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Radio resource management for 5G and beyond: empowering next-generation networks
No full textFuture society is set to become increasingly digitized, hyper-connected, and globally data-driven. As Fifth-Generation (5G) technology nears global standardization, attention has shifted to developing Beyond 5G (B5G). The research community is thoroughly exploring the drivers, requirements, and challenges shaping Sixth-Generation (6G) vision, with two themes emerging as especially prominent: the 3D Network (3DN) and Network Digital Twin (NDT) paradigms, which encompass the research activities presented in this thesis. The first part investigates the 3DN paradigm, focusing on integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to support terrestrial infrastructure, particularly for Vehicle-to-Everything applications. As vehicles evolve into digital hubs powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the shift toward self-driving adds new requirements for autonomous sensing and communication. To meet these, optimized Radio Resources Assignment (RRA) strategies are proposed, enhancing vehicular users Quality of Experience. Advancing this research, an analytical framework is introduced, featuring a novel performance metric that jointly evaluates UAV beam coverage and vehicles capacity to meet uplink data demands. The model incorporates vehicle mobility, assessing its impact on RRA performance and balancing system design trade-offs to optimize resource allocation and ensure consistent service quality. The second part explores Machine Learning-empowered latency predictive frameworks in 5G Radio Access Networks. Here, cell-level Key Performance Indicators drive latency analysis and prediction, enabling Predictive Quality of Service and enhancing Zero-Touch Service Management. A key potential of these algorithms lies in their role within NDTs, allowing Mobile Network Operators to simulate and fine-tune network adjustments, ensuring resilient Radio Resource Management (RRM) without disrupting live operations. In summary, both research activities converge on a singular goal: empowering RRM to create robust, adaptable, and future-ready 6G networks
Data-driven drug repurposing for Alzheimer's disease polypharmacology
No full textAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by pathological hallmarks such as amyloid-beta plaques, tau protein tangles, neuroinflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. Drug repurposing, that seeks new therapeutic uses for existing drugs, is particularly valuable for AD, given the high failure rates of traditional drug development. Polypharmacology, which aim at designing drugs that hit multiple targets involved in AD, is also gaining importance. Given AD multifactorial nature, drugs modulating multiple pathways could be more effective. A computational paradigm which can encompass both approaches is network pharmacology, which analyzes how different drugs can modulate interconnected pathways. Together, network pharmacology, drug repurposing, and polypharmacology offer promising avenues for AD treatment. This thesis leverages computational methods based on the analysis of proteins involved in AD, to formulate hypotheses on drug combinations for polypharmacology approaches. Specifically, network pharmacology methods have been utilized to prioritize drugs for repurposing, leveraging molecular data from DisGeNet, UniProtKB, DrugBank, and others. A curated list of AD-associated genes has been compiled, integrating information from multiple public databases and recent research findings. The set was used as input for diverse computational analyses, to perform the prioritization of repurposable drugs and the selection of their combinations. The results are critically discussed, together with preliminary experimental data on toxicity and neuroprotective effects of three drug combinations. Overall, this work explores the capabilities of computational network-based methods for AD drug repurposing, providing insights over strengths and limitations of recently described pipelines. Furthermore, it proposes an original integration of different data analysis software to address the intricate mechanisms of AD through a curated gene set. It offers a pipeline for drug repurposing and combination therapy, leveraging established methodologies and public data, and flexible enough to be adapted to new data, allowing future iterations that could produce even more promising therapeutic options for AD
The link between climate change denialism and misogyny: a comparative linguistic analysis of Donald Trump's tweets on environment & women
No full textThis dissertation explores the entrenched link between climate change denialism and misogyny. While ecofeminist perspectives have drawn connections between the domination of women and environmental degradation, the overlapping rhetorics of denialism and misogyny remain underexplored in discourse studies. This study study aims to shed light on the intersection between climate denialism and misogyny through a linguistic analysis by investigating the linguistic and rhetorical patterns that mutually reinforce these patriarchy-based rhetorics. Fundamentally, these anti-environmentalist and anti-feminist rhetorics overlap in viewing societal shifts such as climate action and feminist movements as threat to stability, dominance, and continuity of patriarchal systems.With this context in mind, the study examines Donald Trump’s Twitter discourse, characterized by his anti-environmental stance on climate issues and controversial comments about women, covering the period from 2009 to 2021 and data sourced from the Trump Twitter Archive (https://www.thetrumparchive.com/). Following the methodology of Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA), the study examines the themes, discursive strategies and linguistic devices employed in both discourses and compares them with the help of an eclectic model adapted from Van Dijk’s (1995) concept of discourse analysis as ideology analysis and Sara Mills’ (2008) model of sexism. The findings identify shared discursive patterns—such as the portrayal of women and environmental advocates as secondary or as threats to traditional power structures—affirming ecofeminist arguments that patriarchal ideologies are central to both environmental harm and gender-based oppression.In conclusion, the study enriches discussions on climate change and gender equality by illustrating the crucial role language plays in shaping patriarchal ideologies that feed denialist and misogynist rhetoric on social media. Drawing on Donna Haraway’s (2015) concept of the Chthulucene, it advocates for inclusive, interconnected approaches to addressing both climate and gender crises
