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Pollution zéro: recyclage de coproduits de l'activité conchylicole - Recherche de biomolécules bactéricides dans la coquille de mollusques d'intérêt économique
Get PDFTo calcify their shells, bivalves secrete macromolecules (mainly proteins) that regulate the setting up of the crystalline units and remain included in the mineral phase. High-throughput proteomics techniques backed by transcriptomes show the complexity of this calcifying matrix, which has many molecular functions, including potential bactericidal power suspected by the presence of highly basic peptides contained in the matrix. This doctoral research investigates the antibacterial properties of the organic matrices extracted from economically important bivalve shells, specifically targeting marine Vibrionaceae pathogens. First the organic matrices were extracted from the shells, which led to the identification of both soluble (ASM) and insoluble (AIM) fractions. Then an antibacterial screening was conducted using disk diffusion and microdilution assays. The Pacific cupped oyster (M. gigas) and giant scallop (P. maximus) demonstrated particularly strong activity against pathogens, especially V. harveyi ORM4 and A. salmonicida. Proteomic analysis identified known antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPPs) in the extracts, attempting to correlate them with observed bioactivity. This exploratory project, at the interface of environmental geosciences, aquaculture, health, and cultural heritage conservation, aims to valorize an abundant marine co-product: empty shells from shellfish consumption. By developing sophisticated applications for these typically low-value recycled materials, this research contributes to establishing a virtuous circular economy. While promising results were obtained, further experiments are required to elucidate the bacteriostatic or bactericidal mechanisms of bivalve shell extracts. This work opens new perspectives in marine bacteria experimentation and natural resource bioprospecting, potentially leading to innovative applications in aquaculture, food safety, and environmental conservation.Pour calcifier leurs coquilles, les bivalves sécrètent des macromolécules (principalement des protéines) qui régulent la mise en place des unités cristallines et restent incluses dans la phase minérale. Les techniques de protéomique à haut débit, étayées par les transcriptomes, révèlent la complexité de cette matrice calcifiante, qui possède de nombreuses fonctions moléculaires, y compris un potentiel pouvoir bactéricide suspecté par la présence de peptides très basiques contenus dans la matrice. Ce projet de recherche doctoral étudie les propriétés antibactériennes des matrices organiques extraites des coquilles de bivalves d'importance économique, ciblant spécifiquement les pathogènes marins de la famille des Vibrionaceae. Dans un premier temps, les matrices organiques sont extraites des coquilles, ce qui permet d’obtenir des fractions solubles et insolubles. Ensuite, un criblage antibactérien est réalisé via des tests de disque de diffusion de microdilution. M. gigas et P. maximus démontrent une activité particulièrement forte contre les pathogènes marins, notamment V. harveyi ORM4 et A. salmonicida. L'analyse protéomique a identifié des peptides et protéines antimicrobiens connus dans les extraits de coquille, tentant de les corréler avec l'activité biologique observée. Ce projet exploratoire, à l'interface des géosciences environnementales, de l'aquaculture, de la santé et des sciences de la conservation du patrimoine culturel, vise à valoriser un coproduit marin abondant : les coquilles vides issues de la consommation de coquillages. En développant des applications sophistiquées pour ces matériaux généralement recyclés à faible valeur ajoutée, cette recherche contribue à établir une économie circulaire vertueuse. Bien que des résultats prometteurs aient été obtenus, des expériences supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour déterminer la nature bactériostatique ou bactéricide des mécanismes des extraits de coquilles de bivalves. Cette recherche développe de nouvelles perspectives dans l'expérimentation sur les bactéries marines et la bioprospection des ressources naturelles, pouvant conduire à des applications innovantes en aquaculture, sécurité alimentaire et conservation environnementale
Smart crutches for monitoring recovery and motor control in lower limb exoskeletons: development and exploratory clinical testing
