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Advancement in the application of natural materials in construction requires an understanding of their anatomical and physical characteristics and strength. Nowadays, a lack of knowledge is unfortunately present regarding some bamboo species. The aim of this paper is to provide detailed information to close this gap. Phyllostachys bambusoides, edulis, iridescens, viridiglaucescens, vivax and violacescens have been analysed. Such bamboo species are easily cultivated in Italy, but not all of them are the same in terms of diameter, wall thickness, and mechanical behaviour. The properties and differences of Arundo donax are also presented and explained to compare these very similar materials. In the first part of this study, the features of the components of these species are investigated. A detailed description and pictures of the microstructure are reported. In the second part, the distribution of the components of the plants is analysed and then cross-correlated to mechanical properties. All the bamboo species studied exhibit similar characteristics in terms of component morphology, with the exception of Arundo donax, which differs in terms of component distribution along the culm wall. Generally, species having a higher percentage of fibre, and larger fibres in the average vascular bundle, have higher tensile, compressive, and bending strengths.

The mechanical properties of bamboo are susceptible to degradation due to both physical and biological agents. Among the non-chemical treatments, we studied the influence of a short-time heat treatment, using an LPG-gas torch, on the mechanical properties of a bamboo (Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens) growing in Italy. The response was very encouraging as we found no significant reduction in either elastic modulus or tensile, compressive and bending strength. Several samples were subject to tension, compression and bending tests to compare the responses of the treated and untreated culms. The average tensile elastic modulus was slightly greater for the untreated culms. The average tensile strength of the untreated culms was only slightly greater, and the differences can be assumed to be insignificant from a structural point of view. The average value of the treated culms compressive elastic modulus was slightly greater than that of the untreated ones. The compressive strength was essentially the same. The bending mechanical behaviour was barely influenced by the thermal treatment. A microscopic investigation (optical and electron microscopy) was undertaken to investigate the possible deterioration of the bamboo microstructure due to the heat treatment. No appreciable damage was detectable in the treated material. The proposed heat treatments can be considered as a reliable and sustainable protection practice for bamboo culms.

This report highlights the importance for neonatologists/pediatricians of considering Marcus Gunn jaw‐winking syndrome among differential diagnoses of ptosis. A detailed clinical assessment is crucial to promptly recognize and appropriately manage it.

Background & Aims The risk of progression of indeterminate observations to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after direct-acting antivirals (DAA) is still undetermined. To assess whether DAA therapy changes the risk of progression of observations with low (LR-2), intermediate (LR-3) and high (LR-4) probability for HCC in cirrhotic patients and to identify predictors of progression. Methods This retrospective study included cirrhotic patients treated with DAA who achieved sustained virological response between 2015 and 2019. A total of 68 patients had pre-DAA indeterminate observations and at least six months CT/MRI follow-up before and after DAA. Two radiologists reviewed CT/MRI studies to categorize observations according to the LI-RADSv2018 and assess the evolution on subsequent follow-ups. Predictors of evolutions were evaluated by using the Cox proportional hazard model, Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results A total of 109 untreated observations were evaluated, including 31 (28.4%) LR-2, 67 (61.5%) LR-3 and 11 (10.1%) LR-4. During a median follow-up of 41 months, 17.4% and 13.3% of observations evolved to LR-5 or LR-M and LR-5, before and after DAA respectively (P = .428). There was no difference in rate of progression of neither LR-2 (P = 1.000), LR-3 (P = .833) or LR-4 (P = .505). At multivariate analysis, only initial LI-RADS category was an independent predictor of progression to LR-5 or LR-M for all observations (hazard ratio 6.75, P < .001), and of progression to LR-5 after DAA (hazard ratio 4.34, P = .047). Conclusions DAA therapy does not increase progression of indeterminate observations to malignant categories. The initial LI-RADS category is an independent predictor of observations upgrade.

