L’occupazione dei luoghi di altura in epoca sannitica: novità dal territorio tra Limatola e Castel Morrone (Campania)

The occupation of the hills in Samnite period: news from the territory between Limatola and Castel Morrone (Campania-Italy) · The ongoing research conducted at the borders between Limatola (Benevento district) and Castel Morrone (Caserta district) has facilitated the identification of a small, fortified site on the peak of Monte Montagnano situated in an area overlooking the Volturno River. This paper presents an analysis of structural features, along with an interpretative and chronological proposal based on the study of aerial and satellite photographs and survey findings. The relationship between this site and other Samnite hillforts in the middle Volturno Valley will also be analysed.Le ricerche in corso nella fascia territoriale ai confini tra i comuni di Limatola (bn) e Castel Morrone (ce) hanno consentito di individuare un piccolo sito fortificato in corrispondenza di Monte Montagnano, in un’area prospiciente il corso del fiume Volturno. Sulla base di quanto rilevato sulla documentazione aerofotografica esaminata e sul terreno si presentano un’analisi delle caratteristiche struttive del sito, una proposta interpretativa e cronologica nell’ambito delle modalità di popolamento di epoca sannitica e di interrelazione del piccolo centro con gli altri siti fortificati della media valle del Volturno

Dietary Epigenetic Modulators: Unravelling the Still-Controversial Benefits of miRNAs in Nutrition and Disease

In the context of nutrient-driven epigenetic alterations, food-derived miRNAs can be absorbed into the circulatory system and organs of recipients, especially humans, and potentially contribute to modulating health and diseases. Evidence suggests that food uptake, by carrying exogenous miRNAs (xenomiRNAs), regulates the individual miRNA profile, modifying the redox homeostasis and inflammatory conditions underlying pathological processes, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. The capacity of diet to control miRNA levels and the comprehension of the unique characteristics of dietary miRNAs in terms of gene expression regulation show important perspectives as a strategy to control disease susceptibility via epigenetic modifications and refine the clinical outcomes. However, the absorption, stability, availability, and epigenetic roles of dietary miRNAs are intriguing and currently the subject of intense debate; additionally, there is restricted knowledge of their physiological and potential side effects. Within this framework, we provided up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge on dietary miRNAs’ potential, discussing the latest advances and controversial issues related to the role of miRNAs in human health and disease as modulators of chronic syndromes

Matter’s life: speculative biodesign practices toward a new-materialism.

The contribution investigates the theme of new materiality through the interference between two approaches: one theoretical and critical, the second one analytical and cartographic. The intertwining of these two perspectives enables us to recognize and comprehend the genesis of a novel approach to shaping matter. Adopting an anti-dualistic and anti-hierarchical approach allows us to expand our vision beyond the human-centric viewpoint by recognizing the intrinsic interdependence of humans and non-human entities. Such a paradigm shift leads to considering a different design strategy that benefits humans and the environment. The case studies examined progress towards the complete interpenetration of humanity and nature: the selected artifacts embody a new ecological vision that materializes the total interpenetration between subject and object. The terrestrial scale is the latest design dimension, as each design contribution fits within a global, connected ecological environment marked by multiple agents. Highlighting how all entities are entwined in an interdependent network, design culture moves toward a co-evolutionary perspective, which fosters a renovated coexistence among heterogeneous living species and kingdoms. Regarding technology, the confluence of a wide range of disciplines, such as biotechnology, material science, and digital computation, defines a hybrid territory in which synthetic and biological are being reshuffled. Through illustrated maps, the essay explores a range of philosophical theories, bio-designers, and research centers which reflect on the meaning of the matter in order to develop new productive metaphors. They serve as a register of knowledge for a new vision of materiality

Plasmon resonance biosensor for interleukin-1β point-of-care determination: A tool for early periodontitis diagnosis

Among pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-1β is crucially involved in several inflammatory-based diseases and even cancer. Increased Interleukin-1β levels in oral fluids have been proposed as an early marker of periodontitis, a broadly diffused chronic inflammatory condition of periodontal-supporting tissues, leading eventually to tooth loss. We describe the development of a portable surface-plasmon-resonance-based optical fiber probe suitably coated with an anti-Interleukin-1β antibody monolayer. A pico-nanomolar linear range of determination was obtained in both buffer solution and saliva with a rapid (3 min) incubation and high selectivity in presence of interferents. Higher Interleukin-1β concentration in the saliva of a periodontitis patient compared to a healthy control was determined. These measurements were validated by an automated ELISA system. Our results sustain the potential applicability of the proposed SPR-POF as diagnostic point-of-care device for real-time monitoring of salivary Interleukin-1β, that can support early detection of oral inflammatory-based pathologies and rapid and timely therapeutic decisions

