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Come abitare la zona di contatto? Dinamiche di doppia traduzione in Memorial del tiempo o vía de las conversaciones di Jesús Morales Bermúdez
Get PDFThe aim of this dissertation is to elaborate an Italian translation of the novel Memorial del
tiempo o vía de las conversaciones by the Mexican writer Jesús Morales Bermúdez, and its
analysis, in which is related the concept of translation with the recent latinoamerican decolonial
thought. Before finding an Italian form, the indigenous voice goes through a series of mediations.
The first of them is activated by the same author, as he chooses as the language of the novel a form
of dialectical Spanish, spoken in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. In this first passage the mediation
can be defined a true translation of the Indigenous language to Spanish language, this last one being
foreignized in its standards, and so modified in its syntactic and grammatical constructions. The
second mediation corresponds to the translation of the novel in the Italian language, keeping in
consideration the linguistic and cultural differences conveyed by the source text. The intention of
this study is to conceive the text and the translation with a decolonial philosophy, open to a change
in the geography of thinking and in the evaluation of the topic
Molecular studies in the human salivary protein carbonic anhydrase VI
Get PDFThe genetic ability to feel the bitter taste of thioureas, such as PROP, varies greatly
among individuals influencing the choice of food and body composition.
Sensitive and non-sensitive individuals were defined respectively as “ Taster ” and
“ No Tasters ”.
The term “ Super Tasters ” is used to distinguish individuals who perceive PROP as
most bitter to those defined as “ Medium Tasters ” who perceive the bitter taste
moderately. The sensitivity to PROP is associated with the haplotypes ( PAV and
AVI ) receptor gene TAS2R38, and may be associated with polymorphisms of the
gene gustina ( CA6 ). The gustina is a zinc dependent enzyme present in human
saliva implicated in the development of taste buds.
The aim of this work was to analyze the association between sensitivity to PROP ,
the polymorphism rs2274333 (A / G) gene gustina, zinc and salivary polymorphisms
of TAS2R38 and BMI .
In 75 volunteers aged between 21 and 28 years were determined by BMI and Zn ² +
salivate. The sensitivity to PROP was determined by evaluation of the intensity of the
sensation evoked by suprathreshold solutions and determining the threshold of
perception. Molecular analysis of the gene and gustina receptor gene TAS2R38 were
performed by means of PCR, PCR -RFLP and sequencing of fragments obtained .
The average values of the concentration of zinc salivary and BMI were higher in
individuals defined as “ No Tasters ” than those determined in the “Super Tasters ”.
The low taste sensitivity to PROP of “ No Tasters ” was strongly associated with the
G allele of the gene polymorphism of gustina and the variant of the TAS2R38 AVI,
while the high sensitivity of the “Super Tasters ” is strongly associated allele A gene
gustina all'aplotipo PAV and the TAS2R38. Moreover, while the A allele of the gene
of gustina is found to be more important for the perception of low concentrations of
PROP, the variant of the TAS2R38 PAV is most important result for the evaluation
of the intensity of the sensation evoked by high concentrations of PROP.
