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In questo capitolo sono esplorati i molti ruoli, tra cui alcuni di straordinaria importanza emersi negli ultimi anni, degli ecosistemi forestali rispetto alla stabilità e sicurezza della vita umana. Dalle pandemie al clima, passando per le minacce dirette alla sopravvivenza della nostra civiltà, le grandi foreste mondiali rappresentano un patrimonio già ampiamente saccheggiato che necessita urgentemente di protezione e di una nuova espansione. Sono prospettate soluzioni, difficili ma ineludibili, pena il rischio che quello che abbiamo vissuto con il Covid-19 possa apparire in un futuro troppo vicino come un episodio insignificante. Un paragrafo è dedicato allo straordinario significato e valore delle foreste italiane rispetto al patrimonio forestale naturale dell'Europa e oltre: la ricchezza genetica di numerose specie arboree residenti nelle nostre foreste, che deve essere preservata a tutti i costi, rappresenta la più sicura garanzia di resilienza e ricostituzione non solo rispetto a una lontanissima (per noi) nuova era glaciale, ma nell'immediato rispetto alla pressione esercitata dai cambiamenti climatici globali.

AIMS AND METHODS: A study was carried out to evaluate the influence of antihypertensive treatment with combined low doses of enalapril plus isradipine (5+5 mg daily) compared with those of either drug at a higher dose level (10 mg daily) by double-blind, three-way crossover study (balanced Latin square design) in 102 subjects (mean age 51.9 +/- 7.42 years) with essential hypertension. Left ventricular mass and function were evaluated by M-B mode echocardiography, renal function by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and by serum and 24-h urinary Na+ and K+ during wash-out period and after 24 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The supine blood pressure for subjects given placebo was 171/103 mmHg. After 24 weeks of treatment, systolic and diastolic supine blood pressure were significantly lower with 5 mg isradipine plus 5 mg enalapril (134/84 mmHg) than with 10 mg enalapril (137/84 mmHg) or with 10 mg isradipine (144/85 mmHg). Left ventricular posterior wall and septal thickness were significantly and similarly reduced in all groups. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic end diameters were not significantly changed. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was significantly reduced in E plus I group and enalapril group. GFR was not significantly altered. The 24-h urinary Na+ significantly increased with enalapril, more so than isradipine. The combination was tolerated better than either monotherapy. We observed no clinically significant changes in laboratory variables including blood lipoproteins. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of isradipine plus enalapril reduced blood pressure more effectively and was better tolerated than other drug alone. All three groups showed similar changes in echocardiographic indices and no change in renal function.

Il biochar o carbone vegetale è un materiale costituito da una grana fine e porosa 10-15 volte superiore alla porosità di un suolo ed è costituito prevalentemente da carbonio organico. La buona capacità di ritenzione delle sostanze nutritive e dell'acqua potrebbero fare del biochar un ammendante ideale per la coltivazione delle piante in vaso e, grazie al suo alto potere di adsorbimento di sali, potrebbe garantire l'impiego nel florovivaismo anche di acque di mediocre qualità (saline). I risultati di una prova svolta su lauroceraso (Prunus laurocerasus L.) e fillirea (Phillyrea latifolia L.), utilizzando substrati con diverse percentuali di biochar ed acque irrigue a diversa salinità (800 ?S/cm e 1800 ?S/cm) hanno dimostrato che l'aggiunta del biochar al substrato di coltivazione non ha influito sull'accrescimento delle piante e ha fortemente limitato i danni da salinità nella specie sensibile, il lauroceraso.

