144,589 research outputs found
Varicella notification in immigrants: a brief report from Ferrara, Italy
No full textBackground and Aim of the work - We conducted a survey of varicella cases' notifications in the immigrant population in the province of Ferrara, Italy.

Materials and Methods – We collected notifications of infectious disease between 2002 and 2006. 

Results and discussion - At the end of 2006, the 4.5% (14252 subjects) of total population of the province of Ferrara and its province was represented of immigrants from foreign countries. In this context, between 2002 and 2006, a total of 1969 cases of varicella, including 3.1% related to migrants, were reported. Among immigrants, there were 36 cases in males, and 26 in females. The cases were notified in the 64.5% by the hospital emergency service, in the 16.1% by the paediatrician and in 19.4% by the general practitioner. The incidence appears similar in both populations in childhood: this fact could means an integration in the local epidemiology for varicella of the immigrant school-children. 	

Ferrara città
No full textFerrara si offre come realtà urbana dal carattere enigmatico, il cui orizzonte di senso pare dialetticamente sospeso tra continuità dellavmemoria e sua traumatica contraddizione.
Il processo di riqualificazione dell'area del Barco, compreso all'interno dell'omonimo PRU (2000), pare esprimere la volontà di risarcire la comunità locale della perdita di rapporto strutturale e necessario con le vie d'acqua
Conservazione e valorizzazione del cimitero ebraico di Ferrara
No full textL'articolo illustra il progetto di ricerca dal titolo “Rilievo, catalogazione e restauro del patrimonio monumentale del Cimitero Ebraico di Ferrara” coordinato da N. Santopuoli ed avente per oggetto il Cimitero Ebraico di Ferrara, progetto articolato in indagini storiche, analisi delle trasformazioni del territorio, campagna di rilievo con laser scanner tridimensionale, catalogazione delle lapidi, rilievo morfologico delle lapidi, valutazione dello stato conservativo dei manufatti, progetto conservativo e organizzazione di un cantiere scuola all'interno del cimitero. Nel progetto sono coinvolti la Facoltà di Architettura di Ferrara, il Centro DIAPReM, la Comunità Ebraica di Ferrara, il Museo Ebraico di Bologna e l’Istituto dei Beni Culturali dell’Emilia Romagna. Viene definita una convenzione quadro fra la Comunità Ebraica di Ferrara e il Dipartimento di Architettura. I risultati vengono presentati al convegno internazionale La conservazione e la valorizzazione dei cimiteri ebraici in Europa organizzato all’interno della fiera "Restauro 2002" di Ferrara. (Istituto dei Beni Culturali dell’Emilia Romagna, Museo Ebraico di Bologna, Unione della Comunità Ebraiche Italiane (UCEI)
Internal polarized gas targets: systematic studies on intensity and correlated effects
No full textThe work carried out during the PhD was dedicated to the study of high-density polarized
gas targets used in high-energy physics. The thesis is related to the PAX experiment,
which aims to produce a beam of polarized anti-protons, by means of spin-filtering with a
polarized atomic target. In order to obtain the densities required by high-energy particle
physic, gaseous targets are a combination of an Atomic Beam Source and a storage cell.
The possibility to improve the various components of the ABS and the storage cell has been
evaluated, through dedicated systematic studies, using the facilities available in “Spinlab”
of Universit´a di Ferrara.
The attenuation of a collimated beam passing through the rest gas of a vacuum system
has been studied; different nozzle geometries have been tested (comparing the measured
data with the data calculated by simulation programs); design and tests of an new kind
of injection tube with internal fins (with the aim of decreasing the conductance of the
storage cell without diminishing the acceptance and thus to increase the integrated target
thickness).
Estimation of the attenuation coefficients and total cross sections have been derived from
the measurements of the attenuation of a hydrogen or deuterium beam. This quantities
are important for projecting new ABS and to improve the existing ones. A favorable
nozzle geometry (called “trumpet”) that increases the beam intensity has been derived
from simulations and experimental tests. Tests on the injection tubes with fins did not
give positive results when applied to the PAX storage cell geometry; however a azimuthal
motion of the atoms of a focused beam emerged from the measurements, a motion that
until now has been completely neglected
Amazonian plants from ethnomedicine to biotechnology through pharmaceutical biology approaches: a PhD experience in connecting forest with laboratory
No full textThe South american Natives, Shuar and Achuar people and their ethnomedical culture constitute the
background subject of the Phd research, performed both in Ecuador (Salesian Politechnic University,
Quito), and in Italy (Pharmaceutical biology labs, University of Ferrara). Based on ethnomedical
responses, Piper aduncum, Maytenus macrocarpa, Schinus molle, Tecoma stans and Eugenia hallii were
chosen as amazonian plant species subject of the research.
