A semantic linking framework to provide critical value-added services for E-journals on classics

In the field of Classical Studies the use of e-journals as effective means for scholarly research still needs to bootstrapped. This paper proposes a possible implementation of two value-added services to be provided by e-journals that is to reach this goal: reference linking and reference indexing. Both these services would contribute to make more machine-evident the hidden bond but of utmost importance which link together primary and secondary sources in this field of studies. On a technical level, this paper proposes the use of Microformats and of the Canonical Texts Service (CTS) protocol to build the semantic and nonproprietary linking framework necessary to provide scholars reading e-journals with some advanced and critical features

Extracellular ATP released by osteoblasts is a key local inhibitor of bone mineralisation

Previous studies have shown that exogenous ATP (>1µM) prevents bone formation in vitro by blocking mineralisation of the collagenous matrix. This effect is thought to be mediated via both P2 receptor-dependent pathways and a receptor-independent mechanism (hydrolysis of ATP to produce the mineralisation inhibitor pyrophosphate, PPi). Osteoblasts are also known to release ATP constitutively. To determine whether this endogenous ATP might exert significant biological effects, bone-forming primary rat osteoblasts were cultured with 0.5-2.5U/ml apyrase (which sequentially hydrolyses ATP to ADP to AMP + 2Pi). Addition of 0.5U/ml apyrase to osteoblast culture medium degraded extracellular ATP to <1% of control levels within 2 minutes; continuous exposure to apyrase maintained this inhibition for up to 14 days. Apyrase treatment for the first 72 hours of culture caused small decreases (≤25%) in osteoblast number, suggesting a role for endogenous ATP in stimulating cell proliferation. Continuous apyrase treatment for 14 days (≥0.5U/ml) increased mineralisation of bone nodules by up to 3-fold. Increases in bone mineralisation were also seen when osteoblasts were cultured with the ATP release inhibitors, NEM and brefeldin A, as well as with P2X1 and P2X7 receptor antagonists. Apyrase decreased alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) activity by up to 60%, whilst increasing the activity of the PPi-generating ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterases (NPPs) up to 2.7-fold. Both collagen production and adipocyte formation were unaffected. These data suggest that nucleotides released by osteoblasts in bone could act locally, via multiple mechanisms, to limit mineralisation

Health co-benefits of climate change action in Italy

The climate breakdown is increasingly affecting the health of people around the world. As weather extremes intensify, the global health burden of unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and air pollution increases too. Against this backdrop, overstretched health systems can take stock of the co-benefits that a low carbon transition could deliver if health is prioritised in climate policies.1 Yet, as pointed out in a recent commentary,2 the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK, put little focus on health-related goals. Similarly, health is often disregarded in countries’ nationally determined contributions and in national climate policies. The dissociation between public health policy and climate action translates into millions of avoidable adverse health outcomes and deaths each year. For example, reducing greenhouse gas emissions also reduces the effect of air pollution, which is the largest environmental cause of disease and mortality in Europe in terms of measurable effect

Lancet Countdown indicators for Italy: tracking progress on climate change and health

OBJECTIVES: to provide evidence of the health impacts of climate change in Italy. DESIGN: descriptive study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: the indicators published in the 2022 Lancet Countdown report were adapted and refined to provide the most recent data relevant to Italy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: twelve indicators were measured, organized within five sections mirroring those of the 2022 Lancet Countdown report: climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerabilities; adaptation, planning, and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement. RESULTS: the overall picture depicted by the analysis of the 12 indicators reveals two key findings. First, climate change is already affecting the health of Italian populations, with effects not being uniform across the Country and with the most vulnerable groups being disproportionately at risk. Second, results showed that Italy's mitigation response has been partial, with major costs to human health. Accelerated climate change mitigation through energy system decarbonisation and shifts to more sustainable modes of transport could offer major benefits to health from cleaner air locally and from more active lifestyles, and to climate change from reduction of global warming. The decarbonisation of agricultural systems would similarly offer health co-benefits to Italian population. Conclusions: through accelerated action on climate change mitigation, Italy has the opportunity of delivering major and immediate health benefits to its population. Developing a key set of local indicators to monitor the impacts of climate change and evaluate response actions, in terms of adaptation and mitigation, can help support and enhance policy and action to fight climate changes

