Para una lectura de Kierkegaard. Comunicación edificante y existencia

Podemos clasificar la vasta producción literaria de Kierkegaard en dos secciones: por un lado, las obras en las que Kierkegaard usó pseudónimos (comunicación indirecta) como “identidades” para comunicar varios puntos de vista filosóficos; por el otro lado, existen las obras con contenido religisoso firmadas por él mismo (comunicación directa). En medio tenemos los Diarios que, aunque pueden ser colocados esquemáticamente en la comunicación directa, sin embargo no están destinados al público lector.Sólo leyendo los Diarios con el tacto que se tiene que conceder a una obra privada, es posible poner en claro la dual obra de autor de Kierkegaard, además del significado profundo atribuido por Kierkegaard a la comunicación escrita.We can sort the vast Kierkegaard’s literary poduction in two branches: on the one hand the works in which Kiekegaard used pseudonyms (indirect communication), employed as “identities” to communicate various philosophical points of view; on the other hand there are works with religious content, signed by himself (direct communication). In the middle we have the Journals that, although can be schematically set in the direct communication, nevertheless they do remain papers not intended for a reading public.Solely reading the Journals with the tact that one has to grant to a private work is possible to make clear the Kierkegaard’s dual authorship, as well as the deep meaning attributed by Kierkegaard to written communication

MINERVA: The technological project to boost research on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in chronic neurodegenerative disorders

Chronic neurodegenerative disorders including dementias, as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and movement disorders, as Parkinson's disease (PD) are strongly increasing worldwide. Up to now, very little is known about their biochemical mechanism and no effective therapeutic strategies are available to face brain functionality deterioration. A very intriguing hypothesis actively under investigation is referred as "microbiota-gut-brain axis". It suggests that human gut microbial community might impact central nervous system functionality through a bidirectional interaction that potentially might play also a key role in neurodegenerative disorders. Here we present a novel technological project, named MINERVA supported by the European Research Council (ERC) Programme, that aims, by using an innovative bioengineering approach, at evaluating microbiota impact on brain functionality. MINERVA goal is to develop a cutting edge technological platform, based on organ on chip microfluidic device, to model the main players of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The final aim of MINERVA is to investigate the role of microbiota on brain functionality in physiological but also in pathological neurodegenerative conditions in order to improve the knowledge in the field and open the way to potential novel therapeutic microbiota-based approach for neurodegenerative disorders

Influence of Slenderness on the Evaluation of Epistemic Uncertainty Related to Non-Linear Numerical Analysis of RC Columns

This investigation is devoted to quantify the epistemic uncertainty related to the nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete columns characterized by high slenderness using numerical codes. The adoption of refined numerical tools, which are able to consider both mechanical and geometric non linearities, implies to perform assumptions and approximations with respect to reality. Whit reference to reliability analysis, these simplifications lead, inevitably, to additional uncertainties which are of epistemic nature. In fact, these uncertainties may be reduced by the engineers/analysts by increasing the level of refinement of the numerical model and/or increasing knowledge about parameters associated to material models. However, also numerical model established by expert engineers/analysts are affected by this kind of epistemic uncertainty. Accepting that the level of uncertainty associated to the experimental tests set are minimized, the epistemic uncertainty associated to non-linear numerical simulations can be quantified characterizing the model uncertainty random variable comparing the outcomes of numerical results to the associated experimental ones. The present investigation proposes the quantification of the model uncertainty related to non-linear numerical simulations of slender RC columns. A total number of 40 experimental results known from literature are herein selected in coherence with current Eurocodes specifications. The experiments are reproduced adopting non-linear numerical analysis differentiating between several modelling hypotheses (i.e., numerical code; materials models). The comparison between experimental and numerical results is adopted to characterize the most suitable probabilistic model for the model uncertainty random variable associated to non-linear numerical simulations of RC columns subjected to significant slenderness. The outcomes of the research are useful to provide background to the characterization of partial safety factor for model uncertainty in non-linear numerical analysis using the approach of the global resistance format for safety verifications

Induced pluripotent stem cell-based organ-on-a-chip as personalized drug screening tools: A focus on neurodegenerative disorders

The Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) technology shows great potential to revolutionize the drugs development pipeline by mimicking the physiological environment and functions of human organs. The translational value of OoC is further enhanced when combined with patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to develop more realistic disease models, paving the way for the development of a new generation of patient-on-a-chip devices. iPSCs differentiation capacity leads to invaluable improvements in personalized medicine. Moreover, the connection of single-OoC into multi-OoC or body-on-a-chip allows to investigate drug pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetics through the study of multi-organs cross-talks. The need of a breakthrough thanks to this technology is particularly relevant within the field of neurodegenerative diseases, where the number of patients is increasing and the successful rate in drug discovery is worryingly low. In this review we discuss current iPSC-based OoC as drug screening models and their implication in development of new therapies for neurodegenerative disorders

SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF BRIDGES ISOLATED BY DCFP DEVICES: A PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS

The present investigation examines how the properties of the double concave friction pendulum (DCFP) devices influence the seismic performance of isolated multi-span continuous deck bridges. The numerical simulations are carried out using an eight-degree-of-freedom model to reproduce the elastic behavior of the pier, associated to the assumption of both rigid abutment and rigid deck, and the non-linear velocity-dependent behavior of the two surfaces of the double concave friction pen-dulum isolators under a set of natural records with different characteristics. The results in terms of the statistics related to the relevant response parameters are computed in non-dimensional form with respect to the seismic intensity considering different properties of both DCFP isolators and bridge

SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF BRIDGES EQUIPPED WITH FPS

The scope of the present study is focused on the evaluation of the seismic response of bridges iso-lated by single concave sliding pendulum isolators (FPS) for the different structural properties when the presence of the rigid abutment is considered or neglected (i.e., isolated viaducts). In this way, they have been defined two specific multi-degree-of-freedom (mdof) models to simulate the elastic behavior of the reinforced concrete pier in combination to the infinitely rigid presence of the deck and to the presence of the rigid abutment if considered. Both the numerical models also account for the non-linear velocity-dependent behavior of the FPS bearings. Considering the alea-tory uncertainty in the seismic input by means of several natural records with different character-istics, a parametric analysis is developed for several structural properties. The relevant results ex-pressed as the statistics in non-dimensional form with respect to the seismic intensity have permit-ted to study the differences between the two numerical models in relation to the effectiveness of the seismic isolation

Influence of Masonry Infills on Seismic Performance of an Existing RC Building Retrofitted by Means of FPS Devices

The safety assessment of existing structures in areas with a relevant seismic hazard is one of the major topics for engineers since many existing reinforced concrete structures have been realized disregarding seismic design with minimal details with respect to present practice. In this context, seismic assessment is a primary issue in order to identify the best retrofitting solution with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of existing buildings. In recent years, with the aim to enhance the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) structures (with particular care to existing ones), the system of seismic isolation adopting friction pendulum (FPS) devices proved to be among the most diffuse and effective solutions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of the refurbishment using FPS with single concavity devices on the performance of one irregular existing RC building placed in a highly seismic area of central Italy. First, the geometric and material characteristics of the building have been determined within the approach based on the "knowledge levels". Second, a suitable numerical model based on a fiber-modeling approach has been established using SAP2000, including relevant mechanical non-linearities. Then, a set of 21 natural seismic inputs, inclusive of 3 accelerations over vertical and horizontal directions, was adopted with the aim of performing non-linear (NL) dynamic simulations. The NL dynamic simulations have been performed considering the structural system, both inclusive and not inclusive of the FPS isolator devices. The influence of the actual distribution of infill masonry panels on the overall behavior of the structure has also been evaluated in both of the cases mentioned above. Finally, the outcomes deriving from the NL dynamic simulations were helpful in assessing the advantages of the intervention of retrofitting to improve the seismic performance of the building, highlighting the influence of masonry infills

Effectiveness of the orientation, counseling and brief intervention service on improving quality of life in patients with drug use, treated at health facilities in the Callao region, in the year 2021.

Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad del servicio de orientación, consejería e intervención breve sobre la mejora de la calidad de vida en pacientes con consumo de drogas en los establecimientos de salud de la región Callao, 2021. Método: Se trató de un e

Seismic Upgrading of Existing Reinforced Concrete Buildings Using Friction Pendulum Devices: A Probabilistic Evaluation

In many countries around the world a huge number of existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures have been realized without account for seismic detailing, even if they are located in areas subjected to high seismicity. In this context, several passive seismic protection techniques have been developed and applied to retrofit these structures such as, for an example, seismic isolation. The aim of this work is to characterize in probabilistic terms the seismic performance of a framed RC building retrofitted by means of sliding friction pendulum (FPS) devices. Specifically, the response of an existing RC building located in a high seismicity area in Italy is investigated. After the description of the main available information about the structure, a non-linear numerical model has been defined by means of fiber-elements approach. Then, non-linear dynamic analyses considering multiple recorded ground motions with the three accelerometric components have been carried out to assess the seismic response of the building with and without the retrofitting intervention composed of FPS isolators. Finally, the results are processed to achieve a probabilistic assessment of the seismic performance of the retrofitting intervention