Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Pavia
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Active solar heritage architecture: lessons learned from international experiences
No full textThe study elaborates a critical and comparative analysis of 50 successful case studies on the integration of active solar energy technologies in protected natural and heritage-sensitive contexts, discussing their aesthetical, technical, and energy integration and identifying design recommendations and future directions for architectural practices. The case studies are assessed from a quantitative and qualitative point of view, verifying the presence of common trends, patterns, and key success factors and identifying emerging technologies, prototypes, and solutions. Their sensitivities, criticalities, and potentials are discussed and compared to identify emerging technologies, prototypes, and solutions. In the end, five design projects are presented and illustrated in detail, considering their specificities, positive and negative aspects, and lessons learned from direct interaction with the designers
Understanding the stability of CuxO photocathodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting: Insights by operando XAS
No full textPhotoelectrochemical energy conversion is a promising solution for sustainable energy production by harnessing solar energy to produce clean fuels like hydrogen (H2). H2, as a clean and renewable energy vector, can be produced from water using solar energy in one step. In this work, CuxO electrode was synthesized by thermal treatment and used as photocathode, after the deposition on metallic Cu to improve the PEC water splitting performance. The synthesized photocathodes were characterized by XRD, SEM, XAS and then their electrochemical performances were investigated. Two CuxO electrodes were alternatively used as working electrode (WE) and counter electrode (CE), recording the photocurrent of the WE in each switching process. This procedure has been applied with the aim of improving the lifetime of the CuxO electrode, since CuxO is easily reduced during the PEC water splitting. Interestingly, the cathode photocurrent increases in the third switching process, reaching a maximum and then decreases. Therefore, operando X-ray absorption near edge structure spectrum (XANES) was used to track the effective composition of the photocathodes during the hydrogen production, applying a sequence of polarization potentials in order to mimic the described switching process during PEC water splitting. This work provides a method to investigate the semiconductors behaviour during their role of photoanode/photocathode, including possible photocorrosion phenomena
Chondroitin Sulphate-Chitosan Based Nanogels Loaded with Naringenin-β-Cyclodextrin Complex as Potential Tool for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Formulation Study
No full textPurpose: The main purpose of the study was the formulation development of nanogels (NHs) composed of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and low molecular weight chitosan (lCH), loaded with a naringenin-beta-cyclodextrin complex (NAR/beta-CD), as a potential treatment for early-stage diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Different formulations of NHs were prepared by varying polymer concentration, lCH ratio, and pH and, then, characterized for particle size, zeta potential, particle concentration (particles/mL) and morphology. Cytotoxicity and internalization were assessed in vitro using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). The NAR/beta-CD complex was prepared and evaluated for morphology, complexation efficiency, and solubility. Finally, the most promising NH prototype was loaded with NAR/beta-CD (NH@NAR/beta-CD) and further characterized for encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, opacity and cytotoxicity on HUVEC; in vitro release test and DPPH assay were performed to investigate NH capability to sustain NAR release and NH@NAR/beta-CD antioxidant properties, respectively. Results: NH properties were influenced by polymer concentration, lCH ratio, and pH. N3 (0.5 mg/mL; lCH=1.5:1; pH = 5) and N9 (0.5 mg/mL; lCH=1:1; pH = 5) showed optimal characteristics, including small size (< 350 nm) and positive zeta potential, facilitating cellular uptake. The NAR/beta-CD complex showed 71% complexation efficiency and enhanced NAR solubility. Since characterized by superior properties and better in vitro biocompatibility, N3 was loaded with NAR/beta-CD. N3@NAR/beta-CD capability to sustain in vitro NAR release, radical scavenging activity and in vitro biocompatibility were finally demonstrated. Conclusion: The physico-chemical properties of N3@NAR/beta-CD were responsible for their cell uptake, suggesting their potential to target retinal endothelial cells. The high NAR/beta-CD complexation efficiency and the sustained NAR release over 72 hours could guarantee the maintenance of an effective drug concentration at the damage site while reducing the injection number. Further studies about the safety and the effectiveness of the intravitreal injection of NHs@NAR/beta-CD will be performed on a diabetic animal model
Digital interventions in tobacco prevention for school-aged children: results of systematic review
