Essays in Political and Media Economics

Uncovering the pivotal role of lncRNAs in cortical neuron differentiation from human embryonic stem cells

This thesis presents a comprehensive computational and experimental investigation into the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the differentiation of cortical neurons from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Utilizing a computational workflow, we initially explored the dynamic landscape of lncRNAs over-expressed at late stages of neural differentiation, focusing on their expression, subcellular localization, sequence characteristics, and regulatory interactions. Our k-mer profile analys...

Modeling Hypoxia Inducible. Factor-related Pathways in Tumours

Hypoxia can represent a challenging condition for survival at dierent biological scales, from cells to organisms. The eciency of the response to decreased oxygen availability is importantly related to the Hypoxia-Inducible Factors (HIFs) that regulate the transcription of hundreds of genes whose proteins are responsible for changes in several processes such as metabolism, in ammation, cell cycle, vascularisation. All these downstream responses contribute, on one side, to optimise the consumpt...

Defining debris flow susceptibility: from databases to site investigation

Metabolic Status, Immune Function, and Uterine Health in Postpartum Dairy Cows: A Novel Approach to Uterine Pathology Diagnosis and Treatment

DESIGNING NOVEL PEAT-FREE ORGANO-MINERAL FERTILIZER FROM BIOWASTES

Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMFs) are a mixture of an organic fraction with one or more mineral fertilizers. Due to its well-known physical and chemical properties, peat is used widely as the organic fraction in OMFs with low organic carbon and high mineral nutrient concentrations. However, there is a need to identify viable alternatives to peat in OMFs, aiming to reduce reliance on geogenic materials and foster a circular approach to utilizing industrial and municipal organic waste. By exami...

Synthesis and Characterization of NIR Fluorescent Organic andHybrid Nanocarriers for Photodynamic Therapy

Methods for Machine Learning and Causal Inference in Medicine

The work conducted in this PhD thesis, titled "Methods for Machine Learning and Causal Inference in Medicine," explores the integration of advanced computational techniques and epidemiological methods to tackle clinical and epidemiological challenges. The research initially centres on leveraging the predictive capabilities of machine learning (ML) to develop a multivariable prediction model able to discriminate benign from malignant melanocytic lesions in a dermatology study. Using static and...

Sustainable Agricultural Heritage System in Dessert-Prone Areas: Challenges and Opportunities in Siwa Oasis, Egypt