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Characterization of defects in large 3D printed metals is critical but challenging. This study reports on the X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) examination of porosities in large-volume 3D-printed and heat-treated titanium (Ti–6Al–4V) alloys, together with their tensile properties and failure mechanisms. Titanium alloy powders were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) was used to print titanium alloy specimens vertically and horizontally, followed by stress-relieved heat treatment. Micro-CT imaging was performed on printed specimens of 10 × 20 mm3(diameter × length) to determine their porosities, pore locations and size distributions using an industrial micro-CT system and relevant imaging software. Tensile testing of the processed specimens was conducted to determine their mechanical properties. Optical microscopy and SEM were used to examine the tension-induced failure mechanisms. The results show that porosities, pore sizes and locations were influenced by the build direction, resulting in different mechanical properties. Horizontal printing achieved higher tensile modulus, strength, ductility, resilience and toughness than vertical printing. Heat treatment did not change porosities in horizontally built specimens, but slightly reduced porosities for vertically built ones by 10%. This led to most mechanical properties nearly unchanged for the horizontally printed specimens but remarkably increased yield and tensile strength, and resilience, for the vertically printed ones. All tension-induced fractured surfaces contained pores, possible indicators of failure origins, which should be diminished in advanced processes for higher mechanical reliability.

•Whole-genome sequencing was used to characterise the genome of two K. pneumoniaeST437 strains.•Virulence factors in K. pneumoniaeST437 were analysed.•IncFIB(K), IncFII, IncFII(K), IncR, Col(BS512), ColKP3, and ColRNAI plasmids were identified.•Coexistence of blaNDM-5, blaCTX-M-15, blaOXA-232, blaSHV-182, and blaTEM-1Bβ-lactamase genes.

ABSTRACT The use of recycled paper in HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) matrix composites has recently been introduced as an interesting alternative to traditional recycling process for paper. HDPE is also [...]

Graphene hydrogenation on Ni(111) in the mbar region has been investigated by combining Near Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory calculations. A complete and nearly perfect graphene single layer and an incomplete defective monolayer were exposed to a methanation mixture (H2 + CO and H2 + CO2,respectively) with a large excess of H2. The observed behavior is quite different for the two systems. In the former case, the C 1s spectrum of the initially strongly interacting graphene shows the appearance of new components corresponding to hydrogenated C atoms and their first nearest neighbors. The defective carbon layer, grown in the presence of sulfur contamination and consisting of a mixture of strongly and weakly interacting graphene with a significant amount of dissolved C, initially shows the same C species and then evolves with the formation of sp3carbon and patches of Ni oxide/hydroxide. NiO forms by CO2dissociation, while sp3carbon is indicative of a rumpling of the graphene adlayer induced by hydrogenation. Both species disappear when annealing in H2. Dissociation of H2and graphene hydrogenation is possible thanks to the presence of the Ni substrate which makes the reaction weakly exothermic and significantly reduces the barrier for H2dissociation.

The article proposes a correction of a passage of Galen’s De indolentia, alternative to the one accepted so far. The correction ἐν ἓξ βιβλίοις (“in six books”) is proposed, as alternative to the text hitherto accepted, itself due to a conjectural intervention, ἐν ἑξακισχιλίοις στίχοις (“in six thousand lines”): the manuscript Vlatadon 14 bears an impossible ἐν ἑξακισχιλίοις βιβλίοις (“in six thousand books”). At issue is the length of the epitome made by Galen of the lexicographical works of Didymus on the terminology of ancient comedy. The paper argues that the error of the manuscript could be due to the habit of writing numerals as a single letter accompanied by an apex (here probably a digamma, or perhaps a stigma), and that, when referring to his own works, Galen normally uses the book as his unit of measurement. Finally, it is hypothesized that a length of six thousand stichoimight have been too short for an epitome of the work of Didymus.

Integrated Care (IC) is a perfect fit for people with diabetes. Fundus examination (FE) is a disease marker for diabetologists and identifies potentially blinding complications (Diabetic Retinopathy, DR). In our Diabetes Clinic (DC) in Pescara, Italy, FE is possibly provided with telemedicine in same day as other exams, avoiding it to be a standalone clinical one; images taken with a retinal digital camera are graded by a remote ophthalmologist within a shared Electronic Health Record (EHR), immediately readable by other stakeholders; a dedicated care path to the Eye Clinic, University of Chieti-Pescara is provided for urgent cases. Personnel’s worktime shortening allows gaining time for ophthalmologists’ eye examinations in outpatient settings and other stakeholders’ work in the DC. The need for a DR digital screening system is growing worldwide: our experience confirms the ease of implementation, and the advantage of sharing clinical data with all stakeholders when working within an EHR, aiming to optimize an IC effective system.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder wall, characterized by pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and frequency. Its etiology is unknown. There are an estimated 700,000 cases [...]