No full textObjectives: Smoking continues to be a major preventable contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Conventional prevention strategies have not fully succeeded in reducing smoking rates among youth. Digital interventions (DI) present an innovative approach to engage and educate this demographic. Study design: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of digital interventions in preventing smoking among school-aged children (6–12 years). Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and PsycINFO were searched on April 4, 2024, and updated on April 10, 2025. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed to conduct the review. Protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD 42024534528). Results: From 3330 identified records, 19 studies were reviewed. These studies utilized DIs, such as mobile applications, web-based programs, and multimedia campaigns, targeting knowledge enhancement, attitude shifts, and behavioral changes related to tobacco use. The findings reveal that DIs significantly improve knowledge about smoking risks and positively influence attitudes, particularly through interactive and gamified approaches. However, the effectiveness varied depending on factors such as intervention design, participant demographics, and follow-up duration. Behavioral outcomes, such as reduced smoking intentions and prevalence, showed mixed results, with sustained engagement being a critical factor for long-term success. Family-based and culturally tailored interventions demonstrated additional potential for reinforcing preventive behaviors. Conclusions: Despite methodological diversity and moderate bias risks in some studies, the evidence supports DI as a scalable and accessible strategy for tobacco prevention among youth, particularly in underserved populations
Desertification, crop yield and economic development: a disaggregated analysis
No full textThis study uses a global grid-level dataset, integrating gross domestic product (GDP) per capita with crop yield and climate variables to examine the economic impact of climate-induced desertification. We use the aridity index (AI) to measure desertification and find that annual variations of soil aridity have a more significant economic impact than precipitation and temperature when taken alone, with Africa experiencing the most significant effect. We identify the reduced agricultural yield as a potential channel behind the desertification-economic growth nexus. Finally, projections suggest that by 2040, desertification could reduce GDP per capita in sub-Saharan Africa by up to 10%. These findings underscore the need for policies to mitigate the economic impacts of climate-induced desertification in vulnerable regions, contributing to the broader understanding of how climatic conditions affect economic development
FRIENDS AND FOES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC. Multilateralism Out Minilateralism In?
No full textEdited volume on Indo-Pacific Securit
Processi di piattaformizzazione nella produzione intermediale della popular music: micromaterialità, metodi digitali e immaginari musicali
No full textLa presente ricerca indaga le trasformazioni della musica nell'era della piattaformizzazione, focalizzandosi sulle piattaforme digitali e le loro modalità di mediazione dei contenuti musicali. Partendo da un'analisi storico-teorica delle mediazioni digitali, è introdotto il concetto di micromaterialità per descrivere la complessa interazione di elementi tecnologici, sociali e culturali che caratterizza la musica piattaformizzata, inoltre viene approfondito lo statuto dell’oggetto musicale piattaformizzato. Sfruttando il paradigma dei Digital Methods, viene fornito un primo esempio pratico di come analizzare questi elementi micromateriali rileggendo criticamente come questi influenzino e, al contempo, siano indici della fruizione dell’oggetto musicale, contribuendo a definire il rapporto degli utenti con le rimediazioni operate dalle piattaforme – nello specifico saranno analizzate le rimediazioni digitali del 74^ Edizione del Festival di Sanremo e di due brani presentati durante il Festival – e alla definizione di immaginari musicali sociotecnici – analizzando il caso della trap e dell’Italodisco.The present research project examines the transformations of music in the context of the current digital revolution, with a particular focus on the role of digital platforms in mediating music content. The concept of micromateriality is introduced as a means of describing the complex interplay of technological, social and cultural elements that characterises platformized music. This is set against a historical-theoretical analysis of digital mediations and the status of the platformized music object is explored. The paradigm of Digital Methods is employed to provide a practical illustration of the analytical process for examining the micromaterial elements. This entails a critical re-reading of the elements' influence on and function as indices of the listening experience, thereby contributing to the definition of the users' relationship with the re-mediations operated by the platforms. The analysis will focus on digital platforms, specifically on the digital remediations of the 74th edition of the Sanremo Festival and two tracks presented during the Festival. In addition, the research will contribute to the definition of socio-technical musical imaginaries, with a particular focus on the cases of trap and Italodisco
Evolutionarily distinct lineages of a migratory bird of prey show divergent responses to climate change
No full textAccurately predicting species' responses to anthropogenic climate change is hampered by limited knowledge of their spatiotemporal ecological and evolutionary dynamics. We combine landscape genomics, demographic reconstructions, and species distribution models to assess the eco-evolutionary responses to past climate fluctuations and to future climate of an Afro-Palaearctic migratory raptor, the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni). We uncover two evolutionarily and ecologically distinct lineages (European and Asian), whose demographic history, evolutionary divergence, and historical distribution range were profoundly shaped by past climatic fluctuations. Using future climate projections, we find that the Asian lineage is at higher risk of range contraction, increased migration distance, climate maladaptation, and consequently greater extinction risk than the European lineage. Our results emphasise the importance of providing historical context as a baseline for understanding species' responses to contemporary climate change, and illustrate how incorporating intraspecific genetic variation improves the ecological realism of climate change vulnerability assessments
Giusto processo penale e assunzione anticipata della prova
No full textIl testo mira ad approfondire i rapporti tra i canoni del giusto processo penale e il procedimento di formazione della prova