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Phytochemistry in the development of pesticides and biocides
No full textTo date biopesticides and biocides are studied as substitutes for their toxic synthetic ancestors. The botanical pesticides are evaluated as tools intended for integrated crop protection schemes, while the natural biocides for their potential use in residential areas. In this study we evaluate various botanical matrixes for the nematicidal properties against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp., in the form of pastes and extracts for soil amendment as well as plant secondary metabolites isolated from the afore mentioned matrixes and used individually or in binary mixtures to create synergism. The effects of the treatment compound/s are evaluated in various growth stages of the parasite, considering physiology and behavior. Additionally we investigate the use of botanical extracts as natural biocides for the control of toxic cyanobacteria Aphanizomenon gracile in fresh waters. A first attempt is made to formulate a natural algicidal compound into a slow release product that could permit a long lasting biological activity and thus higher efficacy under open air condition
Studio degli effetti della pre-esposizione adolescenziale al Δ9-THC nell’autosomministrazione di eroina, in età adulta, in un modello animale di maggiore (ratti Lewis) e minore (ratti Fischer 344) predisposizione all’abuso.
Get PDFIntroduction: The progression from adolescence strong use of Cannabis to heroin abuse in adulthood, theorized by Kandel as Gateway Hypothesis (GH) doesn't adequately account the importance of phenotype vulnerability as predisposing factor involved in the development of a drug abuse-related behavioral disorder. Addiction prone Lewis (LEW) and addiction resistant Fischer (F344) inbred rat strains represents a useful animal model of different drug vulnerability in light of the different susceptibility to opiates and psychostimulants reinforcing properties.
Aim: Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Δ9-THC adolescence exposure on the addictive properties of heroin in LEW and F344 strain, during heroin self-administration (SA) in adulthood.
Methods: On the 6th postnatal (PN) week rats were administered twice a day with increasing doses of Δ9-THC (2, 4, 8 mg/kg, i.p.) for three consecutive days. In adulthood (12th PN), LEW and F344 rats were trained to acquire heroin SA behavior (0.025 mg/kg/48 μl, 1-h daily session), under Fixed Ratio-1 (FR-1) (1NP = 1 infusion) schedule of responding. When criterion of acquisition was met, LEW and F344 rats were subjected to self administer heroin:
i) under Fixed Ratio (FR-3 and FR-5) schedule of responding (Exp I), to better understand how Δ9-THC could influence heroin reinforcing properties;
ii) under Progressive Ratio (PR3-4) schedule of reinforcement (Exp II) in order to evaluate if Δ9-THC adolescent exposure affect the motivational value of heroin;
iii) during daily 4-h SA (long access, LA), with increasing doses of heroin (0.025, 0.050 and 0.100 mg/kg), under FR-1 schedule (Exp. III) to determine the role of Δ9-THC as predisposing factor in the vulnerability of opiate abuse by escalation of heroin intake.
Results: In each experiments, adolescent pre-exposure to Δ9-THC induced higher operant responding activity and greater adaptation to all experimental conditions (Exp I, II, III) of opiate-reinforced SA behavior in adult LEW rats as well as progressive escalation of heroin intake when exposed to higher doses of heroin, compared to LEW vehicle as well as to F344 strain (Exp III). Furthermore, LEW Δ9-THC pretreated rats readily acquire PR schedule, showing greater nose poking behavior and higher breaking point values compared to their controls as well as to the counterpart F344 groups. No such differences were observed in the F344 rats strain.
Conclusion: Genetic vulnerability plays a critical role as a predisposing factor in the progression to opiate abuse and related behavioral disease. The results of my research strongly demonstrate that Δ9-THC pre-treatment in adolescence differentially affects both heroin rewarding properties and motivational value, in adulthood, in a strain-related way, and for the first time clearly indicate that heavy Cannabis use during adolescence could have a gateway effect in the adulthood only on individuals provided by an addiction prone genetic and/or phenotype background
The predictor impact of Web Search and Social Media
Get PDFIn recent years, web search and social media have emerged online. Search engine technology has
had to speed up to keep up with the growth of the World Wide Web, that has turned the Internet into
a wide information space with different and badly managed content. Millions of people all over the
world search online several information each day, which makes Web search queries a valuable
source of information. Due to the huge amount of available information, searching has become
dominant in the use of Internet. Users that daily interact with search engines, produce valuable
sources of interesting data regarding several aspects of the world.
Social media increasingly pervades life in several fields of the world, enabling communication
among users and collecting massive amount of information for social media companies that want to
refine their products. Popular services like Twitter and Facebook attract a lot of users who share
facts of their daily life. This kind of content has become more present on the web and, due to its
public nature, even appears in search results from search engines, like Google and Bing. With the
explosion of user generated content, came the need by politicians, analysts, researcher to monitor
the content of different users.
