Unveiling the self-assembly process of gellan-chitosan complexes through a combination of atomistic simulations and experiments.

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), formed via the self-assembly of oppositely charged polysaccharides, are highly valued for their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and hydrophilicity, offering significant potential for biotechnological applications. However, the complex nature and lack of insight at a molecular level into polyelectrolytes conformation and aggregation often hinders the possibility of achieving an optimal control of PEC systems, limiting their practical applications. To address this problem, an in-depth investigation of PECs microscopic structural organization is required.

Advanced label-free electrochemical immunosensor for a minimally invasive detection of proteins in paintings.

In recent decades, scientific methodologies applied in theCultural Heritage field have been growing, due to their pivotal role in guiding informed decisions concerning conservation strategies and daily maintenance. To achieve this goal, minimally/non-invasive quantitative and qualitative analyses are needed. However, the non-invasive and selective identification of proteinaceous binders and coatings in artworks represent an open issue in Cultural Heritage science.

Shaping the Future: Proposed Bills to Regulate New and Emerging Tobacco and Nicotine Products in Latin America and the Caribbean Amidst Public Health Concerns and Industry Interests.

Introduction: To examine legislative efforts to regulate new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products (NETNPs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) between 2017 and 2022.

Aims And Methods: Analysis of online national legislation databases to track NETNP bills using standard snowball search methods.

Results: Bills were identified in 15 out of the 33 LAC countries, accounting for a total of 91 bills targeting NETNPs.

Tobacco industry strategies to influence the regulation of new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Objective: To document tobacco industry strategies to influence regulation of new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products (NETNPs) in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Methods: We analyzed industry websites, advocacy reports, news media and government documents related to NETNPs, focusing on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. We also conducted a survey of leading health advocates.

Investigation into the Influence of the Process Parameters on the Stability of a Poly(Vinyl)-Alcohol-Based Coating System.

Most tablets put on the market are coated with polymers soluble in water. The Opadry II 85 series from Colorcon Inc., is a family of PVA-based products marketed since the 1990s.

Ultrasound-Stimulated PVA Microbubbles as a Green and Handy Tool for the Cleaning of Cellulose-Based Materials.

One of the main issues in the cultural heritage field of restoration chemistry is the identification of greener and more effective methods for the wet cleaning of paper artefacts, which serve as witnesses to human history and custodians of cultural values. In this context, we propose a biocompatible method to perform wet cleaning on paper based on the use of 1 MHz ultrasound in combination with water-dispersed polyvinyl alcohol microbubbles (PVAMBs), followed by dabbing with PVA-based hydrogel. This method can be applied to both old and new papers.

Noncommunicable diseases in the Americas: a review of the Pan American Health Organization's 25-year program of work.

This article describes progress in tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Americas since the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) started its NCD program 25 years ago. Changes in the epidemiology of NCDs, NCD policies, health service capacity, and surveillance are discussed. PAHO's NCD program is guided by regional plans of action on specific NCDs and risk factors, as well as a comprehensive NCD plan.

Molecular origin of the two-step mechanism of gellan aggregation.

Among hydrocolloids, gellan is one of the most studied polysaccharides due to its ability to form mechanically stable gels. Despite its long-standing use, the gellan aggregation mechanism is still not understood because of the lack of atomistic information. Here, we fill this gap by developing a new gellan force field.

Towards a smoke-free world? South America became the first 100% smoke-free subregion in the Americas.

Almost 20 years after the launching by the Pan American Health Organization of its "Smoke-Free Americas" initiative in 2001, in December 2020, South America became the first subregion in the Americas to accomplish 100% smoke-free environments in line with Article 8 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Some of these countries adopted legal measures that are more robust than others, including in their laws specific outdoor places in the smoking ban (like Argentina and Uruguay) and/or novel nicotine and tobacco products under their scope (like Ecuador and Paraguay). The 10 countries took different paths to adopt this public health measure, either through executive or legislative measures or a combination of both.

Biohybrid Nanocellulose-Lysozyme Amyloid Aerogels via Electrostatic Complexation.

Modern science is increasingly turning to nature for inspiration to design sustainable biomaterials in a smart and effective way. Herein, we describe biohybrid aerogels based on electrostatic complexation between cellulose and proteins-two of the most abundant natural polymers on Earth. The effects of both particle surface charge and particle size are investigated with respect to aerogel properties including the morphology, surface area, stability, and mechanical strength.

Toward a Reversible Consolidation of Paper Materials Using Cellulose Nanocrystals.

An innovative consolidation strategy for degraded paper is presented based on the reversible application of cellulose nanocrystals as sustainable fillers to reinforce mechanical properties and resistance to further degradation. The compatibility and efficacy of the proposed consolidation treatment are assessed first on pure cellulose paper, used as a model, by reliable techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, tensile tests, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, evidencing the influence of the surface functionalization of nanocellulose on the consolidation and protection effects. Then, the consolidation technique is applied to real aged paper samples from (1738), demonstrating the promising potential of the suggested approach.

Ultrasound-Stimulated PVA Microbubbles for Adhesive Removal from Cellulose-Based Materials: A Groundbreaking Low-Impact Methodology.

