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Pervasive 6G systems: towards sustainable joint sensing and communication systems
No full textThis thesis explores Joint Sensing and Communication (JSC) systems' integration into 5G networks, enabling cooperative target detection, precise localization, and efficient sensing. Utilizing OFDM-based networks, the study addresses challenges and proposes solutions for high-accuracy sensing across varied scenarios. In monostatic systems, a cooperative framework integrates range-angle radar maps across multiple base stations (BSs), achieving precise localization while maintaining communication capacity. Bistatic configurations adapt 5G NR waveforms for robust localization despite DoA estimation limitations and blind zones. Expanding to multistatic systems, MISO and MIMO setups optimize spatial diversity, detection accuracy, and tracking precision through dual-mode operation. Techniques like dynamic role rotation, beamforming, and selective data fusion achieve sub-meter localization accuracy under adverse conditions. The thesis emphasizes resource management, clustering algorithms, and reliability mapping to balance sensing and communication performance, addressing blind zones, clutter, and resource constraints. These insights establish a framework for integrating JSC into mobile networks, advancing applications in autonomous systems, smart cities, and environmental monitoring
Environmental realities versus public narratives: a comparative analysis of sensor data and political discourse.
No full textThis study examines how political language concerning environmental discourse contributes to the construction of collective representations of the ecological crisis in Italy from 2008 to the present. The aim is to understand how linguistic strategies employed in political, media, and educational contexts shape public perceptions of environmental issues. The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on ecolinguistics, 'Critical Discourse Analysis', 'Frame Analysis', language pedagogy, and digital humanities. The corpus includes electoral programmes, institutional speeches delivered at the Conferences of the Parties, articles published in The Post Internazionale, and materials produced by L2 learners of Italian in Hungary. One main outcome of the study is the development of ClimaNet, an experimental ontology designed to map connections between environmental themes and political rhetoric across three levels of analysis: political, media-related, and didactic. The investigation unfolds along two principal lines. The first explores rhetorical and ideological strategies through which Italian political parties frame environmental issues, comparing them with data provided by ISPRA to highlight discrepancies between political narratives and the ecological reality of pollution in Italy. The second examines the reception and re-elaboration of political environmental frames within international educational contexts, analysing how such discourse is interpreted and reformulated by L2 learners of Italian and L1 native speakers, and how it may influence environmental awareness. These aspects are investigated through a questionnaire exploring perceptions. This research proposes an innovative methodological model, applicable in transnational contexts, for the empirical validation of frame analysis and the measurement of environmental discourse perception. In conclusion, the study argues that language is not merely a communicative tool, but a transformative agent capable of shaping—and influencing—the collective understanding of social responses to the climate crisis and, by extension, human perception of the environment.Il presente studio analizza in che modo il linguaggio politico sul discorso ambientale contribuisca alla costruzione delle rappresentazioni collettive della crisi ecologica in Italia, nel periodo compreso tra il 2008 e l’attualità. L’obiettivo è comprendere come le strategie linguistiche adottate nei contesti politico, mediatico ed educativo influenzino la percezione pubblica delle questioni ambientali. La ricerca si fonda su un approccio interdisciplinare che integra ecolinguistica, 'Critical Discourse Analysis', 'Frame Analysis, didattica delle lingue e digital humanities. Il corpus analizzato comprende programmi elettorali, discorsi istituzionali pronunciati alle Conference of the Parties, articoli del The Post Internazionale e materiali prodotti da apprendenti di italiano L2 in Ungheria. Uno degli esiti principali consiste nella costruzione di ClimaNet, un’ontologia sperimentale concepita per mappare le connessioni tra temi ambientali e retorica politica attraverso tre livelli di analisi: politico, mediatico e didattico. L’indagine si articola lungo due direttrici. La prima esplora le strategie retorico-ideologiche mediante le quali i partiti italiani inquadrano le questioni ambientali, mettendole a confronto con i dati forniti da ISPRA, al fine di evidenziare le discrepanze tra narrazione politica e realtà ecologica dell’inquinamento in Italia. La seconda analizza la ricezione e rielaborazione dei frame ambientali dei discorsi politici in contesti educativi internazionali, indagando come tali discorsi vengano interpretati e riformulati da apprendenti d’italiano L2 e parlanti nativi L1, e in che modo possano influenzarne la visione dell’ambiente. Questi aspetti sono approfonditi mediante un questionario volto a rilevare le loro percezioni. La ricerca propone un modello metodologico innovativo, replicabile in contesti transnazionali, per validare empiricamente l’analisi dei frame e misurare la percezione dei discorsi ambientali. In conclusione, si sostiene che il linguaggio non sia soltanto uno strumento comunicativo, ma un agente trasformativo, capace di orientare – e influenzare – la comprensione collettiva delle risposte sociali alla crisi climatica e, di riflesso, la visione dell’ambiente
Bioethical issues concerning assisted reproductive technologies: Gestational surrogacy and human rights
Get PDFThe present dissertation aims to analyse the interplay between reproductive technologies, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice, particularly in the context of international gestational surrogacy arrangements. This inquiry is grounded in the recognition that surrogacy exists at the crossroads of multiple evolving factors, including the shifting dynamics of familial relationships shaped by societal changes, the rapid advancements in reproductive technologies, and the emergence of a global market for biological reproductive materials. Together, these elements create a complex and diversified landscape that resists simplistic categorisation and demands a nuanced exploration. Through the lens of embodied feminism, this dissertation seeks to uncover how reproductive technologies and practices not only transform traditional notions of parenthood and bodily autonomy but also challenge established ethical, social, and legal frameworks. This perspective enables an analysis that prioritises the corporeality and relationality of the individuals involved, highlighting the interconnectedness of reproduction as a deeply personal yet globally significant phenomenon. By situating surrogacy within this multifaceted context, the dissertation aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on the ethical and bioethical implications of surrogacy, offering a foundation for developing frameworks that remain responsive to the everchanging realities of ART, human rights, and societal evolution
The boundaries of ownership. The contribution of agrimensorial practice to the development of roman land law.
Get PDFLa presente ricerca esamina il ruolo dell’agrimensura romana nello sviluppo del diritto fondiario, con un approccio storico-giuridico. Il primo capitolo ricostruisce l’evoluzione della pratica gromatica in diversi contesti, concentrandosi sul mondo romano e sugli strumenti utilizzati dai tecnici. Il secondo capitolo analizza i profili giuridici rilevanti, come la concezione romana della proprietà agricola, l’origine pubblicistica del sistema della limitatio e la genesi delle servitù prediali. Inoltre, viene discusso l’impatto delle conquiste romane sulla redistribuzione delle terre.
Il terzo capitolo si concentra sull’analisi testuale del corpus gromatico, valutando l’uso della terminologia giuridica relativa ai diritti reali. Il quarto capitolo, invece, offre una panoramica sulla persistenza dell’agrimensura in epoca medievale e moderna, mettendola a confronto con il modello romano. Infine, si rivaluta la letteratura gromatica al di fuori della prospettiva giuridica, giustificando alcune imprecisioni terminologiche in ragione della sua natura pratica e didattica.
Le conclusioni evidenziano il valore della collatio per la scienza romanistica, dimostrando come il diritto fondiario romano fosse modellato sulle esigenze di gestione del territorio agricolo.The present study examines the role of Roman land surveying in the development of land law from a historical-legal perspective. The first chapter reconstructs the evolution of gromatic practice across different contexts, focusing on the Roman world and the instruments used by surveyors. The second chapter analyzes key legal aspects, such as the Roman conception of agricultural ownership, the public origins of the limitatio system, and the emergence of predial servitudes. Additionally, the impact of Roman conquests on land redistribution is explored.
The third chapter conducts a textual analysis of the gromatic corpus, assessing the use of legal terminology related to real rights. The fourth chapter provides an overview of the continuity of land surveying in medieval and modern times, comparing it with the Roman model. Finally, gromatic literature is reassessed beyond a purely legal perspective, with a justification for its terminological imprecisions based on its practical and didactic nature.
The conclusions highlight the value of the collatio for Roman legal studies, demonstrating how Roman land law was shaped by the evolving needs of agricultural land management
Development of sustainable intermetallic iron-based gap magnets for automotive applications
No full textRare-earth (RE) permanent magnets are of fundamental importance in the transition from fossil fuels towards renewable energy alternatives since they are used in a variety of technological applications, in particular electric motors and generators. In the last decade, more concerns have been raised regarding the supply risks of RE, their volatile prices and environmental impact. The development of a new class of noncritical magnets with intermediate properties, called “gap magnets”, could help reducing the demand for such critical materials. Since iron is extremely abundant, iron-based materials are desirable for this new class of magnets. In this work, we have synthesized and characterized the intrinsic properties of two families of intermetallic iron-based magnetic materials, namely Fe5SiB2 and Fe2P. Optimization of intrinsic properties is a key step for applications, since high Curie temperature allows higher working temperatures and MS and HA are the theoretical upper limits for remanence and coercivity, respectively. Intrinsic properties can be tuned by chemical substitution, thus, we synthesized different samples of Ge, Re and Cr doped Fe5SiB2 and Co and Si co-doped Fe2−xCoxP1−ySiy. Experimental results on the Fe2P system have also been complemented by theoretical DFT calculations in order to estimate magnetic properties such as magnetic moment and magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy. Results show that, despite increased anisotropy, doped Fe5SiB2 system remains a semi-hard magnet, but Fe2−xCoxP1−ySiy has great potential as gap magnet, with theoretical maximumenergy product approaching 200 kJ/m3
Exploring the nervous system and some effector organs in veterinary species with a focus on calcium-binding proteins, serotonergic, endocannabinoid and peptidergic systems
Get PDFThis study aims to enhance scientific knowledge in veterinary anatomy by analyzing different regions of the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS), and effector organs in various species, focusing on key biological systems. For the CNS, research was conducted on: 1) the entorhinal cortex (EC) of the bottlenose dolphin, using immunoperoxidase to examine the distribution, cytoarchitecture, and morphology of three calcium-binding proteins (calretinin, calbindin D-28K, and parvalbumin); 2) the amygdaloid complex (AC) of the rat and sheep. In rats, we studied the vasoactive intestinal peptide (a peptidergic system component) and its co-localization with the GABAergic system using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence. In sheep, we investigated AC connectivity with the brain using diffusion tensor imaging. 3) The optic lobe (OL) of the honeybee, where immunofluorescence against the serotonin transporter (SERT) was used to assess serotonergic system distribution and its correlation with aggressive behavior. For the PNS, we examined: 1) the trigeminal ganglion (TG) of the horse, studying cannabinoid receptor distribution in different cell types using immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase; 2) the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the dolphin, focusing on substance P (SP) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to distinguish excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Effector organs studied included: 1) the skin of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD); 2) the synovial membrane of the metacarpophalangeal joint in horses and 3) the hip and stifle joints in dogs. In these tissues, cannabinoid receptor distribution was analyzed due to their role in pain and inflammation. This work provides an overview of existing literature and presents scientific articles that address gaps in knowledge, establishing fundamental anatomical insights for future research
Applications of cold atmospheric plasma as green technology for food shelf-life extension and functionalization
Get PDFPlasma is considered the 4th state of matter, it consists a large number of reactive species and photons. These species and energy can be used synergistically for various applications, including to alter the properties of agricultural products and foods and to decontaminate foods from microorganisms. However, there are still many unknown aspects related to the application of cold plasma to food products. This PhD thesis has focused on two main applications of cold plasma in the food sector, namely the functionalization of food components as starch and flour, and the decontamination of fresh products to extend their shelf-life, as green and sustainable alternative to overcome the problems related to traditional methods currently in use. Several experimental procedures were evaluated individually by the following studies: the application of PAW for 1) the modification of techno-functional properties of potato, normal maize and waxy maize starches, 2) the enhancement of the annealing effect on potato starch, 3) the modification of sorption isotherms, thermodynamics and hydration properties of potato starch, and the application of gaseous plasma for 4) the modification of techno-functional properties of teff flour, and 5) the extension of shelf-life of fresh strawberries. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that ACP, both in gaseous and liquid form (PAW), is a promising alternative to chemical modification of starches and flours, affecting the structural and functional properties and allowing to significantly reduce the time required for annealing, thus improving efficiency and sustainability. The treatment of fresh strawberries resulted in a significant increase in shelf-life, with minimal impact on product quality. The overall results of this thesis highlight the suitability of cold plasma to be used in the food sector as green and sustainable alternative to the methods currently in use and pave the way for sustainable innovation in the food industry
