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The airborne route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by the World Health Organization in April 2021. There is an urge to establish standardized protocols for assessing the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air samples to support risk assessment, especially in indoor environments. Debates on the airborne transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 have been complicated because, among the studies testing the presence of the virus in the air, the percentage of positive samples has often been very low. In the present study, we report preliminary results on a study for the evaluation of parameters that can influence SARS-CoV-2 RNA recovery from quartz fiber filters spotted either by standard single-stranded SARS-CoV-2 RNA or by inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virions. The analytes were spiked on filters and underwent an active or passive sampling; then, they were preserved at −80 °C for different numbers of days (0 to 54) before extraction and analysis. We found a mean recovery of 2.43%, except for the sample not preserved (0 days) that showed a recovery of 13.51%. We found a relationship between the number of days and the recovery percentage. The results presented show a possible issue that relates to the quartz matrix and SARS-CoV-2 RNA recovery. The results are in accordance with the already published studies that described similar methods for SARS-CoV-2 RNA field sampling and that reported non-detectable concentrations of RNA. These outcomes could be false negatives due to sample preservation conditions. Thus, until further investigation, we suggest, as possible alternatives, to keep the filters: (i) in a sealed container for preservation at 4 °C; and (ii) in a viral transport medium for preservation at a temperature below 0 °C. This research was funded by University of Trieste Atheneum Fund for scientific research (2021) and IRCCS Burlo Garofolo (RC47/20).

Aim This study aimed to synthesize the findings of studies evaluating educational programs providing curricular transcultural nursing education. Backgrounds Nursing care education about cultural diversity and experience with taking care of patients from different cultures and special populations are significant factors that could likely influence cultural competence. The effect of transcultural nursing education given to nursing students has been investigated by different researchers and different methods. Addressing the effects of transcultural nursing education on nursing students’ cultural awareness, knowledge and attitudes can contribute to future transcultural nursing education activities and the creation of training content. Design This study was a methodological systematic review study. Methods Methodological quality was assessed following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Science Direct, APA PsycArticles, OVID, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases were searched from 2010 to 2020. The following keywords were used: “Transcultural nursing”, “education”, “curriculum”, “course”, “effectiveness”, “cultural competence”, “knowledge”, “skills”, “attitudes”, and “nursing students”. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English using both experimental and quasi-experimental designs were included. Results Total of 11 research papers, (n = 1375) nursing students’ outputs were included in this review. Cultural competence interventions/programs were provided as part of the core theoretical courses or as elective courses. Different durations and types of teaching methods included debates, discussions, case scenarios, practicums, simulation, international learning projects, experiential learning, storytelling, and traditional teaching lectures. In ten studies, an increase in the level of culture-related competences was reported as statistically significant (p Conclusions Limited studies have generally proven the effectiveness of transcultural nursing education provided to nursing students. Education content, training methods and training periods were not standard in the literature. More comprehensive, valid and reliable measurement tools are needed to evaluate the education provided for nursing students.

Regional air quality assessment and modeling of dynamics of gaseous and aerosol compounds can greatly benefit from experimental studies at sampling sites positioned in relative distance from intense sources of pollution; this is particularly valid in complex areas as the Karst, the limestone borderline plateau region extending in southwestern Slovenia and northeastern Italy, at some tens of kilometers from Trieste, a city of 210.000 inhabitants with an harbour, from the industrial town of Monfalcone with its 976 MW power plant and close to the Northern Adriatic Sea. A sampling site for aerosol and organic gases was established in Spring 2012 in close proximity to the entrance of the cave called Grotta Gigante, where also a meteorological station is working since 1967. The site lays in a submediterranean deciduous forest classified as Ostryo-Quercetum pubescentis. A day-night campaign was conducted in late June 2012 where ions, OC/EC and secundary organic compounds were measured, showing that the site is adequate to study BSOA formation from terpenes and isoprene precursors. Contrasts between summer and winter were studied with a series of four days samples, where ions, OC/EC, n-alkanes and PAHs were detected; markers from biomass burning as well as MSA, signing marine biogenic contribution, highlight the plurality of sources contributing at formation of aereosols. Recent XRF powder analysis contribute to mass closure, with information about inorganic composition. Experimental data are also compared with estimates from MEGAN model of emission of gas and aerosol from nature. Chemistry of wet and dry depositions has also started to be studied, aiming at characterizing inorganic inputs to soils.

