Search results for "MPI"

Dynamic Mechanical Behavior Analysis of Flax/Jute Fiber-Reinforced Composites under Salt-Fog Spray Environment

2020

Over the last decades, natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPs) gained great attention in several engineering fields thanks to the reduction of the environmental impact and the end-of-life cost disposal. Unfortunately, the use of NFRPs is limited, mainly due to their weak resistance against humid environments. Since limited literature is available about the evolution of the dynamic mechanical response of NFRPs under aggressive environments, this paper aims to investigate the damping properties of flax, jute and flax/jute epoxy composites exposed to salt-fog up to 60 days. Furthermore, sodium bicarbonate fiber treatment was performed to improve the composites&rsquo

The informal caregiver's burden of dependent people: Theory and empirical review.

2009

This paper reviews the main theories and results of the existing research to date about the concept of the informal caregiver's burden. The explanation of the burden concept, the theoretical approaches which attempt to explain it, the variables which have emerged in the investigation, the predictors of its appearance, as well as the intervention programs developed to relieve burden, allow us to approach the appropriate solutions to deal with the current social and political reality of this problem. In this sense, the psycho-educational intervention programs framed within the respite services jointly with the knowledge of the determining variables of the burden can comprise the first optimal…

2020

Abstract Background To examine longitudinal changes in physical performance during the menopausal transition and the role of physical activity (PA) in these changes. Methods Based on follicle-stimulating hormone levels and bleeding diaries, women (47–55 years) were classified as early (n = 89) and late perimenopausal (n = 143) and followed prospectively until postmenopausal status, with mean duration of 17.5 and 13.8 months, respectively. Physical performance was measured by handgrip force, knee extension torque, vertical jumping height, maximal walking speed, and 6-minute walking distance. Physical activity was self-reported and categorized as inactive, low, medium, and high. Longitudinal …

Lipocalin-2 Regulates Hippocampal Microglial Activation in Poststroke Depression

2021

Background and Purpose: Microglia play important role in poststroke depression (PSD), however, the exact mechanism was still unclear. The purpose of the study was to study the mechanism of microglial activation in PSD.Methods: 24 rats were randomly divided into three groups: the PSD group (n = 10), the poststroke (PS) group (n = 7), and the sham group (n = 7). Primary hippocampal microglia were isolated and cultured, and recombined LCN2 protein was used to stimulate the cultured microglia. The protein expression of Iba1, P38 MAPK and PP38 MAPK was analyzed by western blotting; the LCN2 expression was measured by RT-qPCR, the serum LCN2 level and the NO level were analyzed by ELISA.Results: …

Exploiting the diversity of tomato: the development of a phenotypically and genetically detailed germplasm collection

2020

[EN] A collection of 163 accessions, including Solanum pimpinellifolium, Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme and Solanum lycopersicum var. lycopersicum, was selected to represent the genetic and morphological variability of tomato at its centers of origin and domestication: Andean regions of Peru and Ecuador and Mesoamerica. The collection is enriched with S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme from the Amazonian region that has not been analyzed previously nor used extensively. The collection has been morphologically characterized showing diversity for fruit, flower and vegetative traits. Their genomes were sequenced in the Varitome project and are publicly available (solgenomics.net/projects/…

A fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methodology to optimise olive agro-engineering processes based on geo-spatial technologies

2016

In southern Italy, the olive oil sector is an important part of the primary sector and its development requires support from research to ensure its sustainability. This work proposes the first step for set up a decision support system (DSS) for establishing mechanisation in agricultural operations for different olive groves. To contribute to this goal researches have been carried out to test the ability of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) to map olive groves and their agronomic characteristics. In detail, this study aimed to classify olives grove areas in terms of agronomic suitability and detect horticultural characteristics of olive groves in order to develop a …

Profilo dell'attività scientifica di Fabiola Ardizzone

2018

Si ripercorre l'attività scientifica della compianta Collega Fabiola Ardizzone, dai suoi esordi come allieva della Cattedra di Archeologia Cristiana dell'Università di Palermo, all'attività di insegnamento e di ricerca sul campo in qualità di Professore Associato. Il contributo dato da Fabiola Ardizzone agli studi sulla Tarda Antichità e sul Medioevo siciliani hanno riguardato molteplici direttrici di ricerca: dall'identificazione di nuove classi ceramiche alle modalità di organizzazione delle aree funerarie, dai problemi di topografia urbana all'archeologia dei cimiteri e ai problemi della produzione e circolazione delle produzioni ceramiche. The paper traces the scientific activity of Fab…

Riscoprire le vecchie scoperte: il sacello presso l’Olympieion di Agrigento

2016

I risultati delle nuove indagini stratigrafiche nel sacello posto a SE del tempio di Zeus Olympios ad Agrigento, condotte da un'equipe dell'Università di Palermo diretta dalla autrici e coinvolgente anche numerosi studenti di Archeologia dell'Ateneo, insieme con lo studio integrato della documentazione d'archivio e dei vecchi scavi, consentono una ricostruzione della storia, della fisionomia e delle pratiche religiose di un edificio rimasto finora di ardua interpretazione, specie in rapporto al monumentale vicino. In particolare, viene confermata la costruzione del sacello verso la metà del VI secolo, ma si definisce una fase di rimodellamento, risalente ai primi decenni del V secolo, finor…

Le ricerche dell'Università di Palermo nel santuario di Zeus Olympios ad Agrigento

2017

Il saggio offre una nuova ricostruzione dello sviluppo monumentale dell’area a Sud del Tempio di Zeus Olympios ad Agrigento (dal pieno VI alla fine del IV-inizi del III sec. a.C.), frutto di una revisione dei dati raccolti nei vecchi scavi e delle acquisizioni dalle nuove indagini condotte nell’area dall’Università di Palermo. L’insieme monumentale così ricostruito nelle sue diverse fasi di vita è inoltre letto in relazione al contesto urbano, ipotizzando una cronologia dell’impianto della città alla piena età arcaica, come indicherebbe l’orientamento del cosiddetto tempietto Gabrici, ben inserito nella griglia urbana e datato nel suo primo impianto alla metà-terzo quarto del VI sec. a.C.

Lo spazio sacro nella parte centro-occidentale della Collina dei templi: infrastrutturazione e contesto

2021

A seguito delle ricerche idell’Università degli studi di Palermo, si propone una nuova lettura d’insieme dell’area sacra situata sul margine meridionale della città di Akragas, finora percepita sostanzialmente attraverso i templi monumentali più noti (Olympieion e cosiddetto Tempio di Ercole) ma in realtà frutto di una complessa sequela di interventi di infrastrutturazione e riconfigurazione monumentale, legati all’evoluzione socio-politica e alla crescita economico-materiale della città dal suo sorgere alla conquista romana. Following research by the University of Palermo, a new overview of the sacred area located on the southern edge of the city of Akragas is proposed, so far perceived su…