109 research outputs found
A continuous latitudinal energy balance model to explore non-uniform climate engineering strategies
In order to investigate the effects of solar radiation management (SRM)
technologies for climate engineering, an analytical model describing the main latitu8
dinal dynamics of the Earthâs climate with closed-loop control has been developed. The model is a time-dependent Energy BalanceModel (EBM) with latitudinal resolution and allows for the evaluation of non-uniform climate engineering strategies. The
resulting partial differential equation is solved using a Greenâs function approach. This model offers an efficient analytical approach to design strategies that counter
act climate change on a latitudinal basis to overcome regional disparities in cooling. Multi-objective analyses are considered and time-dependent analytical expressions of control functions with latitudinal resolution can be obtained in several circumstances. Results broadly comparable with the literature are found, demonstrating the utility of the model in rapidly assessing new climate engineering controls laws and strategies. For example, the model is also used to quickly assess the trade-off between the number of degrees of freedom of SRM and the rms error in latitudinal temperature compensation. Moreover, using the EBM the dynamics of the ice line can be investigated and a Lyapunov stability analysis is employed to estimate the maximum reduction of solar insolation through climate engineering before the current climate falls into an ice-covered state. This provides an extreme operational boundary to future climate engineering ventures
Space-Enhanced Solar Power for Equatorial Regions
This paper examines the concept of solar mirrors in a Earth orbit to provide solar farms with additional solar power
during the hours of darkness. The design of the orbit is key for the purposes of the mission: the mirror needs continuous
access to the Sun and the solar farm simultaneously. Therefore, orbits with high-eccentricity will be considered to
increase the visibility time. Also, since the most convenient locations for solar power farms are about the equator,
a suitable orbit should have a low inclination. This issue can be addressed through the concept of anti-heliotropic
orbits that exploits mainly solar radiation pressure perturbations to generate highly-eccentric equatorial orbits able to
maintain the orientation with respect to the Sun. The considered configuration consists in two space mirrors in a flower
constellation rotating with the Earth to deliver a repeat ground track
Space-Enhanced Solar Power for Equatorial Regions
This paper examines the concept of solar mirrors in a Earth orbit to provide solar farms with additional solar power
during the hours of darkness. The design of the orbit is key for the purposes of the mission: the mirror needs continuous
access to the Sun and the solar farm simultaneously. Therefore, orbits with high-eccentricity will be considered to
increase the visibility time. Also, since the most convenient locations for solar power farms are about the equator,
a suitable orbit should have a low inclination. This issue can be addressed through the concept of anti-heliotropic
orbits that exploits mainly solar radiation pressure perturbations to generate highly-eccentric equatorial orbits able to
maintain the orientation with respect to the Sun. The considered configuration consists in two space mirrors in a flower
constellation rotating with the Earth to deliver a repeat ground track
Robust and adaptive control strategies for closed-loop climate engineering
Climate engineering aims to offset human-driven climate change through engineering interventions. This thesis focuses on the deployment of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) methods which aim to counteract radiative forcing generated by the concentration of atmospheric CO2. The climate system is investigated as a closed-loop control problem with uncertainties in its dynamics mitigated by robust and adaptive control strategies. Indeed, an adaptive controller for climate engineering is presented for the first time in a multi-variable control scheme. A low order three-box energy model is developed for the climate system to investigate such adaptive control strategies. Climate engineering measures are then deployed in 3 boxes, thus representing northern, southern and central (equatorial) bands. It is demonstrated that, through the on-line estimation of the controller parameters, adaptive control can overcome key-issues related to uncertainties of the climate model, external radiative forcing and actuator dynamics. The use of adaptive control provides a robust means of dealing with unforeseeable abrupt perturbations and the parametrisation of the model considered, while still providing bounds on stability and control performance. Importantly, the convergence of the controller is guaranteed through the Lyapunov stability criterion. Moreover, an analytical model describing the main latitudinal dynamics of the Earthâs climate with closed-loop control has been developed. This model has analytical solution and allows for quick evaluations of non-uniform climate engineering strategies. Multi-objective analyses are considered and analytical expressions for control laws with latitudinal resolution are obtained in several scenarios. Results are broadly comparable with the literature, demonstrating modelâs utility in rapidly assessing climate engineering controls laws. Using the PDE model, ice line dynamics are investigated and a Lyapunov stability analysis is employed to estimate the maximum insolation reduction before the current climate falls into an ice-covered state. This provides an extreme operational boundary for future climate engineering ventures. Finally, the PDE model is employed to investigate strategies involving the deployment of space shields. The grade of obscuration provided at each latitude is estimated and an optimization process performed in order to minimize the shield size and to find the ideal orbit to counteract 2xCO2 concentration
Extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells: towards novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are fatal disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) which currently lack effective treatments. The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represents a new promising approach for treating these incurable disorders. Growing evidence suggest that the therapeutic effects of MSCs are due to the secretion of neurotrophic molecules through extracellular vesicles. The extracellular vesicles produced by MSCs (MSC-EVs) have valuable innate properties deriving from parental cells and could be exploited as cell-free treatments for many neurological diseases. In particular, thanks to their small size, they are able to overcome biological barriers and reach lesion sites inside the CNS. They have a considerable pharmacokinetic and safety profile, avoiding the critical issues related to the fate of cells following transplantation. This review discusses the therapeutic potential of MSC-EVs in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on the strategies to further enhance their beneficial effects such as tracking methods, bioengineering applications, with particular attention to intranasal delivery as a feasible strategy to deliver MSC-EVs directly to the CNS in an effective and minimally invasive way. Current progresses and limiting issues to the extent of the use of MSC-EVs treatment for human neurodegenerative diseases will be also revised
Sfide e potenzialitĂ dei metodi collaborativi nella ricerca applicata ai contesti educativi multiculturali = Challenges and opportunities of collaborative research applied to multicultural educational contexts
Sul solco delle sfide attuali poste ai contesti educativi multiculturali e ai mondi della ricerca, il contributo riflette sulle potenzialitĂ dei metodi collaborativi nella ricerca applicata in questi ambit
Loneliness, affective disorders, suicidal ideation, and the use of psychoactive substances in a sample of adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Abstract
Problem: The global coronavirus (COVIDâ19) pandemic has been challenging for
adolescents. Indeed, with the closure of schools and social centers and reduction of
extracurricular activities, increased social isolation has compounded difficulties in
and with school performance, loneliness, and social networking. Increased risk of
mental health problems, substance abuse, affective disorders, suicidal ideation, and
suicide has been reported in adolescents.
