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Analysis of offshore soils and foundations for wind deployment in the Italian seas in intermediate water depths
No full textThe offshore wind energy sector poses unique geotechnical challenges due to the complexity of the structures and the peculiarity of the environment. Aspects that cannot be dealt with conventional knowledge maturated in completely different contexts. As a consequence, specific methodologies and solutions are required. Actively taking part to the debate on the future Italian energy supply, the doctoral thesis aims to provide an overview from a geotechnical standpoint of the main characteristics of the Italian seabed along the eastern coast. A database is built starting from the experience and data gained in the Italian Oil and Gas industry over the past decades, which comprises data related to cone penetration tests (CPT), soil characterization and results from laboratory tests. The data stored in the database and results of technical-scale experimental campaigns conducted on traditional open-ended steel piles and innovative suction-installed bucket foundations, both installed in medium dense sand, are used to develop and validate suitable numerical procedures capable of simulating the behaviour of foundations for offshore wind turbines (OWTs) when installed and under in-service loading conditions. Finite Element (FE) model results served as a basis for the development of a formulation for load-transfer curves (t-z) to predict the drained load-displacement behaviour of offshore steel piles subjected to axial tensile loading. This condition is particularly relevant to foundations for wind turbines in intermediate to deep water, which are commonly encountered along the Italian coasts
Reading distress as oppression and resilience as resistance: a structural ecological analysis of trans and nonbinary people's experiences in Italy
No full textThis dissertation explores the lived experiences of trans, nonbinary (TNB) people in Italy through an ecological and structural lens. Despite emerging and increasing international interest in ecological approaches to minority stress and resilience within a structural framework, the existing literature still lacks a systematic analysis of how structural oppressions, specifically targeting TNB people, such as gender norms, cisnormativity, and transnormativity, generate and shape distress and the need for resilience. To address this gap, the dissertation aims to: (1) examine the structural and institutional barriers that influence TNB lives in Italy, especially in areas like gender affirmation pathways, the education system, and the socio-political environment; in doing so, it provides a structural view of stressors within an ecological framework. (2) identify and highlight the resilience resources and resistance strategies used by TNB individuals within these oppressive settings; and (3) contribute to a growing understanding of resilience as a process that considers the role of structural oppressions and how they are embedded within individual experiences. To achieve these objectives, five empirical studies were conducted. The first two studies examine the institutional gender affirmation pathways, exploring both critiques led by TNB activists and individual experiences of distress. The third study investigates the school experiences of TNB activists through a social justice lens. The fourth study analyzes the impact of Italy’s recent political shift toward right-wing conservatism on LGBTQIA+ individuals’ perceptions of safety and rights. The final study employs a Critical Community-Based Participatory Action Research approach to explore how collective spaces foster resilience in overcoming gender norms through a community- and joy-centered journey. The findings underscore the importance of a structural approach that recognizes distress and resilience as experiences shaped and produced by the effects of norms, which generate oppression and highlight the necessity for resistance actions primarily through community experiences
Elastomers with tunable degradation as small diameter blood vessel substitutes for peripheral artery disease
No full textCardiovascular diseases are responsible of a huge number of severe disability cases and deaths worldwide. Among these, Peripheral Arterial Diseases (PAD) represent a major clinical challenge, especially when they affect the lower limbs, often leading to critical limb ischemia (CLI), impaired mobility, and increased risk of amputation. Strong research in this field has been extensively carried out, in particular for the associated complications, such as the occlusion of small diameter (< 6 mm) vessels. This PhD research focused on the synthesis, characterization, and processing of innovative polymeric materials for the fabrication of small-diameter (d < 6 mm) vascular grafts aimed at treating PAD. Two distinct families of polyesters, aliphatic (based on poly(butylene trans-1,4-ciclohexanedicarboxylate) (PBCE)) and aromatic (based on poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) and poly(butylene isophthalate) (PBI)), were designed and synthesized through targeted copolymerization strategies to tailor their physical, chemical, and biological properties. The aliphatic copolymers incorporated Pripol 1009 to modulate flexibility, degradability, and surface properties. These materials showed thermoplastic elastomeric behavior, tunable degradation rates, and excellent hemocompatibility. Electrospun scaffolds supported endothelial cell adhesion and maintained stability over time, with mechanical performance, especially for PBCE-based blends, comparable to that of the saphenous vein. Parallel efforts have been directed to aromatic PBF/PBI systems, chosen for their inherent thermal and chemical stability. Copolymerization effectively enhanced toughness without compromising long-term integrity. These materials also showed low cytotoxicity, reduced protein adsorption, and promising hemocompatibility. Electrospun scaffolds preserved endothelial cell viability and expression of VE-cadherin, while mechanical tests on tubular scaffolds confirmed their suitability for vascular applications. Overall, both material systems show strong potential for vascular tissue engineering: PBCE-based copolymers for short-term regenerative purposes, and PBF/PBI-based systems for long-term vascular grafts
