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In this study, sixteen secondary metabolites, including two chromones, four dibenzofurans, three lipids, three depsides, two aromatic compounds, a quinone, and a terpene, were detected in the methanol:acetone (1:1 v/v) extract of the lichen Hypotrachyna enderythraea (Zahlbr.) Hale, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Orbitrap Electrospray Ionization tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-Orbitrap ESI tandem MS/MS). These metabolites were characterized by analysis of their exact molecular masses and corresponding fragmentation patterns. The retention times of the identified metabolites were compared with those of standard compounds, confirming the presence of naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate preferential deprotonation sites in representative polyprotic metabolites. All these findings may contribute to expanding the spectrum of compounds identified within the genus Hypotrachyna and to evaluating their potential biological activities.

Leishmaniasis is an endemic vector-borne disease in Sicily, sustained by Leishmania infantum, with dogs acting as the primary reservoir and phlebotomine sand flies as the main vectors. Climatic changes may influence transmission dynamics, but integrated epidemiological data remain limited in several high-risk areas of the island. A One Health surveillance study was conducted between 2022 and 2024 in three Sicilian provinces (Palermo, Agrigento, and Caltanissetta). Human cases were identified through active hospital-based surveillance, and socio-demographic risk factors were assessed using structured questionnaires. Canine infection was evaluated through immunofluorescence antibody test-based serosurveys in owned and shelter dogs. Entomological monitoring was performed using CDC light traps in peri-domestic environments. Climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) were analyzed in parallel with vector captures. A total of 67 confirmed human leishmaniasis cases were detected (50 cutaneous and 17 visceral), with a higher proportion of cases among outdoor workers and smokers. Canine seroprevalence ranged from 12 to 34% and spatially overlapped with human case-detection patterns. Entomological collections yielded 75,376 sand flies, with Caltanissetta accounting for 80.6% of specimens. Phlebotomus perniciosus was the predominant species, while Ph. papatasi was detected in Agrigento. Higher sand fly capture counts were observed during warm months (20-28 °C) following periods of moderate rainfall. Increasing temperature and precipitation trends coincided with the highest levels of relative sand fly activity observed in 2024. These findings confirm ongoing L. infantum transmission in Sicily and demonstrate the ecological alignment between human cases, canine reservoirs, vector captures, and climatic conditions. Climatic trends may contribute to an extension of the seasonal transmission window. Integrated veterinary and entomological surveillance can provide early signals of transmission intensification and support targeted interventions in high-risk endemic areas.

Metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with Al2O3 as a gate insulator are fabricated on cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC). Al2O3 is deposited both by thermal and plasma-enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) on a thermally grown 5 nm SiO2 interlayer to improve the ALD nucleation and guarantee a better band offset with the SiC. The deposited Al2O3/SiO2 stacks show lower negative shifts of the flat band voltage VFB (in the range of about −3 V) compared with the conventional single SiO2 layer (in the range of −9 V). This lower negative shift is due to the combined effect of the Al2O3 higher permittivity (ε = 8) and to the reduced amount of carbon defects generated during the short thermal oxidation process for the thin SiO2. Moreover, the comparison between thermal and plasma-enhanced ALD suggests that this latter approach produces Al2O3 layers possessing better insulating behavior in terms of distribution of the leakage current breakdown. In fact, despite both possessing a breakdown voltage of 26 V, the T-ALD Al2O3 sample is characterised by a higher current density starting from 15 V. This can be attributable to the slightly inferior quality (in terms of density and defects) of Al2O3 obtained by the thermal approach and, which also explains its non-uniform dC/dV distribution arising by SCM maps.

Metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] as a gate insulator are fabricated on cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC). Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] is deposited both by thermal and plasma-enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) on a thermally grown 5 nm SiO[sub.2] interlayer to improve the ALD nucleation and guarantee a better band offset with the SiC. The deposited Al[sub.2]O[sub.3]/SiO[sub.2] stacks show lower negative shifts of the flat band voltage V[sub.FB] (in the range of about −3 V) compared with the conventional single SiO[sub.2] layer (in the range of −9 V). This lower negative shift is due to the combined effect of the Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] higher permittivity (ε = 8) and to the reduced amount of carbon defects generated during the short thermal oxidation process for the thin SiO[sub.2]. Moreover, the comparison between thermal and plasma-enhanced ALD suggests that this latter approach produces Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] layers possessing better insulating behavior in terms of distribution of the leakage current breakdown. In fact, despite both possessing a breakdown voltage of 26 V, the T-ALD Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] sample is characterised by a higher current density starting from 15 V. This can be attributable to the slightly inferior quality (in terms of density and defects) of Al[sub.2]O[sub.3] obtained by the thermal approach and, which also explains its non-uniform dC/dV distribution arising by SCM maps.

