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The paper deals with the problem of minimizing reshuffling of containers in an inland intermodal terminal. The problem is tackled according to a simulation-optimization approach. A simulation model computes the operational costs of containers, related to storage and pick-up operations in an inland yard. The optimization is carried out by a double genetic algorithm that applies two genetic algorithms in series. The first optimizes the locations of the containers to store in the yard and identifies the blocking containers that have to be reshuffled. The second genetic algorithm takes the solution of the first and optimizes the reshuffling of blocking containers together with the unloaded ones. The proposed optimization method has been tested on a theoretical example of a realistic size. Results highlighted that the double genetic algorithm reduces the total operational costs by 5% with respect to the single genetic algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NCEP-NCARcomposite dataset (comprising sea level pressure, 500-hPa geopotential height, 500-hPa temperature, and meridional wind stress at 10m above the surface) is used for compiling a set of climate indices describing the most important physical modes of variability in the Southern Hemisphere (SH): the southern annular mode (SAM), semiannual oscillation (SAO), Pacific-South American (PSA), and quasistationary zonal wavenumber 3 (ZW3) patterns. Compelling evidence indicates that the large increase in the SH sea ice, recorded over recent years, arises from the impact of climate modes and their long-term trends. The examination of variability ranging from seasonal to interdecadal scales, and of trends within the climate patterns and total Antarctic sea ice concentration (SIC) for the 32-yr period (1982-2013), is the key focus of this paper. The results herein indicate that a progressive cooling has affected the year-to-year climate of the sub-Antarctic since the 1990s. This feature is found in association with increased positive SAM and SAO phases detected in terms of upward annual and seasonal trends (in autumn and summer) and upward decadal trends. In addition, the SIC shows upward annual, spring, and summer trends, indicating the insulation of Antarctica from the warmer flows in the midlatitudes. This picture of variations is also found to be consistent with the upward trends detected for the PSA and ZW3 patterns on the annual scale and during the last two decades. Evidence of a more frequent occurrence of the PSA-ZW3 combination could explain, in part, the significant increase of the regional and total Antarctic sea ice coverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The study aims at investigating whether, and if so, to what extent the strong presence of urban and industrial waste in a territory may cause PCB contamination in goat milk produced therein. Methods We compared PCB concentrations in goat milk from three different locations in the Campania region (Italy). One of the three locations, together with its surrounding area, has long suffered from illegal waste disposal and burning mainly by the so-called Ecomafia. The other locations, not involved in these illegal activities, allowed us to create a control group of goats with characteristics very similar to those of main interest. Results In milk from the waste contaminated area we identified high PCB concentrations (six indicator PCBs amounted to 170 ng g −1 on lipid weight, on average), whereas there was an almost total absence of such pollutants in milk from the control group. Concentrations of the six indicator PCBs were above the current European maximum residue limit fixed by the EU. At the same time, we found a lower average value of lipid content and a negative relationship between lipid content and PCB concentrations. Conclusion Evidence indicates the potential health risk for consumers living in areas involved in illegal dumping of waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Southern Ocean (SO) is the region of the World Ocean bordering on Antarctica over which significant exchanges between the atmosphere, the ocean, and the sea ice take place. Here, the strong and nearly unhindered eastward flow of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays an important role in mean global climate as it transmits climate anomalies around the hemisphere. Features of interannual variability have been observed to propagate eastward around the SO with the circumpolar flow in the form of a system of coupled anomalies, known as the Antarctic circumpolar wave (ACW). In the present study, the 142-yr series of the Twentieth Century Reanalysis, version 2, dataset (850-hPa geopotential height, sea level pressure, sea surface temperature, surface meridional wind, and surface air temperature) spanning from 1871 to 2012 is used to investigate the presence and variability of ACWs. This examination shows, for the first time, the presence of the ACW before the mid-1950s and interdecadal changes in its characteristics. Modifications in the strength and speed of the circumpolar wave are shown to be linked with large-scale climate changes. Complex empirical orthogonal function analyses confirm that the ACW becomes apparent when the tropical El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) signal gives rise to the Pacific-South American (PSA) pattern and is a consequence of the constructive combination of the PSA and the subantarctic zonal wavenumber 3. Correlation analyses are also performed to