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Polymeric micelles (PMs) are promising platforms for enhanced tissue targeting of entrapped therapeutic agents. Strategies to circumvent premature release of entrapped drugs include cross-linking of the micellar core as well as covalent attachment of the drug cargo. The chemistry employed to obtain cross-linked micelles needs to be mild to also allow entrapment of fragile molecules, such as certain peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and fluorescent dyes. Native chemical ligation (NCL) is a mild bio-orthogonal reaction between a

The goals of the current research were to assess the immediate impact of invasive wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) in olive orchards of southern Italy. Over a one-year study, in grubbed and ungrubbed areas, we measured the seasonal changes on the fast soil biological and chemical responses at depths of 0–15 cm and 15–40 cm, and several leaf and fruit characteristics. The impact factor, IFG, was used to quantify the effects of wild boar on individual soil parameters. Grubbing induced an increase in the soil moisture at both depths. Soil pH, organic matter, and C/N ratio were higher in grubbed soils at 0–15 cm and lower at 15–40 cm compared to ungrubbed soils. These trends were reflected in the higher microbial community biomass and the inhibition of fungal fraction in grubbed topsoil, while an opposite tendency at 15–40 cm was found. Microbial biomass had the highest IFG in topsoil (94%) and metabolic quotient (85%) at a 15–40 cm depth. Microbial stress condition and C loss were found in grubbed soil at both depths. Furthermore, these soils were also shown to be of lower quality than ungrubbed soils, especially at 0–15 cm (SQI = 0.40 vs. 0.50, respectively). A stronger negative impact of wild boar grubbing was observed in the Autumn/Winter and for fruit polyphenol content.

Goethite, hematite, ferrihydrite, and other iron oxides bind through various sorption reactions with humic substances (HS) in soils creating nano-, micro-, and macro-aggregates with a specific nature and stability. Long residence times of soil organic matter (SOM) have been attributed to iron-humic substance (Fe-HS) complexes due to physical protection and chemical stabilization at the organic-mineral interface. Humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) contain many acidic functional groups that interact with Fe oxides through different mechanisms. Due to the numerous interactions between mineral Fe and natural SOM, much research has led into a better identification and definition of HS. In this review, we first focus on the surface colloidal properties of Fe oxides and their reactivity toward HS. These minerals can be efficiently identified by usual techniques, such as XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, XAS, Mössbauer, diffuse reflectance spectroscopies (DRS), HRTEM, ATM, NanoSIMS. Second, we present the recent state of art regarding the adsorption/precipitation of HS onto iron mineral surfaces and their effects on binding metalloid and trace elements. Finally, we consider future research directions based on recent scientific literature, with particular focus on the ability of Fe nano-particles to increase Fe bioavailability, improve carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the impact of persistent organic and inorganic pollutants. The methodology in this field has rapidly developed over the last decade. However, new procedures to estimate the nature of Fe-HA bonds will be important contributions in clarifying the role of natural iron oxides in soil for carbon stabilization.

An integrated characterization of physical, chemical, biochemical and microbiological properties of litter fractions (litter, fragmented and humified), corresponding at three decomposition phases, has been conducted in a degraded pine forest. Litter fractions were characterized in terms of C and N content, microbial communities’ structure, enzyme activities and optical properties. The objective of this approach was to give an insight of actors and mechanisms operating during decomposition process, evaluating the relationships between litter pools (organic matter and microbial communities) and activities (respiration and enzymes). The effect of different thinning treatments (traditional and selective) on litter biomass and respiration was also investigated for 2 years, to identify forest management practices aiming at increase C storage and mitigate climate change. The litter fractions showed well-distinct chemical composition, with a decrease in carbon and an increase in nitrogen as decomposition advanced. Parallelly, an increase in fungal richness and diversity, and related enzyme activities, was observed. Bacteria were similar in the three fractions but seemed to have a role in the early phase of cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition. Thinning induced a short-term increase in litter input to soil, which disappeared after the first year until determining a general decrease in litter biomass, stronger with selective thinning. Further, in the warmer months of the second year after thinning litter respiration showed an increasing trend. Overall, positive effects of thinning on C storage were evident in the short term, followed by a decrease in litter pool driven by higher litter respiration.

In soil, iron (Fe) solubility depends on complex interactions between Fe minerals and organic matter, but very little is known about plant availability of Fe present in Fe oxides associated with humic substances. For this purpose, this study investigates the effect of Fe mineral crystallinity in the presence of humic acids (HA) on Fe availability to plants. Four Fe–HA mineral coprecipitates were prepared, either in the presence or absence of oxygen, i.e., two goethite (G)‐HA samples containing large amounts of Fe as nanocrystalline goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases, and two magnetite (M)‐HA samples containing crystalline magnetite. Bioavailability studies were conducted in hydroponic systems on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under Fe deficient conditions and supplied with the Fe–HA coprecipitates containing goethite or magnetite. Results showed that plants grown in the presence of Fe–HA coprecipitates exhibited a complete recovery from Fe deficiency, albeit less efficiently than plants resupplied with Fe‐chelate fertilizer used as control (Fe‐diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, Fe‐DTPA). However, the supply with either G‐ or M–HA coprecipitates produced different effects on plants: G–HA‐treated plants showed a higher Fe content in leaves, while M–HA‐treated plants displayed a higher leaf biomass and SPAD (Soil–Plant Analysis Development) index recovery, as compared to Fe‐DTPA. The distribution of macronutrients in the leaves, as imaged by micro X‐ray fluorescence (µXRF) spectroscopy, was different in G–HA and M–HA‐treated plants. In particular, plants supplied with the poorly crystalline G–HA coprecipitate with a lower Fe/HA ratio showed features more similar to those of fully recovered plants (supplied with Fe‐DTPA). These results highlight the importance of mineral crystallinity of Fe–HA coprecipitates on Fe bioavailability and Fe uptake in hydroponic experiments. In addition, the present data demonstrate that cucumber plants can efficiently mobilize Fe, even from goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases and magnetite, which are usually considered unavailable for plant nutrition.

