113 research outputs found
Open API and PSD2 : how Europe and UK are reacting
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALEL'intento di questa tesi è quello di coprire una forte mancanza di letteratura moderna sull'impatto che la legislazione PSD2 sta avendo in Europa e nel Regno Unito. La PSD2 è una normativa entrata in vigore nel 2019 per volere dell'Unione Europea, tale standard è stato mantenuto anche dal Regno Unito nonostante l'uscita dall'Europa. La PSD2 nasce per regolamentare il mercato dei pagamenti digitali in rapida espansione, trainato soprattutto dal trend dell'e-commerce. Per la prima volta si possono fare analisi e confronti tra aziende britanniche ed europee che hanno aderito alla normativa. Le aziende analizzate sono state estratte da due database: 318 da Euclid, quello europeo, e 220 da FCA, quello britannico. L'analisi svolta, ha avuto l'obiettivo di valutare le due banche dati sulla base di diversi parametri quali: il tipo di ente, il tipo di azienda, i target a cui offrono i propri servizi, le licenze ottenute, il tipo di attività e il paese di provenienza. Prima di procedere con l'analisi del database è stato necessario costruire una revisione della letteratura che permettesse di comprendere i motivi per cui si è resa necessaria l'introduzione della PSD2, come è stata introdotta dall’Unione Europea, quali sono i suoi punti di forza e le sue implicazioni, e come le imprese possano sfruttare al meglio il suo potenziale. La rassegna della letteratura non offre confronti e dati sulle differenze tra aziende europee e britanniche, da qui la necessità di dare delle risposte. L'obiettivo é stato quindi quello di estrapolare eventuali analogie e contrasti tra aziende europee e britanniche per definire quali istituzioni siano maggiormente interessate, in quale contesto, e quali siano le principali aree di interesse in cui le aziende svilupperanno il proprio business nei prossimi anni. È stato anche analizzato se la PSD2 abbia consentito effettivamente a nuove società di entrare in un mercato dominato e monopolizzato dalle banche. inoltre è stato un argomento discusso anche in questa tesi anche dove le aziende hanno un maggiore interesse ad operare.The intent of this thesis is to cover a strong lack of modern literature on the impact that PSD2 legislation is having in Europe and the UK. PSD2 is a legislation that entered into force in 2019 at the behest of the European Union, this standard also is maintained by Great Britain despite the exit from the Union. PSD2 was created in order to regulate the rapidly expanding digital payments market, especially driven by the e-commerce trend. For the first time, analyses and comparisons could be made between British and European companies that have joined the legislation. The companies analysed were extracted from two databases: 318 from Euclid, the European one, and 220 from FCA, the British one. The analysis carried out, aimed at evaluating the two databases relying on various parameters such as: the type of institution, the kind of company, the targets, the licences obtained, the type of business and the country of origin. Before proceeding with the database analysis it was necessary to build a literature review that would allow to understand the reasons why the introduction of PSD2 was necessary, how the European Union introduced it, what its strengths are and its implications, and how firms can make the most of its potential. The literature review does not offer comparisons and data regarding the differences between European and British companies, hence the need to give answers. The goal was therefore to extrapolate any possible analogies and contrast between European and British companies, to define which institutions were most interested and in what context, which were the main areas of future interest in which companies will develop their own business in the coming years. It was also analysed whether PSD2 actually allowed new companies to enter a market dominated and monopolised by banks. Where companies have a greater interest in operating was a topic discussed in this thesis too
Role of the hydrophilic spacer of glucosylated amphiphiles included in liposome formulations in the recognition of Concanavalin A
