Retirement Systems, Demography, Happiness and Welfare Redistribution

This research investigates whether an equity improvement within retirement-systems domain may positively influence demography, people’s happiness and their financial conditions. In particular, a fertility-boosting policy has been tested, acting on the contributory rate. This project has been carried out by using software simulation and with specific Agent-based Computational Economics (ACE) methodology. Two virtual worlds have been created, in order to try to reproduce Italian society. In the first model, (W1), vertical equity has been improved, while in the second one, (W2), it is has not. Five further variants of these two worlds have been produced by altering some parameters, in order to test our hypothesis through several simulations. The research outcomes prove that an equity improvement can positively influence demographic trends, can increase the level of happiness in the society, and can grant a more homogeneous welfare redistribution.Retirement systems, demography, happiness, wealth distribution, equity, software simulation, Agent Based Computational Economics

Characterization of the immune response against Testudinid herpesvirus 3: new insight

Testudinid herpesvirus 3 (TeHV3) is one of the most lethal viral agents in tortoises worldwide. Although TeHV3 have been extensively studied, only little information is available about host-pathogen interaction. TeHV3 infections in different species of the genus Testudo correlate with various lesions profiles, disease severity and clinical outcome, suggesting the existence of a complex host-pathogen interaction. This might reflect a possible viral-host coevolution (Origgi, 2012).To study the host-pathogen interaction, we previously screened 5.000 clones from a bacteriophage library obtained from the TeHV3 genomic DNA using Testudo graeca seropositive sera. Of the six detected positive clones, only one was confirmed by F.A.C.S. Selected clone was determined to be a concatamer of different TeHV3 genomic fragments including the partial sequence of TE17, UL15, Major capsid protein (MCP), and Glycoprotein B (gB) genes. After complete sequencing of the selected clone, the MCP and the gB were antisenses compared to the phagemid promoter.In order to assess which of the gene fragments among TE17 and UL15 was encoding for the antigenic determinant that was recognized by the anti-TeHV3 tortoise sera, distinct approaches were followed.TE-17 and UL15 fragments were knock out from the original phagemid using the following approaches: a) directed-site mutagenesis, b) molecular cloning, and c) restriction enzymes cloning. All the modified constructs were cloned in two different E. coli cloning vectors (D5α and XL 1-Blue).Transformation of competent cells with the constructs described above did not yield any viable bacteria.Among the different aspects might have influenced transformation success rate, construct size was probably the most relevant (about 9Kb). Furthermore, we could not entirely exclude that genomic DNA editing might have induced mutations in the construct sequence causing toxic effects on the host bacterial cell. Cloning of TE-17 and UL15 gene fragments into different prokaryotic expression vectors is currently under way

Characterization of the immune response against Testudinid herpesvirus 3.

Numerous infectious diseases have been documented in reptiles, however minimal information isavailable concerning their immunological response. One of the most diffuse and lethal reptile pathogenis Testudinid herpesvirus 3 (TeHV3), a Alphaherpesvirinae. All species of tortoises (Testudinide) areconsidered susceptible to TeHV3, however the virus is over represented in the genus Testudo, whichincludes, among others, T. graeca, T. hermanni, T. marginata, and T. horsfieldii, that are popular pets inEurope. Incidence of TeHV3-associated disease is highest right after hibernation (Origgi, 2012).The aim of this work is to partially characterize the immunological response of T. graeca against TeHV3.A bacteriophage library composed of about 5.000 clones containing genomic DNA fragments of TeHV3was produced. Bacteriophages were amplified in a specific strain of E. coli and were screened withTeHV3-seropositive sera from T. graeca. Phagemids were excised from the positive bacteriophages,sequenced, and compare with the TeHV3 genome to identify the encoding genes. Six differentstructural and non-structural proteins have identified as immune relevant. Vero cells where transfectedwith phagemids of the positive clones, to confirm previous results. TeHV3’s proteins expression wasassessed by F.A.C.S using T. graeca seropositive sera. Of all the six selected clones, only that expressingthe partial sequence of the glycoprotein B (gB) showed a positive signal in the F.A.C.S. analysis. Thisresult is consistent with the well-known immunogenicity of gB of other herpesviruses including thoseinfecting humans and with the highly conserved role that gB plays in host-pathogen interaction acrossspecies and evolution (Beals et al., 2016)

TeHV3 outbreak characterization in captive Testudo spp.

