21 research outputs found
C'è Vita su Marte?
No full textUna raccolta di interviste esclusive a dieci importanti personalità del mondo della scienza e dell'aerospazio, con un duplice obiettivo: da un lato, scattare una fotografia sullo stato attuale del settore spaziale, raccontandone i diversi aspetti dal punto di vista dei suoi protagonisti; dall'altro, proiettare lo sguardo del lettore verso il futuro, concentrandosi sulle prossime missioni di esplorazione planetaria, robotica e con equipaggio umano, non solo alla volta del Pianeta Rosso, ma anche della Luna e di altri corpi celesti, che vedono e vedranno l'Italia in prima fila. Attraverso il punto di vista di questo dream team spaziale, accompagnato da una bella selezione di immagini, l'Autore approfondisce alcuni fra i temi di maggior interesse e attualità, con riferimenti anche alla recente pandemia di coronavirus, all'importante ruolo della medicina spaziale e alle ricerche scientifiche in campo biomedico condotte in condizioni di microgravità sulla Stazione Spaziale Internazionale, tratteggiando un quadro in cui l'esplorazione planetaria non è che il filo conduttore, il pretesto, per intraprendere un viaggio nello spazio e nel futuro di più ampio respiro. Prefazione di Luca Parmitano. Interviste a: Piero Angela, Giorgio Bianciardi, Piero Bianucci, Walter Cugno, Giancarlo Genta, Vincenzo Giorgio, Paolo Nespoli, Linda Raimondo, Liliana Ravagnolo, Giorgio Saccoccia
<i>DAT1</i> 5′-Un-Translated-Region Methylation Patterns as Bio-Markers of ADHD Psycho-Pathology: Contribution to Disease Prognosis and to Monitoring of a Successful Therapy
No full textEpigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation, have been linked to several diseases in recent years. The purpose of our study was to search for biomarkers that (using non-invasive techniques) could assist the clinician in the prognosis of infant/adolescent psychopathology. We previously showed that changes in methylation of the 5’-UTR in the DAT1/SLC6A3 gene can be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of initial severe ADHD: treatment-resistant severe ADHD children were characterized by methylated CpG 1 in particular, while methylated CpGs 2 and 6 were then found in children who improved after the therapy. Further, we confirmed these outcomes and provided the hypothesis that symptomatology might be influenced by the children’s genotype and family environment. In particular, levels of CpG 3 methylation in the heterozygous ADHD children were associated with high paternal own risk or stress. Eventually, we found that the same biomarkers are more broadly useful in the field of internalizing or externalizing symptoms (when a certain vulnerability is already present in the child). In particular, it was seen how inheriting specific 9-repeat or 10-repeat VNTR alleles from the mother or from the father could modify the pattern of methylation at the 5′-UTR of the DAT1 gene. A specific pattern of methylations (with CpG 2 following either CpGs 1 + 3 or CpG 6 at the DAT1 5′-UTR) has been associated, therefore, with the likelihood of an internalizing or externalizing developmental trajectory entailing ADHD-like psycho-pathological characteristics. Since each individual responds differently to a specific treatment, we suggest that these methylation patterns may be used as biomarkers to monitor the outcome and/or predict the success of a given therapy (personalized medicine)
Static inefficiency of compulsory licensing: Quantity vs. price competition.
