se2 nido clusters were prepared in three different ways. The simple dispersion of [Ru3(mu3-Se)2(CO)7(PPh 3)2] via sol gel process produces an inhomogeneous material; by contrast, homogeneous xerogels were obtained by reaction of [Ru3(mu3-Se)2(CO)8(PPh 3)] with functionalised xerogels containing grafted diphenylphosphine moieties and by reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with a xerogel containing grafted phosphine-selenide groups. The reaction between [Ru3(CO)12] and dodecyldiphenylphosphine selenide led to the formation of four selenido carbonyl clusters, which are soluble in hydrocarbon solvents and can be deposited as thin films from their solution by slow evaporation. Xerogéis de silica contendo carbonilas metálicas polinucleares (clusters) com estrutura nido Ru3Se2 foram preparadas através de três rotas diferentes. A simples dispersão do cluster [Ru3(mi3-Se)2(CO)7(PPh 3)2] pelo processo sol gel produz um material não homogêneo. Xerogéis homogêneos foram obtidos através da reação de [Ru3(mi3-Se)2(CO)8(PPh 3)] com xerogéis funcionalizados contendo fragmentos difenilfosfino enxertados, e pela reação do [Ru3(CO)12] com um xerogel contendo grupos fosfinoseleneto enxertados. A reação entre [Ru3(CO)12] e seleneto de dodecildifenilfosfinoseleneto resultou na formação de quatro clusters contendo ligantes carbonil e seleneto, solúveis em solventes apolares e que podem ser empregados na confecção de filmes

Wood impregnated with metal chelates dissolved in organic media tested for termite resistance

Wood manufactured products are subjected to biological decay due to fungi and insects. The use of copper chelates as biocides was proposed, due to their high stability which minimizes copper leaching in the environment. Considering the remarkable effectiveness showed by copper chelates on brown rot fungi, zinc and copper chelate complexes were prepared in order to have metal chelates soluble in organic media available. The present study aimed at evaluating these metal chelates complexes as preservative agents for wood treatment against termites. Trials were performed on Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) and Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius). Results showed that in both termite species wood consumption was significantly lower on Cu-chelates treated samples compared to untreated wood, whereas the wood slices impregnated with Zn-chelates and the organic media alone gave an intermediate response. Interestingly, in one case solvent-impregnated wood was significantly more attractive than untreated wood for both species and further investigations are being carried out to clarify this behaviour

High levels of shading as a sustainable application for mitigating drought, in modern apple production

The sustainability of reducing light in apple orchards under well-watered (ww) and water stress (ws) conditions was evaluated for water relations, plant gas exchanges, fruit growth, yield determinants, and fruit quality over three years. A black (B) 28% shading net was compared with two different 50% shading nets: red (R) and white (W). Each net was combined with two irrigation regimes (ww and ws) based on plant water status. Under ww and ws conditions, increasing shade from 28% to 50% was not detrimental for plant gas exchanges, yield, or quality over three years. Higher shade improved plant water status regardless of irrigation regime. Higher shading could be considered sustainable in apple orchards over several seasons. Fruit quality was more sensitive to plant water status than to light reduction. ws increased fruit soluble solid content and relative dry matter, regardless of shading, and this was positively reflected in consumer’s preference. When water availability is limited, increasing shading to 50% can help save water and maintain high-quality yields associated with water stress. Given the likely reductions of water availability in agriculture, growers and consultants may consider shading apple orchards as a sustainable and safe horticultural technique to save water

Copper anchored to amino-group functionalized silica gel as wood preservative against brown-rot decay

The aim of this research was to realize new potential wood preservatives against fungal decay, with low environmental impact and well fixed into the wood.Pinus sylvestris L. wood samples were impregnated by silica xerogels functionalized with amino groups able to link copper through coordinative interactions. In this study tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), in different ratios, and linked with copper or not, were utilized to impregnate wood samples, in order to evaluate the factors responsible for the efficacy against the brown rot Coniophora puteana. The fixation to the wood was evaluated through the leaching procedure (EN 84) and the variation on the effectiveness against this fungus.The sol-gel processes TEOS/APTES, ratio 1:1, with or without copper, leached or not leached, showed a good effectiveness against fungus C. puteana

