University of Trento

We present the characterization of a prototype TES bolometer suitable for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) measurements. This detector consists of a double layer (Ti-Au) superconducting film thermally coupled to a large area (8 mm diameter) spiderweb absorber, fabricated at INFN Genova. Thermo-electrical properties of the superconducting film are measured by means of four-wires and two-wire setups. These include Resistance vs Temperature curve, which allow to determine the critical temperature, and other parameters of the transition, and the critical current. From the measurement of the critical retrapping current, we can estimate the thermal conductance ( G ) of the device. TES properties are also measured by reading it out through a SQUID amplifier. This allows to measure the current-voltage curve (I-V) and saturation power ( $P_{sat}$ ). A second, independent, estimate of G is obtained by measuring $P_{sat}$ at different thermal bath temperatures, which agrees with the first one. Further, a red LED, installed in the cryogenic environment, illuminates the detector absorber, while operating the bolometer in negative electrothermal feedback. We investigate the bolometric and calorimetric regime of the device using a slow modulated LED signal for the former and a fast (compared to the expected detector time constant) pulsed signal for the latter. The bolometer time constant ( $\tau$ ), is extracted by using this method. To study the behavior of the device in presence of cosmic rays background and to achieve a further estimation of $\tau$ we expose the bolometer to a $^{214}$ Am alpha source.

Designing robotic manipulators for generic tasks while meeting specific requirements is a complex, iterative process involving mechanical design, simulation, control, and testing. New computational design tools are needed to simplify and speed up such processes. This work presents an original formulation of the computational design problem, tailored to help design generic manipulators with strong reachability requirements. The primary challenges addressed in this work are twofold. First, the necessity to consider the design of both continuous quantities and discrete components. Second, the ability to guide the design using high-level requirements, like the robot's workspace, without needing a specific manipulation task, unlike other co-design frameworks. These two challenges are addressed by employing a novel kineto-static formulation, resulting in a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming problem, which is solved using bi-level optimization. A compelling use case from a real industrial application is presented to highlight the practical effectiveness of the proposed method.

In this article, we present findings from an interventional study conducted within a small enterprise in northern Italy, focused on automating quality control in press-in operation for the production of reduction gearboxes. Guided by Organizational Information Processing Theory, we developed an expert system to automate quality control and facilitate early fault detection. This novel approach enhances quality control within this production stage and could potentially impact other levels of the supply chain. We contribute to the theory by providing a revised version of the Organizational Information Processing Theory framework which integrates technological advancements and variability of the task over time as critical factors affecting information processing, and shows the iterative nature of the digitalization process in SMEs. Operationally, the solution increases defect identification from 6% at end-of-line to 15% through step-by-step checks. It provides a cost-effective, practical example of AI-driven quality control, advocating for data-driven decision-making demonstrating a scalable pathway for SMEs to adopt AI with limited resources.

Bacterial endophytes reside in plant tissues and can promote plant growth under abiotic stresses. Complex microbial communities are associated with cold-adapted plants, but scarce information is available on the functional properties of Antarctic bacterial endophytes. This study aimed to investigate possible cold tolerance and plant growth promotion activities of two Antarctic bacterial endophytes by in vitro functional characterization and genome sequence analysis. Ewingella sp., Pseudomonas sp, and their bacterial consortium were cold tolerant and showed plant growth-promoting activity on tomato seedlings at low temperature. Phytohormones (indole-3-acetic acid) and proteases were produced by Ewingella sp. and Pseudomonas sp., respectively, while ammonia and siderophores were produced by both bacterial isolates and their consortium. Ewingella sp. and Pseudomonas sp. genomes encompassed genes possibly involved in plant growth promotion (e.g., auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, salicylic acid, and siderophore metabolism and transport) and genes related to bacterial metabolic processes that can contribute to plant growth-promoting activities, such as amino acid metabolism, iron transport, nitrogen metabolism, and lytic activities (amylases, cellulases, and proteases), phosphate metabolism, potassium transport, and zinc transport. Moreover, Ewingella sp. and Pseudomonas sp. encompassed genes possibly associated with bacterial cold tolerance that can contribute to cold stress mitigation in the plant host, such as cold shock- and heat shock-related proteins, lipid desaturases, polyamine metabolism, proline metabolism, proline and glycine betaine transport, reactive oxygen species detoxification, and trehalose metabolism. Antarctic bacterial endophytes include multiple characteristics to survive under cold conditions and some bacterial functions can contribute to plant growth promotion and stress mitigation at low temperature.

