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Battezzo questo nuovo testo... Traduzioni, dichiarativi e falsi dualismi
No full textThis is partly a scientific article and partly a pamphlet-like publication, a provocation. The idea is asking why, after 50 years of DTS, and when the idea that translating is writing has gained quasi-universal scholarly acceptance, it is still so rare for translators, editors, publishers etc to declare openly what it is that their translations do - what is their relationship with the source text, why ST and TT are different, etc. The answer is obvious: people still want to believe they are reading "originals", as Venuti wrote in 1986/1995. But the question is still worth asking, I think, mainly because there might be a different way out of the familiar quandary. Venuti proposed the use of foreignizing techniques (in the English-speaking world). I propose the introduction of explicit declarative procedures. The pact is: 1) we all finally accept that ST and TT are different; 2) we go into detail as to how any particular ST is different from its TT, and why
Generalità versus neutralità. Riflessioni sulla valutazione del capitale economico nelle piccole e medie imprese
No full textCinnamaldehyde effectively disrupts Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilms: potential implication to mitigate microbiologically influenced corrosion
Get PDFMicrobiologically influenced corrosion poses significant challenges to various industries, as metal surfaces degrade due to the formation of microbial biofilms. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are key contributors to this process in anoxic environments (e.g., oil and gas pipelines), mainly by producing highly corrosive hydrogen sulfide. Current prevention methods involving biocides often have drawbacks such as high toxicity and disposal costs, calling for novel environmentally friendly alternatives. Essential oils with their antimicrobial properties and biodegradability may represent promising candidates against microbial corrosion. In this study, cinnamaldehyde was selected both for its antimicrobial activity and its well-documented role as a corrosion inhibitor; then, its antibiofilm activity was investigated against Desulfovibrio vulgaris, in comparison with the well-known reference biocide glutaraldehyde. Both compounds were bactericidal against D. vulgaris at 12.5 μg/mL. D. vulgaris biofilms were developed and monitored by confocal microscopy, and then 72-h-old biofilms were exposed to serial cinnamaldehyde and glutaraldehyde concentrations (12.5-100 μg/mL) for a further 48 h, to evaluate their disruptive effects. Both compounds caused a significant disruption of pre-formed biofilms, at 50 μg/mL. The reduction compared to the untreated controls was ca. 90% vs 85% for biomass, 60% vs 45% for average thickness, and 85% vs 80% for surface area, respectively. Interestingly, cinnamaldehyde applied to a D. vulgaris biofilm grown on representative metal coupons completely inhibited the recovery of viable adherent cells. These data, altogether, highlight the potential of cinnamaldehyde as an effective alternative for controlling and mitigating microbiologically influenced corrosion, with comparable efficacy to glutaraldehyde.IMPORTANCEThe increasing environmental and health concerns associated with the use of conventional biocides to manage and control microbiologically influenced corrosion highlight the need for eco-friendly alternatives. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) represent the main players in this process, by adhering and proliferating as biofilms on metal infrastructures, producing metabolites that accelerate corrosion. Essential oils have long been regarded as potent antimicrobials endowed with low toxicity; however, there is limited knowledge about their potential use against anaerobic bacteria responsible for corrosion. This study focuses on the antimicrobial activity of cinnamaldehyde and shows its efficacy in eradicating biofilm-grown D. vulgaris, a model species to study SRB energy metabolism. Notably, cinnamaldehyde is also a well-known corrosion inhibitor, which makes it an appealing candidate for industrial applications, particularly where SRB-induced corrosion is prevalent. Altogether, our results pave the way for the future development of green sustainable strategies involving the use of cinnamaldehyde to mitigate microbiologically influenced corrosion
A New Bis‐Urea Based Cage Receptor for Anions: Synthesis, Solid State Structures and Binding Studies
Get PDF: The synthesis and characterization of a novel bis-urea-based cage receptor for anions (3S,15S)-3,15,20,25-tetramethyl-1,4,6,12,14,17,20,25-octaazatricyclo[15.5.5.17.11]octacosa-7(28),10-diene-2,5,13,16-tetraone (L) is reported. L is a macro-bicyclic ligand built on the 1,7-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane scaffold to obtain a cage topology in which two ureido moieties have been inserted as binding sites for anions. L can interact with anion guests (G) via H-bonding; in particular, it binds both spherical (Cl-) and V-shaped anions (AcO-) as well as more complex carboxylate anions, such as the norfloxacin (Nor-). NMR experiments highlight that the interaction between L and G mainly occurs at the ureido moieties. L forms L-G adducts of 1 : 1 ([LG]-) and 1 : 2 ([LG2]2-) stoichiometry with Cl- and AcO-. Otherwise, in the case of Nor- only the formation of the [LG]- complex is observed. L shows higher formation constants values for [LAcO]- (2.9) and [LNor]- (3.6) than [LCl]- suggesting a stronger interaction with the carboxylate anions. In the solid state, three crystal structures of the HL⋅G species were obtained (G=Cl-, AcO-, ClO4 -) highlighting the H-bonding interaction between the chloride, acetate or perchlorate anions and the -NH functions of the ureido fragment. The comparison between the two parent open chain receptors (Lb-c) and L has been reported and discussed
Fano, le Marche, Cirene. Studi miscellanei in memoria di Valeria Purcaro.
