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The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of including green forage in the diet of Italian Mediterranean dairy buffaloes on the ruminal microbiota, CAZymes profile, functional biomolecules and total antioxidant activity in bulk milk. Sixteen buffaloes were randomly assigned according to lactation number and daily milk production to two homogeneous groups, and for 60 days received each: Group 1, a standard total mixed ration (TMR) or group 2, TMR + ryegrass green forage (30% of diet). The diets of the two groups were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic and differed only in the proportion of green forage. Buffaloes that received TMR + green feed had a higher (p

Buffalo is a rustic animal; it can adapt and survive in various environments with different topography, climate and vegetation, and has a greater longevity than cattle. The high resistance to parasites, as well as the ability to improve the efficiency of feed consumption in case of forage shortage, means that even in marshy territories, where any other type of livestock or agricultural activity is impossible, buffalo farming can develop an economy. This review aims to present the key research topics, the evolution and geographic distribution of literature on buffalo welfare, and to underscore potentiality and existing knowledge gaps. A comprehensive search on the Scopus bibliometric database was carried out using various welfare-related keywords such as: ‘buffalo welfare’, ‘buffalo calf welfare’ and ‘buffalo heifers’ welfare’. The research identified 308 papers published in English from January 1992 to December 2023 that, after filtering, became 148 eligible records. Descriptive statistics revealed a significant exponential increase in studies on buffalo welfare since 2020, particularly in Italy, followed by Brazil. Text mining and topic analysis revealed that the most frequently mentioned terms were ‘milk’, ‘water’, ‘behaviour’, ‘farm’ and ‘stun’, confirming the role and the importance of this species in dairy production. Nine identified topics span diverse subject areas such as ‘slaughter process’, ‘dairy production’, ‘general welfare’, ‘housing system’, ‘heat stress’, ‘reproduction performance’, ‘health status’ ‘breeding management’, and ‘stress evaluation’. Although academia shows an increasing interest in buffalo behaviour and welfare, continued research is necessary to fully comprehend how to ensure the welfare of this important species.

Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the persistent absence of sperm in ejaculate without obstruction, stemming from diverse disease processes. This survey explores global practices in NOA diagnosis, comparing them with guidelines and offering expert recommendations. Materials and Methods:Materials and Methods: A 56-item questionnaire survey on NOA diagnosis and management was conducted globally from July to September 2022. This paper focuses on part 1, evaluating NOA diagnosis. Data from 367 participants across 49 coun-tries were analyzed descriptively, with a Delphi process used for expert recommendations. Results:Results: Of 336 eligible responses, most participants were experienced attending physicians (70.93%). To diagnose azoosper-mia definitively, 81.7% requested two semen samples. Commonly ordered hormone tests included serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (97.0%), total testosterone (92.9%), and luteinizing hormone (86.9%). Genetic testing was requested by 66.6%, with karyotype analysis (86.2%) and Y chromosome microdeletions (88.3%) prevalent. Diagnostic testicular biopsy, distinguishing obstructive azoospermia (OA) from NOA, was not performed by 45.1%, while 34.6% did it selectively. Differ-entiation relied on physical examination (76.1%), serum hormone profiles (69.6%), and semen tests (68.1%). Expectations of finding sperm surgically were higher in men with normal FSH, larger testes, and a history of sperm in ejaculate. Conclusions:Conclusions: This expert survey, encompassing 367 participants from 49 countries, unveils congruence with recommended guidelines in NOA diagnosis. However, noteworthy disparities in practices suggest a need for evidence-based, international consensus guidelines to standardize NOA evaluation, addressing existing gaps in professional recommendations.

Salinity stress represents a key factor for global agriculture. Plants can respond to salinity stress by adapting their physiology in different ways with the aim of limiting reductions in growth and development. Importantly, moisture retention capacity, permeability and nutrient availability of substrates represent critical variables for plants as they may further influence the effect of osmotic stress. Here, a multidisciplinary approach was applied to evaluate the role of two different substrates, peat and perlite, on 2-year-old potted cuttings of Olea europaea (cultivar Arbequina) under different salinity stress conditions (0, 100 and 200 mM NaCl). Biometric and physiological data indicate that plants potted in perlite (AP) generally present lower growth and photosynthetic rates when compared with peat (AS) in combination with salinity stress. Ion measurements indicate a rise in Na+ accumulation with increasing stress severity, which alters the ion ratio in both substrates. In addition, differences occurred in polyphenol contents, with a general increase in quinic acid and rutin contents in AS and AP samples, respectively. Metabolomic and biometric data were also coupled with metabarcoding analysis, which indicates that the moderate salinity treatment (100 mM NaCl, T100) reshaped the endophytic community of plants grown on both substrates. Taken together, the data suggest that the strategy used by a glycophytic species such as the olive tree to cope with salinity stress seems to be highly related to availability of water and nutrients. The lack of both may be simulated by perlite, enhancing the effect of salinity stress response in woody plants. Lastly, applying the beneficial endophytic bacterial taxa identified here could represent a step forward in increasing plant defence and nutrient uptake and reducing inputs for modern and more sustainable agriculture.

