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Although its importance, little information is available on antibiotic-resistance in cow-calf beef farms. This study aimed to determine prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic-resistant organisms in this livestock system. Fifty-four farms from Central Italy were included to assess the presence of antibiotic-resistant indicator Escherichia coli and of ESBL and/or AmpC-producing E. coli (ESBL/AmpC-EC) in calves. Antimicrobial usage (AMU) was recorded, and farm-related variables were collected through questionnaires. Potential risk factors were tested using a mixed-effects logistic regression model. The presence of resistant-E. coli was recorded in 75.9% of farms (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62.4-86.5) with resistance to tetracyclines, sulfonamides, penicillins, and fluoroquinolones as the most frequent. The prevalence of farms positive for ESBL/AmpC-EC was 35.2% (95% CI: 22.7-49.4). AMU on the farms originating a resistant-E. coli was higher than that on the farms originating a susceptible-E. coli. The same difference was found for the consumption of beta-lactams (beta-DCD/year) and AMU via the parenteral route, which resulted also associated with the presence of ESBL/AmpC-EC. Farms with higher beta-DCD/year had an increased risk of being positive for resistant-E. coli, whereas farms with higher overall AMU had an increased risk for ESBL/AmpC-EC presence. Among farm-related factors, only farm size was associated with the presence of ESBL/AmpC-EC (odds ratio: 5.8, 95% CI: 1.3-26.3). Our findings highlight a reduction of the risk of ESBL/AmpC-EC in small cow-calf farms, and a strong association between AMU and antibiotic-resistance. Antibiotic stewardship programs are needed to improve the health status of cow-calf farms and ensure their long-term sustainability.

DNA nanodevices have been developed as platforms for the manipulation of gene expression, delivery of molecular payloads, and detection of various molecular targets within cells and in other complex biological settings. Despite efforts to translate DNA nanodevices from the test tube (in vitro) to living cells, their intracellular trafficking and functionality remain poorly understood. Herein, quantitative and super resolution imaging microscopy approaches were employed to track and visualise, with nanometric resolution, the molecular interactions between a synthetic DNA nanosensor and transcription factors in intracellular compartments. Specifically, fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and multicolour single molecules localisation microscopy were employed to probe the specific binding of the DNA nanosensor to the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). We monitored the mobility, subcellular localisation and degradation of the DNA nanosensor inside living prostate cancer PC3 cells. Super resolution imaging enabled the direct visualisation of the molecular interactions between the synthetic DNA nanosensors and the transcription factors molecules in cells. This study represents a significant advance in the understanding of the effective detection capabilities of DNA nanosensors in a complex biological milieu.

Preclinical studies represent an important step towards a deep understanding of the biological response to ionizing radiations. The effectiveness of proton therapy is higher than photons and, for clinical purposes, a fixed value of 1.1 is used for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of protons considered 1.1. Recent in vitro studies have reported that the RBE along the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) is not constant and, in particular, the RBE value increases on the distal part of SOBP. The present work has been carried-out in the perspective of a preclinical hadrontherapy facility at LNS-INFN and was focused on the experimental preparation of an in vivo study concerning the RBE variation along the SOBP. The main purpose of this work was to determine, using GEANT4-based Monte Carlo simulations, the best configuration for small animal treatments. The developed GEANT4 application simulates the proton-therapy beam line of LNS-INFN (CATANA facility) and allows to import the DICOM-CT images as targets. The RBE will be evaluated using a deterministic radiation damage like myelopathy as end-point. In fact, the dose at which the 50% of animals will show the myelopathy is supposed to be LET-dependent. In this work, we studied different treatment configurations in order to choose the best two that maximize the LET difference reducing as much as possible the dose released to healthy tissue. The results will be useful to plan hadrontherapy treatments for preclinical in vivo studies and, in particular, for the future in vivo RBE studies.

The use of herbicides to anticipate harvesting in species with easy seed dehiscence may be an alternative to avoid maturation losses. However, the appropriate time for herbicide application is extremely important as it prevents the seeds from remaining in the field for long periods. The objective of this study was to evalu ate the efficiency of the application of maturing herbicides in two distinct seasons, and their effects on the physical, physiological, and sanitary quality of canola seeds. A randomized block experimental design arranged in a factorial scheme (herbicide x season + control) with four replications was used. Hybrid 50 canola plants were matured with the herbicides: glufosinate, paraquat, glyphosate, diquat, saflufenacil, 2,4 D, and paraquat + diuron twice during the crop cycle, G3 and G4, and two controls wit hout applicati on for each epoch, with the first being harvested the day of product application, and the second kept in the field until the final crop cycle. Analyses of one thousand seed weight, electrical conductivity, emergence speed index, and a sanity test were performed. The application of maturing herbicides to canola increases the one thousand seed weight and rate of emergence speed. At the same time, it increases electrical conductivity and the incidence of ungi. Plants that remained in the field u ntil the end of the crop cycle and did not receive herbicide application resulted in higher quality seeds. The most appropriate moment to apply maturation herbicides to canola is in the G4 season.herbicides to canola is in the G4 season. Made available in DSpace on 2021-02-08T14:19:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pilla-2020-721.pdf: 300263 bytes, checksum: 19fe9a0306f1f7aa68a21b45e38b9f1f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

The organic linker in a metal organic framework (MOF) affects its adsorption behavior and performance, and its structure and dynamics play a role in the modulation of the adsorption properties. In this work, the combination of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) longitudinal relaxometry and theoretical calculations allowed details of the structure and dynamics of the organic linker in the NH2-MIL-125 MOF to be obtained. In particular, fast field cycling (FFC) NMR, applied here for the first time on MOFs, was used to disclose the dynamics of the amino group and its electronic environment through the analysis of the 14N quadrupole relaxation peaks, observed in the frequency interval 0.5-5 MHz, at different temperatures from 25 to 110 °C. The line width of the peaks allowed a lower boundary on the rotational correlation time of the N-H bonds to be set, whereas relevant changes in the amplitudes were interpreted in terms of a change in the orientation of the 14N averaged electric field gradient tensor. The experimental findings were complemented by quantum chemistry calculations and classical molecular dynamics simulations.

Films made of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) and antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles (NPs), both uncoated and surface-modified with an alkoxysilane, were prepared by solution casting at filler volume fractions ranging from 0.08% to 4.5%. The films were characterized by standard techniques including transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the polymeric matrix, the primary NPs (diameter ~10 nm) aggregate exhibiting different morphologies depending on the presence of the surface coating. Coated ATO NPs form spherical particles (with a diameter of 300-500 nm), whereas more elongated fractal structures (with a thickness of ~250 nm and length of tens of micrometers) are formed by uncoated NPs. The fraction of the polymer interacting with the NPs is always negligible. In agreement with this finding, DSC data did not reveal any rigid interface and 1H time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fast field-cycling NMR did not show significant differences in polymer dynamics among the different samples. The ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) transmittance of the films decreased compared to pure PVB, especially in the NIR range. The solar direct transmittance and the light transmittance were extracted from the spectra according to CEN EN 410/2011 in order to test the performance of our films as plastic layers in laminated glass for glazing.

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Currently, pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is frequently required in patients undergoing surgery, due to the high risk of deep venous thrombosis in the perioperative period. The administration of these anticoagulant agents (in Spain, usually low molecular weight heparins or fondaparinux, and in future, probably also the new oral anticoagulants dabigatran and rivaroxaban) may conflict with regional anesthetic techniques, in which maintaining hemostatic integrity is essential. Therefore, safety protocols have been designed that allow thromboprophylaxis to be administered with optimal effectiveness and anesthetic techniques to be performed with maximal safety; these protocols are based on the drug used, as well as on the dose and time of administration. The present chapter reviews the details related to these issues.

