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DIGIT-ACCESS: DIGITal Gateway for Low ACCESSible Heritage Architectures
No full textThe preservation of historical built heritage with low accessibility involves specific challenges throughout preliminary knowledge acquisition and diagnosis, due to operational difficulties in collecting and complementing heterogeneous data from direct survey, diagnostic investigation and monitoring. In this context, digital solutions, also usable in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) environments, are catalysts for a new vision that enhances understanding of the geometric, dimensional, and material characteristics, while facilitating
semantic enrichment with informative contents and products and real-time retrieval of data from onsite monitoring sensors. In this framework, the paper presents the two-year project “DIGIT-ACCESS. DIGITal gateway for low ACCESSible heritage architectures”, recently funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research—Grant Program PRIN 2022 PNRR (Projects
of Relevant National Interest). The project aims at testing and validating a set of operational protocols and digital solutions for the exploitation of image-based models and environments as replicas of architectural sites to be accessed remotely, hubs for visualization and querying
of experimental data from non-destructive investigations, sensor networks, and analytical simulations, as well as databases for the application of image-processing routines and machine-learning methods toward identification of degradation patterns and diagnosis of the state of conservation. The proposed outcome is a DIGITal gateway to support assessment and management of low ACCESSible architectures, to be validated in representative case studies of underground sites in Southern Italy
Hermetia illucens-Derived Chitosan: A Promising Immunomodulatory Agent for Applications in Biomedical Fields
No full textChitosan, renowned for its important biological properties, is a valuable
pharmaceutical excipient for different therapeutic approaches. Currently, the demand for the
biopolymer on the market is growing, and, for this reason, it is important to biologically
characterize the biopolymer produced from an alternative source to crustaceans, specifically the
bioconverter insect Hermetia illucens. In this work, insect chitosan, yielded via heterogeneous
and homogeneous deacetylation from larvae, pupal exuviae, and adults, was studied as an
immunomodulatory agent. The inflammatory response of immortalized human keratinocyte
cells was induced by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide. After that, the ability of the biopolymer to reduce the expression of the
pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-1α, and TNF-α was tested after 6 and 24 h of
treatment. Insect chitosan samples effectively downregulated cytokine expression, with
improved activity obtained from heterogeneous chitosan treatments
Energy Storage Systems: Scope, Technologies, Characteristics, Progress, Challenges, and Future Suggestions—Renewable Energy Community Perspectives
No full textA paradigm transition from centralized to decentralized energy systems has occurred, which has increased the deployment of renewable energy sources (RESs) in renewable energy communities (RECs), promoting energy independence, strengthening local resilience, increasing self-sufficiency, and moving toward CO2 emission reduction. However, the erratic and unpredictable generation of RESs like wind, solar, and other sources make these systems necessary, and a lot of interest in energy storage systems is increasing because they have rapidly become the cornerstone of modern energy infrastructure, and there is a trend towards using more RESs and decentralization, resulting in increased self-sufficiency. Additionally, ESS is increasingly being installed at or close to the point of energy generation and consumption, like within residences, buildings, or community microgrids, instead of at centralized utility-scale facilities, referred to be decentralized. By storing and using energy in the same location, this localized deployment reduces transmission losses, facilitates quicker response to changes in demand, and promotes local autonomy in energy management. Since the production of renewable energy is naturally spread, decentralizing storage is crucial to optimizing efficiency and dependability. This article also focuses on energy storage systems, highlighting the role and scope of ESSs along with the services of ESSs in different parts of the power system network, particularly in renewable energy communities (RECs). The classification of various ESS technologies and their key features, limitations, and applications is discussed following the current technological and significant information trends and discussing the ESS types for the RECs with different options as per the capacity, like small, medium, and large scale. It covers the overall scenario and progress, like overall European ESS installed capacity, and the work relevant to ESSs in RECs with different aspects, following the literature review. Additionally, it draws attention to the gaps and significant challenges related to ESS technologies and their deployment. Key future suggestions have also been given as per the current trends of technological information and significant information that may affect those trends globally in the future and would be helpful in the growth of ESSs integration in RECs. The authors also suggest the role of the government, stakeholders, and supportive policies that can aid in the implementation of ESS technologies in RECs
Uncovering soil dynamics: biological and physicochemical responses tosustainable and conventional practices in agroecosystem management.
No full textAmong today’s global challenges, soil degradation requires urgent solutions. Studying soil ecological dynamics and comparing different farming practices offers valuable insights into soil health, guiding the development of resilient agroecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diverse farming practices on soil biological and physicochemical properties through a two-year field experiment involving a wheat–chickpea rotation and pollinator-friendly plant mixes compatible with EU Common Agricultural Policy ecoschemes.
The experiment was conducted in Caselle in Pittari (Salerno, Italy) with three replicates and six treatments: wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Ardito,) under sustainable management with organic amendment (P1); chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in rotation with P1 (P2); wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Ardito) under conventional management with mineral fertilizer (NPK) (P3); O.P. RUSTICO mix (P4); O.P. ECO-5 PLUS mix (P5); and native spontaneous species (P6). Soil samples were collected before sowing (controls) and at flowering (F) and analyzed in the first year through bulk soil physicochemical analysis and enzymatic activity on rhizosphere (MRP) and rhizosheath (MRS), using Italian Ministry protocols.
PCA explained 59% of the total variance of data, revealing a clear distribution pattern alongside the first two components. PC1 (37%) was mainly influenced by biological activity and organic matter, while PC2 (22%) reflected soil textural and chemical properties. Sustainable management (P1) aligned with biological indicator vectors (β-GLU, DHA, URE, organic C), while conventional plots (P3) appeared more scattered or shifted toward the mineralogical components. Controls differed clearly from flowering samples. F-MRP-P3 and F-MRS-P3 were separated from most of the dataset, located in a PCA region opposite to representing enzymatic activities and organic nutrients, appearing to represent mineral-dominated soil with lower biological activity, associated with conventional management conditions. F-MRP-P4 and F-MRS-P4 separated from the other, driven by clay, CSC, magnesium, and pH, indicating a soil mineral nutrition improvement over other treatments. The PCA findings were also strengthened by cluster analysis and chi-square testing, which revealed a statistically significant association between cluster grouping and treatment type (p = 0.041). These preliminary results confirm that sustainable management practices have a measurable impact on soil quality by promoting both biological activity and chemical balance.
This study was carried out within the Agritech National Research Center and received funding from the European Union Next-GenerationEU (PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR) – MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.4 – D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022). This manuscript reflects only the authors’ views and opinions, neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be considered responsible for them
Autologous cell therapy for ischemic diabetic foot: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials for the development of the Italian guidelines for the treatment of diabetic foot syndrome
No full textAim: To assess the efficacy and safety of autologous cell therapy (ACT) in patients with ischemic diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). The present meta-analysis was designed to support the development of the Italian Guidelines for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS). Methods: A Medline and Embase search were performed up to Feb 1st, 2024 collecting all RCTs including diabetic patients or reporting subgroup analyses on diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcers comparing ACT with placebo/no therapy/standard of care (SoC), with a duration of at least 26 weeks. Prespecified endpoints were: major amputation (principal) and minor amputation, ulcer healing, time-to-healing, transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), ankle-brachial index (ABI), pain, and all-cause mortality (secondary). Any ACT was allowed, irrespective of cell product type and route of administration (intra-arterial and intramuscular). Results: Seven studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria, all using intramuscular transplantation as route of administration, but only 2 had a follow-up greater than 26 weeks. Participants treated with ACT had a significantly lower risk of major amputations in comparison with SoC/placebo (MH-OR 0.47 [0.24, 0.92], p = 0.03). ACT was also associated with a significantly higher rate of ulcer healing (MH-OR: 10.1 [3.5, 29.6], p < 0.001), greater increase of TcPO2 and ABI values (WMD: 17.57 [13.02, 22.12], p < 0.001), and reduction of pain (WMD: -1.83 [-2.32, -1.34], p = 0.003). Conclusions: ACT must be considered as a potential therapy for patients with ischemic diabetic foot ulcers. Further studies are needed to better clarify their role in the treatment and management of DFS
Conservation and valorisation of Modern heritage: the case of the restoration of the restoration of Ludovico Quaroni's Church in La Martella
No full textAfter World War II, post-war reconstruction and the construction of new rural villages in Italy represented an opportunity to experiment with modern ideas in urban planning and architecture in a context different from Fascist ruralisation but still strongly influenced by it. Modernity is often associated with cities, where urban planning and architecture have rationalised space; in the twentieth century, rural modernisation transformed the physical and settlement geography of many regions. This research focuses on the rural village of La Martella in Matera, specifically on the Church of San Vincenzo de’ Paoli, designed by Ludovico Quaroni, a manifesto of the rural-Modern architectural language used in Southern Italy. This study aims to highlight the importance of preserving Modern architecture by proposing a methodology that enhances knowledge of architectural heritage through documentary and archival analysis, the study of construction manuals (which facilitate understanding standard building solutions), and on-site surveys. The critical analysis of this case study, with particular attention to construction techniques and materials used, becomes an essential tool for defining a correct and informed methodological approach for a restoration project (or restoration of the restoration) of this architectural heritage
Repurposing HIV-Protease Inhibitor Precursors as Anticancer Agents: The Synthetic Molecule RDD-142 Delays Cell Cycle Progression and Induces Autophagy in HepG2 Cells with Enhanced Efficacy via Liposomal Formulation
No full textHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health issue due to high incidence and
mortality, complicated by limited therapeutic options and evolution of de novo resistance to conventional chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of RDD-142, a synthetic precursor of the HIV-1 protease inhibitor (HIV-PI) Darunavir analog, on the human hepatocellular carcinoma line (HepG2) and healthy hepatocyte line (IHH), both as a free molecule and in liposomal formulation. RDD-142 demonstrated a selective cytostatic effect on HepG2, preserving healthy IHH cells. Mechanistically, RDD-142 delayed cancer cell proliferation by attenuating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and concurrently, it activated the autophagic process via p62 up-regulation. These effects were linked to RDD-142 inhibitory activity on the chymotrypsin-like subunit of the proteasome, triggering a UPR-mediated stress response. Notably, the liposomal formulation of RDD-142 significantly enhanced intracellular intake and cytotoxic efficacy. RDD-142 demonstrated promising potential as a therapeutic agent for HCC. Its antitumor activity may be further amplified through liposomal nanoformulation, offering a successful strategy to reduce effective dosage and minimize adverse effects
On the second boundary value problem for the system of thermoelasticity with microtemperatures
No full textIn this work, we investigate the second BVP (boundary value problem) associated with the linear equilibrium theory of thermoelasticity with microtemperatures. We obtain a solution of the second BVP in terms of a double-layer thermoelastic potential, unlike the results reported in the literature, where a solution is represented by a single-layer thermoelastic potential