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Surface treatments and coatings of hybrid glass ionomer cement to improve mechanical and physical properties
No full textThis in vitro study evaluated the flexural strength, fluoride release, water sorption, and solubility of a high-viscosity hybrid glass ionomer cement (HVGIC, Equia Forte HT, GC Europe) over 28 days following six surface treatments: Equia Forte Coat (light-cured, 20s), bonding agent (Clearfil SE Universal Bond, 20s), light-curing alone as thermal treatment (20s or 60s), petroleum jelly, and untreated control. Specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37 °C. Flexural strength (three-point bend test, ISO 4049:2019) and fluoride release were assessed at 24, 48, 96 h and 28 days. Sorption and solubility were measured at 28 days. Statistical analysis included bivariate tests, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, Tukey's post-hoc, and Weibull regression.Proprietary coat and bonding agent reached the minimum required strength (MRS = 80 MPa) fastest (< 2 days), followed by petroleum jelly (2.5 days), 60s light curing (3 days), 20s (4 days), and control (5.5 days). Control showed the highest fluoride release initially, while at 28 days, 60s light-curing released the most fluoride. Proprietary coat and bonding agent showed minimal release. No significant differences in water sorption or solubility were found.These findings suggest that specific coatings or prolonged light curing can improve HVGIC performance and longevity of restorations
Prophetic Machines : Algorithmic Media as Late-Capitalism Divination
No full textThis essay addresses algorithmic media through the conceptual lens of divination, arguing that artificial intelligence today functions as a prophetic technology and can be understood as the divinatory practice of the fourth industrial revolution. It examines the predictive logic that defines algorithmic systems, not only in applications such as behavioural targeting, user recommendation, or decisionmaking, but in their fundamental operationality which consists in generating datadriven forecasts based on probabilistic models. The analysis situates this predictive logic within a broader media ecology structured by pre-emption, premediation, and feed-forward dynamics, showing how an anticipatory attitude shapes both technological infrastructures and affective-cultural orientations. It contends that the probabilistic modelling enacted by AI systems not only echoes long-standing practices of foresight but also underpins the foundations of modern science and informs contemporary neuroscientific conceptions of the mind and of human beings as forwardlooking agents. By reframing AI as a predictive technology, the essay foregrounds the epistemological and political implications of algorithmic technocultures, raising critical concerns about howalgorithmic foresight risks foreclosing futurity itself, and calling for the cultivation of fortune-telling competences
Il classamento facoltativo dei soci negli strumenti di regolazione della crisi e dell'insolvenza
No full textIl presente contributo analizza alcune delle questioni che pone l’istituto del classamento
facoltativo dei soci di cui all’art. 120 ter, co. 1, c.c.i.i. Prendendo le mosse dalla disciplina contenuta
nella Direttiva UE n. 2019/1023, il lavoro cerca di individuare il fondamento e la funzione di un tale
avanzamento della posizione dei soci nell’ambito degli strumenti di regolazione della crisi e dell’insolvenza. Alcune specifiche considerazioni sono poi dedicate alle regole di formazione delle classi di
soci e all’incidenza del voto di tali classi ai fini dell’approvazione del concordato preventivo in continuità.The paper examines some issues arising from the voluntary formation of shareholders’ classes as provided for in Article 120 ter, paragraph 1, of the Italian Crisis and Insolvency Code. Starting
from the framework established by the Directive (EU) n. 2019/1023, the article seeks to identify the
legal basis and function of such enhancement of shareholders’ position within the crisis and insolvency
regulation instruments. Specific attention is devoted to the rules governing the formation of shareholders’ classes and the influence of these classes’ votes on the approval of the arrangement with business
continuity
PVD COATING TREATMENT TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY MANUFACTURING SYSTEM
