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Ecosystem players meet to find interesting new ways forward together, identifying the skills, synergies and needs of players in the Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility supply chains. The event "Projects and Progress. Academy and Industry dialogue" on June 19 was a great success in terms of participation and discussion among Spoke 1 actors, representatives from innovative companies and applied research presented projects funded through NODES, and then looked together for new developments and applications, comparing possibilities for cooperation and complementary skills.

A new model for the valorisation of the landscape-cultural heritage of the territory On Tuesday 18 June 2024, in Livorno Ferraris, at the MAVO - Archaeological Museum of Eastern Vercelli, the activities of the PARADIGMA project (Multimodal Digital Active Rural Landscapes in Livorno FerrAris) financed by the cascade calls of the NODES Ecosystem within the Spoke 3 - Tourism industry and culture, through the MUR - PNRR funds of the European Union - NextGeneration EU.  The project is coordinated by Ithaca Srl with the support of the Inter-university Department of Territorial Sciences, Projects and Policies (DIST) of the Polytechnic of Turin and involves the Municipality of Livorno Ferraris as an area of ​​study and experimentation.  The objective is to create an interactive and digital platform, based on cartographic supports and integrated with information and data specific to the territory to offer an accessible and complete narrative of the municipality and its surroundings.   Thanks to the platform, it will be possible to explore the main points of cultural, rural and historical interest through the description of the cycling itineraries that branch off from Livorno Ferraris. Together with the web platform, citizens and tourists will also have an app available for more immediate and smart use. The PARADIGMA project aims to propose a new model of enjoyment of the landscape-cultural heritage, both from the point of view of valorization and of the active participation of the population in the processes of protection of the environmental heritage. One of the most interesting and innovative planning phases of the project is in fact that of "knowledge building" which sees the involvement and direct participation of the administration, the stakeholders of the territory and the citizens, a precious source of information and narration of its territory, from a cultural and historical point of view.   The Mayor of Livorno Ferraris, Franco Sandra, shows satisfaction: “We are very happy that our territory has been chosen as a pilot for the experimentation of the PARADIGMA project. The platform that we are going to create adds and integrates into the path that we have already started with the Borghi delle Vie d'Acqua Association of which our Municipality is part and validates our passion and our commitment in making known the numerous excellences that the Vercelli area expresses". For Marco Valle, Director of Ithaca Srl: "With this project, we continue to increase our skills in the analysis and management of geospatial data to offer solutions and products also for the cultural and historical valorization of territorial heritage" explains Marco Valle, Director by Ithaca Srl "PARADIGMA is also particularly strategic because we will have the opportunity to develop an adaptable and flexible model in other contexts, giving other Municipalities and Villages the opportunity to promote their excellence".  A model therefore replicable on those territories not included in the dynamics of mass tourism but which can offer cultural, historical and food and wine resources of excellence and interest and which, thanks to new increasingly flexible and adaptable digital tools, can position themselves and promote themselves towards a wider audience.        

During the presentation event of the courses offered by the University of Pavia as part of the Spoke 6 training offer, Hermes Giberti, Full Professor at the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Rector’s Delegate for Technology Transfer, outlined the "Agritech Training: Precision Viticulture" course, which he leads. Giberti explains: "Agritech represents a crucial step for anyone wishing to adopt cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to improve their productivity and competitiveness. The course focuses on the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture, such as precision farming and internet farming, which significantly increase agricultural productivity. These technologies optimize the use of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides, increasing crop yields by 10% to 30% and reducing environmental impact. Sensors and real-time monitoring systems reduce fertilizer and pesticide waste by up to 40%, enhancing efficiency and lowering operational costs. Smart irrigation systems reduce water consumption by up to 50%, ensuring optimal plant growth. Continuous monitoring of crop and soil conditions allows for timely interventions, improving crop quality and reducing post-harvest losses.” "Agritech- continues Giberti- offers numerous benefits from an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) perspective. It improves the working conditions of farmers, increases the productivity and profitability of agricultural businesses, and facilitates access to crucial information. It also enhances the transparency and accountability of agricultural companies, helping them comply with environmental and food safety regulations. These tools facilitate informed decision-making and improve access to credit through verifiable and accurate data. In summary, digital technologies in agriculture support sustainable and responsible practices, with significant benefits for the environment, society, and governance of agricultural businesses." The contribution of industry specialists from IBF Servizi, Bayer Crop Science, and TIM is fundamental, as they will share their expertise with course participants as instructors. The Agritech course will be held from July 15 to 31, 2024, and can be attended both online and in person. Enrollment closes on July 1, 2024. For more information and registration, consult the course information sheet.

