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Introduction and importance: Large retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare and present significant challenges in surgical management, particularly when located in the pelvic region. Gynecologists can encounter rare problems when a pelvic schwannoma is mistaken for an adnexal pathology. Case Presentation: A 62-year-old woman presented with a giant retroperitoneal mass suspected of a potentially malignant ovarian tumor preoperatively. Computed tomography revealed a large mixed solid-cystic mass near the right adnexa measuring 118 × 100 × 80 mm. The cancer antigen 125 level was 196 U/mL. We performed a diagnostic-operative laparoscopy, which showed a retroperitoneal neoformation below the cava and aortic bifurcation adherent to the sacrum, right pelvic vessels, and hypogastric nerve up to the vagina. We carefully detached the mass from the nearby tissues using the most appropriate laparoscopic devices. The entire neoplasm was removed through the vagina into a surgical bag. The surgery lasted 180 min without complications. Histology revealed a grade I benign schwannoma. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic without signs of recurrence. Clinical Discussion: Pelvic retroperitoneal schwannomas can mimic ovarian carcinomas; misdiagnosis may occur due to their rarity and the difficulty of interpreting preoperative imaging. In case of unexpected giant presacral schwannomas surgical management is challenging due to their peculiar location. Conclusion: This case underscores the need for a skilled, experienced team of gynecological oncologists to achieve favorable outcomes when performing laparoscopic surgery of giant pelvic retroperitoneal schwannoma. Adequate knowledge of the complex pelvic anatomy, careful surgical planning, and familiarity with the most appropriate surgical tools are critical points. • Large retroperitoneal schwannomas are exceptionally rare and present significant challenges in surgical management. • This case highlights the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for the excision of a giant pelvic retroperitoneal schwannoma. • The rare giant schwannoma highlights some key points to consider when managing a pelvic retroperitoneal presacral mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Although rare, cases of abdominal sarcomatosis (AS) after laparotomy/laparoscopic interventions for uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) have been reported. Presentation of case We describe a rare case of diffuse abdominal sarcomatosis in a patient that some year earlier had undergone myomectomy for a suspected uterine myoma, which was histologically proven to be a STUMP. Once the patient was admitted at our Department, she underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy that confirmed a condition of peritoneal sarcomatosis disseminated through the entire abdomen, and then a laparotomic total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and total omentectomy, achieving a complete cytoreduction. Histological examination showed high-grade uterine leyomiosarcoma (LMS). Since there is no evidence of any clinical benefit of adjuvant treatment, given the risk of disease recurrence, we decided, with the patient’s agreement, to conduct close follow-up with a Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) scan every 3 months and diagnostic laparoscopy every 6 months, even in the absence of PET/CT positivity. After 2 years PET/CT showed a relapse of LMS in the perigastric region and, therefore the patient underwent a diagnostic/operative laparoscopy with complete removal of the neoplastic recurrence. To date, the patient is disease-free. Discussion and conclusion STUMPs should be submitted to a frequent surveillance for their risk of recurrence, dissemination and transformation into LMS, even many years after the first diagnosis. A follow-up including surgical re-exploration with laparoscopy and PET/CT imaging may allow early detection and timely treatment of the relapse with good long-term outcome, as demonstrated by our case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) in some cases may disseminate through the abdominal cavity, without extra-abdominal spreading, determining a condition of abdominal sarcomatosis, which represents a peculiar situation. Only radical surgical removal offers a chance of long-term survival in such cases of LMS. Here we describe a case of diffuse abdominal sarcomatosis from uterine LMS in a 51-year-old perimenopausal woman who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total pelvic peritonectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy to the mesenteric inferior artery, and omentectomy. Then, given the high probability of disease recurrence, the patient underwent a close follow-up consisting of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography every 3 months and diagnostic (and if necessary operative) laparoscopy every 6 months. To date, the patient had 11 laparoscopies; 5 of them were preceded by a PET indicative of the presence of disease with high metabolic activity, which was confirmed at surgery and each time completely removed laparoscopically with no evidence of residual disease. To date, 5 years from diagnosis the patient is alive and continues her follow-up. Our report brings to light the ability of laparoscopic surgery to obtain disease control in a case of LMS with abdominal dissemination. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery, as demonstrated in our case, may have an important role in the close follow-up of the disease and allow a timely and early radical surgical approach of relapses before they become extremely large and difficult to remove radically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One the most attractive features of urban traffic network models is the possibility of running hypothetical scenarios to evaluate the impact of strategic and tactical decisions. In order to provide statistically meaningful results, the simulation runs should be able to capture the complex multivariate distributions characterizing the involved variables, and a key factor is the correct modeling of possible statistical dependence among the generated inputs used to define the desired scenarios. Here we introduce a data-driven method for scenario generation based on the statistical concept of copula models, through which the marginals of single input parameters can be chosen freely without altering the joint multivariate dependence structure of the inputs. This approach is particularly suited to running what-if scenarios, in which the marginal distributions of the inputs are changed, while retaining the general joint dependence scheme. The method exploits only a finite set of measures from the network and copes with arbitrary sets of input parameters without requiring any assumption on the kind of traffic model or the shape of the involved multivariate distributions. Simulation tests involving different scenarios show that the proposed method is able to capture complex multivariate distributions of the simulation outcomes and yield reliable inferences in what-if analyses, significantly better than in the case the joint dependence is ignored. • Statistically-sound what-if scenario generation for urban traffic models. • Data-driven generation through copula models trained on available data. • The method can be applied to any traffic model and arbitrary sets of input parameters. • Joint dependence of generated inputs is preserved, beyond simple correlation analysis. • Simulation results are provided for both a large-scale and a microscopic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the study was to estimate the prevalence of current and lifetime mental disorders in a consecutive sample ( n =300) of detainees and prison inmates held in an Italian prison and compare it with the prevalence observed in a sample randomized from the community ( n =300) within the same age interval (18–55 years) and sex proportion of prisoners, and with a similar socio-economic status. Psychiatric disorders were identified with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Current psychiatric disorders were present in 58.7% of prisoners and 8.7% of the comparison group. Lifetime psychiatric disorders were present in 88.7% of prisoners and 15.7% of the comparison group. Current anxiety disorders and current stress-related disorders were related to prisoners serving their first-ever prison sentence. A variable fraction of prisoners with an ongoing psychopathology is not diagnosed or does not receive proper treatment. The provision of effective treatment to prisoners with psychiatric disorders might have potentially substantial public health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Myelofibrosis (MF) is characterized by shortened survival and a greatly compromised quality of life. Weight loss and cachexia seem to be the most important factors influencing survival in patients with MF. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an integrated supportive therapy in improving cachexia and MF-related symptoms. Methods: We reported on a case of a patient with MF who presented with weight loss and cachexia associated with severe anemia, fatigue, fever, and bone pain. The circulating levels of inflammatory, oxidative stress parameters, hepcidin, and erythropoietin were evaluated and were above normal ranges. The patient was treated with a multitargeted approach specifically developed for cachexia including oral L-carnitine, celecoxib, curcumin, lactoferrin, and subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO)-α. Results: Surprisingly, after 1 y, cachexia features improved, all MF symptoms were in remission, and inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, hepcidin, and EPO were reduced. Conclusions: Because our protocol was targeted at inflammation and the metabolic state, its effectiveness may emphasize the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of MF symptoms and demonstrates a need for the study of new integrated therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal section at 400 °C of the Dy-Gd-Zn system was studied, and the vertical sections at the Dy/Gd ratio=1 was investigated. The experimental techniques used were Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with electron probe microanalysis (EPMA-EDX). No ternary compounds were found in the system. As regard to the intermetallic phases, the (Dy,Gd)Zn, (Dy,Gd)Zn2, (Dy,Gd)Zn3, (Dy,Gd)3Zn11, (Dy,Gd)13Zn58, (Dy,Gd)2Zn17 and (Dy,Gd)Zn12 solid solutions form in the full field of composition, while the Gd3Zn22 compound did not show dysprosium dissolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary Co–W crystalline alloys, Co95W5, Co90W10, Co85W15, Co80W20 and Co70W30 (atomic %) were investigated in view of their possible applications as electrocatalytic materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalytic efficiency of the electrodes was studied on the basis of electrochemical data obtained from steady-state polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques in oxygen-free 1 M NaOH solution at 298 K. The results were compared with those obtained on polycrystalline Co. Moreover, literature data concerning the electrocatalytic activity of polycrystalline Ni and Ni–Mo alloys, which are considered good electrocatalyst materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solutions, were also reported for comparison. The values of Tafel slope, b, exchange current density, j0, and overpotential at the current density of 250 mA cm−2, η250, indicated outstandingly high electrocatalytic activity of Co–W electrodes. The best performance towards the HER demonstrates the Co90W10 alloy in accordance with the prediction based on the electronic structure calculations and the enhanced density of states at the Fermi level of the 3d Co band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An approach based on local learning, relying on Nadaraya–Watson models (NWMs), is introduced for the problem of deriving an automatic controller able to exploit data collected during the operation of some complex plant or system by a reference teacher (e.g., a human operator). Such learning approach is particularly useful when the system is too complex to be modeled accurately and/or the task cannot be easily formalized by a cost function, a situation which rules out classic approaches based, e.g., on dynamic programming. Here it is proved that local models are a suitable solution for a real-time employment, since they allow to incorporate new information directly and efficiently without the need of offline training, and new data immediately reflect in improvement of performance. To this purpose, convergence analysis of the method is provided, also considering the case where the reference controller introduces random variations in the training data. Finally, a simulation test, concerning the control of a mechanical system, is provided to showcase the use of local models in an applicative scenario. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background & aims: Tumour growth is associated with weight loss resulting from both adipose and muscle wasting. Methods: Administration of l-carnitine (1 g/kg body weight) to rats bearing the AH-130 Yoshida ascites hepatoma, a highly cachectic rat tumour. Results: The treatment results in a significant improvement of food intake and in muscle weight (gastrocnemius, EDL and soleus). These beneficial effects are directly related to improved physical performance (total physical activity, mean movement velocity and total travelled distance). Administration of l-carnitine decreases proteasome activity and the expression of genes related with this activity, such as ubiquitin, C8 proteasome subunit and MuRF-1. Interestingly, l-carnitine treatment also decreases caspase-3 mRNA content therefore suggesting a modulation of apoptosis. Moreover, addition of 50 μM of l-carnitine to isolated EDL muscles results in a significant decrease in the proteolytic rate suggesting a direct effect. Conclusions: It can be concluded that l-carnitine supplementation may be a good approach for a multi-targeted therapy for the treatment of cancer-related cachexia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background & aims: A phase III, randomized non-inferiority study was carried out to compare a two-drug combination (including nutraceuticals, i.e. antioxidants) with carnitine + celecoxib ± megestrol acetate for the treatment of cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome (CACS): the primary endpoints were increase of lean body mass (LBM) and improvement of total daily physical activity. Secondary endpoint was: increase of physical performance tested by grip strength and 6-min walk test. Methods: Sixty eligible patients were randomly assigned to: arm 1, l-carnitine 4 g/day + Celecoxib 300 mg/day or arm 2, l-carnitine 4 g/day + celecoxib 300 mg/day + megestrol acetate 320 mg/day, all orally. All patients received as basic treatment polyphenols 300 mg/day, lipoic acid 300 mg/day, carbocysteine 2.7 g/day, Vitamin E, A, C. Treatment duration was 4 months. Planned sample size was 60 patients. Results: The results did not show a significant difference between treatment arms in both primary and secondary endpoints. Analysis of changes from baseline showed that LBM (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and by L3 computed tomography) increased significantly in both arms as well as physical performance assessed by 6MWT. Toxicity was quite negligible and comparable between arms. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed a non-inferiority of arm 1 (two-drug combination) vs arm 2 (two-drug combination + megestrol acetate). Therefore, this simple, feasible, effective, safe, low cost with favorable cost-benefit profile, two-drug approach could be suggested in the clinical practice to implement CACS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ternary Fe–Mo–R (R = Rare Earth metal) crystalline alloys, Fe75Mo20Gd5, Fe75Mo20Dy5, Fe75Mo20Er5 and Fe75Mo20MM5 (MM = mischmetal: 50.2% Ce, 26.3% La, 17.5% Nd, 6.0% Pr, atomic %) have been characterized by means of microstructural and electrochemical techniques in view of their possible applications as electrocatalytic materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The microstructure of the alloys was examined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron probe microanalysis; XRD measurements were also performed. The electrochemical efficiency of the electrodes has been studied on the basis of electrochemical data obtained from steady-state polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques in 1 M NaOH solution at 298 K. The results were compared with those obtained on a binary Fe–Mo commercial alloy (Fe80Mo20, atomic %). Moreover, literature data concerning the electrocatalytic activity of the Ni75Mo25 and Co75Mo25 crystalline alloys, which are considered good electrocatalyst materials for the HER, were also reported for comparison. The microstructural features play a fundamental role in determining the electrocatalytic activity of the investigated alloys. The overall experimental data indicate that interesting electrocatalytic performances are displayed by the Fe75Mo20MM5 electrode, which exhibits the highest activity towards the HER. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new efficient technique for estimating probability densities from data through the application of the approximate global maximum likelihood (AGML) approach is proposed. It employs a composition of kernel functions to estimate the correct behavior of parameters involved in the expression of the unknown probability density. Convergence to the optimal solution is guaranteed by a deterministic learning framework when low discrepancy sequences are used to generate the centers of the kernels. Trials on mixture of Gaussians show that the proposed semi-local technique is able to efficiently approximate the maximum likelihood solution even in complex situations where implementations based on standard neural networks require an excessive computational cost. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The electrocatalytic properties of some Fe–Zn–R crystalline alloys ( earth metals), , , and (: 50.2% Ce, 26.3% La, 17.5% Nd, 6.0% Pr, at%), were investigated for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 1M NaOH solution at 298K. The microstructure of the electrodes was examined by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron probe microanalysis; X-ray diffraction measurements were also performed. The performances towards the HER were investigated by dc polarization and ac impedance techniques and the results were compared with those obtained on polycrystalline nickel. The microstructural features play an important role in determining the electrocatalytic activity of the investigated alloys. The overall experimental data indicate that interesting electrocatalytic performances are displayed by the electrode, which exhibits the highest activity towards the HER. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: In April 2005 a phase III randomized study was started to establish which was the most effective and safest treatment of cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome and oxidative stress in improving identified primary endpoints: increase of lean body mass, decrease of resting energy expenditure (REE), increase of total daily physical activity, decrease of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and improvement of fatigue assessed by the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory–Short Form (MFSI-SF). Methods: All patients were given as basic treatment polyphenols plus antioxidant agents α-lipoic acid, carbocysteine, and vitamins A, C, and E, all orally. Patients were then randomized to one of the following five arms: 1) medroxyprogesterone acetate/megestrol acetate; 2) pharmacologic nutritional support containing eicosapentaenoic acid; 3) l-carnitine; 4) thalidomide; or 5) medroxyprogesterone acetate/megestrol acetate plus pharmacologic nutritional support plus l-carnitine plus thalidomide. Treatment duration was 4 mo. The sample comprised 475 patients. Results: By January 2007, 125 patients, well balanced for all clinical characteristics, were included. No severe side effects were observed. As for efficacy, an interim analysis on 125 patients showed an improvement of at least one primary endpoint in arms 3, 4, and 5, whereas arm 2 showed a significant worsening of lean body mass, REE, and MFSI-SF. Analysis of variance comparing the change of primary endpoints between arms showed a significant improvement of REE in favor of arm 5 versus arm 2 and a significant improvement of MFSI-SF in favor of arms 1, 3, and 5 versus arm 2. A significant inferiority of arm 2 versus arms 3, 4, and 5 for the primary endpoints lean body mass, REE, and MFSI-SF was observed on the basis of t test for changes. Conclusion: The interim results obtained thus far seem to suggest that the most effective treatment for cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome and oxidative stress should be a combination regimen. The study is still in progress and the final results should confirm these data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phase relationships have been established for the Ho–Au, Er–Au and Tm–Au systems by means of the experimental investigation of a number of selected