La parità di accesso all'istruzione in Piemonte. Differenze di genere e motivazioni di scelta nella Formazione Professionale

Quaderni di ricerca Ires ; n.120- Indice #5- Premessa #7- Introduzione #9- Il quadro della polarizzazione di genere in Piemonte. Le informazioni dei dati quantitativi e la prospettiva qualitativa #11- Perché scelgo il corso di formazione professionale? Il punto di vista degli insegnanti #23- Perché scelgo il corso di formazione professionale? Il punto di vista degli studenti #41- Gli studenti dei corsi di formazione professionale #71- Conclusioni e discussione #89- Bibliografia #10

Expanding the knowledge related to flavors and fragrances by means of three-dimensional preparative Gas Chromatography and Molecular Spectroscopy

As universally known, gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) allows us to acquire spectra that can be searched in specific databases to attain qualitative information on a peak of interest. When not present in databases, structure elucidation is required before including a new component in a library: from that moment, scientists all around the world will be able to identify the new molecule with analytical confidence after GC-MS analysis. Conversely, if data are not shared in commercial databases, even if a molecule is studied and elucidated, it appears to be unknown or only identifiable on the basis of third-party data taken from the literature, which is a serious limitation. The present paper deals with a case that confirms this assumption. A component of Myrtus communis L. volatile fraction was tentatively identified based on literature data. Despite this, reliable identification could not be achieved due to the lack of a corresponding spectrum in commercial MS databases. Afterwards, the target component was isolated in a reasonable quantity and with a high degree of purity for downstream characterization by spectroscopic techniques. For this purpose, preparative (prep) GC may appear insufficient for the isolation of volatile components from highly complex samples. In this study, a prep-MDGC system was implemented for the isolation of the compound of interest from myrtle oil, consisting of three wide-bore columns of different selectivity coupled by means of Deans switch transfer devices. Based on the NMR and GC-FTIR data acquired, the unknown compound was identified as 2,2,5,5,7,7-hexamethyl-3,7-dihydro-1-benzofuran-4,6(2H,5H)-dione. Noticeably, this is a known molecule, yet its mass spectrum had never been registered into MS databases and thus was not available to the scientific community. Finally, the spectrum was included for the first time in a commercial library, namely the FFNSC 5.0 MS database. The aim of the present study was to highlight the opportunity to make analytical data quickly available in a reliable way by registering them in searchable MS databases to improve the identification means for researchers all over the worl

fracture toughness of structural adhesives for the automotive industry

Abstract Adhesive bonding is currently employed by automotive manufacturers to complement (or replace) welding in joining dissimilar materials. In order to reduce the impact on the existing manufacturing infrastructures, structural adhesives are deployed in the body shop but hardening is accomplished in the paint cure oven. Various adhesive formulations have been specifically developed for the implementation in the automotive manufacturing chain. However, it is very important to assess the mechanical behaviour of the joints which results from the peculiar curing strategy. In the present work, automotive grade single component epoxy and two component epoxy modified acrylic adhesives were evaluated. T-joints were fabricated using a cold rolled galvanized steel (FeP04) employed in the production of car body parts. The fracture toughness of the joints was determined using the test protocol proposed by the European Structural Integrity Society (ESIS). Optical microscopy was employed to ascertain the mechanisms of failure. The results indicated that both adhesives were able to provide a fairly good mechanical response with minimum preparation of the mating substrates. Moreover, the obtained values of fracture toughness were shown to be essentially independent of the adhesive layer thickness

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Semen Quality in Healthy Young Men Living in a Contaminated Area

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors that have been implicated in potential damage to human semen. However, the studies conducted so far provide contrasting results. Our study aimed to investigate the associations between PCB serum and semen levels and semen quality in high school and university students living in a highly PCB-polluted area of Italy. Subjects with a normal body mass index who did not make daily use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or medication were selected. All participants provided a fasting blood and a semen sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of 26 PCB congeners. The concentrations of PCB functional groups and total PCBs were also computed. A total of 143 subjects (median age 20, range 18–22 years) were enrolled. The median total PCB concentrations were 3.85 ng/mL (range 3.43–4.56 ng/mL) and 0.29 ng/mL (range 0.26–0.32 ng/mL) in serum and semen, respectively. The analysis of the associations between sperm PCB concentration and semen parameters showed (a) negative associations between some PCB congeners, functional groups and total PCBs and sperm total motility; (b) negative associations of total PCBs with sperm normal morphology; and (c) no association of PCBs with sperm concentration. Subjects at the highest quartile of semen total PCB concentration had 19% and 23% mean reductions in total motility and normal morphology, respectively, compared to those at the lowest quartile. The analysis of the associations of serum PCB levels with sperm parameters yielded null or mixed (some positive, other negative) results. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence of a negative effect of some PCB congeners and total PCBs in semen on sperm motility and normal morphology. However, the associations between the concentration of serum and semen PCB congeners and functional groups and sperm quality parameters were inconsistent

