Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Università dell'Insubria
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Environmental Sustainability of High-performance Thermoplastic Materials
Full text linkI compound termoplastici sono utilizzati in diversi settori grazie alle loro eccezionali proprietà meccaniche. Tuttavia, i polimeri sono spesso prodotti da fonti non rinnovabili, come il petrolio, attraverso processi ad alto consumo energetico. Pertanto, comprenderne l'impatto ambientale è fondamentale per proporre soluzioni di mitigazione efficaci. Questa ricerca valuta le prestazioni ambientali di sette compound termoplastici ad alte prestazioni addizionati con diversi ritardanti di fiamma. L'analisi è stata condotta utilizzando la metodologia di Valutazione del Ciclo di Vita (LCA) e seguendo lo standard PCR 2010:16 Plastics in primary forms v4.0.0. Il software utilizzato è SimaPro v10.1 con database Ecoinvent v3.10. Le Unità Funzionali considerate sono 1 kg e 1 L di compound. Inoltre, sono stati valutati diversi scenari di mitigazione, come l'introduzione di polimeri riciclati meccanicamente e l'utilizzo di diversi mix energetici. I risultati mostrano significative variazioni di impatto a seconda del polimero, del ritardante di fiamma e della sua densità. In particolare, i polimeri a base poliammidica tendono ad avere un impatto maggiore. Per quanto riguarda gli scenari di mitigazione, l'introduzione di polimeri riciclati a diverse velocità offre i benefici più significativi rispetto ad altri sistemi di mitigazione. I risultati di questo studio saranno utili sia alla comunità scientifica che agli stakeholder tecnici coinvolti nella produzione e progettazione di compound termoplastici sostenibili.Thermoplastic compounds are utilised in various industries due to their exceptional mechanical properties. However, polymers are often produced from non-renewable sources, such as petroleum, through energy-intensive processes. Therefore, understanding their environmental impact is crucial for proposing effective mitigation solutions. This research evaluates the environmental performance of seven high-performance thermoplastic compounds added with different flame retardants. The analysis was conducted using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and following the PCR 2010:16 Plastics in primary forms v4.0.0. The software used was SimaPro v10.1 with Ecoinvent database v3.10. The Functional Units considered are 1 kg and 1 L of compound. Furthermore, several mitigation scenarios were evaluated, such as the introduction of mechanically recycled polymers and the use of different energy mixes. The results show significant variations in impact depending on the polymer, flame retardant, and its density. In particular, polyamide-based polymers tend to have a higher impact. Regarding mitigation scenarios, the introduction of recycled polymers at different rates brings the most significant benefits compared to other mitigation systems. The results of this study will be useful to both the scientific community and technical stakeholders involved in the production and design of sustainable thermoplastic compounds
Biorestauro. Passato, presente e futuro. Quaderno della tavola rotonda a vent'anni dalla prima biopulitura di un'opera d'arte
No full textIl Quaderno racconta la storia di una rivoluzione silenziosa nel mondo dell’arte: il biorestauro. Per decenni, i maestosi affreschi del Camposanto di Pisa hanno lottato contro i danni della guerra e di restauri fallaci. Quando i metodi tradizionali si sono rivelati inefficaci, un team di scienziati e restauratori ha avuto un’intuizione geniale: usare batteri “golosi” per ripulire le opere d’arte senza intaccarle. Con precisione chirurgica, questi microscopici alleati hanno rimosso colle ostinate, croste nere e alterazioni, salvando capolavori. Questo testo racconta
il viaggio di una collaborazione straordinaria, nata in un laboratorio universitario e culminata in una tecnica innovativa, efficace e sostenibile che ha trasformato per sempre il restauro dei beni cultural
Long-term Outcomes of EUS-guided Gastroenterostomy (LONG-RANGE study): a prospective cohort study tracking symptom recurrence, reintervention timelines and stent modifications over time
