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Nursing Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Monkeypox Virus: A Cross-Sectional Survey at the University of Palermo, 2022
No full textBackground: Human monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), endemic in Central and West Africa. A significant 2022 outbreak affected 104 countries, driven by increased susceptibility due to the cessation of smallpox vaccination, global travel, and interactions with infected animals. Strengthening surveillance, public health measures, and raising awareness are essential for early diagnosis, vaccination acceptance, and preventing future outbreaks. Methods: The survey was distributed to 645 nursing students of the University of Palermo between July 2022 and August 2022, and we estimated the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors through a KAP Survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while chi-squared, Fisher’s exact, and Student’s t-tests were employed to analyze differences between groups, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. At least 80% of the students surveyed had already taken the microbiology exam, as microbiology is studied in the first year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Palermo. Results: The survey showed a predominantly young, female nursing student population with limited knowledge of monkeypox, as only 3.88% demonstrated adequate understanding. Despite this, attitudes toward prevention were positive, with 82.64% scoring adequately and 41.09% expressing strong willingness to get vaccinated. Knowledge improved with academic progression (p = 0.005), while attitudes and behaviors remained consistent. These findings imply a critical gap in education; the limited knowledge, especially regarding transmission and severity, may lead to an underestimation of the risks associated with global infectious diseases. This underscores the need to better prepare future healthcare professionals for public health emergencies Conclusions: The study found that nursing students had limited knowledge of monkeypox, especially regarding epidemiology and disease severity. Despite positive attitudes toward vaccination, some behaviors reflected an underestimation of global infection risks. Knowledge improved with academic progression, underscoring the importance of education. Targeted educational programs are needed to enhance awareness and preparedness for future outbreaks
Enhanced effective nonlinearities in silicon nitride free-standing nanopatterned membranes
No full textSilicon nitride (SiN) represents a promising complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor material for on-chip nanophotonics applications due to its unexpected linear and nonlinear optical properties. Here, we experimentally and numerically investigate the linear and nonlinear response of SiN free-standing nanostructured thin-film membranes. Compared to the unpatterned platform, the design of a square-lattice patterning gives rise to a nonlocal resonant mode that enhances the effective third-order optical nonlinearity by a factor of 3.4–5 at the resonance wavelength, as determined from Z-scan experiments. Finite-element simulations clarify that the magnitude of the lattice-induced frequency dispersion of the Kerr coefficient also depends on the spectral and geometrical properties of the interacting light excitation. Our results propose patterned SiN nanomembranes as a promising nanophotonics platform for enhanced nonlinear frequency conversion processes
Two birds with one stone: Nanostructured MWCNTs- iron-phthalocyanine/imidazolium bromide co-polymer as catalyst for both CO2 valorization and nitro-reduction reactions
No full textThe straightforward synthesis of a nanostructured hybrid material in which an iron phthalocyanine/imidazolium bromide co-polymer is formed and simultaneously covalently attached to the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) is reported. FePC@MWCNTs , has been characterized using different techniques such as TGA, solid state 13C NMR, XPS, CHN, Raman, TEM, and physisorption. RAMAN analyses confirmed the successful covalent functionalization of the nanotubes and TEM revealed that the MWCNT were covered by the copolymer, enhancing the stability of the nanostructured hybrid material which contains 0.22 mmol/g mmol of iron phthalocyanine, as shown by combining XPS and CHN. FePC@MWCNTs was successfully employed as heterogeneous catalyst for two different processes: the CO2 cycloaddition with epoxides to synthesize cyclic carbonates, in which FePC@MWCNTs acts as bifunctional catalyst synergistically combining Lewis acid (Fe atoms) and nucleophilic (Br− anions) components without addition of additives (e.g. TBAB, TBAI, BMIM, etc.); and in the synthesis of arylamines through the reduction of nitro groups, which was efficiently accomplished by using microwave heating. The hybrid material demonstrated in both cases excellent catalytic activity, outperforming all the existing phthalocyanine-based systems and resulting recyclable in consecutive catalytic runs. In the CO2/epoxide cycloaddition and the nitro-reduction reactions, no metal leaching was observed, further confirming the robustness of this material. What makes FePC@MWCNTs particularly noteworthy, beyond its versatility and robustness, is its simplicity and cost-effectiveness: the material is synthesized from low-cost and readily available precursors through straightforward and atom-economical methods, making it a sustainable choice and also a highly practical and cheap solution for catalysis, underscoring its potential as a valuable catalyst, and offering a sustainable alternative in an industry that often relies on more expensive and less efficient solutions. The robustness of the reported nanostructured hybrid opens the way to expanding their application in other fields such as photo-, electrocatalysis or batteries, among others
Maxiprocesso quarant’anni dopo
No full textSono trascorsi 40 lunghi anni da quel 10 febbraio 1986, da quando – cioè – presso l'aula-bunker del Carcere “Ucciardone” di Palermo, dinanzi alla prima Sezione della Corte di Assise presieduta da Alfonso Giordano, prendeva avvio il dibattimento del processo a carico di Abbate Giovanni + 459, che passerà alla storia come il “maxiprocesso” a Cosa Nostra.
