Send in the clowns. Humor and power in Italian political, social and cultural life

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Cardiovascular abnormalities and impaired exercise performance in adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Context: Patients with classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) are treated with lifelong glucocorticoids (GCS). Cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic effects of such therapy in adolescents have never been quantified. Objective: To investigate left ventricular (LV) morphology, function and exercise performance in adolescents with CAH. Design and Setting: cross-sectional and controlled study conducted at a tertiary referral centre. Patients: Twenty patients with classic CAH (10 females) aged 13.6±2.5 years and 20 healthy controls comparable for sex and pubertal status were enrolled in the study and compared to a group of 18 patients without CAH receiving a similar dose of GCS for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Main Outcomes Measures: Echocardiographic assessment and symptom-limited exercise testing were performed. Anthropometric, hormonal and biochemical parameters were also measured. Results: Compared to healthy controls, patients with CAH exhibited an increased BMI (p<0.001), waist-to-height ratio (p<0.001), percentage of body fat (p<0.001) as well as higher insulin concentrations and HOMA index even after adjustment for BMI (p=0.03 and p=0.05, respectively). Moreover, CAH patients exhibited an impaired exercise capacity as shown by reduced peak workload (99±27 vs 126±27 W, p<0.01) and higher systolic blood pressure response at peak (156±18 vs 132±11 mmHg, p<0.01; Δ=45±24 vs 22±10 mmHg, p=0.05) with respect to healthy controls. CAH males displayed mild LV diastolic dysfunction as documented by significant prolongation of both isovolumic relaxation time (IRT) (118±18 vs 98±11ms, p<0.05) and mitral deceleration time (MDT) (138±25 vs 111±15 ms, p<0.01). No significant differences in CV function were found between CAH and JIA patients. Conclusion: Adolescents with CAH exhibit impaired exercise performance and enhanced systolic blood pressure response during exercise. In our population, such abnormalities appear related to GCS therapy rather than CAH per se. CAH males, but no females, present mild LV diastolic dysfunction that correlates with testosterone concentrations suggesting a sex hormone related difference

Net-zero emissions: main technological, geopolitical, and economic consequences of the new energy scenario

This paper discusses possible technical, economical and geopolitical consequences of the new energy scenario. We analyze the net zero emissions global race with an emphasis on the role renewable energies will play in this phenomenon and COP26’s recent decisions on climate and energy transition. Using the semi-quantitative analysis method, the technological driving forces for future energy scenarios have been extrapolated. The technological developments and future scenarios regarding renewable energies are discussed by comparing two different driving forces. Furthermore, there will be a discussion of possible geopolitical consequences due to fossil fuels trade depletion during the energetic transition. Possible related consequences for MENA countries are investigated. In the last part, there will be a legal background analysis for electricity demand and renewable sources shift combined with techno-economical examples. Finally, considering all the contents, we drive our conclusions

Towards the Monitoring of Underground Caves Using Geomatics and Geophysical Techniques: 3D Analyses and Seismic Response

Analyses of climate change, due to its impact not only on the weather and the environment but also on human health and life, are one of the most important study activities made in recent years. There is relatively high confidence that glacial melt and heavy rainfall events will continue to increase. These climate-related events carry a microseismic signature that can guide monitoring activities. In the last decade, there have been growing applications of long-term continuous ambient seismic noise systems to monitor landslides and potentially unstable rock sites. This work reports some of the activities made during a project performed under the Department of Excellence on Climate Change (2018–2022), funded by the Italian Ministry for University and Research (MUR), in order to improve environmental seismic analyses. The selected test site is the Bossea Cave (NW Italy), where two seismic stations were installed. The goals were to use these stations to understand and study climate change events above the Bossea Cave, analyzing the data from a geophysical and geomatics point of view. Starting with UAV flights and photogrammetric processing to obtain a 3D model of the cave, both ambient seismic noise and microseismicity analyses highlighted an important effect of air temperature and precipitation on the seismic response of the monitored rock mass overlying the Bossea Cave. In particular, a clear effect on the ambient seismic noise spectral content and the peak frequency of the microseismic events driven by temperature and precipitation was found during the warmer monitoring months, with almost zero delays in the seismic response. This is a preliminary but important study, even if longer monitoring data and thermal modeling efforts are needed to fully understand this seasonal variation

