Clinical and mammographic screening in a district of Milan: organization, social influence and results

A reduction in the mortality rate for breast cancer in women over 50 years undergoing mammographic screening has been reported in many studies. Since the first experience in Florence in 1970, mammographic screenings on a population from different areas of Italy began. We report the experience carried out in the 16th District of Milan among women from 50 to 60 years of age. A promotional activity with the use of local media supported the program. The screening was based on two-view conventional mammography and clinical examination. Immediate response was given to the women. The compliance was 60%. Mainly immigrants, with only primary school education, mothers of several children and freelancers seem to be the main features of the women in the non-attenders group.     

An ELIME-array for detection of aflatoxin B1 in corn samples

The aim of the present work was the development of an ELIME-array to achieve simple and rapid detection of AFB₁ in corn samples. The system is based on an indirect competitive ELISA format using magnetic beads as immobilisation support and eight magnetised screen-printed electrodes as electrochemical transducers.After an optimisation study, a corn sample treatment, employing an extraction in acetonitrile/water followed by a clean-up step and solvent evaporation, was selected.For the construction of the calibration curve, which was used to evaluate both evaluation of the matrix effect on the performances of the ELIME-array and for the analysis of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), standard solutions of AFB₁ were added to blank dried corn extracts reconstituted in PBS. The detection limit and the sensitivity of the assay were calculated to be 0.6 ng mL^?1 and 1.5 ng mL^?1, respectively.Precision (11–26%) and recovery (95–114%) data of the ELIME-array, determined by analysing four CRMs, have shown that the proposed system appears suitable as a screening tool for the analysis of AFB₁ in corn samples.     

Leveraging diverse knowledge sources through proactive behaviour: How companies can use inter‐organizational networks for business model innovation

The relevance of business model innovation (BMI) for strategic renewal and competitive advantage has been increasingly recognized by both strategy scholars and managers. In this paper, we explore how inter‐organizational networks and firms' proactiveness influence BMI. By examining Dutch design companies, we show that having a network of companies with different sizes has a positive effect on BMI. We also observe a positive effect of ties change. Finally, we show the importance of firms' proactiveness. Through the discussion of network elements and proactiveness as antecedents of BMI, we contribute to the business model and social network literature.     

Microbiological,physical and chemical characteristics of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in modified‐atmosphere packaging

This study evaluated the influence of packaging atmosphere (air versus 50% N₂/50% CO₂) on microbiological (mesophiles, psychrotrophs), physical (gas measurement) and chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB‐N], NH₃, H₂S and biogenic amines) parameters in freshwater prawns during storage at 0 ± 1 °C for 240 h. To select the most appropriate packaging, 21 batches of each treatment were analysed. Both the packaging permeability and the combination of gases affected the shelf life, but the modified‐atmosphere packaging (MAP) was more efficient than air packaging, increasing the shelf life by 40 h. The parameters of pH and TVB‐N showed no statistical difference between the two atmosphere conditions all along the storage period. The biogenic amine agmatine showed potential for use as a quality indicator due to the increased concentration during storage. In further studies, this amine can be applied as an indicator for public health issue.     

Acetals‐induced strength increase of melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) polycondensation adhesives. II. Solubility and colloidal state disruption

The strength improvement induced by addition of acetals such as methylal and ethylal in melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) resins could be mostly ascribed to the increased effectiveness and participation of the melamine to resin cross‐linking. This phenomenon has been shown here, by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectroscopy, resin aging time stability, and mainly by laser light scattering, to be due to the following: (i) the increased solubility in water afforded by the acetals cosolvents of both the unreacted melamine and of the normally very much lower solubility, higher molecular weight, lower methylolated oligomers fraction, this leading to preferentially homogeneous and hence more effective reaction rather than heterogeneous reactions; and (ii) the effect that such acetals have on the size distribution of the resin colloidal particles, with the presence of acetals such as methylals markedly decreasing the average colloidal particles diameter of the resin. This latter effect appears to be due to the disruption of the molecular clustering of the MUF resin colloidal particles, but rearrangements in the size of the colloidal particles due to the decrease in surface tension of the system, which has also been noted, cannot be excluded. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1855–1862, 2002     

New insights into the psychological dimension of wood–human interaction

The effect a wooden-built environment exerts on the physical and psychological well-being of people has mostly been investigated by evaluation, through a limited number of sensory modalities, of small size stimuli. In this research, two real-size wooden and plaster indoor settings were used to examine the influence of wood on people’s emotions and perceptions. Three questionnaires assessed participants’ multimodal sensory, affective, and cognitive responses to the settings (Semantic Differential questionnaire), their emotional state (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), and their environmental behaviour and biophilia degree (Nature Relatedness Scale). The results revealed that wood induces more positive emotions than plaster, and that individual biophilia degree appears to influence the tactile, auditory, and olfactory evaluation of the settings. It furthermore indicates how wood used in real buildings positively influences human psychological well-being and highlights the importance of considering multiple sensory modalities when investigating wood–human interaction.     

旧建筑的新生活

设计师Sim one M icheli来自意大利的佛罗伦萨,他的设计在色彩和形状方面往往有大胆的创新,充满了现代感和各种各样的变化,没有人能猜到他的下个设计会是什么样子。他尤其擅长一些宾馆、商店和展览的室内设计。该项目位于意大利北部城市瓦雷泽。别墅的主人希望自己的房子是独一     

Polymer layered silicate nanocomposites

Polymers filled with low amounts of layered silicate dispersed at nanoscale level are most promising materials characterized by a combination of chemical, physical and mechanical properties that cannot be obtained with macro‐ or microscopic dispersions of inorganic fillers. Polymer layered silicate nanocomposites can be obtained by insertion of polymer molecules in the galleries between the layers of phyllosilicate. Here, hydrated alkaline or alkaline earth metal cations are hosted which neutralize the negative charge resulting from isomorphous substitutions of Mg or Al cations within the silicate. Insertion of polymer molecules to prepare “intercalation hybrids” can be carried out by replacing the water hydration molecules in the galleries by polymers containing polar functional groups, using the so called ion‐dipole method. A more general technique involves compatibilization of the silicate by intercalation of an organic molecule, typically an organic alkylammonium salt, that replaces the cations in the interlayer galleries to form an organically modified layered silicate (OLS). The aliphatic chain of the OLS favors the intercalation of any type of polymer. Intercalated or delaminated polymer‐silicate hybrids are obtained depending on whether the stack organization of the silicate layers is preserved or is lost, with single sheets being distributed in the polymer matrix. The methods currently used for preparing polymer layered silicate (PLS) nanocomposites are: in situ polymerization, from polymer solution, or from polymer melt. Although PLS nanocomposites have been known for a long time, it is the possibility of preparing them by melt intercalation of OLS in processing that is boosting the present interest in these materials and their properties. So far PLS nanocomposites have been characterized by X‐ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and NMR. Published results on PLS nanocomposites are reviewed concerning their characterization and properties with particular reference to fire retardant behavior.