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Autonomous detection and tracking of particles around small bodies with Artificial Intelligence
No full textNavigating a spacecraft around small bodies, such as asteroids or comets, presents formidable challenges due to these bodies’ unique environmental conditions. The weak and highly irregular gravitational fields resulting from their small mass and non-uniform shapes complicate traditional navigation techniques.
In this context, innovative ideas are needed to enhance mission success rates. For instance, the unexpected discovery of particles ejected from the surface of asteroid Bennu enabled scientists to analyze the gravitational field around the asteroid by reconstructing these particles’ trajectories. Using the latter, the gravity model of small bodies can be estimated, supporting safer and more accurate maneuvering in complex environments.
Moreover, in Bennu’s case, the naturally ejected particles provide crucial insights into the asteroid’s composition and activity, offering information about the physical properties of the surface. A technique that reliably detects and tracks naturally formed or artificially crafted particles could be instrumental in mapping gravitational fields and assessing the surface composition of similar small bodies across the solar system, ultimately broadening our understanding and improving mission outcomes.
Traditional image processing and tracking methods are often computationally intensive and struggle with the complexity of small-body environments, especially when numerous particles need to be tracked simultaneously against a complex background of lighting and shadows. In this context, AI-based image processing offers a promising solution by automating the detection processes, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining good accuracy.
This thesis introduces an end-to-end AI-powered pipeline capable of autonomously detecting and tracking objects orbiting around small bodies. The algorithm is tested on real data, demonstrating its competitive performance and providing a scalable solution for future similar applications
Study of vegetation to be used in urban regeneration to increase resilience
No full textUrban areas are increasingly facing important challenges that can have serious consequences on people's health and well-being. Nature-based solutions can make a significant contribution to improving environmental quality and providing ecosystem services, consequently improving people's health and well-being. Building-integrated vegetation (BIVT), in particular green roofs (GRs), has seen a widespread increase in many cities; however, different urban climates make the implementation of low-maintenance, high-performing BIVT particularly challenging. Therefore, the study of vegetation to be used in GRs to increase urban resilience becomes crucial to improve their performance and sustainability. This research is focused on the study of vegetation to be used in GRs with the aim of providing experimental evidence to support their design, construction, and management. It has considered the use of native, low-maintenance forbs, the potential benefits of co-cultivating different species to strengthen GR’s resilience, the use of plants with both ornamental and medicinal properties in a multifunctional perspective, and novel, sustainable management protocols to reduce the use of chemicals. The research evaluated the performance of Trifolium repens, Melissa officinalis, and Hypericum perforatum on an experimental GR, comparing single-species vs. mixed-species cultivation, chemical fertilizers vs. mycorrhizal bio-stimulants, and the use of Trifolium repens as a catch crop and green manure vs conventional fertilization and bio-stimulants. Results showed that T. repens excelled in cover and biomass, being suitable for extensive GRs if properly managed. The results confirmed the possibility of using native medicinal plants in the design of low-maintenance GRs, obtaining good performances in terms of plant biomass and secondary metabolite production. The study also demonstrated the possibility of reducing the use of chemical fertilizers either by using mycorrhizal bio-stimulants, or by using nitrogen-fixing plants, such as T. repens, as catch crops and green manure, still obtaining good levels of coverage and biomass
Improving the fruition of ballet’s intangible assets through digital archives and advanced digital technology products: a case study of Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993).
