La produzione di valore tra passato e presente: peculiarità e implicazioni del progresso tecnologico

L'obiettivo di questa tesi è quello di analizzare la struttura della società odierna, alla luce delle influenze e modifiche apportate dall’avvento dell'informatica e mostrare come, in generale, il progresso tecnologico abbia profondamente cambiato il nostro modo di vivere. L'introduzione dei computer, l'avvento dell'era digitale e di internet hanno segnato un profondo cambiamento nella storia moderna. In questa tesi andremo prima ad analizzare il capitalismo cognitivo, che vede, al centro della produzione di valore, non più il tempo, ma la conoscenza. Verranno indagati ed esposti i vari aspetti e gli elementi fondamentali della nuova dimensione immateriale, che si è venuta a creare con l'avvento del mondo digitale. Successivamente, viene analizzata la nuova struttura delle imprese, come esse si sono evolute e come si dovrebbero evolvere, per ottimizzare le proprie risorse e adattarsi al nuovo sistema economico sociale. Particolare attenzione verrà posta al nuovo ruolo dei manager e alla produzione sociale. Nel terzo capitolo, vengono analizzati i cambiamenti che sono avvenuti negli ultimi anni all'interno della società; illustreremo il nuovo modo di lavorare, che prevede l'uomo affiancato costantemente dalla tecnologia, e l’apporto dell’intelligenza artificiale al cambiamento della società nei suoi diversi aspetti. Saranno esposte le nuove problematiche emergenti, sia in abito giuridico che etico, conseguenti alla creazione di scenari economico-sociali di cui, prima della rivoluzione tecnologica, non si immaginava nemmeno l'esistenza. Per concludere, vengono presentate le sfide che la politica deve e dovrà affrontare per controllare le nuove dinamiche economiche e le situazioni di monopolio globale che si sono create. Verranno analizzate problematiche e possibili soluzioni, nonché le implicazioni che il progresso tecnologico ha avuto sulla circolazione delle informazioni e di conseguenza sulla percezione della realtà da parte del consumatore

Organogels for low-polar organic solvents. Potential applications on cultural heritage materials

Traditional cleaning methods for removing undesired substances from artworks often involve the use of toxic volatile solvents, raising concerns about human health and environmental impact. Over time, various cleaning systems, such as thickeners, rigid, peelable, and nanostructured gels, have been introduced in the conservation sector to minimize solvent use and toxicity. However, these methods are primarily tailored for aqueous solutions or medium-to-high-polar solvents, leaving sustainable organogels for low-polar solvents largely unexplored. This paper explores the application of Low-Molecular-Weight Gelators (LMWGs) in the field of cultural heritage conservation, focusing on their potential to gel low-polar organic solvents. LMWGs, including cholesterol derivatives, fatty acidderived compounds, anthryl, anthraquinone, amino acid, and saccharide-based organogelators, offer biocompatible and cost-effective options by forming supramolecular gels that immobilize solvents and reduce their release into the environment. This study highlights the need to transition from traditional, often toxic, solvents to greener and more sustainable cleaning systems by emphasizing LMWGs’ biodegradability, biocompatibility, and sustainability. While challenges such as optimizing gel properties and ensuring compatibility with artwork surfaces still need to be addressed, LMWGs hold promise as organogelators in conservation practice. Further research into LMWGs should focus on their optimization for conservation applications by adjusting their rheological properties and physico-chemical stability

Evaluation of the cleaning effect of natural-based biocides. Application on different phototropic biofilms colonizing the same granite wall

Natural derivatives, such as essential oils, are presented as an alternative to classical biocides to the treatment of biocolonization. Thus, in this work, the cleaning and biocidal potential of some natural derivatives towards two natural biofilms' growth on the same granite wall, with different microbial composition, was evaluated. For this purpose, three essential oils (EOs) (from Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris and Calamintha nepeta) and their main active principles (APs) (carvacrol, thymol and R-(+)-pulegone, respectively) were embedded in a hydrogel matrix, with different combinations of EOs and APs, in order to evaluate the synergistic action of different actives. For comparative purposes, pure hydrogel and a mechanical method (brushing) were also used. Colorimetric measurements and chlorophyll a fluorescence analyses were performed to evaluate the cleaning action of the treatments on the biofilms. Overall, the EOs and APs present in the hydrogel proved to be reliable treatments to limit natural biocolonization, with O. vulgare being one of the most effective treatments in combination with other compounds, due to the majority presence of carvacrol. Moreover, the effect of the different treatments strictly depended on the biofilm in question, as well as its ability to adhere to the substrate

MIDAW: a web tool for statistical analysis of microarray data

MIDAW (microarray data analysis web tool) is a web interface integrating a series of statistical algorithms that can be used for processing and interpretation of microarray data. MIDAW consists of two main sections: data normalization and data analysis. In the normalization phase the simultaneous processing of several experiments with background correction, global and local mean and variance normalization are carried out. The data analysis section allows graphical display of expression data for descriptive purposes, estimation of missing values, reduction of data dimension, discriminant analysis and identification of marker genes. The statistical results are organized in dynamic web pages and tables, where the transcript/gene probes contained in a specific microarray platform can be linked (according to user choice) to external databases (GenBank, Entrez Gene, UniGene). Tutorial files help the user throughout the statistical analysis to ensure that the forms are filled out correctly. MIDAW has been developed using Perl and PHP and it uses R/Bioconductor languages and routines. MIDAW is GPL licensed and freely accessible at . Perl and PHP source codes are available from the authors upon request

