90 research outputs found
Novel nanobiotechnology platforms based on photochromic molecules
No full textThe development of new nano-biotechnologies is a promising and ever demanding research
field. In particular, the possibility to use the organic chemistry tools to build molecules
sensitive to a wide range of external stimuli, responsible of a switching between their two
isomers, represents an interesting area of investigation with suitable applications in novel
nano-technologies. The use of photochromic molecular switches in applications ranging
from drug delivery to the probing of biochemical parameters, passing through their uses in
material science, in polymer and carbon nano materials realms, constitute the main research
subject of my PhD course. In this manuscript I’ll report in Chapter 3 investigations upon
Spiropyrans molecular switches in their metal complexations attitude for the Visible light
regulated delivery of pharmaceutical active compounds. Chapter 4 will be dedicated to the
study I conducted on hybrid mesostructures prepared combining Azobenzenes molecules
and Graphene Oxide in order to apply these modified materials in the biological context.
Chapter 5 will be instead dedicated to the study of photochromic Oxazines and Oxazolidines
in their modifications with fluorophores to have ratiometric Temperature and pH sensing
tools and in their use as switchable blocks in photo-modulable polymers
Photo-responsive graphene and carbon nanotubes to control and tackle biological systems
No full textPhoto-responsive multifunctional nanomaterials are receiving considerable attention for biological applications because of their unique properties. The functionalization of the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, among other carbon based nanomaterials, with molecular switches that exhibit reversible transformations between two or more isomers in response to different kind of external stimuli, such as electromagnetic radiation, temperature and pH, has allowed the control of the optical and electrical properties of the nanomaterial. Light-controlled molecular switches, such as azobenzene and spiropyran, have attracted a lot of attention for nanomaterial's functionalization because of the remote modulation of their physicochemical properties using light stimulus. The enhanced properties of the hybrid materials obtained from the coupling of carbon based nanomaterials with light-responsive switches has enabled the fabrication of smart devices for various biological applications, including drug delivery, bioimaging and nanobiosensors. In this review, we highlight the properties of photo-responsive carbon nanomaterials obtained by the conjugation of CNTs and graphene with azobenzenes and spiropyrans molecules to investigate biological systems, devising possible future directions in the field
Behavior of Ternary Mixtures of Hydrogen Bond Acceptors and Donors in Terms of Band Gap Energies
No full textThree ternary mixtures composed by choline chloride (ChCl), ethylene glycol (EG), and a second hydrogen bond donor (HBD) as ethanol (A), 2-propanol (B), and glycerol (C) were studied in terms of composition related to the band gap energy (BGE). A Design of Experiments (DoE) approach, and in particular a Simple Lattice three-components design, was employed for determining the variation of the BGE upon the composition of each system. UV-VIS analysis and subsequent Tauc plot methodology provided the data requested from the DoE, and multivariate statistical analysis revealed a drop of the BGE in correspondence to specific binary compositions for systems A and B. In particular, a BGE of 3.85 eV was registered for the mixtures ChCl/EtOH (1:1) and ChCl/2-propanol (1:1), which represents one of the lowest values ever observed for these systems
Choline chloride-based ternary deep band gap systems
No full textThe structural features derived by the UV-VIS spectroscopical analysis of five ternary eutectic systems containing
choline chloride as Hydrogen Bond Acceptor (HBA), and ethylene glycol and a second Hydrogen Bond Donor
(HBD, water, glycerol, methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol), have been determined and described in terms of
band gap and Urbach energies (BGE and UE). In particular, the relationship between the molar composition of
the ternary eutectic systems and the BG and U energies was assessed through the Tauc plot methodology,
which revealed a peculiar behaviour of the system containing 2-propanol. Thus, a Design of Experiments
(DoE) approach, specifically a two-levels full factorial screening experiment, followed by a Surface Responding
Analysis (SRA), allowed to determine the influence of the composition and other operational parameters (temperature
and resting time) on the structural disorder of the final ternary eutectic system. An unprecedented effect
of the DES-aging was observed on the UE, indicating that the structure of these systems evolves during time by
increasing its order
Os argumentos de Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576) contra o elemento fogo