No full textQuesto libro è un doveroso omaggio che il Centro Studi Vitruviani ha voluto
rendere alla professoressa Valeria Purcaro, già docente di archeologia classica
presso l’Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo e per anni vicepresidente della
nostra istituzione scientifica.
Il volume raccoglie scritti di diversi studiosi e colleghi, legati a Valeria da
profonda stima e affetto, anticipati in una giornata di studi tenutasi a Fano il
28 ottobre 2022. Il titolo del volume, Fano, le Marche, Cirene, sintetizza molto
bene quali sono state le grandi passioni di Valeria Purcaro e i contributi presenti
in questo volume hanno, come oggetto, proprio i luoghi e gli interessi, scientifici e
culturali, che hanno accompagnato la professoressa nella sua attività accademica,
per tutta la sua vita
Optimizing Liquid Electron Ionization Interface to Boost LC-MS Instrumental Efficiency
Get PDFLiquid Electron Ionization (LEI) is a powerful and robust interface for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of medium-low-molecular-weight compounds, including numerous environmental pollutants and toxicological substances. Although the robustness and performance of this interface have already been demonstrated, research on its optimization can still improve instrumental performance in terms of detectability. In this study, different setups of the interface’s vaporization micro-channel (VMC) made using different capillaries and various sizes were tested to evaluate the correspondent instrumental performance. The results show that a new combination of capillaries in the interface set up significantly improves instrumental detectability, reaching LOD values almost five times lower than those of the previous setup
Telos: Science and Fiction in the Detective Stories of Doyle, Pynchon and Asimov
Get PDFThe thesis presents case studies on the concept of telos in detective fiction, focusing on the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, Thomas Pynchon, and Isaac Asimov. It is intended as a foundation for a broader study on the influence of cybernetics in American detective literature.
Beginning with Thomas Narcejac's 1975 proposal for a retrospective reading of "classical" detective fiction through the lens of cybernetics, a discipline initiated by Norbert Wiener in the late 1940s, the thesis argues that Edgar Allan Poe’s influential "backward" compositional technique transforms detective fiction into a cybernetic machine that self-corrects until it reaches a conclusion.
Rejecting this anachronistic application, the thesis uses the Sherlock Holmes series as a model to demonstrate that Narcejac's insights can be explored through a more appropriate literary perspective using Possible Worlds Theory of Fiction (PWT). The first chapter serves as a theoretical benchmark for studying Pynchon and Asimov, both influenced by Doyle and having direct relationships with cybernetics. By employing PWT, the thesis proposes models for the structural and narratological functioning of classic detective stories and the post-war works of these American authors.
Utilizing Doležel's categories of authentication and modal restriction, along with Umberto Eco's studies on detective logic, the thesis characterizes the progressive exclusion of plot possibilities leading to a conclusive ending as a "pruning of possible worlds", where fictional facts align with the protagonist's inferences through the exclusion of counterfactuals. To avoid anachronism, Narcejac's insights on plot logic are connected to Doyle's spiritualism rather than cybernetics.
In contrast, Pynchon and Asimov approached cybernetics directly but from different perspectives. Pynchon appears to undermine Narcejac's cybernetic model by nullifying the narrator's authentication function. His character Oedipa grapples with the absence of confirmations for her theories, leading to a "wild flourishing" of possible worlds where no possibility is excluded. The term "sabotage", attributed to Pynchon’s plots in relation to Narcejac’s theories, reflects the influence of Neo-Luddite theories on the writer, emphasizing resistance to the political impacts of technological progress.
Conversely, Asimov frames his literature as a battle against irrationalism. For him, science and cybernetics, while potentially dangerous, also provide solutions to humanity’s problems. His detective plots feature a duality: a human detective, Elijah Bailey, who embodies the socio-political stakes of the narrative, and a robot, Daneel Olivaw, who, while lacking autonomous will, possesses encyclopedic knowledge. Elijah's mistakes, corrected by the robot, highlight his non-centrality as a subject of knowledge.
