A Brief Introduction to Big Data for Humanists

The term‘big data’is still somewhat confusing for researchers, as most as-sociate it with its most basic objectives such as data collection and processing ofoperations and do not have a clear overview of its scope and implications (Favar-etto et al. 2020). Moreover, there is a certain sense of uneasiness towards big dataas it is a cultural phenomenon in a state of constant change and evolution andthe use of this concept as a buzzword further aggravates its conceptual vague-ness. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to offer a synthetic vision of what isunderstood as big data to serve as a starting point for researchers in the field ofhumanitie

Endocarditis of Native Valve due to Proteus mirabilis: Case Report and Literature Review

AbstractEndocarditis due to Proteus mirabilis is very uncommon and the optimal surgical and/or antibiotic treatment is not well defined. Guidelines from the AHA and ESC recommend prolonged courses of combined antibiotic therapy but information regarding the clinical presentation, the choice of treatment, the surgical management, and the duration of therapy can only be taken from clinical cases reported in literature. We describe a case of native valve endocarditis due to Proteus mirabilis, successfully treated with antibiotic therapy alone with a review of the relevant literature on this topic

Bispecific antibody detection using antigen-conjugated synthetic nucleic acid strands

We report here the development of two different sensing strategies based on the use of antigen-conjugated nucleic acid strands for the detection of a bispecific antibody against the tumor-related proteins Mucin1 and epidermal growth factor receptor. Both approaches work well in serum samples (nanomolar sensitivity), show high specificity against the two monospecific antibodies, and are rapid. The results presented here demonstrate the versatility of DNA-based platforms for the detection of bispecific antibodies and could represent a versatile alternative to other more reagent-intensive and time-consuming analytical approaches

Introducción al Big Data [para las humanidades]

El congreso «The 1st International Conference on Humanities and Big Data in Ibero-America: Methological issues and practical applications” se celebrará en la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras durante los días 16 y 17 de diciembre. Se trata de una iniciativa de la Unidad Científica de Excelencia IberLab “Crítica, Lenguas y Culturas en Iberoamérica” de la UGR. Una de las líneas de investigación transversales que está desarrollando IberLab parte de las humanidades digitales y se extiende hacia las últimas tendencias de ‘big data’ e inteligencia artificial en su encuentro con la literatura, la lengua, la lingüística, la filosofía y la teoría en lengua castellana.Unidad Científica de Excelencia IberLab “Crítica, Lenguas y Culturas en Iberoamérica” de la UGR

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Autoimmune Neurological Diseases: An Update

Over the last two decades, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been explored as a potential therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases refractory to conventional treatments, including neurological disorders. Although both autologous (AHSCT) and allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT) were investigated, AHSCT was preferentially developed due to a more favourable safety profile compared to allo-HSCT. Multiple sclerosis (MS) represents the most frequent neurological indication for AHSCT, but increasing evidence on the potential effectiveness of transplant in other autoimmune neurological diseases is emerging, although with a risk-benefit ratio overall more uncertain than in MS. In the present work, the rationale for the use of HSCT in neurological diseases and the experimental models that prompted its clinical application will be briefly covered. Case series and prospective studies exploring the use of HSCT in autoimmune diseases other than MS will be discussed, covering both frequent and rare neurological disorders such as myasthenia gravis, myopathies, and stiff-person syndrome. Finally, an updated summary of ongoing and future studies focusing on this issue will be provided

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Autoimmune Neurological Diseases: An Update

Over the last two decades, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been explored as a potential therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases refractory to conventional treatments, including neurological disorders. Although both autologous (AHSCT) and allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT) were investigated, AHSCT was preferentially developed due to a more favourable safety profile compared to allo-HSCT. Multiple sclerosis (MS) represents the most frequent neurological indication for AHSCT, but increasing evidence on the potential effectiveness of transplant in other autoimmune neurological diseases is emerging, although with a risk-benefit ratio overall more uncertain than in MS. In the present work, the rationale for the use of HSCT in neurological diseases and the experimental models that prompted its clinical application will be briefly covered. Case series and prospective studies exploring the use of HSCT in autoimmune diseases other than MS will be discussed, covering both frequent and rare neurological disorders such as myasthenia gravis, myopathies, and stiff-person syndrome. Finally, an updated summary of ongoing and future studies focusing on this issue will be provided