Single atom catalysts (SACs) embedded in bidimensional (2D) materials are commonly viewed as chemically doped 2D systems whose electronic properties can be discussed in terms of solid state physics, where the doping atoms are perturbating agents to the semimetallic (graphene) or insulating (h-BN) character of the 2D material. In this Perspective, we present a different and closer viewpoint, where the SAC electronic properties are interpreted in terms of coordination chemistry concepts, as the transition metal (TM) atom is complexed by a giant macrocycle, which is the defective 2D layer. In the crystal/ligand field theories, both electrostatic and covalent interactions between SAC and the surrounding 2D material are accounted for defining the splitting and mixing of the TM d states. This analysis reveals the key role played by the type of 2D material not only in determining spin and charge of SAC but also in stabilizing several SAC oxidative states via charge delocalization for an enhanced catalytic activity.

Induction of severe inflammatory arthritis in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) murine model causes extensive joint damage and pain-like behavior compromising analysis. While mild models are less severe, their reduced, variable penetrance makes assessment of treatment efficacy difficult. This study aimed to compare macroscopic and microscopic changes in the paws, along with central nervous system activation between a mild and moderate CAIA model. Balb/c mice (n=18) were allocated to control, mild, and moderate CAIA groups. Paw inflammation, bone volume (BV), and paw volume (PV) were assessed. Histologically, the front paws were assessed for joint inflammation, cartilage damage, and pre/osteoclast-like cells and the lumbar spinal cord and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) region of the brain for glial reactivity. A moderate CAIA dose induced (1) significantly greater local paw inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and PV; (2) significantly more osteoclast-like cells on the bone surface and within the surrounding soft tissue; and (3) significantly greater glial reactivity within the PAG compared with the mild CAIA model. These findings support the use of a moderate CAIA model (higher dose of monoclonal antibodies with low-dose lipopolysaccharide) to induce more consistent histopathological features, without excessive joint destruction.

Education has a pivotal role in preparing society to address the forthcoming health impacts of the climate crisis. Education provides the tools necessary to instil both individual and collective attitudes for mitigating climate change, fosters the development of adaptive skills and mindsets, and promotes a critical understanding of climate change. The aim of the PERSIST project was to assess the effectiveness of a school educational intervention to strengthen literacy on the climate crisis, pro-environmental behaviours, and systems thinking in high school students (aged 14–18 years).

The Guiana extended-spectrum (GES) β-lactamase GESG170H, GESG170L, and GESG170Kmutants showed kcat, Km, and kcat/Kmvalues very dissimilar to those of GES-1 and GES-5. The enhancement of the hydrolytic activity against carbapenems is potentially due to a shift of the substrate in the active site that provides better positioning of the deacylating water molecule caused by the presence of the imidazole ring of H170 and of the long side chain of K170 and L170.

Gentiana lutearoots have been widely used in the traditional medicine, especially for their stomachic properties. In this study, the effect of G. lutearoot methanol extract on SH-SY5Y cell survival and on anti-proliferative activity of pro-apoptotic agents was evaluated. In neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, the extract did not exhibit any cytotoxic activity, but protected cells from vinblastine-induced apoptosis. In the combined treatment with 200 µg/ml extract plus 0.1 µM vinblastine, extract significantly increased cell survival, reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells and decreased caspase-3 activity if compared with the vinblastine alone treatment. The anti-apoptotic activity of the extract was associated to the down-regulation of Sirt-1 protein and to the increase of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression and intracellular GSH levels. Since the apoptosis modulation was evidenced on a neuroblastoma cell line, G. luteaextract could have a promising potential as a neuroprotective agent. Moreover, G. lutearoot extract exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, since it inhibited LPS-induced expression of TNF-α in macrophage RAW264.7 cells.