No full textThe functionalization of liposomes with glycosylated amphiphiles is an optimal strategy for targeted drug delivery, leading to enhanced efficacy as well as to reduced side effects of drugs. In fact, the presence of natural or synthetic glycolipids in vesicle formulations might increase their specificity toward lectins, a class of non-enzymatic sugar-binding proteins involved in cellular recognition and adhesion. The capability of a new glucosylated synthetic amphiphile to interact with Concanavalin A (Con A), a plant lectin used as model system, was investigated by a synergic experimental and computational approach, both as pure component and in formulation with a natural phospholipid. The comparison of the affinity with Con A of the new glucosylated amphiphile with respect to that of a previously described structural analogue demonstrates that the hydrophilic spacer length controls the exposure of the glucose residue on liposome surface, and consequently the recognition by the lectin. © 2015 Elsevier B.V
Permanent Discontinuation of Glucocorticoids in Polymyalgia Rheumatica is Uncommon but May Be Enhanced by Amino Bisphosphonates
No full textThe duration of treatment with glucocorticoids (GC) in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is often longterm. Amino bisphosphonates (N-BP) are used in PMR for the prevention of GC-induced osteoporosis, but they could also have immunomodulatory properties. Whether they can be effective as an adjuvant treatment in PMR is unknown. We aimed to establish whether the use of N-BP in our PMR cohort may be associated with GC discontinuation
Digital euro : potential effects on the Italian banking system
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALEIl concetto di CBDC sta guadagnando sempre più attenzione nel contesto attuale. Diversi progetti in tutto il mondo stanno prendendo piede e diversi studi sono stati sviluppati cercando di indagare e comprendere la possibile rivoluzione che questo tema potrebbe portare. Nel contesto Europeo, la Banca Centrale Europea si è esposta in questo senso, in particolare con il cosiddetto progetto dell'euro digitale, partito ufficialmente nel 2020 e attualmente in fase di indagine, che durerà fino al 2023.
La ricerca proposta ha esaminato le implicazioni dell'introduzione di una valuta digitale della banca centrale (CBDC) per quanto riguarda il sistema bancario commerciale, adottando la prospettiva degli attori commerciali. L'indagine ha incluso la letteratura accademica pertinente e i documenti di posizione delle banche centrali al fine di evidenziare l'aspetto chiave da prendere in considerazione così come la lacuna che si intende soddisfare. Dopo l'analisi delle tendenze globali e dei progetti allo stato dell'arte, la ricerca si è concentrata sull'Eurosistema, valutando i progetti realizzabili e le iniziative relative all'emissione dell'euro digitale e alle caratteristiche previste. Al fine di restringere ulteriormente l'ambito dell'analisi al contesto italiano, la tesi ha individuato un pool rappresentativo di banche commerciali italiane. Dopo aver verificato la partecipazione di esperti alle sessioni di intervista, è stato portato all'attenzione degli intervistati un set degli argomenti più rilevanti. Una volta raccolte e classificate le risposte, è stata sviluppata una cluster analysis dove le categorie di analisi hanno riguardato le caratteristiche più rilevanti dell'Euro Digitale e i rischi e le opportunità attese, nell'ottica del settore delle banche commerciali. Tale clustering, oltre a proteggere la privacy e l'anonimato degli intervistati, ha dato la possibilità di confrontare correttamente e analiticamente le risposte di diversi intervistati appartenenti a contesti dissimili e che sottolineano aspetti diversi. La definizione dell'analisi tematica permette la creazione di un terreno comune per l'analisi comparativa delle risposte. L'ultima fase è consistita nello sviluppare conclusioni e potenziali ulteriori implicazioni, conclusioni fatte sulle eventuali somiglianze e differenze con la letteratura accademica internazionale e le considerazioni delle banche centrali riguardo agli impatti e alle opportunità per il settore bancario commerciale.The concept of CBDCs is gaining more and more attention within the current context. Different projects around the world are starting and several studies have been developed trying to investigate and to better understand the possible revolution that this topic could bring. In the European context, the European Central Bank has exposed itself in this regard, in particular with the so-called digital euro project, which officially started in 2020 and is currently in the investigation phase, which will last until 2023.
