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Abstract Objective To investigate the Italian experience on the surgical and radiosurgical treatment of drug‐resistant epilepsy due to hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) in the period 2011–2021 in six Italian epilepsy surgery centers, and to compare safety and efficacy profiles of the different techniques. Methods We collected pseudo‐anonymized patient's data with at least 12 months of follow‐up. Surgical outcome was defined according to Engel classification of seizure outcome. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the risk of post‐operative seizures, categorized in dichotomous variable as favorable and unfavorable; explanatory variables were considered. Mann–Whitney or Chi‐squared test were used to assess the presence of an association between variables (p

Batteries are critical components of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and yet their expected lifetime is hard to estimate. Various determinants play a significant role, among which cell temperatures and usage profile are notably the most predominant, but their impact is complex to estimate. The variability of the vehicle usage patterns makes it difficult to estimate typical stresses on the battery, and cell temperatures are often unknown conversely to the ambient temperature, that is usually used in degradation models. For these reasons, in this study we present a methodology for estimating the expected battery lifetime in electric vehicles (EVs) through a comprehensive powertrain, electrical and thermal model of the vehicle and its battery, including a battery degradation model. Supported by experimental measures, the whole model, including the battery cooling system, is calibrated with data obtained from the onboard Controller Area Network (CAN) of a BEV with average error below 1°C. The case study to represent typical traffic conditions on Italian routes highlights that the approach is robust, expected battery lifetimes are suitable for typical vehicle usage, and that appropriate battery thermal modelling can reduce errors in the lifetime assessment of beyond 40-50%. The study emphasizes the importance of active thermal management in preserving battery health, and the methodology provides a foundation for further multi-disciplinary modeling of EV battery aging.

The mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) has been continuously decreasing in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. However, health endpoints do not exhibit a linear correlation with PM mass concentrations. Thus, it is urgent to clarify the prior toxicological components of PM to further improve air quality. In this study, we analyzed the long-term oxidative potential (OP) of water-soluble PM2.5, which is generally considered more effective in assessing hazardous exposure to PM in Beijing from 2018 to 2022 based on the dithiothreitol assay and identified the crucial drivers of the OP of PM2.5 based on online monitoring of air pollutants, receptor model, and random forest (RF) model. Our results indicate that dust, traffic, and biomass combustion are the main sources of the OP of PM2.5 in Beijing. The complex interactions of dust particles, black carbon, and gaseous pollutants (nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide) are the main factors driving the OP evolution, in particular, leading to the abnormal rise of OP in Beijing in 2022. Our data shows that a higher OP is observed in winter and spring compared to summer and autumn. The diurnal variation of the OP is characterized by a declining trend from 0:00 to 14:00 and an increasing trend from 14:00 to 23:00. The spatial variation in OP of PM2.5 was observed as the OP in Beijing is lower than that in Shijiazhuang, while it is higher than that in Zhenjiang and Haikou, which is primarily influenced by the distribution of black carbon. Our results are of significance in identifying the key drivers influencing the OP of PM2.5 and provide new insights for advancing air quality improvement efforts with a focus on safeguarding human health in Beijing.

Abstract The interaction between nitrogen monoxide (NO) and organic peroxy radicals (RO2) greatly impacts the formation of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM), the key precursors of secondary organic aerosols. It has been thought that HOM production can be significantly suppressed by NO even at low concentrations. Here, we perform dedicated experiments focusing on HOM formation from monoterpenes at low NO concentrations (0 – 82 pptv). We demonstrate that such low NO can enhance HOM production by modulating the RO2 loss and favoring the formation of alkoxy radicals that can continue to autoxidize through isomerization. These insights suggest that HOM yields from typical boreal forest emissions can vary between 2.5%-6.5%, and HOM formation will not be completely inhibited even at high NO concentrations. Our findings challenge the notion that NO monotonically reduces HOM yields by extending the knowledge of RO2-NO interactions to the low-NO regime. This represents a major advance towards an accurate assessment of HOM budgets, especially in low-NO environments, which prevails in the pre-industrial atmosphere, pristine areas, and the upper boundary layer.

This study evaluates the fermentation performances of non-Saccharomyces strains in fermenting cherry must from Italian cherries unsuitable for selling and not intended to be consumed fresh, and their effects on the chemical composition of the resulting wine. Fermentation trials in 100 and 500 mL of must were carried out to select 21 strains belonging to 11 non-Saccharomyces species. Cherry wines obtained by six select strains were chemically analyzed for fixed and volatile compounds. Quantitative data were statistically analyzed by agglomerative hierarchical clustering, partial least squared discriminant analysis, and principal component analysis. Wines revealed significant differences in their composition. Lactic acid and phenylethyl acetate levels were very high in wines produced by Lachancea and Hanseniaspora, respectively. Compared to S. cerevisiae wine, non-Saccharomyces wines had a lower content of fatty acid ethyl esters 4-vinyl guaiacol and 4-vinyl phenol. The multivariate analysis discriminated between wines, demonstrating the different contributions of each strain to aroma components. Specifically, all wines from non-Saccharomyces strains were kept strictly separate from the control wine. This study provided comprehensive characterization traits for non-conventional strains that enhance the aroma complexity of cherry-based wine. The use of these yeasts in cherry wine production appears promising. Further investigation is required to ascertain their suitability for larger-scale fermentation.

Bread, a staple food consumed worldwide, plays a pivotal role in nutrition. Nevertheless, it is to be underlined that white bread is classified as a high glycemic index food, and its frequent consumption can lead to rapid increases in blood glucose, potentially causing metabolic stress and contributing to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. So, there is a growing interest in bread formulations with ingredients that can lower its GI. With this view, bread was formulated, substituting wheat with chickpea flour, red chicory powder, and three distinct types of resistant starch. The results showed the different resistant starches’ impacts on the glycemic index reduction. Specifically, chemically modified tapioca RS IV produced a bread formulation with a low predicted glycemic index (pGI < 55). Retrograded starch from tapioca (RS III) allows the bread to reach a pGI value of 55, the upper value for classifying a food as low pGI. The retrograded starch from corn (RS III) allows a decrease in the bread’s glycemic index, but the product is still classified as ‘high pGI’ (>70). Moreover, the addition of by-products rich in polyphenols contributes to a lowering of the pGI. Concerning the technological parameters, the outcome revealed an increase in the moisture content across all the newly formulated samples compared to the control. At the same time, the volume and specific volume showed a decrease. The newly formulated samples exhibited a higher baking loss, particularly when incorporating resistant starch, which increased the hardness and chewiness with decreased cohesiveness. In conclusion, incorporating chickpea flour, red chicory powder, and tapioca-resistant starch (RS III and IV) offers a promising strategy for producing high-fiber bread with a low glycemic index, catering to health-conscious consumers.