No full textModern industries face critical challenges of wear, corrosion, and short component lifetimes, all of which impose high environmental and economic costs. Sustainable coating solutions are therefore required to enhance durability while reducing waste and energy consumption. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) offers an eco-friendly approach, and in recent years high entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as promising candidates for protective coatings due to their exceptional mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties. However, limited work has been devoted to understanding the combined influence of substrate temperature and nitrogen incorporation on the microstructure and performance of HEA coatings. In particular, TiVNbMoAl-based coatings and their nitrides (TiVNbMoAl)N have not yet been explored, underscoring the novelty and significance of the present study. This work investigates the synthesis, structure, and properties of TiVNbMoAl high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings and their nitride counterparts (HEN) deposited by magnetron sputtering. The effect of substrate temperature and nitrogen incorporation on crystallinity, surface morphology, mechanical performance, adhesion, and corrosion behavior was systematically studied, complemented by bulk alloy characterization using mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (SPS). XRD confirmed the formation of a stable BCC structure for HEA films and an FCC NaCl-type structure for HEN films. Increasing substrate temperature from room temperature to 400 °C significantly improved crystallinity, reduced lattice strain, and promoted preferred grain orientation. SEM and 3D profilometry revealed that higher deposition temperature produced smoother and denser films, reducing surface roughness by up to about fourfold. Nano indentation (performed under a maximum load of 49.7 mN) showed that HEA hardness increased from 832.62±35.97 HV (RT) to 1130.08±53 HV (400 °C), while HEN hardness more than doubled from 792.22±21.96 HV to 1753.85±39 HV, accompanied by a substantial rise in elastic modulus. Scratch testing confirmed enhanced adhesion at elevated temperature, with HEN coatings showing superior interfacial integrity. Electrochemical studies demonstrated fully active corrosion behavior in NaCl solution; however, HEN-400 °C exhibited the best corrosion resistance due to its dense microstructure and nitride chemistry. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) further reinforced these findings. Nyquist and Bode analyses showed that substrate heating combined with nitrogen incorporation markedly increased charge-transfer resistance and low-frequency impedance, with HEN-400 °C achieving the highest Rct (≈7.6 kΩ·cm2) and the broadest capacitive plateau, indicating the most stable and homogeneous barrier layer. Comparison of all coatings established the corrosion-resistance ranking as HEN-400 °C > HEA-400 °C > HEA-RT > HEN-RT, confirming the strong synergistic role of nitride chemistry and elevated deposition temperature in suppressing electrochemical degradation. Bulk TiVNbMoAl alloy was synthesized via mechanical alloying followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) to establish a structural and compositional reference for the sputtered coatings. XRD analysis revealed the formation of a stable single-phase BCC solid-solution matrix with minor Al2O3 inclusions, confirming the intrinsic phase stability of the TiVNbMoAl system in the bulk state. The SPS-consolidated alloy exhibited a mean Vickers hardness of 810 ± 23 HV under a 5 kgf load, providing a baseline mechanical response of the bulk material. These bulk results demonstrate that the alloy system naturally favors a BCC structure, thereby supporting the interpretation that the FCC NaCl-type structure observed in the nitride coatings originates from nitrogen incorporation and deposition conditions rather than from the inherent alloy chemistry. Overall, nitrogen incorporation combined with substrate heating at 400 °C provided a strong synergistic effect, yielding coatings with superior crystallinity, surface quality, mechanical performance, adhesion, and corrosion resistance. Among all samples, the HEN film deposited at 400 °C demonstrated the most promising balance of properties for advanced protective applications in sustainable manufacturing systems. This research therefore provides new insights into the design of HEA-based nitride coatings, bridging the knowledge gap between deposition parameters and functional performance, and contributing to the development of next-generation protective materials
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO PLANT PROTECTION AND PRODUCE SAFETY THROUGH HIGH-PRECISION PLANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
No full textIn recent years, the growing need to minimize the environmental impact of agriculture has encouraged the development of sustainable crop protection strategies that combine biological efficacy, food safety, and the preservation of microbial biodiversity. Within this framework, the use of biocontrol agents (BCAs), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and advanced diagnostic technologies have emerged as an innovative toolkit for integrated pest management, reducing reliance on conventional agrochemicals. In these studies, we have explored these approaches in economically relevant crops such as lettuce, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and wild rocket, assessing their effectiveness against fungal and viral pathogens, as well as their impact on plant physiology and microbial community dynamics.