Lenticular, ellipsoidal and flat tubular hematite particles were precipitated from ferric nitrate solutions in presence of minor amounts of Al, Si, Mg and organic acids (oxalic, citric and tartaric). Particle shape identification was performed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Arsenate adsorption onto hematite with different morphologies was studied in batch experiments and through vibrational spectroscopy. Three bands assigned to As(V)–O–Fe at, respectively, 920, 895 and 820 cm−1 were in agreement with sorption data indicating inner-sphere complexes. As(V) adsorption kinetics was well described by a general model for diffusion into microporous surface sites showing large difference among the studied hematite samples. The maximum As(V) adsorption occurred near pH 4.0 while at alkaline pH there was a significant decrease of adsorption as confirmed by the shift of infrared As–O stretching bands of arsenate group. A change from tetrahedral Td symmetry to more stable symmetric groups such as C3v (monodentate complex), C2v (bidentate binuclear) or C1v (edge-sharing, bidentate binuclear) was deduced for As(V) sorbed on hematite. Fast arsenate adsorption was higher on ellipsoidal hematite particle with a dominant non basal (1 1 0) face. On the contrary, electrostatic attraction interaction could explain the fast As(V) adsorption on platy morphology characterized by basal face (0 0 1). Despite the discrepancy between theoretical considerations and experimental observations, the present contribution could lead to better understanding of the role played by hematite morphology on surface complexation model to describe arsenic adsorption behavior. Diffusional mass transport models applied to As sorption systems can explain such divergence due to: (i) external mass transport across the boundary layer surrounding the particle; (ii) diffusional mass transfer within the internal structure of the adsorbent particle by a nanopore, (iii) heterogeneity of the surface site. These findings are relevant to understanding the rates of interfacial processes involving arsenate sorption that can be take into account in mass transport models used for the removal of arsenic from contaminated water or wastewaters.

The aim of this paper is to enrich our knowledge of an important paleosol succession located in Bojano basin of the southern Apennines (Italy), with new pedological, geochemical and magnetic data. The studied area consists of alluvial and fluvial-lacustrine sequences (>160 m) dating from the Middle Pleistocene (0.5 Ma). The study area shows the presence of recent soil consisting of well-developed Andosols (RS), and several clastic sedimentary levels alternating with four layers (Solum I, II, III and IV) of paleosols. Soil and paleosols were analyzed by laser grain size distribution (GSD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), trace elements, and magnetic properties in order to evaluate the relative contributions of pedogenic and detrital components. Results showed that the finest pedogenic ferrimagnetic grains exhibit two trends with respect to the degree of pedogenesis indicate two different pedoclimate formations. The paleosol sequence consists of highly-weathered Vertisols (Solum I and IV) and of less weathered Entisols (Solum II, III). The recent soil (Andosol) has a strong bimodal distribution formed mostly by coarse silt-size particles related to the volcanic parent material. Solum I showed a sharp unimodal clay GSD while Solum III and IV were composed of bimodal GSD with high percentages of fine silt-size particles. On the basis of the trace element content and Gt/χ fd ratio, all Solum (I, II, III, IV) exhibited low weathering pedogenesis compared with RS and negligible contribution to the magnetic properties of the coarse fractions. This occurs in Vertisols which developed under humid temperate climates (Solum I and SIV) and formed below the layer of Neapolitan Yellow Tuff, developed after 12–15 ka BP. In Solum, II, III the finest sedimentary levels, the low rate of pedogenesis could have developed under more cold climatic conditions after the last eruption (Campanian Ignimbrite, 39 ka) in the Late Pleistocene.

Objectives: As the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic continues, people with cystic fibrosis (CF) have been identified as being a vulnerable group. It is essential that people with CF, their families and their clinical teams have the most up-to-date information on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on their health. This study aims to characterise the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with CF throughout 2020, identify factors that predict clinical progression of COVID-19, and to describe medium-term follow-up of people who have been infected. Methods: The ‘Cystic Fibrosis Registry Global Harmonization Group’ is a worldwide network of CF Registries that each contributed data on people with CF diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this analysis, we will report on cases contributed from 22 countries diagnosed between 1st February and 13th December 2020. We will present demographic, pre-infection clinical characteristics, symptoms, infection management and outcomes. We will use multivariable logistic regression to assess predictors for hospitalisation with respiratory support and intensive care admission as the outcomes of interest representing clinical progression of COVID-19. Descriptive analysis of medium-term follow-up BMI and FEV1% predicted values will also be undertaken. Results: Results pending. Expected cohort size >1,000, including the 181 previously reported in our paper “The global impact of SARS-CoV-2 in 181 people with cystic fibrosis.” Conclusion: It is expected that the findings of this study will have important implications for shielding advice, clinical care and vaccine prioritisation for people with CF.

