Field Test of the MiniRadMeter Gamma and Neutron Detector for the EU Project CLEANDEM.

In the framework of the H2020 CLEANDEM project, a small robotic vehicle was equipped with a series of different sensors that were developed for the preliminary inspection of areas possibly contaminated by radiation. Such unmanned inspection allows to identify dangerous locations prior to the possible start of human operations. One of the developed devices, named the MiniRadMeter, is a compact low-cost sensor that performs gamma and neutron radiation field mapping in the environment.

Pharmacological inhibition of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor restores abnormal brain mitochondrial CB1 receptor expression and rescues bioenergetic and cognitive defects in a female mouse model of Rett syndrome.

Background: Defective mitochondria and aberrant brain mitochondrial bioenergetics are consistent features in syndromic intellectual disability disorders, such as Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurologic disorder that severely affects mainly females carrying mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene. A pool of CB1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), the primary receptor subtype of the endocannabinoid system in the brain, is located on brain mitochondrial membranes (mtCB1R), where it can locally regulate energy production, synaptic transmission and memory abilities through the inhibition of the intra-mitochondrial protein kinase A (mtPKA). In the present study, we asked whether an overactive mtCB1R-mtPKA signaling might underlie the brain mitochondrial alterations in RTT and whether its modulation by systemic administration of the CB1R inverse agonist rimonabant might improve bioenergetics and cognitive defects in mice modeling RTT.

Shedding Light on the Origin of ^{204}Pb, the Heaviest s-Process-Only Isotope in the Solar System.

Asymptotic giant branch stars are responsible for the production of most of the heavy isotopes beyond Sr observed in the solar system. Among them, isotopes shielded from the r-process contribution by their stable isobars are defined as s-only nuclei. For a long time the abundance of ^{204}Pb, the heaviest s-only isotope, has been a topic of debate because state-of-the-art stellar models appeared to systematically underestimate its solar abundance.

Upcycling of industrial footwear waste into nonwoven fibrous structures with thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

The footwear industry significantly impacts the environment, from raw material extraction to waste disposal. Transforming waste into new products is a viable option to mitigate the environmental consequences, reducing the reliance on virgin raw materials. This work aims to develop thermal and acoustic insulation materials using polyester waste from footwear industry.

Measurement of the ^{140}Ce(n,γ) Cross Section at n_TOF and Its Astrophysical Implications for the Chemical Evolution of the Universe.

^{140}Ce(n,γ) is a key reaction for slow neutron-capture (s-process) nucleosynthesis due to being a bottleneck in the reaction flow. For this reason, it was measured with high accuracy (uncertainty ≈5%) at the n_TOF facility, with an unprecedented combination of a high purity sample and low neutron-sensitivity detectors. The measured Maxwellian averaged cross section is up to 40% higher than previously accepted values.

Molecular Pathways of Colorectal Cancer Development: Mechanisms of Action and Evolution of Main Systemic Therapy Compunds.

Background: Colorectal cancer is known as one of the "big killers" in oncology given its burden in terms on morbidity and mortality. Since the second half of the last century, similarly to what happened for other solid tumors, a large series of cytotoxic molecules have been developed and tested to treat this disease.

Summary: Following new discoveries in terms of colorectal cancer pathogenesis and specific pathways involved such as angiogenesis, a new series of drugs have been developed: targeted therapies.

Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 expression is associated with symptom severity in patients with PTSD in a sex-dependent manner.

Traumatic events may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with higher prevalence in women. Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) increase PTSD risk in adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in PTSD pathogenesis and a mutation in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) in mice provide susceptibility to PTSD-like alterations, with sex-dependent biological signatures.

The Gamma and Neutron Sensor System for Rapid Dose Rate Mapping in the CLEANDEM Project.

The decommissioning of nuclear installations, as well as the possible necessary accident remediations, requires the physical presence of human operators in potentially radiologically hostile environments. The number of active nuclear reactors worldwide is greater than 400, and most of them are 40 to 50 years old, thus implying that soon they will have to be dismantled. In the framework of the H2020 CLEANDEM project, a small robotic vehicle is being developed that is equipped with a series of different sensors for areas that are significantly contaminated by radiation.

