PDMS/Polyimide Composite as an Elastomeric Substrate for Multifunctional Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) emerged as one of the most promising materials for flexible functional devices. However, the attempts to obtain LIG onto elastomeric substrates never succeed, hindering its full exploitation for stretchable electronics. Herein, a novel polymeric composite is reported as a starting material for the fabrication of graphene-based electrodes by direct laser writing. A polyimide (PI) powder is dispersed into the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix to achieve an easily processable and functional elastomeric substrate, allowing the conversion of the polymeric surface into laser-induced graphene (LIG). The mechanical and electrical properties of the proposed material can be easily tuned by acting on the polyimide powder concentration. The reported procedure takes advantage from the simple casting process, typical of silicone elastomer, allowing to produce electrodes conformable to any kind of shape and surface as well as complex three-dimensional structures. Electrochemical capacitors and strain gauges are selected as flexible prototypes to demonstrate the multifunctional properties of the obtained LIG on the PDMS/PI composite substrate

White light thermoplasmonic activated gold nanorod arrays enable the photo-thermal disinfection of medical tools from bacterial contamination

The outspread of bacterial pathogens causing severe infections and spreading rapidly, especially among hospitalized patients, is worrying and represents a global public health issue. Current disinfection techniques are becoming insufficient to counteract the spread of these pathogens because they carry multiple antibiotic-resistance genes. For this reason, a constant need exists for new technological solutions that rely on physical methods rather than chemicals. Nanotechnology support provides novel and unexplored opportunities to boost groundbreaking, next-gen solutions. With the help of plasmonic-assisted nanomaterials, we present and discuss our findings in innovative bacterial disinfection techniques. Gold nanorods (AuNRs) immobilized on rigid substrates are utilized as efficient white light-to-heat transducers (thermoplasmonic effect) for photo-thermal (PT) disinfection. The resulting AuNRs array shows a high sensitivity change in refractive index and an extraordinary capability in converting white light to heat, producing a temperature change greater than 50 °C in a few minute interval illumination time. Results were validated using a theoretical approach based on a diffusive heat transfer model. Experiments performed with a strain of Escherichia coli as a model microorganism confirm the excellent capability of the AuNRs array to reduce the bacteria viability upon white light illumination. Conversely, the E. coli cells remain viable without white light illumination, which also confirms the lack of intrinsic toxicity of the AuNRs array. The PT transduction capability of the AuNRs array is utilized to produce white light heating of medical tools used during surgical treatments, generating a temperature increase that can be controlled and is suitable for disinfection. Our findings are pioneering a new opportunity for healthcare facilities since the reported methodology allows non-hazardous disinfection of medical devices by simply employing a conventional white light lamp

Longevity in mice: is stress resistance a common factor?

A positive relationship between stress resistance and longevity has been reported in a multitude of studies in organisms ranging from yeast to mice. Several mouse lines have been discovered or developed that exhibit extended longevities when compared with normal, wild-type mice of the same genetic background. These long-living lines include the Ames dwarf, Snell dwarf, growth hormone receptor knockout (Laron dwarf), IGF-1 receptor heterozygote, Little, α-MUPA knockout, p66shc knockout, FIRKO, mClk-1 heterozygote, thioredoxin transgenic, and most recently the Klotho transgenic mouse. These mice are described in terms of the reported extended lifespans and studies involving resistance to stress. In addition, caloric restriction (CR) and stress resistance are briefly addressed for comparison with genetically altered mice. Although many of the long-living mice have GH/IGF-1/insulin signaling-related alterations and enhanced stress resistance, there are some that exhibit life extension without an obvious link to this hormone pathway. Resistance to oxidative stress is by far the most common system studied in long-living mice, but there is evidence of enhancement of resistance in other systems as well. The differences in stress resistance between long-living mutant and normal mice result from complex interrelationships among pathways that appear to coordinate signals of growth and metabolism, and subsequently result in differences in lifespan

Anuran responses to spatial patterns of agricultural landscapes in Argentina

Context: Amphibians are declining worldwide and land use change to agriculture is recognized as a leading cause. Argentina is undergoing an agriculturalization process with rapid changes in landscape structure. Objectives: We evaluated anuran response to landscape composition and configuration in two landscapes of east-central Argentina with different degrees of agriculturalization. We identified sensitive species and evaluated landscape influence on communities and individual species at two spatial scales. Methods: We compared anuran richness, frequency of occurrence, and activity between landscapes using call surveys data from 120 sampling points from 2007 to 2009. We evaluated anuran responses to landscape structure variables estimated within 250 and 500-m radius buffers using canonical correspondence analysis and multimodel inference from a set of candidate models. Results: Anuran richness was lower in the landscape with greater level of agriculturalization with reduced amount of forest cover and stream length. This pattern was driven by the lower occurrence and calling activity of seven out of the sixteen recorded species. Four species responded positively to the amount of forest cover and stream habitat. Three species responded positively to forest cohesion and negatively to rural housing. Two responded negatively to crop area and diversity of cover classes. Conclusions: Anurans within agricultural landscapes of east-central Argentina are responding to landscape structure. Responses varied depending on species and study scale. Life-history traits contribute to responses differences. Our study offers a better understanding of landscape effects on anurans and can be used for land management in other areas experiencing a similar agriculturalization process.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

