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Natural compounds and living organisms continue to play a limited role in crop protection, and few of them have reached the market, despite their attractiveness and the efforts made in research. Very often these products have negative characteristics compared to synthetic compounds, e.g., higher costs of production, lower effectiveness, lack of persistence, and inability to reach and penetrate the target plant. Conversely, nanotechnologies are having an enormous impact on all human activities, including agriculture, even if the production of some nanomaterials is not environmentally friendly or could have adverse effects on agriculture and the environment. Thus, certain nanomaterials could facilitate the development of formulated natural pesticides, making them more effective and more environmentally friendly. Nanoformulations can improve efficacy, reduce effective doses, and increase shelf-life and persistence. Such controlled-release products can improve delivery to the target pest. This review considers certain available nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for use in agriculture, discussing their properties and the feasibility of their use in sustainable crop protection, in particular, in improving the effectiveness of natural bio-based agrochemicals. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Abstract This paper illustrates a procedure aimed at estimating diachronically soil sealing in suburban areas by using cartographical and statistical data. The procedure was applied (1949–2006) to the metropolitan area of Rome (Italy), a Mediterranean city with important land use changes observed during the last fifty years. A total of 1.477 random sites was chosen encompassing the entire investigated area (1.285 km2) and evaluated in terms of sealing condition in 1949, 1990, 1994, 2000, and 2006. Although resident population has been found quite stable since 1970s, the sealed surface area grew rapidly from 8% in 1949 to 26% in 2006. The sealing status of each site was found correlated to the distance from the city centre, while not correlated to the distance from the major roads, railways, and the boundaries of the neighbor protected area. These results suggest that soil sealing in Rome was associated to recent processes of urban sprawl which testify the slow transition from the semi-compact city to a more diffused urban agglomeration.

Bioconversion is a biological process by which organic materials are converted into products with higher biological and commercial value. During its larval stage the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens is extremely voracious and can feed on a wide variety of organic materials. To study the impact of different fruit byproducts on the insect's growth, final larval biomass, substrate reduction, bioconversion parameters, and larval nutritional composition, 10 000 black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) were reared on 7.0 kg of one of three substrates (strawberry, tangerine, or orange) or on a standard diet as a control. The results highlight that BSFL can successfully feed and grow on each of these diets, though their development time, growth rate, and final biomass were differently impacted by the substrates, with strawberry being the most suitable. The lipid and protein contents of BSFL were similar among larvae fed on different substrates; however, major differences were detected in ash, micronutrient, fiber, fatty acid, and amino acid contents. Overall, the results indicate that fruit waste management through the BSFL bioconversion process represents a commercially promising resource for regional and national agrifood companies. Our study offers new perspectives for sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial development by which fruit byproducts or waste might be disposed of or unconventionally enhanced to create secondary products of high biological and economic value, including BSFL biomass as animal feed or, in perspective, as alternative protein source for human nutrition.

The evolution of ten Robertsonian (Rb) races of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) in the Rhaetian Alps of northern Italy and southern Switzerland is reconsidered. The mechanisms of centric fusion, zonal raciation and, for the first time, whole-arm reciprocal translocation (WART), are used in this non-mathematical approach to produce a phylogenetic tree (using chromosome fusions as characters) with the smallest number of steps. The shortest tree that we found (16 steps) is at least two to nine mutations shorter than previously published models. Three other trees (17 or 18 steps) are also considered, since they are geographically more sensible. In general, these four scenarios correspond more closely to the present distributions of the ten Rb races than previous trees. Our results suggest that zonal raciation and WARTs play an important role in the evolution of Rb races of the house mouse.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse cell membrane proteins (CMP) acquired by HIV-1 present in the plasma of asymptomatic patients, and their modifications after a cycle of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and interleukin (IL)-2. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma samples from eight drug-naive asymptomatic subjects underwent immobilized antibody capture (IAC) to detect CMP on the surface of circulating HIV-1. The CMP considered were lymphocyte subset markers (CD45RA, CD45RO), activation markers (HLA-DR), adhesion molecules (LFA-3), costimulatory proteins (B7-2), lymph-node homing receptors (CD62L) and pro-apoptosis molecules (FasL). This analysis was repeated after one cycle of HAART + IL-2, after virus rebound. RESULTS: LFA-3, followed by CD45RO and HLA-DR, are the most represented CMP on the surface of circulating virions in naive asymptomatic patients; CD45RA, CD62L, B7-2 and FasL are detected only occasionally. After rebound, a significant reduction of CD45RO and HLA-DR, but not of LFA-3, is observed on virions, whereas CD45RA and CD62L, as well as other molecules, are not affected, remaining almost undetectable. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming that CMP on HIV-1 reflect the cellular origin of virions, activated T cells expressing CD45RO, HLA-DR, and LFA-3 may be the main source of HIV-1 in asymptomatic patients. After a cycle of HAART + IL-2, followed by therapy interruption, CD45RA and CD62L are detected on virions rarely, indicating that even during virus rebound, expanded naive T cells do not become a major target of virus replication. Furthermore, the presence of HLA-DR on rebound HIV-1 is decreased, consistent with decreased activation of the HIV-producing cells. More extensive investigation may clarify the significance of these findings with respect to pathogenesis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of neovascularization (NV) secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC)-a condition belonging to the spectrum of pachychoroid disorders by means of optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: One hundred and seventy five eyes with CSC were evaluated in this retrospective observational study. The eyes with acute or chronic CSC with no NV were included in Group 1, and those with NV were evaluated in Group 2. Only eyes that had undergone structural optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography were included. Age, best-corrected visual acuity, and subfoveal choroidal thickness were evaluated in all eyes. In Group 2, the type and morphology of NV and the occurrence of exudation were considered. RESULTS: Of a total of 175 eyes with CSC, 86 had the acute form and 89 the chronic. Approximately 140 belonged to Group 1 (80%) and 35 to Group 2 (20%). Approximately 39.2% of all patient with chronic CSC developed NV. Mean age in Groups 1 and 2 was 53.3 years (±10.9) and 66.6 years (±10.2), respectively. Mean best-corrected visual acuity in Groups 1 and 2 was 45.7 (±11.7) and 30.9 (±17.9) early treatment diabetic retinopathy study letters, respectively. Mean CCT in Group 1 and 2 was 417.5 µm (±123) and 344.2 µm (±165.9), respectively. In Group 2, all patients had Type 1 NV (100%); 29 eyes (83%) had filamentous feature, and 6 eyes (17%) had irregular shape. Silent nonexudative NV was observed in 7 eyes (20%), all belonging to Group 2. CONCLUSION: The use of optical coherence tomography angiography in everyday clinical practice allows for the accurate analysis of the chorioretinal vascular setting, with the identification of new vessels that could remain misdiagnosed.

As the problem of antimicrobial resistance is constantly increasing, there is a renewed interest in antimicrobial products derived from natural sources, particularly obtained from innovative and eco-friendly materials. Insect lipids, due to their fatty acid composition, can be classified as natural antimicrobial compounds. In order to assess the antibacterial efficacy of Hermetia illucens lipids, we extracted this component from the larval stage, fed on different substrates and we characterized it. Moreover, we analyzed the fatty acid composition of the feeding substrate, to determine if and how it could affect the antimicrobial activity of the lipid component. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive Micrococcus flavus and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Analyzing the fatty acid profiles of larval lipids that showed activity against the two bacterial strains, we detected significant differences for C4:0, C10:0, C16:1, C18:3 n3 (ALA), and C20:1. The strongest antimicrobial activity was verified against Micrococcus flavus by lipids extracted from larvae reared on strawberry, tangerine, and fresh manure substrates, with growth inhibition zones ranged from 1.38 to 1.51 mm, while only the rearing on manure showed the effect against Escherichia coli. Notably, the fatty acid profile of H. illucens seems to not be really influenced by the substrate fatty acid profile, except for C18:0 and C18:2 CIS n6 (LA). This implies that other factors, such as the rearing conditions, larval development stages, and other nutrients such as carbohydrates, affect the amount of fatty acids in insects. KEY POINTS: • Feeding substrates influence larval lipids and fatty acids (FA) • Generally, there is no direct correlation between substrate FAs and the same larvae FAs • Specific FAs influence more the antimicrobial effect of BSF lipids.

OBJECTIVES: To compare uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) obtained at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in singleton and twin pregnancies and to evaluate changes in PI values of twin pregnancies developing pre-eclampsia (PE) or small-for-gestational age (SGA) of either one or both fetuses. METHODS: Uterine artery PI was measured in 421 twin pregnancies (384 dichorionic and 37 monochorionic) and in 500 singleton pregnancies. The measured mean and lowest uterine artery PI values were converted to multiples of the expected normal median (MoM) after correction for maternal body mass index, ethnicity and gestational age. The median PI-MoM values of twins were compared with those of singleton pregnancies. In twin pregnancies, PI-MoM values were analyzed according to chorionicity, development of early-onset (< 34 weeks) or late-onset (≥ 34 weeks) PE and SGA of one or both twins. RESULTS: Uterine artery PI-MoM was significantly lower in twin compared with singleton pregnancies (mean K = 174.31, P < 0.0001, lowest K = 139.27, P < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in the uterine artery PI-MoM values between monochorionic and dichorionic twins. The uterine artery PI in twin pregnancies that developed early-onset PE (P < 0.001) and SGA of both twins (P < 0.05) was higher than the uterine artery PI in uncomplicated twin pregnancies, whereas no differences were found for late PE or SGA of one twin. CONCLUSIONS: First-trimester placental impedance to flow, as assessed by uterine artery Doppler examination, is reduced in twin pregnancies, with no differences related to chorionicity. The relative increase of uterine artery PI found in twin pregnancies that developed early PE and SGA of both twins suggests that first-trimester uterine artery assessment may be useful in identifying such complications.

&lt;div&gt;Knock has historically been one of the main limitations on spark ignition (SI) engine compression ratio and hence efficiency. The trend to downsizing or rightsizing in recent years, driven by ever-reducing carbon dioxide (CO&lt;sub&gt;2)&lt;/sub&gt; targets, has increased the relevance of the knock limit for typical engine operating conditions. Even for scenarios where an engine is run on carbon-neutral fuel, thermal efficiency will always be fundamental in terms of best use of scarce resources. Knock, therefore, remains a relevant topic for current and future research.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div&gt;Knock is typically quantified through analysis of high-pass-filtered cylinder pressure signals. For SI engines, this is relatively unproblematic. A promising technology for further combustion engine efficiency gains, however, is prechamber ignition. It has been noted that prechamber combustion systems result in significant high-frequency content on the cylinder pressure trace in the bandwidth of interest for knock. It is therefore more difficult to accurately determine the knock limit for such engines, which is necessary in order to make a fair comparison to traditional SI systems.&lt;/div&gt; &lt;div&gt;There is relatively little detail on this key topic in the existing literature. Accordingly, this study compares knocking experimental data from the same high-performance single-cylinder research engine with both SI and prechamber combustion systems. Established and new approaches of interpreting the knocking data are examined, applying both high-frequency and low-frequency techniques to cylinder pressure signals, complemented by statistical methods. The analysis conducted demonstrates that for knocking prechamber combustion, three distinct combustion stages are detected. The high-frequency content of the prechamber pressure signal is also more complex and is analyzed in detail. A significant gain in knock-limited (KL) combustion phasing is thus confirmed for the prechamber igniter, at appropriate levels of knock, in comparison to the standard spark plug (SP) system.&lt;/div&gt;

Abstract Social inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is an issue of emerging importance in research, policy, and practice. Though strides have been made to improve community living, inclusive education, and improved employment opportunities for many individuals with IDD, social inclusion has been slower to evolve. A diverse group of stakeholders met at the National Goals 2015 Conference to develop the following set of goals designed to promote better social inclusion in the next 10 years: (a) develop measures for social inclusion, (b) examine how personal and community contexts shape inclusion, (c) embed measures of inclusion in research about other life domains, (d) build capacity for social inclusion, (e) identify best practices for promoting inclusion from the community perspective, and (f) understand life course trajectories that impact inclusion. The goals are discussed in more detail in this article.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of density ratio between coolant and mainflow on a real engine cooling scheme of a combustor liner. Measurements of heat transfer coefficient and adiabatic effectiveness were performed by means of a steady-state Thermochromic Liquid Crystals (TLC) technique; experimental results were used to estimate, through a 1D thermal procedure (Therm1d), the Net Heat Flux Reduction and the overall effectiveness in realistic engine working conditions. In order to reproduce a representative value of combustor coolant to mainstream density ratio, tests were carried out feeding the cooling system with carbon dioxide (CO2), while air was used in the main channel; to highlight the effects of density ratio and, as a consequence, to distinguish between the influence of blowing ratio and velocity ratio, tests were replicated using air both as coolant and mainstream and results were compared. The experimental analysis was performed on a test article replicating a slot injection and an effusion array with a central large dilution hole. Test section consists of a rectangular cross-section duct and a flat perforated plate provided with 272 holes arranged in 29 staggered rows (d = 1.65 mm, α = 30°, L/d = 5.5). Furthermore a dilution hole (D = 18.75 mm) is located at the 14th row; both effusion and dilution holes are fed by a channel replicating a combustor annulus. The rig allows to control mainstream and coolant flow parameters, especially in terms of Reynolds number of mainstream and effusion holes. Located upstream the first effusion row, a 6.0 mm high slot ensures the protection of the very first region of the liner. Experiments were carried out imposing several values of effusion blowing and velocity ratios within a range of typical modern engine working conditions (BReff/VReff = 1.5; 3.0; 5.0; 7.0) and keeping constant slot flow parameters (BRsl ≈ 1.5). Results point out the influence of density ratio on film cooling performance, suggesting that velocity ratio is the driving parameter for the heat transfer phenomena; concerning the effectiveness, results show that the adiabatic effectiveness is less sensitive to the cooling flow parameters, especially at the higher blowing/velocity ratios.