The role of extracellular vesicle cargo in chemotherapy resistance: liquid biopsy and in vitro studies in bone tumors
No full textOsteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing sarcoma (EWS) are the most common primary bone tumours in children and adolescents, and they present major clinical challenges due to chemotherapy resistance. This significantly limits the effectiveness of standard treatments, which rely on intensive high-dose chemotherapy and surgical resection. Despite these aggressive approaches, survival rates have remained largely unchanged for decades, particularly in metastatic cases. The high toxicity and limited efficacy of current therapies highlight the urgent need to better understand resistance mechanisms and develop effective targeted treatment strategies. Recent studies have revealed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) may mediate chemoresistance by facilitating intercellular communication and transferring resistance-associated cargo, such as specific miRNAs and proteins. This suggests that EVs could serve as biomarkers for monitoring tumour behaviour and resistance patterns through minimally invasive approaches such as liquid biopsies. High-throughput techniques in transcriptomics, proteomics, and drug screening have transformed the analysis of drug resistance mechanisms in bone tumors. When integrated with 3D models that better replicate the tumor microenvironment than traditionally 2D cultures, these methods will provide deeper insights into EV-mediated interactions and tumour cell dynamics. To use this approach in bone tumours, this thesis explores 3D multiple myeloma organoids as a model for studying chemoresistance in a physiologically relevant setting. This PhD thesis investigates miRNA and protein signatures within EVs linked to chemoresistance in OS, focusing on mechanisms underlying resistance to chemotherapeutics like doxorubicin, cisplatin, and methotrexate. Using high-throughput technologies, this research characterizes EV-mediated communication and examines how resistant cell-derived EV cargo influences recipient cells, promoting drug resistance. Furthermore, proteomic analysis of EV cargo from CD99-silenced EWS cells has provided insights into tumour aggressiveness, identifying EVs as molecular players in sarcoma progression. By uncovering these molecular profiles and pathways, this work aims to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, advancing personalized treatment for pediatric bone tumors
RISC-V-Based heterogeneous computing platform for satellite and space applications
No full textSpace systems are rapidly evolving into complex Cyber-Physical Systems, where computation, physical processes, and control systems closely interact. These systems, including satellites and launch vehicles, demand high real-time processing capabilities, reliability, and resilience to withstand the harsh space environment, where radiation risks significantly challenge electronic components. Balancing computational efficiency with fault tolerance is crucial in Space Cyber-Physical Systems, placing rigorous demands on their computing architectures. Modern data-driven workloads, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, are becoming increasingly central to space missions, imposing stringent performance and energy-efficiency requirements on onboard computers. Traditional CPUs play an essential role in control and decision-making tasks due to their programmability but lack the capacity to handle the intensive computations required by contemporary AI algorithms. This performance gap, especially in space applications, has led to exploring alternative, more efficient computing paradigms to meet these demands. Heterogeneous systems, integrating general-purpose CPUs with specialized accelerators, present a promising approach to address this challenge. The open-source RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture enables the development of custom, adaptable, and energy-efficient architectures, ideal for mission-specific requirements and fault mitigation strategies in Space Cyber-Physical Systems. While heterogeneous systems are prevalent in consumer markets, their potential in space applications remains underexplored. This thesis investigates a RISC-V-based heterogeneous platform designed for space, introducing key contributions: a multicore cluster with a Hybrid Modular Redundancy scheme, the RedMulE accelerator for efficient neural network training, and Astral, a System-on-Chip featuring a RISC-V-based control domain, specialized accelerators, extensive peripherals, and a hardware root of trust, all designed for secure, energy-efficient execution of AI workloads in space applications
Exploring the fish microbiome in Mediterranean species: drivers, dynamics and relationships with fish health, food safety and environmental sustainability