No full textIl progetto di ricerca dal quale nasce questa tesi di dottorato, inserita nell’ambito del programma PON-Innovation, ruota attorno a un caso di studio, l’eredità del danzatore e coreografo Rudol’f Nureev (1938-1993), e ha per obiettivo l’individuazione di una metodologia adatta alla realizzazione di un ecosistema digitale per l’analisi di audiovisivi e documenti d’archivio relativi al patrimonio culturale del balletto. Attraverso una struttura in quattro parti, l’elaborato esplora le potenzialità offerte dalla convergenza tra gli studi sulla danza e i metodi per l’analisi computazionale, analizzando le specificità dei beni materiali e immateriali associati all’eredità di Rudol’f Nureev e le tecnologie utilizzate per favorirne la valorizzazione, l’accessibilità e la preservazione. Coerentemente con il tema vincolato del progetto, il ricorso alle analisi quantitative e lo sviluppo di contenuti per la realtà estesa sono stati collocati all’interno dell’ecosistema digitale DanXe, del quale sono state illustrate le caratteristiche strutturali e il percorso di ideazione. La tesi è corredata da un’appendice – che raccoglie le testimonianze di tre maestri répétiteurs, due tabelle relative al repertorio coreografico di Nureev, una sezione dedicata alla rappresentazione dei dati della ricerca – e, inoltre, dalla relazione del lavoro svolto presso Vitruvio Virtual Reality, l’impresa partner del progetto PON. L’impiego di strumenti computazionali proposto in questo progetto mira a stimolare una riflessione critica sulle tradizionali categorie interpretative impiegate nella rappresentazione dell’eredità artistica dei danzatori, aprendo a nuovi percorsi di valorizzazione del patrimonio coreico.The research project from which this doctoral thesis originates - developed within the PON-Innovation program - revolves around a case study—the legacy of dancer and choreographer Rudol'f Nureev (1938–1993). Its objective is to identify a suitable methodology for the creation of a digital ecosystem for the analysis of audiovisual materials and archival documents related to the cultural heritage of ballet. Structured in four parts, the thesis explores the potential offered by the convergence between dance studies and computational analysis methods, examining the specific characteristics of the tangible and intangible assets associated with Rudolf Nureyev’s legacy and the technologies used to enhance its value, accessibility, and preservation.
In line with the project's thematic constraints, the use of quantitative analysis and the development of extended reality content have been framed within the digital ecosystem DanXe, whose structural features and design process are illustrated. The thesis includes an appendix — with testimonies from three répétiteur masters, two tables related to Nureyev’s choreographic repertoire, and a section dedicated to the representation of research data — as well as a report on the work carried out at Vitruvio Virtual Reality, the project’s PON partner company.
The use of computational tools proposed in this project aims to encourage critical reflection on the traditional interpretive categories used in representing the artistic legacy of dancers, opening new avenues for enhancing choreographic heritage
Improving zero trust microsegmentation design through formal verification
No full textThe Zero Trust security model represents a paradigm shift in cybersecurity, emphasizing the elimination of implicit trust within networks to mitigate modern threats. Despite its promise, the adoption of Zero Trust Architectures has been limited due to significant configuration, management, and operational complexity and challenges in integrating with existing security infrastructure. This research explores the potential of microsegmentation as a practical and effective strategy for implementing Zero Trust principles. We propose an innovative design that leverages software-defined networking (SDN) to address the complexity traditionally associated with microsegmentation. By utilizing SDN for granular policy enforcement and automated provisioning of security controls through a high-level configuration system, our approach simplifies management while implementing a distributed policy enforcement system. To ensure the soundness and robustness of our proposed design, we extensively utilized formal methods to model and validate its security properties under adversarial conditions. This rigorous process provided a strong foundation for designing and implementing the critical subsystems of the final architecture, ensuring that the system could withstand real-world threats while maintaining operational efficiency. The solution is specifically designed to facilitate the transition from traditional perimeter-based security models. By establishing clear interfaces between components, the security infrastructure is highly decoupled from the rest of the architecture. This approach enables incremental integration of different systems without disrupting normal operations and providing a clear roadmap for adopting Zero Trust principles. This work provides a comprehensive reference design based on microsegmentation adaptable to various use cases. By addressing key challenges such as complexity, scalability, and integration with existing infrastructure, the proposed design provides a concrete foundation for developing robust and scalable implementations of Zero Trust Architectures, paving the way for wider adoption across diverse environments
Development of non-conventional biotechnological processes for the valorisation and recovery of wastewater and industrial effluents
No full textThe increasing global demand for clean water and sustainable resource management necessitates a paradigm shift in wastewater treatment processes. This thesis investigates innovative biotechnological approaches focusing on A-B process configurations to achieve energy-efficient nitrogen removal while exploring carbon recovery pathways. The membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) technology demonstrated successful partial nitrification-anammox under mainstream conditions. A start-up strategy was developed, and process stability was achieved through intermittent aeration strategy, maintaining bulk fluid DO below 0.2 mg O2/L for effective NOB suppression. A novel partial denitrification-anammox process using moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) technology revealed ethanol as a superior carbon source compared to methanol, achieving nitrogen removal efficiency of 80% vs. 60%. The process demonstrated stable performance even at 15°C, while reducing carbon requirements by 80% compared to conventional denitrification. In parallel, a computer vision-based analytical tool (CamCol) was developed for rapid quantification of nitrogen species using colorimetric test strips. The method achieved high accuracy (R² > 0.99) across measurement ranges comparable to standard laboratory methods, demonstrating good agreement with both colorimetric LCK kits and HPIC analysis of real wastewater samples. Investigation of cellulose-rich sludge valorisation revealed promising carbon recovery pathways, achieving VFA yields of 0.11–0.12 gVFA/gVS through acidogenic fermentation of untreated material. The biomethane potential tests demonstrated energy recovery potential (360 mL CH4/gVS for wet CRS). Additionally, enzymatically hydrolysed sugar-rich fraction yielded 21 g/L of VFAs. These findings contribute to the broader goal of transforming wastewater treatment plants from energy-intensive facilities into resource recovery centres. The integration of these innovative approaches demonstrates potential for significant reduction in energy consumption while maintaining or improving treatment efficiency, marking important steps toward sustainable wastewater treatment
Education for sustainability, teacher training, and the publishing sector
No full textLa presente ricerca di dottorato esplora l’Educazione alla Sostenibilità (EaS) nel contesto della scuola primaria italiana, con particolare attenzione alla formazione degli insegnanti e al ruolo del settore editoriale scolastico. Lo studio adotta un approccio metodologico misto, che integra l’analisi quantitativa di un questionario somministrato a docenti su scala nazionale con un’analisi qualitativa dei libri di testo delle principali case editrici italiane e dei documenti curricolari nazionali. I risultati evidenziano un interesse crescente da parte degli insegnanti per le tematiche legate alla sostenibilità, ma anche una carenza significativa di formazione specifica e strumenti operativi disponibili e accessibili. Sebbene emerga un atteggiamento positivo verso lo sviluppo sostenibile, le conoscenze risultano spesso parziali, soprattutto rispetto a concetti chiave come l’equità intergenerazionale, il cambiamento climatico e la limitatezza delle risorse. L’analisi dei libri di testo rivela una trattazione frammentaria e superficiale dei contenuti relativi alla sostenibilità. La ricerca discute inoltre il potenziale degli approcci Whole-School e dei riferimenti internazionali (come l’ESD dell’UNESCO e il GreenComp europeo) per rafforzare la competenza degli insegnanti e promuovere l’integrazione sistemica della sostenibilità nell’educazione. A partire dai risultati emersi, sono stati progettati e pubblicati due corsi digitali di formazione: uno introduttivo, volto a colmare lacune teoriche, e uno avanzato, centrato su tematiche ambientali specifiche e metodologie didattiche pratiche. La tesi sottolinea l’urgenza di politiche educative più coerenti, percorsi di formazione docente più strutturati e un dialogo più stretto tra scuola ed editoria per sostenere un’educazione alla sostenibilità realmente trasformativa.This doctoral research investigates the integration of Education for Sustainability (EfS) in the Italian primary school context, focusing on teachers' professional development and the role of the educational publishing sector. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from a national teacher survey with qualitative analyses of primary school textbooks and national curriculum documents. The goal is to assess teachers' attitudes, knowledge, and opinions on sustainability, identify their training needs, and evaluate how EfS is represented in current educational resources. The findings reveal a growing interest among teachers in sustainability topics, accompanied by significant gaps in their formal training and practical tools. While many teachers show positive dispositions toward sustainable development, their understanding of key concepts — such as intergenerational equity, climate change, and resource limits — remains partial. Additionally, the content analysis of textbooks published by major Italian educational publishers highlights a fragmented and often superficial treatment of sustainability themes. The research discusses the potential of whole-school approaches, action research, and international frameworks such as UNESCO's ESD and the European GreenComp to enhance teachers' competence and the systemic integration of sustainability in education. Two training digital courses were designed in response to the findings: an introductory course to build foundational knowledge and an advanced course focusing on climate, water, and energy education through practical methodologies. This thesis emphasizes the need for coherent national policies, improved teacher training pathways, and a stronger dialogue between the education and publishing sectors to support transformative sustainability education in schools
Integrating ESG factors in finance: insights from market competition, equity costs, and fintech innovation
No full textSustainable finance has emerged as a transformative force in addressing systemic challenges such as climate change, inequality, and economic instability. By directing capital toward initiatives that balance economic growth with environmental and social goals, it aligns finance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), redefining the sector’s role in creating long-term value for both business and society. At the core of this shift is the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into financial decision-making. ESG metrics enable stakeholders to assess corporate performance beyond financial returns, encompassing issues like carbon emissions, labor practices, diversity, and governance. The banking sector, as a cornerstone of financial systems, plays a critical role in advancing ESG integration both internally and through its lending and investment decisions. Despite growing attention, ESG implementation introduces complexities and raises pressing questions. How do market dynamics, such as competition, shape ESG engagement? Can sustainability commitments enhance resilience during economic crises? And how does FinTech innovation influence ESG practices in banking? This thesis explores these questions through three empirical studies at the intersection of ESG, financial outcomes, and innovation. The first study investigates how market competition influences ESG controversies in European banks, offering insight into how competitive pressures affect reputational risk and sustainability outcomes. The second examines whether ESG performance reduced the cost of equity for non-financial firms during the COVID-19 crisis, highlighting the role of sustainability in moderating risk under stress. The third evaluates whether FinTech-driven mergers and acquisitions improve ESG performance in banks, particularly across environmental and social dimensions. Drawing on stakeholder theory, institutional theory, and the resource-based view, this thesis develops an integrative understanding of how financial institutions respond to ESG pressures. Together, the studies reveal how market, crisis, and innovation dynamics shape ESG adaptation in the financial sector
Design of luminescent metal complexes for polymer science
No full textThe program of my PhD studies has been dealing with the investigation of the research outcomes that may result from the use of luminescent Iridium(III) cyclometalated complexes in the field of polymer science. In particular, my activity has been focused on exploring two main applicative contexts, i.e. Ir(III) complexes for preparing polymers and in combination with polymers. In the first part, a new set of luminescent Ir(III) complexes was exploited as photocatalysts for light-assisted atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The decoration of both cyclometalated and ancillary ligands with sp3 hybridized nitrogen substituents together with the use of specific counterions, imparted suitable photophysical and redox properties for an efficient photocatalyzed process. The second part has been focused on the employment of Ir(III) tetrazole complexes as phosphorescent dyes in polymeric materials. Colourless luminescent solar concentrators were prepared blending two Ir(III) cyclometalates with acrylate polymers. Their performances were investigated, leading to promising outcomes comparable, or superior, to those obtained from colourless LSCs based on organic fluorophores. As a complementary approach, Ir(III) complexes were covalently linked to polymers in the side chain, to obtain a new class of metallopolymers. To this extent, a bifunctional tetrazolate molecule, equipped with a coordination site and a polymerizable unit, was designed. The photophysical properties of the resultant luminescent polymeric films were discussed. In the end, an additional project involving both polymers and metal compounds was carried out during my experience as a visiting PhD student at Humboldt – University of Berlin. Polystyrene and polyethylene glycol -based ion-exchange resins were functionalized with peptides through a ligation pathway, for the selective chelation of Copper(II) in aqueous solutions. The coordinating capability of the materials towards Cu2+ ions was tested by ICP-MS analysis. The resins strategically modified with ion-selective peptides, may be exploited in the preparation of water-processing devices
Shapeshifts of the empire. Heiner Müller and Rome
No full textDie Arbeit schlägt eine systematische Studie der Rezeption des antiken Rom in den Werken von Heiner Müller vor. Die Analyse von Dramen, Gedichten und Essays, sowie von Interviews und Manuskripten, liefert ein umfassendes Bild wiederholter und vielschichtiger Begegnungen mit der römischen Geschichte und Literatur, die bisher weitgehend im kritischen Diskurs im Schatten standen. Der Schwerpunkt der Analyse liegt einerseits auf dem philologisch-literarischen Vergleich mit diesen Quellen und andererseits auf der darauf basierenden Rekonstruktion des umfassenden Bildes eines Imperiums, das seine historischen Grenzen überschreitet, um zu einem zivilisatorischen Prinzip zu werden, so allgegenwärtig wie ambivalent – das "Urbild" einer unauflöslichen Verschränkung von Staat und Gewalt, Kultur und Barbarei, Gesetz und Terror.
Diese kulturelle Prägung zeigt sich nicht nur in Werken mit römischem Thema, sondern auch in nachfolgenden historischen Konstellationen, die Müller inszenierte, vom Elisabethanischen England über das Preußen Friedrichs II. bis hin zu den Blöcken des 20. Jahrhunderts. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit wird der Untersuchung literarischer Einflüsse und philosophischer Vorgänger dieser zivilisationskritischen Vision Roms gewidmet – eine Untersuchung, die bestehende Interpretationen korrigiert und neue einführt. Im Lichte des thematischen Komplexes "Rom" wird so ein beträchtlicher Teil von Müllers Produktion neu interpretiert, wodurch ein neues hermeneutisches Paradigma ebenso wie bisher übersehene Einflüsse und intertextuelle Beziehungen bei der Untersuchung von Dramen und Lyrik hervortreten.Il lavoro propone uno studio sistematico della ricezione dell’antica Roma nell’opera di Heiner Müller. L’analisi di drammi, poesie e saggi, ma anche di interviste e manoscritti, restituisce il quadro di ripetuti e sfaccettati incontri con la storia e la letteratura latina, ad oggi in gran parte in ombra nel panorama critico. Fulcro dell’analisi è da un lato il confronto filologico-letterario con tali fonti, dall’altro la ricostruzione, a partire da esse, dell’immagine trasversale
di un impero che trascende i propri contorni storici per assurgere a un principio civilizzatore tanto pervasivo quanto ambivalente, "Urbild" genealogico di un indissolubile intreccio di stato e violenza, cultura e barbarie, legge e terrore. Tale impronta culturale si rileva non soltanto nelle opere a tema romano, ma anche in successive costellazioni storiche portate in scena da Müller, dall’Inghilterra elisabettiana alla Prussia federiciana sino al Novecento dei Blocchi. Particolare attenzione è rivolta all’indagine degli influssi letterari e delle ascendenze filosofiche di questa visione zivilisationskritisch di Roma: un’indagine che rettifica letture preesistenti e ne introduce di nuove. Alla luce del plesso tematico ‘Roma’ viene così riletta ampia parte della produzione di Müller, facendo emergere un nuovo paradigma ermeneutico così come influssi e rapporti intertestuali rimasti finora in secondo piano nello studio di drammi e liriche.The work proposes a systematic study of the reception of ancient Rome in the works of Heiner Müller. The analysis of plays, poems, and essays, as well as interviews and manuscripts, provides a comprehensive picture of repeated and multifaceted encounters with Roman history and literature, which are still largely overshadowed in the critical landscape. The focal point of the analysis lies, on the one hand, in the philological-literary comparison with these sources, and on the other, in the reconstruction, based on them, of the cross-sectional image of an empire that transcends its historical boundaries to become a pervasive, yet ambivalent civilizing principle — a genealogic "Urbild" of an inseparable intertwining of state and violence, culture and barbarism, law and terror.
