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Use of flavorings to improve the palatability of aquafeeds used in aquaculture: a multidisciplinary approach to better understand teleost physiological responses
No full textIl settore mangimistico dell'acquacoltura si trova ad affrontare problematiche di sostenibilità ed efficienza a causa della dipendenza da fonti proteiche tradizionali e della limitata appetibilità di ingredienti alternativi. Quest'ultimo aspetto comporta una ridotta assunzione di mangime da parte dei pesci, una crescita non ottimale, perdite finanziarie e impatto ambientale. Inoltre, i feed attractants convenzionali, presentano problemi di sostenibilità e variabilità nell'efficacia. Pertanto, gli aromi sintetici, largamente impiegati nell'industria alimentare, offrono un'alternativa promettente grazie alla loro riproducibilità, sicurezza ed ecosostenibilità. La presente tesi di dottorato esplora il potenziale degli aromi sintetici liquidi come feed attractants per le specie di acquacoltura. Utilizzando un approccio multidisciplinare, sono stati condotti esperimenti su zebrafish (Danio rerio), spigola (Dicentrarchus labrax) e orata (Sparus aurata), valutando gli effetti degli aromi sulle risposte fisiologiche generali dei pesci. In particolare, sono stati testati diversi aromi sintetici (formaggio, caramello e cocco) e il loro solvente (glicole propilenico) nelle diverse fasi del ciclo vitale, con le prove iniziali su zebrafish che hanno fornito informazioni utili per le successive indagini relative a specie di interesse commerciale. I risultati ottenuti hanno evidenziato il potenziale degli aromi attrattivi formaggio e caramello come efficaci feed attractants sia in zebrafish che in spigola. Inoltre, il processo di incorporazione all'interno del mangime è stato ottimizzato attraverso un processo di microincapsulamento degli aromi, che ne ha migliorato la stabilità e il rilascio in acqua. La prova finale, condotta in condizioni simili a quelle di un allevamento intensivo, ha dimostrato la versatilità di questo approccio in contesti di acquacoltura commerciale. Questa ricerca fornisce un quadro innovativo per l'integrazione degli aromi sintetici nei mangimi per acquacoltura, affrontando i problemi di appetibilità, promuovendo al contempo la sostenibilità e la redditività economica dell'acquacoltura.The aquafeed industry faces sustainability and efficiency challenges due to its reliance on traditional protein sources and the limited palatability of alternative ingredients. This latter aspect leads to reduced fish feed intake, suboptimal growth, financial losses, and environmental degradation. In addition, natural feed attractants present both sustainability issues and variability in effectiveness. In light of this, synthetic flavors, widely used in the food industry, offer a promising alternative due to their reproducibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The present PhD thesis explores the potential of liquid synthetic flavors as feed attractants for aquaculture species. Using a multidisciplinary approach, experiments were conducted on zebrafish (Danio rerio), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), assessing the flavors' effects on fish overall physiological responses. Different synthetic flavors (cheese, caramel, and coconut) and their solvent (propylene glycol) were tested across life stages, with initial trials on zebrafish providing insights for subsequent investigations on commercially relevant species. The results obtained highlighted the potential of cheese and caramel flavors as effective feed attractants in both zebrafish and seabass. In addition, the incorporation process within the feed was implemented through a flavor’s microencapsulation process, which improved their stability and release in water. The final trial, conducted under farm-like conditions on Gilthead sea bream, demonstrated the practicality of this approach in commercial aquaculture settings. This research provides a novel framework for integrating synthetic flavors into aquafeeds, addressing palatability issues while promoting sustainability and economic viability in aquaculture
Forecasting and Early Warning System for Wastewater Treatment Plant Sensors Using Multitask and LSTM Neural Networks: A Simulated and Real-World Case Study
No full textThe increasing global water scarcity has made the safe reuse of treated wastewater essential, especially in agriculture, where untreated water poses risks to public health. Digitalizing Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) can enhance real-time water quality monitoring and optimize plant operations. This study implements an Early Warning System (EWS) at the Peschiera Borromeo WWTP in Milan, Italy, using predictive models based on simulated and real datasets to estimate key water quality parameters like Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). A Multi-Task Learning (MTL) neural network provided real-time predictions and sensor malfunction detection, while a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network forecasted water quality up to six hours ahead. Simulated data showed high correlation coefficients above 0.98, but real-world data reduced performance to 0.31–0.67. Despite this, the EWS shows strong potential for improving treated water reuse reliability and operational efficiency in WWTP
A refined multi-scale analysis of complex systems using frequency detuning: Perturbation around a nonlinear problem