Liu et al. found that the formation rate of particulate ammonium is slower in the atmosphere than that observed in the laboratory, while it is sped up due to an increase in aerosol acidity driven by an emission reduction of dust in North China Plain.

Abstract The steady rise of online shopping goes hand in hand with the development of increasingly complex ML and NLP models. While most use cases are cast as specialized supervised learning problems, we argue that practitioners would greatly benefit from general and transferable representations of products. In this work, we build on recent developments in contrastive learning to train FashionCLIP, a CLIP-like model adapted for the fashion industry. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the representations learned by FashionCLIP with extensive tests across a variety of tasks, datasets and generalization probes. We argue that adaptations of large pre-trained models such as CLIP offer new perspectives in terms of scalability and sustainability for certain types of players in the industry. Finally, we detail the costs and environmental impact of training, and release the model weights and code as open source contribution to the community.

Siberia is covered by 6 million km ^2 of forest, which moderates climate as a carbon sink and a source of aerosol particles causing negative radiative effect. Aerosol particles in boreal forests frequently form via gas-to-particle conversion, known as new particle formation (NPF). Compared to boreal sites at similar latitudes, NPF was reported to occur less often in the Siberian forest. However, factors controlling NPF in Siberia remain unknown. Our results suggest that the combination of biogenic and anthropogenic contributions caused unexpectedly high monthly NPF frequency (50%) at the observatory Fonovaya in the West Siberian taiga during the Siberian 2020 heatwave. High frequency was due to early spring photosynthetic recovery, which boosted biogenic emissions into polluted air masses carrying SO _2 . After mid-April, high temperatures and cleaner air masses led to less frequent (15%) and less intense NPF despite the increased emissions of natural organic vapors and ammonia. Furthermore, the contrast between the two spring periods was seen in cluster composition, particle-forming vapors (two times difference in sulfuric acid concentration), particle formation ( J _3 , 2.2 and 0.4 cm ^−3 s ^−1 ) and growth rates (GR _2−3 , 1.7 and 0.6 nm h ^−1 ). Given the strong warming trend, our results suggest that within 25‒30 years, the monthly NPF frequency during early spring in the West Siberian taiga can reach 40%–60%, as in the European boreal sites.

Boreal wetlands emit terpenes which initiate atmospheric new particle formation to an even greater degree than is usually seen over boreal forests, according to direct measurements of volatile organic compounds from a Finnish wetland.

Abstract New particle formation (NPF) is a global phenomenon that significantly influences climate. NPF also contributes to haze, with pronounced negative impacts on human health. Theory and observations both show that nucleation is favored during clean days and inhibited during haze episodes due to a high pre‐existing condensation sink (CS). Here we show that the surprising occurrence of NPF during haze days in Beijing is associated with a high concentration of sulfuric acid dimers. With both field observations and model simulations, we demonstrate that downward mixing of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the residual layer aloft enhances ground level SO2, which in turn elevates sulfuric acid dimer after rapid SO2 oxidation in the polluted air. Our results address a key gap between the source of SO2 and its atmospheric oxidation products during haze conditions in a megacity, Beijing, providing a missing link in a complete chain describing NPF in the polluted atmosphere.

Abstract Background A previous meta-analysis (Kuiper et al., 2016) has shown that multiple aspects of social relationships are associated with cognitive decline in older adults. Yet, results indicated possible bias in estimations of statistical effects due to the heterogeneity of study design and measurements. We have updated this meta-analysis adding all relevant publications from 2012 to 2020 and performed a cumulative meta-analysis to map the evolution of this growing field of research (+80% of studies from 2012-2020 compared to the period considered in the previous meta-analysis). Methods Scopus and Web of Science were searched for longitudinal cohort studies examining structural, functional and combined effects of social relationships. We combined Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random effects meta-analysis and assessed sources of heterogeneity and the likelihood of publication bias. The risk of bias was evaluated with the Quality of Prognosis Studies in Systematic Reviews (QUIPS) tool. Results The review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019130667). We identified 34 new articles published in 2012-2020. Poor social relationships were associated with cognitive decline with increasing precision of estimates compared to previously reviewed studies [(for structural, 17 articles, OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.08; 1.14) (for functional, 16 articles, OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.05; 1.20) (for combined, 5 articles, OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.06; 1.24)]. Meta-regression, risk and subgroup analyses showed that the precision of estimations improved in recent studies mostly due to increased sample sizes. Conclusions Our cumulative meta-analysis would confirm that multiple aspects of social relationships are associated with cognitive decline. Yet, there is still evidence of publication bias and relevant information on study design is often missing, which could lead to an over-estimation of their statistical effects.

The paper proposes a hybrid 6 degrees of freedom localization system for endoscopic magnetic capsules, compatible with external high-grade permanent magnetic locomotion. The proposed localization system, which is able to provide an accurate estimation of the endoscopic capsule pose, finds application in the robotic endoscopy field to provide efficient closed-loop navigation of a magnetically-driven tethered capsule. It takes advantage of two optimization steps based on a triangulation approach, i.e. (1) mathematical approximations of the magnetic field, and (2) minimization of the magnetic field mean square deviation. The proposed localization system was tested in two different in-vitro scenarios for mimicking the clinical cases that a magnetic capsule would encounter during tele-operated magnetic navigation. The development phase was preceded by an in-depth work-space analysis to lay the groundwork for the localization design and implementation. Results of the hybrid 6 degrees of freedom localization system show a significant accuracy in accordance with the state-of-the-art, i.e. about 5 mm in position and 5° in orientation, but introducing benefits in expanding the work-space by increasing the number of electromagnets onto the operating table, as an independent solution with respect to the external magnetic locomotion source.

