University Of Cagliari Research Articles

Traces of an «antica ed importante» library: the library of the Marquis Raffaelli di Cingoli

The rare books collection of the Faculty of Law of Cagliari preserves about 60 sixteenth- and seventeenth-century editions showing the mark of ownership «ex libris Bibliothece Raphaelie», placed normally after the title page. This is the largest number of editions with an ex libris (already sporadically found in some others volumes), mainly of legal interest, belonging to several private collections of contemporary scholars and bibliophiles. The ex libris refers to the library of the Marquis Raffaelli of Cingoli that in 1915 was sold at auction by the antiquarian bookseller Rossi of Rome, and was therefore dispersed. Based on a documentary research, the essay illustrates the most relevant episodes in the history of the library which, at the end of the eighteenth century, stood out in the context of the Marche cultural institutions and whose destiny is intertwined with some prominent figures in the panorama of the early twentieth century antiquarian trade. These ones include Ildebrando Rossi son and heir Dario Giuseppe, who bought the library from the Raffaelli family in 1913 and produced a partial sales catalog; Cesare Olschki who was in those years opening a branch of the Florentine bookshop in Rome and who in Ildebrando would find a guide for starting his own business; Attilio Nardecchia from which, in 1916, the volumes, now in the Faculty of Law of Cagliari, were acquired. The protagonist of this acquisition was Filippo Vassalli, professor of Roman law at the University of Cagliari, as part of a policy of developing the library of the institution, in turn animated by the conviction of the centrality of university libraries in the Italian library system.

Towards the cognitive building: information modeling for the energy audit

The new paradigm of smart building requires the accomplishment of occupants needs through the analysis of data gathered within the building, which switches from activities host to provider of customized services for occupants. The digitalization supports this new approach, as the implementation of Building Management Systems (BMS) in Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment allows to link the information collected to a database. The contribution is focused on a case study of the University of Cagliari, the Mandolesi Pavilion, and it is aimed at implementing and improving energy audit procedures by the use of Building Information Modelling.

Use of Optical Coherence Tomography on detection of postmortem Ocular findings: pilot data from two cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe by means of a portable Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) the postmortem ocular findings in two cases of forensic interest. CASE 1. A 41-year-old Caucasian man, dead from a gunshot in the head, was found inside his car. Time of death was precisely assessed from the testimony of eye witnesses. The body was transported at the Morgue of Medico-Legal Institute at the University of Cagliari for autopsy. OCT scans of cornea, anterior chamber and retina were performed at the 6th, 12th and 24th hour postmortem without change eyelid opening status. Corneal examination showed a progressive tendency of tissue to thickening. From a morphological point of view, we also observed a progressive formation of waves in the posterior stroma and in the endothelium [we decided to call this phenomenon, described by our group for first time, Nioi-Napoli sign (NN sign)]. An ongoing modification in reflectivity between anterior (hyperreflective) and posterior (hypo-reflective) segment of the corneal stroma was detecetd and a progressive decrease in amplitude of anterior chamber, mainly related to changes in tissue curvature. The retinal tissue showed since the first scan an increasing trend of retinal oedema togheter with a diffuse vasal depletion. It was also detachable the formation of a scleral tache noir. CASE 2. A 42-year-old woman, dead from myocardial infarction, underwent an autopsy at the Medico-Legal Institute at University of Cagliari (as suspected case of medical malpractice). Exact time of death was deduced by certificate of death drawn up by the emergency medical team. Scans of cornea, retina and anterior chamber were executed at the 24th, 36th and 48th hour postmortem. From the first scan an enhancement of corneal thickness, if compared to the physiological in vivo ranges, was detected; a change in corneal curvature was observed while no images form the retinal tissue was achieved. Late scans evidenced a progressive corneal endothelial exfoliation, and an enhancement of posterior stroma waving. CONCLUSION Portable OCT may be an useful device to observe and to record postmortem ocular changes. 1,2,3 Its use could represent an important tool to study the early and the late modification of ocular tissues, with a special interest in the forensic scenario as post mortem interval estimation (PMI estimation) and in ophthalmology (viability of cornea for transplantation purposes).