1. Introduction Anomalies in concentration of outdoor benzene were detected during 2010 and 2011 by the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional environmental agency [1,2] in the framework of a monitoring programme of fugitive emissions from coke oven batteries of a steel plant in Trieste. 2. Material and Methods We report about an observational study on the presence of benzene and toluene in samples from outdoor and indoor air collected in proximity of houses far up to one km from the coke oven. The air sampling is performed with cheap and accurate [3] radial symmetry diffusive samplers, that were analyzed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry [4]. Six dwellings are considered for sampling outdoor air, each being at different distances from the coking plant, a potentially relevant source of benzene emissions; five of these houses belonged to non-smokers citizens are considered for indoor sampling. The samples were collected weekly for one year starting from May 2012, and each sampler was exposed to air for 4-6 days, with duration and temperature accurately recorded. A rural background site is also considered for sake of comparison. 3. Results and discussions Summer samples showed a clear gradient of benzene concentrations decreasing from houses close to the industrial plant laying by the sea, towards inland; during winter the gradient was less evident, due to (a) the lack of sea breezes bringing emissions towards the residential area, (b) the presence of another diffuse less intense source of benzene, biomass burning; (c) reduction of the industrial activities due to the crysis. Seasonal relationships between outdoor and indoor benzene are presented. Further spatial heterogeneity is shown for wet and dry depositions where PAHs are also measured. Morover the regional environmental agency recently highlighted compatible gradients for outdoor air PAHs, by means of interpolation of data collected at three sites where PM10 is sampled. 4.Conclusions The study shows the relevance of using available analytical information, identifying proper monitoring stations and the need to assess exposure of most critical sub-populations: in some pollution studies knowing the “average” condition may be poorly informative. Bibliography [1] Dip. Provinciale di Trieste, CRMA-ARPA FVG “Qualitá dell’aria della cittá di Trieste anno 2010 - redatta sulla base dei riscontri analitici forniti dalla rete di monitoraggio” Trieste 21/10/2011 [2] Dip. Provinciale di Trieste, CRMA-ARPA FVG “Qualitá dell’aria della cittá di Trieste anno 2011 - redatta sulla base dei riscontri analitici forniti dalla rete di monitoraggio” Trieste 21/10/2011 [3] P. Bruno, M. Caputi, M. Caselli, G. de Gennaro, M. de Rienzo “Reliability of a BTEX radial diffusive sampler for thermal desorption: field measurements” Atmospheric Environment Volume 39, Issue 7, March 2005, Pages 1347–1355 [4] EN 14662-4:2005 Ambient Air Quality –Standard method for the measurement of benzene concentrations – Part 4: Diffusive sampling followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography

The monitoring of some micro-pollutants is routinary because of their potential toxic activity and of normative regulation, but focusing only on some targeted compounds can divert analysts and researchers from identifying pollution macro-events associated to untargeted compounds. Routine analysis of micro-pollutants, as PAHs, in fast scan GC-MS produces Single Ion Monitoring (SIM) chromatograms used for quantitative determination of target compounds but also a Total Ion Current (TIC) signal which can potentially contain interesting unrevealed information. This is specially true when thermal desorption from solid samples as air particulate matter filters is used as pretreatment method; TD/GC-MS transfers analytes to the separation column without discarding some/part of the compounds. The aim of this study is to report the setup of an experimental and data analysis procedure adequate for disclosing interesting data from raw GCMS data collections acquired during routine monitoring. In this communication we present a 3 month daily PAHs routine monitoring near an incinerator in a Friuli Venezia Giulia chair production district in which we collected 120 samples of PM10 by quartz filter sampling accordingly to EN12341. A series of raw data (retention time, peak area, peak height, peak width, MW, CAS number) were acquired directly from the data analysis software (meanwhile quantifying PAHs) using the “autointegration” and “MS library search” functions. These data were handled within R free statistical computing environment (http://cran.rproject. org), using a home-made script to filter and intercomparing chromatograms by peak properties. In this way we were able, starting from over 5000 peaks to discriminate, beyond PAHs, 21 relevant peaks present in a great number of samples. Using MS library search reports we were able to identify three molecules with high correspondence to the MS database, which can be related to activities in the sampling site: a plasticizer, a phtalate and an erbicide. These compounds were quantified using corresponding commercial standards.

