Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Ensembling satellite monitoring and numerical cartography towards the safety assessment of infrastructures
No full textThis paper explores new technologies that can advance the state-of-the-practice in safety assessment and health monitoring of existing infrastructures. In this context, multi-temporal interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar techniques combined with the use of digital models of infrastructures represent a powerful integration to conventional approaches in the monitoring and assessment of structural safety of infrastructures. Although the interferometric method is widely used for ground deformation investigations, using displacement data from satellite observation in structural monitoring is less investigated. The joint use of multi-frequency satellite radar data provided by the European Space Agency Copernicus project and Italian Space Agency will be explored. The paper introduces the workflow implemented for processing satellite radar data from the X-band COSMO-SkyMed constellation by the Italian Space Agency over the municipality of Modena (Italy). An open-source workflow based on Multi-Temporal Interferometric technique and Persistent Scatterers Interferometry is adopted, enabling the detection of displacements of stable targets and the generation of corresponding time series. Radar data products, derived from the processing of both COSMO-SkyMed and Sentinel-1 data, are analyzed in a Geographic Information System alongside the available geospatial dataset of infrastructures. This approach enables the extraction of displacement components related to the ground and infrastructures. The method's potential for characterizing infrastructures behaviour is assessed through the analysis of selected case studies. The results aim to establish the foundations for a method capable of assessing infrastructure safety
Nasal inhalation of antiviral microparticulate powders to target early infection of upper airways
No full textDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, several compounds among which chloroquine diphosphate (CqP), have been repurposed as anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Critically, studies were most often performed by systemic drug administration, whereas the early viral infection of human body appeared in the upper respiratory tract. This research addressed the delivery strategy for depositing a powder aerosol of CqP onto the upper airways by a nasal inhalation act. By formulating the drug as nasal microparticulate aerodynamic powder, the loco-regional application of particle aerosol concentrates the drug primarily on the upper airway epithelia where the virus replicates. Nasal microparticulate powders of CqP, with and without excipients, were engineered by spray drying, obtaining particle size, density and morphology suitable for aerosolization and deposition onto the upper respiratory tract. The powders were loaded into a pre-metered device for oral inhalation of dry powders that was innovatively actuated by a nasal sharp sniff. The generated nasal airflow, measured in healthy volunteers, enabled powder dose emission from the inhaler. Chloroquine diphosphate microparticles, deposited on rabbit nasal mucosa ex vivo, led in less than 45 min to CqP concentrations within the epithelial cells between 30-70 mM. The in vitro CqP concentrations inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication, were in the mu M range. The virus inhibition studied in Vero E6 cells was further enhanced when the cells were pre-treated with the drug powder before infection. In conclusion, the simple nasal sniff of an antiviral aerodynamic powder could be active against airborne viral early infection, limiting the exposition of the whole body to undesired drug effects
Unveiling the crystal structure of Sanidine: A Polarized Raman and Ab Initio Simulation Exploration
No full textSanidine, the high-temperature polymorph of potassic feldspar, plays a crucial role in the formation of volcanic rocks. Despite extensive research, the complexity of K-feldspar polymorphs remains poorly understood. This study, by combining polarized Raman spectroscopy with ab initio calculations, aims to definitively assign the vibrational modes predicted by theory to those observed experimentally. A sanidine megacryst from the rhyo-dacite sub-intrusive body of Terlano (Ora mega-caldera complex, Southern Alps, Italy) was used for this purpose. Polarized Raman spectra were collected in six scattering geometries, allowing for precise mode selection within the 40–1200 cm−1 range. Our vibrational analysis, based on density functional theory, provides wave-numbers and normal modes having trends that largely align with experimental data. The combination of experimental data and theoretical calculations also indicated that the models in which aluminum is located at the T1 tetrahedral site are more stable than those with aluminum at the T2 site. This finding provides further insight into the order–disorder phase transition in K-feldspar, a phenomenon that is difficult to replicate under laboratory conditions. These results further improve our understanding of the relationship between theoretical models and the actual spectral characteristics of this disordered mineral. The full assignment of normal modes presented here lays the foundation for future studies of phase transitions in K-feldspars using Raman spectroscopy
Real‐Time Monitoring of DNA Origami‐Cell Interactions via Single Particle Tracking
No full textDue to the unique spatial addressability of DNA origami, targeting ligands can be specifically positioned onto the surface of the nanostructure, constituting an essential tool for studying ligand-receptor interactions at the cell surface. While the design and ligand incorporation into DNA origami nanostructures is well-established, the study of dynamic interactions with cell surfaces is still in the explorative phase, where an in-depth fundamental understanding of the molecular interaction dynamics remains underexplored. This study uniquely captures real-time encounters between DNA origami and cells in situ using single particle tracking (SPT). We functionalized DNA nanorods (NRs) with antibodies or aptamers specific to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and used them to target EGFR-overexpressing cells. SPT data revealed that ligand-coated NRs selectively bind to the receptors expressed in target cancer cells, while non functionalized NRs only display negligible cell interactions. Furthermore, the effect of ligand density is explored on the DNA origami, which revealed that aptamer-decorated NRs exhibit nonlinear binding characteristics, whereas this effect in antibody-decorated NRs is less pronounced. This study provides new mechanistic insights into the fundamental understanding of DNA origami behavior at the cell interface, with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, aiding the rational design of ligand-targeted DNA origami for biomedical applications
Moisture-driven failure mechanisms in historical paintings: A phase-field approach
No full textCraquelure significantly impacts the aesthetic and structural integrity of historical paintings. This study proposes a modeling strategy to simulate failure mechanisms in historical paintings subjected to humidity fluctuations. A simplified two-dimensional framework is proposed, where moisture diffusion is modeled within the painting, represented as two elastic-brittle solids connected through a cohesive interface. Two phase field fracture approaches are utilized: one simulates crack initiation and propagation within the paint layer, while the other describes adhesion at the interface. The model incorporates the interactions among the critical layers-canvas, rabbit skin glue, and paint-accounting for humidity-dependent changes in material properties and moisture-induced expansion. Numerical simulations under various scenarios demonstrate that the model effectively reproduces the complex failure mechanisms characteristic of craquelure, providing insight into moisture-driven degradation processes. This model can help design preventive conservation strategies that support the long-term preservation of cultural heritage
SIONCOV guidelines for diagnosis, staging, and treatment of feline intestinal lymphoma
No full textThe acquisition of vast information that arises from the thriving literature and the objective of aligning veterinary oncology research with international standards by adhering to the rules of Good Clinical Practice, led to the formulation of this consensus. This is easy to consult and benefits from an updated scientific literature and recommendations dictated by scientific evidence; with this in mind, the guidelines for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of feline intestinal lymphoma have been drawn up by a Panel of Experis and reviewed by External auditors. The document is not intended to bepermanent, but only reflects current medical knowledge, and must always be adapted to the clinical context in which one intervenes and to the patient
Comparative LC-MS Proteomics of Quinoa Grains: Evaluation of Bioactivity and Health Benefits by Combining In Silico Techniques With In Vitro Assays on Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells
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Clinical genetic services in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy: current activity and open issues: a mixed-method study
No full textIn 2002, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, a comprehensive strategic plan was developed with the aim of improving the integration and efficiency of the genetic services. Two decades later, this report aims to explore the current functioning of the regional network, with special focus on clinical genetics in the evolving scenarios. To this aim, we analyzed the activity data of the medical genetics services in the region, to identify and possibly improve currently open issues. This is a mixed-method study, analyzing quantitatively and qualitatively the activities of seven medical genetics services in Emilia-Romagna region. Quantitative analysis considered the number of consultations and the composition of the staff in the year 2021. Qualitative analysis examined a focus group of directors of the services through reflexive thematic analysis. A total of 14,925 counseling sessions have been delivered by the medical genetics services, staffed with 22.4 full-time equivalent clinical geneticists. A physician performed an average of 14.5 consultations per week and approximately 1166 h of patient care per year. The clinical geneticists/inhabitants ratio was 0.54 per 100,000 inhabitants, and it is estimated that one every 278 inhabitants, on average, underwent a genetic counseling session in 2021. Qualitative analysis highlighted issues concerning patients' access to service, general organization and staff composition. In order to meet the growing demand for genetic counseling services, expansion of the workforce and adjustment of current practice models are required to increase the access to genetic services and the application of test results to clinical management