Degree of multicollinearity and variables involved in linear dependence in additive-dominant models

The objective of this work was to assess the degree of multicollinearity and to identify the variables involved in linear dependence relations in additive-dominant models. Data of birth weight (n=141,567), yearling weight (n=58,124), and scrotal circumference (n=20,371) of Montana Tropical composite cattle were used. Diagnosis of multicollinearity was based on the variance inflation factor (VIF) and on the evaluation of the condition indexes and eigenvalues from the correlation matrix among explanatory variables. The first model studied (RM) included the fixed effect of dam age class at calving and the covariates associated to the direct and maternal additive and non-additive effects. The second model (R) included all the effects of the RM model except the maternal additive effects. Multicollinearity was detected in both models for all traits considered, with VIF values of 1.03 - 70.20 for RM and 1.03 - 60.70 for R. Collinearity increased with the increase of variables in the model and the decrease in the number of observations, and it was classified as weak, with condition index values between 10.00 and 26.77. In general, the variables associated with additive and non-additive effects were involved in multicollinearity, partially due to the natural connection between these covariables as fractions of the biological types in breed composition.

Prediction of sediments toxicity using consensus-based sediment quality guidelines and benthic foraminifera in the Ria de Aveiro(Portugal)

Ria de Aveiro is a large and shallow lagoon on the west coast of Portugal (40º38’N, 8º45´W), characterized by a complex geometry. It includes large areas of intertidal flats and a network of narrow channels which are connected to the Atlantic by an artificial inlet. Tides are the main forcing of the hydrology and physical processes of the lagoon. The deeper areas near the inlet are characterized by strong marine influence through tidal inflow, with high values of current velocity (>1m/s) and tidal range (2–3 m at spring tides), while in remote shallow areas, the circulation and the sea water inflow are reduced. These remote areas are more influenced by fresh waters received from several rivers and several small streams. The Aveiro lagoon is a very important ecosystem but as been used as recipient for various kinds of anthropogenic wastes resulting from the high population density, urban activities and industrial development. One of the most important Portuguese industrial centre is located in the lagoon margins. Ria de Aveiro is a coastal lagoon under huge direct antropization. This system also suffers strong diffuse antropization. This work is related with diffuse antropization linked with chemical pollution which may lead to biological stress and collapse.

Un proyecto de arsenal para la Barceloneta (1743)

[ES] En 1743 el ingeniero militar Miguel Marín diseñó un arsenal naval en Barcelona. En este artículo se estudia el contexto inmediato de este proyecto. Primeramente, la voluntad de trasladar la principal base naval mediterránea de Cartagena a la capital catalana. En segundo lugar, la relación centro-periferia y el papel del lobby catalán dentro del proceso.

Light energy management in peach: utilization, photoprotection , photodamage and recovery. Maximizing light absorption in orchard is not always the best solution

