Ministry Of University And Research Research Articles

(Electrodeposition Division Research Award) New Frontiers of Electrodeposition for Metallic Finishes

The interest in scientific research within the metal finishing sector is growing. The demand for durable metals and adaptable manufacturing processes is increasing across a wide range of applications, from aerospace and automotive to machinery and jewelry. In that respect, alloy plating offers better answers in terms of economic growth and environmental sustainability due to fine-tuning composition, morphology, and crystallinity [1]. Here, current trends in alloy electrodeposition research are reviewed highlighting open challenges and process innovations from an industrial perspective. Combining basic electrochemical techniques with spectroscopic, microscopic, and structural techniques is crucial for characterizing the structure-activity relationship for many different technological devices. Particular attention is devoted to advances in industrial quality control and viable solutions for the reduction of precious metal content in electroplated accessories as well as the replacement of cyanide and nickel baths with non-toxic compounds. Project funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3 - Call for tender No. 341 of 15 March 2023 of Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU - Project code PE_00000004, CUP B83C22004890007, Project title "3A-ITALY - Made-in-Italy circolare e sostenibile".

Gender differences in career advancements in Italian universities over the last 20 years

This article deals with gender differences in Italian universities in the last 20 years in terms of career advancements. Data are taken from the MUR (Ministry of University and Research) archive. In Italy, career advancements are still much easier for men, even if the gender gap has slowly narrowed in the last decades. The novelty of this paper is the analysis through event-history analysis models on the time elapsed to receive a promotion (from assistant to associate professor and from associate to full professor). The event-history analysis applied to career advancements has revealed that women take, on average, about one and a half more years than men to advance, with some differences among fields of study and macroregions. Furthermore, this gender gap is higher in the first years of the career. Two sociological metaphors used in the gender literature, the “leaky pipeline” and the “glass ceiling”, seem to intervene powerfully in the gender gap of Italian universities careers.

DNA Damage Response (DDR) Is Associated With Treatment-free Remission in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

DNA Damage Response (DDR) Is Associated With Treatment-free Remission in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

DETECT-AGING blind prediction contest: a benchmark for structural health monitoring of masonry buildings

The installation of monitoring systems on buildings allows analyzing variations in structural parameters over time, creating room for detection of damage. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems have the potential to support pro-active risk management, where structural interventions are planned if specific thresholds related to target performance losses are achieved.DETECT-AGING is a research project of relevant national interest that was funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) through the PRIN 2017 programme. The project started in September 2019 and involves the universities of Bologna, Genova, Napoli Federico II, and Perugia. The main goal of the project is to develop a new analytical-instrumental approach aimed at the quantitative assessment of the effects of aging and material degradation on structural safety of cultural heritage, with special focus on masonry structures. Based on a combined use of structural models and health monitoring systems, indications and operational tools will be provided for the identification and quantification of structural damage, supporting the management of built cultural heritage. To this purpose, a two-storey masonry building, having a single room with a vault at the first floor and a timber roof, was built with the aim of being monitored and progressively and will be damaged during the project. It is equipped with a hybrid SHM system managed by the University of Perugia, which is based on both vibration and strain measurements. The present paper illustrates the main features of the case-study building and presents the results of the experimental program aimed at characterizing the mechanical properties of masonry the materials used. The final part of the paper presents a blind prediction contest based on prediction of modal features of the building in different damaged configurations.

Thermal–Mechanical FEM Analyses of a Liquid Rocket Engines Thrust Chamber

The Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) funded the HYPROB Program to develop regeneratively cooled liquid rocket engines. In this type of engine, liquid propellant oxygen–methane is used, allowing us to reach very good performances in terms of high vacuum specific impulse and high thrust-to-weight ratio. The present study focused on the HYPROB final ground demonstrator, which will be able to produce a 30 kN thrust in flight conditions. In order to achieve such a thrust level, very high chamber pressures (up to 50 bar) and consequently high thermal fluxes and gradients are expected inside the thrust chamber. Very complex and high-fidelity numerical FEM models were adopted here to accurately simulate the thermal–mechanical behavior of the thrust chamber cooling channels, accounting for plasticity, creep, and low-cycle fatigue (LCF) phenomena. The aim of the current work was to investigate the main failure phenomena that could occur during the thrust chamber’s service life. Results demonstrated that LCF is the main cause of failure. The corresponding number of loading cycles to failure were calculated accordingly.

