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Atmospheric pollution has been largely considered by the scientific community as a primary threat to human health and ecosystems, above all for its impact on climate change. Therefore, its containment and reduction are gaining interest and commitment from institutions and researchers, although the solutions are not immediate. It becomes of primary importance to identify the distribution of air pollutants and evaluate their concentration levels in order to activate the right countermeasures. Among other tools, satellite-based measurements have been used for monitoring and obtaining information on air pollutants, and over the years their performance has increased in terms of both resolution and data reliability. This study aims to analyze the NO2 pollution in the Emilia Romagna Region (Northern Italy) during 2019, with the help of satellite retrievals from the {\nobreak Sentinel\nobreak-5P} mission of the European Copernicus Programme and ground-based measurements, obtained from the ARPA site (Regional Agency for the Protection of the Environment). The final goal is the estimation of ground NO2 measurements when only satellite data are available. For this task, we used a Machine Learning (ML) model, Categorical Boosting, which was demonstrated to work quite well and allowed us to achieve a Root-Mean-Square Error (RMSE) of 0.0242 over the 43 stations utilized to get the Ground Truth values. This procedure, applicable to other areas of Italy and the world and on longer timelines, represents the starting point to understand which other actions must be taken to improve its final performance.

We propose a supervised learning framework for computing solutions of multi-parametric Mixed Integer Linear Programs (MILPs) that arise in Model Predictive Control. Our approach also quantifies sub-optimality for the computed solutions. Inspired by Branch-and-Bound techniques, the key idea is to train a Neural Network/Random Forest, which for a given parameter, predicts a strategy consisting of (1) a set of Linear Programs (LPs) such that their feasible sets form a partition of the feasible set of the MILP and (2) a candidate integer solution. For control computation and sub-optimality quantification, we solve a set of LPs online in parallel. We demonstrate our approach for a motion planning example and compare against various commercial and open-source mixed-integer programming solvers., First two authors contributed equally

Locandina che raccoglie le 5 giornate del convegno sulla testimonianza in occasione del Premio Nazionale di Filosofia, edizione 2022

The paper, after an initial introduction to the theme of Unfair Trading Practices in the agrifood chain contracts, highlights the existing link between certain unfair commercial practices in the sector and food wastes; in fact, besides being detrimental to the agricultural or food producer, a few of such practices can contribute to the formation of food waste, like the cancellation of the order of perishable products without notice or with particularly short notice, or the provision of a guarantee for the purchaser that all unsold goods will be deducted from the purchase price and that the costs of removal will be borne by the selling parties. Le document, après une première introduction au thème des pratiques commerciales déloyales dans les contrats de la chaîne agroalimentaire, met en évidence le lien existant entre certaines pratiques commerciales déloyales du secteur et les déchets alimentaires ; en effet, outre le fait qu'elles portent préjudice au producteur agricole ou alimentaire, quelques-unes de ces pratiques peuvent contribuer à la formation de déchets alimentaires, comme l'annulation de la commande de produits périssables sans préavis ou avec un préavis particulièrement court, ou la fourniture d'une garantie pour l'acheteur que tous les invendus seront déduits du prix d'achat et que les coûts d'enlèvement seront supportés par les parties vendeuses.