IL RAPPORTO DI AGENZIA, UNA PROSPETTIVA GIUSLAVORISTICA

L’elaborato tratta il rapporto di agenzia in un’ottica giuslavoristica. La prima parte dello scritto insiste sull’inquadramento normativo prendendo in considerazione lo sviluppo della normativa sia convenzionale che legale. In particolare si è valutato se vi fosse una possibile analogia tra l’efficacia degli AEC e quella dei CCNL rispetto al contratto individuale. Successivamente si sono analizzate figure simili all’agente come il procacciatore d’affari o il promoter finanziario per evidenziarne le differenze tale da non poter definire l’agente mero lavoratore autonomo. In seguito si sono rilevate le analogia con il rapporto di lavoro subordinato in particolare sull’applicazione delle clausole generali inerenti lo svolgimento del rapporto medesimo come la buona fede e la diligenza. Infine particolari analogie si sono riscontrate nell’aspetto conclusivo del rapporto. innegabili, se non nelle conseguenze almeno nelle cause. Da ultimo sono state trattate le analogie sia nell’aspetto previdenziale che processuale. L’elaborato ha voluto ricercare la voluntas regulandi del legislatore nel disciplinare il rapporto di agenzia il quale si presta ad essere utilizzato sia da imprese di capitali sia da singole persone fisiche. La ricerca effettuata ha fatto dedurre che il legislatore abbia voluto tutelare, nel caso dell’agente persona fisica, non solo interessi economici ma anche i diritti della persona mutuando, in quest’ultimo caso, la disciplina del diritti del lavoro.The paper discusses the relationship of agency labor law perspective . The first part of the paper insists on the regulatory framework taking into account the development of both conventional and legal regulations . In particular, we examined whether there was a possible analogy between the effectiveness of the ERM and that of the national collective bargaining agreement with respect to the individual contract . Subsequently, we analyzed similar figures to the agent as the intermediary or financial promoter to highlight the differences that they can not define the agent merely self-employed. Then are recognized the analogy with the employment relationship , in particular, on the application of general clauses relating to the conduct of the relationship itself as the good faith and diligence . Finally the particular similarities were found in the appearance of the final report. undeniable , if not in the consequences at least in the cases . Finally, the similarities were treated both in social security that reason . The paper wanted to search the voluntas regulandi of the legislature in regulating the agency relationship which lends itself to be used by businesses of capital from both individual natural persons . The research did conclude that the legislature intended to protect, in the case of the agent individual, not only economic interests but also the rights of the person borrowing , in the last case , the regulation of labor rights

Sucrose metabolism: Anabaena sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose-phosphate phosphatase define minimal functional domains shuffled during evolution

Based on the functional characterization of sucrose biosynthesis related proteins [SBP: sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose-phosphate phosphatase (SPP), and sucrose synthase (SuS)] in Anabaena sp. PCC7120 and sequence analysis, we have shown that SBP are restricted to cyanobacterium species and plants, and that they are multidomain proteins with modular architecture. Anabaena SPS, a minimal catalytic SPS unit, defines a glucosyltransferase domain present in all SPSs and SuSs. Similarly, Anabaena SPP defines a phosphohydrolase domain characteristic of all SPPs and some SPSs. Phylogenetic analysis points towards the evolution of modern cyanobacterial and plant SBP from a bidomainal common ancestral SPS-like gene.Fil: Cumino, Andrea Carina. Fundación para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Curatti, Leonardo. Fundación para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Giarrocco, Laura Estela. Fundación para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Salerno, Graciela Lidia. Fundación para Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Cobalt-based nanoparticles synthesis in organic solvents with environmentally sound processes

