10081 research outputs found
Sort by
Algorithms and solutions for intelligent transport
Get PDFIntelligent transportation has been a hot and noticed area in recent years. This thesis focuses on developing and optimising the algorithms and solutions in parts of intelligent transportation. The research aims to address the growing challenges of transport using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain. It contributes to smart mobility through two main components. One is the development of autonomous algorithms for ground transportation and the other is smart information system solutions in the air service industry. This thesis explores the use of deep reinforcement learning and 3D-LiDAR in autonomous driving. Deep reinforcement learning is capable of learning directly from high-dimensional data through trial and error and offers significant advantages in developing autonomous systems capable of dealing with real-world uncertainty. The use of DQN enables agents to efficiently learn discrete actions in controlled environments, whereas the DDPG algorithm extends this capability to continuous action spaces, allowing for smoother control of vehicle dynamics. By capturing local and global features in the 3D environment, this study explores various point cloud preprocessing algorithms to further enhance the perception module, resulting in more accurate object recognition and environment understanding. Experimental results from both simulated and real-world environments demonstrate the effectiveness of using deep reinforcement learning in self-driving vehicles. This thesis also proposes an information system based on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). By the decentralised and tamper-proof nature of DLT, the system ensures the integrity of the data, thereby enhancing trust between stakeholders and facilitating the integration of the various component participants into the wider transport infrastructure. In summary, this thesis advances the field of autonomous driving and intelligent mobility through machine learning algorithms, advanced sensor processing techniques and secure data management solutions. The research results help pave the way for future innovations in smart transport and mobility solutions
Monitoring and evaluating Community Hospitals using a multidimensional approach to enhance healthcare quality: a Real-World assessment in Romagna’s Local Healthcare Authority
Get PDFCommunity-based care has gained increased attention, especially after the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In Italy, Ministerial Decree No. 77, issued in May 2022, established standards to develop and strengthen community-based care nationwide, particularly focusing on two types of settings that can address people's (socio)health needs in the face of a profound change in the epidemiological structure of the population: Community Homes and Community Hospitals. The thesis study examined seven Community Hospitals in Romagna’s Local Healthcare Authority, focusing on characterising the patient’s case-mix, referral sources, discharge destinations, and using different types of quality indicators. These included examining risk and performance models for prolonged length of stay, improvement in the Activity of Daily Living, and re-admissions to these facilities, as well as implementing a new-generation indicator: the Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) questionnaire. A multi-indicator representation summarised each facility’s performance. The analyses outlined a strong rehabilitation vocation of these settings, confirming its positive impact on the outcomes considered. Other key factors that emerged included both clinical factors, such as pressure injuries, and social factors, like living alone. Normalised mean questionnaire scores were globally high, although analysis revealed variations among facilities depending on the question, highlighting potential areas for improvement and facilitating a positive deviance approach in examining best practices. Further developments will include organisational assessments of Community Hospitals, regular sharing of questionnaire results, and an annual report to ensure ongoing quality improvement
Finances d’ « Etat », réformes et enjeux politiques au XVe siècle. Principautés de Bourgogne et duché de Savoie (1418-1480)
Get PDFLa tesi analizza i sistemi finanziari del Principato di Borgogna e del Ducato di Savoia tra il 1418 e il 1480, concentrandosi sul ruolo delle finanze nella costruzione degli stati principeschi e nelle iniziative di vari attori politici, tra cui assemblee, finanzieri, ufficiali e nobili. Attraverso un approccio comparativo, reso possibile dalla vicinanza geografica e dalle caratteristiche comuni dei due principati, lo studio indaga i meccanismi di finanziamento delle politiche principesche, sia dal punto di vista amministrativo che strutturale.
L’analisi evidenzia come le finanze non fossero guidate esclusivamente da criteri economici, ma piuttosto da considerazioni politiche. Le spese straordinarie erano trasferite alle comunità soggette, che dovevano procurarsi credito garantito dalle proprie entrate. Questo sistema favoriva i finanzieri, che sfruttavano la loro ricchezza per acquisire prestigio e potere, dando origine a una nuova nobiltà legata alla corte e all’amministrazione.
