The University of Sannio (Italian: Università degli Studi del Sannio, UNISANNIO) is a university located in Benevento, southern Italy. Founded in 1998 (being previously a part of the University of Salerno), the University of Sannio is organized in 4 faculties with almost 6,000 students and offers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the fields of Law, Statistics, the Environment, Geology, Biology, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Energy Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Economics and Business Organization.
The integration of multifunctional modules into ultrathin, spatially constrained flexible electronics often leads to localized heat accumulation, challenging device reliability under conformal operation. Achieving precise heat-flux manipulation, mechanical flexibility, and scalable fabrication within a unified platform remains an open challenge. Here, we report a gradient-discretized design strategy for flexible thermal metamaterials that combines multiscale topology optimization with transformation thermotics. This framework links microstructural geometry, deformation-induced effects, and macroscopic thermal functionality, including thermal cloaking and thermal concentration. Using flexible printed-circuit fabrication, we fabricate gradient arrays containing 6×6 to 20×20 unit cells, with pitches ranging from 10 to 3 mm, within a fixed 60×60 mm² footprint. We also develop a coupled thermomechanical resistance model to quantify bending-induced perturbations. In the flat state, the thermal-cloaking function suppresses the temperature gradient within the protected region to approximately 1% of the surrounding background gradient, thereby enabling thermal concealment of embedded heterogeneous structures. The thermal-concentration function enhances local heat focusing by nearly one order of magnitude, increasing the temperature difference available to a thermoelectric module. Both functions remain effective under bending at a radius of 19 mm, with only moderate performance degradation. These results establish a scalable and mechanically compliant platform for programmable heat-flux control in next-generation conformal and wearable electronics.
Cancer therapy is increasingly shifting towards targeted strategies capable of maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target toxicity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, have emerged as promising natural nanocarriers due to their characteristics like biocompatibility, stability in biological fluids, and capacity for selective cargo delivery. EVs participate in intercellular communication through highly regulated biological processes that control their formation, cargo selection, cellular uptake, and downstream signaling activity. This mini-review highlights how regulated sorting processes, surface-associated tropism, and diverse internalization pathways determine EVs specificity and functional impact in recipient tumor cells. Furthermore, current advances in engineering EVs for drug and RNA delivery, emphasizing their potential to enhance therapeutic precision while minimizing systemic toxicity, are summarized here. In conclusion, by linking fundamental molecular mechanisms to translational applications, EVs emerge as a promising platform for the development of targeted and biologically compatible cancer therapies.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is projected to rise from 2.1 billion tons in 2020 to 3.782 billion tons annually by 2050 under a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, intensifying environmental, economic, and social pressures. Using a scenario-based comparative indicator framework built from structured synthesis of global datasets and peer-reviewed literature, this study evaluates current waste management practices and compares three scenarios to 2050: BAU, controlled waste management, and circular economy. We show that 38
The paper presents the computer simulation of social phenomena as a promising approach to investigate the links tying human cognition, society and law. The focus is on agent-based modeling (ABM), a research paradigm offering new ways to explore how the interaction between individuals (and the cognitive mechanisms governing their decisions) leads to the emergence and evolution of complex, macro-level social constructs. After an introduction to the theoretical and methodological framework grounding our proposal, which we situate at the intersection of complexity theory, computational empiricism, and computational social science, the paper delves into the basic features of agent-based simulations. It then examines, by way of example, the application of ABM to the study of phenomena-ranging from the effects of sanctions to social dilemmas and crime dynamics-that not only are relevant to socio-legal research but also clearly connect micro-level cognitive processes with macro-level social outcomes. The review serves as an opportunity to reflect on the scientific and methodological frontiers of legal sociology and, more generally, on the prospects for the empirical development of legal science.
Potamogeton natans L. is a widespread floating-life macrophyte of high ecological relevance in freshwater ecosystems. By contributing to oxygenation, habitat structure, water clarity and nutrient cycling, it plays a key role in ecosystem functioning, although under favourable conditions it can form dense stands that impair water flow, irrigation and navigation. This review integrates current knowledge of the species’ taxonomy, morphology, distribution and ecological impacts, with a particular focus on how its chemical traits contribute to ecological interactions such as herbivore deterrence, allelopathy and potential competitive advantages. We summarize the main classes of secondary metabolites reported in P. natans – including alkaloids, phytoecdysteroids, labdane diterpenes, phenolics and polysaccharides – and discuss their ecological functions as well as their possible use in environmentally sustainable management strategies, including natural algicidal applications. By linking ecological roles with chemical composition, this review highlights P. natans as both a structurally important component of freshwater vegetation and a promising model for understanding chemical ecology in aquatic plants. Future research should clarify metabolite functions in situ and assess their relevance for integrated and ecologically sound aquatic-weed management. The graphical abstract illustrates the multifaceted nature of Potamogeton natans L., organized into three core pillars: Ecological Role, Chemical Composition, and Bioactivity Potential. On the left, the Ecological Role highlights the plant’s dual impact. It serves as a beneficial “ecosystem engineer” by promoting water oxygenation, clarity, and habitat stability. Conversely, its invasive growth patterns can obstruct navigation and damage irrigation infrastructure, necessitating diverse management strategies such as mechanical, chemical, and biological controls. The central panel, Chemical Composition, focuses on the plant as a biological factory. Beyond its physical structure, P. natans is rich in secondary metabolites, most notably labdanes, alkaloids, phytoecdysteroids, lipids and polysaccharides. These molecules serve as the foundation for the plant’s chemical defense mechanisms and economic value. The right panel, Bioactivity Potential, connects these compounds to specific applications. The labdanes exhibit potent algicidal properties against harmful cyanobacteria, while the polysaccharide fractions demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects comparable to standard pharmaceuticals. The abstract concludes by identifying Future Research directions, specifically focusing on sustainable applications.
