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Banach bimodule-valued positive maps: inequalities and representations
No full textIn this paper we construct representations of general positive sesquilinear maps with values in ordered Banach bimodules such as commutative and non-commutative L 1 -spaces and the spaces of bounded linear operators from a C -algebra into the dual of another C -algebra are considered. As a starting point, a generalized Cauchy–Schwarz inequality is proved for these maps and a representation of bounded positivemaps from a (quasi) - algebra into such an ordered Banach bimodule is derived and some more inequalities for these maps are deduced. In particular, an extension of Paulsen’s modified Kadison–Schwarz inequality for 2-positive maps to the case of general positive maps from a unital -algebra into the space of trace-class operators on a separable Hilbert space and into the duals of von-Neumann algebras is obtained. Also, representations for completely positive maps with values in an ordered Banach bimodule and Cauchy–Schwarz inequality for infinite sums of such maps are provided. Concrete examples illustrate the results
Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) Risk after Tooth Extraction: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Rat Model
No full textSustainability as a Collective Challenge: Implications for Tourism
No full textThe theme of sustainability encompasses a wide range of disciplines. By interweaving diverse bodies of knowledge, we can analyze and deepen studies on the impacts of individual actions and their aggregated effects on environmental ecosystems. Sustainable Tourism. Frameworks, Practices, and Innovative Solutions is a collective work that addresses a global issue. The multiplicity of contributions, as well as the variety of scholarly disciplines involved in the discussion of the various topics covered in the chapters, clearly demonstrates that sustainability must be addressed in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner. This is especially true when the subject concerns one of the practices that has marked a significant transformation in leisure activities in the modern era, namely tourism and the sector that serves it
Crystalline Insights into Nasal Mucosa Inflammation and Remodeling: Unveiling Role of Galectin-10
No full textBackground: Galectin-10 (Gal-10), the main constituent of Charcot–Leyden crystals, is a recognized marker of eosinophilic inflammation, yet its role in nasal mucosal remodeling in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR) remains poorly defined. Methods: Gal-10, IL-5, MUC5AC, and IFN-γ were analyzed in Nasal lavage (NL) samples from children with SAR by ELISA. Unsupervised clustering and discriminant analyses were applied. The functional effects of Gal-10 were investigated ex vivo using a 3D epithelial–mesenchymal trophic unit (EMTU) model stimulated with NL containing high, low, or depleted Gal-10 levels. EMT (epithelial–mesenchymal transition) markers (vimentin, E-cadherin, SNAIL1) and MUC5AC secretion were assessed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and ELISA. Results: Gal-10 levels in NL positively correlated with IL-5 and MUC5AC and inversely with IFN-γ. Clustering analysis identified distinct SAR endotypes, with Gal-10 showing the highest discriminative power. In the 3D EMTU model, high Gal-10 NL induced increased vimentin and SNAIL1 expression and enhanced MUC5AC secretion, effects attenuated after Gal-10 depletion. Conclusions: Gal-10 is associated with Th2-type inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and early epithelial–mesenchymal transition in pediatric SAR, supporting its role as a mediator of nasal mucosal remodeling and a potential therapeutic targe
Quantification of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables sampled in Sicily (Italy) and assessment of health risks
No full textThis study aimed to assess the presence and concentration of 220 pesticide residues in 475 vegetable samples collected from 90 locations across Sicily, Italy. This paper presents chemometric analyses and risk assessments performed on a large dataset concerning pesticide analyses in Sicilian vegetables. The analysis employed the QuEChERS extraction method followed by gas GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. The analytical protocols demonstrated good sensitivity and selectivity, with determination coefficients (R2) greater than 0.998 for all analytes. Recovery percentages for different pesticides ranged between 60 % and 140 %, ensuring reliability in quantification. Most pesticides have LOQ values at 0.006 mg Kg−1, confirming method sensitivity. Among the detected residues, Boscalid, Acetamiprid, Deltamethrin, Tebuconazole and Chlorpyrifos were the most frequently found compound in samples. Some samples exceeded the European Union’s Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), raising concerns regarding consumer safety. By comparing the concentrations of the active ingredients in our samples with the maximum values reported by the European Community, all the samples, with the exception of one of peaches and another of prickly pears, whose concentrations of Chlorpyrifos and Etofenprox were above the legal limits, we can conclude that the others comply with European legislation. We can be concluded that the HQ values for all the pesticides studied are below the established threshold of 1 for both adults and children. Consequently, the population exposed to pesticides through fruit and vegetable consumption can be considered safe. Only in the case of boscalid in a blackcurrant sample, the HQ value was slightly higher than 1
Photophysics and Photonics of Self-Assembled Superstructures
