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Specialization and Concentration of the Manufacturing Industry in the Italian Local Labor Systems
Get PDFThe paper examines the main trends of sectoral specialization and geographic concentration of the manufacturing industry in the Italian Local Labor Systems from 1981 to 2001. The main results are the following: both specialization and concentration show a tendency, although very weak, to decrease during the period under examination. Specialization decreases steadily in the Southern areas while in the Northern regions the trend slows down significantly during the nineties, presumably because Northern Local Labor Systems have been more affected by the European integration process. No such difference has been detected for concentration. Innovative industries shares are quite stable in the aggregate, however a technological convergence process can be detected among the territorial units. High tech industries tend to locate into territorial clusters and to diffuse into contiguous areas. High tech and increasing returns to scale industries are more geographically concentrated. A stable concentration degree over time is compatible with industries locational mobility across SLLs
Effetti cardiotossivi precoci e tardivi del trattamento con Epirubicina. Valutazione con marker biochimici ed ecocardiografia Tissue Doppler.
Get PDFOur study was carried out in a group of epirubicin(Epi)-treated patients with cancer at different sites with the aim of detecting early preclinical changes, that are predictive of the risk of heart failure. All subjects underwent conventional echocardiography, as well as tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) with Strain (ε) and Strain Rate (SR). Moreover, echocardiographic changes identified during the Epi treatment were compared with inflammatory and oxidative stress laboratory markers. Thirty-one patients (age 59±14 yrs) with histologically confirmed tumors at different sites, scheduled to be treated with an Epi-based chemotherapy regimen were enrolled. We prospectively evaluated the acute (one week after) and late effects (3, 6, 12 and 18 months of follow-up) of Epi administration. A significant impairment of the systolic LV function was observed at epirubicin dose 200 mg/m2: this was shown by a reduction of the SR peak in comparison to baseline. This reduction persisted statistically significant throughout the treatment and follow-up, up to 18 months when the Sm reduction became significant.
Levels of IL-6, sIL-6R and ROS increased significantly at 200 mg/m2 and IL-6 persisted high at 300 and 400 mg/m2 Epi dose returning within baseline values during follow-up.
A significant inverse correlation between ΔSR and both the increase of IL-6 and ROS was observed. The multiple regression analysis showed that both IL-6 and ROS variables were independent and strongly predictive of ΔS
Concentration depth-profile reconstruction from angle-resolved XPS data using the maximum entropy method: characterization of surface film formed on Ni-18P alloy
Get PDFA knowledge of the depth concentration profile of materials is very important for research and technological development. Methods reported in the literature are often destructive and/or based on severe approximations; their application is limited to relatively simple profiles (number of components ≤ 3). A reconstructed depth-profile should be consistent with the ARXPS data. However, transformation of XPS intensities vs. emission angle into concentrations vs. depth data is an ill posed mathematical problem. The main goal of this work was thus to develop a new, iterative algorithm based on the maximum entropy method (MEM) that allows to solve this problem. The new algorithm involves an iterative procedure for calculating the IMFP values taking into account the actual depth-profile of the sample surface under investigation. In a first phase, numerical experiments were performed on a large series of computer generated, ideal and error containing, ARXPS data from model depth-profiles with up to four layers and up to eight components. In a second phase, the tested algorithm was implemented using real ARXPS data obtained from technologically important, highly corrosion and wear resistant Ni-P alloys. In conclusion, the new algorithm proved to be at least as accurate as depth-profiling methods reported in the literature but more powerful than any of the existing algorithms as depth profiles with up to eight components can be reconstructed from ARXPS data. Combining information on the chemical state of the different phosphorus compounds in the layered interface with the reconstructed in-depth profile it can be concluded that the high corrosion and wear resistance of Ni-P alloys is due to a thin, self-repairing nickel-(poly)phosphate film formed on a strongly phosphorus enriched surface
Fattori prognostici molecolari nel melanoma cutaneo umano
Get PDFThe aim of our study was to identify early prognostic molecular factors useful in the selection of melanoma patients at higher risk of recurrence/metastasis and to choose adjuvant therapies proper to the molecular alterations.