AIMS
The research has been focused on:
− checking the presence of endophytic fungi in plants;
− isolating and subculturing pure endophytic strains;
− checking the biotransformation capacity of the isolated endophytes on pure compounds; the most
performing endophytes were also tested on phytocomplexes and pure chemicals obtained by the
plant from which the fungi were isolated;
− phytochemical characterization and bioactivity assays of plant extracts: P. aduncum.
−
METHODS
Biotransformations. Fresh aerial plant parts were properly washed in sanitizing solutions and in vitro
cultured using adequate solid media to isolate endophytes. (+/-)-cis-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one,
acetophenone, 1-indanone, 2-furyl methyl ketone, 2-methylcyclopentanone, 2-methylcyclohexanone, 2-
methoxycyclohexanone were chosen as substrate model for biotransformations. The cultures were
sampled after 1, 3, 7, 10 days of culturing, and ethyl acetate extracted to verify by GC-MS the presence of
possible biotransformation products. Biotransformations were also checked on P. aduncum whole
essential oil and on dillapiol, cis-ocimene, piperitone, (-)-terpinen-4-ol as most abundant chemicals.
Chemical fingerprinting of P. aduncum essential oil. Steam distillation was adopted to obtain the essential
oil, then characterized by GC-MS, NMR analyses.
In vitro bioassays of P. aduncum essential oil. Antimicrobial activities were checked in vitro using proper
agarized media to reach MIC. Antioxidant capacities were checked through DPPH test, ABTS and
photochemiluminescence assays. Born's turbidimetric method and Writhing test were respectively
adopted to check platelet-aggregation and anti-nociceptive properties. Mutagenic, antimutagenic
properties and toxicity were assayed using classical and modified Ames test.
MAIN RESULTS
364 fungal strains were in vitro isolated. Among all, 5 strains performed biotransformations on
acetophenone to (S)-1-phenylethanol, with important yields (78-97%) and enantiomeric excess (78-
100%). Three strains gave also phenols probably by enzymatic reactions (Baeyer-Villiger oxidations). 15
fungal strains gave the lactones (-)-(1S,5R)-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-6-en-3-one and (-)-(1R,5S)-3-
oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-6-en-2-one from (+/-)-cis-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one, probably as result of
monooxygenase activation. Phytochemical characterization of P. aduncum essential oil has evidenced
dillapiol as the most abundant terpene, followed by cis-ocimene, piperitone and terpinen-4-ol. Only cisocimene
and piperitone gave several biotransformation products through dehydrogenation and
hydroxylation reactions. The essential oil has evidenced non-mutagenic properties and interesting
antifungal and antioxidant activities.
CONCLUSIONS
Several endophytic fungal strains from Amazonian plants were isolated and checked for
biotransformations on pure chemicals and on P. aduncum essential oil. Data obtained will be useful for
possible following patents about micro-organisms able to transform pharmaceutically interesting
chemicals. Taxonomical characterization of the most performing fungal strains is still in progress. P.
aduncum essential oil can be considered genotoxically safe and provides interesting antifungal and
antioxidant properties, supporting its ethnomedical use as cicatrising and disinfectant crude drug and
suggesting an extension of its employ as preservative ingredient
G. Ferrara, E. Loffredo, N. Senesi. Phytotoxic, clastogenic and bioaccumulation effects of the environmental endocrine disruptor bisphenol A in various crops grown hydroponically
No full textCORROSION BEHAVIOUR OF THE AZ31 MAGNESIUM ALLOY AND SURFACE TREATMENTS FOR ITS CORROSION PROTECTION
No full textNowadays environmental conservation forces the transportation industry to manufacture lighter and low emissions transport vehicles. In this contest, magnesium alloys have found increasing attention by the automotive industry because of their low density associated with good mechanical properties. However the low corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys in wet environments is still a limiting factor against their widespread diffusion.
The aim of this research is both studying the correlation between microstructure and corrosion behaviour of a AZ31 magnesium alloy and developing eco-friendly protective technologies. In particular inhibitors and surface pretreatments with different organic compounds have been investigated.
The effect of microstructure on corrosion resistance of AZ31 alloy has been analyzed through a comparative study between the electrochemical behaviour of as-cast and hot rolled AZ31. Environmentally friendly sodium salts of mono-carboxylic acids have been studied as inhibitors of AZ31 alloy corrosion in a standard saline solution. Moreover, long chain sodium mono-carboxylates have been tested as promoters of conversion coatings for this alloy. Finally, significant improvements have been achieved by modifying the protective coatings obtained by 3-mercapto-propyl-trimethoxysilane through cerium nitrate or oxide nanoparticle additions
Geochemical investigation of the soil organic carbon and evaluation of its depletion: the case study of Ferrara province (Northern Italy)
No full textIl carbonio organico (OC) rappresenta ∼50% della soil organic matter (SOM), la quale risulta fondamentale per la fertilità del suolo. I suoli globalmente sequestrano ∼1500 Pg di OC. Sulla base delle condizioni locali (ad esempio il clima, le precipitazioni e l’altitudine) e delle caratteristiche litologiche e tessiturali, un suolo può comportarsi come fonte di emissione o sequestratore di OC, con conseguenti ripercussioni sugli ecosistemi. Pertanto, suoli ben gestiti possono sequestrare OC incrementando le condizioni di fertilità di un’area contribuendo alla mitigazione del cambiamento climatico. D’altra parte, il rilascio di OC dal suolo sotto forma di CO2 incrementa le emissioni di Greenhouse Gas (GHG), influenzando negativamente il clima. Durante l’ultimo secolo, la fisiografia della provincia di Ferrara (caratterizzata da ambienti alluvionali e costieri con anche presenza di aree umide) ha subito modifiche da attività antropiche (ad esempio l’uso del suolo e i cambiamenti di uso del suolo). Pertanto, questa tesi si focalizza sulla determinazione dei contenuti di carbonio attuali (ad esempio il soil organic carbon stock) e sulla mappatura delle firme isotopiche del C (N e S), per definire benchmark che potrebbero essere utili in futuro per investigare ogni variazione spaziale e temporale del C. Inoltre, questa tesi valuta la dissipazione della degradazione della SOM e la magnitudo dei GHG (come la CO2 equivalente) emessi dai suoli di Ferrara comparando dati presenti con quelli riportati in uno studio del 1937, pubblicato a seguito dei significativi interventi di bonifica (per convertire le zone umide in aree agricole) della prima metà del XX secolo. A tal fine, analisi di speciazione elementare del C e analisi elementare accoppiata alla spettrometria di massa isotopica (EA-IRMS) di C (N e S) sono state eseguite su numerosi campioni di suolo raccolti in diversi ambienti della provincia di Ferrara. I dati risultanti sono stati descritti in cinque lavori, sintetizzati in questa tesi, che hanno investigato una vasta gamma di campioni: 1) 22 suoli superficiali e profondi (30-40 e 100-120 cm di profondità) nei comuni di Ferrara e Vigarano Mainarda; 2) 138 topsoil (0-30 cm di profondità) raccolti i) nei comuni della zona centrale della provincia (Ferrara, Portomaggiore e Argenta), ii) nelle terre bonificate dei comprensori di Copparo e Codigoro, iii) nelle terre bonificate dell’areale di Ostellato; iv) nella zona costiera della provincia (comune di Comacchio); 4) 15 topsoil presso un’azienda agricola biologica di Malborghetto di Boara; 5) 100 suoli (0-15 cm di profondità) nell’areale di Jolanda di Savoia.
