Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di BolognaNot a member yet
336958 research outputs found
Sort by
Cold sintered geopolymer and geopolymer-zeolite composite sorbents for CO2 capture
Get PDFGeopolymer and geopolymer-zeolite composite monoliths were produced by cold sintering process (CSP) at 40°C and 56MPa or 168MPa, as solid adsorbents for CO2 capture. Structural integrity, surface area and adsorption capacity are achieved along with reducing the energy penalty, resulting in more efficient, durable and sustainable CO2 adsorbents. KOH or NaOH 4M were used as alkaline solutions (to wet the powders, namely a geopolymer with SiAl = 2.0 and KAl = 1.0, a geopolymer containing 81vol% of in situ formed zeolite NaA and commercial zeolite Na13X, and activate the near room temperature sintering process under pressure. This process resulted in relative densities approaching 60%. Pore size distributions, microstructures, specific surface areas up to 310m2 g-1 for geopolymer-Na13X based monoliths, and compressive strengths from 4 to 27MPa area found to be mainly dependent on the material composition. Adsorption isotherms for CO2 and N2 were also obtained to assess the performances of the adsorbents. The CO2 capacity of zeolite Na13X is basically preserved, reaching 1.9mmolg-1 (at 35°C and pCO2=0.1bar). The great CO2 capacity and CO2/N2 selectivity, especially at low CO2 partial pressure, makes these materials great candidates for post combustion carbon capture adsorbents
Avelumab plus axitinib in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Get PDFBackground: Treatment options for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) after failure of
standard therapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) remain very limited. As vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF) inhibitors are considered to have immunomodulatory effects, we hypothesized that the combination of VEGF and PD-L1 inhibitors may have a synergistic effect and enhance the efficacy of both therapies.
Methods: AXAGIST was a phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of avelumab 10 mg/kg iv Q2W in
combination with axitinib 5 mg po BID in patients with unresectable/metastatic GIST after failure of standard
therapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 months based on RECIST 1.1 criteria.
Secondary endpoints included PFS, overall survival (OS), overall response rate, and safety.
Results: Of the 58 patients enrolled, 56 patients were evaluable for safety and efficacy. Median age was 60 years
(range 18–80), and 30 patients (53.4 %) had received three prior lines of TKIs. Median follow-up was 27.4
months. The best response was partial response in 5 patients (8.9 %), stable disease in 34 patients (60.7 %), and
progressive disease in 17 patients (30.4 %). Among patients with partial response, the median duration of
response was 18.5 months (95 %CI, 18.3-NA). The PFS rate at 3 months was 57.1 %. Median PFS and OS were 4.6
months (95 %CI, 2.9–6.4) and 14.2 months (95 %CI, 9.2–26.3), respectively. Adverse events occurred in 94.6 %
of patients, while 30.4 % experienced grade 3 or higher adverse events.
Conclusions: The results of the largest trial on the combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in pretreated GIST show the promising efficacy of this novel therapeutic approach in a subset of patient
Pronoun Wars or a Battle for Inclusion? The Use of Epicene Pronouns and Neopronouns in a Large Corpus of Contemporary English
No full textThis paper examines the role of English epicene (or “genderless”) pronouns in challenging binary gender norms, distinguishing between gender neutral forms (i.e. singular “they” and gender symmetric “he”/ “she”) and gender diverse pronouns (e.g. “ze”, “xe”, “ey”), whose use is more recent and limited in scope. Both pronoun types have sparked controversy, especially due to their association with non-binary identities. The study investigates whether and which epicene pronouns are widely attested in contemporary English, as evidenced in a large electronic language corpus (English Web 2021, or enTenTen2021). Results suggest that while the overall use of epicene pronouns is on the rise, gender-diverse forms are still relatively rare and discourse-specific, i.e., more typical of LGBTQ+ discourses
Intrinsic Performances of Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Membranes for the Recovery and Concentration of Multicomponent Mixtures of Volatile Fatty Acids: A Semi-Pilot Study
Get PDFThis study presents data from Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) spi-ral-wound polyamide modules tested in a semi-pilot plant with multicomponent mix-tures of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) comprising acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and hexanoic acids. A robust method combining film theory and dissociation equilibria was developed to estimate interfacial concentrations, enabling accurate analysis of concentra-tion polarization, real rejection, and effective transmembrane driving force. Concentration polarization strongly affects NF membranes, resulting in real rejections up to 20% higher than apparent values, while its effect is negligible for RO membranes. NF rejections show marked sensitivity to pH and VFAs feed concentration: at 20 g/L and highest flux, acetic acid real rejection increases from 80% to 91% as pH rises from 6 to 9. At pH 7, rejections decline with feed concentration, with acetic acid dropping from 55% at 20 g/L to 32% at 63 g/L, at the same flux. These changes correlate with the molecular weight of the acids. Conversely, RO rejections are marginally affected by pH and not influenced by concentra-tion due to dominant steric exclusion. Membrane permeabilities remain unaffected by VFAs and align with pure water values. The data analysis framework is effective and ap-plicable across a wide range of conditions and membranes
The Role of Antioxidant Compounds from Citrus Waste in Modulating Neuroinflammation: A Sustainable Solution.
