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The decline of ‘Deaths of Despair’ in Italy: unveiling this phenomenon in a new context
No full textBackground
The term “Deaths of Despair” (DoD) refers to mortality due to alcohol consumption, drug use, and suicides. While extensively studied in the United States, where these deaths have markedly increased, less is known about their patterns in other contexts. This study explores the relevance of this concept to Italy, a country with comparatively lower rates, to determine whether these causes of death exhibit common trends and can be meaningfully grouped under a single category.
Methods
We use cause-specific mortality data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics covering the period 1983 to 2018. Data are aggregated by gender and five-year age groups at the NUTS1 regional level. The Potential Gain in Life Expectancy is used to assess the impact of each cause on overall mortality. To explore potential long-term relationships between the causes and across regions, we apply Cointegration Analysis to the time series.
Results
The analysis shows a general decline in mortality from causes typically associated with despair in Italy, mainly driven by a reduction in alcohol-related deaths. Drug-related mortality and suicide show more heterogeneous trends across regions and over time. Cointegration Analysis reveals no evidence of long-term dependency among these causes or across regions, with only a few exceptions. This indicates that the observed causes do not share a common underlying temporal structure.
Conclusions
Findings suggest that in the Italian context, deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide do not follow a unified pattern and should not be treated as a single category. Rather, they represent distinct public health issues with different regional trajectories and determinants. As such, they require targeted and differentiated policy responses rather than a unified approach
Individual Differences in Social and Emotional Responses to Robotic Dining Companions: Toward Personalized Interaction Design
No full textThis study investigates how affective and personality traits shape users’ emotional and social responses to a robotic dining companion in a commensal context. The companion is a NAO robot, equipped with a GPT-based dialogue and a commensal activity visual detection module, able to engage in mealtime conversation and exhibit responsive nonverbal behaviors. Twenty-two participants shared a meal with the robot and completed pre- and post-interaction measures of personality, affect, commensality habits, enjoyment of the interaction, and perceived social connection. Results showed that participants high in openness reported greater enjoyment of the interaction and more positive situational affect, while those high in negative trait affect also reported high enjoyment of the interaction, suggesting that the robot provided value even for users who were not predisposed to feel good. Perceived social connection was predicted by negative affect, frequency of eating with others, and technology use during meals. Traits like extraversion and agreeableness were inversely related to connection—suggesting that artificial social agents may resonate most with emotionally sensitive users, rather than the most sociable ones. These findings suggest that commensal robotic companions may be particularly well-suited to users high in negative affect and openness, but also highlight the importance of adapting dialogue and behavioral strategies to users’ personality traits
Taxon-specific responses to temperature, landscape, and local management challenge common strategies for pest control in vineyards
No full textGrape is among the most pesticide treated crops in Europe. To reduce pesticide use, it is increasingly important to enhance pest control by natural enemies. However, the provision of biological control in vineyards is highly context- and taxa-dependent. Here, we selected 60 vineyards across Italy in order to explicitly explore the effect of vineyard management, temperature and landscape composition on arthropod predators, grapevine pests, dummy caterpillar predation, and seed predation. We found that plant cover in the inter-row was lower in dry-warm climates, and it positively affected only the abundance of hoverflies, while the abundance of carabids, ladybugs, harvest spiders and spiders was affected by temperature and the surrounding landscape. Organic management did not affect predators but supported more abundant populations of the pest Erasmoneura vulnerata. Overall, most leafhopper pests showed species specific responses to local management, temperature and the landscape. The abundance of two leafhopper species decreased with increasing semi-natural areas. By contrast, pest control rate and grape damage did not respond to any of the selected drivers. In conclusion, our findings suggest that local vineyard management significantly influences biocontrol and pests, but the effects are taxon specific and shaped by the surrounding landscape and by the temperature, challenging universal strategies. Therefore, we advocate for developing regional strategies for grape protection accounting for local climate and multiple taxa responses
Shot or buckshot? The evidentiary value of ballistic and forensic medical expertise in a case of homicide and personal injury
No full textThis case highlights the crucial role of forensic sciences in reconstructing the dynamics of a firearms-related case involving two victims. G.D. died at the scene after being struck by three shots from a 12-gauge firearm loaded with 11/0 buckshot, causing massive bilateral hemothorax and aortic laceration. Autopsy revealed multiple pellet wounds consistent with this ammunition. C.D. was hospitalized with multiple injuries, including three entry wounds to each shoulder and grazing wounds to the left temporal region and right thoracic wall. Examination of seized evidence—cartridge cases, an unexploded cartridge, wads, and pellets—confirmed that all injuries were compatible with the same weapon and ammunition type. Ballistic analysis demonstrated that all cartridge cases were fired from a single firearm. G.D.’s injuries corresponded to shots from 3–7 meters, while C.D. was struck by two shots from 10–12 meters. Initial hypotheses suggesting the use of different weapons (birdshot and buckshot) were not supported; metallic fragments in C.D.’s temporal region were identified as fragments from a single buckshot pellet. Shooting distances were estimated based on pellet spread and wound patterns and confirmed through experimental test-firing.
