University of Bari Aldo Moro
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Unveiling Visual Features in Artwork Classification: Towards Explainable Vision Transformers in the Arts
No full textRecent advances in deep learning have enabled accurate artwork classification using models such as Vision Transformers (ViTs). However, interpreting the internal mechanisms behind such decisions remains challenging, especially in the abstract and symbolic domain of visual arts. We propose an interpretability framework that combines feature visualization via activation maximization with natural language grounding through a Multimodal Large Language Model. Our method extracts class-specific visual patterns learned by ViTs, synthesizes prototype images that activate key features, and generates human-readable descriptions. Applied to a large-scale art dataset, the approach reveals that ViTs attend to subtle and abstract cues—such as texture, shape, and composition—differently from natural image tasks. The resulting visual and textual explanations offer valuable insight into model behavior and move toward more transparent, human-aligned AI systems for art analysis
Uncovering Lung Lesion Patterns in Computed Tomography Scans Through Topological Machine Learning
No full textThis paper presents a novel Topological Machine Learning (TML) framework aimed at improving the classification of lung lesions in CT scans. The approach integrates topological data analysis with machine learning, leveraging persistent homology to derive a set of robust topological descriptors–including functional, vector-based, and image-based features. These descriptors represent the intrinsic shape and structure of lung lesions at multiple scales and, once properly converted into numerical feature vectors, are suitable for use in various classification algorithms.
The framework is evaluated on the publicly available IQ-OTH/NCCD dataset, showing high classification accuracy and consistent performance across lesion types. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of TML –and topology more broadly–in extracting meaningful patterns from complex medical imaging data while maintaining interpretability and data efficiency. The proposed methodology offers a promising alternative to conventional radiomics or deep learning methods, especially in scenarios where model transparency, limited training data, and generalization are critical for clinical decision-making and diagnostics
Reduced graphene oxide-histidine-silver nanocomposite coating with antibacterial activity for abdominal biomedical textiles
No full textThe synthesis and characterization of a novel antibacterial hybrid nanocomposite composed of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) functionalized with histidine and decorated with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) is reported. The material was developed via an in situ colloidal approach, performed in water at ice bath temperature. Histidine was selected as molecular linker due to its unique physicochemical properties: (i) ability to exfoliate RGO and enhance its dispersion in aqueous media, (ii) pi-pi aromatic stacking interactions with the graphene basal plane, and (iii) presence of imidazole and amine groups that provide coordination sites for Ag+ ions, enabling controlled nucleation and anchoring of monodispersed Ag NPs. The nanocomposite structure was finely tuned by systematically optimizing synthetic parameters, and each parameter was evaluated through morphological and spectroscopic characterization to assess NP size distribution and anchoring density. The nanocomposite was applied as coating on cotton fabrics and tested for the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), following the ISO 20743:2021 quantitative standard protocol. The nanocomposite demonstrated superior and more stable antibacterial performance compared to Ag NP coatings synthesized with comparable size and surface properties. MTS assays confirmed that the modified textiles did not significantly impair cell viability. Given its colloidal stability, sustained antibacterial efficacy, and safety profile, the nanocomposite represents a robust platform for functional coatings in biomedical textiles, wound dressings and surgical fabrics, particularly suited to abdominal and intestinal procedures where E. coli contamination is a major concern
Investigating corporate sustainability disclosure: a text mining analysis of non-financial reporting
No full textIn recent years, the European Union (EU) has strengthened its legal framework for the disclosure of sustainability information, culminating in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This follows on from the previous Non-financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), which was implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree 254/2016 and requires large public interest entities to disclose non-financial information annually in the form of a non-financial statement (NFS). This study analyzes how the content of Italian companies’ NFS has evolved from 2019 to 2022, focusing on a preliminary analysis of 15 companies from the energy and textile sectors. The aim is to assess whether the reporting obligation has led to real improvements in sustainable communication or whether
companies have limited themselves to formal compliance. Text mining techniques were used to analyze a corpus of NFSs using tools such as the term-document matrix, the term frequency – inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) algorithm, network graph analysis, and the structural topic model. The results show that the content of the NFS is increasingly enriched in both quantitative and qualitative terms, reflecting a stronger alignment with stakeholder expectations and regulatory objectives. Differences between sectors were also identified using dissimilarity indices, which show how sector-specific dynamics shape the representation of sustainability. This study contributes to the literature on non-financial reporting by demonstrating how automated text analysis can uncover meaningful patterns in corporate reporting. The methodology provides useful insights for regulators, policymakers, and companies seeking to improve sustainable reporting practices. Benchmarking based on such analyses can support the development of more transparent and effective sustainability strategies
Heat treatments for the control of postharvest decay of fresh fruit: Case studies of peach brown rot, kiwifruit gray mold and citrus green and blue molds
No full textThe increase in restrictions on the use of synthetic fungicides has led to the adoption of new eco-friendly strategies that guarantee high quality and food safety standards, such as heat treatment (HT). This review focuses on the main HTs used to preserve peach, kiwi and citrus fruits from fungal infections during the postharvest phase. The mechanisms of action of HTs on fruits rely on induced resistance through genes regulation, and with a direct inhibition of fungal pathogens. Among the HTs, hot water (HW) and air treatments are mainly considered alongside 'curing' to manage postharvest infections caused by Monilinia spp., Botrytis cinerea, and Penicillium spp. The HTs were effective in controlling fungal diseases and improving fruit quality, nutritional value and shelf life. Consumer safety is ensured by HT, but this strategy should always be considered as part of an integrated management of postharvest fungal diseases, since HT alone does not provide complete decay control. The development of time × temperature combination remains the main challenge of HTs, to keep fruit quality and resistance during postharvest stage, even considering the evolution of the effects of agronomical approaches and of the phytosanitary management
A new L-PLA@Croconaine-based all organic composite: selective management of thermophysical properties of L-PLA by a photothermal croconaine-based molecular additive
No full textSelective management of chemico-physical properties of l-polylactic acid (L-PLA) is pivotal to broaden the application range of this polymer. As a thermally and electrically insulating polymer, its application in energy field and electronic instruments requires innovative strategies capable of selectively tune thermal and electrical properties, safeguarding mechanical properties and thermal stability. Here, we propose a molecular approach to selectively enhance thermal conductivity of l-PLA, preserving electrical insulating capacity, by incorporating a benzoindolenine-based croconaine (CR-BI) as functional photothermal additive. l-PLA@CR-BI composite solid layers were prepared via solution casting, by combining different amounts of CR-BI and comprehensively characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), UV–vis and FTIR spectroscopy, electrical, photothermal and thermophysical measurements. l-PLA@CR-BI composites displayed homogeneous coloration and a uniform CR-BI molecular dispersion inner l-PLA, with a molecular-level thermal network resulting in a strong impact on its thermal properties. Remarkably, the inclusion of only 1wt% CR-BI led to an over threefold increase in thermal diffusivity and conductivity compared to neat l-PLA. TGA evidenced a CR-BI-induced enhancement of polymer chain mobility and the formation of new crystalline domains, improving heat transfer and suggesting thermal energy storage applications. Importantly, the electrical insulating nature of l-PLA remained unchanged across all compositions. To the best of our knowledge, this work provides the first demonstration of croconaines as molecular modulators of l-PLA’s chemico-physical properties, enabling selective and efficient enhancement of thermal transport while maintaining electrical insulation- an advance with significant implications for sustainable polymer-based electronic and energy materials
Subjects of Law, Objects of Gaze: Marginalized Bodies Between Legal and Filmic Discourse in the Cinema of Frederick Wiseman
No full textThis paper explores the role of marginalized bodies between legal and filmic discourse in Frederick Wiseman's famous institutional documentaries, focusing on Titicut Follies (1967), Law and Order (1969), Juvenile Court (1973), and Welfare (1975). Drawing primarily on Jacques Ranci & egrave;re's theory of the distribution of the sensible [le partage du sensible], alongside the work of Michel Foucault, the paper argues that legal discourse constructs visibility as a mode of control and dispositive of social recognition/disrecognition - determining who is seen, how they are classified, and whether they can speak. Marginalized bodies - racialized, gendered, and socially excluded subjects - are often made hyper-visible as threats or rendered invisible within procedural abstraction. Wiseman's cinema, in contrast, generates an aesthetic counter-discourse: through slow observation of everyday life, the representation of repetition of legal acts and rites, and a silent staging without voice-over, it reconfigures the field of perception, challenging the semiotic and institutional regimes that structure exclusion and misrecognition. According to Pierre Legendre, his films reveal how law functions not only through rules and procedures, but through images, gestures, and spatial arrangements that encode power. By confronting legal language with cinematic presence, Wiseman's work stages what Ranci & egrave;re calls "aesthetic dissensus" - a disruption of established orders of visibility - offering a mode of critical visual jurisprudence rooted in the politics of perception and the reappearance of marginalized lives