Methods: This crossâsectional study assesses the association between loneliness,
depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, the use of social networks, and school
achievement in a sample of Italian adolescents during the COVIDâ19 pandemic. This
study also explores emotional dysregulation through the association between
affective disorders (depression and anxiety), substance use, and social networks.
The sample comprises adolescents in the first and second grades of high school
during the pandemic; participants received an email explaining the purpose of the
eâresearch. Data were collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire,
the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, and the Loneliness Scale.
Findings: A total of 505 adolescents completed the web survey. Data revealed that
students experienced difficulties with loneliness, problems with school achievement,
and extracurricular activities. The mean scores for depression and anxiety were close
to the borderline range. A total of 14.3% of adolescents intentionally harmed
themselves or attempted suicide.
Conclusions: This study raises concerns about the impacts of the pandemic on
adolescents that require the attention of adult reference figures who deal with
adolescents, such as parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals. Results indicate
the necessity of providing early interventions aimed at the prevention of psychopathol ogies and the promotion of adolescent mental health due to the pandemic
Socioâemotional, cognitive, affective disorders and substance use in a sample of students in firstâ and secondâgrade high school in Italy: A comparison among students', parents', and teachers' perceptions
Abstract
The closure of schools, social hubs, and extracurricular
activities due to lockdown measures imposed to curb the
spread of SARSâCoVâ2, has increased the risk factors
for students' mental health. This crossâsectional study,
conducted from March 2020 to March 2021, aimed to
estimate socioâemotional, cognitive, and affective disorders
and substance use in a sample of firstâ and secondâgrade
high school students in Northern Italy. This study compared
data from 284 Italian students' selfâperceptions along with
the perceptions of their parents and teachers through a
webâbased survey. The differences in the perceptions of
the three groups (students, parents, and teachers) were
analyzed using an analysis of variance test, applying a
Bonferroni correction. The Ï
2 test was used to assess the
comparison between students, parents, and teachers in the
substance use questions. The results showed statistically
significant differences among the three groups. The most
important outcomes were sociality, scholastic performance,
extracurricular activity, emotional symptoms, affective
disorders (depression and anxiety), and substance use.
These findings could be interesting for the promotion of
mental health and prevention of psychopathological risks in
students
Design of a novel bioink suitable for the 3D printing of lymphoid cells
Introduction: For decades, in vitro 2D cell culture techniques have been employed in research, but they fail to recapitulate the complexity of natural tissues. 3D bioprinting could potentially overcome this drawback due to the possibility to control the spatial disposition of living cells and the geometry of the 3D scaffold.
Materials and methods: This study reports the design and characterization of a novel bioink for extrusion bioprinting, analyzing different blend formulations composed of alginate, gelatin, and methylcellulose, suitable as cell-laden bioink for lymphoid cells, in particular those isolated from patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). The rheological properties as a function of temperature and the printability of the formulations were investigated to define the optimal printing parameters. In vitro stability of the printed scaffolds was investigated under culture conditions and compression tests were performed on printed and bioprinted scaffolds to compare their mechanical properties with those of fresh lymphoid tissue. Finally,MEC1, aCLL cell line,was bioprinted to investigate cell viability, cell density, and cell capability to be released from the scaffold over time.
Results and discussion: Results showed that, for the selected blends, good shape fidelity and printing accuracy were achieved with a limitation on the number of printed layers. Scaffolds withstood culture conditions showing stability for up to 3 weeks and their mechanical properties were similar to those of lymphoid tissues already reported in the literature. High cell viability after 21 days was observed for both MEC1 and primary peripheral mononuclear cells, confirming the possibility to use the selected formulation to successfully bioprint lymphoid cells by possibly mimicking their native lymphoid microenvironment
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