Physiology and Biotechnology of the Hydrogen Production with the Green Microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The hydrogen production in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was evaluated by means of a detailed physiological and biotechnological study. First, a wide screening of the hydrogen productivity was done on 22 strains of C. reinhardtii, most of which mutated at the level of the D1 protein. The screening revealed for the first time that mutations upon the D1 protein may result on an increased hydrogen production. Indeed, productions ranged between 0 and more than 500 mL hydrogen per liter of culture (Torzillo, Scoma et al., 2007a), the highest producer (L159I-N230Y) being up to 5 times more performant than the strain cc124 widely adopted in literature (Torzillo, Scoma, et al., 2007b). Improved productivities by D1 protein mutants were generally a result of high photosynthetic capabilities counteracted by high respiration rates. Optimization of culture conditions were addressed according to the results of the physiological study of selected strains. In a first step, the photobioreactor (PBR) was provided with a multiple-impeller stirring system designed, developed and tested by us, using the strain cc124. It was found that the impeller system was effectively able to induce regular and turbulent mixing, which led to improved photosynthetic yields by means of light/dark cycles. Moreover, improved mixing regime sustained higher respiration rates, compared to what obtained with the commonly used stir bar mixing system. As far as the results of the initial screening phase are considered, both these factors are relevant to the hydrogen production. Indeed, very high energy conversion efficiencies (light to hydrogen) were obtained with the impeller device, prooving that our PBR was a good tool to both improve and study photosynthetic processes (Giannelli, Scoma et al., 2009). In the second part of the optimization, an accurate analysis of all the positive features of the high performance strain L159I-N230Y pointed out, respect to the WT, it has: (1) a larger chlorophyll optical cross-section; (2) a higher electron transfer rate by PSII; (3) a higher respiration rate; (4) a higher efficiency of utilization of the hydrogenase; (5) a higher starch synthesis capability; (6) a higher per cell D1 protein amount; (7) a higher zeaxanthin synthesis capability (Torzillo, Scoma et al., 2009). These information were gathered with those obtained with the impeller mixing device to find out the best culture conditions to optimize productivity with strain L159I-N230Y. The main aim was to sustain as long as possible the direct PSII contribution, which leads to hydrogen production without net CO2 release. Finally, an outstanding maximum rate of 11.1 ± 1.0 mL/L/h was reached and maintained for 21.8 ± 7.7 hours, when the effective photochemical efficiency of PSII (ΔF/F'm) underwent a last drop to zero. If expressed in terms of chl (24.0 ± 2.2 µmoles/mg chl/h), these rates of production are 4 times higher than what reported in literature to date (Scoma et al., 2010a submitted). DCMU addition experiments confirmed the key role played by PSII in sustaining such rates. On the other hand, experiments carried out in similar conditions with the control strain cc124 showed an improved final productivity, but no constant PSII direct contribution. These results showed that, aside from fermentation processes, if proper conditions are supplied to selected strains, hydrogen production can be substantially enhanced by means of biophotolysis. A last study on the physiology of the process was carried out with the mutant IL. Although able to express and very efficiently utilize the hydrogenase enzyme, this strain was unable to produce hydrogen when sulfur deprived. However, in a specific set of experiments this goal was finally reached, pointing out that other than (1) a state 1-2 transition of the photosynthetic apparatus, (2) starch storage and (3) anaerobiosis establishment, a timely transition to the hydrogen production is also needed in sulfur deprivation to induce the process before energy reserves are driven towards other processes necessary for the survival of the cell. This information turned out to be crucial when moving outdoor for the hydrogen production in a tubular horizontal 50-liter PBR under sunlight radiation. First attempts with laboratory grown cultures showed that no hydrogen production under sulfur starvation can be induced if a previous adaptation of the culture is not pursued outdoor. Indeed, in these conditions the hydrogen production under direct sunlight radiation with C. reinhardtii was finally achieved for the first time in literature (Scoma et al., 2010b submitted). Experiments were also made to optimize productivity in outdoor conditions, with respect to the light dilution within the culture layers. Finally, a brief study of the anaerobic metabolism of C. reinhardtii during hydrogen oxidation has been carried out. This study represents a good integration to the understanding of the complex interplay of pathways that operate concomitantly in this microalga.

