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The financialization of pandemic risk: a case study of the world bank’s pandemic emergency financing facility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFBased on rising international concern with pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, this dissertation considers the financialization of pandemic risk and the relationships and knowledge which are generated in the process. By considering the case study of the World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) as it was used to address the COVID-19 pandemic response, I investigate the role of private financial capital in addressing infectious disease outbreaks in developing country contexts. Based on multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork through participant observation, interviews, and document analysis at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., USA; Dakar, Senegal; and community-based research in the Kédougou and Kolda regions of Senegal, this dissertation considers the ways in which different approaches to health may inform the future of innovative finance to generate holistic, preventive approaches to infectious disease outbreaks. While major global health and financial institutions emphasize the importance of using economic tools for pandemic prevention and response investments, this research examines the ways that economic knowledge is valued across the spectrum of actors involved in World Bank projects, I.e. the World Bank, investors, partner organizations, local governments, health care workers, and communities. Best practices at the World Bank headquarters differ across global practices as well as departments in terms of priority issues and analytical approach. In Senegal, the World Bank’s operational practices for pandemic risk are impacted by government priorities, national and international policy, geography, and cultural realities. As a result, knowledge of pandemic risk is entangled with multispecies bodies and geopolitical histories as international development agencies seek to address pandemic risk in Senegalese bodies
A combination of rapamycin, ω3-PUFA docosahexaenoic acid and epigallocatechin-3-gallate for the simultaneous suppression of PI3K/mTOR pathway and Wnt/β-catenin signalling in colorectal carcinogenesis
Get PDFLoss of function mutations in the APC gene represent a critical hit for colorectal cancer (CRC) onset in both sporadic and inherited settings (e.g. FAP). This gene encodes a tumor suppressor protein that regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Together with the PI3K/mTOR signalling, Wnt/β-catenin is frequently deregulated in the early stages of CRC. Relevant cross-talks between the two pathways have been described, and numerous inhibitors have been developed and tested against CRC. However, long-term treatment often fails due to the acquisition of resistance mechanisms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a combination (RDE) of Rapamycin, ω3-PUFA Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on PI3K/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in a combinatorial approach against APC-driven CRCs. RDE was tested in different intestinal genetic backgrounds: (i) APC-mutated including FAP-morphologically-normal-appearing mucosa (NM) and adenomas (A)-organoids; sporadic-CRC-cancer (K) organoids, and SW480 and HT-29 cell lines; (ii) non-APC-mutated CRC comprising HCT116 (CTNNB1 mutated) cells; HEK293STF cells, healthy FIT+ NM/ CRC-NM-derived organoids as non-mutated (iii). Cells/organoids viability, stemness (LGR5)/differentiation (KRT20), were evaluated together with target genes and effector proteins of the two pathways. We found that RDE inhibited effectively PI3K/mTOR by suppressing the downstream effectors protein P70S6K and S6R in a background-independent manner. However, targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway appeared more challenging and deranged-Wnt/β-catenin-dependent. Indeed, in pre-cancerous settings (FAP NM/A organoids) RDE enhanced the Wnt signalling activation; in APC-mutated and non-APC-mutated CRC settings RDE induced β-catenin protein degradation through non-canonical mechanisms. Despite the upregulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, RDE affected cell/organoids viability and significantly suppressed LGR5, promoting a shift towards differentiation. Our results suggests that RDE is a potential therapeutic approach for both preventive and therapeutic strategies against APC-driven CRC
Unconventional computing paradigm methods with application to computational chemistry
Get PDFOver the last two decades, applied chemistry has experienced a significant shift, integrating theory and modeling as essential aspects of the discipline. This transformation has been driven by advancements in methodology, numerical techniques, and the increased capabilities of computer hardware and software. Notably, parallel Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have become instrumental in computational chemistry, allowing for efficient simulations alongside traditional CPU-based computing.
However, despite these advances, classical computing faces limitations, particularly in solving complex optimization and sampling problems inherent in computational chemistry. These challenges have prompted exploration into alternative computing paradigms, including quantum computing and memcomputing. Quantum computers leverage principles of quantum mechanics to surpass classical computing limits for specific tasks, while memcomputing exploits classical mechanics in a non-Turing manner, using the evolution of physical systems for computation.
This thesis examines these alternative paradigms and their potential to address the limitations of classical computing in computational chemistry. It delves into the physical implementations of quantum and memcomputing systems and evaluates their performance through benchmarking against classical methods. Tests include assessing quantum amplitude estimation methods on trapped ion computers, evaluating quantum optimization for crystal structure prediction, and analyzing the effectiveness of memcomputing and adiabatic quantum computing on NP-hard optimization problems.
