IRIS Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
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Modeling in Jjodel: towards bridging complexity and usability in model-driven engineering
Get PDFJjodel is a cloud-based reflective platform designed to address the challenges of Model-Driven Engineering (MDE), particularly the cognitive complexity and usability barriers often encountered in existing model-driven tools. This article presents the motivation and requirements behind the design of Jjodel and demonstrates how it satisfies these through its key features. By offering a low-code environment with modular viewpoints for syntax, validation, and semantics, Jjodel empowers language designers to define and refine domain-specific languages (DSLs) with ease. Its innovative capabilities, such as live co-evolution support, and syntax customization, ensure adaptability for academic and industrial contexts. A practical case study of an algebraic expression language highlights the ability of Jjodel to manage positional semantics and event-driven workflows, illustrating its effectiveness in simplifying complex modeling scenarios. Built on modern front-end technologies, Jjodel aims to operationalize concepts from MDE research into a usable platform that supports a range of modeling tasks
Moderate–high efficacy disease-modifying therapies reduce relapse risk in late-onset multiple sclerosis
No full textIntroduction Late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS) now comprises over 10% of MS diagnoses in contemporary cohorts. The effectiveness of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in LOMS is unclear. We aimed to establish the comparative effectiveness of moderate-high-efficacy versus low-efficacy DMTs in LOMS. Methods Using data from the MSBase registry, this multicentre cohort study included people with MS with symptom onset after age 50. Covariates were balanced using inverse-probability-treatment-weighting (IPTW). Primary outcomes were time to first relapse and annualised relapse rate (ARR). Secondary outcomes were 6-month confirmed disability progression (CDP), confirmed disability improvement (CDI), relapse-associated worsening (RAW) and progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA). Results Of 1032 participants, 472 received moderate-high-efficacy DMTs and 560 received low-efficacy DMTs. IPTW-weighted ARR was 0.06 for moderate-high-efficacy and 0.09 for low-efficacy DMTs, corresponding to an ARR ratio of 0.68 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.93, p=0.01). HR for time to first relapse was 0.66 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.91, p=0.01) in favour of moderate-high-efficacy DMTs. Among 856 participants with adequate follow-up, 37% experienced CDP over a median of 4.43 years, with most events (83.6%) attributable to PIRA. The HR for time to CDP was 0.78 (p=0.08) and RAW was 0.69 (p=0.31) in favour of moderate-high-efficacy DMTs, though neither reached statistical significance. There was no difference in CDI or PIRA. Conclusion Moderate-high-efficacy DMTs reduced relapse risk in LOMS. Relapse activity was low. CDP was common and driven by PIRA. Although the CDP and RAW results did not reach statistical significance, the overall findings support the initial use of moderate-high-efficacy DMTs in LOMS
Colle Noce e il territorio di Segni: la prima fase del santuario e gli altri luoghi del sacro
No full textTra genere ed ecologia: approcci eco-femministi nelle narrazioni a fumetti per l’infanzia
No full textHydroseismograms from pressure devices in deep borehole within the Gran Sasso aquifer (central Italy) in earthquake hydrogeology studies
No full textThis study explores, for the case study of the Gran Sasso Aquifer (GSA), the potential of high-frequency
pore pressure monitoring (hydroseismograms) for enhancing the understanding of earthquake physics. This
research has been developed within the Euratom funded ArtEmis Project and the HPC, Big Data and Quantum
Computing - PNRR Project, funded by the European Union - Next Generation EU. Hydroseismograms,
derived from a hydraulic pressure device (HPD) within deep, horizontal wells intersecting a major fault
system inside the GSA, are compared with seismic data from the proximate seismic station, named GIGS,
to gauge the HPD’s earthquake detection capabilities. This distinctive setup, coupled with the HPD’s 20 Hz
data acquisition, provides a sensitive means for tracking both seismic events and pore pressure variations.
The GSA’s fractured-karst geology and its placement within a seismically active zone in Italy, alongside the
Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) underground lab (UL), establish an optimal setting for examining
interactions between deep, saturated aquifers and earthquakes.
Based on monitoring data from May 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023 (continuous), the primary objectives
were:
• Evaluating our HPD’s performance in seismic detection and monitoring,
• Comparing the HPD’s sensitivity against the GIGS seismic station,
• Comparing the HPD’s sensitivity to comparable instruments in existing literature,
• To elucidate the different behavior of our HPD relative to analogous devices used by other researchers.
