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Star-algebras and almost polynomial growth of central polynomials
No full textLet A be an algebra with involution ⁎ over a field of characteristic zero. There are three numerical sequences attached to the ⁎-polynomial identities Id⁎(A) satisfied by A: the sequence of codimensions cn⁎(A), the sequence of central codimensions cn⁎.z(A) and the sequence of proper central codimensions cn⁎,δ(A) n=1,2,.... They give a measure of the ⁎-polynomial identities, the central ⁎-polynomials and the proper central ⁎-polynomials of the algebra A. It has been proved ([9], [18]) that when A satisfies a non-trivial identity, the three sequences either grow exponentially or are polynomially bounded. Now, an algebra A has almost polynomial growth of the codimensions if cn⁎(A) grows exponentially and for any algebra B such that Id⁎(B)⊋Id⁎(A), cn⁎(B) is polynomially bounded. Similarly we have the definitions of almost polynomial growth of the central codimensions cn⁎.z(A) and of the proper central codimensions cn⁎,δ(A). We aim to classify, up to ⁎-PI-equivalence, the algebras with almost polynomial growth of one of the above codimensions. This has already been done in [8] regarding the codimensions cn⁎(A). Here we classify, up to ⁎-PI-equivalence, the algebras having almost polynomial growth of the central ⁎-polynomials by exhibiting three subalgebras of upper triangular matrices. We also construct three more finite dimensional algebras giving the classification of almost polynomial growth of the proper central ⁎-polynomials
Aspetti giuridici sull'utilizzazione dell'intelligenza artificiale nel tracciamento digitale dei prodotti alimentari. Stato dell'arte e prospettive
No full textThe paper examines the main legal issues related to the use of artificial intelligence in digital traceability systems for agri-food products, with particular attention to the integration of AI technologies and distributed data management tools such as blockchain. Building on an analysis of the European and national regulatory frameworks, the contribution highlights the critical aspects concerning data governance, the classification of AI systems, civil liability issues, and the compatibility of these technologies with the principles of food safety and traceability, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights
Outflows in Black Hole X-ray binaries
No full textGli outflows rappresentano tra i fenomeni più importanti e complessi che modellano sia l’evoluzione sia l’aspetto osservativo delle binarie X a buco nero (BH XRBs). In questi sistemi, l’accrescimento su un oggetto compatto è spesso accompagnato da potenti processi di perdita di massa sotto forma di venti di disco e getti relativistici, la cui presenza e le cui proprietà dipendono fortemente dallo stato di accrescimento. Comprendere l’origine fisica di questi outflows e la loro connessione con il flusso di accrescimento è quindi essenziale per costruire un quadro coerente dell’accoppiamento accrescimento–espulsione nelle XRBs. Questa tesi è dedicata allo studio degli outflows nelle BH XRBs attraverso un approccio multiplo che combina osservazioni multi-banda con modellizzazione fisicamente motivata. L’obiettivo principale è vincolare la geometria, le condizioni fisiche e la variabilità di venti e getti compatti, e valutarne l’impatto sull’emissione osservata nei diversi stati spettrali.Il primo progetto descritto nella tesi si concentra sullo studio dei venti freddi di disco attraverso spettroscopia ottica ad alta risoluzione della BH XRB MAXI~J1305--704. Sebbene non sia stato possibile identificare in modo inequivocabile firme di vento nella banda ottica, l’analisi ha rivelato caratteristiche in assorbimento ed emissione le cui proprietà sono compatibili con un ambiente complesso e variabile. Nella seconda parte del progetto mostro come un nuovo approccio, che utilizza modelli sviluppati per i dati X in applicazione a spettri ottici, possa fornire vincoli sull’inclinazione del sistema.Il secondo progetto è dedicato all’analisi di uno stato spettrale oscurato nella BH XRB altamente variabile GRS~1915+105. Attraverso spettroscopia X a larga banda, studio gli effetti dell’assorbimento e della diffusione sull’emissione osservata ed esploro l’origine fisica del materiale oscurante. I risultati favoriscono un’interpretazione in cui il mezzo oscurante è spiegato al meglio da un disco di accrescimento deformato (warped), piuttosto che da un assorbitore uniforme o da una struttura puramente guidata da un vento, in accordo con le aspettative teoriche e osservative per sistemi che accrescono ad alta luminosità.Il terzo progetto indaga i getti compatti, la forma più persistente di outflow nelle BH XRBs durante gli stati hard intermediate. Modello la distribuzione spettrale di energia (SED) a larga banda della BH XRB MAXI~J1535--571 utilizzando una versione aggiornata di un codice a shock interni, che collega la variabilità osservata nei raggi X alla dissipazione di energia cinetica lungo il getto. Esplorando diverse geometrie del getto, questo lavoro mostra che una geometria parabolica fornisce la descrizione migliore dell’emissione a larga banda di MAXI~J1535--571. Viene inoltre investigato il possibile contributo del getto all’emissione nei gamma soffici. Sebbene un’origine legata al getto non possa essere formalmente esclusa sulla sola base della modellizzazione spettrale, le condizioni fisiche richieste risultano estreme, favorendo invece un’origine da Comptonizzazione non termica nella corona per la componente ad alta energia.Outflows are among the most important and complex phenomena shaping both the evolution and the observational appearance of black hole X-ray binaries (BH XRBs). In these systems, accretion onto a compact object is often accompanied by powerful mass-loss processes in the form of disk winds and relativistic jets, whose presence and properties strongly depend on the accretion state. Understanding the