University of Bari Aldo Moro
Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Università di BariNot a member yet
151277 research outputs found
Sort by
Purine nucleosides as selective inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase – a multidisciplinary study
Get PDFThe computational study of the most relevant interactions of the nanomolar purine nucleoside BuChE selective inhibitor has shown that the benzyl group at position 2 and the purine acetamido group are required for activity. In addition, the synthesis of a 6-iodinated radiolabelled analogue and the study of in vivo bioavailability have shown a low percentage of uptake by the brain after 1 hour. These results encouraged the synthesis of a small library of new compounds, focussing on deoxygenation at other positions aiming to access active and more bioavailable structures. Deoxygenation at positions 4 and 3,4 afforded new nucleosides that displayed low inhibition of both cholinesterases, while deoxygenation at position 6 and the lyxopyranosyl group afforded the two most active compounds (IC50 ranging from 3.7 to 7.8 μM); one of them was not cytotoxic at the bioactive concentration, while the other one showed a slight cytotoxicity. Interestingly, these structures exhibited the same anomeric stereochemistry and were purine N7-linked, similar to the lead compound 3 (IC50 = 50 nM), thus confirming the importance of the αdN7 purine nucleoside structure. Thus, optimization of the purine nucleoside synthetic procedure was carried out by changing the reaction temperature, the anomeric leaving group or the Lewis acid. The most satisfactory reaction yields and regioselectivity were obtained by using the original N-glycosylation conditions at 25 °C, which afforded the highest yield of 25% when compared to the 8% of the αdN7 purine nucleoside, and an increase in N7 regioselectivity, with the total N7 nucleoside yield increasing from 36% to 52%
Investigating Nao’s Impact on Promoting Motor Skills in Young Children with ASD
No full textThis experimental study implemented a robot-based intervention in a preschool setting to explore how social robotics can promote motor skills in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study involved 20 children aged 24 to 36 months, divided into two groups of ten, each including a child with autism. The research aimed to develop specific robotic rehabilitation tools, enhance educators’ communicative skills, and assess the NAO robot’s effectiveness during motor activity sessions for children with autism. Results indicated that children were actively engaged with the robot, with those on the autism spectrum showing particular interest. Engagement varied, with one ASD child’s curiosity driving involvement, while the other ASD child’s participation required support by the educator in nurturing the child’s relationship with the robot and peers
On the critical exponent for the semilinear Euler-Poisson-Darboux-Tricomi equation with power nonlinearity
No full textIn this note, we derive a blow-up result for a semilinear generalized Tricomi equation with damping and mass terms having time-dependent coefficients. We consider these coefficients with critical decay rates. Due to this threshold nature of the time-dependent coefficients (both for the damping and for the mass), the multiplicative constants appearing in these lower order terms strongly influence the value of the critical exponent, determining a competition between a Fujita-type exponent and a Strauss-type exponent
Nonregular Physical Activity and Handgrip Strength as Indicators of Fatigue and Psychological Distress in Cancer Survivors
No full textBackground: Cancer survivors who do not engage in regular physical activity often experience persistent psychological distress and fatigue, which can significantly impact their quality of life. While handgrip strength (HGS) is recognized as an indicator of overall health and physical resilience, the combined role of HGS and physical inactivity in predicting psychological distress and fatigue in this population remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationships between self-reported physical inactivity, HGS, and psychological distress, specifically depressive symptoms, anxiety, and cancer-related fatigue (CRF), in physically inactive cancer survivors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 42 physically inactive cancer survivors (mean age = 63.2 years, SD = 8.96) recruited from the Cancer Institute (IRCCS) in Bari, Italy. Physical inactivity was quantified based on self-reported weekly physical activity minutes, with all participants engaging in less than 150 min per week. The participants underwent HGS assessment and completed validated psychological