Il processo era nato a seguito di un’impressionante sequenza di omicidi e stragi mafiose che aveva insanguinato l’estremo Sud della Penisola e che aveva imposto all’attenzione del Governo la necessità di assumere più drastiche iniziative per il ristabilimento dell’ordine pubblico ed il risanamento sociale ed economico di quelle porzioni del territorio nazionale sottomesse al controllo delle consorterie criminali che fino a quel momento vi avevano operato indisturbate.
E, tuttavia, nonostante questa mobilitazione della politica e della società civile – che si era tradotta in un clima di consenso che aveva accompagnato grandi inchieste di mafia – era montata anche una forte polemica contro l’impianto di tante indagini che avrebbero concluso il loro naturale corso sfociando in quelli che già venivano definiti “maxiprocessi” e che, secondo alcuni commentatori, rappresentavano dei veri e propri “mostri giuridici”, la cui monumentalità si temeva potesse impedire un agevole diritto alla difesa degli imputati
ATOMIC AND ELECTRONIC STRUCTURES OF LEAD-FREE HALIDE PEROVSKITES PROBED WITH X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
No full textLead-based halide perovskites, and in particular hybrid organic–inorganic systems such as MAPI, have attracted significant attention in recent decades due to their promising optoelectronic properties. However, the poor air stability of hybrid perovskites and the high toxicity of lead hinder their large-scale implementation. In this work, I explore different ways to overcome these limitations, beginning with the replacement of the organic cation to enhance the stability of lead-based perovskites, and subsequently addressing the substitution of the toxic metal cation through either an isovalent approach, with Sn(II), or a heterovalent approach, with monovalent and trivalent cations to obtain double perovskites. After laboratory characterization, all the bulk and nanosized materials were studied with synchrotron radiation methods, especially X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). XAS is an ideal complement to diffraction methods for probing the local structure of materials: nevertheless, despite its potential and the ever-growing body of literature on halide perovskites, the application of XAS to these compounds has so far remained relatively limited and with varying degrees of success. Both the near-edge and the extended regions of the XAS spectra were modeled quantitatively, providing information on oxidation state and local symmetry bond length and disorder. These spectra were complemented by HERFD also in the tender X-ray range, which enhances the energy resolution and reveals subtle features not accessible through conventional XAS. The experimental data were eventually modeled with ab initio simulations, allowing for the refinement of the local structural model and leading to accurate assessment of distortions and structural variations induced by cation substitution
Dataset of the CO2-rich gas emissions in the Eastern Carpathians, Romania
No full textThis dataset provides a comprehensive geochemical characterization of gases emitted across the Romanian segment of the Eastern Carpathians, including both volcanic and non-volcanic areas. It comprises in situ measurements of CO2, CH4, and H2S at 143 degassing sites, including dry vents, bubbling pools, drillings, and mineral springs, supplemented by gas-chromatographic analyses of major components (CO2, CH4, N2) and isotopic measurements (3He/4He, δ13C (CO2)) at 50 selected sites. The sampling strategy spans a N–S transect of the region, capturing both CO2- and CH4-rich emissions, and providing detailed coverage of dormant volcanic and non-volcanic geological settings.