From crystalline growth to charge transport: simulations of organic semiconductor thin films for sustainable electronics
No full textOrganic semiconductors (OSs) are crucial for the development of organic electronic devices, increasingly recognized for their potential to address global challenges related to energy sustainability and the transition to carbon-free technologies. These devices offer advantages over traditional inorganic counterparts, including mechanical flexibility, lightweight design, and cost-effectiveness. However, their efficiency remains lower than that of inorganic materials, making them an attractive subject for further study and improvement. The performance of OSs is closely tied to molecular packing and charge transport properties within thin films, yet these remain difficult to characterize due to the complexity of the underlying interactions. Simulations offer an advantage over experimental methods by enabling precise control of system parameters, which is essential when investigating atomic-scale processes that govern molecular organization and charge transport in organic semiconductor thin films. This thesis leverages advanced simulation techniques, combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for vapor-phase deposition with quantum mechanical (QM) methods for charge transport, to gain insights into the interplay between molecular packing, crystallinity, and electronic properties. The work presented in this thesis consists of two primary simulation approaches. First, MD simulations of vapor-phase deposition were conducted to examine growth mechanisms and molecular arrangements of organic thin films under various conditions. This study, focusing on materials such as pentacene, perfluoropentacene, diindenoperylene, and dicyanovinyl derivatives, revealed how intermolecular interactions and deposition conditions influence film morphology, crystallinity, and defects. Second, a novel Surface Crystal Structure Prediction method was developed to model surface-induced polymorphs and crystalline structures, incorporating substrate effects to predict realistic surface-level molecular arrangements and unit cells. Additionally, charge transport simulations were performed to analyze how morphology, defects, and surface interactions affect charge mobility. The findings highlight the importance of crystalline regions for efficient charge transport and provide insights into how molecular design and deposition conditions can enhance device performance
Computational study of non-conventional molecular topologies
No full textNon-conventional topologies within the field of chemistry are molecules whose structure cannot be fully identified by chemical formula and connectivity. Knots are an example of this class of molecules. Particular emphasis has been given to the subclass of knots that can be represented on the surface of a torus, i.e. torus knots. Their study spans here three main branches: (1) Quantum Mechanical exploration using matrix formulation to study free particles tracing torus knots; (2) Molecular Dynamics (MD) investigations of synthetic and in silico knots with varying structures and chain lengths; (3) knot identification using a 3D Convolutional Neural Network (3D-CNN) classifier with a voxel-based molecular representation. Key contributions include the formulation of a matrix Hamiltonian for a particle on a torus knot, characterization of dynamic behavior via MD and principal component analysis, and examination of hydrogen-bond stability in knotted versus unknotted systems. A novel voxel-based molecular representation and a dataset for pretraining classifiers were developed to enhance machine learning applications in chemistry. Additionally, the KIMH Python package was created to facilitate the automated manipulation of knots in this field
Real-time traction grid modelling for sustainable technologies integration towards smart electric transport systems
No full textDespite advancements in internal combustion engine vehicles, road transport remains the largest emitter in the sector. Urban areas, covering only 2% of Earth's surface, generate 70% of carbon dioxide emissions, a trend expected to worsen with population growth. Electric transport systems are key to achieving net-zero targets, with metropolitan electric traction networks crucial for carbon-neutral urban mobility. Contact line-powered public transport, such as tramways, metros, and trolleybuses, offers a sustainable solution, particularly with full-electric fleets using in-motion charging. However, rising traction grid demand for vehicle charging and increased service frequencies risk overloading infrastructure, necessitating renewable energy and energy storage integration. Traction networks could also facilitate electric vehicle charging, supporting grid-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid operations. This thesis develops advanced electric traction grid modelling methodologies, addressing the need for real-time model-based analysis to support modernisation efforts. A modular approach is proposed, enabling the flexible assembly of network segments in a block-diagram environment, enhancing scalability and adaptability. Comparisons with measured substation data and conventional analytical methods validate its accuracy. An enhanced version of the proposed method method improves simulation precision and computational efficiency, overcoming spatial discretisation constraints in prior approaches. The real-time implementation of this method for a Bologna trolleybus network section demonstrates its capacity for assessing network behaviour under future scenarios, particularly for integrating energy storage. Leveraging high-efficiency partial-power converters with optimised power flow management, this study supports informed decision-making for sustainable urban transport infrastructure
Glial interfaces impact on astrocytes physiology and validation of glioelectronic devices for stimulation and read-out of astrocytes in vitro.