Toeplitz operators on finite and infinite dimensional spaces with associated psi *-Fréchet algebras

The present thesis is a contribution to the multi-variable theory of Bergman and Hardy Toeplitz operators on spaces of holomorphic functions over finite and infinite dimensional domains. In particular, we focus on certain spectral invariant Frechet operator algebras F closely related to the local symbol behavior of Toeplitz operators in F. We summarize results due to B. Gramsch et.al. on the construction of Psi_0- and Psi^*-algebras in operator algebras and corresponding scales of generalized Sobolev spaces using commutator methods, generalized Laplacians and strongly continuous group actions. In the case of the Segal-Bargmann space H^2(C^n,m) of Gaussian square integrable entire functions on C^n we determine a class of vector-fields Y(C^n) supported in complex cones K. Further, we require that for any finite subset V of Y(C^n) the Toeplitz projection P is a smooth element in the Psi_0-algebra constructed by commutator methods with respect to V. As a result we obtain Psi_0- and Psi^*-operator algebras F localized in cones K. It is an immediate consequence that F contains all Toeplitz operators T_f with a symbol f of certain regularity in an open neighborhood of K. There is a natural unitary group action on H^2(C^n,m) which is induced by weighted shifts and unitary groups on C^n. We examine the corresponding Psi^*-algebra A of smooth elements in Toeplitz-C^*-algebras. Among other results sufficient conditions on the symbol f for T_f to belong to A are given in terms of estimates on its Berezin-transform. Local aspects of the Szegö projection P_s on the Heisenbeg group and the corresponding Toeplitz operators T_f with symbol f are studied. In this connection we apply a result due to Nagel and Stein which states that for any strictly pseudo-convex domain U the projection P_s is a pseudodifferential operator of exotic type (1/2, 1/2). The second part of this thesis is devoted to the infinite dimensional theory of Bergman and Hardy spaces and the corresponding Toeplitz operators. We give a new proof of a result observed by Boland and Waelbroeck. Namely, that the space of all holomorphic functions H(U) on an open subset U of a DFN-space (dual Frechet nuclear space) is a FN-space (Frechet nuclear space) equipped with the compact open topology. Using the nuclearity of H(U) we obtain Cauchy-Weil-type integral formulas for closed subalgebras A in H_b(U), the space of all bounded holomorphic functions on U, where A separates points. Further, we prove the existence of Hardy spaces of holomorphic functions on U corresponding to the abstract Shilov boundary S_A of A and with respect to a suitable boundary measure on S_A. Finally, for a domain U in a DFN-space or a polish spaces we consider the symmetrizations m_s of measures m on U by suitable representations of a group G in the group of homeomorphisms on U. In particular,in the case where m leads to Bergman spaces of holomorphic functions on U, the group G is compact and the representation is continuous we show that m_s defines a Bergman space of holomorphic functions on U as well. This leads to unitary group representations of G on L^p- and Bergman spaces inducing operator algebras of smooth elements related to the symmetries of U.