No full textFish microbiome plays a crucial role in host health, influencing growth, immune response, and disease resistance. Understanding the fish microbiome from different perspectives is of primary importance to develop improved aquaculture practices, to provide safer food from the sea and to manage fish resources efficiently. In this Thesis, fish microbiome of some of the most relevant (farmed and wild) fish species at the Mediterranean level has been conducted, to address the following scientific questions: What are the changes in microbiome composition occurring throughout different life developmental stages of farmed fish? Which are the main drivers of these changes? Is antimicrobial resistance an issue in aquaculture, and how does it change along the production cycle of farmed fish? Can fish microbiome be modulated through dietary intervention strategies? Can novel dietary ingredients (including those from new, sustainable sources) influence fish microbiome and overall health status and productivity? How do wild and farmed fish microbiomes differ? Are there microorganisms which are shared between farmed and wild fish? How research on wild fish microbiome can potentially support fish stock management as well as future new applications of fish farming? This thesis is organized in different Chapters that aim at addressing such questions, and focuses on the microbiome of some of the most commercially and ecologically relevant fish species at the Mediterranean Sea level, i.e., Mediterranean gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and common sole (Solea solea)
Ethnography of quantification: bodies and ontological multiplicity from healthcare management to ambulatory practices
No full textLa tesi esplora le intersezioni epistemologiche e ontologiche della medicina generale concentrandosi sulle implicazioni della quantificazione e della datificazione nella governance sanitaria. Esaminando le basi epistemologiche delle cartelle cliniche elettroniche (CCE) e della governance sanitaria, si evidenziano le dinamiche di potere nella produzione di conoscenza. Attingendo all’antropologia medica e agli studi sociali delle scienze (STS), si analizza il ricorso predominante a modelli statistici che rischiano di nascondere alcune popolazioni escludendo i determinanti sociali non quantificabili. La traiettoria storica della quantificazione, parallelamente alla costituzione del Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) italiano, fornisce uno spaccato che permette di illustrare le tensioni tra i principi della sanità universale e la sua svolta manageriale, caratterizzata da forte burocratizzazione e privatizzazione. Attraverso un approccio etnografico, si indaga come gli apparati sociotecnici mediano la co-costruzione della salute, dei corpi e della malattia. I risultati rivelano come la datificazione dei dati medici plasmi il mondo sociale cui partecipa, rafforzando specifiche relazioni di potere tra professionisti, politici e pazienti. Se da un lato questi sistemi hanno promosso l’efficienza, dall’altro estendono l’influenza delle politiche di governance nei contesti clinici, creando un circuito onto-epistemico tra il processo decisionale a livello macro e le pratiche a livello micro. Ciò sottolinea la molteplicità ontologica ed epistemica dei dati generati nella medicina generale, rivelando al contempo l’impossibilità di catturarne la totalità. Sottolineando la molteplicità ontologica che emerge dalla pratica medica – in particolare quando vincolata dalla necessità di informatizzarne alcuni aspetti– la tesi evidenzia l’importanza di un’analisi onto-epistemica. L’obiettivo è quello di contribuire agli studi dell’antropologia del corpo e della malattia, dialogando al contempo con i critical data studies per garantire che questi due campi rimangano parte integrante delle discussioni sulle nuove tecnologie, proprio perché è necessaria una rivoluzione epistemica accanto a quella politica per affrontare le future sfide globali della digitalizzazioneThis study explores epistemological and ontological intersections within general medicine, focusing on the implications of quantification and datafication in healthcare governance. By examining the epistemological foundations of electronic medical records (EMRs) and healthcare governance, this research highlights power dynamics in contemporary biomedical knowledge production. Drawing on insights from medical anthropology and science and technology studies (STS), the study analyzes the predominant reliance on statistical and epidemiological models, which risk rendering certain populations invisible by excluding non-quantifiable social determinants of health. The historical trajectory of quantification alongside the constitution of the Italian National Health Service (SSN) provides a contextual backdrop, illustrating the structural tensions between universal healthcare principles and the managerial turn in governance, characterized by bureaucratization and privatization. Through an ethnographic approach, the research investigates how sociotechnical apparatuses – especially EMRs – mediate the co-construction of health, bodies and diseases. The findings reveal that the datafication of medical data actively shape the social world in which it participates. reinforcing specific relationships among professionals, policymakers, and patients. While these systems promote efficiency, they also extend the influence of governance policies into clinical settings, creating an onto-epistemic loop between macro-level decision-making and micro-level practices. This process underscores the ontological and epistemic multiplicity of data generated in general practice, while also revealing the impossibility of fully capturing its entirety. By emphasizing the ontological multiplicity that emerges from medical practice – particularly when constrained by the need to encode aspects of it into computer systems – the thesis highlights the importance of an onto-epistemic analysis. The aim is to contribute to the anthropology of the body and disease while engaging with critical data studies to ensure these fields remain integral to discussions on new technologies, as an epistemic revolution is necessary alongside a political one to address future global challenges of digitizatio