No full textGait, or the act of walking, is a fundamental human function. Several pathologies, including neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke, as well as orthopedic conditions like post-surgical recovery from total hip arthroplasty, can impair locomotion. Close collaboration between clinicians and engineers has transformed motor rehabilitation through innovative solutions. Crutches are commonly prescribed for patients with motor impairments, yet despite the availability of wearable devices that measure gait parameters, no medically certified devices assess how crutch usage impacts functional capacity and motor recovery. The scenario becomes more complex with wearable robots for motor rehabilitation, such as lower-limb exoskeletons. Although exoskeletons have been shown to improve quality of life for neurological patients, they often rely on crutches for stability and fall prevention. Integrating sensorized crutches into such systems could enhance human-machine interaction by enabling advanced control strategies, improving safety, and adding smart functionalities. This PhD project aims to design, develop, and clinically explore the feasibility of a set of sensorized crutches named mCrutch, which is fully integrable as a personal health system with a lower-limb exoskeleton. Prototype validation, conducted with a motion capture system and force platform, showed that mCrutch measures applied weight with 2.5% RMSE across the full range and estimates orientation in both anteroposterior and mediolateral planes with an RMSE of less than 5° in dynamic conditions. Two clinical studies involving individuals with Total Hip Arthroplasty and Parkinson's Disease, using mCrutch and wearable sensors for gait monitoring, have received ethical approval. Preliminary findings suggest mCrutch’s feasibility for functional capacity assessment, though larger sample sizes are needed for more robust conclusions. Moreover, mCrutch has been integrated with a lower-limb exoskeleton, offering functionalities and advanced control strategies, enabling greater users’ independence and participation in piloting the exoskeleton and more patient safety in mitigating the risk of falls
Artificial intelligence approaches for privacy-protected pooling of genomics, clinical and other ‘-Omics’ data analysis for haematological disease prognosis, prevention, diagnostics and treatment
Get PDFThere are up to 450 Hematological Diseases (HDs), generally classified in six large groups of oncological and non-oncological diseases. HDs result from ab-normalities of blood cells; lymphoid organs; and coagulation factors, and affect a substantial number of patients. For example, HDs account for about 5% of Cancers. Most HDs can cause chronic health problems and many of them are life-threatening conditions requiring numerous resources for correct diagnosis, management and treatment. Recently, the European Hematology Association (EHA) evaluated the financial burden of blood disorders on European society at €22.5 billion per year. Personalized or precision medicine is a medical model in which conventional medicine is combined with advanced genetic profiling, leveraging Artificial In-telligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). This results in tailored diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic strategies. Personalized medicine can revolutionize hematology, improving patients’ quality of life and reducing the overall financial burden. Unfortunately, this is currently underexplored: existing AI models for HDs lack patient-centricity and personalization. Furthermore, the vast amounts of relevant data produced are often inaccessible and diffused. In this thesis, we support the pooling of genomic, clinical data and other “-omics” health data for precision medicine in hematology. To do so, we Collect, compatibilize, and prepare relevant data from over ten clinical repositories. We then leverage this data to validate existing prognostic models for HDs at scale. Subsequently, we develop novel precision medicine AI and ML models for prog-nosis in hematology. Finally, we show that such models can be securely trained and integrated for analysis and application, without breaching patients’ rights and trust. This is achieved by leveraging interoperability standards and novel privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) such as federated learning and synthetic data
The impact of food stimuli on attention and evaluative systems: an experimental investigation
Get PDFIl sistema attentivo umano ha risorse limitate ed è progettato per identificare rapidamente stimoli rilevanti, come quelli legati alla sopravvivenza o alle emozioni. Tale tendenza, nota come bias attentivo, porta a prestare maggiore attenzione ad alcuni stimoli rispetto ad altri e può influenzare il comportamento, specialmente in condizioni psicologiche come ansia, depressione e disturbi alimentari.
La presente tesi ha analizzato l’influenza di diverse caratteristiche del cibo, come il contenuto calorico e il livello di trasformazione, sui processi valutativi e sulle risposte comportamentali. Inoltre, ha esaminato se fattori individuali, come la preoccupazione per la dieta o l’aspetto fisico, possano modulare l’attenzione e la valutazione delle immagini di cibo.
Il lavoro è strutturato in due parti: la prima fornisce il quadro teorico, descrivendo il funzionamento del sistema attentivo e il ruolo dei bias nell’elaborazione delle informazioni alimentari; la seconda presenta il progetto sperimentale. Un primo studio ha coinvolto un campione di individui, suddiviso in base al livello di preoccupazione per la forma fisica e il peso, valutando le loro reazioni alle immagini di cibo. Successivamente, due esperimenti hanno approfondito questi aspetti: il primo ha utilizzato un compito di presentazione visiva rapida per testare l’attenzione selettiva verso il cibo, mentre il secondo ha impiegato l’eye-tracking per misurare i movimenti oculari e analizzare l’impatto delle caratteristiche alimentari sulle risposte fisiologiche e comportamentali.
