5603 research outputs found
Sort by
Assessment of the cheese-making aptitude of milk from Reggiana breed cows through the study of innovative phenotypes
No full textThe aim of this thesis is to analyse the cheesemaking aptitude of milk produced by Reggiana cows,
through the study of innovative phenotypic parameters related to curd formation and the
technological potential of the milk itself. Focus on indicators such as cheese yield, recovery of
solids in the curd, and the time of first casein micelle flocculation, which are fundamental
parameters for assessing milk suitability for cheesemaking.
This thesis also explores the importance of conserving and enhancing Italian native breeds.
The Reggiana breed, traditionally used for the production of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, stands out
for its unique genetic and technological characteristics, which deserve to be scientifically studied
and promoted.
To highlight the strengths of Reggiana milk, a comparative analysis with other dairy breeds,
particularly Holstein-Friesian, was carried out. The comparison of phenotypic and technological
parameters allows for the identification of differences in cheesemaking aptitude and emphasises the
added value that local breeds can offer in terms of product quality and market differentiation.
Therefore, this thesis aims not only to provide a detailed technological profile of Reggiana milk but
also to support genetic conservation strategies and the economic valorization of this important native
bree
Sustainable Carbon Materials Derived from Biomass for Energy Storage Systems
No full textThe global demand for energy needs the development of new and efficient technologies capable of storing energy in many ways. Every sector within the energy field is undergoing innovations to meet market requests. Alongside optimizing energy storage devices and systems, extensive research is being conducted on materials that can enhance and improve the performance of energy systems. Carbon-based materials constitute a significant part of this market due to their exceptional conductive properties, tunable porosity, and morphological versatility, making them ideal candidates for energy-storage applications.
In the idea of designing more sustainable devices while avoiding the depletion of fossil fuels, carbon-based materials can be derived from biomass resources. Biomass represents an abundant, cost-effective, and easily recoverable carbon source. Several carbonization methods can be employed depending on the desired final product. For solid carbon materials, the most common approaches are pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization, yielding distinct carbon materials tailored for specific applications.
The use of activated carbon and hard carbon derived from biomass in energy applications offers significant advantages in terms of capacity, energy density, cost, and safety for emerging energy storage devices. In this thesis project, agricultural and cereal by-products were processed using two different synthesis methods to produce activated carbon and hard carbon.
Activated carbons were obtained through pyrolysis combined with chemical activation using KOH at two different concentrations to evaluate surface area and porosity development. These materials were tested as electrodes in aqueous supercapacitors, aiming to minimize the use of toxic and environmentally unfriendly reagents in energy devices. Two electrolytes, one with alkaline pH and the other neutral, were employed. It was demonstrated that the combination of specific porosity characteristics with a neutral electrolyte extended the potential window of aqueous supercapacitors up to 1.7 V, instead of 1 V, reaching an energy density of 22.5 Wh·kg-1.
Activated carbons were also investigated as solid hydrogen adsorbents, focusing on their ability to adsorb and release H2 under liquid N2 temperatures. This study evaluated the storage performance of different precursors and surface areas, providing a comprehensive understanding of potential materials for hydrogen storage applications. The best result in terms of gravimetric capacity was achieved by rice-derived activated carbon with a 6:1 activation of 4.8 wt%.
Finally, hard carbons were tested as anodes in Na-ion half-cells with the aim of synthesizing carbons comparable to those currently available on the market. The synthesis involved hydrothermal carbonization followed by high-temperature annealing. To determine optimal parameters, three syntheses were conducted at different temperatures, allowing for the observation of physicochemical changes in the samples. Two biomass types, rice husk and corncob, were utilized in this study, with corncob-derived hard carbons demonstrating excellent performance in terms of capacity with a high coulombic efficiency of 89% and long cycle stability.
In general, this study demonstrates the versatility of carbon-based materials derived from biomass for various energy storage applications, illustrating the potential of simple and scalable synthesis processes
NutriVerse: An educational Journey to discover Nutrients
No full textLa tesi racconta la progettazione di un’esperienza ludica e formativa pensata per accompagnare gli studenti delle scuole secondarie di II grado verso l’instaurazione di un rapporto con il cibo più consapevole ed equilibrato. L’esperienza, di natura phygital, combina strumenti analogici e digitali per coinvolgere attivamente i partecipanti attraverso l’Active Learning, la Gamification e la stimolazione multisensoriale.
Nasce un laboratorio sinestetico il quale non insegna semplicemente cosa mangiare ma come scegliere: un invito a riflettere, esplorare e sviluppare autonomia critica, promuovendo un uso sano e consapevole della tecnologia. La creazione dell’elaborato, ha richiesto l’intersezione di diverse aree disciplinari.
A partire dall’applicazione dei principi del game design accostati all’ambito educativo, fondamentali per la definizione delle meccaniche ludiche. A seguire, la progettazione di prodotto, necessaria per dare vita agli elementi fisici, i quali permettono lo svolgimento dell’esperienza, è stata accostata ad azioni interessanti il campo della UX/UI design, utile alla realizzazione di interfacce in grado di creare un percorso narrativo ed esperienziale coerente con gli strumenti tangibili. L’intero sistema, è stato infatti concepito in una prospettiva integrata, con l’obiettivo di favorire una spiccata continuità e armonia tra la dimensione fisica e digitale, favorendo il coinvolgimento attivo.
Il risultato è un modello pedagogico innovativo, pensato come supporto alle attività didattiche tradizionali e, contemporaneamente, concepito per essere scalabile ed adattabile ad altri contesti educativi.The thesis describes the design of a playful and educational experience aimed at guiding upper secondary school students toward developing a more conscious and balanced relationship with food. The experience, conceived as phygital, combines analog and digital tools to actively engage participants through Active Learning, Gamification, and multisensory stimulation.
The result is a synesthetic workshop that does not simply teach what to eat, but how to choose: an invitation to reflect, explore, and develop critical autonomy while promoting a healthy and mindful use of technology.
The creation of the project required the intersection of multiple disciplinary fields. It began with the application of game design principles integrated into the educational domain, which were essential for defining the game mechanics. Subsequently, product design, necessary to bring the physical elements of the experience to life, was combined with actions related to UX/UI design, used to develop interfaces capable of creating a narrative and experiential journey consistent with the tangible tools.
The entire system was conceived from an integrated perspective, with the goal of fostering strong continuity and harmony between the physical and digital dimensions, thus enhancing active involvement.
The outcome is an innovative pedagogical model designed to support traditional teaching activities and, at the same time, conceived to be scalable and adaptable to other educational contexts
Outcome of dogs with multicentric lymphoma treated by chemotherapy or corticosteroids alone
No full textLymphoma is among the most common haematopoietic malignancies in dogs and is associated
with variable outcomes depending on several prognostic factors and the therapeutic strategy
employed. While multiple treatment protocols have been described in the veterinary literature,
evidence regarding the efficacy of corticosteroids as a sole therapeutic approach remains limited.
In this retrospective study, the medical records of 55 dogs with a cytological diagnosis of high-
grade multicentric lymphoma were reviewed to compare overall survival time (OST) according to
the treatment administered. The findings not only confirm previous reports but also demonstrate a
statistically significant difference in median survival time between dogs receiving chemotherapy
and those treated with corticosteroids alone (p-value < 0.0001 with Log-Rank test; p-value =
0.0006 with Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon). The ratio of the median survival time between the two
groups (3.5) further indicates that chemotherapy substantially prolongs life expectancy, whereas
the sole corticosteroid administration is associated with earlier mortality and a higher risk of death.
These results support the role of chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for canine multicentric
lymphoma, whereas corticosteroids should be confined to cases in which chemotherapy is not an
option, or employed solely for palliative purposes. Nonetheless, the limited sample size and the
potential biases related to incomplete data standardization underscore the need for prospective
randomized trials to provide stronger comparative evidence.Il linfoma rappresenta una delle neoplasie ematopoietiche più comuni nel cane ed è caratterizzato
da esiti clinici variabili, influenzati da molteplici fattori prognostici e dalle strategie terapeutiche
adottate. Sebbene in letteratura siano stati descritti diversi protocolli di trattamento, le evidenze
relative all9impiego dei corticosteroidi come unica modalità terapeutica risultano ancora limitate.
Nel presente studio retrospettivo, sono state analizzate le cartelle cliniche di 55 cani con diagnosi
citologica di linfoma multicentrico ad alto grado, al fine di confrontare il tempo di sopravvivenza
globale in relazione al trattamento somministrato. I risultati non solo confermano quanto riportato
da studi precedenti, ma evidenziano anche una differenza statisticamente significativa nel tempo
mediano di sopravvivenza tra i soggetti sottoposti a chemioterapia e quelli trattati esclusivamente
con corticosteroidi (p-value < 0.0001 con test Log-Rank; p-value = 0.0006 con test Gehan-
Breslow-Wilcoxon). Inoltre, il rapporto tra i tempi mediani di sopravvivenza nei due gruppi (3.5)
indica come la chemioterapia determini un sostanziale prolungamento dell9aspettativa di vita,
mentre la sola somministrazione di corticosteroidi si associ a una sopravvivenza più breve e a un
rischio di morte maggiore.
Questi dati confermano il ruolo della chemioterapia quale trattamento di prima scelta per il linfoma
multicentrico del cane, mentre l9impiego dei corticosteroidi dovrebbe essere riservato
esclusivamente ai casi in cui la chemioterapia non rappresenti un9opzione o a fini puramente
palliativi. Tuttavia, la dimensione ridotta del campione e i potenziali bias derivanti da
un9incompleta standardizzazione dei dati sottolineano la necessità di studi prospettici randomizzati
in grado di fornire evidenze comparative più solide
Low-Power Circuits in CMOS Technology for Smart and Portable IoT Devices
No full textThis thesis addresses the challenges faced by Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) devices, specifically the need for energy-efficient solutions that support AI capabilities at the edge while preserving battery lifetimes. The work focuses on two primary areas: integrating smart computing capabilities at the edge and designing a low-power multiple-output voltage reference for power management. A novel solution is proposed for executing deep neural networks efficiently by implementing the Analog in-Memory Computing (AiMC) paradigm. A mixed-signal accelerator is presented, focusing on the design of the Single-Pulse-Delay-Chain (SPDC) Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). The circuit achieves high linearity and low energy consumption, with a narrow layout pitch, which is essential in dense accelerator macro. Additionally, the thesis presents the CuReus-VREF, a low-power, multiple-output voltage reference that generates stable voltages with nano amperes current consumption, suitable for power-constrained systems such as implantable devices. By limiting the energy requirements, the proposed solutions aim to facilitate the use of energy harvesters and address environmental concerns related to battery disposal. The main contributions lie in the design of a new DAC for mixed-signal accelerators in the AiMC context, and an ultra-low-power voltage reference, offering scalable, energy-efficient solutions for IoT and AIoT devices
The Interactive ‘Social Brain’: Behavioral and Neural Substrates for the Processing of Potential Engagement in Motor Interactions
No full textOver the past three decades, the 'Social Brain' model in cognitive neuroscience has emphasized a division between abstract mentalizing processes (MENTA network) and sensorimotor encoding of others’ actions (Mirror Neuron System, MNS). This separation, however, limits our understanding of social cognition, particularly in interactive contexts. 'Second-person Neuroscience' suggests that direct engagement in social interactions recruits different neural and behavioral resources for interpreting others' intentions. We examined this by studying markers of social intent in motor and facial cues, comparing individualistic (grasp to place) and social (grasp to pass) actions. Kinematic analysis showed that social grasps were slower, more precise, and more predictive for observers, with hand positioning signaling social intention, potentially linked to affordance processing. Eye-tracking confirmed the face as the most attended feature during action observation.
In an fMRI follow-up, stimuli were used to assess neural responses to social intention and engagement-related features. Action-directedness, not social intent, primarily activated premotor, temporal, and occipital areas, while engagement ratings were associated with increased sensorimotor simulation. Representational Similarity Analysis showed shared engagement coding between MNS and TPJ, with right-lateralized regions focusing on engagement and left-lateralized areas on goals. These findings reveal key neural mechanisms for engagement in observed social actions
Gli epigrammi ‘anacreontei’. Introduzione, edizione e commento
No full textIn questo lavoro, si analizzano il corpus degli epigrammi attribuiti ad Anacreonte e i suoi contesti di trasmissione, con l’effetto di ridimensionare l’eccezionalità del fenomeno epigrammatico ‘anacreonteo’. L’elevato numero di componimenti trasmessi sotto al nome di Anacreonte non sembra derivare, infatti, da una supposta Sylloge Anacreontea, come ipotizzato in precedenza, ma sembra in larga parte il prodotto di un errore meccanico avvenuto nelle ultime fasi della trasmissione testuale. In origine, la maggior parte di questi carmi (epp. 8-18) dovevano costituire una quarta Series Simonidea, complementare a quella riscontrabile nel settimo libro dell’Anthologia (AP VII 507b-513); a causa della cattiva gestione e trascrizione dei lemmi antologici, essa venne nelle ultime fasi della sua trasmissione integralmente e involontariamente ascritta ad Anacreonte. Il corpus epigrammatico effettivamente circolante come ‘anacreonteo’ in epoca antica (epp. 1-7) appare, al contrario, di dimensioni e contenuto non significativamente diversi dai piccoli corpora attribuiti agli altri lirici arcaici, sfumando la percezione di una singolarità anacreontea nel panorama epigrammatico greco. Queste conclusioni, ridefinendo le ipotesi precedenti, invitano a riconsiderare il ruolo degli epigrammi nella costruzione dell’identità poetica del Teio, ma anche ad allontanare definitivamente dalla biografia del poeta l’ipotesi di una sua permanenza in Tessaglia, basata interamente su due dei carmi ‘anacreontei’ che sono da considerarsi, con ogni probabilità, in realtà ‘simonidei’
A morsi A narrative and visual exploration of eating habits
No full textA morsi è un progetto di ricerca narrativa e visiva che indaga il ruolo del cibo come forma di identità personale, culturale ed emotiva. Attraverso un approccio multidisciplinare che combina metodi antropologici, analisi teorica e rappresentazione artistica, il lavoro esplora come le esperienze individuali influenzino le abitudini alimentari e il significato attribuito al cibo nella vita quotidiana. La ricerca preliminare si articola in un questionario e in interviste semistrutturate condotte con un gruppo selezionato di partecipanti, scelti per la diversità dei loro vissuti e per la ricchezza narrativa emersa dalle risposte. I racconti raccolti — ricordi d’infanzia, rituali domestici, migrazioni, relazioni affettive, cambiamenti di vita — mostrano come il cibo agisca da veicolo di memoria, appartenenza e trasformazione. I risultati dell’indagine vengono tradotti in un zine illustrato, dove parole, immagini, collage e rappresentazioni grafiche dei dati si intrecciano. Ogni doppia pagina è dedicata a un partecipante e ne riflette l’unicità attraverso la scelta dell'estetica, colori, composizioni e media artistici differenti. Il fanzine non mira a restituire un quadro oggettivo delle abitudini alimentari, ma a creare un’esperienza empatica e intima, capace di avvicinare il lettore ai piccoli mondi interiori delle persone coinvolte. Il progetto dimostra come il cibo, al di là della sua funzione biologica, sia un dispositivo narrativo potente: una lente attraverso cui leggere identità, emozioni e tracce di vita quotidiana, trasformandole in racconto visivo. A morsi is a narrative and visual research project that investigates the role of food as a form of personal, cultural, and emotional identity. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining anthropological methods, theoretical analysis, and artistic representation, the work explores how individual experiences shape eating habits and the meaning attributed to food in everyday life.
The preliminary research consists of a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews conducted with a selected group of participants, chosen for the diversity of their backgrounds and the narrative richness revealed in their responses. The collected stories—childhood memories, domestic rituals, migrations, emotional relationships, life changes—show how food acts as a vehicle for memory, belonging, and transformation.
The findings are translated into an illustrated zine, where words, images, collages, and graphic representations of data intertwine. Each spread is dedicated to one participant and reflects their uniqueness through the choice of aesthetics, colors, compositions, and different artistic media.
The zine does not aim to provide an objective picture of eating habits but to create an empathetic and intimate experience, bringing the reader closer to the small inner worlds of the people involved. The project demonstrates how food, beyond its biological function, is a powerful narrative device: a lens through which to read identities, emotions, and traces of everyday life, transforming them into visual storytelling
Tempo di riattivazione dell’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-tiroide dopo una terapia con glucocorticoidi
No full textAssessment of thyroid function in dogs treated with glucocorticoids represents one of the
main diagnostic challenges in veterinary endocrinology, as these drugs interfere with the
hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis, causing alterations in hormonal parameters that
can mimic hypothyroidism. The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate
the time required for HPT axis reactivation following the discontinuation of corticosteroid
therapy in dogs managed in a clinical setting.