compositions using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), optical (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EMPA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The Ho–Au system is characterized by eight intermediate phases: Ho2Au (incongruent melting at 1095 °C), HoAu (congruent melting at ≈1700 °C), Ho7Au10 (incongruent melting at 1360 °C), HoAu2 (congruent melting at 1350 °C), HoAu3 (congruent melting at 1250 °C), Ho14Au51 (incongruent melting at 1060 °C), HoAu4 (incongruent melting at 950 °C) and HoAu6 (incongruent melting at 840 °C). The Er–Au and Tm–Au systems present six iso-stoichiometric phases. For the Er–Au system they are: Er2Au (incongruent melting at 1120 °C), ErAu (congruent melting at 1710 °C), Er7Au10 (incongruent melting at 1350 °C), ErAu2 (congruent melting at 1385 °C), ErAu3 (congruent melting at 1285 °C) and ErAu4 (incongruent melting at 1000 °C). For the Tm–Au system the phases are: Tm2Au (incongruent melting at 1160 °C), TmAu (congruent melting at 1720 °C), Tm7Au10 (incongruent melting at 1345 °C), TmAu2 (congruent melting at 1430 °C), TmAu3 (congruent melting at 1300 °C) and TmAu4 (incongruent melting at 1035 °C). Crystal structure data and lattice parameters are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A method to learn a nonparametric model of a dataset through Voronoi binary trees. • Models built according to a distance measure to preserve the original distribution. • The Voronoi models can be used either for sampling or generation of new data. • Applicable to different tasks, like batch selection, imbalanced sets, reconstruction. • Simulation tests show the good performance of the method in various learning tasks. We propose a method based on recursive binary Voronoi trees to learn a nonparametric model of the distribution underlying a given dataset. The obtained model can be used as a general tool both to extract good samples from the original dataset (e.g., for batch selection, bagging, or sample size reduction) or to generate new synthetic ones, also in a conditional fashion (e.g., to deal with imbalanced sets or to reconstruct corrupted points). In order to ensure that the distribution of the new sets, either sampled or generated, follows closely that of the original dataset, we design all the procedures according to a specific measure of distance between distributions. The use of binary recursive Voronoi structures enables the proposed algorithms to be simple, efficient and able to adapt to the shape of the original dataset. Simulation tests showcase the good performance and flexibility of the approach in various learning contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binary phase diagrams {V,Nb,Ta}-Sb below 1450 °C were studied by means of XRPD, EPMA, and DTA measurements. In the V-Sb system, five stable binary phases were observed in this investigation: V 3+x Sb 1−x , ℓT-V 3 Sb 2 , hT-V 2−x Sb, V 7.46 Sb 9 , V 1−x Sb 2 . The V-Sb phase diagram is characterized by two degenerate eutectic reactions: L↔V 3+x Sb 1−x +(V) (T > 1450 °C at 18.1 at.% Sb) and L↔V 1−x Sb 2 +(Sb) (T=(621 ± 5)°C at ∼99 at.% Sb), three peritectic reactions: L + V 3+x Sb 1−x ↔hT-V 2−x Sb (T=(1230 ± 10)°C at ∼42 at.% Sb), L + hT-V 2−x Sb↔V 7.46 Sb 9 (T=(920 ± 10)°C at ∼87 at.% Sb), and L + V 7.46 Sb 9 ↔V 1−x Sb 2 (T=(869 ± 5)°C at ∼88 at.% Sb), a peritectoid reaction: V 3+x Sb 1−x + hT-V 2−x Sb↔ℓT-V 3 Sb 2 at (875 ± 25)°C, a eutectoid reaction: hT-V 2−x Sb↔ℓT-V 3 Sb 2 +V 7.46 Sb 9 at (815 ± 15)°C and congruent melting of V 3+x Sb 1−x (T > 1450 °C). An X-ray single crystal study of V 5 Sb 4 C 1−x proved the existence of interstitial elements in the octahedral voids of a partially filled Ti 5 Te 4 -type structure (x∼0.5; R F2 = 0.0101), therefore this phase (earlier labeled “V 5 Sb 4 ”) was excluded from the binary equilibrium phase diagram. V 5 Sb 4 C 1−x is the first representative of a filled Ti 5 Te 4 -type structure. A re-investigation of the Nb-Sb system removed the contradiction between the hitherto reported phase diagrams and confirmed the version derived by Melnyk et al. (see ref. [1]). Three binary phases exist in the Ta-Sb system: Ta 3+x Sb 1−x , Ta 5 Sb 4 , TaSb 2 . Due to instrumental limits (≤1450 °C), only the peritectic reaction of TaSb 2 : L + Ta 5 Sb 4 ↔ TaSb 2 ((1080 ± 10)°C at ∼92 at.% Sb) and a degenerate Sb-rich eutectic reaction (L↔TaSb 2 +(Sb); (622 ± 5)°C; ∼99 at.% Sb) have been determined. Physical properties (mechanical and transport properties) of binary di-antimonides were investigated with respect to a potential use of these metals either as diffusion barriers or electrodes for thermoelectric devices based on skutterudites. All group-V metal di-antimonides have low metallic-type resistivity and relatively high thermal conductivity. Magnetic field has little influence on the resistivity of V 1−x Sb 2 at low temperature, while on {Nb,Ta}Sb 2 it increases the resistivity, especially on NbSb 2 . The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) decreases from V 1−x Sb 2 to TaSb 2 , particularly the CTE value of NbSb 2 is in the range of average n-type filled skutterudites. In contrast to the CTE value, elastic moduli increase from V 1−x Sb 2 to TaSb 2 . The value for V 1−x Sb 2 is in the range of Sb-based skutterudites, whereas the values for {Nb,Ta}Sb 2 are significantly higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Zr alloying