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Cultural heritage led urban regeneration: plans and projects
No full textThe processes of metropolization that have affected Italian and European cities in recent decades have led to significant changes in the territorial structure, as well as altering the meaning of issues related to urban planning, the environment, and the landscape. The debate on the new “urban issue” (Secchi 2011; Ricci 2021a) has shifted the focus from the mere construction dimension to the overall quality of urban space, addressing a territorial dimension characterized by settlement fragmentation, heterogeneity of the fabric and a lack of structural public spaces, elements that accentuate conditions of social, economic, and cultural marginalization and the fragility of the bonds of identity between communities and the territory (Ricci, 2019). From this perspective, cultural heritage can represent a strategic resource for triggering heritage-led regeneration processes characterized by an interdisciplinary dimension that integrates the conservation of heritage values with contemporary socio-economic development (Fouseki, Nicolau 2018). This contribution offers a reflection on the experience of heritage-led regeneration in Rome, both in terms of urban planning and design, where historical and cultural heritage becomes a driver of sustainable urban transformation, aimed at building a new urban welfare system. Through the contextualization of a system of networks that are interactive and integrated, the historical and cultural identity of communities and the very meaning of the collective use of spaces in the contemporary city are reaffirmed (Ricci 2021b)
Cocaine-related deaths: a comparative study on immunohistochemistry as an innovative diagnostic tool
No full textCocaine abuse remains a major global health concern, with mortality rates showing a progressive rise over the past decades. An estimated 25 million people used cocaine in 2023, representing 0.47% of the global population aged between 15 and 64. According to the EUDA data, cocaine is the second most frequently reported illicit drug. The mortality rate due to overdoses in the European Union in 2022 is estimated at 22.5 deaths per million population aged 15 to 64. Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid derived from the leaves of Erythroxylon coca, and its pharmacological effects depend on both its chemical form (hydrochloride salt or free base) and the route of administration. Cocaine exhibits multiple pharmacodynamic actions: its stimulant and psychoactive effects are explained by its action on presynaptic monoamine transporters; by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, it prolongs neurotransmitter activity in the synaptic cleft. Pathologically, cocaine abuse has been linked to a wide spectrum of organ damage. Chronic patterns of use are often associated with progressive neuropathology, vascular impairment, premature cerebral ageing, and mood disorders. In contrast, acute intoxication - even after a single high dose - can lead to serious complications including tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, hyperthermia, excessive sweating, tremors, seizures, pupil dilation, headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, skeletal muscle overactivity, hemorrhagic stroke, and multi-organ dysfunction. Several cocaine metabolites can cross the blood–brain barrier, contributing both to the psychoactive properties of the drug and to its toxicological profile. These complications can be life-threatening and may arise in young and healthy individuals with no pre-existing risk factors. Remarkably, there is no identifiable set of conditions that reliably predict their occurrence. Severe outcomes have been reported following small quantities of cocaine and even after first-time use. Although higher doses and frequent consumption generally increase the probability of adverse effects, the threshold at which such complications develop varies greatly between individuals. Consequently, while cocaine toxicity is broadly dose-related, it cannot be considered dose-specific. The forensic interpretation of cocaine concentrations in postmortem cases remains a major challenge. Measured drug concentrations after death do not necessarily reflect ante-mortem levels because of postmortem redistribution (PMR) - the movement of drugs from tissues into blood and other fluids after death. For cocaine, interpretation is complicated by its pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Wide interindividual variability in tolerance results in overlap between postmortem cocaine concentrations from cocaine-related fatalities, non-cocaine-related deaths, and even living individuals. In light of the complexity of toxic-related deaths (crime scene investigation, autopsy, histology and toxicological findings), post-mortem diagnosis of cocaine-related death could be difficult. Moreover, substance blood levels alone often cannot explain the fatal event. On the other hand, it is well known that cocaine related deaths are mostly linked to the cardiovascular effects of such substance, making myocardial changes pivotal in the understanding of its mechanism of action. The aim of this study is to identify a correlation between cocaine administration and the heart distributive response in cocaine-related deaths, investigating the relationship between classics toxicological analysis and the immunohistochemistry heart features through the use of an anti-cocaine antibody, analyzing its potential use as a new or complementary diagnostic marker. 7 cases of cocaine-related death were selected (four men, three women, mean age 36,57 years). Only cases with toxicological data positive for cocaine and negative for any other drug (ethanol included) were selected. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of cocaine-related death in all the cases. Toxicological analyses were performed on peripheral blood, urine and bile. The control group was composed of cases that died from car accidents with no clinical history of drug abuse and negative toxicological analysis for drugs. Such deaths were characterized by their rapidity. A Mouse anti Cocaine Monoclonal Antibody was selected; in the literature, there were no indications on the best method to be used in immunohistochemistry tests with this antibody; lacking other similar experimental studies, we had to establish from scratch an adequate method and the appropriate dilution of the antibody. Routine microscopic histopathological studies were performed using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sectioned at 4 μm and stained with haematoxylin-eosin (H & E). The specimens were examined under transmitted bright field illumination and phase contrast mode using a light microscope connected to a photo camera computer system. The immunohistochemical findings and the gradation of the immunohistochemical reaction have been described with an ordinary scale. The immunostaining was clear and evident in all of the heart samples examined, obtained from the seven cocaine-related deaths. The mean semi-quantitative score was 2.83 (moderate to strong expression) in lateral left ventricular wall and 2.29 (moderate expression) in interventricular septum samples. In the lateral left ventricular wall samples, the reaction showed a predominantly nuclear and myofibrillar staining, distributed in widespread foci; a mainly nuclear staining with isolated to scattered foci was observed in the interventricular septum samples. The observation of heart samples from cocaine-related deaths revealed a wide range of cardiomyocyte alterations, highlithed by the positive staining. An observed difference was the timing of the immunostaining expression: longer post-mortem intervals (PMI) are associated with decreased staining intensity in cardiomyocytes myofibers. On the other hand, the detectable level of nuclear immunohistochemical staining was not influenced by the duration of post-mortem interval. In our study, all of the tested cases showed the presence of a positive immunostaining in hypercontracted myocardial cells with rhexis of the myofibrillar apparatus into cross-fiber, anomalous, and irregular bands (contraction band necrosis, CBN). The results of our immunohistochemical study, although conducted on a limited population, may be of interest to better understand the timing of cocaine metabolism and mechanism of action: the nuclear immunostaining may reflect the cocaine-mediated oxygen DNA damage. Furthermore, our results may support the use of immunohistochemistry, using the anti-cocaine antibody, as a valuable aid for the post-mortem diagnosis of cocaine-related deaths, in light of the scarce reliability of toxicological data when dealing with cocaine. A great limitation of our study is the small sample size: this factor is partially linked to precise and strict inclusion criteria, when selecting the subjects. The scarcity of single cocaine-positivity cases suitable for this research, may reflect the ongoing rising in polydrug consumption, including ethanol. Also, detailed immunohistochemical anti-cocaine studies are not available, which excluded a comparison of our work with others. As a result, the present research should be regarded as preliminary, and the conclusions drawn cannot yet be considered definitive or conclusive. Although limited by the small sample size, this study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity. In light of the growing evidence of oxidative/nitrosative stress and oxidative DNA damage in cocaine-induced cardiotoxicity, the observed differential post-mortem immunohistochemical patterns in nuclear and myofibrillar compartments, support the hypothesis that redox imbalance plays a pivotal role in the acute cardiac effects of cocaine. Future studies involving larger cohorts and molecular-level analyses are necessary to confirm these findings and to elucidate the mechanisms linking oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and myocardial injury in cocaine-related cardiac pathology
Adoption and use of Earth Observation satellite data: a multidimensional analysis focused on Italian Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) and IRIDE Program
No full textThe potential of Earth Observation (EO) satellite data as a tool to improve public policies is widely recognised by public institutions and scientific literature. However, despite its potential value and substantial public investment in Earth observation infrastructure, such as the European Copernicus programme and the Italian IRIDE constellation, a persistent 'last-mile gap' remains. EO satellite data remains significantly underutilised by its intended end users: Local and regional authorities (LRAs). This thesis investigates the overarching hypothesis that significant technological, organisational and environmental barriers hinder the effective adoption of EO and limit its transformative potential in enhancing public services. This research employs a multi-level, mixed-methods approach structured as a “collection of papers”.
This methodology combines qualitative analyses to provide a comprehensive understanding of the adoption process. The empirical investigation includes: a qualitative case study of the policy rationale behind Italy's IRIDE programme; a large-scale survey of 109 Italian LRAs mapping adoption rates, barriers and benefits; in-depth qualitative case studies of two Italian regional systems (Tuscany and Lombardy) analysing organisational dynamics, technology's perceived benefits and constraints; and a comparative survey of 25 European LRAs testing the generalisability of the findings. The research was conducted between 2022 and 2025. The analysis is guided by a combined theoretical framework which applies the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) model to assess systemic factors, and the Technology Affordances and Constraints Theory (TACT) to explore user-level interactions. The findings confirm moderate and fragmented adoption rates of 58% and 56% across Italy and the EU, respectively, with usage predominantly experimental. The research identifies a “strategic investment paradox”, whereby 20–28% of LRAs access public EU data via non-European commercial platforms, thus undermining the goal of data sovereignty. The thesis proposes a multidimensional “hierarchy of constraints” and makes stakeholder-specific, data-driven recommendations to establish a user-centred EO ecosystem for subnational governments. The results contribute to the design of data-driven innovation policies within the European space and public administration ecosystems
SCOTOMA PERFUSIONALE NELL’ICTUS ISCHEMICO ACUTO: FREQUENZA, CAUSE E IMPLICAZIONI CLINICHE
No full textLa tomografia computerizzata perfusionale (CTP) è ampiamente utilizzata per la selezione dei pazienti con ictus ischemico acuto candidabili a trombectomia meccanica, soprattutto nelle finestre temporali estese. I software automatici di post-processing, come RAPID, consentono una rapida stima del core ischemico e della penombra, ma possono generare errori diagnostici clinicamente rilevanti.
Questo studio valuta la frequenza e le cause degli errori di stima del core ischemico, con particolare attenzione allo scotoma perfusionale, definito come sottostima del core rispetto al danno ischemico reale.
È stata condotta un’analisi retrospettiva su 100 pazienti con occlusione di grosso vaso del circolo anteriore sottoposti a trombectomia meccanica con ricanalizzazione efficace. I volumi ischemici stimati tramite CTP automatica sono stati confrontati con quelli misurati su risonanza magnetica a 24 ore e TC basale.
Lo scotoma perfusionale è stato osservato nel 15% dei pazienti ed è risultato associato a tempi di imaging più lunghi, esordio non noto, volumi ischemici maggiori e punteggi ASPECTS più bassi. I risultati indicano che l’integrazione tra CTP automatica, ASPECTS e valutazione neuroradiologica rimane fondamentale per una corretta selezione terapeutica
Arte sacra contemporanea nel Santuario di San Gabriele: nuove prospettive di lettura
No full textLa presente tesi di dottorato ha come obiettivo la realizzazione di un catalogo ragionato delle opere d’arte attualmente conservate nel Santuario di San Gabriele dell’Addolorata e nel Museo Staurós d’Arte Sacra Contemporanea, situati sull’Isola del Gran Sasso d’Italia, in provincia di Teramo. La parte più consistente della collezione è costituita dalle opere esposte durante le quindici edizioni della Biennale d’Arte Sacra, svoltesi dal 1984 al 2012. Il primo passo per la realizzazione del catalogo è consistito in una campagna fotografica finalizzata alla documentazione delle opere, seguita da un’analisi storico‐critica condotta mediante la consultazione di fonti bibliografiche, documentazione archivistica e materiale fotografico. Ogni opera d’arte è stata registrata tramite una specifica scheda OAC conforme agli standard ICCD. Successivamente è stata inserita in un database creato con software Microsoft Access, così da garantire un sistema di catalogazione funzionale, accessibile e condivisibile, concepito per promuovere la fruizione critica delle opere e favorire future attività di ricerca da parte di storici dell’arte, curatori e ricercatori, contribuendo alla tutela e alla valorizzazione del patrimonio artistico del Museo Staurós. La necessità di questo lavoro scaturisce dalla sospensione delle Biennali nel 2013, causata dalla mancanza di un responsabile e dalla carenza di fondi pubblici, che ha interrotto la continuità del progetto espositivo e precluso una ricognizione sistematica del patrimonio artistico, maturato in oltre trent’anni di attività. Per questa ragione, il catalogo qui sviluppato cerca di rispondere all’urgenza di valorizzare il contributo culturale del Museo Staurós, mostrando come i linguaggi artistici contemporanei si inscrivano in una continuità semantica riconducibile al tema della Passione di Cristo, quale soggetto polisemico e generativo dell’arte sacra contemporanea
oltre la frontiera. Vedere i sordi, ascoltare i ciechi
No full textil testo propone un'analisi del rapporto tra i paradigmi teorici oggi dominanti circa la disabilità e la figura sociale del cieco e del sordo. In conclusione si offre una nozione, quella di "frontiera", come possibile via di fuga tra culturalismo e medicalizzazione
Locally concentrated electrolytes for aluminum-sulfur metal batteries: a molecular dynamics study
No full textAluminum–sulfur (Alsingle bondS) batteries are a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion systems due to the greater abundance, safety, and sustainability of aluminum. However, the development of compatible electrolytes remains a critical issue. In this work, we present a molecular dynamics study of two classes of acidic electrolytes based on AlCl3 diluted with different concentrations of 1,2-difluorobenzene (dFBn): the first contains an ionic liquid (EMIM); the second is based on a deep eutectic solvent with urea. The results show that the EMIM-based electrolyte maintains a homogeneous structure, with weak interactions between neutral and charged species and high ionic mobility while the urea-based electrolyte exhibits pronounced nanoscale segregation, with the formation of distinct domains and strong association between urea and [AlCl2]+ ions, leading to reduced mobility
Miliari e viabilità nell’Etruria tardoantica. Considerazioni su alcuni case-studies
No full textAnalisi della viabilità dell'Etruria tardoantica, revisioni e aggiornamenti del CI
Prospettiva temporale: prove empiriche e implicazioni cliniche nei giovani adulti
No full textLa presente tesi di dottorato si propone di indagare la rilevanza clinica del costrutto della prospettiva temporale nella popolazione dei giovani adulti, con particolare riferimento alle sue implicazioni nei processi di adattamento psicologico e di regolazione emotiva. Nel primo capitolo viene delineato il quadro teorico di riferimento, attraverso la presentazione e il confronto dei modelli concettuali della prospettiva temporale, nonché delle scale di misura più utilizzate per la valutazione del costrutto in contesti clinici e di ricerca. Viene approfondita l’operazionalizzazione empirica degli atteggiamenti temporali, integrata da una rassegna critica della letteratura sui diversi filoni di ricerca che ne hanno esplorato le implicazioni per la salute mentale. I capitoli successivi presentano due studi longitudinali e uno studio trasversale, finalizzati a indagare la modificabilità degli atteggiamenti temporali e la loro associazione con le strategie di regolazione emotiva in campioni di giovani adulti.
Il primo studio esamina l’efficacia di un intervento di counseling psicodinamico nel modificare gli atteggiamenti temporali, confrontando un gruppo sperimentale con uno di controllo in lista d’attesa. I risultati evidenziano un aumento degli atteggiamenti positivi verso il presente e il futuro e una diminuzione di quelli negativi verso il presente, indicando un impatto significativo dell’intervento.
Il secondo studio estende e conferma i risultati precedenti, indagando la stabilità a medio termine di questi cambiamenti. I dati mostrano che gli effetti positivi sul presente e sul futuro si mantengono fino a tre mesi dopo la conclusione del percorso.
Il terzo studio evidenzia che l’appartenenza dei partecipanti a profili positivi/equilibrati di atteggiamenti temporali è associata a maggiore ristrutturazione cognitiva e minore soppressione espressiva, mentre profili negativi mostrano l’inverso, confermando l’influenza della prospettiva temporale sulla regolazione emotiva nei giovani adulti.
In conclusione, i risultati dei tre studi evidenziano la rilevanza clinica della prospettiva temporale nei giovani adulti, sia come indicatore di adattamento psicologico sia come fattore che influenza le strategie di regolazione emotiva. I dati suggeriscono che interventi mirati a promuovere atteggiamenti temporali positivi possono favorire un funzionamento emotivo più adattivo, supportando lo sviluppo di strategie di prevenzione e intervento nei contesti universitari e clinici
Coffee silverskin extract-functionalised pectin: a sustainable substrate to obtain chicken meatballs with antioxidant and improved sensory properties
No full textHigh-methoxyl pectin, functionalised with phenolic compounds extracted from coffee silverskin, was used in chicken meatballs formulation for improving antioxidant and sensory properties of the final product. An enzymatic conjugation process was applied to obtain the functional pectin then added at the level of 2.5%. At the same time, non-spiked chicken meatballs were prepared as control. At day 0, functionalised meatballs (PLF0) exhibited a total polyphenol content of 10.44 mg GAE per g, significantly higher than controls (PB, 2.74 mg GAE per 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 per g and an IC30 of 0.1129 mg mL−1, while controls showed lower TPC (5.54 mg GAE per 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 products 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 demonstrated that functionalisation of chicken meatballs with coffee silverskin extract enhanced the polyphenol content and the antioxidant stability while preserving desirable sensory qualities, making this approach a promising strategy for developing antioxidant-enriched meat products