Organizational resilience. An analysis of the quasi-medium-sized italian firms.

This thesis aim to provide a conceptual framework on organizational resilience and on the factors that organizations should leverage to stand with the turbulence coming from the external environment. Furthermore, an empirical analysis was conducted to understand if the concentration of shore capital is an element that influences resilience and performance.ope

The Emerging Role of Altered D-Aspartate Metabolism in Schizophrenia: New Insights From Preclinical Models and Human Studies

Besides D-serine, another D-amino acid with endogenous occurrence in the mammalian brain, D-aspartate, has been recently shown to influence NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated transmission. D-aspartate is present in the brain at extracellular level in nanomolar concentrations, binds to the agonist site of NMDARs and activates this subclass of glutamate receptors. Along with its direct effect on NMDARs, D-aspartate can also evoke considerable L-glutamate release in specific brain areas through the presynaptic activation of NMDA, AMPA/kainate and mGlu5 receptors. D-aspartate is enriched in the embryonic brain of rodents and humans and its concentration strongly decreases after birth, due to the post-natal expression of the catabolising enzyme D-aspartate oxidase (DDO). Based on the hypothesis of NMDAR hypofunction in schizophrenia pathogenesis, recent preclinical and clinical studies suggested a relationship between perturbation of D-aspartate metabolism and this psychiatric disorder. Consistently, neurophysiological and behavioral characterization of Ddo knockout (Ddo−/−) and D-aspartate-treated mice highlighted that abnormally higher endogenous D-aspartate levels significantly increase NMDAR-mediated synaptic plasticity, neuronal spine density and memory. Remarkably, increased D-aspartate levels influence schizophrenia-like phenotypes in rodents, as indicated by improved fronto-hippocampal connectivity, attenuated prepulse inhibition deficits and reduced activation of neuronal circuitry induced by phencyclidine exposure. In healthy humans, a genetic polymorphism associated with reduced prefrontal DDO gene expression predicts changes in prefrontal phenotypes including greater gray matter volume and enhanced functional activity during working memory. Moreover, neurochemical detections in post-mortem brain of schizophrenia-affected patients have shown significantly reduced D-aspartate content in prefrontal regions, associated with increased DDO mRNA expression or DDO enzymatic activity. Overall, these findings suggest a possible involvement of dysregulated embryonic D-aspartate metabolism in schizophrenia pathophysiology and, in turn, highlight the potential use of free D-aspartate supplementation as a new add-on therapy for treating the cognitive symptoms of this mental illness

Power quality improvement by pre-computed modulated field current for synchronous generators

Although power quality aspects of electrical machines have been extensively studied and investigated for a large number of years, room for improvement still exists in the field of classic, wound-field, synchronous generators. This paper proposes an innovative method of power quality improvement for single-phase synchronous generators in which the usual DC field current is replaced by a calculated current waveform. The optimised field current waveform is designed in such a way that harmonics created by the machine geometry and the winding configuration are significantly reduced

Fetal-Maternal Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors: Correlation with Diet Intake and Pregnancy Outcomes

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances able to mimic or to interfere with the endocrine system, thus altering key biological processes such as organ development, reproduction, immunity, metabolism and behavior. High concentrations of EDCs are found in several everyday products including plastic bottles and food containers and they could be easily absorbed by dietary intake. In recent years, considerable interest has been raised regarding the biological effects of EDCs, particularly Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, on human pregnancy and fetal development. Several evidence obtained on in vitro and animal models as well as by epidemiologic and population studies strongly indicated that endocrine disruptors could negatively impact fetal and placental health by interfering with the embryonic developing epigenome, thus establishing disease paths into adulthood. Moreover, EDCs could cause and/or contribute to the onset of severe gestational conditions as Preeclampsia (PE), Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) and gestational diabetes in pregnancy, as well as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular complications in reproductive age. Therefore, despite contrasting data being present in the literature, endocrine disruptors must be considered as a therapeutic target. Future actions aimed at reducing or eliminating EDC exposure during the perinatal period are mandatory to guarantee pregnancy success and preserve fetal and adult health

Editorial

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Clinical and Laboratory Findings in Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection.

Purpose: Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE), a disease caused by Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV), is emerging in Italy. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, imaging and electroencephalogram characteristics in Belluno, North-East Italy. Results: 76% were males, mean age 53 years; 50% did not report tick bite. 72% had a biphasic course, 42% a monophasic one, 8 cases of abortive TBE. Mostly no specific symptoms were observed, together with neurological signs and symptoms. None died, but 35% had sequelae at the one-month follow-up. Men had a higher risk of having neurological/neurocognitive sequelae; paresthesia or tremors were associated independently with sequelae. In terms of laboratory data, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and lymphocytosis were associated with the first phase (p < .01), while monocytosis, lymphocytopenia, high levels of ESR and CRP with the second (p < .05). Other abnormal laboratory data were observed: high levels of transaminases, bilirubin, GGT, fibrinogen, amylase, LDH, CPK and electrolyte disorders. Most of the liquor showed pleocytosis and increased protein levels. No specific findings characterized imaging; electroencephalogram mainly reported general and focal anomalies in the temporal lobe. Conclusions: Although patients have not reported a tick bite, TBEV infection should be considered for diagnosis. Usually no specific symptoms are reported along with neurological signs and symptoms. The biphasic course is more often described than the monophasic course; abortive TBE is sometimes present. Paresthesia and tremors are independently associated with neurological/neurocognitive sequelae; men have a higher risk of having sequelae. The first phase is probably associated with thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and lymphocytosis; the second with monocytosis, lymphocytopenia, high levels of CRP and ESR. Electrolyte disorders, high levels of transaminases, GGT, bilirubin, CPK, LDH, fibrinogen and amylase may characterize TBEV infection. © 202