Usability Requirements for Visualization Technologies in Industrial Field

Data communication and visualization play a significant role in contemporary society, in which the amount of information available is constantly growing. The paper focuses on the importance of communicating and visualizing data clearly and effectively, with a focus on industrial manufacturing contexts. Data visualization is a crucial element in enabling users to understand complex information sets through visual representations that make them easily accessible and interpretable. It is the process by which objects, numbers and concepts are transformed into an easily understood form. Within production processes, where information flows are numerous and complex, dashboards are used for rapid monitoring of metrics and performance indicators. To ensure the effectiveness of a dashboard, it must be adapted to the specific needs of the intended user and be consistent with its original purpose. The paper proposes an iterative process for designing the interaction between the user and the dashboard, based on the analysis of theoretical models related to visual perception, visual communication, and information visualization. From the collection of heuristics in the literature, requirements for evaluating the usability of information visualization systems were identified. The set of heuristics has been and are going to be a valuable resource for defining and implementing evaluation tests useful in designing new dashboard systems that make information easily accessible

Mechanical heart valves and oral anticoagulation: a survey of the Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery

In the latest European guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease, mechanical valve prostheses maintain a strategic role, particularly for certain patient subsets and age groups. Despite the high number of devices implanted in clinical practice, particularly in non-European and North American regions, current scientific literature and debate seem to suggest a limited use of mechanical heart valves. The cardiac surgery community seems to be highly interested in biological and transcatheter valve prostheses but less interested in mechanical heart valves, including possible strategies for self-management of anticoagulation therapy. In this respect, the Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery (SICCH), in particular the Italian Group of Research for Outcome in Cardiac Surgery (GIROC), has promoted a survey among its members to stimulate the interest in this topic and express their opinion on this issue that, due to the prevalence of the affected population and the new treatment options for improving patients' quality of life, should be more appraised and debated in the cardiac surgery community. The recorded results, obtained on the answers to 111 questionnaires, seem to divide the specialists into 'pros' and 'contras' on a useful tool for the entire cardiac surgery community. For this reason, SICCH proposes in conclusion to declare its unified and institutional opinion on this topic

Unveiling the impact of environmental microplastics on mussel spermatozoa: First evidence of prothymosin-α detection in invertebrate's male gametes

Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels, like many other marine invertebrates, employ external fertilization as a mating strategy, exposing their gametes to various contaminants upon release into seawater. Environmental microplastics (EMP) are prevalent marine pollutants that pose a significant threat to aquatic biota. In this regard, our study aimed to investigate the potential effects of exposing mussels' male gametes to increasing concentrations of EMP (1, 10, 50, and 100 μg/l) collected from a Mediterranean sandy beach. We focused on assessing gamete quality by analysing physiological parameters such as viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative status, and motility. Additionally, we evaluated DNA integrity and activation of apoptosis. Furthermore, our study aimed to detect the presence of the prothymosin-α (PTMA) protein, which has never been previously investigated in invertebrate spermatozoa. Our data revealed that exposure of mussel spermatozoa to EMPs altered their oxidative status and mitochondrial membrane potential, induced a decrease in motility, DNA integrity, and an increased apoptotic occurrence, leading to a decline in overall viability. The localization of PTMA into the head and flagellum of spermatozoa further supported its presence and susceptibility to the effects of microplastics. These findings raise concerns about the reproductive capacity of mussels under environmental microplastic pollution and highlight potential long-term threats to population sustainability

Quando a stressarsi è l'avatar. Tecnologie immersive e nuove sfide per la tutela della salute e della sicurezza sul lavoro

Il saggio propone una riflessione sulle questioni che la sfida del metaverso pone per il giuslavorista con specifico riguardo ai profili di salute e sicurezza sul lavoro. In questa prospettiva, particolare attenzione è riservata ai rischi legati alla dimensione organizzativa del lavoro indotti dalle “sollecitazioni” che provoca la realtà virtuale e/o aumentata immersiva sulla psiche e sul fisico della persona; rischi le cui incidenza e modalità di manifestazione risultano essere più significative e subdole via via che si assottiglia il divario tra reale e simulato e ci si avvicina alla nozione di metaverso come estensione tridimensionale del luogo di lavoro. Il contributo propone una prima valutazione sull’adeguatezza dello strumentario lavoristico a governare il cambiamento epocale che si profila all’orizzonte