No full textI nanomateriali rappresentano oggi un pilastro fondamentale della modernascienza dei materiali: l’ampio ventaglio di proprietà che essi manifestano consenteinfatti di accedere a funzionalità altrimenti precluse ai materiali in formabulk. Negli ultimi anni, l’auto-organizzazione (self-assembly) di nanoparticellein strutture mesoscopiche si è rivelata una strategia di eccezionale efficaciaper esplorare comportamenti collettivi ed emergenti. Quando i nanocristallivengono portati a stretto contatto, la loro mutua interazione ne rimodella lerisposte elettroniche e ottiche, permettendo di andare ben oltre le caratteristichetipiche delle unità isolate.Grazie ai significativi progressi compiuti nella sintesi colloidale, nei processidi purificazione e nelle tecniche di assemblaggio, è oggi possibile organizzarenanoparticelle quasi monodisperse in superstrutture (o superparticelle) tridimensionalidotate di simmetria cristallina, quasi-cristallina o amorfa. I nanomaterialicolloidali più disparati possono infatti fungere da unità fondamentaliper questi solidi artificiali: dai quantum dots ai nanorods semiconduttori, dallenanoparticelle plasmoniche ai nanocristalli magnetici e ai nanocluster di metallinobili. Le superstrutture così ottenute manifestano una pletora di fenomeniaffascinanti, che spaziano dalla delocalizzazione eccitonica alla migrazionedi carica, dalle risonanze plasmoniche collettive alla superfluorescenza, finoalla comparsa di modi ottici accoppiati e alla fotoluminescenza indotta da aggregazione(AIE).Sebbene i meccanismi di self-assembly e il potenziale tecnologico di tali sistemisiano stati ampiamente investigati, il legame sistematico tra l’architetturastrutturale e la risposta collettiva non è ancora stato pienamente elucidato. Lostudio di tali correlazioni struttura-proprietà richiede approcci d’indagine capacidi coniugare elevate risoluzioni spaziali e temporali, così da isolare ilcomportamento delle singole superstrutture e, simultaneamente, tracciare glieffetti di cross-talk tra le particelle, i quali evolvono tipicamente su scale temporaliinferiori al nanosecondo.In questo quadro, l’obiettivo della presente tesi è chiarire le proprietà fotofisiche e fotoniche di superstrutture tridimensionali assemblate a partire da diverseclassi di nanosistemi semiconduttori e metallici. A tal fine, differenti strategiedi assemblaggio sono state coniugate con un protocollo di analisi multidisciplinareche combina caratterizzazione strutturale, simulazioni numeriche daprincipi primi e, in particolare, tecniche spettroscopiche avanzate. L’impiegodi una vasta gamma di unità costitutive ha permesso di esplorare un altrettantoampio spettro di fenomeni collettivi, mentre la sinergia tra approcci sperimentalicomplementari ha garantito una comprensione esaustiva della loro rispostaottica. Tra le metodologie adottate, spicca la microscopia di assorbimentotransiente ultraveloce (ultrafast transient absorption microscopy): grazie allasua alta risoluzione spazio-temporale, tale tecnica ha consentito di distinguerele dinamiche fotoindotte all’interno delle singole superstrutture su scale subnanosecondo.I risultati presentati in questo lavoro gettano nuova luce sullafisica fondamentale dei solidi artificiali e contribuiscono a stabilire criteri guidagenerali per la progettazione razionale di materiali auto-assemblati con proprietàe funzionalità fisico-chimiche predeterminate.Nanomaterials represent a cornerstone of modern materials science, as theirdiverse properties enable functionalities unattainable in bulk form. In recentyears, assembling nanoparticles into mesoscopic structures has emerged asa powerful route to unlock an even wider range of collective and emergentbehaviours. When nanocrystals are brought into close proximity, their interactionsreshape the electronic and optical responses in ways that transcendthose of isolated particles. Progress in colloidal synthesis, purification, andassembly now enables near monodisperse nanoparticles to be organised intothree dimensional superstructures with crystalline, quasi crystalline, or amorphoussymmetry, often referred to as superparticles. Virtually any colloidalnanoparticle can serve as a building block for these artificial solids, includingchalcogenide and perovskite quantum dots or nanorods, plasmonic nanoparticles,magnetite nanocrystals, and ultrasmall noble metal nanoclusters. Theirassemblies display a plethora of intriguing behaviours including exciton delocalisationand band like transport, collective plasmonic resonances, ultra efficientsurface enhanced Raman scattering, superfluorescence, long range chargeor energy migration, and coupled photonic or excitonic modes, as well as aggregationinduced photoluminescence. While the mechanisms underpinningself assembly and the technological promise of these materials have both beenintensely studied, the systematic connection between structure and collectiveresponse remains far from fully established. Addressing these open questionsrequires approaches that combine high spatial and temporal resolution, capableof isolating the behaviour of individual superstructures while tracking interparticlecross-talk effects that evolve on sub nanosecond timescales.Within this framework, the aim of this thesis is to elucidate the photophysicsand photonics of three-dimensional superstructures assembled from differentclasses of semiconductor- and metal-based nanosystems. To this end, we combinediverse assembly strategies with structural characterisation, first-principlessimulations, and spectroscopic techniques spanning different spatial and temporalscales. Leveraging a broad palette of building blocks enables us to probe a correspondingly broad range of collective behaviours, while the synergybetween complementary experimental approaches provides a more completeunderstanding of their responses. Among the characterisation techniqueswe employ, a prominent role is played by ultrafast transient absorption microscopy,which combines high spatial and temporal resolution thereby allowingto unravel the photoinitiated dynamics of single superstructures at the subnanosecondtimescales. The results presented in this thesis advance the fundamentalunderstanding of the collective behaviour of artificial solids, therebyinforming future efforts to rationally design self-assembled materials with tailoredfunctionalities
Estimating the correction factor of surface velocity in rill flows
