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The maintenance and rehabilitation of roads is becoming a key challenge in the pavement industry to decrease the consumption of natural resources. Microwave-assisted self-healing technology extends the life-service of asphalt pavements for roads reducing the need for fossil fuels over its lifespan and saving the use of natural resources. This technique takes advantage of the thermoplastic and dielectric properties of asphalt mixtures that allows cracks to be closed, hence, heal and restore the asphalt mixtures mechanical behaviour without implementing more invasive traditional maintenance operations like milling and replacing the pavement. A Life-Cycle Assessment was carried out to determine the potential environmental benefits of using this technology quantifying its potential environmental impacts. Different scenarios in which the heating energy and the addition of slag varies has been evaluated and compared with a conventional road. Results shows that this technology could decrease a significant number of environmental impacts over the lifecycle.

Abstract The Antarctic Peninsula (AP) experienced a new extreme warm event and record-high surface melt in February 2022, rivaling the recent temperature records from 2015 and 2020, and contributing to the alarming series of extreme warm events over this region showing stronger warming compared to the rest of Antarctica. Here, the drivers and impacts of the event are analyzed in detail using a range of observational and modeling data. The northern/northwestern AP was directly impacted by an intense atmospheric river (AR) attaining category 3 on the AR scale, which brought anomalous heat and rainfall, while the AR-enhanced foehn effect further warmed its northeastern side. The event was triggered by multiple large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns linking the AR formation to tropical convection anomalies and stationary Rossby waves, with an anomalous Amundsen Sea Low and a record-breaking high-pressure system east of the AP. This multivariate and spatial compound event culminated in widespread and intense surface melt across the AP. Circulation analog analysis shows that global warming played a role in the amplification and increased probability of the event. Increasing frequency of such events can undermine the stability of the AP ice shelves, with multiple local to global impacts, including acceleration of the AP ice mass loss and changes in sensitive ecosystems.

Abstract Background In recent years, the importance of ecosystem services (ESs) has been significantly recognized in policy-making processes. The choice of life cycle (LC) methodologies to measure potential impacts, also relative to the changes in the levels of ecosystem services provided by nature, is increasing, but the implementation of ESs in LC approaches does not seem to be widespread, just as there is no comprehensive and exhaustive framework of the directions taken by scientific research in this regard. To explore the state of the art and try to overcome this gap a systematic and critical literature search was conducted for application case studies that evaluate ESs by means of LC tools (Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing, and Social Life Cycle Assessment). Using Scopus and WoS databases and PRISMA model, a selection and skimming of the resulting records were carried out based on several criteria such as general criteria, specific criteria related to ESs, and LC methodological criteria. Results In general, the analysis of results showed as ESs uses typical methodological aspects such as the use of the functional unit related and the use of secondary data. Regarding impact categories, the LCIA methods are used also for the assessment of ESs due to the implementation through LCA software such as Simapro or GaBi, to analyse different pressure caused, for example, by land use and land-use change and the assessment of “regulating” ESs. Conclusions Future research advancements should focus on the assessment of cultural and supporting services because, at the actual state, they are very neglected in the literature. Similarly, the implementation of ESs in LC methodologies should provide the inclusion of cause-and-effect relationships that go beyond the environmental services or disservices to understand how and how much the alterations of ESs impact also from an economic and social point of view.

The citrus sector represents one of the main agri-food supply chains in Italy, which today is the second largest producer of citrus fruits in Europe. Consequently, its impact from an environmental, economic and social point of view can be considerable and it is therefore necessary to assess the sustainability performance of this supply chain. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies are nowadays an important tool for the improvement of production standards and for better decision support by entrepreneurs and public decision makers. This work aims to review in a systematic way the scientific literature on LCA applied to the citrus fruit sector and was conducted following the STARR-LCA checklist approach. The survey was conducted through the main bibliographic databases: Scopus, Web Of Science and Google Scholar, adopting specific search criteria depending on the tool used; the search led to a final selection of 42 articles. The analysis of the papers was conducted using various parameters such as: topic, methodology applied, system boundaries, functional units, allocation criteria, inventory analysis and impact assessment. The analysis of the results shows an overview of the state of the art of LCA approach applied to the citrus sector and can provide useful data and information for practitioners as well as a basis for further methodological developments.

Obesity is increasingly prevalent worldwide and is linked to metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), due to excessive free fatty acids (FFAs). Although lifestyle changes are effective, they often prove to be insufficient as initial treatments for obesity. Additionally, while surgical and pharmacological interventions are available, they are not entirely safe or effective. Recently, interest has grown in utilizing food waste and plant-derived phenolic compounds for their health benefits, presenting a promising avenue for managing obesity and its related disorders. Indeed, many studies have examined the potential inhibitory effects of the natural extract on adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. This study focused on the evaluation of the effects of standardized extracts obtained from red oranges and olive leaf waste on 3T3-L1 murine pre-adipocyte and adipocyte functionality. Red orange extract (ROE) and olive leaf extract (OLE), alone and in combination, were tested to assess their anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their potential therapeutic benefits. Three in vitro models were established to investigate the effects of the extracts on (I) adipocyte differentiation; (II) mature and hypertrophic adipocytes challenged with palmitic acid (PA) and erastin (ER), respectively; and (III) erastin-induced cytotoxicity on pre-adipocytes.

Introduction: Neurosurgery is considered a technically demanding specialty; nonetheless, it also requires non-technical skills (NTSs) to reach mastery. Research question: This study seeks to understand how important NTSs are perceived by neurosurgeons across diverse roles and socio-economic backgrounds. The objective is to identify key NTSs and explore their role in surgical precision, teamwork, and collaboration. Material and method: An international survey involving 372 neurosurgeons from various socio-economic and cultural contexts was conducted. The extensive sample and inclusive methodology provide a comprehensive perspective on the perceived importance of NTSs in neurosurgery. Results: The survey results highlight the universal significance of NTSs among neurosurgeons. Attention to detail, humility, and self-awareness are considered essential for surgical precision, effective teamwork, and collaboration. The findings underscore the necessity for integrated training programs that combine NTSs with technical skills. Discussion and conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of effective training methods such as simulations, mentorship, and role-playing in equipping neurosurgeons to navigate the complexities of their profession. Future research should focus on optimizing teaching methods for NTSs, comparing traditional courses, online modules, and hybrid training programs. Addressing the global disparity in neurosurgical care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is crucial for improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Abstract In point-scanning microscopy, optical sectioning is achieved using a small aperture placed in front of the detector, i.e. the detection pinhole, which rejects the out-of-focus background. The maximum level of optical sectioning is theoretically obtained for the minimum size of the pinhole aperture, but this is normally prevented by the dramatic reduction of the detected signal when the pinhole is closed, leading to a compromise between axial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. We have recently demonstrated that, instead of closing the pinhole, one can reach a similar level of optical sectioning by tuning the pinhole size in a confocal microscope and by analyzing the resulting image series. The method, consisting in the application of the separation of photons by lifetime tuning (SPLIT) algorithm to series of images acquired with tunable pinhole size, is called SPLIT-pinhole (SPLIT-PIN). Here, we share and describe a SPLIT-PIN software for the processing of series of images acquired at tunable pinhole size, which generates images with reduced out-of-focus background. The software can be used on series of at least two images acquired on available commercial microscopes equipped with a tunable pinhole, including confocal and stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopes. We demonstrate applicability on different types of imaging modalities: (1) confocal imaging of DNA in a non-adherent cell line; (2) removal of out-of-focus background in super-resolved STED microscopy; (3) imaging of live intestinal organoids stained with a membrane dye.

In the last decade, various asphalt paving materials have undergone investigation for sound attenuation purposes. This research aims to delve into the innovative design of sustainable road pavements by examining sound absorption in rubber-modified asphalt mixtures. More specifically, the impact of alternative sustainable materials on the sound absorption of asphalt mixtures across different temperatures, precisely crumb rubber (CR) derived from recycling of end-of-life tires, was investigated. The acoustic coefficient and its Gaussian fit parameters (Peak, BandWidth, and Area Under the Curve) were evaluated. Five different types of asphalt mixtures were studied, encompassing dense, discontinuous, and open mixtures with 0%, 0.75%, and 1.50% CR incorporated through the dry process (DP). The results of sound absorption indicated a slight influence of crumb rubber at temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 60 °C, particularly in mixtures with high void content. On the other hand, as expected, the void content proved to be highly correlated with sound absorption. These findings facilitated the establishment of predictive models that correlate acoustic absorption spectra with the characteristics of asphalt mixtures. As a result, these models will be valuable in the design of the next generation of sound-absorbing pavements.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test in the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism (CH) in patients with pituitary disease.MethodsSystematic evaluation of 359 TRH tests in patients with pituitary disease including measurements of thyroxine (T4), TBG-corrected T4 (T4corr), baseline TSH (TSH0) and relative or absolute TSH increase (TSHfold, TSHabsolute).ResultsPatients diagnosed with CH (n=39) show comparable TSH0 (p-value 0.824) but lower T4corr (p-value