Longitudinal Imaging of the Ageing Mouse

Several non-invasive imaging techniques are used to investigate the effect of pathologies and treatments over time in mouse models. Each preclinical in vivo technique provides longitudinal and quantitative measurements of changes in tissues and organs, which are fundamental for the evaluation of alterations in phenotype due to pathologies, interventions and treatments. However, it is still unclear how these imaging modalities can be used to study ageing with mice models. Almost all age related pathologies in mice such as osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, thrombi, dementia, to name a few, can be imaged in vivo by at least one longitudinal imaging modality. These measurements are the basis for quantification of treatment effects in the development phase of a novel treatment prior to its clinical testing. Furthermore, the non-invasive nature of such investigations allows the assessment of different tissue and organ phenotypes in the same animal and over time, providing the opportunity to study the dysfunction of multiple tissues associated with the ageing process. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the applications of the most commonly used in vivo imaging modalities used in mouse studies: micro-computed-tomography, preclinical magnetic-resonance-imaging, preclinical positron-emission-tomography, preclinical single photon emission computed tomography, ultrasound, intravital microscopy, and whole body optical imaging

Le monete dello Stato estense. Due secoli di coniazione nella zecca di Modena

La storia della zecca di Modena a partire dalla zecca del Comune per poi diventare zecca dei Duchi d’Este dopo il trasferimento della capitale del Ducato estense da Ferrara a Modena. Disamina critica dell’attività della zecca e delle sue emissioni fino alla fine del Settecento, in particolare attraverso l’attività dei suoi principali zecchieri. Catalogo analitico e critico con immagini degli esemplari delle emissioni della zecca di Modena

Comitato scientifico per la mostra e catalogo "Le monete dello stato Estense. Due secoli di coniazione nella zecca di Modena"

Membro del comitato scientifico per la mostra e catalogo "Le monete dello stato Estense. Due secoli di coniazione nella zecca di Modena", insieme con il prof. Marco Cattini, ordinario di storia economica dell'Università Bocconi di Milano e la dott. Silvana Balbi de Caro, direttrice dal museo Nazionale Romano. Il volume è stato pubblicato nei nn. 30-31 (1998) del Bollettino di Numismatica del Ministero per i Beni Culturali e Ambientali, nell'ambito delle celebrazioni del IV centenario di Modena Capital

Combined use of SEM-EDS, OM and XRD for the characterization of corrosion products grown on silver roman coins

In the framework of the PROMET project (European Commission contract No. 509126) aimed to develop new analytical techniques and materials for monitoring and protecting metal artefacts and monuments from the Mediterranean region, the corrosion products grown on silver Roman coins during archaeological burial is studied by means of scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM) technique

Large scale investigation of chemical composition, structure and corrosion mechanism of bronze archaeological artefacts from Mediterranean basin

A large number of Cu-based archaeological artefacts fromthe Mediterranean basin have been selected for investigation of their chemical composition, metallurgical features and corrosion products (i.e. the patina). The guidelines for the selection of the Cu-based artefacts have taken into account the representativeness of the Mediterranean archaeological context, the manufacturing technique, the degradation state and the expected chemical composition and structure of the objects. The results show wide variation of the chemical composition of the alloys that include all kinds of ancient Cu-based alloys such as low and high tin, and also leaded bronzes, copper and copper-iron alloys. The examination of the alloy matrix shows largely different metallurgical features thus indicating the use of different manufacturing techniques for producing the artefacts. The results of the micro-chemical investigation of the patina show the structures and the chemical composition of the stratified corrosion layers where copper or tin depletion phenomenon are commonly observed with a remarkably surface enrichment of some soil elements such as P, S, Ca, Si, Fe, Al and Cl. This information indicates the strict interaction between soil components and corrosion reactions and products. In particular, the ubiquitous and near constant presence of chlorine in the corrosion layers is observed in the patina of the archaeological Cu-based artefacts found in different contexts in Italy, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Spain and Tunisia. This latter occurrence is considered dangerous because it could induce a cyclic corrosion reaction of copper that could disfigure the artefact. The micro-chemical and micro-structural results also show that another source of degradation of the bronze archaeological artefacts, are their intrinsic metallurgical features whose formation is induced during the manufacturing of the objects, carried out in ancient times by repeated cycles of cold or hot mechanical work and thermal treatments. These combined treatments induce crystallisation and segregation phenomena of the impurities along the grain boundaries and could cause mechanical weakness and increase the extent of the inter-granular corrosion phenomena

Buen vivir : ¿alternativa postcapitalista?

La concepción del Buen Vivir se propone desnudar y superar los errores y las limitaciones de la matriz de pensamiento eurocentrista, de una determinada narrativa de la modernidad y del capitalismo como única forma posible de pensar y vivir. Ello se encuentra asociado a las diversas nociones y teorías tradicionales del progreso y el desarrollo que se sustentan en el crecimiento exponencial de bienes y servicios lo cual supone la explotación ilimitada de los recursos naturales y humanos que existen en el planeta. Para alcanzar los beneficios que presume la distribución de los frutos de este crecimiento económico persistente, se elaboran políticas, planes y programas de desarrollo, proceso reforzado por un conjunto de instancias financieras, de capacitación y transferencia de conocimientos desde el mundo desarrollado hacia el mundo en vías de desarrollo. Descargar al final de la página la convocatoria para Polis Nº 42