While the results show promise for these alternative paradigms, they also highlight current limitations in hardware and implementation. Nonetheless, the findings suggest a hopeful outlook for the future development and application of quantum computing and memcomputing in computational chemistry
The comedic compromise. Comedy and politics in the history of italian television (1969-1982)
Get PDFL’obiettivo di questo lavoro è mettere a fuoco la relazione tra la comicità e la politica nella storia della televisione italiana dal 1969 al 1982, puntando lo sguardo sull’intrattenimento televisivo e sulle modalità attraverso le quali i comici, i professionisti e i programmi di varietà hanno interagito con la politica in un contesto televisivo caratterizzato da una relazione strettissima con il sistema dei partiti. La comicità riflette e rielabora crisi, pulsioni profonde e trasformazioni socioculturali che attraversano l’Italia, proprio mentre la televisione e la Rai si trasformano con l’arrivo del colore e la fine del monopolio. Le istituzioni televisive, la lottizzazione, la censura, i mutamenti della comunicazione politica, il nuovo ruolo nazionale e mediale assunto dai comici, sono tutti elementi che condizionano la comicità televisiva, ma sono anche un bersaglio della stessa, assorta in una costante attività di autoriflessione. Dall’altra parte, la politica cerca di rispondere alla sua crisi di legittimità legandosi progressivamente al medium e subendone le logiche: il rapporto con la cultura di massa, l’orizzonte spettacolare, la profonda dimensione ludica — e dunque, anche comica. Il progetto ha selezionato tre casi di studio: la parabola di Alighiero Noschese e delle sue imitazioni politiche; la vicenda della Rete 2 di Massimo Fichera e dei programmi comici di cui è culla, come Onda Libera di Roberto Benigni, il teatro di Dario Fo e Franca Rame, l’Altra domenica di Renzo Arbore; e, infine, la comicità della coppia composta da Sandra Mondaini e Raimondo Vianello. I vari casi verranno analizzati attraverso un approccio metodologico multifocale, che mescola le teorie e gli studi sulla comicità televisiva, gli studi sulle culture di produzione e la storia della comunicazione politica.The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between comedy and politics in the history of Italian television from 1969 to 1982, placing particular emphasis on television entertainment and how comedians, professionals, and variety programs engaged with politics in a television landscape marked by a close association with the party system. Comedy serves as a reflection and reinterpretation of crises, profound impulses, and socio-cultural transformations traversing Italy, coinciding with the transformations in television due to the introduction of color and the end of the monopoly.
Television institutions, political patronage, censorship, shifts in political communication, and the newly assumed national and medial role by comedians are all factors influencing television comedy. Simultaneously, they become subjects of comedic commentary, immersed in an ongoing process of self-reflection. On the other hand, politics seeks to address its legitimacy crisis by progressively aligning with the medium and adapting to its dynamics, including its relationship with mass culture, the spectacular horizon, and the deep playful dimension — thus, incorporating elements of comedy.
The project has identified three case studies for analysis: the trajectory of Alighiero Noschese and his political imitations; the narrative of Massimo Fichera's Rete 2 and the comedic programs it fostered, such as Roberto Benigni's Onda Libera, the works of Dario Fo and Franca Rame, and Renzo Arbore's Altra domenica; and, finally, the comedic contributions of the duo Sandra Mondaini and Raimondo Vianello. These cases will be scrutinized through a multifocal methodological approach that integrates theories and studies on television comedy, examinations of production cultures, and an exploration of the history of political communication
A language-based software engineering approach for cyber-physical swarms
Get PDFIT systems are becoming increasingly ubiquitous and interconnected, driven by the rise of Internet of Things devices and advancements in edge-cloud computing. This evolution is having a growing impact on society and the economy. An advanced perspective on these systems identifies them as Cyber-Physical Swarm, which consist of large networks of interconnected devices embedded in the physical world, exhibiting collective behaviors. This thesis explores the engineering challenges associated with these systems, focusing on managing the complexities arising from their collective intelligence and large-scale nature. To address these challenges, this work introduces a language-based approach centered on aggregate computing, which is a top-down paradigm designed to describe large-scale collective behaviors. This paradigm was chosen because it facilitates the design of self-organizing behaviors, which are crucial for the resilient operation of CPSWs. Adopting a language-based approach has led to significant advancements in both hybrid methods–combining declarative and sub-symbolic solutions–and standard engineering approaches. Specifically, we identified two major facets to focus on engineering aspects: design patterns–i.e., the reusable solutions to common problems within a given context–and the platform aspects–i.e., the underlying infrastructure that supports the aggregate software. Regarding the former, we have developed new algorithms, APIs, and design methodologies. For the latter, we have taken action at the deployment and collective execution levels. Concurrently, we have explored how learning can be integrated into aggregate programming through a roadmap. We have effectively combined machine learning with aggregate computing both at the pattern level, with work based on many-agent reinforcement learning, specifically collective program sketching and a novel algorithm called field-informed reinforcement learning, and at the platform level with an innovative approach that aims to create distributed schedulers for collective computation. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to provide a holistic approach for the effective design and deployment of large-scale, adaptable, and robust CPSWs
Outcomes of hybrid endovascular repair of aortic arch pathologies. Safety, durability and patency of hybrid approach for endovascular aortic repair involving the aortic arch
Get PDFIntroduction: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has emerged as the preferred option for high-risk patients. Complex cases often necessitate supra-aortic vessel (SAV) engagement for a stable repair, often using fenestrated/branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). When these devices are unavailable, a hybrid approach combining surgical debranching of SAV with extra-anatomical bypass offers a viable alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, durability, and patency of the hybrid approach in aortic arch endovascular repairs.