I sottoprodotti derivati dalla trasformazione delle olive sono costituiti da acqua di vegetazione (refluo liquido) e da sansa vergine (refluo solido). Le sanse vergini, che fino al recente passato sono state prevalentemente destinate ai sansifici per l'estrazione mediante solventi chimici dell'olio, possono essere impiegate, come ammendante, in agricoltura. A causa dell'elevato contenuto in acqua delle sanse, l'estrazione dell'olio residuo diventa difficile e costosa, richiedendo un preliminare processo di essiccamento o l'uso di macchine centrifughe, tanto che i sansifici sempre più frequentemente rifiutano queste sanse. Negli ultimi anni il problema è andato aggravandosi anche a causa della riduzione dei consumi, e quindi del valore commerciale, dell'olio di sansa. Di conseguenza, mentre in passato la sansa costituiva una fonte di reddito per il frantoiano, cosa che non ha stimolato la ricerca di impieghi alternativi, attualmente sta diventando, al pari delle acque di vegetazione, un sottoprodotto da smaltire, e quindi un onere. Recentemente, sono state intensificate le ricerche per trovare soluzioni alternative, con particolare riferimento all'utilizzazione agronomica diretta delle sanse o alla produzione di composti attraverso un processo di trasformazione biologica aerobica. L'utilizzazione delle sanse come ammendante su terreni agrari sembra offrire ottime prospettive ma, ovviamente, è necessario valutare, in relazione alle caratteristiche del tipo di refluo, tutte le implicazioni sul piano colturale e sul terreno per ottimizzarne l'uso ed evitare rischi ambientali. Le sanse hanno un pH acido, un elevato contenuto in polifenoli e in sostanze grasse. L'obiettivo della ricerca è stato quello di indagare sull'uso della sansa unita al Biochar (carbone vegetale) come possibile ammendante in campo agricolo. Il Biochar o carbone vegetale si ottiene dalla pirolisi di biomasse vegetali, come i residui ed i sottoprodotti agricoli, contiene dall'80 al 90% in carbonio, ha una lunga permanenza nel suolo ed un pH basico. La sperimentazione è stata condotta in vaso, su loietto (Lollium perenne L.). L'apporto è stato in tutte le tesi di 30 t ha-1 per vaso . Dai primi risultati della sperimentazione risulta che la produzione di loietto è aumentata in tutte e due le tesi con sansa e biochar confrontando i risultati con il controllo e con le tesi solo con sansa.I primi risultati hanno dimostrato inoltre l'inclusione di sansa e biochar al terreno ha determinato un incremento del peso dell'apparato radicale, senza influire sostanzialmente sul numero e sulla lunghezza delle radici.

This talk illustrates how a research library can work in the public communication of science. It describes some experiences at Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory library in the dissemination of astronomical information for the general public. Particular attention is devoted to (1) the integration of information resources to support public outreach to children; and (2) the use of the historical archives for the dissemination of the history of astronomy.

Large oropharyngeal concretions--giant tonsillolith--are not very common. Over the last few years only some 50 cases have been reported in the literature. Many tonsilloliths, especially small concretions, are asymptomatic; large concretions, on the contrary, may produce several symptoms. The case is described of a 56-year-old female complaining of dysphagia, odynophagia, sore throat, right otalgia and swelling in right tonsillar fossa. Routine panoramic radiography revealed a radio-opaque area in right tonsil region. Computed tomography of oropharynx was performed and axial slices revealed a calcified cylindrical lesion in posterior pharyngeal region, between palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus muscles. The tonsillolith was easily excised under local anaesthesia. The post-operative course was good with no recurrence. Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed necrotic debris, "ghost" cells, calcifications and inflammatory cells, confirming the diagnosis of tonsillolith. Authors stress that large tonsillar concretions are uncommon, and may be difficult to diagnose since the tonsillolith can also be mistaken for other anatomic and pathologic structures in the oropharyngeal area.

