showing 36 of ~574560 from 574555 documents
Experimental insights into absence seizures: Focus on their correlation with comorbid anxiety and their modulation by cannabinoid system in a genetic…
2021
Flavor Non-universal Pati-Salam Unification and Neutrino Masses
2021
We analyze the neutrino mass spectrum and discuss the extra-dimensional interpretation of a three-site Pati-Salam model which i) unifies all families of quark and leptons, ii) provides a natural description of the Standard Model Yukawa couplings, iii) could account for the recent $B$-physics anomalies. The key feature of the model is a breaking of the Pati-Salam and electroweak gauge symmetries localized on opposite sites, communicated to the other sites in an attenuated manner via nearest-neighbor interactions. We show that in this context gauge-singlet fermions localized on each site, receiving hierarchical Majorana masses, can allow the implementation of an inverse seesaw mechanism leadi…
Mismatch Reparatur Defizienz, Chemotherapie und Überleben bei resektablem Magenkarzinom: Eine Beobachtungsstudie der deutschen Zentren des staR-Proje…
2021
Relief and calcium from gypsum as key factors for net inorganic carbon accumulation in soils of a semiarid Mediterranean environment
2021
Abstract In semiarid environments, the total inorganic carbon (TIC) in soil may contribute to the total carbon (C) pool more than the total organic C pool (TOC), thus playing a key role in storing atmospheric CO2. However, due to the different origin pathways of soil carbonates, not all of the TIC pool can be accounted for CO2 sequestration. Indeed, the inorganic C can be accounted for a net sink of CO2 only when calcium (Ca2+) forming carbonates originate from non-carbonate minerals (atmogenic inorganic C, AIC). The aim of this study carried out in a gypsiferous area is to investigate the dissolution of Ca2+ that comes from gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) in the formation of soil atmogenic carbonates …
Prassi della scrittura
2021
Alla metà degli anni Sessanta, Italo Calvino e Leonardo Sciascia risposero a un'inchiesta proposta dal periodico "Rinascita" con acute osservazione sulla prassi della scrittura e sul rapporto che intrattenevano con il lettore ideale. L'articolo espone le loro idee, le confronta e le mette in correlazione con lo stato presente della scrittura saggistica e letteraria.
A conservation roadmap for the subterranean biome
2021
6 páginas.- 1 figuras.- 17 referencias.- Wynne JJ, Howarth FG, Mammola S, et al. A conservation roadmap for the subterranean biome. Conservation Letters. 2021; e12834. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12834
Factors Affecting Attitudes towards Older People in Undergraduate Nursing Students
2021
Background: The population of older people is increasing worldwide. The social and healthcare systems need many nurses to care for the elderly. Positive attitudes increase the preference to work with older people and improve the quality of care. This study describes attitudes towards the elderly in a sample of nursing students, and analyzes the potential factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in nursing students during the academic course 2017–2018. Kogan’s Attitude Toward Old People Scale was used to assess student attitudes towards older people. Results: The study included 377 undergraduate nursing students, of which 75.9% were women. The mea…
Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic: results of EAHP survey on the future crisis preparedness of hospital pharmacies
2021
Aim The present survey aimed to collect information on the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic by hospital pharmacists. It focused on the shortages of health goods and the experiences of hospitals during the first phase of the crisis. Methods A 17-question survey was conducted by EAHP, looking at the experiences of hospital pharmacists during the COVD-19 pandemic. The survey ran from 16 September to 23 December 2020. Statistical analysis included backward stepwise logistic regression (BSLR), Pearson’s χ2 test, t-test and one-way ANOVA, as appropriate; p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results 1466 hospital pharmacists answered the survey fully. 58%, 63% and 69% of them …
Coffee biowaste valorization within circular economy: an evaluation method of spent coffee grounds potentials for mortar production
2021
Abstract Purpose Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are biowastes extensively generated within the coffee supply chain. Nowadays, their disposal represents an increasing environmental concern due to its toxicity and organic nature. With the estimated increase of coffee production and consumption in the upcoming years, there is an imperative need to find a proper reverse option, along with a novel industrial application, which allows for the valorization of this coffee by-product within a circular economy perspective. This study aims at investigating a potential reuse of spent coffee grounds to produce novel construction materials to be used for sustainable buildings. Methods After having illustrate…
Trend analysis of convective and stratiform precipitation over a Mediterranean area
2021
Separating convective and stratiform rainfall is still today an open challenge, especially because of the difficulty in defining a clear distinction between the two rainfall regimes. At the same time, the study of convective rainfall is essential to better understand the dynamics that generate them and the proactive measures that could reduce the risk of important consequences (e.g., human life losses and economic damages). Furthermore, the shadow of a changing climate makes these aspects even more alarming, due to the possibility of an increase in the occurrence of such severe events. Sicily, whose climate could be considered as representative of the central Mediterranean area, has been of…