Modulation of apoptosis by endogenously produced nitric oxide

Untersuchungen zur Expression der induzierbaren NO-Synthetase (NOS2) belegen eine häufige Expression dieses Enzyms in Tumoren unterschiedlicher Gewebe. Bislang ist jedoch ungeklärt, ob die Expression der NOS2 in Tumorzellen die apoptotische Eliminierung durch zytotoxische T-Zellen beeinflussen kann. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Folgen einer endogenen NO-Synthese auf die Apoptosesensitivität von HEK293-Zellen untersucht. Um primäre NO-Wirkungen von NO-induzierten, sekundären (kompensatorischen) Veränderungen zu trennen, wurde mit einem induzierbaren Vektorsystem gearbeitet. Die NOS2 wurde zunächst unter der Kontrolle eines Ecdyson-sensitiven Promoters in HEK293-Zellen kloniert. Es konnten regulierbare NOS2-Klone selektiert werden, die nach Ponasteronbehandlung dosisabhängig die NOS2 exprimieren und NO synthetisieren. Die NOS2-Expression wurde durch Western Blot Analyse und Immunfluoreszenzfärbung dargestellt und die NO-Produktion mit Hilfe der Griess-Reaktion gemessen. An den NOS2-induzierten Zellen wurde dann der Einfluss von NO auf die CD95-vermittelte Apoptose analysiert. Es zeigte sich nach Stimulation des CD95-Rezeptors eine deutliche Korrelation der Apoptoserate mit der NOS2-Expression. In Kokulturexperimenten mit Peptid-spezifischen zytotoxischen T-Zellen zeigte sich, dass NO-produzierende Zielzellen effektiver eliminiert werden konnten. Auch nach Behandlung der Zellen mit TRAIL ergab sich eine höhere Apoptoserate in NO-produzierenden Zellen. Die weitere Analyse der durch NO beeinflussten Signalwege ergab eine Beteiligung von ER-Stress-vermittelten Apoptosewegen. Dies zeigte sich an der Hochregulation des ER-Stress-Proteins Grp78 (BiP) nach NOS2-Expression und der Spaltung der am ER-lokalisierten Caspase-4. Darüber hinaus konnte der schnellere Verlust des mitochondrialen Membranpotentials in Abhängigkeit von der NOS2-Expression nachgewiesen werden. Weiterhin wurde die Wirkung einer dauerhaften NO-Exposition auf die Apoptosesensitivität der Zellen untersucht. Auch ohne zusätzliche CD95-Stimulation induzierte eine kontinuierliche NOS2-Expression nach wenigen Tagen in den EcR293-NOS2-Zellen Apoptose. Diese Dauerbehandlung führte zum nahezu vollständigen Absterben der Kulturen. Einige Zellen überlebten jedoch diese Behandlung und wuchsen zu Zellklonen. Diese NO-resistenten Klone konnten isoliert werden. Sie zeigten eine zusätzliche Resistenz für CD95-vermittelte Apoptosesignale und waren besser vor dem Angriff Peptid-spezifischer CTLs geschützt. Die Apoptoseresistenz blieb auch nach längerer Kultur erhalten und scheint auf NO-induzierter Genotoxizität zu beruhen. Anhand dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass allein durch chronische NO-Behandlung eine Selektion apoptoseresistenter Zellen stattfinden kann.

On the geometry of the spin-statistics connection in quantum mechanics

The Spin-Statistics theorem states that the statistics of a system of identical particles is determined by their spin: Particles of integer spin are Bosons (i.e. obey Bose-Einstein statistics), whereas particles of half-integer spin are Fermions (i.e. obey Fermi-Dirac statistics). Since the original proof by Fierz and Pauli, it has been known that the connection between Spin and Statistics follows from the general principles of relativistic Quantum Field Theory. In spite of this, there are different approaches to Spin-Statistics and it is not clear whether the theorem holds under assumptions that are different, and even less restrictive, than the usual ones (e.g. Lorentz-covariance). Additionally, in Quantum Mechanics there is a deep relation between indistinguishabilty and the geometry of the configuration space. This is clearly illustrated by Gibbs' paradox. Therefore, for many years efforts have been made in order to find a geometric proof of the connection between Spin and Statistics. Recently, various proposals have been put forward, in which an attempt is made to derive the Spin-Statistics connection from assumptions different from the ones used in the relativistic, quantum field theoretic proofs. Among these, there is the one due to Berry and Robbins (BR), based on the postulation of a certain single-valuedness condition, that has caused a renewed interest in the problem. In the present thesis, we consider the problem of indistinguishability in Quantum Mechanics from a geometric-algebraic point of view. An approach is developed to study configuration spaces Q having a finite fundamental group, that allows us to describe different geometric structures of Q in terms of spaces of functions on the universal cover of Q. In particular, it is shown that the space of complex continuous functions over the universal cover of Q admits a decomposition into C(Q)-submodules, labelled by the irreducible representations of the fundamental group of Q, that can be interpreted as the spaces of sections of certain flat vector bundles over Q. With this technique, various results pertaining to the problem of quantum indistinguishability are reproduced in a clear and systematic way. Our method is also used in order to give a global formulation of the BR construction. As a result of this analysis, it is found that the single-valuedness condition of BR is inconsistent. Additionally, a proposal aiming at establishing the Fermi-Bose alternative, within our approach, is made.