Urban vegetation plays a role in the interception and degradation of air pollutants in cities (1). Trees, shrubs and plants can improve the quality of the air we breathe. Dense screens of trees and shrubs can be used efficiently to provide quieter areas in city parks where people can relax away from the constant background noise of city life. In addition, the foliage of vegetation can trap certain air pollutants, especially air-borne particulates (PM10), removing them from the urban atmosphere (2). We report about a study on the concentration of PAHs and metals in the leaves of evergreen shrubs exposed to PM10. Analyses were performed on adult specimens of the evergreen Viburnum lucidum, Photinia x fraserii, Laurus nobilis, Ligustrum japonicum, Ilex aquifolium and Elaeagnus x ebbingei, transplanted in November 2009 and sampled in several seasons. Data interpretation can benefit from ultrastructural analysis of foliar surface by SEM. (1) F. De Nicola, C. Lancellotti, M.V. Prati, G. Maisto, A. Alfani, Atmospheric Environment, 45 (2011) 1428-1433 (2) M. Ottelé, H.D. van Bohemen; A.L.A. Fraaij, Ecological Engineering, 36 (2010) 154- 162

2007/2008 Nel corso di alcuni anni il nostro gruppo di ricerca, ispirandosi alla struttura dei composti naturali anfotericina B e squalamina, ha sintetizzato una serie di composti che incorporano gli elementi strutturali fondamentali di questi due ionofori naturali: un’unità idrofobica rigida, una catena idrofilica (modulo di conduzione) e uno o due gruppi terminali polari. L’attività di questi composti nel trasporto di ioni attraverso il doppio strato fosfolipidico è stata investigata utilizzando liposomi come modelli di membrana e metodologie basate sulla spettroscopia NMR e su tecniche spettrofluorimetriche mediante l’utilizzo di probe fluorescenti. Tra i composti sintetizzati, un analogo formato da un ottapeptide di Aib (acido α-amminoisobutirrico) Z-protetto all’ N-terminale (unità idrofobica) e legato tramite il C-terminale ad un gruppo amminico di una diammina derivata dall’esaetilenglicole (modulo di conduzione e gruppo terminale polare), ha mostrato di avere un’attività ionoforica molto elevata nei confronti del trasporto di cationi sodio. La comprensione del motivo di questa alta ed inaspettata attività è stata quindi uno degli scopi principali di questo lavoro di Tesi, in cui sono stati studiati analoghi con catena alchilica a lunghezza variabile al posto del gruppo Z, già precedentemente sintetizzati, per valutare l’effetto idrofobico del sostituente. Dopo aver raccolto una prima serie di dati, per comprendere la rilevanza della presenza dell’anello aromatico sullo ionoforo modello, è stata sintetizzata e studiata una serie di analoghi che portano un diverso gruppo aromatico al posto del gruppo Z. Il secondo e più generale scopo di questo lavoro di Tesi è stato l’inizio di uno studio sull’attività ionoforica di composti strutturalmente diversi al fine di razionalizzare le caratteristiche strutturali necessarie per ottenere composti attivi come trasportatori di ioni. A questo scopo è stata iniziata un’intensa collaborazione con diversi gruppi di ricerca che hanno sintetizzato una serie di possibili ionofori. Il gruppo del Prof. De Riccardis dell’Università di Salerno ha sintetizzato una serie di composti calixarenici sostituiti con catene spermidiniche e una serie di α-ciclopeptoidi formati da un numero variabile di N-benzilossietilglicine. Il gruppo della Prof. Montesarchio dell’Università di Napoli ha preparato degli oligosaccaridi ciclici, legati da legami fosfodiesterei a ponte, chiamati CyPLOS (Cyclic Phosphate-Linked OligoSaccharide macrocycles). Infine il gruppo del Prof. Casnati dell’Università di Parma ha sintetizzato una serie di calixareni sostituiti con un numero variabile di gruppi guanidinio. Tutti questi composti sono stati preparati allo scopo di poter effettuare un ampio studio concernente il rapporto struttura/attività e poter quindi definire i requisiti strutturali minimi per ottenere un composto con attività ionoforica. Accanto ai risultati ottenuti per ogni singola classe di composti, che sono illustrati e discussi in dettaglio nel terzo capitolo della Tesi, la possibilità di studiare un così ampio spettro di composti utilizzando le stesse condizioni sperimentali, ci ha permesso di ottenere delle considerazioni generali sulla natura dell’attività ionoforica ponendo le basi per la progettazione di nuove strutture che possano mostrare maggiore attività e/o selettività. Un altro importante risultato ottenuto durante