118,188 research outputs found
I patrimoni dell’Università Cattolica, in Storia dell’Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Le istituzioni, vol. V
No full textQuinto volume della Storia dell'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, permette di conoscere i patrimoni "materiali" dell'Ateneo, andando alla ricerca delle tracce del passato e connettendole al progetto culturale che ha dato vita all'Università Cattolica. Il volume si concentra sulle opere artistiche e architettoniche, sui reperti archeologici, sul sistema bibliotecario e sulle imprese editoriali di Vita e Pensiero, casa editrice collegata all'istituzione universitaria. Si alternano saggi e rassegne, di diversi autori, che danno conto dell'insieme variegato di oggetti e costruzioni che arricchiscono il patrimonio dell'Università Cattolica. Alle pp. IX-XV l'Introduzione, di Maria Bocci
Valorizzare le differenze, cooperare, partecipare. Il QueRiDIS: uno strumento per rendere visibile il processo inclusivo nelle scuole
No full textNonostante la scuola italiana vanti una legislazione all’avanguardia nel panorama internazionale nel campo dell’integrazione, è possibile affermare che sussistono tuttora notevoli incertezze ed ambiguità da parte degli operatori nella concettualizzazione del termine inclusione (Dovigo, 2014; Medeghini, D’Alessio, Marra, Vadalà & Valtellina, 2013; Bocci, 2015). In Italia sono oggi varate norme e applicate procedure in antitesi rispetto al significato autentico di inclusione che fa riferimento a un processo dinamico che coinvolge l’intero sistema scolastico (Booth & Ainscow, 2014; Ferri, 2015). Queste, infatti, rispondono ancora a una prospettiva prevalentemente biomedica che privilegia interventi individuali piuttosto che trasformazioni del sistema formativo (contesti e relazioni) in cui si attuano i processi di insegnamento-apprendimento (D’Alessio, Medeghini, Vadalà & Bocci, 2015). Si determinano così situazioni di micro/macro esclusione che riguardano allievi (fenomeni di push/pull out: Demo, 2015) e insegnanti di sostegno, questi ultimi chiamati a fornire risposte tecniche al problema (fenomeno di delega: Ianes, Demo, Zambotti, 2010; Ianes, 2015).
Sulla base di tali premesse, gli autori del presente contributo illustrano i primi esiti di una indagine condotta su 145 insegnanti mediante l’utilizzo di un questionario che ha permesso di rilevare alcune percezioni in merito ai processi inclusivi in atto nelle loro scuole in riferimento a tre parole chiave: valorizzazione delle differenze, cooperazione, partecipazione.
Il questionario, che fa riferimento alle tre dimensioni dell’Index, si popone come uno strumento finalizzato ad accompagnare le scuole nel percorso di identificazione e, conseguentemente, di realizzazione di processi inclusivi, strutturati in modo tale da armonizzare gli aspetti valoriali dichiarati (culture), le scelte organizzative della scuola (politiche) e le metodologie didattiche che a queste si riconducono (pratiche).Despite Italian school can internationally boast a vanguard legislation in the field of integration, we have to admit that relevant uncertainties and ambiguities still exist in the conceptualization of the term “inclusion” by operators (Dovigo, 2014; Medeghini, D’Alessio, Marra, Vadalà & Valtellina, 2013; Bocci, 2015). Nowadays in Italy norms and procedures are being enacted and applied in antithesis to the real meaning of inclusion, which should be a dynamic process involving the entire school system (Booth & Ainscow, 2014; Ferri, 2015). Such norms and procedures, in fact, still respond to a mainly biomedical perspective that privileges individual interventions rather than changes in the education system (contexts and relationships) in which the teaching and learning processes take place (D’Alessio, Medeghini, Vadalà & Bocci, 2015). This can lead to situations of micro/macro exclusion affecting students (push/pull out phenomena: Demo, 2015) and support teachers, the latter being expected to provide technical responses to a “problem” (delegation phenomenon: Ianes, Demo, Zambotti, 2010; Ianes, 2015).
