Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"
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Misleading factors in graphical representations: a catalyst for recognizing the complexity of interpreting statistical graphs
No full textLiterature has clearly shown how sta-tistical graphs can be intentionally misleading: graphical representation of statistical informa-tion can be designed and realized with the inten-tion of persuading and changing readers’ value judgments on the basis of deceptive perception; more generally, the interpretation process can be affected by using misleading factors. Taking an educational perspective, this article assumes the hypothesis that it might be possible to ex-ploit the effects produced by specific misleading factors for designing a didactical intervention focused on the interpretation of statistical graphs and aimed at bringing out these factors and with them an awareness of the effects they produce. The article reports on a first experimen-tation where the analysis of the data collected shows how appropriately designed activities can make prospective teachers aware of the effect of misleading factors, but also and more generally foster the development of their awareness about the complexity of the interpretation process
Enhancing Biomethane Yield from Microalgal Biomass via Enzymatic Hydrolysis: Optimization and Predictive Modeling Using RSM Approach
No full textThis study investigates the optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis for enhancing carbohydrate release from microalgal biomass and its subsequent impact on methane production during anaerobic digestion. Using Response Surface Methodology with a Box–Behnken design comprising 15 experimental runs, the effects of enzyme loading (20–40 mg/gVS), pH (4.5–5.5), and incubation time (24–72 h) were evaluated. A quadratic regression model was developed to predict carbohydrate release, revealing significant interactions between these factors. The optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis were determined to be a cellulase dose of 20 mg/gVS, pH 5.0, and an incubation period of 72 h. The model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy, with an R2 value of 0.9894 and an adjusted R2 of 0.9704. Enzymatic hydrolysis significantly improved methane and biogas yields, with cumulative production reaching 52.50 mL/gVS and 95.62 mL/gVS, respectively, compared to 6.98 mL/gVS and 20.94 mL/gVS for untreated samples. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing enzyme loading and reaction time, while pH variations within the studied range had minimal impact. This study underscores the potential of enzymatic hydrolysis to enhance the bioavailability of organic matter, thereby improving the efficiency of anaerobic digestion for biogas production
1. Religious freedom at whistle. Referee’s role between sporting regulations and religious rules
No full textProtein hydrolysates derived from residual after polysaccharide extraction of Chlorella vulgaris biomass improves yield and quality of baby leaf lettuce
No full textThe world is facing new challenges related to climate change and agriculture and is called to ensuring higher crop yield and quality following the concept of food safety, security and efficient resource use. One of the possible strategies could be the valorisation of agro-industrial by-products for the production of biostimulants. The aim of the present work was to assess the action of different protein hydrolysates (PHs) derived by residues of Chlorella vulgaris biomass as biostimulant on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), monitoring the agronomic, physiological and qualitative traits, from seed germination to the harvest. The application of biostimulants derived by PHs had interesting results on lettuce, highlighting several positive effects on the investigated parameters. Additionally, the metabolite profiles of baby leaf lettuce were investigated. In particular, was recorded an improvement of the qualitative traits, as flavonoids and anthocyanins contents, and physiological parameters such as the reduction of stomatal conductance. Our results demonstrated that plants treated with PHs obtained through trypsin-induced hydrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris biomass (TPH-1000) exhibited the highest content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity compared to those treated with water alone or with a commercial biostimulant. Additionally, plants treated with pepsin protein hydrolysates (PPH-1000) showed significant improvements in agronomic, physiological, and qualitative performance. These results suggest that biostimulants derived from agro-industrial by-products represent a promising and resource-efficient approach to support agricultural productivity and food quality in the context of climate change and the need for more sustainable practices
Probability of ruin within finite time and Cramér–Lundberg inequality for fractional risk processes
No full textWhile the interarrival times of the classical Poisson process are exponentially distributed, complex systems often exhibit non-exponential patterns, motivating the use of the fractional Poisson process, in which interarrival times follow a Mittag–Leffler distribution. This paper investigates the associated risk process, describes its Cramér–Lundberg formula and establishes a relationship between the continuous premium rate and the fractional claim frequency. For a compound fractional risk process with exponential claims, we derive closed-form expressions for the finite-time ruin probability. Furthermore, for a general claim distribution, we provide ruin probability estimates that can serve as a basis for developing reinsurance strategies
Three-dimensional tracheo-bronchial reconstruction to plan endoscopic stent insertion for malignant upper airway stenosis
No full textOBJECTIVES. Malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO) is a condition characterized by severe dyspnoea and high mortality. Tracheo-bronchial stents have emerged as an effective treatment to restore airway patency. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 3D reconstruction of the upper airways to plan tracheo-bronchial stent insertion for MCAO. METHODS. This was a retrospective, single-centre observational study. We analysed data of patients undergoing tracheo-bronchial stent insertion for MCAO from January 2012 to January /2024. Patients undergoing tracheo-bronchial stent insertion for MCAO with 3D reconstruction (3D Reconstruction Group) were compared with patients treated prior to the use of 3D reconstruction (Standard Group). RESULTS. A total of 136 patients were included in our study: 40 patients (29%) in the 3D Reconstruction Group and 96 patients (71%) in the Standard Group. Restore of airway patency was obtained in 96% of patients, without differences between groups (P = 0.48). Median operative time was 40 min in 3D Reconstruction Group vs 48 min in Standard Group, with a percentage reduction of 17% in the 3D Group (P = 0.03). Stent migration was less frequent in 3D Reconstruction Group than in Standard Group, being 5% vs 17% (P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in 30- and 90-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the upper airways was associated with reduced operative time and stent migration rate in patients with MCAO. Reconstructing patients' anatomical features optimizes the procedure without any added cost or delay of the treatment
