Speakers: Nedka Nikiforova, Valentina Tocchioni, Pamela Vignolini (DiSIA – Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Firenze)<\/p>\n
Title:<\/p>\n
Nedka Nikiforova: \u200bDesign of experiments for technology and for consumers\u2019 preferences<\/span> Abstract:<\/p>\n Nedka Nikiforova:<\/b>
\nValentina Tocchioni: \u200bA snapshot of my research: from childlessness to higher education research<\/span>
\nPamela Vignolini: Crocus sativus L. flowers valorisation as sources of bioactive compounds<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDesign of experiments (DoE) is a wide and fundamental methodology of the statistics theory. It plays a relevant role to improve and solve issues in the fields of technology and consumers\u2019 behaviour. In this seminar, I will present a general overview of my research related to DoE. First, I will focus on a study related to a split-plot design in the technological field. Following, I will address computer experiments and Kriging modelling to solve complex engineering and technological issues, for which physical experimentation could be too costly, or in certain cases, impossible to be performed. Lastly, I will present my research related to innovative approaches to build optimal designs for the technological field, and for choice experiments to analyze consumers\u2019 preferences. A further research topic related to the field of quantitative marketing will be also briefly outlined during the talk.
\nValentina Tocchioni:<\/b>
\nDuring this seminar I will illustrate a general overview of my past research. In particular, I will concentrate on four socio-demographic topics I have been dealing with, such as childlessness, family dynamics \u2013 family formation, fertility, and divorce \u2013 and their interrelationship with economic uncertainty, sexual behaviours, and higher education in terms of students\u2019 university tracks and PhD students\u2019 and graduates\u2019 work trajectories. Most of the presentation will be based on previous published research, but some hints of actual and future directions of my research will be given.
\nPamela Vignolini:<\/b>
\nThe application of circular economy principles is of particular interest for the agricultural and agri-food sector, given the large amount of waste matrix of some plant species. In recent decades the attention towards the cultivation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been rediscovered. The saffron produced from dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. has been known since ancient times for its numerous therapeutic properties. The spice is obtained from the stigmas of the flowers, while petals and stamens are 90% waste material. The recovery of the flowers, considering the considerable amount of polyphenols with high antioxidant activity present in this matrix allows its use for innovative purposes in different product sectors such as foods, cosmetics and biomedical applications. In this context, the present work evaluated the polyphenol content in flowers of C. sativus grown in Tuscany, in order to characterize this product from a qualitative-quantitative point of view for various product sectors. The quali-quantitative analysis of the extracts was carried out by HPLC\/DAD\/MS analysis. Given the potential of this matrix, another aspect of the research consists in evaluating the possible tumor growth inhibition activity on bladder cancer cell lines by the extracts of petals.<\/p>\n