A field-measurements-based LoRa network planning tool

Long range (LoRa) transmission technology enables energy-constrained devices such as the tiny sensor systems used in internet-of-things applications that are distributed over wide areas while still being able to establish appropriate connectivity. This has resulted in the development of an exponentially increasing number of different solutions and services based on LoRa, be they dedicated to the long-term monitoring of distributed plants and infrastructures or to human-centred applications such as safety-oriented sensor systems for use in the workplace. In dense LoRa networks, predicting the number of supported nodes in relation to their position and the propagation environment is essential for ensuring reliable and stable communication and minimising costs. In this paper, after comparing different path loss models based on a field measurement campaign for LoRa received signal strength indicator values within a university campus, two main modifications of the LoRa simulator tool were implemented. These were aimed at improving the accuracy of the prediction of the number of sustainable nodes in relation to the target data extraction rate set. The simulations based on field measurements demonstrated that through an improved path loss evaluation and the use of three gateways, the number of nodes could be increased theoretically from around 100 to around 6,000

The c4 atriplex halimus vs. The c3 atriplex hortensis: Similarities and differences in the salinity stress response

open7noSoil properties and the ability to sustain agricultural production are seriously impaired by salinity. The cultivation of halophytes is seen as a solution to cope with the problem. In this framework, a greenhouse pot experiment was set up to assess salinity response in the perennial C4 species Atriplex halimus, and in the following three cultivars of the annual C3 Atriplex hortensis: green, red, and scarlet. The four genotypes were grown for 35 days with water salinity (WS) ranging from 0 to 360 mM NaCl. Plant height and fresh weight (FW) increased at 360 vs. 0 WS. The stomatal conductance (GS) and transpiration rate (E) were more severely affected by salinity in the C4 A. halimus than in the C3 species A. hortensis. This was reflected in a lower leaf water potential indicating stronger osmotic adjustment, and a higher relative water content associated with more turgid leaves, in A. halimus than A. hortensis. In a PCA including all the studied traits, the GS and E negatively correlated to the FW, which, in turn, positively correlated with Na concentration and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), indicating that reduced gas exchange associated with Na accumulation contributed to sustain iWUE under salinity. Finally, FTIR spectroscopy showed a reduced amount of pectin, lignin, and cellulose under salinity, indicating a weakened cell wall structure. Overall, both species were remarkably adapted to salinity: From an agronomic perspective, the opposite strategies of longer vs. faster soil coverage, involved by the perennial A. halimus vs. the annual A. hortensis cv. scarlet, are viable natural remedies for revegetating marginal saline soils and increasing soil organic carbon.openCalone R.; Cellini A.; Manfrini L.; Lambertini C.; Gioacchini P.; Simoni A.; Barbanti L.Calone R.; Cellini A.; Manfrini L.; Lambertini C.; Gioacchini P.; Simoni A.; Barbanti L

Proteomics-based investigation in C2C12 myoblast differentiation

Skeletal muscle cell differentiation is a multistage process extensively studied over the years. Even if great improvements have been achieved in defining biological process underlying myogenesis, many molecular mechanisms need still to be clarified

Effect of biofertilizers application on soil biodiversity and litter degradation in a commercial apricot orchard

The aim of the present experiment was to determine if the supply of biofertilizers could differently stimulate the native microbiota, thus determining different patterns of organic material decomposition processes. The microbial composition of soil and litter was investigated by next generation sequencing using a metabarcoding approach. The chemical structure of the decomposing litterbags was investigated through the TG-DTA analysis and NIR spectroscopy. The study was conducted in an apricot orchard in Italy, and two different type of biofertilizers (AMF and Trichoderma spp.) were compared to unfertilized control over one year. Bacteria and fungi in soil, 162 days from litter deposition, evidenced differentiated clusters for control and both biofertilizers; on the other hand, only fungal composition of litterbags was modified as a consequence of Trichoderma spp. supply; no effect was observed in the bacterial community of litterbags. NIR and TG-DTA analysis evidenced a significant change over time of the chemical composition of litterbags with a faster degradation as a consequence of Trichoderma spp. supply testified by a higher degradation coefficient (1.9) than control (1.6) and AMF (1.7). The supply of biofertilizers partially modified the bacteria community of soil, while Trichoderma spp. Influenced the fungal community of the litter. Moreover, Trichoderma spp. Evidenced a faster and higher degradation of litter than AMF-biofertilizers, laying the foundation for an efficient use in orchard

