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RSV epidemiology in Italian adults over 60: a multicenter cross-sectional study
No full textObjective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections have a significant impact on public health, particularly among children and the elderly. However, the burden on older adults in Italy is underestimated due to a lack of comprehensive data. Methods: Data on the molecular detection of RSV in respiratory samples from laboratories across Italy, from north to south, between September 2021 and May 2023 were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 138,783 tests were provided by 13 laboratories, with an overall RSV positivity rate of 6.4 %. Among adults aged ≥60 years (35.4 % of the total), the RSV positivity rate was 3.5 %. Two epidemic waves were observed, peaking in December 2021 and January 2023, with the second wave showing a higher number of cases. RSV subtyping revealed that RSV-B was the predominant subtype in both epidemic seasons, compared to RSV-A. Conclusion: Analyses of RSV circulation in older adults highlight seasonal variability and underscore the importance of testing in this population. These findings may inform surveillance, clinical management, and the development of future preventive strategies, including vaccination
A molecular finger-imprinting approach for detecting dental enamel amelogenins via surface plasmon resonance and bio-layer interferometry
No full textAmelogenins (AMGs) are extracellular matrix proteins essential for enamel development. During this process, resident proteases cleave the full-length proteins into a heterogeneous mixture of peptides that is retained within mature enamel. Current enamel proteomics primarily focuses on detecting sexually dimorphic AMG peptides for sex identification in archaeological and forensic contexts. In parallel, AMG pattern analysis supports research into enamel-related pathologies and clinical applications. Furthermore, AMG expression in odontogenic epithelium is considered a potential indicator for the histological behavior of tumors. Although their detection is commonly achieved by mass spectrometry, no fast, low-cost, miniaturizable platforms with minimal sample preparation are currently available. To address the complexity of real enamel extracts, we developed synthetic receptors based on molecularly imprinted polynorepinephrine (MIPNE). We integrated them into Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) platforms. Leveraging the conventional Single-Epitope Imprinting (SEI) strategy, we introduced an original “Finger-Imprinting” (FI) approach that exploits the direct imprinting of human enamel extracts. SPR binding assays toward standard AMGX revealed superior affinity and capacity for FI-imprinted receptors (KD = 3.6 × 10−8 M, Rmax = 2286 ± 5 RU) compared with SEI-imprinted counterparts (KD = 4.9 × 10−7 M, Rmax = 157 ± 6 RU). BLI enabled the selective recognition of AMG-derived fragments in enamel extracts thanks to a higher representation of the binding cavities. We additionally achieved encouraging evidence of sex differentiation in real samples. This work introduces a novel imprinting concept that adapts the complexity of degraded/digested proteins in real samples to pattern analysis via biosensing
Exploring the phenological responses of European beech forests to summer extreme weather events from remotely sensed data
No full textExtreme summer heatwaves are emerging as a major threat to forest ecosystems under climate
change, disrupting physiological processes and altering vegetation phenology. Remote sensing
offers a unique opportunity to detect phenological responses to climate extremes, capturing changes
in canopy greenness, senescence timing, and vegetation condition with temporal continuity and
spatial scalability. In this context, the thesis investigates how European beech (Fagus sylvatica)
forests respond to such thermal stress, using satellite remote sensing to monitor phenological
dynamics across large spatial-temporal scales. The research is structured into three studies, each
addressing a specific objective: (i) evaluating the capacity of satellite products to characterize forest
distribution across Europe; (ii) comparing satellite-derived and ground-based observations of
autumn phenology in beech forests to understand the meaning of their discrepancies and the
environmental drivers; and (iii) quantifying the spatial extent and phenological impacts of summer
heatwaves, identifying both immediate and delayed responses across biogeographical gradients in
beech distribution. The main results reveals that heatwaves suppress summer canopy greenness and
accelerate autumn senescence, with region-specific patterns ranging from graded, intensitydependent declines in cooler and mesic areas to threshold-type responses in Mediterranean zones.
