Radio Spectrum Management in the European Union

This thesis work was conducted to explain how the radio spectrum is managed in the European Union (EU). The radio spectrum is the natural resource which makes modern wireless communication possible. Like other natural resources, the radio spectrum is managed by nations within their national territories. Although nations have permanent sovereignty over the radio spectrum, the countries member of the EU share with the EU institutions the responsibility to manage such resource. The fact that EU and national institutions co-manage the radio spectrum generates a tension between the stances of the EU and the EU member states with respect to how the radio spectrum should be used. On the one hand, the EU aims to develop a common approach to radio spectrum use by promoting centralisation of decisional power to the EU level. On the other hand, the EU member states oppose major limitations to national sovereignty over the radio spectrum, protecting their right to dispose of their national resources in accordance with their national interests. A coordinated approach to radio spectrum management at EU level has only recently been set up. For this reason, the extent to which roles and responsibilities are divided between the EU and the EU member states has not been thoroughly investigated.This thesis concentrated on identifying entities which manage the spectrum resource in the EU and the mechanisms used by such entities. To address these two aspects, qualitative data on EU legislative interventions in radio spectrum policy was collected to show variation over time of distribution of decisional power between the EU and the EU member states. Moreover, the phenomenon of business lobbying was studied to understand the importance of influencing EU legislation for commercial radio spectrum users. The external representation of the EU in international negotiations on radio spectrum use was also analysed to show the dual nature of the EU, being simultaneously one unitary entity and a conglomeration of several sovereign states. In addition, the use of soft power by the EU to develop a common approach to radio spectrum across the EU was discussed, in particular with respect to radio spectrum sharing.This research work showed that radio spectrum management is a very complex matter where there is no clear-cut division of responsibilities between the EU and the EU member states. Over time, the EU has developed a more systematic approach to radio spectrum management, designing specific mechanisms to promote EU-coordinated radio spectrum use. At the same time, there are certain areas of radio spectrum management where the EU plays a mere advisory and coordinating role, while relevant decisions are taken at national level. Technological progress has often motivated the EU to put pressure on the EU member states for further integration. In this regard, it can be expected that future technological developments will drive further changes in the distribution of responsibilities between the two levels of governance

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION SEARCH: THE PERCEIVED VALUE OF READING ONLINE REVIEWS

© 2015. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Previous research studied the impact that accommodation online reviews have on those reading them. However, this is mainly quantitative and lacks of conceptual frameworks to ensure consistency. Additionally, only a few of these have considered influencing variables (i.e. characteristics of the review and the reader, and surrounding circumstances). This study will focus on online reviews about accommodation establishments. Its aim is to gain an understanding of the value of reading accommodation online reviews, through a qualitative study. A conceptual framework, based on consumer-perceived value theory, has been developed and face-to-face interviews with readers of accommodation online review have been undertaken. The results suggest that the value of reviews is primarily epistemic (fulfilling the curiosity of those reading them) and conditional (depending on the circumstances), as well as partially functional (related to the provision of effective and efficient information to support decision-making). However, limited emotional (i.e. fun) and social value (i.e. providing a feeling of belonging) have been reported. Furthermore, the elements eliciting the different value dimensions and variables influencing these (such as information search patterns) were identified.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Pharmacological modulation of vascular inflammation in atherothrombosis

Vascular inflammation, especially at the level of endothelial cells, has been shown to play a pivotal role in the inception, progression, and clinical complications of atherosclerosis. The common denominators for the activation of inflammatory genes appear to be a small subset of transcription factors-among which include nuclear factor-κB, activator protein-1 (AP-1), and GATA-that function as the central hub of vascular inflammation. Strategies directed to inhibit both the secondary mediators and the primary triggers (atherosclerosis risk factors) appear viable to inhibit atherosclerosis. However, attempts have now been made to address the central hub of vascular inflammation. "Old" drugs, such as dipyridamole, can also now be revisited for properties related to inhibition of vascular inflammation, probably by acting on the common hub of inflammation