Ten client-owned dogs with chronic diseases, treated with oral prednisolone for more than
seven days, were enrolled. The thyroid function was monitored by measuring serum TT4 and
TSH concentrations at the time of treatment discontinuation (T0) and subsequently on a
weekly basis until values returned to the reference ranges.
Nine out of ten dogs showed TT4 and TSH values within the reference ranges at T0, with
median TT4 of 2,06 mcg/dl (range: 0,50-4,02) and median TSH of 0,07 ng/ml (range: 0,03
0,48); the median prednisolone dose at the time of discontinuation was 0.28 mg/kg (range:
0.11–0.74). These results suggest that the reduced dose was already sufficient to allow
reactivation of the thyroid axis. Only one dog showed a persistent decrease in TT4, likely
attributable to a Non-Thyroidal Illness Syndrome.
The results suggest that, in dogs undergoing gradual glucocorticoid tapering protocols,
thyroid function could be reliably assessed at the time of therapy discontinuation, without
the need for additional waiting periods. This may reduce the risk of misdiagnosis of
hypothyroidism and unnecessary levothyroxine treatment. Further studies on larger
populations, including different discontinuation protocols and additional endocrine
parameters, will be necessary to confirm these findings and more precisely define the
dynamics of HPT axis recovery.La valutazione della funzione tiroidea nei cani trattati con glucocorticoidi rappresenta una
delle principali sfide diagnostiche in endocrinologia veterinaria, poiché questi farmaci
interferiscono con l’asse ipotalamo–ipofisi–tiroide (HPT), causando alterazioni dei
parametri ormonali che possono simulare l’ipotiroidismo. L’obiettivo di questo studio
osservazionale prospettico è stato valutare il tempo di riattivazione dell’asse HPT dopo la
sospensione della terapia corticosteroidea in cani gestiti in un contesto clinico.
Sono stati arruolati dieci cani di proprietà con patologie croniche e trattati con prednisolone
per via orale per più di sette giorni. La funzione tiroidea è stata monitorata misurando le
concentrazioni sieriche di TT4 e TSH al momento della sospensione del trattamento (T0) e
successivamente con cadenza settimanale, fino al ritorno dei valori negli intervalli di
riferimento.
Nove cani su dieci presentavano valori di TT4 e TSH entro gli intervalli di riferimento a T0, con
una mediana di TT4 pari a 2,06 mcg/dl (range: 0,50-4,02) e una mediana di TSH pari a 0,07
ng/ml (range: 0,03-0,48); la dose mediana di prednisolone al momento della sospensione
era di 0,28 mg/kg (range: 0,11–0,74). Questi risultati suggeriscono che il dosaggio ridotto
fosse già sufficiente a permettere la riattivazione dell’asse tiroideo. Solo un soggetto ha
mostrato una riduzione persistente del TT4, verosimilmente attribuibile a una sindrome da
malattia non tiroidea (Non-Thyroidal Illness Syndrome).
I
risultati suggeriscono che, nei cani sottoposti a protocolli di riduzione graduale dei
glucocorticoidi, la funzione tiroidea potrebbe essere valutata in modo affidabile già al
momento della sospensione della terapia, senza necessità di ulteriori periodi di attesa. Ciò
potrebbe ridurre il rischio di diagnosi errate di ipotiroidismo e di trattamenti non necessari
con levotiroxina. Saranno necessari studi futuri su popolazioni più ampie, comprendenti
diverse modalità di sospensione e ulteriori parametri endocrini, per confermare questi
risultati e definire con maggiore precisione le dinamiche di recupero dell’asse HPT
Fisionomie in movimento. Le opere del plasticatore modenese Guido Mazzoni tra donazioni e mercato antiquario
No full textTre frammenti scultorei attribuiti a Guido Mazzoni, plasticatore modenese attivo tra la fine del Quattrocento e l’inizio del secolo successivo, vengono esaminati in questo studio per comprendere meglio i percorsi che hanno condotto alla loro musealizzazione. Questi frammenti condividono fattura e materiale simili, oltre ad uno stato di conservazione comparabile, offrendo l’opportunità di aprire riflessioni su come il contesto sociale abbia giocato un ruolo chiave in questi processi