368 research outputs found
Colonie penitenziarie / Carmelo Grassi
No full textColonie penitenziarie / Carmelo Grassi
Milano : Societa editrice libraria, 1912
VII, 178 p. ; 24 cm
Estr. da: Enciclopedia giuridica italiana, v. 3, p. 2., sez. 2
La Fine del Potere Ottomano. L’ultimo sultano, l’ultimo califfo, gli ultimi gran visir
No full textContrariamente alla fine dell’Impero zarista, dell’Impero asburgico e di quello germanico, la fine dell’Impero ottomano sopravvenne dopo lunga e tortuosa agonia, prodotta principalmente dalle confliggenti ambizioni delle potenze che avevano vinto la Grande Guerra. A cento anni dall’abolizione del califfato (3 marzo 1924), Fabio L. Grassi ripercorre la storia ben poco conosciuta degli uomini che ressero e rappresentarono l’impero in quegli anni. L’autore ne illustra la vita, la carriera, le propensioni politiche, l’opera, le posizioni di volta in volta assunte, la loro sorte successiva, oltre che la loro dimensione culturale, morale e psicologica. Ciò che fecero e non fecero l’ultimo sultano, l’ultimo califfo e gli ultimi gran visir, ovvero i massimi rappresentanti della «Turchia legale», nelle loro relazioni da una parte con gli Alleati dall’altra con la «Turchia ribelle», costituisce un insieme complesso, ambiguo e in parte ancora misterioso.Contrary to the end of the Tsarist Empire, of the Habsburg Empire and of the Germanic, Empire, the end of the Ottoman Empire came after a long and torturous agony, caused mainly by the conflicting ambitions of the powers that had won the Great War. One hundred years after the abolition of the caliphate (3 March 1924), Fabio L. Grassi traces the scarcely story
known of the men who ruled and represented the empire in those years. The author illustrates their life, career and political propensities policies, their acts, the positions taken from time to time, theirs subsequent fate, as well as their cultural, psychological and moral dimension. What the last sultan, the last caliph and the last grand viziers, i.e. the highest representatives of «legal Türkiye», did and did not do, in their relations on the one hand with the AlliedPowers on the other with "rebel Türkiye", constitutes a
complex, ambiguous and partly still mysterious whole
A Rasch Analysis of Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices to assess eductive intelligence: a study in a Sardinian sample
No full textIn recent years, a new Italian standardization was conducted for Raven’s Progressive colored Matrices with samples from different regions of Italy, but with no Sardinian children. The population of Sardinia represents a peculiar group in the Italian population for specific history, for specific genetic bases and for epidemiological differences for various diseases. The present contribution aims to verify the extendibility of Raven Colored Progressive Matrices to a subpopulation of a Sardinian sample of 1626 children attending the primary and secondary level of education of the Italian scholastic organization. The main objective of the research concerns the construct validity and the psychometric properties of the global test instrument
Pattern of errors in Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices and their use in the clinical assessment of intelligence
No full textSince his pioneer studies, Raven demonstrated the importance of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the performance in his Progressive Matrices Test, both in normative and clinical samples (Raven 1936, 1941a, 2000, Raven et al., 1995). He described four types of erroneous responses, named as follow: 1) difference error; 2) figure repetition error; 3) inadequate individuation error: 4) incomplete correlate error. Raven claimed that the qualitative analysis of the pattern of errors could be useful in the analysis of the level of reasoning used during the execution of the test: each error can have a different level of sophistication, the more sophisticated error is the more similar to the correct option (Raven et al., 1995) and each error gives some indication of the processes and the strategies used during the solution of the item(Raven et al., 1990). Moreover, there is a general agreement on the usefulness of qualitative error analysis to collect more information on the reasoning abilities. The present study aims to propose some findings of the assessment of the pattern of errors on Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices in a kindergarten and primary schoolsample and to propose some hints of analysis on the role of the evaluation of types of errors from a clinical point of view. We also discuss about the use of pattern of errors evaluation as a way to gain information about reasoning during intelligence assessment. We also discuss its use during the current COVID-19 pandemic, as a way tocollectas more information as possible about reasoning in each individual, even with the use of e-platforms, like the ones used as alternative to face-to-face assessment of intelligence
Improving drug efficacy and specificity by innovative drug delivery approaches
No full textThe limited efficacy of current therapeutic approaches for a number of socially relevant human diseases requires the exploration of alternative and more effective therapeutic strategies. In this regard, the researchers have pursued on one hand the identification of novel and more effective therapeutic molecules and on the other the optimization of drug delivery systems.
So far, many therapeutic molecules, especially those used as anticancer drugs, are plagued by a low therapeutic index being the efficacious dose very close to the lethal one; moreover, they often lack any specificity of action. This aspect can be improved by the use of drug delivery systems composed of different drug carriers including lipids and polymers. The carriers, often in the shape of nanoparticles , can be loaded by the therapeutic molecule and directed against the target cells via the presence of targeting moieties allocated on the nanoparticle surface.