questo lavoro di Tesi è stato l’acquisizione di esperienza nell’utilizzo di molte tecniche atte ad investigare l’attività ionoforica su liposomi come modelli di membrana. In particolare, è stato approfondita la conoscenza di tecniche comprendenti l’uso di probe fluorescenti che hanno mostrato di essere valide e di facile utilizzo per ottenere dati riguardanti vari aspetti dell’attività ionoforica come ad esempio le sequenze di selettività. Tuttavia, utilizzando esperimenti su liposomi, rimane molto difficile ottenere l’evidenza sperimentale della distinzione tra un meccanismo di trasporto tramite canale e altri tipi di meccanismi (es. carrier). Per questo motivo i dati ottenuti da questo tipo di esperimenti dovrebbero essere integrati da dati ottenuti per via elettrofisiologica e il nostro gruppo di ricerca si sta muovendo proprio in questa direzione. Taking inspiration from the natural ionophores amphotericin B and squalamine, during the past years our group synthesized a series of compounds that incorporate the fundamental structural elements of these natural ion transporters: a rigid hydrophobic unit, a hydrophilic chain (conduction module) and one or two polar head groups. The ionophoric activity of these artificial ionophores was investigated using liposomes as membrane models, and the measurements have been conducted by NMR spectroscopy and spectrofluorimetric techniques involving the use of fluorimetric probes. Among the compounds synthesized, an analogue having an N-terminus Z-protected α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) octapeptide (hydrophobic unit) linked, at the C-terminus, to one aminic moiety of a diamine derived by exa(ethylene)glycol (conduction module and polar head), was found to have an impressive activity in Na+ transport. The understanding of the reasons for such high and unexpected activity was therefore one of the main subjects of this Thesis work in which alkyl (instead of the Z-group) analogues of this compound, already prepared in our group, were studied to evaluate the hydrophobic effect of the substituent. After a first collection of data, a new series of analogues carrying a different aromatic group in place of the Z-group were synthesized and studied in order to asses the relevance of the aromatic substitution in the model ionophore. The second and more general subject of this Thesis work was the beginning of an investigation of structurally different compounds aimed to define common structural requirements for ionophoric activity. In this contest we have collaborated with several research groups which have synthesized the putative ionophore. Prof. De Riccardis and co-workers at Salerno University synthesized a series of spermidine calixarenic compounds as well as a series of cyclic α-peptoids formed by a variable number of N-benzyloxyethylglycines. The group of Prof. Montesarchio at Napoli University prepared novel cyclic oligosaccharide analogues, 4,6-linked through phosphodiester bonds, named CyPLOS (Cyclic Phosphate-Linked OligoSaccharide macrocycles). Finally the group of Prof. Casnati at Parma University synthesized a series of guanidinium calixarene conjugates. All these compounds have been prepared in the framework of a long standing collaboration which has as ultimate objective a broad structure/activity investigation aimed to define the structural requirements for ionophoric activity. Beside the results obtained in the study of each single class of compounds which will be illustrated and discussed in detail in the third chapter of this Thesis work, the possibility to investigate the ionophoric properties of such a broad bunch of compounds under the same set of experimental condition allowed us to draw more general considerations and put the basis for the design of new ionophores with enhanced activity and/or selectivity. A further important result of this Thesis work is the acquisition of expertise in several techniques used for the study of the ionophoric activity in liposomes. In particular we have exploited methodologies based on the use of fluorescent probes which have proved to give valid and user friendly entries to important features such as for example selectivity sequences. Ironically, it is the experimental evidence for the existence of ion channels as such (rather than the presence of alternative modes of transport) that remains most difficult to obtain in vesicles. For this reason this type of measurement should be paralleled with electrophysiological data and we are now moving in this direction. 1980

