ABSTRACT
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there remains a need for fast, accurate and low-cost diagnostic tests to prevent outbreaks. We have developed an electrochemical capillary-flow driven immunoassay (eCaDI) capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein in self-administered nasal samples at the point of care (POC). The low-cost device is made of polyester and adhesive films and provides sequential delivery of sample and reagents to a detection zone integrating a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with anti-N protein antibodies from a single addition of sample, automating the steps of an ELISA. The modified electrodes are highly sensitive and selective for COVID-19 N protein and were successfully applied to test clinical samples. The novelty of this work resides in the integration of sensitive electrochemical detection with pump-free capillary-flow assay, providing accuracy at the POC. Previously reported systems are slow and/or require multiple user steps reducing the utility for POC applications relative to the system reported here. © 2021 MicroTAS 2021 - 25th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
In this work a territorial analysis is developed, in order to depict the characteristics of the tourism industry and its typical heterogeneity, since tourism is not only locally and seasonally concentrated on the demand side, but is also widely differentiated on the supply side. The empirical research is based on a multivariate analysis applied to an integrated community-level database on touristic supply and demand. Five clusters of municipalities have been identified among the Italian communes. Finally, the analysis of the most recent data on the effects of the covid pandemic on Italian firms, even if not available at the moment on a municipal basis, confirms the extent and the gravity of the crisis. © 2021 Societa Editrice il Mulino. All rights reserved.