While Asimov's worlds are designed to appear non-deterministic, the stories advocate for dismantling the obscurantist axiological rules that dictate character behavior. Elijah's journey reflects a bildung that transcends these limits. The thesis concludes that the "telos of the pioneer" encapsulates the dual scientific-colonial spirit of Asimov's narratives, where the judicial aspect of detective fiction is often sidelined.The thesis presents case studies on the concept of telos in detective fiction, focusing on the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, Thomas Pynchon, and Isaac Asimov. It is intended as a foundation for a broader study on the influence of cybernetics in American detective literature.
Beginning with Thomas Narcejac's 1975 proposal for a retrospective reading of "classical" detective fiction through the lens of cybernetics, a discipline initiated by Norbert Wiener in the late 1940s, the thesis argues that Edgar Allan Poe’s influential "backward" compositional technique transforms detective fiction into a cybernetic machine that self-corrects until it reaches a conclusion.
Rejecting this anachronistic application, the thesis uses the Sherlock Holmes series as a model to demonstrate that Narcejac's insights can be explored through a more appropriate literary perspective using Possible Worlds Theory of Fiction (PWT). The first chapter serves as a theoretical benchmark for studying Pynchon and Asimov, both influenced by Doyle and having direct relationships with cybernetics. By employing PWT, the thesis proposes models for the structural and narratological functioning of classic detective stories and the post-war works of these American authors.
Utilizing Doležel's categories of authentication and modal restriction, along with Umberto Eco's studies on detective logic, the thesis characterizes the progressive exclusion of plot possibilities leading to a conclusive ending as a "pruning of possible worlds", where fictional facts align with the protagonist's inferences through the exclusion of counterfactuals. To avoid anachronism, Narcejac's insights on plot logic are connected to Doyle's spiritualism rather than cybernetics.
In contrast, Pynchon and Asimov approached cybernetics directly but from different perspectives. Pynchon appears to undermine Narcejac's cybernetic model by nullifying the narrator's authentication function. His character Oedipa grapples with the absence of confirmations for her theories, leading to a "wild flourishing" of possible worlds where no possibility is excluded. The term "sabotage", attributed to Pynchon’s plots in relation to Narcejac’s theories, reflects the influence of Neo-Luddite theories on the writer, emphasizing resistance to the political impacts of technological progress.
Conversely, Asimov frames his literature as a battle against irrationalism. For him, science and cybernetics, while potentially dangerous, also provide solutions to humanity’s problems. His detective plots feature a duality: a human detective, Elijah Bailey, who embodies the socio-political stakes of the narrative, and a robot, Daneel Olivaw, who, while lacking autonomous will, possesses encyclopedic knowledge. Elijah's mistakes, corrected by the robot, highlight his non-centrality as a subject of knowledge.
While Asimov's worlds are designed to appear non-deterministic, the stories advocate for dismantling the obscurantist axiological rules that dictate character behavior. Elijah's journey reflects a bildung that transcends these limits. The thesis concludes that the "telos of the pioneer" encapsulates the dual scientific-colonial spirit of Asimov's narratives, where the judicial aspect of detective fiction is often sidelined
Transepithelial/endothelial electrical measurement using a low-cost and customizable Arduino-based sensor
Get PDFTransepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) is a label-free assay that is commonly used to assess tissue barrier integrity. Although commercial TEER meters are available, they are expensive and difficult to customize, which hinders researchers hoping to incorporate them in other research platforms. In the past few years, microcontrollers have risen in popularity for electrical signaling and general programming, of which Arduino is the most popular platform due to its scalability, simplicity and low price. This work presents the development of a completely customized, user-friendly and low-cost TEER meter that is Arduino-based and capable of continuous measurements and automated data collection. We demonstrate the stability of the instrument to measure long-term real-time barrier formation and disruption of an epithelial and endothelial cell line. The design simplicity and low-cost of the components make this technology transferrable to other laboratories for TEER and biological barriers research
Brevi note in tema di MOG e salute, fra partecipazione e inclusione
No full textLo scritto propone una riflessione sul rapporto fra salute e organizzazione, valorizzando il contributo che i modelli di organizzazione e di gestione ex art. 30 d.lgs. n. 81/2008 possono fornire, anche quali strumenti di partecipazione e inclusione, alla creazione di un ambiente di lavoro volto a promuovere il benessere complessivo della persona