The relation between the intercepted light and orchard productivity was considered linear, although this dependence seems to be more subordinate to planting system rather than light intensity. At whole plant level not always the increase of irradiance determines productivity improvement. One of the reasons can be the plant intrinsic un-efficiency in using energy. Generally in full light only the 5 – 10% of the total incoming energy is allocated to net photosynthesis. Therefore preserving or improving this efficiency becomes pivotal for scientist and fruit growers. Even tough a conspicuous energy amount is reflected or transmitted, plants can not avoid to absorb photons in excess. The chlorophyll over-excitation promotes the reactive species production increasing the photoinhibition risks. The dangerous consequences of photoinhibition forced plants to evolve a complex and multilevel machine able to dissipate the energy excess quenching heat (Non Photochemical Quenching), moving electrons (water-water cycle , cyclic transport around PSI, glutathione-ascorbate cycle and photorespiration) and scavenging the generated reactive species. The price plants must pay for this equipment is the use of CO2 and reducing power with a consequent decrease of the photosynthetic efficiency, both because some photons are not used for carboxylation and an effective CO2 and reducing power loss occurs. Net photosynthesis increases with light until the saturation point, additional PPFD doesn’t improve carboxylation but it rises the efficiency of the alternative pathways in energy dissipation but also ROS production and photoinhibition risks. The wide photo-protective apparatus, although is not able to cope with the excessive incoming energy, therefore photodamage occurs. Each event increasing the photon pressure and/or decreasing the efficiency of the described photo-protective mechanisms (i.e. thermal stress, water and nutritional deficiency) can emphasize the photoinhibition. Likely in nature a small amount of not damaged photosystems is found because of the effective, efficient and energy consuming recovery system. Since the damaged PSII is quickly repaired with energy expense, it would be interesting to investigate how much PSII recovery costs to plant productivity. This PhD. dissertation purposes to improve the knowledge about the several strategies accomplished for managing the incoming energy and the light excess implication on photo-damage in peach. The thesis is organized in three scientific units. In the first section a new rapid, non-intrusive, whole tissue and universal technique for functional PSII determination was implemented and validated on different kinds of plants as C3 and C4 species, woody and herbaceous plants, wild type and Chlorophyll b-less mutant and monocot and dicot plants. In the second unit, using a “singular” experimental orchard named “Asymmetric orchard”, the relation between light environment and photosynthetic performance, water use and photoinhibition was investigated in peach at whole plant level, furthermore the effect of photon pressure variation on energy management was considered on single leaf. In the third section the quenching analysis method suggested by Kornyeyev and Hendrickson (2007) was validate on peach. Afterwards it was applied in the field where the influence of moderate light and water reduction on peach photosynthetic performances, water requirements, energy management and photoinhibition was studied. Using solar energy as fuel for life plant is intrinsically suicidal since the high constant photodamage risk. This dissertation would try to highlight the complex relation existing between plant, in particular peach, and light analysing the principal strategies plants developed to manage the incoming light for deriving the maximal benefits as possible minimizing the risks. In the first instance the new method proposed for functional PSII determination based on P700 redox kinetics seems to be a valid, non intrusive, universal and field-applicable technique, even because it is able to measure in deep the whole leaf tissue rather than the first leaf layers as fluorescence. Fluorescence Fv/Fm parameter gives a good estimate of functional PSII but only when data obtained by ad-axial and ab-axial leaf surface are averaged. In addition to this method the energy quenching analysis proposed by Kornyeyev and Hendrickson (2007), combined with the photosynthesis model proposed by von Caemmerer (2000) is a forceful tool to analyse and study, even in the field, the relation between plant and environmental factors such as water, temperature but first of all light. “Asymmetric” training system is a good way to study light energy, photosynthetic performance and water use relations in the field. At whole plant level net carboxylation increases with PPFD reaching a saturating point. Light excess rather than improve photosynthesis may emphasize water and thermal stress leading to stomatal limitation. Furthermore too much light does not promote net carboxylation improvement but PSII damage, in fact in the most light exposed plants about 50-60% of the total PSII is inactivated. At single leaf level, net carboxylation increases till saturation point (1000 – 1200 μmolm-2s-1) and light excess is dissipated by non photochemical quenching and non net carboxylative transports. The latter follows a quite similar pattern of Pn/PPFD curve reaching the saturation point at almost the same photon flux density. At middle-low irradiance NPQ seems to be lumen pH limited because the incoming photon pressure is not enough to generate the optimum lumen pH for violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) full activation. Peach leaves try to cope with the light excess increasing the non net carboxylative transports. While PPFD rises the xanthophyll cycle is more and more activated and the rate of non net carboxylative transports is reduced. Some of these alternative transports, such as the water-water cycle, the cyclic transport around the PSI and the glutathione-ascorbate cycle are able to generate additional H+ in lumen in order to support the VDE activation when light can be limiting. Moreover the alternative transports seems to be involved as an important dissipative way when high temperature and sub-optimal conductance emphasize the photoinhibition risks. In peach, a moderate water and light reduction does not determine net carboxylation decrease but, diminishing the incoming light and the environmental evapo-transpiration request, stomatal conductance decreases, improving water use efficiency. Therefore lowering light intensity till not limiting levels, water could be saved not compromising net photosynthesis. The quenching analysis is able to partition absorbed energy in the several utilization, photoprotection and photo-oxidation pathways. When recovery is permitted only few PSII remained un-repaired, although more net PSII damage is recorded in plants placed in full light. Even in this experiment, in over saturating light the main dissipation pathway is the non photochemical quenching; at middle-low irradiance it seems to be pH limited and other transports, such as photorespiration and alternative transports, are used to support photoprotection and to contribute for creating the optimal trans-thylakoidal ΔpH for violaxanthin de-epoxidase. These alternative pathways become the main quenching mechanisms at very low light environment. Another aspect pointed out by this study is the role of NPQ as dissipative pathway when conductance becomes severely limiting. The evidence that in nature a small amount of damaged PSII is seen indicates the presence of an effective and efficient recovery mechanism that masks the real photodamage occurring during the day. At single leaf level, when repair is not allowed leaves in full light are two fold more photoinhibited than the shaded ones. Therefore light in excess of the photosynthetic optima does not promote net carboxylation but increases water loss and PSII damage. The more is photoinhibition the more must be the photosystems to be repaired and consequently the energy and dry matter to allocate in this essential activity. Since above the saturation point net photosynthesis is constant while photoinhibition increases it would be interesting to investigate how photodamage costs in terms of tree productivity. An other aspect of pivotal importance to be further widened is the combined influence of light and other environmental parameters, like water status, temperature and nutrition on peach light, water and phtosyntate management.