No full textNeste trabalho, analisamos a argumentação de Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576) presente em De subtilitate, no Livro II, em que o autor questiona a teoria dos quatro elementos. Conforme Cardano, o fogo não deveria mais ser considerado um elemento, mas apenas o ar, a água e a terra. Consideramos a maioria dos argumentos discutidos, mas nosso foco está naquele argumento de que Cardano lançou mão do processo de destilação para negar ao fogo um lugar entre os elementos. Para atingir nossos objetivos consideramos também outras duas obras de Cardano: De rerum varietate e De secretis. Em De rerum varietate, encontramos estudos sobre o fogo e sobre a destilação que são relevantes para nossa análise. Por sua vez, em De secretis, identificamos considerações de Cardano sobre a forma com que investigava questões de filosofia natural. Entre outras discussões, procuramos destacar que Cardano unia em suas investigações teoria e prática, o que refletia um contexto bem determinado de uma “ciência” de caráter mais operativo, marcada pela magia naturalIn this work, we analyze Girolamo Cardano's (1501-1576) argument present in his De subtilitate, Book II, dedicated to questioning the existence of four elements. According to Cardano, fire should no longer be considered an element, but only earth, water and air. We have considered most of the arguments discussed in his work, but our focus is mainly on the one in which Cardano used the distillation process to deny fire a place among the elements. To achieve our goals, we have also consulted two other works by the author, De rerum varietate and De secretis. In De rerum varietate we found studies on fire and distillation, which are relevant to our analysis. In De secretis, we identified Cardano's considerations on the way he investigated questions on natural philosophy. Among other discussions, we tried to highlight that Cardano united theory and practice in his investigations, which reflected a well-determined context of a more operative “science”, marked by natural magicCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPE
Il Carcer nella produzione di Cardano
No full textAlongside a larger analysis of Cardano's moral philosophy since the De consolatione (1542), the essay focuses on the dialogue Carcer, and suggests a relationship between the difficulties encountered by the author in the Duchy of Milan in 1560-61, and the trial of 1570 in Bologna. Special attention is devoted to the philosophical reasons that support in the Carcer the Plutarchean sera numinis vindicta, one of Cardano's favorites topics
In-depth characterization of choline lysinate ([Cho][Lys]) in ethylene glycol for optimized CO2 capture conditions
No full textCholine Lysinate, an amino acid ionic liquid, demonstrates significant potential as an environmentally friendly solvent for post-combustion CO2 capture. This study explores the physicochemical properties and CO2 absorption performance of Choline Lysinate in ethylene glycol solutions at concentrations of 25 %, 33 %, and 50 % by weight. Key findings indicate that while the 50 % solution offers the highest CO2 capacity, its tendency to form precipitates post-absorption renders it impractical for industrial use. The 33 % solution achieved optimal performance with a CO2 absorption capacity of 4.45 % by weight, maintaining structural stability and thermal resistance under aging conditions. ATR-IR and TGA analyses confirmed carbamate formation during CO2 capture and demonstrated the thermal stability of the solutions. The 25 % solution exhibited viscosity 1.3 times lower than the 33 % solution and 2.5 times lower than the 50 % solution at 30 °C, resulting in significantly reduced energy demands for solvent circulation and regeneration. Despite slightly lower CO2 absorption (3.83 % by weight), the 25 % solution demonstrated superior energy efficiency, making it the ideal ionic liquid concentration for scalable industrial applications. These findings underscore the potential of Choline Lysinate -based solutions for sustainable CO2 capture, offering a balance of efficiency and process stability
Interface properties of nanostructured carbon-coated biological implants: an overview
No full textThe interfaces between medical implants and living tissues are of great complexity because of the simultaneous occurrence of a wide variety of phenomena. The engineering of implant surfaces represents a crucial challenge in material science, but the further improvement of implant properties remains a critical task. It can be achieved through several processes. Among them, the production of specialized coatings based on carbon-based materials stands very promising. The use of carbon coatings allows one to simultaneously fine-tune tribological, mechanical, and chemical properties. Here, we review applications of nanostructured carbon coatings (nanodiamonds, carbon nanotubes, and graphene-related materials) for the improvement of the overall properties of medical implants. We are focusing on biological interactions, improved corrosion resistance, and overall mechanical properties, trying to provide a complete overview within the field
IL “DE DENTIBUS” (1562) DI GIROLAMO CARDANO
No full text“Godine 1562., uočivši da se nijedan antički, a ni suvremeni liječnik nije bavio njegom zubi, napisah ovu prvu knjigu o zubima.” Tako Girolamo Cardano započinje proslov svojih pet knjiga iz zbirke Opuscula medica senilia kao prvoga sustavnog teksta o zubarstvu općenito. Premda se po prvenstvu natječe sa slavnim naslovom Libellus de dentibus Bartolomea Eustachija iz 1563. (iako je napisan 1562.), nije nam namjera utvrđivati tko je bio prvi, već svratiti pozornost čitatelja na Cardanovo djelo kao nadopunu Eustachievoj anatomiji i fiziologiji zuba s gledišta nastanka bolesti i liječenja. Članak donosi sažet Cardanov životopis i pregled literature o djelu De dentibus te o prvom cjelovitom prijevodu djelu s latinskog na talijanski.“In the year 1562, having noticed that none of the ancient or modern physicians had treated the subject of dental care, I wrote this first book on the teeth”. So begins the preface to the five books of the Opuscula medica senilia by Girolamo Cardano, the first organic text on dentistry in history. It competed with the famous Libellus de dentibus by Bartolomeo Eustachio that appeared in 1563 (but was written in 1562). However, our intention is not to establish precedence but bring to reader’s attention Cardano’s work that complemented Eustachio’s anatomy and physiology of the teeth with their
