Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) infection of monocytic cells induces a strong release of chemokines in a Caspase-8-independent manner

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread human pathogen that can establish lifelong persistence after primary infection. Although antiviral drugs are available, their efficacy is often limited by the emergence of resistant strains, particularly in immunocompromised patients or in those undergoing prolonged treatment. The absence of effective vaccines and the growing problem of resistance underscore the need to better understand the molecular interplay between HSV-1 and host immunit...

Optimizing catalysts and electrocatalytic cell for selective CO2-to-ethylene conversion

Nowadays, the sharp and constant increase in atmospheric CO2 caused by human activities is one of the most important challenges that humanity must overcome. The increase in CO2 has direct consequences on the environment, enormously impacting our lives and our future. To mitigate these issues, several initiatives have been proposed and implemented over time, and different technologies have been developed. Among these technologies, Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) is one of the most interes...

Exploring plasmons in silicon nanowires with different sizes and morphologies

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are extensively studied in the scientific community due to their remarkable electrical and optical properties. Recent studies have demonstrated the appearance of Plasmonic Resonance (PR) in SiNWs. It has been recently demonstrated in literature that SiNWs with a cylindrical shape sustain longitudinal plasmonic resonance (LPR) and transversal plasmonic resonances (TPR). In this thesis work, I present the results on SiNWs with tapered morphology. These SiNWs present a ...

Superconducting Thin Films for Magnetic Confinement Fusion: Growth, Electrical and TEM Microstructural Characterization, with Insights into Ion Irradiation

The development of efficient magnetic confinement systems for nuclear fusion reactors requires superconducting materials capable of operating under high magnetic fields, intense irradiation, and demanding thermal conditions. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) are promising candidates for these applications due to their high critical current densities and enhanced magnetic-field tolerance compared to conventional superconductors. This thesis focuses on the growth and comprehensive struc...

Contaminanti Organici nei Prodotti per la Cura Personale: bioaccumulo ed effetti in vivo e in vitro su organismi acquatici e sull’uomo

Questo progetto di dottorato, nell'ambito del Programma Operativo Nazionale Ricerca e Innovazione 2014-2020 (CCI 2014IT16M2OP005), risorse FSE REACT-EU, Azione IV.4 “Dottorati e contratti di ricerca su tematiche dell’innovazione”, mira a valutare gli effetti dei contaminanti organici presenti nei prodotti per la cura della persona su modelli sperimentali acquatici invertebrati, come il Mytilus galloprovincialis, e su altre specie acquatiche, come il Sander lucioperca. I contaminanti organici ...

The Many Lives of Dark Matter: WIMPs, FIMPs, and EFTs

From Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMPs) to Feebly Interacting Massive Particles (FIMPs), the landscape of Dark Matter models has expanded as experimental constraints have evolved. This thesis follows that evolution. We begin with the standard WIMP paradigm, where increasingly precise experiments have imposed stringent bounds on the simplest realizations. A number of well-motivated extensions, such as models with additional scalar or gauge bosons, are reviewed to illustrate how Dar...

Beni comuni e beni collettivi: le appartenenze intergenerazionali

L’influenza esercitata sulle categorie tradizionali del diritto privato dai continui mutamenti degli assetti economico-sociali e dalla costante emersione di nuove tipologie di interessi costituisce un dato ormai noto ed ampiamente acquisito all’immaginario collettivo della scienza civilistica contemporanea. Al giorno d’oggi, infatti, qualunque itinerario di ricerca deve essere affrontato tenendo a mente che le sfide sollevate dall’affermazione e dalla sempre maggiore diffusione delle nuove te...

Bioconversione di oli alimentari esausti in poliidrossialcanoati (PHA): sviluppo ed ottimizzazione di processi e di applicazioni relative ai polimeri prodotti su scala di laboratorio ed industriale.

Efficacia degli inibitori della renina nel trattamento dell'albuminuria in pazienti con ipertensione arteriosa non controllata