A carência de herbicidas registrados para o controle de plantas daninhas, em sorgo sacarino, torna-se fator limitante à produção. Objetivou-se avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas em sorgo sacarino e a eficiência no controle de plantas daninhas. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com quarto repetições. Os tratamentos incluíram cultivares de sorgo sacarino (BRS 506, BRS 509 e BRS 511) e herbicidas aplicados isoladamente em pré-emergência (atrazine - 1.500 g ha-1; atrazine + s-metolachlor - 1.665 g ha-1 + 1.035 g ha-1; flumioxazin - 50 g ha-1; s-metolachlor - 1.440 g ha-1) e pós-emergência (tembotrione - 100,8 g ha-1) e de forma sequencial em pré e pós-emergência (atrazine + s-metolachlor + tembotrione - 1.665 g ha-1 + 1.035 g ha-1 + 100,8 g ha-1; atrazine + tembotrione - 1.500 g ha-1 + 100,8 g ha-1; flumioxazin + tembotrione - 50 g ha-1 + 100,8 g ha-1), mais duas testemunhas, uma capinada e outra sem capina. A fitotoxicidade ao sorgo foi de 98,0 %, 98,0 % e 100 % de tembotrione; 100 %, 98,7 % e 100 % de flumioxazin + tembotrione; 100 %, 100 % e 100 % de atrazine + s-metolachlor + tembotrione; e 98,7 %, 98,7 % e 99,7 % de atrazine + tembotrione, respectivamente para as cultivares BRS 509, BRS 506 e BRS 511. Tembotrione, flumioxazin + tembotrione, atrazine + s-metolachlor + tembotrione e atrazine + tembotrione apresentaram bom controle de Ipomoea indivisa, Digitaria ciliaris e Urochloa plantaginea, porém, não demonstraram seletividade às cultivares de sorgo. O atrazine, de modo geral, apresentou maior seletividade aos componentes de rendimento das cultivares BRS 509 e BRS 506. Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-22T11:21:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Selectivityefficiency.pdf: 220917 bytes, checksum: c1dcb19afe71a74d9609f59f0ea80a8b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-21

The objective of the study was to assess the relative competitive ability of canola hybrids in the presence of turnip (Raphanus sativus) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in different ratios of plants in the mixture. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design with four replications. Treatments were arranged in ratios of canola against turnip or ryegrass: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. Competitive analysis of the species was accomplished by means of diagrams usually applied to replacement series and also by the relative competitiveness indices. Fifty days after the emergence of the species, measurements of leaf area and shoot dry mass were performed. There was a competition between canola hybrids and weeds, with reduction for all variables. There was a differential competitive ability among canola hybrids in the presence of turnip and/or ryegrass. Canola hybrid Hyola 433 was more competitive in the presence of turnip than Hyola 61, 76 and 571 CL. Hyola 61, 76, 433 and 571 CL do not differ in terms of competition ability when growing with ryegrass. RESUMOObjetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a habilidade competitiva relativa de híbridos de canola na presença de biótipos de nabo (Raphanus sativus) e de azevém (Lolium multiflorum), em diferentes proporções de plantas na associação. Os experimentos foram instalados em casa de vegetação, no delineamento experimental completamente casualizado com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em proporções de plantas de canola, nabo e/ou de azevém: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 e 0:100. A análise da competitividade das espécies foi efetuada por meio de diagramas aplicados a experimentos substitutivos e também pelos índices de competitividade relativa. Aos 50 dias após a emergência das espécies, efetuou-se a aferição da área foliar e da massa seca da parte aérea das plantas. Ocorreu competição entre os híbridos de canola e as plantas daninhas, provocando reduções das variáveis avaliadas. Foi observada diferenciação de habilidade competitiva entre os híbridos de canola quando na presença do nabo e/ou do azevém. O híbrido de canola Hyola 433 foi mais competitivo na presença do nabo em relação a Hyola 61, Hyola 76 e Hyola 571 CL. Os híbridos de canola Hyola 61, Hyola 76, Hyola 433 e Hyola 571 CL não demonstraram diferenciação na competição ao serem associados com o azevém.

