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Towards Topology-Oriented Digital Twins for Built Heritage Performance-Based Management
No full textThe AECO industry accounts for significant global energy use and environmental impact. Given the ample supply of outdated buildings serving our everyday activities, there is an immediate need to adapt them to the functional, ecological, and economic requirements dictated by the built environment’s sustainable development goals.
This objective presents significant challenges that necessitate a shift toward performance-based management of built heritage, a perspective to be grounded in the digitalisation of the sector, which, by its nature, is poorly digitised. To facilitate this transition, it is crucial to conceptualise digital tools capable of acquiring, structuring, sharing, processing, and visualising built asset data and capitalise it as knowledge for management operators. This research explores how emerging digital technologies, like Building Information Modelling and Building Performance Simulation, can be integrated into Digital Decision Support Systems (DDSS) to support built asset managers in decision-making and strategic planning within a performanceoriented perspective. The study initially defines a conceptual framework based on the Digital Twin (DT) paradigm to achieve this goal. Then, it develops methods and workflows for delivering DDSSs supporting building performance management, accessible and usable by non-digital expert operators through user-friendly services. These methods result in the realisation of a software toolkit. This toolkit is used to conduct a simulation-based demonstration on the heritage case study of the Faculty of Engineering in Bologna, providing insights into the building’s energy performance and its relationship
with planned occupancy. The conceptualisation of the DDSS within a DT vision lays the foundations for its future extensions to other technologies, including, for example, dynamic sensor measurements, occupant feedback, and forecasting algorithms
Major pear diseases: exploring fire blight susceptibility and pear decline phytoplasma variability
No full textAmong the pear diseases fire blight and pear decline are two of the most important. Chapter 1 and 2 describe the main characteristics of fire blight and its causative agent Erwinia amylovora, and of phytoplasmas and their associated diseases. In Chapter 3 are reviewed some selected aspects of resistance in plant-pathogen interactions. Chapter 4 reports the results of the isolation and virulence evaluation through experimental inoculations under greenhouse conditions, of eight E. amylovora strains on “Abbé Fetel” and “Conference”, as well as re-isolations from infected “Old Home” pear plants. The selected virulent strain (EaFP621) was used for the phenotyping in two consecutive years of a crossing population of “Abbé Fetel” x “Old Home” segregating for the fire blight resistance trait. The genotyping, using high-density genetic maps of the parentals, and the phenotyping of the above population allowed the identification of a major QTL in LG2 and a minor QTL at the end of LG4 of “Old Home”. Various candidate genes putatively related to resistance have been identified within the QTL region. Chapter 6 focus on the fire blight resistance evaluation in apple. In particular, eight apple rootstocks and three advanced selections were phenotyped for fire blight resistance. The influence of scion/rootstock combinations was also tested. Chapter 7 focus on ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ associated with pear decline and the multilocus analysis of five genetic loci, on samples collected in Italy in the last 25 years to evaluate strain molecular variability. Characterization of non-ribosomal genes was applied as effective tool to study the epidemiology of phytoplasmas and to investigate the presence of virulent strains. The markers applied may allow to trace back the route of phytoplasmas spread through infected insects and plant propagation material trade
In-work poverty, a complex and context-specific phenomenon
No full textThis thesis investigates how the relationship between work and poverty is structured within different contexts. The extent to which work ensures stable inclusion in society varies according to where people live, influenced by factors such as labour markets, welfare services, and living costs.
The thesis consists of a collection of papers and draws on longitudinal and cross-sectional data of the survey European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions. It investigates the effect of the context considering three territorial levels: a cross-national level through a comparison of European countries; two subnational levels, namely, regions and degrees of urbanisation, in Italy. This research design is well-suited for identifying universal and context-specific aspects of the relationship between work and poverty. It provides valuable insights into appropriate measures and territorial levels for intervening to counteract in-work poverty.
The thesis presents significant innovations by examining poverty at the subnational level, including subjective poverty and housing affordability issues, in addition to lacking income. Empirical results highlights common mechanisms, that hold across all contexts. Work intensity is effective in protecting against both income poverty and – to a lesser extent – subjective poverty. This is true whether it increases via increased quantity of work within the households (e.g., additional months worked) or the exit of dependent individuals. However, the research also identified the presence of relevant context-specific elements. In European countries with inefficient labour markets and weak welfare services, achieving high work intensity is challenging for many households. Additionally, in Italy, in regions with the same structural weaknesses, work provides less protection against objective and subjective poverty. Concerning only the housing dimension, the context is less decisive for the in-work poor – who are vulnerable everywhere – but it is more so for low-middle-income working households who are just above the poverty threshold
Advancing local food governance: mixed-method analysis of food policy coherence and stakeholder dynamics in the Italian context.
No full textGovernance studies in the food sector have gained attention in recent years, due to the complex challenges faced by the global food system. Effective governance is crucial in ensuring that the food sector meets the needs of current and future generations, while safeguarding sustainability in all its dimensions. Despite the growing recognition of the important role of regional and urban governance in shaping food systems, the Italian context lacks studies on this topic. The present dissertation aims to contribute to the understanding of the cross-sectoral and multi-level nature of food governance at urban and regional level. Such overall objective is applied to case studies in Italy and focused on exploring the coherence and integration of food-related policies within urban and regional contexts, and the role of stakeholders involved in local food supply chains. From a methodological perspective, a mixed-method approach was key, as both qualitative and quantitative research methods were adopted. Qualitative methods, such as interviews and case studies, provided in-depth insights into the contextual nuances and the lived experiences of stakeholders, bringing a real-life practice view to the research. Quantitative methods, like surveys and statistical elaboration, support qualitative data by showing broader trends and patterns. As for the theoretical frameworks, the present research drew from Social Network Analysis, New Institutional Economics, Devaux’s framework for collective action, and Transaction Cost Economics. The combination of mixed methodologies and fields of research – food policy, agricultural economics, regional development studies – encourages a holistic approach. Results provide novel contributions to agri-food policy studies, promoting cooperation among stakeholders at various governance levels to enhance local food governance effectiveness. Such comprehensive approach emphasises the interconnections of social, economic, and environmental factors in food systems, and the importance of food policy coherence and integration in addressing the cross-sectoral and multi-level nature of food governance
Microenvironment as a key driver in disorders affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems
No full textThe microenvironment – defined as the complex network of cells, signaling molecules, and non-cellular components within a specific tissue – plays a pivotal role not only in maintaining tissue homeostasis, but also in the onset and progression of pathological conditions. This research focused on how the microenvironment impacts diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. In particular, this work presents two studies that highlight the interconnectedness and essential role of the microenvironment in two challenging conditions: brain tumors and severe gastrointestinal dysmotility (SD). The first study focused on the development and validation of a novel protocol for extracting tumor secretome (i.e. all the secretory factors released by the tumor mass) directly from glioma patients’ tissue, with the goal of advancing the methodological approach to study glioma microenvironment. The tested method not only proved to held promise in enhancing the grasp of glioma biology, but also in uncovering new potential therapeutic targets. On the other hand, the second study aimed to explore the critical impact of microenvironment on SD pathogenesis. Results on SD patients showed how microvascular abnormalities might be a significant contributor to these gastrointestinal motility disorders. Moreover, in vitro findings suggest how vascular alterations could directly impact neuronal function. In summary, this comprehensive and multifaced work advocates for a paradigm shift in treatment strategies, emphasizing the need to focus on microenvironmental interactions to improve clinical outcomes. All in all, the presented work not only reinforces the importance of studying the microenvironment for deciphering disease mechanisms, but also stresses the necessity of developing microenvironment-focused therapies to improve the effectiveness of medical treatments and pave the way for more personalized approaches
Women and peace in ancient Rome (2nd c. BC- 2nd c. AC): discourses and practices of gender
No full textEsta tesis doctoral estudia los discursos y prácticas que ligaron a las mujeres con ideas y formas de paz en la Roma antigua entre los siglos II a.C. al II d.C. Afronta su análisis desde una perspectiva de la historia de mujeres y de género, desde los presupuestos teóricos de la historia de la paz y de la historia social y cultural. Las fuentes principales de análisis son textos escritos, epigráficos, monedas y otras expresiones iconográficas. En particular, se analiza cómo las ideas de paz, en su carácter polisémico y variable en función de distintos momentos históricos y ámbitos de uso, fueron construidas e imaginadas desde las relaciones de género, concretamente desde lo pensado como femenino. Desde ese imaginario discursivo también se ahonda en cómo la identidad femenina, en conexión con esos ideales de paz, condicionó y fomentó que distintas mujeres actuasen como promotoras y constructoras de diversas formas de paz, en sus familias o comunidades. De igual modo, se profundiza en cómo esa misma identidad de género conllevó que representasen públicamente su subjetividad e individualidad en torno a valores de paz. El objetivo principal es comprender las lógicas de género sobre las que se edificaron distintas ideas de paz; reconocer la agencia femenina para participar de esos discursos y habitus de paz feminizados. Aunque actuaron movidas por múltiples intereses, en común, sus actos mejoraron los condicionantes vitales de sus comunidades. La hipótesis de partida es que el género fue un cimiento constitutivo de la imaginación y representación de las ideas de paz en la Roma antigua lo que también condicionó cómo, por qué, y desde que posiciones las mujeres actuaron en torno a esos principios. Aplicar una perspectiva de género permite identificar las particularidades, la creatividad, las negociaciones o incluso las posibilidades de reconocimiento de ese vínculo mujeres-paz.This PhD dissertation studies the discourses and practices that linked women with ideas and forms of peace in ancient Rome between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD. The analysis is approached from the perspective of the history of women and gender history, and from the theoretical assumptions of the history of peace, as well as the social and cultural history. The main sources of analysis have been written texts, epigraphy as well as coins and other iconographic expressions. Particularly, it is analysed how peace ideas –polemical and variables character according to different historical moments and spheres of use– were constructed and imagined on the basis of gender, specifically from what was thought of as feminine. From this discursive imaginary, we also delve into how feminine identity, in connection with these ideals of peace, conditioned and encouraged different women to act as promoters and builders of different forms of peace in their families and communities. Likewise, it also explores how this gender identity was represented publicly in their subjectivity and individuality. The main objective is to understand the gender logics on which different, highly processual ideas of peace were built, while recognising women's agency to participate in these feminised discourses and habitus of peace. They were part of these dynamics in accordance with multiple interests, although, in common, their actions improved the vital conditions of their communities. The starting hypothesis is that gender was a constitutive foundation of the imagination and representation of ideas of peace in ancient Rome. That aspect also conditioned how, why, and from what positions women could act on those principles. Applying a gender perspective allows us to identify the particularities, the creativity, the negotiations or even the possibilities of recognition of that relation between women and peace
Le Roman d'Alexandre en vers: étude de la tradition manuscrite et édition critique du Roman d'Alexandre décasyllabique
No full textLa tesi indaga la tradizione del Roman d'Alexandre di Alexandre de Paris, il più importante testo francese medievale in versi dedicato ad Alessandro Magno, attraverso approfondimenti codicologici, ecdotici e l'edizione critica di una particolare versione di quest'opera, il Roman d'Alexandre décasyllabiqueThe thesis explores the tradition of the Roman d’Alexandre d’Alexandre de Paris, the most important medieval text in french verse dedicated to Alexander the Great, through codicological and ecdotic perspectives and the critical edition of a particular version of this work, the Roman d'Alexandre décasyllabique.La thèse explore la tradition du Roman d’Alexandre d’Alexandre de Paris, le plus important texte français médiéval en vers dédié à Alexandre le Grand, à travers des approfondissements codicologiques, ecdotiques et l’édition critique d’une version particulière de cette œuvre, le Roman d'Alexandre décasillabiqu
Novel molecular insights into neuroinflammatory and myogenic pathways: lncRNAs as neuromodulator in Parkinson’s disease and TNPO3’s role in LGMD D2 pathogenesis
No full textThe characterization of human genes with unknown functions through functional genomics approaches is fundamental to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying both basic biological functions and pathological events. This thesis focuses, in Part I, on the study and characterization of complex human genes, particularly long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), their role in the central nervous system (CNS) physiology, and their involvement in neurodegenerative processes, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous transcriptomic analyses of post-mortem brain samples from PD patients revealed up-regulation of LINC00520 and down-regulation of LINC00641, suggesting a potential involvement of these lncRNAs in disease mechanisms. In vitro models showed that LINC00520 modulation affects oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, underscoring its relevance in neuronal homeostasis, especially given the high lncRNAs transcript levels during neuronal differentiation. In the zebrafish animal model, the characterization of a putative orthologous lncRNA of human LINC00520 is ongoing, to establish an in vivo model to analyse the complexity of lncRNA regulatory mechanisms in the CNS. Part II focuses on establishing an in vivo zebrafish model of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type D2 (LGMD D2) to better understand the disease's pathogenesis and to investigate the role of TNPO3 in muscle development, since a heterozygous mutation in the terminal codon of TNPO3 gene has been described as causative of LGMD D2. Microinjections of mRNAs encoding either wild-type or mutated forms of human TNPO3 were performed in zebrafish embryos to study their effects on myogenesis. Gene expression analyses showed altered profile of Myogenic Regulatory Factors (MRFs) and muscle-specific proteins, while phenotypic studies revealed abnormal muscle fibers organization in zebrafish embryos expressing mutated TNPO3 mRNA. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in establishing a zebrafish model of LGMD D2 and highlight the role of TNPO3 in muscle development and differentiation as a potential pathogenetic mechanism underlying LGMD D2
