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Introduction to the Special Cluster Binominal Constructions with Metaphorical Classifiers in Slavic Languages and Beyond
No full textThis paper offers an overview of the state of the art on classifiers in classifier languages and classifier-like devices in non-classifier languages, with a particular focus on binominal constructions ([N1 of N2] or [N1 + N2gen]). In particular, starting from the semantic parameters characterizing classifiers in the literature, a description of their application to binominal constructions in non-classifier languages such as English and Italian is provided. The question of whether such constructions can also be considered classifier-like equivalents in Slavic languages is raised and discussed, focusing on the specific group of binominals with a metaphorical N1. Various, yet unexplored issues are introduced along with proposals and perspectives from the authors in this special issue on their investigation
Spurfowl High-quality hybrid de novo genome assemblies of two pheasants: Black Francolin and Double-Spurred Spurfowl.
No full textPheasants are an important group of birds of the Galliformes order, valued for their ornamental and economic value as poultry and game birds. They exhibit a diverse range of sexual dimorphism, reflecting varying degrees of sexual selection within a single family. However, genomic data from species with lesser dimorphism remains scarce. In this study, we present high-quality de novo hybrid genome assemblies of two such birds: Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus) and Double-spurred spurfowl (Pternistis bicalcaratus), marking the first reference genome of their respective genera. We assembled the genomes using a hybrid approach that combined Illumina short reads, PacBio subreads, and HiFi reads. We generated 397 million Illumina reads (60x coverage) and 7.5 million PacBio subreads (80x coverage) for the Black Francolin, and 214 million Illumina reads (64x coverage) and 8.6 million PacBio subreads (99x coverage) for the Double spurred Spurfowl. We compared multiple genome assemblers, including HASLR, Flye, Masurca, WenganA, WenganD, and Hifiasm. We evaluated the results using QUAST to assess assembly quality by comparing the number of scaffolds and their N50. Masurca performed best for Black Francolin with 833 scaffolds and a 7.75 Mb N50, followed by WenganD (7.8 Mb N50, 1119 scaffolds) and WenganA (7.9 Mb N50, 2007 scaffolds) and for the Double-spurred Spurfowl Masurca outperformed other assemblers with 599 scaffolds and 16.4 Mb N50, while Flye gave 1067 scaffolds and 12.9 Mb N50. Genomic data is crucial for studying trait evolution, and these genomes will offer valuable insights into sexual selection and insights for their conservation and management
Sulla cessazione dell’abitualità dell’esercizio abusivo di attività finanziaria. Nota a Cass., 17 dicembre 2024, n. 1795
No full textCO2 Capture in a Fixed Bed Reactor: Experimental and Simulation Study of Adsorption Process Using Li4SiO4-based Sorbents
No full textOne of the most pressing challenges facing the energy sector is the urgent need to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions while simultaneously meeting the increasing energy demands of a growing global population. Among the various strategies to mitigate point-source CO2 emissions, post-combustion carbon capture stands out as one of the most straightforward and widely applicable methods. This study focused on modeling a fixed bed reactor utilizing K2CO3-doped Li4SiO4 porous pellets as the adsorbent material. The pellets were tested in a lab-scale fixed bed reactor under conditions simulating the exhaust gases of power plants, specifically at a low CO2 concentration (4 vol%) and an adsorption temperature of 515 °C. A one-dimensional model was developed using COMSOL Multiphysics® to simulate the CO2 adsorption process within the pellet bed. The model incorporated modified shrinking core reaction kinetics, which accounted for the presence of a molten carbonate mixture and a nucleation phase to capture the adsorption process accurately. Simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental data, confirming the model’s ability to predict the adsorption performance under the specified conditions
Timepix4 spatial response characterization with X-ray monochromatic synchrotron beam
No full textThe Timepix4 is a readout ASIC developed by the Medipix4 collaboration, designed to work with various semiconductor sensors to form detection systems with 448x512 pixels with a pitch of 55 mu m. Its ability to simultaneously measure the Time of Arrival (ToA) and the Time over Threshold (ToT) of the signal makes it particularly suitable for spectral imaging applications. The ToT allows to measure the hit's energy, while the ToA enables to cluster the acquired events, recomposing the signal of the detected photons. The ability to cluster events allows to limit the degradation of the detector's spatial response caused by charge sharing effects, a common issue that affect conventional single-photon-counting detectors. This work aims to characterize the spatial response of a Timepix4-based detection system, in terms of the Edge Spread Function (ESF) and Line Spread Function (LSF), using a monochromatic X-ray beam. The characterization was performed at different energies (10 keV and 20 keV) using the moving edge method; different clustering methods were applied and compared during the analysis
Cardiometabolic effects on obese mice of the Mediterranean seagrass Cymodocea nodosa hydroalcoholic extract
No full textCymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Asch. (Cymodoceaceae) is a dioecious medium-size, fast-growing seagrass colonizing coastal waters of the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic Ocean (Garrido et al., 2013). Due to its high plasticity, it can colonize different substrates and environments, tolerating salinity fluctuations and climate changes (Chefaoui et al., 2015). Flavonoids, steroids, polyamines, diarylheptanoids, and sulfated polysaccharides with interesting potential biological activity (Ben Abdallah Kolsi et al., 2017) have been previously extracted from its plant tissue (Smadi et al., 2017). This study aims to investigate the phytochemical profile of a leaf hydroalcoholic extract of C. nodosa collected in the Ligurian Sea (Italy) and its activity in a murine model of cardiometabolic disorder.