I risultati confermano che il contenuto calorico e la lavorazione del cibo influenzano l’attenzione e la valutazione, e che le differenze individuali, come la preoccupazione per la dieta e l’aspetto fisico, giocano un ruolo chiave nel determinare le risposte comportamentali e fisiologiche di fronte alle immagini di cibo.The human attentional system has limited resources and is designed to quickly identify relevant stimuli, such as those related to survival or emotions. This tendency, known as attentional bias, leads to greater attention being paid to certain stimuli over others and can influence behavior, particularly in psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
This thesis analyzed the influence of different food characteristics, such as caloric content and level of processing, on evaluative processes and behavioral responses. Additionally, it examined whether individual factors, such as concern for diet or physical appearance, could modulate attention and evaluation of food images.
The study is structured into two parts: the first provides the theoretical framework, describing the functioning of the attentional system and the role of biases in processing food-related information; the second presents the experimental project. An initial study involved a sample of individuals, divided according to their level of concern for body shape and weight, assessing their reactions to food images. Subsequently, two experiments further explored these aspects: the first used a rapid visual presentation task to test selective attention towards food, while the second employed eye-tracking to measure eye movements and analyze the impact of food characteristics on physiological and behavioral responses.
The results confirm that caloric content and food processing influence attention and evaluation and that individual differences, such as concern for diet and physical appearance, play a key role in determining behavioral and physiological responses to food images
Design research gameplay. A technocultural approach to design research through game-forms and play.
Get PDFThis thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of video games from the perspectives of Design Cultures and Sciences. The purpose is to bridge design research with research on video games through their respective languages, practices, and theoretical-interpretative models.
I analyze video games as artifacts that represent the convergence of an advanced industrial productive system, the modes of production, exchange, and consumption of digital capitalism, and the expressive forms of contemporary technoculture. In other words, I look at video games as a paradigmatic form of commodity, the Game Form, which characterizes the artifacts of contemporary digital society. I also describe the game-exchange as the emerging model of value exchange that defines the power relationships between producers and consumers.
In the first part of the thesis, I develop a three-layered analysis—productive-economic, socio-political, and cultural—offering a phenomenological and critical account of power and cultural dynamics mediated and amplified by the video game system.
In the second part, I provide a classification of what I define game-forms, paradigmatic instantiations of the Game Form which articulate the double dimension of game as commodities and as epistemic artifacts. This classification is adopted to bridge the gap that emerges in the Italian academic context between the technical discipline of Game Design, the humanistic perspective of Game and Play Studies, and the field of Design.
Lastly, I use the developed theoretical and practical frameworks to understand Design Research as a gameplay dynamic in which designers manipulate game-forms, apply and experiment on and through game technologies, and, more broadly, develop a playful/gameful approach towards building design knowledge. Design Gameplay is therefore defined as the dynamic creative negotiation among subjectivities, material and immaterial networks and practices, and scientific and non-scientific modes of inquiry for the generation of design knowledge through the experimental affordances of video games
Light induced processes - from supramolecular systems to photoanodes
Get PDFThis thesis investigates light induced process occurring in different kind of materials, spacing from complex supramolecular systems to solid state catalysts and photoanodes. The interest towards those materials is related to light-stimulated applications such as smart photoresponsive molecular systems or photoinduced water splitting. Through a combination of photophysical methods, such as steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy and time-correlated single photon counting, this work seeks to advance understanding of photoinduced processes and contribute to general knowledge in this field. A detailed study of the femtosecond transient absorption of a-Fe2O3 and BiVO4/WO3 photoanodes for oxygen evolution has been performed. With these techniques it was possible to elucidate charge carriers dynamics occurring in WO3/BiVO4 photoanodes coated with Co/Fe-based overlayers and -Fe2O3 photoanodes with or without CoPi catalyst. Acridinium-porphyrin conjugates stand out for their peculiar photophysical behavior, related to the photoswitching properties of acridinium ions, coupled with the rich photophysics of porphyrins. When such components are combined, photoinduced electron or energy transfer processes are activated. Such processes were investigated in novel acridinium-porphyrin conjugates. The inclusion of a photoactive guest in some of these conjugates shows that they can act as supramolecular receptors. Interestingly, it was observed that polarity effects can substantially affect the photophysical behavior. Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) polymeric materials are of particular interest as photosensitizers to be coupled with water oxidation catalysts for photoinduced water splitting. CTF containing covalently-linked Ru water oxidation catalysts for light induced catalytic water oxidation have been previously developed. A low molecular weight model of CTF has been synthesized and photophysically characterized, in order to unravel the photoinduced processes occurring in a CTF upon light excitation
Localization and communication in smart radio environments
Get PDFIn recent years, the concept of the Smart Radio Environment (SRE) has emerged as a transformative approach in wireless communications. This innovative paradigm shifts the perception of the wireless environment from an uncontrollable entity to an active, programmable component. By enabling dynamic programming of the propagation environment, the SRE paradigm aims to revolutionize the field. Aligned with this vision, the focus of this thesis is on advanced “smart” methods exploiting the possibility to sense and modify radio propagation environments to enable advanced communication, localization, and mapping applications. One of these key technologies employed in SRE is Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs), which are adaptable surfaces that can be programmed to manipulate the propagation of radio waves. Another promising technology discussed is the frequency-selective metasurfaces, which are engineered to interact selectively with different frequency components of a signal. The chapters also delve into self-conjugating metasurfaces (SCMs) that exploit the retrodirectivity property, appealing to reduce the beamforming time in MIMO systems while reducing the system complexity. Experimental validations are presented, including tests on two RIS prototypes operating at different frequencies. A key contribution is the first successful demonstration of radio simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms at 300 GHz. Additionally, the thesis investigates ultra-wideband localization for automated docking in harsh environments. The manuscript continues with the description of the algorithms exploiting the technologies investigated above. Regarding the use of frequency-selective surfaces, algorithms that leverage OFDM signals and FMCW signals to enhance localization accuracy using frequency-selective metasurfaces are shown. Then, algorithms that exploit SCM have been developed. These address communication, beam tracking, channel access, and localization purposes. Finally, radio SLAM algorithms are designed for simultaneous localization and mapping in high-frequency environments
Chinese tourists in Italy: design for extending Chinese tourists’ possible experience in cultural activities
Get PDFChinese tourists have become a significant consumer group for the development of the Italian tourism industry. However, a lack of effective access to information leads to subpar cultural activity engagement for Chinese tourists. From a perspective of design for experience, this research seeks to create a condition of cultural contact between Chinese tourists and Italian culture, interpreting as a cultural travel experience between tourists, activities, and places in which activities take place. This research demonstrates the characteristics of different Chinese tourists in Italy, through human-centered design methodology, based on the results of desk research data, targeted group analysis, questionnaire and interview surveys. Additionally, this research examines how Chinese cultural values, which also contribute positively to the optimization of cultural contact, affect Chinese tourists on their travel motivations, behaviors, emotions, and decision-making in cultural activities while traveling in Italy. Through holistic experience design methodology, this research maps a holistic cultural tourism experience of Chinese tourists from expectation (pre-trip), cultural activity (on-site process) to influence (post-trip). By using the mental model diagram analysis, it also gains a deep understanding of Chinese tourists' motivation, thought process, the emotional feedback, the processes generating cultural memories and the influence on the post-trip period. This study argues that the sensory experiences and the impressive things during cultural activity are not only about feelings, but also about learning that are replayed in the memories of Chinese tourists, and affect overall cultural impression of Italy. The key outcome of this research is that it suggests the Chinese outbound tourists' holistic mental mode diagram (HMMDs) for design hints, as well as the concept of 'design for preparation', the cultural tourism experience quadrant model (CTEx) for Chinese tourist, and the 'platform' tool for the aim of extending Chinese tourists' cultural tourism experience designed specifically
Administrative decisions in the penitentiary administration.
