15 research outputs found
Maths Games without Frontiers
The use of games in higher education significantly benefits cognitive, motivational, affective,
and sociocultural perspectives. This paper describes a mathematical challenge for first-year
STEM students at the âCollege of Merit Camplusâ, located in different cities in Italy from South
to Nord, during the autumn of 2020 and 2021. Students in pairs play different puzzler games
to reinforce mathematical prerequisites and basic knowledge. Due to the pandemic situation,
non-digital games were forced to adjust to the remote environment. On the one hand, moving
online was a challenge both from the organisational side and for the students that sometimes
need to cooperate from different locations. On the other end, approaching the games remotely
allowed students from colleges all around Italy to participate. The work describes and comments
on each game in detail, considering the studentsâ performance. In general, it can be stated that
students liked the playful experience, although they found themselves not wholly confident
with some topics and the related time restriction. These games, first-of-all helped review and
train the basic concepts; therefore, the students have a better approach to studying the first
Mathematical course at the University. They found the gamesâ dynamics helpful in highlighting
some simple tricks and common mistakes
The bioactivity of Hedysarum coronarium extracts on skin enzymes and cells correlates with phenolic content
CONTEXT:
The search for bioactive compounds from botanical sources is attracting much interest. However, differences in chemical composition may occur within the same species depending on different geographical origins.
OBJECTIVES:
We evaluated the properties on skin enzymes and cells of extracts from sulla legume crop Hedysarum coronarium L. (Fabaceae), collected at two Italian sites near Pisa and Ventimiglia, for possible dermatological and cosmetic applications.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Plant aerial portions were extracted in MTBE/ethyl acetate/acetone, obtaining two extracts named Pisa sulla extract (PSE) and Ventimiglia sulla extract (VSE). Extracts were subjected to chemical characterization, LC-MS/MS analysis and biological assays.
RESULTS:
PSE showed stronger antiradical scavenging and higher phenolic and flavonoid contents with respect to VSE. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed similar composition for the two extracts, but PSE was richer in condensed tannins and flavonoids, principally rhoifolin, quercetin, naringenin and derivatives. PSE induced stronger inhibition on collagenase and elastase by in vitro enzyme assays, possibly due to higher levels of condensed tannins and quercetin. ELISA bioassay on human dermal fibroblasts revealed stronger PSE induction of collagen production. Determination of glycerol release from adipocytes disclosed stronger stimulation of lipolysis by PSE, allegedly ascribed to higher charge of quercetin and derivatives. In summary, the higher richness in phenolics of PSE is strictly related to stronger bioactivity.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
Data indicate that aerial H. coronarium material is suitable for the development of dermatological and cosmeceutical products, but the geographical origin is an important factor for maximally exploiting the biological properties of this species
Unlocking AI Literacy:The SMaILE-App Gaming Experience
AI's promise to become embedded in every aspect of modern life is quickly becoming a reality. However, a significant gap emerges in educational resources tailored for adolescents. This void often cultivates misconceptions about AI's capabilities and potential risks. To close this gap, we present SMaILE-App, a novel educational cross-platform app designed to foster AI literacy among individuals aged 10 to 18. While inclusive, the app design is purposely biased towards rectifying the gender gap in STEM. Applying a constructionist educational framework, SMaILE-App promotes learning AI fundamentals through interactive gameplay, merging entertainment with personalized knowledge acquisition. SMaILE-App comprises a suite of \emph{minigames} in an engaging narrative, each focusing on a different AI concept, as well as interactive creational and instructive modules. SMaILE-App rests on two key ideas: AI is not a singular, all-encompassing term but a spectrum of methodologies, each with its nuances, and AI is not without its limitations
Photovoltaic Assemblies for the Power Generation of the Exomars Missions
This paper provides a detailed description of the Photovoltaic Assembly (PVA) and, in particular, how the extreme environmental and operative requirements of the Exomars missions are met. âExomarsâ is a program established by the European Space Agency to investigate the Martian environment and to validate new technologies in view of future Mars exploration missions. The first mission will be launched in 2016 and will carry a spacecraft composed of the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Entry, descent and landing Demonstrator Module (EDM). The second mission is scheduled on year 2018 and will carry a rover vehicle. Leonardo PVA contribution is on either the TGO, Carrier and Rover vehicle solar arrays. Moreover we were deeply involved in the design of the power conditioning and distribution electronics of the TGO leveraging on our Power Management and Distribution heritage for scientific platforms.
As far as Exomars SAâs (Solar Array) are concerned, they are significantly different: the TGO is based on two deployable wing system, whose attitude is controlled by the SADM. Each wing comprehends two panels. The Rover vehicle solar array assembly (SAA) is made of a fixed panel and four deployable (primary and secondary) panels. This SAA is unique with respect to standard deployable systems because of the motor deployment control and trimming possibilities during Martian soil exploration.