The impact of intra-operative factors in otosclerosis outcomes: retrospective study in a tertiary centre

The aim of the study was to assess results from a large cohort of patients undergoing otosclerosis surgery with respect to the impact of intra-operative variables on post-operative hearing function and complications. We enrolled 384 patients affected by otosclerosis who were subjected to stapes surgery between 2004 and 2013 at a single institution. Surgery was performed in all cases under local anaesthesia, using a manual perforator and/or microdrill. Teflon-piston prosthesis was used in all patients. Audiological data obtained preoperatively and at last follow-up examination (minimum 12 months) were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the multiple regression model. Peripheral rim otosclerosis and diffuse otosclerosis were associated with better functional results compared to the obliterative pattern (p &lt; 0.05). Mean post-operative Air-Bone Gap was significantly higher in the 0.4 mm, compared to 0.6 mm piston group at 0.5 kHz (p &lt; 0.001) and 1 kHz (p &lt; 0.02); in the stapedotomy group a statistically significant difference was found between 0.4 and 0.6 mm piston groups, in favour of the latter (p &lt; 0.05). No differences were encountered in terms of average hearing threshold and complications. Intra-operative variables cannot be fully predictable and our data could help in stratification of the results and as a landmark for the surgeon’s decisions

Collaborative Care Best Practices Model (CCBPM) Development for Nursing and Occupational Therapy Assistant Interprofessional Simulation

The use of simulation as a teaching and learning stratagem is well supported in the professional literature. The development of a collaborative care best practices model (CCBPM) was undertaken to help the creation and implementation of an interprofessional education (IPE) learning strategy between occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and pre-licensure nursing students at a private liberal arts college. The project goals and outcomes involved faculty development, CCBPM development, and OTA and nursing novice student competency acquisition in their respective professions. Twenty-three students (10 OTA and 13 nursing) completed the IPE learning simulation exercise. A mixed-method approach to data analysis was used to evaluate aggregate data for simulation fidelity, student feelings of support, and identification of simulation experience themes. For both scenario and overall fidelity, the aggregate rating of strongly agree and agree equaled 90.9%. The aggregate rating of strongly agree and agree equaled 95.45% for equipment fidelity. The number of participants who rated their feeling of being supported by selecting strongly agree or agree was 72.72%. The participants worked in teams to complete the simulation and the debriefing process. Using grounded theory, safety, communication, and teamwork were the three primary themes identified from the transcribed team debriefing worksheets

Modello di tenuta della flangia bullonata, senza guarnizione, mediante l'analogia della meccanica della frattura di una fessura parzialmente aperta

I compressori centrifughi di elevate dimensioni non permettono l'utilizzo di guarnizioni deformabili, per cui le due meta della flangia di connessione sono forzate mediante bullonatura e la tenuta e affidata al contatto completo delle due superfici. La previsione della pressione di perdita e un aspetto di progetto di notevole interesse per questa tecnologia. L'azione della pressione interna sollecita la separazione delle superfici della flangia, che invece e contrastata dall'azione di serraggio dei bulloni. Il presente lavoro propone un modello per prevedere la condizione di perdita, basato sulla meccanica della frattura. Dato che le due superfici della flangia sono semplicemente a contatto, esse costituiscono una vera e propria fessura parzialmente aperta. Come ben noto il fattore di intensificazione di una fessura parzialmente aperta e nullo. Imponendo che le due superfici siano parzialmente separate ad una distanza fino al bordo del foro del bullone (che offre un canale di fuoriuscita per il fluido in pressione), e imponendo la condizione di fattore di intensificazione nullo, e possibile determinare la pressione di perdita, analiticamente, mediante la tecnica delle "weight functions" (o "funzioni peso"). Il presente lavoro riporta una positiva validazione del modello proposto mediante sia simulazione numerica sia risultati sperimentali in piena scala e in scala ridotta. Il modello analitico proposto offre uno strumento di progetto di immediata implementazione per comparare diverse geometrie di flangia bullonata