Development of a multi-layer high-efficiency GEM-based neutron detector for spallation sources.

Neutron detection is nowadays mostly based on He gas detectors, but its shortage and the continuous upgrades of the neutron facilities require new devices to perform experiments with maximum performances. This work presents a new detector based on the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) combined with several boron layers. This detector combines the features of GEM technology with the properties of boron as a neutron converter and the device is produced to sustain high neutron fluxes with high detection efficiency.

Valorization of residual lignocellulosic biomass in South America: a review.

Residual lignocellulosic biomass (RLB) is a valuable resource that can help address environmental issues by serving as an alternative to fossil fuels and as a raw material for producing various value-added molecules. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the use of lignocellulosic waste in South America, a review was conducted over the last 4 years. The review focused on energy generation, biofuel production, obtaining platform molecules (such as ethanol, hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, and levulinic acid), and other materials of interest.

Prognostic value of exercise longitudinal right ventricular free wall strain in patients with sickle cell disease.

Longitudinal right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS) has been identified as an independent prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Little is known however about the prognostic value of RVFWS in patients with sickle cell (SC) disease, particularly during exercise. We therefore examined the prognostic significance of RVFWS both at rest and with exercise in patients with SC disease and normal resting systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP).

Characteristics of Ischemic Stroke Despite Oral Anticoagulant Use For Atrial Fibrillation.

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) prevents stroke in atrial fibrillation, yet a residual stroke risk remains. In this single-center retrospective analysis of acute ischemic stroke patients despite OAC, suboptimal OAC treatment is common (30%: inappropriate dosing (17%); patient non-adherence (13%)). Other causes of stroke included OAC interruption (14.

Biochar-MgO from Soursop Seeds in the Production of Biofuel Additive Intermediates.

The conversion of residual biomass from fruit seeds into biochar can be achieved using MgCl as an activating agent and calcining at 700 °C. The resulting MgO-biochars were employed in the aldol condensation reaction between furfural and acetone. This reaction is essential as the first step in the obtention of biofuels derived from biomass.

N-Sulfonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives: Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluations, and Theoretical Insights.

Microbial contamination remains a significant economic challenge in the food industry, emphasizing the need for innovative antimicrobial solutions. In this study, we synthesized N-sulfonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (NSTHIQ) derivatives using an environmentally friendly Preyssler heteropolyacid catalyst, obtaining moderate to high yields (35-91 %) under mild conditions. Two derivatives (5 and 6) exhibited significant antifungal properties against various fungal species, including Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, and Botrytis cinerea.

CO2-mineralization and carbonation reactor rig: Design and validation for in situ neutron scattering experiments-Engineering and lessons learned.

CO2 mineralization via aqueous Mg/Ca/Na-carbonate (MgCO3/CaCO3/Na2CO3) formation represents a huge opportunity for the utilization of captured CO2. However, large-scale mineralization is hindered by slow kinetics due to the highly hydrated character of the cations in aqueous solutions (Mg2+ in particular). Reaction conditions can be optimized to accelerate carbonation kinetics, for example, by the inclusion of additives that promote competitive dehydration of Mg2+ and subsequent agglomeration, nucleation, and crystallization.

Use of wound infusion catheters for postoperative local anaesthetic administration in cats.

Objectives: The present study aimed to document the use of the wound infusion catheter (WIC) following a variety of surgical procedures in cats, investigating complications and risk factors associated with catheter placement or local anaesthetic (LA) administration.

Methods: A retrospective, multicentric study was performed. Medical databases of eight veterinary referral hospitals from 2010 to 2021 were searched to identify records of cats where WICs were used.

Development and validation of BATUTA: a test to evaluate the musical perception of people with hearing impairment.

Purpose: To describe the development and validation of a test, called BATUTA, that assesses the musical perception of people with hearing impairment that are hearing aid (HA) users. BATUTA is a computerized test with 35 subtests, divided into the rhythm, pitch, and timbre modules, and the participants must answer whether the sound samples and/or parts of the songs, presented in pairs, are the same or not.

Methods: The BATUTA creation process consisted of four stages: test development, submission to the expert committee for content validation; pilot application with 51 normal hearing participants and retest to validate reliability.

Transfer Hydrogenation of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol Under Microwave Irradiation Using Mixed Oxides.

The reaction to obtain furan alcohols is one of the most important in the upgrading of furan derivates. An attractive route is the transfer hydrogenation of furfural using acidic-basic catalysts. In this work, mixed oxides derived from ternary hydrotalcites were employed to obtain furfuryl alcohol from furfural assisted by microwave irradiation.