Anche in situazioni di crisi o espansione territoriale, il sistema finanziario restava fondamentalmente politico, privilegiando soluzioni meno traumatiche e più accettabili dal punto di vista del potere. La coordinazione territoriale risultava essenziale nel definire le strategie finanziarie, mentre l’aumento della pressione fiscale influenzava profondamente le comunità soggette. Questo fenomeno accelerò l’integrazione del capitale privato nelle finanze pubbliche, rafforzò i processi di territorializzazione e stabilizzò le pratiche amministrative e documentarie.This dissertation analyzes the financial systems of the Principality of Burgundy and the Duchy of Savoy between 1418 and 1480, focusing on the role of finances in building princely states and the involvement of various political actors, including assemblies, financiers, officials, and nobles. Using a comparative approach, facilitated by the geographical proximity and shared characteristics of the two principalities, the study examines the mechanisms used to finance princely policies, both administratively and structurally.
The analysis reveals that financial decisions were not solely driven by economic rationality but were primarily influenced by political considerations. Extraordinary expenses were shifted onto subject communities, which were forced to secure credit backed by their revenues. Financiers, in turn, used their wealth to gain status and power, leading to the emergence of a new nobility closely tied to the court and administration.
Even under pressures such as territorial expansion and crises, financial management remained fundamentally political, favoring solutions that were less disruptive yet politically acceptable. Territorial coordination played a crucial role in shaping financial strategies, while increasing fiscal demands significantly impacted subject communities. This process accelerated the integration of private capital into public finances, strengthened territorialization, and stabilized administrative and documentary practices
Early and late time cosmology of type IIB flux compactifications
Get PDFWe explore various aspects of type IIB flux compactifications, focusing on the stabilisation of moduli and the implications for cosmology. We present a novel method to obtain type IIB flux vacua with flat directions at tree level, implemented in both toroidal and Calabi-Yau compactifications. We also estimate the leading higher derivative corrections to supergravity and their impact on moduli stabilisation and inflation models. Additionally, we develop realizations of Early Dark Energy (EDE) within type IIB string theory, identifying promising candidates for resolving the Hubble Tension. Finally, we analyse the joint distribution of the gravitino mass and the cosmological constant in KKLT and LVS models, highlighting the favourable conditions for lower scales of supersymmetry breaking
Measurement of the WbWb cross-section in the dilepton channel using classical and quantum computing techniques with the ATLAS detector at the LHC
Get PDFThe top quark is the heaviest known elementary particle of the Standard Model. Thanks to its particular properties, it allows to explore unique physics domains, inaccessible otherwise: one of them is the production from proton-proton collisions. Studying this process is very important for a better knowledge of the Standard Model, but also to investigate some Beyond the Standard Model phenomena. In this work, the first ever measurement of the fiducial differential cross-sections of the production in the dilepton channel is provided. The measurement is performed using the full dataset collected by the ATLAS detector from proton-proton collisions at the LHC during Run-2 at \sqrt{s}=\SI{13}{\tera\electronvolt} corresponding to an integrated luminosity of \SI{140}{\femto\barn^{-1}}. The differential cross-sections have been measured as a function of kinematic variables characterizing the final states and one interference-sensitive variable, defined as . The results are then compared to several Monte Carlo predictions. We have also developed a novel unfolding method based on quantum annealing, along with a dedicated software tool, called \texttt{QUnfold}. Our implementation is the first LHC-size data analysis software capable of using quantum computation to solve the unfolding problem and therefore to measure differential cross-sections of particle physics processes. We successfully tested it on the ATLAS data used for the main analysis of this work
Protein-based nanomaterials as protein heterogeneous nucleants and structural studies on enzymes from two photosynthetic organisms