addition on the corrosion resistance of Zn has been investigated. In this work, the corrosion behaviour of Zn–1Zr (mass%) alloys has been assessed by open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements carried out in a 0.1 M NaCl solution, at approximately neutral pH, without stirring and in contact with the air. For comparison, the electrochemical tests have also been performed on unalloyed Zn as well as on Zn–1Ti commercial alloy employed as a protective coating for steel. Both open circuit potential and EIS results indicate that Zn–1Zr alloy exhibits superior corrosion resistance as compared to unalloyed Zn and Zn–1Ti alloy. This improvement may be ascribed to the formation of a corrosion products layer, mainly composed of Zn 5 (OH) 8 Cl 2 ⋅H 2 O and ZrO 2 , which shows higher protective effectiveness than the ones formed on Zn–1Ti alloy or on unalloyed Zn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the new “Hydrogen Economy” concept, water electrolysis is considered one of the most promising technologies for hydrogen production. Novel electrocatalytic materials for the hydrogen electrode are being actively investigated to improve the energy efficiency of current electrolysers. Platinum (Pt) alloys are known to possess good catalytic activities towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, virtually nothing is known about the effects of rare earth (RE) elements on the electrocatalytic behaviour of Pt towards the HER. In this study, the hydrogen discharge is evaluated in three different Pt–RE intermetallic alloy electrodes, namely Pt–Ce, Pt–Sm and Pt–Ho, all having equiatomic composition. The electrodes are tested in 8 M KOH aqueous electrolytes at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 85 °C. Measurements of the HER by linear scan voltammetry allow the determination of several kinetic parameters, namely the Tafel coefficients, charge-transfer coefficients, and exchange current densities. Activation energies of 46, 59, 39, and 60 kJ mol−1 are calculated for Pt, Pt–Ce, Pt–Sm and Pt–Ho electrodes, respectively. Results show that the addition of REs improves the activity of the Pt electrocatalyst. Studies are in progress to correlate the microstructure of the studied alloys with their performance towards the HER. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We synthesized thirty-six novel pyrazole derivatives and studied their antiproliferative activity in human ovarian adenocarcinoma A2780 cells, human lung carcinoma A549 cells, and murine P388 leukemia cells. Four of these substances were selected because of their higher antiproliferative activity and further analyses showed that they were all able to induce apoptosis, although to a different extent. The expression of p53 and p21waf1, which induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, was evaluated by western blot analysis in cells treated with compound 12d. The analysis of the cell cycle showed that all the selected compounds cause a partial G2/M block and the formation of polyploid cells. Furthermore, the four selected compounds were tested for their interaction with the microtubular cytoskeletal system by docking analysis, tubulin polymerization assay and immunofluorescence staining, demonstrating that the compound 12d, unlike the other active derivatives, was able to significantly bind dimers of α- and β-tubulin, probably causing a molecular distortion resulting in the disassembly of microtubules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of rare earth metal (Gd, Dy, Er, and Y) small additions on the corrosion behaviour of Zn–5% Al (Galfan) alloy has been investigated. The corrosion resistance of Zn–5Al–0.1Gd, Zn–5Al–0.1Dy, Zn–5Al–0.1Er, and Zn–5Al–0.1Y alloys has been assessed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements carried out in a 0.1M NaCl solution, at approximately neutral pH, without stirring and in contact with the air. For comparison, the electrochemical tests have also been carried out on the Galfan alloy. EIS results showed that rare earths’ addition significantly improves the corrosion behaviour of Galfan. This improvement is most likely due to enhanced barrier properties of the corrosion products layer and additional active corrosion protection originated from the inhibiting action of the lanthanide ions entrapped as oxides/hydroxides in this surface layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of rare earth metal (Ce, Er, Y) additions on the corrosion behaviour of Zn–5Al Galfan alloy has been investigated. The corrosion resistance of Zn–5Al–1Ce, Zn–5Al–1Er and Zn–5Al–1Y alloys has been assessed by various electrochemical tests, such as corrosion potential measurements, polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. They have been performed in a 0.1M Na2SO4 solution, at approximately neutral pH, without stirring and in contact with the air. For comparison, the electrochemical tests have also been carried out on the Zn–5Al alloy. Moreover, the surface morphology and nature of the corrosion products have been investigated. The results indicated that rare earths’ addition improves the corrosion behaviour of Galfan, the effect being more pronounced for the Er- and Y-containing alloys. The mechanism by which the corrosion resistance of Zn–5Al alloy is enhanced in presence of the rare earths is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]