The Euler number of OGradys 10-dimensional symplectic manifold

Wir berechnen die Eulerzahl der 10-dimensionalen exzeptionellen irreduziblen symplektischen Mannigfaltigkeit, die von O Grady konstruiert wurde. Die Idee besteht darin, zunächst eine Lagrangefaserung zu konstruieren und dann die Eulerzahlen der Fasern zu berechnen. Es stellt sich heraus, dass fast alle Fasern die Eulerzahl 0 haben, und deswegen reduziert sich das Problem auf die Berechnung der Eulerzahlen der übrigen Fasern. Diese Fasern sind Modulräume von halbstabilen Garben auf singulären Kurven. Der Hauptteil dieser Dissertation ist der Berechnung der Eulerzahlen dieser Modulräume gewidmet. Diese Resultate sind von unabhängigem Interesse.

Pseudodifferential analysis in Psi*-algebras on transmission spaces, infinite solving ideal chains and K-theory for conformally compact spaces

The present thesis is a contribution to the theory of algebras of pseudodifferential operators on singular settings. In particular, we focus on the $b$-calculus and the calculus on conformally compact spaces in the sense of Mazzeo and Melrose in connection with the notion of spectral invariant transmission operator algebras. We summarize results given by Gramsch et. al. on the construction of $Psi_0$-and $Psi*$-algebras and the corresponding scales of generalized Sobolev spaces using commutators of certain closed operators and derivations. In the case of a manifold with corners $Z$ we construct a $Psi*$-completion $A_b(Z,{}^bOmega^{1/2})$ of the algebra of zero order $b$-pseudodifferential operators $Psi_{b,cl}(Z, {}^bOmega^{1/2})$ in the corresponding $C*$-closure $B(Z,{}^bOmega^{12})hookrightarrow L(L^2(Z,{}^bOmega^{1/2}))$. The construction will also provide that localised to the (smooth) interior of Z the operators in the $A_b(Z, {}^bOmega^{1/2})$ can be represented as ordinary pseudodifferential operators. In connection with the notion of solvable $C*$-algebras - introduced by Dynin - we calculate the length of the $C*$-closure of $Psi_{b,cl}^0(F,{}^bOmega^{1/2},R^{E(F)})$ in $B(F,{}^bOmega^{1/2}),R^{E(F)})$ by localizing $B(Z, {}^bOmega^{1/2})$ along the boundary face $F$ using the (extended) indical familiy $I^B_{FZ}$. Moreover, we discuss how one can localise a certain solving ideal chain of $B(Z, {}^bOmega^{1/2})$ in neighbourhoods $U_p$ of arbitrary points $pin Z$. This localisation process will recover the singular structure of $U_p$; further, the induced length function $l_p$ is shown to be upper semi-continuous. We give construction methods for $Psi*$- and $C*$-algebras admitting only infinite long solving ideal chains. These algebras will first be realized as unconnected direct sums of (solvable) $C*$-algebras and then refined such that the resulting algebras have arcwise connected spaces of one dimensional representations. In addition, we recall the notion of transmission algebras on manifolds with corners $(Z_i)_{iin N}$ following an idea of Ali Mehmeti, Gramsch et. al. Thereby, we connect the underlying $C^infty$-function spaces using point evaluations in the smooth parts of the $Z_i$ and use generalized Laplacians to generate an appropriate scale of Sobolev spaces. Moreover, it is possible to associate generalized (solving) ideal chains to these algebras, such that to every $ninN$ there exists an ideal chain of length $n$ within the algebra. Finally, we discuss the $K$-theory for algebras of pseudodifferential operators on conformally compact manifolds $X$ and give an index theorem for these operators. In addition, we prove that the Dirac-operator associated to the metric of a conformally compact manifold $X$ is not a Fredholm operator.

Weighted Inequalities and Lipschitz Spaces

In this thesis I have characterized the trace measures for particular potential spaces of functions defined on R^n, but "mollified" so that the potentials are de facto defined on the upper half-space of R^n. The potential functions are kind Riesz-Bessel. The characterization of trace measures for these spaces is a test condition on elementary sets of the upper half-space. To prove the test condition as sufficient condition for trace measures, I had give an extension to the case of upper half-space of the Muckenhoupt-Wheeden and Wolff inequalities. Finally I characterized the Carleson-trace measures for Besov spaces of discrete martingales. This is a simplified discrete model for harmonic extensions of Lipschitz-Besov spaces.

