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Technological innovations for biodiversity monitoring and the design of agri-environmental schemes
Get PDFEducare al benessere psicofisico, secondo Noguchi Haruchika
No full textLa pubblicazione di questo volume è il risultato di una seconda opera di traduzione in italiano di un testo di Noguchi Haruchika (dopo Rimproveri e lodi, editato dalla Luni nel 2023) direttamente dal giapponese, in cui egli si mostra particolarmente attento, come sempre nei suoi intenti educativo-formativi, al recupero delle naturali energie dell’essere umano, del suo corpo e della sua innata flessibilità: l’educazione del subconscio diviene il principale veicolo per liberare le persone da inconsapevoli impedimenti psicologici, che sono spesso la causa del loro ammalarsi e ostacolo per una piena guarigione. Il fine è quello di rispettare, mantenere o ripristinare l’equilibrio psicofisico dell’individuo, secondo una visione unitaria mente-corpo spesso lontana dalle diffuse idee cartesiane della cultura euroamericana per cui mente e corpo non sono un’unica realtà ma due poli distinti, se non opposti e per lo più indipendenti l’uno dall’altro, presenti nell’individuo
La sicurezza nella Costituzione italiana
No full textThe essay examines issues related to security in Italian constitutional law. The first paragraph analyzes the meanings that security assumes in the Italian Constitution; the second paragraph critically explores the potential configuration of an individual right to security. The third paragraph revisits the relationship between security and public order, while the final section addresses the study of the concepts of urban security and comprehensive security, which have emerged in legislation since the 2000s. It is argued that security is linked to the birth of the State, which emerges with a promise of security toward its citizens. However, it comes into tension with the protection of individual rights, as security can both limit those rights and strengthen the powers of public authorities in relation to individuals. For this reason, the expanding semantic scope of the notion of security and its growing axiological significance in constitutional law should be approached with caution and examined rigorously by scholars
La "guerra è finita". Tra Geopolitica e Geoimpolitica
No full textEurope was the first to envision the world along global lines, colonizing it through wars of annihilation. Yet it also invented legal systems – the territorial, national, and social State – that strove to contain the boundlessness of war. One day in the twentieth century, in Hiroshima, “war itself ended”, but the “wars did not die” and today flourish in the form of widespread violence. This is the reason of the glaring inadequacy of the current international order which, having relinquished its position of leadership, now merely chase chaos. These new wars are not the continuation of politics by other means. We live in an age of unfettered techno-eco-nomic power — an idol at whose altar we stare at unspeakable massacres at every corner of the Earth: apolitical wars
Photometric Stereo Techniques for the 3D Reconstruction of Paintings and Drawings Through the Measurement of Custom-Built Repro Stands
Get PDFIn the digital 3D reconstruction of the shapes and surface reflectance of ancient paintings and drawings using Photometric Stereo (PS) techniques, normal integration is a key step. However, difficulties in locating light sources, non-Lambertian surfaces, and shadows make the results of this step inaccurate for such artworks. This paper presents a solution for PS to overcome this problem based on some enhancement of the normal integration process and the accurate measurement of Points of Interest (PoIs). The mutual positions of the LED lights, the camera sensor, and the acquisition plane in two custom-designed stands, are measured in laboratory as a system calibration of the 3D acquisition workflow. After an introduction to the requirements and critical issues arising from the practical application of PS techniques to artworks, and a description of the newly developed PS solution, the measurement process is explained in detail. Finally, results are presented showing how the normal maps and 3D meshes generated using the measured PoIs’ positions, and further minimized using image processing techniques, which significantly limits outliers and improves the visual fidelity of digitized artworks
Superparamagnetic nanoparticles loaded in red blood cells as novel contrast agents for in vivo diagnostic techniques in the biomedical field.
No full textNanomedicine has revolutionized biomedical research by integrating diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities into novel platforms. This thesis explores the engineering of red blood cells (RBCs) as biocompatible carriers for superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), offering a groundbreaking approach for in vivo imaging and drug delivery applications. RBCs provide a unique advantage due to their long circulatory lifespan, immune evasion properties, and capability to encapsulate various nanomaterials, thereby enhancing the stability and efficiency of contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI).
The research focuses on optimizing the synthesis of SPIONs through a multi-step process, incorporating advanced surface coating techniques with citrate and dextran to improve monodispersity, stability, and encapsulation efficiency. The encapsulation of SPIONs into RBCs was achieved by transiently opening membrane pores via reversible hypotonic hemolysis, ensuring nanoparticle internalization while maintaining cell viability. Among the synthesized nanoparticles, formulations such as MNPs 29DX-filt 0.1 and MNPs 40 DX-filt 0.1 demonstrated superior performance in both human and murine RBCs.