The proposed research examined the implications of the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) regarding the commercial banking system, adopting the commercial players’ perspective. The investigation encompassed the relevant academic literature and central banks’ position’s papers in order to highlight the key aspect to be taken into account as well as the gap intended to be fulfilled. After the analysis on the global trends and state-of-art projects, the research has been focused on the Eurosystem, assessing the viable designs and undertaking initiatives related to Digital Euro’s issuance and intended characteristics. With the aim to further restrict the scope of the analysis to the Italian context, the thesis identified a representative pool of Italian commercial banks. After having verified the participation of experts to the interviewing sessions, a set of the most relevant topics has been brought to the attention of respondents. Once the answers have been collected and classified, it has been developed a cluster analysis where the categories of analysis covered the most relevant features of the Digital Euro and the expected risks and opportunities, in the view of the commercial banking sector. Such clustering, besides protecting respondents’ privacy and anonymity, has given the possibility to properly and analytically compare the answers of different respondents belonging to dissimilar contexts and which emphasize different aspects. The definition of the topic analysis enables the creation of a common ground for the benchmarking of answers. The last stage consisted of developing conclusions and potential further implications, conclusions made upon the eventual similarities and differences with international academic literature and central banks’ considerations regarding impacts and opportunities for the commercial banking sector
Decentralized applications : an empirical analysis of their revenue models and governance systems
No full textLAUREA MAGISTRALELa blockchain è stata introdotta per la prima volta da Satoshi Nakamoto nel 2008 come tecnologia alla base del Bitcoin, una valuta virtuale scambiata all’interno di una rete peer-to-peer.
Sulle orme di Bitcoin sono state sviluppate diverse applicazioni per mezzo di questa tecnologia anche in molti altri campi e con lo stesso obiettivo: colmare la mancanza di fiducia reciproca tra individui che instaurano un’attività di scambio.
Le potenziali applicazioni ed i vantaggi introdotti sono illimitati, ma la diffusione e l’adozione della blockchain avvengono tramite un processo laborioso in continua evoluzione, come è stato per Internet negli anni '90. A questo proposito, la letteratura accademica copre principalmente gli elementi tecnici della blockchain, mentre la ricerca sugli aspetti legati al business è ancora scarsa.
Lo scopo di questa tesi è quello di contribuire alla limitata letteratura esistente sull'argomento attraverso un framework che mostra le potenziali direzioni di sviluppo di questa tecnologia, delineando le tendenze che stanno emergendo e le opportunità di business. Per ottenere questo risultato, la metodologia prevede un'analisi completa delle applicazioni basate sulla blockchain – o applicazioni decentralizzate – che si concentra sugli elementi di business e sui sistemi di governance.The blockchain was introduced for the first time by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 as the technology behind Bitcoin, a virtual currency exchanged within a peer-to-peer network.
Following the footsteps of Bitcoin, new applications have been developed through the blockchain in many other fields and with the same goal: filling the gap of trust between parties willing to exchange value.
The potential applications and advantages brought by this technology are unlimited, but its adoption is a slow and laborious process in constant evolution, as it was for the Internet in the 90s. In this regard, the academic literature mainly covers technical elements of the blockchain, while there is still little research on its business issues.
The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the limited existing literature on the topic through a framework that shows the potential directions of development of this technology, outlining the trends that are emerging and the business opportunities. In order to obtain this result, the methodology involves a comprehensive analysis of blockchain-based applications – or Decentralised Applications – that focuses on business elements and governance systems
Epidemics and the issue of private knowledge
No full textNews revealed that there was a point during the spread of Covid-19 in Italy when there were not enough respirator valves for all the patients that required treatment. When the original manufacturer could not supply extra valves, volunteers developed improvised solutions. Cristian Fracassi and Alessandro Ramaioli made use of 3D printers to create a version of the medical device. According to a report by The Verge, they initially got in touch with the manufacturer to request the blueprints but ..
Hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis recovery after intermediate‐acting glucocorticoid treatment in client‐owned dogs
No full textBackground: In dogs, duration of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression after systemic glucocorticoid treatment is reported to vary from a few days to up to 7 weeks after glucocorticoid discontinuation. These data are derived mainly from experimental studies in healthy dogs and not from animals with spontaneous disease. Hypothesis and objective: To determine the timeline for recovery of the HPA axis in a group of ill dogs treated with intermediate-acting glucocorticoids (IAGCs). Animals: Twenty client-owned dogs that received IAGC for at least 1 week. Methods: Single-center prospective observational study. An ACTH stimulation test, endogenous ACTH concentration, serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis were performed at T0 (2-6 days after IAGC discontinuation) and then every 2 weeks (eg, T1, T2, T3) until HPA axis recovery was documented (post-ACTH cortisol concentration > 6 μg/dL). Results: The median time of HPA axis recovery was 3 days (range, 2-133 days). Eleven of 20 dogs showed recovery of the HPA axis at T0, 6/20 at T1, and 1 dog each at T2, T5, and T9. Dose and duration of treatment were not correlated with timing of HPA axis recovery. Activities of ALT and ALP were significantly correlated with the post-ACTH cortisol concentration (rs = -0.34, P = .03; rs = -0.31, P = .05). Endogenous ACTH concentration was significantly correlated with pre (r = 0.72; P < .0001) and post-ACTH cortisol concentrations (r = 0.35; P = .02). The timing of HPA axis recovery of the dogs undergoing an alternate-day tapering dose was not different compared to dogs that did not (3.5 vs 3 days, P = .89). Conclusion and clinical importance: Most dogs experienced HPA axis recovery within a few days after IAGC discontinuation. However, 2/20 dogs required >8 weeks
Aerosol-assisted low pressure plasma deposition of antimicrobial hybrid organic-inorganic Cu-composite thin films for food packaging applications
No full textAn innovative low pressure plasma process for deposition of copper-containing hybrid organic-inorganic thin films was developed. The discharge was fed with an aerosol of an aqueous solution of a copper complex, i.e. bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) hydroxide and argon. Polymeric films, incorporating inorganic Cu(I) and Cu(II) compounds, were obtained. Morphological and chemical characterizations of the coatings were carried out. Antimicrobial properties were assessed on two species of Pseudomonas spp. In vitro tests were carried out by contact of the optimized films, deposited on square polycarbonate samples (~ 4 cm2), with cell suspensions of 1 × 104 CFU/mL for 18 h at 25 °C. It was demonstrated that, the hybrid organic-inorganic thin coatings have potential utilization as active packaging material, showing an antimicrobial effect of up to three orders of magnitude (final microbial concentration 105 CFU/mL), compared to control polycarbonate (final microbial concentration 108 CFU/mL). Industrial relevance An innovative low pressure plasma process for deposition of copper-based, hybrid organic-inorganic thin films was developed. The optimized thin coatings have potential industrial utilization as active packaging material, being very effective against pseudomonads. Viability of Pseudomonas was reduced by three orders of magnitude (from 108 CFU/mL to 105 CFU/mL) in the presence of developed films, thus suggesting further investigation of the technique under food packaging conditions
Effect of preparation protocol on physicochemical features and biointeractions of pegylated liposomes
No full textPoly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) stabilized liposomes are widely used in drug delivery research because these surface grafted polymers stabilize liposomes in blood stream. However, hydrophilic polymers also affect lipid membrane organization and it is fundamental to investigate their effect on the physicochemical properties of lipid bilayers as well as on their interaction with biological membrane. PEG monolaurate was included in liposomes formulated with dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and one of two cationic gemini surfactants that differ each other for the configuration of a stereogenic center on the polar headgroup. These formulations previously showed good efficiency as drug and DNA delivery systems. The effect of the presence of different amounts of a PEG-lipid and of the liposome preparation protocol was investigated by turbidimetry, dynamic laser light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and electrophoretic mobility. Flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy on murine (C6) and on human glioblastoma (LN229) cell lines were also carried out to evaluate the influence of pegylation and of the protocol of preparation on the interaction of liposomes with the biological milieu
Urinary cortisol-to-creatinine ratio using a chemiluminescent assay has limited diagnostic accuracy for canine hypercortisolism
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