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Organic mulching is a promising technique for sustainable weed control and soil management, as it enhances crop growth, soil quality, water retention, and erosion control. This research evaluated the effects of organic mulches—wheat straw, wood chips, spray cellulose pulp, compost, and a cover crop mixture—on the physical–mechanical properties of organic garden soil transitioning to natural farming. The controlled soil received no mulch. The soil was fertilized with mature bovine manure prior to a three-year crop rotation of tomato, lettuce, and savoy cabbage. Mulching occurred after the second harrowing and before transplanting. Soil analyses were conducted to assess changes after three years. Soil organic carbon levels increased significantly in soils treated with compost, cover crops, or chipped wood mulching (6.81, 3.17, and 2.07%, respectively) compared to other treatments (1.24% in the control plot). Different kinds of mulch had a significant impact on soil's physical–mechanical parameters. Compost, compared to the control, decreased the bulk density (from 1.22 to 0.89 Mg m−3), increased the infiltration rate (from 8.53 to 21.07 L m−2), and reduced compressive deformation (from 37.08 to 18.23%). The composition of mulch materials, specifically their nitrogen and carbon concentrations, C/N ratio, and moisture content, plays a significant role in influencing changes in soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attractive candidate to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and replace them by renewable sources is represented by concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, whose wide deployment is still hindered by its high investment costs. In CSP linear collector plants, a key component with high technological content may be identified in receiver tubes, that are traversed by heat transfer fluid and located on focal line on which solar radiation is concentrated by mirrors. The proposed work aims at developing spectrally selective coatings for receiver tubes able to overcome state‐of‐the‐art technological limitation in terms of both vacuum encapsulation and maximum operative temperature, currently limited at 550°C for molten salts CSP plants. To this aim, a multilayer structure was designed and developed for coating a receiver tube to be employed in open‐air environment at temperature of 600°C. The multilayer coating is based on tungsten chromium titanium infrared reflector and includes a solar absorber layer developed with two alternative methods of reactive sputtering and thermal oxidation respectively, finally covered by antireflective and barrier bi‐layer of aluminum oxide and silica. Thermal stability was demonstrated of the new developed coatings, since only small variations were measured of the optical parameters after more than 2000 h of aging in open air conditions at temperature of 600°C (on average less than 5%), with final measured solar absorptance αs of 73% and 87% and thermal emissivity εth at 600°C of 18% and 27% for aged multilayer structures including the absorber layer obtained through thermal oxidation and sputtering process, respectively. These results pave the way for further improvement in terms of both optical performance and operative temperature increase, allowing to enhance efficiency and lower costs, thus contributing to ease to deployment of CSP technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to verify the existence of a threshold effect in the capacity of Brassica napus to bioaccumulate cadmium in roots in soil artificially over-polluted with cadmium and to translocate it to the shoots at flowering and maturation. The cadmium effects on biomass production, on cadmium uptake and on morphological parameters were also investigated and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF) were also elaborated. Pot experiment was carried out in controlled conditions. The soil was contaminated with two concentrations of cadmium (50 and 100 mg kg-1 soil) administered to soil as cadmium sulphate. Plants were collected at flowering and maturation. The cadmium concentration of the plant and soil was determined after acid digestion by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). Cadmium uptake was calculated for each growth stage. The results showed that the B. napus tolerate and bioaccumulate cadmium during the entire life cycle without a threshold effect but the behaviour of cadmium in plants was different in flowering and maturation. The higher cadmium removal by shoots was found at flowering while, at maturation, the oilseed rape seems to be more active in bioaccumulating cadmium in roots. Positive linear correlation coefficient was found between cadmium in soil and shoot removals both for contamination levels and for phenological stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the incidence of with first‐episode psychosis (FEP) in the Integrated Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addictions in Ferrara, Italy, and to examine the association between the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) and the clinical course. Methods: Participants recruited in 2013–2019 were assessed with the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) every 6 months for 24 months. Hierarchical growth models analysed changes of global severity (HoNOS total scores) and symptom dimensions. Regression modelled factors associated with remission (HoNOS < 8) and clinical improvement (<12). Results: The incidence of FEP was 21.5 (95%CI: 21.2–21.9) cases per 100 000 person year. Among participants (n = 86, mean age 23, 76% males), baseline HoNOS scores were higher for those with a longer DUP. More than half subjects reached clinical remission (61.6%) or improvement (82.6%), while very few (2.3%) were re‐hospitalized. HoNOS total scores decayed with a mixed linear/quadratic trend, with a slower decay among migrants. A longer DUP was associated with reduced improvements of positive symptoms and lower likelihood of clinical improvement (OR: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.73–0.96). Conclusions: Patients from the FEP program of Ferrara reached good clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, individuals with a longer DUP may need additional clinical attention. Systematic monitoring of clinical outcomes may be an optimal strategy to improve the outcomes of FEP in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorder with no curative treatment characterized by degeneration of motor neurons involving a progressive impairment of motor and respiratory functions. Most patients die of ventilator respiratory failure. Caregivers have a great influence on the patient”s quality of life as well as on the quality of care. Home influence of the caregiver on patient care is notable. To date, no study has investigated how psychological issues of caregivers would influence respiratory variables of ALS patients. The study aimed at finding out if there is a relationship between the respiratory function of ALS patients and the level of distress of their caregivers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate respiratory issues (PCF and FVC) and the perception of social support of ALS patients. Caregivers filled questionnaires about trait anxiety, depression, and burden of care. Forty ALS patients and their caregivers were recruited. Results FVC and PCF were positively related to patient perception of social support and negatively related to caregiver anxiety, depression, and burden. Discussion The distress of ALS caregivers is related to patient respiratory issues. The first and more intuitive explanation emphasizes the impact that the patient’s clinical condition has with respect to the caregiver. However, it is possible to hypothesize that if caregivers feel psychologically better, their patient’s quality of life improves and that a condition of greater well-being and relaxation could also increase ventilatory capacity. Furthermore, care management could be carried out more easily by caregivers who pay more attention to the patient's respiratory needs. Conclusion Patient perception of social support and caregiver distress are related to respiratory issues in ALS.