Background: Standardized methods for testing Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) of tissues and devices are lacking and few studies are available on aerosolizing, sampling and assessing infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in controlled laboratory settings. NanoAg-coated endonasal filters appear a promising aid for lowering viable virus inhalation in both adult and younger populations (e.g., adolescents). Objective: to provide an adequate method for testing SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosol VFE of bio-gel Ag nanoparticles endonasal filters, by a model system, assessing residual infectivity as cytopathic effect and viral proliferation on in vitro cell cultures. Methods: A SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission chamber fed by a BLAM aerosol generator produces challenges (from very high viral loads (105 PFU/mL) to lower ones) for endonasal filters positioned in a Y shape sampling port connected to a Biosampler. An aerosol generator, chamber and sampler are contained in a class II cabinet in a BSL3 facility. Residual infectivity is assessed from aliquots of liquid collecting bioaerosol, sampled without and with endonasal filters. Cytopathic effect as plaque formation and viral proliferation assessed by qRT-PCR on Vero E6 cells are determined up to 7 days post inoculum. Results: Each experimental setting is replicated three times and basic statistics are calculated. Efficiency of aerosolization is determined as difference between viral load in the nebulizer and in the Biosampler at the first day of experiment. Efficiency of virus filtration is calculated as RNA viral load ratio in collected bioaerosol with and without endonasal filters at the day of the experiment. Presence of infectious virus is assessed by plaque forming unit assay and RNA viral load variations. Conclusions: A procedure and apparatus for assessing SARS-CoV-2 VFE for endonasal filters is proposed. The apparatus can be implemented for more sophisticated studies on contaminated aerosols.

A multi-instrumental approach combining highly sensitive Synchrotron Radiation-based techniques was used to provide information on the real composition of a dry black ink powder found in a bronze inkwell of the first century AD. The presence of Pb, Cu and Fe in the powder, revealed by XRF and ICP-OES data, leads to raise several hypotheses on their origin. The inkpot and its lid were also investigated by Hand-Held XRF, revealing a bronze alloy (Cu-Sn) with a certain amount of Fe and Pb. The lid was found to be particularly enriched in lead. XRPD, XAS and FTIR measurements showed a substantial presence of silicates and common clay minerals in the ink along with cerussite and malachite, Pb and Cu bearing-carbonates, respectively. These evidences support the hypothesis of an important contamination of the ink sample by the burial environment (soil) and the presence of degradation products of the bronze inkpot. The combined use of IR, Raman, and GC-MS evidenced that the black ink is mainly composed of amorphous carbon deriving from the combustion of organic material mixed with a natural binding agent, Arabic gum.

ObjectivesA number of studies have shown that the airborne transmission route could spread some viruses over a distance of 2 meters from an infected person. An epidemic model based only on respiratory droplets and close contact could not fully explain the regional differences in the spread of COVID-19 in Italy. On March 16th 2020, we presented a position paper proposing a research hypothesis concerning the association between higher mortality rates due to COVID-19 observed in Northern Italy and average concentrations of PM10exceeding a daily limit of 50 µg/m3.MethodsTo monitor the spreading of COVID-19 in Italy from February 24th to March 13th (the date of the Italian lockdown), official daily data for PM10levels were collected from all Italian provinces between February 9th and February 29th, taking into account the maximum lag period (14 days) between the infection and diagnosis. In addition to the number of exceedances of the daily limit value of PM10, we also considered population data and daily travelling information for each province.ResultsExceedance of the daily limit value of PM10appears to be a significant predictor of infection in univariate analyses (p10levels, while 62 out of 66 Southern provinces presented low PM10concentrations (p0>6.0, comparable with the highest values estimated for China.ConclusionA significant association has been found between the geographical distribution of daily PM10exceedances and the initial spreading of COVID-19 in the 110 Italian provinces.

