La produzione ceramica dell'abitato di Mursia (Pantelleria). Interazioni tra comunità costiere della Sicilia e del Mediterraneo centrale tra Bronzo Antico e Bronzo Medio

La ricerca di dottorato affronta lo studio della cultura materiale dell’abitato dell’età del Bronzo di Mursia (isola di Pantelleria) attraverso l’analisi della produzione ceramica. In particolare, sono analizzati gli aspetti che permettono di ampliare l’inquadramento culturale del sito, sia nella sua articolazione interna che nei rapporti con le coeve comunità del Mediterraneo centrale nella prima metà del II millennio a.C. La ricerca inizia con l’illustrazione delle recenti prospettive di studio della Preistoria del Mediterraneo, un tema al centro di un intenso dibattito incentrato sul riconoscimento delle identità culturali e sul ruolo delle reciproche interazioni, con particolare attenzione all’età del Bronzo. Al complesso archeologico di Mursia viene riconosciuto un carattere di eccezionalità per la spettacolare conservazione dei resti archeologici dell’abitato e della necropoli monumentale, oggetto di indagine negli ultimi decenni da parte dell’Università di Bologna e dell’Università Suor Orsola Benincasa di Napoli. Le ricerche hanno consentito di mettere in luce ampie porzioni dell’abitato e di poter esaminare con elevato dettaglio la cultura materiale in rapporto alle modalità insediative diversificate nello spazio e nel tempo. L’approfondimento della ricerca del dottorato verte sullo studio dei manufatti ceramici come strumento privilegiato per definire l’identità culturale della comunità di Mursia, attraverso gli aspetti della produzione artigianale, le abitudini di preparazione e consumo dei cibi e il significato funzionale o simbolico/estetico di alcune categorie vascolari. Rispetto a precedenti presentazioni del contesto di Mursia, la ricerca di dottorato ha enfatizzato, all’interno dell’abbondante produzione ceramica, la presenza di alcune classi con decorazioni incise e impresse che per quantità e caratteri di originalità divengono un elemento aggiuntivo nella definizione della facies di Mursia. Le stesse ceramiche incise e impresse presentano elementi di affinità con una serie di produzioni vascolari coeve nell’area del Mediterraneo centrale, consentendo di affrontare il tema delle interazioni tra diversi contesti insulari

Development of numerical tools for the simulation, design and optimization of a Helicon Plasma Thruster

This work thesis focuses on the Helicon Plasma Thruster (HPT) as a candidate for generating thrust for small satellites and CubeSats. Two main topics are addressed: the development of a Global Model (GM) and a 3D self-consistent numerical tool. The GM is suitable for preliminary analysis of HPTs with noble gases such as argon, neon, krypton, and xenon, and alternative propellants such as air and iodine. A lumping methodology is developed to reduce the computational cost when modelling the excited species in the plasma chemistry. A 3D self-consistent numerical tool is also developed that can treat discharges with a generic 3D geometry and model the actual plasma-antenna coupling. The tool consists of two main modules, an EM module and a FLUID module, which run iteratively until a steady state solution is converged. A third module is available for solving the plume with a simplified semi-analytical approach, a PIC code, or directly by integration of the fluid equations. Results obtained from both the numerical tools are benchmarked against experimental measures of HPTs or Helicon reactors, obtaining very good qualitative agreement with the experimental trend for what concerns the GM, and an excellent agreement of the physical trends predicted against the measured data for the 3D numerical strategy.

