Effect of solid waste landfill organic pollutants on groundwater in three areas of Sicily (Italy) characterized by different vulnerability

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the presence and levels of hazardous organic pollutants in groundwater located close to solid waste landfills. Eighty-two environmental contaminants, including 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 20 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 29 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 7 dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, PCDDs) and 10 furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans, PCDFs) were monitored in areas characterised by different geological environments surrounding three municipal solid waste landfills (Palermo, Siculiana and Ragusa) in Sicily (Italy) in three sampling campaigns. The total concentrations of the 16 PAHs were always below the legal threshold. Overall, the Fl/Fl + Py diagnostic ratio revealed that PAHs had a petrogenic origin. VOC levels, except for two notable exceptions near Palermo landfill, were always below the legal limit. As concerns PCB levels, several samples were found positive with levels exceeding the legal limits. It is worth noting that the % PCB distribution differs from that of commercial compositions. In parallel, some samples of groundwater containing PCDDs and PCDFs exceeding the legal threshold were also found. Among the 17 congeners monitored, the most abundant were the highest molecular weight ones.Published16869 – 168826V. Pericolosità vulcanica e contributi alla stima del rischioJCR Journa

Surgical Effectiveness of Uniportal-VATS Lobectomy Compared to Open Surgery in Early-Stage Lung Cancer

BackgroundAlthough the feasibility and safety of Uniportal-Video-Assisted thoracic surgery (U-VATS) has been proven, its surgical effectiveness is still debated. The aim of this study is to assess the equivalence of the U-VATS approach compared with an open technique in terms of surgical (nodal-upstaging, complications, and post-operative results) and short-term survival outcomes. MethodsThe clinical data of patients undergoing lobectomy for NSCLC at our center, from January 2014 to December 2019, were analyzed retrospectively. All patients undergoing open or U-VATS lobectomy with lymphadenectomy for early-stage lung cancer (cT1-T3N0, stages IA-IIB) were included in the study. Only 230 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Group bias was reduced through 1:1 propensity score matching, which resulted in 46 patients in each group (open surgery and U-VATS). ResultsThe intra- and post-operative mortality were null in both groups. There was no difference in the post-operative complications (p: 1.00) between U-VATS and open lobectomy. There was also no recorded difference in the pathological nodal up-staging [11 (23.9%) after thoracotomy vs. 8 (17.4%) after U-VATS, p: 0.440). The chest tube duration was longer in the open group (p: 0.025), with a higher post-operative pain (p: 0.001). Additionally, the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 78% after U-VATS lobectomy vs. 74% after open lobectomy (p: 0.204), while 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 97 vs. 89% (p: 0.371), respectively. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 62% in the U-VATS group and 66% in the thoracotomy group, respectively (p: 0.917). ConclusionsUniportal-VATS lobectomy for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer seems to be a safe and effective technique with similar surgical and short-term survival outcomes as open surgery, but with lower post-operative pain and shorter in-hospital stay

Individual patient-data meta-analysis comparing clinical outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention with or without prior thrombectomy. ATTEMPT study: A pooled Analysis of Trials on ThrombEctomy in acute Myocardial infarction based on individual PatienT data

Background: Available data from randomized trials on thrombectomy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have shown favorable trends in myocardial reper-fusion. However, few data are available on the effect of thrombectomy on clinical outcome. Thus we have designed a collaborative individual patient-data meta-analysis which aimed to assess the long-term clinical outcome in STEMI patients randomized to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with or without thrombectomy. Method: After a thorough database search, the principal investigators of randomized trials comparing thrombectomy with standard PCI in patients with STEMI were contacted. Principal investigators as authors of 11 randomized studies agreed to participate and were asked to complete a structured database by providing a series of key pre-PCI clinical and angiographic data as well as the longest available clinical outcome of the patients enrolled in the corresponding trial. The primary end-point of this pooled analysis is the comparison of overall survival rates between patients randomized to PCI with thrombectomy or PCI without thrombectomy. The secondary end-points are survival free from myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), major adverse coronary events (MACE: death + MI + TLR) and death + MI between patients randomized to PCI with thrombectomy or PCI without thrombectomy. A pre-defined subgroup analysis is planned considering the following variables: type of thrombectomy device used, diabetes, rescue PCI, IIb/IIIa-inhibitors use, time-to-reperfusion, infarct-related artery, and pre-PCI TIMI flow. Implications: This study will provide useful data on the effect of the reported improved myocardial perfusion associated with thrombectomy on the long-term clinical outcome in patients with STEMI. © 2009 De Vita et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Effect of solid waste landfill organic pollutants on groundwater in three areas of Sicily (Italy) characterized by different vulnerability