C2C12 MYOBLASTS RELEASE MICRO-VESICLES CONTAINING mtDNA AND PROTEINS INVOLVED IN SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION

none11Micro-vesicles can be released by different cell types and operate as ‘safe containers’ mediatine inter-cellular communication. In this work we investigated whether cultured myoblasts could release exosomes. The reported data demonstrate, for the first time, that C2C12 myoblasts release micro-vesicles as shown by the presence of two exosome markers (Tsg101 and Alix proteins). Using real-time PCR analysis it was shown that these micro-vesicles, like other cell types, carry mtDNA. Proteomic characterization of the released micro-vesicle contents showed the presence of many proteins involved in signal transduction. The bioinformatics assessment of the Disorder Index and Aggregation Index of these proteins suggested that C2C12 micro-vesicles mainly deliver the machinery for signal transduction to target cells rather than key proteins involved in hub functions in molecular networks. The presence of IGFBP-5 in the purified micro-vesicles represents an exception, since this binding protein can play a key role in the modulation of the IGF-1 signalling pathway. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrate that skeletal muscle cells release micro-vesicles, which probably have an important role in the communication processes within skeletal muscles and between skeletal muscles and other organs. In particular, the present findings suggest possibile new diagnostic approaches to skeletal muscle diseases.openM. GUESCINI; D. GUIDOLIN; L. VALLORANI; L. CASADEI; A.M. GIOACCHINI; P. TIBOLLO; M. BATTISTELLI; E. FALCIERI; L. BATTISTIN; L.F. AGNATI; V. STOCCHIGuescini, Michele; D., Guidolin; Vallorani, Luciana; Casadei, Lucia; Gioacchini, ANNA MARIA; P., Tibollo; Battistelli, Michela; Falcieri, Elisabetta; L., Battistin; L. F., Agnati; Stocchi, Vilbert

Lactobacillus rhamnosus lowers zebrafish lipid content by changing gut microbiota and host transcription of genes involved in lipid metabolism.

The microbiome plays an important role in lipid metabolism but how the introduction of probiotic communities affects host lipid metabolism is poorly understood. Using a multidisciplinary approach we addressed this knowledge gap using the zebrafish model by coupling high-throughput sequencing with biochemical, molecular and morphological analysis to evaluate the changes in the intestine. Analysis of bacterial 16S libraries revealed that Lactobacillus rhamnosus was able to modulate the gut microbiome of zebrafish larvae, elevating the abundance of Firmicutes sequences and reducing the abundance of Actinobacteria. The gut microbiome changes modulated host lipid processing by inducing transcriptional down-regulation of genes involved in cholesterol and triglycerides metabolism (fit2, agpat4, dgat2, mgll, hnf4α, scap, and cck) concomitantly decreasing total body cholesterol and triglyceride content and increasing fatty acid levels. L. rhamnosus treatment also increased microvilli and enterocyte lengths and decreased lipid droplet size in the intestinal epithelium. These changes resulted in elevated zebrafish larval growth. This integrated system investigation demonstrates probiotic modulation of the gut microbiome, highlights a novel gene network involved in lipid metabolism, provides an insight into how the microbiome regulates molecules involved in lipid metabolism, and reveals a new potential role for L. rhamnosus in the treatment of lipid disorders

The impact of controlled ovarian stimulation hormones on the metabolic state and endocannabinoid system of human cumulus cells

Different Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) formulation and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are used in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to induce follicles development and oocytes maturation, but it is still under debate which protocol is to be preferred. In the present study, the different effects on cumulus cells (CCs) of three controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols, based on urinary FSH, recombinant FSH, or human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) administration, were assessed. CCs were obtained from 42 normal-responders women undergoing COS, randomly divided into three groups according to the used gonadotropin formulation. Differences were found in the expression of genes belonging to the endocannabinoid system (the receptors CNR1, CNR2 and TRPV1, and the enzymes involved in the metabolisms of anandamide, NAPE-PLD and FAAH, and 2-acylglycerol, DAGL and MAGL); consistently, changes in lipid (PPARα, and FASN) and carbohydrate (GLUT1 and GLUT9) metabolisms, in CCs’ macromolecules composition (highlighted by Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy, FTIRM), and in the number of retrieved oocytes were found. For the first time, statistically significant evidence on the differences related to each COS protocol on the endocannabinoid system, metabolism and macromolecular composition of CCs was found, representing a proof of concept to be further confirmed in a larger cohort of patients

