Effects of Methyl Cycle Substrate Availability on Epigenetic Stability of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

A link has been hypothesised to occur between suboptimal maternal nutrition and impaired foetal development leading to a predisposition to a range of adult pathologies. As a clear connection between dietary intake of methyl group donors and epigenetic defects has been demonstrated both *in vivo* and *in vitro*, this project had the purpose of generating a disruption into the methyl/folate cycle to investigate DNA methylation alterations during human preimplantation embryo development, using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as an in vitro model. In particular, HUES-7 stem cells were employed and cultured using either standard or methyl deficient media to test this hypothesis. After the treatments, that included an inhibitor of a key enzyme of the cycle, Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs) of six imprinted genes were analysed and assessed for their methylation status at Cytosine-phospho-Guanosine (CpG) sites. As a consistent decrease of methylation was observed for the gene *H19* in treated cultures, its allelic expression was then investigated and an initial process of Loss Of Imprinting (LOI) was found. Additionally, global DNA MethylTransferase (DNMT) activity was examined and a statistically significant decrease in treated samples was detected. Finally, hESCs were differentiated into Embryoid Bodies(hEBs), which were compared and stained for pluripotency and germ-layer specific markers. Consistently different expression of *OCT-4* and *NANOG* was noticed for treated-culture derived hEBs

Can equity be included in a performance evaluation system? Some evidences from the tuscan health care system

Objectives. Can Equity be included in a performance evaluation system? In Italy, the Tuscan Region has tested and now is adopting an integrated model for performance measurement to which the regional administration, the local health authorities, and other stakeholders may refer either in terms of indicators and shared responsibilities. Thoughout this performance evaluation system it is now possible to measure also the capacity to persue equity at a regional and local level. Methods. In 2005 aspects as equity and access to services, that, in a public system, are very relevant and characterize the political strategy, were included in the performance evaluation system to evaluate the action carried out by the local health authorities, i.e. the operative actors of the system. This was achieved identifing equity measures and including them in an essential number of indicators, classified in six dimensions and represented in diagram targets. Results. This comprehensive performance evaluation system helped managers and the regional healthcare system as a whole to learn and to consider equity not only as a political issue but as a management goal. Conclusions. This system, used continuously and systematically at a regional level, is now a public policy tool and supports the Local Health Authorities in keeping equity in their management goals.Performance, Evaluation, Balanced Scorecard, Equity, Health Service Access, Health Targets.

ADHD: Sindrome da iperattività e deficit dell'attenzione, caratterizzazione e basi molecolari

Nella tesi “ADHD: sindrome da iperattività e deficit dell’attenzione, caratterizzazione e basi molecolari” ho introdotto l’argomento con la definizione della sindrome. La trattazione è poi proseguita fornendo dati storici sulla patologia, descrivendone le caratteristiche e fornendo gli strumenti di base per poterne fare la diagnosi. Ho poi trattato la prognosi e il decorso del disturbo riportando le patologie associate e le principali comorbidità. La tesi continua con l’analisi eziopatologica del disturbo e con la trattazione delle cause che portano all’insorgenza della malattia. Basandomi su studi meta-analitici ho trattato le cause genetiche alla base dell’ADHD, eseguendo uno studio approfondito sui neuromediatori che si pensano coinvolti e sui principali siti a livello genetico che si pensano implicati nella patogenesi della sindrome. Nella parte finale ho poi riportato una trattazione completa dei farmaci d’elezione impiegati nel trattamento della patologia. Il lavoro è poi stato concluso mediante un excursus sui dati ottenuti, al fine di caratterizzare appieno uno dei maggiori disturbi neuropsichiatrici dell’età evolutiva con cui si deve oggi confrontare la nostra società

Integrating Non-Traditional Materials into the Design Process

In May 2016, Todd Barsanti attended a one week residency for design educators, hosted by Design Inquiry (designinquiry.net). The residency was held at The Poor Farm, on Vinalhaven Island, in Maine. He used the opportunity to work out some communications that had been percolating since he completed his Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies five years ago; a series of posters that communicate ways in which our patterns of consumption are not sustainable. Beyond the output, though, Todd was interested primarily in documenting the process of creating communications using non-traditional materials. For six days, he mucked around in the mud, experimented with materials, got very dirty, and forced himself to experience design through new perspectives. After teaching in a Bachelor of Design program for 10 years, Todd now focuses on design foundations in an Art Fundamentals program that attracts students trying to enter a range of visual arts programs, including, but not limited to design. He helps students understand why design processes and design thinking are relevant, regardless of the path they take out of our program. In re-writing the curriculum for foundation design, Todd has made a choice of media for each project a part of the design process. He encourages students to explore a variety of media; from traditional painting and drawing, to 3D construction, to digital outputs, both static and motion-based. By introducing options from the outset of their processes, Todd directs students to always think beyond initial ideas, supports their experimentation and curiosity, and introduces them to a kind of systems-based thinking. In this presentation, Todd spoke of his experiences in Maine, as well as show examples of how student work can be both hand made and machine made, given project parameters that are flexible

Encoding ultrasonic signals to improve the signal to noise ratio for the inline inspection of spot welds

Inline spot weld analysis (ISWA) is a relatively new application of ultrasonic technology that is capable of assessing spot welds as they are made. In previous studies, the fundamental concepts of ISWA have been uncovered and strong correlations with other test methods have been produced. Unfortunately, the current apparatus for ISWA has a low signal to noise ratio (SNR) in some installations which can lead to unusable weld signatures and incorrect interpretations. This work applies coded ultrasonic signals to ISWA in an attempt to improve the SNR of the acquired weld signatures and Ultimately improve the reliability of ISWA. In this work, the apparatus for ISWA is modified to allow for the transmission of chirp encoded ultrasonic signals. The chirp signal that provides the best results with the modified apparatus is found and its scans are compared to scans obtained with the original apparatus. Overall, the scans taken with the original apparatus tend to have better contrast and less noise but the scans taken using the modified apparatus were similar in quality. However, the available equipment severely limited the amplitude of the chirp pulse so the fact that scans of similar quality were generated is impressive