Flowmeter and Ground Penetrating Radar: comparison between hydrogeological and geophysical methods

We discuss a comparison between saturated hydraulic conductivity calculated with Electromagnetic Borehole Flowmeter (EBF) and water content obtained by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Zero Offset Profile (ZOP

EPIGENETIC INVESTIGATION ON CYCLIC ONSET OF REPRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY IN DAIRY GOATS

At our latitude and under natural conditions, goats show autumn heats with calvings in spring. Individual variability in the onset of puberty and reproductive activity could hide a genetic and epigenetic variability that can allow a selection of goats more prone to deseasonalization. As a consequence, breeders could easily spread milk production throughout the year. The aim of the project was to analyze epigenetic profiles responsible for the reproductive seasonality in goat species. Considering the lack of information in literature for the species, we decided, first of all, to focus our effort on the characterization of the epigenetic profile (involving DNA methylation and microRNA) of two key organ in reproduction performances: hypothalamus and ovary. This basic research gave a first picture of the epigenome of goat species, representing a starting point for future researches in this field. In the three year of my PhD we gathered biological samples of interest for the project and we set up a pipeline for the epigenetic analysis (for DNA methylation and smallRNA) of the data produced. We saw different DNA methylation patterns across the goat genome between two organs, hypothalamus and ovary, and even a marked difference in the same organ (hypothalamus) between two physiological stages, before and after reaching puberty. In particular, the comparison between transcriptome and methylome in hypothalamus and ovary showed that a higher level of methylation is not accompanied by a higher gene suppression. We discovered interesting differences in the expression of microRNA in hypothalamus and ovary. We confirmed microRNAs already known on databases and we discovered some new, through structure homology with other related species. A selection of differentially expressed miRNAs was identified among hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary. In addition, 44, 55, and 69 miRNAs identified in pituitary, hypothalamus and ovary respectively, were specifically up-regulated in only one organ. Then we focused our efforts on the characterization of the epigenetic factors that could drive to puberty in the species. Genome wide DNA methylation analysis revealed 664 Differentially Methylated Genes (DMGs) among pubertal goats and their control. The crossing of DMGs and Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) among pubescent goats and their control, revealed new 8 genes, as potential marker for puberty onset. Among these, ATG16L1 (autophagy related 16 like 1), LRP5 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5) and MERTK (proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase MER) are suitable examples of puberty-related genes. According to False Discovery Rate threshold, it seems that miRNA population does not play a crucial role in the reaching of puberty in goat species in the organ analyzed. Furthermore, we conducted a SNP discovery on three key genes for photoperiod response (Melatonin Receptor 1 - MTNR1A, type 2 Deiodinase Gene - DIO2, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone beta subunit - TSHB), confirming and identifying new genetic polymorphisms. We found a novel non-synonymous polymorphism in the caprine DIO2 gene and we confirmed the high variability of the MTNR1A gene, discovering a new SNP bringing to a silent mutation. The first genome-wide comparison among organs of DNA methylation in Capra hircus has been generated. The DNA methylome in the hypothalamus and ovary of goat offers a valid base for studying the involvement of epigenetic modifications in goat reproduction performances. By confirming that the neuroendocrine control of female puberty entail mechanisms subjected to epigenetic regulation, our results provide insight into genes and pathways involved in the system used by the hypothalamus to control the initiation of mammalian puberty. As such, they are consistent with the concept that the pubertal process depends not only on genetic determinants, but also on developmentally regulated changes in epigenetic information

Local scale multiple quantitative risk assessment and uncertainty evaluation in a densely urbanised area (Brescia, Italy)

Abstract. The study of the interactions between natural and anthropogenic risks is necessary for quantitative risk assessment in areas affected by active natural processes, high population density and strong economic activities. We present a multiple quantitative risk assessment on a 420 km2 high risk area (Brescia and surroundings, Lombardy, Northern Italy), for flood, seismic and industrial accident scenarios. Expected economic annual losses are quantified for each scenario and annual exceedance probability-loss curves are calculated. Uncertainty on the input variables is propagated by means of three different methodologies: Monte-Carlo-Simulation, First Order Second Moment, and point estimate. Expected losses calculated by means of the three approaches show similar values for the whole study area, about 64 000 000 € for earthquakes, about 10 000 000 € for floods, and about 3000 € for industrial accidents. Locally, expected losses assume quite different values if calculated with the three different approaches, with differences up to 19%. The uncertainties on the expected losses and their propagation, performed with the three methods, are compared and discussed in the paper. In some cases, uncertainty reaches significant values (up to almost 50% of the expected loss). This underlines the necessity of including uncertainty in quantitative risk assessment, especially when it is used as a support for territorial planning and decision making. The method is developed thinking at a possible application at a regional-national scale, on the basis of data available in Italy over the national territory

