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Quantitative Tools for Evaluating Biological Processes in Vineyard Agroecosystems: BIOPASS® and QBS-ar
No full textSegregazione 'cinetica' nella Teleport City: ingiustizia infrastrutturale e mobilità a Newark, New Jersey (USA)
No full textThe Properties and Applicability of Bioprinting in the Field of Maxillofacial Surgery
No full textPerhaps the most innovative branch of medicine is represented by regenerative medicine. It deals with regenerating or replacing tissues damaged by disease or aging. The innovative frontier of this branch is represented by bioprinting. This technology aims to reconstruct tissues, organs, and anatomical structures, such as those in the head and neck region. This would mean revolutionizing therapeutic and surgical approaches in the management of multiple conditions in which a conspicuous amount of tissue is lost. The application of bioprinting for the reconstruction of anatomical areas removed due to the presence of malignancy would represent a revolutionary new step in personalized and precision medicine. This review aims to investigate recent advances in the use of biomaterials for the reconstruction of anatomical structures of the head–neck region, particularly those of the oral cavity. The characteristics and properties of each biomaterial currently available will be presented, as well as their potential applicability in the reconstruction of areas affected by neoplasia damaged after surgery. In addition, this study aims to examine the current limitations and challenges and to analyze the future prospects of this technology in maxillofacial surgery
Framework for Assessing Digitalization in Construction Companies and Sites
No full textDigital innovation is profoundly transforming the construction sector, enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Emerging technologies improve productivity and quality while creating safer and more sustainable work environ-ments. However, adopting these technologies requires cultural change and contin-uous training, with significant long-term benefits for all stakeholders. The effects of digitalization on Italian businesses are receiving increasing attention, particu-larly after the pandemic, which accelerated digital transformation across various sectors. Digitalization is significantly impacting Italian contractors, but its adop-tion and impact still vary greatly depending on the size of the company, the sector, and its technological maturity. Analyzing the state of digital transformation helps identify key technologies, adopted solutions, and challenges. Understanding these elements also raises questions about how digital innovation impacts construction companies and their production processes in practice. Given this scenario, the paper describes a framework, based on a playful approach, developed as a facilita-tive tool for mapping the main digitized or digitizable processes of the company, including its supply chain and the variable coalitions in which the company itself is involved. As a result, following the analysis of the summary report, the construc-tion company can decide whether to proceed with a more in-depth assessment to establish a digitalization action plan. This strategy would focus on organizational and management reconfiguration, employee and supply chain training, recruit-ment of new profiles, and the acquisition of tools and outsourced services. These intentions must be accompanied by metrics and performance indicators to evaluate the return on investment
Origin and Course Cavernous Internal Carotid Artery Branches from the Endoscopic Endonasal Perspective: Cadaveric Study and Analysis Clinical Implications
No full textBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Endoscopic endonasal approaches to treat cavernous sinus lesions require detailed knowledge of the origin, course, and anatomic variations of the branches of the cavernous internal carotid artery (cICA) because inadvertent avulsion can cause intraoperative ICA injury. We aim to study the origin and course of the branches of the cICA from an endoscopic endonasal perspective and relate these branches to surgically relevant anatomic references.METHODS:Sixty sides of 30 formalin-fixed specimens were dissected to identify the origin and course of cICA branches, including the inferolateral trunk (ILT), the meningohypophyseal trunk (MHT), anterior and inferior McConnell's capsular arteries (MCAs), and the superolateral trunk (SLT).RESULTS:The ILT and MHT were bilaterally in all specimens, whereas the anterior and inferior MCAs were identified in 28% and 25% of dissected sides, respectively. The SLT was only found in 3% of sides dissected. The MHT was the most proximal branch of the cICA, and its origin was an average of 8.9 mm anterior to the foramen lacerum and 3.8 mm superior to the sellar floor. The ILT was the second most proximal branch of the cICA, which originated 6.4 mm from the MHT on average. The anterior and inferior MCAs were present in 28% and 25% of specimens, respectively. The SLT, when present, was the second most proximal branch of the cICA, which originated at a mean height of 2.7 mm from the sellar floor. Overall, complete ILT and MHT were identified in 68% and 77% of cases, respectively.CONCLUSION:The MHT and ILT are constant branches of the cICA, with the MHT originating from the medial cICA posterior bend 4 mm superior to the sellar floor and 9 mm anterior to the foramen lacerum, whereas the ILT arises from the lateral horizontal cICA, 2.3 mm superior to the sellar floor and 6 mm anterior to the MHT