Associations between pain, self-efficacy, sleep duration and symptoms of depression in adolescents: a cross-sectional survey
2021
Abstract Background Although pain has been identified as an important public health problem among adolescents, few studies have investigated possible protective and risk factors for pain. The main aim of the present study was to investigate associations between prevalence of daily pain, self-efficacy, sleep duration, and symptoms of depression in a representative sample of Norwegian adolescents. Methods A comprehensive cross-sectional survey was completed by 12,867 junior high school students and high school students (response rate: 90%) aged 14–19 years. Logistic regression models were adjusted for age, gender, and parental educational level. Results We found a high prevalence of daily pai…
A Critical Review of Alien Limb-Related Phenomena and Implications for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies
2021
Consensus criteria on corticobasal degeneration (CBD) include alien limb (AL) phenomena. However, the gist of the behavioral features of AL is still “a matter of debate.” CBD-related AL has so far included the description of involuntary movements, frontal release phenomena (frontal AL), or asomatognosia (posterior or “real” AL). In this context, the most frequent symptoms are language and praxis deficits and cortical sensory misperception. However, asomatognosia requires, by definition, intact perception and cognition. Thus, to make a proper diagnosis of AL in the context of CBD, cognitive and language dysfunctions must be carefully verified and objectively assessed. We reviewed the current…
Nonlinear irregularities in Parkinson's disease tremor and essential tremor.
2021
Quantum and carbon dots conjugated molecularly imprinted polymers as advanced nanomaterials for selective recognition of analytes in environmental, f…
2021
Abstract Samples with complex matrix analyzed during explanation of pathogenesis of various diseases and food or environmental monitoring request advanced analytical and instrumental devices. Among the materials used for described purposes, quantum (QDs) or carbon dots (CDs) layered by molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) shells have gained widespread attention. Unique optical and physicochemical properties of QDs/CDs together with high MIPs selectivity make the QD/CD-MIP conjugates capable of adsorbing specific target molecules – such a binding event is then transduced as the optical signal of the response by the QDs/CDs. This review includes brief introduction on principles of imprinting p…
Monofunctional pyrenes at carbon nanotube electrodes for direct electron transfer H2O2 reduction with HRP and HRP-bacterial nanocellulose
2021
Abstract The non-covalent modification of carbon nanotube electrodes with pyrene derivatives is a versatile approach to enhance the electrical wiring of enzymes for biosensors and biofuel cells. We report here a comparative study of five pyrene derivatives adsorbed at multi-walled carbon nanotube electrodes to shed light on their ability to promote direct electron transfer with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for H2O2 reduction. In all cases, pyrene-modified electrodes enhanced catalytic reduction compared to the unmodified electrodes. The pyrene N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester derivative provided access to the highest catalytic current of 1.4 mA cm−2 at 6 mmol L−1 H2O2, high onset potential …
A Computational Technique for Solving Singularly Perturbed Delay Partial Differential Equations
2021
Abstract In this work, a matrix method based on Laguerre series to solve singularly perturbed second order delay parabolic convection-diffusion and reaction-diffusion type problems involving boundary and initial conditions is introduced. The approximate solution of the problem is obtained by truncated Laguerre series. Moreover convergence analysis is introduced and stability is explained. Besides, a test case is given and the error analysis is considered by the different norms in order to show the applicability of the method.
Solutions for districting problems with chance-constrained balancing requirements
2021
Abstract In this paper, a districting problem with stochastic demands is investigated. The goal is to divide a geographic area into p contiguous districts such that, with some given probability, the districts are balanced with respect to some given lower and upper thresholds. The problem is cast as a p -median problem with contiguity constraints that is further enhanced with chance-constrained balancing requirements. The total assignment cost of the territorial units to the representatives of the corresponding districts is used as a surrogate compactness measure to be optimized. Due to the tantalizing purpose of deriving a deterministic equivalent for the problem, a two-phase heuristic is d…
Existence of a unique solution for a third-order boundary value problem with nonlocal conditions of integral type
2021
The existence of a unique solution for a third-order boundary value problem with integral condition is proved in several ways. The main tools in the proofs are the Banach fixed point theorem and the Rus’s fixed point theorem. To compare the applicability of the obtained results, some examples are considered.
