Higher Institute on Territorial Systems for Innovation
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From RGB-D to RGB-Only: Reliability and Clinical Relevance of Markerless Skeletal Tracking for Postural Assessment in Parkinson’s Disease
No full textAxial postural abnormalities in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) are traditionally assessed using clinical rating scales, although picture-based assessment is considered the gold standard. This study evaluates the reliability and clinical relevance of two markerless body-tracking frameworks, the RGB-D-based Microsoft Azure Kinect (providing the reference KIN_3D model) and the RGB-only Google MediaPipe Pose (MP), using a synchronous dual camera setup. Forty PD patients performed a 60 s static standing task. We compared KIN_3D with three MP models (at different complexity levels) across horizontal, vertical, sagittal, and 3D joint angles. Results show that lower-complexity MP models achieved high congruence with KIN_3D for trunk and shoulder alignment (ρ > 0.75), while the lateral view significantly improved tracking of sagittal angles (ρ ≥ 0.72). Conversely, the high-complexity model introduced significant skeletal distortions. Clinically, several angular parameters emerged as robust metrics for postural assessment and global motor impairments, while sagittal angles correlated with motor complications. Unexpectedly, a more upright frontal alignment was associated with greater freezing of gait severity, suggesting that static postural metrics may serve as proxies for dynamic gait performance. In addition, both RGB-only and RGB-D frameworks effectively discriminated between postural severity clusters. While the higher-complexity MP model should be avoided due to inaccurate 3D reconstructions, our findings demonstrate that low- and medium complexity MP models represent a reliable alternative to RGB-D sensors for objective postural assessment in PD, facilitating the widespread application of objective posture measurements in clinical contexts
A Compact Single-Resonator Dual-Port Circularly Polarized MIMO Dielectric Resonator Antenna for 28 GHz Applications
No full textA compact dual-port circularly polarized (CP) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for 28 GHz applications is presented. A single cross-shaped dielectric resonator is excited by two orthogonal microstrip feeds, supporting hybrid orthogonal modes that enable CP radiation at both ports without requiring perturbation cuts, parasitic elements, or decoupling structures. The fabricated prototype exhibits a measured 10 dB impedance bandwidth and 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth that fully cover the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-allocated 28 GHz band (27.5–28.35 GHz). Port isolation remains better than 15 dB, and the antenna exhibits a peak gain of approximately 7.6 dBi with radiation efficiency exceeding 93%, within a compact 40 × 47 mm2 footprint. MIMO performance is verified through envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), and total active reflection coefficient (TARC). The results demonstrate that the proposed single-resonator dual-port CP DRA provides an efficient and integration-friendly solution for compact mmWave MIMO applications in next-generation 5G/6G terminals
A Custom Genetic Algorithm Framework for Early-Stage Optimization of Electromechanical Actuators
No full textThis work presents a systematic methodology for the preliminary design and optimization of electromechanical actuators, aimed at minimizing overall mass and rotational inertia while satisfying torque and speed requirements. The proposed approach integrates dimensionless scaling relationships, derived and corrected from catalog data, with a genetic algorithm that performs multi-parameter optimization across different actuator architectures. The algorithm enables the exploration of non-linear and multi-modal design spaces, allowing the identification of balanced solutions between mechanical efficiency and dynamic performance, employing custom functions for individual generation, constraint handling, and compatibility verification to ensure feasible and consistent architecture designs throughout the optimization process. A case study on the steering system of an aircraft nose landing gear illustrates the method's ability to define optimal design parameters in real mechanical systems. Linear and non-linear dynamic analyses confirmed the compliance of the optimized design with control and stability requirements. The study demonstrates how the developed custom constrained genetic optimization approach can effectively support the early design phase, reducing the computational effort required in further stages and improving the overall consistency of electromechanical actuator development
Dynamic temperature supply to boost the integration of renewable energy into existing district heating networks
No full textSinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinoma: outcomes and adverse prognostic factors from a single-institution experience
No full textPurpose: Sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) is a rare malignancy with high recurrence rates and significant morbidity. This study evaluates survival outcomes and prognostic factors—particularly the impact of tumor stage (pT category), histologic grade, and resection margins—in a contemporary institutional series. Methods: A retrospective analysis included 30 patients treated for histologically confirmed sinonasal ITAC at a single centre from July 2010 to July 2024. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment strategies (including surgical approach and perioperative therapies), and outcomes were reviewed. Kaplan–Meier analyses were used to estimate overall (OS), disease-specific (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: The study cohort comprised predominantly male patients (86.7%), with a mean age of 66 years. Advanced disease (pT3 and pT4) occurred in 66.7% of patients. The median follow-up was 53 months. Five-year OS was 58.6%, DSS 75.3%, and DFS 65.3%. Early-stage tumors (pT1 and pT2) demonstrated superior outcomes, achieving 100% five-year OS and DSS compared to 41.7% OS and 62.9% DSS for advanced stages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pathological T category remains a key prognostic determinant in sinonasal ITAC. Endoscopic resection, including transnasal craniectomy when necessary, coupled with risk-adapted radiotherapy, yields favorable survival outcomes even in advanced cases
