Development of a Flexible Lead-Free Piezoelectric Transducer for Health Monitoring in the Space Environment

In this work we report on the fabrication process for the development of a flexible piezopolymeric transducer for health monitoring applications, based on lead-free, piezoelectric zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films. All the selected materials are compatible with the space environment and were deposited by the RF magnetron sputtering technique at room temperature, in view of preserving the total flexibility of the structures, which is an important requirement to guarantee coupling with cylindrical fuel tanks whose integrity we want to monitor. The overall transducer architecture was made of a c-axis-oriented ZnO thin film coupled to a pair of flexible Polyimide foils coated with gold (Au) electrodes. The fabrication process started with the deposition of the bottom electrode on Polyimide foils. The ZnO thin film and the top electrode were then deposited onto the Au/Polyimide substrates. Both the electrodes and ZnO layer were properly patterned by wet-chemical etching and optical lithography. The assembly of the final structure was then obtained by gluing the upper and lower Polyimide foils with an epoxy resin capable of guaranteeing low outgassing levels, as well as adequate thermal and electrical insulation of the transducers. The piezoelectric behavior of the prototypes was confirmed and evaluated by measuring the mechanical displacement induced from the application of an external voltage

Kramers-Kronig relations and precision limits in quantum phase estimation

The ultimate precision in any measurement is dictated by the physical process implementing the observation. The methods of quantum metrology have now succeeded in establishing bounds on the achievable precision for phase measurements over noisy channels. In particular, they demonstrate how the Heisenberg scaling of the precision can not be attained in these conditions. Here we discuss how the ultimate bound in presence of loss has a physical motivation in the Kramers-Kronig relations and we show how they link the precision on the phase estimation to that on the loss parameter

Lift-off assisted patterning of few layers graphene

Graphene and 2D materials have been exploited in a growing number of applications and the quality of the deposited layer has been found to be a critical issue for the functionality of the developed devices. Particularly, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of high quality graphene should be preserved without defects also in the subsequent processes of transferring and patterning. In this work, a lift-off assisted patterning process of Few Layer Graphene (FLG) has been developed to obtain a significant simplification of the whole transferring method and a conformal growth on micrometre size features. The process is based on the lift-off of the catalyst seed layer prior to the FLG deposition. Starting from a SiO2 finished Silicon substrate, a photolithographic step has been carried out to define the micro patterns, then an evaporation of Pt thin film on Al2O3 adhesion layer has been performed. Subsequently, the Pt/Al2O3 lift-off step has been attained using a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) bath. The FLG was grown directly on the patterned Pt seed layer by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Raman spectroscopy was applied on the patterned area in order to investigate the quality of the obtained graphene. Following the novel lift-off assisted patterning technique a minimization of the de-wetting phenomenon for temperatures up to 1000 °C was achieved and micropatterns, down to 10 µm, were easily covered with a high quality FL

Physical Exercise and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

An important goal for cancer patients is to improve the quality of life (QOL) by maximising functions affected by the disease and its therapy. Preliminary research suggests that exercise may be an effective intervention for enhancing QOL in cancer survivors. Research has provided preliminary evidence for the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of exercise training in breast cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to assess the association between physical exercise and quality of life in a population of female breast cancer survivors, followed up from diagnosis to the off-treatment time period, and investigated about their exercise habits in pre-diagnosis

NEUROBEHAVIORAL FUNCTIONS, SERUM PROLACTIN AND PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY OF MANGANESE-EXPOSED WORKERS

Objective of this study was to assess effects of manganese (Mn) exposure on 56 workers employed in a Mn welding workshop of a machine building factory in Taiyuan (Shanxi Province, P.R. China) for a mean period of 16.1 years. The mean air Mn level in the workshop was 138.4 μg/m3. Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB), including the Profile of Mood States (POMS), was performed. Blood pressure (BP) increase following immediate stand-up (BP-IS), serum prolactin (PRL) and plasma renin activity (PRA) in supine position were also determined. Most of the NCTB scores of the Mn-exposed workers were lower than those of the controls, while the POMS scores were higher, indicating a Mn-induced impairment of neurophysiological functions and a deflection of mood towards negative emotion states. PRL values of the Mn-exposed workers were higher than those of the controls. BP-IS of Mn-exposed workers was significantly lower than that of the controls. PRA of the same workers was augmented more than 200 %. In the Mn-exposed workers, the higher PRL values are possibly due to a reduced inhibitory effect on pituitary lactotrope cells by the tubero-infundibular dopamine system; the decreased BP-IS was referred to imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, whereas the higher basal PRA was thought to depend on neuroendocrine changes (including increased central sympathetic tone) and/or on a direct effect of Mn on renal juxta-glomerular cells. On the whole, this study demonstrates that occupational Mn exposure is responsible for neurobehavioral changes coexisting with alterations of neuroendocrine and humoral systems

