The minimal cellular resolutions of the edge ideals of forests

We present an explicit construction of a minimal cellular resolution for the edge ideals of forests, based on discrete Morse theory. In particular, the generators of the free modules are subsets of the generators of the modules in the Lyubeznik resolution. This procedure allows to ease the computation of the graded Betti numbers and the projective dimension

The arithmetical rank of the edge ideals of graphs with pairwise disjoint cycles

We prove that, for the edge ideal of a graph whose cycles are pairwise vertex-disjoint, the arithmetical rank is bounded above by the sum of the number of cycles and the maximum height of its associated primes

Dominance Weighted Social Choice Functions for Group Recommendations

In travel domains, decision support systems provide support to tourists in the planning of their vacation. In particular, when the number of possible Points of Interest (POI) to visit is large, the system should help tourists providing recommendations on the POI that could be more interesting for them. Since traveling is, usually, an activity that involves small groups of people, the system should take simultaneously into account the preferences of each group's member. At the same time, it also should model possible intra-group relationships, which can have an impact in the group decision-making process. In this paper, we model this problem as a multi-agent aggregation of preferences by using weighted social choice functions, whereas such weights are automatically evaluated by analyzing the interactions of the group's members on Online Social Networks

Upscaling of a monolithic, photovoltaic-assisted water photoelectrolysis device in alkaline media.

The goal of this thesis is to experimentally study the performance and the characteristics of an up-scaled Photovoltaic-assisted electrochemical cell. Specifically, an amorphous silicon PV was sandwiched between an anode, with a double perovskite cobaltite as a catalyst, and an electrodeposited Ni-Mo on a titanium foil cathode. Firstly, the device’s design was prepared and then built in the laboratory. Then, the whole chassis was assembled, with the anion exchange membranes, the O-rings, and the PV-E cell, along with the stainless steel skeleton where eight screws were placed to pressurize the device and better isolate it from the alkaline solution (KOH) where it was placed in. The bigger box was then connected to a reservoir to recycle the electrolyte and to collect both hydrogen and oxygen through a peristaltic pump. Successively, the illuminated response was estimated through a solar simulator, with the water displacement method as a tool to evaluate the volumetric production rate of Hydrogen gas. Unfortunately, the low rate of the produced gasses and the overall complexity of the setup hindered the possibility of collecting some useful data. Nevertheless, the PV-E cell is completely functioning, and the formation of bubbles that can be seen in the quartz window of the device, due to the water-splitting process occurring at the electrode’s surface, proves the goodness of the up-scaled cell. However, from a future work perspective, several adjustments are needed to consider this project as a functioning reactor. Both engineering and chemical issues need to be solved to allow the measurement of the produced gases

Overview on Reproductive Endocrine Aspects in Buffalo

Buffalo is an important worldwide species in terms of milk and meat production as well as draft. The majorconstraints to full exploitation of the productive potential of buffalo are its inherent low reproductive efficiency due todelayed puberty, higher age at first calving, long post partum anoestrus period, long intercalving period, silent heatcoupled with poor expression of oestrus, seasonality in breeding and low conception rate. Reproductive cycles in buffaloare regulated by endocrine-neuroendocrine interactions between hypothalamic, gonadotropic, gonadal and otherhormones. To improve the buffalo reproductive efficiency, the investigation on endocrine aspects is useful to gain abetter knowledge of buffalo reproduction. This review is focused on the information available on various basic hormones(Melatonin, Progesterone (P4), Estradiol 17B (E2), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH)) and onnew hormones (Inhibin, Glycoproteins associated with pregnancy (PAGs), Leptin) related to reproductive function

Surfing the complex interaction between new technology and norms: A resistance or resilience issue? Insights by the Viable System Approach (VSA)

The paper investigates the complex interaction between technological innovation and norms: a crucial dynamic to facing the severe challenges of the Anthropocene.On the one hand, the sedimentation of norms acts as the genetic memory of a society. Allowing a reduction in the uncertainty of human condition and ensuring greater predictability of human interaction, the set of norms tend to activate a system of constraints that normalize and legitimate technological innovations.On the other hand, technological innovation is one of the most unpredictable and non-linear sources of change. It demands legitimization for what in the past were excluded or prohibited a priori (e.g. behaviors, ethics): this may trigger a “decoupling” process from the extant set of norms. Nevertheless, what decoupling should be legitimized? A wicked problem arises, and forking paths emerge in the socio-economic landscape.Leading the tension between new technology (source of unpredictability) and the taken-for-granted norms (source of predictability) is crucial if the aim is to linking effectiveness and efficiency to viable sustainability. While the (still dominant) cartesian approach considers norms and new technology as separate elements of the social system, system thinking enlightens the interaction between them. This helps to unveil hidden options/feedbacks in the decoupling-recoupling process between technological innovation and the evolution of norms enriching the information variety of the decision-makers (policy makers, citizens, urban planners, etc.).The dynamics that govern this dyad, however, are not linear: norms, in fact, do not have the same reactivity to absorb (recouple) the change triggered by new technologies (decoupling from the extant set of norms).Although the relevance of the issue, it has been often neglected, or at least not taken in the right consideration. Therefore, aiming to investigate this dyadic relationship, the paper focuses on the ambiguous role technology plays in enabling resilience: sometimes it acts as a resilience amplifier; sometimes it is a resilience inhibitor (and even a steel cage); sometimes it provokes an undesirable deviation from the taken-for-granted codified rules.In particular, aiming to contribute in filling this gap, and rooting in the Viable System Approach (VSA), the paper investigates why and how in some cases the interaction between technological innovation and norms leads to resistance towards change or acts as a resilience amplifier in other cases.The paper is structured as follows: after an Introduction underlying the need to understanding the increasing tension between new technology and norms, Section 2 deals with the contribution of the VSA in understanding the social systems; then, rooting in the VSA and moving from the concept of information variety, Section 3 frames the complex interplay between new technology and taken-for-granted norms as one of the most dramatic “resistance-resilience” issue of the Anthropocene era; Section 4 proposes a more comprehensive framework discussing the range “resilience-resistance-vulnerability” and presents final reflections

Effects of Anionic Liposome Delivery of All–Trans–Retinoic Acid on Neuroblastoma Cell Differentiation

All–trans–retinoic acid (ATRA) has long been known to affect cell growth and differentiation. To improve ATRA’s therapeutic efficacy and pharmacodynamics, several delivery systems have been used. In this study, free ATRA and anionic–liposome–encapsulated ATRA were compared for their effects on SK–N–SH human neuroblastoma cell growth and differentiation. Anionic liposomes made of L–α –phosphatidylcholine (PC) and L–α –phosphatidic acid (PA), empty (PC–PA) and loaded with ATRA (PC–PA–ATRA), were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic mobility measurements, and drug entrapment efficiency (EE%) was measured to evaluate the applicability of the new colloidal formulation. The results of brightfield microscopy and cell growth curves indicated that ATRA, whether free or encapsulated, reduced growth and induced differentiation, resulting in SK–N–SH cells changing from epithelioid to neuronal–like morphologies, and producing a significant increase in neurite growth. To further characterize the neuro-differentiation of SK–N–SH cells, the expression of βIII–Tubulin and synaptophysin and mitochondria localization were analyzed via immunofluorescence. Increased expression of neuronal markers and a peculiar localization of mitochondria in the neuritic extensions were apparent both in ATRA– and PC–PA–ATRA–differentiated cells. As a whole, our results strongly indicate that ATRA treatment, by any means, can induce the differentiation of parent SK–N–SH, and they highlight that its encapsulation in anionic liposomes increases its differentiation ability in terms of the percentage of neurite–bearing cells. Interestingly, our data also suggest an unexpected differentiation capability of anionic liposomes per se. This work highlights the importance of developing and carefully testing novel delivery nanocarriers, which are a necessary first “step” in the development of new therapeutic settings

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery treatment of non-spinal intra-articular osteoblastoma: feasibility, safety, and outcomes in a single-center retrospective analysis

Background: Interventional radiology, thanks to its low invasiveness and possibility to reduce the average time for the patients to come back to their normal activity, is becoming more and more promising and diffused in multiple fields. Employed without needles, MRgFUS is probably the less invasive techniques among the ones belonging to the field of interventional radiology. Purpose: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of MRgFUS in the treatment of a rare and benign, though disabling, bone lesion: intra-articular osteoblastoma. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 6 patients (mean, 21 years) treated in the last 2 years with MRgFUS for symptomatic, histologically proved intra-articular osteoblastoma. The main inclusion criterion was the presence of a good acoustic window. The procedures consisted in MR-guided ablation, using high intensity ultrasound beams focused on the target lesion. Spinal anesthesia or peripheral nerve block was used. Clinical (based on pain and functional scales) and imaging follow-up studies were performed up to 1 year after treatment. Complications were recorded. Multiple linear regression and analysis of variance were used to assess correlations. Results: All the procedures were technically successful; no complications were observed. Painful symptomatology decreased of 88% at 6 months and 98% at 12 months (p < 0.0001), and was associated to functional improvement (p = 0.002). MRI and CT controls showed disappearance of all signs of disease and bone inflammation with a marked tendency to bone healing. Conclusion: This study shows the safety and effectiveness of MRgFUS in the treatment of intra-articular osteoblastoma with a good acoustic window

CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of spinal osteoblastoma: treatment and long-term follow-up.

Osteoblastoma (OB) is a painful, rare, benign bone tumour usually observed in young populations, and this condition involves the spine in up to one-third of cases. We sought to focus on the minimally invasive treatment of spinal OB with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under computed tomography (CT) guidance. When performed near the spinal cord, surgery can lead to instability of the spine, sometimes requiring additional interventions to stabilise the segments involved, and can cause the precocious onset of arthrosis or other degenerative diseases. The results were evaluated both clinically and with the aid of diagnostic imaging techniques during a 5-year follow-up study.Eleven patients affected by spinal OB were treated in a single session with biopsy and CT-guided RFA. Pre- and post-evaluations of the patients were performed both clinically and with CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Complete success in terms of pain relief was achieved in all patients. Additional treatments were not required in any patients. There were no complications. During follow-up, neither complications nor pathological findings related to the treatment were observed.Our experience demonstrates that RFA for spinal OB is safe and effective. One of the main advantages of this technique is represented by its lower grade of invasiveness compared with that for potentially hazardous surgical manoeuvres