Transcriptional Modulation in Grapevine by a Biostimulant Treatment for Improved Plant Resilience to Stress Events
No full textGrapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a globally significant crop increasingly affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant biostimulants offer a promising approach to enhance plant resilience by modulating key physiological and metabolic processes. This study aimed to demonstrate that the preventive application of a Fabaceae-based biostimulant can prime grapevine defense pathways, thereby improving plants’ ability to endure potential stress conditions. Indeed, resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants involves common pathways, including Ca2+ and ROS signaling, MAPK cascades, hormone cross-talk, transcription factor activation, and induction of defense genes. Grapevine leaves were subjected to high-throughput transcriptomic analysis coupled with qPCR validation 6 and 24 h following treatment application. Differentially expressed genes were visualized using MapMan to identify the major metabolic and signaling pathways responsive to the treatment. This integrative analysis revealed several defense-related pathways triggered by the biostimulant, with representative protein families showing both up- and downregulation across key functional categories. Overall, the results indicate that a wider array of pathways associated with stress tolerance and growth regulation were stimulated in treated plants compared to untreated controls. These findings support the conclusion that a preventive biostimulant application can effectively prime grapevine metabolism, enhancing its preparation to cope with forthcoming environmental challenges
Benefits and Challenges of Small Dams in Mediterranean Climate Region: A Review
No full textIn Mediterranean climate regions, water scarcity, seasonal droughts and hydrological extremes are exacerbated by climate change. In these areas, small dams are increasingly used as decentralized water infrastructure for water supply, especially in agricultural areas. However, several challenges must overcome when planning and managing small reservoirs. This review combines evidence from case studies to analyze the benefits and challenges of small dams. The findings show that small reservoirs may offer a wide array of ecological, agricultural, hydrological, and socio-economic benefits when strategically planned and properly maintained, providing water and contributing to groundwater recharge, vegetative restoration, and biodiversity conservation, while simultaneously controlling flash floods in a cost-effective and participatory manner. On the other hand, evaporation losses and sedimentation may affect water quality and reduce storage capacity. In addition, small dams may negatively affect river ecosystems. Persistent disturbance of downstream flow and sediment regime contributes to altered river morphology and habitat, with effects on biota, and may reduce river system resilience. These impacts are context-dependent, influenced by dam density, geomorphic setting, and climate. Finally, this study highlighted the importance of governance and maintenance practices. Polycentric and participative systems may promote more adaptable responses to water stress, whereas fragmented institutions exacerbate trade-offs between water supply and ecological integrity
Basidiomycetes as Eco-Friendly Biocontrol Agents Against Postharvest Fungal Pathogens
No full textPostharvest losses of fruits and vegetables attributable to phytopathogenic fungi and suboptimal handling practices remain a critical challenge worldwide. Ubiquitous postharvest pathogens, including Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium avenaceum, are responsible for severe decay during both pre-harvest and postharvest stages. Several of these fungi are also capable of producing toxic secondary metabolites, commonly referred to as mycotoxins, posing additional risks to food safety. Disease control strategies have traditionally relied on the extensive application of synthetic fungicides during crop production and storage. Nevertheless, increasing concerns regarding fungicide resistance, environmental sustainability, and consumer health have prompted the search for alternative, eco-compatible disease management approaches. In the present study, basidiomycete strains belonging to the genera Ganoderma, Laetiporus and Fomitopsis, known for their applications in traditional medicine, were morphologically and molecularly characterized and assessed for their biocontrol potential against selected postharvest fungal pathogens. Antagonistic activity was evaluated using both living mycelia and cell-free culture filtrates on different growth media, under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The tested basidiomycetes did not exert any phytotoxic effects on the host fruits and significantly suppressed pathogen growth. Notably, extracellular metabolites present in the basidiomycete culture filtrates exhibited pronounced antifungal activity, leading to a marked reduction in pathogen viability. Furthermore, in vivo assays demonstrated a decreased capacity of the phytopathogens to colonize fruit tissues following treatment. Although validation through large-scale and commercial trials is required, these results indicate that basidiomycetes represent a promising source of biological control agents for the sustainable management of postharvest diseases