An empirical approach for ranking environmental and energy saving measures in the hotel sector

The energy demand of the hotel sector of an Italian region is here utilized for hierarchizing, by means of an empirical method, efficient measures devoted to energy saving and reduction of CO₂ emissions.Due to the large number of consumers present in the selected territorial area and the lack in detailed data, the energy demand assessment is here carried out by the analysis of a sample of representative consumers.A short set of indexes, referring to energy and environmental performances, are defined and calculated for different clusters of hotels, grouped on the basis of site characteristics, opening periods, number of beds, and building age. Such indexes are utilized to establish lists of actions with assigned priorities stemming from energy, environmental and economics issues.Energy planners and decision makers can easily use this approach for defining, implementing and monitoring energy efficiency as well as sustainability policies in the tourist sector of a given geographical area, starting from a limited set of data. The method has been proposed by authors within the assessment of the Sicilian Energy Masterplan.     

Novel Emerging Molecular Targets in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

In the scenario of systemic treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, one of the most relevant breakthroughs is represented by targeted therapies. Throughout the last years, inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), c-Ros oncogene 1 (ROS1), and V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) have been approved and are currently used in clinical practice. However, other promising molecular drivers are rapidly emerging as therapeutic targets. This review aims to cover the molecular alterations with a potential clinical impact in NSCLC, including amplifications or mutations of the mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor (MET), fusions of rearranged during transfection (RET), rearrangements of the neurotrophic tyrosine kinase (NTRK) genes, mutations of the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), as well as amplifications or mutations of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Additionally, we summarized the current status of targeted agents under investigation for such alterations. This revision of the current literature on emerging molecular targets is needed as the evolving knowledge on novel actionable oncogenic drivers and targeted agents is expected to increase the proportion of patients who will benefit from tailored therapeutic approaches.     

Calcium dependence of synaptic vesicle recycling before and after synaptogenesis

Using an immunocytochemical assay to monitor synaptic vesicle exocytosis/endocytosis independently of neurotransmitter release, we have investigated some aspects of vesicle recycling in hippocampal neurons at different developmental stages. A calcium- and depolarization-dependent exocytotic/endocytotic recycling of synaptic vesicles was found to take place in neurons already before the formation of synaptic contacts. The analysis of synaptic vesicle recycling at different calcium concentrations revealed the presence of two release components: the first one activated by low calcium concentrations and sustaining vesicle recycling before synaptogenesis, and a second one activated by high calcium concentrations, which is specifically turned on after the establishment of synaptic contacts. These data suggest that formation of synapses correlates with the activation of a putative low-affinity calcium sensor, which allows synaptic vesicle exocytosis to be triggered and turned off over extremely short time scales, in response to large increases in the level of intracellular calcium.     

Acute promyelocytic leukemia: a curable disease

The Second International Symposium on Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) was held in Rome in 12-14 November 1997. Clinical and basic investigators had the opportunity to discuss in this meeting the important advances in the biology and treatment of this disease achieved in the last 4 years, since the First Roman Symposium was held in 1993. The first part of the meeting was dedicated to relevant aspects of laboratory research, and included the following topics: molecular mechanisms of leukemogenesis and of response/resistance to retinoids, biologic and therapeutic effects of new agents such as arsenicals and novel synthetic retinoids; characterization of APL heterogeneity at the morphological, cytogenetic and immunophenotypic level. The updated results of large cooperative clinical trials using variable combinations of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy were presented by the respective group chairmen, and formed the 'core' part of the meeting. These studies, which in most cases integrated the molecular assessment of response to treatment, provided a stimulating framework for an intense debate on the most appropriate frontline treatment options to be adopted in the future. The last day was dedicated to special entities such as APL in the elderly and in the child, as well as the role of bone marrow transplantation. The prognostic value of molecular monitoring studies was also discussed in the final session of the meeting. In this article, we review the major advances and controversial issues in APL biology and treatment discussed in this symposium and emerging from very recent publications. We would like to credit the successful outcome of this meeting to the active and generous input of all invited speakers and to participants from all over the world who provided constructive and fruitful discussions.     