Retrospective analysis of outcome and prognostic factors of subcutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs undergoing surgery with or without adjuvant treatment.

Subcutaneous mast cell tumours (SC MCTs) can display a different biological behaviour in dogs when compared to their cutaneous counterpart. There is a paucity of information with regards to the outcome of dogs with SC MCTs treated with surgery and/or receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review the outcome of dogs with surgically excised SC MCTs undergoing adjuvant treatment or not.

Processes involved in biochemical response to pesticides by lizard Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810) - A field study.

Although reptiles are non-target organisms of pesticide applications, their ecological niche and trophic role suggest that the use of these compounds in agriculture can have toxicological effects on them. Our recent field study on Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus in hazelnut orchards evidenced that the use of pesticides-mixtures, consisting of thiophanate-methyl (TM), tebuconazole (TEB), deltamethrin (DM), lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT), besides copper sulphate, induced an increase of the total antioxidant capacity toward hydroxyl radicals and caused DNA damage; however, it did not cause neurotoxicity, and did not induce the glutathione-S-transferases' activities. These results raised some questions which were answered in this study by carrying out analyses on 4 biomarkers and 5 chemical substances in the tissues of non-target organisms coming from treated fields: cytochrome P450, catalase, total glutathione, and malondialdehyde, TM, TEB, DM, LCT and Cu.

Thyroidectomy in dogs with thyroid tumors: Survival analysis in 144 cases (1994-2018).

Background: Few studies have assessed predictors of outcome in dogs with thyroid tumors undergoing thyroidectomy.

Objective: To estimate the survival and identify prognostic factors in dogs with thyroid tumors treated by thyroidectomy.

Animals: A total of 144 client-owned dogs with thyroid neoplasia that underwent thyroidectomy.

Characterization of Conductive Carbon Nanotubes/Polymer Composites for Stretchable Sensors and Transducers.

The increasing interest in stretchable conductive composite materials, that can be versatile and suitable for wide-ranging application, has sparked a growing demand for studies of scalable fabrication techniques and specifically tailored geometries. Thanks to the combination of the conductivity and robustness of carbon nanotube (CNT) materials with the viscoelastic properties of polymer films, in particular their stretchability, "surface composites" made of a CNT on polymeric films are a promising way to obtain a low-cost, conductive, elastic, moldable, and patternable material. The use of polymers selected for specific applications, however, requires targeted studies to deeply understand the interface interactions between a CNT and the surface of such polymer films, and in particular the stability and durability of a CNT grafting onto the polymer itself.

Surgical findings and outcomes after unilateral adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism in cats: a multi-institutional retrospective study.

Case Series Summary: Twenty-nine cats from different institutions with confirmed or highly suspected primary hyperaldosteronism treated by unilateral adrenalectomy were retrospectively included in this study. The most frequent clinical signs were lethargy (n = 20; 69%) and neck ventroflexion (n = 17; 59%). Hypokalaemia was present in all cats, creatinine kinase was elevated in 15 and hyperaldosteronism was documented in 24.

Tonsillar carcinoma in dogs: Treatment outcome and potential prognostic factors in 123 cases.

Background: Tonsillar carcinomas are rarely reported in dogs. Information on outcome after treatment is sparse and prognosis is guarded to poor.

Hypothesis/objectives: Assess treatment outcome and potential prognostic factors in a population of dogs with cytological or histopathological diagnosis of tonsillar carcinoma.

Canine gastrointestinal stromal tumours treated with surgery and imatinib mesylate: three cases (2018-2020).

Objectives: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are described in dogs and are histologically diagnosed with the aid of immunohistochemistry to allow differentiation from leiomyomas/leiomyosarcomas. These tumours express c-kit and in some cases could harbour mutations in KIT coding gene.

Materials And Methods: Dogs with a diagnosis of GIST previously confirmed with histopathology and immunohistochemistry were considered for inclusion.

Closing the door in front of a torrential mitral regurgitation.

Background: Treatment of symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is challenging in patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention.

Case Description: We report the case of a 64-year-old female with multiple comorbidities who was found to have severe MR due to a large mitral valve non coaptation.

Conclusions: In this case report, we show the potential of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair using MitraClip for the treatment of torrential MR due to a large mitral valve non-coaptation in a patient with no prior history of coronary artery disease and in whom surgical intervention was not an option.