quantify the role played by ENSO teleconnections for the appearance of the ACW, and the impact on the presence of ACWs of three super-El Niño events is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Anal fistulas are common pathologies with a significant social impact; however, their treatment is often complex and the recurrence rate can be significant. Some surgical treatments for fistula are also associated with the risk of sphincter injury. In this technical note, we aim to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the Fat GRAFT technique (Fat Grafting in Anal Fistula Treatment) in the treatment of recurrent anal fistulas. Method All patients presenting with recurrent trans-sphincteric anal fistulas over an 18-month period were included. After abdominal fat harvesting and fat preparation, fat grafting was performed in the track and peripheral area of the fistula. The internal and external openings of the fistula were closed to maximally preserve the retention of the adipocyte graft in the fistula. Results Eleven patients underwent the Fat GRAFT procedure (seven men, four women). The average re-injected volume for each fistula was 21 ml (range 10-30 ml). The postoperative course was uneventful. At 6 months three patients developed recurrence (73% healed). There were no postoperative complications. Conclusion The Fat GRAFT technique appears to be a promising technique with a low risk of anal incontinence, in contrast to other techniques. This method was effective in > 70% of patients in a single session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite dataset (comprising geopotential height, sea surface temperature, zonal and meridional surface winds, precipitation, cloud cover, surface air temperature, latent plus sensible heat fluxes, and sea ice concentration) has been investigated with the aim of revealing the dominant time scales of variability from 1982 to 2013. Three covarying climate signals associated with variations in the sea ice distribution around Antarctica have been detected through the application of the multiple-taper method with singular value decomposition (MTM-SVD). Features of the established patterns of variation over the Southern Hemisphere extratropics have been identified in each of these three climate signals in the form of coupled or individual oscillations. The climate patterns considered here are the southern annular mode (SAM), the Pacific-South American (PSA) teleconnection, the semiannual oscillation (SAO), and the zonal wavenumber-3 (ZW3) mode. It is shown that most of the sea ice temporal variance is concentrated at the quasi-triennial scale resulting from the constructive superposition of the PSA and ZW3 patterns. In addition, the combination of the SAM and SAO patterns is found to promote the interannual sea ice variations underlying a general change in the Southern Ocean atmospheric and oceanic circulations. These two modes of variability are also found to be consistent with the occurrence of the positive SAM/negative PSA (SAM¹/PSA²) or negative SAM/positive PSA (SAM²/PSA¹) combinations, which could have favored the cooling of the sub-Antarctic region and important changes in the Antarctic sea ice distribution since 2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the first case of natural bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) infection in water buffalo. Topics covered include the factors that can influence the severity of BoHV-1 infection such as potential concurrent bacterial infections, host resistance factors and virulence of the virus strain.

We prove the existence of a number of smooth periodic motions u of the classical Newtonian N-body problem which, up to a relabeling of the N particles, are invariant under the rotation group $\mathcal{R}$ of one of the five Platonic polyhedra. The number N coincides with the order $|\mathcal{R}|$ of $\mathcal{R}$ and the particles have all the same mass. Our approach is variational and u is a minimizer of the Lagrangian action $\mathcal{A}$ on a suitable subset $\mathcal{K}$ of the H T-periodic maps u:ℝ→ℝ. The set ${\mathcal {K}}$ is a cone and is determined by imposing on u both topological and symmetry constraints which are defined in terms of the rotation group $\mathcal{R}$. There exist infinitely many such cones ${\mathcal {K}}$, all with the property that ${\mathcal {A}}|_{{\mathcal {K}}}$ is coercive. For a certain number of them, using level estimates and local deformations, we show that minimizers are free of collisions and therefore classical solutions of the N-body problem with a rich geometric-kinematic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A cross-sectional serological survey was conducted on cattle pasturing in an area of the southern Italian Apennines to evaluate the seroprevalence to Neospora caninum, and to investigate the climatic, environmental, farm management, and individual animal factors that influence the distribution of this protozoan. Blood samples were collected from 864 pastured cattle raised on 81 farms. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to N. caninum using an ELISA assay (HerdCheck®, IDEXX). A geographical information system (GIS) for the study area was constructed using the following remote sensing (RS) and landscape feature data: autumn–winter, spring and summer normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land cover, elevation, slope, aspect, mean rainfall and minimum, mean, and maximum temperature in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Data on each of these features were then extracted for “buffer zones” consisting of the area included in a circle of 3km diameter centered on the 81 geo-referenced centroids of the main cattle pastures. Climatic and environmental data obtained from RS and GIS and individual animal characteristics and farm management data obtained from a questionnaire were analyzed in relation to N. caninum seropositivity and antibody titres both by linear and logistic regression models. Out of the 81 farms sampled, 63 (77.8%) had at least one tested animal positive for N. caninum. Out of the 864 bovine sera samples, 266 (30.8%) were found to have antibodies to N. caninum. The results of the logistic regression model show that significantly high seroprevalence to N. caninum was found in heifers/steers and adults, in cattle raised on farms having a large number of dogs, and in cattle raised in buffer zones having high minimum temperatures in the spring, and a narrow extension of summer NDVI. In addition, positive linear correlations were found between N. caninum antibody titres and the number of dogs on farm, and the minimum temperature in spring. All the above determined risk factors for N. caninum seroprevalence indicate that horizontal infection resulting from the ingestion of oocysts shed by dogs is the most probable route of N. caninum infection in pastured cattle of the southern Italian Apennines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The design of tracking controllers for induction motors is usually developedby neglecting the presence of power-supply devices, such as inverters, andmeasurement apparatuses, e.g., encoders. However, these components representunmodeled dynamics that are present during the real operating conditions ofthe induction motor. Since the development of a numerical simulation studyrepresents a low-cost, safe, and fast test to validate the design of trackingcontrol schemes, the need arises to build a computer model of the overallsystem (i.e., motor, power supply, measurement devices, and tracking controller)as realistic as possible. In this context, the paper describes a computermodel for simulation of an induction motor under a tracking control schemeincluding many real-world effects; namely, encoder's quantization, currentsensors' noise, stator current dynamics, presence of a current-controlledvoltage-source inverter within a stator current regulator loop, flux observerdynamics, saturation of the control signal, and discrete-time implementationof the control algorithm. The developed computer model is finally used ina case study and the simulation results obtained for an induction motor drivinga single-link robotic arm under an H [sub infin;] tracking controlscheme are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the Antarctic sea‐ice is essential for improving our knowledge of the Southern Ocean. We used satellite sea‐ice concentration data for the 2002–2020 period to retrieve the sea‐ice extent (SIE) and analyze its variability in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. Results provide observational evidence of the recurring formation of a sea‐ice protrusion that extends to 60°S at 150°W during the winter season. Furthermore, we discuss how the Pacific‐Antarctic Ridge (PAR) influences this phenomenon. Our findings show that the northward deflection of the southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current front is driven by the PAR and is associated with the enhanced sea‐ice advance. The PAR also constrains eddy trajectories, limiting their interaction with the sea‐ice edge. These factors, within the 160°W–135°W sector, cause an average SIE increase of 61,000 km2 and 46,293 km2 per year more than the upstream and downstream areas, respectively. Plain Language Summary: Monitoring the variability of marine and continental ice is essential for the study of climate change. The aim of this study is to investigate the processes that favor the formation or melting of sea‐ice in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. To this end, we analyzed sea‐ice variability over the last two decades (2002–2020) and its interaction with the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and the Pacific‐Antarctic Ridge (PAR), a topographic submarine feature that separates the Pacific and Antarctic plates. We used satellite data obtained through passive microwave sensors and altimetry for sea‐ice and ACC eddy analysis, respectively. Our results provide observational evidence of the periodic formation of a sea‐ice protrusion in the study area and show that the median extent of the sea‐ice faithfully follows the PAR. Moreover, our results show that the PAR acts as a barrier that deflects the ACC and its associated eddies northward, which limits their ability to melt the sea‐ice east of the PAR. These processes encourage the exceptional growth of the sea‐ice in this area. These outcomes have strong implications for our understanding of sea‐ice variability over the Southern Ocean. Key Points: The Pacific‐Antarctic Ridge diverts warm and cold core eddies northward, encouraging an expansion of Antarctic sea‐ice at 150°WThe Southern Ocean is characterized by the recurring formation of a sea‐ice protrusion that extends to 60°S between 150°W and 140°W [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antarctic sea ice is constantly exported from the shore by strong near surface winds that open leads and large polynyas in the pack ice. The latter, known as wind-driven polynyas, are responsible for significant water mass modification due to the high salt flux into the ocean associated with enhanced ice growth. In this article, we focus on the wind-driven Terra Nova Bay (TNB) polynya, in the western Ross Sea. Brine rejected during sea ice formation processes that occur in the TNB polynya densifies the water column leading to the formation of the most characteristic water mass of the Ross Sea, the High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW). This water mass, in turn, takes part in the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), the densest water mass of the world ocean, which plays a major role in the global meridional overturning circulation, thus affecting the global climate system. A simple coupled sea ice–ocean model has been developed to simulate the seasonal cycle of sea ice formation and export within a polynya. The sea ice model accounts for both thermal and mechanical ice processes. The oceanic circulation is described by a one-and-a-half layer, reduced gravity model. The domain resolution is 1 km × 1 km, which is sufficient to represent the salient features of the coastline geometry, notably the Drygalski Ice Tongue. The model is forced by a combination of Era Interim reanalysis and in-situ data from automatic weather stations, and also by a climatological oceanic dataset developed from in situ hydrographic observations. The sensitivity of the polynya to the atmospheric forcing is well reproduced by the model when atmospheric in situ measurements are combined with reanalysis data. Merging the two datasets allows us to capture in detail the strength and the spatial distribution of the katabatic winds that often drive the opening of the polynya. The model resolves fairly accurately the sea ice drift and sea ice production rates in the TNB polynya, leading to realistic polynya extent estimates. The model-derived polynya extent has been validated by comparing the modelled sea ice concentration against MODIS high resolution satellite images, confirming that the model is able to reproduce reasonably well the TNB polynya evolution in terms of both shape and extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometric morphometric studies of dolphins have traditionally concentrated on the skull, while the mandible and its modularity have been little explored. We investigated the mandible variability and modularity in three strictly related Mediterranean dolphins:Stenella coeruleoalba,Delphinus delphisandTursiops truncatus. The aims were to describe the interspecific differences in the size and shape of the mandible as a whole, and of its structural modules, and to detect the influence of adaptive pressures on trait variation. Data were collected on 96 specimens from the Mediterranean Sea. Eight and 10 two-dimensional landmarks were recorded respectively in the lateral and medial sides of the mandible. After General Procrustes Analysis (GPA) transformation, measurement error, sexual dimorphism and ontogenetic allometry were first investigated to allow further pooling of samples. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) of centroid size was used to evaluate size differences among the species; multivariate ordination, classification and clustering methods were used to investigate interspecific variation of shape variables. Different subsets of landmarks representing distinct mandibular subunits were tested for modular integration through the RV coefficient; two-block partial least squares statistics was used to explore the patterns of covariation between modules. Size and shape differences in the whole mandible of the three species evidenced a clear morphological divergence ofTursiops truncatusand a close similarity ofStenella coeruleoalbaandDelphinus delphis. The analysis of modularity identified the corpus and the ramus, with its internal foramen, as distinct modules. The corpus and ramus patterns of variation could discriminate betweenT. truncatusvs. the other two species. The mandibular foramen was the only trait able to discriminate each species, and the corresponding shape differences were related to selective pressures toward the differentiation of communication patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n = 50, BBU) is a species of economic relevance in a number of countries. This species shows a very peculiar biology and a great capacity for environmental adaptation. There has been an increasing economic interest as well as a growing demand for a more detailed knowledge of molecular features in this species. From this perspective we report a genomic, transcriptional and cytogenetic analysis of 5 master genes involved in skeletal muscle development. Of these 5 genes, MYOD1, MYF5, MYF6 and MYOG belong to the basic helix-loop helix protein family while MSTN belongs to the TNF-B protein family. In mammals, these genes are involved in the early stages of skeletal muscle differentiation, development and regeneration. These pivotal biological functions are finely regulated in a tissue- and temporal-specific manner. We used a comparative genomic approach to obtain the buffalo specific sequences of MYOD1 and MYF6. The nucleotide sequence similarity and the protein domain conservation of the newly obtained sequences are analysed with respect to bovine and other mammalian species showing sequence similarity. The presence of a polymorphism in MYOD1 coding sequence is described and its possible effect discussed. Using a quantitative PCR approach, we compared the level of the 5 transcripts in adult and fetal muscle. These genes were physically localised on river buffalo R-banded chromosomes by FISH using bovine genomic BAC-clones. Here, we present a genomic and cytogenetic analysis which could offer a background to better characterise the buffalo genes involved in muscle function and which may be responsible for buffalo-specific meat features. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beam wandering (random lateral displacement) enhancement of thin beams by a double passage through turbulence is theoretically and experimentally investigated. A relationship is found between the random lateral displacements of double passage and single passage, in the case of homogeneous turbulence. Results of laboratory measurements are presented and suggestions for practical use given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use by baseline D:A:D CKD risk score. Methods: Adult antiretroviral therapy (ART)‐naïve people living with HIV (PLWH) initiating treatment, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, were identified in the OPERA cohort. CKD was defined as two or more consecutive eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, > 90 days apart. Associations between TDF use, baseline D:A:D CKD risk and incident CKD were assessed with incidence rates (IRs; Poisson regression) and adjusted pooled logistic regression. The impact of pharmacoenhancers on the observed association between TDF and CKD was also evaluated. Results: Of 9802 PLWH included, 6222 initiated TDF and 3580 did not (76% and 79% low D:A:D CKD risk, respectively). Overall, 125 CKD events occurred over 24 382 person‐years of follow‐up. Within strata of D:A:D CKD risk score, IRs were similar across TDF exposure, with high baseline CKD risk associated with highest incidence. Compared with the low‐risk group without TDF, there was no statistical difference in odds of incident CKD in the low‐risk group with TDF (adjusted odds ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.19–1.54). Odds of incident CKD did not differ statistically significantly by pharmacoenhancer exposure, with or without TDF. Conclusions: In this large cohort of ART‐naïve PLWH, incident CKD following ART initiation was infrequent and strongly associated with baseline CKD risk. TDF‐containing regimens did not increase the odds of CKD in those with a low baseline D:A:D CKD risk, the largest group of ART‐naïve PLWH, and may remain a viable treatment option in appropriate settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythrocytapheresis, an apheresis treatment which selectively removes red blood cells, is an alternative to therapeutic phlebotomy, over which it has several advantages. Actually there is a high degree of variability in the use of this treatment. This prompted SIdEM (Italian Society of Hemapheresis and Cell Manipulation) to conduct a survey on the use of erythrocytapheresis in the Italian Transfusion Services. The purpose is to monitor this activity in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera (pv), secondary erythrocytosis and hemochromatosis. A data collection file was sent to the SIdEM regional delegates who, in turn, involved the Transfusion Centers in the areas they cover. The data collected were processed on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. 75 centers from 14 Italian regions responded to the Survey: 36 centers (48 %) use erythrocytapheresis (35 centers perform therapeutic apheresis and 1 center only donor apheresis), 39 centers (52 %) do not (15 centers perform therapeutic apheresis, 18 centers only donor apheresis and 6 centers do not perform either therapeutic apheresis or donor apheresis). Although most centers have a substantially uniform attitude concerning the indications for which erythrocytapheresis is used, the survey shows that there are still differences more evident in the treatment of secondary erythrocytosis than in the treatment of pv or hemochromatosis. This survey has been useful to document the current Italian reality and to raise awareness about the need for improvement in optimizing and standardizing the use of a therapy with a great potential to exploit properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Algerian Basin is a key component of the general circulation in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The presence of both fresh Atlantic water and more saline Mediterranean water gives the basin an intense inflow/outflow regime and complex circulation patterns. Energetic mesoscale structures that evolve from meanders of the Algerian Current into isolated cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies dominate the area, with marked repercussions on biological activity. Despite its remarkable importance, this region and its variability are still poorly known and basin-wide knowledge of its meso- and submesoscale features is still incomplete. Studying such complex processes requires a synergistic approach that involves integrated observing systems. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated the advantages of combined use of autonomous underwater vehicles, such as gliders, with a new generation of satellite altimetry. In this context, we present results of an observational program conducted in the Algerian Basin during fall 2014 and 2015 that aimed to advance our knowledge of its main features. The study was carried out through analysis of high resolution glider observations, collected along the Algerian BAsin Circulation Unmanned Survey (ABACUS) chokepoint, in synergy with co-located SARAL/AltiKa altimetric products and CMEMS numerical simulations. Results show that glider-derived dynamic height and SARAL/AltiKa absolute dynamic topography have similar patterns, with RMS of the differences ranging between 1.11 and 2.90 cm. Even though larger discrepancies are observed near the Balearic and Algerian coasts, correlation coefficients between glider and satellite observations seem mostly to be affected by reduced synopticity between the measurements. Glider observations acquired during the four surveys reveal the presence of several water masses of Atlantic and Mediterranean origin (i.e., AW and LIW at different modification levels) with marked seasonal variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with a worldwide distribution, and infects several mammalian species, including pigs and wild boars, which are recognized as its natural reservoirs. The virus causes a usually self‐limiting liver disease with a mortality rate generally below 1%, although mortality rates of 15%–25% have been recorded in pregnant woman. Chronic infections can also occur. The prevalence of HEV has been extensively studied in wild boars and pigs in northern Italy, where intensive pig herds are predominantly located. In contrast, few data have been collected in south‐central Italy, where small pig herds are surrounded by large regional parks populated with heterogeneous wild fauna. In this study, 291 liver samples from wild boars caught in south‐central Italy were analysed with the molecular detection of viral RNA. Our results confirm the circulation of HEV in these animals, with a mean prevalence of 13.7% (40 of 291). A nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the HEV strains were highly conserved within the same geographic areas. The wild boar HEV strains belonged to the HEV‐3c subtype, which is frequently described in wild boars, and to an uncommon undefined subtype (HEV‐3j‐like).The viral prevalence detected is concerning because it could represent a potential risk to hunters, meat workers and consumers of wild boar liver and derivative products. The hypothesized inter‐species transmission of HEV to pigs and the possibility that the virus maintains its virulence in the environment and the meat chain also present potential risks to human health, and warrant further investigations in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of the study was to analyze the association between dento-skeletal malocclusions, ocular motility, and convergence disorders in growing subjects. Materials and methods. 84 subjects (49 males, 35 females) with a mean age of 7.3±1.7 years were enrolled in a screening procedure for celiac disease at the Department of Gastroenterology of the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". Each child underwent an orthodontic, orthoptic, and ophtalmological examination. Pearson's Chi-Square test with Yates' correction and Fisher's exact test were conducted to assess the association between orthoptic defects and malocclusions (p<0.05). Results. Ocular motility disorders were present in 44.9% of males and in 57.1% of females, while convergence defects were present in 10.2% of males and in 2.9% of females. Ocular motility disorders were more frequent in subjects with Angle Class III malocclusion (66.7%) than in subjects with Angle Class II (59.1%) and Class I (45.8%) malocclusion. Convergence defects were equally frequent in Angle Class I and Class II malocclusion (5.1%), while none subject presenting with Angle Class III malocclusion exhibited convergence defects. A statistically significant correlations was found between ocular motility disorders and unilateral cross-bite with midline deviation. Conclusion. Ocular motility defects had a significant greater prevalence in subjects presenting with unilateral cross-bite and midline deviation. The importance of role of orthodontic diagnosis among interdisciplinary treatment in growing children should be recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient direct electron transfer (DET) between cellobiose dehydrogenase from Corynascus thermophilus ( Ct CDH) and a novel gold electrode platform, obtained by covalent linking of green AuNPs and AgNPs modified with a dithiol self-assembled monolayer, consisting of biphenyl-4,4′-dithiol (BPDT), was presented. The green AuNPs and AgNPs were synthesized using quercetin as reducing agent at room temperature. TEM experiments showed that the AuNPs and AgNPs were circular in shape with an average diameter of 5 and 8 nm, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry of Ct CDH immobilized onto the AuNPs/BPDT/AuE and the AgNPs/BPDT/AuE electrode platforms were carried out and compared with naked AuE, BPDT/AuE, AuNPs/AuE, and AgNPs/AuE. A pair of well-defined redox waves in neutral pH solution due to efficient DET of CtCDH was present with both MNPs/BPDT/AuE platforms. No DET communication was found with platforms without MNPs linked to BPDT. The apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (k S ) of Ct CDH were calculated to be 21.5±0.8 s −1 and 10.3±0.7 s −1 , for the AuNPs/BPDT/AuE and the AgNPs/BPDT/AuE platforms, respectively. The modified electrodes were successively used to develop an eco-friendly biosensor for lactose detection. The Ct CDH/AuNPs/BPDT/AuE based biosensor showed the best analytical performances with an excellent stability, a detection limit of 3 µM, a linear range between 5 and 400 µM and a sensitivity of 27.5±2.5 µA cm −2 mM −1 . Such performances were favorably compared with other lactose biosensors reported in literature. The biosensor was successively tested to quantify lactose content in real milk and cream samples. No significant interference