A process for the synthesis of cobalt-based nanoparticles is proposed, where standard reducing agent like hydrazine, alkali metal borohydrides, hypophosphites or other toxic reducing agents have not been employed. The solvothermal reaction is carried out in organic solvents and the dimension of the nanoparticles thus obtained have been analyzed by dynamic light scattering. Cobalt nitrate proved to be an efficient precursor, in agreement with previous literature works where its suitability for analogous processes has been tested and compared with the efficiency typical of other precursors routinely used. The soundness of this method, in terms of process safety, has been checked by analyzing the formation of toxic by-products that could be formed by side-reactions between the precursor and the solvent. This work may add some more details to a discussion pertaining to the accidental formation of N-nitroso derivatives of aliphatic compounds in the presence of alkanolamines and oxides of nitrogen

How transformative are community education projects? Meta-analysis of two case studies

Questo contributo è una metanalisi di due casi di educazione comunitaria: una mostra riguardante gli Eelam Tamil (Londra); una passeggiata di attraversamento di una comunità svantaggiata (Sud Africa). L’analisi ha lo scopo valutare questi interventi alla luce di sei categorie fondate sull’apprendimento trasformativo. Il risultato qualitativo più saliente di questo studio riguarda il complesso rapporto tra costruzione di ruoli sociali stabili e raggiungimento dei fini trasformativi comunitari. This paper is a meta-analysis of two community education projects: an exhibition on the Eelam Tamil (London); a transect walk in a vulnerable community (South Africa). The analysis aims to assess such interventions through the lenses of six categories drawn on transformative learning. The most relevant qualitative result obtained by this study deals with the complex relation between construction of stable social roles and the achievement of community transformative goals

Chronic heart failure is characterized by altered mitochondrial function and structure in circulating leucocytes

Oxidative stress is currently viewed as a key factor in the genesis and progression of Heart Failure (HF). The aim of this study was to characterize the mitochondrial changes linked to oxidative stress generation in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from chronic HF patients (HF_PBMCs) in order to highlight the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of HF. To assess the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial function and ultrastructure and the mitophagic flux in circulating PBMCs we enrolled 15 patients with HF and a control group of ten healthy subjects. The HF_PBMCs showed a mitochondrial population consisting of damaged and less functional organelles responsible of higher superoxide anion production both at baseline and under in vitro stress conditions, with evidence of cellular apoptosis. Although the mitophagic flux at baseline was enhanced in HF_PBMCs at level similar to those that could be achieved in control PBMCs only under inflammatory stress conditions, the activation of mitophagy was unable to preserve a proper mitochondrial dynamics upon stress stimuli in HF. In summary, circulating HF_PBMCs show structural and functional derangements of mitochondria with overproduction of reactive oxidant species. This mitochondrial failure sustains a leucocyte dysfunctional status in the blood that may contribute to development and persistence of stress conditions within the cardiovascular system in HF

Overdiagnosis and overimaging: an ethical issue for radiological protection

Aims and objectives: This study aimed to analyse the key factors that influence the overimaging using X-ray such as self-referral, defensive medicine and duplicate imaging studies and to emphasize the ethical problem that derives from it. Materials and methods: In this study, we focused on the more frequent sources of overdiagnosis such as the total-body CT, proposed in the form of screening in both public and private sector, the choice of the most sensitive test for each pathology such as pulmonary embolism, ultrasound investigations mostly of the thyroid and of the prostate and MR examinations, especially of the musculoskeletal system. Results: The direct follow of overdiagnosis and overimaging is the increase in the risk of contrast media infusion, radiant damage, and costs in the worldwide healthcare system. The theme of the costs of overdiagnosis is strongly related to inappropriate or poorly appropriate imaging examination. Conclusions: We underline the ethical imperatives of trust and right conduct, because the major ethical problems in radiology emerge in the justification of medical exposures of patients in the practice. A close cooperation and collaboration across all the physicians responsible for patient care in requiring imaging examination is also important, balancing possible ionizing radiation disadvantages and patient benefits in terms of care