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Metal-supported hexagonal boron nitride monolayers (h-BN/M) are emerging as new potential electrocatalysts for various energy-related oxidation or reduction process. So far, several preparation methods have been developed to introduce, in a controlled way, defects such as vacancies or substitutional heteroatoms. Herein, we investigate by dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT) calculations, defective and metal-doped h-BN/Cu(111) systems as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). By calculating the hydrogen binding energy (ΔG*H) at different coverage conditions, we observe how the interaction between the defective/metal-doped h-BN layer and the Cu(111) substrate plays a key role in tuning the reactivity, leading to a thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption step (i.e., ΔG*H≈ 0). These results could be generalized to other h-BN/M interfaces and may help their rational design for an improved H2-evolving electrocatalysis.

This paper presents an Analog Front-End for integrated Wake-Up Radios. The proposed Analog Front-End is composed of an envelope detector, a Schmitt trigger and a biasing block and has three distinctive features: i) clockless solution, which does not require an always-on oscillator; ii) an envelope detector with band-pass response which leads to smaller capacitance, thus easier integration, and low-frequency noise suppression; iii) temperature compensated biasing scheme. An active scheme for the detector is used based on MOSFETs operated in the subthreshold region with a self-biased topology. Advantages and drawbacks of the proposed architecture are analyzed. A prototype was fabricated in the STMicroelectronics 90-nm BCD technology. The overall power consumption, excluding the biasing block, is 36 nW at 1.2 V. A 10 −3 Bit Error Rate is measured with a 771-MHz, 2-kbit/s OOK modulated input signal with −46 dBm power at room temperature and at −20 °C, and with almost −43 dBm power at 60 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) the risk of mortality remains extremely high. We investigated whether arterial stiffness evaluated by aortic Pulse Wave Velocity (aPWV) and Augmentation index normalized for a standard heart rate of 75 bpm (Aix@75), predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality in PAD and No-PAD patients. In 231 PAD patients (ankle-brachial index-ABI ≤ 0.9) and 167 No-PAD (ABI ≥ 0.91 < 1.3) the aPWV and Aix @75HR were evaluated using arterial tonometry and ABI values were obtained using an 8-MHz Doppler probe. The CVD and total mortality rates in relation to aPWV and Aix@75HR were analyzed using Cox regression model. During a mean follow-up of 5.4 ± 2 years 39 (16.9%) deaths occurred in PAD patients and 8 (4.8%) in No-PAD. In the population study, the age was a predictor of CVD mortality (HR = 0.143, 95% CI, 0.06–0.23; p= 0.0004) while the aPWV, was a predictor of total mortality (HR = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.07–1.30; p= 0.0008). In the PAD group, the aPWV remained associated with an increased risk for total mortality (HR = 1.14, 95% CI, 1.03–1.27; p= 0.010). An increase of aPWV may be an indicator of total mortality in PAD patients.

Objectives: This study assessed a new technology-aided program to support independent leisure and communication engagement with people with intellectual and motor or sensory-motor disabilities.Methods: Six adults participated. The program relied on the use of a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 LTE tablet with Android 6.0 Operating System, a NANO SIM card, and the WhatsApp Messenger and MacroDroid applications. The participants were presented with leisure and communication (i.e. text messaging) alternatives, and, based on their choices, with series of steps allowing them to access leisure events or send messages.Results: During baseline, the participants were unable to access leisure events or send messages. During intervention and post-intervention phases, they used the program successfully and spent large percentages of the session time independently engaged in leisure and messaging.Conclusions: A program based on readily available technology may be functional to support leisure and communication in people like the participants of this study.

ABSTRACTBackground: Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that may require urgent surgical intervention.Case Presentation: We report a case of a patient who was initially diagnosed with meningoencephalitis (ME) based on clinical presentation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, but was eventually diagnosed with PA. We present a summary of other cases reported in the literature of PA mimicking ME and analyze their clinical features and CSF findings.Results: Among all 22 PA cases reviewed, headache was the most commonly reported symptom. Hypopituitarism was seen in 94.4% of the cases; of these, panhypopituitarism was noted in 38.9%. The sensitivity of magnetic resonance image (MRI) for detecting PA was 94.7%, much higher than that of computed tomography (CT), which was only 31.6%. Neutrophil predominant pleocytosis was present in all cases with a neutrophil percentage ranging from 73% to 98%. CSF leukocyte count was less than 1000/ul in 86% of the cases. CSF erythrocytosis was seen in 92.9% of the cases with a count ranging from 15 to 2030/ul. Elevated CSF protein was present in all cases with a range of 69.8 to 239 mg/dl. CSF glucose level varied with a range between 12 and 136 mg/dl; the level was greater than 40 mg/dl in 73% of the cases.Conclusion: PA tends to be misdiagnosed as ME due to the similarities of semiology and CSF findings. PA should be considered in refractory acute headache cases, especially those with visual and endocrine abnormalities. Early recognition and treatment may lead to significant reduction in morbidity and mortality.Abbreviations:ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone; CSF: cerebrospinal fluid; CT: computed tomography; GRE: gradient echo; HRT: hormone replacement therapy;HSV: Herpes Simplex Virus; IV: intravenous; ME: meningoencephalitis; MRI: magnetic resonance image; PA: pituitary apoplexy; RBC: red blood cell; WBC: white blood cell

