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Blood Microbiota and Its Products: Mechanisms of Interference with Host Cells and Clinical Outcomes
No full textIn healthy conditions, blood was considered a sterile environment until the development of new analytical approaches that allowed for the detection of circulating bacterial ribosomal DNA. Currently, debate exists on the origin of the blood microbiota. According to advanced research using dark field microscopy, fluorescent in situ hybridization, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy, so-called microbiota have been detected in the blood. Conversely, others have reported no evidence of a common blood microbiota. Then, it was hypothesized that blood microbiota may derive from distant sites, e.g., the gut or external contamination of blood samples. Alteration of the blood microbiota’s equilibrium may lead to dysbiosis and, in certain cases, disease. Cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, kidney, neoplastic, and immune diseases have been associated with the presence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and/or their products in the blood. For instance, lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and endotoxins may contribute to tissue damage, fueling chronic inflammation. Blood bacteria can interact with immune cells, especially with monocytes that engulf microorganisms and T lymphocytes via spontaneous binding to their membranes. Moreover, LPSs, extracellular vesicles, and outer membrane vesicles interact with red blood cells and immune cells, reaching distant organs. This review aims to describe the composition of blood microbiota in healthy individuals and those with disease conditions. Furthermore, special emphasis is placed on the interaction of blood microbiota with host cells to better understand disease mechanisms
L’influenza delle dinamiche storico-geografiche e la sostenibilità socio-ambientale: il progetto di un webGis geostorico per la governance della Città Metropolitana di Napoli
No full textImplementing Recursive Proofs for Efficient Blockchain Verification: A zk-SNARKs Approach
No full textBlockchain, the distributed ledger technology underlying the advent of cryptocurrencies, offers the promise of revolutionizing a wide range of industries by providing an immutable, transparent, and decentralized mechanism for recording transactions. However, the intrinsic scalability issue of blockchain technology poses a formidable challenge, significantly hindering its potential for mass adoption. This paper proposes an exploratory study into the application of Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge (zk-SNARKs) to address the scalability conundrum, offering a promising path toward achieving the robust scalability requisite for mainstream adoption. We introduce and assess multiple schemes for constructing computational integrity proofs and implementing recursive proof generation and verification processes. Utilizing the programming language Rust and the Plonky 2 ZK-Snark protocol, we develop computational models and measure their performance in terms of both computational complexity and efficiency. Our experimental analysis encompasses scenarios that involve standalone and aggregated proofs for individual and multiple data blocks. The results suggest a trade-off between proof generation complexity and verification speed, highlighting the potential benefits of recursive proofs
Bridging Generations Through Movement: “How and Why” Intergenerational Programs Operate—A Systematic and Narrative Review
No full textWell-being and social interaction are among the primary goals to be achieved for the elderly. Intergenerational physical activity (PA) has gained increasing attention due to its potential to encourage PA and social interaction, providing both social and physical benefits to both younger and older individuals. This review aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the potential roles of PA in facilitating intergenerational interactions and provide practical insights. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review identified specific keywords to search for articles that met the chosen inclusion and exclusion criteria (n. 5 RCT articles, selected between 2009 and 2024), conducted by three independent reviewers. Scopus, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science were consulted to identify relevant articles. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2. For the narrative dissertation, articles were identified across three key areas of focus: types of PA, age groups, and intended goals. Results: Few studies have specifically implemented PA protocols in intergenerational relationships, and most have planned remote activities without monitoring outcomes. The main advantages of intergenerational PA are oriented towards the social and relational sphere rather than simple PA involvement. Conclusions: For the elderly, these programs may help mitigate age-related deficits, while children and adolescents, when adapting to their older counterparts, experience greater effectiveness when provided with clear guidance during shared activities. Considering the characteristics and needs of individuals of different ages, different activities must be proposed to obtain different results. The organization of workshops and preparatory sessions will help in facilitating relationships and interactions among participants
Silvio Ceccon, Sinodi diocesani medioevali tra legislazione e prassi. Padova e le diocesi contermini fino al Concilio di Trento
No full textRecensione del volume Silvio Ceccon, "Sinodi diocesani medioevali tra legislazione e prassi. Padova e le diocesi contermini fino al Concilio di Trento", Padova, Istituto per la storia ecclesiastica padovana, 202
Recent advances in understanding the dynamic characterization of floating offshore wind turbines