No full textThe frequency detuning idea is further examined and fully extended to develop a refined multi-scale analysis procedure for more generic nonlinear systems of an inertially/damping/geometrical nonlinear type, aiming for a superior performance of predicting high-amplitude nonlinear responses, at the same time, without requiring a higher-order perturbation development. Briefly, frequency detuning means weakly nonlinear analysis/expansion is unfolded around a nonlinear oscillation problem, which is associated with a nonlinear (response) frequency rather than the commonly used linear frequency (i.e., perturbation around a nonlinear problem). Both frequency response curves (FRCs) and backbone curves (BBCs) are leveraged for a full comparison study regarding (frequency) detuned vs. traditional multi-scale methods (dMSM vs. MSM), with reference to numerical ones for verification. The results demonstrate superiority of dMSM in high-amplitude region when frequency detuning is employed
Effects of Mandibular Advancement Devices in Patients Affected by OSA and Bruxism: A Finite Element Study
No full textObstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common respiratory disorder char-acterised by episodes of complete or partial obstruction of the upper airways dur-ing sleep. Nearly half of adults with OSA have comorbid Sleep Bruxism (SB), a condition in which a person grinds, gnashes, or clenches the teeth during sleep. However, sparse literature exists about the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) for OSA therapy under a biting load. This manuscript presents a FEA to evaluate the effects of MADs (i.e., stress and displacement on periodontal ligaments and teeth) under a typical clenching load due to SB (i.e., 650 N), compared to the only OSA condition (baseline). Findings have demonstrated that the teeth stress and displacement are strictly related to the load magnitude and the MAD geometry (plateaux and relative position between the splints). Indeed, the applied load shifts the maximum values of stress and displacement from the MAD connecting sites to the contact area of the splints, increasing the stress in the anterior region of the maxilla. Despite this study being developed on one single patient and one single MAD model, this preliminary investigation can provide useful insights into the consequences of MAD usage in people affected by SB
General principles of management of somatization
No full textSomatic symptoms are often the most common reasons for a medical consultation, considerably placing huge demands on health and financial resources by mainly being subject to several, often inappropriate and unhelpful, investigations. They may determine distress to patients and their clinicians and family members, representing a challenge for all health professionals including primary care physicians and psychiatrists. Treatment of somatic symptoms and related disorders (SSRDs) comprises a multimodal approach. The most evidence-based and effective treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and, in some cases, pharmacotherapy. In clinical practice, serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants are routinely prescribed in SSRDs. This chapter discusses the fundamental steps to be followed for correct management of SSRDs, by providing an overview of the current updated literature regarding both non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategie
Experimental and analytical investigation on the shear performance of double-lap adhesive joints with multi-layered adherends
No full textIn the present study, shear tests were carried out on double-lap adhesive joints between glass and PVC adherends to investigate their mechanical behaviour and to verify the effectiveness of steel reinforcement – with different thicknesses – for the inner PVC adherend. In particular, two different commercially available structural epoxy adhesives as well as glass and PVC adherends were used in the bonded joints. The first part of the study illustrates the analytical model used to calculate the stress distribution in the adhesives and bonded joints. The second part analyses the mechanical properties of the materials used, which were tested experimentally. The third part illustrates the results obtained on double-lap joints in classical and reinforced configurations. The results show that it is possible to improve the mechanical behaviour of the joint in terms of strength and stiffness. It is shown both experimentally and analytically that the use of thicker steel reinforcements does not lead to further significant improvements. The best mechanical performance is achieved in each configuration by the first epoxy adhesive. As far as the failure modes are concerned, while in the unreinforced configurations one observes the failure of the loaded adherend (“Stock-Break” Failure), in the reinforced joints only “Glass Failure” mode are observed, which is due to the different transfer of stresse
Telemonitoring with Radar Sensor: an Ethical Tool for the Well-Being of the Elderly