Volcanic Lakes in Africa: The VOLADA_Africa 2.0 Database, and Implications for Volcanic Hazard
2021
Volcanic lakes pose specific hazards inherent to the presence of water: phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions, lahars, limnic gas bursts and dispersion of brines in the hydrological network. Here we introduce the updated, interactive and open-access database for African volcanic lakes, country by country. The previous database VOLADA (VOlcanic LAke DAta Base, Rouwet et al., Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2014, 272, 78–97) reported 96 volcanic lakes for Africa. This number is now revised and established at 220, converting VOLADA_Africa 2.0 in the most comprehensive resource for African volcanic lakes: 81 in Uganda, 37 in Kenya, 33 in Cameroon, 28 in Madagascar, 19 in Ethiop…
SARS‐CoV‐2 N‐antigenemia in critically ill adult COVID‐19 patients: Frequency and association with inflammatory and tissue‐damage biomarkers
2021
Abstract The current study aimed at characterizing the dynamics of SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid (N) antigenemia in a cohort of critically ill adult COVID‐19 patients and assessing its potential association with plasma levels of biomarkers of clinical severity and mortality. Seventy‐three consecutive critically ill COVID‐19 patients (median age, 65 years) were recruited. Serial plasma (n = 340) specimens were collected. A lateral flow immunochromatography assay and reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) were used for SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein detection and RNA quantitation and in plasma, respectively. Serum levels of inflammatory and tissue‐damage biomarkers in paired specimens were …
Effektivität der sequentiellen systemischen Therapie bei Patienten mit einem fortgeschrittenen HCC - Erfahrungen aus dem klinischen Alltag
2021
Challenges and Opportunities on Lipid Metabolism Disorders Diagnosis and Therapy: Novel Insights and Future Perspective
2021
Dyslipidemia has been globally recognized, for almost seven decades, as one of the most important risk factors for the development and complications of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) [...]
A Solution for Medical Information Management
2021
Abstract Nowadays, the amount of data that is being generated by medical devices has exponentially increased. The aim of this paper is to develop an integrated health data management tool, that aggregates data from various sources, which are in various formats. With the aid of artificial intelligence (AI), this data will be processed and will help healthcare professionals be aware of the improvements that could make the healthcare system be more preventive, predictive and personalized. This paper introduces an integrated medical information management system – that intends to manage medical activities in hospitals, clinics and laboratories and describes its development and future directions…
Innovazione e resilienza nella città intelligente. Pratiche fiorentine al tempo della pandemia
2021
La pandemia ha dato l’opportunità ad alcune città di dimostrare il grado di competitività raggiunto e di divenire un modello di riferimento. In questi contesti non ha prevalso l’immobilismo o la sterile attesa, ma una fervente attività propositiva e creativa. Il presente contributo si propone di approfondire solo una delle esperienze di creatività e di azione all’interno di una città certamente smart, Firenze. Il caso della Galleria degli Uffizi dimostra la capacità dei contesti ad elevato livello tecnologico e di competenze di superare con brillantezza le situazioni critiche che, nella loro diversificata configurazione, possono presentarsi. The pandemic has given some cities the opportunit…
Demand Response for Integrating Photovoltaic Plants in Lampedusa Island
2021
This paper presents the results of a simulation study concerning different Demand Response logics applied to Electric Storage Water Heaters on the island of Lampedusa. Electric Storage Water Heaters are the devices that are primarily used on the island to produce domestic hot water. Starting from measured load profiles collected in Lampedusa, a domestic hot water consumption profile was derived, to simulate the energy usage of the Storage Water Electric Heaters during the day. This work was carried out as a preliminary feasibility study for the BloRin project, financed by cohesion funds in the Sicilian region. According to the project, which also includes the installation of domestic photov…
Metabolic Syndrome: From Molecular Mechanisms to Novel Therapies
2021
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) consists of a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including central obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidemia [...]
Lomitapide does not alter PCSK9 and Lp(a) levels in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients: analysis on cytokines and lipid profile
2021
Abstract Lomitapide, a drug for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients, reduced total and LDL cholesterol but no significant changes were observed on PCSK9 and Lp(a) plasma levels. Some changes of inflammatory mediators were also observed, including hsCRP, which may suggest an anti-inflammatory effect.