During my PhD, I decided to investigate whether social media activity or information collected by
web search media could be profitable and used for predictive purposes. I studied whether some
relationship exists between particular phenomena and volume of search data, considering the
examined topic on web engines. Then, I analyzed the related social volume in order to discover
whether the chatter of the community can be used to make qualitative predictions about the
considered phenomena, attempting to establish whether there is any correlation.
Simultaneously, I decided to apply automated Sentiment Analysis on shared short messages of users
on Twitter in order to automatically analyze people opinions, sentiments, evaluations and attitude
Design of a Multi-biometric Platform, based on physical traits and physiological measures: Face, Iris, Ear, ECG and EEG
Get PDFSecurity and safety is one the main concerns both for governments and for private
companies in the last years so raising growing interests and investments in
the area of biometric recognition and video surveillance, especially after the sad
happenings of September 2001. Outlays assessments of the U.S. government for
the years 2001-2005 estimate that the homeland security spending climbed from
100 billion of 2005. In this lapse of
time, new pattern recognition techniques have been developed and, even more
important, new biometric traits have been investigated and refined; besides
the well-known physical and behavioral characteristics, also physiological measures
have been studied, so providing more features to enhance discrimination
capabilities of individuals. This dissertation proposes the design of a multimodal
biometric platform, FAIRY, based on the following biometric traits: ear,
face, iris EEG and ECG signals. In the thesis the modular architecture of the
platform has been presented, together with the results obtained for the solution
to the recognition problems related to the different biometrics and their possible
fusion. Finally, an analysis of the pattern recognition issues concerning the
area of videosurveillance has been discussed
Sequenziamento e Analisi Molecolare di Varianti Alleliche del Gene PRB1
Get PDFThe aim of this work was the molecular characterization of gene PRB1 in three subjects with different salivary proteome profile. The PRB1 gene encodes a member of the heterogeneous family of Basic Proline rich Proteins (PRB), produced by the parotid gland and secreted in human saliva. The protein polymorphism resulting from post-translational modifications of the pre-protein PRB1, are further complicated by the gene allelic variants. Those variants involves the third exon of the gene, and are related to the presence or absence of a tandem repeat sequence 183 bp long. That tandem repeat may originate three different allelic forms, defined small, medium or large depending on the number of repeats inside the third exon.
The information reported in the literature about the class of PRP genes, and in particular PRB1 are, from the molecular point of view, fragmentary and difficult to reconstruct. In fact, the literature on this topic covers a time span ranging from the seventies (Azen & Oppenheim, 1973), when the associated peptides have been characterized for the first time, up to the end of the nineties (Stubbs et al., 1998). Since the eighties, there have been various attempts to characterize the PRB1 allelic variants, based on the resulting peptides. This approach has greatly complicated the classification of the gene, but also of his allelic variants and the deriving proteins (Maeda et al., 1985 ; Lyons et al., 1988a, b; Azen et al., 1993). Today we know that from PRB1, considering its allelic and splicing variants, are expressed six different proteins (Marconi et al., 2015). However, amongst the three allelic variants of this gene, the only of which we have the complete nucleotide sequence is the medium. Conversely, for the small and large we have so far only partial sequences, referring only to the third exon. Among the objectives of this study, there was the reconstruction of the complete sequences of the small and large variants, of which there have been previously characterized two putative bearers from the proteomic point of view. At the same time, we also sequenced the PRB1 gene from a putative homozygotic bearer of the medium variant.
While for the subject bearer of the small variant, we were able to identify and sequence the entire gene, the same was not possible for the subject bearer of the large variant. In fact, from our analysis this last subject has shown to be homozygous carrier of the medium variant. This result is incompatible with the presence in his saliva of Ps2 protein, which is characteristic of the large variant. In the absence of further mass spectrometric analysis, we cannot explain the reason for this discrepancy between genomic and proteomic data. The analysis of the complete sequences did not allow us to understand why it has not been identified to the mass spectrometer the peptide relative to the splice variant classified by Maeda with the acronym cP5 (Maeda et al., 1985), while in all the subject has been identified the peptide and the relative cP4 splice variant. Pk-o protein has so far been reported to be expressed from the large variant only, although the first classification of splice variants had been made from an individual carrying the medium variant. Since in none of the three sequenced subjects the splice acceptor site in 3' of the cP5 variant results to be altered, it is possible that the relative peptide has not been identified to the mass spectrometer. Otherwise, specific splicing factors, that recognize Splicing Regulatory Elements (SRES; Hernandez-Imaz et al., 2015) in the neighborhood of the two molecular acceptor sites, prevented the transcription of the cP5 in favor of cP4. In order to shed light on this aspect, there are some possible strategies in perspective. Recently, in fact, studies have been published in which extensive in vivo screening for the detection of SRES is coupled with RNA affinity purification and mass spectrometry, which allow also the identification of the splicing factors which bound to the SRES (Wang Y & Z Wang, 2014; Wang et al., 2013). This strategy could be effectively integrated with the analysis of minigenes (Hernandez-Imaz et al., 2015), specifically designed on the model of the third exon of PRB1, where alternative splicing takes place and where are probably placed the SRES.
