Toward a better understanding of multifunctional cement-based materials: The impact of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs)

The impact of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical and mechanical properties of cementitious nanocomposites was investigated. A market-available premixed mortar was modified with 0.01% by weight of cement of commercial GNPs characterized by two distinctively different aspect ratios.The rheological behavior of the GNP-modified fresh admixtures was thoroughly evaluated. Hardened cementitious nanocomposites were investigated in terms of density, microstructure (Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM and micro–Computed Tomography, μ-CT), mechanical properties (three-point bending and compression tests), and physical properties (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS and thermal conductivity measurements). At 28 days, all GNP-modified mortars showed about 12% increased density. Mortars reinforced with high aspect ratio GNPs exhibited the highest compressive and flexural strength: about 14% and 4% improvements compared to control sample, respectively. Conversely, low aspect ratio GNPs led to cementitious nanocomposites characterized by 36% decreased electrical resistivity combined with 60% increased thermal conductivity with respect to the control sample.     

Turning a Digital Camera into an Absolute 2D Tele‐Colorimeter

We present a simple and effective technique for absolute colorimetric camera characterization, invariant to changes in exposure/aperture and scene irradiance, suitable in a wide range of applications including image‐based reflectance measurements, spectral pre‐filtering and spectral upsampling for rendering, to improve colour accuracy in high dynamic range imaging. Our method requires a limited number of acquisitions, an off‐the‐shelf target and a commonly available projector, used as a controllable light source, other than the reflected radiance to be known. The characterized camera can be effectively used as a 2D tele‐colorimeter, providing the user with an accurate estimate of the distribution of luminance and chromaticity in a scene, without requiring explicit knowledge of the incident lighting power spectra. We validate the approach by comparing our estimated absolute tristimulus values (XYZ data in ) with the measurements of a professional 2D tele‐colorimeter, for a set of scenes with complex geometry, spatially varying reflectance and light sources with very different spectral power distribution.     

A road map to find in 3D printing a new design plasticity for construction — The state of art

Recent years are showing a rapid adoption of digital manufacturing techniques to the construction industry, with a focus on additive manufacturing. Although 3D printing for construction (3DPC) has notably advanced in recent years, publications on the subject are recent and date a growth in 2019, indicating that it is a promising technology as it enables greater efficiency with fair consumption of material, minimization of waste generation, encouraging the construction industrialization and enhancing and accelerating the constructive process. This new building system not only gives an optimization of the building process but provides a new approach to the building design materiality. The direct connection between design and manufacturing allows the reduction in the number of the various construction phases needed. It is opening a new and wide range of options both formal and chromatic in customization, avoiding complex formworks, reducing costs and manufacturing time. The creative process has a strict and direct link with the constructive process, straightening design with its materiality. Cement-based materials lead the way, but new alternatives are being explored to further reduce its carbon footprint. In order to leverage its sustainability and enhance the system capacity, initiatives are being pursued to allow the reduction of the use of PC. Geopolimers are taking the first steps in 3DPC. Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) materials are used to substitute natural aggregates. Even soil is being explored has a structural and aesthetic material. These research trends are opening a wider range of possibilities for architecture and design, broadening the spectrum of color, texture, and formal variations. The concern about textures and colours is not yet evident in many the structures already printed, opening the opportunity for future research. More can be done in the mixture and formal design of this building system, “discovering” other raw materials in others waste. This article aims to make a critical review of technologies, materials and methodologies to support the development of new sustainable materials to be used as a plastic element in the printed structure. A roadmap of 3D printing for construction is presented, and an approach on mix design, properties in the fresh and hardened state, highlighting the possibilities for obtaining alternative materials are pointed. With this review possible directions are presented to find solutions to enhance the sustainability of this system discovering “new” materiality for architecture and design.     