The construction world today is faced with mandatory and urgent choices that necessary lead to sustainability. In this perspective, it is important that the use of highly renewable natural materials such as bamboo become widespread. Bamboo is a plant that grows naturally and quickly throughout the subtropical regions of the world, but it is easily cultivable even in temperate areas such as Europe. The cultivation of bamboo is spreading mainly in southern Europe. In Italy today there are about 2000 hectares of bamboo that require the establishment of a real active supply chain. Cultivated bamboo, which grows in temperate zones, has culms with a smaller section than subtropical ones but retains good mechanical properties as shown by a recent experimental campaign conducted on various species of Italian bamboo. In the present work we have moved from the study of the material to its use in construction. A project of a small house originally carried out by Arch. Anna Zanetti with Guadua and Asper bamboo in Costa Rica, was revisited using Italian bamboo in the Italian context. This simple example shows how Italian bamboo can also be counted among the possible building materials in Italy and in Europe in general.

In this paper we report new faunistic findings concerning 15 moth species collected in forested habitats ofCalabria and Sicily regions, South Italy. Most interesting records concerned Eupithecia trisignariaand Orectisproboscidata,both recorded for the first time in southern Italy. Species with larval biology linked to the forest coverwere locally common, whilst species linked to herbaceous plants and shrubs were often collected as singletons or in onelocality, showing smaller populations. A study of a 658bp long sequence of the mitochondrial 5’ cytochrome oxidasegene, subunit 1 (COI) (barcoding analysis) was performed for five species, two of them showing a divergence fromclosest populations near to 1%, one a 2% divergence from northern populations, and two other species a perfect identitywith European populations. This study reinforced the role of forest habitats as biodiversity hot-spots in theMediterranean Basin and the importance of the Italian peninsula for biodiversity conservation at European scale as anincreased number of endemic or sub-endemic taxa and populations with endemic genetic lineages are recognized,underlining the existence of ongoing evolutionary processes. In the light of these results, faunistic surveys in forestecosystems are strongly needed to define sustainable management strategies.

Hydatid disease is a worldwide zoonosis endemic in many countries. Liver echinococcosis accounts for 60–75% of cases and may be responsible for a wide spectrum of complications in about one third of patients. Some of these complications are potentially life-threatening and require prompt diagnosis and urgent intervention. In this article, we present our experience with common and uncommon complications of hepatic hydatid cysts which include rupture, bacterial superinfection, and mass effect-related complications. Specifically, the aim of this review is to provide key imaging features and diagnostic clues to guide the imaging diagnosis using a multimodality imaging approach, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Vengono segnalate 17 specie appartenenti alle famiglie oggetto di studio tra le quali Anchinia daphnella (denis and Schiffermüller, 1775) e Oecophora bractella (Linnaeus, 1758), segnalate per la prima volta in Italia peninsulare, Diurnea lipsiella (denis and Schiffermüller, 1775), segnalata per la prima volta in Italia meridionale, Diurnea fagella (denis and Schiffermüller, 1775), Metalampra italica Baldizzone, 1977, Epicallima formosella (denis and Schiffermüller, 1775), Kasyniana diminutella (Rebel, 1931), Pleurota (Protasis) punctella (o. Costa, 1836), Pleurota (Pleurota) aristella (Linnaeus, 1767), Stathmopoda pedella (Linnaeus, 1761) e Carcina quercana (Fabricius, 1775) non ancora note con certezza per il territorio calabrese. Inoltre, vengono aggiornati i dati di presenza di alcune specie segnalate in Calabria oltre un secolo fa.

The use of bamboo as a structural material is growing rapidly [1]. There are nations in which the material already represents an acquired structural reality [2,3], there are nations like Italy where the material is not considered among possible structural materials yet. In these latter nations there is still not enough knowledge of the material in terms of structural response, for example there is no comparison of the mechanical properties of the various species to define which is the best solution for the different purposes the material is called to respond. The knowledge gained in other parts of the world can not be fully exploited because the material changes according to the species and the place where it is cultivated. To facilitate the diffusion of this material in these countries, a basic knowledge in terms of mechanical response of the material is needed. To answer this need an experimental campaign for the mechanical characterization of Italian bamboo has been carried on in accordance with the International standard for structural bamboo [4,5]. Here the preliminary results are reported.