No full textThe main purpose of the present paper is to cover the lack of a reference point in the literature providing a comprehensive review of the state of the art, recent developments, and future challenges relatives to analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches tailored for the field of dynamic characterization of floating offshore wind turbines, with a focus on aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, and anchoring systems. The Real Time Hybrid Approach makes it possible to overcome some of the problems associated with the scaling laws of the classical experimental approach, so the development of advanced actuators in association with numerical models that can guarantee accurate simulation and low computational burden are the main challenges of these approaches. In the field of numerical modeling, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics methods show the highest levels of accuracy for studying fluid–structure interaction. Associated with this, the identification of analytical or semi-analytical formulations to solve coupled problems related to the dynamic characterization of floating offshore wind turbines could offer considerable contribution to overcome the limitations arising from the computational burdens of numerical methods. For future developments, additional topics of interest include a deeper investigation in terms of control strategies, wind farms, including wake effects, shared anchors, and mooring lines, as well as the use of new materials in mooring lines
Neurological, Metabolic, and Psychopathological Correlates of Lifetime Suicidal Behaviour in Major Depressive Disorder without Current Suicide Ideation
No full textIntroduction: Suicidal behaviour (SB) has a complex aetiology. Although suicidal ideation (SI) is considered the most important risk factor for future attempts, many people who engage in SB do not report it. Methods: We investigated neurological, metabolic, and psychopathological correlates of lifetime SB in two independent groups of patients with major depression (sample 1: n = 230; age: 18–65 years; sample 2: n = 258; age >60 years) who did not report SI during an index episode. Results: Among adults (sample 1), SB was reported by 141 subjects (58.7%) and severe SB by 33 (15%). After controlling for interactions, four risk factors for SB emerged: male gender (OR 2.55; 95% CI: 1.06–6.12), negative self-perception (OR 1.76; 95% CI: 1.08–2.87), subthreshold hypomania (OR 4.50; 95% CI: 1.57–12.85), and sexual abuse (OR 3.09; 95% CI: 1.28–7.48). The presence of at least two of these factors had the best accuracy in predicting SB: sensitivity = 57.6% (39.2–74.5); specificity = 75.1% (68.5–82.0); PPV = 27.9% (20.9–37.2); NPV = 91.4% (87.6–94.1). In older patients (sample 2), 23 subjects (9%) reported previous suicide attempts, which were characterized by earlier onset (25 years: OR 0.95: 0.92–0.98), impaired verbal performance (verbal fluency: OR 0.95: 0.89–0.99), higher HDL cholesterol levels (OR 1.04: 1.00–1.07) and more dyskinesias (OR 2.86: 1.22–6.70). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SB is common in major depressive disorder, even when SI is not reported. In these individuals it is feasible and recommended to investigate both psychiatric and organic risk factors. The predictive power of models excluding SI is comparable to that of models including SI
Le sedi dell’indirizzo politico costituzionale e dell’indirizzo di sistema nell’assetto attuale della forma di governo italiana
No full textIl linguaggio costituzionale tra testo e interpretazione
No full textIl volume si propone di riflettere sul tema dell’interpretazione costituzionale, in una prospettiva che mette in relazione la dimensione scritta della Costituzione, il linguaggio e l’attività interpretativa.
Dopo aver indagato le ragioni sottese alla nascita della Costituzione quale specifica categoria di testo normativo, nonché i principali aspetti problematici della teoria dell’interpretazione, l’Autrice ripercorre il dibattito in seno all’Assemblea costituente individuando nello “spirito democratico” l’afflato che ha ispirato e pervaso le scelte di natura linguistica tradotte poi nel testo costituzionale. Una volta chiarite le principali e peculiari caratteristiche del linguaggio costituzionale, è emersa con evidenza una costante tensione tra passato e futuro, quali piani temporali lungo i quali si anima l’inveramento del dettato costituzionale. Questo approdo ha portato l’Autrice a riflettere sulle specificità dell’interpretazione costituzionale, non sovrapponibile in tutto e per tutto alle altre operazioni ermeneutiche che interessano i testi normativi in generale. Lo studio del linguaggio ha così permesso di rimeditare alcune acquisizioni della teoria costituzionalistica. Ne è scaturita la ricognizione di alcune regole di “lettura” della Costituzione che ne ribadiscono l’attitudine propria a fondare l’intero ordinamento e a promuoverne lo sviluppo lungo le traiettorie dalla medesima indicate
Il silenzio dell’Amministrazione finanziaria negli atti di accoglimento parziale dell’istanza di rimborso (The silence of tax authorities in the acts of partial acceptance of tax refund applications)
No full textIn tema di rimborso, vi è la tendenza da parte della giurisprudenza a qualificare il provvedimento di accoglimento parziale come diniego "implicito" (e non come diniego "tacito") per la parte del credito non riconosciuta. La questione non è di poco conto dal momento che, a seconda delle modalità con cui si manifesta il rifiuto da parte dell’Amministrazione finanziaria di procedere alla restituzione delle somme richieste dal contribuente, sono previsti differenti termini processuali per poter adire al giudice tributario. In spregio ai principi fondanti l’agire amministrativo, si è assistito negli anni all’affermarsi di un orientamento giurisprudenziale che tende a qualificare l’atto di accoglimento parziale come provvedimento amministrativo (implicito) per la parte del credito non riconosciuta. Il rifiuto risulterebbe implicitamente contenuto all’interno dell’atto di rimborso parziale, il quale ultimo – una volta portato a conoscenza del contribuente – sarebbe idoneo ad esteriorizzare anche quanto in esso sottointeso; «e tanto bast[erebbe] per differenziare l’atto implicito rispetto alle ipotesi in cui si ha una manifestazione tacita di volontà (silenzio)». Stando a quest’ordine di idee, per effetto dell’equiparazione del diniego implicito al diniego espresso, il destinatario dell’atto sarebbe in ogni caso costretto a presentare ricorso entro il (più breve) termine di sessanta giorni per evitare di far decadere il suo diritto di difesa, pur laddove dovesse (legittimamente) sussistere il dubbio che il procedimento di accertamento del credito non sia giunto a conclusione per la parte non menzionata nell’atto medesimo. Si tratta di una ricostruzione, oltre che errata sul piano semantico, inaccettabile sotto il profilo giuridico; contraria ai più elementari principi sui quali si fonda il nostro ordinamento. La figura dell’atto di diniego implicito (di elaborazione giurisprudenziale), sovvertendo le regole che pacificamente governano l’agire amministrativo, genera confusione nei rapporti tra Fisco e contribuente, impedendo la piena realizzazione dei principi della buona amministrazione e del diritto di difesa