In conclusion, the investigation confirmed that both the fatal injuries of G.D. and the non-fatal wounds of C.D. resulted from a single 12-gauge firearm using 11/0 buckshot. This case underscores the importance of a combined medico-legal and ballistic approach for accurately evaluating firearm injuries and reconstructing shooting events
Ente, collettività ed interessi nell'ordinamento giuridico dei domini collettivi
No full textIl presente contributo esplora l’ordinamento giuridico dei Domini collettivi, beni
caratterizzati da una complessa interazione tra interessi pubblici e privati, strumentali
all’integrazione tra uomo e ambiente. Dopo un’introduzione allo statuto dominicale privato di
interesse pubblico, l’analisi si concentra sulla dimensione della proprietà collettiva,
evidenziandone la funzionalizzazione in termini di tutela ambientale e paesaggistica, in linea con
i principi costituzionali. Un focus specifico è dedicato alla coesistenza tra la proprietà collettiva,
esercitata dai membri della comunità, e la personalità giuridica degli enti esponenziali, incaricati
della gestione e amministrazione dei beni. La ricerca si propone di chiarire la natura di questo
peculiare ordinamento proprietario, in cui la dimensione collettiva persiste e si integra con le
strutture giuridiche formali
Reduced CHMP7 expression compromises telomere integrity in mammalian cells
No full textDuring open mitosis, reassembly of the nuclear envelope requires the coordinated re-cruitment of the ESCRT machinery, initiated by the chromatin-associated factor BAF1 and the nuclear-envelope-associated factor LEM2. Because telomeres are enriched at the re-forming envelope, we investigated whether ESCRT factors contribute to telomere in-tegrity. Reduction in the pivotal nuclear ESCRT factor CHMP7 caused DNA damage, heterochromatin disorganization, and telomere defects, including sister telomere asso-ciations and telomere free ends. Extending this analysis, we found that additional ESCRT components, including TSG101, VPS28, CHMP4B, and the ESCRT-associated factor AK-TIP/Ft1, also contribute to telomere integrity, although with different strengths. Genetic interaction analyses suggest that CHMP7 converges in a common pathway with CHMP4B and AKTIP/Ft1, while it functions in parallel routes to TNKS1, a telomere-specific regu-lator of the shelterin TRF1. More genetic analyses indicated that BAF1 and LEM2 con-tribute to safeguarding of telomeres during nuclear envelope reassembly. Because defects in nuclear envelope dynamics and chromatin–membrane coupling are hallmarks of disorders associated with nuclear deformation and fragility, including aging and cancer, our findings contribute a new angle into these conditions and suggest potential targets for selectively modulating telomere maintenance pathways
Investigating the Absorption Properties of Pure and Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Clusters as Models for the Core of Carbon Nanodots
No full textThe study of amorphous carbon structures of different sizes
and extensions is relevant to many research areas, including electrode
processes (e.g., intercalation), astrochemistry, catalysis, and sensors. While
the structure of amorphous carbon structures has been investigated
thoroughlyinthepast,asystematicanalysisoftheirpropertiesupondoping
with functional groups is far less extensive. This aspect is particularly
important for carbon nanodots (CNDs), a photoluminescent species of
carbon-basednanoparticleswhoseopticalpropertiesarisefromtheinterplay
between core electronic structure, surface states, heteroatom doping, and
molecular fluorophores. Despite extensive experimental work, an atomistic
rationalizationoftheiropticalpropertiesisstillnotavailable.Inthisstudy,we
adopt a bottom-up computational approach using amorphous pure carbon
clusters(C10−C60)and nitrogen-substituted ones(C9N−C59N)as models for the unsaturated and partially doped domains of CND
cores. Structural isomers were generated along with computed UV/vis spectra to rationalize the property changes upon nitrogen
substitution
Boresight stabilization of an Earth-pointing satellite using magnetorquers
No full textThis paper proposes a boresight stabilization law for an Earth-pointing satellite using only magnetorquers as
torque actuators. The proposed law is able to align the boresight axis of an instrument with the nadir direction
with no spinning about the boresight axis to avoid blurred measurements. The law is of the Proportional
Derivative (PD) type and employs measurements of the geomagnetic field, of the angular velocity with respect
to the orbital frame, and of the nadir direction which can be obtained by using appropriate sensors (e.g. horizon
sensors). The presented algorithm does not require accurate knowledge of the satellite inertia parameters. The
paper proposes a method to select the PD gains based on stability properties of periodic state representations.