No full textBackground and aims: Limited information is available on long-term outcomes of EUS-guided Gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) and modifications of Lumen Apposing Metal Stents (LAMS) over time. Methods: All consecutive EUS-GEs for malignant indications between 2020-2024 were enrolled in a single-centre prospective registry (PROTECT, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04813055). The primary outcomes were EUS-GE dysfunctions and dysfunction-free survival (DyFS) using Kaplan Meier curves. Endoscopic and Radiologic reassessments were used to estimate local modifications and LAMS diameter over time (linear regression). Results: 166 EUS-GEs (age 66 [interquartile range 60-73], male 53.6%, pancreatic cancer 74.1%) were included. A 20mm LAMS dilated to 18mm was used in 98.8%. Technical and Clinical success rates were 98.8 and 95.7%, respectively. Adverse events were registered in 16.3% (procedure-related 7.2%). Over a median follow-up of 128 [64-245] days, symptom recurrence occurred in 11%, but was related to EUS-GE dysfunctions in 13/154 (8.4%) cases, after a median of 209 [85-347] days. All endoscopic reinterventions were successful. Estimated DyFS at 6 and 12 months was 96.7% and 82%, respectively. At endoscopic reevaluations (47 patients, 61 endoscopies), peri-LAMS tissue reactions were observed in 38.3% after 269 [79-390] days, whilst LAMS modifications (mostly ingrowth) in 19.1% after 421 [231-560] days. Radiologic follow-up (89 patients, 168 CT scans) revealed a reduction in LAMS diameter of ≈ 0.21 mm + 0.03 every month (F-test p <.0001). Conclusions: Clinically overt EUS-GE dysfunctions are rare and successfully endoscopically amenable, discouraging scheduled surveillance in malignancies. However, LAMS shows predictable narrowing, sustained by subclinical local reactions, which might inform surveillance in benign indications
Small airway abnormalities in asthmatic patients with persistent airflow limitation
No full textBackground
A subset of patients with asthma develops persistent airflow limitation (PAL) despite optimal treatment. The role of small airways dysfunction (SAD) in this phenotype, and its relationship with symptoms, remains incompletely understood.
Objectives
To assess small airways function in asthmatic patients with PAL and compare it with patients with fully reversible asthma and with COPD; and to explore correlations between small airway indices and patient-reported outcomes.
Methods
We enrolled 60 patients (20 with asthma and PAL, 20 with fully reversible asthma, 20 with COPD) matched for age, sex, and pre-bronchodilator FEV1. Small airways function was evaluated using impulse oscillometry (IOS; R5–R20) and single-breath nitrogen washout test (SBNWT; dN2). Patients completed a daily symptom diary (dyspnea, cough, sputum, and rescue medication use) over four weeks.
Results
Compared with fully reversible asthma, asthmatic patients with PAL showed significantly higher dN2 and R5–R20 values, though less pronounced than in COPD. SAD (R5–R20 > 0.07 kPa·L−1·s) was present in all COPD patients, 79% of PAL patients, and 37% of reversible asthma patients (p < 0.001). In PAL, R5–R20 correlated strongly with dyspnea scores (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). In reversible asthma, R5–R20 correlated with cough and rescue medication use, whereas in COPD, symptoms were primarily related to residual volume.
Conclusions
Small airways dysfunction is highly prevalent in asthmatic patients with PAL and significantly contributes to daily symptom burden. Its intermediate severity between COPD and reversible asthma suggests that SAD plays a central role in the pathogenesis of fixed obstruction, suggesting a potential role for targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies
Penile prosthesis infection and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground The preoperative glycemic control of diabetic patients may increase the risk of penile prosthesis (PP) infection, but the published literature remains controversial. Aim To systematically review and meta-analyze available evidence on the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) and glycemic control on PP infection. The study was completed under the auspices of the European Society for Sexual Medicine Surgical Academy. Methods An comprehensive Medline, Embase, and Cochrane search was performed including the keywords: (“penile prosthesis” and “diabetes mellitus”). Only English-language articles published between January 1, 1969 and May 31, 2024 were included. Outcomes The primary outcome measure was the risk of PP infection in diabetic patients. The secondary outcome measure was the contribution of glycemic control on PP infection rate. Results Out of 182 retrieved articles, 11 were included in the study, summarizing 10024 subjects with a mean age of 59.7 years, and a mean follow-up of 37.2 months. Overall, a PP infection rate of 4.3[3.9-4.8]% was observed. The PP infection rate increased according to baseline HbA1c levels, and the latter result was confirmed