Integration of natural and technological risks in Lombardy, Italy

Abstract. Multi-risk assessment is becoming a valuable tool for land planning, emergency management and the deployment of mitigation strategies. Multi-risk maps combine all available information about hazard, vulnerability, and exposed values related to different dangerous phenomena, and provide a quantitative support to complex decision making. We analyse and integrate through an indicator-based approach nine major threats affecting the Lombardy Region (Northern Italy, 25 000 km2), namely landslide, avalanche, flood, wildfire, seismic, meteorological, industrial (technological) risks; road accidents, and work injuries. For each threat, we develop a set of indicators that express the physical risk and the coping capacity or system resilience. By combining these indicators through different weighting strategies (i.e. budgetary allocation, and fuzzy logic), we calculate a total risk for each threat. Then, we integrate these risks by applying AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) weighting, and we derive a set of multi-risk maps. Eventually, we identify the dominant risks for each zone, and a number of risk hot-spot areas. The proposed approach can be applied with different degree of detail depending on the quality of the available data. This allows the application of the method even in case of non homogeneous data, which is often the case for regional scale analyses. Moreover, it allows the integration of different risk types or metrics. Relative risk scores are provided from this methodology, not directly accounting for the temporal occurrence probability of the phenomena

A multi-stakeholder analysis of the economic efficiency of industrial energy efficiency policies: Empirical evidence from ten years of the Italian White Certificate Scheme

© 2019 There is growing interest worldwide in more effective policies to promote industrial energy efficiency and mitigate climate change. The White Certificates Scheme is a market-based mechanism aimed at stimulating the adoption of Energy Efficiency Measures. The Italian White Certificates scheme - one of the most long-standing and articulated - is a successful example of industrial energy efficiency policies, considered an interesting and remarkable case by other countries, especially due to its robustness in terms of the volume of certificates traded. Despite the considerable interest in White Certificates, an in-depth analysis of the economic efficiency of the mechanism from the perspective of different stakeholders is still lacking. To address this gap, this study develops a cost-benefit evaluation framework and a multi-stakeholder economic efficiency analysis of the Italian White Certificates scheme focusing on the Italian State, utilities, players in the energy efficiency value chain, and energy users. Our findings (also corroborated with sensitivity analyses) show that the White Certificates Scheme has led to several positive impacts for almost all stakeholders involved, with the exception of energy utilities that have suffered a major economic loss mainly due to a reduction of energy sold to end users. Such loss is likely to promote a deep change in the role of utilities in the energy market in terms of the services they offer and their business models. Our findings, in addition to providing useful directions for future research, offer interesting insights and implications for policymakers who may take inspiration from the pros and cons of the Italian White Certificates scheme when promoting energy efficiency through incentive mechanisms

Big Data in Critical Infrastructures Security Monitoring: Challenges and Opportunities

Critical Infrastructures (CIs), such as smart power grids, transport systems, and financial infrastructures, are more and more vulnerable to cyber threats, due to the adoption of commodity computing facilities. Despite the use of several monitoring tools, recent attacks have proven that current defensive mechanisms for CIs are not effective enough against most advanced threats. In this paper we explore the idea of a framework leveraging multiple data sources to improve protection capabilities of CIs. Challenges and opportunities are discussed along three main research directions: i) use of distinct and heterogeneous data sources, ii) monitoring with adaptive granularity, and iii) attack modeling and runtime combination of multiple data analysis techniques.Comment: EDCC-2014, BIG4CIP-201

Autophagy in motor neuron disease: Key pathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Autophagy is a lysosome-dependant intracellular degradation process that eliminates long-lived proteins as well as damaged organelles from the cytoplasm. An increasing body of evidence suggests that dysregulation of this system plays a pivotal role in the etiology and/or progression of neurodegenerative diseases including motor neuron disorders. Herein, we review the latest findings that highlight the involvement of autophagy in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the potential role of this pathway as a target of therapeutic purposes. Autophagy promotes the removal of toxic, cytoplasmic aggregate-prone pathogenetic proteins, enhances cell survival, and modulates inflammation. The existence of several drugs targeting this pathway can facilitate the translation of basic research to clinical trials for ALS and other motor neuron diseases

Signaling events involved in cytokine and chemokine production induced by secretory phospholipase A2 in human lung macrophages.

7openopenGranata F; Frattini A; Loffredo S; Del Prete A; Sozzani S; Marone G; Triggiani M.Granata, F; Frattini, A; Loffredo, S; DEL PRETE, Annalisa; Sozzani, Silvano; Marone, G; Triggiani, M