Organic–inorganic hybrid foams based on an alkali alumino-silicate matrix were prepared using different foaming methods. Firstly, silico-aluminate inorganic matrix, activated through a sodium ...silicate solution, was prepared at room temperature. The obtained viscous paste was expanded by means of silicon metal redox reaction in alkaline media in combination with protein-assisted foaming. The foamed systems were hardened at defined temperature and time and then characterized by FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, and compression tests. The high temperature behavior and specific surface area were also evaluated. The experimental findings highlighted that the combination of silicon metal and vegetable protein allowed tailoring hybrid foams with enhanced properties: good yield strength and thermal resistance typical of geopolymeric foam with a ductile behavior (toughness) and low density typical of organic foams.
This work empirically investigates Italian cooperative banks (BCCs) as a driver of new business creation in the Italian provinces over the period 2003–12. The results show that the presence of BCCs ...positively and significantly affects firms’ entry rates. We also find that the impact of BCCs diffusion on birth rate tends to be stronger for high tech industries during the pre‐crisis years, whilst it appears larger for low‐tech sectors when considering the post‐crisis period. This evidence suggests that BCCs might play a relevant role in financing innovative and risky firms—though, when banks’ risk‐aversion increases, BCCs tend, unsurprisingly, to downsize the financing of riskier projects.
This work investigates to what extent the relevance of close bank-firm ties is affected by the endowment of social capital characterising the environment in which enterprises operate. By estimating ...the link between the duration of lending relationships and Italian SMEs' productivity, we empirically test whether there is complementarity or substitutability between credit relations and social capital. According to our results, the duration of lending relationships seems to be a positive and significant determinant of SMEs' performance in less civic regions. Additionally, the influence of enduring lending relationships decreases as social capital increases, suggesting that social capital might act as a substitute for lending relationships.
This work exploits a large panel dataset on Italian manufacturing SMEs to examine the relationship between leverage and firms’ financial stability. Specifically, we evaluate whether and to what ...extent this link is affected by the degree of competition characterising the local credit market in which firms operate. Using two measures of local banking competition – the H-statistic and the Boone indicator – our evidence indicates that the negative impact of leverage on firms’ financial health is greater for firms operating in more competitive banking markets. A plausible interpretation of this finding is that the competition drawbacks could prevail on its expected advantages, leading banks to be less inclined to establish lending relationships with risky firms, thus exacerbating their financial vulnerability.
This paper investigates the link between close banking relationships and European manufacturing firms’ defaults. Based on binary outcomes (i.e., Logit, Probit, Complementary log-log) and ...discrete-time models, the empirical analysis reveals that enduring lending relationships present benefits in reducing firms’ temporary and permanent defaults. This evidence suggests that, in a framework of limited credit access that may compromise firms’ survival, relationship lending might represent an effective tool for overcoming asymmetric information problems, helping firms relax credit constraints, encouraging greater discipline in their managers, and preventing failure.
This work investigates the Bank of England's policy response to the London Financial Crisis of 1914, triggered by the outbreak of the Great War. By using daily data on discount operations drawn from ...the Bank of England's historical archive, we empirically test whether the Central Bank played the role of lender of last resort or it restricted credit. Our results suggest that, during 1914, the Bank of England did not change its policy in terms of bills’ discounting. Even though the discounter identity might have been a determinant of Bank's lending decisions (as in Flandreau and Ugolini, 2011 and 2013; Anson et al., 2019a), our evidence suggests that, throughout 1914, the Bank of England operated as a lender of last resort according to the Bagehot rules.
Summary
To understand why livers from aged donors are successfully used for transplants, we looked for markers of liver aging in 71 biopsies from donors aged 12–92 years before transplants and in 11 ...biopsies after transplants with high donor–recipient age‐mismatch. We also assessed liver function in 36 age‐mismatched recipients. The major findings were the following: (i) miR‐31‐5p, miR‐141‐3p, and miR‐200c‐3p increased with age, as assessed by microRNAs (miRs) and mRNA transcript profiling in 12 biopsies and results were validated by RT–qPCR in a total of 58 biopsies; (ii) telomere length measured by qPCR in 45 samples showed a significant age‐dependent shortage; (iii) a bioinformatic approach combining transcriptome and miRs data identified putative miRs targets, the most informative being GLT1, a glutamate transporter expressed in hepatocytes. GLT1 was demonstrated by luciferase assay to be a target of miR‐31‐5p and miR‐200c‐3p, and both its mRNA (RT–qPCR) and protein (immunohistochemistry) significantly decreased with age in liver biopsies and in hepatic centrilobular zone, respectively; (iv) miR‐31‐5p, miR‐141‐3p and miR‐200c‐3p expression was significantly affected by recipient age (older environment) as assessed in eleven cases of donor–recipient extreme age‐mismatch; (v) the analysis of recipients plasma by N‐glycans profiling, capable of assessing liver functions and biological age, showed that liver function recovered after transplants, independently of age‐mismatch, and recipients apparently ‘rejuvenated’ according to their glycomic age. In conclusion, we identified new markers of aging in human liver, their relevance in donor–recipient age‐mismatches in transplantation, and offered positive evidence for the use of organs from old donors.
In this research work organic/inorganic nano composites were synthesized from poly-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and properly modified silica nanoparticles by in situ polymerization. In particular, ...fumed nanosilica was functionalized with methacryloylpropyltrimetoxy silane (MPTMS) in order to obtain a more homogeneous, reliable and mechanically performing nano composite. For comparison, nano composites with non functionalised silica were also prepared. Scanning electron microscopy was performed in order to visualize the effects of functionalization on the mode and state of dispersion. This analysis demonstrated that MPTMS grafted onto silica surface acts as an effective coupling agent and assures a good dispersion and distribution of nanoparticles as well as a strong nano particle/matrix interfacial adhesion. As a result of strong interactions occurring between phases, a pronounced increase of the glass transition temperature and mechanical parameters were recorded. Finally, these novel nano composites were seeded with murine fibroblast and human mesenchymal stem cells, and observed in time-lapse experiments proving an effective biological response.
Glycoproteins are often recognized as not-self molecules by antibodies triggering the onset of severe autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Thus, the development of antigen-mimicking ...biomarkers represents an attractive strategy for an early diagnosis of the disease. An example is the synthetic glycopeptide CSF114(Glc), which was designed and tested as MS biomarker and whose clinical application was limited by its reduced ability to detect autoantibodies in MS patients. In the attempt to improve the efficacy of CSF114(Glc), we have characterized all the events leading to the final binding of the biomarker to the autoantibody using atomistic simulations, ESR and NMR experiments. The glycosydic moiety plays a primary role in the whole process. In particular, in an environment mimicking that used in the clinical tests the glycopeptide assumes a α-helix structure that is functional for the interaction with the antibody. In this conformation CSF114(Glc) binds the monoclonal antibody mAb8-18C5 similarly to the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein MOG, which is a known MS auto-antigen, thus explaining its diagnostic activity. Our study offers new molecular bases to design more effective biomarkers and provides a most valid protocol to investigate other systems where the environment effect is determinant for the biological activity.
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