Prognostic Value of Thyroid Hormone Ratios in Patients With Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated With Regorafenib: The TOREADOR Study

BackgroundThe impact of free triiodothyronine (FT3)/free thyroxine (FT4) ratio on survival in hospitalized geriatric patients was recently described. Up today, there are no data regarding the prognostic role of FT3/FT4 ratio in patients with advanced cancer. We evaluated the impact of FT3/FT4 ratio on survival in patients with refractory colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with regorafenib. MethodsPatients with metastatic CRC treated with regorafenib with available clinical data and baseline measurement of FT3, FT4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were considered eligible. Exploratory analyses included subjects treated at Istituto Oncologico Veneto. A confirmatory analysis was planned based on FT3/FT4 ratio tertile results, and a validation cohort was built on data retrieved from University of Cagliari. ResultsIn an exploratory cohort, the median overall survival in patients with low, intermediate, and high FT3/FT4 ratios, according to tertiles' value, was 4.8, 5.0, and 7.6 months, respectively (P = .003). The differences were significant in the multivariate model (hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.68; P = .0003). Confirmatory results were obtained in a validation cohort, both in univariate (P = .0002) and in multivariate (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.88; P = .0118) models. ConclusionsHigh baseline FT3/FT4 ratio is strongly associated to better outcome in patients with progressive metastatic CRC treated with regorafenib. Further investigations are ongoing to draw definitive conclusions regarding a potential predictive effect.

Influence of a prepared diet and a macroalga (Ulva sp.) on the growth, nutritional and sensory qualities of gonads of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

This study evaluated the growth of the purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, fed with two diets, in sea- and land-based systems compared to wild populations. The experiments investigated the effects of the feeding regimes on gonad yield, nutritional traits and overall quality. Sea-based trials were performed by the CNR of Taranto (Trial S), whereas land-based trials were performed in the facilities of the University of Cagliari (Trial L). Urchins fed with a laboratory prepared pelletized diet (P), and a mix diet PU (50% of P-Diet and 50% of fresh Ulva sp.) were compared to wild urchins (W). In both trials the experimental diets supported a gonad growth when compared to wild population (p < .05). Sensory characteristics, assessed by 6 panel experts for each trial, highlighted significant differences in gonad colour and taste in both trials, while only in Trial S for texture (p < .05). The changes in the biochemical composition of sea urchins' gonads caused significant variations in the nutritional profile. Sea urchins fed with the experimental diets contained higher levels of total protein and lipids and PUFAs than wild sea urchins, although EPA, DHA and n-3/n-6 ratio, were lower in urchins fed with artificial diets. In Trial L, total free amino acids showed an increase respect to W gonads (p < .05), whereas in Trial S, total free amino acids showed a decrease only in sea urchin fed with P-Diet (p < .05). The results presented in this study provide evidence of the good performance of the formulated diet assuming its application for the development of Mediterranean echinoculture.

The recovery of the former University pediatric clinics in Cagliari: a project for the reuse, environmental redevelopment and structural and anti-seismic retrofitting of a modern building in a monumental centre

This paper discusses some of the issues related to the redevelopment of the modern building, with a rethink about the spaces consequent to the need to change its planned use that is structurally more burdensome and the related anti-seismic retrofitting. The case study concerns the project for the restoration and reuse of the former pediatric clinics of the University of Cagliari, according to an integrated method of intervention which, in the absence of historical documents, made it possible to reconstruct the material and structural characterisation of the building and its technical and constructional features.