The relevance of airborne exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in indoor environments is a matter of research and debate, with special importance for healthcare low-risk settings. Experimental approaches to the bioaerosol sampling are neither standardized nor optimized yet, leading in some cases to limited representativity of the temporal and spatial variability of viral presence in aerosols. Airborne viral viability moreover needs to be assessed. A study has been conducted collecting five 24-h PM10 samples in a COVID-19 geriatric ward in late June 2020, and detecting E and RdRp genes by RT-qPCR with a Ct between 36 and 39. The viral RNA detection at Ct = 36 was related to the maximal numerosity of infected patients hosted in the ward. Lacking a direct infectivity assessment for the collected samples an experimental model has been defined, by seeding twelve nasopharyngeal swab extracts from COVID-19 positive patients on Vero E6 cells; only the four extracts with a viral load above E+10 viral copies (approximately Ct

Air pollution refers to the occurrence of toxic substances in the atmosphere which results in detrimental effects to human beings and living environments. Among the most common atmospheric pollutants, Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAHs) are the most common substances originated by vehicles. The aim of the study was to investigate the accumulation of 16 PAHs in leaves of six evergreen shrubs frequently used in Italy for urban landscaping ( Elaeagnus x ebbingei , Ilex aquifolium , Laurus nobilis , Ligustrum japonicum , Photinia x fraserii and Viburnum lucidum ). The study was conducted in two sites: a public park and a high traffic square. Six samplings were performed in a period of 26 months during Winter. The plants tolerance was investigated considering leaf-extract pH, total chlorophyll, leaf ascorbic acid content and relative leaf water content. A morphological leaf characterization was also carried out considering stomatal density and cuticle width. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, fluorene and pyrene were the major compounds yielded in the plant leaves accounting for about 83% of ΣPAHs, the contributions being 53%, 11.3%, 10.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Such compounds are related to vehicular emissions. The analysis of the PHAs accumulation and the evaluation of the plants tolerance also revealed that the efficiency in trapping 5- and 6-rings potentially carcinogenic PAHs such as benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene in plant leaves is highest for Elaeagnus x ebbingei , L. japonicum and L. nobilis while Elaeagnus x ebbingei and Photinia x fraserii resulted to be those most tolerant to air pollution. The role of plants in mitigating traffic pollution is confirmed.

The implementation of short supply chain of available biomass from forest and agriculture residues locally available aims to gain environmental benefits deriving from reduced transportation, avoided abiotic depletion of resources and reduced net emissions of green-house gases. The main objective of the present study was to analyze possible environmental impacts arising from domestic burning of residual biomasses, in terms air pollution. Three different types of woody residual biomasses (Robinia pseudoacacia, Picea abies and Vitis vinifera) were collected within the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in the form of wood chips, converted into pellets and used in controlled combustion tests in a domestic stove. The efficiency of the combustion process and the amount of selected emitted pollutants (carbon monoxide, organic gaseous carbon, nitrogen oxides, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total suspended particulate matter) were evaluated. Moreover, the same analysis and combustion tests were carried out on three commercially available pellets (Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica and softwood mix) to achieve a better interpretation and contextualization of the results obtained. Picea abies developed significantly high concentrations of organic gaseous carbon, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and rather high carbon monoxide emissions. Vitis vinifera was characterized by the highest total suspended particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions. Robinia pseudoacacia was a very promising fuel showing both combustion and emission properties similar to the commercial pellets. Thus, with the outcomes of our work we highlighted that possible environmental drawbacks due to air pollution arising from residual biomass burning should be evaluated. Moreover, the scientific community of life cycle assessment scientists may benefit from having updated experimental measurements of air pollutants emitted by a domestic stove loaded with different locally available residual biomasses.

Olfactory nuisances are an issue of growing concern considering that people's awareness about the effect of pollution on health and environment is increasing and that the perception of odor is related to a possible warning situation. A recent review concluded that odor assessment has to be faced by an integrated multi-tool strategy. In this paper we discuss the building of a model by means of a chemometric approach based on artificial neural networks known as Self Organizing Maps. These are applied to data collected by electronic nose continuous monitoring. The Self Organizing Map output was subjected to a second level clusterization by k-means algorithm. The cluster interpretation (i.e. air types classification in terms of “malodor”/“odor free” attributes) is achieved by crosslinking data produced by different instrumental and sensorial approaches, allowing us to establish the Frequency-Intensity-Duration odor characteristics for every identified air type. In order to elucidate our approach we focused our work on a four months survey at a residential site close to an integral cycle steel plant in Trieste (Italy). Odor Control Map proved to be a promising tool to provide valuable visualization support for following the dynamic evolution of the system with time. It allowed us to, for example, identify the relationships among sensor responses in different air types; follow the changes of air types with time. identify possible malodor sources; experimentally evaluate the frequency and duration of air types classified as malodorous. Furthermore, this first application highlighted the possible method improvements that have to be tested in different real environmental scenarios to obtain more robust and refined models. Considering that different annoyances (e.g., odor, noise, presence of specific chemical compounds) can cause possible synergistic health effects, Odor Control Map is a suitable tool to integrate data deriving from different and independent analysis/monitoring to obtain a more comprehensive knowledge on complex environmental phenomena involving dwellings close to industrial plants.

