University of Naples Federico II

Subaerial biofilms (SABs) are microbial communities that colonize exposed surfaces, playing a role in biogeochemical cycles and the deterioration of built heritage. Their functioning is tightly coupled to environmental conditions, particularly moisture and carbon availability. This work presents a predictive framework to assess the long-term stability of SABs in response to future environmental changes - specifically, variations in temperature (T), air relative humidity (RH), and atmospheric CO2 partial pressure. The approach is based on a system of ordinary differential equations that describe the dynamics of key SAB components such as cyanobacteria, heterotrophs and polysaccharides. Using daily environmental profiles representative of summer and winter conditions, the model explores both the individual and combined impacts of T, RH and CO2 on microbial metabolism, productivity, and ecosystem composition. Results suggest that while temperature increases negatively affect inorganic carbon availability, they do not cause substantial shifts in SAB structure - consistent with the wide thermal tolerance typical of these communities. In contrast, elevated atmospheric CO2 may enhance carbon fixation and overall productivity. However, air relative humidity emerges as the primary regulator of microbial viability: even small fluctuations significantly alter the duration of metabolically active periods, with declines potentially leading to ecosystem collapse. Notably, the interaction between CO2 and water activity is synergistic: increases in atmospheric CO2 together with temperature-driven changes in relative humidity - either upward or downward - can in combination significantly influence SAB dynamics. These findings highlight the central role of water activity in maintaining SAB viability and suggest that even moderate shifts in microclimatic moisture availability could have profound impacts on these microbial communities.

The Central Solenoid (CS) plays a crucial role in plasma current drive and control in tokamak devices such as the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility, currently under development in Frascati, Italy. High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS), and in particular REBCO tapes, are gaining increasing interest for central solenoid applications due to their superior performance in high-field regimes, offering larger operational margins compared to conventional Low-Temperature Superconductors (LTS). This work presents the design and analysis of an HTS-based pancake-wound CS for the DTT tokamak, using a SECAS or VIPER-type REBCO conductor. A parametric study was developed to get a configuration to maximize the magnetic flux swing while ensuring compliance with mechanical fatigue constraints. The design was validated through finite element electromagnetic and mechanical analyses, and it is compared to a previous layer-wound LTS CS configuration.

Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is the gold standard for diagnosing subepidermal blistering diseases (SBDs). However, DIF requires specialized expertise; therefore, alternative immunological methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are worth exploring. The aim of this review was to evaluate the diagnostic agreement between DIF and ELISA for the diagnosis of SBD. A systematic literature review of international journals and electronic databases (MEDLINE via OVID, Scopus, and Web of Science) was conducted between their inception and December 2023. The risk of bias and overall quality of evidence were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the GRADE system. Of the 1691 articles identified, 38 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 37 in the quantitative analysis. Three meta-analyses were developed and revealed the superiority of DIF over ELISA, with the following risk differences: BP180, 0.26 (95% CI: 0.19-0.33, p < 0.00001, I 2 : 96%); BP230, 0.59 (95% CI: 0.47-0.71, p < 0.00001, I 2 : 98%); and Lam332, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.70-0.94, p < 0.00001, I 2 : 89%). DIF remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of autoimmune SBDs. ELISA can serve as a complementary diagnostic tool, especially as a follow-up instrument for patients with SBD, owing to its low invasiveness.