A numerical study validates the proposed law both in nominal and perturbed scenarios
Concentrations of sirtuin 1, 3, and nestin in aqueous humour and tears of primary open-angle glaucoma patients: a pilot study
No full textAbstract
Introduction: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease in which stress-response and mitochondrial homeostasis pathways are dysregulated. Sirtuins, NAD+-dependent deacetylases, govern oxidative stress control, bioenergetics, and neuronal survival. Nestin, an intermediate filament protein classically expressed in neural progenitors and upregulated in reactive glia, is a putative marker of cellular remodelling and injury. We investigated whether SIRT1, SIRT3, and nestin in ocular biofluids are altered in POAG and whether these signals relate to disease severity. The aim of the present study was to identify novel potential biomarkers and elucidate possible pathways for the development of innovative therapeutic interventions based on the modulation of the redox mechanisms.
Methods: In the present cross-sectional pilot study, we recruited patients affected by POAG that were planned for cataract or glaucoma surgery. The control group was formed by patients affected by simple senile cataract. POAG patients were classified based on the progression of the visual field in the past year in progressors and non-progressors. Clinical and demographic characteristics were recorded. Aqueous humour (AH) and tears samples were collected. Analytes concentrations were measured via ELISA assay.
Results: We recruited 87 participants: 57 POAG (30 non-progressors, 27 progressors) and 30 cataract controls. Aqueous SIRT1 concentrations were lower in POAG than in controls (28.22±35.34 ng/mL vs 54.97±47.02 ng/mL p=0.026). Within POAG, SIRT1 followed a non-linear, stage-dependent pattern—lowest in early disease and relatively higher in advanced stages—consistent with early depletion followed by compensatory up-regulation rather than a monotonic damage index. SIRT3 concentrations were not different among the groups (17.78±19.63 vs 8.42±9.75 p=0.298). Nestin signals were frequently at or near the lower limit of detection in both groups, limiting interpretability despite biological plausibility as a gliotic marker (0.37± 1.0 vs 0.10 ± 0.34 p=0.328). Tear SIRT1 did not separate diagnostic groups but showed a modest positive correspondence with aqueous SIRT1, sustaining the prospect of a non-invasive surrogate.
Conclusions: Aqueous SIRT1 emerges as a potential candidate biomarker and a pathway signal with therapeutic relevance in POAG. Tear-based SIRT1 remains promising as a surrogate marker. Nestin is currently constrained by sensitivity. Prospective, adequately powered longitudinal cohorts with conversion/progression endpoints are warranted. Mechanistic studies should investigate SIRT1/SIRT3 axes as therapeutic targets, including NAD+-augmenting strategies, direct sirtuin modulators, and mitochondrial-supportive interventions, to transform molecular insights into clinical neuroprotection
Characterization of forests structure from interferometric synthetic aperture radar
No full textLarge-scale forest monitoring is essential for understanding ecosystem dynamics, quantifying carbon stocks, and supporting climate change mitigation and sustainable management efforts. Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) provide consistent and systematic observations of forests, offering global coverage and short revisit times. The growing availability of multi-temporal and multi-frequency SAR datasets presents new opportunities for accurate and consistent large-scale mapping of forest structural parameters.
This dissertation investigates the use of Interferometric SAR (InSAR) data for retrieving forest structure, with the aim of improving the understanding of radar–forest interactions and developing scalable methods for tree height estimation from spaceborne and airborne InSAR acquisitions.
The first part of the work focuses on the physical modeling of temporal decorrelation over forests and the development of model-based frameworks for tree height retrieval from multi-temporal backscatter and interferometric coherence data. Two retrieval algorithms, specifically designed for high- and low-frequency datasets, are proposed and tested using C-band Sentinel-1 and L-band ALOS-2 interferometric time series. The methods rely on joint physical modeling of radar backscatter and interferometric coherence over forests and explicitly account for the influence of varying environmental conditions on the radar observables.
In addition to the model-based analysis, the thesis investigates a data-driven approach based on deep learning to assess the capability of neural networks to represent the variability of interferometric radar observables and their relationship with forest parameters. Convolutional neural networks are trained to learn the complex relationships between radar observables and tree height, and their performance is evaluated using L-band ALOS-2 interferometric time series and reference LiDAR measurements.
The final part of the dissertation explores the potential of SAR Histomography for mapping forest vertical structure. This recently introduced technique emulates tomographic capabilities while relying on a single interferometric pair, providing an approximation of tomographic-like profiles with reduced acquisition requirements. The analysis is performed using L- and P-band airborne UAVSAR data acquired over tropical forests in Gabon. Structural and statistical metrics are introduced to assess the variability of radar-derived forest profiles as a function of system parameters and scene characteristics. Furthermore, a preliminary algorithm is proposed to estimate digital elevation models and forest height from histomography-derived profiles while accounting for signal attenuation through the canopy.
Overall, this work advances the understanding and use of interferometric radar data for forest applications, providing both theoretical and practical insights toward reliable and scalable approaches for forest structure mapping