REPORT OF THE 2019 ICCAT WORKSHOP ON SWORDFISH BIOLOGY STUDIES FOR GROWTH, REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS

This report describes the June, 2019 ICCAT workshop on swordfish biology studies for growth, reproduction and genetics, hosted by the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Olhão, Portugal . The major objectives of the workshop were to 1) refine sampling and biological data collection protocols, 2) develop protocols and start the sample processing and analysis, and 3) plan for the project future steps. The biological sampling program was established by ICCAT’s Swordfish Species Group in 2018, aiming to improve knowledge of the stock distribution, age and gender of the catch, growth rate, age at maturation, maturation rate, spawning season and location and diet. This work will contribute to the next major advance in the assessment of swordfish status, by permitting the development of more spatially and biologically realistic population models used in both Atlantic and Mediterranean populations assessments and within the ICCAT Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) for North Atlantic swordfish.En prens

Sub-clinical effects of chronic noise exposure on vestibular system

Aim: to investigate the effect of chronic noise exposure on vestibular function of subjects without clinical evidence of vestibular disorders and with documented cochlear damage from noise. Subjects and methods: 25 patients with chronic noise- induced hearing loss (NIHL) and without vestibular complaints (group A) and 25 matched controls with sensorineural hearing loss without noise exposure (group B), underwent audiological and vestibular test including caloric and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials tests (cVEMPs). Results: In subjects chronically exposed to noise, similarly to that of the auditory threshold, an increase in the evocation threshold of VEMPs has been documented, statistically significant (p<0,05) and independent of the performance of the auditory threshold. p1-n1 amplitude values showed a significant difference between group A and group B. No significant difference for p1-n1 latencies between the two groups was found. Conclusion: We have documented the possibility of vestibular lesion, along with cochlear damage, related to chronic acoustic trauma

Approccio endoscopico endonasale alla giunzione craniocervicale: l’importanza di preservare o ricostruire l’arco anteriore dell’atlante

Riportiamo la nostra esperienza con l’approccio endoscopico endonasale (EEA) in una serie consecutiva di 10 pazienti affetti da lesioni anteriori della giunzione cranio-cervicale. L’obiettivo dello studio è analizzare l’outcome di questi pazienti focalizzando l’attenzione sulla possibilità di preservare o ricostruire l’arco anteriore di C1, quale importante elemento di stabilità della giunzione cranio-cervicale. Dal gennaio 2009 al dicembre 2013, 10 pazienti con patologia della giunzione craniocervicale sono stati operati mediante approccio endoscopico endonasale. Le lesioni trattate includevano 4 casi di non riducibile compressione bulbo-midollare extradurale anteriore della giunzione (secondarie ad artrite reumatoide o anomalie della giunzione), 4 casi di fratture inveterate di C1 o del dente dell’epistrofeo e 2 casi lesioni tumorali. La valutazione clinica pre- e postoperatoria è stata effettuata mediante la scala di Ranawat per i casi di artrite reumatoide e di Nurick per gli altri. Il follow-up radiologico comprendeva invece RM, TC e RX con prove morfo-dinamiche per eventuale preesistente severa instabilità. Dopo l’approccio EEA puro alla giunzione craniocervicale, nessun paziente ha presentato un peggioramento neurologico, né si sono verificate significative complicanze. Al follow-up medio di 31 mesi (range 14-73 mesi), un miglioramento di almeno un livello della classificazione Ranawat o Nurick si è osservato in 6 pazienti mentre gli altri 4 sono rimasti stabili. Il follow-up neuroradiologico ha documentato in tutti i casi un’adeguata decompressione bulbo-midollare, mentre nei casi di frattura di C1 o C2 una regolare fusione ossea delle rime di frattura. Nessun paziente ha presentato segni di instabilità e non è stata pertanto necessaria alcuna procedura di stabilizzazione e fusione posteriore. L’approccio endoscopico endonasale garantisce un’adeguata esposizione delle lesioni antero-mediali della giunzione craniocervicale. Nella nostra serie di pazienti tale procedura ha permesso di preservare o ricostruire l’arco anteriore di C1, evitando quindi una sintesi posteriore e la relativa perdita di movimento rotazionale C0-C2 e l’instabilità subassiale