Predizione degli outcome del rivolgimento per manovre esterne nelle gravidanze con presentazione podalica del feto con l'utilizzo dell'angolo di progressione della parte presentata

Introduzione: La presentazione podalica complica il 3-4% delle gravidanze singole a termine. Sebbene il parto vaginale sia possibile, gli studi in letteratura hanno riportato un aumento del rischio di mortalità e morbilità fetale. Di conseguenza nel mondo il numero di tagli cesarei eseguiti per presentazione podalica è alto. Il rivolgimento per manovre esterne (RME) è una procedura ostetrica sicura che permette il passaggio del feto dalla presentazione podalica a quella cefalica, riducendo il numero dei tagli cesarei. L’angolo di progressione della parte presentata (AoP) è un parametro ecografico descritto in letteratura per la valutazione della progressione della parte presentata attraverso il canale del parto ed è stato recentemente studiato nelle gravidanze con presentazione podalica del feto. Obiettivi: L’obiettivo primario è valutare la correlazione tra l’AoP e il successo del RME. L’obiettivo secondario è verificare se esiste correlazione tra parametri anamnestici ed ecografici e la riuscita del RME. Materiali e metodi: È stato condotto uno studio osservazione prospettico monocentrico, sono state reclutate previo consenso informato 54 pazienti afferenti presso l’Ospedale Maggiore di Bologna con gravidanza singola dopo le 36 settimane e feto in presentazione podalica tra gennaio 2020 e giugno 2023. Risultati: La percentuale di RME riusciti è stata del 48,2%, il 53,7% delle donne ha partorito mediante taglio cesareo. Non abbiamo trovato una correlazione tra AoP e successo del rivolgimento. Tra le altre variabili analizzate l’unica correlata al successo del RME è la quantità di liquido amniotico Conclusioni: Non abbiamo trovato una correlazione tra AOP e successo del RME. Come descritto in letteratura l’unico parametro ecografico che è risultato associato al successo del RME è la quantità di liquido amniotico. Dato il disegno dello studio e la scarsa numerosità del campione sono necessari ulteriori studi per confermare i risultati.

Development of wearable electrochemical sensors for the determination of biological analytes

Wearable biosensors are attracting interest due to their potential to provide continuous, real-time physiological information via dynamic, non-invasive measurements of biochemical markers in biofluids, such as interstitial fluid (ISF). One notable example of their applications is for glycemic monitoring in diabetic patients, which is typically carried out either by direct measurement of blood glucose via finger pricking or by wearable sensors that can continuously monitor glucose in ISF by sampling it from below the skin with a microneedle. In this context, the development of a new and minimally invasive multisensing tattoo-based platform for the monitoring of glucose and other analytes in ISF extracted through reverse iontophoresis in proposed by the GLUCOMFORT project. This elaborate describes the in-vitro development of flexible electrochemical sensors based on inkjet-printed PEDOT:PSS and metal inks that are capable of determining glucose and chloride at biologically relevant concentrations, making them good candidates for application in the GLUCOMFORT platform. In order to make PEDOT:PSS sensitive to glucose at micromolar concentrations, a biocompatible functionalization based on immobilized glucose oxidase and electrodeposited platinum was developed. This functionalization was successfully applied to bulk and flexible amperometric devices, the design of which was also optimized. Using the same strategy, flexible organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) for glucose sensing were also made and successfully tested. For the sensing of chloride ions, an organic charge-modulated field-effect transistor (OCMFET) featuring a silver/silver chloride modified floating gate electrode was developed and tested.