Small farmers constraints and potentialities. A survey in Kenya

This paper identifies the features of Kenyan small-scale farmers and their production systems, highlighting the challenges of sustainability transition. Drawing on the agro-ecology and eco-economy literature, the research hypothesis is that Kenyan farmers can play a role of paramount importance in stimulating place-based sustainability practices, and assure food security outcomes, because farming occurs following indigenous, place-based tradition and knowledge. 100 small farmers in the sub-county of Gilgil in Nakuru County, Kenya have been surveyed and profiled. The survey was sponsored by MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research). The research aimed to contribute to the debates on the sustainability of food systems.

Circulating CD4+T/methylation signatures of network-oriented SOCS3, ITGAL, NFIC, NCOR2, PGK1 genes associate with hemodynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients

Abstract Background CD4+ T cells are associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathogenesis but mechanistic insights are limited. Purpose To identify differential CD4+ T methylation signatures in healthy controls vs PAH and evaluate a putative association with the cardiopulmonary hemodynamic profile of affected patients. Methods We used RRBS platform to profile CD4+ T DNA methylome in the CLEOPAHTRA clinical trial. Results Differentially methylated CpG sites (N=631) annotated to N=408 genes (DMGs). Most of them (65%) were hypermethylated and localized in distal intergenic (36%) and promoter regions (31%). Promoter-related network analysis established the PAH subnetwork highlighting 5 hub DMGs (SOCS3, GNAS, ITGAL, NCOR2, NFIC) and 5 non-hub DMGs (NR4A2, GRM2, PGK1, STMN1, LIMS2) as potential candidate genes (Figure 1). The Infinium Human MethylationEPIC BeadChip on CD4+ T cells from an independent study population confirmed the global RRBS-methylation trends. Both in idiopathic and Associated-PAH, each of these 10 network-oriented DMGs was strongly correlated with at least one hemodynamic parameter such as right atrial pressure (RAP), cardiac index (CI), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) (Figure 2). In addition, mRNA levels of the ITGAL, NFIC, NCOR2, PGK1 genes and the IL-6-STAT3-SOCS3 signaling axis were significantly upregulated in PBMCs from patients with PAH vs controls suggesting putative drug targets. Furthermore, both SOCS3 methylation and mRNA levels were positively correlated with cardiac index (CI) in idiopathic PAH whereas both PGK1 methylation and mRNA levels were positively correlated with RAP and inversely with CI in Associated PAH suggesting putative non-invasive biomarkers. Conclusions This hypothesis-generating study shows for the first time that circulating CD4+ T methylation signatures, inclusive of SOCS3, ITGAL, NFIC, NCOR2, and PGK1 genes may yield insight into pro-inflammatory mechanisms that exacerbate vascular remodeling in PAH and suggest non-invasive biomarkers to optimize patient phenotyping and, possibly, prognostication in PAH. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): PRIN2017F8ZB89 from Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) (PI Prof Napoli) and Ricerca Corrente (RC) 2019 from Italian Ministry of Health (PI Prof. Napoli). Figure 1Figure 2

An analysis of Italian university students\u2019 performance through segmented regression models: gender differences in STEM courses

This paper investigates gender differences in university performances in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses in Italy, proposing a novel application through the segmented regression models. The analysis concerns freshmen students enrolled at a 3-year STEM degree in Italian universities in the last decade, with a focus on the relationship between the number of university credits earned during the first year (a good predictor of the regularity of the career) and the probability of getting the bachelor degree within 4 years. Data is provided by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR). Our analysis confirms that first-year performance is strongly correlated to obtaining a degree within 4 years. Furthermore, our findings show that gender differences vary among STEM courses, in accordance with the care-oriented and technical-oriented dichotomy. Males outperform females in mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science, while females are slightly better than males in biology. In engineering, female performance seems to follow the male stream. Finally, accounting for other important covariates regarding students, we point out the importance of high school background and students’ demographic characteristics.

