DISCOVERING THE EVERYDAY LANDSCAPE A cultural heritage education project in the urban periphery

Heritage and landscape education is crucial to training young people in active and responsible citizenship, protection of the public assets, appreciation of the cultural diversity and intergenerational dialogue. Therefore, it cannot be limited to sporadic experiences and on outstanding heritage and contexts but must be transdisciplinary, inclusive and practicable everywhere. This book relates the research and action project “Scuola Attiva Risorse” (ScAR), winner of the Polisocial Award that recognizes research for social purposes at the Politecnico di Milano. The text describes an experimental and innovative action delivered within the fragile context of the urban peripheries. This participatory process involved schools, universities, cultural institutions, administrations and private actors in interpreting and enhancing the “hidden” cultural heritage in Milan’s fringe neighbourhoods

Recovering What Matters: High Protein Recovery after Endotoxin Removal from LPS-Contaminated Formulations Using Novel Anti-Lipid A Antibody Microparticle Conjugates

Bioconjugation; Polystyrene particles; Supramolecular structuresBioconjugación; Partículas de poliestireno; Estructuras supramolecularesBioconjugació; Partícules de poliestirè; Estructures supramolecularsEndotoxins or lipopolysaccharides (LPS), found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls, can stimulate the human innate immune system, leading to life-threatening symptoms. Therefore, regulatory limits for endotoxin content apply to injectable pharmaceuticals, and excess LPS must be removed before commercialization. The majority of available endotoxin removal systems are based on the non-specific adsorption of LPS to charged and/or hydrophobic surfaces. Albeit effective to remove endotoxins, the lack of specificity can result in the unwanted loss of essential proteins from the pharmaceutical formulation. In this work, we developed microparticles conjugated to anti-Lipid A antibodies for selective endotoxin removal. Anti-Lipid A particles were characterized using flow cytometry and microscopy techniques. These particles exhibited a depletion capacity > 6 ×103 endotoxin units/mg particles from water, as determined with two independent methods (Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test and nanoparticle tracking analysis). Additionally, we compared these particles with a non-specific endotoxin removal system in a series of formulations of increasing complexity: bovine serum albumin in water < insulin in buffer < birch pollen extracts. We demonstrated that the specific anti-Lipid A particles show a higher protein recovery without compromising their endotoxin removal capacity. Consequently, we believe that the specificity layer integrated by the anti-Lipid A antibody could be advantageous to enhance product yield.The project leading to this application has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 812661, H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018-812661 (ENDONANO)

Formação de recursos humanos: estagiários, iniciação científica, mestres, doutores e pós-doutores orientados na Embrapa Instrumentação.

bitstream/item/128894/1/capa-livro-rh-novo-29-05-2015.pdf; bitstream/item/128896/1/Embrapa-RH-16-06-2015.pdf2. ed. rev. ampl

The effects of poetry-writing SANTEL on erotic body image in remission of cancer in women: a pilot study

