Opportunity Structures for Citizens\u2019 Participation in Italian Regions: A Case Study

The Italian process of decentralization is opening new opportunities for action in the matter of political participation for Italian regions. Starting from the analysis of a regional case study (Emilia-Romagna), the paper tries to explain how a single region could elaborate a set of policy-oriented instruments to direct citizens\u2019 political participation and mobilize them on specific issues beyond the classic electoral channel. After the presentation of the selected case, the paper will analyze the concept of opportunity structures for citizens\u2019 participation and the way in which it can be applied in the study of Italian regions. The analysis of the EmiliaRomagna regional policy in the matter of participation shows that the regional choices are more and more following a path-dependent scheme strictly related to the cultural and institutional variables of the regional framework and its classic interventionist policy style

The 2017 Italian reform on mandatory childhood vaccinations: Analysis of the policy process and early implementation.

Abstract Background The data on vaccination coverage for the year 2016 were a cause of concern for the Italian government. For some years, in fact, there has been a growing mistrust of vaccines in the Italy, and consequently vaccination coverage rates have been decreasing. The number of cases of measles has been particularly high. Aim The purpose of this article is to examine the content and the preliminary outcomes of the Lorenzin Decree, which was passed in 2017. This reform embodies a 'hard' approach to the issue of childhood vaccinations, based on their mandatory nature and on the intensification of the sanctions against non-compliant subjects. Results The Lorenzin decree provides for an increase in mandatory infant vaccines from four to ten. Following the reform, unvaccinated children are denied access to nurseries and kindergartens. Parents who do not have their children vaccinated are liable to pay a financial penalty. Data on the preliminary outcomes of the reform show an increase in vaccination coverage. Conclusion The Italian experience provides some policy recommendations, and could be a source of inspiration for European countries that are tackling vaccine hesitancy and declining vaccination coverage rates. At least for the short term, the 'hard' approach adopted by the Italian government is, in fact, bearing fruit, having reversed the negative trend in vaccination coverage rates

Opportunity Structures for Citizens’ Participation in Italian Regions: A Case Study

The Italian process of decentralization is opening new opportunities for action in the matter of political participation for Italian regions. Starting from the analysis of a regional case study (Emilia-Romagna), the paper tries to explain how a single region could elaborate a set of policy-oriented instruments to direct citizens’ political participation and mobilize them on specific issues beyond the classic electoral channel. After the presentation of the selected case, the paper will analyze the concept of opportunity structures for citizens’ participation and the way in which it can be applied in the study of Italian regions. The analysis of the Emilia-Romagna regional policy in the matter of participation shows that the regional choices are more and more following a path-dependent scheme strictly related to the cultural and institutional variables of the regional framework and its classic interventionist policy style

Effects of a novel bioprocess for the cultivation Synechococcus nidulans on Mars on its biochemical composition: focus on the lipidome

In the present work, the possibility to grow the strain Synechococcus nidulans CCALA 188 on Mars using a medium mimicking a one obtainable using in situ available resources, i.e. the so-called Martian medium, under an atmosphere obtainable by pressurization of Mars CO2, is investigated. The goal is to obtain a biomass with high-value products to sustain a crewed mission to Mars. The results show that the replacement of 40% vol of Z-medium with the same volume of Martian medium does not affect the cultivation and leads to a slight improvement of biomass productivity. Under an atmosphere consisting of pure CO2 the growth rate was reduced but the strain managed to adapt by modifying its metabolism. Total proteins and carbohydrates were significantly reduced under Mars-like conditions, while lipids increased when using CO2. A balanced diet rich in antioxidants is crucial for the wealth of astronauts, and in our case, radical scavenging capacities range from 15 to 20 mmol(TEAC)/kg were observed. Under CO2, a reduction in antioxidant power is observed likely due to a decrease in photosynthetic activity. The lipidome consisted of sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and triacylglycerol. A significant increase in the latter ones was observed under Mars simulated atmosphere

In-situ resource utilization to produce Haematococcus pluvialis biomass in simulated Martian environment

The production of food or nutraceutical compounds using in-situ available resources is one the most relevant challenges in view of the realization of crewed mission to Mars. The possibility to grow Haematococcus pluvialis CCALA 1081 in a medium obtained from Mars regolith and astronauts' urine simulants under an atmosphere of CO2 mimicking the Martian one after pressurization, is investigated in this work. The experimental results showed that H. pluvialis could be grown using only such resources thus theoretically reducing to zero the payload related to fertilizers to bring from Earth. Total lipid content increased under Mars simulated conditions. Metabolomics showed that some steps of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were upregulated under Mars simulated atmosphere. Lipidomics revealed that triglycerides and diglycerides were overexpressed when cultivation was carried out under Mars simulated conditions. Accordingly, the growth of H. pluvialis on Mars seems not only feasible but also capable to improve the nutritional profile of the biomass

