Cosmology and fundamental physics with the ELT-ANDES spectrograph.

State-of-the-art 19th century spectroscopy led to the discovery of quantum mechanics, and 20th century spectroscopy led to the confirmation of quantum electrodynamics. State-of-the-art 21st century astrophysical spectrographs, especially ANDES at ESO's ELT, have another opportunity to play a key role in the search for, and characterization of, the new physics which is known to be out there, waiting to be discovered. We rely on detailed simulations and forecast techniques to discuss four important examples of this point: big bang nucleosynthesis, the evolution of the cosmic microwave background temperature, tests of the universality of physical laws, and a real-time model-independent mapping of the expansion history of the universe (also known as the redshift drift).

The FKBP51s Splice Isoform Predicts Unfavorable Prognosis in Patients with Glioblastoma.

Unlabelled: The primary treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) is removing the tumor mass as defined by MRI. However, MRI has limited diagnostic and predictive value. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are abundant in GBM tumor microenvironment (TME) and are found in peripheral blood (PB).

Carbon Black Functionalized with Naturally Occurring Compounds in Water Phase for Electrochemical Sensing of Antioxidant Compounds.

A new sustainable route to nanodispersed and functionalized carbon black in water phase (W-CB) is proposed. The sonochemical strategy exploits ultrasounds to disaggregate the CB, while two selected functional naturally derived compounds, sodium cholate (SC) and rosmarinic acid (RA), act as stabilizing agents ensuring dispersibility in water adhering onto the CB nanoparticles' surface. Strategically, the CB-RA compound is used to drive the AuNPs self-assembling at room temperature, resulting in a CB surface that is nanodecorated; further, this is achieved without the need for additional reagents.

Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems of Potent MmpL3 Inhibitors for Tuberculosis Treatment.

Tuberculosis remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, accounting for nearly 1.3 million deaths every year. Tuberculosis treatment is challenging because of the toxicity, decreased bioavailability at the target site of the conventional drugs and, most importantly, low adherence of patients; this leads to drug resistance.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Enforcing Nonperiodic Boundary Conditions: New Developments and Application to the Solvent Shifts of Nitroxide Magnetic Parameters.

Multiscale methods combining quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) have become the most suitable and effective strategies for the investigation of the spectroscopic properties of medium-to-large size chromophores in condensed phases. In this context, we are developing a novel workflow aimed at improving the generality, reliability, and ease of use of the available computational tools. In this paper, we report our latest developments with specific reference to a general protocol based on atomistic simulations, carried out under nonperiodic boundary conditions (NPBC).

Antioxidants into Nopal (), Important Inhibitors of Free Radicals' Formation.

Nopal () belonging to the Cactacea family has many nutritional benefits attributed to a wide variety of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Coumaric acid (COA), ferulic acid (FLA), protocatechuic acid (PRA), and gallic acid (GAA) are the phenolic acids (PhAs) present in nopal. In this study, the role of these PhAs in copper-induced oxidative stress was investigated using the density functional theory (DFT).

Microwave Heating Promotes the S-Alkylation of Aziridine Catalyzed by Molecular Sieves: A Post-Synthetic Approach to Lanthionine-Containing Peptides.

Aziridine derivatives involved in nucleophilic ring-opening reactions have attracted great interest, since they allow the preparation of biologically active molecules. A chemoselective and mild procedure to convert a peptide cysteine residue into lanthionine via S-alkylation on aziridine substrates is presented in this paper. The procedure relies on a post-synthetic protocol promoted by molecular sieves to prepare lanthionine-containing peptides and is assisted by microwave irradiation.

Hafnium vs. Zirconium, the Perpetual Battle for Supremacy in Catalytic Olefin Polymerization: A Simple Matter of Electrophilicity?

The performance of -symmetric -hafnocene catalysts for isotactic polypropylene typically deteriorates at increasing temperature much faster than that of their zirconium analogues. Herein, we analyze in detail a set of five Hf/Zr metallocene pairs-including some of the latest generation catalysts-at medium- to high-polymerization temperature. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for stereoselectivity, the ratio allyl/vinyl chain ends, and 2,1/3,1 misinsertions in the polymer indicate a strong dependence of polymerization performance on electrophilicity of the catalyst, which is a function of the ligand framework and the metal center.

Maria Montessori: A complex and multifaceted historiographical subject.

The main goal of this essay is to outline the historiographical profile of Maria Montessori (1870 -1952), which has been subject to substantial investigation in recent years (Babini & Lama, 2000; De Giorgi, 2013; Foschi, 2012; Giovetti, 2009; Marazzi, 2000). These latest analyses have highlighted a previously unacknowledged complexity. The historiographical literature on Maria Montessori, her pedagogical method, and her experiences in different parts of the world is composed of numerous contributions characterized by different focuses and purposes.

