Iridoid glucosides from Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers growing on the Island of Sardinia

The ethanolic extract of Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers was investigated from a phytochemical point of view and in particular on the monoterpenoid glucosides content. Iridoid glucosides have a taxonomic relevance, e.g., asperuloside and its derivative are characteristic of the Rubioideae subfamily where this species is comprised. In the light of earliest phylogenetic molecular study which proposed to merge P. lanceolata in the Spermacoceae tribe, a phytochemical approach also becomes necessary for a correct classification of this species. A total of 12 compounds were identified in detail, ten of these are iridoid glucosides: asperuloside, asperulosidic acid, tudoside, E-uenfoside and Z-uenfoside previously identified in this genus; whereas, deacetyl-asperulosidic acid, ixoside, griselinoside, 6β,7β-epoxysplendoside were recognized here for the first time from P. lanceolata. Among the non-iridoidic compounds ursolic acid and d-xylose were identified

Planck-scale dual-curvature lensing and spacetime noncommutativity

It was recently realized that Planck-scale momentum-space curvature, which is expected in some approaches to the quantum-gravity problem, can produce dual-curvature lensing, a feature which mainly affects the direction of observation of particles emitted by very distant sources. Several gray areas remain in our understanding of dual-curvature lensing, including the possibility that it might be just a coordinate artifact and the possibility that it might be in some sense a by product of the better studied dual-curvature redshift. We stress that data reported by the IceCube neutrino telescope should motivate a more vigorous effort of investigation of dual-curvature lensing, and we observe that studies of the recently proposed "$\rho$-Minkowski noncommutative spacetime" could be valuable from this perspective. Through a dedicated $\rho$-Minkowski analysis, we show that dual-curvature lensing is not merely a coordinate artifact and that it can be present even in theories without dual-curvature redshift

Mapping Italian Women\u27s Filmmaking: Urban Space In The Cinema Of The New Millennium

My dissertation lies at the intersection of Italian studies, film studies, women\u27s studies, and urban studies. Applying gender studies and feminist theoretical perspectives, I trace a thematic map of contemporary Italian women\u27s cinema (2000-2012) that investigates female subjectivity in urban contexts. Examining the works of the filmmakers Marina Spada, Francesca Comencini, Wilma Labate, Roberta Torre, and Alice Rohrwacher, I identify a common tendency to treat locations like characters, apply similar modalities of incorporating city-views into the narration, and recurrently construct parallels between physical journeys through cities and inner journeys of the self. As a prism through which to look at contemporary Italian society, the city articulates themes such as women\u27s alienation and social invisibility, the challenge of reconciling motherhood and paid work, the debasement of the female body, and the role of institutions such as the Church and the family. The most prominent visual leitmotif in this cinematic production is that of the wandering woman contemplating the cityscape. What does walking signify in these works? During the women\u27s liberation movement of the late sixties and seventies, the appropriation of public space was a form of resistance to patriarchal confinement of women to domestic spaces. The act of female `streetwalking,\u27 typically associated with prostitution, was re-configured as an act of self-liberation. Through a close reading of the films, I argue that female flânerie, in all the articulations it takes in each film, represents an act of emancipation, an act of introspection, and a search for position in society. Furthermore, the image of the woman contemplating the city signifies, for filmmakers who struggle to appropriate the medium of film and carve a space in a male-dominated industry, an assertion of authorship. By identifying these female authorial voices and a common aesthetic project, my dissertation aims to address the knowledge gap about women\u27s artistic expression while leading to a more complex understanding of Italian contemporary cinema

Role of Dental Implant Homecare in Mucositis and Peri-implantitis Prevention: A Literature Overview