Biochar has a charcoal polycyclic aromatic structure which allows its long half-life in soil, making it an ideal tool for C sequestration and for adsorption of organic pollutants, but at the same time raises concerns about possible adverse impacts on soil biota. Two biochars were tested under laboratory-controlled conditions on Eisenia andrei earthworms: a biochar produced at low temperature from wine tree cuttings (WTB) and a commercial low tar hardwood lump charcoal (HLB). The avoidance test (48-h exposure) showed that earthworms avoid biochar-treated soil with rates higher than 16 t ha(-1) for HLB and 64 t ha(-1) for WTB. After 42 days, toxic effects on earthworms were observed even at application rates (100 t ha(-1)) that are generally considered beneficial for most crops. The concentration of HLB and WTB required to kill half of earthworms' population (LC50; 95% confidence limits) in the synthetic OECD soil was 338 and 580 t ha(-1), respectively. Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in earthworms exposed to the two biochar types at 100 t ha(-1) was tested in two soils of different texture. In biochar-treated soils, the average earthworm survival rates were about 64% in the sandy and 78% clay-loam soils. PAH accumulation was larger in the sandy soil and largest in soils amended with HLB. PAH with less than four rings were preferentially scavenged from the soil by biochars, and this behaviour may mask that of the more dangerous components (i.e. four to five rings), which are preferentially accumulated. Earthworms can accumulate PAH as a consequence of exposure to biochar-treated soils and transfer them along the food chain. Soil type and biochar quality are both relevant in determining PAH transfer.

A 1-year cycle of physico-chemical measurements was conducted in the Marano and Grado Lagoon (Adriatic Sea, Italy) with the aim to assess its trophic state. Some selected variables (nutrients, chlorophyll a , dissolved oxygen, temperature and salinity) were used to describe the system within the application of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and to compare it with other Mediterranean environments. From an ecological point of view the Marano and Grado Lagoon is one of the best conserved wetlands in the whole Mediterranean area and is protected by several European environmental pieces of legislation. However, the neighbouring mainland hosts several socio-economic activities which can affect its water quality. The results obtained in this work highlighted considerable spatial and temporal variability of physico-chemical parameters. Specifically, a large amount of anthropogenic nutrients, mainly in form of nitrogen (N), was carried from inland through river discharges in the Marano basin (western sector). However, these inputs were offset by the water exchange with the adjacent open sea, which exerted a dynamic dilution effect, and induced low water residence time thus limiting nutrients enrichment and their accumulation for long time periods. The Molar Redfield ratio (DIN/SRP) was always higher than the optimum value of 16 (in some cases it was up to 2000), thus suggesting that the system is phosphorus (P) limited, as confirmed by low chlorophyll a content, rare algal blooms and good water oxygenation. Trophic state indices and threshold values (EEA method, Carlson Trophic Index, TRIX and ASSETS) were applied. A broad range of classes was found (from oligotrophic to hypertrophic depending on water bodies, method applied and period of the year), thus suggesting that an over simplification of this complex ecosystem should be avoided. Further studies will be conducted in order to define the Lagoon’s ecological status sensu WFD and the adequate management implications.

The seasonal differences of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content in lichen transplants were investigated in an area of ca. 40 square kilometers in NE Italy characterized by different land use. Two sets of samples of the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea were collected in a pristine area of the Carnic Alps and transplanted to 40 exposure sites for a period of two months, respectively in late winter and in summer. Results revealed a pronounced difference between the two seasons in terms of PAH content and distribution patterns. After the summer exposure the PAH concentrations in the transplants were more than one order of magnitude lower than after the winter exposure (ranging from 48.22 to 272.73 ng g−1 dw and from 289.73 to 1575.85 ng g−1 dw in the summer and winter samples respectively). Also the main emission sources changed, mostly due to the drastic reduction in the emissions by wood burning for domestic heating and to the different meteorological conditions. In summer PAHs degradation was enhanced by intense UV radiation, high temperatures, and presence of ozone. The implications of these findings for the biomonitoring of PAHs pollution are addressed.