In the field of nanomedicine, significant attention is directed toward near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive inorganic nanosystems, primarily for their applications in photodynamic therapy and fluorescence bioimaging. The crucial role of the NIR range lies in enabling optimal tissue penetration, which is essential for both irradiating and detecting nanoparticles deep within the human body. In this study, we employed density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations to explore the structural and electronic properties of cyanine-functionalized TiO2spherical nanoparticles (NPs) with a realistic diameter of 2.2 nm. We revealed that different adsorption configurations of cyanine (VG20-C1) on the TiO2NP surface exhibit distinct features in the optical spectra. These cyanine dyes, serving as bifunctional linkers with two carboxylic end groups, can adsorb in either a side-onmode (binding with both end groups) or an end-onmode (binding only one end group). In end-onadsorption structures, low-energy excitations are exclusive to dye-to-dye electronic transitions, while side-onstructures exhibit electron charge transfer excitations from the dye to the TiO2NP at low energy. This thorough analysis provides a rational foundation for designing cyanine-functionalized TiO2nanosystems with optimal optical characteristics tailored for specific nanomedical applications such as photodynamic therapy or fluorescence bioimaging.

Synchronous posterior retroperitoneoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy (PR-BilA) is a novel technique proposed for the definitive cure of hypercortisolism when a surgical approach is indicated. The aim of the present prospective cohort study was to compare the carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption in patients undergoing PR-BilA with those undergoing single posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA). Twenty-nine patients undergoing PR-BilA or PRA were consecutively enrolled. Anaesthesia was standardised. In both groups, CO2elimination (VCO2), CO2dissolved in arterial blood (PaCO2), end-tidal CO2(EtCO2), and volume per minute (VM) were measured at the following time points: after anaesthesia induction and before CO2insufflation (T1), 5 min after CO2insufflation (T2), at the time of maximum VCO2(T3), and at desufflation (T4). VCO2was continuously measured using a metabolic monitor. ANOVA for repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. With respect to VCO2, a significant group × time interaction was found (p= 0.03). Post hoc analysis revealed that VCO2was significantly increased at T4 compared with T1 in both groups (p= 0.02 and p= 0.0001 in the PRA and PR-BilA groups, respectively). Regarding PaCO2, ANOVA analysis showed a significant group effect (p= 0.01), with higher values in the PR-BilA group. EtCO2and VM did not differ between the two groups. We found that the CO2absorption was increased in both groups at the end of surgery, in the presence of a higher trend in PaCO2values during PR-BilA. Therefore, PR-BilA may be considered a safe surgical approach with respect to CO2absorption, when a mild degree of hypercapnia may be accepted.

This article provides the reader with a literature overview of the newest empirical evidences available on the use of assistive technology-based programs for teaching and improving adaptive responding of children with severe to profound developmental disabilities. Four main categories of studies were selected, regarding (a) the technology for promoting independent access to positive stimulation, (b) the combination between microswitch and VOCA aimed at asking for social contact with a caregiver, (c) the cluster technology for increasing an adaptive response, and simultaneously reducing a challenging behavior, (d) the technology for requesting and choosing desired item or the access to the literacy. Overall, 26 studies were reviewed, and 75 participants were involved. The outcomes were largely positive, although few failures occurred. Psychological and Rehabilitative implications of the findings for both research and clinical practices were critically discussed

•Consumers are aware that cooking reduces the risk of microbial contamination of food.•Consumers still wash raw meat, thus increasing risk of bacterial cross-contamination.•Consumers considered environmental and chemical pollutants the most dangerous for health.

