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It has been well assessed that women have been widely under-represented in cardiovascular clinical trials. Moreover, a significant discrepancy in pharmacological and interventional strategies has been reported. Therefore, poor outcomes and more significant mortality have been shown in many diseases. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in drug metabolism have also been described so that effectiveness could be different according to sex. However, awareness about the gender gap remains too scarce. Consequently, gender-specific guidelines are lacking, and the need for a sex-specific approach has become more evident in the last few years. This paper aims to evaluate different therapeutic approaches to managing the most common women’s diseases.

IMPORTANCE: Myocardial injury, detected by elevated plasma troponin levels, has been associated with mortality in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the initial data were reported from single-center or 2-center studies in Chinese populations. Compared with these patients, European and US patients are older, with more comorbidities and higher mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic value of myocardial injury, detected by elevated plasma troponin levels, in a large population of White Italian patients with COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study enrolling consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were hospitalized in 13 Italian cardiology units from March 1 to April 9, 2020. Patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome were excluded. Elevated troponin levels were defined as values greater than the 99th percentile of normal values. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Clinical characteristics and outcomes stratified as elevated or normal cardiac troponin levels at admission, defined as troponin T or troponin I at a level greater than the 99th percentile of normal values. RESULTS: A total of 614 patients with COVID-19 were included in this study (mean age [SD], 67 [13] years; 70.8% male), of whom 148 patients (24.1%) died during the hospitalization. Elevated troponin levels were found in 278 patients (45.3%). These patients were older (mean [SD] age, 64.0 [13.6] years vs 71.3 [12.0] years; P < .001) and had higher prevalence of hypertension (168 patients [50.5%] vs 182 patients [65.9%]; P < .001), heart failure (24 [7.2%]; 63 [22.8%]; P < .001), coronary artery disease (50 [15.0%] vs 87 [31.5%]; P < .001), and atrial fibrillation (33 [9.9%] vs 67 [24.3%]; P < .001). Elevated troponin levels were associated with an increased in-hospital mortality (37% vs 13%; HR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.13-2.59]; P = .01 via multivariable Cox regression analysis), and this was independent from concomitant cardiac disease. Elevated troponin levels were also associated with a higher risk of in-hospital complications: heart failure (44 patients [19.2%] vs 7 patients [2.9%]; P < .001), sepsis (31 [11.7%] vs 21 [6.4%]; P = .03), acute kidney failure (41 [20.8%] vs 13 [6.2%]; P < .001), multiorgan failure (21 [10.9%] vs 6 [2.9%]; P = .003), pulmonary embolism (27 [9.9%] vs 17 [5.2%]; P = .04), delirium (13 [6.8%] vs 3 [1.5%]; P = .02), and major bleeding (16 [7.0%] vs 4 [1.6%]; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this multicenter, cross-sectional study of Italian patients with COVID-19, elevated troponin was an independent variable associated with in-hospital mortality and a greater risk of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular complications during a hospitalization for COVID-19.

This article explores the demand side of beer tourism, in particular the characteristics of travelers motivated by beer experiences using a survey of American leisure travelers (N= 562). Travelers motivated by beer (called "beer tourists" or "beer travelers") can be considered a distinct market segment. They take part in both food tourism (e. g., taking a food or beverage tour) and many general tourism activities (e. g., attending major events, attending performing arts events) at a higher rate than other leisure travelers. This fits within cultural omnivore theory, and beer tourists can be considered "cultural omnivores" participating in activities not solely related with their primary travel motivation. While traveling, beer tourists also reported spending 42% more per day on food and beverage than other leisure travelers, indicating their value to destinations. Practical implications for destinations include cross-marketing and promotion, as beer-motivated tourists spend money across a wide variety of experiences. Theoretical implications are also discussed.

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Advanced battery management systems rely on mathematical models to guarantee optimal functioning of Lithium-ion batteries. The pseudo-two dimensional (P2D) model is a very detailed electrochemical model suitable for simulations. On the other side, its complexity prevents its usage in control and state estimation. Therefore, the use of simplified electrochemical models such as the Single Particle Model with electrolyte dynamics (SPMe) is more appropriate, which exhibits good adherence to real data when suitably calibrated. This work focuses on a Fisher-based optimal experimental design for identifying the SPMe parameters assuming an isothermal setup. The proposed approach relies on an iterative nonlinear optimization scheme to minimize the covariance parameters matrix. At first, the parameters are estimated by considering the SPMe as the real plant. Subsequently, a more realistic scenario is considered where the isothermal P2D model is used to reproduce a real battery behavior. Results show the effectiveness of the optimal experimental design when compared to standard strategies.

