Impianto sperimentale a vapore per microgenerazione da biomassa

Il presente lavoro di tesi riguarda l’analisi di un impianto a vapore alimentato a biomassa legnosa per la sperimentazione di un espansore volumetrico rotativo, il motore Wankel, e si colloca all’interno di un progetto per la realizzazione di un impianto di microgenerazione per aziende o industrie che dispongano di scarti di lavorazione classificabili come biomassa

The Barrage in reading and writing

Training can be organized to spread fluidity according to an ecological pattern of training. This could help to spread the cognitive exercise, orient the visualization in self-learning so that the operative directionality of the readingwriting can allow the activation of strategies, the automatization of the directionality that involves disconfort in the performance, to relaunch the cognitive, organizational potentialities and planning

Slowness and speed of execution as a functional indicator in music therapy

The understanding of the symptoms, phenomena and treatment derived from the alteration of brain functions undoubtedly deserves the widest reflection on the interaction between brain and behavior, the inter-reaction of dysfunctions and therefore the interpretation of brain effects and plasticity in relation to the environment and musical treatment

Principles of ecological construction

The gamification can be organized to disseminate the cognitive sense by ecological way of the joystick, hardware, software and storyboard. This can help spread the cognitive exercise, shaping the architecture of the gaming function, consoles and device in self-paced so that the games can allow the activation of strategies, creating a real training, to relaunch cognitive, organizational and planning potentials

Experimental in vivo models of multiple sclerosis: state of the art

Multiple sclerosis is a multifactorial and heterogeneous neurological disease; hence, several experimental animal models had to be developed to mimic the different features of human pathology. Three main classes of animal models have been developed:experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), cupri- zone intoxication, and Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection. The EAE model is the most versatile as it allows the reproduction of different patterns of multiple sclerosis; it is mostly relevant for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and has allowed the development of several first-line, disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The other two models are less flexi- ble than the EAE model and, to date, have not led to the discovery of any clinically relevant therapies. The cuprizone model mostly mimics the acute and chronic courses of multiple sclerosis, and it may represent a useful tool to develop novel therapies to protect oligodendrocytes and stimulate remyelination. Finally, the TMEV infection is the reference model to specifically study viral-mediated mecha- nisms of acute and primary progressive multiple sclerosis

Le attività immateriali alla luce dello IAS 38 - Una ricerca empirica

L’obiettivo del presente lavoro è compiere un'analisi delle risorse immateriali presenti nelle aziende, in particolare andando a focalizzare sul principio che a livello internazionale domina la materia: l’International Accounting Standard (IAS) n. 38. A tale analisi consegue poi la ricerca empirica, consistente nell'evidenziazione delle modalità di implementazione del suddetto principio contabile internazionale all'interno dei bilanci consolidati di 40 gruppi di società italiane ed estere di cui fanno parte le 40 maggiori società italiane ed estere quotate alla Borsa valori di Milano appartenenti all'indice azionario “FTSE-MIB”

Genes and Aggressive Behavior: Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Individual Susceptibility to Aversive Environments

Over the last two decades, the study of the relationship between nature and nurture in shaping human behavior has encountered a renewed interest. Behavioral genetics showed that distinct polymorphisms of genes that code for proteins that control neurotransmitter metabolic and synaptic function are associated with individual vulnerability to aversive experiences, such as stressful and traumatic life events, and may result in an increased risk of developing psychopathologies associated with violence. On the other hand, recent studies indicate that experiencing aversive events modulates gene expression by introducing stable changes to DNA without modifying its sequence, a mechanism known as “epigenetics”. For example, experiencing adversities during periods of maximal sensitivity to the environment, such as prenatal life, infancy and early adolescence, may introduce lasting epigenetic marks in genes that affect maturational processes in brain, thus favoring the emergence of dysfunctional behaviors, including exaggerate aggression in adulthood. The present review discusses data from recent research, both in humans and animals, concerning the epigenetic regulation of four genes belonging to the neuroendocrine, serotonergic and oxytocinergic pathways—Nuclear receptor subfamily 3-group C-member 1 (NR3C1), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), solute carrier-family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)—and their role in modulating vulnerability to proactive and reactive aggressive behavior. Behavioral genetics and epigenetics are shedding a new light on the fine interaction between genes and environment, by providing a novel tool to understand the molecular events that underlie aggression. Overall, the findings from these studies carry important implications not only for neuroscience, but also for social sciences, including ethics, philosophy and law

Nutritional Quality of Meat Analogues: Results From the Food Labelling of Italian Products (FLIP) Project

Nowadays, the interest in meat substitutes is increasing, and consumers perceive their nutritional quality better than that of the animal products they intend to resemble. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the overall nutritional quality of these new products. Regulated information [Regulation (EU) 1169/2011], the presence/absence of nutrition or health claim and organic declarations, the gluten-free indication, and the number of ingredients were collected from the food labels of 269 commercial meat analogues currently sold on the Italian market. Nutritional information of reference animal meat products was used to compare the nutrition profile. As an indicator of the nutritional quality, the Nutri-Score of meat analogues and counterparts was also determined. Plant-based steaks showed significantly higher protein, lower energy, fats and salt contents, and better Nutri-Scores than the other analogues. All the meat analogues showed a higher fibre content than meat products, while plant-based burgers and meatballs had lower protein contents than meat counterparts. Ready-sliced meat analogues showed a lower salt content than cured meats. Overall, all these plant-based products showed a longer list of ingredients than animal meat products. Results from this survey highlighted that plant-based steaks, cutlets, and cured meats have some favourable nutritional aspects compared to animal-based products. However, they cannot be considered a "tout-court" alternative to meat products from a nutritional point of view

A surge of late-occurring meiotic double-strand breaks rescues synapsis abnormalities in spermatocytes of mice with hypomorphic expression of SPO11

Meiosis is the biological process that, after a cycle of DNA replication, halves the cellular chromosome complement, leading to the formation of haploid gametes. Haploidization is achieved via two successive rounds of chromosome segregation, meiosis I and II. In mammals, during prophase of meiosis I, homologous chromosomes align and synapse through a recombination-mediated mechanism initiated by the introduction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by the SPO11 protein. In male mice, if SPO11 expression and DSB number are reduced below heterozygosity levels, chromosome synapsis is delayed, chromosome tangles form at pachynema, and defective cells are eliminated by apoptosis at epithelial stage IV at a spermatogenesis-specific endpoint. Whether DSB levels produced in Spo11 +/− spermatocytes represent, or approximate, the threshold level required to guarantee successful homologous chromosome pairing is unknown. Using a mouse model that expresses Spo11 from a bacterial artificial chromosome, within a Spo11 −/− background, we demonstrate that when SPO11 expression is reduced and DSBs at zygonema are decreased (approximately 40 % below wild-type level), meiotic chromosome pairing is normal. Conversely, DMC1 foci number is increased at pachynema, suggesting that under these experimental conditions, DSBs are likely made with delayed kinetics at zygonema. In addition, we provide evidences that when zygotene-like cells receive enough DSBs before chromosome tangles develop, chromosome synapsis can be completed in most cells, preventing their apoptotic elimination

Hoes or adzes? Experimental reproduction and uses of deer antler tools from the Bronze Age Terramara of Pragatto (Italy)

This research aimed to evaluate the hypotheses related to the production and possible uses of a class of deer antler tools from the Bronze Age Terramara of Pragatto (Italy). These bevel-ended instruments are traditionally considered handled hoes, related to agricultural purposes such as tillage. The aim of this work was to provide an alternative interpretation of their function, possibly linked to the different morphology of their active areas. A first experimental protocol was developed to create a reference collection of the archaeological antler tools to provide information on the manufacturing technology adopted by the ancient craftsmen approximately 3500 years ago. The second stage of the experiment allowed us to assess the potential versatility of the replicated artefacts from a functional point of view, as some of them have also shown great effectiveness in woodworking activities. The final comparison between traces through a microscopic analysis of the surfaces was essential to support this latter functional hypothesis. This study allowed us to determine which tools and methods were required to produce these artefacts and, ultimately, to identify their possible multifunctions, offering perspectives in understanding their economic role within the Pragatto population