From fix to fit into the autoptic human brains.

Formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded (FFPE) human brain tissues are very often stored in formalin for long time. Formalin fixation reduces immunostaining, and the DNA/RNA extraction from FFPE brain tissue becomes suboptimal. At present, there are different protocols of fixation and several procedures and kits to extract DNA/RNA from paraffin embedding tissue, but a gold standard protocol remains distant. In this study, we analyzed four types of fixation systems and compared histo and immuno-staining. Based on our results, we propose a modified method of combined fixation in formalin and formic acid for the autoptic adult brain to obtain easy, fast, safe and efficient immunolabelling of long-stored FFPE tissue. In particular, we have achieved an improved preservation of cellular morphology and obtained success in postmortem immunostaining for NeuN. This nuclear antigen is an important marker for mapping neurons, for example, to evaluate the histopathology of temporal lobe epilepsy or to draw the topography of cardiorespiratory brainstem nuclei in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, NeuN staining is frequently faint or lost in postmortem human brain tissues. In addition, we attained Fluoro Jade C staining, a marker of neurodegeneration, and immunofluorescent staining for stem cell antigens in the postnatal human brain, utilizing custom fit fixation procedures

Experimental analysis of the influence of polymer solutions on performances and cavitation of small size pumps for professional appliances

Pumps used in professional appliances process a solution of water, soils residues and detergents. These affect vapor tension, viscosity and rheology of the solution, mainly due to the presence of surfactants and polymers. Only a few studies have been found on how these substances can influence pump performances. Therefore, an experimental analysis has been carried out with aqueous solutions of a detergent component, the Polyox WSR 301, in the concentration range of 100\u20137000 ppm, to evaluate their influence on pump performances and cavitation. Some properties of the solutions have been preliminary characterized with a rheometer. Then, each solution has been tested in a dedicated test rig, to compare the performance curves of a centrifugal pump used in professional warewashing machines with those obtained with pure water. A non-intrusive method, based on the investigation of high frequency vibrations and noise signals, has been developed to detect cavitation at its early stage of inception. It was observed that polymer mitigates cavitating pump vibrations, with a reduction of the acceleration to less than one g. The analysis has provided the data necessary for the successive development of a control strategy for pump operation in professional appliances

Interface Dipole : Effects on Threshold Voltage and Mobility for both Amorphous and Poly-crystalline Organic Field Effect Transistors

We report a detailed comparison on the role of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of dipolar molecules on the threshold voltage and charge carrier mobility of organic field-effect transistor (OFET) made of both amorphous and polycrystalline organic semiconductors. We show that the same relationship between the threshold voltage and the dipole-induced charges in the SAM holds when both types of devices are fabricated on strictly identical base substrates. Charge carrier mobilities, almost constant for amorphous OFET, are not affected by the dipole in the SAMs, while for polycrystalline OFET (pentacene) the large variation of charge carrier mobilities is related to change in the organic film structure (mostly grain size).Comment: Full paper and supporting informatio

Continuous stellate ganglion block in delayed cerebral ischemia: A possible supplementary approach to traditional therapy?

Delayed Cerebral Ischemia (DCI) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality after SAH. Currently the prevention of vasospasm and DCI relies on nimodipine administration and on maintaining an adequate cerebral perfusion pressure. We report a patient with initial DCI after SAH in which stellate ganglion block (SGB) was performed after nimodipine administration. Firstly the procedure was characterized by a iv and intra-arterial nimodipine administration which did not result into a normal perfusion pattern. Therefore a single-shot stellate ganglion block was performed, as suggested in literature. Because of the not sufficient but promising perfusion improvement, we decided to deliver a continuous ganglion block (cSGB) for 5 days. Consequently a further improvement of the cerebral perfusion on CTPerfusion and Real Time Angiographic Perfusion Assessment was registered. In order to treat cerebral vasospasm, SGB is known to be a further valuable treatment, despite its temporary effect. However the continuous use of SGB during initial DCI has never been described before

Correlating Noble Rot Infection of Garganega Withered Grapes with Key Molecules and Odorants of Botrytized Passito Wine

Experimental passito wines with dierent percentages of naturally noble-rotten grapes of the Garganega variety were analyzed to evaluate key molecules and odorants related to the typical aroma and sensory profile of botrytized passito wine. Remarkable changes in the concentration of 1-octen-3-ol, 4-terpineol, benzaldehyde, N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide, and sherry lactone 1 and 2 were observed between sound and noble-rotten wines. Wines were perceived to be dierent for floral, honey, figs, apricot, and caramel scents. By partial least square regression these descriptors were well correlated to samples. An important positive contribution of sherry lactones, N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide, vanillin, benzaldehyde, and -butyrolactone to honey, apricot, and caramel was observed. It is conceivable that oxidative eects of Botrytis cinerea infection play an important role in the genesis of these chemical and sensory aroma markers. This study provides a predictive tool for winemakers that use natural grape withering to produce wines whose aroma profile is not standardized due to the seasonal variation of noble rot incidence

