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Mixed motives
Get PDFA mixed Weil cohomology with values in an abelian rigid tensor category is a cohomological functor on Voevodsky's category of motives which is satisfying Künneth formula and such that its restriction to Chow motives is a Weil cohomology. We show that the universal mixed Weil cohomology exists. Nori motives can be recovered as a universal enrichment of Betti cohomology via a localisation. This new picture is drawing some consequences with respect to the theory of mixed motives in arbitrary characteristic
RNA-KG v2.0: an RNA-centered Knowledge Graph with Properties
No full textRNA-KG is a recently developed biomedical knowledge graph that integrates the interactions involving coding and non-coding RNA molecules extracted from public data sources. It can be used to support the classification of new molecules, identify new interactions through the use of link prediction methods, and reveal hidden patterns among the represented entities. In this paper, we propose RNA-KG v2.0, a new release of RNA-KG that integrates around manually curated interactions sourced from 91 linked open data repositories and ontologies. Relationships are characterized by standardized properties that capture the specific context (e.g. cell line, tissue, pathological state) in which they have been identified. In addition, the nodes are enriched with detailed attributes, such as descriptions, synonyms, and molecular sequences sourced from platforms such as OBO ontologies, NCBI repositories, RNAcentral, and Ensembl. The enhanced repository enables the expression of advanced queries that take into account the context in which the experiments were conducted. It also supports downstream applications in RNA research, including ‘context-aware’ link prediction techniques that combine both topological and semantic information. Finally, the recent integration of RNA-KG relationships into the RNAcentral portal provides a powerful resource for linking RNA-centric relationships with non-coding gene expression in human tissues, RNA secondary structures, and their functional roles in biological pathways, which can accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets
Proteome analysis reveals common players between the physiological neurodegeneration of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis and the pathological neurodegeneration in humans
No full textTunicates, including ascidians, are recognized as the true ‘sister group’ of vertebrates and are emerging as models to study the development and degeneration of central nervous system (CNS). Ascidian larvae have the typical chordate body plan that includes a dorsal neural tube. During their metamorphosis, a deep tissue reorganization takes place, with some tissues that degenerate while others develop to become functional during the adult life. The larval CNS also degenerates and most neurons disappear, making room for the formation of adult CNS. The genome of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis has been sequenced and annotated, with several CNS specific genes that have been characterized, revealing specification mechanisms shared with humans. These features make ascidian metamorphosis a good model to study the mechanisms underlying physiological CNS degeneration and to compare them to the pathological conditions typical of neurodegenerative diseases.
In order to shed light on the molecular determinants of C. intestinalis metamorphosis and neurodegeneration, we analyzed the proteome at three stages of development: swimming larva (SwL, Hotta stage 28), settled larva (SetL, Hotta stage 32) and metamorphosing larva (MetL, Hotta stage 34). A total of 405 modulated proteins were identified by mass spectrometry by comparing the three stages. Enrichment and network analysis showed the involvement of several processes/pathways, including autophagy and mTOR pathway, and actin cytoskeleton organization and remodeling among the most significant ones.
This study elucidates molecular pathways underlying ascidian metamorphosis and highlights shared mechanisms between physiological neurodegeneration in ascidians and pathological neurodegeneration in humans
LA ¿CIVILIZZAZIONE¿ DELL¿ISTRUTTORIA DEL PROCESSO AMMINISTRATIVO DI LEGITTIMITÀ: ITALIA E GERMANIA A CONFRONTO
No full textL’elaborato si propone di indagare il tema dell’istruzione nel giudizio amministrativo di legittimità facendo emergere le problematiche giuridiche che da sempre si legano alla struttura e allo svolgimento di tale momento processuale. L’analisi è condotta al fine di prospettare delle soluzioni de jure condendo che possano rendere più razionale lo svolgimento dell’istruttoria processuale anche in ragione di quanto caratterizza realmente il processo amministrativo di legittimità, ossia il sindacato sull’agire pubblico.
La trattazione si apre con una ricostruzione normativa in ottica evolutiva per poter meglio comprendere le ragioni che hanno spinto il legislatore a prevedere che l’istruzione dovesse svolgersi sotto la direzione e la signoria del giudice, senza che l’attività delle parti potesse avere valenza dispositiva sui fatti introdotti in giudizio. Lo studio dà poi conto delle evoluzioni giurisprudenziali intervenute alla fine del secolo scorso e della conseguente loro cristallizzazione nel Codice del processo amministrativo del 2010; le norme che regolano l’istruttoria nel nuovo processo amministrativo, infatti, devono molto sia alle evoluzioni storiche intervenute sia alle numerose ricostruzioni dottrinali e giurisprudenziali che hanno permesso di estrarre dei principi direttivi dalle scarne norme previgenti, principi che ancora oggi regolano il momento processuale in esame.
Il Codice del processo amministrativo ha, quantomeno in parte, abbandonato la struttura del sistema istruttorio dispositivo con metodo acquisitivo, trasferendo ampie porzioni di poteri di iniziativa istruttoria in capo alle parti anche al fine di dare maggior risalto ai principi discendenti dal riformulato art. 111 Cost. Così facendo, il legislatore delegato ha deciso di prendere le distanze dalle ragioni che giustificavano l’attribuzione al solo giudice dei poteri di iniziativa istruttoria, prevedendo la dislocazione di detti poteri in modo non sempre coerente e, comunque, mutevole nel corso del processo.
L’elaborato propone inoltre uno studio in ottica comparata delle norme e dei principi che regolano l’istruzione nel processo amministrativo in Germania. Tale approfondimento appare di notevole interesse poiché le disposizioni ivi vigenti impongono al giudice di dirigere officiosamente l’istruzione; la dottrina ha riconosciuto che tale assetto, consacrato nel 1960 e mantenuto sino ai giorni nostri, è stato ideato al fine di evitare quanto più possibile che le sentenze del giudice amministrativo possano basarsi su ricostruzioni di fatto imprecise o inesatte. Ciononostante, anche la scienza giuridica tedesca propende da tempo per un ampliamento dei poteri di iniziativa istruttoria in capo alle parti, normativamente non previsti, con la conseguenza che anche in Germania si nota un’opera interpretativa e applicativa di “civilizzazione” dell’istruzione nel processo amministrativo di legittimità molto simile a quella intervenuta in Italia e trasfusa poi nel Codice.
Infine, la ricerca propone un raffronto tra norme e principi vigenti nei due ordinamenti esaminati per poterne estrarre direttive utili a meglio comprendere le esigenze che hanno portato al restringimento delle facoltà officiose del giudice in tema di istruttoria. Tramite una siffatta analisi si cercherà di giustificare il recupero, almeno parziale, della signoria del giudice sull’istruzione della causa nel processo amministrativo di legittimità, il quale – pur servendo in primo luogo a tutelare le posizioni giuridiche soggettive degli individui che richiedono la tutela giurisdizionale – concerne sempre la valutazione della legittimità dell’agire amministrativo.This dissertation aims to examine the issue of investigation in the administrative process on legitimacy, highlighting the legal problems that have always been linked to its structure. The analysis is conducted in order to propose de jure condendo solutions that could make the investigation more rational, taking in to account the judicial review on public powers which characterizes administrative process on legitimacy.
The discussion begins with an excursus on the legislation from an evolutionary perspective in order to better understand the reasons that led the legislator to decide that the investigation should’ve been managed by the judge. The study then takes into account the developments in case law at the end of the last century and their subsequent codification in the “Codice del processo amministrativo” of 2010. The norms governing investigations in the new administrative process owe much both to historical developments and to the numerous doctrinal and jurisprudential theories that extracted guiding principles from the sparse previously in force norms.
