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Against all odds: mobilization for large-scale collective action in the case of climate change
No full textThe development of modern human society brought with it new and complicated problems – controlling epidemics and pandemics in an increasingly interconnected world; the challenges brought about by cross-country migration; antibiotic resistance; and climate change, one of the most complicated of all major problems facing society today. These are all large-scale collective action problems (LSCAPs). At the same time, the very existence of certain policy areas remains puzzling. Although extensive scholarly attention has been paid to the successes and failures of providing collective and public goods, limited to no attention has been paid to the point of emergence of a collective action problem. We assume that there is a group that recognizes a collective good as such, and the need for providing it. However, the point of recognizing the good as such is missing from existing theoretical accounts. Essentially, how is a collective action group formed? How is a collective good recognized as such? How do entire policy areas emerge out of little to no pre-existing policy or legislation, depending on the subject matter, to provide these goods? How does that process of mass-mobilization look like? What brings about (mobilization for) major policy change? This work uses the example of (international) climate change policy to analyze how climate change transformed from a primarily scientific issue to a policy area of international concern. The findings indicate that some aspects of the emergence of large-scale cooperation on climate change could simply be explained by elements found in classic collective action theory. This dissertation also finds that, although the rational-choice based approach may explain a fair bit when considering the characteristics or level of ambition of early climate change policy, when focusing on its emergence as a policy issue on its own right, however, the rational-choice explanation may be expanded by behavioral factors
Development of orthopaedic treatment models for in silico trials
No full textThe use of cementless stems in total hip arthroplasty surgeries is becoming increasingly common. However, despite advancement in the field, aseptic loosening as a consequence of inadequate osseointegration is one of the main causes of failure. Under physiological loading, insufficient primary stability leads to relative movements between bone and implant, causing the tissue at the interface to differentiate into fibrous tissue, resulting in pain and the need for revision surgery. This study aims to develop an in silico method integrated with in vivo experiment results to predict the long-term stability of cementless hip stems, considering both relative bone-implant micromotion and the osteoinductivity of coatings. Initially, a Finite Element model of a rabbit tibia implanted with titanium alloy pins was developed using bone-to-implant contact data from an in vivo study. The model incorporated a finite state machine to simulate contact changes at the interface, based on relative micromotion, stress, and gap distance, with calibration achieved through in vivo data on the maximum bridgeable gap. A simulated push-out test predicted the axial load for pin mobilisation, revealing a bridgeable gap of 50-80 μm and a push-out strength between 19 and 21 N (3.4–5.4 MPa), aligning well with previous experimental findings of 4 ± 1 MPa. Subsequently, the model was adapted to a patient-specific human femur model implanted with cementless hip stems to predict aseptic loosening risk. By incorporating a finite state machine, time-dependent osseointegration, and adjustable parameters for coating effects, the model successfully simulated enhanced osseointegration and loosening prevention for coated stems
Facing Frailty from other perspectives: neglected patients, features, and new ways to address them.
No full textFrailty is a dynamic and multidimensional condition, with physical, psychological, and social factors playing a part in its development. The interaction between these domains is marked by considerable complexity. This thesis aimed to explore this complexity from other perspectives and broaden the debate on frailty towards 1) neglected patients; 2) neglected features, and 3) new ways to address them. This aim is addressed through the following individual studies:
Study I and Study II focus on young patients admitted to the emergency department with acute alcoholic intoxication (neglected patients), assessing their long-term mortality, evaluating among potential deaths predictors minor trauma and social vulnerability (neglected features), and developing a multivariable logistic regression model to predict 1-year readmission to the emergency department (new ways).
In Study III the first systematic map of the published evidence on the use of wearable sensors (new ways) in caregivers of people with dementia (neglected patients) is provided, mainly focusing on sleep disorders (neglected features).
Study IV investigates associations between Fried’s frailty phenotype and sleep disorders (neglected features), evaluating possible associations with gastrointestinal symptoms (new ways) in hospitalized middle-aged adults with low comorbidities and without cognitive impairment (neglected patients).
