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Il project management nella digitalizzazione della Pubblica Amministrazione: un approccio knowledge-based
No full textSpread of Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) in the marine ecosystem: exploring the relationship between environmental factors and the microbiome, resistome, growth and well-being of farmed mussels
No full textThis PhD research explored the complex interactions between farmed mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), environmental variables and microbial communities through an integrated, multi-scale approach combining environmental monitoring, biological performance assessment, and high-throughput molecular analyses. The study was structured around four main experimental macro-areas, each addressing critical aspects of sustainability and resilience in mussel aquaculture systems. A metagenomic framework was applied to characterize the mussel-associated microbiota and assess its variation across ecotypes, seasons, and environmental gradients. Taxonomic profiling revealed a diverse and heterogeneous microbial
community dominated by Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota, with distinct compositional signatures across different tissue pools. Genus-level analysis identified specific microbial taxa enriched in particular environments or host compartments, highlighting potential biomarkers of ecological or physiological significance. Alpha diversity remained relatively uniform across sample groups, whereas beta diversity analyses (PCoA and db-RDA) uncovered significant seasonal variation and indicated that salinity, temperature, and nitrate concentration were key environmental drivers shaping microbial assemblages. Conversely, host-related factors such as ecotype and Condition Index showed no statistically significant association with microbiota structure, possibly due to limited sample representation.
Environmental monitoring was conducted using both in situ sensors and satellite remote sensing. Although technical limitations impaired continuous probe-based data collection at the main sampling site, satellite-derived parameters enabled long-term environmental characterization. A parallel deployment at a secondary site (Vasto)
demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of both monitoring approaches. While temperature data showed high concordance between platforms, salinity and chlorophyll-a values were poorly correlated, underscoring the limitations of satellite sensing in dynamic coastal environments. Nonetheless, the satellite-based strategy was deemed appropriate given the temporal scope of the study and the need to capture seasonal and interannual variability.
Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was also employed to explore the mussel resistome, although results were hindered by high host DNA contamination, limiting the ability to detect antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in host tissues. This technical barrier
underscores the necessity of improved host DNA depletion methods and alternative sampling strategies (e.g., hemolymph) in future work. Despite this, culture-based screening of riverine water samples identified a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria harboring clinically relevant resistance phenotypes, including ESBL and carbapenem-tolerant strains such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings indicate active dissemination of ARGs in estuarine waters adjacent to mussel farms, likely linked to anthropogenic
sources. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the microbial ecology of M. galloprovincialis under real-world aquaculture conditions. It emphasizes the influence of environmental factors on microbiota composition, highlights the need for integrative monitoring systems, and sets the groundwork for future resistome profiling in bivalves. By framing mussels as both sentinels and potential vectors within antimicrobial resistance networks, the research underscores the relevance of microbiome-resistome studies for food safety, aquaculture sustainability, and One Health strategies in the face of climate change and rising antibiotic resistance
Le dimensioni rilevanti per la determinazione del fabbisogno di personale non sanitario nelle Società della Salute: un percorso partecipato
No full text“Unravelling the mystery” of Marine eDNA: A Comparative Metabarcoding Analysis and Protocols Validation
No full textMonitoring environmental changes in aquatic habitats – such as biodiversity loss, shifts in distribution and migratory patterns, spread of invasive species – has
become an urgent task in the context of climate change. In this framework, the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) – as the DNA released by organisms in the environment and extracted from water and sediments - appears as an innovative and cost-effective tool for gathering useful data for monitoring biodiversity profiles, searching for target species, and emerging pathogens. Although this technique has
been extensively used for several purposes and in different environments – for
instance, in oceans, rivers, and lakes – its application remains limited by the lack
of standardized methods and a fragmentary understanding of the variables
influencing detection and data interpretation. This multi-phase project investigates
how sampling design, laboratory protocols, and environmental conditions affect eDNA metabarcoding in marine ecosystems.
In the first phase, protocols of DNA extraction, sequencing, and bioinformatic
analysis were tested in controlled settings using fish mock communities. After
adjusting the protocols under laboratory conditions, they were implemented in a semi-controlled environment (Atlantic salmon fish farm) to assess eDNA transport and the influence of water temperature, currents, and fish biological activity on the detectability rate. Data were compared with results from a species-specific qPCR assay to explore the limits of sensitivity for the metabarcoding approach. Finally, the entire eDNA workflow is applied to natural marine environments for monitoring a local population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and their feeding preferences, providing also a local snapshot of biodiversity. After delving into eDNA
dynamics and exploring factors influencing its detectability, the eDNA speciesspecific approach is assessed for the detection of the invasive Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis).
