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Interrupting sedentary behaviour in the workplace through active breaks: a protocol study
No full textSedentary behaviour (SB) is linked to a higher risk of
metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, all-cause
mortality and musculoskeletal decline. Office workers
(OW) are particularly vulnerable to prolonged SB due
to the nature of their work. Incorporating active breaks
(ABs), brief periods of physical activity (PA) during the
workday may offer a promising strategy to interrupt SB
in this setting. This protocol outlines the design of a non-randomised
controlled study aimed at interrupting SB
among OW by implementing ABs during working hours.
The potential impact of ABs on changes in SB patterns
and on physical and psychosocial outcomes will also
be assessed. Participants in the study will self-select
into an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG).
Both groups will be assessed at baseline (T0) and after
4 months (T1) using accelerometers, ad hoc questionnaires
and validated tools. The IG will take part in a 4-month
ABs programme, beginning with a counselling session
with a kinesiologist. To monitor adherence, compliance,
engagement and satisfaction, participants in the IG will
complete daily surveys during the first and last 2 weeks of
the intervention, keep a daily adherence diary throughout
the study and complete a final ad hoc questionnaire to
assess satisfaction with the ABs programme. Approval for
this study was obtained from the Bioethical Committee of
the University of Bologna. The findings could provide an
important contribution to the scientific evidence supporting
ABs interventions, highlighting their psychosocial and
physical benefits in workplace settings
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Associated with HHV-6A Reactivation and an Inhibitory KIR2DL2/HLA-C1 Immunogenetic Profile
No full textNatural killer (NK) cells are central to antiviral immunity through a balance of activating and inhibitory receptors, including killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). We have previously observed that an increased frequency of the inhibitory receptor KIR2DL2 and its ligand HLA-C1 is associated with heightened susceptibility to human herpesvirus (HHV) infection, supporting a role for KIR-mediated NK cell regulation in host–virus interactions. We investigated whether the co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) might be connected to the expression of KIR2DL2/HLA-C1. We analyzed 110 SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects and 109 SARS-CoV-2-negative subjects for the KIR2DL2 and HLA-C1 genotype and for HHV-6A/B reactivation in plasma samples. SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects showed a significantly higher frequency of the KIR2DL2/HLA-C1 haplotype and increased reactivation of HHV-6A. Among deceased and comorbid patients, the co-occurrence of the KIR2DL2/HLA-C1 haplotype and HHV-6A DNAemia was more frequent, particularly in those with cardiovascular disorders. These findings suggest that the KIR2DL2/HLA-C1 haplotype might promote NK cell inhibition, facilitating HHV-6A persistence and contributing to immune dysregulation during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The combined presence of KIR2DL2/HLA-C1 and HHV-6A may, therefore, represent a molecular signature of COVID-19 outcomes
Immunogenic implications of translational readthrough on the inhibitor risk associated with F8 nonsense mutations in Hemophilia A
No full textAmong F8 mutation types, main determinants of inhibitor development in hemophilia A, nonsense mutations (premature termination codons, PTC) display wide variation in the associated risk. Translational readthrough (Rdthr) at PTCs, which produces traces of full-length factor VIII (FVIII) including missense and wild-type molecules, may influence the immune response and risk of inhibitor formation.
To better classify PTC susceptibility in relation to inhibitor occurrence, F8 genotypes, inhibitor status and Rdthr characteristics were investigated in 335 PTCs (1048 patients) recorded in the European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders (EAHAD) database.
Rdthr producing wild-type FVIII (WT-Rdthr), hypothesized to minimize inhibitor development, was not predicted in patients with recurrent PTCs detected in at least three inhibitor-positive cases (n=136, p=0.0001). These PTCs, previously expressed in a wide panel of FVIII-luciferase recombinants, showed lower readthrough output. In addition, WT-Rdthr was lower for light-chain PTCs, highly associated with inhibitor occurrence. We also estimated lower WT-Rdthr for PTCs predictable by single nucleotide variations (n=662) than in those observed in the EAHAD database.
In silico mean differences in affinity of HLA-DR alleles for FVIII peptides and their missense counterparts, potentially arising from Rdthr of PTCs without WT formation (n=297), were higher for missense variants predicted in patients with inhibitors than without (p<0.0001). The difference increased for PTCs present in more than one patient with inhibitor.