Lastly, Study V explores the association between multimorbidity, evaluated through chronic disease patterns (neglected features) and physical performance tests by examining their longitudinal trajectories over 15 years (new ways) in a community-based cohort of older adults.
Frailty is not just a physical phenomenon. The findings of this thesis suggest broadening the discussion surrounding frailty by evaluating the interplay between physical, psychological, and social factors, and by shifting the focus to patient groups beyond older adults. Moreover, this thesis provides novel instruments to approach this interplay, aiming to foster resilience in patients and improve their ability to prevent functional decline through tailored prevention and person-centered care
Design, fabrication and characterization of glioelectronic devices for read-out of astrocytes in vitro and ex vivo.
No full textAstrocytes, once considered passive, are now seen as key regulators of neural communication, managing ions and neurotransmitters at synapses. Though non-excitable, they signal via potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+) currents. Traditional microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are limited for astrocyte research. This work proposes MEAs enhanced with Zinc Oxide Nanorods (ZnO NRs) to improve astrocyte activity readout in vitro and ex vivo. For in vitro tests, ZnO NRs serve as both nanostructured electrodes and culture platforms for astrocyte growth, proliferation, and differentiation. ZnO was chosen for compatibility with low-temperature fabrication (80°C) on rigid (in vitro) and flexible (ex vivo) substrates. ZnO NR measure 600-900 nm in length and 150 nm in thickness, and support 70% cell viability while enabling astrocyte differentiation without organic promoters. Electrical tests show a 70% impedance reduction at low frequencies, and potassium stimulation confirms increased signal frequency, demonstrating effectiveness. For ex vivo tests, ZnO NRs were integrated into flexible MEAs, maintaining impedance reduction. Tests on an ischemia model using oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) showed that nanostructured MEAs detected signals with greater sensitivity than standard electrodes, capturing increased event frequency during OGD. This study also optimized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a coating for ZnO NR electrodes. The process refined solution selection, deposition methods, and laser reduction parameters. UV laser reduction (30 ns) successfully converted GO to rGO without damaging ZnO NRs or polymeric substrates. The rGO coating preserved astrocyte biocompatibility while improving electrical properties, reducing impedance by up to 90% at low frequencies. This study also explores ZnO nanostructures for photoreactive surfaces to develop astrocyte research devices. A ZnO NR-P3HT composite improved photothermal activity by an order of magnitude while increasing surface potential and maintaining cell viability. Silver-coated ZnO NRs in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enhanced Raman signals for biological molecules, demonstrating potential for biosensing detection
A BioBank for mussels and clams of the Adriatic Sea: an integrated biological approach to support farming management
No full textThis thesis studies the temporal dynamics of health status of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and striped Venus clams (Chamelea gallina) in productive sites along the Emilia-Romagna coastline (Northwestern Adriatic Sea), identifying early indicators of physiological impairments caused by climatic events or chemical pollution that can reduce bivalve productivity. Field samplings over multiple years, seasons, and locations provided a comprehensive dataset of biometric parameters, physiological indices, and transcriptional profiles of genes underpinning bivalve core physiological processes (i.e., metabolism, stress response, shell biomineralization). Results showed that local conditions may shape the resilience of C. gallina to environmental changes, with responses to the 2022 heatwave varying by site productivity. Low-productivity sites clams increased feeding and digestive gene activity, while high-productivity sites clams exhibited healthier metabolism and enhanced antioxidant and immune responses. Analysis of stability and expression of six housekeeping gene transcripts commonly used as reference genes in qPCR analyses with mussels identified ribosomal RNA genes as the most stable under field conditions. Expressions of the most variable transcripts actin and elongation factor-1α significantly correlated with seasonal/latitudinal changes of abiotic parameters and physiological indices, leading to consider their expression profiles as molecular biomarkers of mussel