474 research outputs found
Skyrmion states in chiral liquid crystals
No full textWe analyze static configurations for chiral liquid crystals in the framework of the Oseen–Frank theory. In particular, we find numerical solutions for localized axisymmetric states in confined chiral liquid crystals with weak homeotropic anchoring at the boundaries. These solutions describe the distortions of twodimensional skyrmions, known as either spherulites or cholesteric bubbles, which have been observed experimentally in these systems. We outline relations to nonlinear integrable equations and use the relations to study the asymptotic behavior of the solutions. Using analytic methods, we build approximate solutions of the equilibrium equations and analyze the generation and stabilization of these states in relation to the material parameters, external fields, and anchoring boundary conditions
Carbon Peeling Laser Treatment to Improve Skin Texture, Pores and Acne Lesions: A Retrospective Study
No full textCarbon peel laser treatment has been described for the improvement of skin texture, with pore reduction and acne lesion treatment. The technique consists of applying a carbon mask to the face for about ten minutes followed by laser irradiation with a Q-switched 1064 nm laser. This mechanism of action seems to be related to small carbon molecules binding both the corneocytes and serum within the hair follicles; the effect of the laser eliminates carbon bound to skin particles and the high temperature generated reduces sebum production by sebaceous glands and inhibits Cutibacterium acnes replication. Although this method was described 20 years ago, scientific data supporting its efficacy and safety have only recently been reported in small case series. For this reason, we performed a retrospective study including patients treated from January to May 2022 in the context of a private practice. Even if this study is limited by the low number of patients and its retrospective nature, this is the first research to show that carbon peel laser, performed with a standardized technique, is an effective and safe treatment for patients with acne lesions, showing pores and wrinkles, and is able to improve the overall skin aspect
Vito Volterra
No full textVito Volterra (1860-1940) was one of the most famous representatives of Italian science in his day. Angelo Guerragio and Giovanni Paolini analyze Volterra’s most important contributions to mathematics and their applications, as well as his outstanding organizational achievements in scientific policy. Volterra was one of the founding fathers of functional analysis and the author of fundamental contributions in the field of integral equations, elasticity theory and population dynamics (Lotka-Volterra model). He delivered keynote lectures on the occasion of the International Congresses of Mathematicians held in Paris (1900), Rome (1908), Strasbourg (1920) and Bologna (1928). He became involved in the scientific development in united Italy and was appointed senator of the kingdom in 1905. One of his numerous non-mathematical activities was founding the National Research Council (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR). During the First World War he was active in military research. After the war he took a clear stand against fascism, which was the starting point for his exclusion. In 1926 he resigned as president of the world famous Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei and was later on excluded from the academy. In 1931 he was one of the few university lecturers who denied to swear an oath of allegiance to the fascistic regime. In 1938 he suffered from the impact of the racial laws. The authors draw a comprehensive picture of Vito Volterra, both as a great mathematician and an organizer of science
In-between Environmental Sustainability and Economic Viability: An Analysis of the State, Regulations, and Future of Italian Forestry Sector
No full textForest management is a complex topic at the interface between sustainability and the
resilience of socioeconomic and environmental systems. The influence of market forces, supranational,
country and regional policies, as well as climate change, on forest goods and services, is expected
to increase in the near future. Such a complex interplay between economic and environmental
forces is common to most European countries. The aim of this study is to operationally delineate
and discuss the transition of the environmental sustainability and economic viability of forestry in
Italy. This country encompasses the typical Mediterranean ecosystems with broad forest coverage
in mountainous and hilly areas, where expanding woodland areas have been observed in the last
decades mainly as a consequence of the decline of agropastoral activities, especially in disadvantaged
and marginal areas. The consequent increase in wood biomass was frequently conceived as an element
of environmental criticality, exposing woods to high vulnerability to wildfires and a consequent
reduction in their economic value, possibly exacerbated by local warming. These dynamics usually
took place in contexts where only a part of the overall forest heritage was subjected to regular
management, despite the efforts made through various policies such as the Constitutional Law
3/2001 and the recent Law on Forests and Forestry Supply Chains. The latter policy tool, enhancing
the concept of “active forest management” aimed to establish a sustainable approach to forest
resources, leading to a broader forest area for formal planning and controlled harvesting. These
dynamics took place in parallel with the inherent expansion in forest certification schemes formally
promoting long-term environmental sustainability and a wider spectrum of forest ecosystems. Timber
and non-wood materials and products are key elements from the perspective of achieving sustainable
(climate-neutral) development in advanced economies
Urban energy planning: a system dynamics approach for carbon footprint reduction
No full textNowadays fossil resources still play a major role in the energy production and they are responsible for most of the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The increasing global energy demand requires governments, at both high and local level, planning and forecasting their energy demands in order to meet such needs in the most sustainable way, reducing GHG emissions as already stated in international agreement. Cities play a key role in moving towards a sustainable development, since they are the major energy and resource consumers. Starting from 2008, a group of European cities autonomously sets an ambitious target in seeking to reduce their carbon footprint at least by 20% by 2020 [Covenant of Major - Sustainable Energy Action Plan]. In order to help policy maker reaching the goal, in this study a simulation model of one of these cities (Bari, southern Italy) based on system dynamics has been developed. The model considers the regional energy demand and shows the effects of different strategies on carbon emission performance. The goal here is to provide local decision makers with a holistic view in order to give in-depth understanding and leverage the feedback interrelationship of urban energy system. The simulation model allows to test “what-if” scenarios and analyzes the expected results of implementing certain adjustment and control policies. Results provide essential information for the city’s future energy and carbon emission profiles
The part-time work and job on call in JustEatTakeaway supplementary company agreement for Takeaway.com Express Italy (Just Eat group) riders
No full textThe comment deals with the part-time work regulation, contained, in particular, in Part II of the JustEatTakeaway supplementary company
agreement. The use of this instrument is expected to be massive, considering that it is, in the parties' plans, the common form of work in the company.