Background: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at high risk of developing severe forms of viral respiratory infections. This study aimed at comparing symptoms and clinical course of SARS-CoV2 infection with other respiratory infections in patients with CF. Methods: We carried out a prospective multicentre cohort study within the Italian CF Society involving 32 CF centres following 6,597 patients. CF centres were contacted to collect baseline and follow-up data of all patients who had reported symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or who had had contact with a positive/suspected case between the end of February and July 2020. Symptoms and clinical course of the infection were compared between patients who tested positive by molecular testing (cases) and those who tested negative (controls). Results: Thirty patients were reported from the centres, 16 of whom tested positive and 14 negative. Fever, cough, asthenia and dyspnea were the most frequently reported symptoms and their frequency were not significant different between groups. Eight cases (50%) were hospitalised but none required ICU admission. Two adults with a history of lung transplant required non-invasive ventilation;none required ICU admission. All patients fully recovered without short-term sequelae. Changes in FEV1 (percent of predicted) after recovery were not significantly different between groups (median, interquartile range: 3.0%, –1.5, 5.5 among cases and –3.0%, –8.5, 6.3 among controls, P = 0.48). Conclusions: Symptoms and clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in our patients was not significantly different from other respiratory infections. The clinical course of COVID-19 was relatively favourable, however CF patients with severely impaired respiratory function and organ transplant may develop complications and a negative outcome. The study is ongoing, and we are recruiting patients during the second wave of the pandemic.

The iron (Fe) oxide particles affect a wide range of important environmental processes related to soil fertility and plant growth. They often occur as aggregates, mineral nanoparticles or as nanoscale coatings on other grains in the soil, where they may also control the fate and transport of nutrients such as phosphate, sulfate, molybdate and pollutants (arsenic or chromium). Solubilization of Fe from minerals control iron availability for plant growth; this process is regulated by chemical mechanisms (pH and dissolution-precipitation), sometimes mediated by biological interactions at rhizosphere scale, of both Fe crystalline and poorly ordered Fe oxide minerals. In cold and temperate climate the organic carbon storage and the Fe minerals are highly correlated, possibly because the interactions of nano-size iron oxide particles with humic substances. The aims of this review are to summarize the main findings and the classical iron soil chemistry and to propose chemical and biological relationships with the hope of stimulating new model in soil fertility.

The next generation of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks are likely to use Flexgrid arrangement, providing operators with additional flexibility when assigning spectrum compared to traditional DWDM networks using the 50GHz ITU grid. Flexgrid breaks the spectrum up into small (typically 12.5GHz) slots, but its key feature is that contiguous slots can be joined together to form arbitrary sized blocks of spectrum. This additional flexibility will allow faster transponders that utilize high spectral efficiency modulation techniques, like multi-level m-QAM schemes. From the use of these new spectrum efficient modulation formats and finer control over spectrum allocations, a key benefit that Flexgrid offers to the network operators is that their DWDM networks can carry more traffic with optimized spectral efficiency. High speed technology became essential for realizing greater network capacity and enabling network operators to meet the increasing bandwidth challenges from new generation superfast devices, services and applications. Coherent technologies beyond 100G are now focusing on higher level modulation formats and multiple sub-carriers/channels, using super-channels to achieve Terabit transmission.

El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar las técnicas quirúrgicas en mamoplastia de aumento y los tipos de prótesis (material, superficie, volumen) empleadas en los últimos años por nuestro grupo de Cirugía Plástica Ambulatoria del Centro Médico Platinum en Caracas, Venezuela, revisando para ello retrospectivamente 2876 mamoplastias de aumento y aumentopexias consecutivas, realizadas en los últimos 5 años. La edad promedio de las pacientes del grupo de estudio fue 30,8 años (71% menores de 35 años). En todas empleamos prótesis rellenas de gel de silicona, redondas, 86% de superficie lisa y 77% de perfil alto. El 97% se colocaron en el plano retropectoral. El volumen promedio fue de 386 cc para la mama derecha y de 387 cc para la mama izquierda (mínimo de 200 cc y máximo de 600cc). Hubo una relación inversa entre edad y volumen (p = 0,001). En cuanto al volumen utilizado, el comportamiento fue homogéneo entre los 27 cirujanos plásticos del centro. Perthese® y La Femme®, fueron las marcas más empleadas. El uso de perfiles extra-altos aumentó en los últimos años (p = 0,002). En poco más de la mitad (51%) de las pacientes, se combinó el aumento mamario con una pexia. En el 13% la cirugía mamaria se combinó con otro procedimiento quirúrgico. Las mamoplastias de aumento predominaron en menores de 35 años, y las aumentopexias en las pacientes de mayor edad. En conclusión, comprobamos que en nuestro medio se utilizan mayoritariamente prótesis rellenas de gel de silicona, redondas, lisas, de perfil alto, colocadas en un plano retropectoral. En pacientes de mayor edad se combinó el aumento mamario con la pexia y se utilizaron tamaños de prótesis más pequeñas. En los últimos años ha aumentado el uso de prótesis de perfil extra-alto.

Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have recently attracted increasing attention and represent one of the main and important novelties in nanomedicine. In particular, they exhibit several advantages like the ability to tailor and sustain the release of hydrophobic drugs, high biocompatibility and degradability, together with the possibility to be highly cell selective. However, the usage of NPs in several diseases can be limited by their route of administration: in fact their diffuse distribution in tissues and organs does not allow to address them specifically in the target situ limiting therapeutic outcome and increasing potential side effects. In this work we studied the self-assembly of opposite charged polymer nanoparticles able to retain aqueous solutions, with the aim of creating self-assembled macrostructures that can release both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. NPs were synthesized with a two-steps process starting from e-caprolactone and hydroxyethyl methacrylate to create biodegradable macromonomers which were then co-polymerized in an emulsion polymerization with methacrylic acid and either a positive charged surfmer (HEMA-Ch + ) or a negative one (HEMA-SO 3 − ). The feasibility to assemble these NPs into macrostructures was studied and the structures of the final products as well as their ability to release mimetic drugs were evaluated.

Resumen Introducción y Objetivo La proyección de la punta nasal, así como su posición con respecto al dorso y al labio superior, varían con frecuencia en el postoperatorio de una rinoplastia. Esta variación depende de múltiples factores condicionados por la técnica quirúrgica, así como de factores individuales. El objetivo del presente estudio es demostrar que el injerto de cartílago autólogo extensor septal caudal permite predecir con mayor exactitud la posición y proyección definitiva de la punta nasal. Material y Método Estudiamos prospectivamente 40 pacientes a los que se realizó rinoplastia abierta utilizando un injerto de cartílago autólogo extensor caudal septal. Hicimos mediciones en las fotografías de perfil pre y post-operatorias a lo largo de 1 año. Resultados Las proporciones nasales medidas con el Índice de Goode (valor normal: 0.55-0.6) pasaron de 0.54 a 0.56 al mes de postoperatorio (p=0.005). En el grupo con desproporción nasal se incrementó de 0.51 a 0.54 (p=0.001) y luego se estabilizó en 0.53 (p=0.021). La proyección de la punta aumentó al mes un 4.8% (1.2 mm) y en el grupo con desproporción nasal aumentó un 5.75% (1.4 mm) y se mantuvo significativamente durante 1 año (p=0.039). En pacientes con ángulo naso-labial

The aim of this study was to verify the significance of land use on nitrate availability (NO 3 –N) at landscape scale in two different sites by using multivariate geostatistical methods. NO 3 –N and several other soil properties of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) monitoring network of 71 and 63 top-soils, respectively were measured in Venafro and Campomarino areas of Southern Italy (Molise region). Data analysis was performed firstly with classical descriptive statistics assuming spatial independence of samples; secondly, geostatistical analysis was performed in order to investigate spatial dependence and estimate map soil indices. The result of the distribution of NO 3 –N contents indicates the existence of many hot spots (high kurtosis) with high NO 3 –N concentration in both the study areas. Higher NO 3 –N levels in Venafro were distributed in the central zone that appeared to be correlated with animal manure applied to the fields in the summer strongly associated to high values of soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (Ntot). In Campomarino, the highest NO 3 –N concentrations occurred in random spots that appeared lesser correlated with high SOM content and low C/N ratio. Factor co-kriging analysis was applied separately to the two data sets to synthesize the complex multivariate variation of the two areas in a restricted number of zones so they could be ranked as at different risks of NO 3 –N leaching. The loading values of the factors indicate that Venafro SOM and clay and, to a lesser extent, Ntot and C/N are the variables that mainly affect the first factor at shorter range. On the other hand, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC) and, to a less extent, silt, SOM, C/N and fine sand content weighed more, but negatively, on the first factor at longer range. For Campomarino, clay content and available water capacity (AWC) and, to a lesser extent, NO 3 –N, weighed more and positively on the first factor at shorter range. The first factor at longer range was quite exclusively dominated by elevation and partially and negatively by pH and CaCO 3 . Soil factor map appears more variable in both the NVZ areas, characterized by many spots indicative of intensive land use and management. The highest NO 3 –N levels were found in intensive land use and in dairy farming located for the most part in Venafro catchment. The maps of the two factors at small scale for Campomarino appear to be quite erratic owing to the small size of the farms with different cropping systems differently managed. The results, of the present research, provide data useful to support land use planning and soil management, to mitigate soil nitrate leaching. Reduction in soil NO 3 –N could be achieved by enhancing useful recommendations in N fertilization and animal manure application to farmers.

We report the first successful field trial of a real-time alien superchannel over a 410-km DCM-less optical fiber link using only EDFA amplification. We have demonstrated a record 1.4-Tb/s alien superchannel transported alongside native 40G and 100G wavelengths over a third party optical infrastructure using software reconfigurable DP-16 QAM/QPSK production hardware, achieving spectral efficiency of up to 5.7 bit/s/Hz. Stable long term error-free performance was measured in a real network environment for subchannel spacing as narrow as 36 GHz, giving a spectral efficiency improvement of ∼40% compared with standard 50 GHz grid. We have also demonstrated, for the first time, software reconfigurable modulation and capacity of an optical superchannel with subminute switching time. The subchannels can be flexibly and independently reconfigured to enable variable capacity in future flexible optical networks. In addition, robust PMD tolerance of the DP-16 QAM superchannel is measured, which allows network operators to make use of their old, high PMD fibers without the requirement of fiber measurement and selection.