Embedding transition metal atoms in graphene is a promising strategy to make it an effective electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution (OER) and reduction (ORR) reactions, which are crucial processes for the success of the energy transition. In this regard, theoretical investigations can be valuable complementary tools to experimental work, but only if they are able to adequately describe the system under examination. Transition metal atoms trapped in graphene pose serious challenges due to the presence of strongly correlated d-electrons, which can lead to complex spin configurations to be explored. In this work, by hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations we investigated several first-row transition metal atoms embedded in N-doped graphene as potential electrocatalysts for the OER and ORR. A detailed spin-dependent search has been performed to define the lowest energy spin state configurations for all intermediates along the associative path, finding Ni and Fe as the most promising systems for the OER and ORR, based on overpotential values (η) of 0.58 V and 0.52 V, respectively. Interestingly, if the study is limited to low-spin configurations, the resulting overpotential values differ within the range of 0.5 V, changing the order of activity between the various electrocatalytic systems. The most striking case is that of Fe, where according to the low-spin state reaction path it would suggest this to be the worst electrocatalyst for ORR. Thus, this work conveys a very important message and general warning to the community on trusting only data that come from a full spin optimization.

BACKGROUND: Neck surgery is one of the newest fields of application of video-assisted surgery. We developed a technique for minimally invasive, totally gasless video-assisted thyroid lobectomy. METHODS: The procedure was accepted by a patient with a follicular nodule of the left lobe of the thyroid. We performed a left thyroid lobectomy through a single 20-mm horizontal skin incision, just above the sternal notch, after inserting a 5-mm 30 [degrees] laparoscope, by using both endoscopic and conventional instrumentation. RESULTS: The recurrent laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands were easily identified and preserved. The operating time was 2.5 hours. No complication occurred. The postoperative stay was 2 days. The cosmetic result was excellent CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that our technique is feasible and safe. This makes us optimistic about the future of minimally invasive, video-assisted thyroid surgery. Am J Surg. 1999;177: 342-343. [C] 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.

In the confined zone between a bidimensional material and a metal surface, unexpected effects can take place. In this study, we show that when a nonregular two-dimensional h-BN layer is grown on a Cu(111) surface, metal adatoms spontaneously pop up from the bulk to fill the holes in the structure. We provide ample theoretical support to our findings based on a large set of dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations and on a detailed analysis of the electronic properties and of the chemical processes at this peculiar interface. The observation can be rationalized in terms of a high affinity of Cu adatoms toward N-donor species. Defective h-BN, exposing N-terminated edges, behaves like a giant multi-N-donor macrocyclic ligand that can encapsulate metal atoms as a consequence of a huge stabilization deriving from the Cu–N bond formation. Our conclusions could apply to other metal surfaces and could even stimulate the idea of trapping different metal atoms from those of the underlying surface (e.g., more precious but more active metals) for catalytic purposes.

This study evaluated a new smartphone-based program to support independent leisure and communication activities in five participants with mild to moderate intellectual disability, visual and/or motor impairments, and poor speech. The new program relied on the use of two Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone devices with Android 5.1 operating system. The participants placed mini objects or pictures fitted with special frequency code labels on one of the two smartphones to make their activity requests. This smartphone was able to read the labels and verbalize the related requests. Such verbalizations (a) triggered the S-voice of the second smartphone and (b) opened the corresponding leisure activity files or telephone contacts for the participants. All participants learned to use the new program. Their mean cumulative percentages of session time spent engaging with independently accessed leisure and communication activities ranged from about 80 to about 90 with the program while being zero without the program. These results indicate that the new smartphone-based program may be an effective resource for people with multiple disabilities.

In this paper, eddy current pulsed thermography was used to evaluate ballistic impact damages in basalt-carbon hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer composite laminates for the first time, to our knowledge. In particular, different hybrid structures including intercalated stacking and sandwich-like sequences were used. Pulsed phase thermography, wavelet transform, principle component thermography, and partial least-squares thermography were used to process the thermographic data. Ultrasound C-scan testing and X-ray computed tomography were also performed for comparative purposes. Finite element analysis was used for validation. Finally, an analytical and comparative study was conducted based on signal-to-noise ratio analysis.

When we bid our valiant loved ones goodbye in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, we pray that they remain safe from harm's way. We have been taught by [...]