The author analyses the provisions contained in the collective agreement, especially in the light of the discipline contained in the CCNL Logistica, Trasporto, Merci e Spedizione and in the Protocol signed on 18 July 2018 for the same sector. The author also discusses the rules on overtime and supplementary work and the rules on intermittent work, which are also subject to specific contractual regulations
The working time regulation in JustEatTakeaway supplementary company agreement for Takeaway.com Express Italy (Just Eat group) riders
No full textConsidering that the regulation of the time and the possible economic relevance of the phases of waiting for delivery is a field of discussion still access regarding the work of riders, the Author analyzes, in detail, how the JustEatTakeway supplementary company agreement regulates
the working hours of riders. The Author illustrates the discipline contained in the CCNL Logistica,Trasporto, Merci e Spedizione and in the Protocol signed on July 18, 2018 for the same sector, to which the same company agreement in comment refers
Urban energy planning: a system dynamics approach for carbon footprint reduction
No full textNowadays fossil resources still play a major role in the energy production and they are responsible for most of the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The increasing global energy demand requires governments, at both high and local level, planning and forecasting their energy demands in order to meet such needs in the most sustainable way, reducing GHG emissions as already stated in international agreement. Cities play a key role in moving towards a sustainable development, since they are the major energy and resource consumers. Starting from 2008, a group of European cities autonomously sets an ambitious target in seeking to reduce their carbon footprint at least by 20% by 2020 [Covenant of Major - Sustainable Energy Action Plan]. In order to help policy maker reaching the goal, in this study a simulation model of one of these cities (Bari, southern Italy) based on system dynamics has been developed. The model considers the regional energy demand and shows the effects of different strategies on carbon emission performance. The goal here is to provide local decision makers with a holistic view in order to give in-depth understanding and leverage the feedback interrelationship of urban energy system. The simulation model allows to test “what-if” scenarios and analyzes the expected results of implementing certain adjustment and control policies. Results provide essential information for the city’s future energy and carbon emission profiles
Cytocompatibility evaluation of gum Arabic-coated ultra-pure boron nitride nanotubes on human cells
No full textBoron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are tubular nanoparticles with a structure analogous to that of carbon nanotubes, but with B and N atoms that completely replace the C atoms. Many favorable results indicate BNNTs as safe nanomaterials; however, important concerns have recently been raised about ultra-pure, long (~10 µm) BNNTs tested on several cell type
Facilmente digeribile...ma non per la Corte di giustizia! Ovvero: della nozione di «informazioni sulla salute» nell'etichettatura delle bevande alcoliche secondo la normativa UE
No full textIn this article the Author comments on the recent sentence of the Court of Justice EU of 6 September 2012, Deutsches Weintor. After a general introduction of the issue and a summary of the grounds of the decision, the Author highlights problems with the interpretation of the Regulation (Ec) No 1924/06 given by the Court of Justice and finds it both too restrictive and in non-compliance with the principle of proportionality. The negative consequences of the sentence in the specific sector of the functional foodstuffs market are analysed, and the juridical evaluation also covers the Commission Regulation (Eu) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made in foods, as well as the role of EFSA in the definition of the criterion to interpret the Regulation on nutritional and health claims. The article concludes with a request for a future revision of the jurisprudence and the general regulation of this matter in order to achieve a better equilibrium between the protection of health, consumer rights and the economic interests of businesses
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