Building in the built. A project for the University buildings in the historical center of Naples

The project for the complex of the “Federico II” University in Via Mezzocannone, was an occasion to analyze a current theme about the transformation of the city: the relationship between the ancient city and the contemporary project. The essay focuses on: "Building in the built", with two main lines of response to the theme, one about the conservation, the other about the regeneration. The second approach is pursued: the contemporary becomes an expression of one's own age. We work through "fragments", that allows a re-reading of the context and the relationship with memory. The project for University’s buildings is measured with the re-reading of the historical building and its relationship with the old center, through a strategy that works for punctual interventions, with new paths and functions

ADD and deafness: a qualitative study of professionals with background in ADD and deafness

This qualitative research project was designed to gather information poorly understood topic: ADD and deafness. The information came from 5 detailed interviews with professionals who have experience with ADD deaf students. The interview protocol included parts: (a) questions about the problems and issues involved in identifying deaf students who have ADD, (b) possible protocols and instruments useful for diagnosing ADD in deaf students, and (c) possible accommodations and strategies for deaf students with ADD. The results indicated 4 primary themes: possible roles of interpreters, language issues, views of medication, and accommodation strategies. Future research should be directed towards standardizing ADD test instruments deaf students, and toward developing specific training methods for interpreters/teachers with respect to managing ADD deaf students

Smectic blue phases: layered systems with high intrinsic curvature

We report on a construction for smectic blue phases, which have quasi-long range smectic translational order as well as three dimensional crystalline order. Our proposed structures fill space by adding layers on top of a minimal surface, introducing either curvature or edge defects as necessary. We find that for the right range of material parameters, the favorable saddle-splay energy of these structures can stabilize them against uniform layered structures. We also consider the nature of curvature frustration between mean curvature and saddle-splay.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure

Aberrant ERK 1/2 complex activation and localization in scrapie-infected GT1-1 cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fatal neurodegenerative disorders such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker diseases in humans, scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy in animals, are characterized by the accumulation in the brain of a pathological form of the prion protein (PrP) denominated PrP^Sc. The latter derives from the host cellular form, PrP^C, through a process whereby portions of its α-helical and coil structures are refolded into β-sheet structures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this work, the widely known <it>in vitro </it>model of prion replication, hypothalamic GT1-1 cell line, was used to investigate cellular and molecular responses to prion infection. The MAP kinase cascade was dissected to assess the phosphorylation levels of src, MEK 1/2 and ERK 1/2 signaling molecules, both before and after prion infection. Our findings suggest that prion replication leads to a hyper-activation of this pathway. Biochemical analysis was complemented with immunofluorescence studies to map the localization of the ERK complex within the different cellular compartments. We showed how the ERK complex relocates in the cytosol upon prion infection. We correlated these findings with an impairment of cell growth in prion-infected GT1-1 cells as probed by MTT assay. Furthermore, given the persistent urgency in finding compounds able to cure prion infected cells, we tested the effects on the ERK cascade of two molecules known to block prion replication <it>in vitro</it>, quinacrine and Fab D18. We were able to show that while these two compounds possess similar effects in curing prion infection, they affect the MAP kinase cascade differently.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, our results help shed light on the molecular events involved in neurodegeneration and neuronal loss in prion infection and replication. In particular, the combination of chronic activation and aberrant localization of the ERK complex may lead to a lack of essential neuroprotective and survival factors. Interestingly, these data seem to define some common traits with other neurodegenerative disorders such as, for example, Alzheimer's disease.</p

Mechanical limits of viral capsids

We study the elastic properties and mechanical stability of viral capsids under external force-loading with computer simulations. Our approach allows the implementation of specific geometries corresponding to specific phages such as $\phi$29 and CCMV. We demonstrate how in a combined numerical and experimental approach the elastic parameters can be determined with high precision. The experimentally observed bimodality of elastic spring constants is shown to be of geometrical origin, namely the presence of pentavalent units in the viral shell. A criterion for capsid breakage is defined, which explains well the experimentally observed rupture. From our numerics we find for the dependence of the rupture force on the F\"oppl-von K\'arm\'an (FvK) number a crossover from $\gamma^{2/3}$ to $\gamma^{1/2}$. For filled capsids high internal pressures lead to a stronger destabilization of viruses with a buckled ground state than unbuckled ones. Finally, we show how our numerically calculated energy maps can be used to extract information about the strength of protein-protein interactions from rupture experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 9 figure

Smectic Phases with Cubic Symmetry: The Splay Analog of the Blue Phase

We report on a construction for smectic blue phases, which have quasi-long range smectic translational order as well as long range cubic or hexagonal order. Our proposed structures fill space with a combination of minimal surface patches and cylindrical tubes. We find that for the right range of material parameters, the favorable saddle-splay energy of these structures can stabilize them against uniform layered structures.Comment: 4 pages, 4 eps figures, RevTe

Instructional guidebook for manual muscle testing

Includes bibliographical references.There was a need for more instruction on manual muscle testing in the KNPE department for athletic training majors. This is a manual designed to fulfill that need and aid the athletic training students in learning and performing manual muscle testing. Manual muscle testing is an integral part of a complete physical assessment. It can be utilized in conditions of muscle weakness, muscle imbalance, determining muscle length and strength, and neuromuscular involvement. When the testing is done, a grade is given to each muscle that is tested in order to describe its function. In order to assign the grade, one must perform the test. In this manual you fill find instructions on testing 44 different muscles found in the human body. The anatomy of the muscle can be found including the origin, insertion, action, and innervation. The testing technique will be listed, clinical pearls will follow, and a digital image is provided to help visualize the test.B.S. (Bachelor of Science