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Regenerative Organic Agriculture and Human Health: The Interconnection Between Soil, Food Quality, and Nutrition
No full textRegenerative organic agriculture (ROA) combines ecological and organic principles to promote soil health, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability. This narrative review explores the connection between soil quality, food nutritional value, and human health, highlighting how ROA can enhance phytochemical content and reduce harmful residues in plant-based foods. Empirical studies report increases in vitamin C, zinc, and polyphenols in crops such as leafy greens, grapes, and carrots grown under regenerative systems, along with reductions in nitrates and pesticide residues. We summarize recent literature (2000–2025) that links soil-driven improvements in food composition to antioxidant activity and potential health benefits. By addressing current research gaps, this review supports the role of ROA in building resilient food systems and preventing chronic disease
La strada da spazio funzionale a spazio pubblico: co-progettazione di viale della Vittoria di Jesi (AN)
No full textLa discrepanza tra l'eredità della città moderna, che considerava le strade come spazi per il traffico automobilistico veloce, e gli imperativi odierni influenzati dai cambiamenti degli stili di vita legati alla pandemia, dalle preoccupazioni ambientali e dai cambiamenti climatici, richiede una rivalutazione della funzione delle strade come spazi per la vita sociale delle persone. È necessario ripensare questa infrastruttura, non solo in termini di mobilità, ma anche come spazio pubblico in cui si organizza la vita collettiva (Capuano, 2020). Allo stesso tempo, le pratiche di Open Government e il coinvolgimento del pubblico (Lovari, Ducci, 2022) – sempre più centrali per l'innovazione nella pubblica amministrazione – insieme alla cittadinanza attiva e alla crescente voce della società sul diritto alla città (Lefebvre, 1968; Harvey, 2013), soprattutto in termini di qualità della vita, rendono l'approccio partecipativo e di co-progettazione essenziale per la rigenerazione pubblica della città (Cia, Crivello, Mela, 2020; Antonucci, Sorice, Volterrani, 2024).
In questo contesto, il caso di viale della Vittoria nella città di Jesi (AN), nelle Marche, emerge come paradigmatico. Pur essendo di natura specifica, rappresenta processi e condizioni ricorrenti nel panorama nazionale e internazionale. Questo tratto stradale di 1,5 chilometri, originariamente concepito negli anni '20 come un ampio viale urbano alberato e simbolo della modernizzazione della piccola città, ora funge da collegamento primario tra il nucleo urbano e la zona industriale. L'arteria è utilizzata prevalentemente per il transito veicolare, con conseguente creazione di un ambiente poco favorevole al benessere dei suoi abitanti. Sebbene il piano urbanistico prevalente continui a designarlo come viale urbano, il Piano Urbano della Mobilità Sostenibile (PUMS) lo ha reinterpretato come strada ad alta velocità. Di fronte a questa evidente contraddizione, è emerso un vigoroso discorso nella sfera pubblica (Habermas, 2023; Boccia Artieri, 2012), che ha spinto l'amministrazione comunale ad avviare un processo partecipativo volto alla rigenerazione urbana e alla rivendicazione di uno spazio identitario per la comunità. È stato lanciato un appello a cittadini, attori sociali e stakeholder affinché si impegnino in un processo di riflessione sulle opportunità e sui limiti insiti in una trasformazione che deve necessariamente bilanciare una gamma di esigenze e aspettative.
Questo contributo delinea la metodologia alla base del processo di progettazione partecipata e collaborativa del viale di Jesi, sviluppato utilizzando l'approccio del Design Inking (Brown, 2008). Sottolinea un potenziale approccio per la riprogettazione di un "grande spazio all'aperto" (Rudofsky, 1981), che coinvolge i cittadini in tutte le fasi del processo di progettazione e coltiva l'empowerment della comunità riguardo a nuove interpretazioni ed esperienze dello spazio stradale. Il caso di studio sottolinea ulteriormente il ruolo fondamentale dell'università nella formulazione di strategie e approcci scientifici multidisciplinari e indispensabili per lo sviluppo di processi realmente partecipativi, quanto più efficaci, fattibili e auspicabili possibile.The discrepancy between the legacy of the modern city, which considered streets as spaces for fast-moving car traffic, and today's imperatives, influenced by pandemic-related lifestyle changes, environmental concerns, and climate change, calls for a reevaluation of the function of streets as spaces for people's social life. This infrastructure must be rethought not only in terms of mobility, but also as a public space where collective life is organized (Capuano, 2020). At the same time, open government practices and public engagement (Lovari-Ducci, 2022)—increasingly central to innovation in public administration—along with active citizenship and the growing voice of society on the right to the city (Lefebvre, 1968; Harvey, 2013), especially in terms of quality of life, make participatory and co-design approaches essential to the public regeneration of the city (Cia, Crivello, Mela, 2020; Antonucci, Sorice, Volterrani, 2024).