The specificity of the complex carrier/drug can be further improved by the use of therapeutic molecules preferentially/exclusively active on the target diseased cells. Molecules active against diseased-associated target (oncogenes etc) may hit the diseased cells leaving healthy cells substantially unaffected. In this regard, in the last three decades, nucleic acid based drugs (NABDs) have emerged as an attractive and novel alternative with great therapeutic potential. NABDs, which include antisense oligonucleotides, decoys, aptamers, triple helix forming oligonucleotides, DNAzymes, Ribozymes and small interfering RNAs, have been shown to be able to efficiently and specifically counteract pathological gene expression in many different experimental systems. Notably as they can be engineered to hit virtually any cell target, their potential applicability is very broad.
Despite NABD broad potential applicability, their use in the clinic is limited by the lack of optimal delivery systems. Due to their hydrophilic nature, NABDs cannot efficiently cross cellular membrane for which appropriate carriers are needed. Moreover, their instability in serum requires a proper protection to prevent a fast degradation which would invariably lead to the abrogation of any significant therapeutic effect.
The present special issue will be focused on the critical description of some aspects related to the optimization of drug delivery with a particular emphasis on NABD; despite this, a discussion about the possibility to use/adapt NABD developed delivery systems for more conventional drugs, is also present.
The papers of Chan et al., of Marrache et al, of Schaffert et al., Jung et al. and Grassi et al. describe different delivery approaches for NABD and other commonly used therapeutic molecules for several pathological conditions. In the paper of Chan et al. attention is given to liposome and polymeric based delivery systems with regard to DNA enzymes; the described studies offer perspectives on future methodologies for improved DNAzyme delivery and utility as novel drugs. Marrache et al. describe the use of nanoparticles (made by polymer, liposome and other delivery agents), as delivery devices which can be engineered to load multiple drugs with varied physicochemical properties, contrast agents, and cellular or intracellular component targeting moieties. Schaffert et al draw their attention on the description of delivery systems based on the polycation linear polyethylenimine, where peptide based ligands are attached to the polycation via heterobifunctional polyethylene glycol linker molecules. Conjugate synthesis, in vitro testing and in vivo cancer models in rodents are discussed. Jung et al describe the employment of the thermo sensitive pluronic-based core/shell nanoparticles, formed using various strategies such as self-assembly and temperature induced-phase transition. Particular emphasis is given to the use of the nanoparticles for tumor targeting, stimulated release of proteins, and cancer imaging capabilities. Grassi et al, beside discussing the above mentioned delivery systems, for most of the different types of NABDs, draw their attention on the complex situation of NABD delivery to the arteries describing the advantages and dis-advantages of three different administration routes i.e. systemic, perivascular and intravascular.
The papers of Lico et al, Pagliari et al and Castronovo et al report the use of “living delivery systems” and describe the influences of nano-systems on NABD. Lico et al. focus their attention on the use of a different approach for NABD delivery based on plant viruses which have a size particularly suitable for nanoscale applications and can offer several advantages being structurally uniform, robust, biodegradable and easy to produce. Pagliari et al. continue the description of “living vector” reporting the possible and very innovative use of stem cells as delivery devices for therapeutic molecules to the injured myocardium. Finally, in the paper of Castronovo et al., a completely innovative point of view about NABD complexation in nano-carriers is provided. The author show that the functionality of NABD in nano-systems is highly dependent upon the local density, molecular flexibility and network of weak interactions between adjacent molecules. The understanding of these properties can enable the development of powerful molecular tools for nano-medicine.
In conclusion, whereas the developmental process of many delivery systems is still at the beginning, other delivery strategies are closer to possible applications. Regardless of the fact that the delivery systems are used for NABD or clinically available drugs, we believe the target tissue will mainly determine the nature of the optimal strategy. Despite the delivery issue can and should be further optimized, the encouraging results displayed so far in different experimental models using NABD or clinically used drugs, fully justify further economic and scientific efforts
Development of a novel micro-ablation system to realise micrometric and well-defined hydrogel structures for tissue engineering applications
No full textPurpose
– This paper aims to develop a novel micro-ablation system to realise micrometric and well-defined hydrogel structures. To engineer a tissue it is necessary to evaluate several aspects, such as cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, its micro-architecture and mechanical stimuli that act on it. For this reason, it is important to fabricate a substrate which presents a microtopology similar to natural tissue and has chemical and mechanical properties able to promote cell functions. In this paper, well-defined hydrogel structures embedding cells were microfabricated using a purposely developed technique, micro-laser ablation, based on a thulium laser. Its working parameters (laser power emission, stepper motor velocity) were optimised to produce shaded “serpentine” pattern on a hydrogel film.