In Italy, several types of seasonal influenza vaccines (SIVs) are available for older adults, but for the 2022/2023 season there were no guidelines on their specific use. This cross-sectional study assessed the frequency and determinants of the use of enhanced (adjuvanted and high-dose) SIVs in Italian older adults, as compared to standard-dose non-adjuvanted formulations. Of 1702 vaccines administered to a representative outpatient sample of adults aged ≥ 60 years and residing in Genoa, 69.5% were enhanced SIVs. Older age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for each 1-year increase 1.10; p < 0.001), and the presence of cardiovascular disease (aOR 1.40; p = 0.011) and diabetes (aOR 1.62; p = 0.005) were associated with the use of enhanced vaccines. Compared with the adjuvanted SIV, subjects immunized with the high-dose vaccine were older (aOR for each 1-year increase 1.05; p < 0.001) and had higher prevalence of respiratory diseases (aOR 1.85; p = 0.052). Moreover, usage of the enhanced SIVs was driven by the period of immunization campaign, place of vaccination and physician. Despite their superior immunogenicity and effectiveness, the adoption of enhanced SIVs in Italy is suboptimal, and should be increased. Enhanced formulations are mostly used in the oldest, and in subjects with some co-morbidities.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are known to strongly influence the global climate by affecting various atmospheric constituents such as oxidants and aerosols. Among the several BVOCs that are emitted continuously into the atmosphere, studies have shown that up to 96% of the emissions have been missed out by current analytical techniques. In this study, we used a Vocus proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Vocus) to characterize and quantify emissions from a branch of a downy birch tree at a boreal forest site in Hyytiälä, Finland in August 2019. During the measurement period, we were able to observe real-time emissions of hydrocarbons with up to 20 carbon atoms and oxygenated compounds (OVOCs) with up to 4 oxygen atoms. OVOCs accounted for around 90% of the total observed emissions with the largest contribution from C8H8O3 (0.37 μgg–1h–1; ∼60% of total). For the first time, emissions of diterpenes (C20H32, C20H36, and C20H38) were observed from downy birch tree, although in minor quantities (0.1% of total emissions). During this late growing season, C10H16 and C10H14 contributed ∼7% in total emissions, while the sum of C5H8, C15H22, and C15H24 contributed around ∼3%. The branch experienced abiotic stress during the measurement period, which might explain the unusually high emissions of C8H8O3. Standardized emission potentials are reported for all compounds using two Guenther algorithms. While emissions of most compounds fit well with either of the two algorithms, emissions of certain compounds like C8H8O3 could not be explained by either suggesting the influence of other factors besides temperature and light. Vocus PTR-TOF-MS can help identify a diverse range of molecules even if emitted in minute quantities. The BVOCs detected from birch emissions may be important in the formation of secondary organic aerosols but their implications in the atmosphere need to be verified with further studies.

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) usually explosive growth during new particle formation (NPF) events. However, the risk of exposure to UFPs on NPF days has been ignored due to the prevalence of mass-based air quality standards. In this study, the daily deposited doses, i.e., the daily deposited particle number dose (DPNd), mass dose (DPMd), and surface area dose (DPSd), of ambient particles in the human respiratory tract in Beijing were evaluated based on the particle number size distribution (3 nm-10 µm) from June 2018 to May 2019 utilizing a Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry Model (MPPD) after the hygroscopic growth of particles in the respiratory tract had been accounted for. Our observations showed a high frequency (72.6%) of NPF on excellent air quality days, with daily mean PM2.5 concentrations less than 35 μg m−3. The daily DPNd on excellent air quality days was comparable with that on polluted days, although the DPMd on excellent air quality days was as low as 15.6% of that on polluted days. The DPNd on NPF days was ~1.3 times that on non-NPF days. The DPNd in respiratory tract regions decreased in the order: tracheobronchial (TB) > pulmonary (PUL) > extrathoracic (ET) on NPF days, while it was PUL > TB > ET on non-NPF days. The number of deposited nucleation mode particles, which were deposited mainly in the TB region (45%), was 2 times higher on NPF days than that on non-NPF days. Our results demonstrated that the deposition potential due to UFPs in terms of particle number concentrations is high in Beijing regardless of the aerosol mass concentration. More toxicological studies related to UFPs on NPF days, especially those targeting tracheobronchial and pulmonary impairment, are required in the future.

The current study evaluates the prospect of wine lees (WL), a costless by-product from Amarone winemaking, as a fat replacer in muffin formulation. WL have elsewhere replaced sunflower oil, allowing the creation of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% fat-substituted muffins named ML0, ML25, ML50, ML75, and ML100, respectively. Batter rheology, in addition to the textural and colorimetric characteristics, the pore dimension, and the sensory aspect of the different formulations were evaluated. The batter consistency (K) of fat-replaced muffins was lower than that of the control, while the hardness and chewiness of the end products were higher. ML25 and ML50 samples reached the highest volume, while the baking loss decreased due to WL’s fiber components. ML25, ML50, ML75, and ML100 accounted for caloric reductions of 9, 18, 22, and 26%, respectively, compared to full-fat muffins. Muffins with WL showed a darker crust and crumb as lightness (L*) decreased. Moreover, a* parameter increased with the increment of WL in the formulation, leading to a redder and less yellow-hued fat-replaced muffin. In conclusion, WL could effectively replace fat in the 25–50% range in muffins, achieving a final product with reduced calories, a higher dietary fiber content, higher volume, and promising sensory aspects.

In this work, residual stresses arising after an industrial TIG welding process on an aerospace grade part are investigated. The customer demand for high product resistance and high dimensional accuracy calls for the control of the welding process and the minimisation of the residual stresses. Dimensional check of manufactured parts was traditionally performed in a quality room by means of coordinate measuring machines (CMM). For parts larger than 1 meter, this operation shows several issues, as the handling and the need for large and expensive measuring devices. These needs can be fulfilled by an innovative method that, through continuous dimensional check, allows to optimise the welding process parameters. This method is built on a post-process measurement of part shrinkage based on a Computer Vision technique, the outcome being a 3D reconstruction of the actual part. Moreover, the whole procedure is low-cost and time saving, as it can be performed with a conventional camera mounted on a tripod. A Finite Element Model (FEM) of the TIG process on the selected sample was developed. The result of the numerical model was compared with the Computer Vision-based post-process measurement. The simulation scenario predicted by Finite Element Analysis agrees with measurements.

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder is a complex condition with wide variation in type and severity that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, restricted/repetitive behaviours and adaptive behaviours. In recent years, research has deepened the study of the predictive factors of optimal outcome, intended as indicators of positive trajectory in children with a previous diagnosis of autism who, after a therapeutic path, show a significant reduction in the “core” symptoms of autism and a positive evolution in social, adaptive, affective, and relational skills. Methods The study included 40 children aged 21 to 66 months, enrolled between 2015 and 2016 for an autism spectrum disorder clinical suspicious. Children were re-evaluated after at least 2 years of therapy and they were divided into two groups: the ASD-ASD group included children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, and the ASD-OO comparison group included children who no longer met the criteria for an autism classification. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the presence of cognitive, emotional and relational predictors capable of predicting the presence of optimal outcome in with a diagnosis of autism; the predictors taken into consideration were the intelligence quotient, the play, the emotional contagion and the understanding of other’s intentions. In this way, it is possible to support clinicians in defining a more complete diagnostic framework of autism, using assessment tools that can be administered quickly and therefore suitable for short observation sessions in paediatric patients. Results The findings showed that 15 out of 40 children, after at least for 2 years, no longer fell into the diagnostic ASD category based on the ADOS-2, DSM-5 and clinical criteria. The children in the ASD-OO group initially had a higher IQ than those in the ASD-ASD group, lower severity of autistic symptoms, greater understanding of intentions, more emotional contagion, and better quality of play. The results suggest that the initial coexistence of skills in these areas at the time of the first diagnostic assessment may allow us to predict the possibility of achieving optimal outcome after 2 years of therapy. Conclusions The data of this study highlight the importance of considering, during assessment, intelligence quotient, play, emotional contagion, and understanding of the intentions of others as potential prognostic predictors that can become useful tools for clinicians and paediatricians. This allows us to focus attention, in both the diagnostic and prognostic phases, on emotional-relational variables that can support the clinician in defining a more complete diagnostic framework and in planning a more personalized therapeutic path.

The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially stressed health care systems globally, subsequently reducing cancer care services and delaying treatments. Pediatric populations infected by COVID-19 have shown mild clinical symptoms compared to adults, perhaps due to decreased susceptibility. Several scientific societies and governments have released information on the management of patients with cancer, wherein they warn against exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and suggest continuing treatment. To determine the best diagnostic and therapeutic approach, multidisciplinary tumor boards should convene regularly, including through conference calls and telematics platforms. A prompt diagnostic workup may reduce children's suffering and prevent loss of confidence in the health care system among parents. Moreover, ensuring adequate support and information regarding measures for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients and their families is essential for avoiding panic and excessive stress, allowing early reporting of any suspected symptoms of cancer and, in turn, facilitating early diagnosis and prompt modulation of treatment.

Abstract The role of new particle formation (NPF) events and their contribution to haze formation through subsequent growth in polluted megacities is still controversial. To improve the understanding of the sources, meteorological conditions, and chemistry behind air pollution, we performed simultaneous measurements of aerosol composition and particle number size distributions at ground level and at 260 m in central Beijing, China, during a total of 4 months in 2015–2017. Our measurements show a pronounced decoupling of gas-to-particle conversion between the two heights, leading to different haze processes in terms of particle size distributions and chemical compositions. The development of haze was initiated by the growth of freshly formed particles at both heights, whereas the more severe haze at ground level was connected directly to local primary particles and gaseous precursors leading to higher particle growth rates. The particle growth creates a feedback loop, in which a further development of haze increases the atmospheric stability, which in turn strengthens the persisting apparent decoupling between the two heights and increases the severity of haze at ground level. Moreover, we complemented our field observations with model analyses, which suggest that the growth of NPF-originated particles accounted up to ∼60% of the accumulation mode particles in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei area during haze conditions. The results suggest that a reduction in anthropogenic gaseous precursors, suppressing particle growth, is a critical step for alleviating haze although the number concentration of freshly formed particles (3–40 nm) via NPF does not reduce after emission controls.

Abstract Aim To describe the epidemiological aspects of nocturnal enuresis (NE). In this study we identify the prevalence and the familial conditions in a large, representative sample of children with monosymptomatic NE (MNE) and nonmonosyptomatic NE (NMNE). Material and methods In this descriptive-analytic study the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP) promoted a prevalence study of NE using a questionnaire involved 320 primary care Pediatricians from Northern, Central and Southern Italy, from January 2019 to July 2019, with a total of 130,000 children analyzed by questionnaire related to epidemiology and type of NE, familiarity, quality of sleep, eating and drinking habits, pharmacological and psychological/behavioural interventions and family involvement. Results 270/320 (84.4%) Paediatrician replied to our questionnaire. We enrolled a total of 9307/130,000 (7.2%) children with NE, aged between 5 and 14 years: 2141 diagnosed with MNE and 7176 qualified as NMNE. Poor quality of sleep were reported in 7064 patients; 90% of children did not consider a dietary and drinking recommendation. Pediatrician reported a total of 54.1% of parents who declared to have a negative reaction to their children because of the bedwetting. A percentage of 71.4% of parents declared to use or to have used alternative therapies and not to prefer, at first, a pharmacological intervention. Conclusion The choice of treatment should include psychological/behavioural interventions in all cases to improve the therapeutic outcome. All primary care Pediatricians should be aware of the all aspects of NE to choose the best way to treat every patient.

Due to profound impact on climate and human health, air quality has attracted attention from all levels of the civil society. The key step in the provision of required tools for the society to tackle the complex air quality problem is to characterize it in a comprehensive manner with a long-term perspective. Here, we describe a continuous and comprehensive observation station and its accompanying state-of-the-art instrumentation that was established to investigate the complex urban atmospheric environment in a rapidly developing Chinese Megacity. The station, located in downtown Beijing, aims to study air quality by identifying the major atmospheric pollutants and key processes determining their formation and loss mechanisms. A few hundreds of parameters are continuously measured with the state-of-the-art instruments, including trace gas concentrations, aerosol particle size distributions, and mass concentrations, covering aerosol particle chemical composition from molecules to micrometer-sized aerosol particles. This produced long-term, comprehensive big data with around $$1 \times {10^{11}}$$ bytes per year. In this paper, we provide an overview on the facilities of the station, the instrumentation used, the workflow of continuous observations and examples of results from 2018 to 2019 and a basis for establishing a modern long-term, comprehensive atmospheric urban observation station in other megacities.