These data show that the sensitivity to PROP is inversely related to BMI and Zinc
salivary and directly associated with the gene dimorphism gustina is assumed that
might influence the function of the protein. In addition, these new findings explain
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how the combination of gene gustina and TAS2R38 genotype may modulate the
phenotype of sensitivity to PROP providing an additional tool for the evaluation of
human eating behavior and nutritional status
La nascita e lo sviluppo dell'Azienda Generale Italiana Petroli (AGIP) negli anni fra le due guerre (1926-1940)
Get PDFOn the eve of the First World War, the geopolitical role of the crude oil begun to reveal all of its importance, affecting the politics of the States. After the war, Great Britain and the United States had a strong diplomatic struggle for the control of the Middle East’s oil, until they signed the «Red Line Agreement» in 1928. The agreement allowed Iraqi’s oil exploitation by the cartel guided by the Iraq Petroleum Company. Oil industry was completely under the control of the two most powerful corporation, Standard Oil of New Jersey and Royal Dutch-Shell. For Italy the building and the development of the oil industry was a great task, chiefly for the lack of oil in her borders and because she had no sources under control. In 1926, the state controlled firm AGIP started with the upstream in Romania and Albania while the Italian oil industry started with the cracking systems. In despite of the unfavourable conditions, AGIP grew quickly and during the Thirties, was able to lead the researches of the Bod Company in Iraq. AGIP and its partner found oil in a rich land near Mosul, confirming the high level of skills reached by the Italian firm. In the meantime, the crude oil had increased its importance becoming the vital commodity of the industrial age and for economic power. Italy realized the great role of the crude oil and showed a great dynamism towards its oil industry with the building of modern hydrogenation plants. The lack of sources compelled Italy to the hydrogenation technology. With the mighty plants of ANIC, Italy solved all of her problems of refining, showing startling industrial capabilities while the main obstacle for her political power was the lack of crude oil sources
Evaluation of climate change impacts on the hydrologic response of a sparsely-monitored basin in Sardinia, Italy, through distributed hydrologic simulations and hydrometeorological downscaling
Get PDFThe water resources and hydrologic extremes in Mediterranean basins are heavily influenced by climate variability. Modeling these watersheds is difficult due to the complex nature of the hydrologic response as well as the sparseness of hydrometeorological observations.
In this work, we first present a strategy to calibrate a distributed hydrologic model, known as TIN-based Real-time Integrated Basin Simulator (tRIBS), in the Rio Mannu basin, a mediumsized watershed (472.5 km2) located in an agricultural area in Sardinia, Italy. In the basin,
precipitation, streamflow and meteorological data were collected within different historical periods and at diverse temporal resolutions. We designed two statistical tools for downscaling precipitation and potential evapotranspiration data to create the hourly, high-resolution forcing for the hydrologic model from daily records. Despite the presence of several sources of
uncertainty in the observations and model parameterization, the use of the disaggregated forcing led to good calibration and validation performances for the tRIBS model, when daily discharge observations were available.
Future climate projections based on global and regional climate models (GCMs and RCMs) indicate that the Mediterranean basins will most likely suffer a decrease in water availability and an intensification of hydrologic extremes. Process-based distributed hydrologic
models (DHMs), like tRIBS, have the potential to simulate the complex hydrologic response of Mediterranean watersheds. Thus, when used in combination with RCMs, DHMs can reduce the uncertainty in the quantification of the local impacts of climate change on water resources. In
this study, we apply the calibrated tRIBS model in the Rio Mannu basin to evaluate the effects of climate changes reducing related uncertainties. The two downscaling algorithms and the DHM were used to simulate the watershed response to a set of bias-corrected outputs from four RCMs
for two simulation extents: a reference (1971 to 2000) and a future (2041 to 2070) period. The time series and spatial maps simulated by the DHM were then post-processed by computing several metrics to quantify the changes on water resource availability and hydrologic extremes in
the future climate scenarios as compared to historical conditions. The research was carried out within the CLIMB project, founded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission
Sperimentazione e modellizzazione di un programma di cambiamento volontario del comportamento di viaggio
Get PDFThis research is motivated by the need to gain a better understanding of individual behaviour change processes and in particular assess the efficacy of travel behaviour change strategies. This work aims to provide major insights into how to reduce private car use and addresses sustainable mobility objectives associated with CO2 reduction. This is particularly important at a time when the car still dominates individual lifestyles. In this regard, it has been demonstrated that, though many people are willing to reduce personal car use, in practice, they are unable to do so on their own (Ampt, 2003). Thus, strategies and measures have emerged to encourage and inform people to consciously and deliberately rethink their travel choices. These are called soft measures (Bamberg et al., 2011), and are also labelled Voluntary Behavioural Change Programmes (VTBC) (Ampt, 2003).