In nome della comunità. Analisi dei testi della sicurezza e del terrorismo

The focus of this dissertation is the relationship between the necessity for protection and the construction of cultural identities. In particular, by cultural identities I mean the representation and construction of communities: national communities, religious communities or local communities. By protection I mean the need for individuals and groups to be reassured about dangers and risks. From an anthropological point of view, the relationship between the need for protection and the formation and construction of collective identities is driven by the defensive function of culture. This was recognized explicitly by Claude Lévi-Strauss and Jurij Lotman. To explore the “protective hypothesis,” it was especially useful to compare the immunitarian paradigm, proposed by Roberto Esposito, with a semiotic approach to the problem. According to Esposito, immunity traces borders, dividing Community from what should be kept outside: the enemies, dangers and chaos, and, in general, whatever is perceived to be a threat to collective and individual life. I recognized two dimensions in the concept of immunity. The first is the logic dimension: every element of a system makes sense because of the network of differential relations in which it is inscribed; the second dimension is the social praxis of division and definition of who. We are (or what is inside the border), and who They are (or what is, and must be kept, outside the border). I tested my hypothesis by analyzing two subject areas in particular: first, the security practices in London after 9/11 and 7/7; and, second, the Spiritual Guide of 9/11 suicide bombers. In both cases, one observes the construction of two entities: We and They. The difference between the two cases is their “model of the world”: in the London case, one finds the political paradigms of security as Sovereignty, Governamentality and Biopolitics. In the Spiritual Guide, one observes a religious model of the Community of God confronting the Community of Evil. From a semiotic point view, the problem is the origin of respective values, the origin of respective moral universes, and the construction of authority. In both cases, I found that emotional dynamics are crucial in the process of forming collective identities and in the process of motivating the involved subjects: specifically, the role of fear and terror is the primary factor, and represents the principal focus of my research.

Da alleati vittoriosi ad acerrimi rivali: i processi di ri-allineamento dopo i conflitti egemonici. Teorie a confronto e studio di casi

Why some powers manage to coordinate their security efforts while others confront each other as rivals is still one of the most relevant and debated questions in the field of IR theory. The dissertation wants to give a contribution to this important debate. In particular, the main goal of the research is to analyse the dynamics of great power interactions after the end of hegemonic conflicts, that is to understand why, following the defeat of the common enemies, some of the winning allies continue to cooperate, while others begin to engage in political and military competition. In order to understand this difference, the study compares the explanatory value of two rival theoretical perspectives: neorealism, in its main version of the balance of power framework, and a liberal approach focused on domestic politics. The thesis is divided in two sections. In the first, I do summarize the main assumptions and predictions of the theories, from which I derive two different sets of hypotheses on the evolution of post-war great power relations. In the second part, I test the hypotheses by focusing on two cases of post-war alignment dynamics: 1) the relations among Austria, Prussia, Russia, Great Britain and France after the Napoleonic wars; 2) the relations among the US, the UK, France and Italy after the end of WWI. The historical cases disconfirm the logic of the balance of power and confirm the liberal hypotheses, seeing that the results of the analysis show changes in the domestic structures of the great powers had a much larger impact on the emergence of new alliances and rivalries than did the international distribution of power. In the conclusion of the dissertation, I provide the reader with a discussion of the main theoretical implications of the empirical findings.

