IRIS Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
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Teamwork makes the dream work: LLMs-Based Agents for GitHub README.MD Summarization
Get PDFThe proliferation of Large Language Models (LLMs) in recent years has realized many applications in various domains. Being trained with a huge of amount of data coming from various sources, LLMs can be deployed to solve different tasks, including those in Software Engineering (SE). Though they have been widely adopted, the potential of using LLMs cooperatively has not been thoroughly investigated. In this paper, we proposed Metagente as a novel approach to amplify the synergy of various LLMs. Metagente is a Multi-Agent framework based on a series of LLMs to self-optimize the system through evaluation, feedback, and cooperation among specialized agents. Such a framework creates an environment where multiple agents iteratively refine and optimize prompts from various perspectives. The results of these explorations are then reviewed and aggregated by a teacher agent. To study its performance, we evaluated Metagente with an SE task, i.e., summarization of README.MD files, and compared it with three well-established baselines, i.e., GitSum, LLaMA-2, and GPT-4o. The results show that our proposed approach works efficiently and effectively, consuming a small amount of data for fine-tuning but still getting a high accuracy, thus substantially outperforming the baselines. The performance gain compared to GitSum, the most relevant benchmark, ranges from 27.63% to 60.43%. More importantly, compared to using only one LLM, Metagente boots up the accuracy to multiple folds
Hybrid Cross-Laminated Timber Building Case Study Dynamic Identification Under Forced Vibration Tests
No full textTimber structures have experienced its revival as a viable structural solution lately, especially thanks to its relatively modern engineered version, i.e. the cross-laminated timber (CLT). Nevertheless, timber constructions are still lightweight and, therefore, inherently prone to experiencing vibration issue phenomena. This challenge motivated research trends within this field lately, in particular, to characterize the dynamical characteristics of hybrid structural solutions. This study presents preliminary findings from the dynamic analysis of a hybrid timber-concrete building case study. The research employs operational modal analysis (OMA) using output-only techniques for ambient vibration recordings and Hilbert Huang transforms (HHT) for forced vibration tests performed during construction stages. Finally, the results of a preliminary finite element model (FEM) updating procedure have been discussed. The current findings evidenced that greater research efforts should be demanded in the next years to better understand the vibration coupling phenomena in these hybrid structural typologies
Psoriasis and cancer: the role of inflammation, immunosuppression, and cancer treatment
Get PDFIntroduction: The relationship between psoriasis, immunomodulatory therapies, and the risk of malignancies is complex and still debated. The scarcity of evidence in this field makes clinicians hesitate to prescribe biological therapies for ‘difficult-to-treat’ patients. Areas covered: Based on a comprehensive MEDLINE/PUBMED search of articles published up to November 2024, this review synthesizes the current evidence on the association between psoriasis and cancer. This review specifically addresses four key aspects: the overall cancer risk in psoriatic patients, the potential role of cytokines involved in psoriasis pathogenesis in tumor development, the association between biological therapies and the incidence of new malignancies in this population, and the risk of cancer recurrence or progression in patients with a history of malignancy who are treated with biologics. Expert opinion: Biological therapies do not significantly elevate malignancy risk compared to non-biological treatments or the general population. Evidence is also reassuring for patients with prior malignancy, showing no tumor progression or recurrence. These findings support the timely use of biological treatments in ‘difficult-to-treat’ patients. Regular cancer screenings and risk-factor minimization should always be recommended for psoriatic patients undergoing immunomodulatory therapies. Multidisciplinary management involving oncologists is suggested, particularly for patients with active and advanced oncological disease
3D seismostratigraphic fine-scale subsoil model of L'Aquila (central Italy) for evaluating the local seismic effects
No full textFor L‘Aquila, a regional administrative town, which was strongly affected by the well-known April 6, 2009
Mw 6.3 near-source earthquake (Chiarabba et al., 2009), we propose a detailed database integrating geological,
geophysical, geotechnical, and borehole data. It serves as input for setting up the detailed 3D seismostratigraphic
subsoil model for evaluating the local seismic effects of L’Aquila about 60 km2-wide area. The database was
constructed with QGIS (ver. 3.36) software and a first version of the 3D geological-geophysical model by
using Petrel software by SchlumbergerTM, where a data-supported minimum convergent interpolation method
was applied (Livani et al., 2022).
More than 1300 shallow boreholes, about 50 deep boreholes, several seismic reflection profiles and
gravimetric maps were loaded to create a complete database constraining the geo-lithological characteristics
of the studied area. To delimit the outcropping boundaries between the different Plio-Quaternary alluvial-slope
units and the Meso-Cenozoic top-bedrock surface, we utilized the map by Nocentini et al. (2017). Moreover,
we reorganized the various geological formations reported by Nocentini et al. (2017) into seven classes to
perform a classification based on the geophysical properties (Macerola et al., 2019). The approach presented in
this study integrates various analyses, enabling the construction at fine scale of a realistic 3D subsoil model on
the best available data. The novel feature for L’Aquila area is not merely the result of interpolation but is based
on data-supported reconstruction
Convergences for a virus-like evolving population driven by mutually-exciting Hawkes processes
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Incremental seismic retrofitting of infill walls using plastic joints and fiber-reinforced mortars: LCA, analytical modeling and size effect assessment
No full textIn high-seismicity areas, the behavior of non-structural components like double-layer infill walls is critical to building safety and post-earthquake functionality. This study introduces an incremental seismic retrofitting strategy that combines plastic dissipative joints and fiber-reinforced mortars (FRMs) to restore and enhance wall performance after significant in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OoP) damage. Plastic joints preserve panel integrity through controlled sliding and crack mitigation, while FRMs recover safety levels without requiring the removal of damaged infill. The incremental approach consists of a sequential intervention strategy carried out in distinct stages: i) plastic joints for damage prevention under moderate-to-high seismic events, and ii) FRMs for post-event reinforcement when damage exceeds the effectiveness of joints. This approach allows performance-based upgrades with reduced demolition, cost, and environmental impact. Experimental results are supported by analytical models and a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Incremental Retrofitting Technique (IRT). Experimental results highlighted an out-of-plane size effect, with the flexural strength of fiber-reinforced mortar layers decreasing markedly when applied to full-scale masonry elements compared to standard laboratory prisms. To account for this behavior, an empirical bivariate fitting was performed, introducing two dimensionless parameters to represent the effect of structural scale and partial section utilization. The fitting expression enables a rational estimate of the nominal flexural strength in full-scale structures. Key findings indicate a full recovery of IP strength (C/NC = 1.13), a 50 % improvement in OoP capacity, and significant environmental and economic benefits of IRT over reconstruction, with savings up to 61 % in LCA indicators. The proposed size-effect model accurately predicts flexural behavior, with a deviation of only 4 % from experimental results
The impact of pollution on mental health: A narrative review
Get PDFBackground and Aim: Pollution is increasingly recognized as a major global health determinant, with growing evidence linking environmental contaminants to neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite extensive re-search, the impact of pollution on mental health remains underexplored, particularly regarding the neurobio-logical and psychosocial pathways involved. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on how environmental pollutants, chemical, physical, and psychosocial, affect the central nervous system and con-tribute to psychiatric morbidity. Methods: A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Embase, focusing on studies from 2000 to 2024. Keywords included “pollution,” “psychiatric disorders,” “neurotoxicity,” and “psychological distress.” Peer-reviewed articles reporting on epidemiological, mechanis-tic, and neurobiological findings were included. Studies focusing solely on general environmental exposure without neuropsychiatric relevance were excluded. Results: Findings demonstrate that air pollutants such as PM2.5, NO2, heavy metals, and persistent organic compounds contribute to cognitive impairment, depres-sion, anxiety, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Mechanisms include oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, mitochondrial dysfunction, endocrine dysregulation, and epigenetic changes. Psychosocial stressors linked to urban environments, media saturation, and perceived environmental degradation further exacerbate mental health outcomes. Syndromes like sick building syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and solastalgia emerge as stress-related manifestations. This narrative review critically examines the methodological limitations and evidence strength of current studies, highlighting key gaps and future research directions. Conclusions: Pollution-induced neuropsychiatric effects are multifactorial, involving complex interactions between environmental, biological, and psychological fac-tors. A biopsychosocial framework is essential to understand these effects and to guide interdisciplinary pre-vention strategies. Addressing pollution as a mental health risk factor requires urgent public health action and integration of environmental policies with psychiatric care. (www.actabiomedica.it
Cryptic diversity on Apennine sky islands: evolutionary history of flea beetles of the Psylliodes springeri (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) species complex
Get PDFHigh-altitude environments on isolated mountain peaks harbor unique biodiversity, offering natural laboratories to study past climate change impacts on speciation. In Europe, the Italian Apennines stand out for their high insect endemism, including the micro-endemic flea beetles Psylliodes springeri Leonardi, 1975 and the more widely distributed P. biondii Leonardi, 1975, which shows a morphologically distinct population on the Maiella Massif. Using species delimitation methods, multispecies coalescent models, and a multilocus molecular approach, we identified key phylogenetic lineages and estimated the timing of cladogenetic events shaping this diversity. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of the springeri species complex, consistent with their morphological and ecological similarities. Large genetic distances and lineage sorting in both mitochondrial and nuclear gene trees distinguish the Maiella population as a separate lineage from P. biondii. Genetic differentiation between these 2 lineages matches the interspecific distance observed between P. biondii and P. springeri. Molecular dating places their divergence in a short time frame during the Early Pleistocene, approximately 2 million years ago, likely driven by glacial–interglacial cycles, which isolated populations and triggered divergence. While P. springeri and the Maiella lineage remained confined to their respective single massifs, P. biondii exhibited a broader distribution, suggesting distinct ecological responses to climate fluctuations. This study underscores how climate-driven isolation has fueled rapid speciation in the Sky Island beetles of the central Apennines, shedding light on the evolutionary history of the largely unexplored biodiversity of high-altitude southern European ecosystems. Future studies may offer further insight into the evolutionary and taxonomic status of the Maiella lineage