Effects of the Rho GTPase-activating toxin CNF1 on fibroblasts derived from Rett syndrome patients: A pilot study.

The bacterial product CNF1, through its action on the Rho GTPases, is emerging as a modulator of crucial signalling pathways involved in selected neurological diseases characterized by mitochondrial dysfunctions. Mitochondrial impairment has been hypothesized to have a key role in paramount mechanisms underlying Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurologic rare disorder. CNF1 has been already reported to have beneficial effects in mouse models of RTT.

Ge( ) cross section below 70 keV measured at n_TOF CERN.

Neutron capture reaction cross sections on Ge are of importance to determine Ge production during the astrophysical slow neutron capture process. We present new resonance data on Ge( ) reactions below 70 keV neutron energy. We calculate Maxwellian averaged cross sections, combining our data below 70 keV with evaluated cross sections at higher neutron energies.

Low levels of Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 are accompanied by an increased vulnerability to the negative outcomes of stress exposure during childhood in healthy women.

Numerous mental illnesses arise following stressful events in vulnerable individuals, with females being generally more affected than males. Adverse childhood experiences are known to increase the risk of developing psychopathologies and DNA methylation was demonstrated to drive the long-lasting effects of early life stress and promote stress susceptibility. Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2), an X-linked reader of the DNA methylome, is altered in many mental disorders of stress origin, suggesting MECP2 as a marker of stress susceptibility; previous works also suggest a link between MECP2 and early stress experiences.

Chronic treatment with the anti-diabetic drug metformin rescues impaired brain mitochondrial activity and selectively ameliorates defective cognitive flexibility in a female mouse model of Rett syndrome.

Metformin is the most common anti-diabetic drug and a promising therapy for disorders beyond diabetes, including Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurologic disease characterized by severe intellectual disability. A 10-day-long treatment rescued aberrant mitochondrial activity and restrained oxidative stress in a female RTT mouse model. However, this treatment regimen did not improve the phenotype of RTT mice.

Masking Vibrations and Contact Force Affect the Discrimination of Slip Motion Speed in Touch.

Multiple cues contribute to the discrimination of slip motion speed by touch. In our previous article, we demonstrated that masking vibrations at various frequencies impaired the discrimination of speed. In this article, we extended the previous results to evaluate this phenomenon on a smooth glass surface, and for different values of contact force and duration of the masking stimulus.

Treatment with FRAX486 rescues neurobehavioral and metabolic alterations in a female mouse model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder.

Introduction: CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare neurodevelopmental condition, primarily affecting girls for which no cure currently exists. Neuronal morphogenesis and plasticity impairments as well as metabolic dysfunctions occur in CDD patients. The present study explored the potential therapeutic value for CDD of FRAX486, a brain-penetrant molecule that was reported to selectively inhibit group I p21-activated kinases (PAKs), serine/threonine kinases critically involved in the regulation of neuronal morphology and glucose homeostasis.

A Scintillator Array Table with Spectroscopic Features.

In the framework of radioactive material handling, such as in radwaste sorting and segregation operations, the availability of a simple tool to quickly detect and locate gamma radiation spots can be quite convenient. Additional spectroscopic features, even with moderate energy resolutions, could provide a useful benefit. As a proof of principle for such a tool, we developed a gamma detector prototype featuring an array of 10 × 10 CsI(Tl) scintillators (1 × 1 × 1 cm) providing readouts by means of a corresponding array of 6 × 6 mm silicon photo multipliers (SiPM).

Impact of Dapivirine and Placebo Vaginal Rings on the Microbiota of Adolescent, Lactating, and Postmenopausal Females.

Background: A 25-mg dapivirine vaginal ring has been demonstrated to reduce risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition in nonpregnant adult women. In this secondary analysis of studies conducted in US adolescent, lactating, and postmenopausal females, vaginal microbiota was assessed prior to and after ring use, and between dapivirine and placebo ring users.