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the presence and levels of hazardous organic pollutants in groundwater located close to solid waste landfills. Eighty-two environmental contaminants, including 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 20 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 29 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 7 dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, PCDDs) and 10 furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans, PCDFs) were monitored in areas characterised by different geological environments surrounding three municipal solid waste landfills (Palermo, Siculiana and Ragusa) in Sicily (Italy) in three sampling campaigns. The total concentrations of the 16 PAHs were always below the legal threshold. Overall, the Fl/Fl + Py diagnostic ratio revealed that PAHs had a petrogenic origin. VOC levels, except for two notable exceptions near Palermo landfill, were always below the legal limit. As concerns PCB levels, several samples were found positive with levels exceeding the legal limits. It is worth noting that the % PCB distribution differs from that of commercial compositions. In parallel, some samples of groundwater containing PCDDs and PCDFs exceeding the legal threshold were also found. Among the 17 congeners monitored, the most abundant were the highest molecular weight ones

Evidence of an interaction between FXR1 and GSK3β polymorphisms on levels of Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia and their response to antipsychotics

Introduction: Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified several genes associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) and exponentially increased knowledge on the genetic basis of the disease. Additionally, products of GWAS genes interact with neuronal factors coded by genes lacking association, such that this interaction may confer risk for specific phenotypes of this brain disorder. In this regard, FXR1 (Fragile-X mental-retardation-syndrome-related 1) gene has been GWAS associated with SCZ. FXR1 protein is regulated by Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3), which has been implicated in pathophysiology of SCZ and response to Antipsychotics (APs). rs496250 and rs12630592, two eQTLs of FXR1 and GSK3 respectively, interact on emotion stability and amygdala/PFC activity during emotion processing. These two phenotypes are associated with Negative Symptoms (NS) of SCZ suggesting that the interaction between these SNPs may also affect NS severity and responsiveness to medication. Methods: To test this hypothesis, in two independent samples of patients with SCZ, we investigated rs496250 by rs12630592 interaction on NS severity and response to APs. We also tested a putative link between APs administration and fxr1 expression, as already reported for GSK3 expression. Results: We found that rs496250 and rs12630592 interact on NS severity. We also found evidence suggesting interaction of these polymorphisms also on response to APs. This interaction was not present when looking at positive and general psychopathology scores. Furthermore, chronic olanzapine administration led to a reduction of FXR1 expression in mouse frontal cortex. Discussion: Our findings suggest that, like GSK3 , FXR1 is affected by APs while shedding new light on the role of the FXR1/GSK3 pathway for NS of SCZ

Morfometria de sementes e plântulas e verificação da dormência da espécie Plathymenia foliolosa Benth

Os objetivos do trabalho foi verificar a dormência das sementes de Plathymenia foliolosa, descrever os caracteres morfológicos de sementes e plântulas, e caracterizar o processo germinativo. Para verificar a dormência utilizaram-se os tratamentos: T1- testemunha; T2- água fervente por 1 min.; T3- água fervente por 5 min.; T4- sementes embebidas em água por 24 horas; T5- estratificação a frio a 5 ºC - 24 horas; T6- calor seco em estufa a 65 ºC por 24 horas; T7- escarificação com lixa nº 120. Os aspectos observados na semente foram: cor; dimensões; peso de 1000 sementes; textura e consistência dos tegumentos; forma; bordo, posição do hilo e características do embrião. Para as plântulas foram: raiz, coleto, hipocótilo, epicótilo e eófilos. Não foi verificado dormência nas sementes, sendo que a utilização de água fervente inviabilizou a germinação da semente. A semente de P. foliolosa é de formato oblongo a ovoide de cor amarronzada, superfície glabra, lisa e dura; com pleurograma, rafe e calaza, com comprimento de 8,93 + 0,09 mm. O peso de 1000 sementes foi de 36,86 + 0,02 g. A germinação de Plathymenia foliolosa é epígea fanerocotiledonar, teve início no quanto dia após a semeadura e aos 22 dias a formação da plântula completa. Morphometry of seeds and seedlings and verification ofdormancy of the species Plathymenia foliolosa BenthAbstractThe objectives this research was to verify seed dormancy Plathymenia foliolosa Benth, describe themorphological characters of seeds and seedlings, and characterize the germination process. To verifythe dormancy used the treatments: T1-control, T2-boiling water for 1 min., T3-boiling water for 5 min.,T4-seeds soaked in water for 24 hours, T5-cold stratification at 5 °C - 24 hours, T6 heat-dried at 65 °C for24 hours, T7-scarification with sandpaper number 120. The features observed in the seed were: color,dimensions, weight of 1000 seeds, texture and consistency of the integuments; form; board, hilum andembryo characteristics. For the seedlings were root collar, hypocotyl and eophylls. It was not verifiedseed dormancy, and the use of boiling water prevented seed germination. The seed of P. foliolosaBenth is oblong to ovoid brownish color, glabrous surface, smooth and hard, with pleurograma, rapheand chalaza, with a length of 8.93 + 0.09 mm. The weight of 1000 seeds was 36.86 + 0.02 g. ThePlathymenia foliolosa Benth germination is epigeal phanerocotylar, began as the days after sowingand 22 days to complete formation of seedling

