Publications by authors named "Daniele Costa"

This dataset provides the latest characterization factors for ozone depletion based on the most recent ozone depletion potentials from the 2022 World Meteorological Organization (WMO) scientific assessment. These characterization factors can be used in life cycle assessment (LCA) to convert emissions of ozone-depleting substances to the common unit of the ozone depletion impact category, measured in kg CFC-11-eq. The dataset is formatted for easy import into LCA software such as Brightway, the Activity Browser, and SimaPro.

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The presence of drugs in aquatic environments has been considered a global challenge and several remediation technologies have been proposed, including adsorption. In this study, new diclofenac adsorbents were obtained from the reaction of sodium magadiite (Na-Mag) with surfactants dodecylpyridinium chloride hydrate (CpyCl) and hexadecylpyridinium chloride monohydrate (CpyCl)), 1-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CBr), and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CBr). The synthesis was carried out in the microwave at 50 °C for 5 min using surfactant amounts of 100% and 200% in relation to the cation exchange capacity of Na-Mag.

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Neurodegenerative diseases represent an increasingly burdensome challenge of the past decade, primarily driven by the global aging of the population. Ongoing efforts focus on implementing diverse strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of neurodegeneration, with the goal of decelerating the pathology progression. Notably, in recent years, it has emerged that the use of nanoparticles (NPs), particularly those obtained through green chemical processes, could constitute a promising therapeutic approach.

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Article Synopsis
  • Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a rare genetic disorder causing neurological issues, blood vessel irregularities, and a weakened immune system, particularly noted in Latin American patients.
  • A study involving 218 patients revealed that the average age for symptoms and diagnosis is about 1 year and 5 years, respectively, with common recurrent airway infections linked to IgA deficiency.
  • The study found a mean survival of 24.2 years, with a 20-year survival rate of 52.6%, and higher mortality rates in females and those with low IgG levels, highlighting the importance of assessing immune function in AT patients.
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Astrocytes are glial cells that play key roles in neuroinflammation, which is a common feature in diabetic encephalopathy and aging process. Metformin is an antidiabetic compound that shows neuroprotective properties, including in inflammatory models, but astroglial signaling pathways involved are still poorly known. Interferons α/β are cytokines that participate in antiviral responses and the lack of their signaling increases susceptible to viral infections.

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Astrocytes have key regulatory roles in central nervous system (CNS), integrating metabolic, inflammatory and synaptic responses. In this regard, type I interferon (IFN) receptor signaling in astrocytes can regulate synaptic plasticity. Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug that has shown anti-inflammatory properties, but its effects on astrocytes, a main source of cholesterol for neurons, remain to be elucidated.

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Road transport significantly contributes to climate change and air pollution. Efforts to reduce transport sector emissions include deploying battery electric vehicles and designing their powertrains for improved performance. The European H2020 funded Functionally Integrated E-axle Ready for Mass Market Third GENeration Electric Vehicles (FITGEN) developed a novel functionally integrated e-axle (the FITGEN e-axle) for electric vehicles.

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Decentralized energy systems enable a higher integration of electricity generation by renewable energy sources supported by electric storage and may significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions for electricity generation. While the environmental impact of single technologies has received great attention in recent years, the environmental impacts of decentralized energy generation and storage technologies remain unaddressed. This study presents a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of those technologies in Belgium for 2030 and 2050.

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Over the last decade, education has been evolving to equip students with the fundamental skills required to cope with the challenges of sustainability and inclusivity, such as quality education, access to clean water, cultural heritage preservation and protection of marine life. Technology supports the learning process by providing useful tools that enrich the learning environment, encourage active participation, improve collaboration and prepare students for their future life. Educational Robotics is one of the most popular innovative methodologies that supports the development of many skills by assembling and programming robots in a meaningful way.

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The paper features a computational fluid dynamics study of a flapping NACA0015 hydrofoil moving with a combination of sinusoidal heaving and pitching. Several kinematic configurations are explored, varying sequentially pitch and heave amplitude, Strouhal number and phase angle, in an attempt to determine the influence of each parameter on the propulsive performance. To optimize efficiency the angle of attack should assume the highest value that also avoids the arise of the leading edge vortex generated in the dynamic stall state.

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Worldwide, forests are susceptible to fire. Forests with fire and selective logging interactions require monitoring and evaluation. This study evaluated the phytosociology and dynamics of tree vegetation in a disturbed forest (DF) and an undisturbed forest (UF) in selective logging areas affected by fire, in the Brazilian East Amazon.

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The environmental performance of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is influenced by their battery size and charging electricity source. Therefore, assessing their environmental performance should consider changes in the electricity sector and refurbishment of their batteries. This study conducts a scenario-based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of three different scenarios combining four key parameters: future changes in the charging electricity mix, battery efficiency fade, battery refurbishment, and recycling for their collective importance on the life-cycle environmental performance of a BEV.