No full textA common argument against compulsory licensing of intellectual property maintains that it facilitates the entry of inefficient producers, which may reduce social welfare independently of any effects on R and D incentives. We study the issue in a model where the innovative firm, under the threat of compulsory licensing, react strategically by choosing between quantity and price competition. We show that the risk of a reduction in static welfare due to the entry of highly inefficient firms is avoided if licensing entails a royalty per unit of output and zero fixed fee. The rationale behind this result lies in the fact that compulsory licensing threat works as a disciplining device to improve static social welfare, even when the applicant is a high cost inefficient firm.compulsory licensing, essential facilities, entry, welfare
The delivery of last element of the international space station, the Node 3: Challenges and lessons learned
No full text
COSMICA Project: Advancing Astronaut Survival and Well-Being Through Microalgae-Based Design
No full textNASA Artemis program represents the most significant upcoming space exploration mission that
will entail the direct involvement of human beings in harsh and inhospitable environments. The primary challenge confronting the scientific community is ensuring the survival and well-being of astronauts. Microalgae-based technology presents itself as a promising approach to address this challenging
1
Paper ID: 87978
oral
student
issue, providing a range of advantages such as oxygen generation, carbon-dioxide reduction, radiation
protection, and the creation of nutrient-dense superfood. Additionally, an innovative lighting system
leveraging microalgae could facilitate a connection with nature and provide psychological benefits for
astronauts amidst the challenges of space exploration. The Cosmica project prioritizes human comfort
by using microalgae-filtered green light to create a calming environment, potentially mitigating psychological stress and boosting immunity and physical performance. An important advantage of using algae
is the production of superfoods: spirulina offers a valuable nutrition source for astronauts with its rich
protein and vitamins content. The project focuses on improving the taste and overall sensory appeal of
spirulina to make it more attractive and palatable. To harness the benefits of microalgae effectively, a
highly adaptable and user-friendly component has been designed. This component has been conceived
modular, aimed at maximizing adaptability to various spatial configurations. To reduce unused internal
space, its structure incorporates multiple photobioreactors, interspersed with LED strips, and includes
both hydraulic and electronic systems. These design choices enhance user experience, ensure reliability,
and facilitate maintenance. In addressing the design of the photobioreactor a fluid dynamics analysis was
performed using the software STARCCM+ to optimize the recirculation and gas injection for cultivation
compatibility and efficiency. A thermal analysis is also essential to ensure adequate heat dissipation from
LED-strips irradiation, maintaining temperature conditions within photobioreactors that are favorable for
their use. Moreover, a radiation analysis was conducted to demonstrate a key feature of the component:
containing mostly water, photobioreactors constitute an efficient radiation shield. The incorporation of
hydraulic systems alongside photobioreactors is crucial in boosting the productivity and sustainability
of microalgae.This integrated approach enhances nutrient distribution, enables efficient mixing, and addresses challenges like pH-variations, thereby improving the overall biomass yield and quality. To showcase
the full range of the component’s capabilities, a demonstrator was created. In conclusion, the suggested
design has the potential to be a perfect fit for future space exploration missions as a key element of a
self-sustaining habitat for humans. Additionally, it could serve as a valuable asset in Earth’s extreme
environments
The use of Digital Image Correlation to correct the thermoelastic curves in static tests
No full textAbstractMany studies have been carried out with the aid of thermal scanners for the analysis of the thermoelastic effect on materials. In particular, for tensile stresses, the gradient is negative and the thermal variations are proportional to the stress applied in the purely elastic phase. Thermoelastic analysis of materials from the static tests have shown that it is possible to detect information on the dynamic (fatigue) behavior.One of the main problems that occur in following the local thermal behavior in a static test is that of dimensional correction and tracking of the measuring point (spot). These do not allow to follow the same investigated area, that progressively undergoes a displacement as load increases.The purpose of this work, based on previous experiences, is to implement an algorithm and to define a procedure that allows the tracking of the area thermally investigated that, as the load increasing, inevitably undergoes a displacement. The radiometric spots on the specimen, selected at the beginning of test, are progressively updated by following thermographic frames. The displacement information derived from the Digital Image Correlation (D.I.C.), simultaneously was applied on the same specimens. This procedure can better define the trend of temperature changes during the static tensile test and can be used to measure the stress concentration factors in notched specimens
Simulating voting rule reforms for the Italian parliament. An economic perspective
No full textThe aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate about the electoral rules in Italy. In particular, we simulate some voting rules to test what is the best electoral system on the basis of a utility function that takes into account two indices: representativeness and governability. As long as governability is important, a mixed member system (75% plurality, 25% proportional representation) outperforms the others. Our tool is the software ALEX4.1.Italian Parliament, electoral system, simulations
Molecular analysis of Fanconi anemia: the experience of the Bone Marrow Failure Study Group of the Italian Association of Pediatric Onco-Hematology.