Assessing the Circular Economy Transition in the EU: Predictive Insights From an Artificial Neural Network Model
No full textThe transition to a circular economy (CE) is a critical component of the European Union's (EU) sustainability agenda, aiming to reduce resource dependency, enhance waste management efficiency, and foster innovation-driven circular business models. This study employs an artificial neural network (ANN) model to assess the CE performance of the 27 EU member states from 2014 to 2023 and forecast their trajectories for 2030. By integrating four key dimensions—Waste Management, Secondary Raw Materials, Competitiveness and Innovation, and Global Sustainability and Resilience—the study comprehensively evaluates circularity trends, identifies regional disparities, and highlights the structural barriers impeding progress. The ANN model demonstrates strong predictive accuracy (R2 ranging from 0.76 to 0.92), supporting reliable future projections. The analysis reveals a heterogeneous transition, with leading nations demonstrating sustained improvements in waste management, secondary material integration, and innovation capacity while lower-performing countries continue to face institutional and structural barriers. While waste recycling rates have increased, the reintegration of secondary raw materials into production cycles remains limited, highlighting disparities between waste recovery efforts and industrial material reuse. The study also identifies the role of governance and policy coherence as fundamental in shaping CE trajectories. The findings suggest that while some EU Member States are on track to meet the 2030 CE targets, others require targeted policy interventions, including enhanced financial incentives, regulatory alignment, and capacity-building measures. The study underscores the need for a multidimensional governance approach to ensure a balanced and inclusive CE transition across Europe
Processing Tomato Responses to Plant-Based Biostimulants Are Modulated by Environmental Conditions
No full textTomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.), rich in health-promoting bioactive compounds, are vital to the economy and culture of Mediterranean regions such as southern Italy. However, open-field cultivation in these areas faces increasing challenges due to fluctuating environmental conditions, which intensify oxidative stress, accelerate ripening, and compromise yield and quality. Plant-based protein hydrolysates (PHs) and optimized irrigation practices have emerged as promising strategies to enhance crop resilience. This study assessed the effects of two foliar-applied biostimulants: MU, a seaweed and plant amino acid-based formulation, and SR, a potassium-rich botanical extract. Both were tested on tomatoes (cv. "H1534") under open-field conditions in southern Italy (Foggia) over two seasons (2019-2020). Both biostimulants had no significant impact on yield traits or technological quality, whereas year-to-year variability markedly influenced outcomes. In 2020, compared with 2019, total yield declined by 45%, and defective fruits rose by 311%.°Brix, polyphenols, lycopene, and sweetness index also decreased significantly (-41%, -18%, -58%, and -14%, respectively), indicating stress conditions. Under these circumstances, MU increased polyphenols (+27%) and enhanced essential (+42%) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, +63%), while SR also stimulated BCAAs accumulation (+30%). These findings suggest that, under variable open-field conditions, biostimulants mainly influenced fruit metabolic profiles rather than directly enhancing growth or yield. Their performance appears closely tied to environmental factors, reinforcing the need for realistic, context-specific evaluations to guide their effective integration into sustainable cropping systems
MiR-423-5p is a metabolic and growth tuner in hepatocellular carcinoma via MALAT-1 and mitochondrial interaction
No full textBackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and play a crucial role in cancer progression. Recent studies have highlighted miR-423-5p as a potential modulator in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in patients responding to sorafenib treatment. A functional interaction with the oncogenic lncRNA MALAT-1 has been hypothesized, suggesting a regulatory mechanism that may influence tumor aggressiveness.MethodsTo investigate this interaction, we analyzed in silico patient datasets to correlate miR-423-5p and MALAT-1 expression with overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). Stable overexpression of miR-423-5p and MALAT-1 was achieved in HCC cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B, and SNU387) using a lentiviral transduction system. Functional assays were performed to assess proliferation, migration, invasion, and clonogenic potential. The interaction between miR-423-5p and MALAT-1 was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), followed by transcriptomic analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Mitochondrial activity was evaluated using the Seahorse Mito Stress Test to measure oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and ATP production. In vivo experiments in orthotopic mouse models were performed to assess tumor growth.ResultsPatient data analysis revealed that high miR-423-5p expression correlated with a less aggressive tumor phenotype and improved survival, while MALAT-1 was associated with poorer prognosis. In vitro, miR-423-5p overexpression reduced MALAT-1 levels and significantly impaired proliferation, migration, and invasion. NGS analysis identified transcriptomic changes linked to tumor progression and metabolic shift. The Seahorse Mito Stress Test demonstrated decreased cellular respiration and ATP production upon miR-423-5p overexpression. In vivo, both tumors derived from miR-423-5p-overexpressing cells and MALAT-1 downregulation by ASO GapmeR evidenced a significantly reduced growth compared to controls.ConclusionThese findings suggest, for the first time, that miR-423-5p acts as a tumor suppressor affecting mitochondrial metabolism through MALAT-1 downregulation in HCC. This regulatory axis represents a potential therapeutic target for precision medicine approaches in liver cancer