Lipidomics of sheep and goat Milk-based infant formulae during in vitro dynamic digestion

Lipid hydrolysis process during IF digestion, particularly the characterization of the lipidome and the resulting lipid breakdown products, has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to compare the lipid hydrolysis profiles during the in vitro dynamic digestion of IFs made from whole sheep and goat milk. Using a lipidomics platform and multivariate statistical analysis, we observed changes in complex lipid levels during digestion. In the gastric compartment, we noted a progressive hydrolysis of triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins. Conversely, lipolysis breakdown products like monoacylglycerols (e.g., MG(16:0), MG (18:0)), diacylglycerols, lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC 16:0, LPC 18:1, LPC 18:2), and free fatty acids increased in the intestinal compartment. The lipolysis trends were similar for both types of infant formulas, with long-chain fatty acid triglycerides (C > 46) exhibiting lower digestibility compared to medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides. Overall, these results indicate that sheep milk can be used as an ingredient in the manufacturing of IF

Cultivation of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae using Simulated in-situ Available Resources for the Production of useful Bio-compounds on Mars: Modelling of Experiments

To increase the likelihood of successful long-term manned missions to Mars, it is necessary to explore the potential for utilizing in-situ resources to cultivate microalgae for food and supplement production. This study examines the feasibility of growing Spirulina platensis in a medium consisting of high volume percentages of Martian Medium, which is produced using resources available on Mars, such as regolith, atmospheric CO2, and astronauts' urine. An experimental activity is performed to simulate the microalgae growth process on Mars, demonstrating good productivity. A mathematical model is developed to describe biomass growth dynamics as a function of pH, light intensity, microgravity, and nutrient concentration. The model is validated and then utilized to identify optimal operating conditions for maximizing biomass productivity on Mars and meeting finding the nutritional and supplement needs of a six-member crew

Non-invasive Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve Assessment Predicts Adverse Outcome In Women With unstable angina Without Obstructive Coronary Artery Stenosis

Background: Evaluation of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is the physiological approach to assess the severity of coronary stenosis and microvascular dysfunction. Impaired CFVR occurs frequently in women with suspected or known coronary artery disease . The aim of this study was to assess the role of CFVR to predict long-term cardiovascular event rate in women with unstable angina (UA) without obstructive coronary artery stenosis. Methods: CFVR in left anterior descending coronary artery was assessed by adenosine transthoracic echocardiograhy in 161 women admitted at our Department with UA and without obstructive coronary artery disease. Results: During a mean FU of 32.5 ±19.6 months, 53 cardiac events occurred: 6 nonfatal acute myocardial infarction , 22 UA, 7 coronary revascularization by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 1 coronary bypass surgery, 3 ischemic stroke and 8 episodes of congestive heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and 6 cardiac deaths. Using a ROC curve analysis, CFVR 2.14 was the best predictor of cardiac events and was considered as abnormal CFVR. Abnormal CFVR was associated with lower cardiac event-free survival (30% vs 80%, p<0.0001). During FU, 70% of women with reduced CFVR had cardiac events whereas only 20% with normal CFVR (p=0.0001). At multivariate Cox analysis, smoke habitus (p=0.003), metabolic syndrome (p=0.01), and CFVR (p<0.0001) were significantly associated with cardiac events at FU. Conclusion: Noninvasive CFVR provides an independent predictor of cardiovascular prognosis information in women with UA without obstructive coronary artery disease whereas, impaired CFVR seems to be associated with higher CV events at FU

Mixotrophic cultivation of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) under salt stress: effect on biomass composition, FAME profile and Phycocyanin content

Arthrospira platensis holds promise for biotechnological applications due to its rapid growth and ability to produce valuable bioactive compounds like phycocyanin (PC). This study explores the impact of salinity and brewery wastewater (BWW) on the mixotrophic cultivation of A. platensis. Utilizing BWW as an organic carbon source and seawater (SW) for salt stress, we aim to optimize PC production and biomass composition. Under mixotrophic conditions with 2% BWW and SW, A. platensis showed enhanced biomass productivity, reaching a maximum of 3.70 g L-1 and significant increases in PC concentration. This study also observed changes in biochemical composition, with elevated protein and carbohydrate levels under salt stress that mimics the use of seawater. Mixotrophic cultivation with BWW and SW also influenced the FAME profile, enhancing the content of C16:0 and C18:1 FAMES. The purity (EP of 1.15) and yield (100 mg g-1) of PC were notably higher in mixotrophic cultures, indicating the potential for commercial applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This research underscores the benefits of integrating the use of saline water with waste valorization in microalgae cultivation, promoting sustainability and economic efficiency in biotechnological processes