To accurately model the consequences of accidental dust explosions, numerical simulations of the flame propagation process are required. A key parameter in these models is the burning velocity ( ?? ?? ), which represents the consumption rate of the reactants by the flame front. Experiments are therefore needed to determine the burning velocity, and the influence of turbulence on this velocity; as well as to validate these models of flame propagation. In this article, aluminum flame propagation inside a vertical duct with obstacles is studied. The aim of the obstacles is first to increase the turbulence just in front of the flame front, in order to quantify its influence on the burning velocity. The second objective of the implementation of the obstacles is to obtain experimental data in a more complex geometry in order to validate the models. During these experiments, the flame propagation is recorded and the unburned flow velocity is measured using the TR-PIV (Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry) technique. This innovative measurement of the unburned flow velocity is important not only for the accurate determination of the burning velocity, but also to validate these numerical simulations. An increase in the propagation velocity and the burning velocity is observed as the flame propagates toward the obstacles.

The increasing global demand for cleaner energy sources implies the use of H2 which poses significant safety issues. One of the major safety issues in H2 management is the storage, based on extreme condition technology (high pressure and/or very low temperatures). Alternatively, instead of H2, ammonia may be used since storage of NH3 is much simpler from a technological point of view. From a safety point, the comparison between the risk of H2 storage and NH3 storage has still to be understood. The energy (H2) sector worldwide is a dynamic and complex system, relying on the mutual interactions between different factors like safety, risk, sustainability, political and social decisions, and economic impact. The understanding and management of global behaviour can be obtained by taking into account all the interactions among these factors. In order to deal with such complex systems, system thinking, and system dynamics approaches could be developed and used. The present work aims to develop an integrated Systems Thinking approach for assessing and managing the safety of storage systems with a particular focus on the comparison between hydrogen and ammonia. The developed models integrate the complex interdependencies considering material properties, environmental conditions, and storage infrastructure. Systems Thinking is used for mapping the intricate network of interdependencies, considering storage vessel design, regulatory frameworks, and emergency response plans. Therefore, by adopting this holistic perspective, potential vulnerabilities and leverage points of the system are identified which lead to improving the overall safety of gas storage systems. Additionally, this research explores the dynamic behaviour of safe storage under different scenarios, including temperature fluctuations, pressure changes, and potential leaks. The development of System Dynamics-based models offers valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers alike. The integration of a Systems Thinking approach allows for a better understanding of the complex interactions involved in the safe storage of these technologies for informed decision-making and advancements in gas storage technologies.

The chemical industry often handles, stores, and processes molecules like hydroxylamine (HA) and hydrogen peroxide (HP), which can easily undergo thermal decomposition reactions. Hence, the ideal perspective is to have simple quantitative criteria to use during the equipment design phase, accommodating the possibility of exothermic degradations of substances to enhance process safety and avoid thermal runaways. To this aim, the Frank-Kamenetskii theory of self-heating (FKT) can be involved in determining the critical size of a storage vessel to guarantee the intrinsic safe storage of chemically hazardous materials. Eventually, the proposed design strategy will be implemented to design storage equipment for two commercial aqueous solutions of HA and HP, respectively. In this way, it will be possible to compare the inherent thermal hazard linked to the storage of these mixtures, evaluating the threshold vessel size above which the self-heating phenomenon of the materials becomes no longer controllable. The HA and HP mixtures can be used alone or together in chemical processes as oxidants or precursors for producing hydroxyl radicals. Under comparable conditions free of impurities and organic contamination, the results show that the system made of 50 %w hydrogen peroxide is more stable than hydroxylamine. This is reflected in a larger characteristic size of the storage vessel able to handle appropriately self-heating phenomena potentially leading to runaway.

Flammable liquids typically adopted in chemical and industrial processes can be subjected to intense heat radiation due to nearby hot surfaces or fires. A second cascading event is then likely because the flash point can be easily reached and the surrounding environment can provide sufficient energy for ignition. Nevertheless, the flaming condition is not necessarily reached instantaneously if no direct (e.g., spark) ignition is present. Hence, a time to flaming, i.e., in the absence of an ignition source, is extremely relevant for the active and passive fire protection of flammable liquid, as the minimum time for intervention can be defined before developing a pool fire and for the correct evaluation of domino effects, in analogy with gas fires. In addition, a complete characterization of liquid behaviour under radiant heating is essential to guarantee safe operations, prevention measures, robust databases and optimized design. Therefore, this work reports the results for three liquid solvent representative classes of substances: i) hexane, ii) ethyl acetate, and iii) ethanol. A bench scale facility was adopted for the characterization of mass and energy aspects involving a pool fire of the investigated substances. Among the others, the ignitability and the intensity of the generated pool fires were evaluated experimentally in terms of mass burning rate, heat release rate, and combustion efficiency. Different boundary conditions were tested to identify the optimized set of conditions for a robust evaluation of the safety aspects of liquid. Results showed the most relevant trends in terms of ignitability of liquid species and combustion intensity during the pseudo-steady state regime of a pool fire. In addition, indications on the boundary conditions to be considered for a robust and consistent dataset were provided in this work.

Many industrial sectors exploit fossil sources to develop useful and necessary materials for our needs, such as bituminous paving materials. Bitumen, a key component of asphalt mixtures, is derived from oil refining and its properties are influenced by the crude oil source and refining process, resulting in a significant carbon footprint. With growing awareness of resource depletion and environmental concerns, pavement researchers are exploring sustainable alternatives to reduce dependence on fossil sources. This includes a rising trend in using renewable materials like biomasses to produce bio-based binders as substitutes for bitumen, aiming for a more sustainable approach. Biomasses, including vegetal and animal wastes, and waste cooking oils, as substitutes for crude oil in the production of bio-binders. Through thermochemical conversion (TCC), such as pyrolysis, biomasses can be converted into bio-char and bio-oils, which can replace fossil-based components in binders. Researchers have utilized these bio-products to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels in binders. However, there are no set minimum requirements for bio-components in bio-based binders. As the percentage of replaced bitumen increases, various types of binders are produced, including modified bitumen, extended bitumen, and alternative binders, where the fossil replacement is gradual. Overall rheological tests on bio-binders, reveal that those containing bio-char exhibit increased viscosity, stiffness, rutting resistance, and sometimes antioxidant properties. Conversely, bio-binders with bio-oils as bitumen substitutes show poorer performance at high temperatures but improved behavior at low temperatures. These results suggest that bio-binders could provide versatile solutions for various climatic and loading conditions in road construction. However, the development of pavement mixtures based on bio-binders has not been studied in depth and requires further attention to unlock its full potential. As sustainability considerations, including life cycle assessments (LCA) and life cycle cost analyses (LCC), are crucial aspects for future studies. It is essential not only to collect data on the performance characteristics of bio-binders but also to understand their environmental impact and recyclability. In-depth evaluations using methods such as LCA and LCC will provide valuable insights into the overall sustainability and long-term viability of these products.

Abstract In this study, we investigate the potential existence of a non-minimal coupling between dark matter and gravity using a compilation of galaxy clusters. We focus on the disformal scenario of a non-minimal model with an associated coupling length L. Within the Newtonian approximation, this model introduces a modification to the Poisson equation, characterized by a term proportional to $$L^2 \nabla ^2 \rho $$ L 2 ∇ 2 ρ , where $$\rho $$ ρ represents the density of the DM field. We have tested the model by examining strong and weak gravitational lensing data available for a selection of 19 high-mass galaxy clusters observed by the CLASH survey. We have employed a Markov Chain Monte Carlo code to explore the parameter space, and two different statistical approaches to analyse our results: a standard marginalisation and a profile distribution method. Notably, the profile distribution analysis helps out to bypass some volume-effects in the posterior distribution, and reveals lower Navarro–Frenk–White concentrations and masses in the non-minimal coupling model compared to general relativity case. We also found a nearly perfect correlation between the coupling constant L and the standard Navarro–Frenk–White scale parameter $$r_s$$ r s , hinting at a compelling link between these two lengths.

The power behavioural system is a neurobehavioral system that motivates a person to acquire and control resources that are important for survival and reproductive success. When activated, its function is to protect or restore the sense of power, influence, or dominance. Repeated experiences of failure in achieving this goal may result in hyperactivation or deactivation of power-oriented behaviours (analogous to the secondary strategies observed with respect to the attachment behavioural system). Gaining a reliable and valid measure of hyperactivation and deactivation of the power system can be important for understanding an individual's responses to different social contexts and, in clinical settings, can help the therapist identify the client's difficulties that may undermine the therapeutic process. In the present study, we developed the Italian version of the Power Behavioural System Scale (PBSS), a self-report measure developed by Shaver et al. (2011) to assess individual differences in hyperactivation and deactivation of the power system. Results indicated an adequate fit to the expected two-factor model, and the measure proved to be reliable and had good convergent and structural validity, allowing the quantification of individual differences in power system hyperactivation and deactivation.

BackgroundChronic pain significantly impacts quality of life and poses substantial public health challenges. Buprenorphine, a synthetic analog of thebaine, is recognized for its potential in managing moderate to severe chronic pain with fewer side effects and a lower incidence of tolerance compared to traditional opioids.ObjectiveThis retrospective study aimed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of buprenorphine transdermal patches in patients with moderate and severe chronic pain, with a focus on pain relief sustainability and tolerance development.MethodsThis retrospective observational study involved 246 patients prescribed buprenorphine transdermal patches. We evaluated changes in pain intensity using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), assessed opioid tolerance based on FDA guidelines for morphine-equivalent doses, and measured patient-reported outcomes through the Patients’ Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Any adverse events were also recorded.ResultsOver the 36-month period, there was a significant reduction in NRS scores for both moderate and severe pain patients, demonstrating buprenorphine’s sustained analgesic effect. Tolerance measurement indicated that no patients required increases in morphine-equivalent doses that would meet or exceed the FDA’s threshold for opioid tolerance (60 mg/day of morphine or equivalent). Additionally, patient satisfaction was high, with the PGIC reflecting significant improvements in pain management and overall wellbeing. The side effects were minimal, with skin reactions and nausea being the most commonly reported but manageable adverse events.ConclusionThe study findings validate the long-term use of buprenorphine transdermal patches as an effective and safe option for chronic pain management, maintaining efficacy without significant tolerance development. These results support the continued and expanded use of buprenorphine in clinical settings, emphasizing its role in reducing the burdens of chronic pain and opioid-related side effects. Further research is encouraged to refine pain management protocols and explore buprenorphine’s full potential in diverse patient populations.

In this letter we explore the foundations of entropic cosmology and highlight some important flaws which have emerged and adopted in the recent literature. We argue that, when applying entropy and temperature on the cosmological horizon by assuming the holographic principle for all thermodynamic approaches to cosmology and gravity, one must derive the consistent thermodynamic quantities following Clausius relation. One key assumption which is generally overlooked, is that in this process one must assume a mass-to-horizon relation, which is generally taken as a linear one. We show that, regardless of the type of entropy chosen on the cosmological horizon, when a thermodynamically consistent corresponding temperature is considered, all modified entropic force models are equivalent to and indistinguishable from the original entropic force models based on standard Bekenstein entropy and Hawking temperature. As such, they are also plagued by the same problems and inability to describe in a satisfactory qualitative and quantitative way the cosmological dynamics as it emerges from the probes we have. We also show that the standard accepted parameterization for Hawking temperature (including a γ rescaling) is actually not correctly applied, namely, it is not related to entropy in a thermodynamically consistent way. Finally, we clearly state that the explicit form of the entropic force on cosmological horizons is mostly dictated by the assumption on the mass-to-horizon relation. As such, we discuss what should be done in order to fix all such issues, and what conceptually could be implied by its correct implementation in order to advance in the field.