Cadmium (Cd), one of the most toxic contaminants in groundwater, can cause a severe threat to human health and ecological systems. In this study, alumina nanoparticles were synthesized and tested for high-efficiency Cd removal from simulated groundwater. Furthermore, the synthesized alumina nanoparticles were successfully modified using negatively charged glycerol, to alleviate the challenge of its low mobility in groundwater for the Cd removal. The maximum removal efficiency of both synthesized and glycerol-modified alumina nanoparticles were more than 99%. The sorption isotherm and kinetic data of both synthesized and glycerol-modified alumina nanoparticles were best fitted to the Freundlich model and the pseudo-second-order model, respectively, indicating that the sorption of Cd ions occurs on heterogeneous surfaces of both alumina nanoparticles via the chemisorption mechanism. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed the presence of Cd peak in both sorbents after contact with Cd. In addition, the FTIR analyses demonstrated that hydroxyl group participated in the sorption of Cd on both synthesized and glycerol-modified alumina nanoparticles, while other glycerol associated groups contributed to the removal of Cd ions by the glycerol-modified alumina nanoparticles. It was concluded that Cd removal by synthesized and glycerol-modified alumina nanoparticles were mainly due to ion exchange and electrostatic attraction, respectively. Desorption experiment suggested that both alumina nanoparticles are effective and practically significant sorbents to remediate Cd from contaminated groundwater. However, the stronger bond between Cd and glycerol-modified alumina, plus its potential of higher mobility due to the negative charge on the surface, warrant glycerol-modified alumina nanoparticles a better performance in remediating Cd contaminated groundwater than that of the synthesized alumina nanoparticles.

Background and aims Cigarette smoking is a well established determinant of carotid atherosclerosis. The mechanisms potentially responsible for this effect, e.g., activation of extensive peroxidation processes leading to, among others, altered endothelial function, may involve changes of fatty acid (FA) levels. In this study, we evaluated the impact of cigarette smoking on FA profiles and interactions with circulating FAs in determining subclinical atherosclerosis. This was established by the parallel determination of the carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT).

Volcanic soils show peculiar characteristics related to the presence of poorly ordered crystalline minerals. These minerals are highly sensitive to specific spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) regions and could be used to establish important relationships between andic properties and soil classification. In order to overcome the expense of traditional soil laboratory analysis and the limitations of pedotransfer functions, this research was designed to test i) the possibility of using diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) for a supervised chemometric classification of soils with different degrees of andicity, ii) the possibility of using diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) to estimate the andic properties needed for soil classification (iron and aluminum forms, allophane, phosphate retention, vitric content etc.), and iii) the different multivariate statistical approaches for the analysis of spectra. Diffuse reflectance spectra were measured between 200 and 2500 nm in the laboratory with a Jasco spectrophotometer equipped with an integrated sphere. Chemometric analysis was carried out by discriminant analysis that correctly divided 86% of the horizon samples in 5 classes, representing different levels of expression of the andic properties. Chemometric calibration was obtained by pre-processing Vis-NIR spectra with the application of partial least-squares regression (PLSR). Andic soil attributes were then predicted using calibrated models through PLSR methods and compared with the findings from the Supported Vector Machine (SVM). SVM generally outperformed PLSR on predicting andic properties by Vis-NIR. The most accurate predictive models were obtained for Al and Fe dithionite extracted, both with PLSR (ratio of performance to deviation, RPD 1.9) and SVM (1.7

Atomic force microscopy in contact (AFM-C) mode was used to investigate the molecular dynamics of leonardite humic acid (HA) aggregate formed at different pH values. HA nanoparticles dispersed at pH values ranging from 2 to 12 were observed on a mica surface under dry conditions. The most clearly resolved and well-resulted AFM images of single particle were obtained at pH 5, where HA appeared as supramolecular particles with a conic shape and a hole in the centre. Those observations suggested that HA formed under these conditions exhibited a pseudo-amphiphilic nature, with secluded hydrophobic domains and polar subunits in direct contact with hydrophilic mica surface. Based on molecular simulation methods, a lignin–carbohydrate complex (LCC) model was proposed to explain the HA ring-like morphology. The LCC model optimized the parameters of b-O-4 linkages between 14 units of 1–4 phenyl propanoid, and resulted in an optimized structure comprising 45–50 linear helical molecules looped spirally around a central cavity. Those results added new insights on the adsorption mechanism of HA on polar surfaces as a function of pH, which was relevant from the point of view of natural aggregation in soil environment.

Heavy metals provoke environmental pollution with potentially toxic effects on human and plants systems. Recently, investigations are conducted on plants that may play a relevant role on pollutants absorption or stabilization, focusing on fast growing tree species in agronomic conditions; little is known on the effects of contaminants on tree species colonizing abandoned fields to be used in restoration ecology. The effects of Cd on photosynthetic performance and metal accumulation were investigated in Quercus pubescens Willd. seedlings grown in pots containing a mixture of sand, clay, turf and Cd-treatments (0, 25 and 75 mg kg-1 dry soil). The studied photosynthetic parameters (Asat= net phytosynthesis; Rday= day respiration; Γcomp= CO2 compensation point; Vcmax= maximum carboxylation rate; Jmax = electron transport rate; TPU = triose phosphate use; Ci/Ca = ratio of intercellular (Ci) to ambient (Ca) [CO2] (Ci/Ca); Jmax/Vcmax = ratio; (gsmax) = maximum stomatal conductance; (lg) = stomatal conductance estimated relative to the photosynthetic rate; (Fv/Fm) = maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry; (ΔF/F’m) = effective photochemical efficiency) varied progressively with increasing Cd concentration in the soil, highlighting a negative impact on photosynthetic potential and PSII functioning. Approximately 10% of added Cd was found to be extractable from the substrate, at the maximum concentration applied, with about 12 and 0.75 as bioaccumulation and translocation factors, respectively. Analogously, Cd accumulated up to 34, 30 and 46 mg kg-1 in leaves, stem and roots, respectively. While it is not possible to extrapolate from the present study with seedlings to effects on mature pine trees, there are clear implications for regeneration in soils contaminated with heavy metals, which may lead to ecosystem deterioration.