Higher-order corrections to the effective potential close to the jamming transition in the perceptron model.

In view of the results achieved in a previously related work [A. Altieri, S. Franz, and G.

Antiplatelet Therapy for Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Complex "Real" Clinical Scenarios: A Consensus Document of the "Campania NSTEMI Study Group".

The incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has significantly decreased. Conversely, the rate of non-STEMI (NSTEMI) has increased. Patients with NSTEMI have lower short-term mortality compared to patients with STEMI, whereas at long-term follow-up, the mortality becomes comparable.

Assessment of blood sample stability for complete blood count using the Sysmex XN-9000 and Mindray BC-6800 analyzers.

Background: Different hematological analyzers have different analytical performances that are often reflected in the criteria for sample stability of the complete blood count. This study aimed to assess the stability of several hematological parameters using the XN-9000 Sysmex and BC-6800 Mindray analyzers.

Methods: The impact of storage at room temperature and 4°C was evaluated after 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, 36 and 48h using ten normal and 40 abnormal blood samples.

Tailoring chiro-optical effects by helical nanowire arrangement.

In this work, we experimentally investigate the chiro-optical properties of 3D metallic helical systems at optical frequencies. Both single and triple-nanowire geometries have been studied. In particular, we found that in single-helical nanostructures, the enhancement of chiro-optical effects achievable by geometrical design is limited, especially with respect to the operation wavelength and the circular polarization conversion purity.

Thalamic fractional anisotropy predicts accrual of cerebral white matter damage in older subjects with small-vessel disease.

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and lacunes are magnetic resonance imaging hallmarks of cerebral small-vessel disease, which increase the risk of stroke, cognitive, and mobility impairment. Although most studies of cerebral small-vessel disease have focused on white matter abnormalities, the gray matter (GM) is also affected, as evidenced by frequently observed lacunes in subcortical GM. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is sensitive to subtle neurodegenerative changes in deep GM structures.

Multivalent supramolecular dendrimer-based drugs.

Supramolecular complexes consisting of a hydrophobic dendrimer host [DAB-dendr-(NHCONH-Ad)(64)] as well as solubilizing and bioactive guest molecules have been synthesized using a noncovalent approach. The guest-host supramolecular assembly is first preassembled in chloroform and transferred via the neat phase to aqueous solution. The bioactive guest molecules can bind to a natural (serotonin 5-HT(3)) receptor with nanomolar affinity as well as to the synthetic dendrimer receptor in aqueous solution, going toward a dynamic multivalent supramolecular construct capable of adapting itself to a multimeric receptor motif.

Euclidean color-difference formula for small-medium color differences in log-compressed OSA-UCS space.

This work continues previous research by the same authors [J. Opt. Soc.

Extended multisensory space in blind cane users.

In the present work, we investigated whether an auditory peripersonal space exists around the hand and whether such a space might be extended by a brief tool-use experience or by long-term experience using a tool in everyday life. To this end, we studied audio-tactile integration in the space around the hand and in far space, in blind subjects who regularly used a cane to navigate and in sighted subjects, before and after brief training with the cane. In sighted subjects, auditory peripersonal space was limited to around the hand before tool use, then expanded after tool use, and contracted backward after a resting period.

Cell dynamics in the correct control of bone metabolism using natural treatments.

The present study was undertaken in order to assess the efficacy of a commercial product containing calcium and silicon (Osteosil-Calcium) on cell metabolism. MG-63 osteblast-like cells were cultured in the presence of three different drug concentrations (10, 5 and 2.5 microg/mL).

Clinical infections and multiple sclerosis: contribution from analytical epidemiology.

Epidemiological studies have suggested that exogenous factors may play a role in the etiology of multiple sclerosis and that the environmental component may be viral, but, as yet, there is insufficient evidence to draw any definite conclusions concerning any of the viruses so far proposed. The case-control approach failed to give any definitive conclusion. While the frequency of each common childhood illness is not significantly different between cases and controls, there are more consistent data suggesting that cases do report a later age at infections: this applies particularly to measles, rubella, mumps and EBV infection.

Bone marrow examination for primary diagnosis and follow-up in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. An overview with emphasize on bone marrow histology.

The aim of his overview is to provide some insight into the manifold applications of bone marrow examination in lymphoproliferative disease. Having a large selection of methods any clinician working in this field should be familiar with the diagnostic relevance of each method for a given diagnostic problem. The choice of the appropriate investigations will warrant a correct diagnosis and helps to lower health expenses.