Hereditary cancer syndromes predispose to several types of cancer due to inherited pathogenic variants in susceptibility genes. We describe the case of a 57-year-old woman, diagnosed with breast cancer, and her family. The proband belongs to a family with a suspected tumor syndrome, due to other cancer cases in her family from the paternal and maternal sides. After oncogenetic counseling, she was subjected to mutational analysis with an NGS panel analyzing 27 genes. The genetic analysis showed two monoallelic mutations in low penetrance genes, c.1187G>A (p.G396D) in MUTYH and c.55dup (p.Tyr19Leufs*2) in BRIP1. One of the mutations was inherited from the maternal side and the other from the paternal side, suggesting two different cancer syndrome types in the family. MUTYH mutation was related to the onset of cancers on the paternal side, as confirmed by the occurrence of the same mutation in the proband’s cousin. BRIP1 mutation was found in the proband’s mother, indicating that it was related to the cancer cases observed on the maternal side, including breast cancer and sarcoma. Advances in NGS technologies have allowed the identification of mutations in families with hereditary cancers in genes other than those related to a specific suspected syndrome. A complete oncogenetic counseling, together with molecular tests that enable a simultaneous analysis of multiple genes, is essential for the identification of a correct tumor syndrome and for clinical decision-making in a patient and his/her family. The detection of mutations in multiple susceptibility genes allows the initiation of early risk-reducing measures for identified mutation carriers among family members and to include them in a proper surveillance program for specific syndromes. Moreover, it may enable an adapted treatment for the affected patient, permitting personalized therapeutic options.

Pectin recovered via hydrodynamic cavitation (IntegroPectin) from lemon and grapefruit agri-food waste intrinsically containing antimicrobial bioactive substances (flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, and terpenoids) was used to generate innovative and eco-compatible films that efficiently inhibit the growth of Gram-negative pathogens. Extensive characterization of films confirmed the presence of these substances, which differently interact with the polysaccharide polymer (pectin), plasticizer (glycerol), surfactant (Tween 60), and cross-linker (Ca2+), conferring to these films a unique structure. Besides, IntegroPectin-based films constitute versatile systems for the sustained, controlled, and slow-release (up to 72 h) of bioactive substances in an aqueous environment. This feature is crucial for the good in vitro antimicrobial activity exerted by IntegroPectin films against three Gram-negative bacteria (two indicator pathogen strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, P. aeruginosa PAO1, and the clinical isolate Klebsiella pneumoniae) that are involved in the global emergence of the antimicrobial resistance. Graphical abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide; most of cases are sporadic, however about 5% to 10% report a hereditary predisposition. Several hereditary syndromes have been associated with familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) onset, including hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC), Lynch syndrome (LS), Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM), Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS), and Hereditary pancreatitis (HP).The aim of this study was to determine the mutational status of a cohort of 56 HBOC families, 7 LS families, 3 FAP and FAMMM families, and 1 LFS family with at least one case of PDAC. Mutation analysis of BRCA1/2, ATM, CHEK2, PALB2, RAD51C, RAD51D, NBN, CDH1, TP53, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 genes, showedmutation in BRCA1/2, MLH1, and APC genes. We founda high mutation rate in patients belong HBOC and LS families, with a percentage of 28.6% in both syndromes and prevalence in HBOC of BRCA2 mutations with one case of double mutation in BRCA2 gene. In FAP family, we found a pathogenic mutation in APC gene in 1/3 families. We observed an early onset of PDAC and a lower survival in PDAC patients belonging to mutated families, while no evidence of possible pancreatic cancer cluster regions was found. Moreover, we identified a novel BRCA2 germline mutation, c.5511delT (p.Phe1837LeufsX3), not reported in any database, that segregated with disease in HBOC patients. Mutational analysis was extended to family membersof mutated patients, both healthy and cancer affected, which revealed 23 unaffected family members that inherited the proband’s mutation. Although correlative by its nature, the presence of a BRCA mutation in PDAC patients may have benefits in terms of optimized treatment and longer outcome.

It is well-known that the Coronavirus Disease 2019, which is caused by the beta-coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in December 2019 followed by an outbreak first reported in Wuhan, China. Thus far, vaccination appears to be the only way to bring the pandemic to an end. In the present study, immunogenicity data was evaluated using LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG assay (DiaSorin S.p.A) among a sample of 52 vaccinated healthcare workers, five of whom were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and 47 who were seronegative, over a time span of ≤90 days following the second dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. The test detects antibodies against the Trimeric complex (S1, S2 and receptor binding domain). The overall mean value of the serum levels of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 30 days following the second dose of the vaccine was 1,901.8 binding arbitrary unit (BAU)/ml, after 60 days the mean value declined to 1,244.9 BAU/ml. The antibody levels then reached a plateau, as confirmed by the antibody test carried out 90 days following the second dose, which revealed a mean value of 1,032.4 BAU/ml (P

