Hybrid PCM\u2014aluminium foams\u2019 thermal storages: an experimental study

The latent heat absorption phenomenon associated with melting of a suitable Phase Change Material can be an effective way to improve the Thermal Energy Storage behaviour in many applications. However, the most suitable materials to be used in heating and refrigeration systems find intrinsic limitations due to their poor heat transfer capabilities. This work experimentally studies the use of aluminum foams as heat transfer medium to improve the overall heat transfer of paraffin waxes that can be possible phase change materials to be implemented in hybrid sensible-latent water thermal energy storages. The experimental tests were run in a dedicated setup designed, developed, and built at the Department of Management and Engineering of the University of Padova. The effects of the use of aluminum foams as enhancing heat transfer medium were studied by comparing the loading and unloading processes of a paraffin wax with melting temperature around 40 \ub0C, with and without metal foams, in a water thermal storage unit. The effects of three different foams with 5, 20, and 40 Pores Per Inch (PPI) were investigated

Exploiting double exchange Diels-Alder cycloadditions for immobilization of peptide nucleic acids on gold nanoparticles

The generation of PNA-decorated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has revealed to be more difficult as compared to the generation of DNA-functionalized ones. The less polar nature of this artificial nucleic acid system and the associated tendency of the neutral poly-amidic backbone to aspecifically adsorb onto the gold surface rather than forming a covalent bond through gold-thiol interaction, combined with the low solubility of PNAs itself, form the main limiting factors in the functionalization of AuNP. Here, we provide a convenient methodology that allows to easily conjugate PNAs to AuNP. Positively charged PNAs containing a masked furan moiety were immobilized via a double exchange Diels-Alder cycloaddition onto masked maleimide-functionalized AuNPs in a one-pot fashion. Conjugated PNA strands retain their ability to selectively hybridize with target DNA strands. Moreover, the duplexes resulting from hybridization can be detached through a retro-Diels-Alder reaction, thus allowing straightforward catch-and-release of specific nucleic acid targets

Morphological abnormalities of planktonic foraminiferal tests in the SW pacific ocean over the last 550ky

This project was funded by “FAR 2012-2014” grants of the University of Pavia (Italy).The paper focuses on the occurrence of morphologically abnormal specimens of planktonic foraminifera observed over the last 550ky in IMAGES core MD 97-2114 (East of New Zealand, SW Pacific). Abnormal tests occurred throughout the entire record in all the morphospecies characterising the assemblages but were relatively rare, with percentages not exceeding 1.5% of the total assemblage. No mass abnormality events were found. A range of malformations were observed from slight deformity with smaller or overdeveloped chambers to more severe deformity, with misplaced chambers, distorted spirals or double tests forming twinned individuals. They exhibited several different categories of morphological abnormalities, even within the same sample. Test abnormalities were most abundant in the morphospecies Globorotalia inflata, Globigerina bulloides and Orbulina universa and were characterised by a long-term decreasing trend up core with an alternating % abundance pattern at the glacial to interglacial scale between MIS 14 to MIS 8, recording the highest percentages during the interglacials. Normalised total abundance and abnormal abundance curves co-varied very closely for G. bulloides and O. universa, but for G. inflata two opposing excursions were observed during MIS 13 and 6 which may be linked to water column states. Although abnormal numbers were proportionately low, there appears to be a “natural” background number of malformations in the G. inflata population through time. There was no relationship between volcanic ash production and test abnormalities.PostprintPeer reviewe

MIDDLE EOCENE TO EARLY MIOCENE FORAMINIFERAL BIOSTRATIGRAPHY IN THE EPILIGURIAN SUCCESSION (NORTHERN APENNINES, ITALY)

A quantitative biostratigraphical study was performed on the foraminiferal assemblages from 15 stratigraphic sections of the Epiligurian Succession (Middle Eocene-Early Miocene, Northern Apennines, Italy). This study enabled us to identify the presence of some of the standard bioevents and to note that other bioevents are absent or show a different chronostratigraphic range. Other additional bioevents, identified throughout the area, have therefore been utilised to improve the biostratigraphical resolution of the Epiligurian sediments. These bioevents include the massive extinction of the muricate species at the Bartonian/Priabonian boundary; the increasing abundance of Paragloborotalia opima opima near Subzone P21a/P21b and the Rupelian/Chattian boundaries; and the FO of Globoquadrina dehiscens at the Subzone N4a/N4b boundary.&nbsp

Nanoparticle-based receptors mimic protein-ligand recognition

The self-assembly of a monolayer of ligands on the surface of noble metal nanoparticles dictates the fundamental nanoparticle\u2019s behavior and its functionality. In this combined computational\u2013experimental study, we analyze the structure, organization, and dynamics of functionalized coating thiols in monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). We explain how functionalized coating thiols self-organize through a delicate and somehow counterintuitive balance of interactions within the monolayer itself and with the solvent. We further describe how the nature and plasticity of these interactions modulate nanoparticle-based chemosensing. Importantly, we found that self-organization of coating thiols can induce the formation of binding pockets in AuNPs. These transient cavities can accommodate small molecules, mimicking protein-ligand recognition, which may explain the selectivity and sensitivity observed for different organic analytes in NMR chemosensing experiments. Thus, our findings advocate for the rational design of tailored coating groups to form specific recognition binding sites on monolayer-protected AuNPs

Courtesy robotic bodies for small bedridden patients

The scientific literature reports an increasing number of actions aimed at providing mobile robots that allow telepresence experiences to bed-ridden adult patients [1]. A recent review published in BJM Open [2] shows that the use of such robots is increasing very quickly. The nationality of the authors of the articles analyzed in this work is mainly Italy. The use of humanoid and empathic robots such as Nao and Pepper is spreading also in Italian pediatric hospitals. It follows that it is possible and appropriate, as already happens for adults, to use these robots not only for rehabilitation, surgery and distraction [Dawe et al 2019] but also to promote inclusion, by employing them as a telepresence robot. In this case it is no longer the medical-nursing staff that "guides" the robot used for the patient but the patient himself who uses the humanoid robot as a "courtesy body", a robotic avatar, controlled from the bed or from the stay. At present, applications of this kind reported in literature are very scarce and focused exclusively in protected contexts (hospitals and other places of care) but not in other environments (museums, schools, homes for holidays, mountain refuges). The number of articles containing the keywords "robot" and "telepresence" has increased exponentially in the period 2000-2017. Yet, nothing has been published to date regarding the developmental age. The aim of this work was therefore to verify whether, within a pediatric hospital, humanoid robots can have an inclusive role in contexts typical of the developmental age (school, sports, oratory, summer camps). In particular 3 models of humanoid robots were used in extra-hospital settings and remote-controlled by a underage patient. From these preliminary experiences, telepresence robotics carried out with humanoid and empathic robots seems to be promising for hospitalized children. Entrusting a small robot avatar use to each underage patient, with the goal to reach an earlier inclusion, is not only technically possible but also sustainable from the social, economic and environmental points of view. The use of BCI (Brain Computer Interface) technologies in children could make this opportunity universal. References 1. Young J, Langlotz T, Cook M, Mills S, Regenbrecht H. Immersive Telepresence and Remote Collaboration using Mobile and Wearable Devices. IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph. 2019;25:1908-1918. 2.Dawe J, Sutherland C, Barco A, Broadbent E. Can social robots help children in healthcare contexts? A scoping review. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2018;0:e000371