No full textProteins, the most essential biological macromolecules, are involved in nearly every aspect of life. The elucidation of their three-dimensional structures through X-ray analysis has significantly contributed to our understanding of fundamental mechanisms in life processes. However, the obstacle of obtaining high-resolution protein crystals remains significant. Thus, searching for materials that can effectively induce nucleation of crystals is a promising and active field. This thesis work characterizes and prepares albumin nanoparticles as heterogeneous nucleants for protein crystallization. These stable Bovine Serum Albumin nanoparticles were synthesized via the desolvation method, purified efficiently, and characterized in terms of dimension, morphology, and secondary structure. The ability of BSA-NPs to induce macromolecule nucleation was tested on three model proteins, exhibiting significant results, with larger NPs inducing more nucleation. The second part of this work focuses on the structural study, mainly through X-ray crystallography, of five chloroplast and cytosolic enzymes involved in the fundamental cellular processes of two photosynthetic organisms, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Arabidopsis thaliana. The structures of three enzymes involved in the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle, phosphoribulokinase, troseposphatisomerase, and ribulosiophosphate epimerase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, were solved to investigate their catalytic and regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, the structure of nitrosylated-CrTPI made it possible to identify Cys14 as a target for nitrosylation, and the crystallographic structure of CrRPE was solved for the first time, providing insights into its catalytic and regulatory properties. Finally, the structure of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase, AtGSNOR, was compared with that of AtADH1, revealing differences in their catalytic sites. Overall, seven crystallographic structures, including partially oxidized CrPRK, CrPRK/ATP, CrPRK/ADP/Ru5P, CrTPI-nitrosylated, apo-CrRPE, apo-AtGSNOR, and AtADH1-NADH, were solved and are yet to be deposited in the PDB
Basi biologiche della disabilità intellettiva nei bambini con sindrome di Down
Get PDFDown syndrome (DS), the most common known genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID), is marked by specific areas of strength and challenge in relation to developmental level. In his studies, Lejeune hypothesized that DS could be considered a metabolic disease and this hypothesis was confirmed by different studies in literature. In particular, one-carbon metabolism was considered to be imbalanced in subjects with DS.
On these bases, we tried:
- to increase knowledge about the cognitive profile of children with trisomy 21, understanding strengths, weaknesses and developmental trajectories in order to identify aspects on which to act;
- to develop a machine learning approach capable of analysing large datasets containing clinical, metabolic, laboratory, and genetic data in order to analyse such a complex aspect as cognition;
- to further our knowledge of metabolites associated with the one-carbon cycle, in particular with metabolites that have not yet been studied (eg. THF, 5-m-THF, 5-f-THF, SAM and SAH), in patients with trisomy 21 and to study possible associations between them and cognitive aspects.
We were able to highlight the presence of 3 different cognitive profiles and confirmed, among the executive functions, which represent strengths and weaknesses. We have seen, moreover,how executive functions could influence the development of adaptive skills and that while children with DS continue to acquire adaptive skills over time, the gap with typically developing peers widens, influenced by both cognitive level and environmental factors. We developed a machine learning algorithm that may be able to help in both research and clinical support by highlighting important cognitive developmental features to be taken into account.
Moreover, our results confirm that there is a dysregulation of the one-carbon pathway in subjects with DS that could be related to cognitive impairment, in particular with executive functioningLa sindrome di Down (DS), la più comune causa genetica conosciuta di disabilità intellettiva, è caratterizzata da specifiche aree di forza e di debolezza in relazione al profilo di sviluppo neurocognitvio. Lejeune ipotizzò che la DS potesse essere considerata una malattia metabolica e tale ipotesi è stata confermata da diversi studi nel corso degli anni. In particolare, si è evidenziata un’alterazione del metabolismo dei mono-carboni in tale popolazione. Partendo da queste basi, abbiamo cercato di:
- approfondire la conoscenza del profilo cognitivo dei bambini con trisomia 21, comprendendo punti di forza, debolezze e traiettorie di sviluppo in modo da identificare gli aspetti su cui è possibile intervenire;
- sviluppare un approccio di Machine Learning in grado di analizzare grosse quantità di dati clinici, metabolici, di laboratorio e genetici;
- approfondire la conoscenza dei metaboliti associati al ciclo dei mono-carboni, in particolare di metaboliti non ancora studiati (es. THF, 5-m-THF, 5-f-THF, SAM e SAH), nei pazienti con trisomia 21 e la loro eventuale associazione con gli aspetti cognitivi di tali pazienti.