Get PDFLa dottrina amministrativa ha tradizionalmente dedicato un’attenzione limitata al fenomeno decisionale inteso nella sua accezione più ampia, concentrando la riflessione sul procedimento amministrativo, quale modo attraverso il quale l’Amministrazione conduce l’istruttoria, pondera gli interessi in gioco e, dunque, giunge a definire il contenuto dispositivo del provvedimento finale. Se già in linea generale i confini del procedimento amministrativo appaiono eccessivamente stretti perché si possa apprezzare la pluralità dei fattori interni ed esterni che di fatto incidono sul risultato finale della scelta, a maggior ragione un’analisi così condotta risulta insoddisfacente con riferimento a tutte quelle decisioni che l’amministratore pubblico si trova a prendere in assenza di procedimento. In questo senso l’ambito penitenziario ai rivela emblematico, posta la frequenza con la quale il dirigente penitenziario si trova ad assumere decisioni, nei confronti della popolazione detenuta, che presentano peculiarità proprie che vi rendono inapplicabili le regole normali procedimentali. Pur restando ferma l’insindacabilità del merito, se in astratto si assume come vero che il rispetto delle regole procedimentali funge da garanzia di “bontà” della decisione, si pone la necessità di individuare altri presidi di garanzia allorquando la legittimità della decisione non sia condizionata all’osservanza di regole procedurali, magari anche con esigui parametri di riferimento di natura sostanziale. Relativamente a queste ipotesi, la sola scienza giuridica non sembra offrire al decisore pubblico sufficienti strumenti informativi e operativi per orientare validamente i propri processi decisionali. Quel che ci si propone, dunque, è di attingere ad altre branche della conoscenza, afferenti al settore delle scienze organizzative in generale, e della scienza delle decisioni in particolare, affinché un’adeguata formazione in materia favorisca, specie da parte chi ricopre ruoli dirigenziali, un approccio “razionale” al fondamentale tema delle decisioni.Legal science has traditionally paid limited attention to the decision-making phenomenon understood in its broadest sense, focusing on the administrative procedure, as the way through which the Administration conducts the investigation, weighs the interests at stake and, therefore, comes to define the dispositive content of the final provision. If already in general terms the boundaries of the administrative procedure appear excessively narrow to be able to appreciate the plurality of the internal and external factors that actually affect the final result of the choice, an analysis conducted in this way is even more unsatisfactory with reference to all those decisions that the public administrator finds himself taking in the absence of proceedings. In this sense, the penitentiary environment is emblematic, given the frequency with which the prison director finds himself taking decisions, with respect to the detained population, which present their own peculiarities that make the normal procedural rules inapplicable. While the merits remain unchallengeable, if in theory it is assumed that compliance with procedural rules serves as a guarantee of the “goodness” of the decision, it becomes necessary to identify other safeguards of guarantee when the legitimacy of the decision is not conditioned by compliance with procedural rules, perhaps even with limited substantive reference parameters. With regard to these hypotheses, legal science alone does not seem to offer public decision makers sufficient information and operational tools to validly guide their decision-making processes. What we propose, therefore, is to draw on other branches of knowledge, pertaining to the sector of organizational sciences in general, and decision science in particular, so that adequate training in the field promotes, especially on the part of those who hold managerial roles, a “rational” approach to the fundamental issue of decisions
Cognitive augmentation systems through extended reality, artificial intelligence, and sensors: a human-computer interaction perspective
Get PDFIn an era increasingly shaped by digital and immersive technologies, this thesis explores how Extended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and sensor integration are transforming cognitive augmentation from a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) perspective. Through case studies in education, physical activity, and collaboration, this work demonstrates how these technologies address diverse user needs in everyday life. In education, an AI-powered Augmented Reality (AR) application supports language learning for dyslexic students with adaptive feedback, while an XR application strengthens spatial reasoning by teaching Rubik’s Cube notation. XR further demonstrates its potential by evaluating the effectiveness of embodied and audio-only virtual assistant guides in a puzzle-solving task. Beyond education, case studies extend to physical activity, where an AR application provides real-time feedback to optimize workouts, and Virtual Reality (VR) interfaces improve bi-manual interaction for individuals with limb loss. In everyday settings, a VR smart home study examines AI assistant engagement, while an AR family album application overlays metadata onto physical photos, enriching individual interactions with personal history. An Internet of Things (IoT)-integrated VR environment introduces real-time feedback that dynamically responds to user environmental changes. Collaboration is another key focus, with virtual office studies analyzing how communication quality affects teamwork and an AR experience facilitating family memory sharing. These case studies also highlight technological and usability challenges, providing insights that inform future improvements. The thesis adopts a mixed-method evaluation, combining quantitative performance metrics with qualitative user insights while exploring ethical considerations to inform responsible future research. In addition, a comparative analysis identifies universal design principles for creating effective XR, AI, and sensor-driven cognitive augmentation systems. In conclusion, the findings highlight the transformative potential of HCI-driven case studies in developing immersive, user-centered solutions. By integrating advanced technologies with interdisciplinary approaches, this research aims to address cognitive and social challenges while promoting responsible and ethical practices