33145 research outputs found
Sort by
Continuous Logic in a Classical Setting
No full textLet L be a first-order two-sorted language and consider a class of
L-structures of the form , where M varies among structures of the first sort, while X is fixed in the second sort, and it is assumed to be a compact Hausdorff space. When X is a compact subset of the real line, one way to treat classes of this kind model-theoretically is via continuous-valued logic, as in Ben Yaacov et al. (Model theory for metric structures, Cambridge University Press, 2010). An earlier approach due to Henson and Iovino (Ultraproducts in analysis, analysis and logic (Mons, 1997), London Math. Soc. Lecture Note Ser., Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 2002) is based on the notion of positive formulas and is tailored to the model theory of Banach spaces. Here we show that a similar approach is possible for a more general class of models. We introduce suitable versions of elementarity, compactness, saturation, quantifier elimination and other basic tools
Definition of differential seismic input motions for out-of-plane dynamic testing of unreinforced masonry gable walls considering different roof configurations
No full textUnreinforced masonry gables are widely present in low-rise existing buildings and are particularly vulnerable to seismic events, as demonstrated by the several observed out-of-plane collapses of these structural elements during earthquakes. Since the structural behaviour of gable walls has been scarcely investigated in the literature, a large-scale testing programme (ERIES-SUPREME) has been initiated by research institutions in the Netherlands (TU Delft, TNO) and Italy (EUCENTRE, University of Pavia, IUSS Pavia), to dynamically characterise the gable out-of-plane seismic response. Shake-table tests on full-scale masonry gables are being conducted at the 9D LAB facility in EUCENTRE (Pavia, Italy), incorporating the effects of different ground motions, structures and roof stiffnesses. This facility features both a top and a bottom shake table, allowing for separate input motions: therefore, the effect of the roof dynamic behaviour can be accounted for by applying differential signals. This work presents the procedure used to define such input motions. While for tectonic signals direct earthquake recordings at floor level are accessible from existing monitored masonry buildings in Italy, for induced signals in the Netherlands such data are not available. Thus, in the latter case, numerical analyses are conducted considering a reference unreinforced masonry building subjected to induced earthquakes, with three roof configurations representing flexible, semi-flexible, and stiff diaphragms. Based on the obtained outcomes, input signals are derived for both induced and tectonic earthquake scenarios, leading to the final definition of the testing protocol for the ERIES-SUPREME experimental campaign. The findings of this study are also broadly applicable for the derivation of input motions in the planning of benchmark experiments where parts of the structural system cannot be explicitly reproduced due to testing constraints
Cranial morphology and variation in the iconic Villafranchian proboscidean Mammuthus meridionalis (Nesti, 1825) from the type locality of Upper Valdarno (Tuscany, Italy)
No full textThe aim of this article is to provide a detailed description of the cranial anatomy of Mammuthus meridionalis (Nesti, 1825) based on the type material from Upper Valdarno (UV), Italy. The UV sample includes both male and female individuals and a fragmented skull of a new-born, allowing us to highlight variation in cranial features linked to both sexual dimorphism and ontogeny. The southern mammoth occupies a central role in elucidating the evolutionary pattern of mammoths during the Early Pleistocene (Villafranchian Land Mammal Age), when the first cold adapted mammoth species, Mammuthus trogontherii (Pohlig, 1885), the steppe mammoth, originated. A detailed knowledge of the morphology and variation of the skull of this iconic Villafranchian species is crucial to clarify the complex systematic and evolutionary pattern of mammoth evolution during this time interval. The study supports the conclusion proposed by Augusto Azzaroli more than forty years ago, that the Upper Valdarno mammoth population was not directly ancestral to the steppe mammoth, which dispersed to Western Europe at the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene
Pathological Investigation of the Effect of Bovine Colostrum Against 5-FU-Induced Liver, Kidney, and Heart Toxicity in Rats
Get PDFThis study aimed to investigate the possible histopathological and
immunohistochemical effects of bovine colostrum (BC) against the toxic effects of 5-
fluorouracil (5-FU) on the liver, kidney, and heart of Wistar Albino rats. Animals were
divided into three groups: control, 5-FU, and 5-FU+BC. The control group received 2
mL/kg i.p. saline, the 5-FU group 100 mg/kg i.p. 5-FU, and the 5-FU+BC group received
100 mg/kg i.p. saline on the first day of the study. The 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups received
100 mg/kg i.p. of 5-FU and 1000 mg/kg BC orally each day of the study. Liver, kidney, and
heart tissues were examined histopathologically for lesions and the expression of TNF-α,
HSP-27, CASP-3, and 8-OHdG. No pathologic lesions were observed in the control group,
whereas severe pathologic lesions were observed in the 5-FU group. In the 5-FU+BC
group, the lesions were less severe than in the 5-FU group. In immunohistochemical
examination, biomarker expression was not observed in the control group, whereas it was
severe in the 5-FU group and less severe in the 5-FU+BC group. At the end of the study,
it was observed that 5-FU-induced pathological findings in liver, kidney, and heart tissues
decreased with the use of bovine colostrum. The difference between the control group
and the 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups was significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively).