This study assessed the effects of a physical activity program set up within a meaningful daily schedule for eight participants with multiple disabilities. Sound or light cues were used to guide the participants to travel (i.e., ambulate and transport objects) to multiple destinations in their rehabilitation and care centers. Three of the participants were also provided with a walker device to aid their ambulation. At each destination, the participants received preferred stimulation. Then, they were given a new object to transport and cues were activated at a new destination, provided that the 15-min session time had not elapsed. Data showed that the participants’ mean frequencies of independent travels were zero during baseline and reached 6 to 15 during the intervention. Their mean heart rates varied between 68 and 83 during rest sessions (preceding intervention sessions) and between 91 and 118 during intervention sessions. The latter rates were compatible with a condition of moderate-intensity physical activity and thus likely to bring about health benefits. In a brief survey following the end of the study, 24 staff people scored the program favorably in terms of suitability, effectiveness, and practicality/acceptability.

Objective:This study assessed a new Speech Generating Device (SGD) for supporting request responses in five participants with intellectual and multiple disabilities.Methods:The technology involved a smartphone, a series of mini objects or of cardboard chips with pictures, and special software. When the participants placed one of the mini objects or chips with pictures (that they carried at their waist) against the smartphone (that they had at their chest), the smartphone emitted a verbal request concerning the activity indicated by the mini object or chip. The study was carried out according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants using sessions of 20 min.Results:During the baseline, the participants’ mean frequencies of requests were zero or close to zero. Following the 11–15 intervention sessions, all participants were successful in making requests (i.e. their mean request frequencies were between about five and 12 per session). Three participants showed clear preferences (i.e. more requests) for some of the activities. The other two participants were rather varied in their requests within and across sessions.Conclusions:The new SGD seems very useful for people with multiple disabilities who are blind or have poor control of their fine motor responses.

The presence of defects in the graphenic layers deposited on metal surfaces modifies the nature of the interaction. Unsaturated carbon atoms, due to vacancies in the lattice, form strong organometallic bonds with surface metal atoms that highly enhance the binding energy between the two materials. We investigate by means of a wide set of dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations how such strong chemical bonds affect both the electronic properties of these hybrid interfaces and the chemical reactivity with water, which is commonly present in the working conditions. We compare different metal substrates (Cu vs Pt) that present a different type of interaction with graphene and with defective graphene. This comparative analysis allows us to unravel the controlling factors of water reactivity, the role played by the carbon vacancies and by the confinement or “graphene cover effect”. Water is capable of breaking the C–Cu bond by dissociating at the undercoordinated carbon atom of the vacancy, restoring the weak van der Waals type of interaction between the two materials that allows for an easy detachment of graphene from the metal, but the same is not true in the case of Pt, where C–Pt bonds are much stronger. These conclusions can be used to rationalize water reactivity at other defective graphene/metal interfaces.

•CTX-M-15G238Cis a laboratory mutant with two cysteine residues in the active site.•Absence of a disulfide bridge between C69 and C238 residues in CTX-M-15G238C.•Activity of CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-15G238Ctowards carbapenems studied.•Carbapenems behave as inactivators versus CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-15G238C.•Absence of disulfide bridge increase activity versus cefotaxime in CTX-M-15G238Cmutant.

The article describes the forensic investigation of a collapse that occurred in a building "aggregate" in Barletta (Puglia, South Italy) on the morning of 3 October 2011. According to Italian technical standards, a building aggregate consists of a set of adjacent buildings that is the result of an articulated and not unitary genesis due to multiple factors. Some recent collapses, such as the one that occurred in Barletta, have highlighted that the approach to be used in the relevant forensic investigation is not so obvious and simple. The aim of the article is to describe both the different approaches used in the investigations by different consultants and their different conclusions in order to trace general criteria that can be useful in similar cases.

Objectives:Persons with multiple disabilities may frequently fail to achieve independent leisure engagement and communication with distant partners. The aim of this study was to extend the assessment of a technology-aided program providing support in the aforementioned areas with nine participants with multiple disabilities.Methods:The program involved a computer system presenting leisure and communication options and a microswitch allowing the participants to choose among and access those options. For each participant a specific array of options was available (e.g. songs, comedy videos, and text messages), depending on his or her characteristics and interests. The effects of the program were assessed via an ABAB design. Participants and staff’s opinions about the program were determined through preference checks and interviews.Results:During baseline (without the program), the participants failed to activate/access the options available and thus had no independent option-related engagement time. During intervention, all participants succeeded in using the program, thus accessing the options available independently, and remaining engaged with option-related events for generally 80–90% of the session time. Participants and staff were highly positive about the program.Conclusions:A technology-aided program adapted to the participants’ conditions can be a crucial resource to support their independent leisure and communication engagement.