Layered Double Hydroxide-Based Gas Sensors for VOC Detection at Room Temperature

Miniaturized low-cost sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have the potentiality to become a fundamental tool for indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring, to significantly improve everyday life. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) belong to the class of anionic clays and are largely employed for NOx detection, while few results are reported on VOCs. In this work, a novel LDH coprecipitation method is proposed. For the first time, a study comparing four LDHs (ZnAl−Cl, ZnFe−Cl, ZnAl−NO3, and MgAl−NO3) is carried out to investigate the sensing performances. As explored through several microscopy and spectroscopy analyses, LDHs show a morphology characterized by a large surface area and a three-dimensional hierarchical flowerlike architecture with micro- and nanopores that induce a fast diffusion and highly effective surface interaction of the target gases. The fabricated sensors, operating at room temperature, are able to reversibly and selectively detect acetone, ethanol, ammonia, and chlorine vapors, reaching significant sensing response values up to 6% at 21 °C. The results demonstrate that by changing the LDHs’ composition, it is possible to modulate the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor, helping the discrimination of different analytes, and the consequent integration on a sensor array paves the way for electronic nose development

Mosquito-Borne Diseases and ‘One Health’: The Northwestern Italian Experience

In Italy, the surveillance of Mosquito-Borne Diseases (MBDs) is regulated by two national preparedness plans: (1) for West Nile and Usutu viruses, integrating human and veterinary surveillance in order to early detect viruses circulation and to quickly apply control measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission through blood and blood components and (2) for Arbovirosis transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika viruses, based on surveillance of both imported and autochthonous human cases. This chapter reports the results of the application of these National Plans in Northwestern Italy and their impact for human health. In detail, we present the coordinated activities enforced in Piemonte and Liguria Regions, as a good example of the ‘One Health approach’ to control MBDs and prevent human transmission

A Project to Context Decarbonization Analysis (PCDA) to Select the Best Energy Transition Solution Fit for Funding

An Energy Transition (ET) solutions screening has been performed in a near-Europe (EU) geography (Central Asia) to assess the sustainability of investment opportunities on green technologies in line with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria, EU climate ambition, market trends and Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Several configurations, namely a technological solution contextualized in its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) perspective by the overall value chain, have been studied, analysed and compared through a Carbon Energy Environmental and Cost Model (CEE&C) in a Project to Context Decarbonization Analysis (PCDA). The outcome of this study allowed to select the best set of ET Solution fit for the Central Asia context and attractive for climate funding framework. 7 typical ET technologies with 3 to 6 different decarbonization scenarios for a total of 40+ configurations have been considered, ranked and tested against strategic stakeholders’ engagement criteria (industrial partner, state investments, feedstock provider, off-taker, financing institutions) and economic and financial criteria (project authorizations, feedstock guarantee, fiscal incentives, etc.). Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) considered for the ranking of configuration are Product Carbon Footprint (CTG), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) avoidance, Levelized Cost of Carbon (LCOC) by project Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) and LCOC by cost efficiency. Our proposed paper intends to show how the results of the CEE&C model with the LCOC in a PCDA study can support stakeholders and investors to implement their geographical decarbonization ambition and strategy

The Orphan Receptor CRF2-4 Is an Essential Subunit of the Interleukin 10 Receptor

The orphan receptor CRF2-4 is a member of the class II cytokine receptor family (CRF2), which includes the interferon receptors, the interleukin (IL) 10 receptor, and tissue factor. CRFB4, the gene encoding CRF2-4, is located within a gene cluster on human chromosome 21 that comprises three interferon receptor subunits. To elucidate the role of CRF2-4, we disrupted the CRFB4 gene in mice by means of homologous recombination. Mice lacking CRF2-4 show no overt abnormalities, grow normally, and are fertile. CRF2-4 deficient cells are normally responsive to type I and type II interferons, but lack responsiveness to IL-10. By ∼12 wk of age, the majority of mutant mice raised in a conventional facility developed a chronic colitis and splenomegaly. Thus, CRFB4 mutant mice recapitulate the phenotype of IL-10–deficient mice. These findings suggest that CRF2-4 is essential for IL-10–mediated effects and is a subunit of the IL-10 receptor

The instrument control unit of the ARIEL payload: design evolution following the unit and payload subsystems SRR (system requirements review)

ARIEL (Atmospheric Remote-sensing InfraRed Large-survey) is a medium-class mission of the European Space Agency, part of the Cosmic Vision program, whose launch is foreseen by early 2029. ARIEL aims to study the composition of exoplanet atmospheres, their formation and evolution. The ARIEL’s target will be a sample of about 1000 planets observed with one or more of the following methods: transit, eclipse and phase-curve spectroscopy, at both visible and infrared wavelengths simultaneously. The scientific payload is composed by a reflective telescope having a 1m-class elliptical primary mirror, built in solid Aluminium, and two focal-plane instruments: FGS and AIRS. FGS (Fine Guidance System)1 has the double purpose, as suggested by its name, of performing photometry (0.50-0.55 µm) and low resolution spectrometry over three bands (from 0.8 to 1.95 µm) and, simultaneously, to provide data to the spacecraft AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System) with a cadence of 10 Hz and contributing to reach a 0.02 arcsec pointing accuracy for bright targets. AIRS (ARIEL InfraRed Spectrometer) instrument will perform IR spectrometry in two wavelength ranges: between 1.95 and 3.9 µm (with a spectral resolution R > 100) and between 3.9 and 7.8 µm with a spectral resolution R > 30. This paper provides the status of the ICU (Instrument Control Unit), an electronic box whose purpose is to command and supply power to AIRS (as well as acquire science data from its two channels) and to command and control the TCU (Telescope Control Unit)