physical origin of these outflows and their connection to the accretion flow is therefore essential to build a coherent picture of accretion–ejection coupling in XRBs. This thesis is devoted to the investigation of outflows in BH XRBs through a multi-approach study combining multi-wavelength observations with physically motivated modelling. The main goal is to constrain the geometry, physical conditions, and variability of winds and compact jets, and to assess their impact on the observed emission across different spectral states.The first project described in the thesis focuses on the study of cold disk winds through high-resolution optical spectroscopy of the BH XRB MAXI~J1305--704. While clear and unambiguous wind signatures could not be firmly established in the optical band, the analysis revealed absorption and emission features whose properties are consistent with a complex and variable environment. In the second part of the project, I show how a new approach that use X-ray modelling on optical spectra can provide constraints on the inclination of the system.The second project is dedicated to the analysis of an obscured spectral state in the highly variable BH XRB GRS~1915+105. Using broadband X-ray spectroscopy, I study the effects of absorption and scattering on the observed emission and explore the physical origin of the obscuring material. The results favour an interpretation in which the obscuring medium is best explained by a warped accretion disk, rather than by a uniform absorber or a purely wind-driven structure, in agreement with theoretical and observational expectations for systems accreting at high luminosities.The third project investigates compact jets, the most persistent form of outflow in BH XRBs during hard intermediate states. I model the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) of the BH XRB MAXI~J1535--571 using an updated internal shocks code, which links the observed X-ray variability to the dissipation of kinetic energy along the jet. By exploring different jet geometries, this work finds that a parabolic jet geometry provides the best description of the broadband emission of MAXI~J1535--571. The possible contribution of the jet to the soft gamma-ray emission is also investigated. Although a jet origin cannot be formally excluded from spectral modelling alone, the required physical conditions are extreme, favouring instead a non-thermal Comptonization origin of the high-energy tail in the corona
Functional Characterization of CD44v6 and EPO/EPOR Signaling in Glioma Stem Cells: Molecular Implications and Therapeutic Targeting with AMC303
No full textResponse of a ZrO2(Y)-memristive device to in vivo neuronal activity with abnormal oscillations
No full textThe paper describes the results of a study of the effect of neuronal activity with abnormal oscillations, obtained in vivo from epileptic animals, at different parameters (amplitude and constant offset) on the resistive state and response of a ZrO2(Y)-based memristive device. Epilepsy was modeled using the lithium-pilocarpine model – an approach that is believed to induce the emergence of chronic epilepsy and imitates with good accuracy the peculiarities in neuronal activity from humans with temporal lobe epilepsy. The study of the influence of these particular features – abnormal oscillations, in the form of waveform of the voltage applied to the memristive device – is carried out in this paper. Neuronal activity has been shown to change the resistive state of a memristive device. The memristive device, in turn, will almost not distort the frequency characteristics of the neuronal activity transmitted through it, which is crucial because brain activities are believed to manifest as rhythms across various frequencies. The mentioned above parameters play a key role in this change and are essential for tuning wearable devices – neuroprosthetic, designed to detect and suppress abnormal oscillations in neuronal activity in real time. Moreover, the paper demonstrates that the memristive device can be used to analyze large volumes of electrophysiological data with increased accuracy and processing speed, due to a well-known effect called the «voltage-time dilemma»
Spatiotemporal control of prodrug activation through external stimuli for effective and safe on-site release in solid tumors: From current advances to future perspectives
No full text: Achieving precise control over anticancer drug activity remains a key challenge in prodrug design. Stimuli-responsive systems address this limitation by enabling selective drug release within the tumor microenvironment. Among them, externally activated prodrugs (triggered by light, ionizing radiation, or ultrasound) offer superior spatial and temporal precision, with minimal systemic toxicity. This review critically examines recent advances in design strategies, activation mechanisms, and the translational potential of these systems, including both organic photocages and emerging metal-based platforms [e.g. Pt(IV) and Ru(II) complexes]. Particular attention is given to their integration with next-generation therapeutic modalities such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Externally triggered prodrug technologies are poised to redefine precision oncology by improving efficacy, safety, and on-demand activation from molecular design to preclinical validation
Les aqueducs de la Sicile tyrrhénienne. État de la recherche et considérations topographiques
No full textBien que dans l’imaginaire collectif, la Sicile soit considérée comme une île aride, il faut souligner qu’elle est très riche en eau, grâce au substrat géologique qui la caractérise comme une zone de formation récente, sujette à des changements continus, érosions, variations du littoral. De nombreux cours d’eau courent dans le sous-sol pour apparaître ensuite en nappes plus ou moins abondantes, sans parler de certains de ses fleuves, comme l’Alcantara et l’Anapo, particulièrement abondants.