Mechanisms by which hydrochemical changes occur after earthquakes are not well documented. We use the 2016–2017 central Italy seismic sequence, which caused notable hydrochemical transient variations in groundwater springs to address this topic, with special reference to effects on fractured carbonate aquifers. Hydrochemistry measured before and after the earthquakes at four springs at varying distances from the epicenters all showed immediate postmainshock peaks in trace element concentrations but little change in major elements. Most parameters returned to preearthquake values before the last events of the seismic sequence. The source of solutes, particularly trace elements, is longer residence time pore water stored in slow‐moving fractures or abandoned karstic flow paths. These fluids were expelled into the main flow paths after an increase in pore pressure, hydraulic conductivity, and shaking from coseismic aquifer stress. The weak response to the later earthquakes is explained by progressive depletion of high solute fluids as earlier shocks flushed out the stored fluids in the fractures. Spring δ13CDICvalues closest to a deep magma source to the west became enriched relative to preearthquake values following the 24 August event. This enrichment indicates input from deeply sourced dissolved CO2gas after dilation of specific fault conduits. Differences in carbon isotopic responses between springs are attributed to proximity to the deep gaseous CO2source. Most of the transient chemical changes seen in the three fractured carbonate aquifers are attributed to local shaking and emptying of isolated pores and fractures and are not from rapid upward movement of deep fluids. Understanding the mechanisms of chemical and fluid transport to groundwater springs after earthquakes is poorly understood. Recent earthquakes in the Apennine mountains of central Italy provide a unique example of pre and post earthquake changes to groundwater chemistry in different carbonate aquifers. Our data show that changes were temporary for about 4 months after the earthquakes and that distance from the earthquake gave different responses. We show that the cause of these temporary changes was caused by shaking of long residence time local water into the fast moving flow. Once this long residence time water was flushed from the system the chemistry returned to background concentrations. We found little evidence of precursor chemical changes and no change in arsenic, which had been reported elsewhere. We did find changes in carbon dioxide gas in some springs that indicated that where a deep source of this gas existed, that it could quickly be released to the springs. These findings have implications for water supply delivery immediately after earthquakes and show that local shaking is likely more important than fluids derived from deep sources. Transient changes in trace elements after earthquakes in fractured carbonate aquifers are due to local ground shaking not deep fluid movementChanges in carbon isotopic ratio in some springs near a deep magma source indicate release of dissolved CO2gas after shakingShaking out long residence time water from isolated pores and fractures into the main flow path is the reason for the transient response

Gastronomy has always been a central part of the tourism experience but in recent years has become one the main motivations to travel for visitors to a particular destination. Wine tourism represents today a key component of this segment. This paper examines the profile of U.S. wine tourists interested in wine-related activities as well as U.S.-based tour operators offering wine holidays in order to gain a better understating of both wine tourism demand and offerings in the U.S. market. The comparison tries to highlight critical issues that may allow tour operators to enter successfully a market where consumers may tend to shy away from organized travels.

Batteries are complex systems that need to be properly managed to guarantee safe and optimal operations. Model predictive control (MPC) is an advanced control strategy that, thanks to its characteristics, can be embedded into battery management systems (BMS) to derive optimal charging strategies. However, deterministic MPC, which relies on a nominal model only, is not adequate in a realistic scenario in which cells parameters are not known exactly. In this paper, stochastic MPC is proposed for the optimal charging of a Li-ion battery pack to account for the presence of parameter uncertainties. The adopted scheme relies on the polynomial chaos expansion paradigm for the propagation of uncertainties through the model equations and allows to satisfy safety constraints with a guaranteed probability. The results highlight the advantages of stochastic MPC over different scenarios when compared to a deterministic MPC approach.