Microbial communities and malt quality of durum wheat used in brewing

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) has potential as an adjunct in brewing given its agronomic, chemical and technological properties. The aim of this work were to identify the cultivable microflora and evaluate the technological quality of the durum wheat variety ‘Senatore Cappelli’ grown and used by a craft brewery in Sardinia, Italy. The isolated bacterial strains were mainly rhizospheric (Kocuria rizophila, Microbacterium aerolatum and Bacillus pumilus) and associated with the microbiota of wheat (Staphylococcus spp.). None have been reported previously as spoilage species in brewing. The dominant yeast genera were Cryptococcus spp. and Rhodotorula spp., followed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The dominant filamentous fungus genera were Alternaria and Rhizopus. Low levels of mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. were isolated. However, the levels of deoxynivalenol, T2‐HT2, fumonisin, aflatoxin and ochratoxin detected in the malt and grain were below the thresholds defined by European law. Malt obtained from raw grain showed interesting technological properties, but required specific malting parameters different from those of common wheat and barley. These data suggest that the use of locally grown durum wheat in brewing can increase sustainability and reduce costs, while reinforcing the link with the terroir and promoting reduced mycotoxin levels. © 2019 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Notch Signaling Regulation in Autoinflammatory Diseases

Notch pathway is a highly conserved intracellular signaling route that modulates a vast variety of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, cell fate and death. Recently, the presence of a strict crosstalk between Notch signaling and inflammation has been described, although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this interplay have not yet been fully unravelled. Disruptions in Notch cascade, due both to direct mutations and/or to an altered regulation in the core components of Notch signaling, might lead to hypo- or hyperactivation of Notch target genes and signaling molecules, ultimately contributing to the onset of autoinflammatory diseases. To date, alterations in Notch signaling have been reported as associated with three autoinflammatory disorders, therefore, suggesting a possible role of Notch in the pathogenesis of the following diseases: hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), Behçet disease (BD), and giant cell arteritis (GCA). In this review, we aim at better characterizing the interplay between Notch and autoinflammatory diseases, trying to identify the role of this signaling route in the context of these disorders.     

Mapping inland water carbon content with Landsat 8 data

Landsat 8 is the first Earth observation satellite with sufficient radiometric and spatial resolution to allow global mapping of lake CDOM and DOC (coloured dissolved organic matter and dissolved organic carbon, respectively) content. Landsat 8 is a multispectral sensor however, the number of potentially usable band ratios, or more sophisticated indices, is limited. In order to test the suitability of the ratio most commonly used in lake carbon content mapping, the green–red band ratio, we carried out fieldwork in Estonian and Brazilian lakes. Several atmospheric correction methods were also tested in order to use image data where the image-to-image variability due to illumination conditions would be minimal. None of the four atmospheric correction methods tested, produced reflectance spectra that matched well with in situ measured reflectance. Nevertheless, the green–red band ratio calculated from the reflectance data was in correlation with measured CDOM values. In situ data show that there is a strong correlation between CDOM and DOC concentrations in Estonian and Brazilian lakes. Thus, mapping the global CDOM and DOC content from Landsat 8 is plausible but more data from different parts of the world are needed before decisions can be made about the accuracy of such global estimation.     

Hancornia speciosa latex for biomedical applications: physical and chemical properties,biocompatibility assessment and angiogenic activity

The latex obtained from Hancornia speciosa is used in folk medicine for treatment of several diseases, such as acne, warts, diabetes, gastritis and inflammation. In this work, we describe the biocompatibility assessment and angiogenic properties of H. speciosa latex and its potential application in medicine. The physical–chemical characterization was carried out following different methodologies (CHN elemental analyses; thermogravimetric analyses and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The biocompatibility was evaluated through cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests in fibroblast mouse cells and the angiogenic properties were evaluated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay model. The physical–chemical results showed that the structure of Hancornia speciosa latex biomembrane is very similar to that of Hevea brasiliensis (commercially available product). Moreover, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays showed that H. speciosa latex is biocompatible with life systems and can be a good biomaterial for medical applications. The CAM test showed the efficient ability of H. speciosa latex in neovascularization of tissues. The histological analysis was in accordance with the results obtained in the CAM assay. Our data indicate that the latex obtained from H. speciosa and eluted in water showed significant angiogenic activity without any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects on life systems. The same did not occur with H. speciosa latex stabilized with ammonia. Addition of ammonia does not have significant effects on the structure of biomembranes, but showed a smaller cell survival and a significant genotoxicity effect. This study contributes to the understanding of the potentialities of H. speciosa latex as a source of new phytomedicines.