following adjustment for age and trial duration (P<.0001). Accordingly, PP infection rate was more than 2-times higher when trials with a mean HbA1c ≥ 8% were compared to the rest of the sample (9.1[7.5;11.0] vs 3.8[3.2;4.5]%; Q=43.18; P<.0001). Clinical implications Optimization of the preoperative glycemic control may reduce PP infection rate in diabetic patients. Strengths and limitations The present study provides evidence supporting a significant increased risk of PP infection for patients with DM and pre-operative HbA1c≥8%. Analysis was primarily derived from retrospective studies, which represent a significant source of bias. The exclusion of those studies including less than 70% of diabetic patients can represent a further source of bias. Conclusion The present study shows a significant association between pre-operative HbA1c and PP infection rate. Further studies are advisable in order to better clarify the best threshold of HbA1c that is acceptable prior to implant surgery in diabetic patients
RSV epidemiology in Italian adults over 60: a multicenter cross-sectional study
No full textObjective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections have a significant impact on public health, particularly among children and the elderly. However, the burden on older adults in Italy is underestimated due to a lack of comprehensive data. Methods: Data on the molecular detection of RSV in respiratory samples from laboratories across Italy, from north to south, between September 2021 and May 2023 were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 138,783 tests were provided by 13 laboratories, with an overall RSV positivity rate of 6.4 %. Among adults aged >= 60 years (35.4 % of the total), the RSV positivity rate was 3.5 %. Two epidemic waves were observed, peaking in December 2021 and January 2023, with the second wave showing a higher number of cases. RSV subtyping revealed that RSV-B was the predominant subtype in both epidemic seasons, compared to RSV-A. Conclusion: Analyses of RSV circulation in older adults highlight seasonal variability and underscore the importance of testing in this population. These findings may inform surveillance, clinical management, and the development of future preventive strategies, including vaccination
Incertezza in PDFHA: studio di sensitività e applicazione al bacino di Rieti (Italia centrale).
No full textL'attività di dottorato è stata condotta nell’ambito di GEOSCIENCES IR, un’infrastruttura di ricerca per la Rete dei Servizi Geologici Italiani, finanziata dal programma PNRR – Unione Europea – NextGenerationEU. Il progetto GEOSCIENCES IR ha l’obiettivo di istituire un’infrastruttura digitale nazionale che integri dati e servizi geologici, geofisici e geochimici provenienti dalla Rete dei Servizi Geologici Italiani (RISG), promuovendo un accesso ai dati interoperabile e conforme ai principi FAIR.
All’interno di questa iniziativa, il Work Package 4 (WP4) è dedicato al Monitoraggio e Gestione del Rischio, affrontando i temi dei rischi geologici e idrogeologici, della fagliazione attiva e delle loro implicazioni per le infrastrutture critiche.
La ricerca indaga in particolare le faglie attive e capaci, con enfasi sulla Probabilistic Fault Displacement Hazard Analysis (PFDHA), una metodologia chiave per la valutazione della probabilità e dell’intensità della fagliazione superficiale durante eventi sismici.
Lo studio è articolato in tre attività principali: (i) un’analisi di sensitività dei parametri di input della PFDHA mediante un approccio One-At-a-Time (OAT), che rappresenta il nucleo principale della ricerca; (ii) l’applicazione della metodologia PFDHA alla Faglia del Margine Meridionale del Bacino di Rieti (Italia centrale), utilizzata come caso di studio per testare e contestualizzare i risultati analitici; (iii) l’integrazione e armonizzazione dei dati relativi a fagliazione superficiale relativi a eventi sismici selezionati dal database di Fault Displacement Hazard Initiative (FDHI) nel database SURE 2.0, un’attività ancora non completata e volta a migliorare la standardizzazione e la completezza dei dati di fagliazione superficiale per analisi future. La sensitività dei risultati della PFDHA rispetto alle parametrizzazioni adottate è stata indagata valutando il contributo dei diversi parametri di input relativi all’approccio probabilistico. L’analisi è stata condotta utilizzando una strategia One-At-a-Time, in cui ciascun parametro è stato modificato rispetto a tre scenari di base specifici per ciascuna cinematica. Gli output risultanti sono stati confrontati con modelli di regressione e leggi di scala comunemente adottati in letteratura.