Overall, this thesis project expands the knowledge on the applicability of the eDNA
workflow in aquatic ecosystems. Sampling methods (active vs. passive), primer set choice, and hydrodynamic conditions emerged as major drivers in eDNA detection. Metabarcoding provides useful low-cost multi-species data but still requires
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considering all the influencing methodological and environmental variables during data interpretation. The implementation of eDNA into the monitoring of invasive species represents an efficient approach for an early warning system; however, the sensitivity of the method has to be investigated deeply
From biocide to biohazard: influence of methylchloroisothiazolinone on physiological integrity of Mytilus galloprovincialis
No full textMethylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), an isothiazolinone-based compound, is extensively used in several commercial products as a biocide and has recently been identified as an emerging contaminant in aquatic environments. This study investigates the impact of this substance on key cellular, physiological, and biochemical endpoints in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Mussels were exposed for 14 days to two sublethal CMIT concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mg L−1), and responses were assessed in haemocytes (H) and digestive gland (DG). Cytotoxic effects were determined in H and DG through cell viability assays. Phagocytic activity was quantified in H. The osmoregulatory performance of DG isolated cells was evaluated using the Regulatory Volume Decrease (RVD) assay. Furthermore, oxidative stress biomarkers catalase and glutathione (GHS/GSSG), cytochrome P450-related activity (EROD) and neurotoxicity were measured in DG. Results revealed significant impairments in physiological functionality and osmoregulatory capacity, accompanied by high susceptibility of biochemical responses. In the DG, a clear association was observed between EROD activation and oxidative stress manifestations indicating the toxicity of CMIT derivatives. Overall, these findings confirm CMIT's toxic potential toward vital physiological and biochemical processes in M. galloprovincialis and provide a basis for further research aimed at demonstrating the ecological consequences of isothiazolinone contamination, with potential implications for both marine ecosystem health and human well-being
Coffee Silverskin Extract-Functionalised Pectin: A Sustainable Substrate to Obtain Chicken Meatballs with Antioxidant and Improved Sensory Properties
No full textChicken meatballs were formulated with high-methoxyl pectin functionalised with phenolic compounds extracted from coffee silverskin through an enzymatic conjugation process, with the aim of developing a functional food with improved antioxidant properties and acceptable sensory quality. Functionalised pectin was incorporated at 2.5% into chicken meatball formulations, while parallel controls containing non-functionalised pectin were prepared. At day 0, functionalised meatballs (PLF0) exhibited a total polyphenol content of 10.44 mg GAE/g, significantly higher than controls (PB, 2.74 mg GAE/g). Antioxidant capacity, expressed as IC30 against the ABTS·+ radical, was 0.0127 mg mL-1 in PLF0 compared to 0.8982 mg mL-1 in PB0. After 5 and 10 days of storage at +4°C, functionalised samples retained markedly higher antioxidant potential, with IC30 values nearly 9-fold lower than PB5 and 14-fold lower than PB10, respectively. Cooking preserved these benefits: PLFC maintained a TPC of 9.33 mg GAE/g and an IC30 of 0.1129 mg mL-1, while controls showed lower TPC (5.54 mg GAE/g) and weaker activity (1.4920 mg mL-1). Sensory evaluation revealed that the incorporation of functionalised pectin did not adversely affect the visual appearance, odor, or texture of chicken meatballs. Both raw and cooked formulations maintained comparable acceptability to controls, with no significant differences in overall liking. Notably, the functionalised meatballs retained their characteristic sensory profile after 10 days of refrigerated storage, confirming that the enrichment with coffee silverskin-derived conjugates did not impair consumer-relevant attributes. Overall, these results demonstrate that functionalisation of chicken meatballs with coffee silverskin extract enhances polyphenol content and antioxidant stability while preserving desirable sensory qualities, making this approach a promising strategy for the development of antioxidant-enriched meat products
Innovazione, tecnologia e digitalizzazione: la posizione dell’Italia nel Quadro Europeo
No full textInnovazione e digitalizzazione sono oggi più che mai interconnesse: le
tecnologie digitali offrono nuove piattaforme, strumenti e opportunità che
alimentano il processo innovativo, ampliandone la portata e accelerandolo,
e di fatto costituendo il punto di partenza per ulteriori innovazioni (non solo
tecniche ma anche organizzative). Del resto, i Paesi europei leader sui processi
innovativi sono generalmente anche quelli più avanzati nell’adozione
delle tecnologie digitali.
La transizione digitale ha subito negli ultimi anni forti accelerazioni (talvolta
sollecitate anche da fattori contingenti), richiedendo capacità di adattamento
a imprese, cittadini e istituzioni; investire sulle competenze digitali e
sulle infrastrutture ICT è diventato essenziale per competere a livello globale
e favorire l’innovazione diffusa. Le abilità digitali avanzate non solo consentono
di accedere più facilmente all’informazione, ma si sono rivelate strumentali
per alimentare l’innovazione stessa.
In tale contesto, un elemento che differenzia nettamente rispetto al passato
le caratteristiche delle innovazioni proposte è la velocità: le grandi novità
tecnologiche, nel passato, richiedevano sempre molti anni per affermarsi
(addirittura decenni); oggi, invece, le innovazioni si susseguono a un ritmo
incessante, impiegando talvolta pochi mesi per imporsi sul mercato (si pensi
ai recenti sviluppi dell’intelligenza artificiale, che stanno velocemente inserendosi
nei sistemi produttivi e organizzativi, cambiando anche sensibilmente
i modelli di sviluppo)
Sensing water stress from plant motion: A structured and low-cost approach to digital plant phenotyping
No full textWater stress is a major target for digital phenotyping, yet many sensing solutions rely on costly hardware or indirect physiological proxies. This study asks whether subtle plant motions captured with consumer-grade camera can provide a scalable indicator of plant water status. We present a structured digital phenotyping pipeline that converts time-lapse sequences into optical-flow fields and extracts the newly-developed morpho-kinematic (MK) features that summarize the canopy structure along with magnitude, directionality, and temporal dynamics of canopy movements.
The experimental program follows an iterative, data-driven trajectory. Early hyperspectral and open-field trials on zucchini highlighted how high-dimensional-low-sample settings and environmental confounders can dominate water-stress signals and destabilize validation. A subsequent pilot trial based on time-lapse orthophotos exposed operational bottlenecks making segmentation and sample tracking unreliable. These lessons, at the cost of a smaller but higher-quality sample size, motivated a pivot to side-view perspective on lettuce to isolate informative tissues.
Within this new setting MK features were formalized and the most stable cross-experiment classifier configuration – i.e., biologically driven acquisition + Adaptive Linear Opinion Pooling (ALOP) – reached 0.91 balanced accuracy. This was obtained by iteratively testing for robustness and transferability across sequential controlled-environment trials, ablations and additive studies. Subsequently, a semi-controlled transfer step (tunnel) identified new bottlenecks concentrating, again, in the segmentation step. Nonetheless, a reproducible short-horizon predictable component (next day feature increment), based on current state + irrigation decision, was demonstrated. Thereafter, the associations between motion signatures, agronomic performance, and secondary metabolites showed incomplete but viable. Finally, we demonstrated the loop logic into which embed the sensing pipeline (time-lapse and MK features), the state estimator (ALOP), the predictor and the planner for supporting irrigation decision in a digital-tween-inspired framework
Determinants of Corporate Carbon Disclosure: A Systematic Framework and Agenda for Future Research
No full textCompanies are increasingly expected to act swiftly to reduce their environmental impact and disclose detailed information about their carbon emissions. This study develops a multidimensional framework that links external factors and internal organisational conditions shaping the adoption and promotion of carbon disclosure. By reviewing the emerging carbon disclosure literature and mainstream technical documents, this study: (a) maps the current state of knowledge on the topic, clarifying the various dimensions of the determinants of carbon disclosure and their causal relationships; (b) traces directions for future research; (c) provides practical insights for an effective adoption of carbon reporting
Therapeutic efficacy monitoring in canine lymphoma patients via quantifying CDC6 plasma levels
No full textBackground: Liquid biopsies have gained increasing recognition as minimally invasive ways to monitor treatment response in cancer patients. They carry circulating DNA, RNA, and proteins in and outside of extracellular vesicles (EVs). We have demonstrated that Cell Division Cycle 6 (CDC6), which is involved in controlling cell proliferation, was detected in circulating EVs and increased in the plasma of canine cancer patients compared to healthy control dogs. Here, we investigated whether plasma CDC6 mRNA levels can be used to monitor treatment response in dogs diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and we aimed to determine whether plasma expression is related to the systemic release of EVs. Methods: We performed longitudinal proof-of-concept studies and collected platelet-free plasma (PFP) samples of 16 canine lymphoma patients before and during their chemo treatments at various time points, as well as PFP samples of 15 healthy control dogs. The EVs were isolated from PFP by size exclusion chromatography, further purified by density gradient ultracentrifugation, and quantified by high-resolution flow cytometry. The CDC6 mRNA abundance in both the unfractionated plasma and the EVs samples was measured by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Results: This study demonstrates that, in dogs with lymphoma, circulating CDC6 levels are increased compared to healthy controls. We show that CDC6 levels decline significantly in lymphoma patients that undergo remission in response to chemotherapy. Moreover we show that CDC6 mRNA levels correlate with the number of circulating EVs. Conclusions: Overall, our findings provides compelling evidence that plasma CDC6 mRNA expression can be used as a liquid biomarker to monitor treatment efficacy in dogs with lymphoma