Abbiamo potuto evidenziare la presenza di 3 diversi profili cognitivi e abbiamo confermato, tra le funzioni esecutive, quali rappresentano punti di forza e di debolezza. Abbiamo visto, inoltre, come le funzioni esecutive possano influenzare lo sviluppo delle abilità adattive e che, mentre i bambini con DS continuano ad acquisire abilità adattive nel tempo, il divario con i coetanei a sviluppo tipico aumenta, influenzato sia dal livello cognitivo che da fattori ambientali. Abbiamo sviluppato un algoritmo di apprendimento automatico che può essere di aiuto sia nella ricerca che nel supporto clinico, evidenziando importanti caratteristiche di sviluppo cognitivo da tenere in considerazione. Inoltre, i nostri risultati confermano l'esistenza di una disregolazione della via dei mono-carboni nei soggetti con DS che potrebbe essere correlata a un deterioramento cognitivo, in particolare al funzionamento esecutivo
Assessment of bone mineral density at the bone-implant interface and joint temperature in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty
Get PDFThe field of knee prosthetic surgery has undergone significant advancements to enhance patient outcomes and implant longevity. While innovations in design, alignment, soft tissue balancing, and fixation techniques have progressed, material-related challenges remain crucial. Traditional cobalt-chrome (CoCr) prostheses exhibit distinct disparities compared to human bone in stiffness and thermal conductivity. Excessive stiffness leads to “stress shielding,” contributing to periprosthetic bone resorption, implant loosening, and fractures. High thermal conductivity, in contrast, often causes patient discomfort, such as altered heat sensitivity in the operated knee. These challenges underscore the need for novel materials, particularly as osteoarthritis arises earlier and joint replacement increasingly targets younger, active patients.
This PhD thesis investigates the influence of joint prostheses on periprosthetic bone remodeling and joint temperature trends, with a focus on Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). The research objectives included: (I) a literature review on femoral component migration and clinical outcomes; (II) a systematic review on periprosthetic Bone Mineral Density (BMD) variations, influenced by fixation techniques and implant design; (III) a clinical study utilizing Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) to assess BMD changes post-TKA; and (IV) an evaluation of postoperative knee surface temperature.
The findings demonstrated that femoral component migration exceeding 0.10 mm annually correlates with implant failure, often linked to poor primary fixation and low BMD. Systematic analysis revealed progressive BMD reduction post-TKA, influenced by fixation and implant design. Clinical DXA evaluations, a first at Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, showed promising preliminary results regarding CoCr prostheses’ impact on BMD. Finally, increased postoperative knee temperatures aligned with patients' subjective discomfort and correlated with clinical outcomes.
This thesis provides a foundation for developing biocompatible materials to enhance prosthetic durability, reduce bone resorption, and improve patient satisfaction
Characterization and evolution of mito-nuclear interactions
Get PDFSince the emergence of the first eukaryotic cell, two genomes have coexisted and coevolved within the same cellular environment, resulting in a complex network of interactions. The aim of my thesis is to investigate these interactions and their biological implications.
RNA-RNA interactions play a key role in cellular homeostasis regulation. The Small Mitochondrial Highly Transcribed RNAs (smithRNAs), transcribed from the mitochondrial genome, target nuclear transcripts. However, their regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. I focused on identifying proteins involved in the maturation and regulation of smithRNAs. To this end, I analyzed RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) from various organisms and performed co-immunoprecipitation experiments between the identified smithRNAs in R. philippinarum and protein lysates.
In the second part of my project, I examined protein-protein interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear OXPHOS subunits. Twelve subunits are encoded by the mitochondrial genome, while approximately 70 are encoded by the nuclear genome. I studied two mito-nuclear discordances in deep lineages, where mitochondrial markers support one phylogenetic hypothesis, but phylogenomic analyses reject it. I analyzed the phylogenetic signal of nuclear OXPHOS genes. In both Bivalvia and Squamata, the close interaction between OXPHOS subunits caused nuclear OXPHOS genes to support the biased mitochondrial topology.