The Voluntary Travel Behaviour Change (VTBC) programmes are policy interventions that provide appropriate information, assistance, and motivation (or incentives) for promoting more sustainable travel behaviour, inducing people to voluntarily choose to travel in ways that benefit themselves, the community, and the environment. Through the provision of information and motivation to switch to more sustainable modes of travel, VTBC programmes aim to reduce the motorized vehicle-kilometres travelled (VKT) thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption. In a context characterized by the reduced availability of financial resources for new investments in infrastructure (supply side), VTBC programmes can offer a useful tool for managing (and reduce) travel demand. Results from several VTBC implementations have shown the effectiveness of these policies in reducing private car use. However, there is a dearth of research on identifying and quantifying the influence of individual factors on the propensity to change travel behaviour. The effectiveness of a programme should be assessed in relation to the target population and the type of information provided. Indeed, identifying relatively micro-level factors underlying behavioural change could enhance the effectiveness of the programme, in terms of the selection of specific individual segments (who may be more sensitive to certain aspects of the programme), and in terms of the type of information provided and emphasis placed on the personalized travel plan (monetary benefits, reduction in travel time, decrease in CO2 emissions, etc.).
The objective of this thesis work is to contribute to the development of a programme for voluntary travel behaviour change, adopting an innovative approach consisting in: (1) the analysis of models of behaviour and theories of change (Chapter 1); the two bodies of theory are considered indeed complementary; understanding both is necessary for developing effective approaches to behaviour change. (2) a review of existing VTBC programmes implemented in different parts of the world, in order to identify the main steps to be followed for changing travel behaviour (Chapter 2), (3) the development and application of a method (Chapter 3) aimed at testing and validating innovative tools applied in the first Italian VTBC programme; (4) verifying the efficacy of the method through an in-depth analysis of activity travel data
collected before and after the implementation of the policy measure (Chapter 4); (5) the formulation of models aimed at gaining a deeper knowledge of behaviour change and in particular that are able to simulate the effects of implementing these measures and their efficacy in changing travel behaviour (Chapter 5).
For this purpose, an experimental VTBC programme was conducted in Cagliari (Italy) between 2011 and 2012 to promote the use of a underutilized light rail service among car users travelling daily along the same congested corridor. The programme was funded by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia.
The methodological approach relies on the personalized travel planning technique (PTP), integrating traditional and innovative tools, aimed at enhancing the efficacy of a VTBC programme. In particular, compared to the existing programmes, in this work the method developed relies on innovative tools for (1) selection of participants, (2) promoting and, (3) monitoring behaviour change. The data collected during the implementation are examined by means of exploratory and discrete choice analyses.
The results obtained revealed that the selection process undeniably enabled to intercept individuals interested in the alternative mode promoted. An efficient selection and the PTP itself, certainly complement each other, in the sense that selecting the target audience was a necessary condition for promoting a convenient alternative, whereas providing car users with detailed feedback about their current behaviour and existing alternatives seems to have positive effects on behaviour change. It appears that information about the major benefits to be gained from changing travel behaviour are more likely to encourage the switch to alternative modes. People will choose to change of their own free will if the benefits are very substantial. Another finding that emerged from the short term monitoring phase (three months after programme implementation) is that once car users, selected among those with an available sustainable alternative, experience the benefits of switching to an alternative mode (of their own free will or following a suggestion), they rarely revert to using their cars.
The model simulation revealed that the effectiveness of VTBC programmes in producing a shift toward sustainable modes is a function of the demographic, attitudinal, and activity-travel context of individuals. Disregarding these moderating effects can lead to incorrect predictions of the aggregate shift toward the sustainable mode as well as of the distribution of the shift across population segments. Further, accommodating the contextual variations can also help in targeting and positioning VTBC programmes, and in tailoring different aspects of the programme to individuals’needs so as to enhance its effectiveness
Electrophysiological and morphological analyses in two species of insects, Protophormia terraenovae and Ceratitis capitata
Get PDFChemoreception represents one of the most important sensory modality to guarantee animals survival, and it plays a fundamental role also in an insect life. In fact, the detection of food sources and proper sites of ovoposition, the identification of conspecifics for mating or aggregation, the recognition of prey or predators are all behaviors resulting from the activation of different processes after the exposure to the wide range of soluble and volatile chemical molecules in the environment. In this respect, insects present clearly separate senses of taste and olfaction comparable to those of vertebrates, and they represent an excellent experimental model to investigate the complexity of gustative and olfactory systems also thanks to the relative simple organization of their neuronal circuits, as well as the feasibility of the breeding. On the basis of these considerations, aim of my work was to give a contribution on our understanding of chemoreceptive mechanisms. In particular, I investigated two main aspects of chemoreception in insects, divided in two separate sections.