Celestial Church of Christ in Italia. Percorsi, Spazi e Pratiche Rituali

Il lavoro che presento propone un’analisi di una chiesa africana indipendente in Italia, la Celestial Church Of Christ Worldwide (CCCW), cercando di mettere in luce il nesso tra religione, migrazione e il processo di ‘plunting churches’ (Kooning 2009) nel contesto italiano. Attraverso una ricerca sul campo, sono stati indagati i percorsi personali, familiari e comunitari dei membri di una ‘Celestial Parish’ presente nel comune di Brescia, ‘Ileri Oluwa Parish’, al fine di comprendere la natura dei processi identitari coinvolti nell’organizzazione della CCC in Italia. ‘Ileri Oluwa Parish’, in quanto luogo che denota una ‘chiesa individuale collegata ad una Diocesi’ (CCC Constitution (CCC Constitution, 107 (d) si rivela, nella materialità delle sue forme e dei ‘Devotional Services’ che in essa si svolgono, a ‘field of action’ (Lefebvre, 1991). La storia della chiesa, i fondamenti della sua dottrina e i significati comunicati attraverso le forme rituali e religiose che la stessa promuove, sono stati contestualizzati alla luce delle tensioni e delle strategie di potere che strutturano il campo. Le storie dei membri della parrocchia, percorsi di migrazione e mobilità in itinere, rappresentano la lente attraverso cui si è guardato alle relazioni vissute nel nome dello ‘Spirito’, e alla percezione stessa di ciò che gli stessi Celestians definiscono sacro, santo, puro e impuro. Lo sguardo fisso alla vita ordinaria di una Celestial parish in Italia, esteso nell’ultima parte dell’elaborato alla Celestial parish londinese, è stato fondamentale per capire l’intreccio di relazioni spirituali, reti familiari e mobilità degli individui sul territorio italiano ed europeo, processo che ribalta la condizione diasporica della CCC, trasformando una condizione di dispersione in un valore aggiunto, nella possibilità di nuove traiettorie territoriali e spazi di presenza religiosa e socioeconomica.

Fellow travelers: an ethnographic study of the dynamics of inter-organizational collaboration

The research is a 13-months ethnographic field work on the early operations of a Multi-party alliance active in the global field of indoor positioning. The study aims to understand and investigate empirically the challenges that at the individual and group level influence the organizing principle guiding the alliance operations and evolution. Its contribution rests on the dynamics affecting ecosystems of innovation and collaborative spaces of value co-creation in inter-organizational projects.

Bone-implant interface. Evaluation of osteoblastic cells behavior on nanopatterned titanium surfaces: an in vitro analysis

Protein-adsorption occurs immediately following implantation of biomaterials. It is unknown at which extent protein-adsorption impacts the cellular events at bone-implant interface. To investigate this question, we compared the in-vitro outcome of osteoblastic cells grown onto titanium substrates and glass as control, by modulating the exposure to serum-derived proteins. Substrates consisted of 1) polished titanium disks; 2) polished disks nanotextured with H2SO4/H2O2; 3) glass. In the pre-adsorption phase, substrates were treated for 1h with αMEM alone (M-noFBS) or supplemented with 10%-foetal-bovine-serum (M-FBS). MC3T3-osteoblastic-cells were cultured on the pre-treated substrates for 3h and 24h, in M-noFBS and M-FBS. Subsequently, the culture medium was replaced with M-FBS and cultures maintained for 3 and 7days. Cell-number was evaluated by: Alamar-Blue and MTT assay. Mitotic- and osteogenic-activities were evaluated through fluorescence-optical-microscope by immunolabeling for Ki-67 nuclear-protein and Osteopontin. Cellular morphology was evaluated by SEM-imaging. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA-test, (p<0.05). At day3 and day7, the presence or absence of serum-derived proteins during the pre-adsorption phase had not significant effect on cell-number. Only the absence of FBS during 24h of culture significantly affected cell-number (p<0.0001). Titanium surfaces performed better than glass, (p<0.01). The growth rate of cells between day3 and 7 was not affected by the initial absence of FBS. Immunolabeling for Ki-67 and Osteopontin showed that the mitotic- and osteogenic- activity were ongoing at 72h. SEM-analysis revealed that the absence of FBS had no major influence on cell-shape. • Physico-chemical interactions without mediation by proteins are sufficient to sustain the initial phase of culture and guide osteogenic-cells toward differentiation. • The challenge is avoiding adsorption of ‘undesirables’ molecules that negatively impact on the cueing cells receive from surface. This may not be a problem in healthy patients, but may have an important role in medically-compromised-individuals in whom the composition of tissue-fluids is altered.

