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A Comparative Analysis of R-Matrix Fitting: C(p, N as Test Case
No full textIn nuclear astrophysics, the accurate determination of nuclear reaction cross sections at astrophysical energies is critical for understanding stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. This study focuses on the C12(p,γ)N13 reaction, which takes part in the CNO cycle and is significant for determining the C12/C13 ratio in stellar interiors. Data from various studies, including recent LUNA measurements, reveal high discrepancies in cross-section values, underscoring the need for robust fitting approaches. Utilizing the R-matrix theory, we compare different frequentist and Bayesian methodologies for estimating reaction cross sections and their uncertainties. The analysis evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of different statistical techniques, highlighting the importance of systematic uncertainty treatment and the estimate of covariance matrix estimation to enhance the reliability and reproducibility of uncertainty estimates in nuclear astrophysics
Understanding and attitudes toward Reverse Mortgage in Italy: cognitive dissonance and future concerns
No full textWe presented some results obtained by a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research study conducted among potential Italian subscribers. In particular, we analyzed individuals' future concern about economic sustainability, their understanding and knowledge of supplementary pension products with priority over RM and actual interest in or use of the product
“‘In the old age black was not counted fair’. Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Interpretation as a Key to Chronology”
No full textStatistical analyses of Shakespeare’s vocabulary have suggested that the order of
the sonnets in the 1609 edition does not reflect their chronological order of com
position, and that the ‘Dark Lady sonnets’ might be placed among the earliest,
thus predating the ‘Fair Youth sonnets’. While sharing the hypothesis that the
composition of the sonnets may have been discontinuous, I attempt to approach
the question from a methodologically alternative viewpoint, namely text linguis
tics. In my view, the Sonnets reveal a structural unity which, far from being the
result of a final artificial reordering, is likely to have shaped the author’s writing
process since its early stages. For instance, I argue that some of the ‘Dark Lady sonnets’ contain
probable anaphoric references to the ‘friend’, thus disclosing their full meaning
only if read in conjunction with the first section. Further evidence comes from
a comparison of the Sonnets with Love’s Labour’s Lost, which is characterised by
a similar thematic and structural relationship between the ‘fair’ and the ‘black’
Immunotherapy or targeted therapy with or without stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with brain metastases from melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer – The ETOP 19-21 USZ-STRIKE study
No full textParco dell'architettura contemporanea in Irpinia: la valorizzazione del patrimonio architettonico post-sisma 1980. Fasi istitutive dell'Ente Parco Architettonico 2025.
No full textL’Associazione Donne Architetto-Napoli ha in programma, nell’ambito dell’accordo quadro siglato tra la Provincia di Avellino e il Dipartimento di Architettura dell’Università di Napoli Federico II, l’istituzione di un Parco dell’architettura contemporanea in Irpinia per la valorizzazione del patrimonio architettonico post-sisma 1980. L'obiettivo è raccogliere e sviluppare le linee guida necessarie per la realizzazione del Parco basato sui seguenti principi concettuali: - La valutazione storica e critica: a distanza di oltre quarant'anni, si ritiene fondamentale analizzare e valutare tutta l’opera di ricostruzione post-sisma, che rappresentano un'occasione per individuare sia le buone pratiche che le criticità emerse nel processo di ricostruzione, offrendo una preziosa lezione per il futuro. Il parco architettonico ha l’obiettivo di diventare un centro di ricerca e di studio, per favorire lo scambio di conoscenze tra esperti del settore. - La valorizzazione turistica: l'istituzione del Parco Architettonico ha l'obiettivo di promuovere un turismo culturale legato all'interesse per l'architettura contemporanea, le opere post-sisma diventano elementi di attrattiva e sviluppo per il territorio. - La salvaguardia del patrimonio: molte delle opere realizzate dopo il terremoto non sono ancora sottoposte a vincoli di tutela, rischiando di essere demolite, trasformate o abbandonate. - La sostenibilità ambientale: il parco verrà realizzato secondo criteri di sostenibilità ambientale, valorizzando il contesto naturale, la mobilità sostenibile e le energie rinnovabili. La collaborazione dell’ADA-Napoli con la Provincia e il Dipartimento di Architettura intende sperimenta nuovi paradigmi nel campo dell'ambiente e dell'architettura, integrando la ricerca e la didattica con i recenti processi di rigenerazione urbana. In conclusione, l’istituzione di un Parco dell’architettura contemporanea in Irpinia per la valorizzazione delle opere post-sisma 1980 ha l’obiettivo di analizzare, studiare e far conoscere le opere realizzate da