101,450 research outputs found
Globalization and public administration: a complex relationship
No full textThe paper examines the relationship between globalization and public administration through economic theory principles and an example. Starting from the consideration of early concerns about globalization, it argues that although the size of government has rarely declined, its power has been eroded, making room on the one hand to the quest for global public goods, while on the other hand urging for more local public goods and decentralization. University education, mainly publicly supplied in Italy as well as in many European countries, exemplifies the awkwardness of introducing best practices in a context of asymmetric information with many idiosyncratic features.globalization,university education,public goods,public administration
Authentic identification of Stigma Croci (stigma of Crocus sativus) from its adulterants by molecular genetic analysis
No full textStigma Croci, stigma of Crocus sativus L., is a precious traditional Chinese medicine, which is commonly used to activate blood circulation and to dissipate blood stasis. Three plant species, Carthamus tinctorius L., Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L. and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni, could carry the name Stigma Croci in the commercial markets of South East Asia. However, C. sativus is the only one that has proven its effectiveness, while the others could act as adulterants. The authentic identification of C. sativus on the market is difficult. By using molecular genetic method, the spacer domains of 5S-rRNA were cloned from the genomic DNAs that were isolated from C. sativus, C. tinctorius, H. fulva and H. citrina. The cDNAs encoding the spacer domains, about 300 to 500 bp, were sequenced. The nucleotide sequences of these four species showed great diversity, which could serve as markers for authentic identification of Stigma Croci to distinguish from its substitution and counterfeit.</p
Letter, [Author unclear] to Paulina T. Merritt
No full textHandwritten letter to Paulina Merritt from an unknown author, October 1, 1876.
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing: a new promising treatment for Rett syndrome
No full textRett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the central nervous system and is one of the most common causes of intellectual disability in girls, resulting in severe cognitive and physical disabilities. Mutations in MECP2 and FOXG1 genes cause the classic form and the congenital variant of Rett syndrome, respectively. Both genes are transcriptional regulators and both under- and over-expression of these gene cause disease in humans. To characterize the biological mechanisms implicated in disease pathogenesis, we established and characterized a human neuronal model based on genetic reprogramming of patient fibroblasts into induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). Functional analyses performed in MECP2 iPSC-derived neurons demonstrated that these cells closely mimic the impairment of molecular pathway characterizing the disease revealing defects in GABAergic system and cytoskeleton dynamics. Furthermore, we explored the possibility to use iPSC-derived neurons to develop and study a new treatment for RTT patients. Effective therapies are not currently available and the need for tight regulation of MeCP2 and FOXG1 expression for proper brain functioning makes gene replacement therapy risky. Therefore, gene editing would be much more effective. Gene editing based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology and Homology Directed Repair appears an appealing option for the development of new therapeutic approaches. We have engineered a two-plasmid system to correct FOXG1 (c.688C>T (p(Arg230Cys)); C.765G>A (p.Trp255Ter)) and MECP2 (c.473C>T-p.Thr158Met) variants.. Mutation-specific sgRNAs and donor DNAs have been selected and cloned together with an mCherry/GFP reporter system. Cas9 flanked by sgRNA recognition sequences for auto-cleaving has been cloned in a second plasmid. The system has been designed to be ready for in vivo delivery via Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vectors. NGS analysis of corrected cells from MECP2 and FOXG1 patients demonstrated an high editing efficiency, ranging from 20 to 80 % of HDR and confirmed that this correction strategy is feasible in neurons. Functional analyses in edited cells confirm the correction of molecular defects due to the mutation. Based on the use of AAV viruses and their capacity to cross the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) following intravenous injection these experiments will allow us to demonstrate the full potential of gene editing as a therapeutic option for RTT and for other neurodevelopmental disorders currently lacking an effective treatment
Zr- and LREE-rich titanite from Tre Croci, Vico Volcanic complex (Latium, Italy)
No full textTitanite occurs in the groundmass of a holocrystalline volcanic ejectum collected in the pyroclastic rocks of the Vice Volcanic complex at Tre Croci, near Viterbo, Italy. The host rock is composed of abundant K-feldspar and minor plagioclase, biotite, clinopyroxene and a feldspathoid (sodalite). Titanite is typically associated with zirconolite, biotite and Fe-oxides. It has a medium Al content (Al2O3 + Fe2O3 = 4-6 wt.%) and contains significant amounts of Zr and LREE, with a chondrite-normalised REE pattern similar to those of titanites from other alkaline rocks. Titanite has been corroded by fluids probably rich in dissolved F and P during a late alteration stage, with evidence for some remobilization and redistribution of the REE and actinide elements
An unusual case of transient neonatal pustular melanosis: a diagnostic puzzle.