In generale, questa tesi ha lo scopo di fornire diverse mappature e modellare le distribuzioni del carbonio del suolo dell’intera provincia di Ferrara. Inoltre, tale particolare lavoro offre: 1) un nuovo strumento per riconoscere la provenienza del suolo (ad esempio l'efficacia dell'analisi elementare e isotopica C, N e S), 2) una panoramica sulla degradazione SOM (confronto dei dati dopo 85 anni) dovuta all'intensificazione dell'agricoltura, 3) una caratterizzazione esclusiva delle torbe bruciate per far luce sui processi bio-geochimici estremi che avvengono nella pedosfera, 4) una caratterizzazione geochimica e geofisica di un'azienda agricola locale per ottenere una mappatura rapida del carbonio organico (con anche l'uso della conducibilità elettrica), 5) una descrizione dei tentativi prodotti per prevedere una mappa del carbonio organico del suolo utilizzando 100 concentrazioni di OC e immagini multi- e iper-spettrali.Organic Carbon (OC) represents ∼50% of the soil organic matter (SOM), which is fundamental for the soil fertility. Globally, ∼1500 Pg of OC are sequestered by soils. On the basis of the local conditions (e.g., climate, precipitations, altitude) and of soil lithological and textural characteristics, soils can behave as a source or sink of OC, with repercussion on the ecosystems. Well managed soils can sequester OC increasing the fertility of an area and contributing to the mitigation of climate change. On the other hand, the release of OC as CO2 from soils increases the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions, negatively affecting the climate. During the last century, the physiography of the Ferrara province, characterized by alluvial and coastal environments and wetlands, was modified by anthropic activities (e.g., land use and lang use change). Therefore, this thesis is focused on defining the nowadays carbon contents (e.g., soil organic carbon stocks) and mapping the isotopic signatures of C (N, and S) in order to define benchmarks that could be useful in future to investigate any spatial and temporal variations in C. In addition, this thesis evaluated the dissipation of the SOM degradation and the magnitude of GHGs (as CO2 equivalent) emitted by the Ferrara soils comparing the current data with those reported in a study of 1937, after the significant reclamation events (to convert wetlands into agricultural areas) of the first half of the twentieth century. For this purpose, the elemental speciation of C and the coupled elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) analyses of C (N, and S) were carried out for numerous soil samples collected in various environments of the Ferrara province. The resulting data were described into five works, summarized in this thesis, which investigated a wide range of samples: 1) 22 superficial and deep soils (30-40 and 100-120 cm in depth) in the municipalities of Ferrara and Vigarano Mainarda; 2) 138 topsoils (0-30 cm in depth) collected in i) the central municipalities of the province (i.e., Ferrara, Portomaggiore, and Argenta), ii) the reclaimed lands in the surroundings of Copparo and Codigoro, iii) the reclaimed lands in the surroundings of Ostellato, and iv) the littoral lands of the province (i.e., the Comacchio municipality); 3) 5 peat profiles (total of 33 investigated horizons in the first meter) in the Mezzano Lowland; 4) 15 topsoils of an organic farm in Malborghetto di Boara; 5) 100 soils (0-15 in depth) in the area of Jolanda di Savoia.
In general, this thesis mapped and modeled soil carbon along the entire Ferrara province. In addition to this, such particular work offers: 1) a new tool to recognize soil provenance (e.g., the efficacy of C, N, and S elemental and isotopic analysis), 2) an overview on SOM degradation (data comparison after 85 years) due by the intensification of agriculture, 3) an exclusive characterization of burned peats to shed light on extreme bio-geochemical processes that take place in the pedosphere, 4) a geochemical and geophysical characterization of a local farm to obtain a rapid mapping of organic carbon (with also the use of the electrical conductivity), 5) a description of the tried attempts to predict a map of soil organic carbon using 100 OC concentrations and multi- and hyper-spectral imagery
CARATTERIZZAZIONE ELETTRICA E SPETTROSCOPICA AD IMPEDENZA DI OSSIDI METALLICI NANOSTRUTTURATI PER IL RILEVAMENTO DI ALCANI VOLATILI
No full textChemoresistive gas sensors using semiconductor metal-oxides have proven to be excellent in important characteristics such as sensitivity, long-term stability, robustness and price. Solid solutions of mixed Sn and Ti oxides have shown promising results in combining the properties of the separate components. Basic science of these mixed oxides is far from being satisfactorily elucidated. Further progress in basic understanding is required to establish the principles to operate them as gas sensors.
Knowledge of the space charge width of the nanostructured powder grains is needed for the comparison of the mean grain radius to determine sensing properties of the nanostructure. A new method has been addressed using impedance spectroscopy technique to estimate the electric permittivity of these Sn and Ti oxides, which is fundamental for the determination of the space charge width and capacitive response.
A study of the sensing properties of chemoresistive metal-oxides vs. light alkanes has been undertaken under dry and wet conditions and even in presence of ethanol. Screen-printed films of pure Sn and Ti oxides and solid solutions of mixed Sn and Ti oxides have been selected for the purpose. It has been demonstrated that the films are capable of detecting 500ppm of methane or 100ppm of other light alkanes under either dry or wet condition, i.e. concentrations two levels by far lower than the alarm thresholds for such gases. Information about the working mechanism of chemical reactions on the surface has been discussed under either dry or wet condition. Ethanol is known to be a harmful interfering gas, though its concentration can be reduced to values lower than 10ppm by proper activated carbon filtering. It has been shown that, even in presence of 10ppm of ethanol, the films steadily responded to alkanes
- …