A magma is permeable to the diffusion of volatile species which are in solution in the melt phase. Among volatile components in magmas, water is the most abundant. Decompression, cooling and mineral crystallization cause water exsolution out of the melt, and in supersaturation conditions the pore spaces filled by water molecules may become the sites for the formation of hydration bubbles. Such bubbles may expand through the progressive drainage of water from the surrounding melt by diffusion. In the condition of non-equilibrium degassing, as in highly viscous magma or during a rapid ascent, continuous bubble nucleation occurs and the magma becomes increasingly fragmented by pore steam explosions, thus having the conditions for an explosive burst. Explosive hydrovolcanic eruptions may also occur as a consequence of the interaction of magma with external water, at the proper water/magma ratio and depending on the P,T conditions. During hydration, the reactions of aqueous solutions that enters the melt may allow ion-exchanges among cations and proton. In the present study, volcanic glasses from deposits related to magmatic and phreatomagmatic explosions of the Agnano-Monte Spina (AMS) eruption, in the Campi Flegrei caldera (CFc), have been investigated.

This work presents the results of a multidisciplinary research project, carried out in close collaboration with Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., for the development of an integrated methodology to design engine components in aluminum alloy under high thermal loads. The results refer to the study of an AA2618 (Al-Cu-Mg) alloy piston for high performance motorcycle engines. The piston has been selected as the pilot component for the development and validation of an advanced CFD-FEM simulation methodology for the prediction of the inner thermal diffusion. The subsequent validation has been achieved through both the mechanical and microstructural characterization of the component. The methodology here presented consists of close interaction between fluid-dynamics (CFD) simulations of the combustion process and Finite Element (FEM) simulations of the thermal diffusion inside the components. Combustion is the main engine heat source and is simulated by means of a three-dimensional CFD code for reactive flows (FIRE v2008-AVL), with the use of advanced combustion (ECFM) and wall interaction models. The temperature map on the surfaces is based on the results of the iteration with FEM simulation of thermal diffusion. The FEM model used for the diffusion analysis receives the results of combustion analysis as input. Two different methods have been tested for the transfer of the CFD thermal load to the FEM models: a) imposition on the piston crown of a spatial distribution of heat flux averaged over the mean engine cycle; b) imposition on the piston crown of both heat flux coefficients and temperatures. The latter option allows the reduction of the number of iterations for the convergence of the thermal map inside the piston. The dissipation of the thermal load is accomplished by applying heat coefficients and temperatures, on the remaining parts of the piston surface. The validation of the CFD/FEM methodology is carried out through hardness measurements in different piston locations after bench tests. The identification of the hardness curves, as a function of temperature and time, for the T6 heat-treated AA2618 allowed the assessment of the local temperature reached by the component from the knowledge of the operating time of the engine and local hardness.

For the first time, polyketone (poly-3-oxotrimethylene, PK) has been employed as support for Pd nanoparticles. Three different approaches have been adopted: (i) reduction of Pd(OAc)2 in EtOH under microwave irradiation, (ii) hydrothermal reduction of the same precursor in EtOH or n-BuOH employing traditional heating and (iii) vaporization of Pd metal through metal vapour synthesis. These supported systems have been characterized by solid state NMR, TEM, ICP, XPS, BET and tested in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CAL) to hydrocinnamaldehyde (HCAL) as probe reaction. Their catalytic performances have been compared in relation to their preparation procedure and morphology. It is remarkable that these catalysts do not show significant leaching even after several catalytic recycles, thus indicating their high stability and recyclability, ascribed to a stabilizing capacity of this particular polymeric support.

Polymerization catalysts based on N,N-dialkylcarbamato complexes of titanium(IV) appear particularly interesting, because these novel catalytic precursors are rather cheap and easy to synthesize and handle. This contribution reports ethylene polymerization behavior of titanium(IV) complexes of general formula Ti(O2CNR2)(4) R = Me (I) and Et (II) and TiCl2(O2CNMe2)(2) (III). These precursors in conjunction with methylaluminoxane resulted active catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene, affording high-density polyethylene with limited branch content. The influence of the polymerization parameters was studied with particular reference to the type of catalyst components, solvent, temperature, monomer concentration, and Al/Ti ratio. The nature of the solvent appears crucial for catalytic performances: when toluene was replaced by chlorobenzene, a significant increase of the productivity was ascertained. The obtained polymers were characterized by DSC, size exclusion chromatography, FTIR, and NMR techniques. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: 3338-3345, 2011