Sono stati valutati gli effetti di: (i) relazioni magnitudo-area (m|area), (ii) modelli di distribuzioni magnitudo-frequenza (MFD), (iii) probabilità di fagliazione superficiale (PSR), (iv) displacement medio in funzione della magnitudo (AD|m), e (v) rapporto tra displacement e displacement medio (D/AD). I risultati indicano che la scelta delle relazioni di scala, dei coefficienti di regressione e delle deviazioni standard associate esercita un’influenza misurabile sulle curve di hazard: m|area, MFD e PSR influenzano principalmente la regione di plateau, mentre AD|m e D/AD controllano la regione relativa a valori di displacement maggiori.
Complessivamente, l’analisi evidenzia l’importanza di una scelta trasparente dei modelli e di un trattamento esplicito dell’incertezza nelle applicazioni della metodologia PFDHA. Lo contribuisce a una migliore comprensione della variabilità metodologica e supporta un uso più affidabile e consapevole della PFDHA nella valutazione della pericolosità sismica.
Infine, il caso di studio sulla Faglia del Margine Meridionale del Bacino di Rieti ha applicato il framework della PFDHA a tre scenari di rottura, individuati come Segmento Occidentale (WS), Segmento Orientale (ES) e Faglia Totale di Margine (TBF), valutando sia le rotture principali sia quelle distribuite.
Le curve di hazard sono state generate per diverse probabilità di superamento (1%, 2%, 10%) su un periodo di 200 anni e a distanze variabili dalle tracce della faglia principale. I risultati forniscono una preliminare di displacement hazard per il Bacino di Rieti.This doctoral research was conducted within the framework of GEOSCIENCES IR, a Research Infrastructure for the Italian Geological Surveys Network, funded by the PNRR program. This project aims to establish a national digital infrastructure integrating geological, geophysical, and geochemical data and services from the Italian Geological Surveys Network (RISG). Within this initiative, Work Package 4 (WP4) focuses on Risk Monitoring and Management, addressing geological and hydrogeological hazards, active faulting, and their implications for critical infrastructure.
The doctoral research specifically investigates active and capable faults, with emphasis on Probabilistic Fault Displacement Hazard Analysis (PFDHA), a key methodology for assessing the likelihood and intensity of surface faulting during seismic events. The study is structured around three main activities: (i) a sensitivity analysis of PFDHA input parameters using a One-At-a-Time (OAT) approach, which represents the core focus of this research; (ii) the application of the PFDHA methodology to the Southern Boundary Fault (SBF) of the Rieti Basin (Central Italy), serving as a case study for testing and contextualizing the analytical results; and (iii) the integration and harmonization of surface rupture datasets from selected earthquakes of the Fault Displacement Hazard Initiative (FDHI) into the SURE 2.0 database, an ongoing task aimed at improving the standardization and completeness of fault rupture data for future analyses.
Dataset integration focused on ensuring consistency between FDHI and SURE 2.0 standards through systematic review and correction of rupture geometries and classification schemes. This effort improved the completeness and reliability of the SURE 2.0 database, strengthening its role as a reference for future fault displacement hazard analyses.
The sensitivity of PFDHA results to the adopted parametrizations was investigated by evaluating the contribution of different input parameters to fault displacement hazard. The analysis was performed using a One-At-a-Time strategy, in which each parameter is modified with respect to three kinematic-specific baseline scenarios. The resulting outputs were examined in relation to regression models and scaling laws commonly applied in the literature.
The effects of (i) magnitude inferred from rupture area (m|area), (ii) magnitude–frequency distributions (MFD), (iii) probability of surface rupture (PSR), (iv) average displacement as a function of magnitude (AD|m), and (v) the displacement-to-average displacement ratio (D/AD) were assessed. Hazard curves were computed using a MATLAB script, and percentage differences in the annual frequency of exceedance were quantified by comparing each simulation with the baseline.
Results indicate that the choice of scaling relations, regression coefficients, and associated standard deviations exerts a measurable influence on hazard curves, with m|area, MFD, and PSR primarily affecting the plateau region, and AD|m and D/AD controlling the tail region.
The analysis underscores the importance of transparent model selection and explicit uncertainty treatment in PFDHA applications. By clarifying how modeling choices affect hazard estimates, it contributes to a better understanding of methodological variability and supports more informed use of PFDHA in seismic hazard assessment.
Finally, the case study on the Southern Boundary Fault of the Rieti Basin applied the PFDHA framework to three rupture scenarios, Western Segment (WS), Eastern Segment (ES), and Total Boundary Fault (TBF), evaluating both principal and distributed ruptures. Hazard curves were generated for different exceedance probabilities over a 200-year period and varying distances from fault traces. The results provide a preliminary characterization of fault displacement hazard for the Rieti Basin, contributing to the integration of fault-based seismic hazard assessment into regional seismotectonic analyses
Opportunities and challenges of quantum batteries
No full textQuantum batteries harness the principles of quantum mechanics to transfer, store and release energy within quantum systems on demand. Emerging from foundational research at the intersection of quantum physics, thermodynamics and information theory, the field of quantum batteries introduces new principles for energy manipulation rooted in quantum mechanics. This rapidly expanding field of research spans foundational studies on the thermodynamic limits of battery performance and the potential for quantum advantage, alongside the development of theoretical models and the design of innovative architectures for experimental proof-of-principle demonstrations. In this Perspective, we aim to introduce the core concepts, survey the current theoretical and experimental landscape, and highlight opportunities and challenges in the pursuit of more efficient and scalable quantum energy storage devices
Eco-innovation diffusion in retailers’ last-mile delivery: an Agent-Based Model approach
No full textThe transportation field represents cities’ major source of air pollution, causing around 20% of the total GHG emissions at the European level. Among others, road transport contributes the highest share to overall transport emissions. In this framework, cities are starting to introduce zones with low- and zero-emissions, restricting access to Internal Combustion Engine vehicles. We decided to investigate the so-called last-mile delivery and its transition to more sustainable means of freight transport in cities. With this aim, we performed an analysis of the variation in simulated local emissions, varying different transport system parameters, in order to evaluate the possible outcome of different green policies. We used an Agent-Based Model network representation, and we simulated the diffusion of eco-innovation among a retailers’ network, based on real-world data obtained from the Limited Traffic Zone (LTZ) of the centre of Turin, in Italy. Our research shows how combined policies, simultaneously encouraging load efficiency and increasing penetration of ecological vehicles, produce the greatest emission reductions. Success in the diffusion of transport innovation is highly influenced by the network topology, by nodes’ distribution, and by the threshold for adoption. Innovation adoption reaches up to 90% in Small World networks with a 15% threshold, regardless of the ecological node centrality; it drops to ∼70% at 30% threshold, and it falls below 60% at 45% threshold, where only Free Scale and Erdős–Rényi topologies with central ecologic nodes maintain viability, highlighting a steep decline in robustness as adoption thresholds rise
Nasopharyngeal Endoscopic Resection Extended to the Internal Carotid Artery (Type 4): Technical Notes, Indications, and Outcomes
No full textBackground: Endoscopic surgical approaches for nasopharyngeal malignancies, including recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC) and nasopharyngeal salivary gland tumors (NSGT), have seen significant development over the last decades. Our groups have expanded the classification of nasopharyngeal endoscopic resections (NER) from type 1 to 3 to incorporate internal carotid artery (ICA)-including ablations. The aim of this work is to describe the surgical technique, indications, and preliminary oncological outcomes of NER extended to ICA, proposing it as type 4 NER. Methodology: Consecutive patients affected by nasopharyngeal malignancies and treated with NER type 4 were included. Data on patient-, disease-, and treatment-related factors were collected. Adverse events were classified from G1 to G5 according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Preliminary survival outcomes were measured. A detailed description of the surgical steps of NER type 4 was reported. Results: A total of 13 patients were included: 7 NPC and 6 non-NPC, of which 4 were primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), 1 was recurrent ACC, and 1 was polymorphous adenocarcinoma. After a median follow-up of 34.7 months, 5 patients had a local recurrence during follow-up after a median of 17.3 months, one of which died at 10.3 months after surgery. The cumulative ≥ G3 adverse event rate was 61.5%. No major complications directly associated with ICA occlusion were reported. Conclusions: NER type 4 is a potential treatment alternative to (re)irradiation in highly selected patients with nasopharyngeal malignancies involving/abutting the ICA. The results reported should be considered preliminary; a novel description of the technique is provided