Methods: Retrospective and prospective analyses from January 2011 to September 2023, encompassing various aortic pathologies involving the aortic arch, with at least one SAV revascularized via surgical bypass/reimplantation. The primary endpoints were hybrid repair incidence and configurations, technical success, SAV debranching-related complications at 30 days, reinterventions, and follow-up SAV debranching patency. Secondary endpoints included mortality, adverse events, clinical success at 30 days.
Results: 67 patients with mean age 71 years, predominantly male, were included. Anatomical subgroups included aortic arch diseases (25%) and thoracic/thoracoabdominal pathologies (75%). Procedural subgroups comprised simple tube TEVAR (67%) and advanced endovascular techniques (33%). Overall, 71 debranching procedures were performed, with left-common-carotid to left-subclavian bypass being the most common (72%). Technical success rate was 94%, with debranching-related complications in 16% and reinterventions in 27% of cases. Secondary endpoints at 30 days showed 10% mortality, 35% major adverse events, and 80% clinical success. Follow-up demonstrated 75% and 85% overall survival rates at 12 and 36 months, respectively, with no aortic-related mortalities.
Conclusions: Endovascular hybrid repair is effective for aortic arch pathologies, with high technical success and mid-term debranching patency. Strict follow-up is mandatory for optimal outcomes
Validation of SiPMs for the DUNE Far detector photon detection system through the development and commissioning of a cryogenic facility
Get PDFThe Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next generation long baseline neutrino experiment in preparation in the US.
Its main scientific goals are the measurement of neutrino parameters such as the CP-violating phase, , determine the neutrino mass ordering, and precisely measure the oscillation angles and .
DUNE will be implemented with a Near Detector and a Far Detector, located at 500 m and 1300 km, respectively, along the neutrino beamline originating at Fermilab. The FD complex will consist of four detectors modules of Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers, instrumented with a Photon Detection System (PDS) to detect the scintillation light produced inside the active volume. The PDS will be based on light collectors coupled to Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) working in a Liquid Argon environment.
This thesis is focused on the test activities and the validation of the photosensors for the experiment, along with the optimization of the PDS performance for its first module.
%to verify the compatibility of the photosensors to the experiment requirements. This was necessary to ensure a uniform response of the system.
The results of a selection process of SiPMs are reported, as well as the full characterization of these devices at room and cryogenic temperatures (77 K). Based on these results, the SiPMs for the first module prototype (ProtoDUNE, at CERN) were produced. A description of the semi-automated system used to validate these sensors is given along with the results obtained.
A campaign of validation of all the SiPMs (300000) which will be eventually installed in the first DUNE Far Detector module is currently undergoing using this system. The results for the samples tested up to now are here presented
Investigation of the obscuring torus in AGN using multi-wavelength SED
Get PDFThe PhD thesis is focused on characterizing the properties of the obscuring torus in active galactic nuclei (AGN) by analyzing X-ray and multi-wavelength spectral energy distributions. The torus, consisting of molecular and dusty clouds, is believed to cause nuclear obscuration. However, its exact properties remain uncertain. AGN emit diffuse X-ray radiation, contributing significantly to the cosmic X-ray background (CXB), with Compton-thick AGN (CT-AGN) being major contributors around its peak energy. Despite this, observations reveal a discrepancy with AGN population synthesis models, indicating a need for a comprehensive census of obscured AGN at various wavelengths.
