Search results for " effects"
showing 10 items of 2364 documents
Lateral Habenula contribution in nicotine addiction: Focus on dopamine, GABA and serotonin interactions
2011
Compelling evidence has shown a pivotal role of dopaminergic function in drug addiction. Recently, the Habenula (Hb) has attracted a great deal of attention as another target for nicotine in the brain because of its role in regulating dopamine (DA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin (5-HT) systems. Nicotine acts binding to acetylcholine receptors that are widely distributed in the brain. Interestingly, the receptor subtypes that mediate nicotine withdrawal responses are highly expressed in the Hb. Moreover, the block of habenular nicotinic receptors in animals chronically treated with nicotine enhances withdrawal responses once nicotine is discontinued. Furthermore, it has been s…
Trace elements in glucometabolic disorders: an update.
2010
International audience; Many trace elements, among which metals, are indispensable for proper functioning of a myriad of biochemical reactions, more particularly as enzyme cofactors. This is particularly true for the vast set of processes involved in regulation of glucose homeostasis, being it in glucose metabolism itself or in hormonal control, especially insulin. The role and importance of trace elements such as chromium, zinc, selenium, lithium and vanadium are much less evident and subjected to chronic debate. This review updates our actual knowledge concerning these five trace elements. A careful survey of the literature shows that while theoretical postulates from some key roles of th…
Gut Microbiota, Microbial Metabolites and Human Physical Performance
2021
Trillions of microbes inhabiting the gut modulate the metabolism of the host. Cross-sectional studies have reported associations between physical performance and the gut microbiota (GM). Physical activity seems to increase GM diversity and the abundance of certain health-beneficial microbes. We reviewed the evidence from longitudinal studies on the connection between physically active lifestyle or long-term exercise interventions and the GM. We made literature searches using databases of Web of Science and PubMed Medline to collect human studies showing or not the associations between the GM and exercise. Many controversies exist in the studies. However, the longitudinal studies show that f…
Differential effects of anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-12/23 agents on human leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions
2015
AbstractEnhanced leukocyte recruitment is an inflammatory process that occurs during early phases of the vascular dysfunction that characterises atherosclerosis. We evaluated the impact of anti-TNF-α (adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept) and anti-IL-12/23 (ustekinumab) on interactions between human leukocytes and endothelial cells in a flow chamber that reproduced in vivo conditions. Clinical concentrations of anti-TNF-α were evaluated on the leukocyte recruitment induced by a variety of endothelial (TNF-α, interleukin-1β, lymphotoxin-α and angiotensin-II) and leukocyte (PAF, IL-12 and IL-23) stimuli related to inflammation and atherosclerosis. Treatment with anti-TNF-α, even before or af…
Neutron irradiation defects in gallium sulfide: Optical absorption measurements
1997
Gallium sulfide single crystals have been irradiated with different thermal neutron doses. Defects introduced by neutron irradiation turn out to be optically active, giving rise to absorption bands with energies ranging from 1.2 to 3.2 eV. Bands lying in the band-gap exhibit Gaussian shape. Their energies and widths are independent of the irradiation dose, but their intensities are proportional to it. Thermal annealing is completed in two stages, ending at around 500 and 720 K, respectively. Centers responsible for the absorption bands are proposed to be gallium-vacancy-galliuminterstitial complexes in which the distance between the vacancy (acceptor) and the interstitial (donor) determines…
Energetic Sustainability Using Renewable Energies in the Mediterranean Sea
2016
The paper is focused on the analysis of the electrical energy sector in the Maltese islands, focusing on the employment of Renewable Energies in order to increase its energy independence. The main renewable source here proposed is wave energy: thanks to its strategic position, Malta will be able to generate electrical energy through the use of an innovative type of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) based on the prototype of linear generator designed and developed by the University of Palermo. This new technology will be able to cut down the electrical energy production from traditional power plants and, consequently, the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Wave energy source and off-shore photovoltai…
Energy Saving in Public Transport Using Renewable Energy
2017
Hydrogen produced by renewable sources represents an interesting way to reduce the energetic dependence on fossil fuels in the transportation sector. This paper shows a feasibility study for the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen in the western Sicilian context, using three different renewable sources: wind, biomass and sea wave. The objective of this study is the evaluation of the hydrogen demand, needed to replace all diesel supplied buses with electrical buses equipped with fuel cells. An economic analysis is presented with the evaluation of the avoidable greenhouse gas emissions. Four different scenarios correlate the hydrogen demand for urban transport to the renewable en…
Mechanical Tests on Innovative BIPV Façade Components for Energy, Seismic, and Aesthetic Renovation of High-Rise Buildings
2018
The paper shows the results of mechanical tests carried out on prototypes of a new Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) component developed by the author and SBskin Smart Building Skin s.r.l. This patented innovative component is able to merge structural function, insulation proprieties, and production of clean energy for retrofit actions and/or the construction of translucent faç
ELECTRE TRI-based approach to the failure modes classification on the basis of risk parameters: An alternative to the risk priority number
2017
Proposing an ELECTRE TRI-based approach for the failure modes classification into predefined and ordered risk classes.Direct identification of failure modes on which performing the corrective actions with priority.Easy definition of risk classes on the basis of DMs expertise and perception of the industrial context considered.Application to dairy manufacturing processes. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is an engineering technique aimed at the detection of potential failures, their causes and consequences on the system/process under investigation. When used for the failure modes prioritization, FMEA is also referred to as Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). In tr…
From Silk to Digital Technologies: A Gateway to New Opportunities for Creative Industries, Traditional Crafts and Designers. The SILKNOW Case
2020
Nowadays, cultural heritage is more than ever linked to the present. It links us to our cultural past through the conscious act of preserving and bequeathing to future generations, turning society into its custodian. The appreciation of cultural heritage happens not only because of its communicative power, but also because of its economic power, through sustainable development and the promotion of creative industries. This paper presents SILKNOW, an EU-H2002 funded project and its application to cultural heritage, as well as to creative industries and design innovation. To this end, it presents the use of image recognition tools applied to cultural heritage, through the interoperability of …