68Ga-DOTANOC and 18F-DOPA PET/CT: a site-specific approach to the imaging of parangliomas of the head and neck and of the abdomen

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Videoconferencing analytic psychodrama in treating young adults’ psychological suffering : preliminary results

The study aims to explore the effects that videoconferencing Analytic Psychodrama (AP) has on the psychological wellbeing and emotional competence of young adults who are suffering from mental health problems. Twenty-two undergraduate students, asking for help at the Psychological Counselling Service of the University of Bologna for anxiety-depressive problems, took part in the three online groups that met weekly from October 2020 to July 2021. The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Group Climate Questionnaire were used as test-retest questionnaires for clinical outcomes, emotional competence, and group climate evaluations. There was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and 10-month scores for patients in clinical outcomes. Alexithymia significantly decreased and emotional intelligence and group engagement increased post-intervention. Videoconferencing AP sounds promising for alleviating psychological problems and to improve young adults' emotional competence

Holographic interferometry (HI), infrared Vision and X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy for the assessment of painted wooden statues : a new integrated approach

Wood has been routinely employed in decorative arts, as well as in sculptures and paintings (support) during the Middle Ages, because of its unique aesthetic virtues. It may safely be assumed that wood, as a material for monumental sculpture, was much more commonly employed in the mediaeval period than existing examples would seem to indicate (Bulletin of the metropolitan Museum of Art, 2013). Wood is easily obtainable; it could be carved and put in place with less difficulty than stone, it is chemically stable when dry, and its surface offers a compatible substrate for paint application. However, the use of wood is not without pitfalls, and requires an understanding of its anisotropic and hygroscopic nature. It is also dimensionally unstable and subject to deterioration by fungi and insects. Moisture-related dimensional changes are certainly among the most challenging problems in painting conservation. With the purpose of preventing important damages, the use of non-or microdestructive testing (NDT) techniques is undoubtedly of paramount interest for painted wooden statues of great value. This work has a threefold purpose: (1) to validate the effectiveness of an integrated approach using near-infrared (NIR) reflectography, square pulse thermography (SPT), and holographic interferometry (HI) techniques for discovering old repairs and/or inclusions of foreign materials in a wooden structure, (2) to confirm and approximately date the restoration carried out by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) (that is assembled with a scanning electron microscopy—SEM) techniques, and (3) to combine into a multidisciplinary approach two quantitative NDT results coming from optical and thermographic methods. The subject of the present study was a statue named “Virgin with her Child” (XIV century), whose origins are mysterious and not properly documented

MASTER IN “GEOGRAPHY, GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMICS. INSTRUMENTS, METHODS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR TERRITORIAL MANAGEMENT” OF UNIVERSITY OF VERONA. OVERVIEW, REFERENCE DOCUMENTS AND CARTOGRAPHIC PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Analisi del territorio, interpretazione della sua complessità, individuazione delle dinamiche di sviluppo (o di regressione) e formulazione di scenari funzionali alle scelte politiche territoriali rappresentano idee guida intorno alle quali si è strutturata l’iniziativa formativa cui si riferisce nel presente contributo. Si mostreranno in sintesi, inoltre, la “mappa” del cofinanziamento al servizio della formazione, gli obiettivi programmati, i protagonisti, i quadri strategici e le priorità di intervento sulla base dei quali si sono realizzate esperienze di stage nell’ambito della rappresentazione cartografica strettamente connessa ad un quadro di sviluppo relativo alle nuove tecnologie ICT applicate al territorio. Fondi strutturali, politiche di coesione, regolamenti CE, obiettivi connessi, in primis, la cooperazione territoriale e la competitività della Regione Veneto si intersecano ed esplicano attraverso la creazione di competenze rivolte alla gestione di territori complessi. All’interno di questi ultimi si innervano dinamiche strettamente legate alla nascita di sistemi locali e di innovativi approcci di governance per il governo del territorio.Territorial analysis, interpretation and identification of development paths, scenario-building exercises represent the concepts to which we referred when structuring the master degree henceforth presented. The paper is divided into two parts (reflecting the organization given to the course). In the first one - in order to facilitate the understanding of current trends - we describe the rational behind such a project and discuss its theoretical underpinnings [making explicit reference to the debate over local (economic) development)]. Emerging local and regional systems act progressively more as gateways through which (economic) knowledge is transferred and as key nodes of the worldwide network channelling economic efficiency and growth. Policies aimed at enhancing competitiveness gain more relevance, also because of the societal and territorial re-organization those processes imply. In order for the students to acquire the theoretical tools necessary to better understand territorial dynamics, part of the degree focuses on analysing participatory governance mechanisms currently implemented (baring in mind the role social relationships play as a structuring factor that triggers interactive learning and interconnects individuals and organizations). In the second part of the article, we offer an overview of the EU co-funding schemes aimed at improving human capital training. We give information on objectives, actors involved, national and regional strategic frameworks programmes and priorities, structural funds regulations and the cohesion policy. A final paragraph will be specifically dedicated to describe internship experiences. The latter have been designed, in fact, in such a way that students were asked to both work within the field of cartographic/territorial research and use the latest ICT tools available (the training for which was given in a specific module)

The energy efficiency challenge for a historical building undergone to seismic and energy refurbishment

Abstract The renovation of historical buildings assumes a crucial role in the renovation processes of a historical city, and it is important to foresee appropriate interventions. A case study in L'Aquila city center is proposed in this work. The building, belonging to listed buildings for its historical value, being built in the 1930s, underwent to seismic and energy refurbishment, since it was damaged by the earthquake of 2009. The solution proposed aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the structure, by using an additional insulating layer, made of natural material (i.e. hemp), on the inside of the wall. The ceilings of the unheated spaces have been insulated, too, by using pure cellulose flocks. Moreover, an endothermic membrane has been employed on the external walls of the building. Analyses on the envelope were carried out by using thermographic inspections, performed both in summer and in winter seasons, and by measuring the total thermal transmittance of the wall assembly before and after the refurbishment with the help of a heat flow meter

room and window geometry influence for daylight harvesting maximization effects on energy savings in an academic classroom

