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Collection of human biological samples and personal data: a legal study for a trustworthy biobank governance
Get PDFResearch biobanks are collections of human biological samples and personal data on a long-term basis for future scientific research purposes and, therefore, fundamental infrastructure for the conduction of scientific research and the advancement of society, especially in the medical field. However, the matter is not specifically regulated, either at the supranational or the national level, and therefore the applicable provisions should be found in the sectorial regulations that govern biobanking activities. Among the various controversial issues that arise in this field, that of the models for the collection of human biological samples and the personal data to be stored in the biobank is particularly controversial. The aim of this study is, therefore, to provide a comprehensive analysis of these models from a regulatory perspective, at both the supranational and national level. After having provided general definitions of the main concepts used in biobanking and an overview of the hard and soft law instruments applicable to the field, the study is devoted to describing the available lawful methods for collecting biological samples and personal data first as a primary and then as a secondary use. In order to choose the appropriate method, the biobank should evaluate its impact on the participant’s right to data protection in its actual conceptualisation, and strike a balance between the latter and the interest of society in the advancement of scientific research. Moreover, the study proposes a subsidiary test to conduct to this end, i.e. a trust test to evaluate the impact of the choice on participant’s trust in biobanking. Finally, an overview of the issue of anonymity in the context of biobanking is provided, usually referred to as the technical measure to solve data protection issues, but which is rendered increasingly more challenging to achieve by technological advancements
Spawning induction, egg management, larval rearing and weaning of the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and other relevant mugilidae.
Get PDFThe cosmopolitan flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) like other Mugilidae species is a catadromous, detritivore teleost. It is an oviparous gonochoristic species, characterized by a synchronous ovarian development and one spawning period observed from July to October, depending on geographical location. Males mature between 1 and 2 years of age, while females reach maturity between 2 and 4 years of age. Recently, the family of Mugilidae has been identified as a promising species for aquaculture. This species has fast growth, does not require high amounts of dietary fish meal and oil and can be reared in a wide range of salinities and culture systems, making this species the perfect candidate to boost sustainable aquaculture production in the Mediterranean region. In Italy, mullet farming is still almost entirely based on extensive techniques, with wild juveniles being reared in coastal lagoons and semi-intensive ponds. In this context, closing the life cycle under captive conditions, producing hatchery reared juveniles and their subsequent farming has been suggested as a suitable strategy for the enhancement of depleted wild populations and for boosting the local lucrative production of bottarga
Travelling together with migrants in Great Britain during the Ventennio. Three biographies: Camillo Pellizzi, Emidio Recchioni and Pietro Gualducci
Get PDFNella Gran Bretagna degli anni 1920-40 i migranti italiani cominciano a percepire l’idea della nazione e dell’identità nazionale. Se da un lato l’emergente regime fascista ha tra le sue finalità quella di costruire il paese, sollecitando negli italiani all’estero l’esigenza di elaborare una identità nazionale, dall’altro gli esuli italiani danno vita al primo movimento antifascista fuori dall’Italia, rivendicando quegli ideali di internazionalismo tipici del pensiero socialista ed anarchico, lontani dal nazionalismo.
Obiettivo di questo progetto di ricerca è quello di mettere in luce e a confronto queste due realtà contrastanti, cioè il rafforzamento del senso d’identità nazionale (soprattutto nei fascisti e nei simpatizzanti del fascismo), da una parte, e il cosmopolitismo di coloro che non si identificano con la nazione (perlopiù anarchici), dall’altra. Nel primo caso, viene analizzata l’opera di promozione nazionale intrapresa dal fascismo tramite le università e le istituzioni culturali in Gran Bretagna, attraverso la figura di Camillo Pellizzi, politologo e sociologo. Nel secondo caso, si prendono in considerazione alcuni emigrati romagnoli, in particolare le figure di Emidio Recchioni e Pietro Gualducci: si indaga sul loro effettivo coinvolgimento nell’antifascismo.
Un ulteriore approfondimento è quello dedicato all’inchiesta di Lord Snell sulla nave da guerra Arandora Star, diretta in Canada con a bordo prigionieri italiani, tedeschi ed austriaci, affondata da un sottomarino tedesco il 2 luglio 1940. Morirono 446 italiani, molti dei quali erano antifascisti o ebrei. Dato il numero ingente delle vittime, Winston Churchill incaricò Lord Snell di fare un’indagine sui metodi di scelta dei passeggeri.
Il pensiero, l’attività di Camillo Pellizzi, Emidio Recchioni, Pietro Gualducci e l’inchiesta di Lord Snell vengono ricostruite tramite un’indagine storiografica e deduttiva dei documenti, reperiti in quattro archivi distinti: l’Archivio Famiglia Berneri-Aurelio Chessa (Reggio Emilia), la Fondazione Ugo Spirito e Renzo De Felice, l’Archivio di Stato Centrale (Roma) e The National Archives (Londra).In Great Britain in the Ventennio, Italian migrants began to perceive the idea of the nation and national identity. If, on the one hand, the emerging fascist regime had among its aims that of building the country, urging Italians abroad to develop a national identity, on the other hand, the Italian exiles gave life to the first anti-fascist movement outside Italy, claiming those ideals of internationalism typical of socialist and anarchist thought, far from nationalism.
The aim of this research project is to highlight and compare these two contrasting realities, i.e. the strengthening of the sense of national identity (especially in fascists and fascist sympathizers), on the one hand, and the cosmopolitanism of those who do not identify with the nation (mostly anarchists), on the other hand. In the first case, the work of national promotion undertaken by fascism through universities and cultural institutions in Great Britain is analyzed, through Camillo Pellizzi, a political scientist and sociologist. In the second case, some emigrants from Romagna, Emidio Recchioni and Pietro Gualducci, are taken into consideration and their involvement in anti-fascism is investigated.
A further analysis is dedicated to Lord Snell’s inquiry into the warship Arandora Star, bound for Canada with Italian, German and Austrian prisoners on board, sunk by a German submarine on 2 July 1940. 446 Italians died, many of whom were anti-fascists or Jews. Given the large number of casualties, Prime Minister Winston Churchill instructed Lord Snell to investigate the methods of choosing passengers.
The thought and activity of Camillo Pellizzi, Emidio Recchioni, Pietro Gualducci and Lord Snell’s inquiry are reconstructed through a historiographical and deductive investigation of the documents, found in Four archives: the Berneri-Aurelio Chessa Family Archive (Reggio Emilia), the Ugo Spirito and Renzo De Felice Foundation, the Central State Archives (Rome) and The National Archives (London)
Analysis of the effects of barotropic and internal tides on the Mediterranean Sea dynamics through numerical experiments
Get PDFTides in the Mediterranean Sea are low in amplitude compared to many regions of the global ocean, but they have impacts beyond their own temporal and spatial scales, affecting temperature, salinity, currents, and mixing. Additionally, due to the complex geometry of this semi-enclosed basin, they can generate intense and complex internal waves. A numerical modelling approach can be used to investigate these impacts and understand the scales at which tides affect the Mediterranean Sea dynamics. Twin experiments using a high-resolution general circulation model of the Mediterranean Sea, with and without tides, were used for this initial investigation. It was found that tides amplify several basin and sub-basin modes (seiches) of the Mediterranean Sea, and their effects on kinetic energy are nonlinear, including interactions between baroclinic tides and near-inertial internal waves. Tides increase the mixed layer depth of the Mediterranean Sea and the western Mediterranean deep water formation rates. Further experiments were carried out to map the generation sites and regions of propagation of internal tides at the Mediterranean Sea basin level. Implementations of two numerical models were used, unveiling the effects of internal tides in the Mediterranean Sea in more detail. Internal tides are primarily generated in the Gibraltar Strait, the Sicily Strait/Malta Bank, and the Hellenic Arc regions. Long-distance propagation of semidiurnal internal tides up to hundreds of kilometres was discovered, affecting mainly the Algerian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, and Ionian Sea. Additionally, bottom-trapped diurnal internal tides are found in several regions. The models depict two modes of the M2 internal tide and three modes of the K1 internal tide, as revealed by wavenumber spectra. The two models show similar regions of internal tide generation and propagation, but are not identical, which is attributed to differences in modelling set-up, stratification, bathymetry, and the tidal forcing implemented in the models
Faustian history of the Italian twentieth century
Get PDFL’obiettivo di questa tesi è studiare le riscritture novecentesche del mito di Faust. La prima parte della ricerca ripercorre le tappe del mito e analizza forme e temi dei miti letterari moderni; inoltre, pone le basi per quelle che saranno le tre prospettive teoriche con cui verranno studiati i testi. Queste fanno riferimento alle teorie critiche di alcuni dei più influenti pensatori moderni, che diedero largo spazio al Faust di Goethe nei loro studi: Marx, Nietzsche, Freud e Jung. Inquadrando il rapporto di questi autori con il mito faustiano sarà possibile delinearne le future traiettorie evolutive. La seconda parte, invece, si concentra interamente sui testi. Questi sono stati divisi per gruppi in base ai temi cui dedicano maggiore attenzione e poi analizzati attraverso una lettura ravvicinata. La selezione si occupa dei testi novecenteschi poiché meno studiati rispetto a quelli dell’Ottocento. Tra gli autori più rilevanti che hanno affrontato il mito di Faust ci sono Campana, Landolfi, Calvino e Sanguineti. Allo studio per gruppi seguono delle conclusioni in cui la rete di testi viene analizzata nella sua interezza, al fine di trarre le ultime osservazioni sull’evoluzione del mito di Faust nel Novecento.The aim of this thesis is to study twentieth-century rewritings of the myth of Faust. The first part of the research traces the steps of the myth and analyzes forms and themes of modern literary myths; it also lays the groundwork for what will be the three theoretical perspectives with which the texts will be studied. These refer to the critical theories of some of the most influential modern thinkers, who gave Goethe's "Faust" ample space in their studies: Marx, Nietzsche, Freud and Jung. By framing the relationship of these authors to the Faustian myth, it will be possible to outline its future trajectories. The second part, however, focuses entirely on the texts. These have been divided into groups according to the themes to which they devote most attention and then analyzed through close reading. The selection deals with twentieth-century texts since they have been less studied than those of the nineteenth century. Among the most relevant authors who have addressed the myth of Faust are Campana, Landolfi, Calvino and Sanguineti. This is followed by conclusions in which the network of texts is analyzed in its entirety in order to draw some final observations on the evolution of the Faust myth in the twentieth century
A transdiagnostic approach to the use of virtual reality in the prevention of eating disorders
Get PDF“Virtual reality” (VR) proved to be a useful tool to improve existing psychological treatments and prevention protocols for many psychopathologies, including eating disorders (EDs). While VR-based interventions can reduce ED-related symptomatology, no VR software was developed to concurrently tackle three third-wave cognitive-behavioural transdiagnostic factors linked to EDs: psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, experiential avoidance. The clinical severity of EDs and perfectible success rates of traditional psychotherapies warrant innovative preventive interventions. This Ph.D research project includes three experimental studies aimed at: (Study-1) exploring the acceptability of an innovative VR software (H.O.M.E.–How to Observe and Modify Emotions) designed to tackle these transdiagnostic factors and ED symptoms in the general population (GP) with ED risk; (Study-2) evaluating the feasibility of the 6-sessions H.O.M.E. VR-based preventive intervention in improving transdiagnostic factors and ED symptoms in this population, also compared to a waiting-list and at 3- and 6-months follow-ups; and (Study-3) at qualitatively investigating subjective opinions regarding H.O.M.E. in completers.
N=134 GP individuals with ED risk were screened using online psychometric screening questionnaires. n=30 took part in Study-1, n=40 in Study-2 (n=20 VR-group, n=20 waiting-list). Study-3 included all n=20 participants of Study-2 VR-group.
In Study-1 H.O.M.E. resulted acceptable, producing low cybersickness, satisfactory user experience, but low sense of presence. In Study-2 the H.O.M.E. intervention improved ED symptoms, emotion regulation strategies, and psychological flexibility in VR-group, also when compared to waiting-list, with results maintained at follow-ups.
In Study-3, participants evaluated H.O.M.E. positively, as it subjectively improved their dysfunctional eating behaviors, coping strategies and transdiagnostic factors, and encouraged them to seek psychological support.
Results showed that H.O.M.E. represents a well-accepted, feasible, and positively evaluated tool to prevent EDs. Since people with ED risk rarely seek help due to stigma, H.O.M.E may help engage young individuals with ED risk towards psychological support before the onset of the disorder
Middleware-enabled frugality for intelligent and distributed edge applications
Get PDFIn the ever-evolving landscape of computing, the integration of Artificial Intelligence has become pervasive, empowering applications with unprecedented capabilities. However, as the scope of AI expands, so do the challenges associated with resource constraints, particularly in the realm of intelligent and distributed Edge Applications. This thesis delves into the intersection of two concepts—Frugality and Serverless paradigms—aiming to revolutionize the deployment and functionality of intelligent agents on constrained devices. Distributed Computing in all its facets is discussed, addressing the main challenges related to device heterogeneity and seamless networking management. Experimental contributions in edge and industrial scenarios are presented, confirming the practical application of digital twin technology. In addition, a smart routing approach is novelly presented, showcasing the beneficial application of AI on Distributed Computing tasks. The exploration extends to intelligent and Distributed Edge Applications, where the fusion of AI and decentralized computing offers unlimited potential for swift responsiveness and restrained energy consumption. Understanding the importance of power efficiency in constrained environments, this thesis places a particular emphasis on the trade-off between performance and power consumption. Greener and more sustainable approaches to Distributed Learning are proposed, taking into account power consumption in Federated Learning round planning strategies. Then, we address the challenges related to data constrained scenarios. Privacy and Trust related issues are addressed in a Federated Learning setting proposing a novel contribution. Additionally, considering the scarcity of data and model complexity, we introduce an ensembling of weak autoregressor as a striking solution for traffic volume forecasting. During the exploration at the intersection of AI, frugality, and Serverless Computing, we then focus our attention on those cases where networking conditions are unstable and unreliable. Following the Split Computing paradigm we present a distilled encoder capable of challenging the performance of deeper neural networks, enabling realtime semantic compression on mobile devices
The origin of terms. Terminology as an instrument of knowledge in the 19th century
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the role of terminology, intended as the practice of naming, classifying, and defining specialised concepts, within the scientific progress in Europe during the first half of the 19th century (1800–1850). This is done through the analysis of terminological processes, intended as reflections on term formation by experts in various domains. These processes, which occurred in historical sources such as journal articles and volumes, were later conceptualised and formalised by terminology theory in the 20th and 21st centuries. The examples illustrate processes from various domains, such as meteorology, mineralogy, and architecture, and in English, French, German, and Latin. This thesis describes the reflections of the experts on the importance of terminology and discusses how the analysis of these sources can contribute to the description of these processes in contemporary terminology.
This study illustrates the role of terminology within the 19th-century scientific progress in processes, such as multilingualism-influenced term formation, variation, and standardisation to classify cloud formations (Howard 1803a) and term translation in naming colours (Syme 1814). Discussions among experts on the naming of electrochemical entities highlight the social aspect of term formation (Faraday 1834a). Lastly, the historical sources show how naming guidelines in mineralogy addressed a necessity for standardisation to classify discoveries (Mohs 1820).
On a methodological front, this study contributes to the development of diachronic studies in terminology and to the description of term formation, and it reveals promising intersections between terminology and the history of science to provide insights into the study of terminological processes over time.
Ultimately, this study describes the 19th-century experts as terminologists ante litteram, and precursors of modern-day scholars. Historical studies are encouraged as a rather underexplored area of research in Terminology. This opens an array of possibilities for the description of terminological processes, which have not been investigated to date
"Easy assessment of impacts in scenarios of reconstruction or renovation of existing residential buildings."
Get PDFLa ricerca propone un approccio innovativo volto a facilitare la valutazione delle opzioni di ricostruzione o ristrutturazione sostenibile degli edifici residenziali esistenti. Questo approccio utilizza l’analisi LCA e introduce un nuovo strumento chiamato S.C.O.R.E.S. (Sustainable Construction or Renovation Easy Scoring), progettato per gli utenti finali per semplificare il processo decisionale nei progetti di riqualificazione energetica. S.C.O.R.E.S. integra vari indicatori che coprono le prestazioni economiche, ambientali ed energetiche, selezionati dopo un'analisi dei principali sistemi di valutazione della sostenibilità.
Gli utenti vengono guidati attraverso la valutazione di alternative progettuali: stato attuale, ristrutturazione, estensione e demolizione e ricostruzione sostenibile, consentendo loro scegliere le priorità da dare al progetto. Il database attinge da dati statistici sugli edifici residenziali in Italia e analisi del progetto ProGETonE, che impiega uno esoscheletro multifunzionale in acciaio per la riqualificazione energetica, il consolidamento sismico e l'estensione della facciata.