The tight interactions between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes impact many biological processes. By co-opting nuclear proteins, the mitochondrial genome has evolved an internal RNAi pathway, possibly linked to sex determination in R. philippinarum. In snakes, adaptive selection on OXPHOS genes is likely linked to their extreme radiation. Over the course of my three-year project, I explored these interactions, highlighting their importance in key evolutionary processes
The historical archive of Compagnia della Fortezza: the audiovisual document as a dynamic memory of performance and a historiographical object
Get PDFLa presente ricerca, basata su un approccio innovativo, si propone di fornire un contributo originale nell’ambito degli studi sulla Compagnia della Fortezza aggiornando lo stato dell’arte in due direzioni complementari: da un lato, attraverso un’indagine di prima mano dei materiali d’archivio disponibili, dall’altro, mediante l’acquisizione di nuove informazioni, utili ad approfondire il lavoro della compagnia, offrendo interpretazioni e prospettive originali. La tesi presenta, infatti, una parte di ricerca e indagine critica che approfondisce il rapporto tra teatro e memoria audiovisiva nel lavoro di Armando Punzo e quanto del suo metodo è indagabile attraverso i materiali d’archivio, e una parte di sperimentazione applicata consistente nell’acquisizione dei metadati necessari per dotare il fondo audiovisivo di uno standard descrittivo per unità documentaria e nella creazione di database per la consultazione.
La tesi è suddivisa in cinque parti e un’appendice. La I Parte ripercorre la storia dell’archivio, dalla sua ideazione al “Progetto di riordino e valorizzazione” completato nel 2015, al presente progetto di Dottorato, enfatizzando l’importanza della tutela del patrimonio immateriale delle arti performative in contesti detentivi. La II Parte introduce il paradigma di “ecosistema teatrale” nel carcere di Volterra, proponendo una lettura critica dei coefficienti della scrittura scenica di Armando Punzo. La III e la IV Parte analizzano la documentazione audiovisiva rispettivamente come oggetto storiografico e come fonte di studio, utilizzandolo per l’analisi-ricostruzione di cinque spettacoli: Marat-Sade, I Negri, Amleto, L’opera da tre soldi e Hamlice. La V Parte è dedicata alle fonti orali e documentarie, con interviste originali e riferimenti iconografici provenienti dal materiale d’archivio – fotografie dei documenti cartacei e screenshot degli audiovisivi. La ricerca si conclude uno studio comparativo che ha per oggetto il Teatro Carcere in UK, con un focus particolare sull’attività del caso di studio “TiPP - Theatre in Prison and Probation”.The research employs an innovative approach to provide a significant contribution to the studies on Compagnia della Fortezza, aiming to update the state-of-the-art in two complementary ways: first, through a firsthand investigation of the available archival materials; and second, by gathering new information that deepens the understanding of the company’s work, thus offering fresh interpretations and perspectives. The thesis consists of a critical research component that examines the relationship between theatre and audiovisual memory in Armando Punzo’s work, and it includes an applied experimental section focused on the analysis of digital files, the acquisition of metadata to provide a descriptive standard for each archival document, and the creation of consultable databases.
The study is divided into five parts and an appendix. The first part traces the evolution of the archive, from its initial conception to the “Reorganization and Valorisation Project”, and through to the current doctoral research, emphasizing the importance of preserving the intangible heritage of the performing arts in prisons. The second part introduces the concept of the “theatrical ecosystem” within the Volterra prison, offering a critical reading of the key elements in Armando Punzo's theatrical writing. The third and fourth parts explore the archival document both as a historiographical object and a source for scholarly investigation, using it as a basis for the analysis and reconstruction of five productions: Marat-Sade, I Negri, Amleto, L’opera da tre soldi, and Hamlice. The fifth part focuses on oral and documentary sources, incorporating interviews, photographs, and screenshots from the archive. The research ends with a comparative study of Prison Theatre in the UK, particularly examining the case study “TiPP - Theatre in Prison and Probation”