The Code of Administrative Procedure has, at least in part, abandoned the structure of the “sistema dispositivo con metodo acquisitivo”, transferring some investigative powers to the parties, following the principles found in Article 111 of the Italian Constitution. In doing so, the legislator decided to take distance from the reasons which justified the assignment of investigative powers only to the judge, redistributing these powers in a not so consistent way.
The paper also proposes a comparative study of the rules and principles governing investigation in the administrative process in Germany. This analysis appears to be interesting since the German provisions require the judge to investigate ex officio; legal doctrine has recognized that this system, established in 1960 and still in force today, was designed to avoid that administrative court judgments could be based on inaccurate factual grounds. Nevertheless, German scholars and jurisprudence have long been in favour of expanding the parties’ powers regarding the investigation, which are not provided for by law, with the result that in Germany, too, there has been an interpretative and applicative effort to “civilize” the investigation in the administrative process.
Finally, the research proposes a comparison between the rules and principles in force in the two legal systems examined in order to extract useful guidelines to better understand the needs that led to the restriction of the judge’s ex officio investigative powers. Through such an analysis, an attempt will be made to justify the recovery of the judge’s authority over investigation in the administrative process on legitimacy
National identity as a lens on social inequality: a cross-national analysis of support for native employment priority
No full textIntroduction: Public support for restricting immigrants’ access to welfare and employment—often described as welfare or labour market chauvinism—has become a salient political issue across Europe. This article investigates how symbolic boundaries of national identity shape these exclusionary preferences, focusing on the belief that native citizens should be prioritised over immigrants when jobs are scarce.
Methods: Inspired by the Verkuyten’s Group Identity Lens model (2009, 2018), it tests a structural equation model, which links ethnic and civic conceptions of nationhood to support for native employment priority through perceived economic and cultural threats and intergroup distrust. Using data from the 2017 European Values Study and structural equation modelling across seven European countries (France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Portugal), the study tests two core hypotheses: the nativist spiral, whereby ethnic-majoritarian identity fuels exclusion via threat and distrust; and two-faced civility, which suggests civic identity can reduce distrust but also heighten threat perceptions.
Results: Results confirm the strong and consistent role of ethnic identity in driving exclusionary attitudes. Civic identity shows more ambivalent effects, varying by national context.
Discussion: These findings highlight how both forms of national identity can act as symbolic filters through which inequalities are justified and solidarity is selectively applied
Surgical outcomes in diverticular disease: a comparative analysis of robotic and laparoscopic sigmoidectomy
No full textMinimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become the standard approach for the treatment of diverticular disease; however, the optimal technique remains a topic of ongoing investigation. This study compares laparoscopic (LS) and robotic (RS) sigmoidectomy in elective and semi-urgent settings. All consecutive patients who underwent elective or semi-urgent MIS for diverticular disease at San Paolo Hospital, Milan (June 2019-December 2024) were included. Semi-urgent procedures were defined as surgeries performed during the same admission, after stabilization of an acute episode or failure of conservative treatment. Surgical complexity was defined by the presence of at least one of four key intraoperative parameters: pseudotumor, fistula, abscess, or active disease. Primary outcomes included intraoperative and short-term postoperative results; secondary outcomes examined surgical complexity to identify potential challenges. One hundred patients (RS n = 51; LS n = 49) were included. Baseline characteristics were comparable, except for a significantly higher rate of previous abdominal surgery in the RS group (p = 0.002). Operative time was longer in RS (p < 0.001), but conversion to open surgery occurred in 12.2% of LS cases and none in RS (p = 0.012). RS was associated with faster bowel function recovery (p < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.04), and fewer incisional hernias at follow-up (p = 0.01). Major complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ III) were less frequent in RS in high-complexity subgroup (p = 0.03). Robotic sigmoidectomy improved short-term recovery and reduced conversion rates compared with laparoscopy, despite longer operative times. These findings support its safe and effective application in unselected patients with diverticular disease and justify further prospective evaluation