Biodeterioration Patterns and Their Interpretation for Potential Applications to Stone Conservation: A Hypothesis from Allelopathic Inhibitory Effects of Lichens on the Caestia Pyramid (Rome)

The colonisation of stone by different organisms often leaves biodeterioration patterns (BPs) on the surfaces even if their presence is no longer detectable. Peculiar weathering patterns on monuments and rocks, such as pitting phenomena, were recognised as a source of information on past colonisers and environmental conditions. The evident inhibition areas for new bio-patinas observed on the marble blocks of the Caestia Pyramid in Rome, recognisable as tracks of previous colonisations, seem a source for developing new natural products suitable for restoration activities. To hypothesise past occurring communities and species, which gave rise to such BPs, we carried out both in situ observations and analyses of the rich historical available iconography (mainly photographs). Moreover, we analysed literature on the lichen species colonising carbonate stones used in Roman sites. Considering morphology, biochemical properties and historical data on 90 lichen species already reported in Latium archaeological sites, we suppose lichen species belonging to the genus Circinaria (Aspicilia s.l.) to be the main aetiological agent of such peculiar BPs. These results seem relevant to highlight the long-lasting allelopathic properties of some lichen substances potentially applicable as a natural product to control colonisation, improving the environmental and economical sustainability of stone restoration

Correction: Nanostructured Biomaterials for Tissue Engineered Bone Tissue Reconstruction. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13, 737–757

We would like to change the authors’ names and E-Mail addresses on Page 737 of Article [1] from: [...

Biopolymers for Hard and Soft Engineered Tissues: Application in Odontoiatric and Plastic Surgery Field

The goal of modern dentistry and plastic surgery is to restore the patient to normal function, health and aesthetics, regardless of the disease or injury to the stomatognathic and cutaneous system respectively. In recent years tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have yielded many novel tissue replacements and implementation strategies. Scientific advances in biomaterials, stem cell isolation, growth and differentiation factors and biomimetic environments have created unique opportunities to fabricate tissues in the laboratory. Repairing of bone and skin is likely to become of clinical interest when three dimensional tissue reconstructive procedures and the appropriate supporting biomimetic materials are correctly assembled. In the present review, we provide an overview of the most promising biopolymers that may find clinical application in dento-maxillo-facial and plastic surgery

Evaluation of green solvents’ applicability for chromatic reintegration of polychrome artworks

Organic solvents are commonly used in restoration treatments, including chromatic reintegration on polychrome artworks. They are often toxic, and their vapors have a high impact on the environment and restorers, possibly causing pathological conditions. Therefore, this study aims at defining a new green solvent that can be used for chromatic reintegration, maintaining the volatility and the desired physical–chemical properties. The dispersion forces value (Fd) of ethyl lactate was taken as reference for a comparison with the proposed solvents, since it was found to be the most used solvent for the dilution of Maimeri Restoration Colors (MRC) and Gamblin Conservation Colors (GCC). Based on the Teas fractional parameters, six solutions based on acetals and ethanol have been proposed and tested. They were mixed with both MRC and GCC, and applied on prepared canvases. The difference between the backgrounds made with reference solvent and the one made with the proposed alternatives was evaluated through spectrocolorimetric measurements. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR) was performed on the applied layers to evaluate the presence of residual solvent inside them, while the volatility of the solvents was assessed by performing gravimetric analysis. The study showed that acetals, acetals’ blends, and acetals–ethanol mixtures represent suitable alternatives for the dilution of Gamblin Conservation Color and Maimeri Restoration Colors

Clinical evaluation of a decision support system for glucose infusion in hypoglycaemic clamp experiments.

AIM To provide a preliminary evaluation of the accuracy and safety of Gluclas decision support system suggestions in a hypoglycaemic clamp study. METHODS This analysis was performed using data from 32 participants (four groups with different glucose-insulin regulation: post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with and without postprandial hypoglycaemia syndrome, postsleeve gastrectomy and non-operated controls) undergoing Gluclas-assisted hypoglycaemic clamps (target: 2.5 mmol/L for 20 minutes at 150 minutes after oral glucose ingestion). Gluclas provided glucose infusion rate suggestions upon manual entry of blood glucose values (every 5 minutes), which were either followed or overruled by investigators after critical review. Accuracy and safety were evaluated by mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), average glucose level, coefficient of variation (CV) and minimal glucose level during the 20-minute hypoglycaemic period. RESULTS Investigators accepted 84% of suggestions, with a mean deviation of 30.33 mg/min. During the hypoglycaemic period, the MAE was 0.16 (0.12-0.24) (median [interquartile range]) mmol/L and the MAPE was 6.12% (4.80%-9.29%). CV was 4.90% (3.58%-7.27%), with 5% considered the threshold for sufficient quality. The minimal glucose level was 2.40 (2.30-2.50) mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS Gluclas achieved sufficiently high accuracy with minimal safety risks in a population with differences in glucose-insulin dynamics, underscoring its applicability to various patient groups