In the first study, six bacterial strains were evaluated as BCAs against Rhizoctonia solani, a major soilborne pathogen. Among them, Bacillus sp. B04A33 and Psychrobacillus sp. B04A42, isolated from maize embryos, together with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S61, showed significant antagonistic activity, comparable or superior to a commercial Trichoderma-based product. Treatments applied to the soil with B04A33, B04A42, and S61 enhanced germination rates and seedling vigor of lettuce, increasing both root and epigeal biomass. Root imaging and analysis using MATLAB confirmed the promotion of root system development, and a better wellness of plants grown in soils treated with those isolates. MinION sequencing revealed a dominance of Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Bacillota, with enrichment of Bacillaceae and Lactobacillaceae in treated soils, suggesting a positive reshaping of the soil microbiota. These results highlight both the potential of selected bacterial strains as effective BCAs and the usefulness of automated imaging systems for germination and growth-parameters collection and analysis. Ultraviolet radiation has gained attention as a promising physical tool for pathogen suppression and the activation of plant defense mechanisms. In Diplotaxis tenuifolia, short-term exposure to UV-B radiation (43.2 kJ m−2) induced only moderate physiological stress and shifts in the composition of epiphytic and endophytic bacterial communities. 16S rDNA profiling through Nanopore sequencing of both DNA (epiphytic part) and cDNA (endophytic part) templates revealed that microbial localization (epiphytic vs. endophytic) and time of sampling were the main structuring factors, whereas UV-B treatment exerted a secondary influence. Nevertheless, a slight enrichment of Burkholderiaceae and Lactobacillaceae was detected in epiphytic and endophytic niches respectively after the second UVC treatment, suggesting a selective adaptation toward radiation-resistant microorganisms. These findings indicate that short-term UV-B exposure can subtly modulate the leaf-associated microbiota while maintaining its overall resilience.
Further applications of UV technology, especially UV-C radiation, were evaluated for the management of major fungal diseases in greenhouse-grown vegetables. In cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), UV-C radiation at 254 nm proved highly effective in suppressing Podosphaera xanthii, the causal agent of powdery mildew. Treatments with doses 250 and 400 J·m−2 delayed fungal development, and the application of a 400 J·m−2 dose within six hours post-inoculation completely prevented disease onset without visible leaf damage, unlike 222 nm exposures, which caused severe tissue injury. Biochemical analyses revealed increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS) following 254 nm UV-C exposure, indicative of oxidative stress, though no significant alterations in photosynthetic pigments were observed. Microbiota profiling showed that disease presence had a stronger effect on bacterial community composition than UV-C treatment, though moderate shifts occurred in UV-C-treated healthy leaves. Gene expression analysis indicated early upregulation of PAL and PR1, pointing to activation of salicylic acid–dependent defense and phenylpropanoid pathways in response to both UV-C and fungal application. Moreover, hyperspectral imaging enabled partial discrimination between healthy and infected tissues, supporting its potential as a non-destructive monitoring tool for disease detection.
Similarly, studies on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) assessed the antifungal potential of various UV-C wavelengths (254 nm, 222 nm, and 250–280 nm LEDs) against Botrytis cinerea, the agent of grey mold. Conidial germination was completely inhibited by UV-C doses above 0.87 kJ/m2 with the 222 nm lamp, while higher doses were required with the classical 254 nm lamp. Mycelial growth inhibition demanded even greater energy input, and in vivo applications often failed to prevent infection due to the leaf surface morphology and the fungus’ DNA repair mechanisms. Leaf damage occurred at doses above 0.5 kJ/m2 for both 254 and 222 nm sources, underlining the need to balance antifungal efficacy with plant tolerance. Gene expression analyses revealed limited transcriptional responses, possibly linked to low replication and delayed sampling times. Only one treatment showed upregulation in UV-damage endonuclease and photolyase related genes, compared to the others: 222W Low dose (UVC treatment using a 222 nm lamp with dose 0.056 kJ/m2).
Beyond fungal diseases, viral infections remain a major constraint to the productivity of solanaceous crops. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), Tobamovirus tabaci (Tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) and Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae (Tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV) cause severe yield losses, emphasizing the importance of early and accurate detection to prevent the spread of diseases. A comparative evaluation of visual inspection, real-time PCR, chlorophyll fluorescence, and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) demonstrated that real-time PCR was the most sensitive and specific method, detecting viral RNA as early as two days post-inoculation. However, its destructive nature, high cost, and limited scalability restrict field applicability. HSI coupled with supervised machine learning achieved classification accuracies up to 95.6%, enabling early, non-destructive detection of infection with performance comparable to real-time PCR. This highlights the promise of HSI as a scalable and sustainable diagnostic tool for real-time monitoring of viral diseases in precision agriculture systems.
