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Un verso di Terenzio (Eun. 41) e la sua fortuna
No full textThe paper analyses the fortune of v. 41 of Terence’s Eunuchus (nullumst iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius) from Late Antiquity to the Florentine 16th century, observing its quotations in St. Jerome, Petrarch, Leon Battista Alberti, Giovan Battista Gelli, Niccolò Machiavelli and Gio-van Maria Cecchi
Furazanopyrazine-based novel promising anticancer agents interfering with the eicosanoid biosynthesis pathways by dual mPGES-1 and sEH inhibition
Full text linkWe report the identification of a new set of compounds based on the furazanopyrazine core interfering with
eicosanoid biosynthesis and acting as potentially effective anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. Based on our
previous promising results on a set of furazanopyrazine-based compounds against the microsomal prostaglandin
E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme, we here identified derivatives with improved pharmacokinetic properties by
replacing the ester moiety with a more stable ether group.
A focused virtual library of 1 × 104 molecules was built and screened against mPGES-1 through molecular
docking experiments, leading to the selection of 10 candidates for synthesis and biological evaluation. Several
molecules were found to inhibit mPGES-1 and, among them, two items featured IC50 values in the low micromolar
range. Additional computational studies on the collection of synthesized compounds demonstrated that
compound 3b, previously emerged as an mPGES-1 inhibitor, interfered with soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH)
activity, thus emerging as a valuable dual mPGES-1/sEH inhibitor. The pharmacokinetic features of the most
potent compounds were accurately estimated. Unfortunately, poor outcomes were obtained for 3b; on the other
hand, compound 7e exhibited promising mPGES-1 inhibition and excellent pharmacokinetic profile, demonstrating
that the novel furazanopyrazine-based items with ether moiety possess improved pharmacokinetic
properties compared to the ester-based compounds reported in our previous study. Additionally, the anticancer
properties of 7e and 7d, the latter emerged as the most active mPGES-1 inhibitor, were evaluated and both
compounds showed promising activities against HCT-116 human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.
These findings highlight the furazanopyrazine core as a promising scaffold for disclosing new antiinflammatory
drugs with the ability to inhibit targets belonging to arachidonic acid cascade
Simplified Vulnerability Assessment of Historical Churches in Banat Seismic Region, Romania
No full textRomania, a mid-eastern European country, has a moderate seismicity and a large stock of historical buildings and churches. One of the most important seismic areas of the country is the Banat area, which ranks as the second most seismic area in Romania, with shallow earthquakes of crustal type. Many Orthodox and Catholic churches can be found in the area, the majority of them having a central nave. The churches are built in masonry, with vaults and wooden frameworks, and they present valuable architectural-artistic details, including paintings made by recognized painters. Various forms of structural damage appeared to the historical churches after past earthquakes, depending on the architectural configuration. This paper illustrates a study made on six historic churches in the Banat region, to investigate seismic vulnerability with simplified methods. The study highlights the most vulnerable points of the historic religious structures and the importance of investigating in a quick and simplified way the seismic behavior of such important buildings for the local community. Moreover, the main novelty of the paper is the highlighting of the importance of the sustainability aspect in the process of heritage preservation, as simplified assessment procedures are essential for more resilient risk reduction policie
Smart Sensors and Artificial Intelligence Driven Alert System for Optimizing Red Peppers Drying in Southern Italy
Full text linkAbstract: The Senise red pepper, known as peperone crusco, is a protected geographical
indication (PGI) product from Basilicata, Italy, traditionally consumed dried. Producers
use semi-open greenhouses to meet PGI standards, but significant losses are caused by rot
from microorganisms thriving in high moisture, temperature, and humidity, which also
encourage pest infestations. To minimize losses, a low-cost alert system was developed.