POTENTIAL OF MACAUBA EPICARP (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Martius) FOR BRIQUETTES PRODUCTION

Briquetting is a form to aggregate value in the biomass production chain, to re-use sustainably waste and to provide high-quality solid biofuels, as well as to enable the development of the energy market. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the production of briquettes from epicarp waste of macauba fruit and verify the influence of different temperatures and compaction pressures on the chemical, physical, and mechanical characteristics of the briquettes. The epicarp was reduced to particles and, then classified, dried, and characterized for their physical and chemical properties. The briquettes were produced by using compression pressures of 62, 83, and 103 bar and temperatures of 90 and 120 °C. The effect of these factors upon the variables studied was verified through regression analysis. The increase of pressure and temperature contributed to greater mass loss of the briquettes. Apparent density and energy density increased due to temperature rise. High values of energy density were obtained, which demonstrates the potential of the macauba fruit epicarp to produce briquettes for generation of thermal energyBriquetting is a form to aggregate value in the biomass production chain, to re-use sustainably waste and to provide high-quality solid biofuels, as well as to enable the development of the energy market. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the production of briquettes from epicarp waste of macauba fruit and verify the influence of different temperatures and compaction pressures on the chemical, physical, and mechanical characteristics of the briquettes. The epicarp was reduced to particles and, then classified, dried, and characterized for their physical and chemical properties. The briquettes were produced by using compression pressures of 62, 83, and 103 bar and temperatures of 90 and 120 °C. The effect of these factors upon the variables studied was verified through regression analysis. The increase of pressure and temperature contributed to greater mass loss of the briquettes. Apparent density and energy density increased due to temperature rise. High values of energy density were obtained, which demonstrates the potential of the macauba fruit epicarp to produce briquettes for generation of thermal energy

Establishment of an experimental field to explore the differential olive cultivar response to Xylella fastidiosa infection

While different sources of natural resistance to Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) have been described in grapevines and citrus, lack of consolidated information exists on the wide panel of cultivars characterizing the vast olive germplasm. Preliminary observations on few cultivars, support the evidence that differential cultivar responses to Xf infections may exist. To explore the response of a larger panel of cultivars, in April 2015, an experimental olive plot, located within the Xf-heavily affected olive groves, was established in the Apulia Region (Italy). Twenty-four trees for each of the ten different cultivars were planted in randomized blocks. Each tree was caged with 15-20 specimens of Philaenus spumarius collected from the neighboring infected olive groves. Upon removing the cages, the trees are then continuously exposed to the natural vector populations occurring in the area. Nine and 12-months after planting, the trees were sampled, tested for Xf and inspected for symptoms. The first data confirmed the infectivity of the vector populations occurring in the Apulian contaminated area and the Xf susceptibility of the olive cultivars tested. Almost 50% of the trees tested positive, with an infection incidence ranging from 25% (Leccino) to 78% (Koroneiki). Symptoms of shoot dieback started to appear 1-year after planting, limitedly on few replicates of Cellina di Nardò. In April 2016, the number of cultivars has been increased up to 30. Periodical surveys for symptoms and quantitative analyses to monitor the differential bacterial titer and expression of target genes involved in the host response, are underway

Raspberry Pi Driven Flow-Injection System for Electrochemical Continuous Monitoring Platforms

Nowadays, there is an immense interest regarding new bio-sensing technologies, highlighting the need for effective validation of their capabilities. This necessity is more crucial when examining the proprieties of a sensor for continuous monitoring of a concentration trend in time, before in vivo implementations. In the framework of personalised medicine, it is imperative to introduce a robust way to parametrise the highly variable responses of human metabolism. We propose a novel solution for the design of an automatic flow-injection environment that validates continuous monitoring systems performances. The setup is also validated for reproducing a paracetamol concentration trend in buffer solution