200 research outputs found
Fantasy and Censorship: Dino Buzzati’s correspondence from Italian colonies
The aim of my contribution is to study the role and influence of Fascist censorship in the journalistic articles that Dino Buzzati wrote from tha Italian colonies for the Corriere della Sera between 1933 and 1940. The articles are collected in the volume L’Africa di Buzzati.By placing Buzzati’s work in a precise historical framework and discussing the problem of his ‘orientalism’, the article demonstrates that Buzzati’s work from Africa can be read as a document of Italian colonialism and that it confirmed, in terms of stereotypes and prejudices, not only the attitude of ‘the West’ towards North African peoples, but also his bias against cultural and social realities which were distant from the ones he was familiar with.In terms of politics and ideology, the texts of Il Buttafuoco are difficult to decipher, especially with reference to the problem of racism. Buzzati’s narrative was determined not only by the influence of Fascist censorship but also by his aesthetic choices. In particular, the role of space played by the desert, the preference for anti-heroic figures and the diffuse use of imagination show the complexity of the relationship between Buzzati and political power, but also the originality in the way Buzzati used these figures to build a symbolism around the represented reality.
Single and Double Knockouts of the Genes for Photosystem I Subunits G, K, and H of Arabidopsis
Photosystem I (PSI) of higher plants contains 18 subunits. Using Arabidopsis En insertion lines, we have isolated knockout alleles of the genes psaG, psaH2, and psaK, which code for PSI-G, -H, and -K. In the mutants psak-1 and psag-1.4, complete loss of PSI-K and -G, respectively, was confirmed, whereas the residual H level in psah2-1.4 is due to a second gene encoding PSI-H, psaH1. Double mutants, lacking PSI-G, and also -K, or a fraction of -H, together with the three single mutants were characterized for their growth phenotypes and PSI polypeptide composition. In general, the loss of each subunit has secondary, in some cases additive, effects on the abundance of other PSI polypeptides, such as D, E, H, L, N, and the light-harvesting complex I proteins Lhca2 and 3. In the G-less mutant psag-1.4, the variation in PSI composition suggests that PSI-G stabilizes the PSI-core. Levels of light-harvesting complex I proteins in plants, which lack simultaneously PSI-G and -K, indicate that PSI subunits other than G and K can also bind Lhca2 and 3. In the same single and double mutants, psag-1.4, psak-1, psah2-1.4, psag-1.4/psah2-1.4, and psag-1.4/psak-1 photosynthetic electron flow and excitation energy quenching were analyzed to address the roles of the various subunits in P700 reduction (mediated by PSI-F and -N) and oxidation (PSI-E), and state transitions (PSI-H). Based on the results, we also suggest for PSI-K a role in state transitions
Interference at the Single Photon Level Along Satellite-Ground Channels
Quantum interference arising from superposition of states is a striking
evidence of the validity of Quantum Mechanics, confirmed in many experiments
and also exploited in applications. However, as for any scientific theory,
Quantum Mechanics is valid within the limits in which it has been
experimentally verified. In order to extend such limits, it is necessary to
observe quantum interference in unexplored conditions such as moving terminals
at large distance in Space. Here we experimentally demonstrate single photon
interference at a ground station due to the coherent superposition of two
temporal modes reflected by a rapidly moving satellite thousand kilometers
away. The relative speed of the satellite induces a varying modulation in the
interference pattern. The measurement of the satellite distance in real time by
laser ranging allowed us to precisely predict the instantaneous value of the
interference phase. We then observed the interference patterns with visibility
up to with three different satellites and with path length up to 5000
km. Our results attest the viability of photon temporal modes for fundamental
tests of Physics and Quantum Communications in Space.Comment: Version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let
Proposal for an Optical Test of the Einstein Equivalence Principle
The Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP) underpins all metric theories of
gravity. Its key element is the local position invariance of non-gravitational
experiments, which entails the gravitational red-shift. Precision measurements
of the gravitational red-shift tightly bound violations of the EEP only in the
fermionic sector of the Standard Model, however recent developments of
satellite optical technologies allow for its investigation in the
electromagnetic sector. Proposals exploiting light interferometry traditionally
suffer from the first-order Doppler effect, which dominates the weak
gravitational signal necessary to test the EEP, making them unfeasible. Here,
we propose a novel scheme to test the EEP, which is based on a double
large-distance optical interferometric measurement. By manipulating the
phase-shifts detected at two locations at different gravitational potentials it
is possible to cancel-out the first-order Doppler effect and observe the
gravitational red-shift implied by the EEP. We present the detailed analysis of
the proposal within the post-Newtonian framework and the simulations of the
expected signals obtained by using two realistic satellite orbits. Our proposal
to overcome the first-order Doppler effect in optical EEP tests is feasible
with current technology.Comment: manuscript improve
UV Properties of Galactic Globular Clusters with GALEX II. Integrated colors
We present ultraviolet (UV) integrated colors of 44 Galactic globular
clusters (GGCs) observed with the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) in both FUV
and NUV bands. This data-base is the largest homogeneous catalog of UV colors
ever published for stellar systems in our Galaxy. The proximity of GGCs makes
it possible to resolve many individual stars even with the somewhat low spatial
resolution of GALEX. This allows us to determine how the integrated UV colors
are driven by hot stellar populations, primarily horizontal branch stars and
their progeny. The UV colors are found to be correlated with various parameters
commonly used to define the horizontal branch morphology. We also investigate
how the UV colors vary with parameters like metallicity, age, helium abundance
and concentration. We find for the first time that GCs associated with the
Sagittarius dwarf galaxy have (FUV-V) colors systematically redder than GGCs
with the same metallicity. Finally, we speculate about the presence of an
interesting trend, suggesting that the UV color of GCs may be correlated with
the mass of the host galaxy, in the sense that more massive galaxies possess
bluer clusters.Comment: Accepted for publication by The Astronomical Journal. 36 pages, 9
figures, 1 tabl
Towards Quantum Communication from Global Navigation Satellite System
Satellite-based quantum communication is an invaluable resource for the
realization of a quantum network at the global scale. In this regard, the use
of satellites well beyond the low Earth orbits gives the advantage of long
communication time with a ground station. However, high-orbit satellites pose a
great technological challenge due to the high diffraction losses of the optical
channel, and the experimental investigation of such quantum channels is still
lacking. Here, we report on the first experimental exchange of single photons
from Global Navigation Satellite System at a slant distance of 20000
kilometers, by exploiting the retroreflector array mounted on GLONASS
satellites. We also observed the predicted temporal spread of the reflected
pulses due to the geometrical shape of array. Finally, we estimated the
requirements needed for an active source on a satellite, aiming towards quantum
communication from GNSS with state-of-the-art technology.Comment: Revte
Extending Wheeler's delayed-choice experiment to Space
Gedankenexperiments have consistently played a major role in the development
of quantum theory. A paradigmatic example is Wheeler's delayed-choice
experiment, a wave-particle duality test that cannot be fully understood using
only classical concepts. Here, we implement Wheeler's idea along a
satellite-ground interferometer which extends for thousands of kilometers in
Space. We exploit temporal and polarization degrees of freedom of photons
reflected by a fast moving satellite equipped with retro-reflecting mirrors. We
observed the complementary wave-like or particle-like behaviors at the ground
station by choosing the measurement apparatus while the photons are propagating
from the satellite to the ground. Our results confirm quantum mechanical
predictions, demonstrating the need of the dual wave-particle interpretation,
at this unprecedented scale. Our work paves the way for novel applications of
quantum mechanics in Space links involving multiple photon degrees of freedom.Comment: 4 figure
A review of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of cardiac remodeling
Pathological molecular mechanisms involved in myocardial remodeling contribute to alter the existing structure of the heart, leading to cardiac dysfunction. Among the complex signaling network that characterizes myocardial remodeling, the distinct processes are myocyte loss, cardiac hypertrophy, alteration of extracellular matrix homeostasis, fibrosis, defective autophagy, metabolic abnormalities, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Several pathophysiological stimuli, such as pressure and volume overload, trigger the remodeling cascade, a process that initially confers protection to the heart as a compensatory mechanism. Yet chronic inflammation after myocardial infarction also leads to cardiac remodeling that, when prolonged, leads to heart failure progression.
Here we review the molecular pathways involved in cardiac remodeling, with particular emphasis on those associated with myocardial infarction. A better understanding of cell signaling involved in cardiac remodeling may support the development of new therapeutic strategies towards the treatment of heart failure and reduction of cardiac complications. We will also discuss data derived from gene therapy approaches for modulating key mediators of cardiac remodeling
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