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Nitrogen excretion, ammonia, and greenhouse gases emission in Italian heavy pigs: the role of feed in environmental impact mitigation
No full textThis review examined the environmental impact of fattening pigs, with particular focus on the Italian heavy fattening pig, affected by dietary interventions aimed at mitigating nitrogen excretion and gases emission into the atmosphere, maintaining product quality and complying with the regulation frameworks. In the Italian heavy pig supply chain, environmental regulations are often difficult to comply with due to the constraints imposed by PDO. The pig sector is increasingly committed to developing strategies that can effectively mitigate its environmental impacts. In intensive pig farming, emissions of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) can occur in every production phase, from animal housing to manure treatment, management, storage, and up to in-field application. All these phases present key actions to limit emissions of NH3 and GHG, according to Best Available Techniques (BAT) for housing and Best Practices (BP) for manure treatments and management. Nitrogen excretion in manure is another important aspect to consider for its negative effects when applied in Vulnerable Zones with considerable additions of animal waste and synthetic fertilisers. Nutritional strategies can contribute a priori to mitigate nitrogen excretion, NH3 emissions, and overall GHG output in heavy pigs, particularly in Italian PDO ham systems. While these interventions effectively mitigate NH3 and influence manure-related emissions, their impact on total GHG varies depending on diet composition, fibre type, additive combination, and post-excretion treatment
WO3-based electrodes fabricated by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) for coupled hydrogen production and organic pollutant removal
No full textThe integration of green hydrogen production with wastewater treatment is a promising strategy for addressing
the dual challenges of clean energy generation and environmental remediation.
Herein, we propose an innovative class of noble metal (Pt, Pd, Ru, etc.)-free cathodes based on tungsten
trioxide (WO3), fabricated via plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) on affordable aluminum substrates. The PEO
process produced porous, adherent, and compositionally complex coatings of mixed crystalline/amorphous WO3
with embedded W0, providing low-cost and scalable electrodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which
is also effective in water containing organic contaminants. The structural and surface analyses established a clear
structure property relationship, correlating WO3 content and PEO-induced morphology with both hydrogen
evolution and pollutant degradation efficiency, while the electrochemical characterization revealed that both
increased WO3 loading and Zn–Al layered double hydroxide functionalization improved charge transfer and HER
activity. A15W, selected as the best-performing cathode, achieved up to 1 mmol cm 2 H2 generation in acidic
water contaminated with model organic molecules (rhodamine B, gallic acid, and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid),
promoting at the same time pollutants electrooxidation (40-100% abatement depending on the reaction con-
ditions). These findings highlight the potential WO3-based electrodes as promising, low-cost alternatives to Pt for
integrated hydrogen production and wastewater treatment
Animal Dietary Exposure to Methylxanthines through the Inclusion of Former Food Products (FFPs) in Feed
No full textFormer food products (FFPs) are increasingly recognized as sustainable feed ingredients. While nutritionally valuable, FFPs may contain cocoa-based confectionery, which is a source of methylxanthines such as theobromine (TB) and caffeine (CF) and can impact animal health. This study quantified TB and CF concentrations in 12 FFPs using HPLC-UV, evaluated FFP inclusion rates in animals’ diets against European Union (EU) maximum levels (MLs), and dietary exposure against toxicological thresholds. TB levels ranged from 59.6 to 1147.1 μg/g and CF from 9.3 to 118.1 μg/g. All products, except one, complied with EU MLs when included at 30% in the diet (on a dry basis). Modeled animal dietary exposure (ADE) indicated that, in most proposed species, TB intake was below safety thresholds; however, the maximum exposure scenarios in piglets exceeded reported no-observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL). These findings highlight the need for species-specific and production-stage-specific evaluations and accurate quantification of methylxanthines when formulating diets with FFPs
L’IA come campo di ricerca e strumento di inclusione: misure di sostegno ai giovani e allo sport. Commento all’art. 22
No full textIl commento analizza l'art. 22, rubricato “Misure di sostegno ai giovani e allo sport”, della legge 23 settembre 2025, n. 132, intitolata “Disposizioni e deleghe al Governo in materia di intelligenza artificiale”. Sottesa all'articolo in esame v'è una concezione che guarda all'IA sia quale mercato fiorente su cui poter concentrare ricerche e risorse sia quale strumento impiegabile per favorire l’inclusione nel campo dell’istruzione e in quello dello sport, guardando, rispettivamente, agli studenti ad alto potenziale cognitivo e alle persone con disabilità
REPROGRAMMING PROLIFERATION: MOLECULAR STRATEGIES AGAINST GLIOBLASTOMA & BACTERIAL PERSISTENCE
No full textGlioblastoma and bacterial persistence, though biologically distinct, pose a shared clinical challenge due to their resilience against pharmaceutical intervention. Part One of this work aims to address limitations in the treatment of glioblastoma, which currently consists of tumour removal and placement of a solid chemotherapy into the resection cavity. This treatment is undoubtedly flawed due to insufficient surface coverage and the high rate of relapse that follows. Our work aims to develop a new post-operative brain implant containing a Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL) inhibitor. Studies have shown that inhibition of MBL, an activator of the Complement System, can reduce the loss of sensorimotor capabilities after traumatic brain injury or stroke. The exact relation between MBL and glioblastoma tumour progression remains unclear, with different research providing conflicting outcomes. This section reports the optimised half gram synthesis of a multivalent MBL inhibitor for formulation into a hydrogel-based glioblastoma chemotherapy. For the development of more potent inhibitors, the synthesis of a novel multivalent scaffold was developed to better mimic the MBLs native glycans. This therapy has the potential to protect the brain from overstimulation of the Complement System during surgical recovery and to probe the role of MBL in glioblastoma relapse
Part Two investigates the molecular switch of the obscure phenotypic antibiotic resistance, i.e. temporary antibiotic tolerance. These elusive sub-populations called Persisters, can be multidrug tolerant, and often contribute to chronic and recurring infections. Furthermore, bacterial persistence is considered a starting point for genetically antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The main theory behind the switch to a persistent phenotype is the cellular accumulation of the bacterial signalling molecule, guanosine penta- or tetra-phosphate, (p)ppGpp. Concentrations of (p)ppGpp are controlled by the superfamily of RSH (RelA/ SpoT Homologue) proteins, making them potential targets for drug development. A library of anthranilic acid centred compounds were designed via in-silico structure-based design (SBD) to inhibit the synthetase active site of our model RHS protein RelSeq (S. equisimilis). This section discusses the optimised synthesis of key derivatives within the library of deceptively simple compounds. To enable 19F NMR analysis of protein–ligand interactions, we engineered the large multidomain RelSeq using 5-F-Trp labelling. 19F NMR chemical shift perturbation assays were demonstrated as a potential tool to understand the ligands binding site. These insights will support validation of SBD computational methods and optimisation of more potent inhibitors, advancing the goal of reducing chronic infections and limiting antibiotic resistance
Patient self-inflicted lung injury an important phenomenon
No full textPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mechanical ventilation is essential in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF), yet excessive respiratory drive and inspiratory effort may aggravate injury, a phenomenon termed patient self-inflicted lung injury (P-SILI). This review summarizes mechanistic insights, preclinical and clinical evidence, and current strategies to prevent P-SILI while preserving diaphragmatic function. RECENT FINDINGS: Preclinical experimental studies show that vigorous inspiratory efforts amplify pleural pressure swings, regional overdistension, pendelluft, and inflammation, with damage involving both lung and diaphragm. positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can homogenize ventilation, reduce strain-rate, and protect diaphragmatic mechanics, whereas uncontrolled effort worsens outcomes. Clinical investigations confirm that high drive and effort increase total lung stress despite protective tidal volumes and are linked to mortality, ventilator dependence, and complications such as pneumomediastinum. Emerging approaches include titrated pressure support and sedation and ventilatory assistance, neuromuscular blockade, phrenic nerve block, pharmacological drive modulation, prone positioning, and extracorporeal CO 2 removal. Strategies aimed at preserving diaphragm activity, such as electrical phrenic stimulation or inspiratory muscle training, further broaden protective options. SUMMARY: P-SILI arises when excessive inspiratory effort translates into injurious lung and diaphragm stress. Preventive strategies should not abolish but shape effort, integrating ventilatory settings, sedation, and drive-modulating interventions across the continuum from the acute phase to weaning and rehabilitation
THE ADAPTIVE POTENTIAL OF A MULTIDOMAIN SYSTEM: FUNCTIONAL, COGNITIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS FROM AN INTERVENTION STUDY ON PRE-FRAIL OLDER ADULTS.
No full textBackground: Frailty and Intrinsic Capacity (IC) are often conceptualized as distinct constructs in ageing research, yet both likely emerge from interactions among cognitive, physiological, psychological, and functional domains. This thesis examined Frailty and IC as features of a dynamic, multi-domain system and tested whether a personalized dual-task exergame intervention could strengthen adaptive reserves in pre-frail older adults.