Effect of lignin incorporation on the performance of epoxidized soybean oil biobased coatings for corrosion protection
No full textThis study reports a fully bio-based, UV-cured anti-corrosion coating developed by mixing epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and lignin. Rheology and photorheology revealed stable viscosity and high UV reactivity, while Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy showed high epoxy group conversion. The coatings exhibited robust thermal stability (as determined by thermogravimetric analysis) and valuable surface properties, including high pencil hardness, excellent adhesion, good solvent resistance, and tunable contact angle. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements acquired in 3.5 wt%. NaCl electrolyte demonstrated that lignin remarkably improves barrier protection, whereas unmodified ESO films offer little protection against corrosion in a harsh saline environment. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of coated steel after corrosion tests further confirmed the good corrosion resistance of the coatings. These findings demonstrate a sustainable route to highperformance, eco-friendly corrosion protection
Lignin Nanoparticles Containing Cobalt‐Cyanine Complexes: Potential Multifunctional Platforms for Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Treatment of Bacterial Biofilms in Chronic Wounds
No full textChronic wounds (CWs) are characterized by persistent inflammation and bacterial biofilms, which hinder healing and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, innovative treatments with both anti-inflammatory and antibiofilm properties are urgently needed. Here, cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), a photo-excitable dye, is combined with polyphenolic lignin to develop CoPc-Lig nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs demonstrate antioxidant activity by scavenging reactive oxygen species and inhibiting key enzymes implicated in CW pathophysiology. Moreover, they are internalized into Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, a critical feature for enhancing antibacterial effects. Upon near-infrared light excitation, CoPc-Lig NPs produce a thermal increase, which reduces bacterial viability and disrupts biofilm integrity. This mild photothermal effect is particularly advantageous in CW treatment, as excessive temperatures can damage newly formed tissue. Additionally, the NPs exhibit strong photoacoustic (PA) properties, enabling their use in PA imaging, an emerging non-invasive technique for real-time monitoring. The PA signal remains stable over time and is detected in ex vivo tissue phantoms. These findings highlight the potential of CoPc-Lig NPs as a theragnostic platform for CW management, integrating antimicrobial cobalt, antioxidant polyphenols, and photo-excitable phthalocyanines. Future studies will focus on optimizing photothermal treatment conditions and exploring synergies with debridement and antibacterial agents to enhance therapeutic outcomes
Angular Velocity of Kolmogorov-Scale Fibers as Proxy for Turbulent Dissipation
No full textWe introduce a fiber-based method to directly measure turbulent energy dissipation. Combining original measurements of the full-body rotation -- tumbling and spinning -- of short, Kolmogorov-scale fibers in turbulent channel flow with direct numerical simulations using a point-fiber model, we show that the mean-square angular velocity closely reproduces the mean dissipation rate. The method is accurate both in the nearly homogeneous turbulence of the channel center and in the logarithmic layer, with a mean deviation below 6%, demonstrating that Kolmogorov-scale fibers provide a robust and reliable tool for quantifying dissipation
Zinc oxide nanoparticles from drug delivery to immunomodulation: progress and challenges
No full textIntroduction: Over the last decades, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have emerged as promising
nanoplatforms for various biomedical applications. This critical perspective summarizes the main uses
of ZnO NPs in cancer therapy, focusing on their roles in advanced drug delivery, stimuli-responsive
systems, and immunomodulatory treatments targeting tumor tissues.
Areas covered: Due to their intrinsic physicochemical properties, ZnO NPs can dissolve in the acidic
tumor microenvironment and generate radical oxygen species, causing metabolic dysregulations that
lead to cancer cell apoptosis. When engineered into multimodal nanoplatforms, the combination of
ZnO with standard cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or with energyactivated treatments like photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy, achieves synergistic antitumor
effects, overcoming many limitations of current standards of care.
Expert opinion: Crucially, ZnO demonstrates a strong immunomodulatory capability, promoting T-cell
activation and dendritic cell maturation necessary to reverse the ‘cold’ tumor microenvironment often
associated with solid and deep-seated tumors. Overall, ZnO NPs offer revolutionary therapeutic prospects for novel anticancer treatments, provided that challenges regarding long-term stability and
controlled degradability are addressed in future works for clinical translation
Understanding organizational change towards gender equality in STEM: An exploration of Gender Equality Plans in technical universities
No full textL'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen