200,499 research outputs found
Critical effects of inorganic phosphate at threshold concentrations on cultured aortic valve interstitial cells. Macroautophagocytosis versus procalcific cell degeneration
No full textThe conventional threshold values ascribed to inorganic phosphate concentration ([Pi]) in diagnosing normophosphatemia range between 0.8mM and 1.45mM to 2.0mM [Pi].
In cultures mimicking metastatic calcification ([Pi]=3.0mM) a major role was found to be played by [Pi] (Pi-cultures) in priming a procalcific cell degeneration of bovine aortic valve interstitial cells (bAVICs), with mineralization enhancing subsequent to superstimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus conditioned medium from cultured LPS-stimulated macrophages (Pi-LPS-CM-cultures) [1]. Here, bAVIC primary cultures were carried out which contained different [Pi] (0.4, 0.6, and 1.3mM in added solutions, i.e. 0.8, 1.3, and 2.0mM in final cultures), so including border concentrations on respect to hypophosphatemic- and hyperphosphatemic-like conditions. At 0.8mM and 1.3 [Pi] and for each incubation time (3, 9, 15, 21, and 28 days), bAVICs from Pi-cultures and Pi-LPS-CM-cultures shared common ultrastructural features showing prominent macroautophagocytosis to occur, consistently with the immunohistochemical detection of the specific marker of mature autophagosomes MAP1-LC3A. Neither cell death signs nor appearance of calcific nodules were observed. At 2.0 [Pi], most bAVICs were affected by degenerative fragmentation as described for severe metastatic-like calcifcation, i.e. the appearence of phthalocianin-positive material outcropping at cell surface, acting as hydroxyapatite nucleator and being source of real calcospherulae. Quantitative spectrophotometric estimation of calcium amounts and alkaline phosphatase activity were consistent with the ultrastructural data, with (i) similar values for Pi-LPS-CM-cultures versus Pi-cultures and control cultures, at 0.8 and 1.3mM [Pi], and (ii) significantly higher values for Pi-LPS-CM-cultures versus Pi-cultures and these latter versus controls, at 2.0mM [Pi]. Restriction of immunopositivity to caspase-8 to very few cells and complete immunonegativity to annexin-V suggested apoptosis to be a negligible epiphenomenon. In conclusion, the propensity of bAVICs to undergo procalcific degeneration resulted to correlate with [Pi] in such a manner that a differential discrimination of this parameter within the conventional normophosphatemic range is suggested for a proper evaluation of the risk for dystrophic valve calcification. Moreover, bacterial-derived inflammation seems to be regarded as an effective trigger for the higher normophosphatemic [Pi].
References
[1] Bonetti A, Della Mora A, Contin M, Tubaro F, Marchini M, Ortolani F. (2012). Anat Rec 295: 1117-1127
A new method for automatic Multiple Partial Discharge Classification
No full textA new wavelet based feature parameter have been developed to represent the characteristics of PD activities, i.e. the wavelet decomposition energy of PD pulses measured from non-conventional ultra wide bandwidth PD sensors such as capacitive couplers (CC) or high frequency current transformers (HFCT). The generated feature vectors can contain different dimensions depending on the length of recorded pulses. These high dimensional feature vectors can then be processed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to map the data into a three dimensional space whilst the first three most significant components representing the feature vector are preserved. In the three dimensional mapped space, an automatic Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm is then applied to classify the data cluster(s) produced by the PCA. As the procedure is undertaken in a three dimensional space, the obtained clustering results can be easily assessed. The classified PD sub-data sets are then reconstructed in the time domain as phase-resolved patterns to facilitate PD source type identification. The proposed approach has been successfully applied to PD data measured from electrical machines and power cables where measurements were undertaken in different laboratories
The MAPS-based ITS Upgrade for ALICE
No full textThe Inner Tracking System (ITS) Upgrade for the ALICE experiment at LHC is the first large-area (10~m) silicon vertex detector based on the CMOS Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor (MAPS) technology, which combines sensitive volume and front-end readout logic in the same piece of silicon. This technology allows a reduced material budget (target value of 0.3\% on the innermost layers) thanks to the thin sensors (50-100~m) and limited need of cooling, in combination with light-material interconnection circuits and support structures. The small pixel pitch (30~m), the location of the layers (7 cylindrical layers with radii ranging from 2.3~cm to 39.3~cm from the beam interaction line), and the limited material budget will provide the ALICE experiment with extremely precise tracking resolution. The high-rate readout capabilities will also enable ALICE to collect a large data sample at the 50~kHz Pb--Pb collision rate expected in the LHC Run~3. The new ITS, now assembled at the surface, is currently undergoing an exhaustive pre-commissioning phase with standalone calibration and cosmic ray data-taking, which will be completed by April 2020 before the installation in the ALICE detector. Experience gained from the construction and the pre-commissioning phase, and plans for the installation and preparation for the data-taking in ALICE will be presented in this paper. The role played by the new ITS within the development path of the MAPS