Methods: Vaginal fluid swabs were collected before and after product use for the evaluation of microbiota using Nugent criteria, quantitative culture, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

- a Gestalt-based dream-work approach embracing all our senses.

Gestalt therapists believe that their task is to help their clients to experience repressed, ambivalent, and unpleasant things in order to accept and implement them in their whole self. To implement those 'things', those elements of the self, they need to be uncovered first, which is a process that often is achieved by dream work, as messages from the unconscious that are stuck in our dreams can be revealed by certain Gestalt-therapy methods. The method in focus is the newly developed DreamSenseMemory technique which is based on neurological findings on how the senses at play influence memory processing.

Treatment with the Bacterial Toxin CNF1 Selectively Rescues Cognitive and Brain Mitochondrial Deficits in a Female Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome Carrying a MeCP2-Null Mutation.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurological disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked gene and a major cause of intellectual disability in females. No cure exists for RTT. We previously reported that the behavioural phenotype and brain mitochondria dysfunction are widely rescued by a single intracerebroventricular injection of the bacterial toxin CNF1 in a RTT mouse model carrying a truncating mutation of the gene (MeCP2-308 mice).

SiLiF Neutron Counters to Monitor Nuclear Materials in the MICADO Project.

In the framework of the MICADO (Measurement and Instrumentation for Cleaning And Decommissioning Operations) European Union (EU) project, aimed at the full digitization of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste management, a set of 32 solid state thermal neutron detectors named SiLiF has been built and characterized. MICADO encompasses a complete active and passive characterization of the radwaste drums with neutrons and gamma rays, followed by a longer-term monitoring phase. The SiLiF detectors are suitable for the monitoring of nuclear materials and can be used around radioactive waste drums possibly containing small quantities of actinides, as well as around spent fuel casks in interim storage or during transportation.

Short course radiotherapy and delayed surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer in frail patients: is it a valid option?

Objective: The endpoint of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) and SCRT with delayed surgery (SCRT-DS) on a selected subgroup of frail patients with locally advanced middle/low rectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: From January 2008 to December 2018, a total of 128 frail patients with locally advanced middle-low rectal adenocarcinoma underwent SCRT and subsequent restaging for eventual delayed surgery. Rates of complete pathological response, down-staging, disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 dysfunction provides stress vulnerability with sex- and zygosity-dependent outcomes.

Stress vulnerability is a critical factor for the development of trauma-related disorders; however, its biological underpinnings are not clear. We demonstrated that dysfunctions in the X-linked epigenetic factor methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) provide trauma vulnerability in male mice. Given the prominent role of sex in stress outcomes, we explored the effects of MeCP2 hypofunctionality in females.

WhatsApp in : design and evaluation of an tool to share dynamic images in hemodynamics.

Background: WhatsApp, like many other messaging Apps, enables messages, documents, and multimedia elements to be exchanged through a chat-based tool. Among the many potentialities of WhatsApp are: (I) the possibility to create groups (WhatsApp Groups) and (II) the possibility to install the app on a personal computer using the WhatsApp Web application.

Methods: The two functionalities (I, II) were used to set-up an environment for teleconsultation in telecardiology which will support the exchange of the dynamic images in hemodynamics.

Stimulation of the Serotonin Receptor 7 Restores Brain Histone H3 Acetylation and MeCP2 Corepressor Protein Levels in a Female Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurological disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene, characterized by severe behavioral and physiological impairments for which no cure is available. The stimulation of serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) with its selective agonist LP-211 (0.25 mg/kg/day for 7 days) was proved to rescue neurobehavioral alterations in a mouse model of RTT.

Neutron Capture on the s-Process Branching Point ^{171}Tm via Time-of-Flight and Activation.

The neutron capture cross sections of several unstable nuclides acting as branching points in the s process are crucial for stellar nucleosynthesis studies. The unstable ^{171}Tm (t_{1/2}=1.92  yr) is part of the branching around mass A∼170 but its neutron capture cross section as a function of the neutron energy is not known to date.