Novel Nano-Filled Coatings for the Protection of Built Heritage Stone Surfaces.

An experimental nano-filled coating, based on a fluorine resin containing SiO nano-particles, was applied on calcareous stones, representative of materials used in buildings and monuments of the Mediterranean basin; for comparison purposes, two commercial products were applied on the same substrates. The efficacy of the protective treatments was assessed by analyzing different characteristics of the three experimental/commercial products, i.e.

Field study in an urban environment of simultaneous self-cleaning and hydrophobic nanosized TiO-based coatings on stone for the protection of building surface.

Titanium dioxide based nanocomposites for stone coating have been found to be promising in laboratory conditions to obtain manifold protective actions against pollution and weathering affecting the outdoor built heritage. Lasting performances in real conditions of these multifunctional coatings have been scarcely examined, although this is a key issue in evaluating their potential for applications in a real building context and their optimization. This paper illustrates a field study aimed at investigating simultaneous hydrophobic and self-cleaning effectiveness, on the medium-long run, of TiO NPs/fluoropolymer coatings applied on a limestone.

A novel KCNA1 mutation identified in an Italian family affected by episodic ataxia type 1.

Episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1) is a rare human neurological syndrome characterized by continuous myokymia and attacks of generalized ataxia that can be triggered by abrupt movements, emotional stress and fatigue. An Italian family has been identified where related members displayed continuous myokymia, episodes of ataxia, attacks characterized by myokymia only, and neuromyotonia. A novel missense mutation (F414C), in the C-terminal region of the K(+) channel Kv1.

Identification of seven novel mutations of F8C by DHPLC.

Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder resulting from deficiency of Factor VIII (F8C), an important protein in blood coagulation. A large number of disease producing mutations have been reported in the F8C gene. However, a comprehensive analysis of mutations is difficult to conduct due to the large gene size, its many scattered exons, and the high frequency of de novo mutations.