Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca- Università degli Studi di Foggia
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ICT tools and policies to support the ecological and digital transitions promoted by the NRRP: the role of local agrifood systems
No full textThe doctoral thesis, entitled “ICT tools and policies to support the ecological and digital transitions
promoted by the NRRP: the role of local agrifood systems”, addresses the topic of the adoption of
digital technologies in the agri-food sector, with a particular focus on local agricultural systems and
the context of the ecological and digital transitions promoted by the National Recovery and Resilience
Plan (NRRP). The research is part of the broader debate on the potential of Agriculture 4.0 as a tool
to increase production efficiency, improve environmental sustainability and promote innovation in
rural areas, while highlighting the barriers that limit its diffusion.
The thesis is divided into three main chapters. The first one analyses in depth the determinants of the
acceptance of 4.0 technologies by the actors of the agri-food system. After a historical reconstruction
of the main innovations in agriculture - from traditional agriculture (1.0) to the current paradigm of
digital agriculture (4.0) - the concept of Agriculture 4.0 and its key elements, including the Internet
of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, drones, decision support systems (DSS), machine learning and
blockchain, are explored. The theoretical analysis is based on the TAM (Technology Acceptance
Model), integrated with economic, social, political, environmental and technological factors, to
understand the main drivers and obstacles to adoption. Among the most relevant barriers are identified
the complexity of technologies, the high cost of initial investments, the lack of management and
digital skills, the absence of an adequate regulatory framework and the perception of uncertainty
about the benefits that can be obtained.
The second chapter presents an empirical study on the adoption of 4.0 technologies in agriculture
through the analysis of the preferences expressed by a representative sample of farmers from Apulia.
The survey was conducted through Choice Experiments (CE) on 1,492 agricultural producers,
selected through face-to-face interviews in the six provincial capitals of Apulia. The econometric
analysis, conducted with latent class models (Latent Class Model), allowed us to identify four distinct
segments of farmers, each characterized by specific preferences towards the proposed technologies
(smart irrigation, drones, monitoring systems, DSS, blockchain). The results highlight that farmers'
decisions are strongly influenced by variables such as age, level of education, size and type of
company, managerial skills and perception of the external environment. Younger farmers and those
with larger companies are more likely to adopt innovative technologies, while older farmers show
greater resistance to change.
The third chapter is dedicated to the evaluation of the technical efficiency of Italian wineries that
adopt integrated production systems, an area where digital technologies can play a crucial role in the
sustainable management of resources. The analysis, based on micro-business economic data and the
use of the stochastic frontier model, shows that the most technologically advanced companies achieve
better results in terms of production efficiency. The integration of 4.0 technologies with sustainable
agronomic practices allows to optimize the use of inputs such as water, fertilizers and pesticides,
reducing the environmental impact and improving the quality of the product.
In conclusion, the thesis provides a significant contribution to the academic and political debate on
the role of digital technologies in the sustainable transition process of Italian agriculture. It underlines
the importance of targeted public policies, based on economic incentive tools, technical training and
consultancy support, to overcome the barriers to adoption and promote a fair and widespread diffusion
of innovations. The work stands out for its multidisciplinary approach and for the strong connection
with territorial policies and European strategies, offering useful operational ideas for rural
development programming and for strengthening the resilience of local agri-food systems
Liver Disease and Periodontal Pathogens: A Bidirectional Relationship Between Liver and Oral Microbiota
No full textFACS-Proteomics strategy toward extracellular vesicles single-phenotype characterization in biological fluids: exploring the role of leukocyte-derived EVs in multiple sclerosis
No full textBackground: The isolation and proteomics characterization of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from body fluids is challenging due to their vast heterogeneity. We have recently demonstrated that Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting (FACS) efficiently isolates the whole EV circulating compartment directly from untouched body fluids enabling a comprehensive EV proteomics analysis. Results: Here, we characterized, for the first time, a single-phenotype EV subset by sorting leukocyte-derived EVs (Leuko EVs) from peripheral blood and tears of healthy volunteers. Using an optimized and patented staining protocol of the whole EV compartment we identified and excluded non-EV particles, debris and damaged EVs. We further isolated, using an anti-CD45 antibody, Leuko EVs (CD45+ EVs), reaching a high level of purity (> 90%). Purified Leuko EVs were characterized using atomic force microscopy, nanoparticle tracking, and shotgun proteomics