Blockchain technologies had a significant impact on many sectors of contemporary society, with
virtual currencies being the most prominent example. The introduction of the Ethereum blockchain
and its native support for smart contracts, self-enforcing programs that enable trustworthy digital
interactions, has broadened the possible adoption contexts. These programs possess unique
characteristics, such as code immutability and autonomous execution, which necessitate innovative
testing meth...
Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) arises from lesions or diseases of the somatosensory nervous system
and poses a complex pathophysiological challenge, often involving neuroinflammatory processes and
aberrant neuronal signaling. Clinically, CNP affects a significant population worldwide and is
notoriously difficult to manage with current treatments. Standard pharmacological therapies
including gabapentinoids and antidepressants as first-line agents, and opioids as second-line
frequently pro...
“Freedom of movement” has slipped, unnoticed, into the lexicon of contemporary jurists and
legislators and has establishing itself in recent years, albeit not always organically, as part of the
doctrinal landscape.
The main objective of this paper will be to investigate the reasoning behind the concept and its origins,
which will help uncover its constitutional foundations as well as potentially desirable developments.
This study will explore in depth the historical markers along the evo...
Supply chain management (SCM) systems are a crucial element for the success of modern business
processes, especially in a globalized market where traceability and transparency become
increasingly relevant aspects. In this thesis, we introduce an innovative SCM system framework,
called "*-chain," which exploits distributed ledger technology (DLT) to solve traditional issues
related to product traceability and transaction security. Through the use of blockchain, and in
particular the Ether...
Climate change can be viewed as one of the greatest threats of modern times, with important impacts
on natural and anthropogenic systems worldwide. Semi-extensive pastoral systems are particularly
vulnerable to modification in temperatures, precipitation patterns and resource availability, especially
in mountains ecosystems in the Mediterranean region. This PhD project investigated changes in
climatic trends and their potential impacts on pastoral ecosystems with a multidisciplinary appro...
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a 20-amino acid neurotransmitter that exerts both pro-arousal and
anxiolytic effects. The NPS system consists of the 20-amino acid neuropeptide S (NPS) and its
receptor, the neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR). Previous research has associated the NPS system
with Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and impulsivity. AUD is a psychiatric condition caused by the
interaction of excessive alcohol consumption with genetically predisposing factors. Impulsivity is a
multifaceted behavi...
The present PhD thesis focuses on different fields of adenosinergic system: heterocycles as A2AAR
antagonists, nucleosides as partial A2AAR agonists, and nucleosides as A3AR agonists/antagonists. In the first section, novel therapeutic agents capable of synergistically inhibiting CK1δ isozymes
while simultaneously antagonizing A2AAR for treating chronic neurodegenerative diseases and
cancer were designed. Experimental and computational approaches to elucidate the key structural
factors go...
The consequences of sustaining a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be overwhelming and can impact many
areas of one’s life. An injury to the spinal cord can have catastrophic consequences on physical
movement, bladder function and other voluntary and involuntary functions. Furthermore, SCI often
results in debilitating pain that becomes chronic, and can either be neuropathic or nociceptive.
Neuropathic pain arises from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system, affecting both the
peripheral...
Although progress has been made in recognizing the importance of soil, the crucial role that soil biota
plays in providing essential ecosystem services is still largely overlooked and underestimated. Among
the most abundant soil organisms, soil microarthropods are closely linked to plant health, crop
production, and soil fertility. They contribute to organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling,
making them effective and reliable indicators of soil health. As a result, these organism...
Sleep loss is a common condition that occurs frequently in today’s modern society. The detrimental
effects of prolonged lack of sleep on cognitive behavior and performance include reduced attention,
impaired reaction times, and an increased likelihood of errors. These effects are particularly
pronounced during cognitive tasks such as driving or performing complex mechanical activities at
work. Several studies have tried to identify neurobiological mechanisms underlying the behavioral
eff...