Get PDFIn normal conditions, neuroinflammation induces microglia and astrocyte activation to maintain brain homeostasis. However, excessive or prolonged neuroinflammation can inflict harmful damage on brain tissue. Numerous factors can trigger chronic neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. In this context, considering the pressing need for novel, natural approaches to mitigate neuroinflammatory damage, attention has turned to unconventional sources such as agricultural by-products. Citrus fruits are widely consumed globally, producing substantial waste, including peels, seeds, and pulp. Traditionally regarded as agricultural waste, these by-products are now recognized as valuable reservoirs of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, and limonoids. Among these, citrus polyphenols-particularly flavanones like hesperidin, naringenin, and eriocitrin-have emerged as potent modulators of neuroinflammatory pathways through their multifaceted interactions with cellular antioxidant systems, pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, neurovascular integrity, and gut-brain axis dynamics. This review aims to characterize the key molecules present in citrus waste and synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorder
Does anti-immigrant sentiment decrease support for redistribution? Evidence from two online experiments
Get PDFThis study examines a relationship that has been implied by years of correlational research: that natives’ support for welfare redistribution declines when benefits are allocated to immigrants rather than natives—a phenomenon known as welfare chauvinism. We conducted two online experiments (N1 = 273, N2 = 1060) involving redistribution to unemployed people through real donations to charity, framed as tax compliance decisions within a simulated reporting task. We employed a between-subject design, randomly assigning participants to treatments that differed solely in the immigration status of the charity-benefit recipients. Drawing from native samples in Italy, Denmark, and the UK, we find that natives’ support for redistribution is not statistically affected by the recipients’ immigration status. This null effect holds across both studies, despite spanning a four-year period (2000–2024) marked by major global events which might have been expected to shift preferences regarding welfare state distribution and immigration, including: the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian refugee crisis, and the increasingly anti-immigrant turn in Italian, Danish, and UK politics. Our findings challenge prevailing theories of welfare chauvinism and invite both replication efforts and reconsideration of long-standing theoretical givens
COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF LOCOMOTOR MUSCLE FATIGUE AND MENTAL FATIGUE ON ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE IN CYCLISTS: A RANDOMIZED CROSS-OVER STUDY
No full textIntroduction
This study compared the effects of mental fatigue and locomotor muscle fatigue on endurance performance, perception of effort and physiological responses in a group of well-trained and elite cyclists.
Methods
Seven performance level 4 and three level 5 (21.8 ± 2.7 yrs, 8 Male 68.4 ± 2.5 VO2Max and 438.8 ± 50.1 PPO, 2 Female 58.7 ± 5.4 VO2Max and 335.0 ± 14.1 PPO) have been recruited for this study. During the first visit to the laboratory, all participants performed an incremental ramp test on a cycle ergometer to determine the respiratory compensation point (RCP), VO2Max and Peak Power Output (PPO). In the subsequent three visits, participants performed TTE at the power corresponding to 95% RCP under three different conditions: 1) Mental fatigue (MF) induced by a 1-hour psychomotor vigilance task (PVT); 2) Locomotor muscle fatigue (LMF) induced by a 100-drop jumps protocol; 3) Watching documentaries was used as a control condition. The order of the three visits was randomly assigned. Physiological and psychological responses measured during the TTE test included heart rate (HR), VO2, ventilation, blood lactate concentration (La) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Manipulation checks included maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors, PVT performance and perceived physical and mental fatigability scales. One-way (condition) or two-way (condition x time) repeated measure ANOVAs were used to analyse the data. Significance was set at p<0.05. The individual isotime method 1 was used to analyse the responses to the TTE test.