general physiological status. Mussels investigated during the 2022 heatwave showed changes in metabolic and detoxification/cytoprotective transcripts, underscoring the physiological accommodations to cope with harsh environmental conditions, while maintaining biomineralization and shell growth. A field study on mussel bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals and pesticides showed that the seasonal accumulation up-regulated metabolic gene products but down-regulated detoxification and lysosomal related transcripts, suggesting an energy shift towards coping with pollutants. Additionally, the digestive gland microbiome harbored adaptable xenobiotic-degrading genes, likely mitigating xenobiotic host exposure. Overall, this research attempts to understand how bivalve physiology is influenced by complex environmental interactions, supporting the development of climate-adaptive strategies for sustainable bivalve production in the Adriatic region
Kinetic modeling of plasmas for biomedical and industrial applications
No full textUnderstanding the physical and chemical phenomena governing reactive species in non thermal atmospheric-pressure plasmas is crucial for improving the operation of cold plasma devices and their applications. This work focuses on kinetic modeling and simulations of different types of non-thermal plasmas generators. In the first part, a novel two-stage kinetic model is developed to simulate O3 and NO2 dynamics in a surface dielectric barrier discharge, over time spans of hundreds of seconds. The second part of the work begins with a theoretical background on vibrational excitation and the calculation of the rate constants related to the reactions involving vibrationally-excited N2 molecules. A reaction set including these processes is developed and used to simulate a volumetric dielectric barrier discharge reactor working in filamentary regime (when powered by a sinusoidal voltage source). The focus is set on N2 vibrational distribution function, its temporal evolution and the effect that it has on the reactive species production. The same reaction set is then adopted to simulate a volume DBD powered by a nano-pulsed voltage generator in flow conditions, working in diffuse regime. The simulation results are compared against experimental measurements of NO concentration during a single nano-pulse, obtained by the EPFL plasma group using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. In the final part of the work, a computational model for the chemical kinetics of the ionization region of a corona discharge is presented, with a particular focus on the charged species that play a central role in corona-propulsion applications
Unveiling food systems impacts with systemic approaches: the role of life cycle thinking to support evidence-based policymaking
No full textThe current food system confronts multiple sustainability challenges, including environmental degradation, food insecurity, and socioeconomic inequalities, which are driving humanity beyond a safe operational space. Tackling the complexity of these interconnected issues necessitates a systemic approach to identify key entry points for transformative change within food systems. This research investigates how systemic approaches can contribute to sustainable food systems transformation in Europe and the Mediterranean, focusing on the interaction between policy, science, and society. A systematic scoping review underscores the crucial role of science-policy interfaces in guiding food systems towards global sustainability goals while emphasising the need for a unified vision of sustainability. A sustainability assessment of carbon farming practices in the Mediterranean, employing Life Cycle Assessment, environmental Life Cycle Costing, and social Life Cycle Assessment, demonstrates these practices’ potential to enhance soil quality, biodiversity, and farmers' profitability, but also the necessity of policy support for adoption and equitable benefit distribution. Finally, a Life Cycle Assessment and environmental Life Cycle Costing combined with a policy foresight analysis on the future uptake of non-conventional water resources in the Mediterranean suggests that water reuse can alleviate water scarcity; yet its effective adoption requires technological improvements, financial incentives and targeted communication to raise public awareness and address perceived risks. This research contributes to advancing a systemic approach to the transformation of sustainable food systems, accentuating the need for integrated policy, scientific, and societal actions to achieve a more sustainable and equitable food system
New eco-sustainable approaches for the recovery of bioactive molecules from agricultural by-products and their biochemical validation for cosmeceutical application.
