Mechanical properties of adobe bricks in ancient constructions

A study of the mechanical properties of adobe bricks collected from houses and land dividing walls in Aveiro district, Portugal, representative of existing traditional constructions, was conducted. Cylindrical adobe specimens were subjected to simple compression and splitting tests. From these tests it was possible to evaluate the strength capacity, stiffness and deformation evolution for increasing loading. Correlations between the evaluated properties were determined, and the results obtained for houses and land dividing walls were compared. This study contributes for the characterization of adobes traditionally used in Aveiro district, and provides reference values that can be considered in rehabilitation processes.     

Use of epifluorescence microscopy to assess the effectiveness of phage P100 in controlling Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel surfaces

One source of foodborne listeriosis is related to a virulent strain established in the food-processing environment. We used direct epifluorescence microscopy (DEM) to evaluate the effectiveness of phage P100 in controlling Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel surfaces, in wet conditions at room temperature. Biofilms that were allowed to develop for 72 h were subsequently treated with different concentrations of phage (5, 6, 7, and 8 log PFU/ml). L. monocytogenes was monitored up to 48 h, using both DEM and cultivation method. When L. monocytogenes was monitored using a cultivation method, the first significant reduction was observed after phage treatment with 7 and 8 log PFU/ml at 8 h. Subsequently, these treatments achieved undetectable levels of pathogen at 48 h, with a mean reduction of 5.29 log CFU/cm². Conversely, when samples were evaluated using DEM in treatments with 6, 7, and 8 log PFU/ml, although disaggregation of biofilms could be observed after 8 h, viable cells were still present up to 48 h (maximal reduction 1.5 log units). The phage titer remained stable or increased up to 2.59 log units during the study period. In conclusion, phage P100 may provide an adjuvant measure to control L. monocytogenes biofilm on stainless steel surfaces. However, phage treatment must be used in combination with other hygienization measures to increase efficacy. In this study, DEM was a good tool to quickly and accurately assess the real effect of phage P100 on L. monocytogenes biofilms.     

Ring test for whole-sediment toxicity assay with -a- benthic marine diatom

This work presents the results of an interlaboratory proficiency exercise for whole-sediment toxicity assays with the benthic marine diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. An assay protocol was established and followed by all participating laboratories. Cell growth after 72 h exposure was the endpoint used. Four sediment samples of unknown toxicity were assayed. The main problem encountered during this exercise was the differences in the cell growth of algae exposed to reference sediment. Those differences may be associated with changes in the physiological status of the initial culture due to temperature changes during transport to the other laboratories. In general, the method proposed presented good replicability (precision between replicates) and reproducibility (interlaboratory precision). Around 80% (17 out of 21) of results obtained were classified as satisfactory (Z-scores < 2). The whole-sediment assay with C. closterium presented here can be considered sufficiently successful for possible use as a standard toxicity test. The assay is simple to perform, the proposed species is ecologically relevant as an integral component of microphytobenthos, and is widely distributed around the world. These positive factors suggest that the whole-sediment assay with the benthic marine diatom C. closterium can be used as a reliable tool in marine sediment quality assessment.     

Smooth Transitions Between Parallel Coordinates and Scatter Plots via Polycurve Star Plots

This paper presents new techniques for seamlessly transitioning between parallel coordinate plots, star plots, and scatter plots. The star plot serves as a mediator visualization between parallel coordinate plots and scatter plots since it uses lines to represent data items as parallel coordinates do and can arrange axes orthogonally as used for scatter plots. The design of the transitions also motivated a new variant of the star plot, the polycurve star plot, that uses curved lines instead of straight ones and has advantages both in terms of space utilization and the detection of clusters. Furthermore, we developed a geometrically motivated method to embed scatter points from a scatter plot into star plots and parallel coordinate plots to track the transition of structural information such as clusters and correlations between the different plot types. The integration of our techniques into an interactive analysis tool for exploring multivariate data demonstrates the advantages and utility of our approach over a multi-view approach for scatter plots and parallel coordinate plots, which we confirmed in a user study and concrete usage scenarios.     

Development and evaluation of a risk-communication campaign on salmonellosis

Risk-communication campaigns are important means of promoting food safety. Although foodborne diseases are a widespread public-health problem, in Italy few communication campaigns have focused on such diseases. In 2007, we launched a public risk-communication campaign on salmonellosis. The initiative, based on communication theory, included a formative research, aimed to outline key aspects for campaign’s development, and an impact evaluation survey.The campaign was found effective in terms of target penetration and measurable learning outcomes. Results confirm that risk-communication campaigns on microbial infections can be successful when based on rigorous methodology, including a systematic evaluation process.     