Field measurements employed a portable Multi-GAS instrument with calibrated IR (for CO2 and CH4) and electrochemical (for H2S) sensors, ensuring high-quality in situ data. Laboratory analyses were conducted at Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) Sezione Palermo, Italy and at HUN-REN Debrecen, Hungary, enabling robust characterization of gas compositions and isotopic ratios.
This dataset represents a high-resolution geochemical resource for the Romanian segment of the Eastern Carpathians, offering extensive information on gas compositions, noble gas signatures, and carbon isotopes. It can be reused by researchers to investigate degassing processes, gas origins, fluid migration, and tectonic controls in dormant volcanic and non-volcanic regions. Furthermore, it provides a reference for comparative studies with other global degassing systems and supports modelling of deep carbon fluxes from dormant volcanic and non-volcanic environments
Small angle X-ray scattering reveals phase transition in sodium oleate-cysteine systems for optimized selenium nanoparticles synthesis
No full textSelenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) can be synthesised via physical, chemical, or biological methods. While physical and chemical approaches offer benefits, they often involve high costs, toxic reagents, and reduced biocompatibility due to stabilizers. Biological synthesis provides a greener, more biocompatible alternative, but faces challenges such as variability in biological sources, slow synthesis, low yields, and scalability issues due to pH sensitivity, toxic precursors, and costly equipment. To address these limitations, we propose a sustainable workflow for SeNPs production using the selenite (SeO32-)-reducing amino acid L-cysteine (Cys) and the eco- and bio-compatible surfactant sodium oleate (NaOl). We report that Cys not only reduces selenite but also induces phase transitions in NaOl, forming a confined environment of vesicles and lamellar structures that facilitate controlled SeNPs nucleation and growth. Through a detailed phase diagram analysis, we elucidate the critical Cys and NaOl concentration regimes and pH conditions thresholds that drive surfactant self-assembly, providing valuable insights into the optimized colloidal environment for SeNPs synthesis. We also report that these confined structures support SeNPs isotropic growth and long-term stability. This method provides a scalable and eco-friendly approach for producing biocompatible SeNPs, addressing some of the challenges of conventional methods
Performance Comparison of Machine Learning Models for the Prediction of Dialysis Treatment Variables
No full textThe increasing incidence of kidney disease has led to a growing number of patients requiring dialysis, a treatment essential for blood purification. However, dialysis is often associated with complications that are difficult to anticipate using traditional models, a challenge for which Artificial Intelligence offers promising support. This study represents a first step towards developing a machine learning model capable of predicting optimal dialytic operational parameters, which clinicians can use to achieve the desired clinical outcomes for each patient. Using data from ~ 250 dialysis sessions, fifteen models were tested and compared. Among these, the Gradient Boosting and the eXtreme Gradient Boosting algorithms exhibited the highest predictive accuracy for blood flowrate and heparin volume (R2 > 0.65), showing the potential of data-driven models to enhance patient safety and dialysis care
Dil bilim ve felsefe arasinda sicilya'daki arapça metinlerden iki ornek
No full textMy contribution aims to illustrate two exemplar texts of cultural relations between Sicily and the Islamic civilization. The first is entitled Taṯqīf al-lisān wa talqīḥ al-ǧanān (Guide on the language and the fecundation of the spirit) by Ibn Makkī al-Ṣiqillī, grammarian and linguist and it’s an example of the Arabic language spoken in Siciliy in the 10th century, when the island was an Emirate under Islamic rule. The second, written three centuries later, is a collection of letters between the emperor Frederick II of Hoenstaufen and the sufi philosopher ‘Abd al-Ḥaqq Ibn Sab‘īn. The Taṯqīf al-lisān, comprising of 50 chapters, the treaty lists grammatical errors made by sicilians whether common people (al-‘amma) or learned speakers (al-muḫaṣṣiṣūn). Each listed error is followed by its correct form. The grammarian classifies errors according to some categories: paradigms and word structures, conjugation and ethimology, the specialists’ errors in reciting the Qu’ran, errors made by the ahl al-ḥadīṯ and those pertaining to the medical science. To strengthen his lingusitic theories he uses verses of poetry and Arab proverbs that add value to his scientific work making the text a true guide on the language and a «fecundation of the spirit »