pathology and therapy. This article summarises Cardano’s biography and gives a brief review of literature on the De dentibus and of his first complete translation from Latin into Italian. De dentibus is the first of the five books of
the Opuscula and is divided into three chapters, as described below. Chapter one, De dentibus, recalls briefly the anatomy and embryology of human teeth as bones and compares them with the teeth of some animals. Follows a description of systemic and local procedures, to preserve, protect,
and cure the teeth. Preservation and protection are related to diet, sleep, physical activity, systemic and local medicaments, and amulets., whereas therapy involves remedies taken over from the Ancient Greek and Roman medicine (Hippocrates, Archigenes, Galen, Scribonius, Pliny the Younger, Ezio, Marcellus Empiricus ) and Arabic medicine (Avicenna in particular). The chapter continues with guidelines and procedures for shedding teeth that are damaged beyond repair using a special saltpetre and alum distillate of Cardano’s own invention, which he finds very effective. The chapter concludes with tooth extraction tools and methods, especially the one by
Scribonius Largo with red-hot iron. Chapter two, –De morbis dentium in specie, describes diseases that affect the teeth and that can cause ache, mobility, weakness, numbness, or deformity (dolor, commotio, imbecillitas, stupor, deformitas). All these conditions may interact, creating a wide range of situations. Ache has seven possible causes that include altered humour, a cavity, a nerve injury, an abscess, breath
(flatus), worms, and cold, and Cardano describes the remedies at physician’s disposal that even include spells. The causes of mobility are the same as for the ache plus periodontal problems such as dry root or alveolar laxity, and the author discusses local and systemic treatment options. Weakness
is considered the worst of the dental pathologies, as it can easily require extraction.
Stupor is caused by the corruption of the tooth or a nerve injury,
and Cardano refers to it as a life-threatening condition (quoad vitam) in older
people if untreated, but also easy to remedy if detected early. Cardano then
identifies a whole series of deformities: tooth colour, roughness, fracture,
position, number, absence, length, calculus, bad smell, and porosity, and for
each of them he offers a wide variety of remedies, in part original and in part
borrowed from the ancients. In the last part, Cardano stresses the need to
extract as few teeth as possible: “I’ve never seen anyone die from the diseases
of the teeth, except for a tooth extracted inappropriately” To emphasize
the dichotomy between medicine and surgery, he explains that tooth care is
medical, but extraction requires an experienced surgeon.
Chapter three, De fluxione, frequentissima causa morborum dentium, identifies
gumboil as a frequent cause of dental disease, and describes the pathogenesis
and therapy of gumboil-related diseases, gout in particular.“Nell’anno 1562, essendomi accorto che nessuno tra i medici antichi o moderni aveva trattato della cura dei denti, scrissi questo primo libro sui denti”: inizia così il proemio ai cinque libri degli “Opuscula Medica Senilia” di Gerolamo Cardano, nel quale l’autore rivendica il primato temporale nella compilazione del primo testo organico di Odontoiatria nella storia. Esso si troverebbe in competizione col celebre “Libellus De dentibus” di Bartolomeo Eustachio, apparso nel 1563 (ma scritto anch’esso nel 1562); in questa sede, però, non abbiamo voluto dimostrare precedenze temporali ma riportare all’interesse generale l’opera di Cardano che possiede un’impostazione diversa e complementare a quella di Eustachio: quest’ultimo si è occupato essenzialmente di anatomia e fisiologia dei denti, il primo della loro patologia e terapia. In questo contributo vengono presentate: una biografia essenziale del Cardano, una breve rivista della letteratura sul “De dentibus” e la sua prima traduzione integrale dal latino in italiano
I demoni nella filosofia di Girolamo Cardano
No full text2020 - 2021Il lavoro indaga la riflessione filosofica proposta dal medico e filosofo Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576) sul tema dei demoni e sottolinea, in particolare, come le considerazioni teoretiche si intreccino con l'esperienza autobiografica dell'autore. La tesi analizza un buon numero di opere cardaniane, la maggior parte delle quali inedite, e fornisce la traduzione italiana (corredata dal testo latino) dei passi esaminati. Il materiale è ripartito in quattro capitoli analitici, seguiti da un quinto capitolo che riassume i principali nodi teorici della ricerca. .. [a cura dell'Autore]The aim of this dissertation is to shed light on the philosophical approach to demons envisioned by the physician and philosopher Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576), focusing in particular on how the author's theory is intertwined with his own personal experience. Most of the selected passages taken into consideration in this work are translated in Italian for the first time; the original Latin version, while often lacking a critical edition, is always presented alongside the translation. The dissertation is composed of four analytical chapters, followed by a fifth one which consists in a summary of the main results. .. [edited by Author]XXXIV cicl
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