In the first part of my thesis, I conducted X-ray spectral analysis on seven heavily obscured AGN candidates in the local Universe. Utilizing data from Chandra, XMM-Newton, and NuSTAR, I examined torus properties using advanced X-ray torus models. Results identified three bona fide CT-AGN and three Compton-Thin AGN. Notably, one source was found to be less obscured than previously thought, underscoring the importance of reliable constraint methods.
Combining this analysis with previous studies, only a small fraction of AGN are CT-AGN, contrary to model predictions. In the second part, I focused on NGC 6300, a changing-look AGN candidate, conducting comprehensive X-ray spectroscopic analysis using advanced torus models. Results revealed no variability in line-of-sight column density but showed intrinsic flux variability. Additionally, evidence of an inner CT-ring of gas was found, contributing to reflection-dominated spectra. Optical to far-infrared band fluxes were extracted for broad-band spectral energy distribution fitting, allowing investigation of torus geometry and host galaxy properties.
Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the properties and behavior of heavily obscured AGN and contributes to our understanding of the nature of the obscuring torus in AGN
Tsunami detection strategies and algorithms for ocean bottom pressure gauges in an early warning context
Get PDFThe last two decades have witnessed a rapid increase of awareness regarding tsunami hazard, especially since the 2004 Sumatra event. This has been accompanied by the development of Tsunami Early Warning (TEW) systems all around the world, which need instrumental monitoring networks to work. Classically, TEW systems have been based on seismic monitoring, although direct observation of travelling tsunami waves has acquired an ever more important role. The de facto standard tsunami measurement device today is the Ocean Bottom Pressure Gauge (OBPG), which measures the water pressure at the bottom of the sea. In this thesis, we test four tsunami detection algorithms, namely Mofjeld's algorithm, detiding with Empirical Orthogonal Functions, the Tsunami Detection Algorithm and a method based on the Fast Iterative Filtering (FIF) and IMFogram algorithms. FIF and IMFogram are data driven techniques for the decomposition and time-frequency representation of signals. We show that these techniques can be a compelling alternative to classical analysis methods, giving equivalent results, with the added robustness of data driven methods and the ability of performing multiple operations (denoising, tide removal, bandpass filtering) at once. Then, we leverage on their properties to develop a new tsunami detection algorithm. The four methods are tested against two datasets built from OBPG data from the NOAA's Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART). The first dataset consists of month-long signals including only tides and noise, while the second includes day-long records acquired during past tsunami events. We discuss criteria to choose the optimal amplitude detection threshold, based on detection rates of tsunamis and earthquakes and false detections. The newly developed FIF-based technique shows promising results, both in terms of false detection rates and optimal detection thresholds. Finally, the ability of the technique to characterize the tsunami waveshape in real time are discussed in operational contexts are presented
Adaptive life history strategies of the Adriatic commercial Gadiformes facing fishing pressure and climate change
Get PDFUnderstanding the biology, ecological interactions, and population trends of key marine species is essential for achieving sustainable marine resource management. This is particularly true for those basins characterised by high levels of anthropogenic impacts and high susceptibility to climate change, whose negative effects can be interactive and unpredictable. The Adriatic Sea represents the paradigmatic example, showing the highest level of fishing pressure and warming trend in the Mediterranean area. For its unique hydrographic and environmental features, this basin is considered one of the last cold refugia and it hosts several species with affinity to relatively cold waters, such as the Gadiformes. Despite most of them having been commercially exploited, there is a lack of knowledge about their life cycles and the effects of climate on their populations.
This thesis focuses on some gadiform species, investigating their biological responses to increasing sea temperatures and high fishing exploitation. I used an experimental approach to investigate the life history traits of whiting, blue whiting, and poor cod and compare their current growth performances with samples collected between 1985 and 1991. Then, I complemented the experimental part by applying a joint species distribution model to explore the influence of some environmental factors on the abundance of five Adriatic gadiforms (whiting, blue whiting, poor cod, silvery pout, and European hake), using data from the MEDITS surveys carried out between 1998 and 2020. The integration of different methodologies allowed me to highlight both common and species-specific variation patterns. On the one hand, the experimental approach allowed me to observe a common pattern of size reduction in the three gadid species, on the other hand, the modelling approach revealed species-specific levels of sensitivity to sea warming. The results of the present study underscore the importance of using more complex and comprehensive approaches to effectively inform management policies