EFFICACY OF LAI IN FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY - CLINICAL REPORTS

The use of antipsychotics, especially second generation antipsychotics, represents the milestone treatment of “first episode of psychosis” (FEP). Although prodromal symptoms of psychosis have long been recognized, the clinical management of psychotic disorders conventionally begins at the first episode of frank psychosis, as it is well acknowledged that “duration of untreated psychosis” (DUP) is one of the main factor that negatively affects prognosis: a longer DUP is highly correlated to reduced response to treatment, poor clinical and social outcomes, and an overall worst prognosis. Long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations of antipsychotics have traditionally been used for those patients with psychosis with the most severe symptoms, poorest compliance, most hospitalizations and poorest outcomes; moreover it seems that psychiatrists tend to prescribe LAI at the latter stages of the disease. We retrospectively collected clinical and sociodemographic data regarding patients consecutively presenting with symptoms of FEP attending the Community Mental Health Service (CMHS) in Foggia from 1st June 2014 to 31st May 2015. We selected patients who attended the CMHS in Foggia with symptoms of FEP. Different scales were administered to assess symptoms severity, quality of life, side effects, adherence, and overall functionality. In our sample LAI treatment was found to be effective in treating symptoms associated to FEP, improved quality of life and it was associated with a clinically irrelevant incidence of extrapyramidal side effect. Considering that achieving a full symptoms remission in people affected by FEP is associated to better outcomes, and that DUP is associated to poor prognosis, LAIs could play an important role in improving overall recovery

Effect of Cocoa Products and Its Polyphenolic Constituents on Exercise Performance and Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage and Inflammation: A Review of Clinical Trials

In recent years, the consumption of chocolate and, in particular, dark chocolate has been \u201crehabilitated\u201d due to its high content of cocoa antioxidant polyphenols. Although it is recognized that regular exercise improves energy metabolism and muscle performance, excessive or unaccustomed exercise may induce cell damage and impair muscle function by triggering oxidative stress and tissue inflammation. The aim of this review was to revise the available data from literature on the eects of cocoa polyphenols on exercise-associated tissue damage and impairment of exercise performance. To this aim, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched with the following keywords: \u201cintervention studies\u201d, \u201ccocoa polyphenols\u201d, \u201cexercise training\u201d, \u201cinflammation\u201d, \u201coxidative stress\u201d, and \u201cexercise performance\u201d. We selected thirteen randomized clinical trials on cocoa ingestion that involved a total of 200 well-trained athletes. The retrieved data indicate that acute, sub-chronic, and chronic cocoa polyphenol intake may reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress but not inflammation, while mixed results are observed in terms of exercise performance and recovery. The interpretation of available results on the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of cocoa polyphenols remains questionable, likely due to the variety of physiological networks involved. Further experimental studies are mandatory to clarify the role of cocoa polyphenol supplementation in exercise-mediated inflammation

Residual stress and tribological performance of ZrN coatings produced by reactive bipolar magnetron sputtering

In the past few decades, ZrN thin films have been identified as wear resistant coatings for tribological applications. The mechanical and tribological properties of ZrN thin layers depend on internal stress induced by the adopted deposition techniques and deposition parameters such as pressure, temperature, and growth rate. In sputtering deposition processes, the selected target voltage waveform and the plasma characteristics also play a crucial influence on physical properties of produced coatings. In present work, ZrN thin films, obtained setting different values of duty cycle in a reactive bipolar pulsed dual magnetron sputtering plant, were investigated to evaluate their residual stress through the substrate curvature method. A considerable progressive increase of residual stress values was measured at decreasing duty cycle, attesting the significant role of voltage waveform in stress development. An evident correlation was also highlighted between the values of the duty cycle and those of wear factor. The performed analysis attested an advantageous effect of internal stress, having the samples with high compressive stress, higher wear resistance. A downward trend for wear rate with the increase of internal residual stress was observed. The choice of suitable values of duty cycle allowed to produce ceramic coatings with improved tribological performance

