10610 research outputs found
Sort by
Planning, managing and empowering while pursuing change: exploring the integration of people map-making and geographic information technologies
Get PDFThis research work is an exploration of practices for local inhabitants’ involvement within urban/rural planning processes and environmental management.
A particular focus is placed on People Mapping, a hands-on practice in which people represent their own place of living on maps or relief models according to their local knowledge, everyday experience and sense of belonging. Geographic Information Technologies are here analysed as an added value to People Mapping, to make its outcomes more communicative, authoritative and, in particular, reusable as a base to build upon by planners. In fact, mapping is conceived as a means to put into constructive dialogue government authorities, professionals, and inhabitants conceived as local experts. In this sense, the process of map/model making is here considered a transformative practice. Through revealing the contextual social production of places, its identity and its representation in locals’ perspective; as well as tailoring alternatives, and liberating imaginaries; people enhance their agency and capacity to challenge institutionalized modes and contest dominant conceptions. The interaction among different stakeholders who can voice their positions and visions; the possibility of interweaving new power relationships and the co-production of a unique knowledge embodied in a visual device made of optimized data and information, lay essential foundations for more concerted development approaches and practices and consequently more just changes in space production and resources management
L’Abitare collettivo: sperimentazioni e progetti degli anni ‘50 e ‘60 tra New Empiricism e Carta dell’Habitat
No full textThe topic of housing, understood as grouping of social housing or as construction of “bourgeois” apartment buildings, in recent decades has seen a constant renewal of perspectives related to urban newly-built projects, to the recovery of brownfields and of course to the recovery of existing buildings. Following the creeping economic crisis, which has affected most of the advanced economies for almost
a decade, the theme of house has taken again a central role in the discipline of architectural design and in the urban and social development planning policies. This dissertation, therefore, aims to investigate what happened, especially in Europe, in the two decades after the end of the Second World War. This period of strong revision of the concepts and theories of dwelling in different disciplinary
environments and the consequent need of social and urban reconstruction, urged designers, theorists, philosophers to question themselves again about principles of dwelling, with all the implications that this new reflection generated. Among the Fifties and Sixties and the present day there are many similarities, especially in the economic and social fields. Research on collective housing project, that has been a central theme of the contemporary architecture since the early 2000s, reinterprets many of the trials of those years, rediscovering the inhabitant as a thinking man and not as a number. This research work, therefore, wants to: understand what are today the design actions focused on collective housing and on shared living that can affect the architectural and social renewal of the contemporary urban palimpsest and that reinterpret the models of the ‘50s and ‘60s; to investigate the experimental and greatly distinguishing examples, that belong to a historical period that will still probably need a historical gap to be better understood and absorbed; to analyze changes and transformations relating to the theme of collective dwelling, that occurred since the end of the Forties, through the Fifties to get to the Sixties; to find in the models of the ‘50s and ‘60s current references capable of returning an architecture closer to the perception of the space of the so-called “man in the street” that in 1949 was considered by James Maude Richards as first recipient of architectural production
Genetic and phenotypic investigation of milk composition and technological properties in dairy sheep
No full textIn the last decade, the technological and the nutritional qualities of milk have been extensively investigated because of the worldwide increasing amount of cheese produced and the consumer interest in dairy product features related to human health. In the present thesis the genetic and phenotypic variability of milk composition and technological properties of Sarda dairy ewes were investigated.
The use of multivariate factor analysis on milk composition, coagulation properties and cheese yield has allowed elucidating the inner structure of the correlation patterns existing among variables that define milk quality. Four new extracted variables (latent factors) from the original traits, explained about 76% of total variance. Heritability estimates for the factors suggest their use as breeding goals.
The study of lactation curve for milk traits during lactation has showed an improvement of cheese yield in late lactation, even though this result could be due to a reduction of curd draining capacity. At the end of lactation were observed the poorest cheese-making aptitude, which could be explained by physiological changes in ewes and relevant modification of milk composition. Stage of lactation, parity and month of lambing were the main factors affecting milk quality traits.
The possibility to improve nutritional quality with selection programmes, in particular milk fatty acids profile, is supported by the existence of genetic variability for some fatty acids, as evidenced by our results
Soil Organic Carbon: current stock and future projections in Italy and Europe using a spatial modelling approach
Get PDFSoil organic carbon (SOC) represents the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial biosphere. A significant impact of climate change on carbon accumulation and release processes from soils has been recognized from the scientific community. Several papers highlighted the role of woody areas in the global carbon budget. At the same time, a noticeable data shortage related to the carbon
stored in these surfaces has been recognized.
The main objectives of this work were: (i) to develop a methodology for performing large-scale SOC estimates; (ii) to assess the current SOC stock and future projections for forestry and tree crop soils in Italy and in a Euro-Mediterranean area.