Transient model of a Professional Oven

Tackling the climate change by reducing energy consumption is among the biggest, most urgent challenges society is facing and requires a continuous efficiency improvement of thermal systems. Appropriate design strategies, developed a priori and then experimentally validated according to suitable test protocols on a prototype, are needed in order to reach potential energy saving targets. These strategies can successfully be implemented in the food service sector, where cooking appliances, in particular, present many possibilities for improving energy savings. Therefore, a valuable design methodology should take into account not only steady state operating conditions but also the transient behaviours of the device, which must be described by means of specially developed theoretical dynamic models. The operating profile of an oven, for example, consists of a sequence of unsteady phases (cavity heating-up, food introduction and extraction, switching from one cooking mode to another) interspersed with steady cooking phases. The dynamic model presented in this paper defines the energy conservation equations of a professional oven, where a high temperature thermal source positioned inside its cavity produces thermal power radiated and modulated over time, according to a suitable control strategy. In particular, when the temperature in the cooking zone of the cavity has reached a specified set point, this is thermostatically controlled in time, depending on the cooking phase. The resulting equation system is then solved by means of numerical methods. With this code, it is possible to support the design phase of both the structure and the control strategy of the oven. It permits, for example, to get a general understanding of the best possible configurations and combinations of insulation materials for the cavity walls or, with reference to the control strategy, to simulate different cooking procedures, with the aim of optimizing the operating sequence of the oven, reaching the maximum energy saving without reducing the cooking quality. The code, validated by comparison with a set of experimental data obtained with a current production model, will be applied in the design phase of a new line of high efficiency professional ovens

Development and evaluation of a methodology to integrate technical and sensorial properties in materials selection.

In the materials selection process, the use of different tools, languages and perspectives frequently causes disagreement between engineers and industrial designers. The aim of the paper is to define an integrated method for materials selection that provides industrial designers with measurable data to support and explain aesthetic decisions on materials. A new method for materials selection consisting of multiple tools structured in a two-step framework is presented. The method is tested through a case study of professional kitchen appliances where metal components are replaced with polymers. The first step involved the application of an established technique to identify polymeric bulk solutions, based on their technical properties. The second step employed a sensory analysis test to choose suitable finishes. Thirty-seven individuals performed the test: the subjects highlighted their main perceptions of metal and metal-look polymer finishes. The research demonstrates that the proposed method is suitable for the evaluation of both technical and sensorial properties of materials. In particular, Mapping test represents a rapid, low cost and effective tool to help industrial designers justify Colour Materials and Finish (CMF) choices with quantifiable information

Cavitation Detection and Prevention in Professional Warewashing Machines

Cavitation is a phenomenon characterised by the presence of vapour bubbles in the fluid led by a local drop in pressure. In literature it is well known the impact on cavitation of pressure and temperature of pure water, but there are only few studies analysing how the presence of certain components of detergents and additives can influence the phenomenon. The impact of detergents and additives could be explained by the modified viscosity and rheology of the solution but also by the variation in the vapour tension. Most of these effects are due to the presence of surfactants and polymers in the solution. Cavitation in dynamic pumps is an important aspect that needs to be monitored and prevented, because it can cause damages affecting pump performances and inducing an increment in the level of vibration and noise. In professional warewashing machines, as for example the models of Electrolux Rack Type, this phenomenon can affect the operating functionalities of the machine. An experimental pump test rig has been realized with the aim of studying and monitoring the influence of these parameters on cavitation inception. This test rig permits measuring the pump performances at various operating conditions, in order to obtain its characteristic curves, and also forcing cavitation to measure its Net Positive Suction Head required (NPSHr) at different flow rates. The pump test rig allows also testing various configurations of the pump at different cavitation conditions, obtained by changing not only the suction pressure and temperature of the fluid but also its properties, adding detergents and additives. Cavitation inception can be detected measuring both the corresponding prevalence decrease and the change of vibration and noise level

Restricted gene flow at the micro- and macro-geographical scale in marble trout based on mtDNA and microsatellite polymorphism

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The genetic structure of the marble trout <it>Salmo trutta marmoratus</it>, an endemic salmonid of northern Italy and the Balkan peninsula, was explored at the macro- and micro-scale level using a combination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sequence variation in the mitochondrial control region showed the presence of nonindigenous haplotypes indicative of introgression from brown trout into marble trout. This was confirmed using microsatellite markers, which showed a higher introgression at nuclear level. Microsatellite loci revealed a strong genetic differentiation across the geographical range of marble trout, which suggests restricted gene flow both at the micro-geographic (within rivers) and macro-geographic (among river systems) scale. A pattern of Isolation-by-Distance was found, in which genetic samples were correlated with hydrographic distances. A general West-to-East partition of the microsatellite polymorphism was observed, which was supported by the geographic distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>While introgression at both mitochondrial and nuclear level is unlikely to result from natural migration and might be the consequence of current restocking practices, the pattern of genetic substructuring found at microsatellites has been likely shaped by historical colonization patterns determined by the geological evolution of the hydrographic networks.</p