Consent to Therapeutic Treatment and Artificial Intelligence in the Italian Legal Framework
No full textIncremental peritoneal dialysis: less is more—for the patient and the planet
No full textClimate change poses growing threat to global health, and paradoxically, the health-care sector-including nephrology-is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Dialysis, in particular, is resource-intensive. Yet, dialysis remains life-saving for over 4 million people globally, a number projected to rise sharply. While peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers a home-based alternative to hemodialysis with potentially lower environmental costs, it still generates considerable carbon emissions and waste-especially from the production, packaging, and transport of dialysate solutions. A typical continuous ambulatory PD patient generates over 600 kg of waste per year, much of it non-biodegradable polyvinyl chloride. PD's carbon footprint ranges from 1.2 to 4.5 tons of CO2-equivalent annually, primarily from packaging and transport. Incremental peritoneal dialysis (iPD)-an approach that starts therapy at a reduced dose based on residual kidney function (RKF)-offers a more sustainable model. Incremental PD reduces water usage, plastic waste, and carbon emissions by as much as 30-45% compared to full-dose PD. Clinically, iPD is associated with better quality of life, fewer infections, less glucose exposure, and potential preservation of RKF. Economically, it offers substantial cost savings, with estimates up to 8,700 saved annually per patient. Despite its benefits, barriers to iPD adoption include provider unfamiliarity, patient reluctance to intensify treatment, reimbursement limitations, and the need for close RKF monitoring and clinical assessment. Addressing these challenges through policy reform, education, and digital tools could enable broader implementation of iPD, aligning kidney care with environmental stewardship
Effectiveness, Safety, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis Treated with Lebrikizumab: A 16-Week Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study
No full textIntroduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly affects the quality of life (QoL). Lebrikizumab, a biologic drug targeting interleukin-13, demonstrated efficacy and safety in clinical trials. However, real-world data remain limited, largely restricted to Asian populations. Methods: This 16-week retrospective multicenter study included 78 adults from a predominantly white cohort with moderate-to-severe AD treated with lebrikizumab throughout 2024. Patients were both naïve and experienced with biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors (bio/JAKi-naïve or -experienced). The primary outcome for disease severity and therapeutic response was measured using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Secondary outcomes included the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), itch- and sleep-numerical rating scales (NRS), body surface area (BSA), Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM). Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT) and minimal disease activity (MDA) were used to estimate disease control, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales to monitor mental health status. Results: At week 16, benefits in disease severity were observed for EASI (− 15.8 ± 9.4, p < 0.0001) and EASI head and neck (− 2.0 ± 1.7, p < 0.0001). QoL significantly improved in 70% of patients (DLQI reduction of − 12.6 ± 9.3, p < 0.0001), accompanied by decreased pruritus (Itch-NRS reduction of − 4.6 ± 3.2, p < 0.0001) and better sleep quality (sleep-NRS reduction of − 4.1 ± 3.4, p < 0.0001). A 76% reduction in BSA score was recorded, 85% of subjects improved their IGA index, with 62% achieving a score of 0–1, and SCORAD and POEM assessments significantly improved (p < 0.0001). Patients perceived a better control of the disease (ADCT, − 10.9 ± 7.1, p < 0.0001), and 14% of patients achieved MDA. Anxiety and depression levels decreased. Four mild adverse events were registered. Conclusions: This is one of the first real-world multicenter studies in a predominantly adult white population showing that lebrikizumab is effective, safe and improves symptoms, QoL, and mental health in moderate-to-severe AD bio/JAKi-naïve and -experienced patients
Layout experiments and test structures to characterize Local Layout Effects due to mechanical stress in FinFET transistors
No full textThis paper presents a characterization approach to study Local Layout Effects (LLEs) in FinFET devices. Since mechanical stress is commonly used as a mobility booster in modern transistors, layout-induced stress modulation will cause changes in performance. To investigate devices sensitivities and magnitude of variation a set of test structures with a broad range of Design of Experiment (DoE) factors is proposed, focusing on two layout features: FinFET isolation (diffusion break) and Gate Cut isolation. The test structures were deployed on 7nm test chip as part of PDF Characterization Vehicle CV® and electrical results showed that the magnitude of investigated LLEs could be as high as 13%. TCAD simulation study performed on the designed test structures confirmed that the performance variability can be explained by modulation of the mechanical stress