International audienceAbstract Aim: Our pilot study aims to describe the effects ofa new specific and structured protocol focused on poetic/erotic writing (named SANTEL) on the (re)sexualization ofbody image in women, who have experienced cancer.Procedure: The protocol consists of four steps: to choose alist of erotic verses focused on the body parts, to fill a semistructuredpoetic text, to write sentences after target phraseson the body; and in the end, to write a free poem. Mrs V.suffered from breast cancer, and one breast was removed.She and her husband participated in this poetic writing protocol,separately. We analyzed the linguistic metaphors ofthe body by QSR Nvivo10 software.Results: Using this protocol, we showed discourse variationsof metaphors before and after the experience of writing.Patient V used “I feel like an alien” as a starting metaphorto describe her cancer experience and after poetic writingsessions, she used other bodily metaphors like “My body isa flower” and “My sensual and white flesh”.Conclusion: This poetic perspective promises a type of“perceptive-literary surgery”, characterized by a sensualinvestment process after remission: a poetic reconstructionof erotic body image.Les effets d'un protocole d'écriture poétique SANTEL sur l'image érotique du corps dans le traitement du cancer féminin : étude pilote The effects of poetry-writing SANTEL on erotic body image in remission of cancer in women: a pilot study A. Santarpia · J. Tellène · M. Carrier Résumé Objectif : Cette étude pilote de type qualitative et exploratoire vise à décrire les effets d'un nouveau protocole d'écriture poético-érotique (nommée SANTEL) sur la rééro-tisation de l'image du corps chez une femme, ayant vécu un cancer. Matériel et méthodes : Il s'agit d'un protocole composé de quatre étapes : une liste des phrases à caractères poétiques et érotiques à choisir, un texte à trous à remplir, des amorces de phrases ciblées sur le corps et en fin un poème libre. Madame V. a subi un cancer du sein nécessitant une ablation complète. Madame V. et son conjoint exécutent le protocole d'écriture séparément. Nous montrons les variations discursives des métaphores utilisées avant et après l'expérience de l'écriture, à travers le logiciel d'analyse qualitative QSR NVivo10. Résultats : Madame V. passera de la métaphore initiale « je me sens une extraterrestre » vers la plus atténuée « Non. Je me dis qu'extraterrestre c'était peut-être un peu énorme ». En plus, elle utilisera de nouvelles métaphores linguistiques du corps pour raconter son image du corps telles que « ce corps de chair blanche » et « une fleur qui s'ouvre délicatement ». Conclusion : Cet exercice spécifique d'écriture promet un type de « chirurgie perceptive-littéraire » dans le processus d'investissement sensuel et affectif après la rémission, une reconstruction perceptive et poétique de l'image érotique du corps. Mots clés Métaphores perceptives · Image du corps · Cancer féminin · Corps érotique · Écriture poétique · Chirurgie perceptive-littéraire · Logiciel QSR NVivo10. Abstract Aim: Our pilot study aims to describe the effects of a new specific and structured protocol focused on poetic/ erotic writing (named SANTEL) on the (re)sexualization of body image in women, who have experienced cancer. Procedure: The protocol consists of four steps: to choose a list of erotic verses focused on the body parts, to fill a semi-structured poetic text, to write sentences after target phrases on the body; and in the end, to write a free poem. Mrs V. suffered from breast cancer, and one breast was removed. She and her husband participated in this poetic writing protocol , separately. We analyzed the linguistic metaphors of the body by QSR Nvivo10 software. Results: Using this protocol, we showed discourse variations of metaphors before and after the experience of writing. Patient V used " I feel like an alien " as a starting metaphor to describe her cancer experience and after poetic writing sessions, she used other bodily metaphors like " My body is a flower " and " My sensual and white flesh ". Conclusion: This poetic perspective promises a type of " perceptive-literary surgery " , characterized by a sensual investment process after remission: a poetic reconstruction of erotic body image. Keywords Bodily metaphors · Body image · Feminine cancer · Erotic body · Poetry writing · Perceptive-literary surgery · QSR Nvivo10 software

Candidate biomarkers from the integration of methylation and gene expression in discordant autistic sibling pairs

While the genetics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been intensively studied, resulting in the identification of over 100 putative risk genes, the epigenetics of ASD has received less attention, and results have been inconsistent across studies. We aimed to investigate the contribution of DNA methylation (DNAm) to the risk of ASD and identify candidate biomarkers arising from the interaction of epigenetic mechanisms with genotype, gene expression, and cellular proportions. We performed DNAm differential analysis using whole blood samples from 75 discordant sibling pairs of the Italian Autism Network collection and estimated their cellular composition. We studied the correlation between DNAm and gene expression accounting for the potential effects of different genotypes on DNAm. We showed that the proportion of NK cells was significantly reduced in ASD siblings suggesting an imbalance in their immune system. We identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs) involved in neurogenesis and synaptic organization. Among candidate loci for ASD, we detected a DMR mapping to CLEC11A (neighboring SHANK1) where DNAm and gene expression were significantly and negatively correlated, independently from genotype effects. As reported in previous studies, we confirmed the involvement of immune functions in the pathophysiology of ASD. Notwithstanding the complexity of the disorder, suitable biomarkers such as CLEC11A and its neighbor SHANK1 can be discovered using integrative analyses even with peripheral tissues

Performance related factors are the main determinants of the von Willebrand factor response to exhaustive physical exercise

Background: Physical stress triggers the endothelium to release von Willebrand Factor (VWF) from the Weibel Palade bodies. Since VWF is a risk factor for arterial thrombosis, it is of great interest to discover determinants of VWF response to physical stress. We aimed to determine the main mediators of the VWF increase by exhaustive physical exercise. Methods: 105 healthy individuals (18-35 years) were included in this study. Each participant performed an incremental exhaustive exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Respiratory gas exchange measurements were obtained while cardiac function was continuously monitored. Blood was collected at baseline and directly after exhaustion. VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) levels, VWF collagen binding (VWF:CB) levels, ADAMTS13 activity and common variations in Syntaxin Binding Protein-5 (STXBP5, rs1039084 and rs9399599), Syntaxin-2 (STX2, rs7978987) and VWF (promoter, rs7965413) were determined. Results: The median VWF:Ag level at baseline was 0.94 IU/mL [IQR 0.8-1.1] and increased with 47% [IQR 25-73] after exhaustive exercise to a median maximum VWF:Ag of 1.38 IU/mL [IQR 1.1-1.8] (p<0.0001). VWF:CB levels and ADAMTS13 activity both also increased after exhaustive exercise (median increase 43% and 12%, both p<0.0001). The strongest determinants of the VWF:Ag level increase are performance related (p<0.0001). We observed a gender difference in VWF:Ag response to exercise (females 1.2 IU/mL; males 1.7 IU/mL, p = 0.001), which was associated by a difference in performance. Genetic variations in STXBP5, STX2 and the VWF promoter were not associated with VWF:Ag levels at baseline nor with the VWF:Ag increase. Conclusions: VWF:Ag levels strongly increase upon exhaustive exercise and this increase is strongly determined by physical fitness level and the intensity of the exercise, while there is no clear effect of genetic variation in STXBP5, STX2 and the VWF promoter