A new class of glycomimetic drugs to prevent free fatty acid-induced endothelial dysfunction

Background: Carbohydrates play a major role in cell signaling in many biological processes. We have developed a set of glycomimetic drugs that mimic the structure of carbohydrates and represent a novel source of therapeutics for endothelial dysfunction, a key initiating factor in cardiovascular complications. Purpose: Our objective was to determine the protective effects of small molecule glycomimetics against free fatty acid­induced endothelial dysfunction, focusing on nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress pathways. Methods: Four glycomimetics were synthesized by the stepwise transformation of 2,5­dihydroxybenzoic acid to a range of 2,5­substituted benzoic acid derivatives, incorporating the key sulfate groups to mimic the interactions of heparan sulfate. Endothelial function was assessed using acetylcholine­induced, endotheliumdependent relaxation in mouse thoracic aortic rings using wire myography. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior was evaluated in the presence or absence of the free fatty acid, palmitate, with or without glycomimetics (1µM). DAF­2 and H2DCF­DA assays were used to determine nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, respectively. Lipid peroxidation colorimetric and antioxidant enzyme activity assays were also carried out. RT­PCR and western blotting were utilized to measure Akt, eNOS, Nrf­2, NQO­1 and HO­1 expression. Results: Ex vivo endothelium­dependent relaxation was significantly improved by the glycomimetics under palmitate­induced oxidative stress. In vitro studies showed that the glycomimetics protected HUVECs against the palmitate­induced oxidative stress and enhanced NO production. We demonstrate that the protective effects of pre­incubation with glycomimetics occurred via upregulation of Akt/eNOS signaling, activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and suppression of ROS­induced lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: We have developed a novel set of small molecule glycomimetics that protect against free fatty acidinduced endothelial dysfunction and thus, represent a new category of therapeutic drugs to target endothelial damage, the first line of defense against cardiovascular disease

Una giornata nei quattro quartieri

Indagine condotta su quattro quartieri romani. Trullo, Primavalle, Villaggio Olimpico e Decim

Nuove ricerche nel territorio di Civitavecchia. Un progetto per Aquae Tauri

Inspired by the surveys carried out by the ‘Società Storica Civitavecchiese’ at La Ficoncella, in the territory of Civitavecchia, in 2016 the ‘Soprintendenza ai beni culturali’ involved in the research the Universities of Bologna and Rome Sapienza. In 2017, thanks to the contribution of the Municipality of Civitavecchia, archaeological investigations started, under the direction of the University of Bologna with the collaboration of the University of Roma Sapienza and the support of local institutions and associations. This initiative, called Acheloous Project, is a unique opportunity to review the knowledge about Civitavecchia and its surroundings, a territory that in last decades has been subjected to works that have deeply changed its feature, and for which an overview is still lacking. Here we present a synthesis of the knowledge and the first results of the research, starting from a reflection about the city center of Civitavecchia and its port up to the late Antiquity, and from a re-reading of the written sources in comparison with the archaeological and topographical data. We also present the results of the remote sensing, diagnostics and archaeological excavations in the site that the historiography refers to the territory of Aquae Tauri, a center that would be reduced in relation to the progressive development of Centumcellae during Roman times. The archaeological prospections and excavations in the area show the great potential of this site, characterized by the presence of hot and healthy waters

Nuove ricerche sul territorio di Civitavecchia. Un progetto per Aquae Tauri

Prendendo spunto da recenti indagini svolte dalla Società Storica Civitavecchiese in località Ficoncella, nel Comune di Civitavecchia, la Soprintendenza ha coinvolto nel 2016 le Università di Bologna e di Roma Sapienza. Nel 2017, grazie al contributo del Comune di Civitavecchia, sono state avviate indagini archeologiche, a cura dell’Università di Bologna con la collaborazione dell’Università di Roma Sapienza, in sinergia con gli enti e le associazioni locali. Il progetto ha costituito l'occasione per una revisione delle conoscenze su Civitavecchia e i suoi dintorni, un territorio oggetto negli ultimi decenni di opere, che ne hanno profondamente modificato la fisionomia. In questa sede si presenta un bilancio delle conoscenze e si illustrano i primi risultati.Inspired by the surveys carried out by the ‘Società Storica Civitavecchiese’ at La Ficoncella, in the territory of Civitavecchia, in 2016 the ‘Soprintendenza ai beni culturali’ involved in the research the Universities of Bologna and Rome Sapienza. In 2017, thanks to the contribution of the Municipality of Civitavecchia, archaeological investigations started, under the direction of the University of Bologna with the collaboration of the University of Roma Sapienza and the support of local institutions and associations. This initiative, called Acheloous Project, is a unique opportunity to review the knowledge about Civitavecchia and its surroundings, a territory that in last decades has been subjected to works that have deeply changed its feature, and for which an overview is still lacking. Here we present a synthesis of the knowledge and the first results of the research, starting from a reflection about the city center of Civitavecchia and its port up to the late Antiquity, and from a re-reading of the written sources in comparison with the archaeological and topographical data. We also present the results of the remote sensing, diagnostics and archaeological excavations in the site that the historiography refers to the territory of Aquae Tauri, a center that would be reduced in relation to the progressive development of Centumcellae during Roman times. The archaeological prospections and excavations in the area show the great potential of this site, characterized by the presence of hot and healthy waters