Nanoscale investigation of polymer cement concretes by small angle neutron scattering

An analysis of dense cements, such as polymer cement concrete, is made to produce original innovative components for different types of constructing materials. These materials present good functional properties (ageing resistance, crack formation resistance, hardness, and stability of mechanical modules) and can be used for various applications. In this paper, experimental tests on Portland cement with added γ-Al 2 O 3 and redispersible dry polymer performed using small angle neutron scattering are reported. The objective of the investigation was to assess the key parameters of the material (e.g., porosity, fractal dimensions, and size distribution) at the nanoscale level as well as to obtain useful structural information for expanding the possibility of applications. The results obtained can contribute to the optimisation of the consistency of the material, the design of operating conditions of elements of structures and facilities, and the design of the procedures that support ecological criteria and enhance quality and safety levels. © 2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

The role of demoralization and hopelessness in suicide risk in schizophrenia: a review of the literature

Background and Objectives: Demoralization has been defined by hopelessness and helplessness attributable to a loss of purpose and meaning in life. Demoralization is a meaningful mental health concern, frequently associated with suicide risk in medical and psychiatric patients. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the recent empirical evidence on demoralization in patients with schizophrenia and to better understand the relationship between demoralization and suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A comprehensive literature search using key words and subject headings was performed following PRISMA guidelines with several bibliographic databases, resulting in the identification of 27 studies. Results: The findings suggested that demoralization is prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and supported the hypothesis that the association between depression and suicide is moderated by hopelessness. In clinical practice, it is important to recognize symptoms of demoralization using appropriate psychological tools to better understand the suffering of patients with schizophrenia and to implement suicide prevention programs

Granite Dust Is the Possible Component of the Dry Construction Mixtures

This paper is devoted to research of possibility of utilization of granite dust. It is shown that the granite dust from the crushing screenings of "Shartashskiy stone-crushed stone quarry" can be recommended as a filler for the production of dry building mixes for flooring. With the introduction of dust in the amount of 20 % by weight of cement it is possible to obtain the mortar of the class not less B12.5

Job satisfaction mediates the association between perceived disability and work productivity in migraine headache patients

Migraine headache is the cause of an estimated 250,000,000 lost days from work or school every year and is often associated with decreased work productivity. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationship between perceived disability, job satisfaction and work productivity in patients affected by chronic migraineurs. Participants were 98 consecutive adult outpatients admitted to the Regional Referral Headache Centre of the Sant’Andrea Hospital in Rome, Italy. Patients were administered the Italian Perceived Disability Scale, The Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Work Subscale and The EndicottWork Productivity Scale. Perceived disability is significantly associated with job satisfaction and work productivity. Job satisfaction is significantly related to work productivity and mediates the association between perceived disability and work productivity in patients affected by chronic migraineurs. Our results confirm that patients suffering from migraine headaches who have negative perceptions © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Paradoxical psoriasis induced by Anti-TNFα treatment: Evaluation of disease-specific clinical and genetic markers

Paradoxical psoriasis (PP) may occur during treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) drugs in various chronic immune-mediated diseases, mainly inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and psoriasis. In this study, clinical and genetic characteristics of PP arising in IBD and psoriatic patients were investigated to identify disease-specific markers of the paradoxical effect. A total of 161 IBD and psoriatic patients treated with anti-TNF-α drugs were included in the study. Of these patients, 39 developed PP. All patients were characterized for the main clinical– pathologic characteristics and genotyped for six candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected for their possible role in PP susceptibility. In IBD patients, the onset of PP was associated with female sex, presence of comorbidities, and use of adalimumab. IBD patients with PP had a higher frequency of the TNF-α rs1799964 rare allele (p= 0.006) compared with cases without the paradoxical effect, and a lower frequency of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw06 rs10484554 rare allele (p= 0.03) compared with psoriatic patients with PP. Overall, these findings point to specific clinical and genetic characteristics of IBD patients with PP and provide data showing that genetic variability may be related to the paradoxical effect of anti-TNF-α drugs with possible implications into clinical practice

\u201cIratma\u201d Project. Nips, Tof-nd and Pixe Investigation of Roman Metal Archaeological Objects from the Municipium Tifernum Mataurense Area, Italy

Il progetto intende esaminare con un'innovativa applicazione di tecniche neutroniche non distruttive (Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis - PGAA), condotte dallo Studio d'Ingegneria Rogante di Civitanova Marche presso il Centro Neutronico di Budapest (Ungheria), sei manufatti metallici romani della ricca collezione del Museo Archeologico Comunale di Sant'Angelo in Vado, di cui si intende investigare la composizione del metallo, il processo di manifattura e l'originaria provenienza, a tutt'oggi sconosciuti