Understanding the glassy nature of neural networks is pivotal both for theoretical and computational advances in Machine Learning and Theoretical Artificial Intelligence. Keeping the focus on dense associative Hebbian neural networks (i.e. Hopfield networks with polynomial interactions of even degree P> 2), the purpose of this paper is twofold: at first we develop rigorous mathematical approaches to address properly a statistical mechanical picture of the phenomenon of replica symmetry breaking (RSB) in these networks, then—deepening results stemmed via these routes—we aim to inspect the glassiness that they hide. In particular, regarding the methodology, we provide two techniques: the former (closer to mathematical physics in spirit) is an adaptation of the transport PDE to this case, while the latter (more probabilistic in its nature) is an extension of Guerra’s interpolation breakthrough. Beyond coherence among the results, either in replica symmetric and in the one-step replica symmetry breaking level of description, we prove the Gardner’s picture (heuristically achieved through the replica trick) and we identify the maximal storage capacity by a ground-state analysis in the Baldi-Venkatesh high-storage regime. In the second part of the paper we investigate the glassy structure of these networks: at difference with the replica symmetric scenario (RS), RSB actually stabilizes the spin-glass phase. We report huge differences w.r.t. the standard pairwise Hopfield limit: in particular, it is known that it is possible to express the free energy of the Hopfield neural network (and, in a cascade fashion, all its properties) as a linear combination of the free energies of a hard spin glass (i.e. the Sherrington–Kirkpatrick model) and a soft spin glass (the Gaussian or ”spherical” model). While this continues to hold also in the first step of RSB for the Hopfield model, this is no longer true when interactions are more than pairwise (whatever the level of description, RS or RSB). For dense networks solely the free energy of the hard spin glass survives. As the Sherrington–Kirkpatrick spin glass is full-RSB (i.e. Parisi theory holds for that model), while the Gaussian spin-glass is replica symmetric, these different representation theorems prove a huge diversity in the underlying glassiness of associative neural networks.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is globally the second most diagnosed cancer type and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Family history of PCa, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndromes (LS), are among the most important risk factors compared to age, race, ethnicity and environmental factors for PCa development. Hereditary prostate cancer (HPCa) has the highest heritability of any major cancer in men. The proportion of PCa attributable to hereditary factors has been estimated in the range of 5–15%. To date, the genes more consistently associated to HPCa susceptibility include mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) and homologous recombination genes (BRCA1/2, ATM, PALB2, CHEK2). Additional genes are also recommended to be integrated into specific research, including HOXB13, BRP1 and NSB1. Importantly, BRCA1/BRCA2 and ATM mutated patients potentially benefit from Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase PARP inhibitors, through a mechanism of synthetic lethality, causing selective tumor cell cytotoxicity in cell lines. Moreover, the detection of germline alterations in MMR genes has therapeutic implications, as it may help to predict immunotherapy benefits. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of the genetic basis for inherited predisposition to PCa, the potential target therapy, and the role of active surveillance as a management strategy for patients with low-risk PCa. Finally, the current PCa guideline recommendations are reviewed.

Following the analysis of terpenes present in new lemon and grapefruit “IntegroPectin” pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial lemon and grapefruit processing waste, the HPLC‐MS analysis of flavonoid and other phenolic compounds reveals the presence of eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin and kaempferol typical of the respective citrus fruits. The pectic fibers rich in rhamnogalacturonan‐I regions act as chemical sponges adsorbing and concentrating at their outer surface highly bioactive citrus flavonoids and terpenes. These findings, together with the unique molecular structure of these new whole citrus pectins, provide preliminary insight into the broad‐scope biological activity of these new biomaterials. Numerous new biomedical applications are anticipated, including likely use in the prevention and treatment of microbial infections and neurodegenerative disease., Molecular synergy in action, IntegroPectin! The pectic fibers rich in rhamnogalacturonan‐I regions of lemon and grapefruit “IntegroPectin” pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial lemon and grapefruit processing waste, adsorb and concentrate at their outer surface highly bioactive citrus flavonoids and terpenes. Flavonoid compounds include eriocitrin, naringin, hesperidin and kaempferol typical of the respective citrus fruits.