New Insights on Hepatic De Novo Lipogenesis in Rat’s Fetus

ObjectivesAmong the macronutrients provided by the mothers to fetuses free fatty acids (FFA), particularly palmitic acid and glycerol cross the placental barrier in smaller proportions respect to glucose and amino acids, due to a minor placental permeability. It has already been suggested that during advanced gestation, fetal FA are mainly derived from de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in the fetal liver. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate DNL metabolic biomarkers in fetuses of rat dams at gestational day (GD) 16, which represent the beginning of the third stage of gestation. Peculiarly, besides the usual lipid biomarkers of DNL, increase of PA and POA and the ratio PA/LA, we also evaluated whether C16:0 ceramide biosynthesis was enhanced by DNL thereby representing a novel biomarker of DNL. MethodsThe profile of FA and ceramides was measured by using LC-DAD and MS/MS in line in liver of rat dams sacrificed at GD16 and their fetuses. Differences between rat dams and their fetuses were determined by an Mann-Whitney unpaired test. ResultsOur results show that lipid metabolism in the liver of fetuses, when compared to those of their mother, was characterized by profound differences in the fatty acid profile, i.e., increased levels of the palmitic acid (16:0) (1.24 fold; p = 0.04) and its desaturase product palmitoleic acid (16:1-n7) (2.5 fold; p = 0.002) indicating an overactive DNL. Peculiarly, we found striking higher levels (30 fold; p = 0.02) in fetal liver respect to rat dams liver of C16:0 ceramide, while the other ceramides species didn’t increase significantly. ConclusionsOur data suggest that the 16:0 to form fetal C16:0 ceramide derives from DNL. C16:0 ceramide in adults is usually associated to impaired insulin signalling and energy homeostasis, and eventually to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, it has also been shown that C16:0 ceramide sustains lipogenesis, which may be functional to the increased fetal growth rate characteristic of the last gestational stage. Funding SourcesThis study was supported by grant from the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) - Proof of Concept 2018.

Cloud Environment Automation: from infrastructure deployment to application monitoring

The potential offered by the cloud paradigm is often limited by technical issues, rules and regulations. In particular, the activities related to the design and deployment of the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud layer can be difficult to apply and time-consuming for the infrastructure maintainers. In this paper the research activity, carried out during the Open City Platform (OCP) research project [1], aimed at designing and developing an automatic tool for cloud-based IaaS deployment is presented. Open City Platform is an industrial research project funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR), started in 2014. It intends to research, develop and test new technological solutions open, interoperable and usable on-demand in the field of Cloud Computing, along with new sustainable organizational models that can be deployed for and adopted by the Public Administrations (PA). The presented work and the related outcomes are aimed at simplifying the deployment and maintenance of a complete IaaS cloud-based infrastructure.

A Proposal Of An Indicator To Evaluate Research Activities Based On Scimago Institu-tions Ranking (SIR) Data: An Application To Italian High Education Institutions.

In this paper we propose a synthetic indicator for evaluating Italian universities’ scientific research using the Scimago Institutions Ranking (SIR) 2014 data. Starting from some indicators computed by SIR, after having analysed the distribution shape, fitted parameters of some statistical models, calculated an appropriate standardization, we aggregate the indicators to get a Synthetic Indicator (from now, SI) of research evaluation. The obtained synthetic indicator has been used to rank Italian Higher Education Institutions (from now, HEIs). This ranking has been compared firstly with the ranking of National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes (ANVUR), based on the Evaluation of Research Quality (VRQ 2004-2010) results, in terms of standardized mark, and then with the ranking based on the assignments of the competitive allocation model (research share of FFO) yearly attributed to the Italian HEIs by the Ministry of University and Research (MIUR). The results of the analysis show a moderate positive correlation between SI and the VQR 2004-2010 indicators (r=0,543), and between SI and FFO per capita (r=0,487).The paper’s original contribution deals with a Synthetic Indicator with a Gaussian distribution summarizing the SIR variables and with the highlighting of a convergence between Italian ANVUR evaluation, based on peer to peer and bibliometric analysis, but using only few publications, and the analysis proposed in this paper, based on Scopus bibliometric data, and related to all the publications in the same period.

Preface — A special issue (Part-I): Mafic-ultramafic rocks and alkaline-carbonatitic magmatism and associated hydrothermal mineralization — Dedication to piero comin-chiaramonti

Awarded with the degrees of a B.Sc. in Human Sciences (1961) and a Ph.D. in Petrology (1967) by the University of Trieste in Italy, Piero Comin-Chiaramonti (Figure 1) eventually spent most of his academic career in this institution, holding the positions of Assistant Professor (1967-1983) and Associated Professor (1983-1986). He was inducted as a full Professor in the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Palermo in 1986, where he remained until assigned to the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Trieste in 1993. There he initially worked as a Professor of Petrology (Faculty of Sciences) and later as a Professor of Environmental Geology and Environmental Geochemistry (Faculty of Enginnering). It was through the efforts and innovations of Professor Comin-Chiaramonti, both in the teaching process and in the development of research facilities, that the Engineering Department of the University of Trieste has ∗E-mail: lgwalani@gmail.com, http://lggwalani.jimdo.com/ †E-mail: cgomes@usp.br today attained world-wide recognition. In 2009, he was granted the award of Eminent Scientist by the Faculty of Engineering, and retired from active service in the following year. He is now devoting part of his time to research activites. With his remarkable skill, greater efficiency, resolute determination and untiring efforts, Professor CominChiaramonti nursed and actively participated as a member and critical reviewer of several international scientific journals and as a consultant reviewer of some organizations such as COFIN (Co-Financial support from the Italian Ministry for University and Scientific Research), CNR (National Research Council, Italy), MIUR (Ministry of University and Research) and the Georgian National Science Foundation. We take this opportunity to assure him that we shall keep his example always before us duty before self and shall do everything possible to keep up the progress he has initiated. Professor Comin-Chiaramonti has always been a strong proponent of international collaboration in research and the transfer of knowledge and skills in geosciences. He

