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"Durres' Promenade" is a public space, used mainly for leisurely walk. Actually this area is completely exposed to the sunlight and it misses shading elements. This leads us to think that the thermal comfort principals were not considered during the urban design process. The aim of this paper is to assess outdoor thermal comfort, taking into consideration the microclimate modifications produced by shading. The study is experimental and analyzes "Durres Promenade" 1km length, as a case study. At the beginning it provides the types of shading used in promenade both artificial and natural shades. Field measurements considering air temperature, relative air humidity, wind speed, mean radiant temperature, dew point, and thermal images are taken in different places of promenade during the year in different times. At the end, it compares, in the light of thermal comfort, the results obtain from measurement, between the shaded and not shaded areas. Furthermore is pointed out the difference of temperature between an area shaded by trees, to an area shaded by tends (artificial shads) and to an area without shades. The results will show how much influence in the built environment will provide the use of shading in promenade and public spaces in terms of microclimate conditions and thermal comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) is a gastrointestinal illness. It is caused by the consumption of contaminated shellfish. These toxins are produced by the planktonic algae (mainly dinoflagellates). The aim of the current study was to evaluate the presence of potential toxic phytoplankton species and marine biotoxins like DSP in Butrinti Lagoon and to analyze the relationship between toxin levels and abundance of possible causative phytoplankton species. Samples were collected in Butrinti Lagoon, known for the cultivation of the, Mytilus galloprovicialis and fishing. During January 2011 until December 2012 were analyzed 126 samples of M. galloprovincialis for the presence of lipophilic toxins and dinoflagellates potentially toxic. The toxins were extracted from shellfish tissue using acetone, followed by extraction with dichloromethane and methanol. The final residue is dissolve in 1% (v/v) Tween 60. 19.84% of samples analyzed shown positive results for the presence of toxins that cause DSP with higher concentration of limit sets in EC Regulation No. 853/2004. The presence of different dinoflagellates was observed in the samples during that period in level 120cell/L - 920 cell/L, like Gonyaulax spinifera, Dinophysis sacculus, Dinophysis acuminata, that are known to produce algal toxins, including DSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the urban history and mythology of Trieste, Italy beginning in the early 18th century. Topics include the origins of the city as a small town in the beginning of the 18th century, the diverse origins of people arriving in the city during its period of population growth in the 1700s, and economic and urban growth during this time. Other topics include boundaries of the city, relations between Trieste and Venice, Italy and Vienna, Austria, and merchants in the city.

The aim of the current study was to analyze the relationship between lipophilic toxins levels and abundance of possible causative phytoplankton species in Butrinti Lagoon during 2007-2009. The consumption of shellfish that have filtered cells of the dinoflagellate genus Dinophysis have led to cases of intestinal upset. Two varieties appear responsible for DSP: Dinophysis acuta and D. acuminata. Diarrhea was the most commonly reported symptom (92%), closely followed by nausea (80%) and vomiting (79%), with onset 30 minutes to 12 hours from ingestion. Complete clinical recovery is seen even in severe cases within 3 days. The toxins are fat soluble, have high molecular weights, and belong to a class of compounds called polycyclic ethers. Samples were collected in Butrinti Lagoon, known for the aquaculture activity (cultivation of the blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovicialis) and fishing. About 346 samples of M. galloprovincialis were analyzed with mouse bioassay. Only 31 samples from 346 shown positive results for the presence of lipophilic toxins that cause DSP with higher concentration of limit sets in EC Regulation No. 853/2004. The presence of different dinoflagellates, that are known to produce lipophilic toxins, was observed in the samples during that period, like Gonyaulax spinifera, Dinophysis sacculus, Dinophysis acuminata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria and their toxic products represent a serious problem in many waters. Cyanobacteria influence larval development of silver carp on the base of embryolarval toxicity test. We examine histological changes of tissues of silver carp larvae exposed for 30 days to the crude extract of cyanobacteria. Tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and examined using light microscopy. Changes of kidney, in particular, were examined. Crude extract of cyanobacteria, containing the known amount of microcystins LR, YR and RR (9.0 and 0.9 μg·L-1, i.e. medium and low concentration of the extract), was administered to silver carp eggs. The experiments were finished after 30 days. The extract with medium concentration caused an increase in malformed and dead larvae after 30 days exposure. The extract with low concentration caused an increase in dead larvae. No changes were found in the kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses commercial corruption and law among pre-industrial Italian traders and merchants during the 18th century, with information on the fraudulent business practices of the traveling sales agent and merchant Bernardo Cutica of Trieste, Italy. Topics include the lack of historical documentation by merchant houses and businessmen of the time, customs reliefs and other benefits granted to merchants involved in long distance trade routes, and investigations into allegations against Cutica who was accused of theft and fraud. The article links merchants' professional performance with social capital and influence based on trust.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are materials with overall dimensions in the nanoscale range. They have unique physicochemical properties, and have emerged as important players in current research in modern medicine. In the last few decades, several types of NPs and microparticles have been synthesized and proposed for use as contrast agents for diagnostics and imaging and for drug delivery; for example, in cancer therapy. Yet specific targeting that will improve their delivery still represents an unsolved challenge. The mechanism by which NPs enter the cell has important implications not only for their fate but also for their impact on biological systems. Several papers in the literature discuss the potential risks related to NP exposure, and more recently the concept that even sublethal doses of NPs may elicit a cell response has been proposed. In this review, we intend to present an overall view of cell mechanisms that may be perturbed by cell-NP interaction. Published data, in fact, emphasize that NPs should no longer be viewed only as simple carriers for biomedical applications, but that they can also play an active role in mediating biological effects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to find out how crude extract of cyanobacteria can influence larval development of hypophthalmichthys on the basis of embryo-larval toxicity test and histological changes of liver of larvae hypophthalmichthys aexposed 30 days to the crude extract of cyanobacteria with the cumulative concentration 9.0 μg l-1 (medium concentration of the extract) and 0.9 μg l-1 (low concentration of the extract) of microcystins LR, RR and YR. The experiments were finished after 30 days. Evaluation of the tests was based on the OECD guideline for testing chemicals, direction 210 from 1992. Liver sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and using light microscopy. The extract with medium concentration caused an increase in malformed and dead larvae. The extract with low concentration caused an increase in dead larvae. Vacuolisation of hepatocytes accompanied by damage of nuclei (pyknosis,) were found in the group exposed to the low concentration of the extract. Necroses of hepatocytes with vacuolization and nuclei damage (pyknosis, karyolysis,) were found in the group exposed to the medium concentration of the extract. The degree of damage depended on the concentration of the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]