La sostenibilità ambientale dei porti turistici italiani: un’analisi della comunicazione web

L’impatto che i porti turistici possono avere sull’ambiente costiero e marino ha stimolato l’attivazione di iniziative che cercano di ridurre i potenziali rischi, anche in ragione della crescente sensibilità dei turisti rispetto alle tematiche green. A livello internazionale, sono già presenti studi sulla sostenibilità e le certificazioni ambientali di porti commerciali e crocieristici e altri di natura più tecnica legati all’inquinamento e alla contaminazione. Tuttavia, nonostante la sua rilevanza, non sono disponibili ricerche sulla comunicazione via web delle politiche intraprese dai singoli porti turistici per la tutela e la promozione ambientale. Questo studio si propone di contribuire a colmare il gap presente in letteratura esaminando i siti web di 93 porti turistici italiani ed evidenziando, per ciascuno, il ruolo ricoperto dalle tematiche green nella struttura del sito e nei contenuti. I risultati mostrano una scarsa attenzione rispetto ai temi della sostenibilità ambientale, a cui si suppone corrisponda un’adozione altrettanto limitata di pratiche green. Fanno tuttavia eccezione alcuni porti turistici italiani che si propongono come best practice nella comunicazione green attraverso il web

Dehydro-dermorphins. III. Circular dichroism investigation of conformation in solution

Dehydropeptide analogs of dermorphin (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2) and N-terminal fragments containing one or two dehydrophenylalanine residues in the 3rd and/or 5th position, have been investigated by means of CD spectroscopy. The results indicate that the above dehydropeptides can adopt different conformations in alcohol and water solutions. In methanol and trifluoroethanol, the CD spectra are mainly consistent with the presence of folded structures, probably stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds. In water, conversely, CD data indicate disruption of ordered structures and formation of preferentially extended flexible conformations. Models of the involved folded structures are tentatively proposed, taking into account the geometric features of dehydro residues and their tendency to favor hydrogen-bonded 10-membered rings

Amine functionalized SU-8 layer guiding Love mode surface acoustic wave

International audienceThe chemical functionalization of SU-8 photoresist with amine-ended silanes is demonstrated. The resulting active layer, coated on a quartz substrate, is used for propagating guided surface acoustic waves: its acoustic properties are used for the development of a chemical sensor for in situ analysis of aqueous solutions. The analytical principle is demonstrated by measuring with time resolution the binding of organometallic complexes of molar weight in the 250 g/mol range. The acoustic signal is interpreted as a pure mass effect, with a non-selective detection limit of the sensor of 60 ng/cm2

Preoperative doxorubicin plus ifosfamide in primary soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities

A total of 51 patients with large, primary, high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities were treated at our institute with two preoperative and three postoperative cycles of doxorubicin plus ifosfamide/mesna. Preoperative doxorubicin was given intra-arterially for lesions of the lower extremities. Of 47 evaluable patients, 22 (47%) showed clinical responses and 21 (45%), pathologic responses. Clinical and pathologic responses, however, were not necessarily coincident in the same patient. Conservative limb-sparing surgery was performed in 41 cases (87%), and in 4 cases amputation was avoided as a result of the local improvement induced by chemotherapy. Local recurrence occurred in 12 cases (25%), 3 of which required further amputation. Although the follow-up period was only 28 months, the 4-year actuarial survival was 91% and the 4-year metastasis-free value was 69%. An evident difference existed between patients who showed a documented clinical response to chemotherapy and those who did not, the 4-year metastasis-free value being 85% and 59% (P = 0.1), respectively. Adjuvant preoperative chemotherapy may allow for limb-salvage surgical procedures in selected cases

Double versus single stapling technique in rectal anastomosis

A retrospective analysis to compare the single vs double stapled technique for rectal anastomosis was carried out on patients that underwent radical surgical resection between January 1986 and January 1989 at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan. In 143 patients anastomotic integrity had been checked both intraoperatively with air insufflation and postoperatively by water soluble contrast enema. A single stapled anastomosis (SST) was performed using the EEA instrument in 94 patients, and in 49 patients a double stapled (DST) using the EEA and TA instruments was performed. The level of the anastomosis was less than or equal to 10 cm from the anal margin in 94 patients (54 SST, 40 DST). In 52 patients it was greater than 10 cm (40 SST, 12 DST) (SST vs DST ns). The presence of anastomotic dehiscence occurred in 29 (20%) patients (17 SST, 12 DST). This was not related either to the anastomotic site or to the suture technique used. The dehiscence was located on the posterior wall in 79% of cases and in 58% the size was less than 1 cm. In 78% clinical symptoms were evident. There was no difference between SST and DST patients. Further surgery (colostomy) was necessary in six patients (2 SST, 4 DST). Two patients died through complications (1 SST, 1 DST); making an overall mortality rate of 1.0% and 2.0% in each group. There was no difference in infection rate and length of postoperative stay in the two groups. Our data demonstrate that both methods give similar results

Integrated active mixing and biosensing using low frequency vibrating mixer and Love-wave sensor for real time detection of antibody binding event

International audienceThe development of lab-on-chip devices is expected to dramatically change biochemical analyses, allowing for a notable increase of processing quality and throughput, provided the induced chemical reactions are well controlled. In this work, we investigate the impact of local acoustic mixing to promote or accelerate such biochemical reactions, such as antibody grafting on activated surfaces. During microarray building, the spotting mode leads to low efficiency in the ligand grafting and heterogeneities which limits its performances. To improve the transfer rate, we induce a hydrodynamic flow in the spotted droplet to disrupt the steady state during antibody grafting. To prove that acoustic mixing increases the antibody transfer rate to the biochip surface, we have used a Love-wave sensor allowing for real-time monitoring of the biological reaction for different operating conditions (with or without mixing). An analysis of the impact of the proposed mixing on grafting kinetics is proposed and finally checked in the case of antibody-antigen combination

One-step intraoperative radiotherapy optimizes conservative treatment of breast cancer with advantages in quality of life and work resumption

Background: Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) could be not-inferior to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in selected patients, but toxicities, self-perception of body image, quality of life, and resumption of work or daily activities have been poorly explored. The aim of the present study was to compare these outcomes between EBRT, IORT full-dose (IORT-f) and IORT boost (IORT-b). Methods: 443 consecutive patients, candidates for breast-conserving surgery, were included: EBRT was performed in 220 patients (49.7%), IORT-f in 140 patients (31.6%), and IORT-b in 83 patients (18.7%). Radiotherapy-related toxicities were registered. Patients were evaluated at 6 months for Body Image after Breast Cancer Questionnaire (BIBCQ) to assess possible changes in self-perception of body image and limitations. A second questionnaire explored the impact of EBRT, IORT-f and IORT-b on resumption of work and normal daily activities. Results: EBRT had a higher risk of breast fibrosis and retraction (OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.024\u201312.526, p = 0.046) and breast edema (OR 6, 95% CI 2.077\u201317.335, p = 0.001) compared to IORT-f, but a lower risk of seroma compared to IORT-b (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.166\u20130.785, p = 0.01). The BIBCQ scores showed a better outcome in arm concerns with IORT-f ( 123.3) vs. IORT-b ( 121.3, p = 0.002) and EBRT ( 121.7, p = 0.006), although biased by the lower rate in axillary dissections. Return to daily activities occurred after 70.6 days with EBRT vs. 41 days with IORT-f (p < 0.0001) and 53.3 days with IORT-b (p = 0.07), without any effect of age or axillary dissection. Conclusion: IORT could reduce adverse effects, allowing faster resumption of job and houseworks