A nanocrystalline iron-rich telluride, Fe₅Te₄, was prepared mechanochemically using ball milling procedures in an inert atmosphere, starting from Fe_xTe powder mixtures with<italic>x</italic>= 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5, with<italic>x</italic>= 1.25 leading to the pure phase.

Colloidal lead chalcogenide quantum dots (CQDs) exhibit promising optoelectronic properties for applications in solar cell devices and as thermoelectrics. Herein, we report and discuss a ferroelectric structural distortion, at the picometer scale resolution, in PbS CQDs prepared using both classic and new synthetic pathways. The investigation was performed using synchrotron X-ray total scattering data and advanced methods of analysis that rely on a homo-core-shell model and evaluate the atomic arrangement, stoichiometry, size and morphology of nanocrystals. The CQDs show comparable size-dependent relative elongation, up to 0.7 % of one body diagonal of the cubic rock-salt structure, which corresponds to a rhombohedral lattice deformation. The findings suggest a joint role for the oleate ligands (which induce surface tensile strain) and the Pb(II) lone pair as the driving forces of the deformation. Pb displacements along the [111] direction, which provoke a ferrolectric distortion related to the lattice change, fall in the 0.0 – 0.1 Å. Overall, the findings suggest the local nature of the metal off-centering, leading to different average displacements which depend on the synthetic conditions.

The increasing global population and demand for meat have led to the need to find sustainable and viable alternatives to traditional production methods. One potential solution is cultivated meat (CM), which involves producing meat in vitro from animal stem cells to generate products with nutritional and sensory properties similar to conventional livestock-derived meat. This article examines current approaches to CM production and investigates how using insect cells could enhance the process. Cell sources are a critical issue in CM production, alongside advances in culture media, bioreactors for scalability, and scaffold development. Insect cells, compared to commonly used mammalian cells, may offer advantages in overcoming technological challenges that hinder cell culture development and expansion. The objective of this review is to emphasize how insects, as a cell source for CM production, could offer a more sustainable option. A crucial aspect for achieving this goal is a comprehensive understanding of the physiology of muscle and fat cells. In this work, the characteristics of insect and mammalian cells are compared, focusing particularly on muscle and fat cell development, regulatory pathways, hormonal regulation, and tissue composition. Insect cells are a promising source for CM, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative.

Although commercially produced complementary foods (CPCFs) are increasingly sold throughout Southeast Asia, concerns have been raised about CPCFs nutritional quality, labelling practices and the strength and scope of national CPCF regulations. The Consortium for Improving Complementary Foods in Southeast Asia (COMMIT), composed of UN agencies and civil society organizations, was formed to assess the nutrient gap in the diets of young children and the consumer, product and policy landscapes for CPCFs in seven Southeast Asian countries. Results from a nutrient gap assessment indicate that the diets of children aged 6-23 months are suboptimal and deficient in micronutrients. A consumer survey revealed that caretakers commonly use CPCFs, are conscious of the importance of nutrition and are influenced by label claims. Results from a CPCF benchmarking showed that many products sold in Southeast Asia contained added sugar or sweeteners, had a high total sugar and/or high sodium content and that no CPCF product adhered to all recommended labelling practices. Further, a legal review of national binding legal measures relevant to CPCFs showed minimal alignment with available global guidance. Urgent actions are necessary to strengthen national regulations related to CPCF nutrient composition and labelling practices. To speed progress, COMMIT developed a compendium of existing standards and global guidance to help countries align their national regulations with CPCF composition, labelling and production recommendations. Advocacy to garner public support for new or improved CPCF regulations, as well as strong government monitoring and enforcement of regulations, is crucial to support efforts to safeguard and improve the diets of older infants and young children in Southeast Asia.