The aim of this work was to investigate the surface structure of aqueous hematite dispersions characterized by a large variability of morphology and particle size combining structural investigations obtained from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques with in vitro particle size distributions and zeta potential measurements from Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique, and we achieved a self-consistent and detailed characterization of hematite particles whose sizes and morphologies could be correlated to the synthesis conditions (type of added anion, Al substitution and pH). Surface AFM characterization provided an accurate analysis of particle microstructure and also indicated that the growth of microcrystals followed different surface roughness. DLS, AFM, and TEM techniques furnished complementary information on the average particle dimensions, whose variation could be attributed to the morphological difference of hematites, ranging from platy to regular or irregular hexagonal or ellipsoidal shape. Finally, a correlation between the average particle dimensions and the measured zeta potential was also been found in aqueous dilute suspensions characterized by neither pH nor-ionic-strength-control, for which a drop of zeta potential from positive to negative values was detected for hematite particle dimensions larger than a threshold size of ~150 nm.

The expected explosion in capacity requirements associated with Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks has led to an interest in the use of millimeter wave (specifically E-band) equipment for backhaul. Initially deployed for campus networks, such technology could also become a convenient solution for carrier applications offering the multi-gigabit backhaul capacity needed for future cellular networks. In the fixed point-to-point 70 GHz to 80 GHz radio frequency band, an unprecedented 10 GHz bandwidth is allowed, far exceeding the spectrum allocations in any given lower licensed frequency band. The 71 GHz to 76GHz bands are paired with 81 GHz to 86 GHz, yielding 5 GHz of spectrum in each direction. The vast amount of bandwidth available in this band makes it ideal for offering multi-gigabit transmission rates. This paper aims to characterize a wireless transmission channel operating in the 70 GHz to 80 GHz band, considering the propagation limits and the rain attenuation impairments on transmission link availability. Our objective is to define specific parameters and constraints which can be used to define an optimum topology for an access network. We use point-to-point systems with a transport capacity up to 10 Gb/s per single carrier using high-level modulation schemes. We also propose a specific interference mitigation analysis to enhance understanding of the angular discrimination needed to avoid any degradation of the total link margin and the signal-to-interference ratio.

The maintenance of certain levels of old forest represents a cornerstone of the EU’s biodiversity management strategy. A consensus on a single general ecological definition of old‐growth is particularly difficult in Mediterranean Europe. The present paper deals with old‐growth forests and persistent woodlands in the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park (PNCVD) to give an ecological understanding of forest complexity and dynamics under a multiscale and multidisciplinary perspective. The multiscale approach ranged from the identification and mapping of potential old‐growth stands at landscape scale to a two‐level field review of forest stand features. Field sampling involved a multidisciplinary team of researchers in forest structure, pedologic environment, soil microbial activity, flora and vegetation and deadwood components. The research provided sound knowledge about old‐growthness features in the PNCVD that constitutes a unique case study in the whole Mediterranean basin. The integration of...

Background Statins enhance the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) from their precursors both in vitro and in vivo. In particular, an increased conversion of linoleic acid (LA) and of alpha-linolenic acid to their derivatives is observed in cultured cells. On the contrary, cigarette smoke (CS) negatively and dose-dependently affects the LC-PUFA production. Aim To evaluate the effects of CS alone or with simvastatin, on [1- 14 C] LA metabolism in THP-1 cells. Results CS inhibits LA conversion; after co-incubation, simvastatin nullifies the effects of CS, maintaining LA conversion comparable to controls. However, at the highest CS concentration, simvastatin is unable to counteract the effects of CS. Changes of LA conversion reflect the modulation of desaturase activities by simvastatin and CS. Conclusion CS decreases PUFA conversion and its effects are modulated by the opposite effect of statins. It can be speculated that statin treatments in smoking patients may provide some beneficial effects on PUFA metabolism in addition to lowering cholesterol levels.

An integrated platform to assess the interaction between nanocarriers and biological matrices has been developed by our group using poly methyl-methacrylate nanoparticles. In this study, we exploited this platform to evaluate the behavior of two biodegradable formulations, poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL3) and poly lactic-acid (PLA8), respectively, in cellular and animal models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Both NPs shared the main physicochemical parameters (size, shape, ζ-potential) and exclusively differentiated on the material on which they are composed. Our results showed that (1) PLA8 NPs, systemically injected in mice, underwent rapid degradation without penetration into tumors; (2) PLA8 NPs were not internalized in the human TNBC cell line (MDA-MB-231); (3) PCL3 NPs had a longer bioavailability, reached the tumor parenchyma, and efficiently penetrated in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our data highlight the relevance of the material selection to both improve bioavailability and target tropism, and make PCL3 NPs an interesting tool for the development of nanodrugs against TNBC.

Background and aims Ingestion of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), with the richest source among dry fruits such as walnuts, is associated with cardiovascular prevention. The aim of this study was to selectively evaluate the effects of moderate walnut consumption on the levels of ALA and its metabolic derivatives in human blood. Methods and results After a 2-week run-in period, 10 volunteers consumed 4 walnuts per day (in addition to their habitual diet) for 3 weeks. Fatty acid profiles, with special attention to levels of ALA and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), were assessed in blood drops collected from fingertips. The data indicate that the administration of a few walnuts a day for 3 weeks significantly increases blood levels, not only of ALA (from 0.23 ± 0.07 SD to 0.47 ± 0.13 SD), but also of its longer chain derivative eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) (from 0.23 ± 0.37 to 0.82 ± 0.41) with levels remaining elevated over basal values after washout. Conclusion The findings of this pilot study indicate that plant ALA in appropriate food items favourably affects the n-3 LC-PUFA status.

Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising way to deliver poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs without the use of unwanted excipients, whose presence can be the cause of severe side effects. In this work, a Cremophor-free formulation for paclitaxel (PTX) has been developed by employing PEGylated polymer nanoparticles (NPs) as drug delivery carriers based on modified poly(Ε-caprolactone) macromonomers and synthesized through free radical emulsion polymerization. Paclitaxel was loaded in the NPs in a postsynthesis process which allowed to obtain a drug concentration suitable for in vivo use. In vivo experiments on drug biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy show comparable behavior between the NPs and the Cremophor formulation, also showing good tolerability of the new formulation proposed.

In this work, ring-opening polymerization and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) have been employed for the production of block copolymers where the backbone is brushed with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyester chains. Because of their amphiphilic properties, they are able to self-assemble in water, forming micelles. Molecular dynamics simulations have been accomplished to study the behavior of the copolymer single chain in water, and the self-assembly properties have been characterized and correlated to the copolymer structure in terms of critical micellar concentration and particle size. As a proof of their flexibility, these materials have been employed for the production of polymer–lipid hybrid nanoparticles with tunable dimensions (from 120 to 260 nm) adopted for the controlled release of anticancer compounds (paclitaxel and curcumin). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43084.

The Paleosol of Eboli is interbedded within an Early Pleistocene coarse alluvial succession, the Eboli Conglomerates, located in the Campanian Apennines (Southern Italy), infilling the morphostructural depression of the Sele River Plain. Quaternary climatic changes and related morphodynamic response were investigated using a multidisciplinary (geomorphological, sedimentological and pedological) approach. The alluvial sequence of the Eboli Conglomerates shows remarkable vertical changes, marked by clear erosional discontinuities that identify four stacked formations called, from the bottom, Fontana del Fico, Colle Mancuso, Castelluccia, and S. Anna formations. The clastic facies of these formations are mainly indicative of an alluvial fan environment, with most sediments emplaced by flooding of distributary streams. The Paleosol of Eboli is formed at the top of the Castelluccia formation. We investigated its morphological, physical, chemical, micromorphological, and mineralogical properties. Many discontinuities appear in the field due to various erosional events that are related to hillslope dynamics. Each of these events was followed by the emplacement of new and different colluvial deposits that were derived from upslope and were subsequently affected by pedogenesis. All the horizons of the Paleosol of Eboli have reddish and brown matrix colours, secondary carbonate, angular blocky structure, and clayey texture. On the basis of the field data and chemical and physical analysis, three different pedogenetic cycles can be distinguished in the Paleosol of Eboli. These cycles depict differing degrees of pedogenic expression depending on water regime and duration of pedogenesis. The micromorphology showed the presence of eluvial tongues, Fe dynamics (coatings, segregations), vertic features (optically anisotropic lines in the soil matrix), and pedorelicts. Kaolinite is the most abundant clay mineral, but vermiculite and illite are also present. The Fe minerals, especially the hematite/goethite ratio, have provided a new approach to understand the main paleoclimatic changes through the studied sequence. The overall pedogenetic scenario depicts a highly weathered environment (disordered kaolinite, Fe oxides, low Feo/Fed ratio, depletion zones), characterized by marked climatic seasonality (witnessed by vertic properties) and abundant rainfall (depletion zones). The general scenario is coherent with a highly weathered subtropical environment that probably occurred during MIS-25, based on age control. The widespread outcrop pattern, consistent stratigraphic position, thickness ranging from 1 to 5 m, and the uniformity of pedological features of the Paleosol of Eboli make it clearly recognizable in the field and allow us to consider the Paleosol of Eboli a reliable pedostratigraphic marker.

Three representative soil profiles developed during the Late Quaternary in Northern Cilento (South Italy) were studied by optical microscopy and SEM-EDS observation of thin sections to examine soil features as evidence for past climatic fluctuations. Two of the profiles are polygenetic and the third monogenetic. All these have a clear interglacial imprint, whereas the polygenetic profiles also contain other features, which can be related to periglacial conditions during the stadial glacial periods although in midlatitude coastal areas. All the paleosols show a strong marine influence during development, which probably resulted from windblown processes or submergence during past interglacial phases.