The first Students' Challenge of the University of Valle d'Aosta for NODES, organized with Grivel, a mountain equipment manufacturer, ended successfully with a final meeting held on Monday 10th at the Department of Economic and Political Sciences. The winners were awarded by prof. Marco Alderighi, Project Manager of Spoke 4 NODES; by prof. Mario Benassi, tutor of the Open Innovation course for business development; Federico Molino, representing the Spoke 4 Stakeholders Committee; by Oliviero Gobbi, CEO Grivel; and Matteo Boffi, Sales Manager Grivel.   Winners: Cojla Pezo Nelson Michael Davison Cristian Filimon Diego Foti Alessia Juglair Nicole Bordet Dario Boero Andrea Lesto Nathanael Chabod

Advancement in polymer process engineering, driven by recent developments in fields such as nanotechnology, chemistry, informatics, engineering, electronics and textile technology itself, together with societal demand for promoting health, have led to the development of the innovative and multidisciplinary field of ''Smart Textile''. And it is from these premises that Research Module 2 (RM2) of the TINCARE Flagship Project, in collaboration with the ''Associazione Tessile e Salute'', wanted to invest in this field for the design of a new prototype T-shirt containing sections of nanoceramics.    The T-shirt has as peculiarity the ability to interact harmoniously with our body, adapting to every movement thanks to its fabric type, which provides high confort, resistance and elasticity with FIR (Far Infrared) technology thus obtaining  an elastic but non-compressive prototype.     The FIR radiation emitted by the nanoceramic particles is perceived at the skin level as a gentle radiant heat: the resulting epidermal temperature is higher when the skin is exposed to FIR. This depends on the mechanism of action associated with nanoceramics: the FIR energy emitted/dispersed normally by the human body is transferred to the ceramic particles, which act as ''reflective mirrors'' by transmitting the energy back to the skin.  Althought this may seem like an energetically neutral process, it's actually not because the material emitting FIR prevents its dispersion, allowing the body to derive the maximum benefit. Due to these properties, a clinical trial protocol has been developed for testing the prototype to explore its tolerability and beneficial properties for patients suffering from cervical and lumbar pain.  The primary objective of the study will be to explore the impact of the T-shirt on patients' quality of life, while simultaneously assessing muscle soreness and spasms. As of now, the study protocol has been drafted and we are awaiting approval from the Local Ethics Committee. 

As part of the Flagship Project VINO of Spoke 6, ERSAF successfully completed the soil surveys planned under Research Module 1, with the objective of enhancing current knowledge of the main soil parameters in the Oltrepò Pavese region. This research is essential for evaluating vineyard suitability on a microscopic scale, focusing on pilot sites. In collaboration with the research team from the University of Pavia, four experimental sites were selected for field studies using a manual auger. These surveys were conducted by the ERSAF team, which includes geologists, pedologists, and agronomists, resulting in 31 sampling points across the four sites: Montù Beccaria, Costa Cavalieri, Canevino, and Santa Maria della Versa. During the core sampling, soil samples were analyzed to observe characteristics such as color, mottling due to oxidation-reduction processes, secondary concentrations, and a preliminary estimate of texture. These data allow for the definition of soil stratifications and the assessment of root depth, as well as the identification of any limitations such as shallow water tables or drainage issues. Each sampling point was georeferenced, documented, and photographed for inclusion in the ERSAF database. The collected soil samples will undergo future physico-chemical laboratory analyses to supplement the information gathered in the field. These results will contribute to a more precise understanding of vineyard suitability in the region, supporting agricultural management decisions and land use planning.

The University of Turin and the Polytechnic  of Turin developing a metaverse where students explore 3D reconstructions of brains and participate in immersive virtual reality lessons.    The digital reproduction of the rooms in the Palace of the Anatomical Insitutes at the University of Turin (UNITO) makes it possible to visit these historical premises from all over the globe, and facilitates teaching in a completely new way.    The metaverse, a concept that combines virtual and augmented reality to create interactive digital worlds, is revolutionizing many sectors, including cognitive rehabilitation. In this context, the metaverse represents an innovative platform that allows users to interact immersivily and collaboratively within digital environments, providing new opportunities for learning and therapy.    The Department of Neuroscience of the University of Turin in collaboration with the digital media artists from the 'RKH' studio in Turin and the 3D Lab of the Department of Management and Production Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin, has developed a Metaverse that allows multi-user remote interaction, up to 50 users simultaneously.  As of today, Professor Calì, within Research Module 7 of the flagship project TINCARE, has tested the use of the platform in the Computer Vision II course of the Biotechnology for Neuroscience program. The platform utilizes three-dimensional reconstructions of nanoscale portions of the brain obtained from volume electron microscopy. This allows students to enlarge and literally immerse themselves inside small portion of the brain, exploring its processes and smallest synapses.   Furthermore, in the same manner, a group of students from IC Spaziani, Istituto Drovetti, from the first to the third grade, had the opportunity to experiment this new teaching method together. After vsiting the specialized room and observing real anatomical spcimens with their teachers, they participated in a VR lesson using some of the same specimens that had been digitized into 3D.    The goal of this work is to study the potential of an immersive environment: thorugh the typical interaction between teacher and students in a biology or anatomy class, this approach serves ad a proof-of-concept for the development usable in medical rehabilitation contexts. 