Novel glass-ceramic glazes with enhanced surface properties for porcelain stoneware tiles
No full textPorcelain stoneware tiles are globally recognised as a high-quality material, characterised by exceptional physio-mechanical and technological properties, as well as high aesthetic appeal. Owing to these valuable characteristics and their versatility, porcelain stoneware tiles have become one of the most widely adopted materials in the building and construction industry. To preserve their aesthetic appeal and protect them from wear during their service life, these tiles are typically coated with a thin layer of glass-ceramic glaze. Despite their advantageous properties, the intended uses of ceramic tiles are usually evaluated using the test methods specified in the ISO EN 10545 standards. However, these standards may be unsuitable for fully assessing their surface performance. In this study, a glass-ceramic glaze for porcelain stoneware tiles with enhanced surface properties and an anti-reflective (matt) finish was developed and produced at the industrial pilot plant level. Specifically, this glaze was developed through research on multiple formulations, exploiting a characterisation protocol that synergistically combines analytical and technological tests to define key parameters for optimising wear resistance. This protocol was specifically designed in this thesis to address the limitations of standard methods commonly used by ceramic manufacturers to evaluate ceramic tile surface performance. Finally, to enhance the slip resistance of the glaze, a specific study was carried out by adding micro-grits with varying levels of fusibility and grain sizes to glaze formulations. The use of micro-grits with an average size of 70 μm, which do not fully melt during the firing process, facilitated the development of functionalised surfaces with high slip resistance, thereby reducing the risk of slips, falls, and associated injuries
'His fere verbis'. Translated quotations from Plato in Cicero's works
No full textLa tesi indaga la tecnica traduttiva di Cicerone, prendendo in esame le citazioni tradotte dal corpus platonico disseminate nelle opere dell’autore. Il campione di indagine si compone di ventisei citazioni, di estensione variabile fra le poche righe di testo e una pagina di una moderna edizione critica, rintracciate in opere che coprono un arco cronologico di circa due decenni (dal 60 a.C. alla morte dell’autore) e recanti, in molti casi, indizi di una provenienza mediata da fonti dossografiche. Apre il lavoro un ampio saggio introduttivo che fornisce le coordinate necessarie a inquadrare la ricezione ciceroniana del platonismo, il ruolo delle traduzioni in prosa nel progetto filosofico dell’autore, la definizione di “citazione” adottata e l’approccio traduttivo utilizzato in sede di commento. Nel corpo principale, ogni capitolo si apre con una breve introduzione funzionale a spiegare il processo di derivazione del brano citato, la funzione da esso ricoperta nel contesto di accoglienza e l’atteggiamento traduttivo desumibile dall’analisi. A seguire è riportato il testo integrale della citazione, affiancato dalla porzione individuata come corrispondente nel testo di partenza e seguito da un commento per lemmi, incentrato sui fenomeni necessari a spiegare le strategie adottate dall’autore latino nella resa dell’ipotesto greco. Il lavoro è corredato da due appendici: la prima raccoglie i risultati dell’indagine relativa al ruolo delle traduzioni ciceroniane come potenziali testimoni indiretti del testo platonico; la seconda fornisce un elenco dei luoghi della prosa filosofica latina, fino al II secolo d.C., in cui sia attestata la presenza di traduzioni da Platone.The dissertation examines Cicero’s approach to translation through his renderings of Platonic quotations. The study focuses on twenty-six passages, ranging in length from a few lines to nearly a full page in a modern critical edition. The quotations are drawn from works spanning the last two decades of Cicero’s life (60 BCE–43 BCE), and many of them show signs of indirect transmission through doxographic sources. The work opens with a substantial introductory chapter that provides the necessary background. It explores Cicero’s engagement with Platonism, the role of prose translation in his philosophical project, the working definition of “quotation” adopted here, and the methodological approach used in the commentary. The core chapters follow a structured format. Each begins with a brief discussion of the source passage, its function in Cicero’s text, and the translation strategy at play. This is followed by the full quotation alongside the corresponding Greek passage from Plato, accompanied by a lemma-by-lemma commentary highlighting key linguistic and stylistic choices that reveal Cicero’s approach to translation. Two appendices supplement the main analysis. The first investigates whether Cicero’s translations can serve as indirect witnesses to Plato’s text. The second compiles instances of Platonic translations in Latin philosophical prose up to the second century CE
Centres for Children and Families in the Integrated System 0-6. Rethinking the accessibility of integrated services in the municipality of Modena
No full textIl presente elaborato illustra una ricerca-formazione (Asquini, 2018; Balduzzi e Lazzari, 2018; Pastori, 2017) condotta nel biennio 2022/2024 presso i Centri Bambini Famiglie (CBF) del Comune di Modena.