Funktionalisierte Polyphenylen-Dendrimere als nanoskopische Bausteine in der Sensorik

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Synthese funktionalisierter Polyphenylen-Dendrimere für den Einsatz als Nanobausteine in übermolekularen 3-D Aggregaten für potentielle sensorische Anwendungen. Im ersten Teil werden zwei Konzepte zur Synthese von funktionalisierten Cyclopentadienonbausteinen vorgestellt: einer führt zu Bausteinen die zur Synthese von peripher-funktionalisierten Polyphenylen-Dendrimere geeignet sind, und ein zweiter Ansatz zielt auf Cyclopentadienonbausteine, die es erlauben Polyphenylen-Dendrimere im Inneren zu funktionalisieren. Für das erste Ziel erwies sich die Suzuki-Kreuzkupplung von Arylboronsäuren und Arylboronsäurenester mit Arylhalogeniden als ein optimales synthetisches Werkzeug. Demgegenüber wurden für das zweite Ziel -methylesterfunktionalisierten Cyclopentadienonbausteine anhand der Knoevenagel-Kondensation von bereits funktionstragenden-Partnern synthetisiert. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden die Synthesen von funktionalisierten Polyphenylen-Dendrimeren vorgestellt. Hierbei kamen zwei verschiedene synthetische Ansätze zum Einsatz: Einerseits wurden durch die Diels-Alder-Addition der funktionalisierten Cyclopentadienonbausteine an ethinylfunktionalisierten Polyphenylen-Grundkörper unterschiedlicher Generation die verfolgten funktionalisierten Zielverbindungen erhalten. Andererseits wurde in bestimmten Fällen die polymeranaloge Konversion von „Übergangsfunktionen“ in einem a posteriori-Funktionalisierungsschritt angewendet. Dementsprechend wurde die Einführung von funktionellen Gruppen möglich die entweder die alkalischen Bedingungen der Knoevenagel – Kondensation oder die hohen Temperaturen der Diels-Alder-Cycloaddition nicht überstehen. Die synthetischen Werkzeuge, die bei der a posteriori-Funktionalisierung zum Einsatz kamen, mussten die vollständige und nebenreaktionsfreie Konversion der Übergangsfunktionen ermöglichen. Als Reaktionen, die dieser Bedingungen genügen, wurden die Williamson –Ethersynthese und die Esterknüpfung nach der DCC-Methode in Verbindung mit hydroxyfunktionalisierten Polyphenylen-Grundkörper und die basische Esterspaltung an methyleseterfunktionalisierten Dendrimeren angewandt. Die aufgezählten Reaktionen führten zu Endprodukten, die ihre Monodispersität beibehielten und eine definierte Anzahl an Funktionalität aufwiesen. Anhand eingehenden Untersuchungen (der Aufbau von Sensorschichten für flüchtige organische Lösungsmittel, die Untersuchungen an elektrostatisch-wechselwirkenden übermolekularen Aggregaten sowie die Einlagerung von Gastmolekülen) wird es ersichtlich dass die synthetisierten Polyphenylen-Dendrimere vielseitig als Nanobausteine zur Erzeugung von funktionalen Materialien von potenzieller Bedeutung sind.

