IRIS Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
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Fragility and its dimensions: an analysis methodology in support of local development policies
No full textThe research explores different aspects of spatial fragility. It develops a GIS-based methodology that aims to synthesize fragility indicators implemented in order to build analytical validation and support tools for planning at different administrative levels. Three main themes concerning environmental, socioeconomic and relational issues are considered in order to integrate fragility assessment into planning practices. Thus, an alternative to approaches often based on one-dimensional criteria is proposed. By relating different datasets, the study constructs composite indicators through a non-compensatory synthetic index, enabling a multidimensional understanding of spatial dynamics. The research does not focus on classifying areas, but rather on understanding the nuances of fragility and how it manifests itself at the spatial scale. The attempt is thus to theorize an analytical tool useful in identifying spatial homogeneities and differences, enhancing the understanding of fragility by promoting integrated planning strategies
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalization rate, clinical impairment and mortality of cirrhotic patients
Full text link: The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption to global healthcare systems, necessitating the reallocation of resources to address the immediate demands. This reorganization had significant repercussions on the management of chronic diseases, including cirrhosis. We sought to provide a comprehensive picture of the COVID-19 impact on monthly hospitalization rates of cirrhotic patients at Local Health Board 1 hospitals in the Abruzzo Region, Italy. Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, we identified cases of alcohol-related, nonalcohol-related, biliary, and decompensated cirrhosis. We analyzed 957 Hospital Discharge Records from January 1 to December 31, 2019 (pre-pandemic), and from January 1 to December 31, 2022 (post-pandemic). We evaluated patients' clinical impairment, length of stay, and mortality before and after the pandemic. We identified 494 hospitalizations for nonalcohol-related cirrhosis and 310 for alcohol-related cirrhosis. As key findings, hospitalizations for nonalcohol-related cirrhosis decreased (69% vs. 48%; p < .0001), while hospitalizations for alcohol-related cirrhosis increased (31% vs. 52%; p < .0001), in the post-pandemic period. Additionally, there was a significant rise in decompensated patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis post-COVID (77% vs. 65%; p = .0216). Mortality risk increased for both nonalcohol- (11% vs. 18.5%; p = .0176) and alcohol-related cirrhosis (7.7% vs. 18%; p = .0059) in the post-pandemic era. The increase in hospitalizations for alcohol-related cirrhosis is alarming and likely to have a prolonged impact on the natural history of liver diseases. There is an urgent need to reduce alcohol consumption at the population level. Continued awareness and personalized follow-up are essential for guaranteeing the standard of care during health emergencies
Music Hospital: An acceptability study of music therapy activities in a psychiatric ward through listening and analysis of author tunes
No full text: A study was conducted on the acceptability of a music therapy intervention in a group context, in a psychiatric ward where people with acute psychopathological conditions are hospitalized. The objectives of the intervention are both therapeutic (stress reduction) and informative-descriptive, on topics ranging from stress management, to the first signs of crisis and drugs. For this purpose, musical stimuli provided by the presentation, listening and analysis of author's pieces were used, through the diffusion of pleasant sounds at moderate rhythm and volume among patients and operators. Acceptability was assessed through a satisfaction questionnaire. The responses to the questionnaire were very positive, confirming the narrative observations of the operators who found favorable ways of interacting with the patients with whom they shared the activity in all its contents. Participation in the music therapy intervention in a group context led users to an improvement in their stress management skills and to a more positive adaptation to the condition of hospitalization
Do Fiscal Incentives Boost Energy Transition and Energy Efficiency? The Case of Italian Bonuses (and Superbonuses)
No full textThis paper aims to contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding the efficacy of fiscal incentives in enhancing efficiency and boosting the energy transition. Using a PVAR model in Italian regions, the study examines the concurrent impact of fiscal incentives, energy consumption, and energy transition. The evidences revealed by the econometric method are in depth analysed through a non-hierarchical fuzzy clustering method. Results confirm the effectiveness of the incentives to improve energy efficiency. They are useful for government focused to foster a low-carbon-oriented and grid-friendly adoption in the energy transition context but are attractive mainly for high-income households already determined to perform more energy-saving renovations to meet their high housing costs
