Fabrication of Cu-based metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanofillers

The thesis takes inspiration from the worldwide issues related to the shortage of critical raw materials (CRMs) and the need of finding sustainable alternatives to CRMs within fields and sectors strategic to the well-being and economy of industrialized countries. The research activity has been focused on the fabrication of Cu-matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanofillers, nano-graphite and graphene in particular. This class of composites attracts considerable interest as a consequence of the broad spectrum of applications Cu-MCs could find due to their thermal and electric conductivities, self-lubricating properties of graphite, cost-effectiveness and availability. Ball milling (BM) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) have been combined to provide an innovative methodology to fabricate Cu-MCs reinforced with carbon nanofillers enabling the fine dispersion of nanoparticles into the Cu matrix. Specifically, a two-stage cycle involving BM first and, then, SPS has been shown to result in the dispersion of graphite particles in relatively large Cu grains. The iteration of cycles allows the refinement of graphite nanoparticles and their dispersion in Cu powders on the microscopic scale, mostly at grain boundaries, and the subsequent incorporation of nanoparticles into Cu grains due to grain growth mechanisms activated and promoted by high temperatures during SPS. Molecular level mixing has been also tested to obtain Cu-MCs reinforced with graphene starting from liquid solutions of Cu nanoparticles and graphene. In particular, graphene was dispersed during the redox synthesis to obtain Cu nanopowder, subsequently consolidated by SPS. Despite the intrinsic different between the two methods, it has been possible to prepare Cu-MCs with graphite nanoparticles and graphene as dispersoids. Structural and microstructural characterization indicate that dispersoids are finely dispersed into the Cu matrix. Nanoindentation measurements clearly demonstrate the significant enhancement of mechanical properties, thus providing an important clue to the validity of the methodology developed

Hegemonic regulations of kinship: gender and sexualities norms in Italy

After many years of heated debate, in 2016 the Italian parliament passed a law to regulate same-sex civil unions. Although the law extends to same-sex couples most of the rights of married heterosexual couples, the law preserves legal differences between heterosexual marriage and same-sex civil unions; moreover, the possibility of a partner in a same-sex couple adopting the biological children of the other partner was so controversial that it had to be deleted in order for the law to pass. The research project presented in the present thesis aimed at understanding which discourses and social practices are currently used in Italy by heteronormativity to resist challenges to the hegemonic model of kinship. Three studies have been carried out for this purpose, respectively focused on: 1) the public debate that occurred in Italy while the law proposal was under discussion in parliament; 2) the speeches of the Members of Parliament (MP) who opposed the section of the bill concerning lesbian and gay parenthood; 3) the discourses of Italian LGBT activists about lesbian and gay parenting. The analyses highlight that the opposition to the recognition of gay and lesbian couples and their children contributes to maintain the hegemonic gender order and to reiterate restrictive standards of motherhood. Traces of heteronormativity are also present in the discourses of LGBT activists, namely in terms of access to reproduction, the parents’ place within the regime of gender and the right standards for childrearing. Theoretical and practical implications of these discourses are discussed.Após muitos anos de debates intensos, em 2016 o parlamento italiano aprovou uma lei para regular as uniões civis de casais do mesmo sexo. Apesar da lei permitir a casais do mesmo sexo a maioria dos direitos dos casais heterossexuais casados, a lei preserva diferenças legais entre casais heterossexuais e uniões civis entre casais do mesmo sexo; a possibilidade de um parceiro do mesmo sexo adotar um filho biológico do outro parceiro foi tão controversa que teve de ser eliminada para a lei passar. O projeto de investigação que apresentamos nesta tese pretende entender que discursos e práticas sociais são usados na Itália pela heteronormatividade para resistir às mudanças no modelo hegemónico de parentesco. Três estudos foram realizados para este propósito, respetivamente focados em: 1) o debate público ocorrido na Itália, enquanto a lei esteve sob discussão no parlamento; 2) os discursos de deputados/as que se opuseram á parte da lei sobre parentalidade gay e lésbica; 3) os discursos de ativistas LGBT italianos sobre parentalidade gay e lésbica. As análises mostram como a oposição ao reconhecimento de casais gays e lésbicos e seus/suas filhos/as contribuem para manter a ordem hegemónica de género e reiterar padrões restritivos de maternidade. Encontram-se traços de heteronormatividade também no discurso de ativistas LGBT, sobretudo em termos do acesso à reprodução, ao lugar da parentalidade no regime de género e aos padrões apropriados de educação dos/as filhos/as. Discutem-se também as implicações teóricas e práticas destes discursos