L’arrière-pays montagneux constitue un important réservoir d’eau qui, à travers des veines et des chemins souterrains, permet à l’eau d’engendrer de nombreuses sources. C’est précisément celles-ci qui furent interceptées par les populations antiques, dès l’époque archaïque à Agrigente, Camarine, Syracuse et peut être Sélinonte, puis par les Romains dans les principales cités siciliennes comme Catane, Taormine, ou Thermae Himerenses. Beaucoup de ces villes bénéficiaient de sources à l’intérieur du périmètre urbain, mais la nécessité de disposer d’aqueducs augmentait avec l’accroissement de la population. Surtout, à l’époque romaine, lorsque l’eau devint un élément décoratif, les besoins en eau augmentèrent considérablement dans toute l’île. Aux endroits où elle était peu disponible, on construisait des aqueducs qui récupéraient les eaux dans des sources de plus en plus éloignées des villes.
Dans cet article nous voulons exposer les aqueducs connus dans la Sicile tyrrhénienne (Figure 1), de Lilybée à Tyndaris, où les recherches antérieures ont permis de reconnaître les traces d’aqueduc datant de différentes périodes historiques. L’objectif est d’examiner les contraintes géomorphologiques qu’il fallut surmonter au moment de leur réalisation, en fonction des points de départ et d’arrivée de l’eau. Nous analyserons donc les conditions géologiques et morphologiques des terrains afin d’exposer, lorsque c’est possible, les caractéristiques distinctives de chaque infrastructure. Il faut considérer que chaque aqueduc est étroitement lié au paysage qu’il traverse, raison pour laquelle il faut supposer la collaboration entre équipes locales et ingénieurs, surtout dans les villes les plus petites. L’intention est en outre de réfléchir à l’existence de savoir-faire communs, qui puissent suggérer l’existence d’équipes itinérantes pour la réalisation des aqueducs
“Sono i cosiddetti scafazzati”. Organizzazione del servizio sociale minorile e tipizzazione del Juvenile Sex Offender: il caso dell’USSM di Palermo
No full textLa tesi dal titolo “Sono i cosiddetti scafazzati”. Organizzazione del servizio sociale minorile e tipizzazione del Juvenile Sex Offender: il caso dell’USSM di Palermo analizza i processi di rappresentazione e costruzione istituzionale del juvenile sex offender attraverso i discorsi e le pratiche delle assistenti sociali che lavorano presso l’Ufficio di Servizio Sociale per i Minorenni (USSM) di Palermo, con particolare attenzione all’esperienza del gruppo EOS (Équipe Oltre il Silenzio), équipe specialistica dedicata ai reati sessuali minorili. Muovendo da una prospettiva teorica costruzionista e interpretativista, la ricerca analizza il modo in cui categorie giuridiche, saperi professionali e cornici di senso istituzionali partecipano alla definizione, tipizzazione e categorizzazione della figura del juvenile sex offender.A partire da un approccio sociologico si utilizza la lente di genere come sguardo analitico per osservare come le rappresentazioni e costruzioni di questi soggetti cambino anche in relazione al genere dell’autore. La tesi si sviluppa proponendo un excursus bibliografico circa le principali prospettive e linguaggi che sono stati nel tempo sviluppati attorno a questa categoria di reati sino a, infine, osservare le connessioni tra gli sguardi teorici e gli effetti di realtà da questi conseguenti nei termini di politiche, interventi e trattamenti sui diversi tessuti territoriali internazionali, nazionali e locali. Sul piano metodologico, l’indagine si basa su un disegno qualitativo, con un’applicazione delle teorie dell’etichettamento e l’approccio interazionista simbolico, che integra l’analisi documentale di 23 fascicoli giudiziari con la conduzione di 11 interviste semi-strutturate rivolte alle assistenti sociali dell’USSM. Il corpus testuale, composto dalle relazioni sociali anonimizzate contenute nei fascicoli, è stato analizzato mediante il software T-LAB Plus 2021, al fine di esplorare ricorrenze lessicali, co-occorrenze e mondi semantici.I risultati mostrano come la definizione del juvenile sex offender emerga da una trama di pratiche discorsive e procedurali che articolano rappresentazioni del genere, della famiglia, della collaborazione istituzionale e del rischio di recidiva, producendo tipizzazioni che orientano gli interventi e le traiettorie di presa in carico.The Thesis entitled “Sono i cosiddetti scafazzati”. Organisation of juvenile social services and the typification of the Juvenile Sex Offender: the case of the USSM of Palermo analyses the processes of representation and institutional construction of the juvenile sex offender through the discourses and practices of social workers employed at the Office of Social Services for Minors (USSM), the social service office operating within the Juvenile Court system, in Palermo, with particular attention to the experience of the EOS group (Équipe Oltre il Silenzio), a specialist team dedicated to juvenile sexual offences. Drawing on a constructionist and interpretative theoretical perspective, the study examines how legal categories, professional