present in the sample matrices was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new MCHP system is proposed using only renewable energy sources: CSP and biomass. [•] The system allows continuous production of electricity and heat over night and day. [•] A fluidized bed links heat from a Scheffler mirror and heat from biomass combustion. [•] The fluidized bed allows for a high heat transfer rate to the Stirling engine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study reports data on a 20 months campaign monitoring enteric viruses (hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, sapovirus, and aichivirus) and bacteria (Salmonella spp.) in seawater. The aim of this work was to assess the potential correlation among the presence of viruses/bacteria and different environmental factors like seasonality, water discharge sources (treated and untreated wastewater, mixed waters and raw water) as well as influence of the Italian lockdown measure against COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed different prevalence of the investigated viruses with values equal to 16 % for norovirus GI, 15.1 % for norovirus GII, followed by 13.8 % for astrovirus, and 13.3 % for sapovirus. Rotavirus was detected in the 8.4 % of samples and aichivirus was detected with the lowest prevalence of 3.5 %. Hepatitis A virus was never identified in the monitoring campaign. Salmonella spp. was detected with a prevalence of 36.6 %. Statistical analysis displayed a high correlation for the two noroviruses simultaneous detection (NGI and NGII) while a lower correlation was found for co-presence of noroviruses with astrovirus, sapovirus or Salmonella spp. A significant decrease of enteric pathogens in seawater was observed during the restrictions period. Results on seasonality highlighted a higher viral prevalence correlated to the wet season for all the pathogens but rotavirus and aichivirus, which instead showed an opposite trend and a higher incidence in the dry season. With respect to discharge typology, some viruses displayed a higher prevalence in treated waters (astrovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus and aichivirus) while the other investigated pathogens (noroviruses and Salmonella spp.) showed a higher prevalence in mixed waters. The main observations of this work were used to define a potential monitoring strategy that could be useful for sanitary Authorities to implement surveillance plans aimed at preventing possible sanitary outbreaks and/or environmental quality deterioration. [Display omitted] • Enteric pathogens circulation: development of a multi-factor approach. • Reduction of enteric viruses circulation due to the lockdown measure. • Correlation among pathogens circulation with season and discharge typologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) was evaluated for the serological diagnosis of brucellosis in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in southern Italy. This assay uses O-polysaccharide prepared from Brucella abortus lipopolysaccharide conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate as a tracer. It has many methodological advantages over older, more established tests and can be performed in a fraction of the time. Sera from 890 buffalos from the Campania Region – 526 positive sera and 364 negative sera according to the complement fixation test (CFT) – were evaluated in this study. All samples were tested with the Rose Bengal test (RBT), CFT, and FPA in parallel and in blind fashion. Sensitivities (Sn) were 84.5% and 92.6%, and specificities (Sp) were 93.1% and 91.2% for RBT and FPA, respectively, relative to CFT. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis suggested a cut-off value of 117 millipolarization (mP) units. On the whole, these results suggested that FPA might replace RBT in the diagnosis of buffalo brucellosis for its better performance relative to CFT, its adjustable cut-off useful in different epidemiological situations, its reliability, ease of performance, and for its potential application in field and high-throughput laboratories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Regeneration of the second antennae of Asellus aquaticus is described here following amputations along the antennal flagellum. The process involves the frequent resorption (loss of the distalmost joint remained on the amputated antenna) and the regular apicalization of the new terminal article. In the distal part of the flagellum, resorption occurs only when less than 70% of the original article length is left. For amputations performed in the proximal meristematic region, where new articles are normally produced, the new terminal article may also divide, sometimes producing articles with abnormal setal pattern; instead, articles that would normally divide may fail to do so if they are the nearest proximal neighbour of the new terminal article. Outcome of the increased production of new articles from the meristematic region is a regenerated antenna with a number of flagellomeres close to that shown by the undamaged controlateral one. Similarities and differences in respect to the processes occurring after amputation in the antennal peduncle, as well as in other arthropod limbs, are discussed. These differences may help with understanding general properties of the regeneration process, such as the distinction between epimorphosis and morphallaxis and the relationship between normal development and regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare durability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens among heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) people living with HIV (PLWH) and non-HTE treatment-experienced PLWH in care in the United States. Methods ART-experienced PLWH in care in the OPERA Cohort on 12/31/2016 were identified as HTE (defined as being on a regimen indicative of HTE or experienced >=3 core agent classes prior to current regimen) or non-HTE treatment experienced (not meeting the definition of HTE and on a three-drug regimen of 1 core agent and 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)). [Extracted from the article]