Influence of Pharmacological Agents on Orthodontic Tooth Movement: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: Pharmacological agents may interfere with the biological processes underlying orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), potentially affecting treatment duration, pain control, and periodontal outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. Human studies were prioritized to assess clinically relevant effects on OTM and pain, while animal and in vitro studies were included to support biological interpretation. Results: Sixty-four studies were included. Human evidence indicates that NSAIDs effectively reduce orthodontic pain but may decrease the rate of tooth movement in a dose-dependent manner. Antiresorptive drugs, particularly bisphosphonates, were consistently associated with reduced OTM. Topical antimicrobials, fluoride agents, and probiotics improved periodontal and enamel outcomes without significantly affecting tooth movement. Most evidence derived from preclinical models showed mechanistic consistency but limited clinical applicability. Overall certainty of evidence ranged from low to very low. Conclusions: Pharmacological agents can influence orthodontic outcomes, particularly pain perception and tooth movement rate. A thorough medication history is essential during orthodontic treatment planning. Current evidence remains limited, highlighting the need for well-designed clinical trials to support personalized orthodontic care
Cultural and Practical Pathways to Wellbeing: Care, Narrative, and Non-Clinical Responses to Distress in Asia
No full textPanel abstract: This panel brings together five interdisciplinary contributions that examine how wellbeing, resilience, and recovery are conceptualised and pursued through culturally situated pathways that operate outside conventional biomedical frameworks, enabling forms of local resilience under conditions of socioeconomic, political, and environmental fragility. Focusing primarily on Japan, with comparative and regional perspectives from East and Southeast Asia, the papers explore emotional care (kokoro no kea), disaster storytelling (kataribe), community-based arts therapies, philosophical conceptualisations of health and illness, and applied models of community health and empowerment. The first paper examines Japanese women’s engagement with kokoro no kea, meditation, yoga, and holistic spirituality as non-pathologising coping strategies and gaps in health access shaped by gender norms, caregiving burdens, and dissatisfaction with institutional care. The second paper analyses kataribe storytelling in post-disaster Japan as a form of narrative exposure that supports trauma processing, identity reconstruction, and community resilience. The third contribution investigates arts therapy initiatives in Japan, highlighting how creative and embodied practices foster wellbeing, social cohesion, and culturally sensitive forms of care beyond clinical settings. The fourth paper offers a comparative conceptual framework, contrasting Chinese and Japanese attitudes to Western understandings of health and illness, revealing differing assumptions about wellbeing in our daily lives, purity, and the boundaries of body and self. The final paper extends the discussion to Southeast Asia, analysing MedAcross’s community-based health interventions in Myanmar and Thailand as integrated models linking healthcare provision, women’s empowerment, and local resilience in contexts of political and environmental fragility.
Taken together, the panel advances a critical reflection on care as a cultural, social, and ethical practice. It demonstrates how non-clinical approaches expand existing health ecologies, offering inclusive and context-sensitive responses to distress in contemporary Japan and Asia
DOVERI INDEROGABILI DI SOLIDARIETÀ NELLO STATO COSTITUZIONALE DELL'EMERGENZA
No full textThis doctoral thesis investigates the constitutional relevance of duties in the Italian legal order, with specific regard to the duty to observe the law and its articulation in contexts of emergency. The study departs from the observation that constitutional duties have long remained at the margins of doctrinal analysis, despite their normative significance within the constitutional framework.
Through a systematic reading of the Italian Constitution, the research reconstructs the legal foundations of duties and examines their interaction with fundamental rights and the principle of solidarity. Particular attention is paid to situations in which the duty of observance comes into tension with individual freedom, especially in relation to conscientious objection, understood not as an extra-legal phenomenon but as a constitutionally relevant form of dissent, structurally dependent on legislative mediation.
The final part addresses the impact of emergency situations on constitutional duties. It argues that emergencies tend to reinforce the appeal to duties while simultaneously exposing them to risks of over-extension. From this perspective, the thesis maintains that the constitutional legitimacy of duties in emergency contexts can only be assessed in light of proportionality requirements and with regard to the preservation of the constitutional order beyond the emergency itself