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Hybrid silica-based nanofillers were synthesised by grafting short chains of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with different molecular weight on the surface of SiO2 porous nanoparticles. Based on this approach, homogeneous poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based ceramic-in-polymer solid-state electrolytes with SiO2 loadings up to 23 wt% were obtained, thanks to the high compatibility between the two phases endowed by the grafted PEG chains. These electrolytes showed satisfying ionic conductivity and excellent resistance against dendrite piercing that enabled long operation, for more than 350 h, under continuous stripping/plating of lithium in symmetric Li/electrolyte/Li cells. Additionally, the operating life of these devices was improved by the self-healing reaction between Li dendrites and silica fillers, being able to reinstate the cycling after short circuit. Finally, a lithium metal full cell, equipped with LiFePO4 positive material and the solid-state electrolyte containing 18 wt% of SiO2, demonstrated high stability against dendrite penetration and discharge capacity at 70 °C comparable to cells based on liquid analogues.

Background: The assessment of human and diagnostic resources is a prerequisite to improving the management of emergency neurology. Objective: To provide a landscape on the organization of the Lombardy Region hospitals for emergency neurological care management. Methods: We designed an anonymized questionnaire including 6 sections with 21 questions on facilities, human and diagnostic resources, and intra- and between-hospital connections. The time needed to fill the questionnaire was estimated not to exceed 6 min. Results: The questionnaire was returned by 33/41 (80.5%) hospitals, 22 classified as level 1 (spoke), and 11 as level 2 (hub). Five of 33 (15%) did not have a neurology unit. The mean annual rate of neurological consultations accounted for 5–6% of all admissions (range 2–8%) and did not differ between levels 1 and 2 hospitals. Neurologists were 24-h available in 21/33 (64%) hospitals, 12-h and on call at night in 6 (18%), less than 12 h without nocturnal availability in 5 (15%), and neither present nor available in 1 (3%). Brain CT and CSF examinations were 24-h universally available, whereas EEG and neurosonology were not in most hospitals. Despite angio-CT was 24-h available in more than 75% of the hospitals, only 45% of them had 24-h availability of diffusion/perfusion imaging, and 43% were not available at any time. Only 12% of the hospitals had 24-h availability of neuroradiologists and 6% of interventional neuroradiologists. Conclusion: Our data, while emphasizing current critical issues, offer clues for identifying priorities and improving the management of emergency and time-dependent neurological diseases.

The inherent limitations linked to the chemistry of Li-ion batteries and the growing demand for devices with high energy density have recently brought renewed interest in the exploitation of lithium metal anode for next-generation secondary batteries. Unfortunately, uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites on the anodic surface is preventing its practical implementation [1]. This can be overcome using mechanically strong solid electrolytes, such as nanocomposite polymeric ones that hinder dendrite growth thanks to the homogenous dispersion of strengthening ceramic fillers into a soft polymeric matrix, otherwise prone to dendrite piercing [2]. Following an approach similar to the one previously exploited for the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles into polymeric matrices [3], relatively high content (20-30 wt%) of PEO-grafted silica nanoparticles have been successfully encompassed into high-Mw PEO to produce ceramic-in-polymer solid electrolytes that display an ionic conductivity comparable to polymeric analogues and a highly improved stability upon cycling. Moreover, these electrolytes present a notable self-healing behaviour, often regarded as an important feature for next-generation batteries [4]: thanks to the well-known SiO2 reaction with Li [5], the dendrites grown into the separator are disrupted and several cells autonomously restarted their operation after failure. [1] D. Lin, Y. Liu, Y. Cui, Nature Nanotechnology; 12 (2017); 194. [2] J. Wan, J. Xie, D. G. Mackanic, W. Burke, Z. Bao, Y. Cui; Materials Today Nano; 4 (2018), 1-16. [3] F. Colombo, S. Bonizzoni, C. Ferrara, R. Simonutti, M. Mauri, M. Falco, C: Gerbaldi, P. Mustarelli, R. Ruffo; Journal of The Electrochemical Society; 167 (2020); 070535. [4] L. Mezzomo, C. Ferrara, G. Brugnetti, D: Callegari, E: Quartarone, P. Mustarelli, R. Ruffo; Advanced Energy Materials; 10 (2020), 2002815. [5] K. Liu, D. Zhuo, H. W. Lee, W. Liu, D. Lin, Y. Lu, Y. Cui; Advanced Materials; 29 (2017); 1603987.

The inherent limitations linked to the chemistry of Li-ion batteries and the growing demand for devices with high energy density have recently brought renewed interest in the exploitation of lithium metal anode for next-generation secondary batteries. Unfortunately, uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites on the anodic surface is preventing its practical implementation [1]. This can be overcome using mechanically strong solid electrolytes, such as nanocomposite polymeric ones that hinder dendrite growth thanks to the homogenous dispersion of strengthening ceramic fillers into a soft polymeric matrix, otherwise prone to dendrite piercing [2]. Following an approach similar to the one previously exploited for the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles into polymeric matrices [3], relatively high content (20-30 wt%) of PEO-grafted silica nanoparticles have been successfully encompassed into high-Mw PEO to produce ceramic-in-polymer solid electrolytes that display an ionic conductivity comparable to polymeric analogues and a highly improved stability upon cycling. Moreover, these electrolytes present a notable self-healing behaviour, often regarded as an important feature for next-generation batteries [4]: thanks to the well-known SiO2 reaction with Li [5], the dendrites grown into the separator are disrupted and several cells autonomously restarted their operation after failure. [1] D. Lin, Y. Liu, Y. Cui, Nature Nanotechnology; 12 (2017); 194. [2] J. Wan, J. Xie, D. G. Mackanic, W. Burke, Z. Bao, Y. Cui; Materials Today Nano; 4 (2018), 1-16. [3] F. Colombo, S. Bonizzoni, C. Ferrara, R. Simonutti, M. Mauri, M. Falco, C: Gerbaldi, P. Mustarelli, R. Ruffo; Journal of The Electrochemical Society; 167 (2020); 070535. [4] L. Mezzomo, C. Ferrara, G. Brugnetti, D: Callegari, E: Quartarone, P. Mustarelli, R. Ruffo; Advanced Energy Materials; 10 (2020), 2002815. [5] K. Liu, D. Zhuo, H. W. Lee, W. Liu, D. Lin, Y. Lu, Y. Cui; Advanced Materials; 29 (2017); 1603987.

The ability to quantify vital aquatic organisms in the 2–50 µm size range was compared between five different flow cytometers and several different microscopes. Counts of calibration beads, algal monocultures of different sizes as well as organisms in a Wadden Sea sample were compared. Flow cytometers and microscopes delivered different bead concentrations. These differences between the instruments became larger for algal monocultures and were even higher for the Wadden Sea sample. It was observed that the concentration differences were significant between flow cytometer and microscope counts, and that this difference increased with the size of the objects counted. Microscope counts were more accurate for larger (50 µm) objects because cytometers struggled with bigger particles that clogged the instruments. Contrary to microscopy, the flow cytometers were capable of accurately enumerating cultured cells in the 2–10 µm size range and cells in the lower size range of the 10–50 µm size class. Flow cytometers were also well-suited to assess low abundance samples due to their ability to process larger volumes than microscopes. The results were used to indicate which tools are suitable for ballast water monitoring: flow cytometry is a suitable technology for an indicative and real time analysis of ballast water samples whilst only microscopy would be robust enough for detailed taxonomical analyses.

The ability to quantify vital aquatic organisms in the 2–50 µm size range was compared between five different flow cytometers and several different microscopes. Counts of calibration beads, algal monocultures of different sizes as well as organisms in a Wadden Sea sample were compared. Flow cytometers and microscopes delivered different bead concentrations. These differences between the instruments became larger for algal monocultures and were even higher for the Wadden Sea sample. It was observed that the concentration differences were significant between flow cytometer and microscope counts, and that this difference increased with the size of the objects counted. Microscope counts were more accurate for larger (50 µm) objects because cytometers struggled with bigger particles that clogged the instruments. Contrary to microscopy, the flow cytometers were capable of accurately enumerating cultured cells in the 2–10 µm size range and cells in the lower size range of the 10–50 µm size class. Flow cytometers were also well-suited to assess low abundance samples due to their ability to process larger volumes than microscopes. The results were used to indicate which tools are suitable for ballast water monitoring: flow cytometry is a suitable technology for an indicative and real time analysis of ballast water samples whilst only microscopy would be robust enough for detailed taxonomical analyses.

Objectives This paper reviews the current state of the published peer-reviewed literature related to return-to-work (RTW) interventions that incorporate work-related problem-solving skills for workers with sickness absences related to mental disorders. It addresses the question: What is the evidence for the effectiveness of these RTW interventions? Design Using a multiphase screening process, this systematic literature review was based on publically available peer-reviewed studies. Five electronic databases were searched: (1) Medline Current, (2) Medline In-process, (3) PsycINFO, (4) Econlit and (5) Web of Science. Setting The focus was on RTW interventions for workers with medically certified sickness absences related to mental disorders. Participants Workers with medically certified sickness absences related to mental disorders. Interventions RTW intervention included work-focused problem-solving skills. Primary and secondary outcome measures RTW rates and length of sickness absences. Results There were 4709 unique citations identified. Of these, eight articles representing a total of six studies were included in the review. In terms of bias avoidance, two of the six studies were rated as excellent, two as good and two as weak. Five studies were from the Netherlands; one was from Norway. There was variability among the studies with regard to RTW findings. Two of three studies reported significant differences in RTW rates between the intervention and control groups. One of six studies observed a significant difference in sickness absence duration between intervention and control groups. Conclusions There is limited evidence that combinations of interventions that include work-related problem-solving skills are effective in RTW outcomes. The evidence could be strengthened if future studies included more detailed examinations of intervention adherence and changes in problem-solving skills. Future stu

This open-label, single centre pilot study was designed to evaluate safety and tolerability of the combination of the drugs isosorbide dinitrate, a nitric oxide donor, and ibuprofen, a non steroid anti-inflammatory drug, in a cohort of adult dystrophic patients (Duchenne, Becker and Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy). Seventy-one patients were recruited: 35, treated with the drug combination for 12 months, and 36 untreated. Safety and adverse events were assessed by reported signs and symptoms, physical examinations, blood tests, cardiac and respiratory function tests. Exploratory outcomes measure, such as the motor function measure scale, were also applied. Good safety and tolerability profiles of the long-term co-administration of the drugs were demonstrated. Few and transient side effects (i.e. headache and low blood pressure) were reported. Additionally, exploratory outcomes measures were feasible in all the disease population studied and evidenced a trend towards amelioration that reached statistical significance in one dimension of the MFM scale. Systemic administration of ibuprofen and isosorbide dinitrate provides an adequate safety margin for clinical studies aimed at assessing efficacy.

Contains fulltext : 50512.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), To evaluate the efficacy of treatments in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), appropriate clinical scales are required. This study evaluated metric properties of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) in 156 SCA patients and 8 controls. ICARS was found to be a reliable scale satisfying accepted criteria for interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency. Although validity testing was limited, we found evidence of validity of ICARS when ataxia disease stages and Barthel index were used as external criteria. On the other hand, our study revealed two major problems associated with the use of ICARS. First, the redundant and overlapping nature of several items gave rise to a considerable number of contradictory ratings. Second, a factorial analysis showed that the rating results were determined by four different factors that did not coincide with the ICARS subscales, thus questioning the justification of ICARS subscore analysis in clinical trials.

Contains fulltext : 50512.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), To evaluate the efficacy of treatments in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), appropriate clinical scales are required. This study evaluated metric properties of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) in 156 SCA patients and 8 controls. ICARS was found to be a reliable scale satisfying accepted criteria for interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency. Although validity testing was limited, we found evidence of validity of ICARS when ataxia disease stages and Barthel index were used as external criteria. On the other hand, our study revealed two major problems associated with the use of ICARS. First, the redundant and overlapping nature of several items gave rise to a considerable number of contradictory ratings. Second, a factorial analysis showed that the rating results were determined by four different factors that did not coincide with the ICARS subscales, thus questioning the justification of ICARS subscore analysis in clinical trials.

Contains fulltext : 50512.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), To evaluate the efficacy of treatments in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), appropriate clinical scales are required. This study evaluated metric properties of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) in 156 SCA patients and 8 controls. ICARS was found to be a reliable scale satisfying accepted criteria for interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency. Although validity testing was limited, we found evidence of validity of ICARS when ataxia disease stages and Barthel index were used as external criteria. On the other hand, our study revealed two major problems associated with the use of ICARS. First, the redundant and overlapping nature of several items gave rise to a considerable number of contradictory ratings. Second, a factorial analysis showed that the rating results were determined by four different factors that did not coincide with the ICARS subscales, thus questioning the justification of ICARS subscore analysis in clinical trials.