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Droplet Digital PCR Assay for Detection and Quantification of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ in Grapevine Samples
No full text'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' is the causal agent of the Bois noir (BN), affecting grapevine worldwide. The complex epidemiology of BN, which involves multiple 'Ca. P. solani' host plants and insect vectors, as well as the occurrence of recovery (loss of symptoms on grapevine canopy), makes disease investigations and containment in vineyards difficult. To achieve early detection of 'Ca. P. solani', a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based approach and quantitative (q)PCR assay were compared, testing specific primers based on the elongation factor Tu (tuf) gene using SYBR Green chemistry. The regression curve analysis of the ddPCR assay showed good linearity. Compared with the qPCR method, the sensitivity of ddPCR improved about 10-fold. The analysis of grapevine roots spiked with serial dilutions of 'Ca P. solani'. PCR tuf fragments showed that qPCR was inhibited, while ddPCR was not affected. Testing 66 grapevine samples from 50 grapevine plants, the ddPCR provided superior diagnostic performance compared to qPCR in roots of symptomatic plants (75% detected by ddPCR, 41.6% by qPCR), roots of recovered plants (58.8% detected by ddPCR, 25% by qPCR), and asymptomatic leaf tissues from recovered plants (75% detected by ddPCR, 25% by qPCR). The ddPCR analysis allowed us to detect 'Ca. P. solani' on 40% of leaf samples from recovered plants and 20% of roots from asymptomatic plants. No differences among ddPCR and qPCR were found in detecting phytoplasma on symptomatic leaf samples. The ddPCR assay allowed the absolute quantification of 'Ca. P. solani' in complex matrices, such as roots, and when low titer of phytoplasma is present
Exploring the Perceived Cognitive Workload: The Impact of Various Scenarios and Emotions on a Driving Simulator
No full textDriver distraction due to emotional states gained attention in the last decades. Even though there are various studies examined and compared various emotions, so far changes in the emotional state was not examined. The aim of this paper was to explore the emotion-ordered effect on driver cognitive workload and contribute to the emotion distraction literature and draw practical implications for road safety. To study the effect, thirteen participants recruited for a driving simulator study and they were divided into two experimental groups in which they either tried Happy-to-Angry or Angry-to-Happy emotion transitions. Participants later assigned different driving scenarios. NASA-TLX data was collected after each scenario. Results reveal no statistically significant differences in perceived mental workload across different experimental conditions or their sequences, indicating consistent cognitive demands. However, observed trends suggest subtle variations that may require larger samples or more sensitive tools for detection
La contemporaneità appenninica è una questione storica
No full textIl saggio propone una lettura originale della dorsale appenninica, mettendo in risalto come ogni percorso di progettazione o di pianificazione riguardante le cosiddette aree interne non possa che partire dalla storia di questi territori. L'Appennino dell'Italia centrale, infatti, definisce i suoi caratteri originari nel basso medioevo: questa è la fase di costruzione della sua cultura, della sua economia, della sua società. La "fine" dell'Appennino, da intendere come la fine della società rurale tradizionale, si colloca nell'immediato dopoguerra. Per pensare il futuro dell'Appennino dell'Italia centrale, quindi, è necessario guardare alla sua storia
Neuropsychological tests at the Italian Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias: results from a survey on 450 specialized services
No full textBackground: The Italian Fund for Alzheimer’s and other dementias approved in 2020 enabled the conducting of a survey in the Italian Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias (CCDDs) to analyse the organization, the administrative features and the professionals’ characteristics. Aims: To investigate the current use of neuropsychological (NP) tests in Italian CCDDs and the association between the use of a basic set of tests for neuropsychological assessment (NPA) and organizational/structural characteristics of CCDDs. Methods: A survey was conducted with an online questionnaire in all CCDDs between July 2022 and February 2023. To verify the use of a comprehensive NPA in the diagnosis of cognitive disorders and dementia, we identified a minimum core test (MCT). Results: The CCDDs using a Minimum Core Test (MCT) significantly increased from 45.7% in 2015 to the current 57.1%. Territorial CCDDs using MCT significantly increased from 24.9% in 2015 to 37% in 2022 (p = 0.004). As multivariable results, the presence of psychologist/neuropsychologist in the staff and the University-based/IRCCS CCDDs increased the probability of using MCT (OR = 9.2; 95% CI 5.6–15.0; p < 0.001 and OR = 5.4; 95% CI 1.9–15.9; p = 0.002, respectively), while CCDDs in Southern Italy-Islands showed a lower probability than those in the North (OR = 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.7; p = 0.001). Discussion: Almost half of CCDDs (43%) do not use MCT in their clinical practice. The presence of the psychologist/neuropsychologist on the staff has a key role in the adoption of MCT and regional differences have increased over the past years. NPA is crucial in the diagnostic process and in characterizing risk profiles in order to implement targeted interventions for risk reduction. Conclusions: Our results could help to identify good practices aimed at improving dementia diagnosis. An intervention by health policymakers is urgently needed with the aim of improving diagnostic appropriateness and overcoming regional differences
Guidance on the production of EuGMS guidelines
No full textThe European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) will publish clinical guidelines grounded in evidence-based knowledge pertaining to identification, prevention, diagnosis and management of conditions that are relevant to older people. The primary goal is to produce relevant recommendations that address areas not currently covered by organ-based clinical guidelines, thereby mitigating uncertainty and enhancing the quality of care for older patients, in particular those with multimorbidity and frailty. This document, approved by the Academic Board and the Executive Board of the EuGMS, informs on the creation and organization of the Guideline Committee, the procedures to develop clinical guidelines, methodological aspects and ethical issues related to their production and dissemination. It also informs endorsement of clinical guidelines by other organizations
On a critical superlinear fractional (p,q)-Kirchhoff equation
No full textWe study ground state solutions to the following fractional (p,q)-Kirchhoff equation (a+b[u]s,pp)(−Δ)psu+(c+d[u]s,qq)(−Δ)qsu+V(x)(|u|p−2u+|u|q−2u)=λK(x)f(u)+Q(x)|u|[email protected]@1cbd2d22−2u in R3, where a,b,c,d>0 are constants, λ>0 is a parameter sufficiently large, s∈(0,1),
Performance of inorganic binder composites and innovative photocatalytic agents for the improvement of indoor air quality
No full textMediterranean environments, rural development, and local communities: toward a zero-net degradation perspective?