In questo lavoro sono riportati dati di cattura che ampliano significativamente la distribuzione italiana di sei specie di Pyraloidea. Acrobasis bithynella e Sciota rhenella sono segnalate per la prima volta in Italia centro-meridonale, mentre Pempelia alpigenella e Peoria cremoricosta sono segnalate per la prima volta in Italia meridionale peninsulare. Inoltre, per Hypsotropa vulneratella e Hyperlais argillacealis si tratta dei primi reperti per la penisola di specie note finora in Italia solo in Sicilia.

The aim of this study was to establish a simple tribological model to assess the frictional properties of non-diabetic (ND) and Type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with the view to better understand the interfacial processes off icing in-vivo during angioplasty. Human primary smooth muscle cell (SMC) monolayers from non-diabetic (ND) and Type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients were isolated and cultured. The coefficient of friction of ND and T2DM SMC monolayers was measured using a micro-tribometer set-up at normal loads (Fn) of 0.4 and 0.8 mN. The coefficient of friction was dependent on load and disease state. The cycle average coefficient of friction of patient grouped SMCs was μ = 0.107 ± 0.03 and 0.22 ± 0.01 for ND and T2DM respectively. Within the ND group, the coefficient of friction was seen to be patient specific, with the coefficient of friction varying significantly from μ = 0.03 ± 0.03 to 0.185 ± 0.07. Results show that disease state will affect the frictional properties of SMCs. In turn the disease state may also influence the SMCs susceptibly to tribologically induced inflammation.

In this paper we address the question of changes in community structures along temporal gradients and whether such changes affect β-diversity patterns. We examined how differences among moth communities vary across seasons and between years in a mosaic-like pine forest of Calabria, Italy. Samples were gathered from 15 sites entering presence/absence and abundance data in pairwise and multisite analyses. We found a strong instability of pairwise β-diversity coupled with a high stability of multisite β-diversity across moth flight seasons. Phenology and autoecology of individual species were the main drivers of pairwise β-diversity instability as demonstrated by the change of indicator species. Although we observed substantial changes in abundance of species, the β-diversity patterns sampled in a given period were very similar between years. This is probably due to the synchronized fluctuation of populations that similarly changes the abundance of species over large areas, leaving the dissimilarity between sites unaltered. Applicative implications arose from our study as we demonstrated that it is better to sample the whole flying season of moths during one year extensively rather than over more years during only ‘the best season’ because β-diversity patterns were much more stable across years than across seasons.

The magnitude and frequency of Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) are increasing, causing changes in species distribution. We assessed the short-term effects of a late spring frost on beech forests, using satellite images to identify damaged forests and changes in v-egetation phenology, as well as to support the analyses on associated moth communities. The EWE caused crown dieback above 1400 m of altitude, recovered only after several weeks. Nine stands for moth sampling, settled in impacted and non-impacted forests, allowed us to study changes in moth communities and in the wingspan of the most impacted species. The EWE modified community structures, reducing the abundance of beech-feeder species, but leaving species richness unaltered. Operophtera fagata and Epirrita christyi, dominant before the EWE, lost 93% and 89% of their population, respectively. We found a general increase in the average wingspan for these species, caused by the loss of small specimens in most impacted forests, suggesting a re-colonization from non-impacted forests. According to our results, populations of some species could be more resilient than others after an EWE due to their different dispersal ability. Forest ecosystems appear to be dynamic entities able to cope with extreme weather events but, likely, only if they continue to occur in the future at the current rate.

In this work, the possibility to produce composite Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/Hydroxyapatite (HA) porous scaffolds via Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) for bone tissue engineering applications was investigated. Several PLLA/HA wt/wt ratios (95/5, 90/10, 70/30, 50/50, 34/66) were tested and the as-obtained scaffolds were characterized via Scanning Electron Microscopy, Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis, Gas Pycnometry, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and mechanical compression test. Morphological analysis revealed an open structure with interconnected pores and HA particles embedded in the polymer matrix. Finally, cell cultures were carried out into the composite scaffolds in order to evaluate the effect of HA on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells, showing a higher alkaline phosphatase activity on composite scaffolds compared to neat PLLA ones.