N-alkylation of 1,2-diaminocyclohexanes with glycerol in water, catalyzed by [Cp*IrCl2]2, gives a mixture of 2-methyldecahydroquinoxaline and 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-benzimidazoles.

The ionophoric activity of a calix[4]arene guanidinium conjugate (4G4Oct) has been investigated in bulk chloroform membrane and mainly in liposomes. In both membrane models 4G4Oct shows high activity in the transport of chloride. The mechanistic evidence suggests a carrier mechanism in which the calixarene binds the anions through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds with the guanidinium moieties. Studies on anion transport in liposomes indicate a peculiar selectivity sequence inverse to the most commonly observed lyotropic series with chloride transported faster than bromide and iodide virtually non-transported. This selectivity sequence together with competitive inhibition of chloride transport by the non-transported ions suggests a strong anion binding to the guanidinium moieties in the membrane environment. The complex formed is lipophilic and is able to shuttle the ion across the membrane. The origin of the observed anion selectivity is suggested to be related to a less favourable ion exchange at the membrane interface of iodide with respect to chloride with OH2, which is the antiported ion in the transport process in liposome. These studies complement the reported ability of 4G4Oct to condensate plasmid DNA and to transfect cells, showing that the calixarene derivative is also able to efficiently transport chloride across a phospholipid bilayer.

A novel fluorescently labelled synthetic ionophore, based on a cyclic phosphate-linked disaccharide (CyPLOS) backbone and decorated with four tetraethylene glycol tails carrying dansyl units, has been synthesised in 12 steps in 26% overall yield. The key intermediate in the synthetic strategy is a novel glucoside building block, serving through its 2- and 3-hydroxy groups as the anchor point for flexible tetraethylene glycol tentacles with reactive azido moieties at their ends. To test the versatility of this glucoside scaffold, it was preliminarily functionalised with a set of diverse probes--as fluorescent, redox-active or hydrophobic tags--either by reduction of the azides followed by condensation with activated carboxylic acid derivatives, or by a direct coupling with a terminal alkyne in a Cu(I)-promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Tagging of the monomeric building block with dansyl residues allowed us to prepare a fluorescent, amphiphilic macrocycle, which was investigated for its propensity to self-aggregate in CDCl(3)--studied by means of concentration-dependent (31)P NMR spectroscopy experiments--and in aqueous solution, in which combined dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements provided a detailed physico-chemical analysis of the self-assembled systems, mainly organised in the form of large vesicles. Its ion-transport properties through phospholipid bilayers, determined by HPTS fluorescence assays, showed this compound to be more active than the previously synthesised CyPLOS congeners. Solvent-dependent fluorescence changes for the labelled ionophore in liposome suspension established that the dansyl moieties are dispersed in environments with polarity intermediate between those of CH(2)Cl(2) and propan-2-ol, suggesting that the CyPLOS tentacles infiltrate the mid-polar region of the membranes.

The ion transport properties of a new family of synthetic ionophores based on cyclic phosphate-linked oligosaccharide (CyPLOS) macrocycles are described.

Anion transport across phospholipid membrane is a typical supramolecular function involving dynamic recognition of the substrate during the whole translocation process. Supramolecular chemists, taking inspiration by the natural anion transporters, have designed artificial systems able to mimic, at the functional level, several features of the natural ion channels. The scope of this research is twofold: on one hand to get insight on the molecular basis of recognition and transport, and on the other hand to get control of the biomedical relevant processes. The present review focuses on the synthetic systems promoting anion transport, covering both artificial channels and carriers that operate in phospholipid membrane. The design principles of such systems will be discussed together with the potential biomedical applications.

1,3-Alternate cationic calix[4] arene 1 proved highly selective for proton/ halogens symport transport and showed antiproliferative activity against murine monocyte/macrophage J774.A1 cancer cells.