Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
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Nanoplastics internalization impairs mitochondrial activity in equine sperm
No full textNanoplastics (NP) accumulation in biological tissues and their adverse effects on fertility through inflammatory and oxidative stress responses have recently been described as consequences of global plastic pollution. However, little is known about the impact of NP on gametes. This study aimed to assess the internalization of NP and their effects on mature equine spermatozoa. Frozen-thawed ejaculates from five stallions were divided into untreated control (CTR) and samples supplemented with different concentrations (10, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL) of 30 nm polystyrene NP. At baseline (T0), and after 1 (T1) and 3 h (T3) of incubation at 38 °C, sperm viability, mitochondrial activity, and intracellular ROS were evaluated by flow cytometry, while sperm motility was assessed using a CASA system. NP internalization was analyzed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry using fluorescent NP. Results showed that NP were internalized by live spermatozoa, accumulating in the post-acrosomal and/or the mid piece region. NP exposure led to reduced sperm viability (CTR T1: 50.7 ± 14.0 % vs 200 μg/mL T1: 36.6 ± 11.8 %, p<0.05), decreased mitochondrial activity (CTR T1: 35.4 ± 15.8 % vs 200 μg/mL T1: 16.3 ± 14.0 %, p<0.001), and increase proportions of live sperm with high intracellular O2−· levels (CTR T1: 39.0 ± 10.1 % vs 200 μg/mL T1: 47.3 ± 11.0 %, p<0.05). These results allow us to conclude that equine sperm quality may be compromised by nanoplastics internalization, which pre-eminently impairs mitochondrial activity. This research furnishes some bases for further studies on the potential implications of NP exposure for fertility
Corrigendum to “Innovative bilayered buccal films: A paediatric-friendly dosage form for transmucosal azithromycin delivery”. [Int. J. Pharm. 684 (2025) 126164]
No full textDeep-seated cave inception and shallow sulfuric acid maze cave genesis in Southern Irecê Basin, São Francisco Craton (Brazil)
No full textIoiô Cave is a 4.7 km long maze cave in the southern tip of the Irecê Basin (Bahìa, Brazil), and although still actively forming today, it hosts signs of a long speleogenetic history. Deep rising hydrothermal fluids weathered the carbonates, creating dark ghost-rocks and quartz and dolomite veins, mainly in the anticlinal hinges and below the siliciclastic seals. This silicification, although not directly dated, is probably associated with the end of the Brasiliano-age tectono-thermal activity (Lower Cambrian) based on isotopic and trace element data and regional tectonic correlations. Since the Plio-Quaternary, the progressive exhumation of the carbonate reservoir increasingly favored the introduction of meteoric oxygen-rich water from the surface, causing sulfide oxidation at shallow aquifer depth. The CO2 produced by Sulfuric Acid Speleogenesis (SAS) rose along fractures and degassed at shallow depth, producing carbonic speleogenesis close to the water table. This carbonic speleogenesis, probably still active, produced a maze network, by horizontal diffusion of aggressive fluids from the feeders. Surface breaching increased air flow activating degassing and supersaturation of the basins, with deposition of subaqueous calcite shelves, carved with bubble trails resulting from CO2 degassing related to still-ongoing pyrite oxidation (localized SAS)
Guerriera Guerrieri domina e ancilla bibliografica in tempi di guerra
No full textLa vita professionale e personale della bibliotecaria Guerriera Guerrieri non fu costellata semplicemente di soddisfazioni e successi, ma il conflitto bellico, alcuni lutti familiari, l’instabilità di una residenza, e invidie e calunnie, acuite dal fatto che era una donna capace e stimata nel proprio ambiente, la costrinsero a una tenace resistenza fino al momento del congedo dal servizio. Così oggi la figura della Guerrieri resta, oltre che attuale, “moderna” non soltanto per le nuove prospettive documentarie e informative alle quali aprì la strada, ma anche per la tenacia, il coraggio e l’abnegazione con cui portò avanti il suo servizio nonostante... anzi, soprattutto perché donna.The professional and personal life of the librarian Guerriera Guerrieri was not simply dotted with satisfactions and successes, but the war conflict, some family bereavements, the instability of a residence, and envy and slander, sharpened by the fact that she was a capable and esteemed woman in her environment, forced her to a tenacious resistance until the moment of dismissal from service. So today the figure of the Warriors remains, as well as current, "modern" not only for the new documentary and informative perspectives to which she opened the way, but also for the tenacity, courage and self-denial with which she carried out her service despite... indeed, especially because she is a woman
Estimating landslide thickness through domain-based regularization
No full textThis paper introduces a novel domain-based regularization approach for estimating landslide thickness from surface velocity data. Such quantity is crucial for accurately assessing landslides behavior, potential impact, and associated risks. Here, we formulate the problem as an ill-posed inverse problem and propose, for its solution, a multipenalty regularization approach based on the decomposition of the landslide domain in several regions with uniform magnitude of the horizontal velocity. We extend the Balancing Principle to accommodate non-constant balancing parameters across decomposed regions. Our Domain-based Majorization-Minimization algorithm converges to solutions that satisfy this extended principle, demonstrating superior performance compared to traditional methods. Through rigorous testing on both synthetic and real-world landslide data, we show that strategic domain decomposition based on velocity field homogeneity enhances estimation accuracy. Our findings reveal that while excessive subdivision is counterproductive, identifying appropriate velocity-based macro-regions yields optimal results. This methodology provides more reliable thickness estimates crucial for landslide risk assessment and monitoring
Computergestütztes Dolmetschen
No full textDas Kapitel bietet eine umfassende Einführung in das computergestützte Dolmetschen und die neueste Forschung zu unterstützenden Technologien für Dolmetscher*innen. Im ersten Teil des Kapitels wird die Entwicklungsgeschichte von CAITools präsentiert. Es werden zudem die neuesten Entwicklungen im Bereich computergestützten Dolmetschens sowie der aktuelle Stand der Automation in den verschiedenen Dolmetschphasen besprochen. Das zweite Teil des Kapitels widmet sich der Forschung im Bereich des computergestützten Dolmetschens. Es werden die aktuellen Forschungsfragen, -methoden und -ergebnisse präsentiert. Das Ziel besteht darin, den aktuellen Wissensstand zu CAI-Tools zu erfassen und Forschungslücken zu identifizieren, um Lesenden eine Orientierungshilfe anzubieten. Das Kapitel endet mit Überlegungen zu den möglichen zukünftigen Entwicklungen in diesem Bereich
Investigating ‘Other’ in Cross-Linguistic Perspective: Theoretical and Methodological Challenges
No full textThe study explores the dimensions of variation connected to the semantic space covered by ‘other’ and similar terms, and the challenges associated with their theoretical and cross-linguistic investigation. It focuses on the ambiguity between the non-identity and additive readings of ‘other’ across various Indo-European and non Indo-European languages. Cross-linguistic data collection for such a subtle semantic distinction is challenging. Therefore, in the paper we provide a detailed discussion on the design of the questionnaire which allowed us to systematically investigate how languages handle this ambiguity. The elicitation tasks are organized around the dimensions of qualitative comparison and set construction, also considering factors like (in)definiteness and quantification. Given the high context-dependence of the interpretation of ‘other’, the questionnaire includes a description of the utterance contexts to provide a clear discourse background for the elicitation tasks. Furthermore, the risk represented by translation bias is mitigated by adding completion tasks and requests for metalinguistic judgements. The questionnaire was tested on a sample of 12 languages, revealing systematic cross-linguistic variation in the encoding of ‘other’. Data confirm the cut-off point between the additive and the non-identity reading of ‘other’, which may correspond to separate expressions (e.g. in German) or to ambiguous ones (e.g. in Italian). Furthermore, a third reading turned to be relevant, namely complementarity, whereby ‘other’ anaphorically refers to the remaining, or complementary, part of a presupposed dual set. Complementary ‘other’ is indeed not compatible with an additive reading, and projects non-identity at the token level, not at the type level. We observed that languages may use three separate expressions for complementarity ‘other’, additivity ‘other’ and non-identity ‘other’ (cf. Turkish), or use the same form for complementarity and non-identity ‘other’ and a different form for additivity, or use one and the same form for all three cases