Molecular analysis has also enabled us to identify a set of Single Nucleotide Polymorphims (SNPs), most of which have never been described so far, localized specially inside introns and some even within exons. In particular, for two of these, we have detected a non-synonymous substitution at the amino acid level, the role of which can only be clarified by means of appropriate functional studies. Although translationally silent, even synonymous SNPs may have an important function, especially in alternative splicing. In fact, these substitutions can determine the genesis or destruction of SRES, or strengthen cryptic donor /acceptor sites. Furthermore, they can result in the alteration of the secondary structure of the mRNA, important for the exons definition and the pause sites of RNA II. This could, in turn, alter the processivity of the polymerase, with possible consequences on the choice of splicing sites.
The reconstruction of the complete sequences and the comparison with the data available in the literature (Lyons et al., 1988) allowed us to produce an updated model, which allows to explain the generation of allelic variants small and large from the medium variant. Hopefully, the reconstruction also of the large allelic variation, and possibly the very large, will lay the basis for the validation of our model and possibly also its extension to other allelic variants of the PRB gene class.
The genotypic characterization of allelic variants of PRB1 may be, in the future, an important predictive tool about the subjective susceptibility towards a series of oral pathogens. In fact, polymorphic variations in the PRB1 peptides can build the basis for the prediction of individual differences at the level of the oral microflora, with repercussions on the susceptibility to infections and diseases in this body part (Newman et al., 1993 and 1996; O'Sullivan et al., 2000)
La manipolazione creativa del proverbio negli usi comici e pubblicitari della lingua italiana
Get PDFThe present work investigates deliberate modifications of traditional proverbs in Italian.
Despite their ubiquity, Italian anti-proverbs (as they are usually referred to in international debate) have not been studied much. Since an official terminology has not been established yet, we propose to use the Italian neologism “paraproverbio” to refer to all those intentional alterations of an existing proverb, particularly with comic or advertising purposes.
A preliminary definition of the proverb revealed to be necessary to cut off from our analysis those phraseological units which are often confused with proverbs, while they differ from them in some linguistic or pragmatic properties.
The aim of this thesis is to study these phraseological units from various aspects, such as the modifying techniques and the purposes underlying the creating process. After proposing a classification of the transforming procedures (substitutions, permutations, additions, suppressions, contaminations), a pragmatic analysis is offered. An examination of comic strategies, based on a corpus of anti-proverbs from printed and Internet collections, shows how proverbs have been made the object of humour not only by authors as Marcello Marchesi and Totò but also by common people using them on the Internet to ironize on different aspects of life. The manipulation of proverbs by copywriters is then examined, proving how the paremiological repertoire and its authoritative tone is captured for commercial aims.
In this work we also affirm that the copious and universal production of anti-proverbs is an argument in favour of the vitality of the proverb, which then negate claims about the extinction of proverbs in modern society
Nutritional factors influencing tissue omega-3 metabolism and endocannabinoids levels in experimental models and humans
Get PDFThe nutritional role of dietary fatty acids is quite controversial and often the object of mediatic campaigns either as panacea against all diseases or detrimental for human health. The most recent data are instead showing that it should be considered, in an optimal dietary regimen, the balance among all dietary fatty acids based on the current physiological needs, applying what it is currently known as personalised nutrition. It has been paid particular attention to the ratio between highly polyunsaturated fatty acids (HPUFAs) n-6, mainly arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6;) and n-3 HPUFAs, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) in tissues, since an inverse correlation between circulating n-3 HPUFAs and several chronic pathological states has been observed, possibly mediated by modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). However, to assess this balance and controlling it by dietary means remains a great challenge for nutritionists. In addition, other nutritional factors may influence their tissue concentration. It is therefore compelling to individuate the mechanism(s) of action and what are the most efficient nutritional conditions to maximize n-3 HPUFAs health-related beneficial activities.
The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effects of some nutritional factors, such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), naturally occurring in the diet or produced by the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve), in influencing n-3 PUFA metabolism to optimize the n-3 HUFA score (a biomarker of n-3 status in tissues) and possible interactions with the ECS in rodents and humans.