A training experience for professors of the University of Cagliari

Nowadays the learning systems are involved in a profound reform to find a common framework of skills to promote employability and active citizenship. The university is called to cultivate innovative methods and pedagogies with the aim of an inclusive education and to be more consistent with an actual development of learning skills, for the perspective of lifelong learning. This paper reports the experience of the “Discentia” project whose purpose is to improve the teaching professionalism of researchers and professors of the University of Cagliari for the educational success of students. Un’esperienza di formazione dei docenti universitari di Cagliari Oggi i sistemi di apprendimento sono impegnati in una profonda riforma per individuare un quadro comune di capacita e competenze funzionali all’occupabilita e alla cittadinanza attiva. Anche l’universita e chiamata ad investire in metodi e pedagogie innovative per una educazione inclusiva e un apprendimento piu coerente con lo sviluppo di competenze nell’ottica del lifelong learning. Questo contributo riporta l’esperienza del progetto “Discentia” che mira a coltivare la professionalita, come docenti, dei professori e ricercatori dell’Universita degli Studi di Cagliari per il successo formativo degli studenti.

Muscle metaboreflex activity after an acute session of exercise under hypoxia

In healthy subjects, when the muscle metaboreflex (MM) is activated, mean blood pressure (MBP) increases because of a sympathetic‐induced increase in both systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and cardiac output (CO)1. Acute hypoxia vasodilation has been often reported despite the increased sympathetic tone2. We hypothesized that a single session of exercise under normobaric hypoxia (ENH) resulted in an attenuation of the MBP increment during the muscle metaboreflex activated immediately after the ENH session. 10 well trained healthy male subjects (age 34.2±11.7 yrs) participated in this study. In separate days they underwent, randomly assigned, three exercise sessions consisting of 10 min pedaling at a workload corresponding to 80% of anaerobic threshold previously assessed. In one session (TEST21%) subjects breathed normoxic air (O2 21%), in the other two tests they breathed hypoxic air with O2 concentration of 16% (TEST16%) or 13% (TEST13%) respectively. Immediately after each exercise session they underwent randomly assigned the following protocol: 1) muscle metaboreflex activation obtained by the post‐exercise muscle ischemia (PEMI) method, and 2) control exercise recovery (CER) test. Response to the metaboreflex for each cardiovascular parameter was assessed as PEMI minus CER level. Hemodynamic parameters were evaluated by impedance cardiography. Results show that SVR response was reduced during the MM after the TST13% with respect to the other two tests (−46.5±394.2 vs. +108.9±256.3 and +213.6±228.8 dynes•s‐1•cm‐5 respectively, p&lt;0.05). However, the MBP response was similar between conditions. This because of an increased CO response which occurred during TEST13% in comparison with TEST21% and TEST16% (+421.3±545 vs. +63.2±322.9 and +128.3±238.6 ml respectively, p&lt;0.05). It was concluded that an acute session of exercise under hypoxia is able to reduce the capacity to vasoconstrict the vascular bed during the metaboreflex activation obtained by PEMI. However, mechanisms controlling cardiovascular responses successfully defended MBP response by increasing CO which compensated for the reduced SVR increment.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by the University of Cagliari and the Italian Ministry of Scientific Research.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

TOWARDS AUTONOMY IN LANGUAGE LEARNING: THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

It is the purpose of this paper to examine some aspects of autonomy in language learning with a specific focus on the transition from high school to the first year at university. This transition can be problematic, in that study at a university level requires a degree of independence and initiative which is not generally required in the supportive learning environment of the school system. Our starting point is identifying those characteristics which make a good language learner (Naiman et al. 1978; Johnson 2001; Maftoon and Seyyedrezaei 2012) and to demonstrate that these characteristics are largely an innate capacity of some and not all learners. Among these characteristics there is the ability to establish a systematic and autonomous approach to the learning process on the basis of personal inclinations and individual life-skills (Dublin Descriptors 2005). In this sense the good learner is not a passive participant in the process, but, as Schön (1987) claims, acts as a ‘problem-solver’, able to make decisions and put those decisions into practice. That is to say, learning is ‘the creation of knowledge’ (Kolb 1984). Finally, an approach to developing learner autonomy is illustrated, based on the personal experience of the author within the context of a first year ESP course in Communication Studies at the University of Cagliari (Italy). The course makes extensive use of the new technologies through a Moodle platform. It will be demonstrated that a blend of traditional teaching and e-learning can provide a ‘bridge’ between school and university, allowing the learner to move within a flexible environment and acquire the skills necessary for successful learning.