Each of these missions imposed major design challenges: for the TGO the aero braking maneuvers will cause a significant dissipation of the kinetic energy leading to a solar array temperature increase up to +175°C on the rear face, while +135°C on the front (active) face. On the other hand, during the cruise phase the same PVA will experience extreme cold temperatures down to -209°C.
For the rover SAA the biggest challenge is related to surviving Mars planet environment (i.e. dust, wind and charge accumulation) and the associated mechanical and electrical constraints. We duly considered the experience gained by NASA-JPL on previous Mars lander missions and the selected technical solutions, all taken from the European heritage, represent the evolution to what already successfully flown.
Finally the bio burden and planetary protection requirements are also not a standard in SA field. A special manufacturing, assembly and test sequence will be implemented to capitalize our previous experience on the Mars drill tool development. For both the arrays European PVA technology was exclusively used: more specifically high efficiency III-V compounds solar cells and a new glass grounding network
Rules as data
Rules lie at the core of many disciplines beneath regulatory studies. Such a broad interest inevitably comes with fragmented understandings and technical choices that hinder knowledge cumulation and learning. This introduction tackles these limitations through an encompassing analytical blueprint from measurement theory. First, it addresses ambiguities to establish formal rules as a distinct research object. Then, it builds on legal, institutional analytic, and computational linguistic frameworks to pinpoint their constituting elements. Last, it revises strategies for assigning meaningful numbers to objects and outlines how the contributions to this Special Issue foster different aspects of the blueprint
Photovoltaic Assemblies for the Power Generation of the Exomars Missions
This paper provides a detailed description of the Photovoltaic Assembly (PVA) and, in particular, how the extreme environmental and operative requirements of the Exomars missions are met. âExomarsâ is a program established by the European Space Agency to investigate the Martian environment and to validate new technologies in view of future Mars exploration missions. The first mission will be launched in 2016 and will carry a spacecraft composed of the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Entry, descent and landing Demonstrator Module (EDM). The second mission is scheduled on year 2018 and will carry a rover vehicle. Leonardo PVA contribution is on either the TGO, Carrier and Rover vehicle solar arrays. Moreover we were deeply involved in the design of the power conditioning and distribution electronics of the TGO leveraging on our Power Management and Distribution heritage for scientific platforms.
As far as Exomars SAâs (Solar Array) are concerned, they are significantly different: the TGO is based on two deployable wing system, whose attitude is controlled by the SADM. Each wing comprehends two panels. The Rover vehicle solar array assembly (SAA) is made of a fixed panel and four deployable (primary and secondary) panels. This SAA is unique with respect to standard deployable systems because of the motor deployment control and trimming possibilities during Martian soil exploration.
Each of these missions imposed major design challenges: for the TGO the aero braking maneuvers will cause a significant dissipation of the kinetic energy leading to a solar array temperature increase up to +175°C on the rear face, while +135°C on the front (active) face. On the other hand, during the cruise phase the same PVA will experience extreme cold temperatures down to -209°C.
For the rover SAA the biggest challenge is related to surviving Mars planet environment (i.e. dust, wind and charge accumulation) and the associated mechanical and electrical constraints. We duly considered the experience gained by NASA-JPL on previous Mars lander missions and the selected technical solutions, all taken from the European heritage, represent the evolution to what already successfully flown.
Finally the bio burden and planetary protection requirements are also not a standard in SA field. A special manufacturing, assembly and test sequence will be implemented to capitalize our previous experience on the Mars drill tool development. For both the arrays European PVA technology was exclusively used: more specifically high efficiency III-V compounds solar cells and a new glass grounding network
Photovoltaic Assemblies for the Power Generation of the Exomars Missions
This paper provides a detailed description of the Photovoltaic Assembly (PVA) and, in particular, how the extreme environmental and operative requirements of the Exomars missions are met. âExomarsâ is a program established by the European Space Agency to investigate the Martian environment and to validate new technologies in view of future Mars exploration missions. The first mission will be launched in 2016 and will carry a spacecraft composed of the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Entry, descent and landing Demonstrator Module (EDM). The second mission is scheduled on year 2018 and will carry a rover vehicle. Leonardo PVA contribution is on either the TGO, Carrier and Rover vehicle solar arrays. Moreover we were deeply involved in the design of the power conditioning and distribution electronics of the TGO leveraging on our Power Management and Distribution heritage for scientific platforms.
As far as Exomars SAâs (Solar Array) are concerned, they are significantly different: the TGO is based on two deployable wing system, whose attitude is controlled by the SADM. Each wing comprehends two panels. The Rover vehicle solar array assembly (SAA) is made of a fixed panel and four deployable (primary and secondary) panels. This SAA is unique with respect to standard deployable systems because of the motor deployment control and trimming possibilities during Martian soil exploration.
Each of these missions imposed major design challenges: for the TGO the aero braking maneuvers will cause a significant dissipation of the kinetic energy leading to a solar array temperature increase up to +175°C on the rear face, while +135°C on the front (active) face. On the other hand, during the cruise phase the same PVA will experience extreme cold temperatures down to -209°C.