Residual Stress and Tribological Performance of ZrN Coatings Produced by Reactive Bipolar Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering

In the past few decades, ZrN thin films have been identified as wear resistant coatings for tribological applications. The mechanical and tribological properties of ZrN thin layers depend on internal stress induced by the adopted deposition techniques and deposition parameters such as pressure, temperature, and growth rate. In sputtering deposition processes, the selected target voltage waveform and the plasma characteristics also play a crucial influence on physical properties of produced coatings. In present work, ZrN thin films, obtained setting different values of duty cycle in a reactive bipolar pulsed dual magnetron sputtering plant, were investigated to evaluate their residual stress through the substrate curvature method. A considerable progressive increase of residual stress values was measured at decreasing duty cycle, attesting the significant role of voltage waveform in stress development. An evident correlation was also highlighted between the values of the duty cycle and those of wear factor. The performed analysis attested an advantageous effect of internal stress, having the samples with high compressive stress, higher wear resistance. A downward trend for wear rate with the increase of internal residual stress was observed. The choice of suitable values of duty cycle allowed to produce ceramic coatings with improved tribological performance

Nutraceuticals and prevention of atherosclerosis: focus on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and Mediterranean diet polyphenols

Nutraceuticals are potentially healthful foods that play a role in maintaining human well being, enhancing health and preventing, or even treating, specific diseases. More than for any other diseases, cardiovascular diseases occur in association with risk factors that are amenable to prevention or treatment by nutraceutical interventions. Several ingredients marketed for use in dietary supplements address such risk factors. The ability of nutraceuticals to favorably influence cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerotic vascular disease should be recognized as an enormous opportunity for the prevention or treatment of this common condition. In this review, we attempt at summarizing some of the recent research findings on omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant polyphenols that have beneficial cardiovascular effects to update the practicing clinicians on the potential benefits of nutraceuticals in this area

BioSentinel: An Adaptable Platform for Studying the Biological Effects of Deep Space Radiation

NASA's BioSentinel mission is a 6U nanosatellite with autonomous life support that will utilize the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study the DNA damage response to the deep space radiation environment. BioSentinel is planned to launch in 2019 as a secondary payload on the Space Launch System's first Exploration Mission (EM-1), and will undergo a lunar fly-by and enter heliocentric orbit after deployment. As the first biological mission beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in nearly half a century, this mission will help fill critical gaps in knowledge about the effects of uniquely composed, chronic, low-flux deep space radiation on biological systems. Yeast is well-suited for this mission due to its desiccation tolerance and space-flight heritage. As a eukaryotic model organism, it also serves as a robust analog for human cells. Data gathered on this mission will thus inform us of the hazards involved in long-duration human exploration in deep space, and the protections necessary to mitigate them. Due to its low-cost, flexible and advanced technology, the 4U BioSensor payload contained within the nanosatellite is adaptable to other model microorganisms, exploration platforms and environments relevant to human exploration, such as the ISS, the Lunar Orbital Platform - Gateway and future lunar landers. In order to query the DNA damage response to deep space radiation, BioSentinel contains a wild type yeast strain as a positive control, and a radiation sensitive rad51 mutant strain that is defective for DNA repair. Yeast cells are desiccated in microfluidic cards, and rehydrated with growth medium and metabolic indicator dye at the desired time points during the mission. A thermal control system supports these stasis and growth states, and an optical system continuously measures cell growth and metabolism. An onboard radiation spectrometer and dosimeter allows us to correlate the dose, energy and particle-type of deep space radiation to the biological response. Data received from the deep space biosensor will be compared to control payloads on Earth and the ISS. Ongoing science testing for the BioSentinel project includes optimization for cell viability, desiccation tolerance, and long-term biocompatibility, as well as radiation experiments to understand the sensitivity and responsiveness of cells to varying radiation doses and particle types