A Didactic Laboratory of Theory and Design of Structures for Bachelor Civil Engineering Students in Cagliari

The course of Theory and Design of Structures for the Bachelor courses of Civil Engineering in Academic Year 2016-17 at the University of Cagliari was divided in two semesters: the first one dealing with theoretical aspects, in the second one a didactic laboratory was developed with the aim of a structural design of a building. The assignment and development of a series of individual themes of structural design was managed in a classroom of about 120 students. The strategy to optimize the efficiency was to assign a series of simple plane framed structures with comparable difficulty. They were generated from a common building with six identical frames, each composed by four columns and three floors. The removal of beams or columns, together with variations of length, height, location and destination, generated the requested individual themes. The students were then divided into four groups, followed by tutors. They experienced the development of the project in classroom, in a series of twelve sessions: Eight of them were dedicated to develop a prescribed step of the project, two for the inspection activities and the remaining two for harmonizing the project's state of progress of the project. The main educational results are here illustrated.

Urinary 1H-NMR Metabolomics in the First Week of Life Can Anticipate BPD Diagnosis.

Despite the advancements in medical knowledge and technology, the etiopathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is not yet fully understood although oxidative stress seems to play a role, leading to a very demanding management of these patients by the neonatologist. In this context, metabolomics can be useful in understanding, diagnosing, and treating this illness since it is one of the newest omics science that analyzes the metabolome of an individual through the investigation of biological fluids such as urine and blood. In this study, 18 patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Cagliari University Hospital were enrolled. Among them, 11 patients represented the control group and 7 patients subsequently developed BPD. A sample of urine was collected from each patient at 7 days of life and analyzed through 1H-NMR coupled with multivariate statistical analysis. The discriminant metabolites between the 2 groups noted were alanine, betaine, trimethylamine-N-oxide, lactate, and glycine. Utilizing metabolomics, it was possible to detect the urinary metabolomics fingerprint of neonates in the first week of life who subsequently developed BPD. Future studies are needed to confirm these promising results suggesting a possible role of microbiota and oxidative stress, and to apply this technology in clinical practice.

Intrathecal oligoclonal bands synthesis in multiple sclerosis: is it always a prognostic factor?

Oligoclonal IgM (OCMB) and IgG (OCGB) bands were found to be associated with poor multiple sclerosis (MS) prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of OCMB/OCGB in a cohort of Sardinian MS patients. We recruited patients from the University of Cagliari. They underwent lumbar puncture for diagnostic purposes. Demographic and the following clinical data were recorded: clinical course; time to reach EDSS 3 and 6; EDSS at last follow-up; and MS treatments. The influence of gender, clinical course, age at onset, treatments, and OCGB/OCMB on reaching EDSS 3 was analysed using Cox regression. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to study the time to reach EDSS 3 considering OCMB/OCGB and therapies. The enrolled number of subjects was 503. The variables influencing the achievement of EDSS 3.0 were: male gender (p=0.005); progressive course (p=0.001); age at onset (p<0.001); and disease-modifying drugs (p<0.001). The OCGB/OCMB status was not significant. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in time to reach EDSS 3 for patients with and without OCGB or OCMB in both treated and non-treated groups. Our study did not confirm the poor prognostic value of OCMB/OCGB. These results may be influenced by the peculiar genetic background associated with the risk of MS in Sardinians.