This article surveys a field of empirical social research linking economic exchange relations to the generation of interpersonal bonds of solidarity. This issue is particularly interesting for both social sciences and current societies because of the increasing global integration of markets and spatial mobility. Experimental research in Social Exchange Theory has provided mixed evidence on how various structural properties of exchange relations generate solidarity. Findings suggest that risk is key to generate trust between exchange partners, which is linked to feelings of solidarity. This casts doubts on the positive effect of economic exchange on solidarity, as actual market-based transactions mainly rely on assurance structures to reduce risk and prevent opportunism. However, further developments suggest that solidarity can be indirectly generated by economic exchange ties framed by loose agreements. This opens up opportunities for new empirical research to study economic exchange and solidarity in actual social systems. Furthermore, negative consequences of the link between economic exchange and solidarity are discussed, such as centralization and segregation.

Abstract Mutations in MECP2 cause several neurological disorders of which Rett syndrome (RTT) represents the best‐defined condition. Although mainly working as a transcriptional repressor, MeCP2 is a multifunctional protein revealing several activities, the involvement of which in RTT remains obscure. Besides being mainly localized in the nucleus, MeCP2 associates with the centrosome, an organelle from which primary cilia originate. Primary cilia function as “sensory antennae” protruding from most cells, and a link between primary cilia and mental illness has recently been reported. We herein demonstrate that MeCP2 deficiency affects ciliogenesis in cultured cells, including neurons and RTT fibroblasts, and in the mouse brain. Consequently, the cilium‐related Sonic Hedgehog pathway, which is essential for brain development and functioning, is impaired. Microtubule instability participates in these phenotypes that can be rescued by HDAC6 inhibition together with the recovery of RTT‐related neuronal defects. Our data indicate defects of primary cilium as a novel pathogenic mechanism that by contributing to the clinical features of RTT might impact on proper cerebellum/brain development and functioning, thus providing a novel therapeutic target.

Introduction: Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) may aid the resection of space-occupying brain lesions, though technical limits may hinder its reliability. Methods: IOUS (MyLabTwice®, Esaote, Italy) with a microconvex probe was utilized in 45 consecutive cases of children with supratentorial space-occupying lesions aiming to localize the lesion (pre-IOUS) and evaluate the extent of resection (EOR, post-IOUS). Technical limits were carefully assessed, and strategies to enhance the reliability of real-time imaging were accordingly proposed. Results: Pre-IOUS allowed us to localize the lesion accurately in all of the cases (16 low-grade gliomas, 12 high-grade gliomas, eight gangliogliomas, seven dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors, five cavernomas, and five other lesions, namely two focal cortical dysplasias, one meningioma, one subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, and one histiocytosis). In 10 deeply located lesions, IOUS with hyperechoic marker, eventually coupled with neuronavigation, was useful to plan the surgical route. In seven cases, the administration of contrast ensured a better definition of the vascular pattern of the tumor. Post-IOUS allowed the evaluation of EOR reliably in small lesions (2 cm) assessing EOR is hindered by the collapsed surgical cavity, especially when the ventricular system is opened, and by artifacts that may simulate or hide residual tumors. The main strategies to overcome the former limit are inflation of the surgical cavity through pressure irrigation while insonating, and closure of the ventricular opening with Gelfoam before insonating. The strategies to overcome the latter are avoiding the use of hemostatic agents before IOUS and insonating through normal adjacent brain instead of corticotomy. These technical nuances enhanced the reliability of post-IOUS, with a total concordance to postoperative MRI. Indeed, the surgical plan was changed in about 30% of cases, as IOUS showed a residual tumor that was left behind. Conclusion: IOUS ensures reliable real-time imaging in the surgery of space-occupying brain lesions. Limits may be overcome with technical nuances and proper training.

Bread is one of the most widely embraced food products and is highly accepted by consumers. Despite being rich in complex carbohydrates (i.e., starch), bread is generally poor in other micro- and macronutrients. Rising consumer demand for healthier food has resulted in the growth of studies focused on bread fortification with bioactive ingredients (i.e., vitamins, prebiotics, and vegetable extracts). However, the baking process leads to the reduction (or even lessening) of the added substance. In addition, the direct inclusion of bioactive compounds and additives in bread has other limitations, such as adverse effects on sensory characteristics and undesirable interaction with other food ingredients. Encapsulation allows for overcoming these drawbacks and at the same time improves the overall quality and shelf-life of bread by controlling the release, protection, and uniform distribution of these compounds. In the last ten years, several studies have shown that including micro/nano-encapsulated bioactive substances instead of free compounds allows for the enrichment or fortification of bread, which can be achieved without negatively impacting its physicochemical and textural properties. This review aims to identify and highlight useful applications in the production of new functional bread through encapsulation technology, summarizing the heath benefit and the effect of microcapsule inclusion in dough and bread from a technological and sensory point of view.

Abstract Background During the first SARS-CoV-2 pandemic phase, the sudden closure of schools was one of the main measures to minimize the spread of the virus. In the second phase, several safety procedures were implemented to avoid school closure. To evaluate if the school is a safe place, students and staff of two school complexes of Rome were monitored to evaluate the efficacy of prevention measures inside the school buildings. Methods Oral secretions specimens were collected from 1262 subjects for a total of 3431 samples, collected over a 3 months period. Detection of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was performed by real-time PCR. Target genes were represented by E gene, RdRP/S gene and N gene. Results Among the 3431 samples analyzed, just 16 sample resulted as positive or low positive: 1 sample in the first month, 12 samples in the second month and 3 in the third month. In each period of evaluation, all positive children attended different classes. Conclusions Even if the school has the potential for spreading viruses, our preliminary results show the efficacy of the implementations undertaken in this setting to minimize virus diffusion. Our evidence suggests that school does not act as an amplifier for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and can be really considered a safe place for students.

In this work, we describe in detail how Deep Learning and Computer Vision can help to detect fault events of the AirTender system, an aftermarket motorcycle damping system component. One of the most effective ways to monitor the AirTender functioning is to look for oil stains on its surface. Starting from real-time images, AirTender is first detected in the motorbike suspension system, simulated indoor, and then, a binary classifier determines whether AirTender is spilling oil or not. The detection is made with the help of the Yolo5 architecture, whereas the classification is carried out with the help of a suitably designed Convolutional Neural Network, OilNet40. In order to detect oil leaks more clearly, we dilute the oil in AirTender with a fluorescent dye with an excitation wavelength peak of approximately 390 nm. AirTender is then illuminated with suitable UV LEDs. The whole system is an attempt to design a low-cost detection setup. An on-board device, such as a mini-computer, is placed near the suspension system and connected to a full hd camera framing AirTender. The on-board device, through our Neural Network algorithm, is then able to localize and classify AirTender as normally functioning (non-leak image) or anomaly (leak image).

