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Virtual Knowledge Graphs over Earth Observation Data
No full textEarth Observation (EO) data publication and dissemination continues to grow driven by the increase in satellite launches. openEO is one of the most well known platforms to query EO data (in the form of datacubes) using web APIs. To be truly valuable, EO data often needs to be combined with other data sources, notably relational databases. Knowledge graphs offer a way to bridge the semantic gap between EO data and these additional sources. However, the execution of integrated queries can run into scalability issues due to the enormous volume of EO data. In this paper, we propose addressing this challenge through the use of Virtual Knowledge Graphs — a paradigm that presents data to end-users as a knowledge graph, while keeping the data in its original sources rather than materializing it in graph form. We show the feasibility of our approach by implementing a prototype solution and test it over real world openEO examples
Mirabilia. Itinerari nell'immaginario di Roma e dintorni
No full textMirabilia è il primo tentativo di offrire un panorama sintetico della città di Roma attraverso le rappresentazioni cartografiche, iconografiche, letterarie, offerte dalle origini ai nostri giorni, da artisti, scrittori e viaggiatori.
Il volume, che è innanzitutto una guida tra i tempi e gli spazi della città eterna, si presenta come un documento in grado di tenere insieme un patrimonio sconfinato e prezioso di mappe, immagini e descrizioni, che nell’insieme formano un immaginario variegato. Orchestrato sul nesso testo-immagini, si serve di un denso apparato di materiali eterogenei di varia provenienza, selezionati accuratamente e tenuti insieme da una sequenza narrativa fondata su associazioni, assonanze e contrasti. La struttura è articolata in cinque periodi (dalle origini della città ai giorni nostri) che trovano nel 1670, anno al quale convenzionalmente si ascrive l’origine del termine Grand Tour, il loro perno narrativo. Il volume è corredato da letture analitiche – ancorate ai dati così come alla cronaca d’oggi – e da saggi teorici, che alimentano una riflessione multidisciplinare. Nel suo insieme propone una visione critica che a partire dal passato attraverso rimandi e riflessi interpreta Roma e i suoi futuri possibili nell’ottica di un turismo attento e sostenibile
UAVs for the Study and Enhancement of Cultural Heritage: A Scoping Overview
No full textDrones are playing an increasingly significant role in the study, conservation, and enhancement of cultural heritage. This paper presents a scoping overview of peer-reviewed work on drones in cultural-heritage research (2011–2025). A Scopus search retrieved 201 records, provisionally organised into two macro-domains: conservation (multisensory acquisition, computer-vision alerting, Digital Twins, XR for emergencies) and valorisation (geo-anchored storytelling, immersive XR interaction, AI-driven narration). The snapshot reveals a marked imbalance: multisensory acquisition dominates the corpus (45%) and appears methodologically mature, whereas visitor-experience strands together account for only 5% and lack reviews or shared metrics. Digital-Twin and XR-emergency studies are still embryonic (six papers each). The results highlight three priority gaps – multi-site benchmarks, evaluation frameworks, and cross-domain collaboration – that will guide a systematic review in preparation, whose aim is to formalise research questions and develop a unifying taxonomy of UAV methodologies for cultural heritage
Mitigation of Liquefaction Risk in Layered Soils via Stone Column Drains: Numerical Study and Novel Uncoupled Approach
No full textThis paper investigates the effectiveness of vertical gravel drains for liquefaction mitigation in stratified soil deposits, emphasising the overlooked hydro-mechanical interaction with adjacent non–liquefiable layers. A comprehensive series of fully coupled 3D finite element analyses was first conducted in the OpenSees framework, modelling a unit cell within an indefinite drain system. Different spacing ratios, soil types, and seismic inputs were examined to provide generality and robustness to the study. The main outcome from the numerical analyses is that gravel drains significantly reduce both the peak excess pore water pressure and the duration of high pore pressures, with the hydraulic conditions imposed by the overlying non-liquefiable layers proving critical, particularly near layer interfaces. To quantify mitigation effectiveness, a new integral, dimensionless parameter was proposed, which conveys both the magnitude and dissipation time of the excess pore water pressures.