Comprehensive characterization techniques, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy (MPS), and preclinical MRI at 1 Tesla, were employed to assess the physicochemical properties and imaging potential of these constructs. Notably, MPS, an emerging technology linked to MPI, revealed enhanced tracer quantification capabilities, reinforcing the suitability of SPION-loaded RBCs for high-sensitivity imaging applications.
This work also investigates the potential of RBC-encapsulated SPIONs as an alternative to conventional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast agents for functional MRI (fMRI). The use of Ferucarbotran®-loaded RBCs (FLH-RBCs) for cerebral blood volume (CBV)-weighted fMRI demonstrates improved spatial specificity and prolonged circulation compared to free SPIONs, offering a transformative approach for functional brain mapping. Preclinical studies in rodent models validated the efficacy of this novel imaging strategy, showing superior cortical layer resolution over traditional BOLD-based techniques.
Furthermore, a key aspect of this research is the integration of automation trials in the RBC-loading process, conducted in collaboration with EryDel S.p.A. The development of an automated system for Ferucarbotran® encapsulation could ensure reproducibility, scalability, and clinical feasibility, overcoming challenges associated with manual loading methods.
Beyond imaging, the thesis explores the compatibility of nucleobase-containing platinum(II) complexes with RBCs for potential anticancer and antiviral drug delivery. Encapsulation studies demonstrated that RBCs effectively protect these therapeutic agents from rapid degradation, ensuring controlled release and improved biodistribution. The feasibility of loading various metal-based nucleoside derivatives into RBCs opens new avenues for advanced targeted therapies.
Overall, this work highlights the remarkable versatility of RBC-encapsulated nanomaterials for biomedical applications, offering innovative solutions for molecular imaging, targeted drug delivery, and functional neuroimaging. By leveraging the unique biophysical properties of RBCs and state-of-the-art nanotechnology, this research paves the way for the development of next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.Nanomedicine has revolutionized biomedical research by integrating diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities into novel platforms. This thesis explores the engineering of red blood cells (RBCs) as biocompatible carriers for superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), offering a groundbreaking approach for in vivo imaging and drug delivery applications. RBCs provide a unique advantage due to their long circulatory lifespan, immune evasion properties, and capability to encapsulate various nanomaterials, thereby enhancing the stability and efficiency of contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI).
The research focuses on optimizing the synthesis of SPIONs through a multi-step process, incorporating advanced surface coating techniques with citrate and dextran to improve monodispersity, stability, and encapsulation efficiency. The encapsulation of SPIONs into RBCs was achieved by transiently opening membrane pores via reversible hypotonic hemolysis, ensuring nanoparticle internalization while maintaining cell viability. Among the synthesized nanoparticles, formulations such as MNPs 29DX-filt 0.1 and MNPs 40 DX-filt 0.1 demonstrated superior performance in both human and murine RBCs.
Comprehensive characterization techniques, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy (MPS), and preclinical MRI at 1 Tesla, were employed to assess the physicochemical properties and imaging potential of these constructs. Notably, MPS, an emerging technology linked to MPI, revealed enhanced tracer quantification capabilities, reinforcing the suitability of SPION-loaded RBCs for high-sensitivity imaging applications.
This work also investigates the potential of RBC-encapsulated SPIONs as an alternative to conventional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast agents for functional MRI (fMRI). The use of Ferucarbotran®-loaded RBCs (FLH-RBCs) for cerebral blood volume (CBV)-weighted fMRI demonstrates improved spatial specificity and prolonged circulation compared to free SPIONs, offering a transformative approach for functional brain mapping. Preclinical studies in rodent models validated the efficacy of this novel imaging strategy, showing superior cortical layer resolution over traditional BOLD-based techniques.
Furthermore, a key aspect of this research is the integration of automation trials in the RBC-loading process, conducted in collaboration with EryDel S.p.A. The development of an automated system for Ferucarbotran® encapsulation could ensure reproducibility, scalability, and clinical feasibility, overcoming challenges associated with manual loading methods.
Beyond imaging, the thesis explores the compatibility of nucleobase-containing platinum(II) complexes with RBCs for potential anticancer and antiviral drug delivery. Encapsulation studies demonstrated that RBCs effectively protect these therapeutic agents from rapid degradation, ensuring controlled release and improved biodistribution. The feasibility of loading various metal-based nucleoside derivatives into RBCs opens new avenues for advanced targeted therapies.