By integrating multi-temporal satellite data with climatic indicators, this thesis demonstrates the
potential of phenology as a valuable remote sensing indicator for monitoring forest vulnerability at
continental scale. The findings contribute to support decision-making and to guide future research
for the development of adaptive forest management, reinforcing the role of Earth observation in
tracking ecosystem resilience under intensifying climate extremes
Highly Sensitive Detection of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Human Serum Using Bloch Surface Wave Biosensor
No full textAccurate and sensitive antibody detection remains critical for advanced COVID-19 diagnostics and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 immunity. This study presents a highly sensitive technique for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in human serum using an integrated photonic sensing platform. The platform utilizes disposable one-dimensional photonic crystal biochips engineered to sustain Bloch Surface Waves. The biochips are integrated into a custom-made optical set-up, which is capable of dual-mode detection: label-free refractometry and label-based fluorescence. Tests on human serum, including negative
controls and positive samples from a recovered COVID-19 patient, confirmed the platform’s effective performance. In fluorescence mode, clear discrimination between positive and negative samples was achieved down to a 1:104 serum dilution, with an optimal operating range centered around 1:103 dilution. These results demonstrate the potential of the technique as a highly sensitive and versatile platform for antibody detection, with significant relevance for advanced COVID-19 diagnostics
Development and Immunogenicity Assessment of a Multi-Epitope Antigen Against Zika Virus: An In Silico and In Vivo Approach
No full textThe Zika virus (ZIKV) represents an ongoing threat to public health due to its neurological and congenital complications. Even after 10 years since the first major outbreak, correlated with an increase in congenital ZIKV syndrome, there is still no vaccine or treatment for this infection. Among the various existing platforms, DNA vaccines combined with the use of immunoinformatics tools allow for the efficient selection of immunogenic epitopes and immunostimulatory molecules with greater flexibility, in addition to being simple to manufacture and having a higher cost–benefit ratio in production. Methods: In this work, we conducted an integrated approach, combining in silico analyses and in vivo experimental validations, for the development of multi-epitope DNA vaccines against ZIKV. The computational analyses confirmed structural stability, adequate solubility, absence of toxicity, and immune induction potential for constructs based on epitopes from the Envelope (E) and NS1 proteins. Therefore, we evaluated DNA constructs containing the ENV + NS1 epitopes, both with and without fusion to the ssPGIP signal peptide, in BALB/c mice. Results: Both vaccines increased the population of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, in addition to the production of IgG antibodies associated with the Th1 profile. The fusion with ssPGIP broadened the response, stimulating the release of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines, as well as enhancing antibody formation. In contrast, its absence was associated with a slight increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, accompanied by restricted cytokine production. Conclusions: These results indicate that epitope-targeted techniques offer a viable and safe method for inducing robust immune responses, demonstrating that combining immunoinformatics methods with early preclinical testing is an effective strategy for ZIKV vaccine development. Furthermore, although the present study focused on initial immunogenic characterization, future studies involving viral challenge in a suitable animal model will be essential to conclusively determine the protective efficacy of these vaccine candidates
Adeguatezza della risposta degli ospedali di Roma ad un evento non convenzionale (CBRNe): simulazione TTX-Vensim® ed Health Technology Assessment
No full textContesto
Roma ospita migliaia di targets sensibili. La resilienza sanitaria è garantita da 6 DEA di II livello e 7 di I. Ogni giorno, Roma ospita 4 milioni di persone, ± 2 di turisti.
Circa la SNA, Roma ospita 4 magazzini. In caso di evento CBRNe essi devono essere attivati, per poi caricare gli antidoti su furgoni ed inviarli agli ospedali richiedenti.
Metodi
Questo studio analizza i PEIMAF degli ospedali con DEA di II livello e la loro adeguatezza in caso di un ipotetico evento terroristico di natura non convenzionale (CBRNe).
È stato stimato un incidente C/E a Piazza San Pietro (Stato Città del Vaticano) durante
l’Udienza Generale del mercoledì a mezzodì, con un’analisi tabletop e con un modello matematico per simulare i tempi di attivazione e approntamento della SNA.
È stata poi messa a punto un confronto con quanto avvenuto durante gli attentati di
Madrid, Londra, Parigi e Nizza, nonché con le soluzioni di resilienza sanitaria proposte dai Paesi Bassi.
Infine, i dati ottenuti sono stati utilizzati per un’analisi HTA in termini di costi economici e vite salvate circa le differenti strategie proposte per l’organizzazione della SNA
Risultati
I DEA sono cronicamente sottodimensionati già nell’ordinario e potrebbero non essere in grado di ospitare un così grande afflusso di persone in poco tempo, soprattutto se contaminate.
Alcuni ospedali non informano il proprio personale sulle procedure previste dal PEIMAF (dove quasi mai sono contemplate emergenze di natura CBRNe), ed anche ove ciò avviene, raramente si tengono esercitazioni.
Inoltre, la notizia di un eventuale attacco CBRNe potrebbe non arrivare in tempo utile al
personale sanitario in servizio, e questo è estremamente problematico in quanto esso potrebbe essere maggiormente a rischio di contaminazione in caso di attacchi CBRNe ancora da segnalare.
Inoltre, senza un protocollo standardizzato attivo che copra l'intera città, non è possibile eseguire alcuna organizzazione intra ospedaliera.
La valutazione di economia sanitaria ha mostrato che spostando i magazzini SNA dall’attuale dislocazione, pur non ottenendo sensibili miglioramenti in merito all’efficacia nelle condizioni medie di trasporto ipotizzate, aumenterebbe il numero di persone salvabili attraverso un reinvestimento dei fondi risparmiati.
Conclusioni
Tutti i dati concordano sulla debolezza e la frammentazione del sistema organizzativo attuale. I tempi di attivazione e ricarica sono cruciali per l'efficacia e l'efficienza del pronto soccorso; un sistema di chiamata intelligente può ridurre il tempo di attivazione di SNA. Un'organizzazione più unitaria della SNA nei principali ospedali di Roma potrebbe ridurre i tempi di consegna e migliorare la sopravvivenza in caso di eventi importanti
Compendio di diritto ecclesiastico 2026
No full textIl volume si propone di esporre in modo chiaro ed esaustivo le tematiche fondamentali del diritto ecclesiastico, al fine di offrire un agile ed efficace strumento di studio a coloro che devono prepararsi alla prova orale dell’abilitazione forense.