Samples of malignant cutaneous melanoma, from Sardinian and Ecuadorian patients, were immunohistochemically examined for the demonstration of immune system associated antigens (CD8, CD4, HLA-DR, CD68), oncosuppressor (p53, p16), proapoptotic (p53), and antiapoptotic (survivin) proteins, oxidative stress markers (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG), and antioxidant enzymes (DNA-glycosylase 1, OGG1; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD). Regarding the immune response, our results indicated that CD8 lymphocytes and HLA-DR cells are both involved in antitumoral activity and can be considered as early prognostic factors. Among proteins involved in the regulation of apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell cycle, nuclear survivin, p53, and nuclear p16 can be useful as valid individual prognostic markers, although their predictive significance is higher if their expression is considered in combination. Our data also showed that p53 overexpression is coexisting with an intense expression of 8-OHdG and nuclear survivin, suggesting that DNA-oxidative damage, p53 functional loss, and nuclear survivin overexpression may be involved at the same time in the process of melanoma pathogenesis
Sintesi, studio ed applicazioni di nuovi derivati cumarinici PEG-supportati e di dibenzo [d,f] [1,3] dioxepine e 12H dibenzo [d,g] [1,3] dioxocine
Get PDFThis thesis work is focused into three parts concerning the conjugation and the synthesis of different coumarins on polyethylene glycol, the development of a synthetic process to obtain new oxygenated heterocyclic derivatives and finally the preparation of a precursor adenosine. In particular, in the first part, you described the bio conjugation of three different coumarins on PEG with molecular weight 4600 and 5000 Da and its relative properties of photo luminescence; the synthesis of coumarin derivatives realized, for the first time, directly on polymeric supports variously modified, by using the von Pechmann reaction. In the second part, will be described the synthesis of dibenzo dioxepines and dioxocin derivatives from biphenolic structures with carbonylic substrates or alkynes catalyzed by Lewis acids; the mass spectrometer study of the compounds synthesized. In the third and final part will be described the synthesis of an adenosine derivative as a building block for the synthesis of new derivatives agonists and antagonists A3
Schooling, production structure and growth: An empirical analysis on Italian regions
Get PDFThis paper analyses the growth effects of high levels of human capital at the industry
level. By favouring technology adoption, human-capital-intensive industries grow
faster compared to less human-capital-intensive industries in economies that have
higher levels of human capital. Using data for nine macro sectors of manufacturing
industries in the twenty Italian regions, the results show positive and significant
effects of human capital levels and accumulation on value added growth. This result
is robust to a series of sensitivity checks such as measures of productivity growth
and different indicators of human capital. This finding is particularly important for
Italy, as it has always had a model of industrial specialization focused on the
traditional sectors which have a low content of technology and human capital
Promozione della ricerca scientifica e dell'innovazione tecnologica in Sardegna
Get PDFLa legge regionale 7/2007 Promozione della ricerca scientifica e dell'innovazione tecnologica in Sardegna e il protocollo d'intesa dell’università con il Consorzio Sardegna Ricerche, del 16 aprile 2007
Flora vascolare del Capo di Monte Santu (Sardegna centro orientale)
Get PDFThe vascular flora of Capo di Monte Santu (Central-Eastern Sardinia) – The Authors present their study on the flora of Capo di Monte Santu, a calcareous area forming the southern tip of the Gulf of Orosei. Investigation allowed us to identify 381 taxa, belonging to 62 families and comprising 228 genera. Data regarding the biological spectrum show a prevalence of therophytes (49.2%), typical of the regions of the Mediterranean area, followed by hemicryptophytes (21.8%) and geophytes (10.8%). An overview of the chorological spectrum of the flora highlights dominance of the Mediterranean component (78.5%). Amongst the Mediterranean species s.s. (47.2%) we noted greater presence of entities of the Steno-Mediterranean distribution area (25.7%), followed by endemics which with 43 entities constitute 11.3% of total flora. From the chorological point of view, the prevailing element amongst the endemics is the Sardinian (11 taxa) including 5
taxa which are exclusive to the calcareous massif of central-eastern Sardinia. The analysis of rarities, performed by applying Rabinowitz’ categories, shows as being most numerous (86 taxa) species spread over the territory with a restricted ecology and scarce, non-dominant populations (WRS), whereas the least consistent (9 taxa) is that of the species with limited spread over the territory, a wide ecology and scarce and non dominant populations (NBS). Those entities considered worthy of
protection based on the IUCN red lists are four in number (Lactuca longidentata, Orchis brancifortii, Polygala saxatilis and Sedum villosum subsp. glandulosum), one entity (Ruscus aculeatus) is listed in Annex V of the Habitat Directive while Annex II of CITES includes all the Orchidaceae (10) and Cyclamen repandum subsp. repandum
The effect of marine protected areas of the biological environment. A case of study in southern Sardinia (Capo Carbonara (MPA)
Get PDFThe growing interest in environmental issues and the establishment of new protected areas on land and seaside correspond to the worldwide need to understand and preserve the natural development of the ecosystems.