No full textMonitoring and caring for the elderly is becoming an increasingly urgent priority due to the rapid aging of the global population especially in low- and middle-income countries. In such countries there may be a shortage of specialists and an inadequate level of health facilities, together with long distances between hospital centers and economic barriers that limit access to medical care. Information and communication technologies (ICT) offer promising solutions to address these problems through telemedicine, telehealth and teleassistance applications, while fully respecting the ethical and privacy requirements of individuals. This study demonstrates the possibility of using radar sensors combined with deep learning techniques for non-contact and non-invasive monitoring of people, as an example for the detection of behavioral parameters indicative of the presence or onset of pathologies. As a use case, this paper describes the method by which the gait speed parameter can be extracted using a radar sensor by applying deep learning-based processing of the map
In situ forming gels as subcutaneous delivery systems of curcumin and piperine
Get PDFIn this study an in situ forming gel for curcumin and piperine delivery is investigated as a long-lasting strategy in the local treatment of inflammatory and degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Particularly glyceryl monooleate, in association with phosphatidylcholine and ethanol, were employed. Different ratios between excipients were tested, with the aim to obtain a liquid form suitable for subcutaneous injection, gaining a semisolid consistency in contact with biological fluids. A formulative study was conducted to assess the composition impact on the structural properties of the formulations, particularly focusing on injectability and phase transition. Curcumin and piperine were loaded, singularly or jointly, in selected in situ forming gels. Structural characterization, performed by X-ray scattering, revealed disordered reverse micellar phases, undergoing transition to hexagonal and cubic Pn3m phase upon hydration. In vitro dialysis release study demonstrated a sustained release of both drugs over 96 h, with a faster release in the case of jointly loaded drugs. Mechanistic analysis and water uptake studies indicated a drug release governed by both diffusion and swelling/erosion of the lipid supramolecular structure. Furthermore, an ex vivo release analysis performed using human skin explants suggested the formulation suitability for subcutaneous injection, indicating that the presence of piperine in the in situ formed gel allowed to double the curcumin release with respect to the simple curcumin loaded gel
eDAM: Lifecycle Engineering Framework for Ecodesign AM Components in Transport Vehicles
No full textThe environmental and economic sustainability of Additive Manufac-turing (AM) is an aspect that deserves attention. Proper design frameworks must guide design engineers in conceiving sustainable AM products during the con-ceptual design phase. Previous scientific studies are not grounded on the lifecycle engineering (LCE) approach since they consider only specific product lifecycle phases (e.g., manufacturing or end-of-life) or are based on the general design for AM guidelines, not considering sustainability drivers (cost and environment). This paper presents an innovative ecodesign for AM framework called eDAM. First, it allows designers to evaluate if and when AM is sustainable from a LCE perspective. Secondly, it enables design engineers to maximize product lifecycle performance by optimizing the adoption of the unique benefits of AM. The eDAM framework was used to re-design a passenger aircraft’s interior panels and spacers. Using a bio-inspired shape, designers achieved a 15% weight reduction on the part and 0.2% on the overall aircraft
Hand eczema in Italian patients referred for patch testing: A retrospective SIDAPA study (2016–2023)
No full textBackground: Hand eczema (HE) is a common skin disease with a negative impact on patients' quality of life in occupational and non-occupational settings. Up-to-date, data on HE in Italian patients referred for patch testing are lacking. Objectives: To characterise the profile in terms of demographics, aetiology and patch test results of Italian patients affected by HE referred for patch testing. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study on consecutive patients affected by HE who underwent patch testing from 2016 to 2023 in eight dermatology clinics was performed. HE patients were divided into two groups according to the exclusive (HE-only group) and not-exclusive (HE+ group) hand involvement, and compared to patients with eczema localised in body areas other than hands (NHE group). Results: One thousand five hundred and ninety-seven patients were affected by HE (35.3% males; mean age 42.7 years), 60.2% belonging to the HE-only group and 39.8% to the HE+ group. Occupational dermatitis was diagnosed in 33.2% of HE-only patients, 25.0% of HE+ patients and 5.2% of NHE patients (p < 0.001). HE-only patients presented: Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD), atopic HE in 48.1%, 47.5% and 7.1%, respectively; hyperkeratotic palmar, acute recurrent vesicular and nummular clinical subtypes in 52.2%, 43.9% and 11.9%, respectively; relevant positive patch test reactions in 48.1% (nickel sulphate 18.9%, methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone 10.6%, methylisothiazolinone 8.6%, p-phenylenediamine 6.0% and potassium dichromate 4.7%). Conclusions: HE patients, and particularly those with exclusive hand involvement, show a particular profile in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, etiologies and relevant positive patch test reactions