A spatial modeling platform was developed, using CENTURY 5 model. The model was then run at 500 m resolution for Italy and at 1 km resolution for the Euro-Mediterranean area.
In Italy the total SOC stock ranges between 1320 Tg and 1425 Tg. The largest contribution was supplied by broad-leaved, followed by coniferous. In the Euro-Mediterranean area the total SOC stock ranges from 5917 Tg to 6317 Tg. The largest contribution was supplied by coniferous, followed by broad-leaved and mixed forests. The total SOC stock decreases both in Italy (-0.75%; 13 Tg) and Euro-Mediterranean area (-0.86%; 53 Tg) in the period 2005-2095.
The results obtained would represent a contribution for improving our knowledge on the role of the forestry surfaces for the development of policies related to climate change mitigation strategies
Morfologia strutturale ed ultrastrutturale delle cellule del liquido amniotico: differenze di genere
No full textINTRODUCTION: Gender Medicine, based on the scientific studies conducted, aims to ensure that
both man and woman are the best therapeutic treatment possible for certain pathologies. "They
are males or females not only on the basis of sex, but also in relation to other aspects of the
physiology of the body and the roles we play in society" (Franconi-Catastini).
The term "sex" refers to differences based on biology, while gender is understood as the set of
differences based on culture. Gender differences, from the scientific point of view, are the triumph
of the epigenetics defined by Denise Barlow, "all those occult and wonderful things that genetics
can not explain." It fills the gap between nature and culture and on the biological plane is
characterized by DNA modifications that affect the genome without altering the sequence of the
same DNA and which can be transferred to subsequent cell generations. Epigenetics are all those
activities that regulate genes through chemical processes (diet and drugs) that do not involve
changes in the DNA sequence, but which can alter the phenotype of the individual and/or progeny.
The environment, both internal and external, can influence the expression of our genes. It is
regulated by the environment in a rather coarse but very detailed way. There are molecules that,
depending on the surrounding stimuli, can be activated or deactivated and then go on to activate
the expression of certain genes rather than deactivating it.
AIM: With this study we try to highlight whether there are gender differences in the structural and
ultrastructural morphology of amniotic fluid cells in order to design a research field based on
morphological analysis even before growth, with conditions that They may favor indications on the
stages of evolution of the embryo and consequently evaluate any gender differences.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: the amniotic fluid cells represent a heterogeneous population
derived from the three embryonic leaves. These cells share an epithelial origin and are derived
from the development of the embryo and the inner area of the amniotic membrane. The largest
contribution of the population of cells is given by fetal skin, fetal digestive tract, and urinary tract,
respiratory tract and placental membranes. The amniotic fluid is a protective fluid for the embryo
during its development. It provides nutrients and nutrients necessary for embryogenesis.
Amniocentesis has been used for many decades as a routine procedure for determining the fetal
karyotype and prenatal diagnosis, enabling the revelation of a variety of genetic pathologies. It
therefore represents a rich source of population of stem cells from the fetus and the membrane
surrounding the liquid itself.
For our study, amniotic fluid cells (ages between 15 and 20 weeks gestation) were extracted from
amniotic fluid through amniocentesis, prenatal diagnosis technique for karyotype study.
The following parameters were taken into account: sex of the fetus, the age of the pregnant,
smocking before and / or during pregnancy, any genetic diseases of the unborn child.
To avoid differences in these parameters, we chose to study gender differences between healthy
amniotic fluid XX and XY cells and non-smoking women.
In vitro experimental data show that cell proliferation is higher for amniotic fluid XX cells compared
to XY and there are no significant differences in cell death. Other studies on neural stem cells
show increased proliferation in response to estrogen, while androgens have inhibitory effects on
their proliferation. The difference in the mean values of the two groups is not large enough to reject
the possibility that the difference is due to random sampling variability. There is no statistically
significant difference between the groups (P = 0.170).
RESULTS: Female cells show greater proliferation than male cells, but the difference in the mean
values of the two male and female cell groups is not large enough to reject the possibility that this
difference is due to random sampling variability (P = 0.170).
CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic fluid cells have been used in prenatal diagnosis for over many years.
They have proven to be a safe, reliable and simple screening tool for recognizing genetic diseases.
