IRIS Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
Not a member yet
68355 research outputs found
Sort by
Multi-scale signal-to-noise driven fusion of post-processing sequences for enhanced defect detectability in active infrared thermography
Get PDFActive infrared thermography has emerged as a crucial tool in non-destructive testing, providing real-time visual representations of thermal patterns on material surfaces. However, detecting and analyzing defects can be challenging due to noise interference, the lack of standardization in post-processing techniques, complexity in data analysis, variability in defect visibility across frames, and the influence of environmental factors. To address these limitations, this study proposes a novel approach that enhances defect detectability by fusing multiple sequences derived from various post-processing methods into single, interpretable images. The proposed approach employs a multi-scale signal-to-noise ratio metric to accurately identify regions of interest and determine the optimal time at which defect detectability is maximized. Validation with two composite specimens featuring diverse defect characteristics demonstrates the capability of the method to simplify analysis and reliably improve detection performance. Compared with wavelet-based image fusion, the proposed approach achieves superior defect visibility and clarity, demonstrating a significant advancement in the effectiveness and reliability of thermographic inspections
I Cammini degli altipiani: valorizzazione del Cratere del sisma del 2009
No full textDopo gli eventi sismici del 2009 che hanno colpito il territorio della città dell'Aquila e le aree circostanti, è stata avviata un'intensa attività di ricostruzione da parte di due Uffici Speciali per la Ricostruzione. Entrambi sono stati istituiti con la Legge n.134/2012, che ha anche messo fine allo stato di emergenza. Nello specifico, l'Ufficio Speciale per la Ricostruzione dell'Aquila (USRA), opera sull'area comunale dell'Aquila, mentre l'altro, l'Ufficio Speciale per la Ricostruzione dei Comuni del Cratere (USRC), si occupa della ricostruzione per 56 Comuni del Cratere ed oltre 100 comuni esterni ad esso. Il presente lavoro descrive parte delle attività che si stanno sviluppando nell’ambito del progetto "Cammini degli altipiani" proposto dai Sindaci dei Comuni interessati e in attuazione da parte dell’USRC. Tale progetto mira a valorizzare il patrimonio storico-architettonico e paesaggistico attraverso il consolidamento dei cammini culturali, tematici e storici, e allo stesso tempo, a costruire un’identità territoriale distinta e riconoscibile. L’approccio turistico proposto nel progetto vuole distaccarsi dal concetto di turismo di massa e concentrarsi su una fruizione più lenta e approfondita del territorio. Inoltre, ancor prima del terremoto, queste aree erano soggette a fenomeni di marginalizzazione e di spopolamento delle aree interne. Di conseguenza, la realizzazione dei cammini ambisce ad aumentare i flussi turistici legati al cicloturismo, all’escursionismo destagionalizzato e al turismo religioso ed esperienziale che a loro volta potrebbero contribuire al rilancio del tessuto economico locale
The Catalyzing Effect of Aggregates on the Fibrillation Pathway of Human Insulin: A Spectroscopic Investigation During the Lag Phase
Get PDFThe kinetics of insulin aggregation and fibril formation were studied in vitro using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Our investigation centered on the protein’s morphological and structural changes to better understand the transient molecular configurations that occur during the lag phase. SEM images showed that, already at early incubation stages, a network of disordered pseudo-filaments, ranging in length between 200 and 500 nanometers, develops on the surface of large aggregates. At later stages, fibrils catalyzed by protein aggregates were observed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the FTIR data identified signatures of intramolecular β-sheet secondary structures forming during the lag phase and at the onset of the exponential growth phase. These absorption bands are linked to secondary nucleation mechanisms due to their transient nature. This interpretation is further supported by a chemical equilibrium model, which yielded a reliable secondary nucleation rate constant, K2, on the order of 104 M−2 s−1
H-compactness for nonlocal linear operators in fractional divergence form
Get PDFWe study the H-convergence of nonlocal linear operators in fractional divergence form, where the oscillations of the matrices are prescribed outside the reference domain. Our compactness argument bypasses the failure of the classical localisation techniques that mismatch with the nonlocal nature of the operators involved. If symmetry is also assumed, we extend the equivalence between the H-convergence of the operators and the Γ-convergence of the associated energies
VirtuOR: A Multidisciplinary Project for Designing and Setting Immersive Virtual Environments for Intraoperative Pain Management
Get PDFAssessing genetic and genomic literacy concepts among Albanian nursing and midwifery students: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFPurpose: This study aimed to adapt and validate the Albanian version of the Genomic Nursing Concept Inventory and to assess the level of genomic literacy among nursing and midwifery students. Methods: Data were collected via a monocentric online cross-sectional study using the Albanian version of the Genomic Nursing Concept Inventory. Participants included first-, second-, and third-year nursing and midwifery students. Demographic data such as age, sex, year level, and prior exposure to genetics were collected. The Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests were used to compare demographic characteristics and GNCI scores between groups. Results: Among the 715 participants, most were female (88.5%) with a median age of 19 years. Most respondents (65%) had not taken a genetics course, and 83.5% had not attended any related training. The mean score was 7.49, corresponding to a scale difficulty of 24.38% correct responses. Conclusion: The findings reveal a low foundational knowledge of genetics/genomics among future nurses and midwives. It is essential to enhance learning strategies and update curricula to prepare a competent healthcare workforce in precision health
Interpretazione dell’ECG potenziata dall’intelligenza artificiale: una nuova era per l’elettrocardiografia?
