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Between scarcity and circularity of resources: technological innovation for granite scraps in Sardinia
No full textThroughout the past two centuries, the impact of humans on Earth has resulted in the
progressive consumption of natural resources, the increase in waste and pollution, and the alteration of
ecosystems. This has also induced a well-knownclimate change phenomenon with significant
consequences for humanity and the natural world.The growth of cities and improved living conditions will
lead to increased consumption of resources, many of which are already expected to run out by the middle
of the next decade, then it is important to monitor the consumption of resources with appropriate
indicators to drive economic growth by encouraging decoupling. Starting from an analysis of the
consumption of the four major categories of natural resources, biomass, fossil fuels, non-metallic minerals
and metals ores, and relative indicators of impact, from an international scale the attention is gradually
turned to consumption on the Italian level, focusing on the consumption of non-metallic minerals for use
in construction.Thus, the focus was on the granite mining district of Buddusò, in Sardinia, the largest
producer in Italy. Granite quarries, which have been drastically reduced in recent decades, have
generated huge amounts of processing waste, causing profound changes to landscapes and
ecosystems.Based on the analysis of disused quarry sites, the types of granite abandoned have been
studied in detail, investigating the chemical-physical, mechanical and technological characteristics and
experimenting with innovative products and alternative uses for these wastes.The results show that it is
possible to use these residues as a secondary raw material for the ceramics industry, also as anenvelope
for ventilated high-performance thermal insulation facades.Similarly, the study of the ecosystems of
quarry sites and the evolution of sites now abandoned has shown the possibility of imagining functional
redevelopment to create new places open to the public, even as opportunity to revitalise inner areas at
risk of abandonment, creating opportunities for new jobs; in a vision of resource circularity that would
allow economic growth decoupled from its resource consumption and impact, exploiting the material and
energy embedded in them we have already spent
Gravitational Waves Architecture: Architecture as a tool for the transmission of Scientific Knowledge
No full textThe installation Gravitational Wave Architecture aims to provide individual experiences in intersubjective and interbody contexts, promoting active learning and discovery based on bodily perception and experience (Hustvedt, 2016). This approach reflects the spirit of modern research facilities, where exploration can benefit from friction and contamination with neglected cultural aspects in order to generate more inclusive and shared research.
“Where architectural opportunities proliferate around us, we are offered a seemingly unlimited idea of freedom. The structure around us is fertile and rich with invitations to agility, transformation and discovery, presenting us with a wide-ranging field of action. These possibilities of our surroundings are particularly evident in pristine landscapes and large cities, but they are also revealed in buildings with extraordinarily porous masses and uninterrupted cavities. In these spongy, eventful forms, there is no end to the course of action that individuals can grasp and decide for themselves. These buildings are essentially “open works” and “open forms” because of their spatial continuum and wide range of perspectives, offering infinite “open futures” that one is able to choose and guide” (Plummer, 2016)
Antioxidant capacity and athletic condition of endurance horses undergoing nutraceutical supplementation
No full textEndurance is an equestrian discipline that primarily relies on aerobic metabolism. Intense aerobic exercise produces reactive oxygen species due to an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant substances, known as oxidative stress, which may reduce athletic performance. This study evaluated the effects of a feed supplement containing natural antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids on the blood antioxidant activity and the athletic condition of endurance horses undergoing an exercise test. Twelve Arabian endurance horses were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. At T0, blood lactate, whole blood and red blood cells (RBC) antioxidant capacity were assessed. The horses performed an exercise test with heart rate monitoring. After 30 min, blood lactate, antioxidant capacity and serum creatine kinase (CK) were measured. The treatment group received the dietary supplement for 21 days, while controls maintained their diet. Then, the protocol was repeated (T1). Variables were compared within and between groups through two-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests. Significant time*group effects were observed for serum CK (p = 0.026), RBC antioxidant capacity at rest (p = 0.034) and post-exercise (p = 0.019). At T1, in treatment group, CK was lower than controls (p = 0.006), while RBC antioxidant capacity increased at rest (p = 0.037) and after exercise (p = 0.006) compared to T0. The dietary supplement showed efficacy in enhancing RBC antioxidant capacity, and it could be beneficial for horses engaged in intense aerobic exercise