In this context, the case of Viale della Vittoria in the city of Jesi (AN), in the Marche region, stands out as paradigmatic. Despite its specific nature, it represents recurring processes and conditions across the national and international landscape. This 1.5-kilometer stretch of road, originally conceived in the 1920s as a wide, tree-lined urban boulevard and a symbol of the modernization of the small town, now serves as the primary connection between the urban core and the industrial area. The thoroughfare is used primarily for vehicular traffic, resulting in an environment unfavorable to the well-being of its residents. Although the prevailing urban plan continues to designate it as an urban boulevard, the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) has reinterpreted it as a high-speed road. Faced with this apparent contradiction, a vigorous public discourse has emerged (Habermas, 2023; Boccia Artieri, 2012), which has prompted the municipal administration to initiate a participatory process aimed at urban regeneration and the reclamation of a space for the community's identity. A call has been launched to citizens, social actors, and stakeholders to engage in a process of reflection on the opportunities and limitations inherent in a transformation that must necessarily balance a range of needs and expectations.
This paper outlines the methodology underlying the participatory and collaborative design process for the Jesi avenue, developed using the Design Inking approach (Brown, 2008). It highlights a potential approach for the redesign of a "large open space" (Rudofsky, 1981), involving citizens in all phases of the design process and cultivating community empowerment regarding new interpretations and experiences of street space. The case study further emphasizes the fundamental role of the university in formulating multidisciplinary scientific strategies and approaches that are essential for developing truly participatory processes that are as effective, feasible, and desirable as possible
Efficacy of a bacterial bedding conditioner in the reduction of footpad lesions in broilers
No full textFootpad dermatitis is a multifactorial condition that affects broiler welfare. We aimed
to evaluate whether a bacterial compound sprinkled on the litter could have a
positive effect on the formation of footpad lesions (FPL), a trial was conducted
under productive conditions. A total of 89,200 Ross308 chickens (39 ± 3 g) were
housed in two sheds (C, control; T, treated). Females were housed in the first
part of each shed, and males in the second and third part. A bacterial bedding
conditioner was applied in T, while no treatments were carried out in C. Females
were slaughtered at 36d (T: 1528 ± 195 g; C: 1562 ± 188 g) and males utilized
the whole space until 43d (T: 2696 ± 296 g; C: 2737 ± 364 g). At 20d and before
capture, 30 birds living in each part of the shed were randomly selected and, from
both pads, the perimeter shape of each lesion was recorded, and the FPL area
was measured. Litter was sampled at the same timepoints, for bacteriological and
mycological culture, and chemical analysis. At slaughtering, 12 legs for females and
12 for males, both C and T, were randomly selected for histological examination.
At day 20, FPL were not observed in birds. At 36 days, lesions measured in T
(0.57 ± 0.08 cm2) were significantly lower than in C (1.47 ± 0.14 cm2; p < 0.0001).
At 44d, lesions measured in T (0.65 ± 0.18 cm2) were significantly lower than
in C (1.76 ± 0.34 cm2; p = 0.049). In litter collected in T, a significant reduction
was observed for Gram negative bacteria (p = 0.0015) and Staphylococcus spp.
(p = 0.0386), particularly in the second part of the shed (p = 0.0098, p = 0.0131
respectively). Regarding FPL, birds farmed in T showed a total histological score
significantly lower than in C (p = 0.0002), more specifically for males (p < 0.0001).
The use of the compound positively affected width and severity of FPL, supported
by bacteriological analysis that evidenced a reduction of the total charge of
bacteria commonly involved in the disease
DNA aptamer AptERA 2 targets ERA from Staphylococcus aureus and limits GTP hydrolysis
No full textRibosome assembly is a multistep process that ensures a functional ribosome structure. The molecular mechanism that ribosomeassociated GTPases (RAGTPases) use to enhance ribosome assembly accuracy remains largely to be elucidated. Here, we use systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), followed by sequencing, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, and biochemical characterization to identify aptamers that target the RA-GTPase ERA of Staphylococcus aureus. ELONA and thermophoresis assays show that the AptERA 2 interaction with ERA is in the 200 nM range of affinity, displays a high level of specificity, and depends on the target structure. Docking to ERA suggests that AptERA 2 interacts with the protein’s KH domain, consistent with the aptamer’s similarities with helix 45 of the 16S rRNA. AptERA 2 did interact with the isolated KH domain but did not bind to the ∆KH ERA nor to the similar RA-GTPase RbgA, which shares the GTPase core but lacks the KH domain, confirming that the aptamer recognizes and binds the KH domain of ERA. This interaction leads to a significant reduction of 30S-dependent GTP hydrolysis, indicative of allosteric modulation of the enzyme activity or limiting ERA binding or the KH domain interaction with the 3’ end of the 16S rRNA rather than directly blocking GTP binding. Altogether, this work highlights the versatility of aptamers as tools to understand the complex processes of ribosome biogenesis further, offering new insights into bacterial protein synthesis mechanisms
Harnessing natural feed additives for sustainable production and economics: the role of Thymus vulgaris L. oil as an antimicrobial agent and a growth promoter in improving production and health of broiler chickens
No full textIntroduction: This study examined the effects of adding thyme oil (TO) to broiler
diets on growth performance, intestinal health, immune organ indices, blood
biochemical parameters, and economic feasibility.
Methods: In a completely randomized block design, five groups of 1-day-old
broiler chicks (n=300) with five replicates, each consisting of 12 chicks, were
used. A basal diet (BD) was supplied to the control group, whereas the other
groups received BD supplemented with 75, 150, 225, and 300 mg/kg of TO.
Results and discussion: The findings indicated that TO improved final body
weight (BW), total body weight gain (BWG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR),
without affecting feed intake (FI). Groups fed 150, 225, and 300 mg/kg of TO
showed higher levels of digestive enzymes (P<0.05) than the control.
Supplementation with TO elevated immune organ indices, with statistical
significance (P<0.05) noted in birds receiving 150, 225, and 300 mg TO/kg for
the spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius indices, compared with the control
group. Moreover, total protein, globulin, immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG), and
complement component 3 were significantly (P<0.05) higher by TO at 150, 225,
and 300 mg/kg than at 0 and 75 mg/kg. Blood Ca and Mg were significantly
(P<0.05) increased by the application of 150, 225, and 300 mg TO/kg, whereas
the Fe level rose (P<0.05) by 75 and 150 mg/kg compared with the control. TO at
150, 225, and 300 mg/kg increased hemoglobin (Hb), counts of white blood cells
(WBCs), and red blood cells (RBCs) compared with the control. The application of
TO decreased (P<0.05) aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in a dosedependent
manner. Creatinine and urea levels were significantly decreased by TO at 225 and 300 mg/kg compared with the control. Lipid peroxidation was
significantly (P<0.05) decreased by TO supplementation (150, 225, and 300 mg/
kg), whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC),
catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly increased by
the application of 150, 225, and 300 mg TO/kg compared with the control. Lower
levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very
low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were observed at 75, 150, 225, and 300 mg TO/kg
compared with 0 mg/kg. In comparison, higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
levels were observed for 225 and 300 mg of TO/kg compared with the control.
The net revenue and economic efficiency of TO-supplemented treated broilers
were improved during the experiment (1–6 weeks of age). The best values of
economic indices were observed in the group receiving 150 mg/kg of TO.
Collectively, supplementation with dietary TO enhanced growth performance,
intestinal health, immune system development and function, liver and kidney
function, and antioxidant capacity, regulated the lipid profile, and improved
economic feasibility
Revocatoria fallimentare e amministrazione straordinaria: il rapporto tra l’art. 49, D.Lgs. n. 270/1999 e l’art. 69-bis l.fall. al vaglio della Suprema Corte
No full textIl lavoro esamina la sentenza della Cassazione civile n. 7056/2025, la quale torna sulla questione relativa al termine per la proposizione dell’azione revocatoria fallimentare nella procedura di amministrazione straordinaria delle grandi imprese insolventi affermando l’inapplicabilità dell’art. 69-bis l.fall. alla procedura concorsuale speciale. L’Autrice esprime alcune perplessità sulla motivazione della sentenza, svolgendo alcune riflessioni sul rapporto tra l'art. 49 d.lgs. n. 270/1999 e l'art. 69-bis l. fall
Machina mundi. Per una regolazione democratica dei poteri digitali
No full textCosa resta delle democrazie costituzionali quando l’esistenza umana viene digitalizzata, datificata e governata dagli algoritmi delle grandi società tecnologiche? Com’è possibile recuperare un controllo effettivo sui poteri digitali che oggi plasmano la società, attraverso internet e i sistemi di “intelligenza artificiale”? Il volume cerca di rispondere a queste domande, che faticano a trovare spazio nel dibattito pubblico.
Nell’epoca della Machina mundi, in cui i mondi umani sono colonizzati da pratiche pervasive di sorveglianza ed estrazione di valore, è necessario che il popolo della rete prenda coscienza di sé ed entri in conflitto coi grandi della rete, se vuole tornare a decidere liberamente del proprio futuro.
Nell’emancipazione dalle nuove oligarchie il diritto può svolgere un ruolo strategico, a patto di decostruire la narrazione della rivoluzione digitale capitalistica come destino ineluttabile e sviluppare una teoria critica dell’informatica giuridica fondata su un nuovo costituzionalismo democratico: solo una regolazione orientata alla piena attuazione dei diritti digitali di tutte e tutti può contrastare l’attuale deriva tecno-totalitaria, il consumo insostenibile delle risorse naturali e la corsa alle nuove armi “intelligenti”
A Semantic Classification Approach for the Aachen Cathedral.
No full textThis paper presents a semantic classification workflow applied to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aachen Cathedral, integrating 3D survey data and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. The research focuses on the Westwerk area and combines Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and photogrammetric point clouds for material and construction technique identification. A hybrid approach was adopted: 3D geometry-based classification using supervised algorithms (Random Forest) and 2D image segmentation via META’s Segment Anything Model (SAM). The 3D method proved suitable for distinguishing features with strong morphological differentiation, while the 2D approach was more effective for visually subtle or geometrically similar elements. Annotated 2D masks were projected onto the 3D model to improve classification reliability.
The study demonstrates the potential of integrating spatial and radiometric data for scalable, semi-automatic classification of historic masonry. Results contribute to the development of enriched, semantically annotated 3D datasets supporting documentation, conservation planning, and future research on complex heritage sites
Soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions in grasslands: Is more always better?
No full textGiven the biodiversity crisis, research on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) has grown rapidly. While a positive BEF relationship is often reported, whether it holds across different soils with distinct soil and plant communities remains understudied. Here, we conducted a greenhouse experiment containing five experimental grassland systems representing different (semi)natural grasslands. Each grassland system contained four biodiversity levels established by sequential filtering of the field soil community by size, creating a gradient in their presence, richness and thus community completeness. We found that shoot biomass remained unaffected by treatments. However, consistent with expectations of a positive BEF relationship, nitrification potential and microbial nitrogen content generally increased with biodiversity increase, whereas the relative abundance of predatory/parasitic bacteria decreased. On the contrary, high soil biodiversity led to a decrease in plant nitrogen content and soil urea degradation potential, suggesting that soil biodiversity may influence competition for nitrogen between plants and microbes. Moreover, while microbial biomass carbon was promoted by soil biodiversity in relatively fertile grassland soils and root biomass was unaffected, they were both reduced in poorer soils. These findings highlight that soil biodiversity may promote certain grassland functions but suppress others and that the direction of these trade-offs may depend on the soil characteristics or the biotic community it harbours. The conservation and management of soil biodiversity thus need to be evaluated in the context of the functions that are to be maximised and the grassland soil context
