Characterization of carbon nanotube 3D-structures infused with low viscosity epoxy resin system

This work presents the use of carbon nanotube (CNT) skeletons and the resin infusion process as a path towards the production of polymer composites with high and well dispersed nanotube content. A general purpose low viscosity epoxy resin was used as matrix in the reported process assessment. Thin CNT papers, called skeletons, were initially produced to obtain CNT networks. The impregnation was made by infiltrating the non-diluted resin through the carbon nanotube structure. The results show the proposed processing approach as one capable of producing well dispersed nanocomposites with high CNT loading (more than 15 wt% CNT by composite weight), which are important for developing high performance structures based on carbon nanotubes with good thermal and electrical conductivity. The absolute mechanical performance was lower than expected, and discussed in light of manufacturing problems detected by microscopy observations under scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Ethanol steam reforming kinetics of a Pd–Ag membrane reactor

The ethanol steam reforming reaction carried out in a Pd-based tubular membrane reactor has been modelled via a finite element code. The model considers the membrane tube divided into finite volume elements where the mass balances for both lumen and shell sides are carried out accordingly to the reaction and permeation kinetics. Especially, a simplified “power law” has been applied for the reaction kinetics: the comparison with experimental data obtained by using three different kinds of catalyst (Ru, Pt and Ni based) permitted defining the coefficients of the kinetics expression as well as to validate the model. Based on the Damkohler–Peclet analysis, the optimization of the membrane reformer has been also approached.     

Adipose Tissue Dysfunction and Obesity-Related Male Hypogonadism

Obesity is a chronic illness associated with several metabolic derangements and comorbidities (i.e., insulin resistance, leptin resistance, diabetes, etc.) and often leads to impaired testicular function and male subfertility. Several mechanisms may indeed negatively affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal health, such as higher testosterone conversion to estradiol by aromatase activity in the adipose tissue, increased ROS production, and the release of several endocrine molecules affecting the hypothalamus–pituitary–testis axis by both direct and indirect mechanisms. In addition, androgen deficiency could further accelerate adipose tissue expansion and therefore exacerbate obesity, which in turn enhances hypogonadism, thus inducing a vicious cycle. Based on these considerations, we propose an overview on the relationship of adipose tissue dysfunction and male hypogonadism, highlighting the main biological pathways involved and the current therapeutic options to counteract this condition.     

Modeling Lung Carcinoids with Zebrafish Tumor Xenograft

Lung carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors that comprise well-differentiated typical (TCs) and atypical carcinoids (ACs). Preclinical models are indispensable for cancer drug screening since current therapies for advanced carcinoids are not curative. We aimed to develop a novel in vivo model of lung carcinoids based on the xenograft of lung TC (NCI-H835, UMC-11, and NCI-H727) and AC (NCI-H720) cell lines and patient-derived cell cultures in Tg(fli1a:EGFP)^y1 zebrafish embryos. We exploited this platform to test the anti-tumor activity of sulfatinib. The tumorigenic potential of TC and AC implanted cells was evaluated by the quantification of tumor-induced angiogenesis and tumor cell migration as early as 24 h post-injection (hpi). The characterization of tumor-induced angiogenesis was performed in vivo and in real time, coupling the tumor xenograft with selective plane illumination microscopy on implanted zebrafish embryos. TC-implanted cells displayed a higher pro-angiogenic potential compared to AC cells, which inversely showed a relevant migratory behavior within 48 hpi. Sulfatinib inhibited tumor-induced angiogenesis, without affecting tumor cell spread in both TC and AC implanted embryos. In conclusion, zebrafish embryos implanted with TC and AC cells faithfully recapitulate the tumor behavior of human lung carcinoids and appear to be a promising platform for drug screening.     

Social media adoption in Italian firms. Opportunities and challenges for lagging regions

Social media are an important growth opportunity for firms, especially small-sized ones operating in peripheral and lagging regions. In this paper, we investigate not only whether firms are able to take this opportunity, but also if they are able to face the challenge of adopting social media at a professional level to obtain a significant economic impact, measured in terms of exporting activities. Exploring the Italian case, our empirical study indicates that smaller firms in lagging areas are more likely to adopt social media but at the same time less likely to use them at a professional level. This reflects poor strategic targets of social media adoption and lower probabilities of entering international markets.     

The bone morphogenetic protein 15 gene is X-linked and expressed in oocytes

We have taken advantage of the sequence relationships among the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to identify the mouse Bmp15 and human BMP15 genes. The 392-amino acid prepropeptides encoded by these BMP genes exhibit significant homology to each other, although the 70% identity observed between the 125-amino acid mature peptides is considerably lower than that seen in comparisons of other mouse and human orthologs. Both genes share a common structural organization and encode mature peptides that lack the cysteine residue normally involved in the formation of a covalent dimer. In addition, mouse Bmp15 and human BMP15 map to conserved syntenic regions on the X chromosome. We demonstrate, through a combination of Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses, that mouse Bmp15 is expressed specifically in the oocyte beginning at the one-layer primary follicle stage and continuing through ovulation. Interestingly, BMP-15 is most closely related to and shares a coincident expression pattern with the mouse growth/differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) gene that is essential for female fertility. Our findings will be important for defining the role of BMP-15 in follicular development.     

Review of Childhood pain: Current issues, research, and management.

Reviews the book, Childhood pain: Current issues, research, and management by Dorothea M. Ross and Sheila A. Ross (1988). This book is an amalgamation of what is known about assessment and control of pain in children. It should be of interest to anyone involved with clinical pain in children, especially pediatricians, nurses, child life workers, and clinical psychologists. Coverage of topics in this book is extensive, with slightly more attention given to non-pharmacologic strategies for pain management, the authors' area of expertise. The style is easy to read and the inclusion of case studies and quotes from children make it credible. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Within-subject decline in delayed-non-match-to-sample radial arm maze performance in aging Sprague-Dawley rats.

A within-subject design was used to examine delayed-non-match-to-sample radial arm maze performance in aging (6–18 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats. A decrease in correct choices and an increase in retroactive errors were observed at all retention intervals at 18 months of age compared with performance at 6 or 12 months. No age by retention interval interaction was observed. Neither age nor increasing retention interval influenced proactive errors during the retention test. The observation of an age- and delay-dependent increase in retroactive errors, but not proactive errors, suggests that the deficit relates to a memory dysfunction as opposed to a generalized performance deficit. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reservoir Design Optimization Incorporating Performance Indices

Water Resources Management - This paper introduces a reservoir design optimization model adapted to incorporate performance norms so that the active storage capacity can be determined assuming that...