137262 research outputs found
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Framing a metabolic risk. Sviluppare un framework metodologico per l’analisi e il monitoraggio del potenziale di resilienza dei wastescape in contesti urbani critici multirischio
No full textI sistemi urbani multirischio sono caratterizzati da vulnerabilità sistemica e scarsa resilienza alle crisi. Partendo da un'analisi del rapporto tra i concetti di resilienza e rischio metabolico, questo studio propone un quadro metodologico per analizzare, valutare e mappare il potenziale di resilienza dei paesaggi dei rifiuti in contesti urbani multirischio, caratterizzati da un capitale di risorse inespresso (materia, natura, spazio). Il quadro ha il duplice valore di essere uno strumento di valutazione e un supporto nella definizione di strategie rigenerative per i paesaggi dei rifiuti nella prospettiva del modello di economia circolare applicato al metabolismo urbano, al fine di migliorare la resilienza delle città e delle comunità a partire dal potenziale dei luoghi
Design of one-shot graded foams as tunable delivery systems
No full textUniform and graded polycaprolactone tablet foams were fabricated through CO2-assisted physical foaming, providing a tunable material platform for controlling mass transport in functional delivery systems. Foam morphology was engineered with a controlled porosity gradient to regulate diffusion pathways through interconnected pores. A thermally stable model compound was incorporated at 1–10 (w/w, %) with encapsulation efficiencies above 95%. Morphological analysis by SEM revealed a systematic pore size transition from roughly 70 μm at the external layer to roughly 170 μm at the inner core, directly correlated with the applied saturation pressure.
Drug release experiments demonstrated a two-stage kinetic behavior, governed initially by gradient-dependent diffusion followed by polymer degradation after a characteristic lag time, τ. The release rate scaled inversely with pore size, confirming the role of structural design in transport modulation. A five-parameter kinetic model was developed, integrating diffusion and pH-dependent degradation, and accurately predicting cumulative release up to 200 h.
This study establishes a morphology-driven design approach for graded polymer foams, enabling predictive control of transport phenomena and offering a rational framework for the design of sustained-release materials and other porous functional systems
Do ut des. Gli attori del welfare educativo alla sfida dell'IA
No full textQuesto lavoro analizza rischi e opportunità legati all’uso dell’IA nel welfare edu-
cativo. Partendo dalla logica del do ut des e dalla sua apparente reciprocità algoritmica, gli autori mirano a individuare le condizioni perché l’IA diventi leva di giustizia socio-educativa, anziché nuovo fattore di disuguaglianza. L’analisi si concentra sull’esperienza di Govern-AI Eda Lab nei CPIA campani, esplorando come integrare l’IA nelle pratiche educative senza compromettere la dimensione umana e relazionale dell’apprendimento
The immunological profile of children with portal hypertension
No full textPortal hypertension is a clinical syndrome with potentially life-threatening complications. Diagnosis and management in children are complex due to the invasiveness of hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement and the limited number of definitive treatment options, so that liver transplantation often remains the only definitive treatment. The influence of the immune system on the development of portal hypertension has recently received attention; however, the connection between portal hypertension, impaired immune response, and the development of liver changes has not yet been fully elucidated. This review provides an overview of the main current knowledge on the role of cytokines, immune cells, and other molecules involved in the inflammation and vascular changes associated with portal hypertension. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of portal hypertension could address the need to identify non-invasive markers for the diagnosis of portal hypertension and predictors of its complications in children. Furthermore, understanding the strong interaction between the immune system and the development of portal hypertension could be useful for identifying new potential therapeutic options, orienting therapeutic management towards immunomodulatory approaches
Intrinsic network dynamics of the hippocampal CA1 area using a data-driven full-scale model
No full textUnderstanding the intrinsic dynamics of individual brain regions is essential for explaining how they transform incoming signals into coherent outputs. However, isolating their intrinsic behaviors experimentally remains a major challenge, particularly for areas, such as the hippocampus, that do not receive direct sensory inputs and therefore cannot be driven or perturbed in a controlled manner through peripheral stimulation. There is thus a lack of systematic insight into the baseline operating regime of the hippocampal circuitry and the internal mechanisms—cellular heterogeneity, recurrent dynamics, and inhibitory control—that shape its computational properties even before external inputs arrive. Mathematical and computational models play a crucial role in reducing these problems, offering a convenient way to probe the autonomous behavior of these circuits and to study conditions that cannot be examined in vivo or in vitro.
To address this challenge, here we introduce a data-driven full scale spiking-neuron model of the mouse hippocampal CA1 area, designed to investigate intrinsic CA1 dynamics using connectivity, firing, and synaptic properties calibrated on electrophysiological recordings to reproduce the experimentally observed heterogeneity of cellular connectivity and excitability. Using this framework, we show how intrinsic neuronal diversity strongly influences the spatiotemporal activation patterns of the circuit and how inhibitory control plays a critical role in structuring information flow within CA1.