A multivariate analysis of protein microarrays for signature selection profiles

A multivariate analysis of protein microarrays for signature selection profiles

University and lifelong learning in Italy: policies and higher education and training systems integration

This article expounds the legislative measures, regulations and initiatives pursued and implemented by the Prodi Government and, more specifically by, the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) with regard to Lifelong Learning. Specifically, the article summarizes the lifelong learning bill, the ministerial Guidelines on “University for Lifelong Learning”, and the measures adopted in Universities to foster the development of Lifelong Learning as part of their institutional tasks.The need for suitable collaboration and intergrational activities between the different education-training systes and the economic, productive and professional contexts is highlighted. The need to pursue the realization of lifelong learning systems organized typically on a regional basis, and categorized by productivity sector and professional profile is also identified. Finally, the article addresses the link between Lifelong Learning and e-Learning, and refers to the legislative measures related to the accreditation of distance learning courses and the system actions activities undertaken.

279 PLASMA MEMBRANE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES AND INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM STORES IN IMMATURE AND IN VITRO-MATURED ADULT AND JUVENILE SHEEP OOCYTES

The low developmental efficiency recorded in juvenile oocytes represents, besides its technological relevance, an opportunity for increasing the knowledge of mechanisms regulating developmental competence in the oocytes. To analyze the biological reasons that make an adult oocyte different from a juvenile one, we monitored membrane electrical properties, i.e. resting potential, steady-state conductance and calcium currents, and calcium stores in these two oocyte types both at immature (GV) stage and after in vitro maturation (MII). Ovaries of cycling ewes and 40-day-old lambs were collected at abattoir and transported at 30°C. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were recovered by mincing. In vitro maturation was carried out in TCM199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, 10 IU/mL of LH, 0.1 IU/mL of FSH, and 1 mg/mN of 17β-estradiol at 39.0°C in 5% CO2 for 24 h. Zona pellucida of immature and in vitro-matured oocytes was removed after incubation for 1–1.5 min in 0.5% (w/v) protease solution. Zona-free oocytes were placed in Ham F10 at 38.5°C and voltage clamped by standard techniques (Tosti et al. 2002 Reproduction 124, 835–846). After obtaining a giga-seal, the patch was ruptured. The permeability of the plasma membrane was verified by applying depolarizing and hyperpolarizing voltage steps of 10 mV and 500 ms before and at the peak current to generate the voltage-dependent currents. The voltage clamp was set at −80 and −30 mV to differentiate the Ca2+ current components, i.e. L-type Ca2+ channels. For intracellular calcium determinations, oocytes were placed in Ham F10 and injected with the 0.5 mM calcium green dextran (Mr 10,000). Ca2+ stores were evoked by the addition of 5 μM Ca2+ ionophore, monitored using a computer-controlled photo-multiplier system, and measured as relative fluorescence units (RFU) by normalizing fluorescence against baseline fluorescence. In lamb and ewe, differences in electrical features and calcium dynamics between GV (n = 36 and 17) and MII (n = 42 and 32) oocytes were tested by ANOVA and expressed as mean ± SEM. Resting potential was higher at MII than GV stages (−15.2 ± 0.9 vs. −12.1 ± 1.1 mV, respectively; P < 0.02) but it did not differ between animal age. GV stage and ewe showed either a higher steady-state conductance (25.4 ± 0.2 vs. 11.7 ± 0.2 nS and 21.7 ± 0.2 vs. 15.4 ± 0.2 nS, respectively; P < 0.01) or L-type Ca2+ channels (9.7 ± 1.4 vs. 2.7 ± 1.3 pA and 9.2 ± 1.5 vs. 3.2 ± 1.1 pA, respectively; P < 0.01). No differences were found between resting potential peaks yielded after Ca2+ ionophore exposure but a higher ion activation current was found in lamb oocytes (489 ± 56 vs. 300 ± 73 pA; P < 0.05). Ca2+ stores did not differ between animal age but they were larger at MII than at GV stage (0.70 ± 0.07 vs. 0.44 ± 0.07 RFU; P < 0.01). These results supply further information on both reproductive biology in ovine species and the physiology of oocytes collected from juvenile and adult individuals. This work was supported by Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) COFIN 2002 Project.