Here, HPD sensitivity is evaluated against the GIGS station. Therefore, sensitivity is here intended as
conditional probability that a seismic event is detected by the HPD, given that it has already been detected
by the GIGS. A statistical inferential method was employed, comparing HPD-detected events with GIGSrecorded
events (1068) across varying magnitudes and distances. Key findings (Isaya et al., 2025):
• Mainly for far events, the identified detection threshold notably surpasses the “hard” detection limit for
typical aquifers reported by Montgomery & Manga (2003), below which they observed no detections in a
large dataset.
• It appears more effective than similar pore pressure sensors, even for deep events, although this analysis
focused on far events due to a scarcity of near, deep earthquakes.
• Overall, our HPD exhibits substantially different sensitivity characteristics compared to analogous
instruments documented in the literature.
These findings warrant further research into the not yet fully understood physics of hydraulic response to
seismic events. This work highlights the potential of HPDs installed in deep boreholes for seismic monitoring
and understanding the complex interplay between hydrological processes and seismic activity. Ongoing HPD
monitoring will further investigat
Mechanical in-silico modeling of orthodontic tooth movement: A review of the boundary value problem
Get PDFOrthodontic tooth movement allows clinicians to modify tooth position and functionality using a mechanical stimulus, which makes reliable mechanical models highly beneficial for predictive tasks and virtual parameter studies. Several individual advancements over the last few decades have identified challenges within this system of multiple constituents. This work aims at providing a thorough review from the mechanical perspective. It specifically reviews and discusses the mechanical boundary value problem in terms of geometry, loads, and material behavior. Characteristic values of the involved loads and material models are summarized. Clinical key features of the treatment process then highlight the link between the mechanical and the clinical perspective, underlining the relevance of variability in patients and treatment. Future perspectives can be guided by practical assessment of model sensitivity, data uncertainty, and the coupling to non-mechanical fields
Data processing methods for thermographic NDT with localised cryogenic cooling
No full textInfrared thermographic non-destructive testing (NDT) is an effective technique for detecting defects in composite materials, particularly when paired with active thermal stimulation. This study investigates the use of localised cryogenic cooling as an alternative stimulation source in infrared thermographic NDT of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. A low-cost handheld cryosurgical device (Histofreezer) was used to deliver precise, repeatable cooling, generating distinct thermal gradients recorded by a micro-bolometric camera. While localised cooling offers unique advantages, its strong non-uniformity complicates data processing and interpretation. This work focuses on identifying effective techniques for defect detection under such conditions. Experiments on carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) specimens impacted at ambient and cryogenic temperatures used contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) as the performance metric. Wavelet transforms and polynomial background subtraction proved most effective in isolating defect signals; the former excelled when defect and cooling signals overlapped, while the latter worked best when cooling occurred away from defects. Combining polynomial background subtraction with principal component analysis (PCA) further improved contrast and segmentation quality. Localised cooling demonstrates strong potential as a precise, controllable, and low-cost stimulation method for thermographic NDT, supporting the development of portable and operator-safe field inspection systems
Cross-Sectional Study of Atypical Swallowing and Occlusal Characteristics in 6–16-Year-Old Patients Presenting for Orthodontic Care
Get PDFIntroduction: Malocclusion and dysfunctional or atypical swallowing are two conditions that significantly affect the health and well-being of the stomatognathic system, so much so that they often interact, influencing each other, and the presence of one can cause the onset or aggravation of the other. In this regard, over the years studies have been carried out that tried to discover the correlation between atypical swallowing and malocclusion. The aim is to evaluate the prevalence of dysfunctional swallowing in patients with malocclusion, to examine the pathophysiological mechanisms linking malocclusion and dysfunctional swallowing, and above all to investigate what potential risk factors may be. Materials and Methods: A sample of 60 patients aged between 6 and 16 years was analyzed at the Department of Dentistry of the University of L'Aquila. Some characteristics of the subjects' face and posture were