Obesity and microbiota: studies on the microbiota and inflammatory status of obese dogs and cats, and the effects of caloric restriction
No full textL’obesità è una malattia comune nel cane e nel gatto ed è generalmente gestita tramite regime dietetico in restrizione calorica (RC). L’alterazione del microbiota intestinale potrebbe contribuire allo sviluppo di obesità, condizione associata ad uno stato infiammatorio cronico di basso grado; è inoltre dimostrato che il dimagrimento possa modulare la composizione del microbiota. Questa tesi ha indagato le alterazioni del microbiota fecale e lo stato metabolico di cani e gatti obesi e gli effetti della RC nei soggetti obesi. Nel primi tre capitoli di questa tesi vengono descritti lo stato di obesità canina e felina e le implicazioni patologiche ad esso legate; viene inoltre esplorata la composizione microbica intestinale e fecale ed il metabolismo batterico di cani e gatti normopeso ed obesi e ne vengono messe in luce le differenze. Nella seconda parte dell’ elaborato vengono presentate due prove sperimentali che hanno coinvolto, rispettivamente, 16 cani obesi e 15 normopeso e 12 gatti normopeso e 13 obesi. Gli studi dimostrano che la risposta infiammatoria di gatti e cani obesi possa differire. Inoltre confermano che una dieta ad alto tenore proteico sia in grado di modulare il microbiota fecale e che i cambiamenti indotti dalla dieta devono essere distinti da quelli causati dalla RC. In questa tesi, sono state evidenziate solo piccole differenze tra popolazioni batteriche fecali di soggetti normopeso e obesi e questo potrebbe portare ad ipotizzare che la composizione del microbiota intestinale non giochi un ruolo di primaria importanza nello stato di obesità di questi animali. Sono poche le conoscenze a riguardo delle possibili alterazioni del microbiota fecale di cani e gatti affetti da obesità e questi studi rappresentano un approfondimento in merito.Obesity is a common disease in dogs and cats and is generally managed by a caloric restriction (CR). Intestinal microbiota alterations may contribute to the development of obesity, a condition associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that weight loss can modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota. This thesis investigated alterations in the fecal microbiota and metabolic state of obese dogs and cats, as well as the effects of CR on obese subjects. The first three chapters of this thesis describe obesity in dogs and cats and its related pathological implications. They also explore the intestinal and fecal microbial composition and bacterial metabolism of normal-weight and obese dogs and cats, highlighting the differences between obese and normal-weight animals. The second part of the thesis presents two experimental studies involving 16 obese and 15 normal-weight dogs, and 12 normal-weight and 13 obese cats, respectively. The studies show that the inflammatory response of obese dogs and cats may differ. Furthermore, they confirm that a high-protein diet can modulate the fecal microbiota and that diet-induced changes must be distinguished from those caused by CR. In this thesis, only small differences were found between the fecal bacterial populations of normal-weight and obese subjects. This suggests that the composition of the intestinal microbiota may not play a primary role in the obesity status of these animals. There is still limited knowledge regarding potential alterations in the fecal microbiota of obese dogs and cats, and these studies provide further insight into the topic
Isolation of extracellular vesicles and their application in drug delivery
No full textExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized vesicles with a phospholipid bilayer that transport proteins, nucleic acids, and bioactive molecules, acting as key intercellular messengers. This thesis addresses the need for scalable, high-yield EV production using reproducible downstream processing methods, driving the exploration of alternative biological sources. Lemon juice was used as a model fluid to develop a scalable membrane-based process for EV isolation, achieving high yield and purity. The optimized tangential flow filtration (TFF) protocol outperformed ultracentrifugation (UC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC), providing an efficient approach for large-scale EV production. The robustness of this method was further evaluated using milk whey-derived EVs, a valuable dairy by-product. These EVs were loaded with curcumin to enhance its therapeutic potential against neuroblastoma, overcoming its low bioavailability. The optimized TFF process enabled simultaneous EV purification and removal of unbound curcumin in a single step. The therapeutic efficacy of curcumin-loaded whey EVs was confirmed against neuroblastoma SK-N-AS cell lines, highlighting their potential as biocompatible delivery vehicles. Lemon-derived EVs were investigated for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery in oncogene silencing applications. Optimized siRNA loading ensured effective encapsulation and cellular uptake in target cells, validating their potential as a scalable, non-toxic gene therapy system. Stability testing confirmed that lemon-derived EVs retained structural integrity for six months under low-temperature and lyophilized conditions, supporting their viability for therapeutic applications. Additionally, sustainable methods for extracting silk proteins, sericin and fibroin, from Bombyx mori cocoons were developed using eco-friendly techniques, aligning with sustainable bioprocessing goals. This work advances scalable EV isolation techniques, underscores the therapeutic potential of plant- and dairy-derived EVs, and highlights sustainable biomaterials as innovative solutions for healthcare applications