An HS-SPME GC-MS analysis of the volatile compounds adsorbed at the outer surface of lemon and grapefruit pectins obtained via the hydrodynamic cavitation of industrial waste streams of lemon and grapefruit peels in water suggests important new findings en route to understanding the powerful and broad biological activity of these new pectic materials. In agreement with the ultralow degree of esterification of these pectins, the high amount of highly bioactive &alpha, terpineol and terpinen-4-ol points to limonene (and linalool) decomposition catalyzed by residual citric acid in the citrus waste peel residue of the juice industrial production.

Il mare è considerato semplicemente o come uno spazio ludico o come uno spazio vuoto, eppure la sua orizzontalità e la sua vastità ne fanno uno spazio affascinante, caricato di valori ed emozioni. Il mare inoltre è uno degli ultimi spazi in cui l'essere umano si può confrontare con la natura. Per questo motivo il mare può essere considerato come uno spazio educativo, come confermano le testimonianze di letterati e navigatori che fanno risalire alla loro esperienza del mare gran parte della loro educazione.

In this paper we adapt the broken replica interpolation technique (developed by Francesco Guerra to deal with the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model, namely a pairwise mean-field spin-glass whose couplings are i.i.d. standard Gaussian variables) in order to work also with the Hopfield model (i.e., a pairwise mean-field neural-network whose couplings are drawn according to Hebb's learning rule): this is accomplished by grafting Guerra's telescopic averages on the transport equation technique, recently developed by some of the Authors. As an overture, we apply the technique to solve the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model with i.i.d. Gaussian couplings centered at $J_0$ and with finite variance $J$; the mean $J_0$ plays the role of a signal to be detected in a noisy environment tuned by $J$, hence making this model a natural test-case to be investigated before addressing the Hopfield model. For both the models, an explicit expression of their quenched free energy in terms of their natural order parameters is obtained at the K-th step (K arbitrary, but finite) of replica-symmetry-breaking. In particular, for the Hopfield model, by assuming that the overlaps respect Parisi's decomposition (following the ziqqurat ansatz) and that the Mattis magnetization is self-averaging, we recover previous results obtained via replica-trick by Amit, Crisanti and Gutfreund (1RSB) and by Steffan and K\"{u}hn (2RSB)., Comment: 55 pages

The forward I-V characteristics of 4H-SiC p-i-n diodes are studied in a wide range of currents and temperatures by means of an analytical model which allows to highlight the minority current contributions in the various diode regions, namely, the highly doped regions, the neutral base and the space charge layer. By accounting for the doping dependency of the various physical parameters, as bandgap narrowing, incomplete doping activation, carrier lifetime and mobility, the model turns useful to investigate the role of the various material properties at different current levels and temperatures. The accuracy of the model is verified by comparisons with numerical simulations and experimental data in a wide range of currents and temperatures, so that this model turns very useful for better understanding the impact of technological parameters on the teady-state behavior of diodes and obtaining an accurate circuital model of diodes.

A novel model which is capable of describing with significant accuracy the temporal-spatial distributions of the minority carriers in 4H-SiC p-i-n diodes is presented. The analytical behaviour of the current, voltage and carrier distributions is compared with numerical simulations and with experimental results.

The forward J-V characteristics of 4H-SiC p-i-n diodes are investigated in a wide range of currents and temperatures by means of an analytical model which describes in detail the role of the various physical parameters, such as bandgap narrowing effect, incomplete doping activation and doping-dependent mobility. In order to analyze the influence of the SiC properties at different injection regimes, the total diode current is expressed in terms of the minority current contributions in the various device regions. The accuracy of the model is verified by comparisons with numerical simulations and experimental data reported in the literature. The analysis shows that the proposed model can turn useful for a better understanding of the device behavior and for implementation in circuit simulators.