No abstract available

Since their discovery, mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) constitute an invaluable system to investigate complex developmental biology processes, such as germ layer specification. In my PhD project, I used fluorescent reporter mESC lines to explore the signaling network underlying fate decisions from Primitive Streak (PS) formation to neuroectoderm induction. I first defined culture conditions allowing the generation of cells transcriptionally resembling the PS and relying on the same signaling as their in vivo counterparts. I successfully discriminated the individual contributions of the Wnt and Nodal/TGF-β pathways in this context, the first starting the PS program, and the second enabling to proceed towards the endoderm fate while repressing neuroectoderm formation. Using a Wnt reporter line, I identified cells with active canonical Wnt signaling during PS-like differentiation and characterized by a posterior PS and mesoderm transcriptome. I additionally showed that neural progenitors arise in these conditions, with identity spanning the entire anteroposterior axis, and I uncovered their putative inductive stimuli. A Retinoic Acid (RA) sensor line, generated ad hoc, showed active RA signaling in the PS-like population. Intriguingly, the fraction of neural progenitors obtained was dependent on the activation state of RA signaling. The combination of RA perturbation and Wnt or TGF-β inhibition highlighted the involvement of RA signaling in other mechanisms of neural induction. Finally, I mimicked the phenotype of the RA synthesis-defective mice in my sensor line, observing no RA reporter expression in PS-like differentiation, and a seemingly unaffected specification of neuroectoderm cells. However, the neural fate acquisition in the RA synthesis-defective cells was still sensitive to repression of RA receptors, and providing vitamin A led most of the cells towards the neural lineage, and reactivated the RA reporter. This proves a residual ability of these cells to synthesize RA, undermining a central argument against a role of RA in neural induction by the PS. In conclusion, in this project I established a manipulatable system, suitable for investigating processes going from the primitive streak formation to the acquisition of the neuroectoderm fate. The system provided convincing arguments about the necessity to reevaluate the role of retinoids in neuroectoderm specification by the PS.

La relazione focalizza l’indagine sulla direttiva UE 2019/633 del 17 aprile 2019, in materia di pratiche commerciali sleali nei rapporti tra imprese nella filiera alimentare, approvata a brevissima distanza dalla presentazione della relativa proposta ad opera della Commissione, a riprova dell’importanza che le tematiche ivi affrontate hanno per il settore., Cibo e diritto. Una prospettiva comparata. Volume 1

Understanding the molecular determinants of fibrillogenesis by studying the aggregation propensities of high homologous proteins with different folding pathways., Significant advances in the understanding of the molecular determinants of fibrillogenesis can be expected from comparative studies of the aggregation propensities of proteins with highly homologous structures but different folding pathways. Here, we fully characterize, by means of stopped-flow, T-jump, CD and DSC experiments, the unfolding mechanisms of three highly homologous proteins, zinc binding Ros87 and Ml153–149 and zinc-lacking Ml452–151. The results indicate that the three proteins significantly differ in terms of stability and (un)folding mechanisms. Particularly, Ros87 and Ml153–149 appear to be much more stable to guanidine denaturation and are characterized by folding mechanisms including the presence of an intermediate. On the other hand, metal lacking Ml452–151 folds according to a classic two-state model. Successively, we have monitored the capabilities of Ros87, Ml452–151 and Ml153–149 to form amyloid fibrils under native conditions. Particularly, we show, by CD, fluorescence, DLS, TEM and SEM experiments, that after 168 hours, amyloid formation of Ros87 has started, while Ml153–149 has formed only amorphous aggregates and Ml452–151 is still monomeric in solution. This study shows how metal binding can influence protein folding pathways and thereby control conformational accessibility to aggregation-prone states, which in turn changes aggregation kinetics, shedding light on the role of metal ions in the development of protein deposition diseases.

commento sistematico alla normativa vigente

*, Sefer yuḥasin, Vol 6 (2018)

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides constituted by glucopyranose units linked by alpha-(1,4) bonds that show a characteristic donut shape with a hydrophobic cavity and a hydrophilic outer surface. Cyclodextrins are capable of forming water-soluble host: guest complexes with lipophilic molecules that hide in the their cavity. The aim of the review is to describe the historical background, the structure and proprieties of natural cyclodextrins and their derivatives, their physico-chemical properties and toxicological profile. We also describe the different methods to prepare the inclusion complexes and give an overview of the various applications of such complexes in the different fields. The review discusses and summarizes the most recent literature of cyclodextrins and their application in order to give a comprehensive treatment of the main features of these tools widely used to improve the solubility and bioavailability of many compounds used in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields.

La culture a une résonance bien particulière au pays du cèdre. Le Liban, creuset des civilisations passées et terre de refuge, a acquis une réputation basée sur la cohabitation, le territoire, les religions, les langues et les cultures très variées qui teinte le pays d’une couleur particulière. En matière de services, l’éducation est aussi au premier rang du secteur économique depuis le règne de l’émir Fakhreddin, alors que Saïda était carrefour des arts et des sciences. Chemin d’expérimentat...

