Two theoretical interpretations of the dissonance between fertility intentions and behaviour

In the paper we outline two possible theoretical interpretations for the inconsistency often observed between fertility intentions and fertility behaviour. We draw on socio-psychological models of human behaviour which emphasise the role of normative-affective factors on decision-making processes. The first interpretation is based on the observation that family and fertility choices are gradually shifting from a zone where behaviour is normative regulated to a zone of normative indifference, where mere rational decision-making based on cost-benefit considerations is at work. The dissonance between fertility choices and declared intentions depends on the fact that the former are based on rational considerations, while the latter are still constrained by a normative familistic philosophy. The second interpretation assumes the existence of an interposing mechanism in the sequence expectations-behaviour. These mechanisms, as anxiety and avoidance dispositions, filter the passage from individual value orientations in the affective sphere to their actual behaviour. We base our argument on two sets of information. First, we use a survey which allows us to construct empirical indicators of psychological dispositions connected to expectations related to family and fertility behaviours (Abacus 1996, Italy). Second, we analyse 54 non-structured interviews conducted in Northern Italy, which give a detailed picture of the hypothesised mechanisms and suggest new directions for research.

Surrogate-based performance evaluation strategy for high performance control systems under uncertainties

High-performance control systems (HPCSs) are sophisticated vibration mitigation strategies that include active, semi-active and hybrid systems. They generally outperform passive supplemental damping systems by relying on a feedback mechanism enabling adaptability, resulting in better control reachability over a wide excitation frequency bandwidth. HPCSs are therefore ideal for multi-hazard mitigation. However, the performance of these systems is highly dependent on the controller design, which requires appropriate tuning based on assumptions or on knowledge of dynamic parameters, long-term performance of sensors, excitations, etc. The quantification of performance based on possible uncertainties on such assumptions and/or knowledge could be a powerful tool in financially or technically justifying the use of an HPCS, or simply to benchmark the long-term performance of a given control algorithm. This paper investigates a methodology to assess the performance of control algorithms under various sources of uncertainties. To reduce the computational demand of the uncertainty quantification process, surrogate models are employed to map the nonlinear relationship between structural response and controller configurations. Long-term performance is quantified using life-cycle cost analysis. The investigation is conducted on a 39-story building, located in Boston (MA), and equipped with a set of semi-active friction devices. Results demonstrate that the proposed framework can be used to assess the performance of a given control algorithm considering various sources of uncertainties

Depression and adult neurogenesis: Positive effects of the antidepressant fluoxetine and of physical exercise

Of wide interest for health is the relation existing between depression, a very common psychological illness, accompanied by anxiety and reduced ability to concentrate, and adult neurogenesis. We will focus on two neurogenic stimuli, fluoxetine and physical exercise, both endowed with the ability to activate adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, known to be required for learning and memory, and both able to counteract depression. Fluoxetine belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, which represent the most used pharmacological therapy; physical exercise has also been shown to effectively counteract depression symptoms in rodents as well as in humans. While there is evidence that the antidepressant effect of fluoxetine requires its pro-neurogenic action, exerted by promoting proliferation, differentiation and survival of progenitor cells of the hippocampus, on the other hand fluoxetine exerts also neurogenesis-independent antidepressant effects by influencing the plasticity of the new neurons generated. Similarly, the antidepressant action of running also correlates with an increase of hippocampal neurogenesis and plasticity, although the gene pathways involved are only partially coincident with those of fluoxetine, such as those involved in serotonin metabolism and synapse formation. We further discuss how extra-neurogenic actions are also suggested by the fact that, unlike running, fluoxetine is unable to stimulate neurogenesis during aging, but still displays antidepressant effects. Moreover, in specific conditions, fluoxetine or running activate not only progenitor but also stem cells, which normally are not stimulated; this fact reveals how stem cells have a long-term, hidden ability to self-renew and, more generally, that neurogenesis is subject to complex controls that may play a role in depression, such as the type of neurogenic stimulus or the state of the local niche. Finally, we discuss how fluoxetine or running are effective in counteracting depression originated from stress or neurodegenerative diseases

Biochar: a Sustainable alternative in the development of electrochemical printed platforms

Biochar is a pyrolytic material with several environmental benefits such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering atmospheric carbon and contrasting global warming. However, nowadays, it has moved to the forefront for its conductivity and electron transfer properties, finding applications in the fabrication of electrochemical platforms. In this field, researchers have focused on low-cost biomass capable of replacing more popular and expensive carbonaceous nanomaterials (i.e., graphene, nanotubes and quantum dots) in the realization of sensitive cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly electrochemical tools. This review discusses recent developments of biochar-modified screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Special attention has been paid to biochar's manufacturing processes, electron-donating capabilities and sensing applications. Examples of representative works are introduced to explain the distinct roles of biochar in several electro-bioanalytical strategies

