Patients with neuroblastoma received CAR-positive T cells targeting disialoganglioside. Of 63% with a response, 33% had a complete response (some durable). Cytokine release syndrome was common.
The Pian Grande di Castelluccio (PGC) basin is the main Quaternary depocenter of the Mt. Vettore‐Mt. Bove normal fault system (VBFS), responsible for the 30 October 2016 Mw 6.5 Norcia earthquake ...(central Italy). Coseismic surface faulting through the basin attests the occurrence of active splays of the seismogenic master fault; thus, we explore the subsurface basin structure to infer the long‐term behavior of the VBFS. We integrate electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time domain electromagnetic soundings (TDEM), and horizontal‐to‐vertical spectral ratios of ambient seismic vibrations (HVSR) along a transect crossing the surface ruptures. The ERT models provide high‐resolution details of three shallow fault zones. One‐dimensional resistivity models from TDEM and HVSR frequency peaks suggest abrupt steps in the top bedrock caused by previously unknown faults and indicate an infill thickness of up to ~300 m. We also analyze shear wave splitting of S phases (fast direction φ and delay time δt) from local earthquakes recorded during our surveys to better constrain the fracture field and the properties of the inferred fault zones. We relate the retrieved pattern of fault‐parallel φ, and the associated larger δt, to the main and secondary faults in the upper crust and to the cracks or shear fabric in the damage zones of the active splays. The PGC basin is due to the interference of an older N30° striking fault system subsequently crosscut by the N150° striking VBFS, which is currently active, seismogenic, and capable of rupturing the surface during M > 6 earthquakes.
Key Points
We explore the subsurface of the Pian Grande di Castelluccio basin, across the 30 October 2016 Mw 6.5 central Italy earthquake fault
Electrical resistivity models, ambient noise, and seismic anisotropy analyses constrain the basin geometry and the faults pattern
The complex subsurface setting is caused by two fault systems with different timing of activity that created ~300‐m‐deep depocenters
Traditional agroecosystems are considered as main conservatories of landraces biodiversity because they preserve their dynamic processes and farmers’ knowledge of selection and management inherent in ...the development of local cultivars. The Mediterranean region still harbours traditional agroecosystems of particular importance for preserving crop biodiversity, being sweet chestnut (
Castanea sativa
Miller) a good example. This is one of the multipurpose species of most economic importance in the Mediterranean basin, cultivated extensively for fruit production, and the majority of varieties are the result of the selection of landraces by farmers. In this study, a set of European chestnut traditional varieties were evaluated in order to characterise its genetic resources and detect a possible response in the adaptive potential of this germplasm. Results of Bayesian analysis revealed a clear structure among cultivars from Italy and Spain with a low degree of admixture between them. Furthermore, a strong structure was detected within germplasm from each country congruent with their geographic origin. Statistical analyses did not reveal any significant marker deviating from neutral expectations. Results were discussed considering previous studies carried out on neutral and morphological markers, concluding that information provided by different markers was more powerful in detecting the maximum amount of genetic variation in chestnut varieties, and establishing a baseline to continue identifying markers underlying phenotypic differentiation and/or response to environmental cues among varieties.
The Campania region in southern Italy is noted for its large number of churches that harbour invaluable frescoes, dated from the beginnings of the 4th up to the 13th century. The wall paintings ...represent an integral part of the monuments, and their deterioration constitutes a potentially significant loss for the world's cultural heritage. Heterotrophic microorganisms such as bacteria and mould can grow on the surface of paintings that contain a wide range of organic and inorganic constituents, and provide different ecological niches that are exploited by a large variety of microbial species. We isolated and identified the heterotrophic microorganisms found in the biodegraded medieval wall paintings of seven historical churches in Campania. The paintings showed different levels of microbial contamination. Microbiological analysis of different paintings gave an overview of the different heterotrophic microorganisms. Bacteria and moulds were isolated from 77% of the sampling points analysed, in which the most common type of alteration was discolouration often associated with detachment of the paint layer. Bacterial strains were identified by 16S rRNA partial sequence analysis. The
Bacillus genus was isolated in all churches, even though the type of species was variable, whereas all actinomycetes strains, isolated in five of the seven churches analysed, could be referred to the
Streptomyces genus. The similarity of the sequences analysed of the 42
Bacillus spp., 2
Paenibacillus spp. and reference strains of different species showed that these bacteria differentiated in 14 groups. The most frequently occurring taxa were most closely related to
Bacillus cereus/thurigiensis/anthracis and
Bacillus pumilus groups. Thirteen
Streptomyces spp. were differentiated in seven groups on the basis of neighbor-joining analysis of 16S rRNA. Fungi belonging to the genera
Penicillium,
Aspergillus,
Fusarium and
Alternaria were also isolated from deteriorated wall paintings.
In patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), assessment of language lateralization is important as anterior temporal lobectomy may lead to language impairments. Despite the widespread use of fMRI, ...evidence of its usefulness in predicting postsurgical language performance is scant. We investigated whether preoperative functional lateralization is related to the preoperative language performance, peri-ictal aphasia, and can predict language outcome one year post-surgery. We studied a total of 72 TLE patients (42 left, 30 right), by using three fMRI tasks: Naming, Verb Generation and Fluency. Functional lateralization indices were analyzed with neuropsychological scores and presence of peri-ictal aphasia. The key findings are:1)Both left and right TLE patients show decreased left lateralization compared to controls.2)Lateralization correlates with language performance before surgery. In left TLE, decreased left lateralization correlates with better fluency performance. In right TLE, increased left lateralization during the Naming task correlates with better naming.3)Left lateralization correlates with peri-ictal aphasia in left TLE patients.4)Lateralization correlates with language performance after surgery. In a subgroup of left TLE who underwent surgery (17 left), decreased left lateralization is predictive of better naming performance at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The present study highlights the clinical relevance of fMRI language lateralization in TLE, especially to predict language outcome one year post-surgery. We also underline the importance of using fMRI tasks eliciting frontal and anterior temporal activations, when studying left and right TLE patients.
The extremely high sensitivity to the external environment and the high specific surface area, as well as the absence of bulk phenomena that could interfere with the response signal, make graphene ...highly attractive for the applications in the field of sensing. Among the various methods for producing graphene over large areas, liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) appears to be very promising, especially if combined with inkjet printing (IJP), which offers several advantages, including the selective and controlled deposition of small ink volumes and the versatility of the exploitable inks and substrates. Herein we present a feasibility study of chemiresistive gas sensors inkjet-printed onto paper substrates, in which a LPE graphene suspension dispersed in a water/isopropanol (H2O/IPA) mixture is used as sensing ink. The device performances, in terms of relative conductance variations, upon exposure to NO2 at standard ambient temperature and pressure, are analysed. In addition, we examine the effect of the substrate morphology and, more specifically, of the ink/substrate interaction on the device performances, by comparing the response of different chemiresistors fabricated by dispensing the same suspension also onto Al2O3 and Si/SiO2 substrates and carrying out a supportive atomic force microscopy analysis. The results prove the possibility to produce sensor devices by means of a wholly environmentally friendly, low-cost process that meets the requests coming from the increasing field of paper-based electronics and paving the way towards a flexible, green-by-design mass production.
The most exploited active material for photovoltaic devices is the regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), p-type conjugated polymer, blended with 6,6-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), ...n-type material. The deposition methods and the induced morphology strongly influence the functionality of the active material and in turn the final charge generation performances of a photoactive layer.
In the present work, we studied the influence of PCBM concentration on the morphological and spectroscopic properties of the inkjet printed P3HT:PCBM blends through atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and transient absorption spectroscopy. The aim is to value the charge formation yield in the blends, prepared by inkjet technology, as function of the acceptor concentrations in correlation with morphology and intermixing of the two components. For the inkjet printed samples the blends composition that corresponds to the best intermixing between P3HT and PCBM and the higher charges formation yield should be between 20% and 45% in weight (wt)., differently for what has been found previously for spin-coated samples. Indeed, for inkjet prepared film, the 45wt.% blend ratio leads to much bigger domains with respect to the spin-coated samples as shown from the AFM measurements.
•Inkjet-printed P3HT:PCBM blends for organic solar cell applications•Coarser morphology of inkjet P3HT:PCBM films with respect to the spin-coated film•Inkjet P3HT:PCBM films showed charge formation maximum for PCBM wt.% lower than 45.
Since the beginning of the ongoing Amatrice seismic sequence on August 24, 2016, initiated by a Mw 6.0 normal faulting earthquake, the EMERGEO Working Group (an INGV team devoted to earthquake ...aftermath geological survey) set off to investigate any coseismic effects on the natural environment. Up to now, we surveyed about 750 km2 and collected more than 3200 geological observations as differently oriented tectonic fractures together with intermediate- to small- sized landslides, that were mapped in the whole area. The most impressive coseismic evidence was found along the known active Mt. Vettore fault system, where surface ruptures with clear vertical/horizontal offset were observed for more than 5 km, while unclear and discontinuous coseismic features were recorded along the Laga Mts. Fault systems.
A rapid screening method was used to isolate potentially probiotic
Lactobacillus strains from fermented sausages after enrichment in MRS broth at pH 2.5 followed by bile salt stressing (1% bile salts ...w/v). One hundred and fifty acid- and bile-resistant strains were selected, avoiding preliminary and time-consuming isolation steps. Strains were further characterized for survival at pH 2.5 for 3 h in phosphate-buffered saline and for growth in the presence of 0.3% bile salts with and without pre-exposure at low pH. Twenty-eight strains showed a survival >80% at pH 2.5 for 3 h; moreover, most of the strains were able to grow in the presence of 0.3% bile salts. Low pH and bile resistance was shown to be dependent on both the species, identified by phenotypic and molecular methods, and the strain tested.
This is the first report on the direct selection of potentially probiotic lactobacilli from dry fermented sausages. Technologically interesting strains may be used in the future as probiotic starter cultures for novel fermented sausage manufacture.
Whether performed as a primary procedure or used to augment and support osseous reconstruction, tendon transfers are a key skill for the foot and ankle surgeon. Understanding the biomechanics ...preoperative and postoperatively is essential in performing appropriate procedures and in supporting patients through the rehabilitation process. Often the complexity of tendon transfer surgery is lost because it is deemed a soft tissue procedure and in theory should be less complex than osseous procedures. However, the dynamic nature of musculature and tendons require a deeper understanding of surgical and biomechanical concepts.
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