Although the BC addition did not show any statistical significance in the pathological
scores of 5-FU in liver, kidney, and heart tissues, it was observed that it improved the
lesions of these tissues. Nevertheless, histopathological and immunohistochemical
analyses showed visible improvements in the 5-FU+BC group. Although more studies are
needed, it is hoped that BC will improve prognosis by both reducing the side effects of 5-
FU, a good chemotherapeutic agent, and its antineoplastic properties
Video Games to Counter Discrimination and Disinformation: An Educational Approach to Media Literacy
No full textIn recent years, discriminatory narratives linked to disinformation have fuelled hatred and prejudice, undermining social cohesion and increasing distrust in democratic institutions. These phenomena also affect young people, who are often ill-equipped to address them. As a result, educational policies on media literacy have been implemented, incorporating video games as a strategic tool to develop critical media competencies.
Within this framework, this paper analyses the potential of video games as innovative tools in media literacy education and in countering discrimination and disinformation. The research examines 18 video games through four analytical dimensions: educational objectives, game mechanics, narrative strategies, and visual language. The findings reveal innovative patterns in educational game design and increasing sophistication in synthesising ludic and pedagogical elements, whilst also identifying critical issues such as technological obsolescence, the need for mediators, and the lack of systematic user feedback data, which limits comprehensive impact assessment
Astaxanthin Mitigates 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Male Rats
Get PDFBackground: Hepatotoxicity, a significant complication of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment, is generally triggered by oxidative stress, liver damage, and apoptosis processes that take place in cancer patients. Methods: In this study, the protective effect of different astaxanthin (ASX) dosages (16 and 32/mg/kg/bw) was determined in rats with 5-FU-induced liver damage. Results: 5-FU induced a significant increase in the histopathological lesions severity and immunohistochemical (TNF-α and 8-OHdG) expression scores in the liver (p < 0.001), significantly increased serum liver parameters (AST, ALP, ALT, GGT, and TP) and malondialdehyde (p < 0.001), and, at the same time, significantly decreased antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, GST, GSR, Caspase-3, and GPx) (p < 0.001). Histopathological lesions and oxidative stress parameters significantly decreased in parallel while increasing the ASX dosage (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on these data, our results suggest that ASX may be considered a promising and valuable agent to mitigate hepatotoxicity and resistance mechanisms during cancer treatment
Ciclo di conferenze "Design POV" Design del prodotto - incontro con il designer Zakaria Khalfaoui
No full text"Macinando Design", Conferenza di Felice Ragazzo, 4 Aprile 2025, Ascoli Piceno, Scuola di Architettura e Design.
No full textIl contributo di Felice Ragazzo al design è molto ampio e poliedrico. Il suo studio delle leggi matematiche e geometriche che costriuiscono e regolano le forme della natura è stato molto approfondito e riportato in applicazioni sperimentali rilevanti per chi si interessa di design. La modellazione e la progettazione parametrica sono passioni di oggi che intersecano con una formazione artistica e di arti appplicate in modo molto originale. Nella Conferenza "Macinando Design" Felice Ragazzo ha esplorato tutte le fasi del suo processo scientifico, creativo e di designer
Donor–acceptor conjugated and triazine-containing covalentorganic framework: Construction of a signal “on–off–on” electrochemiluminescence immunosensor for efficiently detecting zearalenone
No full textWe utilized a novel signal “on–off–on” electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensing strategy for the accurate and sensitive detection of trace zearalenone (ZEN) by using a triazine-containing covalent organic framework (COF) as luminophore and a complex of CuFe2O4 and polydopamine (CuFe2O4@PDA) as the quencher. The triazine-containing COF, which was synthesized by reacting 2,4,6-tris (4-formyl-phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TFPT) and 1,3,5-tris (4-aminophenyl) benzene (TAPB) (denoted as TFPT-TAPB-COF), exhibited the advantages of large specific surface area and pore size, extended π-conjugated skeletons, long-range order structure, donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated structure, and high intramolecular charge transfer, thus achieving an enhanced ECL emission ability in the presence of K2S2O8. Moreover, CuFe2O4@PDA has demonstrated the trimodal quenching effects of resonance energy transfer, electron transfer, and efficient scavenging ability toward electrogenerated coreactant radicals. The ECL emission mechanism of the D–A conjugated TFPT-TAPB-COF and the merged quenching effect of CuFe2O4@PDA were clarified. By combining the trimodal ECL quenching mechanism and competitive immunosensing strategy, the constructed “on–off–on” TFPT-TAPB-COF-based ECL immunosensor exhibited a wide dynamic range of 10 fg mL−1 to 100 ng mL−1 with an ultralow detection limit of 7.9 fg mL−1, high selectivity, good accuracy, high stability, and acceptable practicality for the detection of ZEN from food products. This work provides a new COF-based ECL immunosensing method for the efficient detection of mycotoxins in food items
Annali della facoltà giuridica 2025
No full textLa Rivista pubblica contributi di studiosi nazionali e stranieri in materia giuridica