We evaluated the presence of G protein subtypes Gαo, Gαi2, and Gαolf in the main olfactory system (MOS) and accessory or vomeronasal system (VNS) of Rhinella (Bufo) arenarum tadpoles, and here describe the fine structure of the sensory cells in the olfactory epithelium (OE) and vomeronasal organ (VNO). The OE shows olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) with cilia in the apical surface, and the vomeronasal receptor neurons (VRNs) of the VNO are covered with microvilli. Immunohistochemistry detected the presence of at least two segregated populations of ORNs throughout the OE, coupled to Gaαolf and Gαo. An antiserum against Gαi2 was ineffective in staining the ORNs. In the VNO, Gαo neurons stained strongly but lacked immunoreactivity to any other Gα subunit in all larval stages analyzed. Western blot analyses and preabsorption experiments confirmed the specificity of the commercial antisera used. The functional significance of the heterogeneous G-protein distribution in R. arenarum tadpoles is not clear, but the study of G-protein distributions in various amphibian species is important, since this vertebrate group played a key role in the evolution of tetrapods. A more complete knowledge of the amphibian MOS and VNS would help to understand the functional organization and evolution of vertebrate chemosensory systems. This work demonstrates, for the first time, the existence of a segregated distribution of G-proteins in the OE of R. arenarum tadpoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes, in the toad Bufo arenarum, the effect on spermiation and androgen secretion of two human recombinant gonadotropins, human recombinant LH (hrLH) and human recombinant FSH (hrFSH) as well as the well‐known spermiation‐inducing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). For this purpose, testes were incubated with different concentrations of hrLH (0.01–2.5 µg/ml) and hrFSH (0.05–5 µg/ml), and results were compared with those obtained with 2.5 µg/ml hCG. Spermiation was most efficiently stimulated by hrFSH, which elicited a higher response than either hrLH or hCG. Both hrFSH and hrLH produced a bell‐shaped dose–response curve, with a 50% inhibition on spermiation at a concentration twice higher than that necessary to get the highest response. However, none of the gonadotropins yielded a biphasic response on androgen secretion, hrLH producing the highest response at a concentration that evoked a 70% inhibition in the spermiation test. Regarding steroidogenesis, hrLH and hrFSH were more active than hCG. Taken together, the results described in this paper suggest that, in B. arenarum, spermiation and androgen secretion are mediated by different receptors. After comparing the effects of recombinant hormones, we conclude that hrFSH has a greater effect on spermiation than hCG or hrLH. J. Exp. Zool. 305A:96–102, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The chemical speciation of copper in stream waters from Rutor Glacier was determined by cathodic stripping voltammetry with ligand competition against salicylaldoxime. The complexation of salicylaldoxime was calibrated at various calcium concentrations, the major competing cation in these waters. Copper concentrations (3?7 nM) were approximately ten-fold lower than typical for rain waters in this region, indicating that copper had been removed by adsorption onto rock and other particles. Strong copper binding ligands, with log K?CuL = 12.5?12.9, were detected in all samples, including waters emerging from beneath the glacier, with no detectable change in the ligand composition down stream. The results suggest that the ligands could originate from in situ production from algae in snow and ice, or directly from the precipitation.

The utilization of insitu DRIFT spectroscopy combined with advanced thermoanalytical techniques (temperature programmed decomposition, TPDE; temperature programmed oxidative decomposition, TPOD) allows the characterization of redox behavior of copper ions inside ZSM-5 zeolites. The oxidation of carbonaceous impurities inside the solid matrix to CO and CO2 is demonstrated to be responsible for Cu(II)→Cu(I) reduction, since the formation of other oxidation products, namely O2, H2O2 or O2- ions, was not detected by mass spectrometry and DRIFT. The unusual kinetics of CO evolution in thermoanalytical experiments was attributed to the formation of a relatively stable Cu+···CO adduct characterized by a typical IR band at 2157 cm-1, which acts as a specific active site of a chromatographic adsorbent material.

Reaction of CuII, CoII, and NiII with 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy- and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acids (hmba and mhba, respectively) yields hydrated complexes exhibiting stoicheiometries with 1:2 and 1:1 metal to ligand mol ratios. The 1:2 complexes, formed by CoII with hmba and CuII with mhba, involve carboxylate groups and water molecules as donors. The structure of [Co(hmba)2(H2O)3] was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group 12/a with a = 8.164(2), b = 11.171(3), c = 20.980(5) Å, β = 91.42(3)°, and Z = 4. The complex is a one-dimensional polymer with bridging water molecules (Co-H2O-Co = 128.04° and Co … Co = 4.082 Å). The hexacoordination at each cobalt is completed by oxygens from two monodentate carboxylates and two water molecules. Stacking interactions between the parallel aromatic rings (3.5 Å) hold neighbouring chains together. Complexes with a 1:1 metal to ligand ratio (M = CuII, CoII and NiII, L = hmba; M = CoII and NiII, L = mhba) also clearly involve phenolate groups in coordination to the metal. A structure for these compounds has been proposed on the basis of spectroscopic and thermogravimetric data.