Metodologie ed indicatori per la valutazione degli impatti della social responsibility degli enti locali: un’applicazione sui dati CPT dei comuni lucani

The growing urgency of addressing sustainability challenges, as defined by the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has placed local government at the center of the transition, elevating Municipal Social Responsibility (MSR) to a strategic imperative. Despite the theoretical recognition of this responsibility, the literature highlights a significant empirical and methodological gap, particularly the difficulty of effectively connecting sustainability performance (often b...

Downscaling a livello locale delle Agende Internazionali. Applicazioni, sfide e best practice

This study investigates how major global sustainability frameworks — including the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy — can be operationalized at the local scale through downscaling methodologies, multilevel governance arrangements, and resilience-oriented spatial planning. The objective is to develop a conceptual and operational framework capable of supporting territorial strategies that simultaneously advance ...

Use of low-cost sensors for precision monitoring of agrifood systems.

This thesis focuses on the design, calibration, and validation of a low-cost system for monitoring soil moisture and temperature, with potential applications in the field of smart farming. The research was developed following a progressive and structured approach, starting from an analysis of the main challenges of modern agriculture, characterized by the increasing demand for food and the scarcity of natural resources, with particular attention to sustainable water management. In this conte...

Sex-specific differences in Parkinson's disease: an integrated study of circulating biomarkers, metabolism and cellular response to α-synuclein toxicity

Production of γ-aminobutyric acid by Levilactobacillus brevis: basic aspects and applications in foods

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, widely recognized as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. GABA exerts several physiological effects, including antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory activities, making it a promising bioactive compound for the formulation of functional foods. The natural concentration of GABA in foods is relatively low, and chemical synthesis, although efficient, rely on toxic...

SMART PLANT MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF BAKERY PRODUCTS

This doctoral thesis explores the integration of digital technologies and sustainable ingredient innovation in the bakery sector, with particular emphasis on gluten-free breadmaking. The work is framed within the evolving paradigm of Food Industry 5.0, which combines technological advancement with human-centricity, sustainability, and system resilience. The first part of the thesis provides a critical review of the transition from Food Industry 4.0 to Food Industry 5.0, highlighting the...

The strategic role of municipalities in the transition to clean energy: an energy and environmental analysis of the municipality of Tito using the ETSAP-TIMES model generator.

The global transition toward clean and sustainable energy systems is driven by the challenges of climate change mitigation, rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increasing threats to energy security. Energy systems account for approximately three-quarters of global GHG emissions, rising from energy production, distribution, and end-use consumption. Therefore, the decarbonization of energy systems stands as a point for achieving climate neutrality while improving environmental quality, p...

Smart management of free-range farming and quality of production: the case of Podolian

In recent years, increasing interest in sustainable production models has led to a re evaluation of extensive farming systems. Extensive farming is now considered an activity that has a lower environmental impact, protects biodiversity and the landscape, ensures greater animal welfare and reduces the use of medicines. It also enhances rural areas, often considered marginal, by supporting local economies. The key elements of this type of farming are pasture management, the protection of plant ...

The optimization of industrial refrigeration systems for the fruit and vegetable sector

The thesis focuses on refrigeration plants design criteria to define the optimal technological solutions for fruit and vegetable cold storage, aiming to improve both the system energy efficiency and the final product quality. The study has been carried out through a combination of industrial-scale test using real-time system monitoring in the cold rooms available in the UNIBAS-MAClab and in local packing house. The collected data was used to validate the simulation model developed. In the fi...