Cet ouvrage reflète l’expérience stimulante d’une réflexion internationale sur l’avenir du développement d’une petite ville située dans le Liban du Sud, Saïda. Fruit d’une collaboration entre des étudiants et des professeurs en architecture de paysage, en architecture, en urbanisme et en études touristiques de quatre pays (Canada, Italie, Liban, Maroc), ce workshop présente différents projets de mise en valeur et de développement des paysages périurbains et dévoile les attraits et les singularités d’un territoire oublié, faut-il le rappeler, par le temps et par les événements d’une histoire récente. À l’heure de la reconstruction annoncée du Liban, ce livre est la manifestation tangible de la nécessité de stratégies d’aménagement qui soient soucieuses de l’environnement, de la culture et de l’histoire locale des villes, des paysages et de leurs habitants.

Antonio Trabacca,Teresa Vespino,Antonella Di Liddo,Luigi Russo Scientific Institute I.R.C.C.S. “Eugenio Medea” – “La Nostra Famiglia”– Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults (Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation), Brindisi Research Centre, Brindisi, Italy Abstract: Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most frequent causes of child disability in developed countries. Children with CP need lifelong assistance and care. The current prevalence of CP in industrialized countries ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 per 1,000 live births, with one new case every 500 live births. Children with CP have an almost normal life expectancy and mortality is very low. Despite the low mortality rate, 5%–10% of them die during childhood, especially when the severe motor disability is comorbid with epilepsy and severe intellectual disability. Given this life expectancy, children with CP present with a lifelong disability of varying severity and complexity, which requires individualized pathways of care. There are no specific treatments that can remediate the brain damage responsible for the complex clinical–functional dysfunctions typical of CP. There are, however, a number of interventions (eg, neurorehabilitation, functional orthopedic surgery, medication, etc) aimed at limiting the damage secondary to the brain insult and improving these patients’ activity level and participation and, therefore, their quality of life. The extreme variability of clinical aspects and the complexity of affected functions determine a multifaceted skill development in children with CP. There is a need to provide them with long-term care, taking into account medical and social aspects as well as rehabilitation, education, and assistance. This long-term care must be suited according to children’s developmental stage and their physical, psychological, and social development within their life contexts. This impacts heavily on the national health systems which must set up a network of services for children with CP, and it also impacts heavily on the family as a whole, due to the resulting distress, adjustment efforts, and changes in quality of life. This contribution is a narrative review of the current literature on long-term care for children with CP, aiming at suggesting reflections to improve these children’s care. Keywords: cerebral palsy, rehabilitation, long-term care, disability&nbsp

The paper aims to elucidate the main features of Norman contribution to the First Crusade. A peculiar attention is devoted to scrutinize the historiographical tradition concerning the events that leads to the Conquest of Jerusalem in 1099; in fact, the Norman contribution was scarsely defined by all chroniclers. The history of the First Crusade is a typical example of selection of memory according a political agenda developed by different chroniclers (Anna Comnena, Geoffrey Malaterra, Ibn Al-Athir). They preferred to misunderstand the role of Bohemond of Hauteville and the others Norman warriors and emphasized other issues.

The aptitude of cyclodextrins (CDs) to form host-guest complexes has prompted an increase in the development of new drug formulations. In this study, the inclusion complexes of pipemidic acid (HPPA), a therapeutic agent for urinary tract infections, with native β-CD were prepared in solid state by kneading method and confirmed by FT-IR and 1H NMR. The inclusion complex formation was also characterized in aqueous solution at different pH via UV-Vis titration and phase solubility studies obtaining the stability constant. The 1:1 stoichiometry was established by a Job plot and the inclusion mechanism was clarified using docking experiments. Finally, the antibacterial activity of HPPA and its inclusion complex was tested on P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. aureus to determine the respective EC50s and EC90s. The results showed that the antibacterial activity of HPPA:β-CD against E. coli and S. aureus is higher than that of HPPA. Furthermore, HPPA and HPPA:β-CD, tested on human hepatoblastoma HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines by MTT assay, exhibited, for the first time, antitumor activities, and the complex revealed a higher activity than that of HPPA. The use of β-CD allows an increase in the aqueous solubility of the drug, its bioavailability and then its bioactivity. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.