No full textNowadays, agricultural food waste poses a significant environmental challenge. Agri-food by-products, such as peels and seeds, are rich in bioactive compounds with proven health benefits, making them a valuable source of active ingredients for sustainable products. This research investigates the upcycling of pomegranate peels, tomato skins, and citrus by-products to develop innovative cosmeceutical ingredients for oral and skin care formulations. The first case study explored the biological activities of extracts derived from pomegranate peel and tomato skin using in vitro models of the oral mucosa (Human Primary Gingival Epithelial Cells). The results revealed significant antioxidant properties, due to reduced intracellular H2O2 production and enhanced Superoxide Dismutase 1 expression (p<0.01). The extracts also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, related to the downregulation of key pro-inflammatory markers, including Tumor Necrosis Factor α (p<0.05) and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 (p<0.001). Furthermore, they displayed antibacterial properties by inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis. Additionally, when included in a mouthwash formulation, the extracts maintained their efficacy, thereby underscoring their suitability for oral care applications.The second case study explored the valorization of citrus by-products, employing a sustainable Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES)-based extraction method to obtain polyphenol-rich extracts, with hesperidin as a major compound. Safety and efficacy evaluation in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, characterized by a reduction in intracellular H2O2 levels (p<0.01). Notably, the extracts significantly enhanced wound healing, achieving complete wound closure within 48 hours (p<0.01). Chemokine release profiling indicated a modulation of inflammatory mediators, specifically interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 (p<0.05), supporting the observed tissue regeneration properties.This research supports the conversion of agri-food waste into high-value cosmeceutical ingredients that benefit oral and skin health. This approach aligns with circular economy principles, providing environmentally sustainable solutions while identifying novel resources for the cosmeceutical field
Biomarkers of nutritional and health status in Apis mellifera
No full textWild and managed bees are increasingly threatened by environmental pollution, climate change, and pathogens, which together pose risks to their survival and the ecosystems. Traditional methods of assessing colony health provide general insights but are subjective and lack detailed information, while a rapid and practical method for routine application is still unavailable. Therefore, the primary aim of this research project was to identify a panel of biomarkers in honey bee hemolymph capable of assessing nutritional and health status at the colony level, and to test these biomarkers under different field conditions. Recognizing the critical role of nutrition in honey bee health, the relationship between the identified biomarkers and nutritional supplementation was also investigated. Finally, the study evaluated the influence of season and farm management on the content of essential and potentially toxic trace elements in honey bees from different Italian regions. The research identified and tested under field conditions a panel of hemolymph biomarkers including apolipophorin I, vitellogenin, apolipophorin II, transferrin, hexamerin 70a, and total protein concentrations. Honey bees fed with different pollen types didn’t report significant variations in hemolymph protein concentrations, while the supplementation of a by-product of phycocyanin extraction from Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), did not apport adverse effects or significant differences from control bees observed. Regarding the use of honey bees as bioindicators, it was recognized that conventional apiaries had a higher risk of exposure to copper than organic apiaries, leading to a possible dysregulation of iron homeostasis. In conclusion, this research presents a novel panel of biomarkers for colony health assessment that fills gaps in current methodologies and highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to address the challenges facing beekeeping. These findings contribute to the advancement of honey bee monitoring and underline the interrelationship between environmental, animal, and human health
Production and application of carbon-based biomaterials in the adsorption of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) from solutions
No full textThe use of biomass-derived biochar has gained attention due to its environmental benefits and versatility. Initially applied in soils for carbon sequestration and improved fertility, biochar is now also being explored for wastewater treatment. Biochar and its modified forms have shown high efficiency in removing heavy metals from solution, offering advantages such as low cost, sustainability, and effective contaminant sorption at low concentrations. This thesis presents the development of novel magnetic biochars using potabilization sludge and pruning waste, applying an industrial symbiosis approach. This innovative material has been patented through the University of Bologna. The magnetic biochars and other biochar-based materials were applied for the removal of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) from solution. Specifically, arsenic, boron, and manganese were selected as target contaminants. A dolomite-biochar composite showed promising results, with arsenic adsorption of 3 mg g⁻¹ and boron reduction below the regulatory limit of 2 mg L⁻¹ for surface waters. Manganese adsorption was evaluated using pristine biochars in both synthetic and mine-impacted waters, showing good performances on both matrices. Overall, this research demonstrates that magnetic and modified biochars are viable, sustainable materials for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. They offer a circular economy solution by valorizing waste while addressing contamination. Further studies should focus on enhancing sorption in complex matrices, scaling up production, and investigating the recovery and reuse of spent biochars