The studies conducted so far are still few to confirm that there is a certain difference between male
and female cells of structural and ultrastructural morphology
Pubblicità e segretezza nel processo penale: fra indicazioni normative e profili attuativi
No full textThe paper analyzes the declinations of the principle of publicity and the secret in criminal proceedings, through a critical reading of the normative data, jurisprudential and doctrinal interpretations, and concrete applications (and their frequent violations) found in practice. The applicative spectrum of these principles, in relation to the individual moments of the criminal rite, contributes to delineating the terms of the relationship between criminal justice and information. A long which delicate conflicts intersect between constitutionally protected interests: presumption of innocence, privacy, reputation, right of information, success of the investigations, collective control over the exercise of judicial powers. The need for a proper balancing of these interests represents the underlying prospect of the whole research, which is divided into three parts, referring, respectively, to the publicity of the judicial hearing, the secret of the investigations and the prohibition of publication of acts of the proceedings
Endocrine/metabolic status and reproductive performances in Sarda dairy ewes given different nutritional plans
No full textThe first study investigate the carry-over effects of a background grazing during lactation on ewe’s reproductive performances evaluating if different time access to pasture during mid-lactation may exert a residual effect on ewe’s body weight and condition, milk yield at mating, and reproductive performance in ewes submitted to a flushing with lupin grains. These experiments demonstrated that ewes with severely restricted access to pasture during mid-lactation have detrimental effect on reproduction. The second study was designed to assess the effects on plasmatic and intrafollicular concentrations of metabolites and hormones in non-lactating Sarda ewes, and to evaluate its effects on metabolism, milk production and reproductive performances in lactating ewes. Treatment affect circulating concentration of metabolites and hormones in dry ewe and partially in follicular fluid. In lactating ewes, homeorhetic adaptation during lactation lead to a different response. The glycerol based mixture lead to increase in circulating glycerol concentration, affecting plasma osmolarity and total protein concentration, and likely blood volume. DMI decrease in ewe, maybe related by a lower fiber digestibility of glycerol-supplemented diet. Milk yield was significantly reduced in treated ewes. Milk protein content increased and milk fat was not affected. As for reproductive performances, the difference was not statistically significant
Problemi di giurisdizione nella convenzione di Montreal del 1999
No full textThis paper compares the provision on choice of jurisdiction in Montreal Convention of 1999 on international air transport and those of the previous Warsaw Convention of 1929. The Montreal Convention added the so-called fifth jurisdiction. Issues relating to forum shopping and forum non conveniens are also examined. In particular, the author highlights the non-applicability of the doctrine of forum non conveniens with reference to jurisdictions provided by the uniform law. The author believes that provisions on choise of jurisdiction by Warsaw and Montreal Conventions does not cover internal distribution of jurisdiction within the States
Synthesis of heterocycles for OLED applications
No full textOrganic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have in recent decades gained increasing importance in lightning and in displays, spreading fast outside simple laboratory research. This thesis concentrates on the synthesis of substituted heterocycles and their use in OLED applications.
The first chapter describes the basic principles behind OLEDs and their development and uses up to date. It also provides an overview of the classes of organic compounds – both polymers and small molecules – used in OLED applications, and describes the effects of heterocycles in organic molecules used in OLED applications. The second chapter describes the synthesis and optical characterisation of trisubstituted triazines, and the synthesis of gold nanoparticles functionalised with substituted triazines. Physical and optical characterisation of most interesting compounds is also included.
The third chapter concentrates on new synthetic strategies for the synthesis of functionalised indoles. The optical properties of indole, together with the fact that inserting a nitrogen heterocycle onto a compound lowers its LUMO and HOMO levels, make it an attractive substituent in OLED applications. In the third chapter a new synthetic approach to quinolines is described, exploiting a Ru-catalysed cross-dehydrogenative coupling between two different primary alcohols, whereas the fifth chapter is dedicated to a one-pot synthesis of β-lactams using benzylic amines as the imine source, and ketenes formed in situ
Zeoliti naturali in formulazioni farmaceutiche per uso orale: preparazione, valutazione e possibile impiego di un materiale a base di Clinoptilolite
No full textThis work investigates the possible use of clinoptilolite in formulations to be used against Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium recognized responsible for up to 70% of gastric ulcers. To survive in gastric environment the bacterium hydrolyses the urea present in the gastric juices generating ammonia which increases the pH in the stomach as, due to H+ presence, NH3 is converted to NH4+.
Starting form a zeolite-rich rock, a reproducible material that maximizes clinoptilolite properties and minimizes any kind of interference was prepared. Chemical and mineralogical composition, technological properties and microbiological quality of materials were determined. Tests were performed to evaluate the resistance and the oral bioaccessibility of contaminants in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. The recommendations and procedures of European Pharmacopoeia were taken as benchmark to the largest extent possible.
The material obtained was then prepared in different cation forms, and tested in-vitro against different strains (also clinical) of H. pylori, to evaluate if the clinoptilolites, due to the exchange capacity and selectivity toward ammonium, show antagonistic activity against H. pylori growth and infection. A set of antibiotics currently used in the eradication therapy of H. pylori were also considered. MIC and MBC of the antibiotics, of the forms of clinoptilolite prepared, and of combinations antibiotics+clinoptilolite were measured by using different methods