Carbon Dioxide Conversion into Liquid Fuels by Hydrogenation and Photoelectrochemical Reduction: Project Description and Preliminary Experimental Results

The increasing attention toward climate changes and the recent strategic policies to stabilize and reduce CO2 emission is promoting research in the field of carbon capture, storage and more recently utilization technologies, whereby CO2 is captured from industrial flue gas, reused if possible or permanently stored in geological formations, such as depleted oil or gas fields and saline aquifers.In this scenario, Sotacarbo is leading the “Centre of Excellence on Clean Energy” research project, funded by the Regional Government of Sardinia, which aims to develop technologies for low emission power generation and for CO2 capture, utilization and storage. Among these technologies, CO2 utilization by hydrogenation and photoelectrochemical reduction are experimentally studied in the Sotacarbo laboratories.This work presents a general overview of the researches (carried out in close cooperation with the University of Cagliari) on CO2 utilization by conversion into liquid fuels, with a description of the research facilities and a hint on preliminary experimental results.

Coping strategies, optimism, and life satisfaction among first-year university students in Italy: gender and age differences

The transition to university appears to be a complex and delicate time in students’ lives, involving a sequence of changes regarding both the personal/affective and social/professional spheres, facilitating students’ ability to adapt to a new life context. It represents a challenging time that requires students to use adaptive resources to face many changes, including a new academic environment (Park and Adler Health Psychology, 22(6), 627, 2003; Anderson et al. International Journal of Educational Research, 33(4), 325–339, 2000). This paper presents an investigation that focuses on Italian students in transition to university to assess existing gender and age differences in coping strategies and optimism. Furthermore, the study also was designed to explore the impact that coping strategies and optimism have on students’ life satisfaction. The sample consists of 298 first-year undergraduate Italian students enrolled in social science courses at the University of Cagliari (Sardinia): 152 (51%) were female and 146 (49%) were male. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 37 years, with a mean age of 23.2 years (SD = 3.9) The statistical analysis revealed a strong influence from optimism and coping strategies on life satisfaction, as well as an important role played by both gender and age in shaping students’ coping strategies, optimism, and life satisfaction. This research could contribute to helping students better face this life transition, thereby increasing life satisfaction and class-attendance levels, improving academic performance, and reducing the number of university dropouts.

Body composition and psychological improvement in healthy premenopausal women assuming the oral contraceptive containing micronized estradiol (E2) and nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC)

This observational study was conducted in healthy premenopausal women, who presented themselves for contraceptive advice at the outpatient Family Planning Clinics of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Cagliari, Hospital–University of Cagliari (Italy). After a screening period of three menstrual cycles, 48 women without contraindications to estroprogestin contraceptives (OCs) were included in the study. The primary purposes of the study were to evaluate whether a 12-month-treatment with the combined OC containing micronized estradiol (1.5 mg, E2) plus nomegestrol acetate (2.5 mg, NOMAC) (E2/NOMAC) interfere on anthropometric indices (AI), body composition (BC) and psychological status (PS). In subjects with dysmenorrhea (#36), its intensity was evaluated using the visuo analogic scale (VAS), both before and during the 12-month-treatment with E2/NOMAC. E2/NOMAC did not modify neither AI nor BC in the 40 subjects who concluded the study. The PS and the VAS of dysmenorrhea were significantly (p < 0.0001) improved from the first cycle of treatment and throughout the E2/NOMAC treatment in comparison with basal values. The study suggests that E2/NOMAC is devoid of negative effects on AI and BC, with additional benefits on PS and dysmenorrhea.

Longitudinal assessment of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in Sardinian psychotic patients (LABSP): a protocol for a prospective observational study

IntroductionBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity and neuronal function and survival. Serum and plasma BDNF levels are moderately, but consistently, decreased in patients with...

Technical-economic feasibility of CHP systems in large hospitals through the Energy Hub method: The case of Cagliari AOB

Multi-energy systems satisfy different energy uses of a building such as space heating, space cooling, DHW, etc. by using different energy converters and energy sources simultaneously. These systems, if properly designed and operated, have high efficiency in the production of energy.This paper presents a method based on the Energy Hub model for the energy and economic analysis of a large hospital complex placed in Sardinia (Italy). The Energy Hub model allows dynamic simulations results and experimental data to be coupled. First of all, the model was calibrated according to real data and information obtained during an energy audit carried out by the University of Cagliari in collaboration with the Brotzu Hospital staff. Then, since cogeneration is recognised as one of the most effective ways to efficiently convert energy, the integration of a CHP system (internal combustion engine), within the multi-energy system of the hospital, was studied. The results obtained are useful to identify benefits that might be obtained by the CHP system, depending on its regulation and on the economic variables.The presented model represents a valuable tool to evaluate possible energy and economic savings and to design and to optimise every kind of multi-energy systems of a generic building.

New human milk fortifiers for the preterm infant

Given its unique nutritional and functional advantages, human milk (HM) should be considered as the first choice for the nutrition of all infants, including preterm newborns. Since its protein, mineral and energy contents are not suitable to meet the high needs of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, HM should be fortified for these components. Fortification of HM is an important nutritional intervention in order to provide appropriate nutritional intake and appropriate growth. The standard fortification strategy has yielded inadequate protein intakes, resulting in slower growth as compared to preterm formulas. Improvement of outcomes depends on new fortification strategies, considering the large variability of HM composition. Individualized fortification, either targeted or adjustable, has been shown to be effective and practical in attaining adequate protein intakes and growth. Most commercially available multi-nutrient fortifiers and protein concentrates are derived from bovine milk (BM), which has a protein composition very different from that of HM. The use of BM proteins has been recently questioned for possible association with intestinal inflammation in VLBW infants. Recently, one HM-based fortifier was shown to be associated with lower necrotizing enterocolitis rates and lower mortality in extremely premature infants, compared to BM-based products. Other milk sources are currently under evaluation: a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial, coordinated by the Neonatal Unit of the University of Turin in collaboration with the Italian National Research Council of Turin and the University of Cagliari, is being carried out to evaluate the adequacy of fortifiers derived from donkey milk for the nutrition of preterm infants.

“Predictably irrational”. Expertise, metaphors and argumentation

“Predictably irrational”. Expertise, metaphors and argumentation

Enrico Fossa Mancini: significación y trascendencia de su obra geológica

Fossa Mancini nació en Jesi, Ancona, en 1884, estudió en las Universidades de Perugia y Roma y se graduó en Ciencias Naturales en la de Pisa con una tesis sobre amonites del Jurásico. Luego de participar en la Gran Guerra trabajó para el Servicio Geológico de Italia y publicó en temas de paleontología, sedimentología, hidrogeología y geología aplicada. En1922 realizó evaluaciones geológicas con fines mineros y petroleros en Venezuela. Vuelto a Italia fue designado Profesor de Mineralogía en la Universidad de Cagliari y en los años siguientes hizo trabajos sobre diferentes temas geológicos. En 1927 llegó a la Argentina por invitación de G. Bonarelli, quien desde 1923 se hallaba a cargo de la organización de las actividades geológicas de Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales. Fossa Mancini reemplazó a Bonarelli y se desempeñó como Jefe de la División Geológica hasta 1937. En ese lapso organizó un vasto programa de exploración en diferentes regiones de la Argentina y realizó estudios que quedaron registrados en numerosas publicaciones. A iniciativa de Fossa Mancini se establecieron comisiones geológicas y topográficas, se hicieron relevamientos aerofotográficos en Mendoza y San Juan y se crearon el Laboratorio Petrográfico y el sector de Geofísica, desde el cual se aplicaron, por primera vez en el país, métodos magnetométricos, gravimétricos y sismográficos. Paralelamente se estableció un sistema de becas para estudiantes que llevaría a partir de 1933 a la formación de geólogos especializados en petróleo. El esquema organizativo creado por Fossa Mancini perduró en las siguientes décadas y posibilitó una excelente formación integral de geólogos petroleros. Fossa Mancini dejó YPF en 1939 y pasó a ser Profesor de Mineralogía y Petrografía y Jefe del Departamento de Geología en el Instituto del Museo de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata y dictó cursos de geología del petróleo en el Instituto del Petróleo de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Publicó trabajos sobre variados temas geológicos y paleontológicos. Falleció en un accidente en La Plata en 1950.