No full textAstrocytes, once considered merely supportive cells in the nervous system, are now recognised as active participants in brain information processing. However, despite astrocytes’ critical roles in health and disease, most state-of-the-art technologies for the study of brain functions and treatment of brain dysfunctions have been developed from a neurocentric perspective and remain primarily focused on neurons.
This study employs novel tools and nanotechnologies to target specific astrocytic functions, including calcium signalling and electrophysiological properties, whose dysfunction contributes to both acute and chronic pathologies
The effect of 40 Hz light stimulation utilising an Invisible Spectral Flicker (ISF) on calcium dynamics in vitro is investigated, demonstrating that visible light of different properties can induce diverse Ca²⁺ dynamics. Selective pharmacological approaches are employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify the ion channels involved in these calcium dynamics.
The biocompatibility of a novel microelectrode array (MEA) based on zinc oxide nanorods coated with reduced graphene oxide is demonstrated. The viability of astrocytes on these novel devices is confirmed, laying the groundwork for astroglial extracellular recordings. Preliminary results indicate the devices' sensitivity to low-amplitude astrocytic signals, paving the way for a deeper understanding of astrocytic function within the neural environment.
Finally, the capability of simultaneous electrophysiological recording combined with calcium microfluorometry, and voltage-sensitive dye imaging is investigated, demonstrating their temporal correlation. Overall, this work validates three novel approaches as promising glial interfaces for the study and modulation of astrocytes
Toxicological effects related to a novel heated tobacco product
No full textThe tobacco epidemic is a public health burden. Nicotine-Delivery-Systems(NDS) are devices designed to help people replace conventional cigarette(CC) and among these devices we find electronic cigarettes(e-cig), which are classified as Electronic-NDS(ENDS). E-cigs use different technologies to vaporize a liquid or to heat the tobacco avoiding the combustion phenomenon(IQOS). The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has labelled IQOS as modified risk tobacco products(MRTPs), indirectly encouraging the perception of safety in the consumers, but IQOS smoke, although to a lesser extent than conventional, still presents a great deal of harmful or potentially harmful compounds.
My PhD thesis aims to study the toxic effects related to IQOS exposure. I sought to answer the question of whether the toxic compounds released by IQOS, albeit in reduced concentrations, could lead to genotoxicity and damage to the airways and liver in vivo. At the University of Nottingham, I have investigated in vitro the effects generated by the IQOS, e-cigs and CC exposure on PBMCs and human lung epithelial cell line. Finally, at University of Milano–Bicocca, I have developed a in vivo Positron Emission computed Tomography(PET) imaging procedure meant to be applied to the monitoring of ENDS toxicity, particularly in the brain.
These results indicate that IQOS is not a low-risk product in vivo, for primary target organs but also for secondary organs, although we have observed a small impact in vitro. Labelling as MRTP may mislead consumers who interpret “a lower level of toxic compounds” as an indication of “harmlessness” when there is a health risk for users. In the last part, I set up a methodology for studying temporal fluctuations of regional brain metabolism and connectivity derived from mice of different ages allowing researchers to obtain normative values in investigations of the efficacy or toxicity of substances at the functional level of the CNS
Precarious employment and social reproduction: the impact on health and well-being
No full textThis dissertation aims to make a theoretical and empirical contribution to the debate on precarious employment, social reproduction and the impact on health and well-being. In recent years, numerous studies have examined the effect of precarious employment as a social determinant on health and well-being, focusing on gender differences in this phenomenon. Within this framework, the research design is to investigate this topic quantitatively in the United Kingdom using longitudinal data to assess the long-term effects of precarious employment and informal care work on health. More specifically, the aim of this thesis is to investigate the impact of precarious employment on health and to analyze gender differences within this phenomenon, particularly in relation to the role of informal care work. The analysis shows that precarious employment is indeed associated to a detrimental effect on health and that this effect is stronger for women’s mental health. Additionally, the analysis shows that time spent on informal care work explains part of the gender gap in mental health, and that informal care and the number of hours spent on it are associated with worse mental health for women. Finally, during the first few months of Covid-19, for both men and women, performing more hours of care work on average is associated with worse mental health, showing that it is not so much the change from fewer to more hours that affects health, but rather those who do more hours