The Role of Family Support and Dyadic Adjustment on the Psychological Well-being of Transgender Individuals: An Exploratory Study

Introduction This study aimed to measure dyadic adjustment, social support, and psychological well-being. Methods A research protocol composed of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support was administered to a sample of 109 Italian transgender individuals. Results Higher levels of global psychological distress, symptom severity, and interpersonal relationship distress were associated with lower levels of family support and dyadic adjustment. In addition, transgender women and younger transgender individuals reported higher levels of interpersonal relationship distress. Conclusions The results indicate that the support and acceptance of one’s partner and family of origin play a crucial role in promoting well-being. It represents an important protective factor with respect to negative psychological health outcomes. Policy Implications The findings emphasize the need to develop specific clinical and social practices for transgender individuals and their families. Building family and partner-centered policies and programs is particularly important to enable transgender individuals to avoid paying the emotional and psychological costs associated with rejection and non-acceptance

Comprender el malestar a través de las relaciones. La teoría sistémica: entre epistemología, dinámicas familiares y clínica

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo el delinear la evolución de las referencias epistemológicas que subyacen al cambio de los modelos de tipo sistémico-relacional. Tal evolución representa el hilo conductor gracias al cual leer las variaciones de perspectiva que ha experimentado la clínica familiar al observar, significar y tratar el malestar en el ámbito de la teoría y de la escena terapéutica. Son dos los saltos epistemológicos que se revelan como fundamentales. El primero es el paso de un modelo homeostático a un modelo evolutivo, paso que ha conducido a los terapeutas a considerar, además de las tensiones hacia el mantenimiento del equilibrio que caracterizan a los sistemas familiares (sobre todo cuando éstos atraviesan un estado de malestar), también los procesos de desarrollo que se hallan en la base del funcionamiento y de las transformaciones de tales sistemas. El segundo es el paso de la cibernética de primer orden a la de segundo orden, paso que ha permitido concebir la relación terapéutica como un proceso de circularidad constructiva entre el observador y el sistema observado y que ha estimulado una apertura hacia nuevas modalidades de tratamiento terapéutico familiar

The organisation of sexuality and the sexuality of organisation: A genealogical analysis of sexual ‘inclusive exclusion’ at work

This article problematises sexual inclusion in the workplace by theorising the social and historical processes that underpin heteronormativity in organisations. Drawing on a genealogical analysis of sexuality and inclusion in four Italian social firms that support the work and social integration of disadvantaged individuals, the article provides an in-depth analysis of the historical conditions affecting the management of sexualities in organisations. The analysis exposes the fragility and contradictory character of the notion of inclusion by illustrating how efforts to ‘include’ are often grounded on normative principles. It also shows how heteronormativity works, in practice, to moderate different modalities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer inclusion, recreating hierarchies and binaries within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. The article discusses how the power of heteronormativity produces specific meanings of inclusion within which some lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer workers are included and normalised, and others remain excluded because they do not conform to normative conventions and flaunt their ‘diversity’. The necessity of taking a queer perspective on ‘inclusion’ that scrutinises the heteronormative logic is also discussed. The article concludes by shedding light on how, within a heteronormative regime shaped by neoliberal predicaments, ‘inclusive’ organisations might continue to exclude lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals

Impact of chemotherapy on hippocampal neurogenesis and potential protective strategies

