Demonstration of an electrostatic-shielded cantilever

The fabrication and performances of cantilevered probes with reduced parasitic capacitance starting from a commercial Si3N4 cantilever chip is presented. Nanomachining and metal deposition induced by focused ion beam techniques were employed in order to modify the original insulating pyramidal tip and insert a conducting metallic tip. Two parallel metallic electrodes deposited on the original cantilever arms are employed for tip biasing and as ground plane in order to minimize the electrostatic force due to the capacitive interaction between cantilever and sample surface. Excitation spectra and force-to-distance characterization are shown with different electrode configurations. Applications of this scheme in electrostatic force microscopy, Kelvin probe microscopy and local anodic oxidation is discussed.Comment: 4 pages and 3 figures. Submitted to Applied Physics Letter

Maxillary nerve block: A comparison between the greater palatine canal and high tuberosity approaches.

Aim: Analgesia and anxiolysis during dental procedures are important for dental care and patient compliance. This study aims to compare two classical maxillary nerve block (MNB) techniques: the greater palatine canal (GPC) and the high tuberosity (HT) approaches, seldom used in routine dental practice. Methods: The study was conducted on 30 patients, scheduled for sinus lift surgery, who were randomly divided into 2 groups: the GPC approach to the MNB was used in 15 and the HT one in the other 15 patients. Anxiolysis was also used, depending on the results of the pre- preoperative assessment. Patients\u2019 sensations/pain during the procedure, details about anesthesia, and the dentist\u2019s considerations were all recorded. Data are expressed as mean \ub1SD. Statistical tests including ANOVA, \u3c72 following Yates correction and linear regression analysis were carried out. A < 0.05 p value was considered significant. Results: Study results showed that the anesthesia was effective and constant in the molar and premolar area. Additional infiltrations of local anesthetics were necessary for vestibular and palatal areas in the anterior oral cavity, respectively, in the GPC and HT groups. The two techniques were equally difficult to carry out in the dentist\u2019s opinion. There were no differences in pain or unpleasant sensations between the two groups, nor were any anesthesia-related complications reported. Conclusion: The GPC approach ensures effective anesthesia in the posterior maxillary region as far as both the dental pulp and the palatal/vestibular mucous membranes are concerned; the HT approach did not guarantee adequate anesthesia of the pterygopalatine branch of the maxillary nerve. These regional anesthesia techniques were characterized by a low incidence of intra and postoperative pain, no noteworthy complications, and high patient satisfaction

Eliciting egg consumer preferences for organic labels and omega 3 claims in Italy and Hungary

This paper investigates consumers' preferences for egg purchase in two European countries, Hungary and Italy. We utilize random parameter logit models to interpret the results of discrete choice experiments (DCE) for the elicitation of preference of the egg consumers. A sample of 403 in the Hungarian survey and 404 in the Italian survey were recruited in summer 2018. The DCE questionnaire includes the following product and process characteristics: organic labels, nutrition and health claims, and price. Our results show that for Hungarian and Italian consumers, the price is the most important attribute, followed by the nutrition and health claim and the organic production labelling. Three egg consumer segments can be identified via latent class models for each country. In both countries, we found similar consumer groups, the Price Sensitive and Quality Optimizing Opportunist Consumers and Health Conscious Buyers, respectively. Particularly, compared to the other segments the Health Conscious Buyers (46% in Hungary and 49% in Italy) exhibited stronger preference for and are willing to pay a higher price premium for eggs with organic label and nutrition claims. In Italy, we identified a third segment with consumers preferring simpler labelling approach, whilst in Hungary we found a consumer segment distrusting the EU organic logo

Glucocerebrosidase 1 and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 in Parkinson disease and interplay between the two genes

The glucocerebrosidase 1 gene (GBA1), bi-allelic variants of which cause Gaucher disease (GD), encodes the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) and is a risk factor for Parkinson Disease (PD). GBA1 variants are linked to a reduction in GCase activity in the brain. Variants in Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2), such as the gain-of-kinase-function variant G2019S, cause the most common familial form of PD. In patients without GBA1 and LRRK2 mutations, GCase and LRRK2 activity are also altered, suggesting that these two genes are implicated in all forms of PD and that they may play a broader role in PD pathogenesis. In this review, we review the proposed roles of GBA1 and LRRK2 in PD, focussing on the endolysosomal pathway. In particular, we highlight the discovery of Ras-related in brain (Rab) guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) as LRRK2 kinase substrates and explore the links between increased LRRK2 activity and Rab protein function, lysosomal dysfunction, alpha-synuclein accumulation and GCase activity. We also discuss the discovery of RAB10 as a potential mediator of LRRK2 and GBA1 interaction in PD. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic implications of these findings, including current approaches and future perspectives related to novel drugs targeting LRRK2 and GBA1

Consumer Preferences for Cheese Products with Quality Labels: The Case of Parmigiano Reggiano and Comté