Section 1: The spike generator in the labellar taste receptors of the blowfly is differently affected by 4-aminopyridine and 5-hydroxytryptamine In taste chemoreception of invertebrates the interaction of taste stimuli with specific membrane receptors and/or ion channels located in the apical membrane of taste receptor cells results in the generation of a receptor potential which, in turn, activates the ‘encoder’ region to produce action potentials which propagate to the CNS.
This study investigates, in the labellar chemosensilla of the blowfly, Protophormia terraenovae, the voltage-gated K+ currents involved in the action potential repolarization and repetitive firing of the neurons by way of the Kv channel inhibitors, 4-aminopyridine and 5-hydroxytryptamine.
The receptor potential and the spike activity were simultaneously recorded from the ‘salt’, ‘sugar’ and ‘deterrent’ cells, by means of the extracellular side-wall technique, in response to 150 mM NaCl, 100 mM sucrose and 1 mM quinine HCl, before, 0-10 min after apical administration of 4-AP (0.01–10 mM) or 5-HT (0.1–100 mM).
The results show that the receptor potential in all three cells is neither affected by 4-AP nor by 5-HT. Instead, spike activity is significantly decreased, by way of blocking different Kv channel types: an inactivating A-type K+ current (KA) modulating repetitive firing of the cells and responsible for the after hyperpolarization, and a sustained K+ current that resembles the delayed rectifier (DKR) and contributes to action potential repolarization.
Section 2: Morphological characterization of the antennal lobes in the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata
The medfly (Ceratitis capitata Wied.) is one of the most important pest for horticulture, targeting a great variety of fruit and vegetables species worldwide. Due to its commercial relevance, many studies focused on the development and improvement of control strategies based on olfactory chemoreception. A complete knowledge of the anatomical and functional properties of the olfactory system is still lacking. Aim of this work is to give a morphological characterization based on the three-dimensional reconstruction of the antennal lobes (ALs) in adult medfly brains.
In order to reach this goal, we performed unilateral antennal backfills of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in adult males and females by means of the neuronal tracer neurobiotin, revealed by streptavidin-Cy3 or Avidin-Alexafluor 488 conjugated. In association with the anterograde staining, immunohistochemistry was applied in some brains. Confocal stacks acquired from whole-mount specimens were analyzed with the AMIRA software, using the Segmentation tool.
Unilateral neurobiotin and immunohistochemical stainings successfully revealed the AL structure of the adult medfly in all the specimens tested. As in other insects, the ALs of C. capitata are organized in glomeruli, more tightly packed in the anterior part than the posterior one. Axons of ORNs innervate a bilateral pair of homologous glomeruli and form a commissure between the two ALs, which is a typical feature of Diptera. We counted systematically a number of 53 glomeruli in each AL studied, with few exception. Our results provide a basis for future investigations on the interactions with host plants of this important agricultural pest
Advanced random access techniques for satellite communications
Get PDFIn this thesis, Advanced Random Access techniques for Satellite Communications are studied. In the last years, new advances in multi-access communication protocols together with the increasing need for bidirectional communications in consumer type of interactive satellite terminals have revived the interest for a set of schemes able to guarantee high-speed and low latency communications in bursty traffic conditions. In this work, starting from the latest findings on Aloha-based Random Access schemes, the optimization of such techniques and their use in closed-loop scenarios is investigated with particular regard to the Return Channel over Satellite of Digital Video Broadcasting.
