Ekologie

Autor proučava ekologiju s gledišta odgoja vjere za budućnost ističući posebno njezinu etičku odnosno moralnu dimenziju. To je osobito važno u vrijeme sve većih i sve bržih promjena uslijed snažnog ekonomskog i industrijskog razvoja. Nakon prvotnog oduševljenja, u novije vrijeme, a naročito nakon poznatih izvještaja Rimskog kluba, raste svijest o granicama razvoja, što uključuje i svijest o povezanosti ekološkog problema razvoja s kojima se mora suočiti i suvremeni pastoral kako bi i kod vjernika pobudio svijest o "novoj odgovornosti" sukladno novoj stvarnosti. U tu će svrhu pastoralni djelatnici kod odgajanika nastojati pobuditi jasnu svijest o odgovornosti, npr. o potrebi prvenstva "biti" nad "imati" ističući kako je specifičan zadatak vjere osvijetliti razloge etičko-osobne naravi i ukazati na odgovarajuće moralne stavove, a to neizostavno uključuje i navještaj svojstvenih sadržaja evanđelja, nade i motivacije.Der Autor erforscht Ekologie aus der Sicht der religiösen Erziehung, auf eine besondere Weise ihre ethische bzw. moralische Dimension hervorhebend. Das ist von grosser Bedeutung zu der Zeit der immer grösser und immer schneller Änderungen infolge der kräftigen ökonomischen und industriellen Entwicklung. Nach der ursprünglichen Begeisterung, zu der neueren Zeit und insbesondere nach manchen Berichten des "Römischen Klubs", wird das Bewusstsein über die Entwicklungsgrenzen immer grösser, was auch das Bewusstsein über die Verbundenheit des ökologischen Problems der Entwicklung, mit denen sich auch das zeitgenössische Pastorale konfrontieren muss, um auch bei den Gläubigern das Bewusstsein über "die neue Verantwortung" anzuregen. Zu diesem Zweck werden pastorale Arbeiter bei den zu Erziehenden das klare Bewusstsein über die Verantwortung, z.B. über das Bedürfnis der Priorität "sein" oder "haben" anzuregen versuchen, hervorhebend wie die spezifische Aufgabe des Glaubens in der Beleuchtung der Gründe der ethisch–persönlichen Natur auf die entsprechenden moralischen Stellungnahmen liegt, was unümganglich auch die Verkündigung der bezeichnenden Inhalte des Evangeliums, der Hoffnung und der Motivation einschließt

Wissenschaft und Glaube, Bedenken zum "Intelligent Design"

Autor, u povodu tumačenja o evoluciji poznatog kao Intelligent Design, postavlja pitanje o odnosu vjere i znanosti. Podrobnom analizom osnovnih tvrdnji zastupnika tog tumačenja autor pokazuje kako ga vjernik ne treba prihvaćati samo zato što se on predstavlja kao znanstvena te kako sva pitanja o evoluciji vjernik ne mora rješavati samo na razini znanosti. U slučaju teorije Intelligent Design valja imati na umu i specifičnost ustava koji u SAD-u zabranjuje vjeronaučnu pouku u javnoj školi. Tako postaje jasnije zašto su neke tvrdnje o neznanstvenosti te teorije opravdane. Valjalo bi se ujedno upitati i je li znanstvenost neophodan uvjet pojedine istine te kako i na kojoj razini znanost i vjera mogu zajednički surađivati. Autor zaključuje kako je, prije nego se počne razmišljati o Intelligent Designu, potrebno govoriti o Loving Designu, jer se time upućuje na ono što je bitno za kršćansku vjeru. Uz "tjelesno" postoji i "duhovno" znanje, koje je moguće shvatiti jedino u svjetlu Kristova križa.Der Autor mache uns auf die Deutung der Evolution, bekannt als Intelligent Design aufmerksam und stelle die Frage von der Beziehung des Glaubens und der Wissenschaft. Durch eine ausführliche Analyse der grundlegenden Behauptungen der Vertreter vom Intelligent Design zeige uns der Autor, wie der Gläubiger diese Theorie nicht akzeptieren solle, und zwar nur deswegen, weil sie als wissenschaftlich vorgestellt werde; alle Fragen nach der Evolution solle der Gläubiger nicht nur auf der wissenschaftlichen Ebene lösen. Im Fall der Theorie vom Intelligent Design müsse auch Spezifikum der Verfassung berücksichtigt werden, welche Religionsunterricht in der öffentlichen Schule in den USA verbiete. So werde es klarer, wie manche Behauptungen von der Nicht-Wissenschaftlichkeit des Intelligent Designs berechtigt seien. Zugleich solle man sich fragen, ob Wissenschaftlichkeit eine Bedingung der Notwendigkeit bestimmter Wahrheit sei, und wie und auf welcher Ebene Wissenschaft und Glaube gemeinsam arbeiten können. Der Autor beschließe, wie man bevor über Intelligent Design nachdenken beginne, von dem Loving Design sprechen solle, weil damit auf das Wichtige im christlichen Glauben hingewiesen werde. Neben dem "physischen" bestehe auch "geistliches" Wissen, welches man nur im Lichte des Kreuzes Christi verstehen könne