This cultural imprint is evident not only in works with Roman themes but also in subsequent historical constellations staged by Müller, from Elizabethan England to Frederickian Prussia to the 20th-century Blocs. Special attention is given to the investigation of literary influences and philosophical antecedents of this "zivilisationskritisch" vision of Rome — an inquiry that corrects existing interpretations and introduces new ones. In the light of the thematic complex of 'Rome,' a significant portion of Müller's production is thus reinterpreted, revealing a new hermeneutic paradigm as well as influences and intertextual relationships that have hitherto been overlooked in the study of his plays and lyrics
Where ancient DNA is silent: study of individual 'life history' in past human populations by high-resolution histological and biogeochemical analysis of mineralized dental tissues from human archaeological and paleontological contexts
No full textQuesta tesi mira a presentare una panoramica, anche sperimentale con dati editi ed inediti, della ricostruzione delle life histories umane mediante metodi istologici e biogeochimici applicati allo smalto dentale delle dentizioni decidue. La tesi si concentra sulle metodologie biogeochimiche ad alta risoluzione spaziale che consentono di ottenere livelli temporali di dettaglio senza precedenti (da stagionali fino a sub-settimanali), quando combinate con l'analisi istomorfometrica dei tessuti dentali mineralizzati. La presente ricerca si concentra sulla creazione di modelli consistenti di variazione delle concentrazioni di elementi in traccia (con particolare riferimento a stronzio e bario) lungo la giunzione smalto dentinale, ottenuti tramite LA-ICPMS (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry), in funzione dei cambiamenti nella dieta (allattamento, svezzamento) nel primo anno di età di individui a storia nutrizionale nota (utilizzando denti decidui naturalmente esfoliati). In una prospettiva bioarcheologica, i risultati delle indagini sulla dieta altamente risolte nel tempo e interpretate con modelli come quelli proposti si correlano direttamente alle life histories individuali e consentono una analisi più sfumata e completa del comportamento umano nel passato, fornendo informazioni essenziali per la comprensione degli adattamenti bioculturali e aprendo finestre conoscitive su aspetti quali il rapporto madre-progenie, la gravidanza, l’allattamento, lo stress infantile, la dieta sia della progenie che della madre, la mobilità ad alta risoluzione e molti altri aspetti della vita delle popolazioni del passato che lo studio del DNA antico e della morfologia scheletrica non possono fornire. Dove il DNA antico tace, lo studio avanzato delle life histories parla.The aim of this thesis is to provide an overview, including experimental work with published and unpublished data, of the reconstruction of human life histories using histological and biogeochemical methods applied to the dental enamel of deciduous teeth. This work focuses on high spatial resolution biogeochemical methods that allow unprecedented temporal levels of detail (from seasonal to sub-weekly) when combined with histomorphometric analysis of mineralised dental tissues. The present research focuses on establishing consistent patterns of variation in trace element (with greater attention to strontium and barium) concentrations along the dentine-enamel junction, obtained by LA-ICPMS (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry), as a function of dietary changes (lactation, weaning) in the first year of life of individuals with known dietary history (using naturally exfoliated primary teeth). From a bioarchaeological perspective, the results of highly time-resolved dietary records interpreted with models such as those proposed correlate directly with individual life histories and allow a more nuanced and comprehensive analysis of human behaviour in the past, providing essential information for understanding bio-cultural adaptations and opening cognitive windows on aspects such as mother-parent relationships, pregnancy, lactation, infant stress, offspring and mother diet, high-resolution mobility, and many other aspects of the lives of past populations that the study of ancient DNA and skeletal morphology cannot provide. Where ancient DNA is silent, advanced life history research speaks