Comparing Methods for the Analysis of δ 13C in Falanghina Grape Must from Different Pedoclimatic Conditions

Agroforestry applications in viticulture are considered a promising strategy to improve vine water status by mitigating the threats of increasing drought due to climate change. The analysis of δ13 C is often used in viticulture to understand vine water use. In this study, the analysis of δ13 C was performed on the must of Falanghina grapevines growing in different pedoclimatic conditions. The aim was to compare the results obtained by the application of two different methodologies, using the whole must or extracted sugars as the matrix. The results showed that the δ13 C values obtained by applying the two methodologies were comparable in all analyzed vineyards independently from the pedoclimatic conditions. Indeed, the proposed method of extraction of the δ13 C on the must as a whole can be both cost-and time-saving for the analysis. This is valuable, considering that the δ13 C of must is becoming more and more used as indicator of vines’ water use. Therefore, the possibility to utilize a simplified method of extraction would enhance the application of the δ13 C at a larger scale to evaluate vine adaptation in the context of climate-change-driven increases in drought

Video-assisted two-stage basilic vein transposition for creation of brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistulae

We report our experience in a mixed minimally-in- vasive technique for the two-stage transposition of basilic vein on a small series of eight patients. The operative tech- nique consisted of a modified endoscopic (1) approach for the two-stage transposition (2). The intervention was performed under Brachial Plexus Block (3)

Modulation of hepatic lipid metabolism by olive oil and its phenols in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common chronic liver disease in western countries, being considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Cumulative lines of evidence suggest that olive oil, used as primary source of fat by Mediterranean populations, may play a key role in the observed health benefits on NAFLD. In this review, we summarize the state of the art of the knowledge on the protective role of both major and minor components of olive oil on lipid metabolism during NAFLD. In particular, the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the increase or decrease in hepatic lipid content are critically analyzed, taking into account that several studies have often provided different and/or conflicting results in animal models fed on olive oil-enriched diet. In addition, new findings that highlight the hypolipidemic and the antisteatotic actions of olive oil phenols are presented. As mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the targeting of these organelles with olive oil phenols as a powerful therapeutic approach is also discussed

Current strategies for tracheal replacement: A review

Airway cancers have been increasing in recent years. Tracheal resection is commonly performed during surgery and is burdened from post-operative complications severely affecting quality of life. Tracheal resection is usually carried out in primary tracheal tumors or other neoplasms of the neck region. Regenerative medicine for tracheal replacement using bio-prosthesis is under current research. In recent years, attempts were made to replace and transplant human cadaver trachea. An effective vascular supply is fundamental for a successful tracheal transplantation. The use of biological scaffolds derived from decellularized tissues has the advantage of a three-dimensional structure based on the native extracellular matrix promoting the perfusion, vascularization, and differentiation of the seeded cell typologies. By appropriately modulating some experimental parameters, it is possible to change the characteristics of the surface. The obtained membranes could theoretically be affixed to a decellularized tissue, but, in practice, it needs to ensure adhesion to the biological substrate and/or glue adhesion with biocompatible glues. It is also known that many of the biocompatible glues can be toxic or poorly tolerated and induce inflammatory phenomena or rejection. In tissue and organ transplants, decellularized tissues must not produce adverse immunological reactions and lead to rejection phenomena; at the same time, the transplant tissue must retain the mechanical properties of the original tissue. This review describes the attempts so far developed and the current lines of research in the field of tracheal replacement

Analisi Statistica delle Proprietà Idrauliche ed Idrodispersive dei Suoli

Il presente studio è particolarmente dedicato agli aspetti fondamentali dell’analisi della variabilità spaziale e temporale delle proprietà idrauliche dei suoli, sviluppati secondo il paradigma fondamentale: teoria, risultati, utilizzazione e temi di ricerca. Sosteniamo che l’efficienza delle metodologie proposte si fonda sul postulato, largamente accettato, che il suolo è un complesso fenomeno naturale non perfettamente definito e pertanto le metodologie non pretendono che il sistema suolo, che può essere modellato con parametri ed osservazioni strumentali sia più esatto o più perfetto di quanto esso realmente sia. Da questo postulato discendono tutti gli strumenti analitici di sintesi ed indagine proposti in questo lavoro. Allo scopo, utile riferimento è fornito dall’ampia casistica offerta relativamente alle indagini svolte. Il quadro concettuale di questo studio può consentire un più corretto sviluppo di tecnologie agro ecologiche volte all’accertamento della struttura delle risorse naturali integrate su differenti scale di spazio e di tempo per una gestione ottimale dell’ecosistema in toto piuttosto che valutare l’impatto di particolari, a volte arbitrari, trattamenti applicati, come spesso accade nelle scienze agronomiche, a sets di piccole parcelle sperimentali mediante il solo ricorso ai metodi di analisi della varianza

A Hybrid Storage Systems for All Electric Aircraft

A hybrid energy storage system specifically designed for a fully electric aircraft is presented in the paper. The analysis of the time evolution of the power demand of the electric propulsion system during a test mission of Maxwell X-57, an all-electric aircraft developed by NASA, has pointed out the presence of significant peak power during take-off and air tack. Considered the issues related to weight and the volume of the energy storage systems (ESSs) in all-electric aircraft, a hybridization of aircraft ESS with a Supercapacitors (SCs) bank, devoted to smooth peak power demand, has been investigated. A comparison between the simulation results of an electrochemical battery and hybrid ESSs, designed on the test mission of Maxwell X-57 power demand, has been developed. The advantage of hybrid configuration with respect to battery-based one in term of volume and weight reduction is finally presented