Translating the Game: Ribosomes as Active Players

Ribosomes have been long considered as executors of the translational program. The fact that ribosomes can control the translation of specific mRNAs or entire cellular programs is often neglected. Ribosomopathies, inherited diseases with mutations in ribosomal factors, show tissue specific defects and cancer predisposition. Studies of ribosomopathies have paved the way to the concept that ribosomes may control translation of specific mRNAs. Studies in Drosophila and mice support the existence of heterogeneous ribosomes that differentially translate mRNAs to coordinate cellular programs. Recent studies have now shown that ribosomal activity is not only a critical regulator of growth but also of metabolism. For instance, glycolysis and mitochondrial function have been found to be affected by ribosomal availability. Also, ATP levels drop in models of ribosomopathies. We discuss findings highlighting the relevance of ribosome heterogeneity in physiological and pathological conditions, as well as the possibility that in rate-limiting situations, ribosomes may favor some translational programs. We discuss the effects of ribosome heterogeneity on cellular metabolism, tumorigenesis and aging. We speculate a scenario in which ribosomes are not only executors of a metabolic program but act as modulators

A Transportable Reflectarray Antenna for Satellite Ku-band Emergency Communications

The design of a Ku-band reconfigurable reflectarray antenna for emergency satellite communications is presented. Bidirectional high data rate satellite links are needed in emergency conditions where other telecommunication infrastructures are not available. In order to operate in this type of scenario, an antenna should be deployable, transportable, and easily repointable. The need of an automatic and fast satellite location and pointing system leads to a completely electronic reconfigurable antenna. The operative bandwidth is from 10.7 to 12.5 GHz for reception and from 14 up to 14.5 GHz for transmission (30% of relative bandwidth). The selected antenna architecture is based on a dual reflectarray system comprising a passive subreflectarray and an active main reflectarray made of reconfigurable 1-bit elementary cells based on PIN diodes

Contribution of light and electron microscopy in the identification of morphological alterations in large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) testes exposed to low-dose-rate radiations

Ionizing radiation affects biological systems, resulting in an increased risk of cancer and mutagenesis. Male reproductive function is sensitive to ionizing radiation, with implications connected to infertility. Following the Nuclear Power Plants accident of Fukushima in 2011, there was great attention regarding exposure damage to low-dose-rate (LDR) radiation on the reproductive system. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the role of light (LM) and transmission electron microscopies (TEM) to identify the potential effects of LDR radio-exposure on the morphology of large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus) testes living in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) ex-evacuation area. After collection samples were subjected to the standard preparative for LM and TEM. The testicular parenchyma was characterized by numerous seminiferous tubules, delimited by a thick and continuous basal lamina. Basally, the germinal epithelium presented round and pale spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes; while, more adluminally, round and elongated spermatids were at different phases of development. Pale and irregular Sertoli cells were interspersed among germ cells. Occasionally, cytoplasmatic holes interrupted the nuclear membrane integrity in spermatocytes and spermatids. Residual bodies were seen at the luminal surface. In conclusion, this study suggests that LM and TEM analysis are useful in evaluating potential morphological features in the male reproductive system after LDR exposure

Retrofitting partial oxyfuel and Integrated Ca-Looping technologies to an existing cement plant: a case study

The present document describes the potential retrofit of an existing cement plant with carbon capture technologies applied in two sequential steps. The pathway proposed consists in a first retrofit through partial oxyfuel followed by the integrated calcium looping (CaL) technology. This kind of applications may represent a promising strategy for the decarbonization route in the cement sector without introducing chemical solvents or special components, in particular for existing cement kilns that may need to be revamped. The cement plant selected for this study is the 0.5 Mtcem/y Colleferro facility owned by Italcementi-HeidelbergCement. This study analyses the mass & energy balances of the partial oxyfuel, and the integrated CaL process retrofitted to the existing cement plant. The results of the two CCS technologies are then compared in terms of CO2 emission reduction and energy consumption with the reference plant without CO2 capture. The scope of this analysis is to evaluate the impact of carbon capture technologies on the cement production process. The process simulation software Aspen Plus V10.0® has been employed to develop the model for the three different plant configurations (i.e., the base case w/o carbon capture, the partial oxyfuel mode, and the integrated CaL). The base case has been validated using field measurements coming directly from the Colleferro plant. From this process flow model, the two CCS technologies have been developed according to the specific process requirements. Results show that a maximum reduction in CO2 emissions of 92.4% is possible with the integrated CaL, while the partial oxyfuel enables to capture 71.7% of the CO2 generated in the plant

Ultrastructural evaluation of mouse oocytes exposed in vitro to different concentrations of the fungicide Mancozeb

Mancozeb is a widely used fungicide, considered to be an endocrine disruptor. In vivo and in vitro studies evidenced its reproductive toxicity on mouse oocytes by altering spindle morphology, impairing oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo implantation. Mancozeb also induces dose-dependent toxicity on the ultrastructure of mouse granulosa cells, including chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing, and vacuolization. We evaluated the effects on the ultrastructure of mouse oocytes isolated from cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), exposed in vitro to increasing concentrations of mancozeb. COCs were matured in vitro with or without (control) low fungicide concentrations (0.001–1 μg/mL). All mature oocytes were collected and prepared for light and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a preserved ultrastructure at the lowest doses (0.001–0.01 μg/mL), with evident clusters of round-to-ovoid mitochondria, visible electron-dense round cortical granules, and thin microvilli. Mancozeb concentration of 1 μg/mL affected organelle density concerning controls, with a reduction of mitochondria, appearing moderately vacuolated, cortical granules, and microvilli, short and less abundant. In summary, ultrastructural data revealed changes mainly at the highest concentration of mancozeb on mouse oocytes. This could be responsible for the previously described impaired capability in oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo implantation, demonstrating its impact on the reproductive health and fertility. © 2023 by the authors