Background: Postoperative seizures (PS) occur in 10–15% of patients. This study aims to provide an update on the role of surgery in PS. Methods: All children undergoing a craniotomy for supratentorial lesions in the last 10 years were considered except those with preoperative seizures, perioperative antiepileptic drugs prophylaxis, head-injury and infections, repeated surgery, or preoperative hyponatremia. Children undergoing surgery for intra-axial lesions (Group 1, 74 cases) were compared with those harboring extra-axial lesions (Group 2, 91 cases). Results: PS occurred in 9% of 165 cases and epilepsy in 3% of 165 cases (mean follow-up: 5.7 years). There was no difference between the two study groups with regard to demographic data or tumor size. Group 1 showed a higher rate of gross total tumor resection (p = 0.002), while Group 2 had a higher rate of postoperative hyponatremia (p < 0.0001). There were no differences between the two groups in the occurrence of seizures (6.7% vs. 11%) or epilepsy (2.7% vs. 3.2%). No correlations were found between seizures and age, tumor location, histotype, tumor size, or the extent of tumor resection. Hyponatremia affected the risk of PS in Group 2 (p = 0.02). Conclusions: This study shows a lower rate of PS and epilepsy than series including children with preoperative seizures. Hyponatremia has a significant role. Neurosurgery is safe but surgical complications may cause late epilepsy.

The effectiveness of public health measures to prevent COVID-19 contagion has required less vulnerable citizens to pay an individual cost in terms of personal liberty infringement to protect more vulnerable groups. However, the close relationship between scientific experts and politicians in providing information on COVID-19 measures makes it difficult to understand which communication source was more effective in increasing pro-social behaviour. Here, we present an online experiment performed in May 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic on 1131 adult residents in Lombardy, Italy, one of the world's hardest hit regions. Results showed that when scientific experts recommended anti-contagion measures, participants were more sensitive to pro-social motivations, unlike whenever these measures were recommended by politicians and scientific experts together. Our findings suggest the importance of trusted sources in public communication during a pandemic.

Trub is a brewing by-product rich in proteins and fibers. We used trub, after a debittering step, at 5, 10, and 15 g/100 g (PT5, PT10, and PT15, respectively) to fortify durum wheat fresh pasta. Technological and physical–chemical properties, in vitro digestibility, and sensorial characteristics of fortified pasta were determined. The technological aspects of the products were peculiar, suggesting the existence of complex interactions between the gluten network and starch with debittered trub powder. The fortified pasta samples showed a lower glucose release than the control at the end of in vitro starch hydrolysis. Furthermore, in vitro protein digestion rose only in PT15. PT5 and PT10 samples overcame the sensory acceptability threshold of 5, while PT15 showed the lowest acceptability. Debittered trub represents a suitable ingredient in fortified fresh pasta formulation with an up to 10% substitution level without compromising the quality and sensory characteristics of the final product.

The development of fortified healthy pleasant foods, in which saturated fats are replaced with unsaturated ones, poses a challenge for the food industry due to their susceptibility to oxidative rancidity, which decreases product shelf-life, causes the destruction of health-promoting molecules, and forms potentially toxic compounds. A comparative study applying the Arrhenius model was carried out to investigate the oxidative stability and predict the shelf-life of a newly developed no added sugar chocolate spread formulated with sunflower oil, and fortified with vitamin D, Mg, and Ca checked against two commercially available spreads: No Palm and a well-known commercially available product (RB). The results obtained from the accelerated shelf-life testing for peroxide value (PV) showed relatively higher activation energy (Ea, 14.48 kJ/mol K) for RB, whereas lower Ea (11.31–12.78 kJ/mol K) was obtained for No Palm and all the experimental spread chocolates. Q10 values were comparable (1.202–1.154), indicating a similar catalytic effect of the temperature upon the oxidation rate across all the investigated samples. The positive Gibbs free energies ranged from 75.014 to 83.550 kJ/mol and pointed out that the lipid oxidation reaction in the chocolate spread was an endergonic process. The predicted shelf-life at 293.15 K was 8.57 months (RB), 7 months (No Palm), and 6.8 months for all the experimental spreadable chocolate. However, the higher production of hydroperoxides was observed in chocolate fortified with magnesium-calcium carbonate nanoparticles and stored at 313.15 and 323.15 K, suggesting these particles may enhance lipid oxidation.

Pediatric hospitalization is a common experience that may increase children’s sense of isolation and impinge on their social-emotional wellbeing. Educators and medical practitioners could minimize these negative effects of hospitalization if they were able to listen to the voices of the children and, therefore, better meet their needs. This qualitative study provides an overview of how children with a medical condition actively construct and organize their thoughts and feelings about illness, life in hospital, and relationships. We extrapolated from a collection of children’s narratives from a previous more comprehensive study (consisting of 379 narratives from children in 29 public hospitals across Italy, age range 3–14 years). Narratives grouped under the headings “Me and my illness” or “Me and the others” were selected and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to identify the richness and complexity of children’s experience. Results showed that children’s description of their illness was affected both by cognitive and social factors. For children, the concept of feeling ill or well is not linked only to the fact that they are in hospital for a medical condition; rather, it is influenced by their ability to form relationships with others, play, be active, and feel alive within the hospital environment. Listening to narratives can deepen our understanding of children’s illness-related experiences and how they make sense of their situation. A set of practice implications are presented to help health professionals and educators to improve their listening capabilities and better prevent adverse pediatric hospitalization outcomes.