In this work, we shed new light on ultrasound contrast agents applied to the field of cultural heritage as an invaluable fine-tune cleaning tool for paper artworks. In this context, one of the primary and challenging issues is the removal of modern adhesives from paper artifacts. Modern adhesives are synthetic polymers whose presence enhances paper degradation and worsens its optical features.

Gellan Gum Microgels as Effective Agents for a Rapid Cleaning of Paper.

Microgel particles have emerged in the past few years as a favorite model system for fundamental science and for innovative applications ranging from the industrial to biomedical fields. Despite their potentialities, no works so far have focused on the application of microgels for cultural heritage preservation. Here we show their first use for this purpose, focusing on wet paper cleaning.

Polyvinyl alcohol based hydrogels as new tunable materials for application in the cultural heritage field.

Hydrogel-based cleaning of paper artworks is an increasingly widespread process in the cultural heritage field. However, the search for tuned (compatible, highly retentive and not perishable) hydrogels is a challenging open question. In this paper, a complete characterization of chemical hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) crosslinked with telechelic PVA and their remarkable performances as gels for cleaning paper artworks are reported.

Comparable performance of TMA and Real-Time PCR in detecting minimal residual hepatitis C viraemia at the end of antiviral therapy.

Background: Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C may cause transient on-treatment response followed by post-treatment relapse.

Objectives: We have compared the prognostic value for post-treatment relapse of minimal hepatitis C residual viraemia detected at end-of-therapy by transcription mediated assay (TMA) and by Abbott RealTime PCR HCV assay.

Study Design: Minimal residual viraemia was investigated in 202 HCV patients who had completed a full course of Pegylated Interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin and were HCV-RNA negative by conventional PCR in two separate serum samples obtained during the last week of therapy and the results were then correlated with post-treatment outcome.

Three persons with multiple disabilities accessing environmental stimuli and asking for social contact through microswitch and VOCA technology.

Background: Direct access to environmental stimuli and opportunity to ask for social contact/attention may be considered highly relevant objectives for persons with multiple disabilities. We assessed the possibility of enabling three of these persons (two children and one adolescent) to combine two microswitches (for accessing environmental stimuli) and a Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA), which allowed them to ask for caregiver's attention.

Methods: Initially, the participants were required to use each of the two microswitches individually and then together.

Eye- and mouth-opening movements replacing head and hand responses in a microswitch program for an adolescent with deteriorating motor condition.

This study assessed the possibility of replacing head and hand responses (no longer feasible) with minimal movements within the microswitch-based program of an adolescent with deteriorating motor condition and multiple disabilities. The new movements, i.e.

Effects of microswitch-based programs on indices of happiness of students with multiple disabilities: a new research evaluation.

The effects of microswitch-based programs on indices of happiness were evaluated with 9 students who had profound multiple disabilities. Each student received an ABAB sequence in which A represented baseline phases and B, intervention phases. During the latter phases, microswitches were used to enable the students to control preferred environmental stimulation with simple/feasible responses, such as hand-pushing and foot-lifting.

Enabling two persons with multiple disabilities to access environmental stimuli and ask for social contact through microswitches and a VOCA.

This study assessed the combination of two microswitches with a voice output communication aid (VOCA) with two persons (an adolescent and a young adult) with multiple disabilities. The microswitches allowed the participants to obtain direct access to preferred environmental stimuli; the VOCA enabled them to ask for caregiver's attention. Initially, the participants were taught to use each of the two microswitches individually and then together.

Enabling persons with multiple disabilities to choose among environmental stimuli and request stimulus repetitions through microswitch and computer technology.

This study assessed microswitch and computer technology to enable two participants with multiple disabilities, 32 and 19 years of age, to choose among environmental stimuli and request their repetition whenever they so desired. Within each session, 18 stimuli (12 preferred and 6 nonpreferred) were available. For each stimulus, a computer system provided a sample of 3 sec.

Fostering adaptive responses and head control in students with multiple disabilities through a microswitch-based program: follow-up assessment and program revision.

A program was recently developed to promote adaptive responses and upright head position in students with multiple disabilities through the use of microswitch clusters (i.e., combinations of two microswitches).

Micro-switch programmes for students with multiple disabilities and minimal motor behaviour: assessing response acquisition and choice.

This study assessed (a) whether three girls with multiple disabilities and minimal motor behaviour could acquire pairs of responses taught through micro-switch-based programmes and (b) how the girls would eventually choose between those responses. In relation to the choice issue, a response-choice analysis was conducted to find out whether possible differences in performance rates for the two responses were due to the stimuli linked to them and/or to potential response preferences. Results indicated that all three girls succeeded in the acquisition of the two responses programmed for them and showed clear response choices.

Assessing a microswitch-based stimulation procedure for eye-blinking responses in a young woman with profound multiple disabilities.

We applied a new microswitch-based stimulation procedure for eye-blinking responses with a young woman with profound multiple disabilities, and compared effects of this procedure on the eye-blinking responses and smiling with the effects of a caregiver-based stimulation condition. Analysis showed that the microswitch-based stimulation procedure, with stimulation occurring contingent on eye-blinking responses, increased the frequencies of these responses significantly above the levels recorded in baseline and caregiver-based stimulation conditions. No changes in smiling frequencies occurred.