Poor health related quality of life and unhealthy lifestyle habits in weight-loss treatment-seeking youth

Obesity is associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and poor Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The cumulative effect of lifestyle behaviors on HRQOL has been demonstrated in chronically ill adolescents, but not in adolescents with obesity. The present study aimed to assess the association between HRQOL and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and/or low levels of physical activity (PA) in a large sample of outpatient adolescents with overweight or obesity seeking weight loss treatment. Four-hundred-twenty participants were enrolled from 10 Italian outpatient clinics. The demographics and anthropometric features, KIDMED scores, and exercise levels of the participants were collected, together with parental features. The HRQOL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™), Adolescents Version 4.0. PedsQL total score and functioning subscales were lower in adolescents who reported one or two unhealthy habits. Compared with the high/intermediate groups, the risk of low HRQOL was twice as high for each unit increase in BMI SDS, while the percentage was reduced by 12.2% for every unit increase in the KIDMED score and by 32.3% for each hour increase of exercise. The clustering of these two unhealthy behaviors conferred a 120% higher risk of low HRQOL. Similarly, adolescents displaying better diet quality and/or a physically more active lifestyle have better physical and psychological functioning. Further studies are needed to disclose whether these characteristics may be predictive of better adherence to weight loss treatment

Poor health related quality of life and unhealthy lifestyle habits in weight-loss treatment-seeking youth

Obesity is associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and poor Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The cumulative effect of lifestyle behaviors on HRQOL has been demonstrated in chronically ill adolescents, but not in adolescents with obesity. The present study aimed to assess the association between HRQOL and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and/or low levels of physical activity (PA) in a large sample of outpatient adolescents with overweight or obesity seeking weight loss treatment. Four-hundred-twenty participants were enrolled from 10 Italian outpatient clinics. The demographics and anthropometric features, KIDMED scores, and exercise levels of the participants were collected, together with parental features. The HRQOL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™), Adolescents Version 4.0. PedsQL total score and functioning subscales were lower in adolescents who reported one or two unhealthy habits. Compared with the high/intermediate groups, the risk of low HRQOL was twice as high for each unit increase in BMI SDS, while the percentage was reduced by 12.2% for every unit increase in the KIDMED score and by 32.3% for each hour increase of exercise. The clustering of these two unhealthy behaviors conferred a 120% higher risk of low HRQOL. Similarly, adolescents displaying better diet quality and/or a physically more active lifestyle have better physical and psychological functioning. Further studies are needed to disclose whether these characteristics may be predictive of better adherence to weight loss treatment

Efficiency assessment of hybrid coatings for natural building stones : advanced and multi-scale laboratory investigation

The efficiency of a hybrid patented consolidant (PAASi) and two commercially available hybrid coatings (a consolidant named AlSiX and a hydrophobic product named WS3) properly modified was assessed on a calcarenite substrate. Test routines based on standard recommendations were first applied to evaluate the performances of the consolidant and protective treatments, while the investigation of additional aspects such as penetration depth and interaction with the substrate was achieved by a multi-scale approach based on classic intrusion methods (mercury intrusion porosimetry) and Drilling Resistance Measurement System (DRMS), combined with non-invasive imaging techniques (X-ray computed micro-tomography and neutron radiography) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). A distinct interaction of the products with the pore network of the stone was quantified in the range 0.007–200 µm. Their effects on capillary water absorption were also visualized with neutron imaging. The suitability of the products on the selected substrate was discussed, highlighting also how the applied routine can support conservation material studies. The results indicated that the Al-Si-based product led to unwanted effects. Alternative application methods and/or curing procedures have to be explored to overtake these undesirable changes. On the contrary, the polyamidoamine-based product seemed to be more suitable for calcarenite substrates conservation. The performances of the hydrophobic coating, when used in combination with consolidants, were strictly influenced by the pre-consolidation of the substrate