New phylogeographic insights for the Saurodactylus brosseti species complex: Range extensions and additional contact zones among evolutionary lineages
No full textMorocco is a major biodiversity hotspot for reptiles in the Western Palearctic, yet it remains underexplored due to the remoteness and difficult access to some regions within the country. Several studies have revealed high genetic diversity and cryptic species complexes. Five evolutionary lineages of lizard-fingered geckos have been identified within the Saurodactylus brosseti species complex, later classified as separate species. In this study, we sequenced two mitochondrial markers (12S and ND4) of geckos from 14 new localities to better characterise their distribution and identify putative contact zones in the Anti-Atlas and Drâa Valley regions. Phylogeographic results extend the western range limit of S. slimanii and S. splendidus by ∼150 km and ∼110 km respectively and pinpoint two potential contact zones between these species and S. brosseti and S. harrisii. These findings will guide evolutionary studies on speciation and hybridization within this species complex
Standardized Nursing Terminologies and Electronic Health Records: A Secondary Analysis of a Systematic Review
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Standardized nursing terminologies (SNTs) have been associated with improved patient and organizational outcomes. This secondary analysis aims to examine how structured nursing assessment data and documentation are integrated into electronic health records (EHRs) in studies that report on the impact of American Nurses Association–recognized SNTs. Methods: Data were extracted from all 53 primary studies included in a previously published systematic review. The original literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and OpenGrey. Extracted data focused on nursing assessment tools, use of EHRs, inter-rater reliability, and methodological characteristics. Results: Gordon’s Eleven Functional Health Patterns was the most frequently used nursing assessment framework, often in combination with NANDA-I diagnoses. However, details regarding assessment tools and their application in EHRs were inconsistently reported. Only about one-third of the studies explicitly indicated the use of EHRs, though an upward trend in their use has been observed over the last decade. Inter-rater reliability was reported in a limited number of studies, with considerable variation. An overall increasing trend in the use of nursing assessment data in electronic health records was observed over the past decade. Conclusions: The integration of SNTs with structured assessment frameworks into EHRs is increasing but remains inconsistently reported. Standardized documentation practices could strengthen nursing visibility, support quality improvement, and enhance outcome measurement in both clinical and research contexts
An Evaluation of Postural Balance in Single-leg and Double-leg Conditions in Patients with Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Healthy Controls
Full text linkPurpose: Following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) and rehabilitation, individuals undergo a series of evaluations to ensure a safe return to sports participation. The high re-injury rates that have persisted following ACL-R indicate that the current assessments may not be able to accurately identify persistent deficits. This investigation was designed to evaluate the balance control of ACL-R individuals and healthy controls in different task conditions (single and double legs). Methods: The study involved twenty-seven participants: 13 ACL-R (age: 24.46 +/- 2.73 years; height: 1.78 +/- .09 m; body mass: 77.00 +/- 10.35 kg; BMI: 24.10 +/- 2.19 kg/m2) and 14 healthy controls (age: 25.36 +/- 3.37 years; height: 1.77 +/- .06 m; body mass: 77.93 +/- 14.65 kg and BMI: 24.84 +/- 4.07 kg/m2). The postural balance was assessed by measuring the center of pressure (CoP) displacement in the medio-lateral and anterior-posterior directions under various conditions, including static and dynamic, open and closed eyes, and single-leg and double-leg support. To quantify the activity of the lower limb muscles (vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and lateral gastrocnemius), the sEMG activity was recorded synchronously with the CoP in the various tasks. Results: There were no differences observed between the limbs of either group (P > .05). In comparison to the control group, the ACL-R exhibited a significantly higher CoP displacement (medio-lateral) in the double-leg dynamic condition (P < .05). In contrast, the two groups did not show any significant differences in CoP in the single-leg condition (P > .05). sEMG analysis revealed significantly higher tibialis anterior activity in the ACL-R group than the control group during dynamic double-leg balance (P < .05). Conclusions: In contrast to healthy controls, individuals who underwent ACL-R appeared to exhibit a persistent postural balance deficit, particularly in dynamic double-leg conditions. The tibialis anterior of both legs exhibited abnormal neuromuscular activation patterns, which characterized these alterations. Therefore, the comparison of operated and non-operated limbs in the assessment of postural balance may not be a reliable criterion for determining the alterations and, ultimately, the safe return to sports play of individuals with ACL-R