No full textFanconi anemia is an inherited disease characterized by congenital malformations, pancytopenia, cancer predisposition, and sensitivity to cross-linking agents. The molecular diagnosis of Fanconi anemia is relatively complex for several aspects including genetic heterogeneity with mutations in at least 16 different genes. In this paper, we report the mutations identified in 100 unrelated probands enrolled into the National Network of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematoly and Oncology. In approximately half of these cases, mutational screening was carried out after retroviral complementation analyses or protein analysis. In the other half, the analysis was performed on the most frequently mutated genes or using a next generation sequencing approach. We identified 108 distinct variants of the FANCA, FANCG, FANCC, FANCD2, and FANCB genes in 85, 9, 3, 2, and 1 families, respectively. Despite the relatively high number of private mutations, 45 of which are novel Fanconi anemia alleles, 26% of the FANCA alleles are due to 5 distinct mutations. Most of the mutations are large genomic deletions and nonsense or frameshift mutations, although we identified a series of missense mutations, whose pathogenetic role was not always certain. The molecular diagnosis of Fanconi anemia is still a tiered procedure that requires identifying candidate genes to avoid useless sequencing. Introduction of next generation sequencing strategies will greatly improve the diagnostic process, allowing a rapid analysis of all the genes. © 2014 Ferrata Storti Foundation.Fanconi anemia is an inherited disease characterized by congenital malformations, pancytopenia, cancer predisposition,
and sensitivity to cross-linking agents. The molecular diagnosis of Fanconi anemia is relatively complex for
several aspects including genetic heterogeneity with mutations in at least 16 different genes. In this paper, we report
the mutations identified in 100 unrelated probands enrolled into the National Network of the Italian Association of
Pediatric Hematoly and Oncology. In approximately half of these cases, mutational screening was carried out after
retroviral complementation analyses or protein analysis. In the other half, the analysis was performed on the most
frequently mutated genes or using a next generation sequencing approach. We identified 108 distinct variants of the
FANCA, FANCG, FANCC, FANCD2, and FANCB genes in 85, 9, 3, 2, and 1 families, respectively. Despite the relatively
high number of private mutations, 45 of which are novel Fanconi anemia alleles, 26% of the FANCA alleles
are due to 5 distinct mutations. Most of the mutations are large genomic deletions and nonsense or frameshift mutations,
although we identified a series of missense mutations, whose pathogenetic role was not always certain. The
molecular diagnosis of Fanconi anemia is still a tiered procedure that requires identifying candidate genes to avoid
useless sequencing. Introduction of next generation sequencing strategies will greatly improve the diagnostic
process, allowing a rapid analysis of all the genes
Analisi Sistematica, Paleoecologica e Paleobiogeografica della Selaciofauna plio-pleistocenica del Mediterraneo
No full textThe systematic, paleoecologic and paleobiogeographic analysis of the Plio-Pleistocene Mediterranean elasmobranch fauna herein discussed provides new relevant data concerning the diversity and disparity of this important marine vertebrate group, in relation to the main climatic, oceanographic and geological evolutionary events. Moreover, This study is part of a wider project in order to understand the main Neogene historical and evolutionary processes involved in the establishment of the present Mediterranean fish fauna.
The database used, comprehensive of all the Plio-Pleistocene shark teeth fauna of the Mediterranean area, was compiled from a generic and species revision of historical elasmobranch teeth collections, from a study of the new findings collected the middle Pliocene sections of Rio Merli, Rio dei Ronchi, Rio Cugno and Rio Co di Sasso, and from the lower-middle Pleistocene sections of Fiumefreddo, Grammichele, Archi and Vallone Catrica, as well as from a critical analysis of as many publications as possible figuring and describing Plio-Pleistocene Mediterranean elasmobranch faunas. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of this database provided a general paleoecological and paleobiogeographical pattern of the Mediterranean elasmobranch fauna through the Plio-Pleistocene.
