The Cooperation on Justice and Home Affairs and the Enlargement of the European Union

This working - paper will be focused on three key issues: • How will affect the enlargement to the Justice and Home Affairs Cooperation. Especially, the absortion of Schenguen Agreements and the overall JHA by the candidate countries. • The enlargement impact over the European Immigraton Policy and the specific policies carried out by the EU Member States. The main question is the free movement of persons safeguard, in order to protect external borders of European Union. • An analysis of September, 11 attacks against U.S.A might be necessary to understand the future changes on JHA policy.Aquest treball se centrarà en tres qüestions clau: • Com afectarà l'ampliació a la JCoperació en ustícia i Afers d'Interior. Especialment, l'absorció dels Acords de Schenguen i la JAI general pels països candidats. • L' impacte de l'ampliació sobre la política europea d'immigració i les polítiques específiques dutes a terme pels Estats membres de la UE. La qüestió principal és la lliure circulació de les persones, per tal de protegir les fronteres exteriors de la Unió Europea. • Una anàlisi dels atacs de l'11 de setembre contra els EUA podria ser necessària per entendre els canvis futurs en la política JAI

Liposomes encapsulating DNA-intercalating molecules: an approach for Photodynamic Therapy application

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) has been widely explored for the treatment of some types of cancer as a selective and minimally invasive therapy, making use of photosensitizers (PS) that in presence of oxy-gen and light produce reactive oxygen species and consequent cell death. Many molecules have been investigated regarding the photosensitizing potential, however, most of the PS present some drawbacks such as aggregation and low solubility in physiological environments influencing the efficacy. The use of nanostructures for the PS molecules encapsulation has been addressed by means of lipid nanostruc-tures that are biocompatible and biodegradable. Liposomes are lipid-based vesicles able to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs and are promising alternatives to enhance the therapy efficacy. The main goal of this work was to select non-conventional photosensitizers among some DNA-interca-lating molecules, followed by the encapsulation of these molecules aiming the PDT application in skin cancer cells. For this purpose, the phototoxic potential of a set of DNA-intercalating molecules was investigated. Results revealed that Methylene Blue (MB) and Acridine Orange (AO) molecules present the most significant phototoxic effects in a skin cancer cell line. Liposome’s stability has also been evaluated, and the most promising formulations were able to provide higher stability for the encapsula-tion of the MB and AO photosensitizers which also revealed, in general, higher encapsulation efficiency. Phototoxicity was shown not to be significantly affected by PS encapsulation however, different effects on the size and encapsulation efficiency were observed for MB and AO. Langmuir monolayer studies unveiled the effect of the selected molecules on the lipid’s interaction with results suggesting that MB and AO cause a decrease in the monolayer order and consequently increasing the membrane elasticity. In summary, MB-liposomes has cytotoxic potential for cancer cells while AO-liposomes presents pho-totoxic potential at very low concentrations. These results are important to comprehend the possible application of these systems for skin cancer photodynamic therapy.Fototerapia dinâmica (PDT) tem sido extensivamente explorada para o tratamento de alguns tipos de cancro como uma terapia seletiva e minimamente invasiva, fazendo uso de fotossensibilizadores (PS) que, na presença de oxigénio e luz, produz espécies reativas de oxigénio e consequente morte celular. Muitas moléculas tem sido investigadas em relação ao potencial fotossensibilizador no entanto, a maioria dos PS apresentam desvantagens como agregação e pouca solubilidade em ambientes fisiológicos, influenciando a eficácia. O uso de nanoestruturas para o encapsulamento de PS tem sido direcionado pelo uso de nanoestruturas lipidicas que são biocompatíveis e biodegradáveis. Lipossomas são vesículas lipídicas, capazes de encapsular compostos hidrofílicos e hidrofóbicos e são promissoras alternativas para melhorar a eficácia da terapia. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi selecionar fotossensibilizadores não-convencionais entre algumas moléculas intercalantes do DNA, seguido pelo encapsulamento destas moléculas para applicação da PDT em células de cancro da pele. Para isto, o potential fototóxico de um conjunto de moléculas intercalantes de DNA foi investigado. Os resultados revelaram que as moléculas de Azul de Metileno (MB) e Laranja de Acridina (AO) apresentam os efeitos fototóxicos mais significativos na linhagem de cancro da pele. A estabilidade dos lipossomas também foi avaliada e as formulações mais promissoras foram capazes de providenciar maior estabilidade para o encapsulamento dos fotossensibilizadores MB e AO o que também revelou, no geral, uma maior eficiência de encapsulamento. A fototoxicidade mostrou não ser significativamente afetada pelo encapsulamento dos PS entretanto, diferentes efeitos no tamanho e na eficiência de encapsulamento foram observados para o MB e AO. Estudos em monocamadas de Langmuir revelaram o efeito das moléculas selecionadas nas interações com os lípidos, sugerindo que MB e AO causam uma diminuição da ordem da camada e consequentemente aumentam a elasticidade da membrana. Em suma, lipossomas com MB tem potencial citotóxico para as células de cancro enquanto que lipossomas com AO apresentam um potencial fototóxico em concentrações muito baixas. Estes resultados são importantes para compreender a possível aplicação destes sistemas para a fototerapia dinâmica do cancro da pele