Aquí no se bota (casi) nada. Waste, value, and the economy of discards in Havana
Get PDFIn Havana, a significant economic phenomenon takes place, centred around the recycling and transformation of discarded materials into newly usable objects. This semi-submerged local economy provides the population with items that are otherwise unavailable on the market or too expensive to purchase for the population. The variety of materials and objects recovered from waste is vast, as are the potential social biographies they might carry, having been rescued from the piles of discards that accumulate in Havana’s streets. This phenomenon has largely escaped public discourse and the attention of Cuban authorities. Instead, individuals engaging in waste-related activities, particularly those seen rummaging through the garbage, often face derision and social stigma. Their sustainable practices, driven primarily by necessity and scarcity, are not recognized as positive contributions to Cuban society, nor have they been the subject of ethnographic inquiry until now. This thesis, Aquí no se bota (casi) nada, is the result of about eighteen months of ethnographic fieldwork aimed at analysing Havana’s waste and the social practices that give rise to what I term the waste economy. Through this study, I contribute to the growing field of Waste Studies and to anthropological works about Cuba. Regarding the former, this thesis offers rich reflections and insights about the concepts of waste and value and how they are interconnected. In particular, I address how people create value from waste. I understand value as something meaningful to humans, as anthropologists like Graeber (2013) and Taylor (2024) have sought to define analytically. This study focuses not only on the monetary value that discarded items acquire once recovered and processed but also on the immaterial, unique values that emerge from social interactions and life experiences within Havana’s waste world
Machine Learning and network based methods for the analysis of biological systems involved in food processing
Get PDFThroughout this thesis, we used network-based approaches such as network diffusion, community detection and centrality measures to successfully identify new genes related to E. coli’s antimicrobial resistance to widely used antimicrobial’s. Interestingly, some of these inferred genes were also experimentally validated. On the other hand, network-based centrality measures, combined with the dynamic constraint-based modeling approaches applied to genome scale metabolic models has permitted the development of a new tool used to construct context-specific metabolic networks in yeast cells. Alongside, we also considered applying machine learning methods to analyze cheese-related data collected by our colleagues within the E-MUSE consortium. We demonstrated a strong microbiome-metabolome relationship in cheese, by using a microbial metatranscriptome dataset for training the predictive model and another one as independent validation, and made use of it to estimate the cheese flavor profiles directly from the microbial gene expression. The accuracy of the trained models could reach 50 to 83 %. Moreover, the analysis of the genes selected by the modeling procedure showed their consistency with biological pathways, mainly the metabolic ones associated to flavor production
Towards intelligent spectrum awareness in wireless networks
Get PDFIn the 6G era, efficient spectrum utilization is crucial due to the increasing number of wireless devices. Future networks must handle extreme spectrum congestion, necessitating novel strategies beyond 5G. Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems will enable simultaneous data transmission and environmental sensing, supporting applications like traffic monitoring and urban safety. However, ISAC introduces security risks, particularly radar-related threats such as deceptive jamming, which can compromise sensing functions.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a key role in network orchestration and spectrum management, but it also introduces new vulnerabilities, including signal jamming and denial-of-service attacks. AI-enabled adversaries can dynamically adapt their attacks, making anomaly detection more challenging. To secure 6G networks, robust spectrum monitoring is essential to detect and mitigate these threats.
This thesis presents a novel spectrum patrolling framework that secures wireless networks by leveraging distributed sensors to monitor the radio-frequency (RF) environment. Advanced signal processing techniques extract meaningful analytics to detect and counteract jamming and unauthorized spectrum usage. A blind source separation (BSS) technique isolates malicious signals, while causal inference using transfer entropy (TE) identifies jamming attacks. In an ISAC context, a variational autoencoder (VAE)-based approach enhances jamming detection.
Furthermore, cooperative wideband spectrum sensing (WSS) is explored using factor analysis and variational inference to assess spectrum occupancy, estimate user count, and measure noise power. A statistical meta-analysis technique is introduced to improve the synthesis of independent tests