Results
Manipulation checks revealed mixed results, with only PVT performance influenced by MF (p<0.001) and only perceived physical fatigability affected by LMF (p<0.001). No significant differences in TTE were found between conditions (Control 989±122s, MF 1019±137s, LMF 973±145s, p=0.876). The RPE and HR at individual isotime in the LMF condition tended to be higher compared to the control condition but these effects were not significant (p=0.081 and p=0.090). No significant effects were found for the other physiological responses.
Discussion
The results of this study confirm previous investigations 2 suggesting that well-trained and elite cyclists are resistant to the negative effects of MF. The current study also suggests that well-trained and elite cyclists may also be resistant to the negative effects of LMF experimentally induced in the laboratory. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings and to investigate the “dose” of MF and LMF that may eventually reduce the performance of high-level cyclists.
References
1. Nicolò, A. et al. A comparison of different methods to analyse data collected during time-to-exhaustion tests. Sport Sci. Health 15, 667–679 (2019).
2. Martin, K. et al. Superior Inhibitory Control and Resistance to Mental Fatigue in Professional Road Cyclists. PLoS One 11, e0159907 (2016)
Public Policy and the New York Convention in Practice: Substantial Convergence or Resisting Fragmentation?
No full textThis paper draws on the theoretical foundations of public policy to examine how courts have interpreted the safeguard mechanism set out in Art. V(2)(b) of the New York Convention. It explores the enduring tension between the Convention’s pro-enforcement bias and the need to safeguard the integrity of the legal order of the recognition and enforcement forum, with particular attention to the scope and intensity of the scrutiny conducted at the post-award stage. While the analysis reveals a growing convergence around a narrowly defined concept of public policy—one that increasingly reflects an emerging international standard—it also highlights the persistent challenges courts encounter in balancing arbitration’s efficiency with its legitimacy. This contribution underscores the importance of calibrated judicial oversight, advocating for a methodology grounded in a coherent and sound conceptualization of the public policy exception
Comparing factor mixture modeling and conditional Gaussian mixture variational autoencoders for cognitive profile clustering
Get PDFIntroduction: Understanding individual cognitive profiles is crucial for developing personalized educational interventions, as cognitive differences can significantly impact how students learn. While traditional methods like factor mixture modeling (FMM) have proven robust for identifying latent cognitive structures, recent advancements in deep learning may offer the potential to capture more intricate and complex cognitive patterns.
Methods: This study compares FMM (specifically, FMM-1 and FMM-2 models using age as a covariate) with a Conditional Gaussian Mixture Variational Autoencoder (CGMVAE). The comparison utilizes six cognitive dimensions obtained from the PROFFILO assessment game.
Results: The FMM-1 model, identified as the superior FMM solution, yielded two well-separated clusters (Silhouette score = 0.959). These clusters represent distinct average cognitive levels, with age significantly predicting class membership. In contrast, the CGMVAE identified ten more nuanced cognitive profiles, exhibiting clear developmental trajectories across different age groups. Notably, one dominant cluster (Cluster 9) showed an increase in representation from 44 to 54% with advancing age, indicating a normative developmental pattern. Other clusters displayed diverse profiles, ranging from subtle domain-specific strengths to atypical profiles characterized by significant deficits balanced by compensatory abilities.
Discussion: These findings highlight a trade-off between the methodologies. FMM provides clear, interpretable groupings suitable for broad classification purposes. Conversely, CGMVAE reveals subtle, non-linear variations in cognitive profiles, potentially reflecting complex developmental pathways. Despite practical challenges associated with CGMVAE's complexity and potential cluster overlap, its capacity to uncover nuanced cognitive patterns demonstrates significant promise for informing the development of highly tailored educational strategies
Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: Which Factors Influence CT Scan Prescription and Surgical Intervention? A Multivariate Analysis
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate factors associated with computed tomography (CT) scan prescription and surgical intervention in pediatric patients with acute mastoiditis (AM). METHODS: Children with AM admitted to Modena University Hospital over a 10-year period were retrospectively divided into 3 groups: those who did not undergo a CT scan nor surgery (Group A); those who underwent a CT scan but not surgery (Group B); and those who underwent CT scan and surgery (Group C). A multivariate analysis was performed to determine possible differences among groups in terms of clinical and laboratory variables. RESULTS: In total, 80 patients were included (57 Group A, 22 Group B, 13 Group C). Factors independently associated with CT scan prescription and surgical intervention were WBC count (P = .015 and .041, respectively), CRP (P = .001 and .003, respectively), and at-home antibiotic adminis-tration (P= .008 and .039, respectively). CONCLUSION: Laboratory parameters may be helpful in guiding pediatric AM management. Antibiotic treatment prior to admission is associated with a worse clinical picture