technology for future applications will also be briefly discussed.The Inner Tracking System (ITS) Upgrade for the ALICE experiment at LHC is the first large-area (10 m) silicon vertex detector based on the CMOS Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor (MAPS) technology, which combines sensitive volume and front-end readout logic in the same piece of silicon. This technology allows a reduced material budget (target value of 0.3\% on the innermost layers) thanks to the thin sensors (50-100 m) and limited need of cooling, in combination with light-material interconnection circuits and support structures. The small pixel pitch (30 m), the location of the layers (7 cylindrical layers with radii ranging from 2.3 cm to 39.3 cm from the beam interaction line), and the limited material budget will provide the ALICE experiment with extremely precise tracking resolution. The high-rate readout capabilities will also enable ALICE to collect a large data sample at the 50 kHz Pb--Pb collision rate expected in the LHC Run 3.The new ITS, now assembled at the surface, is currently undergoing an exhaustive pre-commissioning phase with standalone calibration and cosmic ray data-taking, which will be completed by April 2020 before the installation in the ALICE detector. Experience gained from the construction and the pre-commissioning phase, and plans for the installation and preparation for the data-taking in ALICE will be presented in this paper.The role played by the new ITS within the development path of the MAPS technology for future applications will also be briefly discussed
The genesis and purpose of metropolitan architecture, its discipline in the era of the bigness at the metropolitan scale
No full text
Equity versus equality as an example of the metropolitan complexity
No full textTo cite the book: Contin, A., Giordano, P. and Nacke, M. (eds.). (2021). Training for education, learning and leadership towards a new metropolitan discipline. Inaugural book. Buenos Aires: CIPPEC.TELLme – Training for Education, Learning, and Leadership towards a new MEtropolitan Discipline Grant Agreement No. 2017-1-IT02-KA203-03697
Toxic metals leaching from columns of mine tailings amended with compost.
No full textMobilization of toxic metals should be a primary concern in the implementation of mine tailings reclamation with compost or other organic amendments. In fact, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a key component involved in metals solubilisation and mobility.
In this study we investigated the effect of compost addition to a mine tailing from washing deposits of a sphalerite (ZnS) and galena (PbS) dismissed mine site in repacked columns. The native mine tailings were collected from the Raibl mine (Cave del Predil, Italy) and contained 373 g As g-1, 1935 g Pb g-1, 521 g g-1 Tl and 7180 g Zn g-1 . They were compared with a single profile of compost amended tailings and with a two layer profile: the 10 cm top layer made by compost amended tailings and the 10 cm bottom layer made of native tailings. Columns were irrigated with deionized water simulating average local precipitation events for 100 days and leachates collected by gravity. Leacheates were analyzed for pH, for As, Tl, Pb and Zn by ICP-OES and for DOC by dry oxidation (Shimadzu TOC). Microbial respiration in compost amended tailing was measured in closed jars by CO2 absorption to 0.5 M NaOH solution. Monitored trace elements showed different leaching patterns: significantly more Zn and Tl leached from the composite profile (amended tailings + native tailings) while Pb and As showed a much larger mobility in the amended tailings (single profile). The lower horizon of native tailings was able to drastically reduce metals leaching from the top horizon. This different behaviour is coherent with the fundamental role of DOC in the mobilization of Pb and As and with its much lower influence on that Zn and Tl. Mobilization of Zn and Tl was governed by S oxidation and to a lesser extent by carbonates.
These results highlight the need of an appropriate assessment of metals mobilization risks before performing any amendment application to highly contaminated tailings
DONNA, MASS MEDIA, DISTURBI DELL'ALIMENTAZIONE: UNA PROSPETTIVA SOCIO-CULTURALE
No full textI Disturbi Alimentari rappresentano un importante e diffuso problema all'interno della società occidentale contemporanea. Essi affliggono in particolare le giovani donne. Nel presente articolo gli autori hanno inteso studiare i distrubi alimentari attraverso un approccio sistemico. Nella prima parte vengono presentati i diversi approcci teorici al tema dei disturbi alimentari: aprroccio medico, psicologico, filosofico e sociologico. Nella seconda parte vengono presentati i risultati di una ricerca empirica tesa ad indagare l'influenza dei mass media nella costruzione del senso di identità delle giovani, attraverso la comparazione di due campioni: un campione di donne con diagnosi di disturbi alimentari e un campione di donne senza diagnosi.
Eating disorders represent a real, widespread problem in our contemporary western countries. They strike, for the most part, young women. In this research the authors try to understand eating disorders thanks to a systemic approch. First they focus their attention on different theories: medical, psychological, philosophical and sociological theories. At the second they investigated, by an empirical approch (surevey and data analysis), the influence of mass media on the construction of young women identity. Two sample are compared: women strike by diagnosed eating disorders and young women not stike by eating disorders
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