This article provides a comprehensive guide for the processing and mounting of phlebotomine sand fly specimens, which is crucial for species identification and pathogen detection and isolation. It discusses a range of techniques suitable for both field and laboratory settings. The guide includes detailed instructions on sand fly collection, handling, covering, and euthanasia (recommending dry freezing or CO 2 over chemicals) as well as conservation strategies, such as cold storage and preservation in ethanol. The quality of preparation of certain anatomical structures (genital organs, head and wings) is essential for their proper microscopic observation and is described in this work. The article also presents detailed sample processing, including the clearing process with agents such as potassium hydroxide then Marc-André solution. The mounting process compares different media, emphasizing their optical properties and preservation potential. Hoyer fluid (also known as chloral gum) is recommended for quick observation, particularly for spermathecae, due to its clarity, although it is not suitable for long-term storage. Other media discussed include polyvinyl alcohol, Euparal ® (for limited water tolerance), and Canada balsam (a hydrocarbon-soluble medium), with the latter two offering long-term preservation capabilities. Innovative molecular biology approaches such as DNA sequencing and MALDI-ToF, which require particular attention to sample processing, are also addressed. Furthermore, short video clips illustrating various mounting techniques as well as translations in many different languages are provided, allowing the guideline to reach the diverse needs and expectations of the global scientific community. Cet article propose un guide complet pour le traitement et le montage des phlébotomes, étapes cruciales pour l’identification des espèces et la détection ou l’isolement des pathogènes. Il aborde diverses techniques adaptées au terrain comme au laboratoire. Le guide comprend des instructions détaillées sur la collecte, la manipulation, la protection et l’euthanasie des phlébotomes (avec recommandation de la congélation à sec ou du CO 2 plutôt que de l’usage de produits chimiques), ainsi que sur les stratégies de conservation telles que la réfrigération et la conservation dans l’éthanol. La préparation des structures anatomiques spécifiques (organes génitaux, tête et ailes) pour l’observation microscopique est privilégiée dans la description des techniques de dissection. Le document présente également le traitement détaillé des échantillons, notamment la clarification à l’aide de solutions telles que la potasse puis le liquide de Marc-André. Le processus de montage compare différents milieux, en soulignant leurs propriétés optiques et leur potentiel de conservation. Le liquide de Hoyer (également appelé gomme au chloral) est recommandé pour l’observation rapide, en particulier pour les spermathèques, en raison de sa limpidité, bien qu’il ne convienne pas à la conservation à long terme. D’autres milieux de culture sont abordés, notamment l’alcool polyvinylique, l’Euparal ® (pour une tolérance limitée à l’eau) et le baume du Canada (un milieu soluble dans les hydrocarbures), ces deux derniers permettant une conservation à long terme. Les approches innovantes de biologie moléculaire, telles que le séquençage de l’ADN et la spectrométrie de masse MALDI-ToF, qui exigent une attention particulière lors du traitement des échantillons, sont également présentées. De plus, de courtes vidéos illustrant diverses techniques de montage et des traductions en de nombreuses langues sont disponibles, permettant ainsi de répondre aux besoins et attentes variés de la communauté scientifique internationale.

On the 15th of June 2006 the PAMELA experiment, mounted on the Resurs DK1 satellite, was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome and it has been collecting data since July 2006. PAMELA is a satellite-borne apparatus designed to study charged particles in the cosmic radiation, to investigate the nature of dark matter, measuring the cosmic-ray antiproton and positron spectra over the largest energy range ever achieved, and to search for antinuclei with unprecedented sensitivity. The apparatus comprises a time-of-flight system, a silicon-microstrip magnetic spectrometer, a silicon-tungsten electromagnetic calorimeter, an anticoincidence system, a shower tail catcher scintillator and a neutron detector. The combination of these devices allows charged particle identification over a wide energy range.

An epidemiologic study of Crohn's disease was carried out in the Province of Palermo, Italy, between 1987 and 1989. The incidence of first hospitalization was prospectively evaluated in this period. A total of 103 patients (59 males, 44 females) were diagnosed. The standardized annual incidence was 2.7/100,000. The incidence was quite constant during the 3 years of the study (1987: 2.9/100,000; 1988: 2.4/100,000; 1989: 2.99/100,000). Incidence rates were slightly higher in men than in women. The disease had a bimodal age distribution in female (with peaks at age 20-29 and 60-69) and males (with peaks at age 30-39, 40-49). No cases were observed at age 0-9. The incidence of Crohn's disease in southern Italy is comparable to that reported in northern Europe.

The successful launch of spacecraft \"RESURS DK\" 1 with precision magnetic spectrometer \"PAMELA\" onboard was executed at Baikonur cosmodrome 15 June 2006. The primary phase of realization of International Russian-Italian Project \"RIM-PAMELA\" with German and Swedish scientists' participation has begun since the launch of instrument \"PAMELA\" that has mainly been directed to investigate the fluxes of galactic cosmic rays. This report contains the main scientific Project's tasks and the conditions of science program's implementation after one year since exploration has commenced.