In THP-1 cells, simvastatin decreases, in a concentration-dependent manner, cholesterol synthesis and increases linoleic acid (LA) conversion to its long-chain derivatives, in particular to arachidonic acid, activating delta6 and delta5 fatty acid (FA) desaturases. The intermediates in cholesterol synthesis, mevalonate and geranylgeraniol, partially reverse the effects of simvastatin on the LA conversion. The aims of this work were to evaluate: (i) the correlation between cholesterol synthesis and desaturase activity and (ii) the possible involvement of protein isoprenylation in desaturase activity, assessed through pharmacological treatments. THP-1 cells were incubated with [1-14C]LA or with [1-14C]di-homo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHGLA) and treated with simvastatin or with curcumin and nicardipine, inhibitors of desaturases. Curcumin was more active than nicardipine in inhibiting LA and DHGLA conversion: 20 microM curcumin, alone or with simvastatin, totally inhibited delta6 and delta5 desaturation steps; 10 microM nicardipine only partially inhibited the enzymes, being more active on delta5 desaturase. Simvastatin treatment decreased the incorporation of acetate in cholesterol (-93.8%) and cholesterol esters (-70.2%), as expected. Curcumin and nicardipine also decreased cholesterol synthesis and potentiated simvastatin. Finally, the isoprenylation inhibitors (perillic acid and GGTI-286) neither affected the conversion of LA nor inhibited the delta5 desaturase activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that there is no direct relationship between cholesterol synthesis and desaturase activity. In fact, simvastatin decreased cholesterol synthesis and enhanced LA conversion (mainly delta5 desaturation), whereas curcumin and nicardipin decreased delta5 desaturation, with a limited effect on cholesterol synthesis.

This paper reports a contribution to the knowledge of the local morphodynamic and pedogenetic response to Late Quaternary climatic changes in Northern Cilento (Southern Italy). Three representative geomorphological units and associated paleosols have been characterised in detail by field work, chemical and mineralogical analyses, and micromorphological observations of thin sections. The data confirm an intense degree of weathering and a complex history of soil formation, often representing different environments in contrast with the present pedoclimatic regime. Two of the three profiles reveal a polygenetic character, recording typical interglacial conditions characterised by high temperatures and humidity with important soil development, followed by the occurrence of periglacial conditions possibly occurring during cold glacial stages (namely the Last Glacial) at mid-latitude coastal regions of Southern Italy. The third paleosol appears essentially monogenetic and developed under interglacial-like conditions.

This paper gives an overview on how Software Defined Networking (SDN) principles can be applied to existing optical networks, considering the requirements introduced by the last technology's improvement. A description of a proof of concept activity will be proposed. The demonstration shows how extending SDN to the metro area and wide area network (Transport SDN) can fully exploit the dynamism of an Agile Optical Network, with multi-tenant service management, virtual slicing of network resources for advanced services such as Encrypted and Secure Data Center connection, or Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation and even GMPLS restoration that are under Transport SDN control.

summary Background & aims: The biological role of fatty acids (FA) in the perinatal period is under active investigation. We here describe the application of a simplified microanalytical procedure to compare the FA profile of maternal, umbilical cord and infant whole blood, inclusive of all circulating lipid fractions and cells. Methods: The FA composition has been analyzed with a micromethod in 16 triplets, including maternal blood, cord blood at delivery and infant blood at day 4, respectively. Results: As expected, the FA composition of blood samples withdrawn from the umbilical cord is more similar to the FA composition of blood from 4-day old infants than the FA pattern of maternal blood at delivery. Nevertheless, infant blood FA profile differed from cord for lower long-chain polyunsaturated FA and higher monounsaturated FA. Conclusions: Our explorative data using whole blood microanalysis confirm the progressive increase of long-chain polyunsaturated FA levels from the mothers towards cord and then infant blood.

One of the major drawbacks that limits the clinical application of nanoparticles is the lack of preliminary investigations related to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and biodistribution. In this work, biodegradable PEGylated polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by using macromonomers based on poly(ε-caprolaconte) oligomers. More in detail, NPs have been produced by adopting a surfactant-free semibatch emulsion polymerization process using PEG chains as a stabilizing agent. The NPs were also labeled with rhodamine B covalently bound to the NPs to quantitatively study their biodistribution in vivo. NPs were investigated in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical systems to study their biodistribution in mice bearing B16/F10 melanoma, as well as their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The NP concentration was evaluated in different tissues at several times after intravenous injection. The disappearance of the NPs from the plasma was biphasic, with distribution and elimination half-lives of 30 min and 15 h, respectively. NPs were retained in tumors and in filter organs for a long time, were still detectable after 7 d and maintained a steady concentration in the tumor for 120 h. 48 h after injection, 70± 15% of the inoculated NPs were excreted in the feces. The favorable tumor uptake, fast excretion and absence of cytotoxicity foster the further development of produced NPs as drug delivery carriers. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd.

The next generation of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks are likely to use Flexgrid arrangement, providing operators with additional flexibility when assigning spectrum compared to traditional DWDM networks using the 50GHz ITU grid. Flexgrid breaks the spectrum up into small (typically 12.5GHz) slots, but its key feature is that contiguous slots can be joined together to form arbitrary sized blocks of spectrum. This additional flexibility will allow faster transponders that utilize high spectral efficiency modulation techniques, like multi-level m-QAM schemes. From the use of these new spectrum efficient modulation formats and finer control over spectrum allocations, a key benefit that Flexgrid offers to the network operators is that their DWDM networks can carry more traffic with optimized spectral efficiency. High speed technology became essential for realizing greater network capacity and enabling network operators to meet the increasing bandwidth challenges from new generation superfast devices, services and applications. Coherent technologies beyond 100G are now focusing on higher level modulation formats and multiple sub-carriers/channels, using super-channels to achieve Terabit transmission.