Methods: PRAISE is a monocentric, randomized, two-arm pilot trial enrolling community-dwelling older adults in the pre-frailty range. Participants were randomized to a 12-month personalized dual-task exergame intervention or to a control group receiving good-practice advice. Assessments at baseline and follow-up included Frailty Index, IC composites, dual-task neuropsychological measures, actigraphy registration, and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. Correlation, clustering, and network analyses characterized system organization, while longitudinal mixed-effects models tested group × time effects.
Results: Frailty and IC emerged as embedded nodes within a dynamic multi-domain architecture whose topology varied according to physiological and functional states. The intervention significantly reduced Frailty (primary outcome), improved global cognition and dual-task inhibitory control, and enhanced lower-limb function. Clustering and subject-level analyses on a restricted HRV sample further identified a distinct community linking cognitive and dual-task measures with ΔHRV reactivity parameters, which functioned as central bridging nodes. Greater gains in ΔLFnu were associated with poorer cognitive and dual-task performance. Inspection of spectral components demonstrated that this index reflected parasympathetic withdrawal rather than increased absolute low-frequency power. Expressed as a relative shift in high-frequency power (ΔHF%), this parameter may capture a “neurovegetative cost” of cognitive challenge, an autonomic analogue of dual-task cost, highlighting how adaptive resources are allocated under load.
Conclusions: This work provides empirical evidence that a personalized dual-task intervention can induce coherent multi-domain improvements and offers a conceptual systems-based framework for ageing. Preserving independence in later life appears to depend not on isolated domains, but on strengthening adaptive interactions across cognitive, autonomic, and functional subsystems
Search for Beyond the Standard Model physics with anomaly detection in multilepton final states in pp collisions at with the ATLAS detector [Search for Beyond the Standard Model physics with anomaly detection in multilepton final states in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector]
No full textA model-agnostic search for Beyond the Standard Model physics is presented, targeting final states with at least four light leptons (electrons or muons). The search regions are separated by event topology and unsupervised machine learning is used to identify anomalous events in the full 140 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector during Run 2. No significant excess above the Standard Model background expectation is observed. Model-agnostic limits are presented in each topology, along with limits on several benchmark models including vector-like leptons, wino-like charginos and neutralinos, or smuons. Limits are set on the flavourful vector-like lepton model for the first time
Wooden reels for adults: a psychosocial analysis of griefbots
No full textThe current vertiginous rise of artificial intelligence has opened up new opportunities for digital immortality. In this paper, I critically examine griefbots—AI-driven chatbots built to chat again with deceased loved ones. Drawing on Freud, I argue for interpreting griefbots as “melancholic” media. The framework of my analysis is psychosocial and aims to unravel the complex—technological and psychological—interplay between griefbots and their users. After a first section dedicated to griefbots’ paradoxical sense of familiarity—both “hyperrealist” and incomplete—I locate the origins of their “melancholia” in their nature as digital objects, utilising the concept of the “digital ruin”, and in their usage of “traces”, only apparently similar to photography. Then, comparing griefbots to Winnicott’s transitional objects, I explain the psychological meaning of melancholia: a denial of loss that amplifies loss. Ultimately, I address griefbots as elements of a contemporary media-based “immune system” that risks turning itself into “autoimmunity”
L’accesso alla professione forense: il progetto di riforma italiano e i modelli stranieri
No full textIl recente disegno di legge n. 2629 recante «Delega al Governo per la riforma dell’ordinamento forense», presentato il 26 settembre 2025 dal Ministro della Giustizia alla Camera dei Deputati, contempla – tra gli altri aspetti degni di interesse – anche alcune disposizioni in materia di accesso alla professione di avvocato. Il presente contributo, cogliendo l’occasione offerta da questo d.d.l., vuole innanzitutto soffermarsi sullo stato dell’arte del c.d. “praticantato” e dell’esame di avvocato, mostrando innanzitutto alcuni dati statistici. Passeremo poi all’esame della disciplina attuale dell’accesso alla professione forense. Analizzeremo quindi la proposta di riforma contenuta nel citato d.d.l., che sembra cristallizzare (se non ulteriormente irrigidire) lo status quo del tirocinio e dei corsi di formazione. Metteremo poi in evidenza alcune questioni problematiche che forse meriterebbero di essere affrontate dal legislatore. Infine, allargheremo lo sguardo al di là dei nostri confini, mettendo a confronto la situazione italiana – e la proposta di riforma in commento – con le esperienze di Francia, Germania, Inghilterra e Stati Uniti