We provide a new classification of PTCs, based on predicted Rdthr output and immunogenicity, that could be exploited to improve estimate of individual PTC-related inhibitor risk, and particularly in HLA genotyped patients
Post-shock resilience and preference for manufacturing? A study on Chinese provinces
No full textThis study explores the evolving landscape of industrial policy in a post-shock global context, where fostering the resilience of strategic assets has become crucial for both advanced and emerging economies. Within this framework, the paper develops a novel integrated methodology to assist decision-makers in addressing the complexities of industrial policy design and implementation. Specifically, our approach accounts for multiple dimensions of resilience, enabling a nuanced understanding of territorial responses across different domains. We apply this methodology to examine the resilience of Chinese provinces across both industrial and social dimensions in the aftermath of the COVID-19 shock. Our results show that industrial and social resilience do not always align; rather, they can diverge significantly, even within the same regional clusters. These findings open new theoretical avenues for analyzing the interaction—and at times tension—between different resilience domains within a single territorial context. Furthermore, we find that the relationship between manufacturing specialization and resilience may not be straightforward. Among provinces with higher manufacturing specialization, resilience tends to manifest strongly in either the social or industrial dimension, depending on the specific characteristics of their manufacturing sectors. Additionally, we show that provinces with greater investment in social policies were generally better equipped to absorb shocks. Overall, our findings offer valuable insights for policymakers by providing a more nuanced understanding of resilience and highlighting where targeted interventions may be necessary across different domains to support more balanced and inclusive recovery trajectories
Molecular Imaging Advances in Endometriosis: The Promise of Radiopharmaceuticals
No full textEndometriosis is a highly prevalent, chronic gynecological disorder characterized by the ectopic presence of endometrial-like tissue, driving significant morbidity and chronic pelvic pain. Pathologically, it is increasingly recognized as a fibro-inflammatory condition involving extensive tissue remodeling and fibrosis. Current conventional imaging modalities, including ultrasound and MRI, are primarily morphological, while standard molecular imaging using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers has shown limited diagnostic utility. [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) suffers from high physiological uptake in pelvic organs and inconsistent detection of lesions. Receptor-based tracers like [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE have demonstrated uncertain efficacy. In contrast, radiopharmaceuticals targeting the Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) offer a promising molecular approach. FAP is specifically overexpressed by activated fibroblasts present in the stroma of endometriotic lesions, correlating significantly with tissue fibrosis (collagen content) and local immune infiltration (e.g., CD68 macrophages). This comprehensive review analyzes the landscape of radiopharmaceuticals for endometriosis imaging, contrasting the specific limitations of traditional metabolic and receptor agents with the molecular rationale and emerging evidence supporting the use of FAP Inhibitors (FAPI), positioning them as crucial, non-invasive tools for the future diagnosis and management of this challenging disease
Simultaneous determination of acrylamide, Glycidamide, and Methylacrylamide in plant-based beverages using μ-dispersive solid phase extraction and HPLC-PDA: Development, validation, and occurrence
No full textPlant-based beverages are widely consumed as dairy alternatives due to their nutritional value and sustainability.
However, thermal processing may lead to the formation of acrylamide and related toxicants. This study developed and validated a miniaturized dispersive solid-phase extraction (μ-dSPE) method coupled with highperformance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection for the simultaneous determination of acrylamide, glycidamide, and methacrylamide, using thiourea as an internal standard. Unlike existing μ-dSPE/
QuEChERS and MS-based approaches, the workflow is entirely aqueous (no organic solvents) and requires no
derivatization, aligning with green analytical chemistry. Optimization was conducted using a 34
41 screening
design and response surface methodology. The method showed excellent linearity (r2 > 0.999), low detection
limits (0.24–0.98 μg/mL), and excellent accuracy (91–111 % recovery) and precision (RSD < 6.1 %). Analysis of
15 commercial beverages revealed acrylamide in 14 samples (0.33–1.17 μg/mL), especially in oat and mixedprotein types; glycidamide and methacrylamide were not detected. Environmental assessment using AGREEprep yielded a high greenness score (0.72) and a high practical applicability score (80.0) by the Blue Applicability Grade Index. This μ-dSPE-HPLC-PDA method provides a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentallyfriendly approach for monitoring heat-induced contaminants in plant-based beverages
The μ-RWELL technology for the muon system at the IDEA experiment