We evaluated whether CLA, from different dietary sources, was able to enhance DHA biosynthesis, from its precursor alpha linolenic (ALA), in experimental models and humans. We found that different dietary ALA/CLA ratios affected n-3 PUFA and EC profile with a graded decrease of ALA and EPA and corresponding increase of DHA, while the EC arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) decreased parallel to ratio ALA/CLA, whereas dietary ALA, in absence of CLA, was not able to increase significantly circulating DHA levels. We also evaluated whether supplementation with B. Breve as probiotic, along with ALA, in mice, as a nutritional factor that may increase dietary CLA, modulated n-3 fatty acid metabolism. We found that dietary probiotics increased DHA biosynthesis in liver and epididymal adipose tissue. Actually, we showed an increased of DHA biosynthesis in liver, but not an increase of CLA, while the ratio CD 16:2/CLA, a biomarker of peroxisomal beta oxidation, increased significantly but not associated to a higher PPAR α gene expression. The observed parameters suggested that these effects may be related to a pro-inflammatory event possibly triggered by the activation of toll like receptors by B. breve. In fact, in an ancillary experiment on rats challenged with LPS, we obtained similar results on fatty acid metabolism. In addition, dietary probiotics decreased AEA and its congener palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) levels in liver, while in adipose tissue we found a significant increased levels of AEA, PEA and the other AEA congener oleoylethanolamide (OEA).
Our studies strongly suggest that background diet may play an important role in modulating fatty acid metabolism and in particular in modulating n-3/n-6 fatty acid balance, thereby differently affecting the ECS. Therefore, the synergistic effects of different nutritional factors, as it occurs in daily life in humans are somewhat difficult to predict and may explain the contradictory results in the literature on the effects of dietary fatty acids, in particular when they are singularly considered without taking into account the whole dietary regimen. The discover that gut microbiota may directly interfere and modify fatty acid metabolism opens to novel nutritional strategies in shaping the optimal milieu for contrasting several metabolic disorders by modulating the ECS.
Future studies in humans will be focus on evaluating possible synergistic effects of CLA-enriched products with B. breve in maintaining and/or re-equilibrating energy and lipid metabolism, by modulating EC and congeners tissue profile, acting on energy metabolism and EPA and DHA related molecules, and also to assess if there is an optimal level of dietary EPA and DHA to allow a synergistic activity in different physio-pathological conditions
Principio consensualistico e atto di adempimento traslativo
Get PDFOnce admitted, in light of the freedom of contract, the purely defaulting
nature of the art. 1376 c.c., this work aims at understanding the extent to which
the principio consensualistico can actually be waived in favor of transfer rules
characterized by the separation of titulus and modus adquirendi. The obligation to
transfer in a technical sense, in fact, may be considered admissible only if it does
not lead to an infringement of the principio causalistico and the privity of contract.
Because of this dual systematic requirement, an interpretative - reconstructive
inspection of the transfer will only lead to recognize in the pagamento traslativo a
unilateral juridical act that can be refused - i.e. negozio giuridico unilaterale
rifiutabile -, according to the provision of the art. 1333 c.c. Juridical act to which,
in light of the art. 1324 c.c., extends the provisions of art. 1325, n. 2, c.c. The causa
of the pagamento traslativo, therefore, is into the act and consist of the causa
solvendi, that can find an objective external condition in the obligation to transfer
Contratto e reato (L'angolo di osservazione del civilista)
Get PDFThis working paper explores the collateral consequences of committing a crime and more exactly more those consequences that occur under a civil standpoint. It should be noted that if, on one hand, It should be noted that if, on one hand, It should be noted that if, on one hand, It should be noted that if, on one hand, It should be noted that if, on one hand, It should be noted that if, on one hand, It should be noted that if, on one hand, It should be noted that if, on one hand, the law cannot enforce a contract that is made in violation of a criminal provision, on the other hand, not all cases of interference between contracts and crimes - ipso jure - to the contract's voidness
Thermal properties of graphene and graphene-based thermal diodes
Get PDFIn the perspective of manipulating and controlling heat fluxes, graphene
represents a promising material revealing an unusually high thermal
conductivity �. However, both experimental and theoretical previous
works lack of a strict thermal conductivity value, estimating results
in the range 89-5000 W m-1 K-1. In this scenario, I address graphene
thermal transport properties by means of molecular dynamics simulations
using the novel "approach to equilibrium molecular dynamics"
(AEMD) technique.
The first issue is to offer some insight on the active debate about
graphene thermal conductivity extrapolation for infinite sample. To
this aim, I perform unbiased (i.e. with no a priori guess) direct atomistic
simulations aimed at estimating thermal conductivity in samples
with increasing size up to the unprecedented value of 0.1 mm. The
results provide evidence that thermal conductivity in graphene is definitely
upper limited, in samples long enough to allow a diffusive
transport regime for both single and collective phonon excitations.
Another important issue is to characterize at atomistic level the experimental
techniques used to estimate graphene thermal conductivity.
Some of these use laser source to provide heat. For these reasons,
I deal with the characterization of the transient response to a
pulsed laser focused on a circular graphene sample. In order to reproduce
the laser effect on the sample, the K - A01
an