Design/methodology/approach
– In this study, initially, swelling/contraction tests on agarose and alginate hydrogel in different solutions of main components of cell culture medium were performed and were compared with the MECpH model. This comparison matched with good approximation experimental measurements. Once known how hydrogel changed its topology, microstructures with a well-defined topology were realised using a purposely developed micro-laser ablation system design. S5Y5 neuroblastoma cell lines were embedded in hydrogel matrix and the whole structure was ablated with a laser microfabrication system. The cells did not show damages due to mechanical stress present in the hydrogel matrix and to thermal increase induced by the laser beam.
Findings
– The hydrogel structure is able to reproduce extracellular matrix. Initially, the hydrogel swelling/contraction in different solutions, containing the main components of the most common cell culture media, was analysed. This analysis is important to evaluate if cell culture environment could alter microtopology of realised structures. Then, the same topology was realised on hydrogel film embedding neuronal cells and the cells did not show damages due to mechanical stress present in the hydrogel matrix and to thermal increase induced by the laser beam. The interesting obtained results could be useful to realise well-defined microfabricated hydrogel structures embedding cells to guide tissue formation
Originality/value
– The originality of this paper is the design and realisation of a 3D microfabrication system able to microfabricate hydrogel matrix embedding cells without inducing cell damage. The ease of use of this system and its potential modularity render this system a novel potential device for application in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine area
Thermoremendable Styrenic Polymers by Controlled Radical Copolymerization of Styrene with bioderived 2-vinylfuran
No full textThermoremendable Styrenic Polymers by Controlled Radical Copolymerization of Styrene with bioderived 2-vinylfuran
A. Grassi,* A. Buonerba, C. Capacchione, S. Milione
Department of Chemistry and Biology “Adolfo Zambelli”, University of Salerno – Italy
CIRCC - Interuniversity Consortium on Chemical Reactivity and Catalysis
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Keywords: Biosourced olefins, functional olefin copolymer, furan-maleimide Diels Alder reaction.
Abstract
2-vinylfuran (2VF) is a bioderived olefin synthesized by Peterson methylenation of furfural, a cheap platform molecule resulting from acid catalyzed hydrolysis and dehydration of pentosanes from lignocellulosic biomass. Ideal ATR copolymerization of styrene with 2VF yielded random copolymers (S-co-2VFs) in a wide range of composition and high monomer conversion.[1] The S-co-2VFs are stable for years in solution and solid state at room temperature; radical oxidation of the furan moieties starts in air at temperature higher than 120°C whereas thermal degradation occurs at 380°C. Diels Alder (DA) cycloaddition reaction of S-co-2VFs with bismaleimide (BMI) produces thermorevesible crosslinks: the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of this reaction were investigated by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy to assess the optimal condition for high crosslink degree and self healing conditions. The mechanical properties of the S-co-2VFs, before and after reaction with BMI, were compared using INSTRON analysis and nanoidentation of polymeric thin films by Atomic Force Microscopy.[2] Moreover simple thermal treatment of mechanically fractured films of S-co-2VFs reacted with BMI allowed full repairing in 80 min (Figure 1).
Scheme. Diels Alder reaction of S-co-2VFs with BMI.
Figure 1. Fractured (a) and healed (b) polymer film of S-co-2VF crosslinked with BMI after thermal annealing at 150°C.
References
[1] S. Ortega Sáncheza, F. Marra, A. Dibenedetto, M. Aresta, A. GrassiMacromolecules 2014, 47, 7129−7137.
[2] A. Grassi, A. Buonerba, C. Capacchione, S. Milione ACS National Meeting San Diego (USA) 2016
Large N dualities and transitions in geometry
No full textThis chapter is based on lectures given by the first author in May 2001 in Como. The second author attended the lectures and volunteered to help write the notes; in the end MR completely wrote sections 9.2.2, 9.2.3 and the appendices, which were only sketched in the lectures
Single-cell DNA Sequencing Data: a Pipeline for Multi-Sample Analysis
No full textNowadays, single-cell DNA (sc-DNA) sequencing is showing up to be a valuable instrument to investigate intra and inter-tumor heterogeneity and infer its evolutionary dynamics, by using the high-resolution data it produces. That is why the demand for analytical tools to manage this kind of data is increasing. Here we propose a pipeline capable of producing multi-sample copy-number variation (CNV) analysis on large-scale single-cell DNA sequencing data and investigate spatial and temporal tumor heterogeneity
Effective evaluation of clustering algorithms on single-cell CNA data
No full textClustering methods are increasingly applied to single-cell DNA sequencing (scDNAseq) data to infer the subclonal structure of cancer. However, the complexity of these data exacerbates some data-science issues and affects clustering results. Additionally, determining whether such inferences are accurate and clusters recapitulate the real cell phylogeny is not trivial, mainly because ground truth information is not available for most experimental settings. Here, by exploiting simulated sequencing data representing known phylogenies of cancer cells, we propose a formal and systematic assessment of well-known clustering methods to study their performance and identify the approach providing the most accurate reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships
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