The study, conducted in summer 2022 and 2023, used external parameters from the ALSIA
Senise weather station and internal sensors monitoring the air temperature and humidity
inside the greenhouse. Since rot is complex and difficult to model, an artificial intelligence
(AI)-based approach was adopted. A feed forward neural network (FFNN) estimated
greenhouse climate conditions as if it were empty, comparing them with actual values
when peppers were present. This revealed the most critical period was the first 3–4 days
after introduction and identified a critical air relative humidity threshold. The system could
also predict microclimatic parameters inside the greenhouse with red peppers, issuing
warnings one hour before risk conditions arose. In 2023, it was tested by comparing
predicted values with previously identified thresholds. When critical levels were exceeded,
greenhouse operators were alerted to adjust conditions. In 2023, pepper rot decreased
Linee guida per il progetto di adattamento nei paesaggi costieri di bonifica del XX secolo
No full textINNOVATIVE ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR THE EVALUATION OF L-DOPA LEVEL IN TYPICAL LEGUMES OF BASILICATA TO ASCERTAIN THEIR POTENTIAL USE AS ADJUVANTS IN THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
No full textL-Dopa is a dopamine precursor widely used as the most effective drug for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease. Due to the neurotoxicity and side effects of synthetic L-Dopa, natural sources of this bioactive compound could be used as adjuvants to reduce unpleasant effects, particularly the 'on-off' motor fluctuations typical of severe Parkinson's disease. Natural L-Dopa offers advantages over its synthetic counterpart, including availability in its pure enantiomeric form and cost effectiveness. Some Fabaceae plants naturally contain significant amounts of L-Dopa. However, this
bioactive compound is unstable in aqueous solutions and naturally degrades over time. Therefore, appropriate extraction and analytical methods are required for the unambiguous determination and quantification of L-Dopa in plant matrices.
This research project is focused on the development of innovative analytical methods for the evaluation of L-Dopa levels in typical legumes grown in Basilicata (Vicia faba L. and Phaseolus Vulgaris L.). In the first part of the project an LC-UV method was optimized, validated according to the EURACHEM guidelines and tested to evaluate L-dopa levels in Vicia faba L. seeds stored under different conditions (fresh, sun-dried, freeze-dried, frozen, commercial long-life frozen). The extraction of the analyte from broad beans was carried out using an ultrasound-assisted extraction protocol (UAE), suitably optimized. A strongly acidic aqueous solution, consisting of HCl 0.1 M, proved to be the best extraction solvent and allowed to assure an appreciable stability of L-dopa standard solutions over 3 months. The optimal chromatographic conditions were achieved by using a Discovery C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle size) as a stationary phase and a mobile phase composed of 99% formic acid 0.2% v/v containing 1% methanol, under isocratic conditions. Sun drying was the best storage treatment for Vicia faba L. beans, capable of preserving the L-Dopa levels present in fresh samples (1.21 ± 0.17 mg/g dw). The validated LC-UV method proved to be a robust and efficient tool for analyzing plants with moderate levels of L-Dopa, such as Vicia faba seeds, but was not suitable for those with low levels, like Phaseolus vulgaris L. seeds. For this latter matrix, a method based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS) was validated and applied to determine L-dopa content in four ecotypes of Fagioli di Sarconi beans marked with the European label PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). The selectivity was ensured by the specific fragmentation of the analyte. The LC–ESI/MS/MS method was validated according to the ICH (International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use) guidelines. Fresh and dried beans, as well as pods, were analyzed showing an L-dopa content ranging from 0.020 ± 0.005 to 2.34 ± 0.05 μg/g dry weight. In recent years, the by-products of Vicia faba L. have received renewed interest as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. In this context, aqueous extracts from the pod valves of broad beans, organically grown by a local producer in San Chirico Raparo, Potenza, Italy, were characterized to assess their potential as adjuvants in the treatment of severe Parkinson’s disease. The L-Dopa content,
quantified using LC-UV, was found to be significantly higher in freeze-dried Vicia faba L. pod valves compared to the seeds (28.65 mg/g dry weight vs. 0.76 mg/g dry weight). Notably, the metabolites vicine and convicine, which cause hemolytic crises in individuals with favism, were not detected in the pods. Using LC-ESI/LTQ-Orbitrap/MS2, the major polyphenolic compounds in the aqueous extracts of the pods were identified, including quercetin and catechin equivalents, which may provide neuroprotective effects in Parkinson’s disease. Further analysis using ESI(±)-FT-ICR MS enabled the construction of 2D van Krevelen plots, a tool to obtain molecular formula maps, revealing the presence of polyphenolic compounds and carbohydrates as the most significant classes. The neuroprotective activity of the aqueous extracts of Vicia faba L. pod valves was demonstrated in vitro against the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line, showing higher efficacy than synthetic L-Dopa even at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL, likely due to the synergistic effect of the antioxidant compounds that prevent the oxidative stress induced by the disease. To enhance the stability and antioxidant properties of the extracts, naturally acidic solutions from Punica granatum L. (5% w/v), Ribes rubrum L. (2% w/v), and Phyllanthus emblica L. (2% w/v) were used as extraction solvents. These solutions also resulted in lower protein content compared to pod valves extracts in ultrapure water, as evidenced by a comprehensive proteomic analysis using nLC-MS/MS (nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry) in Data-Dependent Acquisition (DDA) mode. Gene ontology (GO) analysis by biological process and semiquantitative profiling of major components revealed the presence of proteins such as chitinase in Vicia faba L. and Punica granatum L., which play important roles in plant defense and have been shown to inhibit fungal growth. This suggests that using naturally acidic juices for extraction could offer a "green" alternative to water, with the added benefit of reducing competition between L-Dopa and free amino acids during absorption in the brain. In the perspective of utilizing these natural extracts for the development of nutritional supplements to stabilize L-Dopa plasma levels in advanced Parkinson’s disease, a real-time monitoring device for L-Dopa levels would be advantageous. This would enable personalized dosing, optimizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing side effects. An innovative amperometric biosensor based on
tyrosinase co-crosslinked onto a graphene oxide layer, produced by electrodeposition, was optimized and validated for this purpose. Careful optimization of the enzymatic immobilization procedure ensured improved long-term stability and allowed the biosensor fabrication to be reduced and simplified. The effectiveness of the immobilization protocol, combined with the improved performance of the electrodeposited graphene oxide, ensured high sensitivity, a wide linear range and
a detection limit of 0.84 M, suitable for the monitoring of L-Dopa within its therapeutic window. The biosensor was successfully applied for L-Dopa detection in human plasma, showing good recoveries, and preliminary investigations suggest its potential for quantifying L-Dopa in plant matrices as well
MODELLAZIONE, ANALISI E OTTIMIZZAZIONE DELLE TECNICHE DI RINFORZO PER L’INCREMENTO DELLA SICUREZZA STRUTTURALE E DELLA RESILIENZA DEI PONTI IN CALCESTRUZZO ARMATO CON SELLE GERBER
Full text linkLe selle Gerber rappresentano elementi critici per la sicurezza strutturale dei ponti in calcestruzzo armato, poiché sono caratterizzate da concentrazioni di fenomeni di degrado e di sforzi che possono comprometterne l'integrità strutturale, causando, nel peggiore dei casi, il collasso dell’intera struttura. Tali criticità sono state sottolineate anche all’interno delle Linee Guida italiane per la classificazione e gestione del rischio, la valutazione della sicurezza e il monitoraggio dei ponti esistenti. La presente tesi di dottorato si propone di approfondire il comportamento strutturale delle selle Gerber, nonché analizzare le diverse tecniche di intervento disponibili, con l'obiettivo di proporre strategie ottimizzate che considerino aspetti strutturali, pratici ed economici, in un’ottica di aumento della sicurezza strutturale e della resilienza delle infrastrutture. La ricerca è stata condotta attraverso un approccio metodologico definito in più fasi. Inizialmente, un'analisi approfondita dello stato dell'arte ha evidenziato le principali criticità delle selle Gerber, illustrando, poi, i principali dettagli costruttivi e i meccanismi di rottura caratteristici, nonché i principali metodi di calcolo per la loro analisi. Successivamente, la costruzione e l'analisi dettagliata di un database di test sperimentali di letteratura hanno permesso di identificare i meccanismi di rottura più frequenti anche in relazione ai dettagli costruttivi presenti. Sulla base dei risultati ottenuti, l'analisi approfondita delle tecniche di intervento ha condotto alla proposta di un percorso logico per l'individuazione delle strategie di intervento ottimali, considerando sia gli aspetti puramente strutturali sia quelli pratici, legati alla applicabilità in opera e all’impatto sull’operatività del ponte. Particolare attenzione è stata dedicata alla tecnica basata sulla post-tensione esterna, risultata efficace dal punto di vista strutturale, economica e poco invasiva. Proponendo un metodo di progettazione dell’intervento, attraverso analisi numeriche non lineari, è stata ottimizzata l'applicazione della post-tensione esterna fornendo indicazioni sull’aumento delle prestazioni strutturali delle selle Gerber in funzione dei livelli di pretensione all’interno dei tiranti esterni. Infine, l'applicazione preliminare di tecniche di Machine Learning per la previsione della resistenza delle selle Gerber, a partire dai dati collezionati all’interno del database di test sperimentali, ha sottolineato le potenzialità di questi metodi per la realizzazione di rapide ed accurate valutazioni di sicurezza strutturale. I risultati offrono una panoramica dettagliata sul comportamento meccanico delle selle Gerber nonché strumenti utili per la pratica ingegneristica, aprendo la strada ad ulteriori ricerche verso l’approfondimento dell’influenza di differenti scenari di degrado sulle prestazioni strutturali delle selle Gerber, sull’utilizzo di configurazioni alternative di rinforzo basate sulla post-tensione, nonché verso ulteriori applicazioni avanzate di intelligenza artificiale nel campo dell'ingegneria strutturale.Gerber saddles represent critical elements for the structural safety of reinforced concrete bridges, as they are characterized by concentrations of both degradation phenomena and stresses that can compromise their structural integrity, potentially leading to the collapse of the entire structure. These criticalities have also been highlighted in the Italian Guidelines for risk classification and management, safety assessment, and monitoring of existing bridges. This doctoral thesis aims to deepen the structural behaviour of Gerber saddles and analyse the various available intervention techniques, to propose optimized strategies that consider structural, practical, and economic aspects, in a perspective of enhancing structural safety and infrastructure resilience. The research was conducted through a methodological approach divided into multiple phases. Initially, an in-depth state-of-the-art analysis highlighted the main critical issues of Gerber saddles, illustrating key construction details, typical failure mechanisms, and the main design methods for their analysis. Subsequently, the creation and detailed analysis of a database of experimental tests from the literature allowed the identification of the most frequent failure mechanisms in relation to the existing construction details. Based on the obtained results, a thorough analysis of strengthening techniques led to the proposal of a logical framework for identifying optimal intervention strategies, considering both purely structural aspects and practical factors related to on-site applicability and the impact on bridge operation. Particular attention was given to the technique based on external post-tensioning, which proved to be structurally effective, cost-efficient, and minimally invasive. By proposing a design method for the intervention through nonlinear numerical analyses, the application of external post-tensioning was optimized, providing guidelines on the enhancement of Gerber saddles' structural performance as a function of the pre-tensioning levels within the external tendons. Finally, the preliminary application of Machine Learning techniques for predicting the resistance of Gerber saddles, based on the data collected in the experimental test database, highlighted the potential of these methods for rapid and accurate structural safety assessments. The results provide a detailed overview of the mechanical behaviour of Gerber saddles as well as useful tools for engineering practice, paving the way for further research on the influence of different degradation scenarios on their structural performance, the use of alternative reinforcement configurations based on post-tensioning, and advanced applications of artificial intelligence in structural engineering
Satellite Data Analysis for the Observation and Monitoring of Cultural Heritage. The Case of the Archaeological Park of Metaponto, Italy
No full textContinuous monitoring is crucial for identifying potential threats to cultural heritage sites and implementing timely maintenance and preventive interventions. Scheduled inspections and proactive maintenance strategies are essential to prevent degradation and ensure long-term preservation. This study explores the use of satellite data and remote sensing technologies to monitor and preserve cultural heritage, with a focus on an archaeological park. The use of remote sensing techniques is essential for effective cultural heritage management. Satellite data provides high-resolution imagery that is instrumental in tracking environmental changes and assessing the impacts of human activities. This research utilizes Google Earth Engine (GEE) to process and analyze large datasets, employing spectral indices such as NDVI, NDMI, and NDSI to evaluate vegetation health, soil moisture, and soil characteristics. The methodology involves trend analysis and change detection, highlighting the temporal variations in the study area. The use of cloud-based platforms like GEE facilitates efficient data processing and enhances the scalability of the methodology, making it applicable to various environmental contexts
TEMI E FORME DELLA CONSOLATIO NELLA PRODUZIONE VOLGARE DI BOCCACCIO
Full text linkThis dissertation offers an in-depth analysis of the consolatory function of literature in the works of Giovanni Boccaccio, with particular focus on the Decameron and his vernacular writings. It begins by acknowledging, as already evident in the Genealogiae deorum gentilium, Boccaccio’s belief in the power of storytelling to soothe afflicted souls—a concept that permeates his entire corpus, especially within paratextual elements (such as prologues and epilogues), where the author often outlines the purpose and intended audience of his works in an exegetical tone. Unlike most 20th-century scholarship, which emphasized general protreptic themes or focused solely on the ethical-philosophical aspect of consolatio, this study systematically explores for the first time the rhetoric of the logos paramythikos in Boccaccio’s work—namely, the structures and mechanisms of classical consolatory discourse, creatively reinterpreted by the author. The research identifies a unique rhetorical system, blending elements of consolatio de exilio, consolatio de morte, and an innovative form of consolatio amoris, previously unformalized in Latin literature. In Boccaccio’s oeuvre, romantic suffering becomes a legitimate subject for philosophical and rhetorical reflection on pain.
This development is indirectly inspired by models such as Cicero (especially the Tusculanae Disputationes) and Ovid (Remedia amoris), from whom Boccaccio borrows exempla and rhetorical strategies, often recontextualizing them. The study shows how Boccaccio adapts Stoic and rhetorical tools to a new subject—love—acknowledged not merely as a disruptive perturbatio, but as a true existential pathos. Through a detailed topoi-based analysis, the dissertation reconstructs the recurring features of Boccaccio’s consolatory discourse, including nec primus nec solus, the mutability of fortune, companionship in grief, and the exemplary function of storytelling. These motifs appear both in paratexts (notably the prologues of the Filocolo and Decameron) and within narrative sections, where they form genuine sermones consolatorii. The Decameron is examined in detail, particularly its prologue, interpreted as a dual consolatory discourse: addressed both to a sorrowful auctor consoled by friends in the past, and to an audience of lovesick women, the intended recipients of the emotional relief provided by the tales. The consolatory power of the Decameron lies not only in its blend of utile et dilettevole, but also in its meta-literary function, where storytelling serves as an alternative to philosophical argumentation, easing pain through narrative immersion.The dissertation also considers cases where consolatio fails, such as the Comedia delle Ninfe Fiorentine and Elegia di madonna Fiammetta, in which literature intensifies rather than mitigates emotional distress. These texts enact a palinode of the consolatory paradigm, challenging the very notion of literature’s therapeutic value. In conclusion, the dissertation proposes a reinterpretation of consolation in Boccaccio as an autonomous rhetorical mode, one that transcends traditional genre boundaries. It offers a new lens through which to view the relationship between literature and pain, between exemplum and personal experience, and between classical tradition and humanistic innovation
Editorial: venom collection
Full text linkVenoms are naturally available biological resources with a huge potential to explore numerous pharmacologically valuable compounds to diagnose and treat human diseases. Therefore, researching venoms is not only beneficial to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for envenomation, but also to explore the clinical potential of a plethora of molecules. This special Collection includes a range of articles that report a variety of research on the development of diagnostic methods for venom detection and toxicity of venoms in various cellular systems. We believe that this Collection extends the knowledge and offers potential avenues to initiate new lines of research in this field