La metodologia comprende analisi normative, studio degli strumenti di valutazione della sostenibilità, analisi del caso dimostrativo di ProGETonE, simulazioni di scenari, implementazione di S.C.O.R.E.S e validazione mediante casi studio. Il feedback degli utenti finali e degli esperti ha convalidato l'efficacia dello strumento, mentre i casi di studio hanno verificato la l'affidabilità dei risultati.
S.C.O.R.E.S si rivolge a diversi stakeholders, inclusi utenti non tecnici, facilitando le decisioni informate. Favorisce la sostenibilità e la resilienza nelle pratiche edilizie aiutando nella valutazione degli impatti ambientali e sociali, promuovendo la scelta di soluzioni economicamente sostenibili.
Le simulazioni sottolineano l'importanza di considerare tutto il ciclo di vita, specialmente per interventi icome demolizione e ricostruzione sostenibile. Questo approccio olistico è cruciale per gli edifici con bassa prestazione energetica, evidenziando l'importanza delle considerazioni a lungo termine.
Complessivamente, S.C.O.R.E.S è uno strumento intuitivo e accessibile che potrebbe promuovere pratiche edilizie sostenibili e migliorare le decisioni nelle ristrutturazioni residenziali, contribuendo così alla resilienza ecologica e al miglioramento dei progetti.The research introduces an innovative approach aimed at facilitating the assessment of sustainable reconstruction or refurbishment options for existing residential buildings. This approach utilizes Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and introduces a new tool named S.C.O.R.E.S. (Sustainable Construction or Renovation Easy Scoring), tailored to end users to streamline decision-making in energy retrofit projects. S.C.O.R.E.S. integrates various indicators covering economic, environmental, and energy performance, selected following an analysis of prominent building sustainability assessment systems.
Users are guided through the evaluation of project alternatives, ranging from the current state to refurbishment, extension, or demolition and sustainable reconstruction, allowing them to prioritize options based on their preferences. The tool's database draws from statistical data on residential buildings in Italy and analyses from the ProGETonE project, which employs a multifunctional steel exoskeleton for energy refurbishment, seismic consolidation, and facade extension.
The research methodology encompasses regulatory analysis, sustainability tool study, ProGETonE demo case analysis, scenario simulations, S.C.O.R.E.S. design and implementation, and case study validation. Feedback from end users and experts validated the tool's effectiveness, while case studies verified result consistency and reliability.
S.C.O.R.E.S. caters to diverse stakeholders, including non-technical end users, designers, construction professionals, and decision-makers, facilitating informed decision-making and improving project quality. It fosters sustainability and resilience in construction practices by aiding in the evaluation of environmental and social impacts, promoting the selection of economically viable solutions.
Simulations underscore the importance of considering the building's entire life cycle, especially for invasive interventions like demolition and sustainable reconstruction. This holistic approach is crucial for buildings with low energy performance, emphasizing the significance of long-term considerations in decision-making processes.
Overall, S.C.O.R.E.S. emerges as an intuitive, accessible tool with the potential to drive sustainable construction practices and enhance decision-making in residential building refurbishments, thereby contributing to ecological resilience and improved project outcomes
Human interaction control with redundant robots
Get PDFCollaborative robotics is an expanding research topic from both an academic and industrial point of view. In fact, there exists a high number of applications that it is not possible or convenient to completely automatize and therefore require the activity of a human operator. At the same time, it is extremely important that such activities do not cause physical or mental fatigue to the worker. In this context, the presence of robots that can safely interact and cooperate with humans is crucial.
This thesis addresses the theme of collaborative robots, focusing in particular on a hand guiding application with a redundant Franka Emika Panda robot, studying the best control strategy for this framework. The analysis has two main parts, namely end effector control and null space control.
As for end effector control, the objective is that the human operator is able to drive the end effector along a desired path in a precise, smooth and effortless way. Impedance control schemes provide poor results, and this is shown to be due to the shortcomings of the torque interface of the Franka robot. Another strategy is tested, called ``helping'' controller, which sends to the joints control torques aimed at minimizing the force that the user needs to provide to guide the end effector. This scheme has better results, but it is not suitable if also null space commands are sent. Instead, admittance control, gives the best results, also being compatible with null space commands.
As for null space control, two innovative strategies are introduced, finding the null space commands as solutions of constrained optimization. These techniques are compared and tested in a simplified case study on the real robotic platform to show that their computing times are compatible with the real time requirements of the Franka robot