The establishment of protected areas is fairly new for the marine habitat.
It is becoming increasingly clear that marine protected areas represent an effective biodiversity conservation tool. Nowadays, there is a widespread growing need to recognize ecosystem interactions and to improve the effectiveness of protected areas in order to understand biological interrelations and human impacts.
It was the lack of high quality and rigorous monitoring data concerning the marine protected areas (and not the lack of effects, which are almost certain) to bring us to perform the environmental monitoring described in this thesis.
In order to understand the biological interactions of a marine protected area in the Mediterranean sea, a study was carried out inside and around the Marine Protected Area of Capo Carbonara located off the southern Sardinia Island.
Samplings were performed to identify and quantify the benthonic fish stock and the composition of benthos in rocky shores at different depths and in different times of sampling.
The composition of fish assemblages was evaluated both by the non-destructive visual census with SCUBA technique and the destructive method of the trammel net fishing.
Fish assemblages in shallow rocky habitats (4–8 m deep) have been assessed between September 2004 and July 2005. Overall the list of target species included 24 species from 8 families (Labridae, Moronidae, Mullidae, Sciaenidae, Scorpaenidae, Serranidae, Sparidae, Sphiraenidae).
The fish assemblages observed inside the protected area and outside, in the unprotected fished area were statistically different during all the sampling periods. Larger amount of fish was found in the protected than in the fished area, and differences were observed in total fish density, abundance, biomass: most fish species targeted by fisheries had a greater density (e.g. Diplodus puntazzo, Diplodus sargus, Diplodus vulgaris, Epinephelus marginatus, Mullus surmuletus, Pagrus pagrus, Sciena umbra, Scorpaena porcus, Serranus scriba, Sphyraena Sphyraena and Synphodus tinca) and/or size (e.g. Dentex dentex, Diplodus puntazzo, Diplodus sargus) within the protected area than in the fished areas outside.
In the internal protected areas the Shannon Weaver diversity index showed richer ichtiofauna than outside, near the boundaries.
Cluster analysis and MDS plot showed a general progressive increased similarity between protected and unprotected sites from the early census to the end, validating the spillover effects from inside to outside areas. These results indicate that reserve effects (protection) from fishing may have the potential to influence fish assemblages of outside areas.
The composition of benthos in hard substrate, was examined applying benthic biocoenosis census through photographic and SCUBA techniques.
Three years of sampling displayed the usefulness of the used techniques in a low budget study.
The Visual census outcomes for macro benthic biocoenosis assemblages (5-25 m deep), assessed from September 2004 to May 2006, revealed 325 species (4 Phyla of Thallophyta, 1 of Anthophyta and 10 Phyla of Invertebrata) in all the analyzed sites.
The analysis of the community structure revealed high biodiversity. In each sampling an ecological index classification as “Moderate” was recorded, both in the whole sanctuary and nearby the boundaries. In particular, some sites within the sanctuary showed a “Good” quality in different times and at different depths.
Moreover, ecological and environmental factors able to modify the benthic composition often risked to warp outputs e.g. the presence of an alien species, the Caulerpa racemosa. In particular the analysis of these green algae within the sites was necessary because of its influence on the environment and consequently on the statistical analysis outputs.
It is relevant that the recorded temporal scale of events can be useful for further analysis in the studied area and/or in other Marine Protected Areas.
The application of this protocol seems to be a functional tool to manage marine environments almost until a co-ordinated network between the Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas will be create
An infrared view of protostellar shocks
Get PDFIn questa tesi viene presentato lo studio di un campione di oggetti HERBIG-HARO, associati a sorgenti protostellari , tramite l’analisi di spettri nel vicino infrarosso (1-2,5 µ) acquisiti con due strumenti differenziati: Isaac e Sinfoni, montati sul VLT. Lo scopo è la caratterizzazione delle proprietà fisiche, chimiche e cinematiche attraverso l’analisi di righe di emissione molecolari (H₂) ed atomiche (principalmente [FeII]), osservate in queste regioni di shock. Utilizzando opportuni rapporti di righe si è stimata la temperatura, la densità e l’estinzione, mentre lo studio dei profili delle righe più brillanti ha fornito informazioni sulla geometria e sulla struttura di velocità.
Questi risultati sono stati usati come vincoli osservativi per la formulazione di nuovi modelli di shock