Determination of cadmium and lead in fruit juices by stripping chronopotentiometry and comparison of two sample pretreatment procedures

A method for the determination of cadmium and lead in apple and pear fruit juices by stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) is described. The results obtained after previous digestion of the sample with concentrated sulphuric acid and dry-ashing (sample pretreatment procedure “A”) and after a treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid followed by heating in hot water bath (sample pretreatment procedure “B”) were compared. The sample pretreatment procedures were tested on real fruit juice samples and all data confirmed that the efficiency of procedure A was greater than procedure B. In particular, for samples treated with procedure A, good linearity was obtained in the range of examined concentration as is shown by the determination coefficients that were 0.998 (n = 4) for cadmium and 0.996 (n = 4) for lead. Recoveries of 86–104% for cadmium and of 87–102% for lead were obtained from a sample spiked at different levels. The accuracy was also evaluated by means of a matching reference sample of spiked skim milk powder (BCR 150—Community Bureau of Reference) to prove the reliability of the method. The detection limits were 2.0 ng g⁻¹ for cadmium and 4.8 ng g⁻¹ for lead. The relative standard deviations (mean of nine determinations), evaluated on a real sample, were 7.8% and 6.5% respectively. The average content was in the range not detectable–3.0 ng g⁻¹ for cadmium and 8.2–21.3 ng g⁻¹ for lead.     

Borehole seismic surveys for the mechanical characterization of a calcarenite cliff in the area of Ispica (southern Sicily)

In this study, we investigate the mechanical properties of the substrate underlying the historical Franciscan Friars Minor convent of Ispica (southern Sicily). The convent, where new fractures recently occurred, is located on top of a calcarenite cliff formed along one of the planes of the regional Pozzallo-Ispica-Rosolini normal fault system. Taking advantage of three existing mechanical drillings 30 m deep, we have carried out downhole tests and a seismic tomography survey in uphole configuration. The downhole tests provided vertical profiles of P-wave and S-wave velocities measured at 1 m depth intervals, from which we have derived the basic elastodynamic and seismic parameters, while the tomography survey imaged vertical sections of P-wave velocity across the cliff. The results highlight variable mechanical properties of the subsoil and a step-like pattern of velocity variations parallel to the cliff face that could suggest the occurrence of secondary ruptures related to the main Ispica fault.

     

Optimal price-cap reviews

This paper demonstrates, in a dynamic model of monopoly regulation with price-cap, that a periodic price review may increase productive efficiency. When the firm's choice of cost-reducing effort depends on the volume of output supplied, a periodic revision allows the regulator to set more binding prices, thus inducing the monopolist to exert more cost-reducing effort in the future. In a continuous-time setting we establish the conditions under which, within a given concession period, a single full rate base review improves cost-efficiency, and by this route, we also establish the optimal number of reviews. This number depends on the length of the concession period in relation to the slope of the demand function and the intensity of the disutility of effort. Our results add both a theoretical argument in favour of the practice of periodic reviews in price-cap regulation and provide regulators with a basis for the calculation of the optimal regulatory lag. Potentially, our argument is relevant to every regulated monopolist, including the utilities' networks. A particular case worth mentioning is the regulation of toll-road tariffs, particularly in the case of a newly privatized toll-road concessionaire.     

THE TECHNOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF EUROPE IN A GLOBAL SETTING

Europe, as any other region of the world, is increasingly affected by the accelerating pace of the generation and transmission of knowledge across national borders. This article presents an attempt to identify and map the various components of the globalization of technology. A new categorization of the globalization of technology is reported, based on: (1) the international exploitation of nationally produced innovations; (2) the global generation of innovations; and (3) global technological and scientific collaborations. The performance of the European Union in each of these three dimensions is discussed. European firms are increasingly willing to undertake technological agreements with American partners rather than with partners based in other European countries. At the same time, cases of scientific collaboration within the European academic community are increasing. Some policy implications for the European Union and national governments are discussed.