Progettare la città compatta: una proposta per il quartiere Navile a Bologna

Nell'ottica del ritorno alla città compatta, modello urbanistico ideale per rispondere alle attuali esigenze di sostenibilità, la tesi propone un intervento di rigenerazione di un'area che oggi rappresenta un vuoto all'interno del tessuto urbano del quartiere Navile di Bologna. La proposta affronta tre tematiche principali, considerate motori della trasformazione urbana: la creazione di nuove polarità attrattive per la comunità cittadina, il miglioramento della rete di connessioni e la valorizzazione del patrimonio architettonico e naturale esistente. Lo scopo ultimo del progetto è quello di rivitalizzare l'area, rendendola uno spazio attivo e permeabile e facendone l'elemento di ricucitura del territorio periferico in cui è inserita

A participatory management proposal to enhance the cemetery of Misión Salesiana Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria in Río Grande (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina)

En un contexto social de reivindicación y reclamo por los derechos indígenas, las investigaciones arqueológicas requieren de nuevas herramientas conceptuales y prácticas que permitan abordar aspectos sociales vinculados a los protocolos previos de consentimiento informado para llevar adelante las investigaciones y las excavaciones arqueológicas, así como la restitución de los restos óseos ancestrales y la gestión de la puesta en valor del patrimonio. El objetivo de este trabajo se centra en una propuesta metodológica para la puesta en valor del Cementerio de La Misión Salesiana Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina), desde una gestión participativa. Para ello es fundamental la identificación de los grupos de interés, como también el relevamiento de sus opiniones y valoraciones para proyectar acciones futuras en torno a la gestión del patrimonio arqueológico. Esta opción resulta un recurso valioso porque reconoce e involucra desde el comienzo de la planificación a los diferentes grupos de interés.In a social context of vindication and claiming of justice for indigenous rights, archaeological research requires new conceptual and practical tools to deal with social aspects linked to previous protocols of informed consent, to carry out archaeological research and excavations, restitution of ancestral bone remains and the management of cultural heritage enhancement. This research focuses on a methodological proposal to enhance the Cemetery of Misión Salesiana Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, from a participatory management perspective. In this proposal the identification of special interest groups, the survey and the evaluation of their opinions and assessments become crucial to project future actions in order to promote management of archaeological heritage. This option is a valuable resource since different special interest groups are recognized and included from the beginning of the planning.Fil: Garcia Laborde, Pamela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueología. Laboratorio de Ecología Evolutiva Humana (Sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Conforti, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; ArgentinaFil: Golfieri, Magalí. Red Argentina de Valoración y Gestión Patrimonial de Cementerios; Argentin

The Language of Adolescents in Depicting Migrants

This study (N = 161 Italian adolescents attending 11th and 12th grade of secondary school) investigated how adolescents linguistically portray migrants. Over a year and a half, the study considered whether positive factors known to reduce social discrimination – i.e., multiple categorization of migrants and/or the degree of identification with the human group – are associated with relatively unbiased linguistic descriptions of migrants. The coding system had three categories of terms referring to the outgroup: generalized/categorical definitions, individuating piecemeal information or membership in the human group. We found that adolescents who used multiple categorizations to describe migrants and self-identified with the human group (at T1) also linguistically described migrants in human and individuating terms (at T2). The findings are discussed underlying the implications of defying the self and outgroups in multiple complex ways through language, as an ecological means used by adolescents to communicate their views of others

The Influence of Gd-EOB-DTPA on T2 Signal Behavior: An Example from Clinical Routine