analysis revealing a similar coded protein cargo in both biological fluids. Subsequently, the same workflow was applied to tears from Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients, revealing a Leuko EVs protein cargo enrichment that reflects the neuroinflammatory condition characteristics of RRMS. This enrichment was evidenced by the activation of upstream regulators TGFB1 and NFE2L2, which are associated with inflammatory responses. Additionally, the analysis identified markers indicative of endothelial cell proliferation and the development of enhanced vascular networks, with AGNPT2 and VEGF emerging as activated upstream regulators. These findings indicate the complex interplay between inflammation and angiogenesis in RRMS. Conclusions: In conclusion, our combined FACS-Proteomics strategy offers a promising approach for biomarker discovery, analysing cell-specific EV phenotypes directly from untouched body fluids, advancing the clinical value of tears EVs and improving the understanding of EV-mediated processes in vivo. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD049036 and in EV-TRACK knowledgebase with ID: EV240150
A comparison of critical power and the respiratory compensation point at slower and faster pedaling cadences
No full textWe investigated whether pedal cadence (60 vs 100 rpm) affects oxygen uptake (V̇O2) and power output (PO) at two indexes of the heavy-to-severe-intensity domain boundary (i.e., critical power [CP] and respiratory compensation point [RCP]) and their correspondence. Fourteen adults (7 females, 23±2 yrs) cycled at 60 and 100 rpm during: i) a "Step-Ramp-Step" protocol to identify V̇O2 and PO at RCP; ii) 4-5 exhaustive constant-PO bouts for CP identification; and iii) a constant-power bout at CP to identify V̇O2 at CP. Separate two-way repeated measures ANOVA assessed whether V̇O2 and PO were affected by index (CP vs RCP) and cadence (60 vs 100 rpm). The V̇O2 was not affected by index (mean difference [MD]=73±197 mL·min-1; p=0.136) but there was an index x cadence interaction (p=0.014), such that V̇O2 was higher at 100 vs 60 rpm for CP (MD=142±169 mL·min-1; p=0.008) but not RCP (p=0526).. The PO was affected by cadence (MD=13±9 W; p<0.001) and index (MD=8±11 W; p=0.016), with no cadence x index interaction (p=0.168). The systematic bias in PO confirms cadence-specificity of CP and RCP. The relationship between these indexes and their change in unison in PO suggests a mechanistic link between these two heavy-to-severe domain boundary candidates
Noel Cox, The Royal Prerogative and Constitutional Law: A Search for the Quintessence of Executive Power, Routledge, Abingdon 2021
No full textCardiocirculatory and Metabolic Responses to Low- and High-Load Squat Exercise in Young and Middle-Aged Individuals
No full textObjectives: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of resistance training (RT) in middle-aged and young individuals by examining cardiocirculatory and metabolic responses to squat performed under low and high external loads as per current exercise prescription guidelines. Methods: Eighteen RT-trained individuals (nine middle-aged individuals, including eight women who were equally distributed) performed a cycling incremental test for the determination of their maximal aerobic capacity and three sessions of RT, respectively, to determine their one repetition maximum (1RM) of squat and their physiological responses during different training protocols of squat with equal training loads (3 × 12 at 55% 1RM vs. 5 × 5 at 80% 1RM). Whole-body metabolic (oxygen update and blood lactate) and cardiocirculatory (heart rate and blood pressure) responses and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were compared across age groups and % 1RM to determine the metabolic stimulus and cardiovascular strain imposed by this form of training. Results: Young and middle-aged individuals exhibited similar cardiocirculatory responses to RT, with the only exception being a higher diastolic response in the middle-aged group for both protocols (present also at rest). No difference was found between the two age groups in terms of metabolic response and RPE. 80% 1RM induced a similar cardiocirculatory response and a higher RPE but a lower metabolic response compared to 55% 1RM. Conclusions: While no difference in physiological responses was found between the groups, the lower-load and higher-repetition training scheme demonstrated better time efficiency, metabolic activation, and perceived effort with equivalent cardiocirculatory strain. These findings support the safety of RT and can guide practitioners in the design of training protocols
Large, recursive membrane platforms are associated to Trop-1, Trop-2 and protein kinase signaling for cell growth
No full textThe transmembrane glycoproteins Trop-1/EpCAM and Trop-2 independently trigger Ca2+ and kinase signals for cell growth and tumor progression. Our findings indicated that Trop-1 and Trop-2 tightly colocalize at macroscopic, ruffle-like protrusions (RLP), that elevate from the cell perimeter, and locally recur over hundreds of seconds. These previously unrecognized elevated membrane regions ≥20 μm-long, up to 1.5 μm high were revealed by Z-stack analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction of signal transducer-hosting plasma membrane regions. Trop-2 stimulates cell growth through a membrane super-complex that comprises CD9, PKCα, ion pumps and cytoskeletal components. Our findings indicated that the growth-driving Trop-2 super-complex assembles at RLP. RLP behaved as sites of clustering of signal transducers, of phosphorylation/activation of growth-driving kinases, as recruitment sites of PKCα and as origin of Ca2+ signaling waves, suggesting RLP to be novel signaling platforms in living cells. RLP were induced by growth factors and disappeared upon growth factor deprivation and β-actin depolymerization, candidating RLP to be functional platforms for high-dimensional signaling for cell growth