Le Havre. Forme e caratteri dello spazio urbano nel progetto di Auguste Perret

Oggetto del presente studio è il progetto di ricostruzione del centro urbano di Le Havre ad opera di Auguste Perret. Suo obiettivo è il riconoscimento di quell’idea di città posta a fondamento del progetto, per il quale ci si propone di indagare il senso e le grammatiche costitutive della sua forma. Quella di Le Havre costituisce una dimostrazione di come una forma urbana ancora compatta ed evocativa della città storica possa definirsi a partire dalle relazioni stabilite con gli elementi della geografia fisica. Nei suoi luoghi collettivi e monumentali, che rimandano chiaramente a una cultura dell’abitare che affonda le proprie radici nella più generale esperienza della costruzione della città francese, la città riconosce un valore formale e sceglie di rappresentare il proprio mondo civico dinanzi a quei grandi elementi della geografia fisica che costituiscono l’identità del luogo nel quale questa si colloca. Sembra infatti possibile affermare che gli spazi pubblici della città atlantica riconoscano e traducano nella forma della Place de l’Hôtel de Ville le ripide pendici della falesia del Bec-de-Caux, in quella della Porte Océane l’orizzonte lontano dell’Oceano, e nel Front-de-mer Sud l’altra riva dell’estuario della Senna. Questa relazione fondativa sembra essere conseguita anche attraverso la definizione di un’appropriata grammatica dello spazio urbano, la cui significatività è nel fondarsi sull’assunzione, allo stesso tempo, del valore dello spazio circoscritto e del valore dello spazio aperto. La riflessione sullo spazio urbano investe anche la costruzione dell’isolato, sottoposto a una necessaria rifondazione di forma e significato, allo scopo di rendere intellegibile le relazioni tra gli spazi finiti della città e quelli infiniti della natura. La definizione dell’identità dello spazio urbano, sembra fondarsi, in ultima analisi, sulle possibilità espressive delle forme della costruzione che, connotate come forme dell’architettura, definiscono il carattere dei tipi edilizi e dello spazio da questi costruito.

Spectral theory of differential operators on finite metric graphs and on bounded domains

Die vorliegende Arbeit widmet sich der Spektraltheorie von Differentialoperatoren auf metrischen Graphen und von indefiniten Differentialoperatoren auf beschränkten Gebieten. Sie besteht aus zwei Teilen. Im Ersten werden endliche, nicht notwendigerweise kompakte, metrische Graphen und die Hilberträume von quadratintegrierbaren Funktionen auf diesen betrachtet. Alle quasi-m-akkretiven Laplaceoperatoren auf solchen Graphen werden charakterisiert, und Abschätzungen an die negativen Eigenwerte selbstadjungierter Laplaceoperatoren werden hergeleitet. Weiterhin wird die Wohlgestelltheit eines gemischten Diffusions- und Transportproblems auf kompakten Graphen durch die Anwendung von Halbgruppenmethoden untersucht. Eine Verallgemeinerung des indefiniten Operators $-tfrac{d}{dx}sgn(x)tfrac{d}{dx}$ von Intervallen auf metrische Graphen wird eingeführt. Die Spektral- und Streutheorie der selbstadjungierten Realisierungen wird detailliert besprochen. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden Operatoren untersucht, die mit indefiniten Formen der Art $langlegrad v, A(cdot)grad urangle$ mit $u,vin H_0^1(Omega)subset L^2(Omega)$ und $OmegasubsetR^d$ beschränkt, assoziiert sind. Das Eigenwertverhalten entspricht in Dimension $d=1$ einer verallgemeinerten Weylschen Asymptotik und für $dgeq 2$ werden Abschätzungen an die Eigenwerte bewiesen. Die Frage, wann indefinite Formmethoden für Dimensionen $dgeq 2$ anwendbar sind, bleibt offen und wird diskutiert.