Background and aims The daily challenges of caring for a child with autism spectrum disorder affect many areas of everyday life and parental well-being, as well as parents’ ability to manage the needs of the family and the child concerned. A better understanding of parents’ perception of their child’s characteristics can allow better support for them and individualize intervention protocols in a more accurate way. The main objective of this study is the evaluation of the perception of stress by parents of children with autism compared to parents of children with specific language impairment. Methods The parents of 87 children aged between 2 and 6 years were included in this study, 34 children with a specific language impairment diagnosis and 53 children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD) or at risk of developing it. They were asked to complete a self-report on perceived stress and rating scales on adaptive/problematic behaviours, executive functions and sensory profile of the child. Results The results reveal that parents of ASD children, compared to the control group, showed significantly higher levels of stress, mainly due to the difficulty of managing unexpected events, the feeling of loss of control over one's life and the fear of not being able to cope with the adversities they were experiences. The most critical area, both for ASD and control group, concern the executive function related to emotional reactions. Conclusions Thus, we argue that the difficulties in self-control, sensory modulation and emotional regulation, represent an element of stress for parents of children with developmental disorders. Implications: Regarding the difficulties of children with ASD, supporting the ways in which caregivers adapt to the signals of children is an important strategy, which has now become a key element of treatments for autism mediated by parents.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by impairments in social interaction and reciprocal communication. During a pandemic, when social distancing becomes mandatory for all, both parents and children are not supported in-person by their therapists and cannot participate in usual therapies. This study reports the main clinical changes experienced by parents of children with during the first month of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Using standardized questionnaires, the families of 63 ASD children were interviewed in February and April 2020. Findings showed an increase in restricted and repetitive behaviours in about 30% of the sample; also, motor restlessness and sleep disturbances increased, with greater irritability and mood dysregulation. On the other hand, no changes emerged in personal self-care autonomies, in taste/smell sensitivity, and in auto or other-directed aggression. Despite the undeniable negative impact that lockdown can have on the psychosocial well-being of children, having maintained a continuity in supporting families, parental counselling (even if online and not in-person) helped families to redefine the meanings of behavioural changes of their children and to understand their adaptive functionality.

Early parent–child relationships are an important factor influencing many domains of child development, even in the presence of autism. In this study, we investigated the associations between parent–child attunement during play, parental insightfulness, and parental acceptance of their child’s diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. A sample of 50 parents (26 mothers and 24 fathers) of 26 children aged between 24 and 58 months were videotaped during parent–child play interactions and then interviewed about what they thought had gone through their child’s head during the play interaction, and about their feelings and thoughts about their child’s diagnosis. Play interactions were evaluated using a coding protocol to assess parental attunement. The results showed that parents who were more able to accept their child’s diagnosis and to see things from their child’s perspective were more likely to also be attuned during play interactions with their children. These findings highlight the importance of studying the parental ability of insightfulness and acceptance of their child diagnosis of ASD for the implementation of intervention programs for supporting parental attunement and improving the interactions between the parents and the children with autism spectrum disorders.

Grape pomace (GP), is the main winemaking by-product and could represent a valuable functional food ingredient being a source of bioactive compounds, like polyphenols. Polyphenols prevent many non-communicable diseases and could contrast the oxidation reaction in foods. However, the high content in polyunsaturated fatty acid, the described pro-oxidant potential action of some polyphenols and the complex interactions with other components of matrices during food processing must be considered. Indeed, all these factors could promote oxidative reactions and require focused and specific assay. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of GP powder (GPP) addition (at 0%, 5% and 10% concentrations) in breadsticks formulations both on the antioxidant activity at room temperature during storage and on the shelf-life by the OXITEST predictive approach. GPP fortification increased the total polyphenols content and the antioxidant activities of breadsticks. FRAP reduced during the first two days of storage at room temperature, TPC increased during the 75 days, while ABTS showed a slight progressive decrease. However, GP negatively influenced OXITEST estimated shelf-life of breadsticks, incrementing the oxidation rate. In conclusion, even if GP fortification of breadsticks could improve the nutritional value of the products, the increased commercial perishability represents a drawback that must be considered.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to selectively evaluate the long-term impact of posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytomas, which are known to be among the most benign forms of paediatric brain tumours on neurocognitive and behavioural functions. Methods: Children that were operated on for a posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytoma in the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department of the Catholic University Medical School were selected according to the following criteria: (a) age > 5 years (in order to have a complete set of neurocognitive evaluations data), (b) ability to perform a complete set of tests before and after surgery, and (c) children that had a regular follow-up up to 10 years from the surgical treatment. Results: Forty-three percent of the children selected for the present study showed a borderline IQ before surgery, which is a result corresponding to those previously reported in the literature for children affected by posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytomas; praxis and visual perception were the selective functions that were more frequently affected. Language performance tests scores were below average in 40% of the cases but tended to improve in terms of expressive and receptive skills even at the 1-year follow-up; the improvements became significant at the 5-year and 10-year follow-ups. Conclusions: Recognising and measuring the short- and long-term effects of cerebellar tumours in children and their treatment are the first step towards improving their clinical course and quality of life. Early interventions should be offered to all of them, with specific attention bestowed on visual-spatial stimulation, speech and occupational therapies in order to act on praxic and visuo-perceptive skills, as well as on emotion and behaviour tracts of the neurocognitive profile, which more commonly tend to persist in the long term.

The growth rates of freshly formed aerosol particles influence what fraction of these can reach sizes large enough to affect cloud formation and climate. Here, the authors show that the nano-particle growth in a sulphuric acid containing system can be enhanced by the presence of ions or small acid-base clusters.

Breads were prepared by substituting common wheat flour with 0 (GP0), 5 (GP5) and 10 (GP10) g/100 g (w/w) of grape pomace powder (GPP) and were analyzed for the phenolic profile bioaccessibility as well as the in vitro starch digestion during simulated digestion. The free and bound phenolic composition of native GPP and resulting breads were profiled using ultra-high-performance chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight (UHPLC-QTOF). The raw GPP was characterized by 190 polyphenols with the anthocyanins representing the most abundant class, accounting for 11.60 mg/g of cyanidin equivalents. Regarding the fortified bread, the greatest (p < 0.05) content in phenolic compounds was recorded for the GP10 sample (considering both bound and free fractions) being 127.76 mg/100 g dry matter (DM), followed by the GP5 (106.96 mg/100 g DM), and GP0 (63.76 mg/100 g DM). The use of GPP determined an increase of anthocyanins (considered the markers of the GPP inclusion), recording 20.98 mg/100 g DM in GP5 and 35.82 mg/100 g DM in GP10. The bioaccessibility of anthocyanins increased in both GP5 and GP10 breads when moving from the gastric to the small intestine in vitro digestion phase with an average value of 24%. Both the starch hydrolysis and the predicted glycemic index decreased with the progressive inclusion of GPP in bread. Present findings showed that GPP in bread could promote an antioxidant environment in the digestive tract and influence the in vitro starch digestion.