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Background: Frailty marks a process of increasing dysregulation of physiological systems which increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. This study examines the hypothesis that the association between multiple cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) becomes stronger with increasing frailty severity.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 339 older adults (55.

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Background: To investigate whether an exercise intervention using the VIVIFRAIL© protocol has benefits for inflammatory and functional parameters in different frailty status.

Methods/design: This is a randomized clinical trial in an outpatient geriatrics clinic including older adults ≥60 years. For each frailty state (frail, pre-frail and robust), forty-four volunteers will be randomly allocated to the control group (n = 22) and the intervention group (n = 22) for 12 weeks.

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Background: To explore the mutual relationship between multimorbidity, mental illness and frailty, we have set-up the Multimorbidity and Mental health Cohort Study in FRAILty and Aging (MiMiCS-FRAIL) cohort. At the population level, multimorbidity, frailty and late-life depression are associated with similar adverse outcomes (i.e.

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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether frailty could be an explanatory factor of the association between depression and the number of geriatric syndromes.

Methods: Cross-sectional baseline data from a cohort study (MiMiCS-FRAIL) were analyzed in a sample of 315 older adults. Depression was measured according to DSM-5 criteria and a self-report questionnaire (PHQ-9).

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Bio-inspired solutions devised for autonomous underwater robots are currently being investigated by researchers worldwide as a way to improve propulsion. Despite efforts to harness the substantial potential payoffs of marine animal locomotion, biological system performance still has far to go. In order to address this very ambitious objective, the authors of this study designed and manufactured a series of ostraciiform swimming robots over the past three years.

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Fungi of the genus are important microorganisms used in biocontrol processes and the promotion of plant development. However, they remain poorly studied in the context of forestry programs, especially those related to native Amazonian species. Thus, it is the aim of this study to evaluate the effects of different isolates on the germination and development of seedlings.

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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease of women (female-to-male ratio 4:1), and is associated with cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction. Herein, the activation of a new estrogen receptor (GPER) by the agonist G1 was evaluated in oophorectomized rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH. Depletion of estrogen was induced by bilateral oophorectomy (OVX) in Wistar rats.

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Aims: To investigate the perceptions of subjects regarding nonsurgical periodontal treatment over a period of 1 year.

Settings And Design: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, in a longitudinal observational design.

Methods: Nineteen subjects (47.

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Objective: The aim was to evaluate, , the tensile bond strength to dentin of Scotchbond Universal (SU), All-Bond Universal (AU) and One Coat 7 Universal (OC7) adhesives applied in self-etch mode, after 24 h of storage and after 500,000 loading cycles, using Clearfil SE Bond (SE) as a control.

Materials And Methods: The adhesives were applied on the dentin of bovine teeth, followed by the application of a composite resin. Thirty specimens were obtained for each adhesive.

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Extensive reviews and meta-analyses are essential to summarize emerging developments in a specific field and offering information on the current trends in the scientific literature. Shale gas exploration and exploitation has been extensively debated in literature, but a comprehensive review of recent studies on the environmental impacts has yet to be carried out. Therefore, the goal of this article is to systematically examine scientific articles published between 2010 and 2015 and identify recent advances and existing data gaps.

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Objective: To describe the initial steps in the development and validation of a new self-reported instrument designed to assess daily rhythms of mood symptoms, namely, the Mood Rhythm Instrument.

Methods: A multidisciplinary group of experts took part in systematic meetings to plan the construction of the instrument. Clarity of items, their relevance to evaluation of mood states, and the consistency of findings in relation to the available evidence on the biological basis of mood disorders were investigated.

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The knowledge concerning associations between chronic chemical exposure and many disorders with complex etiology involving gene-environment interactions is increasing, and new methods must be developed to improve water quality monitoring. The complexity of chemical mixtures in polluted aquatic environments makes the evaluation of toxic potential in those sites difficult, but the use of biomarkers and bioindicators has been recognized as a reliable tool to assess risk of exposure to biota and also the human population. In order to evaluate the use of fish and biomarkers to assess toxic potential and bioavailability of chemicals in human-related hydric resources, an in situ experiment was accomplished in two water reservoirs designated for human supply, which were previously evaluated by the local environmental regulatory agency through a set of physical, chemical, and classical biological parameters.

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Understanding mortality patterns and interactions between entomopathogenic fungi and parasitoids is important to improve insect biological control programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff, 1879) Sorokin, 1833 and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, 1912 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) on adults of Cotesia flavipes (Cameron, 1891) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with biological insecticides Biometha WP Plus (M. anisopliae), Biovéria G (B.

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