Background: Correlation between high plaque index and inflammatory lesions around dental implants has been shown and this highlights the importance of patient plaque control. Until now, knowledge of peri-implant home care practices has been based on periodontal devices. Objective: The aim of this overview is to identify the presence of scientific evidence that peri-implant homecare plays a role in mucositis and peri-implantitis prevention. Methods: Different databases were used in order to detect publications reflecting the inclusion criteria. The search looked into peri-implant homecare studies published from 1991 to 2019 and the terms used for the identification of keywords were: Dental implants, Brush, Interproximal brushing, Interdental brushing, Power toothbrush, Cleaning, Interdental cleaning, Interspace cleaning, Flossing, Super floss, Mouth rinses, Chlorhexidine. The type of studies included in the selection for this structured review were Randomized Clinical Trials, Controlled Clinical Trials, Systematic Reviews, Reviews, Cohort Studies and Clinical cases. Results: Seven studies fulfilled all the inclusion criteria: 3 RCTs, one Consensus report, one cohort study, one systematic review and one review. Other 14 studies that partially met the inclusion criteria were analyzed and classified into 3 different levels of evidence: good evidence for RCTs, fair evidence for case control and cohort studies and poor evidence for expert opinion and case report. Conclusion: Not much research has been done regarding homecare implant maintenance. Scientific literature seems to show little evidence regarding these practices therefore most of the current knowledge comes from the periodontal literature. Manual and powered toothbrushes, dental floss and interdental brushes seem to be useful in maintaining peri-implant health. The use of antiseptic rinses or gels does not seem to have any beneficial effects. It can be concluded that to better understand which are the most effective home care practices to prevent mucositis and peri-implantitis in implant- rehabilitated patients, new specific high evidence studies are needed

Recognition and treatment of peri-implant mucositis: Do we have the right perception? A structured review

Peri-implant mucositis is a common inflammatory lesion of the soft tissues surrounding endosseous implants, with no loss of the supporting bone. Its prevention or early diagnosis are vital for dental implant success.The aim of this review was to investigate knowledge strengths and gaps in clinicians'perceptions of periimplant mucositis prevalence and evidence for successful treatment.A literature search for articles published until 2020, reporting on the prevalence of peri-implant mucositis and its treatment was performed in standard online databases. The inclusion criteria were as follows: studies in English; studies with an available abstract; studies on humans with at least 1 dental implant; and studies reporting on the prevalence and/or treatment of peri-implant mucositis. Sixty-five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The included papers were analyzed to identify data on the prevalence and treatment of peri-implant mucositis. The prevalence statistics for peri-implant mucositis had wide ranges in both the patient-based (PB) analysis and the implant-based (IB) analysis; the possible reasons for these wide ranges are discussed. Treatment methods for peri-implant mucositis were analyzed individually and compared to the management of gingivitis.It was determined that the currently available information on the prevalence rates and the standardized therapeutic protocols for peri-implant mucositis are insufficient. Since the mean gingivitis and peri-implant mucositis prevalence rates in the PB analysis were similar, it is possible that peri-implant mucositis is under estimated due to variables related to implant rehabilitation itself

El Claroscuro

El punto de partida de esta tesis fue desarrollar la escritura de un guión abordando una temática que me resulta muy cercana: las personas privadas de su libertad y su experiencia del tiempo. Mi interés está situado en la forma que toma este relato, en poder plantear una temporalidad desde la narración que permita empezar a pensar el ritmo de la película. A partir de descripciones y pausas en la historia, más allá de las acciones concretas, el relato abre el juego a otras sensaciones y a la posibilidad de otras miradas.Facultad de Arte

Combining Microwave Radiometer and Wind Profiler Radar Measurements for High-Resolution Atmospheric Humidity Profiling

Abstract A self-consistent remote sensing physical method to retrieve atmospheric humidity high-resolution profiles by synergetic use of a microwave radiometer profiler (MWRP) and wind profiler radar (WPR) is illustrated. The proposed technique is based on the processing of WPR data for estimating the potential refractivity gradient profiles and their optimal combination with MWRP estimates of potential temperature profiles in order to fully retrieve humidity gradient profiles. The combined algorithm makes use of recent developments in WPR signal processing, computing the zeroth-, first-, and second-order moments of WPR Doppler spectra via a fuzzy logic method, which provides quality control of radar data in the spectral domain. On the other hand, the application of neural network to brightness temperatures, measured by a multichannel MWRP, can provide continuous estimates of tropospheric temperature and humidity profiles. Performance of the combined algorithm in retrieving humidity profiles is compared with simultaneous in situ radiosonde observations (raob's). The empirical sets of WPR and MWRP data were collected at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program's Southern Great Plains (SGP) site. Combined microwave radiometer and wind profiler measurements show encouraging results and significantly improve the spatial vertical resolution of atmospheric humidity profiles. Finally, some of the limitations found in the use of this technique and possible future improvements are also discussed