Unlocking the potential of artificial intelligence in hydrology : Deep learning framework for snow data assimilation in S3M

Time and computational constraints often limit the retrieval of reliable snow model estimates, particularly in large-domain operational contexts. artificial intelligence–based modelling approaches can improve the representation of snow storage and dynamics, while reducing uncertainties in snow-dominated regions and enhancing assessments of water avail- ability, ecosystem functioning, and climate feedbacks, with significant societal and envi- ronmental implications. Despite this potential...

Growth and diffusion on metal nanoparticles

We study the growth of various kinds of icosahedral aggregates of metal atoms, according to a general theoretical framework, and explore mass mobility on the surfaces of these and of other metal nanoparticles.

Design, Optimisation, and Actuation of Tendon-Driven Hyper-Redundant Manipulators

Tendon-driven hyper-redundant manipulators allow safe inspection and maintenance in confined, hazardous environments by keeping actuators outside the work zone and moving through tight, cluttered spaces. However, their long tendon routings introduce friction, elasticity, and slack that often degrade performance in real-world scenarios. This thesis addresses these limitations through a complete design-to-application framework. A lightweight, 3D-printed 5-joint polymeric manipulator is deve...

An exploration of heavy flavour jets: From phenomenology to precision measurements at the ATLAS Experiment

This thesis provides a panoramic view of heavy flavour jets at hadron colliders, diving into their phenomenology, identification, and production. After a brief overview of the Standard Model and the phenomenology of Quantum Chromodynamics, we begin by considering the problem of defining heavy flavour jets in higher order QCD predictions, and analyse a set of possible solutions. We then turn to more experimental aspects, describing the ATLAS Detector and the algorithms employed by the ATLAS Co...

Models and methods for the optimal distribution in logistics supply chains: application to the Decathlon company

In the past decades, the vehicle routing problem has been a topic of interest to scientists, industrialists, industry owners, governments, and environmentalists, as new measures, policies, and technologies are being developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, more broadly, air pollutants. This PhD, which is a joint project of the University of Genova and Decathlon Italy, aims to optimize the distribution between the final warehouses, called distribution centers, and the stores in the la...

Modeling Glioma Progression in Neural Organoids

High-grade gliomas (HGG) are the most aggressive and heterogeneous brain tumors, with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. A major barrier to progress in HGG research is the lack of preclinical models that accurately capture tumor complexity and its interactions with the brain microenvironment. In this thesis, we explored neural organoid-based approaches to model gliomagenesis and tumor progression. We first optimized the generation of mouse neural organoids (mNO), which displayed ...

Characterization of the cardioprotective potential of discrete extracellular vesicles populations from second-trimester human amniotic fluid against Doxorubicin cardiotoxicity

Anthracyclines such as Doxorubicin (Dox) are currently broadly used in chemotherapy, representing gold-standard drugs in oncology. Nevertheless, their therapeutic use is limited by cumulative dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, which may evolve into heart failure and long-term morbidity among cancer survivors. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as promising cell-free therapeutic tools due to their ability to deliver bioactive molecules and modulate survival, redox balance, ...

Molecular Imaging Study of the Immune Response in Muscle Denervation: a High-Tech Study in Murine Models and Human Patients

Aim of the study: Muscle denervation occurs in various clinical settings, including trauma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). The body’s response to periferal nervous system nerve damage involves multiple cell types, including axonal Schwann cells (SCs), terminal (perisynaptic) Schwann cells (tSCs), endothelial cells, and immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and T-cells. Molecular imaging has emerged as a powerful and non-invasive approach for...

Health status of aquacultured bivalves and fish: immune responses of Mytilus galloprovincialis to bacterial isolates and monitoring growth of Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax