Molecular Systematics and Traits Evolution in Phasmatodea Leach, 1815 (Hexapoda; Insecta)

Phasmatodea Leach, 1815 (Hexapoda; Insecta) is a polyneopteran order which counts approximately 3000 described species, often known for their remarkable forms of mimicry. In this thesis, I provide a comprehensive systematic framework which includes over 180 species never considered in a phylogenetic framework: the latter can facilitate a better understanding of the processes underlying phasmids evolutionary history. The clade represents in fact an incredible testing ground to study trait evolution and its striking disparity of reproductive strategies and wing morphologies have been of great interest to the evolutionary biology community. Phasmids wings represent one of the first and most notable rejection of Dollo’s law and they played a central role in initiating a long- standing debate on the irreversibility of complex traits loss. Macroevolutionary analyses presented here confirm that wings evolution in phasmids is a reversible process even when possible biases - such as systematic uncertainty and trait-dependent diversification rates - are considered. These findings remark how complex traits can evolve in a dynamic, reversible manner and imply that their molecular groundplan can be preserved despite its phenotypical absence. This concept has been further tested with phylogenetic and transcriptomic approaches in two phasmids parthenogenetic lineages and a bisexual congeneric of the European Bacillus species complex. Leveraging a gene co-expression network approach, male gonad associated genes were retrieved in the bisexual species and then their modifications in the parthenogens were charachterized. Pleiotropy appears to constrain gene modifications associated to male reproductive structures after their loss in parthenogens, so that the lost trait molecular groundplan can be largely preserved in both transcription patterns and sequence evolution. Overall, the results presented in this thesis contribute to shape our understanding of the interplay between the phenotypic and molecular levels in trait evolution.

Circulation of canine viruses in free-ranging Italian wolves (Canis lupus italicus) from three Italian regions

In this study, the duodenum, spleen, tongue, and lungs were sampled from 56 Italian wolves who died between 2017 and 2020. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence and spread of DNA and RNA viruses in the wolf population examined, relating the virological results to: year of sampling, region of origin, sex, age, season, genetic determination of the species, nutritional conditions, causes of death, matrices examined. In addition, the presence or absence of co-infections was evaluated. Through molecular methods, the presence of genomic DNA of three important DNA viruses was investigated, i.e.: Canine Parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), Canine Adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1), Canine Adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2). Furthermore, the presence of genomic RNA of the important RNA viruses, Canine Enteric Coronavirus (CCoV) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), was also investigated. The results showed that the virus with the highest prevalence in the wolf population studied was CPV-2, found in 78.6% of subjects (44/56). The prevalence of CAdV was 17.9% (10/56), in particular CAdV-1 (12.5% - 7/56) and CAdV-2 (5.4% - 3/56). The results of the molecular investigations in RT-PCR of the two RNA viruses (CCoV and CDV) did not give positive results in the study population. In this study it was observed that the majority of wolves that resulted positive were in good nutritional conditions, thus excluding a direct cause of death from CPV-2, CAdV-1, and CAdV- 2 infections. Moreover, the prevalence obtained in this study suggests that, during the years here studied, the circulation of CAdV-1 and CAdV-2 in Italian wolves of the three sampled regions was sporadic, proving consistent with sporadic and short-lived introductions of the virus in these populations. However, the situation for CPV-2 is different as there was a circulation that suggests a pattern of continuous and lasting endemic exposure over time.

Optimization of the power electronics system associated with ocean wave electric generators

The present thesis is focused on wave energy, which is a particular kind of ocean energy, and is based on the activity carried out during the EU project SEA TITAN. The main scope of this work is the design of a power electronic section for an innovative wave energy extraction system based on a switched-reluctance machine. In the first chapter, the general features of marine wave energy harvesting are treated. The concept of Wave Energy Converter (WEC) is introduced as well as the mathematical description of the waves, their characterization and measurement, the WEC classification, the operating principles and the standardization framework. Also, detailed considerations on the environmental impact are presented. The SEA TITAN project is briefly described. The second chapter is dedicated to the technical issues of the SEA TITAN project, such as the operating principle, the performance optimization carried out in the project, the main innovations as well as interesting demonstrations on the behavior of the generator and its control. In the third chapter, the power electronics converters of SEA TITAN are described, and the design choices, procedures and calculations are shown, with a further insight into the application given by analyzing the MATLAB Simulink model of the system and its control scheme. Experimental tests are reported in the fourth chapter, with graphs and illustrations of the power electronic apparatus interfaced with the real machine. Finally, the conclusion in the fifth chapter offers a global overview of the project and opens further development pathways.

L'Oratorio e la cura. Assistenza e medicina nella Roma dei papi (secc. XVI-XVII)

La tesi è incentrata sul rapporto tra una comunità religiosa maschile, la Congregazione dell'Oratorio di Roma dei secoli XVI e XVII, e il concetto di cura, mettendo in dialogo storia sociale, storia religiosa e storia della medicina. La prima parte indaga il coinvolgimento degli Oratoriani nella rete caritativa urbana, sottolineando il loro contributo nello sviluppo e nell'amministrazione di una serie di ospedali, ma anche il loro impegno pratico nella cura spirituale e corporale dei malati. La seconda parte prende in esame i professionisti sanitari che frequentavano l'Oratorio, inquadrando il loro rapporto con i padri nel quadro di una più ampia rete di connessioni sociali e politiche nella Roma pontificia. Inoltre, mettendo in rilievo le specificità di speziali, barbieri-chirurghi e medici, l'indagine considera il loro coinvolgimento nella vita religiosa della comunità e la messa a frutto del loro sapere, in ambito umanistico e anatomico. La terza parte studia il complesso rapporto dei sacerdoti con il proprio corpo e con la salute. Viene rilevato il peso delle condizioni sanitarie nell’accettazione di nuovi membri, i legami tra estetica, identità sociale e medicina, ma si prendono in considerazione anche l’ambigua funzione del cibo – inteso come strumento di ascesi che di cura – e il funzionamento concreto dell'organizzazione medica della comunità. Inoltre, un capitolo analizza la circolazione del sapere medico, evidenziando il ruolo della biblioteca, la raccolta e lo scambio di ricette mediche e l'importanza della spezieria comunitaria, mentre un altro capitolo si focalizza sui viaggi terapeutici e sulla pratica del termalismo. L'ultima parte è incentrata sulla peste romana del 1656-57, analizzando il modo in cui la Congregazione affrontò lo scoppio e lo sviluppo dell'epidemia, sia in casa che in città, per sottolineare il fragile e ambiguo equilibrio che definirono tra carità e tutela della salute.

Insights on epidemiology and control of Marek’s disease through traditional and novel molecular tools

Marek's disease (MD) is a contagious, lymphoproliferative and neuropathic disease of poultry caused by a ubiquitous lymphotropic and oncogenic virus, Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). MD has been reported in all poultry-rearing countries and is among the viral diseases with the highest economic impact in the poultry industry worldwide, including Italy. MD has been also recognized as one of the leading causes of mortality in backyard poultry. The present doctoral thesis aimed at exploring Marek's disease virus molecular epidemiology in Italian commercial and backyard chicken flocks and, for the first time, in commercial turkeys affected by clinical MD. Molecular biology techniques targeting the full-length meq gene, the major GaHV-2 oncogene, were used to detect and characterize the circulating GaHV-2 strains searching for genetic markers of virulence. A final study focused on the development of rapid, sensitive, and species-specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays coupled with a lateral flow device readout for the detection of conventional and recombinant HVT-based vaccines is included in the thesis. HVT vaccines, currently used to protect chickens from MD, are referred to as "leaky", as they do not impede the infection, replication, and shedding of field GaHV-2: vaccinal and field viruses can coexist in the vaccinated host and molecular tests able to discriminate between GaHV-2 and HVT are required. These new simple, fast, and accurate tests for the monitoring of MD vaccination success in the field could be greatly beneficial for field veterinarians, small laboratories, and more broadly for resource-limited settings.

Unified control system for three-phase electric drives operating in magnetic saturation region

The research project aims to study and develop control techniques for a generalized three-phase and multi-phase electric drive able to efficiently manage most of the drive types available for traction application. The generalized approach is expanded to both linear and non- linear machines in magnetic saturation region starting from experimental flux characterization and applying the general inductance definition. The algorithm is able to manage fragmented drives powered from different batteries or energy sources and will be able to ensure operability even in case of faults in parts of the system. The algorithm was tested using model-in-the-loop in software environment and then applied on experimental test benches with collaboration of an external company.

Disturbi dell'informazione, nuovi media e libertà di manifestazione del pensiero

L’elaborato affronta il tema della massiccia diffusione di disinformazione tramite internet sotto il profilo del diritto costituzionale, nell’ottica di indagare se le dimensioni del fenomeno richiedano l’elaborazione di principi e soluzioni nuove ovvero se i paradigmi costituzionali enucleati dalla tradizione costituzionalistica con riferimento alla libertà d’espressione forniscano gli strumenti sufficienti per un intervento efficace. In tale ottica, il lavoro premette una ricostruzione del fenomeno della disinformazione nel tentativo di individuare il perimetro socio-cognitivo e tecnologico entro cui la medesima prolifera, descrivendo gli elementi che distinguono l’informazione diffusa dai nuovi media rispetto a quella veicolata dai media mainstream. Ciò premesso, lo studio passa a delineare lo “statuto costituzionale” del falso, indagando la rilevanza che la menzogna assume sotto il profilo costituzionale nel suo rapporto con la libertà di manifestazione del pensiero negli ordinamenti interno, europeo e statunitense. L’analisi prosegue poi con l’esame delle politiche di contrasto alla disinformazione introdotte da singoli Stati (prevalentemente Germania, Francia e Italia), Unione europea, e piattaforme, con l’obiettivo di mettere in luce vantaggi e limiti dei modelli di eteroregolamentazione, coregolamentazione e autoregolamentazione. Da ultimo, l’elaborato scompone alcune delle azioni e misure passate in rassegna e le analizza con la lente d’ingrandimento della libertà di manifestazione del pensiero, ordinandone i contenuti secondo la specifica propensione a comprimere la libertà d’espressione. L’indagine si conclude con alcuni brevi spunti conclusivi che evidenziano l’esigenza, in base ai principi costituzionali analizzati, che eventuali interventi normativi siano se del caso volti alla regolazione delle piattaforme, ovvero dei “contenitori”, lasciano i contenuti al libero scambio delle idee.

Big data analytics for proactive and predictive maintenance in electric car battery packs

The idea behind the project is to develop a methodology for analyzing and developing techniques for the diagnosis and the prediction of the state of charge and health of lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications. For lithium-ion batteries, residual functionality is measured in terms of state of health; however, this value cannot be directly associated with a measurable value, so it must be estimated. The development of the algorithms is based on the identification of the causes of battery degradation, in order to model and predict the trend. Therefore, models have been developed that are able to predict the electrical, thermal and aging behavior. In addition to the model, it was necessary to develop algorithms capable of monitoring the state of the battery, online and offline. This was possible with the use of algorithms based on Kalman filters, which allow the estimation of the system status in real time. Through machine learning algorithms, which allow offline analysis of battery deterioration using a statistical approach, it is possible to analyze information from the entire fleet of vehicles. Both systems work in synergy in order to achieve the best performance. Validation was performed with laboratory tests on different batteries and under different conditions. The development of the model allowed to reduce the time of the experimental tests. Some specific phenomena were tested in the laboratory, and the other cases were artificially generated.

Lavorare il tempo. I diritti del prestatore tra tecnica e società

La dimensione giuridica del tempo, cioè il ruolo del tempo nel diritto, ha contribuito a far emergere il lavoro quale concetto legale astratto dal prestatore, funzionale alla sua alienazione. Rompere l’unitarietà del tempo della persona, per consacrarne una parte al lavoro, ha dato ai rapporti di potere tra gli individui una forma giuridica in grado di legittimarli. Il primo capitolo si sofferma sulla costruzione legale del lavoro subordinato attraverso la definizione del suo tempo. Tra gli elementi essenziali del contratto tipizzato dall’art. 2094 c.c., il tempo nella causa, oltre a mostrare la non istantaneità dello scambio e la indeterminatezza del regolamento contrattuale, non assurge a criterio discretivo dalle collaborazioni o dal lavoro autonomo. Se dalla causa si passa ad indagare l’oggetto, l’interprete si imbatte nel pudore di svelare quale sia il vero elemento su cui incide il contratto, la persona del lavoratore, che induce a prediligere la finzione di allontanare l’attività dal corpo di chi la produce: l’orario è la tecnica giuridica che rende possibile la partecipazione del lavoro ad una logica di scambio. Il secondo e il terzo capitolo si concentrano sulla regolazione e interpretazione del tempo di lavoro in chiave diacronica. La legislazione lavoristica ha trovato i propri albori nella disciplina eteronoma dell’orario, come strumento per tutelare i prestatori dagli eccessi mercantilistici. L’attuale quadro normativo è molto attento alle ragioni creditorie ma la giurisprudenza della Corte di giustizia testimonia l’irrequietudine di una materia viva e in movimento. Non è un caso che il legislatore europeo, nei piccoli passi compiuti per rafforzare il diritto sociale comune agli Stati membri, abbia assegnato al tempo un ruolo centrale, come prevedibilità delle condizioni di lavoro (direttiva n. 1152 del 2019), come equilibrio tra attività professionale e vita familiare (direttiva n. 1158 del 2019) e un domani, forse, come diritto alla disconnessione.

Multi-phase electric drives for mobility

Multi-phase electrical drives are potential candidates for the employment in innovative electric vehicle powertrains, in response to the request for high efficiency and reliability of this type of application. In addition to the multi-phase technology, in the last decades also, multilevel technology has been developed. These two technologies are somewhat complementary since both allow increasing the power rating of the system without increasing the current and voltage ratings of the single power switches of the inverter. In this thesis, some different topics concerning the inverter, the motor and the fault diagnosis of an electric vehicle powertrain are addressed. In particular, the attention is focused on multi-phase and multilevel technologies and their potential advantages with respect to traditional technologies. First of all, the mathematical models of two multi-phase machines, a five-phase induction machine and an asymmetrical six-phase permanent magnet synchronous machines are developed using the Vector Space Decomposition approach. Then, a new modulation technique for multi-phase multilevel T-type inverters, which solves the voltage balancing problem of the DC-link capacitors, ensuring flexible management of the capacitor voltages, is developed. The technique is based on the proper selection of the zero-sequence component of the modulating signals. Subsequently, a diagnostic technique for detecting the state of health of the rotor magnets in a six-phase permanent magnet synchronous machine is established. The technique is based on analysing the electromotive force induced in the stator windings by the rotor magnets. Furthermore, an innovative algorithm able to extend the linear modulation region for five-phase inverters, taking advantage of the multiple degrees of freedom available in multi-phase systems is presented. Finally, the mathematical model of an eighteen-phase squirrel cage induction motor is defined. This activity aims to develop a motor drive able to change the number of poles of the machine during the machine operation.

PCM-based battery thermal management systems, energy saving materials and LCA strategy for automotive

This PhD work arises from the necessity to give a contribution to the energy saving field, regarding automotive applications. The aim was to produce a multidisciplinary work to show how much important is to consider different aspects of an electric car realization: from innovative materials to cutting-edge battery thermal management systems (BTMSs), also dealing with the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the battery packs (BPs). Regarding the materials, it has been chosen to focus on carbon fiber composites as their use allows realizing light products with great mechanical properties. Processes and methods to produce carbon fiber goods have been analysed with a special attention on the university solar car Emilia 4. The work proceeds dealing with the common BTMSs on the market (air-cooled, cooling plates, heat pipes) and then it deepens some of the most innovative systems such as the PCM-based BTMSs after a previous experimental campaign to characterize the PCMs. After that, a complex experimental campaign regarding the PCM-based BTMSs has been carried on, considering both uninsulated and insulated systems. About the first category the tested systems have been pure PCM-based and copper-foam-loaded-PCM-based BTMSs; the insulated tested systems have been pure PCM-based and copper-foam-loaded-PCM-based BTMSs and both of these systems equipped with a liquid cooling circuit. The choice of lighter building materials and the optimization of the BTMS are strategies which helps in reducing the energy consumption, considering both the energy required by the car to move and the BP state of health (SOH). Focusing on this last factor, a clear explanation regarding the importance of taking care about the SOH is given by the analysis of a BP production energy consumption. This is why a final dissertation about the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a BP unit has been presented in this thesis.

Nanostructured piezoelectric materials for the design and development of self-sensing composite materials and energy harvesting devices

The work activities reported in this PhD thesis regard the functionalization of composite materials and the realization of energy harvesting devices by using nanostructured piezoelectric materials, which can be integrated in the composite without affecting its mechanical properties. The self-sensing composite materials were fabricated by interleaving between the plies of the laminate the piezoelectric elements. The problem of negatively impacting on the mechanical properties of the hosting structure was addressed by shaping the piezoelectric materials in appropriate ways. In the case of polymeric piezoelectric materials, the electrospinning technique allowed to produce highly-porous nanofibrous membranes which can be immerged in the hosting matrix without inducing delamination risk. The flexibility of the polymers was exploited also for the production of flexible tactile sensors. The sensing performances of the specimens were evaluated also in terms of lifetime with fatigue tests. In the case of ceramic piezo-materials, the production and the interleaving of nanometric piezoelectric powder limitedly affected the impact resistance of the laminate, which showed enhanced sensing properties. In addition to this, a model was proposed to predict the piezoelectric response of the self-sensing composite materials as function of the amount of the piezo-phase within the laminate and to adapt its sensing functionalities also for quasi-static loads. Indeed, one final application of the work was to integrate the piezoelectric nanofibers in the sole of a prosthetic foot in order to detect the walking cycle, which has a period in the order of 1 second. In the end, the energy harvesting capabilities of the piezoelectric materials were investigated, with the aim to design wearable devices able to collect energy from the environment and from the body movements. The research activities focused both on the power transfer capability to an external load and the charging of an energy storage unit, like, e.g., a supercapacitor.

Gross and Microscopic Morphological Anatomical Study of the Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) and the Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), Aimed at the Preparation of a Comparative Anatomical Atlas of the Different Systems

In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the so-called “new pets”, including the domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) and the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), two closely related Caviid rodents native to South America. Both historically bred for food purposes, they have more recently become increasingly popular as pets in the European and American continents, respectively. This led to an increasing veterinary interest in deepening the knowledge regarding their normal anatomy, as a basic contribution to other fields of veterinary medicine, including diagnostic imaging, surgery, and pathological anatomy. Being part of a bilateral framework co-tutelage agreement leading to a joint Doctoral Degree between the Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna, Italy and the Universidad Nacional del Litoral of Santa Fe, Argentina, this research project was partly carried out in Italy (study of guinea pigs) and partly in Argentina (study of capybaras). It consisted in the macroscopic study, through anatomical dissections of carcasses of both species as well as the use of anatomical casts, and in the histological study of the various systems in the two species, and was aimed at creating a gross and microscopic comparative anatomical atlas. From the gross and microscopic morphological and morphometrical anatomical study of the different system of the guinea pig and capybara, several analogies and differences emerged. The creation of a comparative anatomical atlas of gross and microscopic anatomy of the capybara and the guinea pig might prove useful for clinical, zootechnical and research purposes.

Planning and flexible operation of storage systems in power grids: from transmission to distribution networks

The first part of the thesis has been devoted to the transmission planning with high penetration of renewable energy sources. Both stationary and transportable battery energy storage (BES, BEST) systems have been considered in the planning model, so to obtain the optimal set of BES, BEST and transmission lines that minimizes the total cost in a power network. First, a coordinated expansion planning model with fixed transportation cost for BEST devices has been presented; then, the model has been extended to a planning formulation with a distance-dependent transportation cost for the BEST units, and its tractability has been proved through a case study based on a 190-bus test system. The second part of this thesis is then devoted to the analysis of planning and management of renewable energy communities (RECs). Initially, the planning of photovoltaic and BES systems in a REC with an incentive-based remuneration scheme according to the Italian regulatory framework has been analysed, and two planning models, according to a single-stage, or a multi-stage approach, have been proposed in order to provide the optimal set of BES and PV systems allowing to achieve the minimum energy procurement cost in a given REC. Further, the second part of this thesis is devoted to the study of the day-ahead scheduling of resources in renewable energy communities, by considering two types of REC. The first one, which we will refer to as “cooperative community”, allows direct energy transactions between members of the REC; the second type of REC considered, which we shall refer to as “incentive-based”, does not allow direct transactions between members but includes economic revenues for the community shared energy, according to the Italian regulation framework. Moreover, dispatchable renewable energy generation has been considered by including producers equipped with biogas power plants in the community.

Longitudinal Micro CT-driven biomarkers as a tool to evaluate lung fibrosis progression and antifibrotic efficacy in a refined Bleomycin mouse model

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease with no curative pharmacological treatment. Animal models play an essential role in revealing molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis is the most widely used and characterized model for anti-fibrotic drugs screening. However, several issues have been reported, such as the identification of an optimal BLM dose and administration scheme as well as gender-specificity. Moreover, the balance between disease resolution, an appropriate time window for therapeutic intervention and animal welfare remains critical aspects yet to be fully elucidated. In this thesis, Micro CT imaging has been used as a tool to identify the ideal BLM dose regimen to induce sustained lung fibrosis in mice as well as to assess the anti-fibrotic effect of Nintedanib (NINT) treatment upon this BLM administration regimen. In order to select the optimal BLM dose scheme, C57bl/6 male mice were treated with BLM via oropharyngeal aspiration (OA), following either double or triple BLM administration. The triple BLM administration resulted in the most promising scheme, able to balance disease resolution, appropriate time-window for therapeutic intervention and animal welfare. The fibrosis progression was longitudinally assessed by micro-CT every 7 days for 5 weeks after BLM administration and 5 animals were sacrificed at each timepoint for the BALF and histological evaluation. The antifibrotic effect of NINT was assessed following different treatment regimens in this model. Herein, we have developed an optimized mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, enabling three weeks of the therapeutic window to screen putative anti-fibrotic drugs. micro-CT scanning, allowed us to monitor the progression of lung fibrosis and the therapeutical response longitudinally in the same subject, drastically reducing the number of animals involved in the experiment.