Expression der pronozizeptiven Vanilloidrezeptoren TRPV1 und TRPV2 und des antinozizeptiven Cannabinoidrezeptors CB1 in Spinalganglienneuronen der Ratte

Nozizeptive Spinalganglienneurone detektieren mit einer Vielzahl liganden- und spannungsgesteuerter Ionenkanäle noxische Reize, d.h. Reize, die eine Gewebeschädigung bewirken können, wandeln sie in Aktionspotenzialentladungen um und leiten sie über das Rückenmark zum Gehirn weiter, wo eine Schmerzempfindung ausgelöst wird. Die pronozizeptiven transienten Rezeptor-Potenzial-Kanäle der Vanilloidrezeptorfamilie, TRPV1 und TRPV2, sind die klassischen Transduktionsmoleküle für noxische Hitzereize in den Spinalganglien und werden von Reiztemperaturen über 43°C bzw. 52°C aktiviert. Daneben finden sich auch antinozizeptive Membranproteine, wie z.B. der metabotrope Cannabinoidrezeptor CB1. Er koppelt an spannungsgesteuerte Kaliumkanäle, die neben Natrium- und Kalziumkanälen ebenfalls an der neuronalen Erregbarkeit beteiligt sind. Von den spannungsgesteuerten Kaliumkanälen könnte der Kv1.4, der einen schnell inaktivierenden A-Strom vermittelt, an antinozizeptiven Signalwegen beteiligt sein. Um die molekulare Physiologie der Regulation von Nozizeption und Antinozizeption zu charakterisieren, wurde die Expression bzw. Ko-Expression dieser Membranproteine auf der einen als auch die funktionelle Charakterisierung von TRPV1 auf der anderen Seite im Soma der Spinalganglienneurone und im heterologen Expressionssystem untersucht. TRPV1 wurde in je einem Drittel und TRPV2 in je einem Zehntel aller Spinalganglienneurone nachgewiesen. Das Expressionsmuster veränderte sich nicht zwischen verschiedenen Präparationsmethoden, die zur Aufarbeitung der Zellen für unterschiedliche experimentelle Ansätze notwendig sind. Somit können die aus Expressionsanalysen und funktionellen Untersuchungen gewonnenen Ergebnisse miteinander verglichen werden. Obwohl TRPV1 und TRPV2 in unterschiedlich großen Zellen exprimiert werden, überlappen dennoch ihre Größenverteilungen. Durch Ko-Expressionsanalysen konnten hier erstmalig TRPV1-TRPV2-ko-exprimierende Neurone detektiert werden. Mit dem neu entwickelten N-terminalen Antikörper gegen TRPV1 (3C11) konnte gezeigt werden, dass für TRPV1 verschiedene Splice-Varianten existieren. Neben den bereits bekannten Splice-Varianten wurde hier die neue Variante Vr.3’sv isoliert. Diese besitzt zwischen Exon 15 und 16 eine Insertion aus 104 Basen und exprimiert daher einen veränderten C-Terminus. Trotz dieser Veränderung bildeten sich im heterologen Expressionssystem funktionelle Kanäle aus, die im Gegensatz zu den anderen Varianten immer noch durch Capsaicin aktivierbar waren. Vr.3’sv könnte als Homo- oder Heterotetramer die Eigenschaften TRPV1-positiver Neurone beeinflussen. Bei der Bestimmung der Häufigkeit von TRPV1 in einem Gewebe ist somit die Wahl des Antikörpers von entscheidender Bedeutung. Für TRPV2 dagegen gibt es hier keine Hinweise auf Splice-Varianten. TRPV1 wird durch das Vanilloid Capsaicin aktiviert, wobei diese Substanz neurotoxisch ist und eine Degeneration von Neuronen und epidermalen Nervenfasern bewirkt. Hier wurde nun gezeigt, dass unabhängig von den Splice-Varianten nicht alle TRPV1-positiven Neurone bei langer Inkubationszeit absterben. Funktionelle Untersuchungen belegten, dass auch Capsaicin-sensitive Zellen unter dem Einfluss des Agonisten überleben können. Dieser Schutzmechanismus wird möglicherweise von den verschiedenen Splice-Varianten vermittelt. Ko-Expressionsanalysen zeigten, dass der spannungsgesteuerte Kaliumkanal Kv1.4 in nahezu allen TRPV1- aber nicht TRPV2-positiven Neuronen exprimiert wird. Desweiteren ko-exprimierten nahezu alle TRPV1-positiven Neurone auch den Cannabinoidrezeptor CB1. Diese fast vollständige Ko-Lokalisation von CB1 und Kv1.4 in nozizeptiven Spinalganglienneuronen spricht für eine funktionell synergistische Aktivität. Der Kaliumkanal kann unter der regulativen Kontrolle von CB1 als Vermittler von A-Typ-Kaliumströmen an der Kontrolle der repetitiven Entladungen in der Peripherie und der Transmitterausschüttung zentral beteiligt sein. Es ergeben sich daraus Ansatzpunkte für die Entwicklung neuer Medikamente. Mit Kv1.4-Aktivatoren und/oder peripher wirkenden Cannabinoiden könnten die Nebenwirkungen der Cannabinoide im zentralen Nervensystem umgangen werden.