Abstract Lighting systems have a fundamental role for the overall buildings energy consumption. Therefore, remarkable efforts are required for optimizing the lighting systems energy use and for finding new daylight harvesting solutions. In this paper, the impacts on daylight harvesting provided by different room and window geometries and their effects on energy savings are presented. An academic classroom with only one window is chosen as case study and it is supposed that the window orientation is modified according to the four cardinal points. A climate-based approach was chosen for the multiple simulations, carried out via DIVA software, by assuming: square and rectangular classroom geometries with the same total area; square and rectangular window shapes having Window to Floor Ratios (WFRs) equal to 8% and 12%; two different dimmable lighting systems, in order to quantify the energy savings, by considering fluorescent and LED dimmable lamps. The daylight analysis, performed by evaluating both the Daylight Factor (DF) and the Daylight Autonomy (DA), showed that room and window geometries have high influence on daylight harvesting maximization, allowing remarkable energy savings (up to 48.5%) with respect to non-dimmable lighting system. In particular, the best energy result, equal to 467.5 kWh/yr, was obtained with rectangular room and window geometries coupled with LED lamps and WFR equal to 12%

Evaluation of the Potential Use of a Collagen-Based Protein Hydrolysate as a Plant Multi-Stress Protectant

Protein hydrolysates (PHs) are a class of plant biostimulants used in the agricultural practice to improve crop performance. In this study, we have assessed the capacity of a commercial PH derived from bovine collagen to mitigate drought, hypoxic, and Fe deficiency stress in Zea mays. As for the drought and hypoxic stresses, hydroponically grown plants treated with the PH exhibited an increased growth and absorption area of the roots compared with those treated with inorganic nitrogen. In the case of Fe deficiency, plants supplied with the PH mixed with FeCl3 showed a faster recovery from deficiency compared to plants supplied with FeCl3 alone or with FeEDTA, resulting in higher SPAD values, a greater concentration of Fe in the leaves and modulation in the expression of genes related to Fe. Moreover, through the analysis of circular dichroism spectra, we assessed that the PH interacts with Fe in a dose-dependent manner. Various hypothesis about the mechanisms of action of the collagen-based PH as stress protectant particularly in Fe-deficiency, are discussed

Sialic acids expression in human skeletal muscle tissue during aging

Sarcopenia is the physiological age related decline in muscle mass and strength. It has been associated with disability and morbidity in the elderly population. The aetiology of sarcopenia involves still unclear multiple factors, but the adverse effects are well documented. Among the numerous involved factors, sialic acids could be included. Some studies performed on animal models demonstrated an important role of sialic acids in skeletal muscle during embryonic and post-natal development and aging. In human only investigations regarding the role of sialic acid in a particular pathology, hereditary inclusion body myopathy, leading muscular weakness and atrophy, have been carried out. The aim of this study was to widely characterize monomeric and polymeric sialic acids and evaluate their expression and role in human skeletal muscle tissue in different ages of adult life. Specimens of inferior limb muscles from men aged 18-25 years (group 1) and from men aged 72-93 (group 2) were obtained at autopsy. Some sample sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin for morphological analysis. The study of sialic acids expression was carried out using lectin histochemistry (MAA, SNA and PNA) in addition to the use of enzymatic and chemical treatments to characterize the different glycosidic linkages of the monomeric sialic acids to saccharidic chain and to obtain information on structure of the monomeric and polymeric sialic acids. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to evaluate the expression of polysialic acid (anti-PolySia). The morphological remarks showed decrease in thickness and in number of the muscular fibres in group 2 compared to group 1. Lectin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry evidenced that in both the study groups various types of sialic acid were present in the sarcolemma and the surrounding connective of the muscular fibres, but in different amount. Monomeric sialic acids, linked α-2,3 (MAA) and α-2,6 (SNA) to galactose and/or galactosamine, decreased in group 2 with respect to group 1, whereas polysialic acid showed an increase (PNA with treatments and anti-PolySia). Sialic acid acetylation was present in group 1, whereas was lacking in group 2 (PNA with treatments). These findings demonstrated changes in expression of sialic acids in skeletal muscle fibres correlated to morphological modifications in different ages. This can contribute to highlight the role of these carbohydrates in normal structure and functionality of this tissue and in its age-related changes

Santa Maria di Collemaggio Church (L’Aquila, Italy) : historical reconstruction by non-destructive testing techniques

The main goal of this work was the non-destructive testing (NDT) of an ancient fresco (15th century) preserved in the Santa Maria di Collemaggio Church (L’Aquila, Italy) and damaged after the 2009 earthquake. Active infrared thermography (IRT), near-infrared (NIR) reflectography and ultraviolet imaging (UV) were used. In addition, the state of the fresco prior to the earthquake was analyzed by electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI), digital speckle correlation (DSC), raking light, tap, and chemical NDT techniques. The use of these techniques was important for the monitoring of new damages and for a comparison between the results over the years. Square heating thermography (SHT) data were processed using principal component thermography (PCT) and pulsed phase thermography (PPT) algorithms, in order to improve the defects’ signature and to reduce the impact of non-uniform heating and emissivity variations due to the painting’s pigments. A multi-analysis approach, segmentation operators and a specific data correlation method emphasize the overall study of the fresco. Furthermore, the facade and the high altar area were inspected by passive thermography and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), respectively. In the present case, the combined use of NDT techniques was useful to fill in the gaps in the construction history of the building