analyzed both from a frontal and lateral point of view. An orthodontic, temporomandibular joint, and masticatory muscle diagnosis was made. In addition, an examination of oral structures and functions was performed that allowed breathing, swallowing, chewing, and phono-articulation to be assessed. Results: It was observed that all the children had atypical swallowing, with significant postural abnormalities of the tongue; in fact, only 5% had a correct posture of the tongue at rest. In the analysis of occlusal characteristics, it emerged that with regard to the transverse plane, 21.67% of subjects have a condition of No Cross, while 10% show a Unilateral Cross. Finally, 68.33% show a Bilateral Cross. As far as the anterior-posterior plane is concerned, most of the subjects, equal to 76.67%, are placed in Class I, while 23.33% are in Class II. Finally, in relation to the vertical plane, 63.33% of subjects have normal occlusion, while 25% suffer from deep bite and 11.67% from open bite. The sample, stratified by presence or absence of alerts, shows significant differences for atypical swallowing (p = 0.031), for the presence of Class II malocclusion (p = 0.002), for low lingual posture, (p < 0.001), and for labial incompetence (p = 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the presence of atypical swallowing (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.04-1.07, p = 0.029), open bite malocclusion (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.18, p = 0.013), low lingual posture (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.18, p = 0.002), and the presence of labial incompetence (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.10, p = 0.029) were significant clinical risk factors independently associated with the presence of alerts. Conclusions: The data collected confirm that atypical swallowing is a key element in the development of malocclusions, with a strong impact on posterior crossbite, anterior overjet, and other occlusal discrepancies. Among the data collected in the diagnostic phase, patients who presented at least one significant alert were also considered and atypical swallowing, low lingual posture, open bite malocclusion, and the presence of labial incompetence were statistically significant
Harmonized magnetic resonance imaging protocols for multiple sclerosis: HARMONY-MS, a pilot project
No full textIntroduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is central to multiple sclerosis (MS) management, yet practice often diverges from guidelines. Large-scale evaluations of harmonized referral and acquisition protocols remain limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study including all central nervous system (CNS) MRI examinations requested by MS centers within the AUSL Romagna healthcare system (Italy; catchment population ~ 1.3 million) between January 2023 and June 2025. MRI volumes were assessed using Poisson regression and interrupted time-series (ITS) models. Scanner time and gadolinium expenditure were analyzed with Gamma regression. Clinical outcomes included annualized relapse rate (ARR; Poisson regression), MRI inflammatory activity (McNemar’s test, Wilcoxon test), and NEDA-3 (McNemar’s test). Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) distributions were compared using χ2 tests, and time to initiation of high-efficacy therapy (HET) was assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis, log-rank test, and Cox proportional-hazards regression. Results: Among 143,592 MRI examinations, 2734 were MS-related. Contrast-enhanced MRI decreased by > 90% in Jan–Jun 2025 vs Jan–Jun 2023 (IRR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04–0.12, p < 0.0001). Combined brain + whole spinal gadolinium studies similarly declined by > 90% (IRR 0.08, 95% CI 0.06–0.11, p < 0.0001). Total MRI volume decreased by 86% (IRR 0.14, 95% CI 0.12–0.16, p < 0.0001). Interrupted time-series confirmed significant post-intervention slopes for contrast-enhanced MRI (–4.4 exams/month, p = 0.021) and total MRI examinations (–16 exams/month, p < 0.001). Total time per semester declined from 274 to 29 h, while total gadolinium expenditure per semester declined from €15 730 to €1 678. ARR decreased from 0.048 to 0.018 (IRR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21–0.66, p < 0.001). MRI inflammatory activity remained stable (13.8% vs 13.6%; McNemar χ2 = 0.005, p = 0.90; Wilcoxon V = 14,634, p = 0.50), while NEDA-3 increased from 57.4% to 70.1% (McNemar χ2 = 35, p < 0.0001). Among newly diagnosed patients, first-line high-efficacy DMT use rose from 47.7% to 75.4% (χ2 = 5.5168, p = 0.0188), with shorter time to initiation (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.09–3.08, p = 0.022). Conclusions: HARMONY-MS is the first large-scale program to show reduction in contrast use, unnecessary imaging, and costs, while improving scanner efficiency. These findings provide a scalable model for guideline-concordant MS imaging, compatible with stable clinical outcomes and supporting a shift toward earlier and more frequent use of high-efficacy DMTs