un’intera generazione di architetti e urbanisti, che si sono cimentati nel processo di ricostruzione attraverso progetti di recupero, nuove opere architettoniche e nuove città, interventi significativi inseriti in un processo di trasformazione territoriale. L’Associazione intende indagare su quanto siano stati significativi gli interventi realizzati e cosa ha comportato la trasformazione di questi territori attraverso la realizzazione di nuove opere prevalentemente di natura pubblica. Interventi così significativi in termini di risorse economiche, progettualità di reti infrastrutturali, di nuovi centri urbani e di nuove architetture che hanno interessato gran parte dell’Irpinia, non hanno arrestato il forte processo di spopolamento che si registra oggi nella Provincia Campana: l’istituzione di un Parco dell’architettura contemporanea può dare un contributo in termini di studi e ricerche per invertire il processo di spopolamento in atto
Molecular and topographic mapping of antipsychotic effects: a meta-analysis of postsynaptic density proteins in animal models with translational implications
No full textBackground: While antipsychotics primarily target dopamine D2 receptor, the putative synaptic mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects remain unclear. Postsynaptic density (PSD) at glutamatergic synapses represents a dynamic protein network involved in synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission, whose dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This study aims to explore, for the first time, with a quantitative meta-analytical approach, how antipsychotic treatments affect PSD molecules across various brain regions in preclinical settings, which may overcome the heterogeneity of human studies. Methods: We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed peer-reviewed preclinical studies reporting quantitative effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics on PSD-related outcomes. Statistical analyses used random-effects models, with heterogeneity assessed via τ2, I2, and Cochran's Q. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for PSD protein type, brain region, animal type, and treatment paradigms. Meta-regressions assessed the impact of cofounding variables. Results: We included 81 studies (n = 2542; rodents=2510; monkeys=26), resulting in 226 meta-analyses. Both typical and atypical antipsychotics modulated PSD molecules albeit with different degree due to the drug receptor profile, dose, specific protein detected, brain region, and administration regimen. Haloperidol, amisulpride, and aripiprazole significantly increased PSD protein expression in the striatum. Acute olanzapine increased PSD molecules levels in striatal regions, reducing Arc expression in frontal cortex (SMD [95%CIs]=-2.15 [-2.7;-1.61], p < 0.0001); chronic treatment had opposite effects. Clozapine increased Homer1a levels in dorsal (1.13 [0.41;1.86], p = 0.002) and ventral striatum (1.48 [0.72;2.24], p = 0.0001), and cingulate cortex (2.12 [1.12;3.12], p < 0.0001), as well as increased NMDAR subunits levels in frontal cortex
New scattered subspaces in higher dimensions
No full textOver the past few decades, there has been extensive research on scattered subspaces, partly because of their link to MRD codes. These subspaces can be characterized using linearized polynomials over finite fields. Within this context, scattered sequences extend the concept of scattered polynomials and can be viewed as geometric equivalents of exceptional MRD codes. Up to now, only scattered sequences of orders one and two have been developed. However, this paper presents an infinite series of exceptional scattered sequences of any order beyond two which correspond to scattered subspaces that cannot be obtained as direct sum of scattered subspaces in smaller dimensions. The paper also addresses equivalence concerns within this framework
An Overview on Microplastics Hazards to the Marine Ecosystem and Humans’ Health
No full textMicroplastic contamination is rapidly becoming an increasingly worrying environmental problem and poses a real threat to marine ecosystems and human health. The aim of this research was to conduct a traditional review of the current state of the art regarding the sources of MPs in marine environment, including an assessment of their toxic effect on marine organisms and transfer within the food webs and up to humans. An extensive literature search (from 1 January 2024 to 15 February 2025) yielded a total of 1027 primary research articles on this topic. This overview revealed that MPs can be ingested by marine organisms, migrate through the intestinal wall, and spread to other organs. They can biomagnify along the food chain and can be carriers of toxic chemicals and pathogen agents. Exposure of marine organisms to MPs can lead to several risks, including tissue damage, oxidative stress, and changes in immune-related gene expression, neurotoxicity, growth retardation, and behavioural abnormalities. The toxicity of MPs depends mainly on the particle size distribution and composition/characteristics of the polymer. The main routes of human exposure to MPs have been identified as ingestion (mainly seafood), inhalation, and dermal exposure. There is strong evidence of contamination of seafood by MPs, which pose a potential risk to human health. This study provides the basis for assessing MPs’ risk to marine ecosystems and potential human health impacts