As a further outcome, this study extends to axisymmetric conditions a 1D uncoupled approach recently proposed for assessing free–field liquefaction, incorporating improvements to capture non–uniform cyclic loading and frequency variations induced by pore pressure build–up. The methodology couples a nonlinear total stress seismic response analysis with an iterative excess pore pressure computation using the Stockwell transform, implemented via a Finite Difference scheme in Matlab. Successful validation against the benchmark fully coupled 3D analyses proves that the uncoupled approach can be effectively adopted with low computational cost
Semaphorin 5A modulates focal adhesion pathway and lamellipodia formation in melanoma
No full textMetastatic potential and rising incidence make cutaneous melanoma a major health concern worldwide. Although the therapies currently available have proven effective, their use is limited by side effects arising and by the development of drug resistance. For this reason, research for new therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers is crucial. Semaphorin 5A (SEMA5A) is a member of the semaphorin family with involvement in neural development and cancer biology. The laboratory where I completed my PhD has previously demonstrated in vitro that this protein promotes migration, invasion and, vasculogenic mimicry capability in melanoma cells. In this work, we further investigated the role and the underlying mechanism of action of SEMA5A in melanoma formation and progression. We performed a total proteome and in silico functional analysis using a stable SEMA5A knockdown model of A375 human melanoma cells, which showed that SEMA5A regulates pathways essential for cell viability, cell proliferation, and cytoskeletal dynamics, including focal adhesion and lamellipodia formation. We performed in vitro experiments to corroborate quantitative proteomic evidence by using both human and murine melanoma models. Results indicated that SEMA5A depletion affected clonogenic potential and cell viability under different culture conditions. By performing western blot analysis, we observed that SEMA5A silencing affected FAK and Paxillin phosphorylation, RhoA and Integrin β1 activation, thereby regulating focal adhesion dynamics and lamellipodia formation. In addition, it regulated the nucleation and expression of Arp3, the specific lamellipodia marker. Experiments conducted in vivo revealed delayed tumor formation and reduced tumor growth in mice injected with human melanoma cells expressing low levels of SEMA5A. These findings shed light on previously unrevealed functions of SEMA5A, promoting melanoma aggressiveness and progression, modulating cancer cell viability, focal adhesion signaling, and lamellipodia formation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo
Effect of magnetite nanoparticles on the structure, thermal and magnetic properties of the high-density polyethylene
No full textHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites with Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized and analyzed for structural, thermal, and magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction showed an increase in Fe3O4 crystallite size from 5.14 nm to 12.01 nm, while the HDPE crystalline size decreased from 14 nm to 4.88 nm for HDPE + 3% Fe3O4 and HDPE + 40% Fe3O4, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed improved thermal stability, with the onset temperature increasing from 243.78°C (HDPE) to 395.13°C (HDPE + 40% Fe3O4). Differential scanning calorimetry indicated a crystallinity rise from 44.45% to 51.95% (HDPE + 40% Fe3O4), while melting and crystallization temperatures remained near 104°C and 94°C, respectively. Magnetic characterization revealed that the saturation magnetization increased from 49.61 × 10−3 emu for HDPE +1% Fe3O4 to 52.98 × 10−3 emu for HDPE +10% Fe3O4, while the coercivity decreased from 17.76 G for HDPE + 5% Fe3O4 to 6.30 G for HDPE + 1% Fe3O4. This reduction in coercivity suggests a transition from a single-domain to a multi-domain state, likely due to nanoparticle aggregation at higher concentrations. These results demonstrate the potential of HDPE/Fe3O4 nanocomposites for thermally stable and magnetically tunable applications
Combined thermal and high pressure homogenization treatments for enhanced physical properties of lentil protein-stabilised emulsions
No full textThis study aims to interlink the colloidal properties of lentil protein emulsions formulated with protein suspensions pretreated with high pressure homogenization (HPH), thermal treatments (TT) and its combination (HPH+TT). Lentil protein suspensions were pre-treated with HPH (50 MPa), thermal treatment (120 °C for 60 s) or HPH followed by the TT. The physicochemical properties of these pretreated suspensions, as well as of emulsions prepared from them, were compared with those of an untreated sample. The particle size distribution of the suspensions was significantly reduced by HPH, with the volume-weighted mean diameter (D [4, 3]) decreasing from 3.63 μm (untreated) to 1.48 μm (HPH). TT and HPH+TT suspensions had a similar particle size distribution to the untreated sample, indicating a partial protein aggregation. The samples showed a transition from shear-thinning to near Newtonian behaviour when treated with TT and HPH+TT, which also enhanced their physical stability. The emulsion formulated with the pre-treated suspensions had a significantly lower particle size distribution compared to the untreated samples. Interestingly, the HPH+TT emulsion had the lowest particle size with a D [4, 3] of 1.07 μm and displayed the highest physical stability compared to the sample. The improved emulsion stability is likely due to enhanced enhanced physical properties in the protein suspensions, which increased their functionality and interfacial activity, leading to more effective stabilization of the oil droplets. These findings demonstrate that the combining HPH and thermal treatment can significantly improve the stability and functionality of high-solids lentil
protein-stabilised emulsions, supporting their use in sustainable young child infant formula
«La tua favola perenne». Saggio su Paesi tuoi ed edizione critica
No full textVolume di apertura della "Biblioteca dello Struzzo" di Casa Einaudi, nel 1941 Paesi tuoi inaugura la carriera di narratore di Cesare Pavese. L'esordio è sorprendente: subito si apre infatti un acceso dibattito sul romanzo e sui possibili modelli americani, che in breve consacra Pavese come una delle voci di maggior interesse della narrativa italiana. Per un altro verso, l'impressione suscitata sarà così forte da condizionare - vivo Pavese - la ricezione di tutta la produzione successiva, fino all'uscita della Luna e i falò. Il lavoro presenta l'edizione critica del romanzo e il primo saggio critico interamente dedicato al romanzo
Aspects of BSM physics: quality problem, axion detection and naturalness
No full textThe Standard Model (SM) successfully describes most of the known interactions among elementary particles, yet several fundamental questions remain unanswered. This Ph.D. thesis investigates theoretical
and phenomenological aspects of physics Beyond the Standard Model (BSM), focusing on two central
issues in high-energy physics: the strong CP problem and the naturalness of the Higgs boson mass.
This work addresses these challenges by combining non-perturbative methods in quantum field theory,
effective field theory techniques, and phenomenologically motivated applications, with the goal of
deepening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BSM physics.
A central theme of the thesis is the study of the QCD axion, a theoretically well-motivated candidate
for resolving the strong CP problem and a possible component of dark matter. Using the formalism of
instantons and the corresponding ’t Hooft vertex operators, we analyze the non-perturbative contributions to the axion potential, with particular attention to gravitational instanton effects.
The thesis also explores connections with condensed matter physics. By employing effective field theories
for anisotropic antiferromagnets, we describe the emergence of gapped Goldstone and pseudo-Goldstone
modes. Building on these insights, we investigate the potential of antiferromagnetic materials, such as
nickel oxide (NiO), as experimental targets for axion dark matter detection, thereby creating a bridge
between high-energy theoretical predictions and experimental approaches in solid-state physics.
Finally, the work examines the implications of the naturalness principle in a cosmological context,
analyzing how naturalness considerations constrain inflationary dynamics and early-universe cosmology,
particularly in models featuring super-Planckian field excursions.
Taken together, the results presented in this thesis provide a coherent contribution to the study of
physics beyond the Standard Model. By integrating rigorous theoretical analysis, phenomenological
relevance, and experimental considerations, this work advances the understanding of non-perturbative
effects, axion physics, and the interplay between high-energy and condensed matter systems, offering
new insights into some of the most compelling questions in particle physics toda
Skeletal involvement in tumor-induced osteomalacia
No full textTumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is an ultrarare paraneoplastic syndrome of abnormal phosphate and vitamin D metabolism secondary to the overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23 by small-sized mesenchymal tumors typically located in soft tissues and bone. The tumor has adverse effects on bone and patients complain of skeletal symptoms and, in severe cases, they suffer multiple devastating fractures. Specific features may characterize the histology of tumors located in bone with respect to those found in extra-skeletal sites. Indeed, the matrix may contain foci resembling primitive cartilage and osteoid. Light microscopy of bone biopsy samples reveal accumulation of osteoid due to thickening of osteoid seams and, if tetracyclines were sequentially administrated, fluorescence microscopy reveals prolongation of the mineralization lag time. Areal BMD assessed by DXA is significantly lower at both the lumbar and femoral sites in patients with TIO and values of trabecular bone score are significantly reduced with respect to healthy individuals. Patients with TIO are also characterized by significant impairment in bone quality at both the trabecular and cortical compartment when evaluated by HR-pQCT. Successful surgical removal of the causative tumor completely reverts biochemical abnormalities. BMD accrual is impressive in the short term at the central (spine and hip) level but may take longer to improve, together with microstructural parameters, at peripheral sites (radius and tibia). Future studies should address effects of long-term treatment on quality-of-life outcomes related to irreversible events, such as vertebral fractures. This is particularly important in patients with a heavy burden due to a long-standing disease.Tumor-induced osteomalacia is an ultrarare paraneoplastic syndrome of abnormal phosphate and vitamin D metabolism characterized by increased phosphate loss consequent to overproduction of the hormone fibroblast growth factor 23. Phosphorus is fundamental for muscle function and bone mineralization. Therefore, when values in the body are very low, there are a number of negative consequences on many skeletal aspects. In addition to skeletal pain, patients may suffer from devastating multiple fractures. When the tumor is successfully removed, biochemical and skeletal alterations are reversed. However, in those with longstanding disease and fractures, full recovery may not be complete