measures, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y1 and STAI-Y2), and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results: Bivariate correlations were examined via Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of psychological distress and fatigue, adjusting for covariates such as age, sex, cancer type, and time since treatment completion. Both lower HGS and greater physical inactivity were significantly correlated with greater depressive symptoms (HGS: ρ = -0.524, p < 0.001; physical inactivity: ρ = -0.662, p < 0.001), greater fatigue severity (HGS: ρ = -0.599, p < 0.001; physical inactivity: ρ = -0.662, p < 0.001), and increased trait anxiety (HGS: ρ = -0.532, p < 0.001; physical inactivity: ρ = -0.701, p < 0.001). No significant associations were found between physical inactivity or HGS and state anxiety (p > 0.05). Multiple regression analyses confirmed that both HGS and physical inactivity independently predicted depressive symptoms (HGS: β = -0.435, p = 0.009; physical inactivity: β = -0.518, p = 0.002), trait anxiety (HGS: β = -0.313, p = 0.038; physical inactivity: β = -0.549, p < 0.001), and fatigue (HGS: β = -0.324, p = 0.033; physical inactivity: β = -0.565, p < 0.001), even after adjusting for covariates. Low physical activity and reduced muscle strength independently predict psychological distress and fatigue in cancer survivors. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential exacerbating role of physical inactivity in both physical and psychological vulnerability, underscoring the need for interventions promoting regular exercise. Integrating strength assessments and structured physical activity programs may be key strategies in survivorship care to improve mental well-being and overall quality of life
Analisi di vocazionalità e adattamento climatico delle colture arboree da frutto in Puglia
No full textIl cambiamento climatico, causato dall’attività dell’uomo come la deforestazione e le emissioni di gas serra, ha portato a drastici cambiamenti nei modelli meteorologici globali. Questo fenomeno ha avuto impatti profondi su vari settori, in particolare quello agricolo, che dipende da condizioni climatiche stabili. Le aree mediterranee sono state identificate come zone hotspot del cambiamento climatico a causa della loro suscettibilità all'aumento delle temperature, ai cambiamenti nei modelli di precipitazione, alla continua siccità e all'aumento frequente di eventi meteorologici estremi. In Puglia, il settore olivicolo, che svolge un ruolo fondamentale sia economico che storico, deve affrontare gli effetti del cambiamento climatico combinati con la diffusione del batterio Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (XFP). In risposta a queste sfide, questo lavoro ha analizzato la vocazionalità di sei specie arboree da frutto in aree infette da XFP in Puglia, tra cui mandorlo (Prunus dulcis B.), fico (Ficus carica L.), nocciolo (Corylus avellana L.), actinidia (Actinidia chinensis P.), pistacchio (Pistacia vera L.) e melograno (Punica granatum L.). Queste specie sono state selezionate per la loro resistenza e/o immunità a XFP. Utilizzando dati climatici e pedologici, sono state generate mappe di vocazionalità territoriale attraverso strumenti GIS (sistemi di informazione geografica). L'analisi ha rilevato che il melograno presenta la maggiore adattabilità per queste aree, seguito da fico, mandorlo, kiwi e pistacchio, mentre il nocciòlo ha mostrato il valore più basso. Inoltre, la ricerca è stata ampliata per includere altre otto specie arboree da frutto, tra cui specie NUS e colture minori, come carrubo (Ceratonia siliqua L.,), azzeruolo (Crataegus azarolus L.), avocado (Persea americana Mill.,), nespolo del Giappone (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.), gelso (Morus alba L.), diospiro (Diospyros kaki L.f.,), fico d'india (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) e noce (Juglans regia L.). I risultati hanno dimostrato che carrubo (resistente alla siccità), nespolo del Giappone e azzeruolo presentano una maggiore vocazionalità, mentre avocado e noce hanno mostrato una limitata adattabilità a causa di specifiche esigenze climatiche e pedologiche. Infine, lo studio ha analizzato le dinamiche di crescita dei germogli di quattro cultivar di olivo (‘Arbequina’, ‘Coratina’, ‘Frantoio’, e ‘Urano’) coltivate in un oliveto ad alta densità (SHD) in condizioni climatiche mediterranee. L'analisi si è concentrata sulla crescita di quattro tipi di germoglio: prolettici apicali e laterali, sillettici e avventizi, utilizzando una funzione di regressione logistica.I risultati hanno rivelato che la crescita logistica a singola fase è stata predominante nella maggior parte delle cultivar, per i diversi tipi di germoglio, con ‘Coratina’ e ‘Urano’ che hanno mostrato una seconda fase di crescita nei germogli laterali prolettici e avventizi, indicando un modello di crescita più complesso. Sebbene i gradi giorno (GDD) e la disponibilità idrica non abbiano avuto un effetto significativo sulla crescita dei germogli, il carico produttivo è stato identificato come fattore cruciale, poiché ad una produzione maggiore si è osservata una riduzione dell'allungamento dei germogli laterali prolettici, mostrando una competizione tra ciclo riproduttivo e vegetativo. Questo effetto è stato particolarmente pronunciato nelle cultivar ‘Frantoio’ e ‘Urano’. Infine, questa tesi sottolinea la necessità di adottare strategie che integrino sia studi di vocazionalità che tecniche innovative di gestione dei frutteti, offrendo soluzioni pratiche alle sfide del cambiamento climatico in regioni vulnerabili come la Puglia.Climate change, driven by human activities such as deforestation, and industrial emissions, has led to drastic alterations in global weather patterns. This phenomenon has created profound impacts on various sectors, especially in agriculture, which depends on stable climatic conditions. Mediterranean areas have been identified as climate change hotspot due to their susceptibility to rising temperatures, shifts in precipitation patterns, constant droughts, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events. In Apulia, the olive sector, which plays a critical role in both the local economy and cultural heritage, faces the effects of climate change combined with the spread of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (XFP). In response to these challenges, this work investigates the potential land suitability of six fruit tree species in XFP-infected areas in Apulia, including almond (Prunus dulcis B.), fig (Ficus carica L.), hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis P.), pistachio (Pistacia vera L.), and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). These species were selected for their resistance or immunity to XFP. Using climate and soil data, land suitability maps were generated through GIS tools. The analysis revealed that pomegranate has the highest suitability for these areas, followed by fig, almond, kiwifruit, and pistachio, while hazelnut showed the lowest. Additionally, the research expanded to include eight additional fruit tree species, including Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) and minor crops, e.g. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), Hawthorn (Crataegus azarolus L.), Avocado (Persea americana Mill.), Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.), Mulberry (Morus alba L.,), Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.f.), Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus- indica (L.) Mill.), Walnut (Juglans regia L.). Results demonstrated that carob (resistance to drought), loquat, and hawthorn had the major suitability, while avocado and walnut exhibited limited adaptability due to specific climate and soil needs. Finally, the study investigates the sprout growth dynamics of four olive cultivars (‘Arbequina’, ‘Coratina’, ‘Frantoio’, and ‘Urano’) cultivated in a super high-density (SHD) orchard under Mediterranean conditions. The analysis focused on the elongation of four sprout types— apical proleptic, lateral proleptic, sylleptic, and adventitious—using a logistic growth model. The results revealed that single-phase logistic growth was predominant across most cultivars and sprout types, with ‘Coratina’ and ‘Urano’ showing double-phase growth in lateral proleptic and adventitious sprouts, indicating a more complex growth pattern. While Growing Degree Days (GDD) and water availability had no significant effect on sprout growth, crop load was identified as a crucial factor, as far as with a high crop load corresponded to a reduction of lateral proleptic sprout elongation, showing competition between reproductive and vegetative cycle. This effect was particularly pronounced in ‘Frantoio’ and ‘Urano’. This study is the first to explore the growth dynamics of four different sprout types across olive cultivars with varying vigor levels in an SHD system, providing valuable insights for optimizing cultivar-specific management practices such as pruning and crop load regulation to enhance yield efficiency and sustainability in SHD olive orchards. Overall, this thesis underscores the need for adaptive strategies in agriculture that integrate both ecological suitability and innovative orchard management techniques, offering practical solutions to the challenges of climate change in vulnerable regions like Apulia
Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L.) decline in Apulia, Southern Italy, a phytopathological overview.
No full textLucchese P.G., Chiaromonte E., Salamone D., Tarasco E., Pollastro S., Faretra F., Nigro F., 2025 – Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L.) decline in Apulia, Southern Italy, a phytopathological overview. 17th International Congress of Mediterranean Phytopathological Union (MPU). CIHEAM Bari, Italy, July 6-10 202
Apprendimento permanente come opportunità per il futuro. L’impegno dell’ASviS e della società civile
No full text..
Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Commercial use and future perspectives
No full textThe 100 years of research, development, commercialization and use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) since their discovery in the 1920s have seen impressive progress. Nowadays, many EPN products, based on a relatively limited number of EPN species, are commercially available in most world regions. This paper presents a review of EPN commercialization and examples of EPN use in field crops such as maize and in agroforestry ecosystems. It demonstrates how EPN have become an important tool in biological control of insect pests offering many advantages over chemicals. These include farmer and consumer safety, minimal damage to natural enemies, no problems with pollinators, and no environmental pollution. All of these attributes are essential for an advanced and sustainable integrated pest management strategy. We explored future potential of commercialization and adoption of EPN-based biocontrol products. The future may lie in several advances: i) The ability to tailor the use of EPN to broad as well as to local agricultural needs. ii) Enhancing their shelf life and efficacy through genetic improvements. iii) Refining application technologies. iv) Improving mass production (including machine learning using production data). v Reducing production and delivery costs, considering EPN as safe agents and therefore reducing registration burdens. Vi) Finally, expanding their use to a larger market such as to new pest species and crops. With continued research and innovation, EPN could become a cornerstone of sustainable pest management strategies in an increasing number of countries
Educazione alla cittadinanza globale e digitale: il Digital & Intercultural Service Learning for a new humanism 4.0
Get PDFLa ricerca esplora l'efficacia del Digital & Intercultural Service Learning nell'educazione interculturale e digitale, evidenziando come questo approccio pedagogico innovativo possa supportare lo sviluppo di competenze culturali, sociali e civiche negli studenti. La ricerca, condotta attraverso una metodologia di ricerca-azione, ha coinvolto circa 1500 studenti di scuole primarie e secondarie di primo grado nelle regioni Puglia, Calabria e Basilicata, con l'obiettivo di integrare sistematicamente prospettive interculturali e tecnologie digitali nei percorsi educativi.
I dati raccolti tramite strumenti validati dalla comunità scientifica internazionale (la scala "Sviluppo dell'intelligenza culturale" di S. Ang, L. Van Dyne, SK Koh e la "Scala di sensibilità alla comunicazione interculturale" di Chen, GM, & Starosta, WJ), focus group e analisi delle attività di ricerca-azione, dimostrano un significativo incremento nella capacità degli studenti di comprendere e affrontare la complessità delle dinamiche culturali in contesti globalizzati. In particolare, la ricerca-azione condotta, evidenzia come l'integrazione di strumenti digitali congiuntamente all'approccio pedagogico del Service Learning possano amplificare la consapevolezza interculturale, favorendo l'inclusione e la partecipazione attiva, formando cittadini globali consapevoli, responsabili e culturalmente competenti.The research explores the effectiveness of Digital & Intercultural Service Learning in intercultural and digital education, highlighting how this innovative pedagogical approach can support the development of students' cultural, social and civic competences. The research, conducted using an action research methodology, involved around 1,500 primary and secondary school students in the regions of Apulia, Calabria and Basilicata, with the aim of systematically integrating intercultural perspectives and digital technologies into educational pathways.
The data collected through instruments validated by the international scientific community (the 'Development of Cultural Intelligence' scale by S. Ang, L. Van Dyne, SK Koh and the 'Intercultural Communication Sensitivity Scale' by Chen, GM, & Starosta, WJ), focus groups and analysis of the action research activities show a significant increase in students' ability to understand and manage the complexity of cultural dynamics in globalised contexts. In particular, the action research conducted highlights how the integration of digital tools in conjunction with the service-learning pedagogical approach can enhance intercultural awareness, promote inclusion and active participation, and develop aware, responsible and culturally competent global citizens