Monitoring of macro- and microlitter in the Venice lagoon and coastal area

Marine litter and plastics are a significant and growing marine contaminant that has become a global problem. Macrolitter is subject to fragmentation and degradation due to physical, chemical and biological processes, leading to the formation of micro-litter, the so-called microplastics. The purpose of this research is to assess marine litter pollution by using remote sensing tools to identify areas of macrolitter accumulation and to evaluate the concentrations of microplastics in different environmental matrices: water, sediment and biota (i.e. mussels and fish) and to contribute to the European project MAELSTROM (Smart technology for MArinE Litter SusTainable RemOval and Management). The aim is to monitor the presence of macro- and microlitter at two sites of the Venice coastal area: an abandoned mussel farm at sea and a lagoon site near the artificial Island of Sacca Fisola; The results showed that both study areas are characterised by high amounts of marine litter, but the type of observed litter is different. In fact, in the mussel farm area, most of the litter is linked to aquaculture activities (ropes, nets, mooring blocks and floating buoys). In the Venice lagoon site, the litter comes more from urban activities and from the city of Venice (car tyres, crates, wrecks, etc.). Microplastics is present in both sites and in all the analysed matrices. Generally, higher microplastics concentrations were found at Sacca Fisola (i.e., in surface waters, mussels and fish). Moreover, some differences were also observed in shapes and colours comparing the two sites. At Sacca Fisola, white irregular fragments predominate in water samples, blue filaments in sediment and mussels, and transparent irregular fragments in fish. At the Mussel Farm, blue filaments predominate in water, sediment and mussels, while flat black fragments predominate in fish. These differences are related to the different types of macrolitter that characterised the two areas.

The Crosslinking Degree Controls The Mechanical, Rheological, And Swelling Properties Of Hyaluronic Acid Microparticles.

Viscosupplements, used for treating joint and cartilage diseases, restore the rheological properties of synovial fluid, regulate joint homeostasis and act as scaffolds for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Most viscosupplements are hydrogels composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) microparticles suspended in fluid HA. These microparticles are crosslinked with chemicals to assure their stability against enzyme degradation and to prolong the action of the viscosupplement. However, the crosslinking also modifies the mechanical, swelling and rheological properties of the HA microparticle hydrogels, with consequences on the effectiveness of the application. The aim of this study is to correlate the crosslinking degree (CD) with these properties to achieve modulation of HA/DVS microparticles through CD control. Because divinyl sulfone (DVS) is the usual crosslinker of HA in viscosupplements, we examined the effects of CD by preparing HA microparticles at 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 HA/DVS mass ratios. The CD was calculated from inductively coupled plasma spectrometry data. HA microparticles were previously sized to a mean diameter of 87.5 µm. Higher CD increased the viscoelasticity and the extrusion force and reduced the swelling of the HA microparticle hydrogels, which also showed Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and were classified as covalent weak. The hydrogels were not cytotoxic to fibroblasts according to an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2014.

Nonlinear diffraction of light beams propagating in photorefractive media with embedded reflecting wire

The theory of nonlinear diffraction of intensive light beams propagating through photorefractive media is developed. Diffraction occurs on a reflecting wire embedded in the nonlinear medium at a relatively small angle with respect to the direction of the beam propagation. It is shown that this process is analogous to the generation of waves by a flow of a superfluid past an obstacle. The ""equation of state"" of such a superfluid is determined by the nonlinear properties of the medium. On the basis of this hydrodynamic analogy, the notion of the ""Mach number"" is introduced where the transverse component of the wave vector plays the role of the fluid velocity. It is found that the Mach cone separates two regions of the diffraction pattern: inside the Mach cone oblique dark solitons are generated and outside the Mach cone the region of ""optical ship waves"" (the wave pattern formed by a two-dimensional packet of linear waves) is situated. Analytical theory of the ""optical ship waves"" is developed and two-dimensional dark soliton solutions of the generalized two-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation describing the light beam propagation are found. Stability of dark solitons with respect to their decay into vortices is studied and it is shown that they are stable for large enough values of the Mach number.

On the wake-induced vibration of tandem circular cylinders: the vortex interaction excitation mechanism

The mechanism of wake-induced vibrations (WIV) of a pair of cylinders in a tandem arrangement is investigated by experiments. A typical WIV response is characterized by a build-up of amplitude persisting to high reduced velocities; this is different from a typical vortex-induced vibration (VIV) response, which occurs in a limited resonance range. We suggest that WIV of the downstream cylinder is excited by the unsteady vortex-structure interactions between the body and the upstream wake. Coherent vortices interfering with the downstream cylinder induce fluctuations in the fluid force that are not synchronized with the motion. A favourable phase lag between the displacement and the fluid force guarantees that a positive energy transfer from the flow to the structure sustains the oscillations. If the unsteady vortices are removed from the wake of the upstream body then WIV will not be excited. An experiment performed in a steady shear flow turned out to be central to the understanding of the origin of the fluid forces acting on the downstream cylinder.