Simple Summary A number of food quality schemes may be associated with dairy products, promoting specific production methods (e.g., organic) as well as products obtained from a narrow area of origin (e.g., protected designation of origin, PDO). The coexistence of multiple labels is less investigated in the literature, even if its role in consumer studies could reveal interesting hints for both the stakeholders in the production chains (e.g., to target marketing strategies) and for consumers, who could access more precise information about the origin and the production processes. In this study, we provide evidence of consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for cheese products (Comte and Parmigiano Reggiano) in two EU countries (France and Italy, respectively). We found how consumers' choices varied by combining the PDO label with other quality features (i.e., the organic label in France, and the Mountain Product label in Italy). Still, price remained the most important factor influencing consumers' decisions; however, we found how combined food quality labels could influence consumers' choices. We found different market segments in the two countries presenting more positive attitudes towards quality-labeled food products, thus providing stakeholders with helpful information on how to develop tailored marketing strategies. The paper examined the potential demand for a food specialty dairy product, cheese, with alternative multiple labels. A random-parameter logit model was applied to interpret the results of online discrete choice experiments (DCE) for the elicitation of the preference of the cheese consumers surveyed in two European countries, France (n = 400) and Italy (n = 408). We analyzed consumers' choices of quality-labeled cheeses, i.e., protected-designation-of-origin (PDO)-labeled Parmigiano Reggiano and Comte. Other features were tested, such as organic (Comte) and Mountain Product (Parmigiano Reggiano) labels, companies' brands and price. The paper contributes to the literature on credence attributes by examining consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for differentiated cheese products in two EU countries, and by identifying the effects of personal characteristics, in terms of socio-demographics and level of product involvement, on the differences in preferences. The results show that price was the most important attribute in both countries, followed by the PDO quality label, particularly when paired with the second quality feature. Two cheese consumer segments were identified via latent class models in each country, helping producers to improve their marketing of agri-food products with a high gastronomic value and differentiation potential

Choice drivers for quality-labelled food: A cross-cultural comparison on pdo cheese

This study aims at examining the consumers’ preferences and drivers affecting the choice of quality-labelled food products, i.e., protected designation of origin (PDO) labelled cheese. We applied the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to analyse the purchase of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and Comté PDO hard cheeses in Italy and France, respectively. A cross-sectional sample of 808 consumers (400 French and 408 Italian) completed a questionnaire. Structural equation modelling (SEM) indicated perceived behavioural control (PBC) and attitude to be significant predictors of intention to purchase PDO-labelled cheese in France and Italy. Subjective and moral norms affected intention in France. Intention significantly influenced the hard cheese purchase behaviour. The results confirm that the TPB model predicted the self-reported measure of behaviour more than the observed one, measured with a discrete choice experiment, in both countries. The TPB interrelationships varied between countries, suggesting that food systems operators and public authorities should carefully target their intervention to stimulate the demand of PDO-labelled products

Insects as feed for farmed poultry: Are italian consumers ready to embrace this innovation?

The inclusion of insects as a protein source in feed production is not only related to technical, economical, and normative restrictions but is also affected by consumer acceptance. In this study, we evaluated consumers’ attitudes, intention to purchase and eat, and willingness to pay for meat obtained from a farmed duck fed with insect-based meal or a live insect diet. We conducted a survey among a sample of 565 consumers to test the effects of information about the benefits of using insects as feed on consumers’ attitudes towards animal-based products fed with insects. Providing information on the sustainability and nutritional benefits of using insects as feed increased both attitude towards and intention to purchase and eat meat products made from animals fed with insects. In the treatment group, we found a significant reduction from 21.9 to 14.0% in those who wanted to be compensated for buying a duck fed with an insect-based meal and an increase in those willing to pay the same price—from 64.9 to 72.7%. The information treatment significantly increased the intention to eat such products, suggesting that increasing consumers’ knowledge might help in reducing the fears and misconceptions around the topic of using insects as a feed source

Qualification and spillover effects for geographical indications: the case of Prosciutto di Parma PDO

The study analyses the spillover effect from Prosciutto di Parma (Parma Ham) PDO to non-PDO ham in the Prosciutto di Parma district. Two distinct networks are identified: a Parma Ham PDO network and a Parma-type ham network. The Parma-type ham network includes producers and a production process similar to the PDO product network but lacking compliance with the PDO code of practice. The paper shows the relationships between the two networks, identifying the geographical and reputational spillover that benefits the Parma type ham producers, their process and reputation.Ce travail analyse les effets d‟entraînement dits spillover dans le district du jambon de Parme AOP et les relations qui en suivent parmi les produits AOP et non AOP. L‟étude a permis d‟identifier dans le district du jambon de Parme deux réseau distincts: le premier concerne exactement le jambon AOP et le second concerne le jambon façon Parme qui utilise une technique productive similaire à celle de l‟AOP, mais ne respecte pas les termes du cahier des charges AOP. L‟article montre les relations entre ces deux réseaux, en particulier les effets d‟entraînement géographiques et réputationnels dont bénéficient les producteurs du jambon façon Parme dans leurs procédés et leur réputation.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale