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Cessione del credito ed eccezioni opponibili dal debitore ceduto : Il regime di opponibilità delle eccezioni, l’orientamento della giurisprudenza, il principio di vicinanza della prova e le sue implicazioni
No full textPlaying VR against itself : Immersive environments between hypermediation and remediation
No full textThis study investigates the paradoxical dynamics of empathy, illusion, and self-reflexivity within contemporary virtual reality (VR) storytelling. After outlining the ideological and technological premises that have led many artists and filmmakers to conceive of VR as an ›empathy machine‹, the essay questions this assumption by highlighting the structural contradictions inherent in immersive media. The first section analyses the affective and ideological implications of empathy-oriented VR projects, showing how their apparent immediacy conceals deeply mediated frameworks. The second and third sections then turn to two case studies – Michał Stankiewicz’s "Wish You Were Here" and John Hsu and Marco Lococo’s "Great Hoax: The Moon Landing" – that deliberately challenge the rhetoric of transparency by exposing, respectively, the illusion of immersion and the instability of authenticity. Through these analyses, the article proposes that VR’s artistic and critical potential lies not in its capacity to simulate presence or evoke compassion, but in its ability to reveal its own mediological and performative construction. In this way, the essay contributes to reframing the debate on immersive media from a rhetoric of empathy and immediacy to one of awareness, opacity, and creative reflexivity
Cross-Generational Validation of a Feedforward Neural Network for Milk Yield Prediction in Dairy Cattle
No full textAdvancements in precision livestock farming and machine learning have expanded the use
of data-driven approaches for milk yield forecasting. In this study, a previously developed
feedforward neural network (FFNN) model using genomic breeding values, parity, days in
milk, month of calving, and age at calving as predictors was validated across one generation
of Holstein cows. Specifically, the model was evaluated in first-parity daughters of the
animals included in the original training population. Predictive performance was assessed
on 228 lactation curves comprising 67,010 daily observations using a train–cross-validation–
held-out test framework. On the test set, the model achieved a daily root mean squared
error (RMSE) of 5.98 kg/day, with a Pearson correlation of 0.64. Sensitivity analyses were
conducted by systematically shifting calving month and age (±1 to ±4 months) while
holding other predictors constant. Simulated scenarios suggested increased predicted milk
yield with later calving ages; however, these results reflect the structure of the training data
rather than prescriptive management recommendations. While the FFNN provides robust
milk yield predictions, its practical application for calving strategy decisions should be
integrated with economic and reproductive considerations. Overall, the findings support
the generational robustness of FFNN-based milk yield forecasting within the studied herd
THE PLURALISM OF MODES OF EXISTENCE: ONTOLOGY AND GENEALOGY
No full textThis thesis has two objectives: to reconstruct the genealogy of the concept of “mode of existence,” which occupies a central position in contemporary philosophical debate, both continental and analytical; and to discuss the conceptions of modes of existence developed by different authors. The first part outlines an approach called “existential ontology,” proposed as a replacement for Husserl's formal ontology once the residues of univocity are renounced and the multifariousness of being is accepted, which should allow for a comparison of the concepts of “mode of existence” proposed by the authors examined. The second part provides a general framework for interpreting the genealogy of these concepts, based on the distinction between three traditions that have conceptualized the question of modes of existence: the analytical tradition (born out of the debate between Meinong and Russell); the phenomenological tradition (originating from Husserl); and the speculative tradition (whose origin can be traced back to the early 1900s debate between William James and F.H. Bradley).The third part of the thesis follows this latter tradition, examining its developments in French philosophy, with chapters devoted to Étienne Souriau, Gilbert Simondon, and Bruno Latour, as well as Gilles Deleuze, examined as the “nemesis” of speculative philosophies of modes of existence as the major speculative proponent of the univocity of being. The conclusion summarizes the positive proposal on how to understand the concept of “mode of existence” that has emerged from these analyses, completing the formal framework that should pave the way for discussion on particular modes of existence
Peptidomimetics Inspired by α-Synuclein or Its Chaperone αB-Crystallin Differentially Modulate α-Synuclein Aggregation
No full textAggregation of the α-Synuclein (αSyn) protein in neurons is responsible for synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s disease. In healthy cells, αSyn is primarily present as monomers. Under pathological conditions, oligomers and fibrils are formed, leading to neuronal toxicity and death. No treatment prevents fatal synucleinopathies. We designed small peptidomimetics based on the structure of αSyn aggregates and on its chaperone protein αB-Crystallin. Interestingly, a relationship between the impact of peptidomimetics on the αSyn aggregation process, their sequences, and secondary conformation has been evidenced. In vitro and in cellular assays demonstrated that one compound based on αB-Crystallin was able to interfere with αSyn folding and aggregation by reducing the formation of oligomers and promoting off-pathway aggregation. The demonstration that physiological chaperone proteins can be mimicked by small peptide derivatives paves the way for new strategies to design inhibitors of amyloid protein aggregation, a hallmark of around 50 neurodegenerative and systemic amyloid diseases
Anthropic geomorphology in high-altitude Alpine settings: A multitemporal assessment
No full textHigh-mountain landscapes are particularly sensitive to human-induced modifications, which
increasingly interact with natural geomorphic processes and contribute to the reconfiguration of
slopes, sediment dynamics, and hydrological systems. In many cases, these transformations are not
exclusively recent, but have a longer history linked to infrastructure development, tourism, and
legacy land use.
This study focuses on selected sites in the Central Italian Alps—Cancano, Livigno, Stelvio Pass, and
Cervinia—where the geomorphological imprint of human activity is evident across different temporal
scales. Through the integration of remote sensing, historical aerial photography, archival research,
and detailed field surveys, we reconstruct the evolution of anthropogenic impacts in high-altitude
settings.
In the Cancano basin, early 20th-century dam construction altered fluvial morphodynamics and
disrupted sediment connectivity. At Livigno and Stelvio, the expansion of ski resorts and related
infrastructure since the 1950s has reshaped slope profiles, enhanced runoff, and triggered erosion
and instability, particularly in paraglacial and periglacial environments. The Stelvio area also retains
evidence of World War I engineering works—trenches, craters, and access roads—that continue to
influence geomorphic responses.
In Cervinia, the interaction between the retreating glacier and the expanding touristic infrastructure
provides a paradigmatic case of human–glacier co-evolution, with implications for slope stability,
hydrological reorganization, and hazard exposure.
These examples, developed within the GEOTRes project (PRIN 2022), underscore the value of
diachronic and multiscale approaches in assessing anthropogenic geomorphology. They contribute to
a broader understanding of long-term human–landscape interactions and their relevance for
contemporary landscape management in alpine environments affected by ongoing climate change
Cyclase-associated protein 2 gene delivery: A potential multi-target approach for preventing synaptic failure in Alzheimer’s disease
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is marked by synaptic failure, with actin cytoskeleton alterations playing a key role in its pathogenesis. Cofilin, a regulator of actin dynamics in dendritic spines, forms cofilin-actin rods upon exposure to amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers, contributing to synaptic loss. Cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2) is crucial for regulating cofilin activity. During long-term potentiation, CAP2 dimerization is relevant for cofilin translocation to spines required for spine remodeling. In AD, CAP2 is downregulated, thus disrupting synaptic CAP2/cofilin complexes. To investigate the neuroprotective potential of CAP2 overexpression in preventing Aβ-induced synaptic dysfunction, we used adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV) gene delivery to elevate CAP2 levels in APP/PS1 mice—a model of amyloid pathology—starting from the asymptomatic stage. APP/PS1 animals received bilateral stereotaxic injection of either AAV expressing CAP2 or a control AAV. This approach preserved synaptic CAP2/cofilin interaction, maintained synaptic plasticity pathways, and sustained cognitive function. CAP2 overexpression reduced cofilin-actin rod formation and mitigated tau abnormalities. Notably, CAP2 is present in cofilin-actin rods, and its dimerization is required to prevent Aβ-driven synaptic loss but not to protect neurons from rod formation. These findings highlight CAP2 upregulation as a promising strategy to enhance neuronal resilience and counteract Aβ synaptic toxicity in AD
Dietary (poly)phenols as modulators of natural killer cell function and immunosenescence: From molecular pathways to clinical evidence
No full textBackground: Aging is characterized by immunosenescence, involving the decline of Natural Killer (NK) cell function and persistent low-grade inflammation, increasing susceptibility to age-related diseases. Dietary poly-phenols have emerged as potential agents to mitigate this decline and enhance immune responses. Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on the capacity of dietary polyphenols to modulate Natural Killer (NK) cell plasticity and counteract immunosenescence, offering insights into their potential as therapeutic interventions for healthy aging. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, studies investigating NK cells in human, animal, or in vitro aging models, with interventions involving polyphenols or plant extracts, and reporting outcomes such as NK cytotoxicity, cytokine production, senescence markers, or inflammation, were included. Non-English, non-primary research, or studies lacking data on polyphenol-NK interactions were excluded. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library from 2010 to June 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using SYRCLE's tool for preclinical studies, Cochrane RoB 2 for clinical trials, and standardized protocols for in vitro studies. Results: 19 studies were included for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Findings consistently demonstrate that various polyphenols (e.g., resveratrol, verbenalin, catechins, quercetin, polyphenol-rich blueberry extracts) enhance NK cell activation and cytotoxicity, modulate T cell subsets, and improve innate immune functions like phagocytosis and chemotaxis across in vitro, animal, and human models. While in vitro studies generally exhibited a low risk of bias, most in vivo studies were classified with "some concerns" due to reporting limitations in their methodology. Conclusion: Polyphenols exhibit significant dose-and context-dependent immunomodulatory roles, particularly in enhancing NK cell function and mitigating immunosenescence. While preclinical data are promising, further clinical trials addressing bioavailability challenges and interindividual variability are crucial to translating these findings into effective and personalized dietary and therapeutic strategies for promoting immune health in aging populations
Clinical and biochemical evaluation of children with short stature in the primary care setting: a systematic review
No full textShort stature is a frequent reason for pediatric referral, yet clear diagnostic criteria remain elusive. Variability in clinical definitions, reference growth charts, and laboratory screening tests complicates the evaluation of affected children. This systematic review aimed to analyze the diagnostic approaches used in clinical and biochemical assessments of short stature in children in the primary care setting. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251002215). Two independent literature searches were performed to address two domains: clinical and biochemical assessment. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and risk of bias was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tools. All procedures were conducted by independent reviewers, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus or through a third reviewer. A total of 424 studies were included, 35 in the clinical and 7 in the biochemical domain. Definitions of short stature considered in the studies varied considerably: 28 studies used a threshold of < 2 standard deviation score, while 19 applied percentile-based cut-offs (mostly the 3rd percentile); 8 studies considered both definitions, 3 studies do not report any definition. Growth velocity and target height were rarely used, despite their diagnostic value. Local growth charts were employed when available; otherwise, WHO and CDC references were most used. Laboratory assessments also varied greatly, with complete blood count and urine/stool analyses commonly performed, while thyroid function and celiac disease screening were inconsistently applied. There is substantial heterogeneity in the clinical and biochemical evaluation of children with short stature across studies. This reflects the absence of universally accepted diagnostic criteria and standardized screening protocols. These findings emphasize the need for internationally accepted, evidence-based guidelines to improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical management of children with short stature