The two events proposed by the researchers of Spoke 6 as part of the Sustainable Development Festival were a great public success. The first event, organized by Professor Graziano Rossi’s team (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Pavia), was held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Castello di Lardirago. The informative and convivial meeting "Rice for Your Teeth: Pavia Rice from Field to Table" was held on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Master's Degree in Agrifood Sustainability at the University of Pavia. About 150 people participated in the event, which invited reflection on rice cultivation in the Pavia area and the effects of climate change. The second event, organized by Professor Carola Ricci’s research group (Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Pavia), was held on Friday, May 24, at the Aula Grande of the Department of Political and Social Sciences. The meeting "The Challenges Posed by Climate Change to the Wine Sector: Legal Responses" saw an audience of about 50 participants, including internationally renowned experts in the wine sector, lawyers, food technologists, agronomists, and scholars interested in the impact of the new CAP on the sector and, in general, in the protection of the wine landscape and quality wine production in the face of climate change.    

A workshop at the DiSIT in Alessandria to discuss about the exploration of new diagnostic probes and alternative MRI procedures capable of overcoming the challenges associated with gadolium use.    On friday, 31 may, at the Department of Science and Technological Innovation in Alessandria, the workshop  ''Exploring diagnostic probed and procedures beyond Gd(III) for MRI application'' was held. The event was coordinated by da Mauro Botta (DiSIT) and Giovanni Battista Giovenzana (DSF), both Full Professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Piemonte Orientale.   The workshop is the results of a collaboration between Spoke 5 of flagship project INNDIANA within NODES project and the Italian Group of Magnetic Resonance Discussion (GIDRM) and it saw a significant participation of professors, researchers and doctoral students.    It was an opportunity to discuss the latest frontiers in the development of innovative probes for diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In response to potential future concerns regarding economic, political, and environmental aspects related to the use of gadolinium-based probes, research in recent years has focused on studying alternative probes with a better dustainability profile.   Thanks to interventions and discussions with leading experts from different universities and companies, participants were able to deepen their understanding of new diagnostic probes, related techniques, and their potential impacts on clinical practice. Technological innovation and the enhancement of human capital are key pillars of the NODES ecosystem. 

In Novara, at the SIMNOVA research center, the second edition of UPO Anatomy Talents took place: the students of the degree course in Medicine and Surgery were confronted about anatomical knowledge through interactive and tests simulation.    On Friday, 24 May, at the Centre of Simulation and Teaching innovative SIMNOVA of Novara, took place the second edition of UPO Anatomy Talents, event coordinated by Francesca Boccafoschi, associate professor of Human Anatomy at the University of Piemonte Orientale, as well as organizer and scientific manager of the project and coordinator of the flagship project INNDIANA of the project NODES.   The flagship project is strongly engaged in research projects in the biomedical sciences, with a particular focus on regenerative medicine, for which knowledge of human anatomy is an essential link.    The competition compared six teams of future doctors from as many Italian universities against each other: UPO, Milan, Cagliari, Genoa, Turin and Verona.    <<The texts were conducted with a rotation on six different rooms - explains Boccafoschi - with competitions related to topics from the first year of Human Anatomy - namely muscles and joints -, as well as the cardiovascular system and, for the first time in the hystory of the competition, also splanchnology. A completely new feature was the use of the immersive room, which presented the contestants with ultrasound anatomy images. Obviously, we don't talk about ultrasound in clinical terms, I want to emphasize it: the competitors have been asked to demonstrate how to interpret an X-ray image from an anatomical perspective>> .    The winner of the competition, as in the previous edition, was the team from the University of Piemonte Orientalale, composed of students of the first year of the degree course in Medicine and Surgery: Chiara Ferè, Nicoloò Virga, Arianna Zenullari and Massimo Zorgno. Their preparation was overseen by coaches Giada Zanetta and Michele Lapadula (second year) and Alessio Capacchione (fifht year).    The competition was extremely close: the University of Cagliari was tied with UPO until the end, while Milan and Verona followed just a few points away.    At the conclusion of the event, professor Boccafoschi said: <<The winner is due to the first-year students and the seniors who trained them intensively over in the last three months, with daily meetings during the week before the talent. The great success of UPO Anatomy Talents was not just in reinforcing anatomical knowledge among our students, but in creating a solid group of friends who stood out for their friendship>>. 

A new opportunity to build a challenge with Spoke 1, Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility. An occasion for companies to develop innovative solutions together with students to solve industry problem with the "Students Challenges." The goal of the Challenges is twofold, both to give students the opportunity to interact with the business world, public institutions, associations and third sector entities in the NODES project areas through the "learning by doing" method, and to give companies and other stakeholders the opportunity to meet young talents and discover innovative solutions applicable in their realities.   More information