No full textA newborn's skin may exhibit a variety of changes during the first weeks of life, and rashes are extremely common in the neonatal period, representing a significant source of parental concern. In particular, a variety of skin eruptions can present as pustules. Most of them are innocuous and self-limiting, while others can be the manifestation of an infectious disease or even indicative of serious underlying disorders. Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is an uncommon vesiculopustular rash characterized by small pustules on a non-erythematous base, noted at birth or during the first day of life, without systemic symptoms. The lesions rupture spontaneously, leaving hyperpigmented macules that usually fade within few weeks. Clinical recognition of this disease can help physicians avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing and treatment for infectious etiologies because no specific therapy is recommended. The clinical aspect and time of onset are generally sufficient to make the correct diagnosis. Nevertheless, peculiar clinical presentations may require additional work-up to rule out life-threatening conditions, and dermatological consultation and histological examination are required for the final diagnosis. Conclusion: We report an exceedingly unusual presentation of transient neonatal pustular melanosis, suggesting the importance of a systematic diagnostic approach to allow a confident recognition of this benign condition
TCAD Modeling of Surface Radiation Damage Effects: A State-Of-The-Art Review
No full textA comprehensive numerical model which accounts for surface damage effects induced by radiation on silicon particle detectors is presented with reference to the state-of-the-art Synopsys Sentaurus Technology CAD (TCAD) tool. The overall aim of this work is to present the “Perugia 2019 Surface” damage modeling scheme, fully implemented within the TCAD environment, which effectively describes the surface damage effects induced by radiation in silicon sensors relying on a limited number of parameters relevant for physics. To this end, extensive measurement campaigns have been recently performed on gated-diodes and MOS capacitors at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) in Italy, Hamamatsu Photonics (HPK) in Japan and Infineon Technologies (IFX) in Austria on both n-type and p-type substrates (with and without p-spray isolation implants), in order to extrapolate the relevant parameters which rule the surface damage effects. The integrated interface trap density and the oxide charge density, have been determined before and after X-ray irradiation with doses ranging from 0.05 to 100 Mrad(SiO2), for each specific foundry and technology flavor. The main guidelines of this study are the versatility and generality of the simulation approach
An unusual case of transient neonatal pustular melanosis : a diagnostic puzzle
No full textA newborn's skin may exhibit a variety of changes during the first weeks of life, and rashes are extremely common in the neonatal period, representing a significant source of parental concern. In particular, a variety of skin eruptions can present as pustules. Most of them are innocuous and self-limiting, while others can be the manifestation of an infectious disease or even indicative of serious underlying disorders. Transient neonatal pustular melanosis is an uncommon vesiculopustular rash characterized by small pustules on a non-erythematous base, noted at birth or during the first day of life, without systemic symptoms. The lesions rupture spontaneously, leaving hyperpigmented macules that usually fade within few weeks. Clinical recognition of this disease can help physicians avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing and treatment for infectious etiologies because no specific therapy is recommended. The clinical aspect and time of onset are generally sufficient to make the correct diagnosis. Nevertheless, peculiar clinical presentations may require additional work-up to rule out life-threatening conditions, and dermatological consultation and histological examination are required for the final diagnosis. Conclusion: We report an exceedingly unusual presentation of transient neonatal pustular melanosis, suggesting the importance of a systematic diagnostic approach to allow a confident recognition of this benign condition
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