Sediment basin modeling through GOCE gradients controlled by thermo-isostatic constraints

Exploration of geodynamic and tectonic structures through gravity methods has experienced an increased interest in the recent years thank\u2019s to the possibilities offered by satellite gravimetry (e.g. GOCE). The main problem with potential field methods is the non-uniqueness of the underground density distributions that satisfy the observed gravity field. In terrestrial areas with scarce geological and geophysical information, valid constraints to the density model could be obtained from the application of geodynamic models. In this contribution we present the study of the gravity signals associated to the thermo-isostatic McKenzie-model (McKenzie, 1978) that predicts the development of sedimentary basins from the stretching of lithosphere. This model seems to be particularly intriguing for gravity studies as we could obtain estimates of densities and thicknesses of crust and mantle before and after a rifting event and gain important information about the time evolution of the sedimentary basin. The McKenzie-model distinguishes the rifting process into two distinct phases: a syn-rift phase that occurs instantly and is responsible of the basin formation, the thinning of lithosphere and the upwelling of hot asthenosphere. Then a second phase (post-rift), that is time dependent, and predicts further subsidence caused by the cooling of mantle and asthenosphere and subsequently increase in rock density. From the application of the McKenzie-model we have derived density underground distributions for two scenarios: the first scenario involves the lithosphere density distribution immediately after the stretching event; the second refers to the density model when thermal equilibrium between stretched and unstretched lithospheres is achieved. Calculations of gravity anomalies and gravity gradient anomalies are performed at 5km height and at the GOCE mean orbit quota (250km). We have found different gravity signals for syn-rift (gravimetric maximum) and post-rift (gravimetric minimum) scenarios and that satellite measurements are sufficiently precise to discriminate between them. The McKenzie-model is then applied to a real basin in Africa, the Benue Trough, which is an aborted rift that seems to be particularly adapt to be studied with satellite gravity techniques. McKenzie D., 1978, Some remarks on the development of sedimentary basins, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 40, 25-3

Gravimetry for monitoring water movements : the Classic Karst as a natural laboratory

The Karst environment is characterized by a peculiar water system circulation, governed by a network of conduits in which the water flows. The name Karst is derived from the Classic Karst region which is located across Italy, Slovenia and Croatia borders. This area gave name to the phenomenon because it was one of the first worldwide to be studied and it is still object of many researches and hosts an important monitoring network. In this area the water is supplied mainly by infiltration during the autumn-spring rainfall events but also from the Reka river that sinks in the \u160kocjan caves and then flows underground up to the Timavo Springs. The water path is very well known near the \u160kocjan cave where the water inflow from the Reka river and the rain fall are continuously monitored and also the karst conduits have been mapped directly by speleology inspection. Such data are indispensable in order to construct and constrain 2D hydraulic models that explain very well the water dynamics in the area. However in Skocjan the water circulation is superficial while in other parts of the Karst the water flows deeper underground: in the Grotta Gigante, a natural cave, the water flow is located over 200m below the surface. Its movement could be hardly monitored by direct observation and also modelling is limited due to the lack of a 3D model of the aquifer. Indirect geophysical methods, in particular gravimetry, could be exploited in order to obtain some constraints for the underground conduits and cavities and also to gain information about the water mass movements through time. In this contribution we present some preliminary synthetic models for assessing the gravity signals expected for the underground cavities typical for the karstic area. In addition we evaluate the time gravity field change during strong rainfall events where the water is expected to fill the conduits and cavities. In future we will take advantage of these models to place a continuous gravity meter that cuold be useful to constrain the water fluxes in area where a direct observation of the water is difficult