Landscape Stories. Racconti visuali sul paesaggio del quotidiano/Landscape Stories. Visual Storytelling on the Everyday Landscape

Narration is central in the knowledge building process about the landscape and its cultural value. The enhancement of the everyday landscape, in particular, requires a shared interpretative process based on intercultural and intergenerational dialogue. The essay refers to a field research experience involving primary and secondary school students in a process of discovery, interpretation and communication of the material and immaterial cultural heritage enclosed in the landscape of the urban suburbs. The paper presents different forms of narrative used during the project, in particular visual storytelling and new media narratives (traditional and digital route maps, mental maps, logbooks, videos, digital storytelling, serious games). Through the project, young students experienced multiple ways to describe the landscape and the cultural heritage. In this way children and teenagers have approached the disciplinary languages of architectural and landscape representation and discovered the different heuristic and communicative potentialities of different methods and tools (analog and digital

Visual Technique Applied to the ATV/ISS Rendez-Vous Monitoring

The proposed paper deals with an automatic trajectory monitoring system designed for the rendezvous between the automatic transfer vehicle (ATV) and the Iautononternational Space Station (ISS). During final approach phase, a TV camera on the ISS currently provides images of ATV visual targets to be used by ISS crew for visual monitoring. The proposed monitoring system, based on a dedicated image-processing algorithm applied to these TV images of the approach, is intended to autonomously and automatically determine relative ATV-ISS position and attitude. Artificial intelligence techniques for edge detection, Hough transform and pattern matching are used to implement a recognition algorithm, able to fast and accurately indicate ATV visual targets position and orientation with respect to ISS. Those values are then processed in order to calculate the full set of relative ATV navigation data. Finally, an estimation of the relative trajectory evolution via a classical astrodynamic tool as the Euler-Hill relative motion equations follows, enabling the crew and the control centre to verify that trajectory corridors and attitude constraints are respected. According to ATV mission constraints, which require using existing sensors (i.e. ATV visual cues and ISS TV camera), the performances and the accuracy of the monitoring system are evaluated for significant approach cases. Overall, computation time and hardware requirements of the proposed system easily fall into the limits foreseen for a real-time on-board application. Both the ATV Control Centre (real-time GNC data check against telemetry) and the ISS (automatic monitoring tool for ISS crew) could take advantages of the output data provided by this system. Moreover, obtained results clearly show that the monitoring system is a suitable candidate for further developments and improvements aimed to provide a complete support tool for ATV mission operations during final approach phase

Effect of sclerotial form and isolate on the pathogenicity and virulence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Ranunculus acris

Ranunculus acris (giant buttercup) is a significant weed in dairy pastures in New Zealand, outcompeting grasses and clovers and leading to an increased impacts over time. In recent years, there has been a reduction in efficacy of herbicides registered for the control of R. acris due to evolved resistance. Thus, there is a need for alternative control measures. The fungus, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, has undergone substantial research to develop it as a mycoherbicide to R. acris using a grain-based formulation. Our study investigated the vegetative survival structure, the sclerote, as a potential source of inoculum for the mycoherbicide. Three bioassays were undertaken to determine: 1) the most effective sclerotial form (whole, ground or powdered) of S. sclerotiorum for the infection of R. acris; 2) the virulence of two S. sclerotiorum isolates (S36 and S37) on R. acris; and 3) if there is a difference in the pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum on the different chloroplast cytotypes of R. acris. The assays showed that the S. sclerotiorum isolate (S36, S37), inoculum type (whole, ground or powdered), amount of sclerotia applied, and R. acris cytotype all affected necrotic lesion development. By contrast, there was no significant (P>0.05) and consistent difference between the lesions caused by the two isolates of S. sclerotiorum. Sclerotia cut or ground, germinated and infected R. acris tissue quicker than intact sclerotia. There was no difference in the response of the different R. acris cytotypes. Despite the inconsistencies observed between the bioassays, the methods are useful for future screening of potential S. sclerotiorum isolates in a mycoherbicide for R. acris