UHPLC coupled to an Orbitrap-based HR MS led to the characterization of phenolic bioactive substances including flavonoid glycosides (quercetin and isorhamnetin derivatives) and chicoric acid as the most represented compound (1.58 ± 0.3 mg/g fresh weight). Mice fed with an obesogenic diet were supplemented with the extract for 9 weeks and at the end of the experimental protocol a containment of body weight gain (increase of 32±2 vs 49.6 ± 8.7%) and an improvement of glycaemic profile, compared to animals supplemented with placebo, were observed. Glucose levels were 115±4 vs 138 ± 10 mg/dl and HbA1c levels were 32±0.4 vs 29.8±0.8 mmol/mol. These results suggest that the extract obtained has beneficial effects in the prevention of metabolic disorders associated with obesogenic diet. Further experiments will be carried out to explore the mechanisms involved in this beneficial profile.
References
Ben Abdallah Kolsi, R., Ben Salah, H., Jardak, N., Chaaben, R., El Feki, A., Rebai, T., Jamoussi, K., Allouche, N., Belghith, H., Belghith, K., 2017. Effects of Cymodocea nodosa extract on metabolic disorders and oxidative stress in alloxan-diabetic rats. Biomed. Pharmacother. 89, 257–267.
Chefaoui, R.M., Assis, J., Duarte, C.M., Serrão, E.A., 2015. Large-scale prediction of seagrass distribution integrating landscape metrics and environmental factors: The case of Cymodocea nodosa (Mediterranean–Atlantic). Estuar. Coast 39, 123–137.
Garrido, M., Lafabrie, C., Torre, F., Fernandez, C., Pasqualini, V., 2013. Resilience and stability of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows over the last four decades in a Mediterranean lagoon. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 130, 89–98
Controlling Robot Sliding Relying on Tactile Sensors and Computational Models of Human Touch
No full textWhile sliding a finger over a surface, the perceived hand position results from musculoskeletal proprioception, motor commands, and tactile motion estimate. When the touched surface has parallel raised ridges, tactile estimate is biased toward a direction perpendicular to the ridges, predicted by the tactile flow model. This illusory effect leads to systematic errors in the reaching movement that depends on ridge orientation and tactile sensitivity. This suggests the fascinating hypothesis that reaching tasks can be used for functional assessment of tactile deficit, a common symptom in several neurological diseases, and for therapeutic intervention. Previously, we demonstrated in simulations how this phenomenon can be used to guide the user’s finger sliding on a ridged plate to a target while the user is instructed to move toward another target. This is achieved by designing a Model Predictive Control strategy to estimate optimal ridge orientation at each time instant. In this study, we aim to replicate this behavior with a robotic manipulator endowed with a soft optical tactile sensor to detect surface ridges relying on deep learning techniques to estimate optical flow as tactile flow approximation. A biomimetic robotic architecture replicating in a controllable fashion such behavior represents a unique testbed for neuroscientific investigation and the design of subject-tailored rehabilitation protocols
A pilot human study using ketamine to treat disorders of consciousness
No full textPost-comatose disorders of consciousness (DoC) represent persistent neurological conditions with limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. Recent works advocate for exploring the effects of psychedelics to enhance brain complexity in DoC and ameliorate their consciousness. We investigated sub-anesthetic concentration of the atypical psychedelic ketamine for treating post-comatose prolonged DoC through a doubleblind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial involving three adult patients. Incremental concentrations of intravenous ketamine and saline were administered, alongside continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) recording and assessments of conscious behaviors and spastic paresis. Brain complexity, measured by Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC) and explainable consciousness indicator (ECI), revealed increased LZC during ketamine infusion but no change in ECI. Patients exhibited reduced spastic paresis and increased arousal as time spent with eyes open but no positive change in diagnosis. No adverse effects were noted. This study contributes to understanding the relationship between consciousness and brain complexity and suggests a potential therapeutic role for ketamine in DoC
Protecting perishable food by using renewable and biodegradable polyester films
No full textThe growing need to reduce food loss and environmental pollution has intensified researchinto sustainable packaging solutions, particularly in regions like the Mediterranean, whichproduce large quantities of perishable food. Biobased and compostable polymers offer apromising alternative to conventional fossil-derived plastics, supporting carbon neutrality andcircular economy principles. However, their barrier properties often fall short of those requiredfor effective food preservation. This study investigates the potential of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) andpoly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) blends to enhance the performance of compostablefilms for packaging perishable liquid and semi-liquid foods. This study considers that aPLA/PBSA 60/40 blend was developed and evaluated for its mechanical and barrier properties, demonstrating improved flexibility, impact resistance, home-compostability and industrial
recyclability. Then, by using a mini-extruder, various PLA/PBSA formulations, includingnanostructured fillers like clay and talc, were produced and tested for their melt fluidity. Thenthematerials were used to prepare films that were tested for their ability to retain liquid whey over
time. Infrared spectroscopy and analysis of morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy wereemployed to assess surface and bulk characteristics of films. Results indicated that blendcomposition significantly influenced barrier performance, with certain formulations showingenhanced resistance to mass loss. This research highlights the critical role of material
composition in designing effective compostable packaging systems for perishablefoodproducts. These findings have implications in preservation of perishable foods that may includeMediterranean fruits such as strawberries, dates, and tangerines. In fact, the development of
such biobased films could contribute to reduce food waste and extending shelf life, aligningwithenvironmental sustainability goals