Nuove ceramiche con decorazione di tipo appenninico da Fondo Paviani (Verona) – Ricerche Università di Padova 2007-2012. Inquadramento tipocronologico e indagini archeometriche

New Appenninico Potsherds from Fondo Paviani (Verona) – Padova University Excavations 2007-2012. Chrono-typological and Archaeometrical Overview. The aim of the paper is a chrono-tpological and archaeometrical analysis of three new Appenninico potsherds coming from the embanked site of Fondo Paviani, already known in literature for the presence of some Appenninico potsherds. Two of the new ones come from the survey, while a third one was found in an archaeological layer that can be dated to RBA2. The petrographic analysis demonstrated a local production, as it is for the other Appenninico potsherds from Valli Grandi Veronesi contexts. The material filling the carved decoration motifs was examined with SEM and XRD. The analysis showed that it is a white pigment made of grounded bones, applied on pots after firing. Since the MBA3 phase is substantially missing in the Fondo Paviani settlement, the three potsherds support the hypothesis of the continuation of techniques and decorative patterns also in RBA

Air concentrations of PCBs and OC pesticides using PUF-disks passive air samplers in Sicily Island, Mediterranean Region

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous on the planet. Because their physicochemical properties they are persistent and toxic and may become highly accumulated in the food chain. The Stockholm Convention on POPs which is coordinated through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is intended to reduce or eliminate the use, discharges and emissions of these compounds to improve the health of the environment. To assist member countries in assessing the “effectiveness” of their reduction efforts, UNEP Chemicals published a guidance document for the global monitoring of POPs. Of the media that are recommended for monitoring, the atmosphere is especially important because it responds relatively quickly to changes in emissions of POPs. The UNEP Guidance document further promotes the use of passive air samplers (PAS) as a cost-effective approach for conducting air sampling of POPs at background sites. PAS have been used successfully in numerous spatial studies at local, regional, and continental scales. However, not much literature is dedicated to the Mediterranean basin by using passive air sampling. Better spatial resolution sampling is required to assess the spatial and temporal trends, and fate of POPs in this region. In this study passive air samplers were deployed at eight sites in Sicily Island located in the middle of the Mediterranean Region. The purpose of the study was to generate much-needed air concentration data for POPs in this region and to demonstrate the feasibility of using PUF disk samplers as a cost effective approach for contributing information on POPs for national and international reporting needs

Nuove ceramiche con decorazione di tipo appenninico da Fondo Paviani (Verona) \u2013 Ricerche Universit\ue0 di Padova 2007-2012. Inquadramento tipocronologico e indagini archeometriche

New Appenninico Potsherds from Fondo Paviani (Verona) – Padova University Excavations 2007-2012. Chrono-typological and Archaeometrical Overview. The aim of the paper is a chrono-tpological and archaeometrical analysis of three new Appenninico potsherds coming from the embanked site of Fondo Paviani, already known in literature for the presence of some Appenninico potsherds. Two of the new ones come from the survey, while a third one was found in an archaeological layer that can be dated to RBA2. The petrographic analysis demonstrated a local production, as it is for the other Appenninico potsherds from Valli Grandi Veronesi contexts. The material filling the carved decoration motifs was examined with SEM and XRD. The analysis showed that it is a white pigment made of grounded bones, applied on pots after firing. Since the MBA3 phase is substantially missing in the Fondo Paviani settlement, the three potsherds support the hypothesis of the continuation of techniques and decorative patterns also in RBA