Background: In transfusional setting introduction of nucleic amplification technique (NAT) for HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA and HIV-RNA in biological qualification of blood units suggest some problems. At first the opportunity to operate on mini-pool, at second the need to store the samples at +4 °C. The authors therefore have tried to estimate the impact of these conditions on the operativity of NAT testing in the transfusional setting.Methods: The following parameters has been estimated: distribution of viral-load in untreated subjects, stability of nucleic acids during storage at +4 °C, stability of nucleic acids after repeated cycles of freezing and defrosting, robustness of the test to the cross-contamination, definition of the detection-limit (95%). Quantitative tests has been performed by using the following kits: Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor, Cobas Amplicor HCV Monitor, Cobas Amplicor HIV Monitor; the qualitative tests has been performed by using the following kits: Ampliscreen HBV, Ampliscreen HCV 2,0, Ampliscreen HIV 1,5 all supplied by Roche Molecular System (Brancburg, NJ).Results: Viral load in untreated subjects showed wide variation for HBV, HCV and HIV. HBV has been demonstrated much stable to the conservation +4 °C also until 168 h while for HCV and HIV a greater decrease of the viral-load was observed. For all and three virus the conservation to +4 °C until 72 h does not seem to involve meaningful fall in the viral-load. A remarkable reduction of the viral-load has been observed after five cycles of freezing and defrosting. All the tests showed a good robustness to cross-contamination. The detection-limit (95%) was 8 U/ml for HBV, 21 U/ml for HCV and 27 copy/ml for HIV.Conclusions: Samples for NAT testing, can be stored until 72 h to +4 °C without appreciable lowering of the viral-load. Repeated cycles of changes of state should be avoided. The tests showed a good robustness to cross-contamination. NAT tests for biological qualification of blood units had a minimal sensibility around 50 (copy/unit/ml). In our experience the detection-limit (95%) was 21 U/ml for HCV, 27copies/ml for HIV, 8 U/ml for HBV. The availability of NAT test for HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA e HIV-RNA, sensitive and reliable, together with epidemiological data, suggest the opportunity to place side by side, in the biological qualification of the blood units, to add the tests for HBV-DNA and HIV-RNA to the test for HCV-RNA mandatory by low, in Italy in the biological qualification of blood units. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The study aimed at evaluating the concentration levels of organochlorine pollutants in donkey milk and their modulation on the intestinal strongyle infection. Risk evaluation for consumer health was also investigated. We analyzed milk of grazing donkeys living in areas of Southern of Italy affected by organochlorine compounds environmental pollution and parasite infection. The presence of pollutants was assessed through summary statistics; regression analysis of intestinal strongyle on pollutant concentration was performed to investigate the relationship between the two variables. PCB concentrations (mainly non-dioxin-like (ndl)-PCBs) were higher than OCP ones. Mean values of ndl-PCBs across areas ranged from 93.13 to 263.64 ng g−1. In all sample units we detected the six indicator PCBs with the prevalence of the PCB 153, followed by the PCB 28 and the PCB 101. Among the dioxin-like (dl)-PCBs, non-ortho PCB 169, 77 and 126 were assessed in some milk samples; in all areas we detected the mono-ortho PCB 118 and PCB 105. Positive correlation between infection level and six indicator PCBs as well as between the former and HCB, on WW and LW, were observed (at least statistically significant at 5 percent). In some cases, Dl-PCB concentrations emerged as dangerous given the EU maximum residue limit for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. Evidence supports the hypothesis of an immunosuppressive role of organochlorine pollutants; risk evaluation reveals the potential health impact of dl-PCB intake, particularly for major donkey milk consumers such as infants, children with cow milk and multiple food intolerance, and elders. Image 1 • Intensity of intestinal strongyle infection positively related to OC concentration. • OCs affect immune response. • Dioxin-like PCB concentrations above the MRL fixed by EU. • Health hazard due to the consumption of donkey milk containing dl-PCB residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the isolation of RB51 vaccine from the virulent B abortus strain 2308 from aborted buffalo fetuses. The fetuses are tested for the most common infectious agents responsible for abortion. These isolated colonies are Gram stained. Isolation of the strain from the fetuses have been due to incorrect use of vaccine if it had been administered to pregnant buffaloes.