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Packaging and food waste preventing strategies for sustainable food supply chain networks
No full textThe central aim of this dissertation is to introduce innovative methods, models, and tools to enhance the overall performance of supply chains responsible for handling perishable products. This concept of improved performance encompasses several critical dimensions, including enhanced efficiency in supply chain operations, product quality, safety, sustainability, waste generation minimization, and compliance with norms and regulations. The research is structured around three specific research questions that provide a solid foundation for delving into and narrowing down the array of potential solutions. These questions primarily concern enhancing the overall performance of distribution networks for perishable products and optimizing the package hierarchy, extending to unconventional packaging solutions. To address these research questions effectively, a well-defined research framework guides the approach. However, the dissertation adheres to an overarching methodological approach that comprises three fundamental aspects. The first aspect centers on the necessity of systematic data sampling and categorization, including identifying critical points within food supply chains. The data collected in this context must then be organized within a customized data structure designed to feed both cyber-physical and digital twins to quantify and analyze supply chain failures with a preventive perspective
Novel methods of state estimation and parameter identification for high-performance motorcycles
No full textThis research activity aims at providing a reliable estimation of particular state variables or parameters concerning the dynamics and performance optimization of a MotoGP-class motorcycle, integrating the classical model-based approach with new methodologies involving artificial intelligence. The first topic of the research focuses on the estimation of the thermal behavior of the MotoGP carbon braking system. Numerical tools are developed to assess the instantaneous surface temperature distribution in the motorcycle's front brake discs. Within this application other important brake parameters are identified using Kalman filters, such as the disc convection coefficient and the power distribution in the disc-pads contact region. Subsequently, a physical model of the brake is built to estimate the instantaneous braking torque. However, the results obtained with this approach are highly limited by the knowledge of the friction coefficient (μ) between the disc rotor and the pads. Since the value of μ is a highly nonlinear function of many variables (namely temperature, pressure and angular velocity of the disc), an analytical model for the friction coefficient estimation appears impractical to establish. To overcome this challenge, an innovative hybrid solution is implemented, combining the benefit of artificial intelligence (AI) with classical model-based approach. Indeed, the disc temperature estimated through the thermal model previously implemented is processed by a machine learning algorithm that outputs the actual value of the friction coefficient thus improving the braking torque computation performed by the physical model of the brake. Finally, the last topic of this research activity regards the development of an AI algorithm to estimate the current sideslip angle of the motorcycle's front tire. While a single-track motorcycle kinematic model and IMU accelerometer signals theoretically enable sideslip calculation, the presence of accelerometer noise leads to a significant drift over time. To address this issue, a long short-term memory (LSTM) network is implemented
Development of a hydrogel construct to prevent endoleaks occurrence following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
No full textAbdominal aortic aneurysm is the pathological dilation of the abdominal tract of the aorta and, if left untreated, could undergo rupture with a mortality rate of up to 90%. EVAR is the most common method for AAA treatment consisting in the internal coverage of the aorta with a metallic stent to isolate the aneurysmatic segment from the systemic circulation. Although EVAR technical success rate is high, reinterventions are common. Among the causes of reinterventions typeII endoleaks are the most frequent and consist in retrograde blood flow into the aneurysmal sac from collateral aortic branches. Continued perfusion of the aneurysm sac may lead to aneurysm rupture, therefore AAA sac embolization is performed using metallic coils. However, the presence of artifacts caused by the presence of metallic coils is a limitation because they are radiopaque and can hamper the endoleak during imaging follow-up. This study is aimed at developing a biocompatible hydrogel that could be injected into the aneurysmal sac and may allow a selective intraprocedural sac embolization to reduce post procedural typeII endoleak and eventual AAA rupture.
P(BT75BSI25) was synthesized by polycondensation and its biocompatibility tested to assess whether the polymers had no toxic effects. HUVEC cell line was used to mimic the environment in which the polymer would be in contact with, PBS was used as a positive control and MTT assay was performed to evaluate cellular viability after being in contact with the hydrogel.
MTT assay showed no significant difference between PBS and P(BT75BSI25), thus the polymer is biocompatible, as confirmed by the analysis of apoptosis by flow cytometry.
An aromatic copolymer was obtained via polycondensation and was found to be biocompatible in contact with endothelial cells. This suggests that the hydrogel could be potentially used in the clinical setting for the treatment of type II endoleak after EVAR
Development of sustainable packaging for food and beverage applications
No full textThis doctoral dissertation, conducted in collaboration with SACMI Imola S.C., focuses on advancing sustainable packaging technologies for food and beverage applications. The research comprises two main projects:
1. Development of sustainable packaging from recycled polymeric materials:
The study aims to create environmentally-friendly packaging by reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in recycled polymeric materials. It involves identifying and controlling potential pollutants in recycled high-density polyethylene (r-HDPE) and post-consumer recycled PET (PCR-PET). The research optimized processing conditions to reduce VOCs, emphasizing the role of supercritical CO2.
2. Advancement of cellulose packaging for the food and beverage industry:
This project focuses on developing cellulose-based packaging tailored for beverages. A dry compression molding process was optimized, and additives were formulated to enhance hydrophobicity and wet strength. Various hydrophobizing agents, including alkyl ketene dimers (AKDs), Kraft lignin, and organosilanes, were explored to impart water-repellent properties to cellulose.
In conclusion, the thesis contributes to environmentally responsible packaging solutions. Future directions include refining processes for recycled polymeric closures and exploring diverse materials and decontamination methods. Additionally, there is potential to expand the use of hydrophobic cellulose-based materials in various industries
Organic carbonates as alternative reactants for the production of fine chemicals and bio-based monomers
No full textIn this thesis, organic carbonates are presented as innovative reagents in the synthesis of industrially applied molecules.
The research carried out at the University of Bologna, in the Department of Industrial Chemistry, articulated in three main projects: (I) the application of glycerol carbonate (GlyC) as innovative alkylating agent for phenolics, (II) the synthesis of 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (eugenol) from guaiacol and diallyl carbonate (DAC), and the synthesis of dimethyl adipate (DMA) from cyclopentanone (CPO) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC).
The research work carried out at the University of Groningen (Netherlands) investigated the direct synthesis of GlyC from glycerol and CO2, and the transesterification of dimethyl-2,5-furandicarboxylate (DM-FDCA) with GlyC to produce biobased monomers.
The investigations involved the study and optimisation of reaction parameters, the formulation of the reaction scheme, and the implementation of multistep reaction protocols to address the selectivity of the process towards the desired product
Ecclesiastical patronage in the 19th century: the intervention of the priest Giovanni Bosco between Turin and Rome (1846-1887)
No full textLa presente tesis doctoral tiene como objetivo principal abordar los aspectos de las iglesias edificadas ex novo promovidas directamente por don Giovanni Bosco (1815-1888), sacerdote fundador de la Pia Società di San Francesco di Sales (1859). Utilizando documentación de archivo y fuentes primarias se estudia el papel de don Bosco como mecenas eclesiástico entre Turín y Roma (1846-1887). Esta investigación pretende profundizar y reflexionar sobre este argumento, que no ha sido analizado precedentemente de forma científica y crítica desde el punto de vista de la disciplina de la historia del arte. En este sentido, la tesis se basa fundamentalmente en el análisis, el estudio crítico y la recuperación de datos que permiten poner de relieve y dar voz a personajes olvidados en los discursos y abrir nuevas cuestiones dentro del complejo sistema de las artes en Italia a mediados del siglo XIX, contexto en el que estuvo inmerso el santo fundador de la Congregación Salesiana.La presente tesi di dottorato ha come obiettivo principale affrontare gli aspetti delle chiese costruite ex novo promosse direttamente da don Giovanni Bosco (1815-1888), sacerdote fondatore della Pia Società di San Francesco di Sales (1859). Utilizzando documenti di archivi e fonti primarie viene studiato il ruolo di don Bosco come committente ecclesiastico tra Torino e Roma (1846-1887). Questa ricerca intende indagare e riflettere su questo argomento, che non è mai stato analizzato in maniera scientifica e critica dal punto di vista della disciplina della storia dell'arte. A tal proposito, la tesi si basa fondamentalmente sull’analisi, lo studio critico e il recupero di dati che permettono di mettere in luce e dare voce a personaggi dimenticati e ad aprire nuove problematiche inserite all’interno del complesso sistema delle arti dell’Italia di metà Ottocento in cui si vede coinvolto il Santo fondatore della Congregazione Salesiana.The focus of this doctoral dissertation is the study of the characteristic features of the churches constructed ex novo and championed by don Giovanni Bosco (1815-1888), an italian priest who founded the Salesians, officially known as the Pius Society of St. Francis de Sales (1859). Drawing on primary sources and archived documents the research provides a comprehensive analysis of Bosco’s role as an ecclesiastical patron between Turin and Rome (1846-1887), a topic which thus far has never undergone scientific analysis from an art history perspective. As a response to this lacuna, this thesis provides an analysis, critical study and recovery of data that allow us to highlight and give voice to forgotten personalities and to broach new issues within the complex system of the arts in mid-nineteenth-century Italy, a context in which the founder of the Salesian Congregation was a protagonist
Exploring the influence of socio-emotional variables on internalizing symptoms and academic results in primary school children
No full textThis dissertation has set the goal of studying how constructs such as trait emotional intelligence and social intelligence can be used as declinations of the socio-emotional development of children and how they can be protective for internalizing symptoms and clinical situations of anxiety and depression.
The studies included in Section A investigated how socio-emotional factors can predict clinical discomfort within the school context and better academic performance. Specifically, Chapter 2 proposed a systematic review with a meta-analysis of studies that includes trait emotional intelligence in primary school children In Chapter 3, the social intelligence construct was included together with trait emotional intelligence exploring their associations with academic achievements and their ability to discriminate between children with clinical or not clinical levels of scholastic anxiety and depression. Chapter 4 has further extended our understanding of the associations between these variables by also evaluating evolutionary trajectories over time taking into account how the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the direction of these trajectories.
Section B has focused on the unconscious elements reflected in drawing as a projective tool of knowledge with children. Specifically, Chapter 5 presented " the drawn stories technique" as a projective method, exploring the differences in the contents of the drawings evaluated through an ad hoc evaluation grid, between children with clinical and non-clinical levels of anxiety and depression.
Section C introduced the teacher’s perspective by investigating the role of the teacher as an observer of the emotional functioning of children belonging to their class group. In particular, Chapter 6 highlighted the significant differences between teachers' assessments and the self-reported scores of children in terms of emotional intelligence and anxiety.
Finally, this thesis emphasizes the importance of adopting a multidimensional, and multi-method perspective to study the socio- emotional development of primary school children designing interventions to promote this development
Experimental models of avian coccidiosis to investigate the antiparasitic activity of natural bioactive substances
No full textCoccidiosis, a disease caused by Eimeria parasites, poses a significant threat to the poultry industry with resistance to conventional drugs emerging. Botanical alternatives like essential oils and nature-identical compounds offer a promising path toward sustainable and effective coccidiosis control, but often lack thorough evaluation.
This thesis investigates the efficacy of botanical extracts as anticoccidials with in vitro and in vivo models, highlighting their effects on the host and the parasite.
Invasion and development assays on cell cultures, like Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells and primary chicken intestinal epithelial cells (cIEC) characterized the efficacy of anticoccidial drugs and bo-tanical molecules, revealing that garlic, oregano and thyme oils, thymol, and carvacrol, exhibit notable an-ticoccidial effects by inhibiting invasion in cells, causing morphological aberrations in sporozoites, and de-creasing pro-inflammatory cytokines in cIEC. Also, E. tenella schizogony in MDBK cells was hindered by essential oils, with similar efficacy to conventional anticoccidials, suggesting synergistic actions within their diverse compositions.
In an in vivo trial, a botanical-based feed additive was evaluated during acute E. tenella infection, with sal-inomycin as a comparison. Both treatments mitigated cecal lesions and oocyst output. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the modulation of immunity-related genes, cytokines, and other pathways. Salinomycin demonstrated broader impacts, influencing inflammation and oocyst wall formation, while the feed addi-tive mainly modulated inflammatory response and invasion-related genes.