No(i)rthern Ireland: Crime fiction and the northern-irish scene. Proposed translation into italian of two short stories from "belfast noir"

The present thesis aims at proving the importance of cultural and literary contexts in the practice of translation: I shall show that, in the case of Northern Irish crime fiction, knowledge of both Northern Irish history and culture as well as of the genre of crime fiction are essential prerequisites for the production of a “responsible” translation. I will therefore offer a brief overview of the history of crime and detective fiction and its main subgenres; some of the most important authors and works will be presented as well, in an analysis that goes from the early years of the genre to the second half of the 20th century. I will then move the focus to Northern Ireland, its culture and its history, and particular attention will be paid to fiction writing in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with a focus on the peculiar phenomenon of “Troubles Trash”. I will tackle the topic of Northern Irish literature and present the contemporary scene of Northern Irish crime fiction; the volume from which the texts for the translation have been taken will be presented, namely Belfast Noir. Subsequently the focus will move on the theoretical framework within which the translations were produced: I will present a literary review of the most significative developments in Translation Studies, with particular attention to the “cultural turn” that has characterised this subject since the 1960s. I will then highlight the phenomenon of “realia” in translation and analyse the approaches of different scholars to the translation of culture-bound references. The final part represents the culmination and practical application of all that was presented in the previous sections: I will discuss the translation of culture-bound references according to the strategies presented in Chapter 4, referring to the proposed translations of two stories. Such analysis aims to show that not only expert linguistic knowledge, but also cultural awareness and a wide literary background are needed in order to make conscious choices in translation.

Differential response of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells to either TGF-β1 or to rhGDF-5

Cell therapy along with growth factor injection is currently widely investigated to restore the intervertebral disc. However, there is increasing evidence that transplanted unconditioned bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) cannot thrive in the intervertebral disc "niche". Moreover, uncertainty exists with respect to the cell phenotype that would be suitable to inject. The intervertebral disc cell phenotype only recently has been started to be characterised using transcriptomics profiling. Recent findings suggest that cytokeratin 19 (KRT-19) could be used as a potential candidate marker for the intervertebral disc, or more specifically the nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) phenotype. We present in vitro cell culture data using alginate bead culture of primary human BMSCs exposed to the standard chondrogenic stimulus, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β), the growth and differentiation factor 5 and/or bovine NPCs to induce a potential "discogenic" pathway. Chondrogenic induction via TGF-β pathway provoked down-regulation of KRT-19 gene expression in four out of five donors after 18 days of culture, whereas KRT-19 expression remained unchanged in the "discogenic" groups. In addition, the ratio of aggrecan/collagen II gene expression showed a remarkable difference (of at least 3 magnitudes) between the chondrogenic stimulus (low ratio) and the discogenic stimulus (high ratio). Therefore, KRT-19 and aggrecan/collagen II ratio may be potential markers to distinguish chondrogenic from "discogenic" differentiation.

Review of Nineteenth-Century Geographies: The Transformation of Space from the Victorian Age to the American Century, eds. H. Michie and R. Thomas

It is by now a banal observation that published collections of conference papers tend to add up to a whole that is considerably less than the sum of the parts. Nineteenth-Century Geographies, a book that grew out of an interdisciplinary conference held at Rice University in 1998 falls into this category. While assuring my readers that each individual contribution is independently worth a read is likewise a predictable cliché, it is in fact the case that every one of the 17 articles collected here—notwithstanding the rather convoluted Introduction—has much to offer the study, broadly speaking, of ‘cultural spaces’ of British and American imperialisms in the nineteenth century. . . . All of my complaints aside, this turns out to be a much more enjoyable book to read than to review, and I would recommend skimming and dipping at length. I cannot quite imagine when a read-through of this book might be called for, except perhaps in graduate seminars on related topics.