Universities' Emerging Missions to Foster Sustainability of Rural Areas: Multiple Case Studies From The Marche Region☆

Abstract This paper explores a new emerging function for Universities: that of co-creation for sustainability ( Trencher et al., 2013 , Trencher et al., 2014a , Trencher et al., 2014b ). Contribution to sustainability involves an engagement in place-based, multi-stakeholder partnerships able to solve real-world issues. This theory is applied to multiple case studies which involve the University of Macerata, located in a rural area in the Marche region (Italy). Case study methodology is applied in order to understand if conditions expressed by the theory are met or need extension ( Yin, 2009 ). Findings support the new emerging framework and describe the different roles assumed by the University in each of the cases

Country rankings on the scientific production in endocrinology and diabetology

Diabetes represents a major global health problem. It was estimated that the global prevalence of diabetes in 2019 was approximately 9%, with the worrying projection to increase up to 11% by 2045 [1]. Importantly, it was also calculated that in 2016 worldwide nearly 1.6 million deaths were directly related to diabetes or high blood glucose [1]. In parallel, other important endocrinological diseases, such as obesity, thyroid diseases (i.e., hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and cancer), polycystic ovary syndrome, and infertility, have a relevant clinical and socio-economic impact worldwide [2, 3]. These data strongly suggest that an additional uplift in research efforts is necessary in this area

Keeping a foot in both camps: Sustainability, city branding and boundary spanners

This study critically examines sustainable development (SD) within the contemporary practices of city branding, a prominent business philosophy that underpins market-led development strategies of urban areas. In pursuing uniqueness, different cities often seem to hint at the very same themes of differentiation, and this reflects the tendency to embrace pre-given sets of place-development discourses. This work casts a critical perspective on SD as one of the global passe-partout themes that has become particularly prominent in contemporary city-brand management practices. In particular, the theory-practice gap in city branding for SD is emphasized and interpreted through the lens of glocalization theories. This viewpoint identifies responsibilized boundary spanners as agents located between the global and local levels that act as mediators in multi-stakeholder networks, ultimately fostering capacities to implement collective actions in city-branding practices

Nanoscaled Piezoelectric Aluminum Nitride Contour- Mode Resonant Sensors

This paper reports on a new class of nanoscaled piezoelectric aluminum nitride contour-mode resonant sensors (CMR-S) that have been developed for the gravimetric detection of volatile organic chemicals (VOC). The use of the CMR-S and its scaling for the making of large arrays of detectors is justified in terms of the superior sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD ~ zg/μm2) that this technology attains with respect to any other available acoustic device. The choice of a novel functionalization layer based on ss-DNA is introduced as an effective way to selectively detect multiple VOCs without altering the electromechanical characteristics of the resonator. Experimental results confirming the advantages of scaling the device dimensions and its frequency of operation in terms of improved LOD and measurement speed are presented. Furthermore, preliminary data showing selective detection of dymethyl-methylphosphonate (DMMP) and dinitroluene (DNT) (with LOD in the order of ppt) are reported

Fostering entrepreneurial education in Agribusiness through experiential learning

This work examines the relationship between experiential learning and entrepreneurial education in the Agribusiness field.After having outlined the challenges that higher education has to meet business and students’ needs, the work outlines emerging insights from research that contributse to underline how effective could be an academic approach focused on experience. An overview of the latest development in the methodological field is presented; the paper, finally introduces the measures and initiative undertaken at the European level for promoting entrepreneurial education and initiatives by implementing experiential learning methods

Ultra-Thin-Film AlN Contour-Mode Resonators for Sensing Applications

This paper reports on the design and experimental verification of a new class of ultra-thin-film (250 nm) aluminum nitride (AlN) microelectromechanical system (MEMS) contour mode resonators (CMRs) suitable for the fabrication of ultra-sensitive gravimetric sensors. The device thickness was opportunely scaled in order to increase the mass sensitivity, while keeping a constant frequency of operation. In this first demonstration the resonance frequency of the device was set to 178 MHz and a mass sensitivity as high as 38.96 KHz⋅μm2/fg was attained. This device demonstrates the unique capability of the CMR-S technology to decouple resonance frequency from mass sensitivity

5-10 GHz AlN Contour-Mode Nanoelectromechanical Resonators

This paper reports on the design and experimental verification of Super High Frequency (SHF) laterally vibrating NanoElctroMechanical (NEMS) resonators. For the first time, AlN piezoelectric nanoresonators with multiple frequencies of operation ranging between 5 and 10 GHz have been fabricated on the same chip and attained the highest f-Q product (4.6E12 Hz) ever reported in AlN contour-mode devices. These piezoelectric NEMS resonators are the first of their class to demonstrate on-chip sensing and actuation of nanostructures without the need of cumbersome or power consuming excitation and readout systems. Effective piezoelectric activity has been demonstrated in thin AlN films having vertical and lateral features in the range of 250 nm

Synergistic activity of antifungal drugs and lipopeptide AC7 against Candida albicans biofilm on silicone

The occurrence of Candida albicans device-associated infections is tightly correlated to the ability of this fungus to form biofilms. The presence of this three-dimensional structure protects cells from host defenses, and significantly increases their resistance to antifungal agents. Lipopeptide biosurfactants are microbial products with interesting antibacterial, antifungal and anti-adhesive properties. Aim of the present study was to investigate a possible synergistic effect of lipopeptide AC7BS in combination with amphotericin B or fluconazole against C. albicans planktonic cells, biofilm formation and 24 h-old biofilms on medical-grade silicone elastomer disks, in simulated physiological conditions. In co-incubation experiments, AC7BS alone was not effective. However, the combination of AC7BS with the antifungal compounds resulted in a synergistic increase in the efficacy of the drugs against planktonic cells and biofilm, leading to a reduction of MICs and SMICs50. In pre-coating conditions, amphotericin B alone and AC7BS alone significantly inhibited C. albicans biofilms. When the two molecules were tested in association, a synergistic effect was observed on different phases of biofilm formation and a lower SMIC50 was detected. The observed synergism could be related to the combination of the AC7BS anti-adhesive activity and the AMB antifungal effect, but also to the ability of the biosurfactant to affect membranes, thus facilitating AMB entry in the cells. These results suggest that AC7BS can be considered a potential inhibitor of C. albicans biofilm on medical insertional materials and its use as coating agent may potentiate the effect of antifungal compounds such as AMB, when applied in combination

High Frequency Piezoelectric Resonant Nanochannel for Bio-Sensing Applications in Liquid Environment

This paper reports on the first demonstration of a 457 MHz AlN Piezolectric Resonant Nanochannel (PRN) for biosensing applications in liquid environment. A novel process consisting of 7 lithographic steps was developed to fabricate the PRN. The new resonant device shows an unchanged value of the electromechanical coupling, kt 2 (about 0.8 %), whether the channel is filled with air or water and a quality factor, Q, in liquid of approximately 170. The value of kt 2 and Q are respectively about 2.7 and 2 times the ones recorded for conventional laterally vibrating AlN Contour Mode Resonant Sensors (CMR-Ss) submerged in water. Overall, these results translate in a ~ 5 fold enhancement in the figure of merit (kt 2 - Q product) of the resonant device when operated in liquid and simultaneously permit the efficient delivery of ultra-low concentrations of fluid samples directly on the surface of the sensor

Demographic variables, clinical aspects, and medicolegal implications in a population of patients with adjustment disorder

INTRODUCTION: Although adjustment disorder (AD) is considered as residual diagnosis and receives little attention in research, it plays an important role in clinical practice and also assumes an increasingly important role in the field of legal medicine, where the majority of diagnostic frameworks (eg, mobbing) often refer to AD. Our study aimed to look for specific stressor differences among demographic and clinical variables in a naturalistic setting of patients with AD. METHODS: A restrospective statistical analysis of the data of patients diagnosed with AD from November 2009 to September 2012, identified via manual search from the archive of the outpatient setting at the University Unit of Psychiatry "A. Fiorini" Hospital, Terracina (Latina, Italy), was performed. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 93 patients (46 males and 47 females), aged between 26 and 85, with medium-high educational level who were mainly employed. In most cases (54.80%), a diagnosis of AD with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was made. In all, 72% of the sample reported a negative family history for psychiatric disorders. In 22.60%, a previous history of psychopathology, especially mood disorders (76.19%), was reported. The main stressors linked to the development of AD were represented by working problems (32.30%), family problems (23.70%), and/or somatic disease (22.60%) with significant differences with respect to age and sex. Half of the patients were subjected to a single first examination; 24.47% requested a copy of medical records. CONCLUSION: Confirming previous data from previous reports, our results suggest that AD may have a distinct profile in demographic and clinical terms. Increased scientific attention is hoped, particularly focused on addressing a better definition of diagnostic criteria, whose correctness and accuracy are critical, especially in situations with medicolegal implications