322590 research outputs found
Sort by
Studi su Tacito e le istituzioni di Roma repubblicana
No full textLa produzione storiografica di Tacito fornisce una straordinaria testimonianza sul mondo di Roma antica nei primi decenni dell’impero. Lo storico, tuttavia, per meglio inquadrare i fatti di volta in volta descritti o per fornire loro dei precedenti, non manca di disseminare la narrazione di numerosi riferimenti all’epoca repubblicana. Tali digressioni, dall’estensione e dall’accuratezza sempre diverse, rivelano spesso, da parte di Tacito, una conoscenza dettagliata e corretta dei fatti di Roma repubblicana e più in particolare delle sue istituzioni e dei suoi organi di governo. Il volume vuole allora approfondire ed esplorare questo aspetto poco indagato della storiografia tacitiana, per contribuire alla conoscenza di uno dei più grandi storici che l’antichità ci abbia restituito
Flexibility as a justice fix? A systematic review of demand-side response implications for energy-vulnerable households
No full textDemand-Side Response (DSR) programmes reshape how energy is consumed at the residential level to ease pressure on the electricity grid by encouraging more responsive consumption patterns. Although often presented as a neutral optimisation mechanism, DSR can have differentiated impacts across social groups. This systematic review synthesised empirical evidence from 66 articles on the association between DSR and energy vulnerability. Using a vulnerability framework, the evidence is organised across three interrelated dimensions (i.e. sensitivity, adaptive capacity and exposure) to identify who benefits or loses from DSR and to uncover the mechanisms driving this differentiation. Results suggest that vulnerable households face more risks of financial regressivity, thermal discomfort and psychological stress, yet they are also capable of achieving significant gains when safeguards and inclusive tariff designs are used. Moreover, while willingness to engage is often strong among low-income and vulnerable groups, their ability to do so is constrained by rigid practices, technological barriers and uneven digital literacies. However, enabling support, automation that reduces cognitive effort and collective arrangements can unlock participation. Finally, access to flexibility services and benefits is unevenly distributed across regions and communities, with disadvantaged areas most likely to be excluded unless proactive measures are taken. Policy implications are also discussed
Measurements of differential cross-sections of WbWb production in the dilepton channel in pp collisions at TeV using the ATLAS detector
No full textAt the Large Hadron Collider, the WbWb final state is expected to be dominated
by t ̄t production with a contribution from single-top processes. Differential cross-sections
for WbWb production in the dilepton decay channel are measured at the particle level as a
function of various kinematic variables. The analysis is based on data from proton-proton
collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √
s = 13TeV, recorded by the ATLAS detector at the
Large Hadron Collider over the period from 2015 to 2018, corresponding to an integrated
luminosity of 140 fb−1. Measurements are performed within the fiducial phase-space defined
by the presence of two b-jets and one electron and one muon of opposite charges. The
differential cross-sections are corrected for detector effects and unfolded to the particle level.
Results are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo event generators at next-to-leading
order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics; overall the measurements are in reasonable
agreement with several generator setups, although no single prediction is able to describe
all measured distributions simultaneously. These measurements provide valuable constraints
on the modelling of WbWb production and the interference between doubly resonant and
singly resonant WbWb production
Chemical modification of PVA-based Fricke gel dosimeters: the effect of salicylic acid derivatives on dose sensitivity and diffusion control
No full textFricke gels are chemical dosimeters that may enable the measurements of three-dimensional (3D) dose distributions due to the exposure to ionizing radiation. One limitation of Fricke Gels is the loss of spatial and temporal dosimetric information due to ferric (Fe3+) ions diffusion and ferrous (Fe2+) ions oxidation. Although chelating agents were employed to slow diffusion by forming coordination complexes with Fe3+ ions, the issue remains unresolved. To further reduce this phenomenon, this work aims to investigate Fe3+ ligands that allow covalent functionalization of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel matrix in a few steps. Starting from 5-Sulfosalicylic acid (SSA), two salicylic acid derivatives, i.e. Acetyl-4-aminosalicylic acid (Acetyl-4-ASA) and Acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid (Acetyl-5-ASA), were used as ligands to form Fe3+ complexes. Their optical properties and the complex stability over the time were investigated and compared to those of SSA. In all three metal complexes, the optical response increased linearly with the concentration of Fe3+ ions. However, Acetyl-5-ASA Fe3+-complex showed very low stability over time compared to Acetyl-4-ASA and SSA. Based on these results, PVA was chemically functionalized with 4-ASA via a two-step reaction and then jellified using glutaraldehyde. The functionalized matrix showed effective dosimetric behavior, characterized by a linear response up to at least 21 Gy and a 25% decrease in Fe3+ diffusion relative to the non-functionalized counterpart. Overall, this study demonstrates that polymer functionalization via chelating ligands is a viable strategy for enhancing the spatial stability of Fricke gel dosimeters, providing a rational pathway toward high-resolution, clinically relevant 3D dosimetry
Void probabilities and factorial moment measures of generalized Matérn hard-core point processes
No full textSeveral generalizations of the classical Matérn type I and II hard-core point processes have been proposed in the literature during the last decades; for such processes, explicit results for the first- and second-order characteristics are available. We define here general thinning rules, both deterministic and probabilistic, of an inhomogeneous marked Poisson point process, and we provide explicit expressions for the factorial moment measures of any order of the thinned process and of its marginal process. As a byproduct, general expressions for the intensity measure and for the pair correlation function are given, recovering known results in the literature as special cases. In particular, we provide a general expression for the void probability function of the thinned process, from which we deduce upper and lower bounds. Possible applications in the study of the mean volume density of particular birth-and-growth models in materials science are discussed
Peripheral oxygenation in heart failure patients with periodic breathing: insights from NIRS
No full textAims Periodic breathing (PB) is characterized by cyclic fluctuations in ventilation and expired gases. PB is observed at rest or during exercise and is a marker of poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated whether PB affects oxygen availability in peripheral muscles.Materials and results This pilot, prospective, single-centre study enrolled severe reduced ejection fraction heart failure (HF) patients exhibiting PB. Oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated haemoglobin (HHb) in the quadriceps femoralis were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), along with ventilation and expired gases. NIRS and ventilation data were collected at rest and analysed for cyclic patterns. Clinical evaluations, including the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and echocardiography, were performed. The Metabolic Exercise Combined with Cardiac Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score was used for prognosis evaluation. Twenty HF patients with PB were evaluated. NIRS revealed two distinct periodic behaviours: in 7 patients, O2Hb and HHb fluctuated in-phase; in 13, they were out-of-phase. In-phase patients had higher left ventricular ejection fraction, lower LV volumes, and lower BNP and soluble interleukin 1 receptor family member ST2 concentrations. Out-of-phase patients had more severe HF, with longer, less variable cycles and a higher MECKI score. Six of 13 out-of-phase patients died within 6 months, compared with 2 of 7 in-phase patients.Conclusion PB is associated with distinct peripheral oxygenation patterns, potentially representing disease progression stages. In-phase O2Hb and HHb suggest blood flow cycling, while out-of-phase behaviour suggests periodicity in ventilation/perfusion mismatching. These findings provide novel insights into the dynamic effects of PB on peripheral oxygenation
Riparazioni per gravi violazioni del diritto internazionale: Adottata la Convenzione che istituisce una Commissione internazionale per i reclami per l'Ucraina
No full textImaging plaques or imaging fat
No full textCoronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a key modality in the non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD), enabling high-resolution visualization of both coronary anatomy and plaque characteristics. Beyond detecting luminal stenosis, CCTA facilitates comprehensive evaluation of plaque burden, composition, and high-risk features, offering incremental prognostic value over traditional risk stratification tools. Recent advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics, have enhanced the utility of CCTA by enabling automated plaque quantification and the integration of functional metrics such as Fractional reserve by CT (FFR-CT). Moreover, CCTA-derived low-attenuation plaque burden has proven to be a robust predictor of myocardial infarction. Emerging interest in adipose tissue imaging has further expanded the diagnostic capabilities of CCTA. Metrics such as the fat attenuation index (FAI) and pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation reflect coronary inflammation and independently predict adverse cardiac events. AI has also facilitated the evaluation of epicardial and visceral fat depots, linking these adipose compartments to systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic risk. CCTA is increasingly employed to monitor therapeutic efficacy. Serial imaging studies reveal that lipid-lowering therapies—particularly statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, and icosapent ethyl—can induce plaque regression and stabilization. Anti-inflammatory treatments, including colchicine, may contribute to plaque calcification and reduced vascular inflammation. As our understanding of coronary pathophysiology evolves, integrating CCTA with AI and body composition analysis holds promise for refining personalized risk prediction and guiding preventive strategies. This review underscores the expanding role of CCTA as a pivotal modality in preventive cardiology
Association between endometriosis and endometrial polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textEndometriosis and endometrial polyps are oestrogen-dependent conditions that frequently co-occur, yet their combined prevalence remains unclear. This study synthesized data on the prevalence of endometrial polyps in women with endometriosis and vice versa. Systematic searches of PubMed, Embase and Scopus were conducted up to 1 October 2024. Observational studies reporting the prevalence of endometrial polyps in women with endometriosis, and vice versa, were included. Random-effects models calculated pooled proportions and risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, and evidence/certainty was graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024595167). Twenty-two studies with 10,928 patients (8154 women with infertility) were included. Women with endometriosis (1757 patients) had a significantly higher risk of endometrial polyps (RR 2.18, 95% CI 1.58–3.00; I2 = 83.5%; P < 0.001), and women with polyps (2130 patients) had a significantly higher risk of endometriosis (RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.61–2.62; I2 = 82.5%; P < 0.001), compared with controls (5590 and 5217 patients, respectively). Subgroup analyses by infertility status and disease stage confirmed these findings. A gradient effect showed a significantly higher risk of endometrial polyps in women with stage III–IV endometriosis compared with women with stage I–II endometriosis (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08–1.32; I2 = 0.0%; P < 0.001). Endometriosis and endometrial polyps are strongly associated, particularly in women with infertility. Despite low-quality evidence, these findings emphasize the importance of better detection and targeted interventions to enhance fertility outcomes
MODERN AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLACIER MARRIAGE IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN.