Italian Tortoises species are considered either endangered or near threatened according to International Union for Conservation of Nature. When pet tortoises are abandoned or found injured or seized following illegal detention, they are sent to wildlife rehabilitation centers. From 2008, the Testudo spp. population housed in the WWF Vanzago’s oasis exhibited clinical signs compatible with Testudinid herpesviurs 3 (TeHV3) infection.  By the end of 2012 all Testudo had died. The presence of TeHV3 was investigated by molecular biology and pathology. All the tortoises housed in Vanzago resulted ELISA positive for the presence of anti-TeHV3 antibodies except one T. hermanni. Of these, 12 animals died and were all necropsied. Lesion frequency distribution was evaluate by histology. PCR was positive in 8/12 tortoises. To better complement the epidemiological evaluation of the virus in northern Italy, 20 retrospective cases were selected from the archive of the University of Milan. Of these, 5 were TeHV3 PCR positive. Lesions closely resembled those of the Vanzago’s population. These results are consistent with a high prevalence of TeHV3 in northern Italy. The finding of intranuclear inclusion bodies demonstrated to be specific but not sensitive. TeHV3 diagnostic pathological lesions have been reported to vary according with host immune response and by the viral replicative status. Molecular techniques were often necessary to confirm the infection. According to the literature and to our findings, T. hermanni spp. seems the species with higher mortality and lower antibody concentrations when infected with TeHV3.Italian Tortoises species are considered either endangered or near threatened according to International Union for Conservation of Nature. When pet tortoises are abandoned or found injured or seized following illegal detention, they are sent to wildlife rehabilitation centers. From 2008, the Testudo spp. population housed in the WWF Vanzago’s oasis exhibited clinical signs compatible with Testudinid herpesviurs 3 (TeHV3) infection.  By the end of 2012 all Testudo had died. The presence of TeHV3 was investigated by molecular biology and pathology. All the tortoises housed in Vanzago resulted ELISA positive for the presence of anti-TeHV3 antibodies except one T. hermanni. Of these, 12 animals died and were all necropsied. Lesion frequency distribution was evaluate by histology. PCR was positive in 8/12 tortoises. To better complement the epidemiological evaluation of the virus in northern Italy, 20 retrospective cases were selected from the archive of the University of Milan. Of these, 5 were TeHV3 PCR positive. Lesions closely resembled those of the Vanzago’s population. These results are consistent with a high prevalence of TeHV3 in northern Italy. The finding of intranuclear inclusion bodies demonstrated to be specific but not sensitive. TeHV3 diagnostic pathological lesions have been reported to vary according with host immune response and by the viral replicative status. Molecular techniques were often necessary to confirm the infection. According to the literature and to our findings, T. hermanni spp. seems the species with higher mortality and lower antibody concentrations when infected with TeHV3

Cardiac filariosis in migratory Mute swans (Cygnus olor) in Sicily

Sarconema eurycerca is a common parasitic disease of North America swans and geese. The infection has been correlated with severe heart lesions, often resulting in cardiac failure and death of the animals. Heartworms infections have been previously reported in European swans, and specifically in the United Kingdom and Nederland. Both the countries are characterized by a cold temperate weather, similar to the one that can be found in swan wintering areas of U.S.A. and Canada. The first record of cardiac filariasis associated with Sarconema eurycerca infection in four swans in Italy. Twelve mute swans were examined during avian influenza surveillance activities on migratory birds. Birds were collected in the year 2006, in wintering areas of Eastern Sicily (Italy). Four of the twelve swans showed necrotic-haemorrhagic myocarditis with intra-lesional nematodes. Morphological characteristics identified the parasite as a filarial nematode. Birds lungs samples were used for parasites DNA extraction. The latter was used as template for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of part of the 12S rDNA gene. Comparison of genomic DNA extracted from a reference S. eurycerca isolate confirmed parasite identity and provided the first sequence resources for this species of value to future diagnostic and epidemiological studies

Nestemäisten jätteiden vastaanotto ja käsittely Tarastenjärven jätekeskuksessa : Selvitys vaihtoehtoisista menetelmistä