No full textThe dye-tracer technique is widely applied for measuring the surface velocity of shallow flows, which is jointly used with a correction factor αvto obtain the mean flow velocity. The primary purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the soil roughness height on the correction factor in rill flows. For this aim, experimental runs were performed with clear water flowing in two flumes covered by glued soil particles resulting in different roughness heights (ks = 0.135 mm and 1.317 mm). Ten slopes s, ranging from 0.1 % to 15 %, and five flow discharges Q varying from 0.20 to 0.87 L s−1were utilized. Previous measurements, collected in the same flumes for ks = 0 and 0.119 mm, were also used. Using dimensional analysis, Reynolds number, flume slope, and a dimensionless group embedding the roughness height were identified as influential factors of αv. The proposed predictive equation of αvestablished that the correction factor (i) decreases as the Reynolds number increases, (ii) generally increases with increasing roughness height, and (iii) depends on slope following a non-monotonic trend. The proposed equation can reliably estimate the correction factor, with a mean absolute error of 5.4 % for smooth bed rills and 5.8 % for rough bed rills. Further experiments need to investigate the effect of rill width on the correction factor and test the proposed equation with different roughness heights
Prognostic value of liver stiffness measurement vs. biochemical response in primary biliary cholangitis
No full textBackground & Aims Both liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and biochemical response have prognostic significance in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). However, the frequency and clinical relevance of discordant biochemical and LSM changes remain unclear. We aim to determine the performance of the most recent or current LSM (LSMc) in predicting first hepatic decompensation (HD) in the setting of discordant biochemical and LSM responses. Methods In this international, multicenter study, we included patients with at least two reliable LSM performed at least 6 months apart. Patients with prior HD, liver transplantation or hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. Biochemical response was based on the Paris-II criteria. LSM response was defined as stable or any reduction in LSM. The primary outcome was the occurrence of the first HD. Secondary outcomes were liver transplantation and liver-related death. The influence of LSM on HD was estimated using Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 1,793 patients with PBC were analyzed. Over a median follow-up of 22 (IQR 12-39) months, 3.3% developed HD. Up to 55% of patients with PBC exhibited discordance between LSM and biochemical response. Among patients with LSM response, achieving Paris-II criteria was associated with a lower risk of HD (hazard ratio [HR] 0.25, 95% CI 0.06-0.97, p < 0.044). Among patients with biochemical response, LSM response did not influence the risk of developing HD (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.21-1.96, p = 0.429). The LSMc >10 kPa strongly predicted HD (HR 14.5, 95% CI 6.9-30.6, p < 0.001), irrespective of biochemical response and prior LSM trajectories. Conclusions Discordance between LSM and biochemical response is frequent. Most recent or current LSM is the strongest predictor of first liver-related events in patients with PBC, irrespective of prior biochemical response or LSM trajectory. Impact and implications Both liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and biochemical response have prognostic significance in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. However, the clinical relevance and how discordant biochemical and LSM changes should be best interpreted remain unclear. In this large international multicenter study, we demonstrated that once the current LSM is known, prior LSM trajectories and biochemical changes did not improve the prediction of liver-related events in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Our finding addresses a common clinical dilemma in risk-stratifying PBC patients with discordant biochemical and LSM responses. Importantly, the use of the latest LSM value for risk prediction significantly simplifies the use of LSM in clinical decision-making for PBC patients with multiple LSM readings
Smart Villages Tools and Strategies for Sustainable Development in Inner Rural Areas
No full textThe concept of Smart Villages represents a critical and innovative challenge in contemporary territorial studies, both in Europe and globally. Rural inner areas, often marginalized by globalization and centralized services, face the urgent need to redefine their development pathways. These territories are far from peripheral; they encompass a complex heritage of architecture, landscapes, built environments, traditions, social networks, and history, which risk being overlooked without proper safeguarding and reimagining.
This work explores strategies for the rehabilitation and enhancement of inner rural areas through the Smart Village approach, conceived not merely as a technological framework but as a multidimensional model integrating sustainability, governance, community participation, heritage conservation, and digital transition. It demonstrates how principles of smart cities can be adapted to rural contexts, offering both theoretical insights and practical tools for sustainable development.
The research follows three main directions: the theoretical foundations of Smart Villages and their links to sustainability and innovation; the analysis of case studies across Europe and beyond, illustrating diverse approaches to rural regeneration; and the development of operational tools to guide interventions that balance tradition and innovation while respecting the fragility and resilience of inner areas.
By addressing these themes, the study investigates key questions in rural regeneration: how to reconcile innovation with tradition, safeguard heritage while enabling development, and transform inner areas into laboratories for sustainable futures. The work provides a reference framework for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars, promoting smart, resilient, and opportunity-rich rural communities
