POLITICHE DI AMMISSIONE E GESTIONE DEI FLUSSI MIGRATORI DA LAVORO IN ITALIA DALLA TURCO-NAPOLITANO AD OGGI.

L'obiettivo di questo elaborato è quello di analizzare gli strumenti di cui si è dotata l'Italia al fine di regolare i flussi immigratori da lavoro. Dall'analisi svolta emerge la difficoltà dei governi italiani ad abbandonare una gestione emergenziale e contingente del fenomeno in favore di una maggiore consapevolezza di fronte all'immigrazione, in generale, e quella economica in particolare, in quanto elemento strutturale del tessuto socio-economico italiano. Le difficoltà oggettive, incontrate nella stesura dell'elaborato, sono frutto della complessità del fenomeno di per sé di natura transnazionale e che coinvolge una moltitudine di soggetti, oltre a presentare molteplici aspetti, da quelli socio-economici a quelli prettamente politici, fortemente intrecciati tra loro. Data la complessità di questo versante della politica migratoria, ho scelto una chiave di lettura storica, in quanto permette di evidenziare il profondo legame tra la discussione politica, caratterizzata da una forte polarizzazione ideologica, e gli interventi attuati in questa materia. All'interno di questi equilibri s'inserisce, inoltre, il crescente ruolo dell'Unione Europea che chiede, nonostante le resistenze dei singoli Stati, di rinunciare a una porzione di sovranità col fine di creare una politica migratoria comune. Nel primo capitolo vengono analizzati l'origine del fenomeno e la nascita della politica migratoria in Italia. Con l'approvazione della legge Turco-Napolitano nel 1998, e il conseguente raggruppamento delle leggi all'interno del Testo Unico, l'Italia cerca di dotarsi di una legge organica in materia migratoria. Il sistema è incentrato sulla chiamata nominativa del lavoratore ancora all'estero, che avviene secondo i limiti numerici definiti dalla programmazione dei flussi ed attuati attraverso il cosiddetto decreto-flussi. Questo meccanismo dimostra, fin dalla nascita, notevoli inadeguatezze e carenze, per cui si deve ricorrere sistematicamente a strumenti di regolarizzazione ex post di una presenza irregolare che tende a riprodursi, anche a causa del lavoro sommerso che funge da potente fattore d'attrazione dei flussi, e tutto questo perché, sia i datori di lavoro che i lavoratori immigrati, non trovano conveniente utilizzare i canali d'ingresso regolari. Nel secondo capitolo il punto di partenza è rappresentato dalla riforma attuata dalla legge Bossi-Fini nel 2001. Tale legge è frutto della nuova maggioranza di centro-destra che fa dell'immigrazione un tema cruciale per raccogliere consensi, associandola a situazioni problematiche di sicurezza e ordine pubblico. La legge interviene in maniera sostanziale sui meccanismi di ammissione, inasprendo le condizioni di ingresso con l'introduzione del “contratto di soggiorno” (che subordina la presenza alla disponibilità di un'occupazione lavorativa) e precarizzando il soggiorno dei regolari, dimezzando la durata dei permessi. Ai fattori interni si aggiunge l'influenza dell'Unione Europea. L'allargamento verso i paesi dell'Est rappresenta l'apice delle carenze del meccanismo di ammissione: una larga parte degli ingressi si sottrae al potere regolatorio del sistema delle quote, dal momento che buona parte dei flussi si compone di soggetti che non necessitano più di alcun permesso di soggiorno. La medesima incapacità emerge anche con il presentarsi della crisi economica alla fine del 2008. Infatti, nonostante la drastica riduzione delle quote, i flussi, prevalentemente diretti al servizio alle famiglie, si mantengono elevati e subiscono una battuta d'arresto solo a partire dal 2011. Nel terzo capitolo vengono presi in considerazione i provvedimenti più recenti: l'Accordo d'Integrazione all'interno del Piano per l'Integrazione e la Carta Blu sono frutto del crescente ruolo dell'Unione Europea e dell'affermarsi del nuovo (e più impegnativo) concetto d'integrazione e, pertanto, rappresentano il tentativo dell'azione politica di adeguarsi ai principi della politica migratoria dell'Unione Europea. Tali provvedimenti, tuttavia, hanno suscitato perplessità e critiche, sia in termini ideologici che in termini di attuabilità concreta, data la mancata predisposizione di risorse aggiuntive necessarie. Il quadro che emerge è che l'Italia ha attratto ingenti flussi senza che a questi corrispondesse una crescita economica, e questo è frutto del potere d'attrazione costituito dai fattori socio-demografici, come la bassa natalità, l'invecchiamento della popolazione, l'evoluzione delle aspettative lavorative, soprattutto dei giovani. In conclusione i problemi rimangono aperti, anche se oggi meno visibili principalmente per due fattori. Il primo consiste nella mancanza di un dibattito politico e mediatico, nonché scientifico, causato dalla poca notiziabilità dell'immigrazione regolare, in favore degli aspetti più eclatanti e conflittuali. Il secondo invece è rappresentato dalla battuta d'arresto dei flussi di arrivo, che fa apparire il problema lontano. E così l'azione politica aspetta, finché non si presenterà la prossima emergenza

