Self-propagating reactions for environmental protection: Treatment of wastes containing asbestos

A thermochemical process based on the occurrence of self-propagating reactions that is able to convert asbestos fibers into harmless, nonfibrous species is proposed. Specifically, a mixture consisting of a waste (containing about 85 wt % of chrysotile), ferric oxide, and magnesium is able, once locally ignited by a thermal source, to generate a self-propagating reaction that travels through the mixture without requiring additional energy. The process is accompanied by a dramatic change in the material from both the chemical and microstructural points of view. In addition, front velocity and maximum combustion temperature decrease as the amount of waste in the starting mixture increases, with the self-propagating character being maintained if the waste content is equal to or below 60 wt %. It is also observed that, when nonasbestos (nontoxic) materials, i.e., sepiolite and glass fibers, are used instead of the hazardous waste, the front velocity, combustion temperature, propagation limits, and apparent activation energies are found to be very similar to those observed in the case of asbestos

Low-Frequency study of two clusters of galaxies: A2744 and A2219

Spectral index images can be used to constraint the energy spectrum of relativistic electrons and magnetic field distribution in radio halos and relics, providing useful information to understand their formation, evolution and connection to cluster merger processes. We present low-frequency images of the two clusters of galaxies: A2744 and A2219, in which a wide diffuse emission is detected. Observations were made with the Very Large Array at the frequency of 325 MHz. For both clusters deep Very Large Array 1.4 GHz observations are available. Combining the 325 MHz and 1.4 GHz data, we obtained the spectral index images and the brightness radial profiles of the diffuse radio emission with a resolution of ~ 1'. The azimuthally averaged spectral index in A2744 is constant to a value close to alpha ~ 1 up to a distance of 1 Mpc from the cluster center. However, the spectral index image shows the presence of localized regions in which the radio spectrum is significantly different from the average. The observed spectral index variations range from a minimum of alpha ~ 0.7 +/- 0.1 to a maximum alpha ~ 1.5 +/- 0.2. From the comparison of the spectral index with the X-rays data it is found for the first time that the flat spectrum regions of the radio halo tend to have higher temperature. In the case of A2219, the radio emission in the central regions of the cluster is dominated by the blend of discrete sources. The azimuthally averaged radio spectrum is alpha ~ 0.8 in the central region of the cluster and is close to a value of alpha ~ 1 in the radio halo. The limited sensitivity of the 325 MHz image does not allowed us to detect all the radio halo structure seen at 1.4 GHz and therefore no constrains on the point-to-point variations of the spectral index have been obtained for this cluster

Predictive method for correct identification of archaeological charred grape seeds: Support for advances in knowledge of grape domestication process

The identification of archaeological charred grape seeds is a difficult task due to the alteration of the morphological seeds shape. In archaeobotanical studies, for the correct discrimination between Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris and Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera grape seeds it is very important to understand the history and origin of the domesticated grapevine. In this work, different carbonisation experiments were carried out using a hearth to reproduce the same burning conditions that occurred in archaeological contexts. In addition, several carbonisation trials on modern wild and cultivated grape seeds were performed using a muffle furnace. For comparison with archaeological materials, modern grape seed samples were obtained using seven different temperatures of carbonisation ranging between 180 and 340°C for 120 min. Analysing the grape seed size and shape by computer vision techniques, and applying the stepwise linear discriminant analysis (LDA) method, discrimination of the wild from the cultivated charred grape seeds was possible. An overall correct classification of 93.3% was achieved. Applying the same statistical procedure to compare modern charred with archaeological grape seeds, found in Sardinia and dating back to the Early Bronze Age (2017-1751 2σ cal. BC), allowed 75.0% of the cases to be identified as wild grape. The proposed method proved to be a useful and effective procedure in identifying, with high accuracy, the charred grape seeds found in archaeological sites. Moreover, it may be considered valid support for advances in the knowledge and comprehension of viticulture adoption and the grape domestication process. The same methodology may also be successful when applied to other plant remains, and provide important information about the history of domesticated plant

Partial purification and MALDI-TOF MS analysis of UN1, a tumor antigen membrane glycoprotein.

UN1 is a membrane glycoprotein that is expressed in immature human thymocytes, a subpopulation of peripheral T lymphocytes, the HPB acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) T-cell line and fetal thymus. We previously reported the isolation of a monoclonal antibody (UN1 mAb) recognizing the UN1 protein that was classified as "unclustered" at the 5th and 6th International Workshop and Conference on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens. UN1 was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues and was undetected in non-proliferative lesions and in normal breast tissues, indicating a role for UN1 in the development of a tumorigenic phenotype of breast cancer cells. In this study, we report a partial purification of the UN1 protein from HPB-ALL T cells by anion-exchange chromatography followed by immunoprecipitation with the UN1 mAb and MALDI-TOF MS analysis. This analysis should assist in identifying the amino acid sequence of UN

Random laser action in self-organized para-sexiphenyl nanofibers grown by hot-wall epitaxy

We report on the observation of amplified spontaneous emission and random lasing in self-organized crystalline para-sexiphenyl nanofibers. Using subpicosecond excitation, a lasing threshold is observed on the 0-1 emission band near 425 nm at excitation fluences as low as 0.5 muJ/cm(2) (6x10(16) cm(-3) equivalent density), near the onset of density-dependent recombination processes. The dependence of the nonlinear emission spectrum on both the pump intensity and position of the excitation area are attributed to the interplay between random lasing and amplified spontaneous emission occurring along the nanofibers

Dietary Supplementation of Hericium erinaceus Increases Mossy Fiber-CA3 Hippocampal Neurotransmission and Recognition Memory in Wild-Type Mice

Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. is a medicinal mushroom capable of inducing a large number of modulatory effects on human physiology ranging from the strengthening of the immune system to the improvement of cognitive functions. In mice, dietary supplementation with H. erinaceus prevents the impairment of spatial short-term and visual recognition memory in an Alzheimer model. Intriguingly other neurobiological effects have recently been reported like the effect on neurite outgrowth and differentiation in PC12 cells. Until now no investigations have been conducted to assess the impact of this dietary supplementation on brain function in healthy subjects. Therefore, we have faced the problem by considering the effect on cognitive skills and on hippocampal neurotransmission in wild-type mice. In wild-type mice the oral supplementation with H. erinaceus induces, in behaviour test, a significant improvement in the recognition memory and, in hippocampal slices, an increase in spontaneous and evoked excitatory synaptic current in mossy fiber-CA3 synapse. In conclusion, we have produced a series of findings in support of the concept that H. erinaceus induces a boost effect onto neuronal functions also in nonpathological conditions

Potential of photodynamic therapy in the management of infectious oral diseases

In recent years there are more and more multi-drug resistant infections also at the oral level and this has led researchers to find alternative solutions to conventional pharmacology that have no impact on systemic health. Among these is photodynamic therapy, which has demonstrated efficacy both in vitro and in vivo, both in bacterial, viral (reducing recrudescence) and fungal infections, in particular Candida spp multidrug resistant