In the literature, it has repeatedly been stated that the introduction of hepatospecific contrast agents in Magnetic Resonance Imaging prolongs the acquisition time due to the hepatobiliary phase, normally acquired 15-20 min after injection. Many efforts have been made to shorten the time-consuming protocols, and it was demonstrated that T2-Weighted Images (T2WI) and Diffusion-Weighted Images (DWI) acquired after Gd-EOB-DTPA show a comparable diagnostic capability to pre-contrast T2WI and DWI in the detection and characterization of hepatic tumors. Therefore, T2WI and DWI are usually acquired after the acquisition of vascular phases, in the dead time until the acquisition of the hepatobiliary phase. Unfortunately, contrast agents, especially Gd-EOB-DTPA, reduce the hydrogen nuclei's relaxation time and modify signal intensity. We report a case in which, due to these limitations of the acquisition protocol, two hemangiomas showed an inhomogeneous, low signal on T2WI and DWI that was not visible in a follow-up scan a few days later. In conclusion, when liver lesions of unknown nature must be characterized, and there is a lack of previous radiological investigations, it could be useful to acquire pre-contrast T2WI and DWI to avoid diagnostic confusion, especially in non-tertiary centers

Valutazione dello stato morfologico ed ecologico di corsi d'acqua alpini: utilizzo e confronto dell'indice di qualità morfologica (IQM) e di un indice basato sugli odonati

This thesis deals with the assesment of morphological and ecological conditions of six Italian alpine rivers. Odonata (dragonflies) were chosen as bioindicators to assess the ecological status of river corridors while the assessment of th morphological status of the study cases was performed by using the Morphological Quality Index (MQI) Dragonflies demonstrated to be an effective bioindicator. The results also indicated a significant correlation between MQI and OQI and demonstrated the importance of river processes as drivers for the maintenance of a high diversity of habitats and species within the river corridor

Imaging of biliary involvement in sarcoidosis: Computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging findings

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease usually affecting the chest, hilar lymph nodes, and lungs, but can potentially involve any organ; therefore, its clinical presentation may vary. Hepato-biliary involvement is rare, and typically asymptomatic; however, it can lead to cirrhosis, and may require liver transplantation. In this report, we present a rare case of a patient affected by sarcoidosis with hepatobiliary involvement. He presented to our hospital complaining of dyspnea triggered by moderate efforts and oppressive thoracic discomfort. Chest X-ray showed multiple bilateral nodular opacities and enlargement of both hilar regions, confirmed by a subsequent total-body computed tomography scan and positron emission tomography, which also revealed cardiac, splenic, and hepatic involvement. Liver function was studied via gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was also performed. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was finally achieved via liver biopsy, revealing non-necrotizing granulomas in the periportal space. The patient was treated with prednisone per os, with regression of all lesions at all levels. Although other cases of biliary sarcoidosis have been described, this report provides a complete image set of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance and MRCP images that is lacking in the English literature, and which may be useful for diagnosis

Regulatory networks of Neisseria meningitidis and their implications for pathogenesis

Neisseria meningitidis, the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, can adapt to different host niches during human infection. Both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory networks have been identified as playing a crucial role for bacterial stress responses and virulence. We investigated the N. meningitidis transcriptional landscape both by microarray and by RNA sequencing (RNAseq). Microarray analysis of N. meningitidis grown in the presence or absence of glucose allowed us to identify genes regulated by carbon source availability. In particular, we identified a glucose-responsive hexR-like transcriptional regulator in N. meningitidis. Deletion analysis showed that the hexR gene is accountable for a subset of the glucose-responsive regulation, and in vitro assays with the purified protein showed that HexR binds to the promoters of the central metabolic operons of meningococcus, by targeting a DNA region overlapping putative regulatory sequences. Our results indicate that HexR coordinates the central metabolism of meningococcus in response to the availability of glucose, and N. meningitidis strains lacking the hexR gene are also deficient in establishing successful bacteremia in a mouse model of infection. In parallel, RNAseq analysis of N. meningitidis cultured under standard or iron-limiting in vitro growth conditions allowed us to identify novel small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) potentially involved in N. meningitidis regulatory networks. Manual curation of the RNAseq data generated a list of 51 sRNAs, 8 of which were validated by Northern blotting. Deletion of selected sRNAs caused attenuation of N. meningitidis infection in a murine model, leading to the identification of the first sRNAs influencing meningococcal bacteraemia. Furthermore, we describe the identification and initial characterization of a novel sRNA unique to meningococcus, closely associated to genes relevant for the intracellular survival of pathogenic Neisseriae. Taken together, our findings could help unravel the regulation of N. meningitidis adaptation to the host environment and its implications for pathogenesis