Overall, this work highlights the remarkable versatility of RBC-encapsulated nanomaterials for biomedical applications, offering innovative solutions for molecular imaging, targeted drug delivery, and functional neuroimaging. By leveraging the unique biophysical properties of RBCs and state-of-the-art nanotechnology, this research paves the way for the development of next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic strategies
High fat diet (HFD) induced hepatic lipogenic metabolism and lipotoxicity via Parkin-dependent mitophagy and Errα signal of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco
Get PDFBackground: Mitophagy is an essential cellular autophagic process which maintains mitochondrial homeostasis, but its role in high fat diet (HFD)-induced lipid accumulation is unclear in the yellow catfish. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate mechanism of mitochondria mediating HFD-induced hepatic fat accumulation. Results: In the present study, yellow catfish were fed three diets with dietary fat at 6.31% (low fat; LFD, control), 12.03% (middle fat; MFD) and 15.32% (high fat; HFD), respectively, for 8 weeks. High dietary fat addition raised hepatic lipid accumulation, and declined mRNA and protein levels of Parkin-dependent mitophagy, down-regulated the Parkin protein expression and the estrogen-related receptor alpha (Errα) ubiquitination, and induced Errα protein levels; fatty acid (FA) incubation reduced Parkin-dependent mitophagy, inhibited Errα ubiquitination and increased Errα protein expression, and raised TG accumulation. Furthermore, yellow catfish hepatocytes were isolated and cultured. Nicotinamide mononucleotide, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, Parkin and errα siRNA knockdown were used under FA incubation, respectively. Parkin downregulation mediated FA incubation-induced TG accumulation and mitoautophagic inhibition; Parkin ubiquitinated Errα, and K63 was an important ubiquitination site for deubiquitinating Parkin activity; Errα targets fas, acca and pparγ genes, whose activation contributed to FA-induced lipogenesis and lipid accumulation. Thus, high fat diet (HFD) and FA incubation inhibited Parkin activity, suppressed mitophagy and activated Errα pathway, and induced hepatic lipogenic metabolism and lipotoxicity. Conclusions: Overall, our study provided new targets against HFD-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the vertebrates
Impact of increased uptake of long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy on HIV incidence and viral suppression in the United States under 2021 FDA guidelines
No full textObjectives: To determine the impact of increased long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (Cabotegravir-rilpivirine [CAB/RPV]) use among persons with diagnosed HIV (PWDH) with viral suppression (VLS), per 2021 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, on HIV incidence and levels of VLS in the US. Methods: We used the HOPE compartmental model to simulate CAB/RPV use during 2023-2035. We first simulated a baseline scenario (no CAB/RPV), in which 69% of PWDH had VLS. We then introduced CAB/RPV in 2023 under two scenarios: (1) where CAB/RPV improved the duration of VLS post-cessation of ART use compared to oral ART; (2) where CAB/RPV additionally improved adherence. We compared cumulative 2023-35 incidence and percentage of PWDH with VLS at year-end 2035 to baseline. Results: When CAB/RPV increased the duration of VLS only, cumulative incidence was reduced up to 9%, and VLS increased up to 4%. When CAB/RPV also improved ART adherence, incidence was reduced up to 19.5%, and VLS increased up to 9%. Conclusions: CAB/RPV, even if only used among PWDH with VLS, may reduce HIV incidence and increase VLS, due to longer-lasting VLS post-cessation of usage. If CAB/RPV also improves ART adherence, incidence is further reduced. Improved clinical efficacy of CAB/RPV may translate to improved population-level outcomes, even in limited use cases
L’annullamento delle elezioni presidenziali in Romania e la difficile difesa della democrazia
No full textIl saggio esamina l’annullamento delle elezioni presidenziali deciso dalla Corte costituzionale rumena nel dicembre 2024. Dopo una sintetica ricostruzione degli esiti delle elezioni che si sono svolte in Romania tra novembre e dicembre 2024 e delle decisioni che la Corte costituzionale rumena ha adottato con riferimento al turno per l’elezione del Presidente del 24 novembre 2024, il saggio riflette sulla rinnovata centralità della categoria della democrazia protetta o militante (a), sul contributo del patrimonio elettorale europeo quale elemento di rafforzamento della democrazia in Europa (b) e sulla centralità assunta dal versante passivo della libertà di manifestazione del pensiero in collegamento con la libera espressione del voto nella disciplina delle campagne elettorali on line (c