Investigation of Normal Force and Moment Coefficients for an AUV at Nonlinear Angle of Attack and Sideslip Range

This paper presents a comparative study of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and analytical and semiempirical (ASE) methods applied to the prediction of the normal force and moment coefficients of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Both methods are applied to the. bare hull of the vehicle and to the body-hydroplane combination. The results are validated through experiments in a towing tank. It is shown that the CFD approach allows for a good prediction of the coefficients over the range of angles of attack considered. In contrast with the traditional ASE formulations used in naval and aircraft fields, an improved methodology is introduced that takes advantage of the qualitative information obtained from CFD flow visualizations.

Negative ion `chip-based` nanospray tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of flavonoids in glandular trichomes of Lychnophora ericoides Mart. (Asteraceae)

This paper reports a method for the analysis of secondary metabolites stored in glandular trichomes, employing negative ion `chip-based` nanospray tandem mass spectrometry. The analyses of glandular trichomes from Lychnophora ericoides, a plant endemic to the Brazilian `cerrado` and used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, led to the identification of five flavonoids (chrysin, pinocembrin, pinostrobin, pinobanksin and 3-O-acetylpinobanksin) by direct infusion of the extracts of glandular trichomes into the nanospray ionisation source. All the flavonoids have no oxidation at ring B, which resulted in a modification of the fragmentation pathways compared with that of the oxidised 3,4-dihydroflavonoids already described in the literature. The absence of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant di-C-glucosylflavone vicenin-2, or any other flavonoid glycosides, in the glandular trichomes was also demonstrated. The use of the,`chip-based` nanospray QqTOF apparatus is a new fast and useful tool for the identification of secondary metabolites stored in the glandular trichomes, which can be useful for chemotaxonomic studies based on metabolites from glandular trichomes. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In vitro studies of cutaneous retention of magnetic nanoemulsion loaded with zinc phthalocyanine for synergic use in skin cancer treatment

In this study was developed a new nano drug delivery system (NDDS) based on association of biodegradable surfactants with biocompatible magnetic fluid of maguemita citrate derivative. This formulation consists in a magnetic emulsion with nanostructured colloidal particles. Preliminary in vitro experiments showed that the formulation presents a great potential for synergic application in the topical release of photosensitizer drug (PS) and excellent target tissue properties in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with hyperthermia (HPT) protocols. The physical chemistry characterization and in vitro assays were carried out by Zn(II) Phtalocyanine (ZnPc) photosensitizer incorporated into NDDS in the absence and the presence of magnetic fluid, showed good results and high biocompatibility. In vitro experiments were accomplished by tape-stripping protocols for quanti. cation of drug association with different skin tissue layers. This technique is a classical method for analyses of drug release in stratum corneum and epidermis+ dermis skin layers. The NDDS formulations were applied directly in pig skin (tissue model) fixed in the cell`s Franz device with receptor medium container with a PBS/EtOH 20% solution (10mM, pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C. After 12 h of topical administration stratum corneum was removed from fifty tapes and the ZnPc retained was evaluated by solvent extraction in dimetil-sulphoxide under ultrasonic bath. These results indicated that magnetic nanoemulsion (MNE) increase the drug release on the deeper skin layers when compared with classical formulation in the absence of magnetic particles. This could be related with the increase of biocompatibility of NDDS due to the great affinity for the polar extracelullar matrix in the skin and also for the increase in the drug partition inside of corneocites wall. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of insulin treatment on the lacrimal gland and ocular surface of diabetic rats