Il volume si propone, altresì, di fornire una visione di sintesi della materia agli studenti universitari che devono sostenere l’esame di diritto ecclesiastico.
L’uso del grassetto insieme all’indice sistematico agevolano lo studio, la memorizzazione e soprattutto l’individuazione delle tematiche più rilevanti in dottrina e in giurisprudenza.
Il testo è aggiornato agli ultimi provvedimenti normativi che hanno inciso, anche indirettamente, sulla materia ed ai più recenti arresti giurisprudenziali nazionali e sovranazionali
The Grotta degli Animali in the Garden of Villa di Castello in Firenze
No full textThe Grotta degli Animali, an artificial grotto located in the garden of Villa di Castello in Firenze, is a significant example of 16th-century Mannerist garden design. Commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici, the grotto was designed by Niccolò Pericoli (Il Tribolo) and later completed by Giorgio Vasari, with contributions from renowned artists such as Jean de Boulogne (Gianbologna) and Ammannati. Featur-ing marble fountains and animal sculptures symbolizing natural elements, the grot-to's hydraulic system once created the dramatic "Scherzo del Diluvio" water effect. Over the centuries, the grotto underwent multiple restorations, and recent work (completed in March 2024) utilized advanced digital documentation and 3D sur-veying techniques to reactivate the water features and improve its preservation. The project also integrated virtual reconstructions and addressed material degradation by creating a monitoring system for the grotto’s microclimate and structural health. Diagnostic surveys and advanced surveying methods, including laser scanning and photogrammetry, revealed key structural challenges and offered insights into the historical evolution of the water system. This work emphasizes the importance of monitoring semi-confined heritage environments like the Grotta degli Animali, where complex microclimatic conditions can lead to localized material deteriora-tion. The CNR-ISPC, in collaboration with other institutions, has developed a meth-odological approach for diagnosing and monitoring such sites, focusing on as-sessing conservation states, identifying active decay processes, and predicting risks linked to environmental changes. Using non-destructive techniques like infrared thermography and moisture detection, along with the establishment of a digital twin of the grotto, the project aims to ensure long-term preservation. Continuous moni-toring and analysis of microclimatic variations will inform conservation strategies, helping mitigate potential decay risks while supporting more sustainable preserva-tion practices
Theory and simulations of beam dynamics and radiation emission in plasma-based devices
No full textPlasma-based particle acceleration has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional
radio-frequency accelerators, offering accelerating gradients in the 10–100 GV/m range and
enabling compact and cost-effective accelerator infrastructures. By exploiting plasma wakefields, driven by intense laser pulses or relativistic particle beams, and discharge-generated magnetic fields, plasma-based devices can simultaneously provide accelerating and focusing fields, allowing the generation of high-brightness relativistic electron beams suitable for advanced radiation sources. Within this context, this thesis develops theoretical and numerical tools for the study of beam dynamics and radiation emission in plasma-based devices, with the dual objective of supporting experimental activities and extending the current theoretical framework for plasma-based beam manipulation and radiation production. Three interconnected research directions are addressed. The first concerns the calculation of electromagnetic radiation from relativistic charged particles. A dedicated numerical framework based on Liénard–Wiechert fields was developed for the parallel computation of incoherent and coherent radiation from arbitrary particle trajectories, providing full temporal and spectral
resolution. The radiation module, coupled to a fully relativistic tracking code, was developed
independently and validated against analytical test cases. It is employed both as a verification tool for the theoretical models presented in this work and as a post-processing framework for particle-in-cell simulation outputs. The second part is devoted to the theoretical study of betatron radiation in plasma channels, with particular emphasis on regimes involving longitudinal particle acceleration and nonlinear transverse oscillations. Extended analytical
models are formulated to describe angularly resolved spectra and emission properties, including detailed features of relativistic transverse dynamics and the effects of radiation recoil, while also identifying intrinsic limitations to the achievable spectral purity in systems based on internal particle injection. The third research direction focuses on beam manipulation
in curved plasma channels, referred to as Active Plasma Bending devices. A comprehensive
theoretical and numerical framework is developed to describe single-particle and beam
dynamics, chromatic effects, and radiation emission in these systems, providing practical design equations and highlighting their potential as ultracompact alternatives to conventional
magnetic bending elements for beam transport and steering. Overall, the work presented in
this thesis contributes to the development of a coherent and flexible modeling framework for
next-generation plasma-based accelerators and radiation sources
Art. 35. Numeri di identificazione ed elenchi degli organismi notificati
No full textIl commenta illustra sinteticamente i numeri di identificazione e degli elenchi degli organismi "notificati" ai sensi del Regolamento dell'Unione europea in materia di intelligenza artificiale (c.d. IA Act)