on average, hence the long-term effect of being an intensive informal carer.La presente tesi si propone di dare un contributo teorico ed empirico al dibattito sul lavoro precario, sulla riproduzione sociale e sull'impatto sulla salute e sul benessere. Negli ultimi anni, numerosi studi hanno esaminato l'effetto del lavoro precario come determinante sociale sulla salute e sul benessere, concentrandosi sulle differenze di genere in questo fenomeno. In questo contesto, il progetto di ricerca si propone di indagare quantitativamente questo tema nel Regno Unito utilizzando dati longitudinali per valutare gli effetti a lungo termine del lavoro precario e del lavoro di cura informale sulla salute. Nello specifico, l'obiettivo di questa tesi è indagare l'impatto del lavoro precario sulla salute e analizzare le differenze di genere all'interno di questo fenomeno, in particolare in relazione al ruolo del lavoro di cura non retribuito. L'analisi mostra che il lavoro precario è associato ad un effetto negativo sulla salute e che questo effetto è ancora più forte per la salute mentale delle donne. Inoltre, l'analisi mostra che il tempo dedicato al lavoro di cura informale spiega parte del divario di genere nella salute mentale e che il lavoro di cura informale e il numero di ore dedicate ad essa sono associati a una peggiore salute mentale per le donne. Infine, durante i primi mesi di Covid-19, sia per gli uomini che per le donne, lo svolgimento in media di un maggior numero di ore di lavoro di cura è associato a una peggiore salute mentale, dimostrando che non è tanto il passaggio da un minor numero a un maggior numero di ore a influire sulla salute, quanto piuttosto coloro che svolgono un in media maggior numero di ore, e di conseguenza l'effetto a lungo termine di essere un caregiver informale intensivo
The application of the autonomy principle as a yardstick for the compatibility with EU law
No full textLa tesi indaga l’applicazione del principio di autonomia del diritto UE nella giurisprudenza della Corte di giustizia. In particolare, il lavoro mira ad analizzare le modalità attraverso cui il principio viene adoperato come parametro di compatibilità, ai fini dello scrutinio della Corte, in quei casi riguardanti il rapporto tra giurisdizioni di diritto internazionale e diritto dell’Unione. Una volta delineato il contesto teorico di partenza, concernente il significato dell’autonomia del diritto UE all’interno del “quadro costituzionale” dell’Unione, si passa all’analisi, caso per caso, della prassi giurisprudenziale, al fine di individuare ed estrapolare gli elementi costanti nei casi. La disamina svolta parte da pronunce celebri, tra cui il parere 1/91, Kadi e il parere 2/13, in cui il principio nasce e si sviluppa. Successivamente, si passa alle pronunce più recenti, componenti la c.d. saga Achmea, riguardante la compatibilità con il principio di autonomia dei meccanismi ISDS. I risultati raccolti nell’analisi vengono sintetizzati in modo da ricostruire un test di compatibilità unitario e astratto, composto da tre elementi. Si arriva così, per via induttiva, all’elaborazione di un modello idoneo a spiegare le modalità di applicazione del principio di autonomia come parametro di compatibilità. Sulla scorta di ciò vengono formulate considerazioni e riflessioni concernenti le principali implicazioni per l’ordinamento UE e per i suoi attori, che derivano dal principio di autonomia e dal suo utilizzo giurisprudenziale. Infine, si prende in considerazione una visione del principio di autonomia alternativa a quella emersa nel corso della trattazione e se ne valuta il potenziale impatto sulla concezione e sull’applicazione del principio stesso.The Thesis investigates the application of the EU law autonomy principle within the case-law of the Court of Justice. In particular, the work aims at analysing the ways in which the principle is used as a yardstick for the purposes of the ECJ’s scrutiny, when dealing with the issue of the relationship between EU law and international law jurisdictions. Once the theoretical starting point, concerning the significance of EU law autonomy within the EU “constitutional framework”, has been outlined, the work moves on to a case-by-case analysis of the case-law practice, in order to identify and extrapolate the constant elements of the cases. The analysis starts with famous rulings, including Opinion 1/91, Kadi and Opinion 2/13, in which the principle was created and developed. Subsequently, it turns to more recent rulings, components of the so-called Achmea saga, which concerns the compatibility of ISDS mechanisms with the principle of autonomy.
The investigation’s findings are synthesised so as to design a unitary and abstract compatibility test, consisting of three elements. Concordantly, it is possible to inductively elaborate a model suitable to explain how the autonomy principle can be applied as a yardstick for the assessment of the compatibility with EU law of international law jurisdictions. On this the basis, the works explores the main implications for the EU legal system and its actors, deriving from the principle of autonomy and its jurisprudential use. Finally, the work addresses a view of the autonomy principle that is alternative to the one considered in the previous parts of the investigation. In this regard, the potential impact of such a view on the principle’s conceptualization and application is assessed