I CBF sono servizi integrativi al nido che propongono forme più flessibili ed informali di accoglienza e vedono la presenza contemporanea del bambino, di una figura educativa e di un adulto di riferimento. L’obiettivo esplicito (Anolli e Mantovani, 1987) è quello di sostenere e supportare la genitorialità e creare reti sul territorio. Il Sistema Integrato (Dlgs 65/2017) ha rinnovato l’interesse per questo tipo di serivzi, visti come luoghi privilegiati in cui sperimentare la co-educazione e la multivocalità (Rayna, 2010; Milani, 2018; Bove, 2021) e quindi possibile calamite di attrazione per le famiglie più vulnerabili.
La richiesta della committenza è stata quella di rivedere l’organizzazione dei servizi nell’ottica dei nuovi bisogni espressi dopo la pandemia, dal momento che sono state riscontrate richieste differenti rispetto al passato, che hanno condotto a un ripensamento di tipo identitario. Il lavoro si è pertanto concentrato sull’accessibilità, riconosciuta come elemento qualificante dei servizi (Quality Framework, 2014), esplicitato anche negli ultimi documenti europei, per giungere ad abbattere le barriere alla partecipazione (Raccomandazione, 2022; Lazzari e Vandenbroeck, 2008).
La ricerca si è articolata in 6 fasi ed ha previsto osservazioni, interviste in profondità e focus group. È stato dato spazio alla formazione, che ha toccato i temi emersi dall’analisi dei dati raccolti ed ha reso protagoniste le professioniste, attraverso la messa in atto di microsperimentazioni nei servizi. Anche le famiglie sono state coinvolte, attraverso focus group.
Per la natura stessa della ricerca-formazione, vi sono stati numerosi momenti di ricorsività: il progetto biennale è ormai concluso, ma il percorso iniziato non è di fatto tale. I CBF si presentano oggi più che mai come servizi di prossimità e di confronto informale.This paper presents a participatory action research (Asquini, 2018; Balduzzi and Lazzari, 2018; Pastori, 2017) carried out in the Centres for Children and Families (CCFs) of the Municipality of Modena over the two-year period 2022/2024.
The CCFs are complementary services to the nurseries, offering more flexible and informal forms of care, involving the simultaneous presence of the child, an educator and a reference adult. The explicit aim (Anolli and Mantovani, 1987) is to support parenthood and create networks in the local area. The integrated system (Legislative Decree 65/2017) has renewed interest in this type of service, which is seen as a privileged place to experiment with coeducation and multivocality (Rayna, 2010; Milani, 2018; Bove, 2021) and therefore a possible magnet for the most vulnerable families.
The Municipality requested a review of the organisation of services in the light of the new needs expressed after the pandemic, as there were different requests than in the past, leading to a rethinking of identity. The work therefore focused on accessibility, which is recognised as a qualifying element of services (Quality Framework, 2014) and is also made explicit in the latest European documents, in order to break down barriers to participation (Recommendation, 2022; Lazzari and Vandenbroeck, 2008).
The research was divided into 6 phases and included observations, in-depth interviews and focus groups. Space was given to training, which touched on the themes that emerged from the analysis of the data collected and made professionals protagonists through the implementation of micro-experiments in the services. Families were also involved through focus groups.
By the very nature of participatory action research, there were many moments of recursion: the two-year project is now over, but the journey is not really done. Today, more than ever, the CBFs are local services offering informal discussion