Ursolic Acid-Based Nutraceutical Mitigates Muscle Atrophy and Improves Exercise Performance in Mouse Model of Peripheral Neuropathy
No full text: Peripheral nerve injuries, caused by trauma or iatrogenic damage, often lead to permanent disabilities with limited effectiveness of current therapeutic treatments. This has driven the growing interest toward natural bioactive molecules, including ursolic acid (UA). Literature studies have shown that white grape pomace oleolyte (WGPO), a natural source of UA, is a promising candidate for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. Considering that many neurological injuries involve compression or partial damage, the present study examined the effects of WGPO on peripheral neuropathy using a neuropathic pain mouse model. Briefly, 14 days after starting the WGPO-enriched diet, mice underwent cuffing of the right sciatic nerve to induce nerve injury and inflammation. At sacrifice, the WGPO-fed mice exhibited reduced muscle atrophy, as indicated by a greater number and larger diameter of muscle fibers, along with decreased expression of Atrogin-1 and Murf-1, compared with the injured control-diet group. To determine the functional impact of the WGPO treatment, the WGPO-supplemented group was compared with a control group receiving only sunflower oil, evaluating exercise performance post-cuffing via a treadmill test. Mice on the WGPO diet exhibited improved physical performance and a significantly lower expression of pro-inflammatory interleukins than controls. Our findings suggest WGPO as a promising candidate for managing peripheral neuropathy and related muscular impairments
Orogenic evolution of the northern Calabria–southern Apennines system in the framework of the Alpine chains in the central-western Mediterranean area
No full textThe northern Calabrian ranges and the southern Apennines are part of a single orogenic segment of the Alpine chain system framing the central-western Mediterranean Sea. Three main tectonic complexes characterize this orogenic chain: (1) remnants of the overriding plate, including Variscan Paleozoic basement (Calabria-Peloritani terrane), which tectonically cover (2) an Alpine metamorphic belt, corresponding to an exhumed subduction channel, formed by slices of the Calabria-Peloritani terrane, meta-ophiolites (metamorphic Ligurian Units), and some successions of the continental Adria plate (downgoing plate), which are in turn superposed onto (3) a fold-and thrust belt composed of remnants of an oceanic accretionary prism (nonmetamorphic Ligurian Units) on the top and an underlying imbricate orogenic pile consisting of shallow-water to pelagic continental Adria successions, also including buried shallow water carbonates of the Apulian Platform. The exposed Apulian Platform domain (Puglia region) and the Adriatic Sea represent the current foreland. The orogenic chain results from the subduction of Ligurian Ocean lithosphere beneath the European plate/Calabria-Peloritani terrane starting during the Paleocene–Eocene. The restored mean tectonic vergences indicate that the thrust front migrated to the south in the Eocene–Langhian period, turning to the east during the Serravallian–Pleistocene interval. After the complete closure of the Ligurian Ocean in the Early Miocene, the subduction continued with the involvement of the continental part of the Adria plate, triggering crustal shortening until the middle Pleistocene. Complex geometries, reflecting the articulated paleogeographic domains formed by alternating shallow-water carbonate platforms and deep basins, controlled the shape of the thrust front–foredeep–forebulge system. Thin- and thick-skinned thrusting episodes have alternated during the orogenic shortening; however, since the early Pliocene, deep seated, ramp-dominated thrust faults have driven the crustal shortening, resulting in widespread envelopment thrusting, and out of-sequence structures in the allochthonous wedge. The alternating different tectonic styles also resulted from the involvement in the subduction system of the continental Adria lithosphere, which is thicker under the carbonate platforms and thinner under the interspersed pelagic basins and the western margin facing the Ligurian Ocean. The involvement of thicker lithosphere during the subduction process caused two main backstops that triggered thick-skinned tectonics. The synorogenic sedimentation was ruled by the migration of the forebulge-foreland basin system, with flexure of the continental part of the Adria plate since the Oligocene and erosion of a large part of the Apennine and Apulian carbonates that fed the foredeep basins with calciclastic supply. Siliciclastic input, which originated from both the overriding plate and orogenic wedge, joined with orogenic volcaniclastics, marks the sedimentation in the foreland basin system, including the mature stage of the foredeep troughs and the wedge-top basins located on the top of the chain, with the latter also recording calciclastic sedimentation that originated from the erosion of the piled-up Adria carbonate successions