Laser-scan and gravity joint investigation for subsurface cavity exploration \u2013 The Grotta Gigante benchmark

We have studied a big karstic cave (Grotta Gigante) in northern Italy using an innovative combination of laser-scan and gravity data. We aimed to forward model the gravity anomaly due to the cavity, verify its compatibility with the Bouguer field, and identify the eventual presence of other sources of gravity anomalies. A sensitivity study was performed preliminarily to assess the minimum size of bodies that could be detected by the gravity surveys. The 3D density model of the Grotta Gigante was constructed using as a geometric constraint the laser-scan data set, which mapped the internal morphologies of the cave, and density measurements on collected rock samples. The laser point cloud was reduced in data density, filtered from the outliers, and subdivided into two surfaces representing the vault and the floor of the cave, to correctly define the prism model. Then, a mean density value, obtained from laboratory measurements, was assigned to the prisms. We computed the gravity effect of the model in the same points at which the gravity field had been measured. Excellent correlation was found for the cavity; some gravity anomalies were revealed in the surrounding area of the Grotta Gigante that could be effected by other underground karstic morphologies. We attempted to estimate the probable size and depth of the causative bodies, compatible with the geologic environment. This site testified to the goodness of gravity methods for the exploration of such structures, that is, particularly important for risk assessment in a karstic area. The cave itself, the biggest tourist cave worldwide, represents an upper limit for expected gravity signals. The combination of exact knowledge of the causative body and the related gravity anomalies composed a unique data set (that we released to the public, as a benchmark), useful for testing inversion and forward model gravity algorithms

Tectonic and climate induced mass changes - competing signals in long term gravity signals

Several mountain ranges as Alps, Himalaya and Tibet are presently subject to uplift, as documented by GNSSvertical movement rates. Uplift occurs in response to climatic mass loss (deglaciation or hydrologic mass loss)or due to the dynamic forces (crustal compression or mantle inflow below uplifting crust). The uplift generates amass change, which produces a time variation of the gravity field. The deglaciation and changes in the subsurfacehydrologic budget, also generate a mass change, which sums to the tectonic change. Satellite remote sensingis useful in determining the shrinking outlines of glaciers, using both multispectral imaging as well as Radarobservations, thus allowing to determine the surface geometry change. The essential value for climate change andestimate of the hydrologic budget is though the total volume budget estimate, which requires also the thicknessvariation. Remote sensing catches the surface height changes, but these must be corrected for the crustal uplift. Thegeodetic measurements of the crustal dynamics of the Alpine and Himalayan mountain ranges in terms of heightand gravity changes, are therefore in close relation to the estimate of the climatic changes inducing glacier andhydrologic budget changes. We estimate the hydrologic and glacier signal for the Alps and Himalaya-Tibet, usingresults from remote sensing and subsurface hydrologic observations, where available (for the methodologicalrationale see Chen et al. 2018). We estimate the contribution of the dynamic uplift by direct observations ofGNSS. We find that the hydrologic and glacier gravity signal calculated at satellite heights of GRACE andGOCE are superposed to the tectonic signal, and discuss to which amount the signals can be resolved by gravitymeasurements. We compare the predicted signals with the satellite observations of GRACE and GOCE, findingthat the tectonic uplift signal is small relative to the expected glacier/hydrologic signals, but that it cannot beneglected. We define the requirements to future gravity satellites in order to make a significante contribution to thedetection of hydro-glacial mass changes and the separation of the tectonic signal.Reference:Chen W., Braitenberg, C., Serpelloni, E. (2018) Interference of tectonic signals in subsurface hydrologic monitor-ing through gravity and GPS due to mountain building, Global and Planetary Change, Volume 167, August 2018,Pages 148-159