Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Pavia
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Valorizzazione della biodiversità fungina per lo sviluppo di metodiche a basso impatto per il biorecupero di metalli di interesse industriale
No full textThe Sustainability of Minimum Space: Removable Off-Grid Architecture for Outdoor Tourism
No full textOutdoor tourism represents a form of vacation immersed in nature,
characterized by a pronounced seasonality linked to the summer season. In recent
years, the sector has experienced significant growth due to introducing a hybrid
housing system known as the maxi-caravan, produced industrially. This housing
unit is considered an ideal solution due to its removable nature, portability,
and comfort. The growing ecological awareness and the expanding market
for this product require an enhancement of interior spaces to make the mobile
unit more efficient in terms of environmental and spatial comfort and flexibility.
This article proposes a maxi-caravan project designed for year-round use,
characterized by innovative experimentation for interior spaces. Beginning with a
study on ergonomic principles, the research explores the debate on rationalist and
metabolist minimal living. The study identifies a multifunctional internal organization
through versatile spaces. Regarding the mobile unit’s sustainability, an
off-grid plant systems are proposed. The project’s envelope, combined with the
technical systems, allows the maxi-caravan to be used year-round. The sustainability
of themaxi-caravan extends beyond materials, assembly, maintenance, and
disposal, aiming to become resource-independent. Furthermore, the project aims
to reconcile the paradigm of outdoor living with a high level of comfort, creating
internal environments that surpass traditional camper and trailer standards. The
research distinguishes itself by developing a specific methodology for studying
minimal spaces within themaxi-caravan. The research combines literature reviews
with empirical approaches, providing methods applicable to a comfortable and offgrid
mobile unit resulting from collaboration between researchers and industrial
producers
Emerging Pharmacological Approaches for Psychosis and Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease
No full textPsychosis and agitation are among the most distressing neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) of Alzheimer's disease (AD), linked to faster disease progression and earlier admission to nursing homes. While nonpharmacological treatments may alleviate mild behavioral symptoms, more severe syndromes often require pharmacological intervention. Brexpiprazole is the only medication approved for agitation in AD, although its limited clinical efficacy has raised criticism. No drugs have been approved for treating psychosis in AD, highlighting the critical need for new, effective, and safe treatments. Recent studies have elucidated part of the neurobiological basis of NPSs in the AD brain, offering insights for testing repurposed and novel drugs. We conducted a comprehensive nonsystematic literature review, aiming to provide a critical overview of both current treatments and emerging pharmacological interventions under clinical development for treating psychosis and agitation in AD. Additionally, we present strategies to optimize the clinical development of new drug candidates. We identify three promising compounds that are currently in phase 3 trials: xanomeline-trospium for AD psychosis, and dextromethorphan-bupropion and dexmedetomidine for agitation in AD. We propose that biomarkers linked to the neuropsychiatric traits of AD patients should be identified in dedicated studies and then included in phase 2 dose-range-finding studies with novel compounds to establish biological engagement. Furthermore, phase 3 placebo-controlled studies should be carried out in AD biomarker-confirmed subjects with narrower cognitive impairment ranges and precise NPS severity at screening. Alternative study designs, such as sequential phase approaches, may also be adopted
An innovative methodological framework for integrated assessment of soil erosion, sediment dynamics, and connectivity in a Mediterranean watershed of the Northern Apennines
No full textA Focus on the Link Between Metal Dyshomeostasis, Norepinephrine, and Protein Aggregation
No full textNeurodegenerative disorders are one of the main public health problems worldwide and, for this reason, they have attracted the attention of several researchers who aim to better understand the molecular processes linked to the etiology of these disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In this review, we describe both the beneficial and toxic effect of norepinephrine (NE) and its connected ROS/metal-mediated pathways, which end in neuromelanin (NM) formation and protein aggregation. In particular, we emphasize the importance of stabilizing the delicate homeostatic balance that regulates (i) the metal/ROS-promoted oxidation of catecholamines, as NE, and (ii) the generation of oxidative by-products capable of covalently and non-covalently modifying neuroproteins, thus altering their stability and their oligomerization; these processes may end in (iii) the incorporation of protein conjugates into vesicles, which then evolve into neuromelanin (NM) organelles. In general, we aim to provide an up-to-date overview of the challenges and controversies emerging from the current literature to delineate a direction for future research
Explainable AI with applications to cybersecurity
No full textPhishing is a pervasive cybersecurity threat that targets individuals and organizations by exploiting human vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information, such as account credentials and credit card details. The timely detection of phishing websites is essential to mitigate the financial and reputation damages caused by such attacks. In this context, machine learning models have proven effective in identifying phishing websites by analyzing features extracted from URLs and web page content. However, ensuring the transparency and trustworthiness of these models through explainability remains a critical challenge.
This work addresses the detection of phishing websites by proposing an explainable machine learning framework that not only provides accurate predictions but also identifies the most significant features associated with phishing. The proposed methodology includes a novel feature selection approach based on Lorenz Zonoid, a multidimensional extension of the Gini coefficient, to analyze both structured and unstructured data, including bag-of-words representations. By significantly reducing the number of features, the machine learning model is parsimonious while maintaining at the same time high accuracy and interpretability.
Furthermore, this work also addresses a significant gap in the explainable AI domain by devising a methodological approach for systematically evaluating and comparing alternative explanations obtained from different methods based on their complexity and robustness. A series of experiments demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach in identifying explanations that are both less complex and more reliable. Additionally, a novel framework is introduced to measure and optimize the robustness of explanations by fine-tuning model parameters. This framework is exemplified using ensemble tree models on artificially generated data, as well as on a publicly available phishing dataset, illustrating its versatility and applicability.
The application of the proposed methodologies to phishing website detection highlights their relevance in tackling real-world cybersecurity challenges. This work not only advances the detection of phishing websites but also offers a foundation for broader applications in other high-stakes domains, such as finance and healthcare.Phishing is a pervasive cybersecurity threat that targets individuals and organizations by exploiting human vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information, such as account credentials and credit card details. The timely detection of phishing websites is essential to mitigate the financial and reputation damages caused by such attacks. In this context, machine learning models have proven effective in identifying phishing websites by analyzing features extracted from URLs and web page content. However, ensuring the transparency and trustworthiness of these models through explainability remains a critical challenge.
This work addresses the detection of phishing websites by proposing an explainable machine learning framework that not only provides accurate predictions but also identifies the most significant features associated with phishing. The proposed methodology includes a novel feature selection approach based on Lorenz Zonoid, a multidimensional extension of the Gini coefficient, to analyze both structured and unstructured data, including bag-of-words representations. By significantly reducing the number of features, the machine learning model is parsimonious while maintaining at the same time high accuracy and interpretability.
Furthermore, this work also addresses a significant gap in the explainable AI domain by devising a methodological approach for systematically evaluating and comparing alternative explanations obtained from different methods based on their complexity and robustness. A series of experiments demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach in identifying explanations that are both less complex and more reliable. Additionally, a novel framework is introduced to measure and optimize the robustness of explanations by fine-tuning model parameters. This framework is exemplified using ensemble tree models on artificially generated data, as well as on a publicly available phishing dataset, illustrating its versatility and applicability.
The application of the proposed methodologies to phishing website detection highlights their relevance in tackling real-world cybersecurity challenges. This work not only advances the detection of phishing websites but also offers a foundation for broader applications in other high-stakes domains, such as finance and healthcare
Automated One-pot Library Synthesis with Aldehydes as Radical Precursors
No full textThe increased demand for the synthesis of Csp3 enriched motifs
and the urgency of discovering new drugs requires the
development of more efficient technologies and synthetic tools
to accelerate drug discovery processes. Herein, we report a fully
automated strategy for the addition of Csp3 enriched building
blocks onto olefins via Giese addition to forge Csp3-Csp3 bonds.
The developed fully automated protocol allowed the in-situ
conversion of aldehydes (non-redox-active species) to electroactive
imidazolidines and their use as precursors of C-centered
radicals under photoredox catalyzed conditions for the synthesis
of building blocks and bioactive compound libraries by
synthesizing sp3-enriched compounds
Solar energy technologies in cultural heritage: is integration possible?
No full textThe conservation of historic buildings is increasingly focused on integrating functional relevance with sustainable development. Conservation of heritage buildings, especially in urban settings, has evolved from purely physical preservation to functional redevelopment and repurposing. The ongoing energy crisis and the push for renewable energy sources have further underscored the need to adapt heritage buildings for contemporary energy needs. This opens new opportunities for active solar energy systems in buildings, towns, and landscapes. While active solar technologies, such as photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, offer significant benefits for decarbonization and energy efficiency, their implementation in heritage contexts presents challenges related to aesthetics, legislation, and social acceptance. This book presents international contributions on the integration of solar renewable energies within cultural heritage, providing detailed coverage of cultural, legislative, and social frameworks; design criteria and simulation tools; innovative materials and technologies
Higher order Schauder estimates for degenerate or singular parabolic equations
No full textIn this paper, we complete the analysis initiated in [Calc. Var. Partial Differential Equations 63 (2024), article no. 204] establishing some higher order Ckalpha Schauder estimates (k greater or equal than 2) for a class of parabolic equations with weights that are degenerate/singular on a characteristic hyperplane. The C2alpha-estimates are obtained through a blow-up argument and a Liouville theorem, while the higher order estimates are obtained by a fine iteration procedure. As a byproduct, we present two applications. First, we prove similar Schauder estimates when the degeneracy/singularity of the weight occurs on a regular hypersurface of cylindrical type. Second, we provide an alternative proof of the higher order boundary Harnack principles established in [J. Differential Equations 260 (2016), 1801–1829] and [Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 42 (2022), 2667–2698]
Sintesi di materiali nanometrici e sub-micrometrici per la preparazione di inchiostri ceramici a basso impatto ambientale e utilizzo di materie prime e seconde per la produzione di semilavorati ceramici.