No full textThis thesis investigates how local communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, interpret and respond to environmental crises, drawing on their unique indigenous knowledge systems. The region is highly dependent on glacier melt; therefore, it is the main source of water for both drinking and irrigation purposes. The altered precipitation patterns and climate hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods, flash floods, and extreme weather events have intensified water scarcity and disrupted livelihoods. Local communities understand these shifts through spiritual, ecological, and cultural lenses. For them, climate change is not just a physical phenomenon but a sign of the disturbance of harmony between human and non-human beings. Therefore, mountains, glaciers, rivers, and winds are regarded as living entities whose behaviour depends on human actions.
Various indigenous communities inhabit this region, and indigeneity is intertwined in legal obscurity, postcolonial marginalization, and competing narratives of belonging. Indigeneity is contested, and a multi-layered identity is connected to clan histories, ancestral lineage, spiritual relationships with the land, and historical resistance to external forces. It is expressed through ritual performances and other everyday actions that help assert autonomy and a sense of belonging in the face of political marginalization. Indigenous knowledge comprises two primary forms: shamanic and ecological. Shamanic knowledge is performed by spiritual agents such as bitan/dayal, daśhman, khalifa, and akhón, which includes trance, rituals, and prophecies. Using this form of knowledge, climate change is interpreted as a result of spiritual disruption, disrespect of spirits, and failure to observe taboos and rituals. Ecological knowledge is developed by farmers, pastoralists, herders, and shepherds who interpret weather patterns, manage resources, and practice agriculture. In these two systems of knowledge, human and non-human actors become part of a network that influences climate adaptation strategy. Both shamanic and ecological practices are facing challenges due to Islamic orthodoxy, modernization, and political structures.
This study employs qualitative ethnographic methods. To achieve the research objectives, the sample was selected through a combination of purposive and snowball sampling. Various methods, tools, and techniques were employed, including in-depth interviews, participant observation, and semi-structured questionnaires. The data was collected from Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Danyor, Yasin, Skardu, Kharmang, Ghanche, and Shigar. With the help of four key informants from Chalth, Karimabad, Skardu, and Kharmang, 34 in-depth interviews were conducted with shamans, tribal leaders, and other supernatural mediators. 21 interviews were conducted with farmers, herders, pastoralists, shepherds, glacier growers, and climate experts from government and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, six focus group discussions were conducted in Aliabad, Gulmit, Nagar Khas, Skardu, and Gilgit city.
Finding highlights that traditional weather forecasting, which utilizes birds' behaviours, wind patterns, and sun movement, has become unreliable due to unpredictable weather patterns. This has increased the vulnerability of farmers’ and pastoralists' livelihoods. Climate shifts have led to declines in crop yields, an increase in pest infestations, livestock diseases, droughts, and rising living costs. Increasing climate hazards, such as glacial lake outbursts, have damaged
i
infrastructure, leading to poverty, migration, and forcing many to abandon traditional agricultural practices and adopt tourism, mining, and other services.
Local communities are responding to these changes by employing strategies that blend ecological, spiritual, and technical knowledge. The strategies include glacier marriage, avalanche harvesting, and ice stupas or towers. All these adaptation strategies are designed to store water during the winter season for use in the spring. The local farmers also employ strategies such as adjusting planting seasons, introducing new varieties of seeds, and utilizing night irrigation to conserve water. Although women manage most agricultural activities, their roles are often excluded from discussions at making tables. The revival of the indigenous techniques is the act of quiet defiance against political marginalization and state extractive policies. However, these traditional interventions are constantly exploited and appropriated by outsiders.
The study findings suggest that the ecological practices in Gilgit-Baltistan are neither purely traditional nor entirely scientific. They are formed as a result of deep ecological interaction, political structures, and state negligence. The locals integrate multiple practices, belief systems, and strategies to address environmental crises and economic challenges. The study provides nuanced insights for planning and designing climate adaptation policies for high-mountain indigenous communities