The authors of this paper intend to illustrate the first results of a survey conducted on 145 teachers through a questionnaire based on three keywords – appreciation of differences, cooperation, and participation. Such questionnaire has proved to be a very useful tool, revealing the ways teachers perceive the inclusive processes enacted in their schools.
The questionnaire, which refers to the three dimensions of Index, is proposed as a tool aimed at accompanying schools in the identification and, consequently, the creation of inclusive processes, which in our opinion ought to be structured in such way as to harmonize the declared value-related aspects (cultures), the school’s organizational choices (policies), and the related teaching methods (practices)
Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 10. Release of factors from ozonated human platelets
No full textIn a previous work we have shown that heparin, in the presence of ozone (O3), promotes a dose-dependent platelet aggregation, while after Ca2+ chelation with citrate, platelet aggregation is almost negligible. These results led us to think that aggregation may enhance the release of platelet components. We have here shown that indeed significantly higher amount of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are released in a dose-dependent manner after ozonation of heparinised platelet-rich plasma samples. These findings may explain the enhanced healing of torpid ulcers in patients with chronic limb ischemia treated with O3 autohaemoteraphy (O3-AHT)
Free Radicals and Antioxidants: How to Reestablish Redox Homeostasis in Chronic Diseases?
No full textThis review examines the biological role of oxidants and antioxidants continuously produced by all living cells. Physiologically in human beings, who have inherited good genes, used to eat moderately a healthy diet and practising exercise every day, both systems are equally important and essential to maintain a normal long life. However the aging process slowly leads to a disequilibrium that becomes accentuated in pathologies such as diabetes, cardiovascular, degenerative, pulmonary, infective diseases and cancer. All of these diseases shorten the life span in about 80% of individuals and represent a huge social-economic problem for health authorities. Several factors as excessive feeding, smoking, alcoholism and a poor life-style conjure up to their realization. Their progress, initially promoted by some pathogens and a wrong life-style, is deeply accentuated by an excessive and deranged production of deadly oxidants no longer tamed by an inhibited control of the antioxidant defences. Effective orthodox drugs are able to slow down these ailments but they impoverish the quality of life because they cannot reactivate the innate ability to restore the complexity of the antioxidant system. Several potential approaches to renew this system have been discussed and their possible role to reactivate a valid protection in at least some of the outlined pathologies. It is hoped to pursue the evaluation of this integrated medical approach because it represents a sheet anchor for many patients
Studies on the biological effects of ozone 1. Inductionof interferon gamma on human leucocytes
No full textIn this study we have investigated the effects of ozone on human blood, as well as on resuspended buffy coats and Ficoll-purified mononuclear cells. Samples were exposed at different ozone concentrations (from 2.2 micrograms to 108 micrograms/ml) for 30 sec and then incubated for different times at 37 degrees C in a 95% air-5% CO2 humidified atmosphere. Supernatants were collected and frozen at-20 degrees C until tested for interferon (IFN) activity. We have determined that the ozone concentration is critical for lymphokine induction. In fact, while low concentrations (2.2 micrograms/ml) are effective in lymphocytes, they do not induce IFN in either whole or diluted (1:1) human blood, or resuspended buffy coats. In such cases levels as high as 42 micrograms/ml are required. On the other hand, a very high ozone concentration (108 micrograms/ml) is not effective and probably toxic. Maximal IFN production occurs 72-96 h after ozone exposure, and the kinetics of IFN release is similar to that after Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B addition. Because ozonization of blood is a medical procedure followed in several countries for treatment of viral diseases, this study can open a new field of investigation that may yield useful results both in biological and practical terms
Studies on the biological effects of ozone: 11. Release of factors from human endothelial cells
No full textBACKGROUND: Empirical observations have shown that ozonated autohemotherapy markedly improves the symptoms of chronic limb ischemia (muscular pain at rest, intermittent claudication, etc) in atherosclerotic patients, but mechanisms of action remain unclear.
AIMS: Human endothelial cells (HUVECs) are known to release nitrogen monoxide (NO) and we investigated the biological effects of human ozonated serum on HUVECs in culture.
METHODS: We assessed the relevance of peroxidation, the release of NO as nitrite and of three classical cytokines.
RESULTS: The treatment of HUVECs with ozonated serum yields a dose dependent increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a decrease of protein thiol groups (PTG). Concomitantly, in comparison to either the control or the oxygenated sample, there is a significant and steady increase of nitric oxide (NO) production; this is markedly enhanced by the addition of L-arginine (20 microM) and inhibited in the presence of the NO inhibitor, L-NAME (20 mM). The main mediator of ozone action is H2O2 as it has been shown either after its direct measurement or by the addition of 20, 40 and 100 microM. Moreover, during 24 hours incubation we have investigated the production of endothelin 1 (ET-1), E-selectin and Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and it appears that ozonation enhances IL-8, inhibits E-selectin and hardly modifies ET-1 production.
CONCLUSIONS: It appears that reinfusion of ozonated blood, by enhancing release of NO, may induce vasodilation in ischemic areas and reduce hypoxia
Tappeti chiari sotto la volta
No full textLa provincia di Bolzano, nell’ambito del programma Interreg IV e con la collaborazione dell’Università Politecnica delle Marche, ha portato a termine l’applicazione in due gallerie della rete stradale provinciale di un manto di usura - realizzato con aggregati chiari e legante trasparente - sviluppato con l’obiettivo di ridurre i consumi di energia per l’illuminazione e migliorare la sicurezza. Di seguito, tutti i dettagli su studio della miscela ottimale, lavorazioni e controlli post‐operam
Ageing and cooling of hot-mix-asphalt during hauling and paving—a laboratory and site study
No full textIn road construction, it can happen that, for different reasons, the time between hot-mix asphalt (HMA) production and paving is extended to some hours. This can be reflected in several problems such as mix cooling and temperature segregation, but also in an extremely severe bitumen ageing due to its prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This paper deals with the investigation of these phenomena both in the laboratory and on site. In particular, the first part of the research aimed at observing the influence of the conditioning time, when the loose HMA is kept in the oven at a high temperature, on the mix properties. The second part focused on the ageing/cooling that happens on site during HMA hauling, as a function of time and type of truck. Temperatures were monitored using a thermal camera and different probes, and gyratory compactor specimens were produced by sampling some HMA from the trucks every 1 h for 3 h. The results showed that HMA stiffness rises if the time when the loose mix stays in the laboratory oven before compaction increases. However, on site, the HMA volumetric and mechanical properties do not change with hauling time up to 3 h, probably because the external material in the truck bed protects the HMA core from the access of oxygen, hindering bitumen oxidation and loss of volatiles. The temperature monitoring highlighted that temperature segregation, after 3 h hauling, can be higher than 30 °C but it can be reduced using insulated truck beds
The dual action of ozone on the skin
No full textThe aim of this brief review is to summarize the recent literature on the effect of ozone (O3) on cutaneous tissues. Recently it has been reported that a chronic contact with O3 can be deleterious for the skin. Our group and others have shown a progressive depletion of antioxidant content in the stratum corneum and this can then lead to a cascade of effects resulting in an active cellular response in the deeper layers of the skin. Using an in vivo model we have shown an increase of proliferative, adaptive and proinflammatory cutaneous tissue responses. On the other hand the well known activity of O3 as a potent disinfectant and oxygen (O2) donor has been also studied for therapeutic use. Two approaches have been described. The first consists of a quasi-total body exposure in a thermostatically controlled cabin. This treatment has proved to be useful in patients with chronic limb ischaemia. The second approach is based on the topical application of ozonated olive oil in several kinds of skin infection (from soreness to diabetic ulcers, burns, traumatic and surgical wounds, abscesses and skin reactions after radiotherapy). We and other authors have observed a striking cleansing effect with improved oxygenation and enhanced healing of these conditions. It is now clear that, on the skin, O3, like other drugs, poisons and radiation, can display either a damaging effect from a long exposure or a beneficial effect after a brief exposure to O2 and O3 or to the application of ozonated oil to chronic wounds
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