A second field trial investigated the feed additive's impact on broiler growth performance post-coccidiosis vaccination, showing improved body weight and feed conversion ratio, demonstrating its potential to alle-viate the negative effects of vaccination. Gene expression analysis indicated a positive influence on im-mune response, tight junctions, and nutrient transporters.
In conclusion, these studies evidence the potential of plant-derived compounds and botanical feed addi-tives in combating coccidiosis. Their multifaceted actions offer promising paths for developing safer and characterized anticoccidial solutions in poultry production
Developments and sustainability in genetic toxicology: in vitro methodologies for the evaluation of the genetic damage
No full textThe impact that mutations may have on human health can be vast and profound and includes cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. For this reason, it is crucial to have genetic toxicology tests that allow a rapid and accurate identification of the mutagenic potential of a xenobiotic. In particular, a promising method is represented by a published flow cytometric (FCM) version of the “In vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test” (MNvit), an assay that allows to highlight both structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations. Therefore, the research conducted in this thesis had as its objective the implementation of this method performed on TK6 cells and the evaluation of its versatility and reliability. For this purpose, the protocol was tested on a variety of samples, including more complex and potentially debris-rich ones (e.g., botanicals). Besides, the velocity of analysis typical of FCM was exploited in genotoxicological screenings of large classes of molecules (e.g., Novel Psychoactive Substances). Moreover, to test chemicals that are suspected to be mutagenic not only as such but also after metabolic activation the protocol was tested in the presence of an extrinsic metabolizing system (S9 mix) as well. Thereafter, to deepen additional possible metabolic activation systems, inherently metabolically competent hepatic spheroids that express high levels of human metabolizing enzymes were exploited in the genotoxicity assessment of naturally occurring molecules by means of the microscopy version of the MNvit. Lastly, a screening of different known mutagens was carried out by means of the FCM MNvit protocol. The results obtained represented a necessary step to create a broader reference dataset for positive and negative controls and to support and track the proficiency of the laboratory in performing this particular protocol
Physiological and molecular characterization of the cytochromes b561 protein family in Arabidopsis thaliana: the role of the redox homeostasis in the transitions between developmental stages
No full textAscorbate is a key redox metabolite in plants, primarily known for its antioxidant properties in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, but also involved in numerous physiological growth and development processes. To perform these functions, ascorbate must be kept in its reduced form, and plants have evolved enzymatic systems to regenerate reduced ascorbate from its oxidized forms (monodehydroascorbate and dehydroascorbate reductases), which can only be found in specific cellular subcompartments. Among the enzymes using ascorbate as a substrate are cytochromes b561 (CYB561s), a family of highly conserved eukaryotic proteins that catalyze transmembrane electron transfer, reducing ascorbate on one side of the membrane and oxidizing monodehydroascorbate or ferrichelates on the opposite side. However, the biological function of these proteins in plants remains unclear. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome contains four CYB561-encoding genes, CYB561-A, CYB561-B, CYB561-C and CYB561-D. In this thesis, using an electrophysiological approach, we demonstrate that the tonoplast-located CYB561-A acts as a transmembrane monodehydroascorbate reductase, transporting electrons from cytosolic ascorbate to vacuolar monodehydroascorbate, although in vitro it can catalyze the same reaction in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of CYB561-A and CYB561-B was examined by confocal microscopy and their physiological role was investigated by molecular phenotyping of T-DNA mutant plants at different developmental stages. Under control growth conditions, cyb561-a and cyb561-b mutants showed phenotypic differences compared to wild-type plants, including higher ascorbate peroxidase activity, lower ROS content, delayed flowering, and impaired primary root development; preliminary high-light stress experiments revealed an increased anthocyanin content in cyb561-a mutants. Our data suggest that CYB561s could act as transmembrane monodehydroascorbate reductases, contributing to the redox homeostasis of the ascorbate pool in compartments lacking soluble enzymes. The lack of CYB561-A and CYB561-B correlates with pleiotropic phenotypes indicating alterations in ascorbate redox homeostasis across different compartments and possibly ROS-mediated signaling