knowledge and institutional frameworks of meaning contribute to defining, typifying and rendering intelligible the figure of the juvenile sex offender.From a sociological perspective, the research adopts a gender lens to examine how representations and constructions of these subjects also vary in relation to the offender’s gender. The thesis develops through a bibliographical review of the main perspectives and languages that have been elaborated over time around this category of offences. Subsequently, it examines the connections between theoretical approaches and their effects on reality in terms of policies, interventions, and treatments across different international, national, and local territorial contexts.From a methodological standpoint, the study is based on a qualitative research design grounded in an interpretative and constructionist paradigm, applying labelling theory and a symbolic interactionist approach. The research integrates the documentary analysis of 23 judicial case files with 11 semi-structured interviews conducted with social workers at the USSM. The textual corpus, composed of anonymized social reports contained in the case files, was analyzed using the software T-LAB Plus 2021 in order to explore lexical recurrences, co-occurrences, and semantic worlds.The findings show how the definition of the juvenile sex offender emerges from a network of discursive and procedural practices that articulate representations of gender, family, institutional cooperation, and risk of reoffending, producing typifications that orient interventions and trajectories of case management
A BDE-47/estrone mixture modulates macrophage immune responses and miRNA networks, impairs intestinal barrier integrity in vitro, and alters circulating miRNAs and tight junction expression in vivo
No full textHuman exposure to environmental contaminants typically involves complex mixtures rather than single chemicals, complicating health risk assessment. In this study, we investigated the effects of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) and estrone (E1), individually and in combination (MIX-3), on immune and
intestinal epithelial cells. Murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) exposed to BDE-47, E1, or MIX-3 showed no
cytotoxicity or oxidative stress at the tested concentrations. However, MIX-3 significantly increased inflammatory gene expression (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10) and cytokine secretion (TNF-α), suggesting a synergistic immuneactivating effect. Intracellular miRNA profiling revealed downregulation of immune-regulatory miRNAs (let7a-5p, miR-423–5p, let-7c-5p, miR-128–3p), supporting activation of inflammatory and cytokine-related pathways. In Caco-2 cells, MIX-3 exposure reduced tight junction markers (E-cadherin, occludin) and transepithelial
electrical resistance, indicating impaired epithelial barrier function, whereas treatment with conditioned medium from MIX-3–exposed macrophages partially restored E-cadherin expression, suggesting a protective role of
immune cell-derived soluble factors. To validate these findings in vivo, Wistar rats were orally exposed to the
BDE-47/E1 mixture for 30 days. mRNA analysis and histological examination of intestinal tissue highlighted
occludin downregulation and mild tissue alterations, consistent with subtle epithelial barrier impairment.
Circulating miRNA profiling showed upregulation of inflammation-associated miRNAs (miR-21–5p, miR-150–5p,
miR-142–3p, miR-363–3p), linked through bioinformatic analysis to immune dysregulation, intestinal cancer,
and neurotoxicity. Overall, these results indicate that low-dose exposure to pollutant mixtures can induce subtle
but biologically relevant immune and epithelial changes, emphasizing the importance of mixture-based approaches in environmental risk assessment
Editoriale - I riflessi dell'intelligenza artificiale sulle indagini nominate
No full textStarting from a metaphor that will be the background to the analysis (reflexes, light, photography), the author
initially focuses on the pitfalls underlying the phenomenon of artificial intelligence and how to redirect its impli-
cations towards criminal proceedings that are more attentive to guarantees, rights, and freedoms. He then ad-
dresses the topic of digital investigations, where the investigative use of artificial intelligence is most widespread
and where there is an urgent need to reorganize the procedural institutions involved. Among the various investi-
gative activities, attention is focused on the risks associated with the analysis and classification of digital evi-
dence, the covert and indiscriminate collection of cognitive data, and the acquisition of information automatically
generated by expert systems that perform purposes unrelated to the trial. The necessary rethinking of certain
categories and the adaptation of certain institutions leads to the topic of seizures, searches, and wiretaps, which
are examined from a de iure condendo perspective, with reference to bill n. 1822, currently under consideration
by the Chamber of Deputies