Nestemäiset jätteet ovat erilaisia loka-autoilla kuljetettavia jätteitä, jotka koostuvat nesteestä ja kiintoaineksesta. Tällaisia jätteitä ovat esimerkiksi hiekan- ja rasvanerotuskaivoista imetyt nesteet sekä teollisuudessa syntyvät jätevesilietteet. Nestemäisiä jätteitä ei ole Valtioneuvoston päätöksestä enää vuoden 2002 jälkeen saanut sijoittaa sellaisenaan kaatopaikkapenkkaan, vaan ne on tullut esikäsitellä nesteen poistamiseksi. Tähän asti nestemäiset jätteet on käsitelty Tarastenjärven jätekeskuksessa painovoimaisesti erottelemalla. Menetelmä on ollut toimiva, mutta on päivityksen tarpeessa. Tämän opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena olikin tutkia erilaisia vaihtoehtoja nestemäisten jätteiden vastaanotolle sekä käsittelylle Tarastenjärven jätekeskuksessa, sekä arvioida eri vaihtoehtojen kustannuksia mikäli mahdollista. Myös tarvetta haitta-aineiden, kuten metallien ja öljyjen poistamiselle tutkittiin. Työn laatimisessa hyödynnettiin olemassa olevaa tieteellistä kirjallisuutta sekä asiantuntijahaastatteluja. Työn tilaajana toimi Pirkanmaan Jätehuolto Oy. Selvitystyön tuloksena kävi ilmi, että yleisimmät menetelmät nesteiden ja kiinteiden ainesten erottamiseen ovat painovoimainen erottelu ja suodatus. Painovoimaiset erottelijat ovat useimmiten kiinteäseinäisiä altaita, joissa kiintoaines laskeutuu painovoimaisesti altaan pohjalle ja pinnalle jäänyt kirkastunut neste ohjataan ylivuotona jatkokäsittelyyn. Kiintoaineksen ollessa kevyempää kuin vesi, se erottuu nesteen pinnalle. Suodattimien toiminta taas perustuu puoliläpäisevään suodatusmediaan, joka päästää nesteen läpi, mutta jättää kiintoaineksen suodattimeen. Suodattimet voivat olla esimerkiksi paineistettuja tai painovoimalla toimivia. Geotuubit ovat eräänlaisia paineistettuja säkkisuodattimia, joita on käytössä myös jätekeskuksissa. Useissa käsittelymenetelmissä käytetään apuna myös saostuskemikaaleja, jotka edistävät kiintoaineksen erottumista nesteestä. Haitta-aineiden osalta helpoin ratkaisu on poistaa ne kiintoaineksen mukana ja käsitellä ne pilaantuneiden maiden kanssa jätekeskuksessa. Mikäli haitta-aineet ovat nesteessä liukoisessa muodossa, voidaan apuna käyttää saostuskemikaaleja, kuten alumiini- tai rautasuoloja. Öljyjen erottamisessa olisi mahdollista hyödyntää öljynerotuskaivoa. Kirjallisuuden sekä haastattelujen perusteella päivitetty versio painovoimaisesta erottelujärjestelmästä sekä geotuubimenetelmä vaikuttavat parhailta käytettävissä olevilta ratkaisuilta. Suurin haaste jätekeskuksen nestemäisten jätteiden käsittelyssä on kuitenkin se, että nesteiden ominaisuudet eroavat kuormittain hyvin paljon toisistaan. Tähän voitaisiin vaikuttaa jätteiden tarkemmalla lajittelulla vastaanottovaiheessa. Käsittelymenetelmää valittaessa tulee kuitenkin pohtia järjestelmän kuluja sekä hyötyjä pitkällä aikavälillä niin, että päästään parhaaseen mahdolliseen puhdistuslopputulokseen.Liquid wastes are solid-liquid mixtures such as wastes from sand and grease separation wells and industrial wastewaters. Since 2002 liquid wastes have no longer been allowed to be placed at a waste disposal site according to the decree 1049/1999 of the Finnish Council of State. Therefore liquid wastes have to be dewatered before final disposal. At the moment liquid wastes are treated at the Tarastenjärvi waste management centre with gravitational separation but the system needs updating. The aim of this study was to provide Pirkanmaan Jätehuolto Oy with different methods of liquid waste handling as well as evaluate the costs of a new system if possible. Also the need for contaminant removal was taken into consideration. The study was carried out by literature reviews and interviewing professionals of the industry. The results showed that the most common methods of solid-liquid separation are gravitational separation and filtration. Gravitational separators are usually containers in which the solid matter is allowed to separate either by sedimentation or flotation. Filters have a semi-permeable filter media which traps the solid matter but allows the liquid to flow through. Geotubes are an example of filters that are currently being used in several waste management centres. Many separation methods also require the use of polymers or flocculants to operate effectively. When contaminants are in a settleable form they are rather easy to be removed and treated with the solid matter. If the contaminants are dissolved in the liquid it might be possible to make them settle by adding aluminium or iron sulphate. Also an oil separation well could be used to separate oils from the liquid phase. Based on the literature reviews and interviews an upgraded gravitational system or the geotube method seem to be the best options. However, more tests should be conducted to see if these methods would work in practice. The biggest challenge is that the incoming liquid waste loads at Tarastenjärvi are not homogenous which makes it difficult to choose a solution that works well for all of them. The situation could be improved with more precise classification of the waste loads and handling them separately according to their characteristics. The most important aspect is to find a long-term cost-effective solution that can provide sufficient handling of the liquid wastes

Trentino. Territorio, paesaggio e architettura del regionalismo / Territory, landscape and critical regionalism in Trentino

The progress of the practice and the debate on architecture in the Alpine region of Trentino, in the last fifty years, has been characterised by a pivotal role of the Autonomous Province, the local authority with key competencies in environmental matters and spatial organisation, on the one hand, and by the experimentation and the promotion of discussion events on architecture, on the other. In the Sixties, spatial planning was conceived as a key instrument to support the development of a mountain province. Change was the perspective, and this required the activation of landscape control procedures centred on the control of the quality of architectural projects. This was not enough to qualify the professional practice, although some architects were able to propose innovative projects and began to animate the cultural debate, to establish supra-local relationships and to consolidate the awareness of the role of the architectural project. The contributions proposed are aimed at critically examine such issues, with a particular focus on the experience of institutions such as the "Scuola per il Governo del Territorio e del Paesaggio" within the Trentino School of Management, the "Osservatorio per il Paesaggio" within the Autonomous Province and the "Circolo Trentino Architettura Contemporanea". Factors that led a decisive evolution of the spatial planning framework in the last decade, characterised by a new attention to the landscape and to the quality of architectural design, thanks to cultural initiatives, occasions of debate, and training paths