The binding of kojic acid dimer and its Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes at the beta-amyloid peptide: A DFT-based computational assessment
No full text"In principio era l'oggetto", in Nathalie Du Pasquier. Volare, Guardare, Costruire, a cura di G. Altea e A. Camarda, Torino, Allemandi, 2025
No full textRose Bengal–Chitosan Nanocomposites for Oral Administration
No full textRose Bengal (RB) holds promise for therapeutic applications in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract but faces significant limitations due to poor bioavailability and stability in the GI environment. This in vitro proof-of-concept study aimed to develop an oral drug delivery system using self-assembled RB–chitosan (RBCS) nanocomposites formed via electrostatic interactions. RBCS nanocomposites exhibited high drug loading efficiency (87%) and a uniform particle size (~443 nm), with physicochemical analyses confirming molecular interactions and structural stability. However, in vitro studies revealed poor and highly variable drug release in simulated gastric fluids (SGFs), underlining the need for further optimization. To address these limitations, RBCS nanocomposites were encapsulated within well-established alginate beads (AlgBs). Among the tested systems, RBCS20-AlgBs were selected as the optimal one, forming a gastroresistant platform. Encapsulation mitigated burst release, enhanced structural integrity, and enabled sustained RB release under intestinal conditions. Swelling studies demonstrated that RBCS20-AlgBs maintained controlled hydration, preventing premature disintegration. Mathematical modeling indicated a matrix relaxation-driven release mechanism, with RBCS20-AlgBs demonstrating improved reproducibility compared to RB-loaded AlgBs (RB-AlgBs). Future studies should focus on evaluating in vivo performance to confirm the system’s efficacy for oral administration
Polypharmacy and Malnutrition: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study in a Geriatric Population and Implications for Preventive Strategies
No full textPurpose: Polypharmacy (PP) and malnutrition are two conditions that frequently occur in older patient groups. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between nutrition and PP in a cohort of older outpatients from Northern Sardinia, Italy. Methods: A database of 619 outpatients undergoing a specific drug therapy during the examination was analyzed. A multivariable analysis was performed using a logistic regression model, in which a dichotomized MNA score was the dependent variable, according to several covariates. Results: Exposure to ≥ five drugs was associated with a higher risk of malnutrition among males and females, as well as a higher risk of overt malnutrition among males and females compared to those exposed to four or fewer drugs. In addition, depression significantly increased the risk of malnutrition in both sexes, whereas cognitive status and comorbidity did not. Moreover, the effect of PP on nutritional status was statistically significant only for the global component of the MNA score. Conclusions: The present study detected a significant association between PP and an increased risk of malnutrition. Depressed mood was an additional independent predictor, whereas cognitive status and comorbidity did not reveal a significant association
Association between Helicobacterpylori, reflux and chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review
No full textBackgroundThe prevalence, role, and clinical relevance of Helicobacter Pylori (HP) in sinonasal tissues of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis remain unclear.ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and clinical relevance of Helicobacter Pylori (HP) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSSNP).MethodsThree investigators conducted a PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library systematic review of the prevalence and clinical relevance of HP infection in CRS patients through the PRISMA framework. A bias analysis was conducted to identify potential heterogeneity and biases across studies.ResultsOf the 42 identified studies, 20 met the inclusion criteria, accounting for 741 CRS patients and 368 controls. HP was detected in 37.1% (n = 127/342) of polyps of CRSwNP patients with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 32.7% (n = 37/113) of polyp tissue with the immunohistochemistry (IHC). Controls reported a nasal PCR and IHC detection rates of 14.8% (n = 36/243) and 3.6% (n = 3/84), respectively. The HP rate did not differ between CRSwNP and CRSsNP. Among patients with CRS, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing detected blood HP antigens in 48.7% (n = 74/152) of CRS patients and 41.6% (n = 37/89) of controls. The detection of HP in polyps was associated with the severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There was an important heterogeneity between studies for the inclusion criteria, methods of HP detection, and reflux outcomes.ConclusionHelicobacter Pylori can be detected in one-third of sinonasal tissues from patients with CRS and can be considered a biomarker of GERD. The potential role of HP in the development of CRS remains unclear. The heterogeneity between studies limits the drawing of valid conclusions