Corrosion behavior and cytotoxicity was reported for mixed brushite (BS)/hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings deposited on 316LSS substrate through a displacement reaction. Corrosion tests, carried out in a simulated body fluid, showed that in comparison with bare 316L, coating shifts Ecorrto anodic values and reduces icorreven if oscillations were observed, which were explained in terms of the chemical interactions at the solid/liquid interface. Cell biocompatibility of the coating was investigated through osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1, evidencing the absence of any cytotoxicity Taken together, the results show that galvanic deposition is a simple and cost-effective method for producing bioactive coatings which enhance corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of the substrate.

Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is the main species responsible for traumatic myiasis in humans and warm-blooded vertebrates in the Mediterranean Basin, Central Europe and Central Asia. Despite recent reports, data on obligatory wound myiasis in domestic and farmed animals in Italy are still scarce. The case of wohlfahrtiosis presented here is the first reported from Calabria (southern Italy). Larvae of W. magnifica were found in an epidermoid cyst located in the abdominothoracic area of a domestic dog. A total of 98 third instar larvae were removed from inside the cyst and either preserved in ethanol or reared to the adult stage. In Italy, as well as in other areas endemic to wohlfahrtiosis, data about the seasonality, local distribution and patterns of infestation of W. magnifica are very useful to veterinarians and farmers to understand infestation mechanisms and improve control strategies.

In this work, brushite and brushite/hydroxyapatite (BS, CaHPO4·H2O; HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) coatings were deposited on 316L stainless steel (316LSS) from a solution containing Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and NH4H2PO4 by a displacement reaction based on a galvanic contact, where zinc acts as sacrificial anode. Driving force for the cementation reaction arises from the difference in the electrochemical standard potentials of two different metallic materials (316LSS and Zn) immersed in an electrolyte, so forming a galvanic contact leading to the deposition of BS/HA on nobler metal. We found that temperature and deposition time affect coating features (morphology, structure, and composition). Deposits were characterized by means of several techniques. The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, the elemental composition was obtained by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, whilst the structure was identified by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. BS was deposited at all investigated temperatures covering the 316LSS surface. At low and moderate temperature, BS coatings were compact, uniform and with good crystalline degree. On BS layers, HA crystals were obtained at 50 °C for all deposition times, while at 25 °C, its presence was revealed only after long deposition time. Electrochemical studies show remarkable improvement in corrosion resistance.

In this work, double-structured polymeric scaffolds were produced, and a double flow bioreactor was designed and set up in order to create a novel system to carry out advanced in vitro drug delivery tests. The scaffolds, consisting of a cylindrical porous matrix, are able to host cells, thus mimicking a three-dimensional tumor mass: moreover, a “pseudo-vascular” structure was embedded into the matrix, with the aim of allowing a flow circulation. The structure that emulates a blood vessel is a porous tubular-shaped scaffold prepared by Diffusion Induced Phase Separation (DIPS), with an internal lumen of 2 mm and a wall thickness of 200 micrometers. The as-prepared vessel was incorporated into a three-dimensional matrix, prepared by Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS), characterized by a high porosity (about 95%) and pore size adequate to accommodate tumor cells and/or mesenchymal cells. The morphology of the multifunctional scaffolds is easy-tunable in terms of pore size, porosity and thickness and therefore adaptable to various cell or tissue types. At the same time, a double flow bioreactor was designed and built up, in order to be able to carry out biological tests on the scaffold under dynamic conditions. The device allows a separate control of the two flows (one for the tubular scaffold, one for the porous matrix) through the scaffolds. Preliminary characterizations and tests carried out suggest the presented system as a candidate to suitably “in vitro” assess the effects of different drugs on various cell populations.

This short paper presents an overview of the most important characteristics of lupin, a legume that is regaining much interest in human nutrition, after having been neglected for many years. Particular emphasis is placed on the nutraceutical properties of lupin protein that are able to impact positively on hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and hyperglycaemia.

Necrophagous insects (Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera) can colonize the decomposing corps and everyone play an important ecological role in forensic investigations. The aim is to identify seasonal succession of major arthropod taxa of forensic importance in a rural area in southern Italy, during winter 2008. The principal fly invaders were Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy 1830, C vomitoria (L), Lucilia caesar (L), L sericata (Meigen 1826), Sarcophaga (Meigen 1826) spp, Musca domestica (L) and Muscina stabulans (Fallen 1817). The beetle species collected in winter belonged to Silphidae (Thanatophilus rugosus and T sinuatus), Dermestidae (Dermestes maculatus (De Geer 1774), Cleridae (Necrobia rufipes (De Geer 1775), and Histeridae (Margarinotus (Ptomister) brunneus Fabricius 1775 = cadaverinus). It is well known that the successional pattern of the carrion insects is quite unique and that Diptera Calliphoridae are usually the most important necrophagous colonizers but in particular environmental conditions, other invaders can replace them. This is a report on the carrion-frequenting insects in Calabria (southern Italy). A case is described in which maggots (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were not able to consume the pig bodies during winter months. It was observed that both Silphidae species, Thanatophilus rugosus (L) and T sinuatus (Fabricius 1775), were the major vector in the breakdown of the carcasses.

We present data from the first study of successional patterns of insect fauna in Calabria (southern Italy). The aim was to identify and qualitatively assess the major taxa of forensic importance in this region. Studies were conducted in autumn-winter 2006, summer 2007 and winter 2008 in the Botanical Garden, University of Calabria. Over 50 taxa were collected and identified. The most abundant fly species were Lucilia caesar (Linnaeus, 1758), L. sericata (Meigen, 1826), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, C. vomitoria (Linnaeus, 1758), Sarcophaga spp., Amobia sp ., Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758, and Muscina stabulans ((Fallén). The successional patterns, relative abundance of adult sarcosaprophagous insects, carcass decay, diversity and seasonality of species are described and the taxa useful for estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) are identified. The data of this study could be very useful for further forensic investigations in southern Italy.

We present an indoor forensic case that occurred in spring 2013 in Cosenza (southern Italy). The entomological evidence col-lected at the scene consisted of Calliphoridae ( Calliphora vicina, Lucilia sericata ), Sarcophagidae ( Sarcophaga crassipalpis ), Fanniidae ( Fannia scalaris ) and Muscidae ( Hydrotaea ignava ). The minimum Post Mortem Interval (mPMI) was calculated by relating the entomological evidence to data available for Diptera species in the area and to our knowledge of the development of flies used as forensic indicators in Calabria. We report S. crassipalpis as a corpse invader for the first time in Italy. Introduction The Flesh Fly Sarcophaga (Liopygia) crassipalpis Macquart 1839 as an Invader of a Corpse in Calabria (Southern Italy) Bonacci T 1* , Greco S 1 , Cavalcanti B 2 , Brandmayr P 1 and Vercillo V 2 1 Department DiBEST, University of Calabria, 87036 – Rende (CS), Italy 2 Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Cosenza, Sezione di Medicina Legale, 87100 – Cosenza, Italy

The aim of this study was to investigate the synanthropy of Diptera: Calliphoridae, insects of forensic importance, in Calabria (southern Italy). The study lasted 2 years, from February 2010 to January 2012, and was carried out in three areas of Cosenza province representing “urban”, “rural”, and “wild” environments. Bottle traps baited with pork were used to catch Calliphoridae. Six species were identified, Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy 1830, Calliphora vomitoria (L.), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann 1819), Lucilia ampullacea Villeneuve 1922, Lucilia caesar (L.), and Lucilia sericata (Meigen 1826). Data on phenologies in the study areas are reported for these species and the Synanthropy Index was calculated to evaluate their relationship with the human environment.