Background and objectives: An increasing number of cancer patients have described experiencing cognitive dysfunctions which are associated with their chemotherapy treatment. This has been called “chemobrain” in patient forums and articles. It has been shown in animal models treated with a range of chemotherapy agents that chemotherapy induces cognitive deficits and a decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis. Antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and physical activity have been proposed to counteract the effect of chemotherapy and provide protection against cognitive impairment associated with cancer treatments. This thesis has used in vivo studies, in rats and Sox1-GFP transgenic mice to firstly evaluate the effect of acute and chronic 5-Fluoruracil (5-FU) treatment on different subpopulations of neural stem cells in the hippocampus. Secondly, the effect of prior treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine and the anti-inflammatory indomethacin on the impact of chronic treatment with chemotherapy was measured in terms of their effect on cell proliferation, inflammation and DNA damage. The effect of prior physical exercise on acute treatment with 5-Fluoruracil was measured in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation. Methods: Animals were administrated either acute (single injection) or chronic (4 to 6 injections) of 5-FU with or without fluoxetine and indomethacin or physical exercise. Cell proliferation (Ki67), early neural differentiation (DCX), neural stem cells markers (GFAP, Sox1), inflammation (Iba1, Cox2) and DNA damage (γ-H2AX) were quantified by immunostaining either 24hr or 1 week after the last injection of chemotherapy. Morphological studies, to differentiate different stages of neural stem cells development and the state of microglia activation were conducted using confocal imaging. 3 Results: Acute treatment of Sox1-GFP mice with 5-FU caused a decrease in cell proliferation while chronic treatment induced a depletion of the neural stem cell pool and a reduction of the number of microglia. Prior chronic treatment with indomethacin did not prevent the decrease in the number of neural stem cells but did prevent the decline in cell proliferation and microglia. Rats chronically injected with chemotherapy and allowed to recover for 1 week, showed a decreased proliferation and number of microglia, an increased microglia activation, Cox-2 expression and DNA damage. Prior chronic treatment with fluoxetine prevent the decrease in proliferation and number of microglia, the increased microglia activation and DNA damage. Prior treatment with fluoxetine and indomethacin prevented these effects. Physical exercise prior to acute treatment with 5-FU enhanced the overall amount of neurogenesis but, possibly, due to a low dose of chemotherapy it was not possible see a significant effect of the chemotherapy. Conclusions: The chemotherapy agent 5-FU affected the neural stem cell pool and the number of proliferating cells in the hippocampus. Chronic administration with fluoxetine can prevent the decrease in the number of proliferating cells, microglia activation and DNA damage while treatment with Indomethacin protects only against the effect of 5-FU on proliferating cells and microglia activation

Identifying Industry Margins with Unobserved Price Constraints: Structural Estimation on Pharmaceuticals

We provide a method allowing identification of margins in an oligopoly price competition game when prices may not be freely chosen in some markets, for example due to regulation. We use our identification strategy to study the effects of regulatory constraints in the pharmaceutical industry. We provide the first structural estimation of price-cost margins on a regulated market with price constraints and show how to identify unknown possibly binding constraints thanks to three different markets (US, Germany and France) with varying regulatory constraints. We use the market for anti-ulcer drugs to identify whether regulation in France truly affects margins and prices and relate regulatory reforms to industry pricing equilibrium. Empirical results show that firms were especially constrained in price setting after the different reforms in 2004. Counterfactual simulations show that total spending significantly increased because of the new price regulation by displacing part of the demand from generics to branded drugs

Identifying Industry Margins with Unobserved Price Constraints: Structural Estimation on Pharmaceuticals

We provide a method allowing identification of margins in an oligopoly price competition game when prices may not be freely chosen in some markets, for example due to regulation. We use our identification strategy to study the effects of regulatory constraints in the pharmaceutical industry. We provide the first structural estimation of price-cost margins on a regulated market with price constraints and show how to identify unknown possibly binding constraints thanks to three different markets (US, Germany and France) with varying regulatory constraints. We use the market for anti-ulcer drugs to identify whether regulation in France truly affects margins and prices and relate regulatory reforms to industry pricing equilibrium. Empirical results show that firms were especially constrained in price setting after the different reforms in 2004. Counterfactual simulations show that total spending significantly increased because of the new price regulation by displacing part of the demand from generics to branded drugs