Label free biosensor for screening estrogenic activity

640-645Estrogens and estrogen mimics prevalent in aquatic environment are of great environmental concern because of their endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic activities. Looking to the wide variety of natural as well as structurally different synthetic estrogen mimics, a reliable in-vitro assay is required for screening the estrogenic activity of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is one of the most promising analytical tools to monitor the high-performance biomolecular interactions in a label free, real time format. Present paper demonstrates a facile SPR based affinity bioassay employing estrogen receptor-α, human (hERα) functionalized self assembled monolayer covalently bound onto the gold sensor chip as recognition species. A successful interaction of potential estrogen mimics with estrogen receptor is evidenced by net rise in SPR angle. The assay has been validated in terms of optimum experimental conditions and specificity with estrogen as a positive control showing maximum estrogenic activity. As a proof of concept, proposed affinity assay is tested for screening the estrogenic activity of progesterone, pregnenolone, tamoxifen, and bisphenol-A as representative examples of potential EDCs of different classes

Perspectives of the encapsulation technology in the nursery activity of Citrus

The genetic and phytosanitary certification has to guarantee the quality of the propagation material also in Citrus. Traditional methods can be assisted by the techniques of in vitro culture, which are fundamental for the mass production of high quality plants. The encapsulation technology represents an innovative tool to combine the advantages of micropropagation with handling ease, storability, reduced size of the propagules, mechanization potentiality, transportability of the gamic seeds. In this work somatic embryos obtained from in vitro anther culture of the cultivar Mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli (Citrus reticulata Blanco) were encapsulated in a sodium alginate matrix and synthetic seeds were obtained. The conversion ability in non sterile conditions of the synthetic seeds has been evaluated and the addition to the artificial endosperm of the fungicide Thiophanate-methyl did not limit the further development into plantlets of the encapsulated somatic embryos sown on paper (control) and on perlite. A high level of viability has been observed and conversion in ex vitro conditions on substrates similar to those used in the traditional nursery structures (perlite and paper-filter) has been obtained

Terminal differentiation of adult hippocampal progenitor cells is a step functionally dissociable from proliferation and is controlled by Tis21, Id3 and NeuroD2

Cell proliferation and differentiation are interdependent processes. Here, we have asked to what extent the two processes of neural progenitor cell amplification and differentiation are functionally separated. Thus, we analyzed whether it is possible to rescue a defect of terminal differentiation in progenitor cells of the dentate gyrus, where new neurons are generated throughout life, by inducing their proliferation and/or their differentiation with different stimuli appropriately timed. As a model we used the Tis21 knockout mouse, whose dentate gyrus neurons, as demonstrated by us and others, have an intrinsic defect of terminal differentiation. We first tested the effect of two proliferative as well as differentiative neurogenic stimuli, one pharmacological (fluoxetine), the other cognitive (the Morris water maze (MWM) training). Both effectively enhanced the number of new dentate gyrus neurons produced, and fluoxetine also reduced the S-phase length of Tis21 knockout dentate gyrus progenitor cells and increased the rate of differentiation of control cells, but neither factor enhanced the defective rate of differentiation. In contrast, the defect of terminal differentiation was fully rescued by in vivo infection of proliferating dentate gyrus progenitor cells with retroviruses either silencing Id3, an inhibitor of neural differentiation, or expressing NeuroD2, a proneural gene expressed in terminally differentiated dentate gyrus neurons. This is the first demonstration that NeuroD2 or the silencing of Id3 can activate the differentiation of dentate gyrus neurons, complementing a defect of differentiation. It also highlights how the rate of differentiation of dentate gyrus neurons is regulated genetically at several levels and that a neurogenic stimulus for amplification of neural stem/progenitor cells may not be sufficient in itself to modify this rat

Low dose native type II collagen prevents pain in a rat osteoarthritis model

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the most widespread joint-affecting disease. Patients with osteoarthritis experience pain and impaired mobility resulting in marked reduction of quality of life. A progressive cartilage loss is responsible of an evolving disease difficult to treat. The characteristic of chronicity determines the need of new active disease modifying drugs. Aim of the present research is to evaluate the role of low doses of native type II collagen in the rat model of osteoarthritis induced by sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA). METHODS: 1, 3 and 10 mg kg(-1) porcine native type II collagen were daily per os administered for 13 days starting from the day of MIA intra-articular injection. RESULTS: On day 14, collagen-treated rats showed a significant prevention of pain threshold alterations induced by MIA. Evaluation were performed on paws using mechanical noxious (Paw pressure test) or non-noxious (Electronic Von Frey test) stimuli, and a decrease of articular pain was directly measured on the damaged joint (PAM test). The efficacy of collagen in reducing pain was as higher as the dose was lowered. Moreover, a reduced postural unbalance, measured as hind limb weight bearing alterations (Incapacitance test), and a general improvement of motor activity (Animex test) were observed. Finally, the decrease of plasma and urine levels of CTX-II (Cross Linked C-Telopeptide of Type II Collagen), a biomarker of cartilage degradation, suggests a collagen-dependent decrease of structural joint damage. CONCLUSIONS: These results describe the preclinical efficacy of low dosages of native type II collagen as pain reliever by a mechanism that involves a protective effect on cartilage