The biopsychosocial approach in liver and multi-organ transplantation: assessment of the outcome predictors

Introduction: During all phases of Liver Transplant (LT) process patients tend to develop psychological distress. Aims of the present study were to evaluate psychological variables at the time of evaluation for listing for LT (T0) and enter in the waitlist for LT (T1). Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients admitted at the Bologna Transplant Center between 2017 and 2018. Patients were compared with an age- and gender- matched control group. Significant differences between variables were estimated with non-parametric tests. χ2 or Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables while Mann-Whitney for continuous ones. Changes between T0 and T1 were analyzed with Wilcoxon Test. A p value less than 0.05 was pondered as noteworthy for all tests. Results: We enrolled 50 patients mainly males (68%) with mean age of 57±7 years. A DSM 5 diagnosis was present in one fifth of patients and DCPR syndrome in 44%. Enrolled subjects at T0 showed anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms. In comparison with control group, experimental one displayed lower scores in PCS and MCS of SF-12 (p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively), BC positive refraining, venting, instrumental support, humor, behavioural disengagement, emotional support, self-blame (all p<0.05) and in ISEL and PTG Scale (all p=0.000). Experimental group reported higher scores in the scale of SQ about anxiey, depression, somatic symptom and BC substance use score (all p<0.05). Twenty-five patients were admitted in the waitlist (T1). From T0 to T1, there was an increase of DSM-5 and DCPR diagnosis. At T1 in comparison with T0, we registered higher scores in SQ Hostility subscale (p=0.084) and BC Self distraction (p=0.079). Conclusions: Patients in screening for LT show many psychological disorders, often more pronounced than general population. From screening to enter into waitlist, many psychological patterns tend to worsen. Psychological support and multidisciplinary view might be useful during the transplant process

Hepatocellular adenoma: An unsolved diagnostic enigma

Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is a rare benign liver tumour associated with the use of oral contraceptives or other steroid medications which occurs predominantly in young and middle-aged women. Unlike other benign liver tumours, an HCA may be complicated by bleeding and malignant transformation. HCAs have been divided into four subtypes based on molecular and pathological features: hepatocyte nuclear factor 1\u3b1-mutated HCA, inflammatory HCA, \u3b2-catenin-mutated HCA, and unclassified HCA. \u3b2-catenin-mutated HCA has the highest risk of haemorrhage or malignant transformation. In the latest upgrade of the guidelines regarding the management of benign liver tumours published in 2016 by the European Association for the Study of the Liver, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recognized to be superior to all other imaging modalities in detecting HCAs and in being able to subtype HCAs up to 80%, with positive identification of 1\u3b1-mutated HCA or inflammatory HCA achievable with &gt; 90% specificity. This review analyzed the imaging features of HCA using MRI with hepato-specific contrast agents, focusing on the limitations in the HCA characterization

MRI Appearance of Focal Lesions in Liver Iron Overload

Liver iron overload is defined as an accumulation of the chemical element Fe in the hepatic parenchyma that exceeds the normal storage. When iron accumulates, it can be toxic for the liver by producing inflammation and cell damage. This can potentially lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as to other liver lesions depending on the underlying condition associated to liver iron overload. The correct assessment of liver iron storage is pivotal to drive the best treatment and prevent complication. Nowadays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best non-invasive modality to detect and quantify liver iron overload. However, due to its superparamagnetic properties, iron provides a natural source of contrast enhancement that can make challenging the differential diagnosis between different focal liver lesions (FLLs). To date, a fully comprehensive description of MRI features of liver lesions commonly found in iron-overloaded liver is lacking in the literature. Through an extensive review of the published literature, we aim to summarize the MRI signal intensity and enhancement pattern of the most common FLLs that can occur in liver iron overload