MORFOLOGIA DE FRUTOS E SEMENTES E GERMINAÇÃO DE Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L. P. Queiroz, comb. Nov

The objective of this study was to describe the morphological characters of fruits, seeds and seedlings, characterize the germination process and verify that the seed position in the fruit interferes with the seed germination of Poincianella pyramidalis. The fruits were collected from five trees in the Castro Alves, Bahia – Brazil in the area near the remnants of Caatinga sensu stricto and Deciduous Forest. The fruit of Poincianella pyramidalis is a type of legume, polyspermic, dehiscent, measuring on average 9.4 ± 0.08 cm in length and can contain up to 8 seeds per fruit, being the average number of seeds, apparently viable fruits per 100 ± 280 29.8. The seed is ellipsoid, yellowish brown color and smooth, polished and hard, being provided testa and internal tegument, with a length of 1.25 ± 0.004 cm. The embryo is axis, invaginated and straight and there was no presence of endosperm. The weight of 1000 seeds was 106.8 ± 12.4 g. Germination is phanecotylar-epigious began the third day after sowing and the complete formation of the seedling was observed on the ninth day. Seed production of Poincianella pyramidalis in the proximal position is lower compared to other positions. Seed germination is influenced by seed position in the fruit, seeds present in the distal lower seed germination of other positions.O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever os caracteres morfológicos dos frutos, sementes e plântulas, caracterizar o processo de germinação e verificar se a posição da semente no fruto interfere na germinação de sementes de Poincianella pyramidalis. Os frutos foram coletados de cinco árvores-matrizes em propriedade rural situada no município de Castro Alves - BA - Brasil em área próxima a remanescentes de Caatinga sensu stricto e Floresta Estacional. O fruto de Poincianella pyramidalis é do tipo legume, polispérmico, deiscente, medindo, em média, 9,4±0,08 cm de comprimento, podendo conter até 8 sementes por fruto, sendo o número médio de sementes, aparentemente viáveis, por 100 frutos de 280±29,8. A semente é elipsoide de cor castanho-amarelada e superfície lisa, polida e dura, sendo provida de testa e tegma, com comprimento de 1,25 ± 0,004 cm. O embrião é axial, invaginado e reto e não foi verificada presença de endosperma. O peso de 1000 sementes foi de 106,8 ± 12,4 g. A germinação é epígea fanerocotiledonar, teve início no terceiro dia após a semeadura e a formação completa da plântula foi verificada no nono dia. A produção de sementes de Poincianella pyramidalis na posição proximal é inferior em relação às demais posições. O percentual de germinação é influenciado pela posição da semente no fruto, sementes na posição distal apresentam germinação inferior às sementes das demais posições

AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS & SAFETY ISSUES: THE ROADMAP TO ENABLE NEW ADVANCES IN INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The paper addresses the safety issues related to the development of new solutions based on autonomous systems for industrial applications and the necessity to develop experimental environments for investigating these cases; a set of examples is proposed in order to provide cases and challenges as well as to suggest approaches to address these problems

Theory Techniques for Precision Physics -- Snowmass 2021 TF06 Topical Group Report

The wealth of experimental data collected at laboratory experiments suggests that there is some scale separation between the Standard Model (SM) and phenomena beyond the SM (BSM). New phenomena can manifest itself as small corrections to SM predictions, or as signals in processes where the SM predictions vanish or are exceedingly small. This makes precise calculations of the SM expectations essential, in order to maximize the sensitivity of current and forthcoming experiments to BSM physics. This topical group report highlights some past and forthcoming theory developments critical for maximizing the sensitivity of the experimental program to understanding Nature at the shortest distances.Comment: 36 pages, 2 figures. Report of the TF06 topical group for Snowmass 202