Overall, these studies collectively demonstrate that the integration of biological and physical control methods, supported by advanced imaging technologies, can provide effective and environmentally sustainable solutions for crop protection. The combined use of biological control agents (BCAs), controlled UV irradiation, and optical diagnostic tools could not only reduce chemical inputs and enable earlier pathogen detection but also enhance plant resilience. This multidisciplinary approach, bridging microbiology, plant physiology, and sensor technology, forms the foundation for the next generation of sustainable agricultural practices aimed at environmental preservation, food security, and the long-term health of agroecosystems
A reflection on the tangled knot of human/ethical and rhetorical dimensions in Seneca (Letters to Lucilius 88 and 114)
No full textHoc quod audire vulgo soles, quod apud Graecos in proverbium
cessit: talis hominibus fuit oratio qualis vita (Sen. Ep. 114.1). Starting from the
topical equation between style and man, Seneca delves into the complex (and
never fully resolved) ethical and aesthetic interplay between moral character
(animus), expressive dimension (oratio and ingenium), and the individuality of
the Self. This contribution will therefore aim to understand the theoretical tools
Seneca employs when reflecting on the issue of “the style is the man”
Ablation of PVCs from the outflow tract using a large-footprint lattice-tip catheter: Be cautious of the coronary artery
No full textINTRODUZIONE. L’INTELLIGENZA ARTIFICIALE E LA SFIDA REGOLATORIA SUL DUPLICE VERSANTE, EUROPEO E NAZIONALE
No full textEnriched zinc and selenium agri-food by-products: effects on growth performance of black soldier fly
Get PDFSelenium (Se) is an essential element for both animals and humans. It is involved in the func-tioning of several enzyme systems and various biochemical reactions, particularly those that protect cells from damage. Zinc (Zn), meanwhile, improves immune function by enhancing the immune response, making animals more resistant to infections and diseases. Black soldier fly (BSFL) larvae are recognized for their capacity to bioaccumulate microelements and can be reared on a wide range of substrates. Furthermore, the incorporation of Se and/or Zn has the potential to result in the production of an enriched insect meal. This study investigated the ef-fects of incorporating Zn and/or Se into the rearing substrate of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Five different substrates were evaluated: (I) a control diet based on plant ingredients (Gaines-ville diet, CTR); (II) a substrate derived from okara and potato waste (OkPa); (III) OkPa-Zn, supplemented with 150 mg/kg of Zn; (IV) OkPa-Se, containing 0.3 mg/kg of Se; and (V) OkPa-Zn+Se, enriched with both 150 mg/kg of Zn and 0.3 mg/kg of Se. The larvae were reared in darkness at 26 °C with 60% relative humidity, and their growth performance was assessed. For each diet, 500 larvae were used, with five replicates per treatment. The mean weight of individ-ual larvae was not significantly affected by the type of substrate (P>0.05). However, by the end of the trial, the CTR group exhibited a significantly higher total biomass (P<0.05). Survival rates remained consistent across all treatments (P>0.05). These findings suggest that okara and potato-based substrates, with and without Zn and Se supplementation, are suitable for BSFL rearing. Further research is recommended to explore the larval composition, trace mineral as-similation, and reproductive outcomes in black soldier fly
TENSOR NETWORKS FOR OPEN QUANTUM SYSTEMS
No full textIs it possible to efficiently simulate a quantum physical system on a classical computer? The computational resources needed to manipulate quantum many-body states typically scale exponentially in the number of their constituents, making the simulation very difficult or outright impossible even at modest sizes. Tensor networks provide a powerful mathematical tool to address this issue: by efficiently representing only a low-entanglement subspace of the full space of states, they mitigate the exponential scaling and enable faster computations.
Their intuitive diagrammatic language makes them easy to work with in a broad range of settings, including quantum many-body systems and quantum circuits.
This thesis explores the simulation of open quantum systems and noisy quantum circuits with tensor networks. It is divided into two main parts. In the first part, we develop a fermionic generalisation of the Markovian closure method originally proposed for bosonic environments. In particular, we address one of the key bottlenecks in simulating open systems coupled to continuous fermionic baths, namely, the linear growth in computational cost with simulation time in standard chain-mapping approaches. Moreover, this method avoids ad-hoc fitting procedures and relies only on mild assumptions on the structure of the environment.
In the second part, we explore the interplay between tensor networks and quantum computing, applying tensor-network techniques to noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices both as classical simulators and as building block for an error-mitigation scheme known as Tensor-network Error Mitigation. We introduce a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm that combines quantum computation on noisy devices with classical tensor-network-based post-processing methods. Within this framework, we study a dual-unitary quantum circuit implementing the time evolution of a kicked Ising model, as a way to benchmark the performance of the hybrid approach