The thesis starts with a summary on the state of the art of Demand Assigned and Random Access techniques as well as on the recent evolution from the first to the second version of the Return Channel over Satellite of the Digital Video Broadcasting specification. In chapter 2 a stability and packet delay model for channel analysis and design are presented, showing that proper design through this tools can ensure high performance of the new access scheme. The use of control limit policies is also introduced and its use is thoroughly discussed both for finite and infinite users population showing that, differently from Slotted Aloha, in some cases static design over dynamic policies might be preferable if long propagation delay is present. In chapter 3 the same models and tools introduced for CRDSA are extended to the case of asynchronous Random Access schemes and a comparison of the two families of schemes is put in place demonstrating that asynchronous techniques are convenient only when the signal-to-noise ratio is high enough to ensure decodability of partially colliding packets. In chapter 4 a new access scheme currently patent pending is presented. In this scheme terminals access the channel in an unframed manner. It is shown that such a change brings improvements that further diminish latency due to immediate transmission of the first replica and further boost throughput because the number of loops on the corresponding bipartite graph representation is mitigated.
The thesis concludes with a call for a new discussion of resource allocation in multi-access satellite communication scenarios such as DVB-RCS2 in light of the obtained results and of the new requirements in interactive satellite networks
Neutral receptors for anion recognition: synthesis, selectivity studies and transport properties
Get PDFThis thesis reports the synthesis and studies of a new series of compounds containing urea groups that can function as selective anion receptors and efficient anion transmembrane transporters.
Two new asymmetric ureidic receptors L1 (1-(1H-indol-7-yl)-3- (quinolin-2-yl)urea) and L2 (1-(quinolin-2-yl)-3-(quinolin-8-yl)urea), shown in Figure 1, have been synthesised and their affinity towards different anions tested in DMSO-d6. L1 adopts both in solution and in the solid state an (E,Z) conformation. A moderate affinity for acetate has been observed with L1 while no interaction has been observed with L2. The different behaviour has been ascribed to the presence/absence of the indole group. In the case of L1 the indole group causes the formation of a peculiar supramolecular architecture with two molecules of the receptor binding the anions in (E,Z) conformation via H-bonds. L2 also adopts an (E,Z) conformation in the solid state. However, the absence of the indole in L2 hampers the formation of the supramolecular assembly with the participation of anionic species. The results are discussed in Chapter 2.
In Chapter 3 a new family of bis-ureidic receptors (L3-L8) is reported (Figure 2). The binding properties of L3-L8 towards different anions (acetate, benzoate, glutarate, malonate, dihydrogen phosphate, hydrogen pyrophosphate, triphosphate, AMP and ADP) have been studied by means of 1H-NMR, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies and a remarkable affinity for HPpi3- has been observed in the case L5 (in DMSO- d6 and DMSO-d6/5% H2O) which also acts as fluorimetric chemosensor, even at naked eye, for this anion. Theoretical calculations helped us to explain the binding properties observed.
A series of bis-ureidic receptor L9-L14 (Figure 3) was prepared and the studies of their transmembrane anion transport activity and anion binding properties are described in Chapter 4. Vesicle anion transport assays using ion selective electrodes demonstrate that these compounds function as efficient mobile carriers that are able to transport chloride through lipid bilayer predominantly via anion exchange mechanism including Cl-/NO3- and Cl-/HCO3- antiport. Compound L14 was found to be the most active transporter of the series. As anion receptors, we observed that compounds L10 and L12 demonstrate strong 1:1 binding with TBA fluoride (Ka >104 M-1) and moderate 1:1 binding with TBA dihydrogenphosphate.
In Chapter 5, the anion transport efficiency of a series of trisureas L15-L20 (Figure 4) was investigated. The compounds showed a potent transmembrane anion transport activity. The mechanism of transport was extensively investigated using a combination ion selective electrode and fluorescence techniques. It was found that compounds L15-L20 mediate chloride transport via Cl-/NO3- and Cl-/HCO3- antiport and NaCl symport. The tris-urea L15 was found to be a remarkably potent anion carrier at low concentration
NESS06SM, un nuovo approccio alla terapia dell'obesità
Get PDFIn the last decade CB1 receptor (CB1R) antagonists were among the most promising drug targets in controlling weight and energy balance. It has been reported that the hyperactivity and up-regulation of CB1R in both the peripheral (liver, visceral fat and muscle) and the central (hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens) nervous systems (CNS) are associated to metabolic disorders. The discovery of the role of this cannabinoid sub-receptor in hyperphagia and weight gain led many groups in the last two decades to focus their attention to the synthesis of compounds able to selectively block CB1R. The CB1R inverse agonist SR141716A (rimonabant), the first candidate based on this strategy, was launched on European market, although it was withdrawn by European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its adverse effects, particularly for psychiatric side effects such as induction of anxiety and depression. In particular, SR141716A side effects have been principally related to its both CB1 inverse agonism and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability with its consequence on CNS functionality. Therefore the development of anti-obesity drugs targeting CB1R has been globally revised. However, novel strategies have been recently adopted to assure CB1R-mediated anti-obesity activity by overcoming SR141716A side effects: the development of CB1R neutral antagonists or of CB1R blockers acting selectively at peripheral level. In fact it has been ascertained that metabolic syndrome benefits can be assured not only by centrally active compounds but also by a selective modulation of peripheral CB1R. Here we have characterized the pharmacology of a new CB1R neutral antagonist compound: 8-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-piperidin-1-yl-4,5-dihydrobenzo-1H-6-oxa-cyclohepta(1,2-c)pyrazole-3-carboxamide, namely NESS06SM. We found that NESS06SM is characterized by good affinity for CB1R, absence of cellular toxicity, and poor blood brain barrier permeability. Moreover, NESS06SM chronic treatment determined both anti-obesity effect and cardiovascular risk factor improvement in C57BL/6N Diet Induced Obesity (DIO) mice fed with fat diet. In fact, the mRNA gene expression in CNS and peripheral tissues by real time PCR showed a significant increase of orexigenic peptides and a decrease of anorexigenic peptides elicited by NESS06SM treatment,
compared to control mice fed with the same diet. In contrast to rimonabant treatment, the chronic administration of NESS06SM did not change mRNA expression of both monoaminergic transporters and neurotrophins highly related with anxiety and mood disorders. The obtained profiles suggested a possible reduction of harmful effects after treatment with novel CB1R antagonist compared to those reported for rimonabant. Our results suggested that NESS06SM reduces body weight and it can restore the disrupted expression profile of genes linked to the hunger-satiety circuit without altering monoaminergic transmission, probably avoiding rimonabant side effects. Therefore the novel CB1R neutral antagonist could represent a useful candidate agent for the treatment of obesity and its metabolic complications
L’accollo del debito
Get PDFThe Assumption of debt is one of the most ancient institutes of civil law, which realizes a passive-subjective modification of the obligatory agreement.
There are only few procedural guidelines on this institute, for this reason jurists have long questioned themselves about the structure, the cause and the subject of the Assumption of debt.
This piece of writing aims to identify an innovative theory relative to the nature of the assumption of debt, to be intended not as the contract itself in favour of a third party but as a contract with an essential three-sided structure.
Moreover, there’s the attempt to demonstrate the subsistence of a dual causal profile, given the presence in the assumption of debt of both the generic cause and the specific cause; this peculiarity, identified with respect for the reconstruction on the cause of the transaction, makes the institute of assumption of debt very adaptable and adequate to satisfy the most heterogeneous needs of the partners.
In conclusion, the subject of the assumption has been analyzed, dedicating more attention to the assumption of future debts. After demonstrating the validity of assumption on future debts a comparison has been made between the assumption of future debts, the bail bond omnibus and the letter of comfort, identifying similarities and differences between the three.
The paper finds its bases on the historical introduction with the aim of reproducing and understanding the phenomenon of third party debt assumption, already present in ius civile, with a specific reference to the dispositions of 1804 and 1865 codes