Carbon dioxide (CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$) fluxes in regulated Alpine rivers are driven by multiple biogeochemical and anthropogenic processes, acting on different spatiotemporal scales. We quantified the relative importance of these drivers and their effects on the dynamics of CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ concentration and atmospheric exchange fluxes in a representative Alpine river segment regulated by a cascading hydropower system with diversion, which includes two residual flow reaches and a reach subject to hydropeaking. We combined instantaneous and time‐resolved water chemistry and hydraulic measurements at different times of the year, and quantified the main CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ fluxes by calibrating a one‐dimensional transport‐reaction model with measured data. As a novelty compared to previous inverse modeling applications, the model also included carbonate buffering, which contributed significantly to the CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ budget of the case study. The spatiotemporal distribution and drivers of CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ fluxes depended on hydropower operations. Along the residual flow reaches, CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ fluxes were directly affected by the upstream dams only in the first ∼ ${\sim}$ 2.5 km, where the supply of supersaturated water from the reservoirs was predominant. Downstream of the hydropower diversion outlets, the CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ fluxes were dominated by systematic sub‐daily fluctuations in CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ transport and evasion fluxes (“carbopeaking”) driven by hydropeaking. Hydropower operational patterns and regulation approaches in Alpine rivers affect CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ fluxes and their response to biogeochemical drivers significantly across different temporal scales. Our findings highlight the importance of considering all scales of CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ variations for accurate quantification and understanding of these impacts, to clarify the role of natural and anthropogenic drivers in global carbon cycling.

The true slime mould Physarum polycephalum has the remarkable capability to perform self-organized activities such as network formation among food sources. Despite well reproducing the emergence of slime networks, existing models are limited in the investigation of the minimal mechanisms, at the microscopic scale, that ensure robust problem-solving capabilities at the macroscopic scale. To this end, we develop three progressively more complex multi-agent models to provide a flexible framework to understand the self-organized foraging and network formation behaviours of Physarum. The hierarchy of models allows for a stepwise investigation of the minimal set of rules that allow bio-inspired computing agents to achieve the desired behaviours on nutrient-poor substrates. By introducing a quantitative measure of connectedness among food sources, we assess the sensitivity of the model to user-defined and bio-inspired parameters, as well as the robustness of the model to parameter heterogeneity across agents. We ultimately observe the robust emergence of pattern formation, in line with experimental evidence. Overall, our study sheds light on the basic mechanisms of self-organization and paves the way towards the development of decentralized strategies for network formation in engineered systems, focusing on trade-offs between biological fidelity and computational efficiency.

Considering the rise of far-right groups in Western countries, we examined whether exposure to media coverage on the far-right is associated with attitudes toward it, using surveys in 15 Western democratic countries (total N = 2,576). We hypothesized that greater media exposure to the far-right will be associated with greater perceived prevalence and acceptability of it, which will in turn be associated with divergent attitudes. On the one hand, greater perceived prevalence may be associated with more unfavorable attitudes toward the far-right (a threat response). On the other hand, greater perceived acceptability may be associated with more favorable attitudes toward the far-right (a normalization response). Overall, there was more evidence for a threat response than a normalization response: media exposure was consistently related to greater perceived prevalence (but not acceptability) of the far-right. This research underscores the importance of studying the consequences of the rise of the far-right.

This article summarises the conception, development and main findings of the ELI project which resulted in the ELI report entitled “ELI Guidance on Company Capital and Financial Accounting for Corporate Sustainability,” approved in September 2022. Special attention is given to the methodological approach of the project and its main implications for EU and national policy and legislation on corporate sustainability both from a company law and a financial accounting perspective.

Patient responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors can be influenced by the gastrointestinal microbiome. Mouse models can be used to study microbiome–host crosstalk, yet their utility is constrained by substantial anatomical, functional, immunological and microbial differences between mice and humans. Here we show that a gut-on-a-chip system mimicking the architecture and functionality of the human intestine by including faecal microbiome and peristaltic-like movements recapitulates microbiome–host interactions and predicts responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with melanoma. The system is composed of a vascular channel seeded with human microvascular endothelial cells and an intestinal channel with intestinal organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, with the two channels separated by a collagen matrix. By incorporating faecal samples from patients with melanoma into the intestinal channel and by performing multiomic analyses, we uncovered epithelium-specific biomarkers and microbial factors that correlate with clinical outcomes in patients with melanoma and that the microbiome of non-responders has a reduced ability to buffer cellular stress and self-renew. The gut-on-a-chip model may help identify prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Background Proton Arc Treatment (PAT) has shown potential over Multi‐Field Optimization (MFO) for out‐of‐target dose reduction in particular for head and neck (H&N) patients. A feasibility test, including delivery in a clinical environment is still missing in the literature and a necessary requirement before clinical application of PAT. Purpose To perform a comprehensive comparison between clinically delivered MFO plans and static PAT plans for H&N treatments, followed by end‐to‐end commissioning of the system to prepare for clinical treatments. Methods Anonymized datasets of 10 patients treated for H&N cancer (median prescription dose 70 GyRBE) were selected for this study. Both MFO and PAT plans were created in RayStation and robustly optimized for setup and range uncertainties as in our clinical routine. PAT plans were created with 30 angle directions. 1. Comparisons were performed regarding: 2. nominal dose distributions in terms of target coverage, dose to primary and secondary OARs 3. robustness evaluation (D95 of the target and D1 of primary OARs) 4. Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) values for xerostomia, swallowing dysfunction, tube feeding, and sticky saliva 5. D·LETd distributions 6. the probability of replanning at least once due to anatomical changes 7. delivery time: MFO and PAT plans, for one patient, were delivered in a clinical gantry room. For PAT, two plans with 30 and with 20 discrete beam directions were optimized and delivered. Results In PAT plans, a significant reduction was observed in the near maximum dose to the brainstem, while no statistically significant differences were found for other primary OARs or target coverage metrics (D95 and D98) in both nominal plans and robustness evaluation scenarios. For secondary OARs, PAT plans achieved an impressive reduction in mean dose. Max D·LETd distributions in brainstem, brain, and temporal lobes showed no statistical differences between MFO and PAT plans while mean D·LETd values were lower with PAT. Median NTCP was significantly reduced for xerostomia as endpoint (ΔNTCP = 8.5%), while reductions in other endpoints were not statistically significant. The number of patients that would need at least one replanning during the treatment for PAT was similar to MFO, showing that the established clinical workflow for monitoring of anatomy changes will remain the same for both delivery methods. Comparison in terms of delivery time from the start of the first beam until the end of the last (comprising all the technically motivated delays due to operation of OIS/Therapy Control System operation, gantry rotations, couch rotations, beam line preparation etc.) resulted in delivery times that were similar for both techniques. Conclusion Static PAT plans demonstrate the capability to increase plan quality with respect to state‐of‐the‐art MFO planning, since dose reduction outside of the target is significant with no reduction of the quality of the target dose distribution. NTCP evaluations, as well as linear energy transfer (LET) distributions, do not indicate risks for unexpected toxicity. Delivery time tests with different beam direction configurations have shown that PAT plans can already be delivered within similar time slots as highly conformal MFO plans. The successful end‐to‐end commissioning led to the world's first patient treatments using PAT, with eight patients treated to date.

The European Law Institute – ELI Guidance proposes a set of Recommendations on company capital and financial accounting for corporate sustainability aimed at: (i) providing a frame of reference and analysis to understand corporate sustainability in the context of business and law; (ii) pointing to specific issues which need to be addressed by European and national lawmakers and regulators; and (iii) establishing a set of company law instruments which set out possible solutions to cope with these issues. The Recommendations aim at restating and modernising well-established principles of European company law on: (i) distributions; (ii) equity capital maintenance; and (iii) non-distributable reserves. Specific attention was paid to the enhanced controlling of new kinds of distributions such as share buybacks, as well as to limiting distributions of non-realised gains. The Project Team developed a comprehensive set of Recommendations aimed at fostering and facilitating sustainable business conduct through responsible company capital management and financial accounting adjustments. Further Recommendations were provided on related policy and regulatory matters concerning the EU framework for corporate sustainability. As a whole, the Recommendations propose that companies commit to a prudent use of resources, by setting aside sufficient reserves to meet social and environmental commitments over long-term horizons, and establish a fair balance between these commitments and distributions to shareholding investors. Corporate sustainability may be enhanced by implementing controls over distributions while reinforcing reserve provisioning. This in turn will ensure company continuity and resilience, as well as financial stability and sustainable development for the benefit of business and society at large.

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) treatments, such as apomorphine (APO) and levodopa–carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG), represent advanced therapeutic options for managing motor symptoms. However, clear selection criteria and well‐defined cognitive outcomes are lacking. This systematic review specifically aimed to address these gaps by assessing the cognitive impact of APO and LCIG in PD patients. Methods A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, with searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase. Two authors screened studies based on key inclusion criteria, including at least two cognitive tests, and a follow‐up of 6 months or more. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results Fifteen studies were identified (7 APO and 8 LCIG). APO generally preserved cognitive function over a 12‐month follow‐up, with some decreases in visuospatial memory and executive functions. LCIG, with a 28‐month follow‐up, showed more extensive cognitive decline, particularly in patients with pre‐existing impairments. Variability in cognitive tests made direct comparisons difficult. Discussion APO may have a more favorable cognitive profile than LCIG. However, differences in follow‐up duration, moderate risk of bias, and inconsistent cognitive assessments warrant cautious interpretation. Improved patient selection and comprehensive cognitive evaluations are recommended for future practice.

Conditions that led to the synthesis of iron–sulfur clusters coordinated to tripeptides with a single thiolate ligand were investigated by UV-vis, NMR, EPR, and Mössbauer spectroscopies and by electrochemistry. Increasing concentrations of hydrosulfide correlated with the formation of higher nuclearity iron–sulfur clusters from mononuclear to [2Fe–2S] to [4Fe–4S] and finally to a putative, nitrogenase-like [6Fe–9S] complex. Increased nuclearity was also associated with decreased dynamics and increased stability. The synthesis of higher nuclearity iron–sulfur clusters is compatible with shallow, alkaline bodies of water on the surface of the early Earth, although other niche environments are possible. Because of the plasticity of such complexes, the type of iron–sulfur cluster formed on the prebiotic Earth would have been greatly influenced by the chemical environment and the thiolate containing scaffold. The discovery that all the major classes of iron–sulfur clusters easily form under prebiotically reasonable conditions broadens the chemistry accessible to protometabolic systems.

This article explores the status and role of Venus within the Italia: Open to meraviglia campaign, with a focus on a dataset of visual texts extracted from the venereitalia23 Instagram profile over the initial year of its publication. The adopted integrated framework encompasses the grammar of visual design by Kress and van Leeuwen, the interdiscursivity model developed by Bhatia and a scale for measuring sexism in tourism representations by Pritchard. The questions that guide the research are the following: How is venereitalia23 visually represented across the Instagram profile? How do art and gender discourses intersect with one another within the campaign? Italia: Open to meraviglia employs an originally aesthetic icon by Sandro Botticelli. The creative solution may be seen as paying a tribute to Italian heritage. Similarly, the choice, coding and use of Venus as the ambassador and influencer may be read as challenging stereotyped gender representation in tourism discourse. However, the results show that the graphic configuration venereitalia23 achieves in the virtual dimension (through gestures, actions, clothing, gaze, size of frame, information value) makes it resemble a doll-influencer. Ultimately, the campaign fails in both celebrating the artistic heritage and emancipating the female role, as both are exploited and objectified.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of primary brain tumor. The infiltrative nature of GBM makes complete surgical resection impossible. The selective forces that govern gliomagenesis are strong, shaping the composition of tumor cells during the initial progression to malignancy with late consequences for invasiveness and therapy response. Here, we developed a mathematical model that incorporates ploidy level and the nature of the brain tissue microenvironment to simulate the growth and invasion of GBM and used the model to make inferences about GBM initiation and response to standard-of-care treatment. The spatial distribution of resource access in the brain was approximated through integration of in silico modeling, multi-omics data, and image analysis of primary and recurrent GBM. The in silico results suggested that high ploidy cells transition faster from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis than low ploidy cells because they are more sensitive to hypoxia. Between surgeries, simulated tumors with different ploidy compositions progressed at different rates; however, whether higher ploidy predicted fast recurrence was a function of the brain microenvironment. Historical data supported the dependence on available resources in the brain, as shown by a significant correlation between the median oxygen levels in human tissues and the median ploidy of cancers that arise in the respective tissues. Taken together, these findings suggest that availability of metabolic substrates in the brain drives different cell fate decisions for cells with different ploidy, thereby modulating both gliomagenesis and GBM recurrence.

Cellulose is the most abundant renewable biomaterial, featuring a wide range of applications. In the form of aqueous suspension of microfibrils, it is also highly processable, which has opened new doors to a number of industrial applicative scenarios. In particular, extrusion 3D printing enables the free-form fabrication of stable cellulose-based constructs with applications, among others, in flexible electronics. However, most of these devices still rely on costly metal elements and show a relatively low cellulose fraction, mainly associated to the substrate. Here, we applied an optimization strategy to the microextrusion-based 3D printing of microfibrillated cellulose/hydroxypropylcellulose composites, which were further modified by the addition of nanocarbon and doped ZnS powders, thus endowing the materials with conductive and electroluminescent properties, respectively. The formulations were also demonstrated to be non-cytotoxic and, in principle, suitable for application in contact with living matter. In conclusion, we fabricated and integrated cellulose-based 3D printed materials with a broad applicative potential ranging from flexible electronics to biocompatible devices, potentially leading to the development of a new class of cellulose-based (bio)electronic components with reduced environmental impact.