BackgroundA sex-based evaluation of prognosis in heart failure (HF) is lacking.Methods and resultsWe analyzed the Metabolic Exercise test data combined with Cardiac and Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score registry, which includes HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. A cross-validation procedure was performed to estimate weights separately for men and women of all MECKI score parameters: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hemoglobin, kidney function assessed by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, blood sodium level, ventilation vs. carbon dioxide production slope, and peak oxygen consumption (peakVO2). The primary outcomes were the composite of all-cause mortality, urgent heart transplant, and implant of a left ventricle assist device. The difference in predictive ability between the native and sex recalibrated MECKI (S-MECKI) was calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve at 2 years and a calibration plot. We retrospectively analyzed 7,900 HFrEF patients included in the MECKI score registry (mean age 61 ± 13 years, 6,456 men/1,444 women, mean LVEF 33% ± 10%, mean peakVO2 56.2% ± 17.6% of predicted) with a median follow-up of 4.05 years (range 1.72–7.47). Our results revealed an unadjusted risk of events that was doubled in men compared to women (9.7 vs. 4.1) and a significant difference in weight between the sexes of most of the parameters included in the MECKI score. S-MECKI showed improved risk classification and accuracy (area under the ROC curve: 0.7893 vs. 0.7799, p = 0.02) due to prognostication improvement in the high-risk settings in both sexes (MECKI score >10 in men and >5 in women).ConclusionsS-MECKI, i.e., the recalibrated MECKI according to sex-specific differences, constitutes a further step in the prognostic assessment of patients with severe HFrEF.

There has been continuous progress in diabetes management over the last few decades, not least due to the widespread dissemination of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery systems. These technological advances have radically changed the daily lives of people living with diabetes, improving the quality of life of both children and their families. Despite this, hypoglycemia remains the primary side-effect of insulin therapy. Based on a systematic review of the available scientific evidence, this paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for recognizing, risk stratifying, treating, and managing patients with hypoglycemia. The objective of these recommendations is to unify the behavior of pediatric diabetologists with respect to the timely recognition and prevention of hypoglycemic episodes and the correct treatment of hypoglycemia, especially in patients using CGM or advanced hybrid closed-loop systems. All authors have long experience in the specialty and are members of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology. The goal of treating hypoglycemia is to raise blood glucose above 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and to prevent further decreases. Oral glucose at a dose of 0.3 g/kg (0.1 g/kg for children using “smart pumps” or hybrid closed loop systems in automated mode) is the preferred treatment for the conscious individual with blood glucose

Gas-filled microbubbles are well-established contrast agents for ultrasound imaging and widely studied as delivery systems for theranostics. Herein, we have demonstrated the promising potential of the hydrophobin HFBII—a fungal amphiphilic protein—in stabilizing microbubbles with various fluorinated core gases. A thorough screening of several experimental parameters was performed to find the optimized conditions regarding the preparation technique, type of core gas, HFBII initial concentration, and protein dissolution procedure. The best results were obtained by combining perfluorobutane (C4F10) gas with 1 mg/mL of aqueous HFBII, which afforded a total bubble concentration higher than 109 bubbles/mL, with long-term stability in solution (at least 3 h). Acoustic characterization of such microbubbles in the typical ultrasound frequency range used for diagnostic imaging showed the lower pressure resistance of HFBII microbubbles, if compared to conventional ones stabilized by phospholipid shells, but, at the same time, revealed strong non-linear behavior, with a significant harmonic response already at low acoustic pressures. These findings suggest the possibility of further improving the performance of HFBII-coated perfluorinated gas microbubbles, for instance by mixing the protein with other stabilizing agents, e.g., phospholipids, in order to tune the viscoelastic properties of the outer shell.

Gastroparesis is a long-term complication of diabetes related to autonomic neuropathy. It is characterized clinically by delayed gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Gastric emptying scintigraphy is the gold standard for diagnosis as it reveals delayed gastric emptying. Therapeutic strategies include dietary modifications, improvement of glycemic control, and prokinetic drugs. Case descriptions of diabetic gastroparesis in pediatric ages are very scarce. We report the case of a 16-year-old adolescent with severe presentation of diabetic gastroparesis. She presented with recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain which led progressively to reduced oral intake and weight loss. Her past glycemic control had been quite brittle, as demonstrated by several hospitalizations due to diabetic ketoacidosis and recurrent episodes of severe hypoglycemia. After the exclusion of infectious, mechanical, metabolic, and neurological causes of vomiting, a gastric emptying scintigraphy was performed, leading to the diagnosis of gastroparesis. Treatment with metoclopramide was started with progressive relief of symptoms. To improve glycemic control, insulin therapy with an advanced hybrid, closed loop system was successfully started. Pediatricians should consider diabetic gastroparesis in children and adolescents with long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes and appropriate symptomology.