No full textL'industria ceramica si trova sempre più spesso a confrontarsi con sfide ambientali, in particolare nella produzione di pigmenti e inchiostri neri utilizzati per decorare le piastrelle da pavimento. Queste problematiche derivano dalla continua estrazione di materie prime critiche e dalle severe condizioni di reazione necessarie per la produzione, entrambe con un impatto significativo sull'impronta di carbonio.
Una delle principali difficoltà riguarda le alte temperature richieste per la produzione dei pigmenti neri, che spesso superano i 1200 °C, e il massiccio impiego di cobalto. Questo metallo, recentemente classificato come materia prima critica dalla Commissione Europea, solleva preoccupazioni ambientali, economiche e politiche a causa dell’impatto della sua estrazione. La sintesi dei pigmenti neri non solo richiede grandi quantità di cobalto per ottenere una tonalità di nero intenso, ma necessita anche di una struttura chimica capace di resistere a condizioni di reazione estreme. Di conseguenza, gli spinelli (formati utilizzando metalli come Cr, Mn, Fe, Co e Ni) sono preferiti.
Nonostante gli sforzi per migliorare l'impatto ambientale dei pigmenti ceramici, la domanda di coloranti neri continua a crescere, rendendo necessaria un'ulteriore innovazione per una produzione sostenibile. Questa tesi esplora strategie per ridurre l'impatto ambientale lungo tutta la filiera produttiva, dalla reperibilità delle materie prime alla preparazione industriale di pigmenti e inchiostri neri.
Per migliorare la sostenibilità, è stato adottato un approccio chemiometrico basato sul Design of Experiments, ottimizzando un pigmento spinello nero. Questo approccio ha permesso di ridurre il numero di metalli utilizzati e, soprattutto, di diminuire il contenuto di cobalto, mantenendo prestazioni cromatiche comparabili a quelle dei pigmenti convenzionali.
Un'altra strategia chiave si è concentrata sulla riduzione della temperatura di calcinazione, una fase critica nella sintesi dei pigmenti che consuma una notevole quantità di energia termica. Abbassare questo parametro è essenziale per un processo produttivo più sostenibile. Inoltre, la tesi ha esplorato la sostituzione di uno dei reagenti con una materia prima secondaria, promuovendo un’economia circolare in cui i sottoprodotti vengono riutilizzati come materie prime, riducendo così i rifiuti in discarica.
Per dimostrare la fattibilità di queste innovazioni, sono state prodotte piastrelle prototipo eco-compatibili utilizzando i nuovi inchiostri ceramici sviluppati. La loro potenziale sostituzione dei pigmenti neri commerciali è stata valutata attraverso un’Analisi del Ciclo di Vita per uno degli inchiostri sintetizzati. Inoltre, alcuni pigmenti sono stati testati come coloranti per smalti protettivi decorativi, progettati per correggere difetti di stampa a inchiostro sulla superficie delle piastrelle.The ceramic industry is increasingly confronted with environmental challenges, particularly in the production of black pigments and inks used for decorating floor tiles. These challenges stem from the continuous extraction of critical raw materials and the harsh reaction conditions required for manufacturing, both of which contribute significantly to the carbon footprint.
One major issue is the high temperatures needed for producing black pigments, often exceeding 1200 °C, coupled with the extensive use of cobalt. This metal, recently classified as a critical raw material by the European Union Commission, raises environmental, economic, and political concerns due to the impact of its extraction. The synthesis of black pigments not only demands large amounts of cobalt to achieve a deep black hue but also requires a chemical structure capable of withstanding extreme reaction conditions. Consequently, spinels (formed using metals like Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) are preferred.
Despite efforts to improve the environmental impact of ceramic pigments, the demand for black colourants continues to grow, necessitating further innovation to enable sustainable production. This thesis explores strategies to reduce the environmental impact across the production chain, from raw material sourcing to the industrial preparation of black pigments and inks.
To enhance sustainability, a chemometric approach using the Design of Experiments was employed to optimise a black spinel pigment. This approach reduced the number of metals used and, most importantly, decreased cobalt content, while maintaining comparable colour performance to conventional pigments.
Another key strategy focused on reducing the calcination temperature, a critical step in pigment synthesis that consumes significant thermal energy. Lowering this parameter is essential for a more sustainable production process. Additionally, the thesis explored replacing one of the reagents with a secondary raw material, promoting a circular economy where by-products are repurposed as raw materials, thereby reducing landfill waste.
To demonstrate the feasibility of these innovations, eco-friendly prototype tiles were produced using the newly developed ceramic inks. Their potential as substitutes for commercially available black pigments was assessed, supported by a Life Cycle Assessment for one of the as-synthesized inks. Furthermore, some pigments were tested as colourants for decorative protective glazes, designed to correct ink-printing defects on tile surfaces