Automatic left ventricle volume calculation with explainability through a deep learning weak-supervision methodology
2021
[EN] Background and objective: Magnetic resonance imaging is the most reliable imaging technique to assess the heart. More specifically there is great importance in the analysis of the left ventricle, as the main pathologies directly affect this region. In order to characterize the left ventricle, it is necessary to extract its volume. In this work we present a neural network architecture that is capable of directly estimating the left ventricle volume in short axis cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the end-diastolic frame and provide a segmentation of the region which is the basis of the volume calculation, thus offering explain-ability to the estimated value. Methods: The network was des…
Trasformazioni urbane tra criticità irrisolte e sfide moderne
2021
Ancora una volta una riflessione sulla città è al centro dell’attenzione di tanti studiosi. Come potrebbe essere diversamente? Oggetto di studio così importante, così mutevole e così determinante per la vita degli esseri umani, la città è un organismo in continua trasformazione: da sempre si discute della sua nascita e della sua evoluzione nei vari periodi storici, ponendo enfasi sull’urbanizzazione, sulla sua crescita e sul suo sviluppo, sulla memoria e sulle tracce di umanità e di cultura che in essa possono scorgersi. Le città sono tutte diverse, ma se prendiamo in considerazione solo una di queste, sarà percepita in modo diverso da ciascuno dei suoi fruitori. Esiste quella ideale, ovver…
Frailty Scales for Prognosis Assessment of Older Adult Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction
2021
We aimed to compare the prognostic value of two different measures, the Fried’s Frailty Scale (FFS) and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), following myocardial infarction (MI). We included 150 patients ≥ 70 years admitted from AMI. Frailty was evaluated on the day before discharge. The primary endpoint was number of days alive and out of hospital (DAOH) during the first 800 days. Secondary endpoints were mortality and a composite of mortality and reinfarction. Frailty was diagnosed in 58% and 34% of patients using the FFS and CFS scales, respectively. During the first 800 days 34 deaths and 137 admissions occurred. The number of DAOH decreased significantly with increasing scores of both FFS…
The European Union can afford greater ambition in the conservation of its threatened plants
2021
The importance of Natura 2000 network for the conservation of natural habitats, wild flora and fauna at European level is undeniable. However, it may not have reached its full potential since the loss of biodiversity continues to increase year on year. Further on, a third of the plant species listed in the Habitats Directive to guide the declaration of European Union Natura 2000 network of protected areas is not threatened and there is broad agreement on the need to review and update the species list. Here, the effectiveness of Natura 2000 in the conservation of Spanish bryophytes and vascular plants included in the Habitats Directive Annex II is analysed and compared with the one offered t…
Potassium demineralization of coconut fiber via combined hydrothermal treatment and washing: Effect on pyrolysis kinetics, mechanisms, and bio-oil co…
2021
Abstract Producing clean energy from waste biomass via pyrolysis is critical in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and alleviating their environmental impacts. Inherent potassium in low energy density coconut fibers reduces bio-oil yield and compromises bio-oil quality and the integrity of reactors within which pyrolysis occurs. The effect of consecutive hydrothermal treatment (180°C-220 °C) and water washing on coconut fiber demineralization, pyrolysis behavior, and bio-oil composition was investigated. Chemical fractionation method classified the most occurring inorganic (potassium) as ~76% water-soluble, ~19% ion-exchangeable, and ~5% acid-soluble species. Demineralization results show …
Durability of Biodegradable Polymer Nanocomposites
2021
Biodegradable polymers (BP) are often regarded as the materials of the future, which address the rising environmental concerns. The advancement of biorefineries and sustainable technologies has yielded various BP with excellent properties comparable to commodity plastics. Water resistance, high dimensional stability, processability and excellent physicochemical properties limit the reviewed materials to biodegradable polyesters and modified compositions of starch and cellulose, both known for their abundance and relatively low price. The addition of different nanofillers and preparation of polymer nanocomposites can effectively improve BP with controlled functional properties and change the…
Effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in neovascular age-related macular degeneration and variables associated with visual acuity…
2021
Objective To assess the overall effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a clinical practice setting. Study design EAGLE was a retrospective, 2-year, cohort observational, multicenter study conducted in Italy that analyzed secondary data of treatment-naïve patients with nAMD. The primary endpoint evaluated the mean annualized number of anti-VEGF injections at Years 1 and 2. The main secondary endpoints analyzed the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline and variables associated with visual outcomes at Years 1 and 2. Results Of the 752 patients enrolled, 745 (99.07…
Pervivencias de la historiografía decimonónica en los manuales escolares de educación musical primaria
2021
Los libros de texto constituyen uno de los principales objetos de estudio de la historia de la educación en tanto que depositarios de la ideología del grupo del que emanan y reflejo de los significados que configuran la cultura escolar. Durante las últimas décadas, ha surgido un gran número de trabajos que abordan los discursos presentes en los manuales escolares. En especial, se ha desarrollado en el ámbito de las ciencias sociales una línea de investigación con entidad propia dedicada al estudio de los modelos historiográficos que reflejan los libros de texto. Este artículo presenta un estudio sobre la pervivencia de dos modelos historiográficos decimonónicos, el formalista y el nacionali…
Symbolic play among children with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review
2021
Symbolic play is considered an early indicator in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its assessment. The objective of this study was to analyze the difficulties in symbolic play experienced by children with ASD and to determine the existence of differences in symbolic play among children with ASD, children with other neurodevelopmental disorders and children with typical development. A scoping review was carried out in the Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, ERIC, and PsycInfo databases, following the extension for scoping reviews of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The number of papers included in the review was 22. The r…