ARTreat Project: Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Plaque Formation and Development in the Arteries

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and fibrous elements in arteries. It is characterized by dysfunction of endothelium and vasculitis, and accumulation of lipid, cholesterol, and cell elements inside blood vessel wall. In this study, a continuum-based approach for plaque formation and development in 3-D is presented. The blood flow is simulated by the 3-D Navier-Stokes equations, together with the continuity equation while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transport in lumen of the vessel is coupled with Kedem-Katchalsky equations. The inflammatory process was solved using three additional reaction-diffusion partial differential equations. Transport of labeled LDL was fitted with our experiment on the rabbit animal model. Matching with histological data for LDL localization was achieved. Also, 3-D model of the straight artery with initial mild constriction of 30% plaque for formation and development is presented

Recurrent acquisition of cytosine methyltransferases into eukaryotic retrotransposons

Transposable elements are in a constant arms race with the silencing mechanisms of their host genomes. One silencing mechanism commonly used by many eukaryotes is dependent on cytosine methylation, a covalent modification of DNA deposited by C5 cytosine methyltransferases (DNMTs). Here, we report how two distantly related eukaryotic lineages, dinoflagellates and charophytes, have independently incorporated DNMTs into the coding regions of distinct retrotransposon classes. Concomitantly, we show that dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium have evolved cytosine methylation patterns unlike any other eukaryote, with most of the genome methylated at CG dinucleotides. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of retrotransposon DNMTs to methylate CGs de novo, suggesting that retrotransposons could self-methylate retrotranscribed DNA. Together, this is an example of how retrotransposons incorporate host-derived genes involved in DNA methylation. In some cases, this event could have implications for the composition and regulation of the host epigenomic environment

The genome of the crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis, a model for animal development, regeneration, immunity and lignocellulose digestion

The amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis is a blossoming model system for studies of developmental mechanisms and more recently regeneration. We have sequenced the genome allowing annotation of all key signaling pathways, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs that will enhance ongoing functional studies. Parhyale is a member of the Malacostraca clade, which includes crustacean food crop species. We analysed the immunity related genes of Parhyale as an important comparative system for these species, where immunity related aquaculture problems have increased as farming has intensified. We also find that Parhyale and other species within Multicrustacea contain the enzyme sets necessary to perform lignocellulose digestion ('wood eating'), suggesting this ability may predate the diversification of this lineage. Our data provide an essential resource for further development of Parhyale as an experimental model. The first malacostracan genome will underpin ongoing comparative work in food crop species and research investigating lignocellulose as an energy source

The genome of the crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis, a model for animal development, regeneration, immunity and lignocellulose digestion

The amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis is a blossoming model system for studies of developmental mechanisms and more recently regeneration. We have sequenced the genome allowing annotation of all key signaling pathways, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs that will enhance ongoing functional studies. Parhyale is a member of the Malacostraca clade, which includes crustacean food crop species. We analysed the immunity related genes of Parhyale as an important comparative system for these species, where immunity related aquaculture problems have increased as farming has intensified. We also find that Parhyale and other species within Multicrustacea contain the enzyme sets necessary to perform lignocellulose digestion ('wood eating'), suggesting this ability may predate the diversification of this lineage. Our data provide an essential resource for further development of Parhyale as an experimental model. The first malacostracan genome will underpin ongoing comparative work in food crop species and research investigating lignocellulose as an energy source

Improving Cry8Ka toxin activity towards the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cotton boll weevil (<it>Anthonomus grandis</it>) is a serious insect-pest in the Americas, particularly in Brazil. The use of chemical or biological insect control is not effective against the cotton boll weevil because of its endophytic life style. Therefore, the use of biotechnological tools to produce insect-resistant transgenic plants represents an important strategy to reduce the damage to cotton plants caused by the boll weevil. The present study focuses on the identification of novel molecules that show improved toxicity against the cotton boll weevil. <it>In vitro </it>directed molecular evolution through DNA shuffling and phage display screening was applied to enhance the insecticidal activity of variants of the Cry8Ka1 protein of <it>Bacillus thuringiensis</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Bioassays carried out with <it>A. grandis </it>larvae revealed that the LC₅₀of the screened mutant Cry8Ka5 toxin was 3.15-fold higher than the wild-type Cry8Ka1 toxin. Homology modelling of Cry8Ka1 and the Cry8Ka5 mutant suggested that both proteins retained the typical three-domain Cry family structure. The mutated residues were located mostly in loops and appeared unlikely to interfere with molecular stability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The improved toxicity of the Cry8Ka5 mutant obtained in this study will allow the generation of a transgenic cotton event with improved potential to control <it>A. grandis</it>.</p

Fear of falling in obese women under 50 years of age: a cross-sectional study with exploration of the relationship with physical activity

An understanding of capacity for physical activity in obese populations should help guide interventions to promote physical activity. Fear of falling is a phenomenon reported in the elderly, which is associated with reduced mobility and lower physical activity levels. However, although falls are reportedly common in obese adults, fear of falling and its relationship with activity has not been investigated in younger obese populations. In a cross-sectional study, fear of falling was measured in 63 women aged 18 to 49 years, with mean BMI 42.1 kg/m (SD 10.3) using the Modified Falls Efficacy (MFES), the Consequences of Falling (COF) and the Modified Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (MSAFFE) scales. The choice of scales was informed by prior qualitative interviews with obese younger women. Physical activity levels were measured at the same time using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The mean score for fear of falling scales, with 95% confidence intervals, were estimated. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to explore differences in age, body mass index and fear of falling scores between fallers and non-fallers. For each fear of falling scale, binomial logistic regression was used to explore its relationship with physical activity. Mean scores suggested high levels of fear of falling: MFES [mean 7.7 (SD 2.7); median 8.5]; COF [mean 31.3 (SD 9.4)]; MSAFFE [mean 25.9 (SD 8.7); median 23]. Scores were significantly worse in fallers (  = 42) compared to non-fallers (  = 21). MFES and MSAFFE were independently associated with lower levels of physical activity [odds ratio = 0.65, 95% Cl 0.44 to 0.96 and odds ratio = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.28 respectively], when adjusted for age, BMI and depression. This study confirms that fear of falling is present in obese women under 50 years of age. It suggests that it is associated with low levels of physical activity. These novel findings warrant further research to understand capacity for physical and incidental activity in obese adults in both genders and suggest innovative interventions to promote lifestyle changes and/or consideration of falls prevention in this population

Spt6 is a maintenance factor for centromeric CENP-A

Replication and transcription of genomic DNA requires partial disassembly of nucleosomes to allow progression of polymerases. This presents both an opportunity to remodel the underlying chromatin and a danger of losing epigenetic information. Centromeric transcription is required for stable incorporation of the centromere-specific histone dCENP-A in M/G1 phase, which depends on the eviction of previously deposited H3/H3.3-placeholder nucleosomes. Here we demonstrate that the histone chaperone and transcription elongation factor Spt6 spatially and temporarily coincides with centromeric transcription and prevents the loss of old CENP-A nucleosomes in both Drosophila and human cells. Spt6 binds directly to dCENP-A and dCENP-A mutants carrying phosphomimetic residues alleviate this association. Retention of phosphomimetic dCENP-A mutants is reduced relative to wildtype, while non-phosphorylatable dCENP-A retention is increased and accumulates at the centromere. We conclude that Spt6 acts as a conserved CENP-A maintenance factor that ensures long-term stability of epigenetic centromere identity during transcription-mediated chromatin remodeling

Rearrangement bursts generate canonical gene fusions in bone and soft tissue tumors

Sarcomas are cancers of the bone and soft tissue often defined by gene fusions. Ewing sarcoma involves fusions between EWSR1, a gene encoding an RNA binding protein, and E26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors. We explored how and when EWSR1-ETS fusions arise by studying the whole genomes of Ewing sarcomas. In 52 of 124 (42%) of tumors, the fusion gene arises by a sudden burst of complex, loop-like rearrangements, a process called chromoplexy, rather than by simple reciprocal translocations. These loops always contained the disease-defining fusion at the center, but they disrupted multiple additional genes. The loops occurred preferentially in early replicating and transcriptionally active genomic regions. Similar loops forming canonical fusions were found in three other sarcoma types. Chromoplexy-generated fusions appear to be associated with an aggressive form of Ewing sarcoma. These loops arise early, giving rise to both primary and relapse Ewing sarcoma tumors, which can continue to evolve in parallel