For the rover SAA the biggest challenge is related to surviving Mars planet environment (i.e. dust, wind and charge accumulation) and the associated mechanical and electrical constraints. We duly considered the experience gained by NASA-JPL on previous Mars lander missions and the selected technical solutions, all taken from the European heritage, represent the evolution to what already successfully flown.
Finally the bio burden and planetary protection requirements are also not a standard in SA field. A special manufacturing, assembly and test sequence will be implemented to capitalize our previous experience on the Mars drill tool development. For both the arrays European PVA technology was exclusively used: more specifically high efficiency III-V compounds solar cells and a new glass grounding network
Healthy Properties of a New Formulation of Pomegranate-Peel Extract in Mice Suffering from Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
open11A new formulation of a pomegranateâpeel extract (PEm) obtained by PUAE (Pulsed
UltrasoundâAssisted Extraction) and titrated in both ellagic acid (EA) and punicalagin is proposed,
characterized and then analyzed for potential health properties in mice suffering from the
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). PEm effects were compared to those elicited
by a formulation containing EA (EAm). Control and EAE mice were chronically administered EAm
and Pem dissolved in the drinking water, starting from the day 10 postâimmunization (d.p.i.), with
a âtherapeuticâ protocol to deliver daily 50 mg/kg of EA. Treated EAE mice did not limit their daily
access to the beverage, nor did they show changes in body weight, but they displayed a significant
amelioration of âin vivoâ clinical symptoms. âEx vivoâ histochemical analysis showed that spinalâ
cord demyelination and inflammation in PEm and EAmâtreated EAE mice at 23 ± 1 d.p.i. were
comparable to those in the untreated EAE animals, while microglia activation (measured as Ionized
Calcium Binding Adaptor 1, Iba1 staining) and astrocytosis (quantified as glial fibrillar acid protein,
GFAP immunopositivity) significantly recovered, particularly in the gray matter. EAm and PEm
displayed comparable efficiencies in controlling the spinal pathological cellular hallmarks in EAE
mice, and this would support their delivery as dietary supplementation in patients suffering from
multiple sclerosis (MS).
++6openVallarino, Giulia; Salis, Annalisa; Lucarini, Elena; Turrini, Federica; Olivero, Guendalina; Roggeri, Alessandra; Damonte, Gianluca; Boggia, Raffaella; Di Cesare Mannelli, Lorenzo Di Cesare; Ghelardini, Carla; Pittaluga, AnnaVallarino, Giulia; Salis, Annalisa; Lucarini, Elena; Turrini, Federica; Olivero, Guendalina; Roggeri, Alessandra; Damonte, Gianluca; Boggia, Raffaella; Di Cesare Mannelli, Lorenzo Di Cesare; Ghelardini, Carla; Pittaluga, Ann
Electro Static Discharge Testing on Meteosat 3
The electrostatic discharge testing on Photovoltaic Assemblies has been thoroughly investigated and performed during the last decade to ensure durability of solar arrays, especially in cases of high power satellites. Leonardo Company together with Aerospazio Tecnologie performed the test for the first time in the framework of Meteosat Third Generation (MTG, a Geostationary satellite of 2.5kW, mounting 3G solar cells) with two goals: the first was to qualify MTG PVA technology against possible ESD occurrences during mission and the second was to characterize the PVA design limits against self-sustained arcs.
This paper illustrates the ESD analysis, the test set up preparation and the test results obtained in the framework of MTG ESD test campaign
Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Ethanolic Extract Modulates Cell Activities with Skin Health Applications
Seagrasses are high plants sharing adaptive metabolic features with both terrestrial plants and marine algae, resulting in a phytocomplex possibly endowed with interesting biological properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro activities on skin cells of an ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, family Potamogetonaceae, herein named Posidonia ethanolic extract (PEE). PEE showed high radical scavenging activity, high phenolic content, and resulted rich in chicoric acid, as determined through HPLC-MS analysis. The use of MTT assay on fibroblasts showed a PEE cytotoxicity threshold (IC05) of 50 ”g/mL at 48 h, while a sub-toxic dose of 20 ”g/mL induced a significant increase of fibroblast growth rate after 10 days. In addition, an ELISA assay revealed that PEE doses of 5 and 10 ”g/mL induced collagen production in fibroblasts. PEE induced dose-dependent mushroom tyrosinase inhibition, up to about 45% inhibition at 1000 ”g/mL, while 50% reduction of melanin was observed in melanoma cells exposed to 50 ”g/mL PEE. Finally, PEE lipolytic activity was assessed by measuring glycerol release from adipocytes following triglyceride degradation. In conclusion, we have collected new data about the biological activities of the phytocomplex of P. oceanica seagrass on skin cells. Our findings indicate that PEE could be profitably used in the development of products for skin aging, undesired hyperpigmentation, and cellulite