Abstract Nature‐based solutions can significantly contribute to restoration projects in areas affected by desertification processes, where they are necessary for reversing land degradation. Currently, one innovative solution is The Cocoon™, which has been designed as a new ecotechnology for improving seedling establishment. The Cocoon consists of a doughnut‐shaped container made of recycled cardboard that provides water and shelter at least during the first year of a seedling, which is the most critical for plant establishment. To determine the effectiveness of this ecotechnology under different conditions, the Cocoon was tested on a variety of soils, climates, vegetation, and land uses. Six planting trials were performed in Spain and Greece, which covered a range from humid to arid climates. With the objective of studying its functionality, the survival of the seedlings, their vigor, and growth were monitored for 2 years. Compared with conventional planting systems, the Cocoon has effectively increased seedling survival, especially under dry growing conditions (low rainfall, soils with low water holding capacity). The Cocoon also allowed for higher growth of some species (olive trees, holm oaks, and Aleppo pines). Moreover, a positive correlation between the rainfall on the site and the biodegradation degree of the Cocoon device was observed. Overall, the Cocoon becomes more efficient in arid climates or adverse growing conditions.

The “Every Soldier is a Sensor” (ES2) concept employs warfighters' proximity to unfolding events in order to provide better situational awareness and decision-making capabilities. However, today's ES2 practices put the burden of data collection on warfighters themselves, and the burden of interpretation (across potentially many inputs) on commanders. This leads to a situation where data collection is limited by the capacity of the warfighter (who is busy executing their core objectives), and data fusion, interpretation, and analysis are limited by the cognitive constraints of the human commanders and analysts interpreting the potentially massive amounts of data. The TAK-ML framework transitions these burdens to machines, allowing collection, fusion, and learning to operate at machine speed and scale. To accomplish this, TAK-ML takes recent advancements in mobile device capabilities and machine learning techniques and applies them to the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) ecosystem, e.g., ATAK mobile devices and TAK servers, to facilitate the easy application of ML to real mission sets. This paper describes the TAK-ML framework which supports data collection, model building, and model execution/employment in tactical environments, as well as a set of initial applications of this framework. The framework and applications are described and evaluated, showing the capabilities available, the ease of use of the system, and initial insights into the efficacy of the resulting models and applications.

Using the Marshall Plan Film productions in Italy as a case study, this article re-examines the role of state-sponsored visual information campaigns in renegotiating international documentary film forms, aesthetics, and production networks at the beginning of the Cold War.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to all countries since December 2019, triggering a pandemic within weeks of the initial outbreak. Doctors were presented with the challenge of having to reimagine the traditional hospital organisation in order to effectively manage patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During the months of the COVID-19 pandemic our Institution was assisted by a call-center (CC) that triaged cancer patients planned for follow-up in our outpatient clinics: C1 (for female cancers), C2 (for gastrointestinal, urogenital, and thoracic tumours), and D1 (for melanoma and for patients with tumours in over 5 years follow up). Data refers to the period between 15 April and 3 July 2020. RESULTS: A total of 1054 patients have been included in our study and 1005 (95%) of the contacts were successful. The analysis showed a majority of female patients (74%) and patients affected by breast cancer (56%). Among the options provided 646 patients (92.4%) opted for online consultancy. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that cancer patients valued technology-mediated follow-up visits mainly during the beginning of the pandemic because patients themselves were afraid to come to the hospital. Although telemedicine has intrinsic limitations, it is important for providing assistance and preventing cancer patients from feeling isolated during an emergency.

&lt;div&gt;The paper proposes a methodology to perform sloshing analyses through multidimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), with particular focus on a lubricant tank of a high-performance sports car. Lubricant tanks are usually fed by a mixture of oil and air, which makes Volume of Fluid (VoF) models unsuitable for this kind of simulation. Hence, a different approach based on a Eulerian MultiPhase (EMP) model is investigated and adopted. In contrast to the VoF approach, which is the most consolidated technique to handle the numerical analysis of sloshing problems, the EMP accounts for interactions between liquid and gaseous phases, such as mixing and separation. It also reduces numerical constraints on time-step and mesh size. EMP is therefore applied to the analysis of a sports car lubricant tank where mist and foam formation and subsequent phase separation are of primary importance. Comparison between the EMP and VoF approach is performed on cases of increasing complexity. Firstly, a rectangular tank with internal baffles and under pitch oscillations, for which experimental measurements are available, is analyzed. The EMP approach shows improved responsiveness in representing both phase mixing and separation. Secondly, a current production lubricant oil tank, for which experimental test-rig measurements of foam percentage shortly upstream the feeding pump are available, confirms the ability of the EMP approach to quantitatively estimate foam formation. Thirdly, the analysis of a current production lubricant oil tank subject to typical racetrack maneuvers is performed. Such final step confirms the ability of the EMP approach to simulate complex interactions between the phases, which largely affect tank and lubricating circuit performance in high-performance sports car applications. Moreover, the EMP approach allows a massive reduction of computational time compared to VoF.&lt;/div&gt;