Previous studies have observed changes in the lacrimal gland and ocular surface related to diabetes mellitus and related it to insulin resistance or insufficiency and oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether insulin treatment inhibits those changes. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats with a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin and a subgroup was treated with insulin. After 5 and 10 weeks, the three groups (n = 5-10/group/experimental procedure) were compared for biochemical, functional, and histological parameters. After 5 weeks, changes in morphology and increased numbers of lipofucsin-like inclusions were observed in lacrimal glands of diabetic but not insulin-treated rats. After 5 weeks, malonaldehyde and total peroxidase activity were significantly higher in diabetic rats, but similar to control in insulin-treated diabetic rats (P = 0.03, P = 0.02, respectively). Our data indicate that diabetes induces histological alterations in lacrimal gland and suggests that hyperglycemia-related oxidative stress may participate in diabetic dry eye syndrome. Prevention by insulin replacement suggests direct hormone action and/or benefit by early sub optimal metabolic control.

Intellectuals in a Network A New Generation Faces the Challenges of Development

Brazilian social thought draws on the inspiration of past masters the common denominator of whose work is probably a deep humanism. Confronting the challenges of a fluid, ever-changing reality is now a matter of survival. The idea of climate change has made the environment, long relegated to second place, a matter of much wider interest and concern. The other great problem is poverty, and here, while there have been undeniable advances, much remains to be done. The main challenge is producing forms of social organization that will allow ordinary citizens to have an impact on what really matters. Developing policy in these areas has engaged the efforts of a wide range of experts from a variety of fields. Whereas university-educated intellectuals once formed an intelligentsia, today they are engaged in practical politics and much more often function as agents who link social actors together than as mere elaborators of theories.

Potential errors in the application of mixture theory to multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis

Potential errors in the application of mixture theory to the analysis of multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance data for the determination of body fluid volumes are assessed. Potential sources of error include: conductive length; tissue fluid resistivity; body density; weight and technical errors of measurement. Inclusion of inaccurate estimates of body density and weight introduce errors of typically < +/-3% but incorrect assumptions regarding conductive length or fluid resistivities may each incur errors of up to 20%.

Bioimpedance spectrometry in the determination of body water compartments: Accuracy and clinical significance

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers the potential for a simple, portable and relatively inexpensive technique for the in vivo measurement of total body water (TBW). The potential of BIA as a technique of body composition analysis is even greater when one considers that body water can be used as a surrogate measure of lean body mass. However, BIA has not found universal acceptance even with the introduction of multi-frequency BIA (MFBIA) which, potentially, may improve the predictive accuracy of the measurement. There are a number of reasons for this lack of acceptance, although perhaps the major reason is that no single algorithm has been developed which can be applied to all subject groups. This may be due, in part, to the commonly used wrist-to-ankle protocol which is not indicated by the basic theory of bioimpedance, where the body is considered as five interconnecting cylinders. Several workers have suggested the use of segmental BIA measurements to provide a protocol more in keeping with basic theory. However, there are other difficulties associated with the application of BIA, such as effects of hydration and ion status, posture and fluid distribution. A further putative advantage of MFBIA is the independent assessment not only of TBW but also of the extracellular fluid volume (ECW), hence heralding the possibility of,being able to assess the fluid distribution between these compartments. Results of studies in this area have been, to date, mixed. Whereas strong relationships of impedance values at low frequencies with ECW, and at high frequencies with TBW, have been reported, changes in impedance are not always well correlated with changes in the size of the fluid compartments (assessed by alternative and more direct means) in pathological conditions. Furthermore, the theoretical advantages of Cole-Cole modelling over selected frequency prediction have not always been apparent. This review will consider the principles, methodology and applications of BIA. The principles and methodology will,be considered in relation to the basic theory of BIA and difficulties experienced in its application. The relative merits of single and multiple frequency BIA will be addressed, with particular attention to the latter's role in the assessment of compartmental fluid volumes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.