Symmetric azobenzene-substituted diketopyrrolopyrroles dyes as acid-base switchable molecular-probe for colorimetric paper-based sensors
No full textA novel synthetic approach for the preparation of azobenzene-substituted diketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) has been developed and optimized. The dyes were synthesized through a pseudo-Stobbe condensation reaction starting from appropriate benzonitriles, followed by azo coupling. The presence of electron-donating groups (EDGs), such as amino groups, in the benzonitrile leads to the formation of the DPP structural isomer (isoDPP) due to acid-base equilibria that can influence the cyclization mechanism. The resulting dyes exhibited significant pH-dependent chromatic shift, with behaviour that can be predicted on the basis of the aromatic substituents. In particular, the system functionalized with the phenolic group (2a) exhibits the most prominent chromatic response (Δλ = 90 nm (5.84·103 cm−1)), making it ideal for use in paper-based sensors. Chromatic switching mechanism has been proposed and confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations in gas and solution phases. The sensors, fabricated via dip-coating techniques, demonstrate high functionality, stability, and reversible colour changes even after multiple cycles of exposure to acidic (HCl) and basic (NH3) conditions in both liquid and gas environments. These results highlighted how the azobenzene-DPP derivatives can be used as a promising platform for developing advanced halochromic sensors with potential applications in environmental and industrial monitoring
The Challenges of Policy Advice in a Turbulent Era. Legitimacy, Values and Politics
No full textPolicymaking is a collective process in which decision-makers dealing with a wide range of topics and issues rely on the advice they receive from other actors in deciding what to do. This advice concerns important aspects of policymaking, such as assessments of the nature and content of the problems decision-makers face and advice on the feasibility of the alternative courses of action from which they must choose. Even the most authoritarian and isolated dictators rely on some advice and guidance, and all governments exist in the midst of a system or ecosystem of advisors or a “policy advisory system” (Peters and Barker 1993).
In both democratic and non-democratic regimes, the provision of advice is often politically charged and may be heavily partisan, and the operation of policy advisory systems is affected in many ways by the extent to which this is the case. Advice, for example, may be largely technical (legal or administrative in nature) but may also deal directly with concerns around the potential electoral or partisan gains or losses from proposed courses of action. Who is involved in providing such advice, and their numbers, are affected by this: advice may be more technical or legal in nature, requiring specialized expertise and knowledge, for example, or can emerge from party-led think tanks or party members directly
Advances in micro- and nano-encapsulated phase change materials for solar water applications: A comprehensive review of technological progress and future research directions
No full textThis review provides a concise evaluation of advancements in micro- and nano-encapsulated phase change materials (M/N-ePCMs) for improving the thermal efficiency and stability of solar water systems. It examines encapsulation techniques—physical, chemical, hybrid, and industrially scalable—that enhance thermal conductivity, latent heat storage, and environmental durability, addressing challenges like PCM leakage and poor heat transfer. The application of ePCMs in solar water heaters, stills, ponds, and tanks is explored, emphasizing their role in stabilizing temperatures, extending operational periods, and boosting energy efficiency. Insights from experimental and numerical studies highlight performance improvements across various system designs and encapsulation methods. The review also covers relevant modeling frameworks, including solar thermal efficiency, exergy analysis, and storage metrics, summarizing key experimental data to inform future optimizations. Challenges such as cyclic stability, material compatibility in aqueous settings, and cost-effective scalability are discussed, with recommendations for advanced material selection, scalable encapsulation, and hybrid system integration. This work serves as a key resource for developing sustainable, high-performance solar thermal systems in water-scarce and off-grid regions