No full textThe long-term evolution of anthropogenic landscapes has represented over the centuries a process of adaptation of rural communities to the natural constraints that have always conditioned production processes and their development in the Mediterranean basin. Farmers tried to free themselves from these bonds with a series of agricultural works and practices, more or less traditional and linked with on-site environmental characteristics. Land reclamation, and intense work of terracing, retaining walls, and drainage channels are examples of such planning activities. Assuming the permanence of farmers in suboptimal districts, such as mountainous areas, this chapter focuses on the intrinsic relationship between landscape and agriculture and the latent impact on soil degradation, both on-site and off-site, with a specific discussion on the Northern Mediterranean case
A systematic study on hybrid RANS/LES models for a high-order discontinuous Galerkin scheme
No full textIn this work we investigate the performance of several hybrid RANS/LES models in a high-order discretization framework. Many hybrid models are indeed tailored around finite volume methods, therefore it is of particular interest to examine their performance within the context of high-order schemes. The numerical study is carried out using an incompressible modal Discontinuous Galerkin solver. The assessment includes the two major classes of non-zonal DES-like turbulence models, i.e. DDES and IDDES. Cutting-edge subgrid length scales are tested in an attempt to mitigate the most common problems affecting DES-like hybrid turbulence models, namely the gray area and modeled-stress depletion. The effect of a low-Reynolds correction that acts against the eddy viscosity drop outside of the RANS region is also taken into consideration. The analysis involves the simulation of some baseline flow problems, like the channel flow at Reτ={400,5200}, the backward-facing step and the flow past a NACA0012 foil at high angle of attack
Virtual vs. traditional learning in higher education: A systematic review of comparative studies
No full textThe evolving landscape of educational technologies has ushered Virtual Reality (VR) in the forefront of higher education. As the COVID-19 pandemic propelled a rapid shift toward e-learning, the demand for high-quality distance education has surged, prompting an exploration of VR as a viable solution. While existing research indicates that VR supports student engagement and learning experiences compared with traditional teaching methods, the lack of shared pedagogical frameworks and systematic analyses of its applications leaves a deeper investigation of VR's potentials and limitations in enhancing learning outcomes still unexplored. This paper presents a systematic literature review aimed at filling this gap by considering studies that evaluate VR-based teaching methods in comparison with traditional ones in higher education contexts in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of this technology in improving students' learning outcomes and achieve inclusive education. The analysis focuses on a set of dimensions including the adopted research design, participants' characteristics, disciplinary field of application, VR technological features (i.e., immersivity, interactivity, operability, commercial availability, and presence of VR training), adopted teaching methodologies, assessed VR impact on learning outcomes and presence of studies involving students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SpLDs). Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, a total of 71 studies of VR in higher education were analysed. Most of analysed studies employed quantitative methods (67%), while no qualitative studies were found. More than half of the studies were conducted with undergraduate students (61%). Most of the studies involved VR in STEM disciplines, with almost half of them concerning Health Sciences (45%). VR solutions were most frequently immersive (63%), predominantly using Oculus Rift and HTC Vive HMDs, interactive (59%), single-user (92%) and non-commercial (57%). Only a small portion of studies included a VR training in the research protocol (8%). Most of the studies compared lecture-based methodologies as control condition with active methodologies in the VR condition. Learning outcomes were positively influenced by immersivity, interactivity and active methodologies, although at different degrees. No study involved students with disabilities or SpLDs in the experimentation. By offering a multidimensional perspective on the application of VR in higher education contexts, the paper provides a valuable resource for educators, researchers, and policymakers navigating the dynamic intersection of VR and higher education