University of Bari Aldo Moro
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La Socialdemocrazia? Occasione mancata
No full textIl volume di Michele Donno Sulle tracce della Socialdemocrazia dimostra l'occasione mancata di ottenere in Italia un paese realmente volto a valori socialdemicratic
Comparison between thermal and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of ZnO on fullerene powder for photocatalytic dye removal
No full textZnO was deposited on fullerene C60 by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), carried out in thermal (t-ALD) and Plasma Enhanced (PE-ALD) mode. The ALD technique allowed to grow stoichiometric and crystalline ZnO, in increasing amount with the number of cycles. The conformal deposition was successful not only on the surface but even on the walls of the pores of the material: t-ALD enabled the coverage of both superficial and deeper pores, whereas, in the case of PE-ALD, ZnO was found mainly on the walls of the most superficial ones. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO@C60 nanocomposites obtained at 400 cycles by thermal and PE-ALD was evaluated through monitoring the discoloration of a 1.0 & sdot;10-5 M methylene blue solution upon UV irradiation (lambda=254 nm) over 180 min. Results indicate that the photocatalytic performance of the t-ALD coated C60 was higher than the one obtained by PE-ALD (54 % vs 33 %, respectively), in accordance with the higher amount of ZnO on the t-ALD treated samples
Piezoelectric tuning forks employed as photodetectors for hydrogen sensing
No full textA study on the H2 spectral properties and a comparison between two different piezoelectric resonators employed as infrared detectors for hydrogen sensing are reported. A quartz tuning fork (QTF) and a lithium niobate tuning fork (LiNTF) are implemented in the same light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy experimental set-up, employing i) a laser diode to target the hydrogen absorption feature at 4712.90 cm-1, characterized by low interference from other contaminants; ii) a multi-pass cell with a 10.4 m pathlength, to enhance the interaction between light and H2 molecules. Both resonators demonstrate a linear response with respect to the hydrogen concentration and a minimum detection limit (MDL) of 0.50 % and of 1.50 % at 0.1 s of integration time with the QTF and the LiNTF, respectively. The long-term stability analysis highlights a bias instability for the QTF, mainly addressed to the inhomogeneities at the edge of the active area. Conversely, the uniform surface of the LiNTF returns a highly stable detection, allowing an MDL as low as 0.1 % at 64 s of integration time. This first demonstration of a LiNTF as photodetector paves the way to the realization of fully integrated sensors based on lithium-niobate-on-insulator platforms
Security in the European Schengen Area: Critical issues concerning the closure of internal borders
No full textThe Schengen Area is widely regarded as one of the most significant achievements of European integration. However, the free movement area has faced numerous challenges in terms of managing migratory flows and security.
The so-called “Schengen Borders Code” (CFS) legally allows states to reintroduce internal border controls in specific circumstances or in response to specific needs, particularly security and public order protection. As a result, over the years, some states have formally requested partial or full reinstatement of border controls.
The chapter aims to examine some recent emblematic cases in which some states have been able to repeatedly restore internal borders for an extended period (in violation of the Schengen Code’s time limits). The contribution also intends to assess whether and how certain countries have used the rules governing the temporary reintroduction of border controls in the Schengen Area to circumvent the area’s intrinsic purpose
Lumpy skin disease threat in Europe: Current situation, transmission dynamics and future prospects
No full textLumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV, genus Capripoxvirus), is an emerging
transboundary disease of cattle and water buffalo. Although rarely fatal, it results in severe economic losses due
to decreased productivity, hide damage, infertility, and trade limitations. This review summarizes the etiology,
susceptible hosts, modes of transmission, and advances in control, vaccination, and treatment strategies, with a
particular focus on Europe, where spread into previously unaffected areas has recently been reported. Since its
first identification in Zambia in 1929, LSD remained endemic in Africa for six decades before spreading into the
Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Major outbreaks have subsequently occurred in Türkiye, the Balkans, Russia,
Asian territories, and, most recently, in Italy, France, and Spain in 2025. Transmission is primarily vector-borne
through blood-feeding arthropods, while animal movements and inadequate farm-level biosecurity further
exacerbate the spread. Control measures such as vaccination with homologous live-attenuated vaccines, quarantine,
and movement restrictions have proven effective in limiting outbreaks. LSD poses a significant threat to
livestock health and trade globally. Coordinated surveillance, improved biosecurity, and vaccination remain the
cornerstones of control. Continued research into antiviral and alternative therapeutic strategies to complement
existing prevention measures is warranted. Killed vaccines may currently help to protect animals in pre-epidemic
areas and slow the rate of epidemics
Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Carnobacterium spp. on the sensory quality of Burrata cheese during storage: a multi-technique study
No full textBurrata is a fresh pasta filata cheese produced in Italy and highly appreciated worldwide, for which extending shelf-life remains a significant challenge for the dairy industry. This study investigated the effect of incorporating protective microbial cultures (PMC), composed by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Carnobacterium spp. strains, on the sensory characteristics of the cheese during refrigerated storage, with particular focus on the volatilome as assessed by GC–MS-Olfactometry. Experimental burrata samples (CS) containing the protective microbial cultures were compared with control samples (CC) over 20 days of refrigerated storage. The PMC proved to be effective in countering the spoilage bacteria, with a significant delay of the growth of Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. The volatile organic compounds (VOC) analysis, performed by GC–MS-O, confirmed reduced production of spoilage-related molecules such as ethanol, acetic acid, and 3-methyl-1-butanol in CS samples, responsible of off-odors in burrata. In addition to this, a better preservation of some key aroma-active compounds belonging to the class of ketones and aldehydes was observed by olfactometry results. The multivariate statistical approach of the sensory analysis and aroma-active VOC described well the evolution of the products over time, highlighting the enhanced sensory stability of CS samples. Overall, the application of protective microbial culture proved to be a practical and easy solution to extend shelf-life while preserving its sensory characteristics
Comparative antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of four selected ethnomedicinal plants in alloxan-induced diabetic female Wistar rats
No full textThis study investigated the antidiabetic potential of methanolic extracts of Cassia absus (seeds), Gymnema sylvestre (whole plant), Nigella sativa (seeds), and Piper nigrum (fruits) in alloxan-induced diabetic female Wistar rats. Extracts were prepared using 70% methanol and administered orally at 500 mg/kg/day for 42 days, while glibenclamide (10 mg/kg/day) served as a reference drug. All plant extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced fasting blood glucose, attenuated body weight loss, improved glycometabolic and inflammatory markers, and decreased pancreatic oxidative stress. Notably, N. sativa and P. nigrum extracts showed superior efficacy by modulating JNK/MAPK and Nrf2/Keap1 pathways and enhancing insulin secretion compared with other extracts and glibenclamide. Histopathological findings supported these results. Overall, N. sativa and P. nigrum demonstrated the strongest antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, while C. absus showed the least efficacy
Effect of supplementing honey via drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chickens
No full textThis study investigated the effects of supplementing broiler drinking water with Egyptian clover honey on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood biochemical parameters. A total of 525 one-day-old male Hubbard broilers were assigned to seven treatment groups to evaluate two concentrations of honey (13 and 26 mLL-1) administered at three different frequencies (daily, every other day, and every 3 d), along with a control group receiving no honey. Supplementing drinking water with honey significantly enhanced overall broiler performance. Birds receiving honey, particularly at the higher concentration and at intermittent intervals, showed improved body weight gain and feed efficiency compared to the control group. The highest relative weights of key lymphoid organs - such as the spleen, bursa of Fabricius, and thymus - were observed in supplemented groups, indicating a positive impact on immune system development. Hematological analysis revealed increased red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume in honey-fed birds, reflecting improved oxygen transport and immune competence. Serum biochemical profiles demonstrated a favorable shift, with significant reductions in markers of metabolic stress and liver function (uric acid, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) and notable increases in total protein, albumin, and globulin levels. Additionally, honey supplementation significantly enhanced humoral immune response, as evidenced by higher hemagglutination inhibition titers against Newcastle disease virus. The results indicate that honey supplementation via drinking water, especially at 26 mLL-1, administered intermittently, can effectively improve growth performance, physiological health, and immune function in broiler chickens. These findings support the potential of honey as a natural antibiotic-free additive to promote sustainable poultry production
Wildfire severity and time-since-fire drive biodiversity, ecosystem services and multifunctionality in Mediterranean forests
No full textWildfires are key ecological drivers in Mediterranean forests, yet their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services (ESs) vary widely depending on fire characteristics. In this study, we assessed how fire severity and time-since-fire shape biodiversity, ES provision, ES-multifunctionality and ES-uniqueness in Mediterranean oak forests across southern Italy. Drawing on 26 ecological indicators across 30 forest sites, we evaluated responses of above- and belowground biodiversity and five ESs: pollination, pest control, carbon storage, soil fertility, and water regulation. Our findings reveal that low-severity fires can enhance multiple ESs and aboveground multifunctionality, particularly in the short term, by promoting pollination and pest control functions. In contrast, high-severity fires tend to reduce multifunctionality, especially belowground, but significantly increase ecosystem uniqueness, fostering distinct combinations of biodiversity and service profiles. These divergent effects suggest that low-severity burns may support forest resilience and ecosystem functioning, while high-severity wildfires contribute to spatial heterogeneity and ecological novelty. Integrating both outcomes into wildfire management strategies can help balance conservation and multifunctionality goals in fire-prone Mediterranean landscapes
A comparative life cycle assessment between conventional and organic chickpea cultivation in southern Italy
No full textLegumes combine a high protein intake with reduced environmental impact and are suitable for application in rotational cropping systems, with the twofold function of producing grains and fixing N into the soil. By doing so, whether put in combination with low-input systems, they can contribute to implementing sustainable agriculture paths. Chickpea is the third most consumed grain legume in the world, and its nitrogen-fixing capacity can be beneficial for the next crops for improving soil fertility, structure, and water retention capacity and for reducing chemical fertilizer production and application. Despite the benefits, it is however needed to explore the relevant environmental sustainability issues associated with chickpea cultivation. To that end, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is proven valid methodology to compare cropping system alternatives, to support decision making. In this study, LCA was used in fact to compare conventional vs. organic cultivation of chickpea grains in Southern Italy in the period 2020–2022, through LCA application with a cradle-to-gate approach, using the EF 3.1 method. For the assessment, following previously published LCAs,1 kg asported N was chosen as the functional unit (FU), to make allocation possible between the harvested chickpea grains (modelled as kg eq of asported N), and the N leftover, thereby best representing the twofold function of the investigated system to produce legumes and fix N into the soil. From a review of the literature, the authors found that only a few LCAs have been developed that dealt with chickpea cultivation, which highlights the relevant contribution that this article is expected to make to specialized literature. This study represents one of the few LCAs focused exclusively on chickpea cultivation, providing a comparative analysis of conventional and organic systems, using an innovative N-based functional unit and an allocation between grain yield and nitrogen fixation. With such a FU, organic cultivation resulted to be more environmentally damaging (7.81 mPt vs. 3.40 mPt) than the conventional one, due to its lower yields that amplify the environmental impacts per unit of product. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was incorporated in the study to explore the extent to which the choice of other FUs influence results from the assessment. The study highlighted, in particular, that results change in favour of the organic system in the case of a surface-based FU, thanks to the reduced agricultural activities and inputs per unit of ha (252 mPt for organic farming, and 279 mPt for conventional farming). These findings suggest that, while organic cultivation performs better from an environmental sustainability perspective, conventional farming is more efficient in terms of productivity. The study contributed to understanding the importance of FU selection in LCAs and provided valuable insights that can be useful to farmers for improving the sustainability of chickpea production systems and to practitioners to improve LCA applications in this research content area