University of Bari Aldo Moro
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Pre-digestion of soybeans, fermentation with fructophilic lactic acid bacteria, and in silico analyses to uncover psychobiotic potential
No full textPsychobiotics are emerging as key players in gut–brain axis research, yet the role of Fructophilic Lactic Acid Bacteria (FLAB) remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, we employed a comprehensive strategy that first simulated gastrointestinal pre-digestion of soybeans to mimic host conditions, then harnessed FLAB fermentation to reshape the soybean metabolite landscape and finally applied in silico prediction to assess the neuroactive potential of the resulting compounds. Six strains were initially screened for gastrointestinal resistance, with only Apilactobacillus kunkeei (BEE4, PL34) and Fructobacillus fructosus (FCS3, PL22) showing high tolerance. Selected strains showed varied but notable functional and pre-technological enzymatic activities. When inoculated into pre-digested soybean, they showed high adaptation, with efficient acidification and short chain fatty acids release. While in vitro digestion alone enriched the amino acid profile, FLAB fermentation further enhanced it, particularly increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid in PL34_DS. Although digestion reduced most phenolic compounds, fermentation not only restored but also diversified the metabolite pool, yielding higher levels of daidzein, genistein, dihydrokaempferol, biochanin A, sinapic acid, caftaric acid, and naringenin. Similarly, peptide abundance rose after digestion and was further boosted by fermentation, especially with A. kunkeei PL34 and F. fructosus PL22, which increased low-molecular-weight peptides and generated novel sequences. Importantly, PL34_DS consistently showed superior antioxidant activity and the strongest reduction of antinutritional factors, highlighting its functional potential. In silico analyses further revealed that several released phenolics (e.g., daidzein) and peptides have gastrointestinal absorption and blood–brain barrier permeability, targeting neurotransmitter receptors, cytokine networks, and cholinergic enzymes. Taken together, these findings indicate that FLAB-driven soybean fermentation can enrich neuroactive metabolite profiles with promising psychobiotic potential, providing a foundation for future in vivo studies aimed at mental health modulation
I RIMEDI E GLI AMBITI APPLICATIVI ALLE VIOLAZIONI CONVENZIONALI NEL SISTEMA PROCESSUALE PENALE
No full textL’importanza nell’ordinamento interno, nella Convenzione europea
dei diritti dell’uomo e nella giurisprudenza elaborata dalla Corte europea dei
diritti dell’uomo è, oramai, indiscutibile. Se tale rilevanza si avverte, nell’ambito
del processo penale in virtù dell’art 6 CEDU e dell’art. 111 della Costituzione sul
giusto processo, il nuovo rimedio ex art. 628bis c.p.p., introdotto dalla Riforma
Cartabia, è finalizzato a dare esecuzione alle decisioni della Corte europea dei
diritti dell’Uomo che abbiano accertato la violazione dei diritti convenzionali. Il
presente contributo ha, dunque, la finalità di proporre un’analisi dei presupposti,
delle modalità e dei tempi di presentazione del mezzo di impugnazione nonché,
dei possibili epiloghi del giudizio consegnato alla Corte di Cassazione e, di quello
rinnovato. a seguito della riapertura del processo, attraverso le linee interpretative
della giurisprudenza di legittimità.The importance of the European Convention on Human Rights
and the case law developed by the European Court of Human Rights in the domestic legal system is now indisputable. This relevance is particularly felt in the
field of criminal proceedings by Article 6 of CEDU and Article 111 of the Courte
Constitutional concerning the right to a fair trial. The new remedy under Article
628bis of the Code of Criminal Procedure, introduced by the Cartabia Reform, is
aimed at implementing the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights that
have established violations of convention rights. The present paper therefore aims
to provide an analysis of the prerequisites, the methods, and the timing for filing
this appeal, as well as the possible outcomes of the proceedings before the Court of
Cassazione and those renewed following the reopening of the trial, through the
interpretative guidelines of Supreme court jurisprudence
Business Intelligence for SMEs: a hybrid review of models, barriers, and future directions
No full textThis study examines how Business Intelligence (BI) is conceptualised, adopted, and implemented within Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), a context where digital transformation is essential yet insufficiently explored. Although BI is widely recognised as a strategic driver of informed decision-making and competitiveness, existing research remains fragmented and often sector-specific. Using a hybrid methodology that combines bibliometric analysis with a qualitative systematic literature review from 2015 to 2024, the study traces a shift from early semantic and dashboard-driven models to cloud-based, predictive solutions. It also identifies key limitations and proposes future research on empirical validation, adaptable governance, and innovation-resource trade-offs
Modelling Solar Energy Projects Performance Through Compound Exchange Options with Jump Processes
No full textSolar energy projects represent a sustainable investment opportunity. This sustainability aspect becomes stronger if solar energy projects involve more inhabitants, while pursuing the smart city goal. The evaluation of these projects is a very demanding task, as they are characterized by unpredictable electricity prices and uncertainty about their future performance. The non-storability of electricity implies that a small change in demand or capacity generates jump in prices that, in turn, can make the revenues volatile. In addition to this, smart city projects are characterized by sequential logic because they are not pursued in one-shot investment, but they are characterized by various investment stages. Considering these aspects, we propose an innovative methodology to model the performance of solar energy projects by using a compound exchange option model with jump processes. This model allows to consider: the stochastic nature of revenues and costs; the jump component in the electricity prices evolution; the sequential logic and the “optionality” to avoid to continue the project if it becomes unprofitable during the time. A case study is also proposed and the results show that, differently from the classical Net Present Value approach, the compound exchange option model with jump processes prices adequately the smart city renewable projects that, in addition to be financially profitable, are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Bacterial-driven lipid remodeling in avocado fermentation via hydroxylation and oxidation routes
No full textWe investigated the lipid metabolism of three lactic acid bacteria in fermenting two avocado cultivars. Using Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry, we tracked the fermentation-induced modifications in native lipid profiles. These modifications unveiled an increase in free fatty acids (FA) but also the generation of their oxidized derivatives associated with 14 different m/z ratios. Mono-, di-, and tri-hydroxylated derivatives originating from major unsaturated FA (18:1, 18:2, 18:3), along with oxidized forms of 16:0 and 18:0 FA, were recognized through the interpretation of tandem mass spectrometry data. Tandem mass spectrometry also suggested oxidized derivatives from minor FA (16,1, 16:2). In certain cases, bacterial-driven hydroxylation processes were confirmed on oleic acid in synthetic media. Overall, bacterial-driven hydroxylation and oxidation enriched avocado with potentially bioactive lipids, offering opportunities for nutraceutical and food applications, with minimal undesirable sensory effects specifically affected by microbial species and avocado cultivar
Shame and development of self: a relational, cognitive, and linguistic perspective
No full textShame is a pivotal component in the development of sociomoral cognition, emerging at the intersection of self-awareness, social evaluation and internalized norms. Its emergence corresponds with significant developmental milestones, including the formation of attachment, the acquisition of language, and the development of Theory of Mind. Collectively, these factors provide a framework for the evolution of the sense of self. As children begin to represent themselves through the perspectives of others, shame functions as a regulatory mechanism, reinforcing social coherence and moral alignment. This review integrates findings from developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience and cultural theory in order to elucidate the dual structure of shame: self-referential yet socially mediated. From a multi-faceted perspective, the article presents shame not simply as an emotion but as a dynamic process through which individuals navigate, monitor, and shape their moral identity within relational and cultural contexts
Il moralismo marxista
No full textIl moralismo marxista tende a suddividere sempre i buoni e i cattivi, ma i cattivi sono sempre coloro che difendono la democrazi
AI-Based Platforms for Drug Discovery: Current Tools and Human-Centered Design Strategies
No full textThis chapter presents an overview of ten selected Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven web platforms designed to support the early stages of the drug discovery process. Its primary aim is to serve as both a practical guide and a critical review for potential users of such platforms, including those without cheminformatics or programming expertise. Additionally, we underline the limitations of these platforms and explore potential enhancements through Human-Centered Design (HCD) strategies to help improve both existing and future web-based platforms for optimal use
Field Susceptibility of Almond (Prunus dulcis) Cultivars to Red Leaf Blotch Caused by Polystigma amygdalinum in Apulia (Italy) and Influence of Environmental Conditions
No full textPolystigma amygdalinum the causal agent of Red Leaf Blotch (RLB), is responsible for one of the most important foliar diseases affecting almond [Prunus dulcis (Miller) D.A. Webb] in the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East. The study is aimed at improving knowledge on RLB epidemiology and the role of environmental conditions in disease development. Field monitoring was conducted from 2022 to 2025 in three almond orchards located in Apulia (southern Italy) and characterized by different microclimatic conditions. A total of 39 cultivars, including Apulian local germplasm and international cultivars (‘Belona’, ‘Genco’, ‘Guara’, ‘Ferragnès’, ‘Filippo Ceo’, ‘Lauranne® Avijor’, ‘Soleta’, and ‘Supernova’), were evaluated. Symptoms occurred from late spring to summer, resulting particularly severe on ‘Guara’ and ‘Lauranne® Avijor’, whereas ‘Belona’, ‘Ferragnès’, ‘Genco’, and ‘Supernova’ exhibited the highest tolerance. To our knowledge, this is also the first report of RLB tolerance by ‘Filippo Ceo’, ‘Ficarazza’, ‘Centopezze’, and ‘Rachele piccola’ representing potential genetic resources for breeding programs. Moreover, these findings reinforced previous observations proving that RLB was less severe on medium-late and late cultivars. Disease incidence varied significantly among sites and years and was strongly associated with increased rainfall, higher relative humidity, and mild temperatures recorded in November, influencing disease occurrence in the following growing season. P. amygdalinum was consistently detected by qPCR in all RLB-affected tissues and, in some cases, from mixed early RLB + Pseudomonas-like symptoms. From some leaves with early RLB symptoms, P. amygdalinum was also successfully isolated in pure culture. Overall, our results provide clear evidence that P. amygdalinum is the sole fungal pathogen consistently associated with typical RLB symptoms in Apulia (southern Italy) and highlight important cultivar-dependent differences. Its frequent molecular detection in leaves showing atypical or mixed symptoms suggests unresolved epidemiological aspects requiring further investigation
Exploring Sustainable Luxury: A Focus on Consumer Behavior and Aesthetics
No full textLuxury consumers are becoming more and more sensitive to sustainable development issues, and thus they increasingly care about how to spend their money to improve the lives of present and future generations. However, making responsible choices has long proved challenging for luxury brands, since many customers have long used to think that a product's sustainability comes at the expense of its quality. Recently, however, literature about sustainable consumption has evolved towards a more positive view of sustainable luxury, whereby luxury goods have some intrinsic elements, such as their higher durability based on higher quality of material and production processes, which make them inherently sustainable and long-lasting. While concurring with the idea that durability stems from tangible elements such as product high quality, we argue that how long consumers use a luxury product for can also depend on hedonic element of luxury goods, such the aesthetic experience of customers with luxury goods. Therefore, the present chapter aims to review extant literature about sustainable luxury consumption also adding specific insights on how consumers experience luxury aesthetics, thus highlighting the aesthetics dimensions which are more relevant in shaping sustainable behaviours