A total of 27 species, included into 19 genera, 13 families and 8 orders, have been described. The main systematic results concerned the revision of several teeth, once included in the fossil taxon C. egertoni, from the lower-middle Pliocene of Italy, assigned to the carcharhinid species C. brachyurus, C. falciformis, C. leucas, C. longimanus, C. obscurus, C. perezi, C. plumbeus. Such revision provided the high diversity and disparity of the genus Carcharhinus starting from the lower-middle Pliocene in the Mediterranean, and supported the hypothesis of C. egertoni as a “wasted-basket species”. Moreover, according to the recent diagnosed proposed by Purdy et al. (2001), the shark teeth herein documented and once included in the fossil taxon Isurus hastalis have been assigned to the wide-toothed mako shark Isurus xiphodon. The wide geographic distribution of this fossil taxon during the lower-middle Pliocene (upper Pliocene ?) in the Mediterranean was consistent with the strong presence of marine mammals, mainly pinnipeds and/or small cetaceans, on which I. xiphodon fed. Finally, six large teeth from the Pliocene of Italy have been assigned to the giant-toothed white shark Carcarodon megalodon. This voracious shark was considered extinct between the Upper Miocene-lower Pliocene from the Mediterranean. Therefore, the teeth documented might extend the fossil record of this shark at least during the lower Pliocene into the basin, even if more detailed studies needed to confirm this record.
The data provided by the systematic study carried out in this work integrated with those from the critical analysis of the main publications have allowed to recognise a total of 73 elasmobranch species, of which 14 in open nomenclature for the identification at specific level, included in 51 genera, 26 families, and 11 orders. In particular, Carcharhiniformes, representing the 30,6% of the total fauna, was the most diversified shark order of Mediterranean elasmobranch fauna. Moreover, Lamniformes (16,6%), Squaliformes (16,6%) and Myliobatiformes (15,3) provided a relevant part of the elasmobranch fauna diversity. All the other elasmobranch orders, Hexanchiformes (5,5%), Echinorhiniformes (1,4%), Squatiniformes (4,2%), Pristiophoriformes (2,8%), Orectolobiformes (1,4%), Rajiformes (4,2%), and Torpediniformes (1,4%), were poorly represented and mostly subordinated to these four large groups.
From a stratigraphic point of view, the teeth recorded in the lower Pleistocene section of Fiumefreddo assigned to the living Apristurus aff. laurussoni represent the first fossil record for the genus Apristurus, while the teeth assigned to Chlamydoselachus anguineus, from the same lower Pleistocene section, represent the first fossil record for this living species.
The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the database provided a progressive decrease in diversity and disparity of the elasmobranch fossil record across the Plio-Pleistocene. Moreover, two different evolutionary trend were recognised for the Plio-Pleistocene elasmobranch fauna. A first evolutionary trend involved all the epipelagic and mesopelagic groups of the elasmobranch fauna, characterized however by the less structural variations, mainly related to the progressive disappearance of Miocene relict taxa, such as Isurus xiphodon, Parotodus benedeni or Dipturus olisiponensis, as well as extra-Mediterranean tropical and subtropical species, such as Galeocerdo cuvier, Carcharhinus leucas or C. perezi, showing, starting from the middle Pliocene, a faunal composition very similar to the present. By contrast, a second evolutionary trend involved all those upper mesopelagic and/or bathypelagic shark families, such as Centrophoridae or Dalatiidae, as well as many scyliorinid species. These elasmobranch groups provided the most relevant structural changes across all the Plio-Pleistocene, through several periods of diversification and crisis, probably supported by changes in the deep waters hydrographic conditions of the Mediterranean, as well as by major connection with the near Atlantic Ocean