A key finding is that excitatory neurons exhibit a preferred inter-spike interval in the theta range, which persists even in the absence of inhibition. Consistently with experimental evidence in vitro, the results suggest that the CA1 network contains intrinsic and locally recurrent dynamics that can support the emergence of theta oscillations independently from external drive. We further show that inhibitory interneurons impose scale-dependent activation across the network, highlighting their essential role in refining local dynamics and shaping input–output transformations of hippocampal circuits
Repurposing chicken eggshell waste as nutraceuticals: improvement of biomarkers in protein-malnourished rats
No full textMalnutrition, specifically protein-energy malnutrition,significantly impairs growth and overall health,marked by deficiencies in serum protein,haemoglobin,andinsulin-like growth factor-1(IGF 1). Chicken eggshell (CE) powder,a rich source of bioactive nutrients, remains underutilised despite its high mineral and protein content. To evaluate the efficacy of CE powder supplementation on biomarkers associated with nutritional status—serum protein, haemoglobin, IGF-1, haematocrit, erythrocytes, and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in malnourished rats fed a protein-restricted diet. Thirty male rats (Rattus norvegicus), initially malnourished through a low-protein diet (4% wt/wt protein Body Weight (BW)) for 4 weeks, were divided into three groups: a control group (normal protein diet, 23% wt/wt protein), a low-dose CE group (100 mg/kg BW), and a high-dose CE group (200 mg/kg BW). Supplementation lasted another 4 weeks, after which blood biomarkers and body weight changes were analysed using ELISA and statistical analyses (ANOVA and paired t-tests). Administration of CE powder significantly increased haemoglobin and IGF-1 levels, particularly at the higher dosage (200 mg/kg BW; p <.0001). Both doses (100 mg/kg BW and 200 mg/kg BW) similarly enhanced haematocrit and erythrocyte levels compared to the control group (p=.0513). RBP was significantly elevated with the higher dose compared to the lower dose (p<.0001). Serum protein levels increased dose dependently, although without statistical significance between dosages. Body weight increased across all groups, with significant weight gain in the high-dose group (p=.048). CE powder supplementation notably improves critical biomarkers related to malnutrition, especially at a dosage of 200 mg/kgBW, indicating its potential as a cost-effective and sustainable nutraceutical strategy for addressing malnutrition and protein deficiencies
Clarifying the Diagnostic Pathway in Pediatric Sjögren's Syndrome in the Absence of Child-Specific Criteria: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: Pediatric Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) diagnosis remains challenging due to its low prevalence, heterogeneous clinical presentation, and the lack of universally accepted pediatric-specific diagnostic criteria. This systematic review aims to clarify the diagnostic pathway in pSS, with emphasis on the utility of minor salivary gland biopsy. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to November 2025. Observational, retrospective, cohort, cross-sectional studies, case series, and case reports were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Results: Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Recurrent or persistent parotitis emerged as the most frequent glandular manifestation. The most common extra-glandular features included joint involvement and lymphadenopathy. Serological analysis revealed positivity for anti-SSA in 64% and anti-SSB in 51% of cases, with antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor detected in 69% and 53% of patients, respectively. Minor salivary gland biopsy yielded positive findings in approximately 70% of cases. Conclusions: Minor salivary gland biopsy appears to represent a key component of the diagnostic work-up, particularly in the absence of standardized pediatric criteria. When integrated with clinical and serological findings, it may facilitate earlier and more accurate diagnosis
Effect of pH adjustment on wetting mitigation in textile wastewater treatment by membrane distillation
No full textThe textile industry has long been associated with significant environmental challenges due to the generation of recalcitrant wastewater, containing complex chemical mixture that pose severe threats to ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the role of pH adjustment in improving the pretreatment process for direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) applied to real textile wastewater. By implementing a pH adjustment step (pH 6.14, 7.40, and 9.06) prior to sedimentation and filtration, the pretreatment process was significantly enhanced, reducing wetting, and improving permeate quality. GC–MS analysis identified specific organic molecules causing wetting, including volatile organic acids and alcohol derivatives, revealing that the rejection mechanism is primarily driven by the relationship between the wastewater pH and the pKa of these compounds. Adjusting the pH above the pKa converts these acidic contaminants into ionic, non-volatile forms, effectively preventing their passage into the permeate. This study highlights the importance of pH optimization in advancing DCMD as a sustainable solution for textile wastewater treatment. The proposed approach aligns with circular economy principles, enabling water reuse in textile processes, reducing freshwater consumption, and minimizing environmental discharge