Pain catastrophizing and its domains significantly impact rheumatoid arthritis disease activity
No full textThis study aims to evaluate the impact of pain catastrophizing (PC) on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore, in the same participants, if this association is related or not with anxiety and depression, which have been related to catastrophization in patients with chronic pain. A multi-center, observational study has been conducted on 158 RA patients from six Rheumatology Clinics. Participants were assessed using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and Disease Activity Score on 28 joints- C reactive protein (DAS28-CRP). Pain Catastrophizing, with its domains of Helplessness, Rumination and Magnification, was analyzed through Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Statistical analyses included univariable and multivariable regressions, to identify associations between disease activity and PC. Results revealed that higher PCS scores were significantly associated with increased CDAI, SDAI and DAS28-CRP values, indicating higher disease activity. Specifically, the domains of Rumination and Helplessness showed a strong correlation with disease activity, while Magnification did not. These associations persisted independently of anxiety and depression mood, as shown by multivariable regression analysis. Pain catastrophizing, particularly the domains of Rumination and Helplessness, significantly influences disease activity in RA patients, independent of mood disorders. These findings underscore the importance of addressing maladaptive cognitive perceptions of pain in the management of RA, to improve patient outcomes and facilitate disease remission
Muscle Soreness and Neuromuscular Fatigue After Three Different Resistance Exercise Protocols: Comparison Between Men and Women
No full textMargoni, M, Bochicchio, G, Ferrari, L, and Pogliaghi, S. Muscle soreness and neuromuscular fatigue after three different resistance exercise protocols: Comparison between men and women. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-This study evaluated the sex-related differences in the magnitude and time course of muscle soreness and neuromuscular fatigue after 3 different resistance training (RT) protocols, in both the upper and lower body. Sixteen recreational resistance-trained women (n = 7) and men (n = 9) performed 3 RT protocols, in randomized order as either power (POW, 4 × 5 at 50% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), strength (STR, 4 × 2 at 90% 1RM), and hypertrophy (4 × 10 at 70% 1RM), involving 2 main exercises (back squat and bench press) at aim-specific training load, and 4 complementary exercises. Visual analog scale and load cell (1,000 Hz, AEP transducer, Italy) were used to assess muscle soreness and changes in maximal peak force, respectively, of upper and lower body pre-, post-, 24 h, 48, and 72 h after each protocol. Three-way RM ANOVA was run to compare muscle soreness and neuromuscular fatigue of the upper and lower body between sexes, within protocols and time. Men and women showed similar changes in muscle soreness and neuromuscular fatigue across all protocols and body parts (p > 0.05). Moreover, both sexes exhibited higher neuromuscular fatigue in the lower body than the upper body, across all protocols (p < 0.05). These results suggest that men and women show similar kinetics in muscle soreness and neuromuscular fatigue after 3 different RT protocols, with a greater impact experienced in the lower body. Therefore, designing RT programs on sex-specific performance kinetics may not be essential, although increasing upper body exercises volume and frequency can benefit both sexes
Skin Cancers in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection
No full textBackground/Objectives: The advent of combination antiretroviral therapy has led to significant reductions in HIV-related morbidity and mortality and, conversely, an increasing incidence of chronic diseases, such as cancer. This study aimed to assess the incidence of skin malignancies in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to HIV-uninfected individuals (HUPs). Methods: Between April 2023 and April 2025, PLWH attending the Infectious Disease Unit at Policlinico of Foggia, Italy, were invited for skin cancer screening (cases). During the same period, patients visiting the Dermatology Unit were asked to undergo skin cancer screening and a rapid HIV test. Those who tested negative were included as controls. Suspicious lesions were surgically excised at the Plastic Surgery University Unit and examined by a dermatopathologist. Results: We enrolled 91 cases and 91 controls. Precancerous and cancerous skin lesions were detected at similar rates in PLWH and HUPs (12% vs. 13.2% and 7.6% vs. 8.7%). The total number of cancerous and precancerous lesions was higher in the PLWH group. In both groups, basal cell carcinoma was the most common tumor. Squamous cell carcinoma, basosquamous carcinoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans were found only in PLWH. Conclusions: The higher risk of multiple and rare skin cancers in PLWH should be recognized by healthcare providers and patients. PLWH should have regular skin cancer screenings, especially if they have additional risk factors such as a history of extensive ultraviolet radiation exposure