Role of Tunneling Nanotubes in the Nervous System

Cellular communication and the transfer of information from one cell to another is crucial for cell viability and homeostasis. During the last decade, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) have attracted scientific attention, not only as a means of direct intercellular communication, but also as a possible system to transport biological cargo between distant cells. Peculiar TNT characteristics make them both able to increase cellular survival capacities, as well as a potential target of neurodegenerative disease progression. Despite TNT formation having been documented in a number of cell types, the exact mechanisms triggering their formation are still not completely known. In this review, we will summarize and highlight those studies focusing on TNT formation in the nervous system, as well as their role in neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, we aim to stress some possible mechanisms and important proteins probably involved in TNT formation in the nervous system.     

TMEM106B Acts as a Modifier of Cognitive and Motor Functions in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) gene is a susceptibility factor and disease modifier of frontotemporal dementia, but few studies have investigated its role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The aim of this work was to assess the impact of the TMEM106B rs1990622 (A–major risk allele; G–minor allele) on phenotypic variability of 865 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Demographic and clinical features were compared according to genotypes by additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models. Bulbar onset was overrepresented among carriers of the AA risk genotype, together with enhanced upper motor neuron involvement and poorer functional status in patients harboring at least one major risk allele (A). In a subset of 195 patients, we found that the homozygotes for the minor allele (GG) showed lower scores at the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Screen, indicating a more severe cognitive impairment, mainly involving the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-specific cognitive functions and memory. Moreover, lower motor neuron burden predominated among patients with at least one minor allele (G). Overall, we found that TMEM106B is a disease modifier of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, whose phenotypic effects encompass both sites of onset and functional status (major risk allele), motor functions (both major risk and minor alleles), and cognition (minor allele).     

A new geological model for Spriana landslide

Complex large landslides are characterized by different kinematic behaviors and involve diverse materials. Both elements make it difficult to study the instability of these huge mass movements, which may cause massive damage and affect extended areas. This paper is focused on the study of Spriana landslide, an important rockslide located in the North of Italy. Starting from the geological interpretation provided by Belloni and Gandolfo (Geologia tecnica ed ambientale 3:7–36, 1997), the authors gather all available data sets and perform a novel analysis aimed to better describe the unstable body. The key point of this case study regards the characterization of the deeper surface of failure. The location as well as the continuity of this surface is a crucial unsolved question, and in this paper we try to provide a reasonable answer. We propose a new hypothesis based on a structurally controlled, wedge-like rockslide involving the presence of a composed deeper surface of failure constrained by the intersection of two different weak zones. Although this work mainly addresses the development of a new geological model, numerical simulations were also performed. Both continuous and discontinuous models were tested, and then a comparison of the outcomes of the numerical simulations was performed to define the best fit to the observed landslide behavior.     

Indoor air quality and the associated health risk in primary school buildings in Central Europe – The InAirQ study

The indoor air quality (IAQ) was investigated in sixty-four primary school buildings in five Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia). The concentration of volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, PM_2.5 mass, carbon dioxide, radon, as well as physical parameters were investigated during the heating period of 2017/2018. Significant differences were identified for the majority of the investigated IAQ parameters across the countries. The median indoor/outdoor ratios varied considerably. A comprehensive evaluation of IAQ in terms of potential health effects and comfort perception was performed. Hazard quotient values were below the threshold value of 1 with one exception. In contrast, 31% of the school buildings were characterized by hazard index values higher than 1. The maximum cumulative ratio approach highlighted that the concern for non-carcinogenic health effects was either low or the health risk was driven by more substances. The median excess lifetime cancer risk values exceeded the acceptable value of 1 × 10⁻⁶ in the case of radon and formaldehyde. PM_2.5 mass concentration values exceeded the 24 h and annual guideline values set by the World Health Organization in 56 and 85% of the cases, respectively. About 80% of the schools could not manage to comply with the recommended concentration value for carbon dioxide (1000 ppm).     

Acetals as nucleating agents for polypropylene

Nucleating agents increase the impact strength, tensile strength, and tensile elasticity modulus of semicrystalline polymers. Nucleating agents also decrease product cycle times, resulting in a cost savings per product unit. We have synthesized and tested 15 compounds as nucleactors for polypropylene. Of these, trinapthylidene sorbitol, tri-(4-methyl-1-naphthylidene)sorbitol, tri-(4-methoxy-1-naphthylidene) sorbitol, and dibenzylidene xylitol are efficient nucleators of polypropylene. Trinaphthylidene sorbitol (tns) has two major diastereomers: The “S” diastereomer yields a faster crystallization rate for polypropylene than does the commercial nucleator dibenzylidene sorbitol (Millad 3905). Crystallization rates are 208 and 88, respectively (t min^?1 × 1000). The “R” diastereomer, however, is a poor nucleator and interferes with the nucleating activity of the “S” diastereomer. A 52/48 mixture of diastereomers does not nucleate polypropylene, even at twice the concentration. This is first time that the importance of stereochemistry has been demonstrated in the nucleating action. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Bio-inspired solutions for locomotion in the gastrointestinal tract: background and perspectives

This paper illustrates a bio-inspired approach to effective, smooth and safe navigation in the human body and, in particular, in the gastrointestinal tract. This idea originates from the medical need to develop more powerful tools for microendoscopy, which is one of the most challenging frontiers of modern medicine. Understanding motion and perception systems of lower animal forms, such as parasites, worms, insects and snakes, can help to design and fabricate bio-inspired robots able to navigate in tortuous, slippery and difficult-to-access cavities of the human body. A preliminary study of a biomimetic adhesion system for the human tissues is presented in this work and some technological implementations are illustrated and discussed. Finally, some issues concerning the goals of smart and reactive locomotion are considered and the most promising and relevant enabling technologies are discussed.     

Reliability evaluation of plastic packaged devices for long life applications by THB test

The reliability of transistors, bipolar and CMOS integrated circuits encapsulated in different types of plastic packages was investigated by using the 85°C/85% R.H. test with applied bias and the results compared with a long term operating life test. Particular attention was devoted to pointing out the influence of technology, process control and working conditions on device reliability and failure mechanisms.In micropackaged transistors the importance of surface passivation in protecting the devices against gold corrosion was forcused, while the need of good process control was confirmed by the results of the test on micropackaged linear integrated circuits.In dual-in-line CMOS integrated circuits silicon nitride and polymide give, in general, a superior protection, but good results were obtained also with normal P-glass passivation when a clever arrangement of layout design rules was adopted. Results obtained exhibit a significant improvement in the reliability of plastic packaged devices, with the best figures showing no failures after 15,000 hours at 85°C/85% R.H. test with bias.     

Long-wavelength supercontinuum generation in bismuth-silicate fibres

A broad smooth supercontinuum has been generated at long wavelengths in a highly-nonlinear bismuth silicate fibre pumping near the zero-dispersion wavelength of the cladding glass.