No full textThe project of a circular collider for electrons and positrons (FCC-ee) needs to be completed with a detection apparatus. The Innovative Detector for Electron–positron Accelerator (IDEA) experiment has been proposed to study the properties of heavy particles such as top, Z, W, and H with more precision. From the vertex outward, the apparatus is composed of a sophisticated tracker and a dual-readout electromagnetic calorimeter surrounded by a magnet, a dual-readout fiber calorimeter, and the muon system. The technology proposed for the muon system is the micro-Resistive WELL (μ-RWELL). The muon system asks for 400 μm space resolution to tag muons and long-lived particles. Another point in favor of this technology is its suitability for industrial transfer, which is fundamental for mass production to cover more than the 1500 m2 planned for the apparatus. This publication reports the standard 1D tracking performance of the μ-RWELL, including the dependence of spatial resolution on DLC resistivity and strip pitch. It also focuses on the R&D of different 2D readout layouts. All these studies have been conducted over several test beam campaigns performed at the CERN-SPS North Area during the last years
Seasonal and Cross-Shore Assessment of Large and Small Microplastics Collected on the Ferrara Coast (Italy)
No full textMicroplastic (MP) contamination along coastlines is a globally recognized environmental concern. This paper investigates the seasonal and cross-shore distribution of large and small microplastics (LMPs and SMPs) at four sites along the Ferrara coast in the northern Adriatic Sea (Italy). A combination of sampling and analytical approaches was employed to characterize the typology, morphology, and size of MPs. A subsample of LMPs was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy to determine polymers’ composition. The mean abundances recorded were 5.66 ± 13.15 LMPs/m2 and 2402.19 ± 1169.85 SMPs/m2. Among the LMPs, pellets and fragments, essentially cream and white in color, were dominant. The samples were predominantly composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. SMPs primarily consisted of black fibers. LMPs and SMPs displayed their lowest abundances in winter and cross-shore patterns indicated preferential accumulation at dune foot and crest. Since the study sites are located downstream of the Po and Reno river mouths, urban and riverine discharges, as well as emissions from plastic-processing industries, are likely major contributors to the observed MPs
The effect of ventilation-related sound stimuli on 11–14 years students’ cognition and soundscape assessments
No full textIn previous research, ventilation-related sounds have mostly been regarded as undesirable and unwelcome noise within the school environment. Conversely, in this study, a soundscape-inspired approach was adopted, where sounds were treated as potential assets to exploit rather than mere disturbances. To test this hypothesis, this research explored the effects of various sonic environments in ventilated classrooms while students were engaged in school tasks. Five sound conditions were compared, namely, quiet, three natural ventilation sounds coming from playground, birdsongs, and traffic respectively, and finally mechanical ventilation sound. Their effects on cognitive performance in calculation and reading comprehension, as well as on participants’ soundscape evaluations were assessed. A total of 229 students aged 11–14 years were tested in their own classrooms. The results (n of participants = 158) indicated that none of the sound conditions exerted a significant effect on reading comprehension, nor did they influence calculation accuracy. However, response times in calculation tasks improved in the presence of playground noise and deteriorate under mechanical ventilation noise. In terms of soundscape assessments, playground was rated as chaotic, mechanical ventilation as monotonous, whereas birdsongs is generally perceived as pleasant. The effects observed on cognitive performance were interpreted by resorting to arousal theory. In particular higher eventfulness seems to improve performance on the selected tasks. Although further research is needed to identify the most advantageous auditory stimuli, those associated with natural ventilation appear to be the most promising
Hybrid intelligence
No full textL'evoluzione dell'intelligenza artificiale negli ultimi decenni ha trasformato il modo in cui concepiamo l'attività cognitiva e il ruolo degli esseri umani nei complessi processi decisionali.
Possiamo quindi parlare di un processo di coevoluzione cooperativa?
E se, attraverso un feedback ricorsivo, in cui gli esseri umani potrebbero plasmare l'IA e l'IA potrebbe plasmare sempre più il pensiero e l'azione umana, l'intelligenza artificiale stessa potesse acquisire un ruolo non come agente separato, ma come elemento strutturale fondamentale di un individuo collettivo emergente?The evolution of artificial intelligence in recent decades has transformed the way
we conceive the cognitive activity and the role of humans in complex decisionmaking
processes.
Can we therefore talk about a process of cooperative co-evolution?
And what if, through recursive feedback, in which humans could
shape AI and AI could increasingly shape human thought and action3, artificial
intelligence itself could acquire a role not as a separate agent, but as a fundamental
structural element of an emerging collective individual