Functional equations of polylogarithms in motivic cohomology

For an infinite field F, we study the integral relationship between the Bloch group B_2(F) and the higher Chow group CH^2(F,3) by proving some relations corresponding to the functional equations of the dilogarithm. As a second result, the groups involved in Suslin’s exact sequence 0 → Tor^1(F^× ,F^×)∼ → CH^2(F,3) → B_2(F) → 0 are identified with homology groups of the cycle complex Z^2(F,•) computing Bloch’s higher Chow groups. Using these results, we give explicit cycles in motivic cohomology generating the integral motivic cohomology groups of some specific number fields and determine whether a given cycle in the Chow group already lives in one of the other groups of Suslin’s sequence. In principle, this enables us to find a presentation of the codimension two Chow group of an arbitrary number field. Finally, we also prove some relations in the higher Chow groups of codimension three modulo 2-torsion coming from relations in the higher Bloch group B_3(F) modulo 2-torsion. Further, we can prove a series of relations in CH^ 3(Q(zeta_p),5) for a primitive pth root of unity zeta_p.

Genderperspektive und Frauenförderung in der deutschen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit : der „Entwicklungspolitische Gender-Aktionsplan 2009 - 2012“ des Bundesministeriums für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)/// Arbeitspapiere / Institut für Ethnologie und Afrikastudien ; 110

Der vorliegende Artikel befasst sich mit aktuellen Strategien bezüglich Gender und Frauenförderung in der deutschen Entwicklungspolitik. Dabei steht eine Analyse des „Entwicklungspolitischen Gender-Aktionsplans 2009-2012“ des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) im Fokus. Ausgangspunkt hierfür ist die internationale Debatte über Gender und Frauenförderung in der Entwicklungspolitik, welche eine Reihe unterschiedlicher, zum Teil konträrer Argumentationsstränge und strategischer Handlungsweisen hervorgebracht hat. Auf den ersten Blick ist das BMZ den neuesten Entwicklungen in dieser Debatte vollständig gefolgt. Die Analyse des Gender-Aktionsplans zeigt jedoch, dass in der Politikformulierung des BMZ nur partiell auf Argumente zurückgegriffen wird, die eine konsequente Einbeziehung von Gender sowie die Umsetzung von Empowerment und Gender Mainstreaming fordern. Das Resultat ist eine unzulängliche Darstellung von Frauen und Geschlechterverhältnissen in Entwicklungsländern.

Birth, Development and Progressive Institutionalization of the Ombudsman in the Russian Legal and Political System

One of the current trends in governance and legal development in Russia is aimed at establishing a modern, efficient and internationally harmonised system of safeguards of human rights and civil liberties. A fairly recent addition to this system has been the institution of ombudsman as a public authority specialised in promoting and protecting human rights and civil liberties. The introduction of this institution as well as its formalisation at the constitutional and legislative levels has been increasingly relevant and important, as it raises the dealings between the state and the individual to a new level. As an independent public institution resolving conflicts between citizens and government authorities, the ombudsman makes steps, within the scope of his jurisdiction, to restitute individual rights, and helps to enhance the reputation of government. The present work describes and assesses the birth, development and institutionalization process of the Ombudsman Office in the Russian Federation, at federal and regional levels, with a particular emphasis on the role of international references and cooperation for institution building. Ombudsmen have done a magnificent job in demonstrating value with the resolution of individual and systemic complaints; subsequent improvements to government; and economic savings by mitigating litigation costs.

La dialettica centro-periferia nella formazione e selezione della classe dirigente comunista. Il caso della Toscana (1945-1991)

Il problema storico che è al centro di questo progetto di ricerca può essere così riassunto: in che modo viene selezionata la classe dirigente comunista nell’Italia repubblicana? Ovvero, detto in altri termini, in che misura le nomine dipendevano dal centro, per cooptazione, secondo la tradizione del modello di partito centralizzato, e quanto, invece, costituivano una ratifica alta di processi di selezione che si sviluppavano in periferia? Quanto contava, insomma, l’aver avuto lo scettro del comando nei territori di provenienza per ricoprire incarichi direttivi nel partito a livello nazionale? La nostra ricerca vuole quindi verificare la validità di alcuni paradigmi interpretativi, scaturiti da un’analisi complessiva della politica comunista, prendendo in esame un caso di studio locale, quello di una regione «rossa» per antonomasia come la Toscana. Tenendo conto, contestualmente, della realtà nazionale e di quella locale, cercheremo di analizzare, le ricadute che processi di portata nazionale ebbero sulla realtà locale, e in particolare, sulle modalità che regolavano la selezione della classe dirigente, dando alla ricerca un taglio prosopografico.

Modelling and analysis of thin-walled beams in the context of the Generalized Beam Theory

In this work, the Generalized Beam Theory (GBT) is used as the main tool to analyze the mechanics of thin-walled beams. After an introduction to the subject and a quick review of some of the most well-known approaches to describe the behaviour of thin-walled beams, a novel formulation of the GBT is presented. This formulation contains the classic shear-deformable GBT available in the literature and contributes an additional description of cross-section warping that is variable along the wall thickness besides along the wall midline. Shear deformation is introduced in such a way that the classical shear strain components of the Timoshenko beam theory are recovered exactly. According to the new kinematics proposed, a reviewed form of the cross-section analysis procedure is devised, based on a unique modal decomposition. Later, a procedure for a posteriori reconstruction of all the three-dimensional stress components in the finite element analysis of thin-walled beams using the GBT is presented. The reconstruction is simple and based on the use of three-dimensional equilibrium equations and of the RCP procedure. Finally, once the stress reconstruction procedure is presented, a study of several existing issues on the constitutive relations in the GBT is carried out. Specifically, a constitutive law based on mirroring the kinematic constraints of the GBT model into a specific stress field assumption is proposed. It is shown that this method is equally valid for isotropic and orthotropic beams and coincides with the conventional GBT approach available in the literature. Later on, an analogous procedure is presented for the case of laminated beams. Lastly, as a way to improve an inherently poor description of shear deformability in the GBT, the introduction of shear correction factors is proposed. Throughout this work, numerous examples are provided to determine the validity of all the proposed contributions to the field.

Il rap e l'hip-hop della Russia d'oggi: analisi di un fenomeno culturale contemporaneo (il caso Garri Topor)

L'elaborato prende in esame i fattori che hanno portato allo sviluppo del rap e dell'hip-hop in Russia, prendendo in esame i principali esponenti del genere.

"Per una mappatura della Russia contemporanea". Aleksej Ivanov, il geografo si è bevuto il globo. Proposta di traduzione editoriale.

The purpose of this work is to introduce to the Italian audience one of the best known works written by the Russian novelist Aleksej Ivanov. The title of the book we refer to is Geograf glubus propil, [The geography drank his globe away]. The novel features peculiarities and themes that can be interesting also for non-Russian readers, being also an example of how Russian contemporary literature has evolved through the years. Nevertheless, it has already been translated in French and Serbian. In last years, the author has become increasingly famous in Russia: he has won many prices and has published a large number of books, many of which were awarded with different literature prizes. Moreover, a film based on the plot of the novel analyzed has been released in 2013, carrying the same name of the book. The film received positive feedback from both cinema critics and mass audience. The following work has been divided into two parts: an introductory part where the author and his book are presented, together with the main character and his peculiarities. It is then explained the context in which the book was created, the purpose of the author and how the book was perceived by readers. In addition to that, I listed some of the problems I had to face while translating , and the solutions I found in order to solve them. The second part is fully dedicated to the translation itself.