DNA Sensors and Aptasensors Based on the Hemin/G‐quadruplex‐Controlled Aggregation of Au NPs in the Presence of L‐Cysteine

L‐cysteine induces the aggregation of Au nanoparticles (NPs), resulting in a color transition from red to blue due to interparticle plasmonic coupling in the aggregated structure. The hemin/G‐quadruplex horseradish peroxidase‐mimicking DNAzyme catalyzes the aerobic oxidation of L‐cysteine to cystine, a process that inhibits the aggregation of the NPs. The degree of inhibition of the aggregation process is controlled by the concentration of the DNAzyme in the system. These functions are implemented to develop sensing platforms for the detection of a target DNA, for the analysis of aptamer‐substrate complexes, and for the analysis of L‐cysteine in human urine samples. A hairpin DNA structure that includes a recognition site for the DNA analyte and a caged G‐quadruplex sequence, is opened in the presence of the target DNA. The resulting self‐assembled hemin/G‐quadruplex acts as catalyst that controls the aggregation of the Au NPs. Also, the thrombin‐binding aptamer folds into a G‐quadruplex nanostructure upon binding to thrombin. The association of hemin to the resulting G‐quadruplex aptamer‐thrombin complex leads to a catalytic label that controls the L‐cysteine‐mediated aggregation of the Au NPs. The hemin/G‐qaudruplex‐controlled aggregation of Au NPs process is further implemented for visual and spectroscopic detection of L‐cysteine concentration in urine samples.     

A computational model for tiling recognizable two-dimensional languages

Tiling systems are a well accepted model to define recognizable two-dimensional languages but they are not an effective device for recognition unless a scanning strategy for the pictures is fixed. We define a tiling automaton as a tiling system equipped with a scanning strategy and a suitable data structure. The class of languages accepted by tiling automata coincides with the REC family. In this framework it is possible to define determinism, non-determinism and unambiguity. Then (deterministic) tiling automata are compared with the other known (deterministic) automata models for two-dimensional languages.     

Effect of PACAP in Central and Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a bioactive peptide with diverse effects in the nervous system. In addition to its more classic role as a neuromodulator, PACAP functions as a neurotrophic factor. Several neurotrophic factors have been shown to play an important role in the endogenous response following both cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury and to be effective when given exogenously. A number of studies have shown the neuroprotective effect of PACAP in different models of ischemia, neurodegenerative diseases and retinal degeneration. The aim of this review is to summarize the findings on the neuroprotective potential of PACAP in models of different traumatic nerve injuries. Expression of endogenous PACAP and its specific PAC1 receptor is elevated in different parts of the central and peripheral nervous system after traumatic injuries. Some experiments demonstrate the protective effect of exogenous PACAP treatment in different traumatic brain injury models, in facial nerve and optic nerve trauma. The upregulation of endogenous PACAP and its receptors and the protective effect of exogenous PACAP after different central and peripheral nerve injuries show the important function of PACAP in neuronal regeneration indicating that PACAP may also be a promising therapeutic agent in injuries of the nervous system.     

Overexpression of miR-124 in Motor Neurons Plays a Key Role in ALS Pathological Processes

miRNA(miR)-124 is an important regulator of neurogenesis, but its upregulation in SOD1G93A motor neurons (mSOD1 MNs) was shown to associate with neurodegeneration and microglia activation. We used pre-miR-124 in wild-type (WT) MNs and anti-miR-124 in mSOD1 MNs to characterize the miR-124 pathological role. miR-124 overexpression in WT MNs produced a miRNA profile like that of mSOD1 MNs (high miR-125b; low miR-146a and miR-21), and similarly led to early apoptosis. Alterations in mSOD1 MNs were abrogated with anti-miR-124 and changes in their miRNAs mostly recapitulated by their secretome. Normalization of miR-124 levels in mSOD1 MNs prevented the dysregulation of neurite network, mitochondria dynamics, axonal transport, and synaptic signaling. Same alterations were observed in WT MNs after pre-miR-124 transfection. Secretome from mSOD1 MNs triggered spinal microglia activation, which was unno-ticed with that from anti-miR-124-modulated cells. Secretome from such modulated MNs, when added to SC organotypic cultures from mSOD1 mice in the early symptomatic stage, also coun-teracted the pathology associated to GFAP decrease, PSD-95 and CX3CL1-CX3CR1 signaling im-pairment, neuro-immune homeostatic imbalance, and enhanced miR-124 expression levels. Data suggest that miR-124 is implicated in MN degeneration and paracrine-mediated pathogenicity. We propose miR-124 as a new therapeutic target and a promising ALS biomarker in patient sub-populations.