Aerial inventory of surficial geological effects induced by the recent Emilia earthquake (Italy): preliminary report.

As a consequence of the two main shocks that recently struck the central alluvial Po Plain (May 20, 2012, ML 5.9, and May 29, 2012, ML 5.8), a great number of surficial geologic disturbances appeared over a wide area (ca. 500 km2), which extended up to 20 km from the epicenters. The affected area includes Mirabello, San Carlo, Sant'Agostino (Province of Ferrara), San Felice, Cavezzo, Concordia (Modena), Moglia and Quistello (Mantova). Most of the surficial effects that were observed during this study were clearly induced (directly or indirectly) by sand liquefaction phenomena, such as sand volcanoes, burst of water and sand from domestic wells, tension cracks, lateral spreading and associated deformation, graben-like fracturing, and sink-holes. Other effects can probably be ascribed simply to the shaking of the ground (e.g., small collapses of irrigation canal walls). Lastly, there were also some features of dubious origin, such as two 'yellow crop spots' that are cited here with reservations. All of these data were surveyed by means of a small airplane that was especially adapted for this purpose. The aim of this study was to furnish a wide-ranging image of the surface deformation over the whole area impacted by these recent earthquakes, as an instrument towards more exhaustive research, both at the scientific and technical levels (e.g., seismic microzonation)

Фінансовий облік. Методичні рекомендації до виконання курсової роботи з дисципліни для студентів денної та заочної форм навчання напряму підготовки 6.030509 Облік і аудит

Містять тематику курсових робіт. Супроводжуються методичними порадами до виконання, оформлення, захисту залікових робіт і досліджень. Призначено для організації самостійної роботи студентів денної та заочної форм навчання напряму 6.030509 Облік і аудит з виконання курсової роботи на основі використання ними теоретичних і практичних знань, навичок та вмінь, отриманих під час вивчення дисциплін «Фінансовий облік 1» та «Фінансовий облік 2». Орієнтовано на активізацію виконавчого етапу навчальної діяльності студентів та на формування в студентів практичних професійних навичок і вмінь, необхідних для подальшого засвоєння навчальних дисциплін професійно-практичного циклу

Engineering of an E. coli outer membrane protein FhuA with increased channel diameter

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Channel proteins like FhuA can be an alternative to artificial chemically synthesized nanopores. To reach such goals, channel proteins must be flexible enough to be modified in their geometry, <it>i.e</it>. length and diameter. As continuation of a previous study in which we addressed the lengthening of the channel, here we report the increasing of the channel diameter by genetic engineering.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The FhuA Δ1-159 diameter increase has been obtained by doubling the amino acid sequence of the first two N-terminal β-strands, resulting in variant FhuA Δ1-159 Exp. The total number of β-strands increased from 22 to 24 and the channel surface area is expected to increase by ~16%. The secondary structure analysis by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy shows a high β-sheet content, suggesting the correct folding of FhuA Δ1-159 Exp. To further prove the FhuA Δ1-159 Exp channel functionality, kinetic measurement using the HRP-TMB assay (HRP = Horse Radish Peroxidase, TMB = 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine) were conducted. The results indicated a 17% faster diffusion kinetic for FhuA Δ1-159 Exp as compared to FhuA Δ1-159, well correlated to the expected channel surface area increase of ~16%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study using a simple "semi rational" approach the FhuA Δ1-159 diameter was enlarged. By combining the actual results with the previous ones on the FhuA Δ1-159 lengthening a new set of synthetic nanochannels with desired lengths and diameters can be produced, broadening the FhuA Δ1-159 applications. As large scale protein production is possible our approach can give a contribution to nanochannel industrial applications.</p

World Interest Rates, Inequality and Growth: an Empirical Analysis of the Galor-Zeira Model

Following Galor and Zeira (1993), we study the effect of the world interest rate on inequality and growth for the period 1985-2005, characterized by falling world interest rates and cross-country income polarization. We argue that the two phenomena are related on th e basis of the following findings, which are in accordance with the predictions of the Galor and Zeira model: 1) a reduction of the world inter est rates increases inequality in rich countries and decreases inequ ality in poor countries; 2) inequality has a negative (and significant) eff ect on human capital accumulation in rich countries and a positive (b ut mostly not significant) effect in poor countries; 3) human capital po sitively affects GDP in both group of countries, in particular with a higher marginal effect in poor countries. The overall effect of these facts is polarization in the world income distribution

Organized Crime, Corruption and Economic Growth

In this paper we study the relationship between organized crime, corruption and economic growth. To shed light on this nexus, we propose a growth model in which organized crime can embezzle public spending by corrupting and threatening public officers. Then we bring the empirical implications of the model to data from Italian regions, as stylized facts show that less developed regions are characterized by the highest levels of corruption and of presence of criminal organizations of Mafia-type. Our main findings are: i) the per capita GDP dynamics of Italian regions in the period considered is characterized by multiple regimes identified by the initial level of organized crime, a finding consistent with a multiple steady state growth dynamics (e.g. Durlauf and Johnson, 1995); ii) in the regions with the higher levels of organized crime the estimated share of embezzled public expenditure is higher and, moreover, public expenditure has a negative effect on per capita GDP. Differently, in the regions with lower levels of organized crime the estimated share of embezzled public expenditure is lower and the effect of public expenditure on per capita income is positive

Особенности применения автодинных КВЧ модулей для сканирующей зондовой микроволновой микроскопии

Представлен анализ структуры КВЧ микроскопа, конструкции зондового элемента и использования КВЧ автодинных модулей как варианта реализации микроволной сканирующей микроскопии. Показано существенное упрощение реализации КВЧ микроскопа при использовании автодинных датчиков

Adenocarcinoma arising in a Warthin’s tumor

SummaryCarcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is a well-recognized entity, while, in rare cases carcinomas may arise from the epithelial component of Warthin’s tumor. We present a case of adenocarcinoma arising in a Warthin’s tumor located in the left parotid gland in a 49-years-old patient. Chest X-ray, laboratory investigation and thyroid scintigraphy were normal. A ultrasonography and computerized axial tomography showed multiple nodules. A fine needle aspiration biopsy showed typical features of Warthin’s tumor. The histology showed the presence of a metastatic adenocarcinoma, that was thyroglobulin and calcitonin negative. The patient underwent a total left parotidectomy, was carefully followed-up, and at a 7 years check-up visit no other primary malignant lesion has manifested

Attorno a due poesie nate a Sidi-Chami: [Troppo il tempo ha tardato] e [Se la febbre di te più non mi porta]

Benché sempre situate l’una di seguito all’altra, [Troppo il tempo ha tardato] e [Se la febbre di te più non mi porta] nell’edizione del 1947 del Diario d’Algeria sono collocate nella sezione «Ma se tu manchi», posta a sigillo della raccolta; nella stampa del 1965 sono invece incluse nella parte eponima del libro. Dopo aver proceduto a un’analisi dei due testi, il contributo tenta di cogliere i motivi che condussero l’autore alla diversa collocazione, tenendo altresì conto di un suo iniziale (e privato) disegno, secondo il quale le due poesie avrebbero potuto costituire le prime due parti di un trittico, costituito da [Se la febbre di te più non mi porta], [Troppo il tempo ha tardato] e Pin-up girl