Grape pomace powder (GPP), a by-product from the winemaking process, was used to substitute flour for wheat bread fortification within 0, 5, and 10 g/100 g. Rheological properties of control and fortified doughs, along with physicochemical and nutritional characteristics, antioxidant activity, and the sensory analysis of the obtained bread were considered. The GPP addition influenced the doughs’ rheological properties by generating more tenacious and less extensible products. Concerning bread, pH values and volume of fortified products decreased as the GPP inclusion level increased in the recipe. Total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of bread samples, evaluated by FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) assays, increased with GPP addition. Moreover, the GPP inclusion level raised the total dietary fiber content of bread. Regarding sensory evaluation, GPP fortification had a major impact on the acidity, the global flavor, the astringency, and the wine smell of bread samples without affecting the overall bread acceptability. The current results suggest that GPP could be an attractive ingredient used to obtain fortified bread, as it is a source of fiber and polyphenols with potentially positive effects on human health.

Background and study aims Capsule endoscopy (CE) is invaluable for minimally invasive endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract; however, several technological limitations remain including lack of reliable lesion localization. We present an approach to 3D reconstruction and localization using visual information from 2D CE images. Patients and methods Colored thumbtacks were secured in rows to the internal wall of a LifeLike bowel model. A PillCam SB3 was calibrated and navigated linearly through the lumen by a high-precision robotic arm. The motion estimation algorithm used data (light falling on the object, fraction of reflected light and surface geometry) from 2D CE images in the video sequence to achieve 3D reconstruction of the bowel model at various frames. The ORB-SLAM technique was used for 3D reconstruction and CE localization within the reconstructed model. This algorithm compared pairs of points between images for reconstruction and localization. Results As the capsule moved through the model bowel 42 to 66 video frames were obtained per pass. Mean absolute error in the estimated distance travelled by the CE was 4.1 ± 3.9 cm. Our algorithm was able to reconstruct the cylindrical shape of the model bowel with details of the attached thumbtacks. ORB-SLAM successfully reconstructed the bowel wall from simultaneous frames of the CE video. The “track” in the reconstruction corresponded well with the linear forwards-backwards movement of the capsule through the model lumen. Conclusion The reconstruction methods, detailed above, were able to achieve good quality reconstruction of the bowel model and localization of the capsule trajectory using information from the CE video and images alone.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an essential role in climate change and air pollution by modulating tropospheric oxidation capacity and providing precursors for ozone and aerosol formation. Arctic permafrost buries large quantities of frozen soil carbon, which could be released as VOCs with permafrost thawing or collapsing as a consequence of global warming. However, due to the lack of reported studies in this field and the limited capability of the conventional measurement techniques, it is poorly understood how much VOCs could be emitted from thawing permafrost and the chemical speciation of the released VOCs. Here we apply a Vocus proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF) in laboratory incubations for the first time to examine the release of VOCs from thawing permafrost peatland soils sampled from Finnish Lapland. The warming-induced rapid VOC emissions from the thawing soils were mainly attributed to the direct release of old, trapped gases from the permafrost. The average VOC fluxes from thawing permafrost were four times as high as those from the active layer (the top layer of soil in permafrost terrain). The emissions of less volatile compounds, i.e. sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, increased substantially with rising temperatures. Results in this study demonstrate the potential for substantive VOC releases from thawing permafrost. We anticipate that future global warming could stimulate VOC emissions from the Arctic permafrost, which may significantly influence the Arctic atmospheric chemistry and climate change.

The authors reported on a 63-year-old diabetic male who developed a strange wandering hemiparesis affecting first left side and then right side, not consistent with a right parasagittal meningioma nor with ischemic stroke. The subsequent rapid worsening of clinical picture, with occurrence of paraparesis, urinary incontinence and midthoracic sensory level, together with the evidence of leucocytosis, led to the diagnosis of a T6-T7 spondylodiscitis with spinal cord compression. The authors underlied the difficulties in diagnosing this condition in the setting of general hospital practice and the importance of clinical and neurological examination.

This review focuses on the observed characteristics of atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) in different environments of the global troposphere. After a short introduction, we will present a theoretical background that discusses the methods used to analyze measurement data on atmospheric NPF and the associated terminology. We will update on our current understanding of regional NPF, i.e. NPF taking simultaneously place over large spatial scales, and complement that with a full review on reported NPF and growth rates during regional NPF events. We will shortly review atmospheric NPF taking place at sub-regional scales. Since the growth of newly-formed particles into larger sizes is of great current interest, we will briefly discuss our observation-based understanding on which gaseous compounds contribute to the growth of newly-formed particles, and what implications this will have on atmospheric cloud condensation nuclei formation. We will finish the review with a summary of our main findings and future outlook that outlines the remaining research questions and needs for additional measurements.

In neuronal cells, actin remodeling plays a well known role in neurite extension but is also deeply involved in the organization of intracellular structures, such as the Golgi apparatus. However, it is still not very clear which mechanisms may regulate actin dynamics at the different sites. In this report we show that high levels of the TTC3 protein, encoded by one of the genes of the Down Syndrome Critical Region (DCR), prevent neurite extension and disrupt Golgi compactness in differentiating primary neurons. These effects largely depend on the capability of TTC3 to promote actin polymerization through signaling pathways involving RhoA, ROCK, CIT-N and PIIa. However, the functional relationships between these molecules differ significantly if considering the TTC3 activity on neurite extension or on Golgi organization. Finally, our results reveal an unexpected stage-dependent requirement for F-actin in Golgi organization at different stages of neuronal differentiation.

RNA molecules specifically enriched in the neuropil of neuronal cells and in particular in dendritic spines are of great interest for neurobiology in virtue of their involvement in synaptic structure and plasticity. The systematic recognition of such molecules is therefore a very important task. High resolution images of RNA in situ hybridization experiments contained in the Allen Brain Atlas (ABA) represent a very rich resource to identify them and have been so far exploited for this task through human-expert analysis. However, software tools that may automatically address the same objective are not very well developed.In this study we describe an automatic method for exploring in situ hybridization data and discover neuropil-enriched RNAs in the mouse hippocampus. We called it Hippo-ATESC (Automatic Texture Extraction from the Hippocampal region using Soft Computing). Bioinformatic validation showed that the Hippo-ATESC is very efficient in the recognition of RNAs which are manually identified by expert curators as neuropil-enriched on the same image series. Moreover, we show that our method can also highlight genes revealed by microdissection-based methods but missed by human visual inspection. We experimentally validated our approach by identifying a non-coding transcript enriched in mouse synaptosomes. The code is freely available on the web at http://ibislab.ce.unipr.it/software/hippo/.