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) is redefining ECG interpretation, transforming it from a static diagnostic tool into a dynamic, predictive, and integrative instrument. Although widespread, traditional rule-based ECG analysis has limitations in accuracy and adaptability, especially in complex clinical settings. In contrast, AI-driven models, particularly those employing machine learning and deep learning architectures, have demonstrat-ed improved diagnostic performance across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease. Notably, AI-ECG is now able to detect subclinical ventricular dysfunction, stratify long-term risk, and anticipate major adverse events before overt clinical manifestations occur. In addition to diagnosis, AI-ECG is emerging as a decision support tool in scenarios characterized by diagnostic uncertainty, such as syncope and cardio-on-cology, and may significantly optimize triage and resource allocation. Multiparametric approaches further extend its utility, enabling simultaneous prediction of structural, functional, and electrical cardiac parame-ters. Wearable devices integrated with AI improve continuous monitoring and may decentralize arrhythmia detection and sudden cardiac death prevention. Despite these advances, critical challenges remain. Poorly explainable AI models, algorithmic bias, overfitting, data governance, and regulatory uncertainty demand rigorous methodological scrutiny. In this framework, federated learning architectures may enable continuous multicenter model refinement and enhance methodological robustness while safeguarding data priva-cy. The European AI Act and methodological checklists promoted by scientific societies offer a framework to address these issues, fostering transparency, equity, and clinical validity. If validated and implemented responsibly, AI-enhanced ECG has the potential to enhance – not replace – clinical reasoning, advancing a precision medicine paradigm based on both technological innovation and human expertise
A Multiple Scales Approach to Analyze the Nonlinear Dynamics of the High-Temperature Superconducting Magnetic Levitation Train
Get PDFRegional Analysis of Avalanche Triggering Snowfall Durations in Central Italy
No full textAvalanche hazard in the Central Apennines (Italy) is usually assessed through quantitative tools specifically conceived for the Alpine climate. For instance, the avalanche release depth calculation relies on the prior estimation of the increase in snow depth over three consecutive days of snowfall. Physically, this means that in Alpine regions, triggering intense snowfalls are assumed to last 3 days. Despite such duration being identified as representative for Alpine regions, it is often selected by professionals to assess avalanche hazard in other sites. However, the existing literature does not back up the adequacy of such a practice for the Central Apennines. Hence, with the aim to test it for this area, a data-based regional analysis is proposed. The evaluation of a critical duration of snowfalls that fits the Central Apennines climate is performed analysing ERA5-Land snowfall data over a period of 73 years, from 1950 to 2023, calibrated with available observations from 1978 to 2023. By intersecting ERA5-Land grids with recorded and reconstructed avalanche paths in the Abruzzo Region (extracted from the Avalanche Record and the Map of Probabilistic Location of Avalanches made available by the Abruzzo Region), 101 nodes have been selected with 0.1° spatial resolution. This ensures that the explored nodes are solely relative to areas where avalanches are most likely to occur. It should be stressed that ERA5-Land data has been preferred to local observations as manual and automatic weather stations set up in the Central Apennines are located at lower altitudes compared to where avalanche release is likely to occur. Moreover, manually recorded data appears to be incomplete, especially during intense snowfall events. Lastly, to prioritise the effect of snow overload on triggering avalanche release, only snowfalls with an intensity above a given threshold have been considered, thus excluding spatially isolated events. The results are then used to define a critical duration at the regional scale. This work is of interest not only for professionals when defining initial and boundary conditions for simulating avalanche dynamics, drawing up hazard and risk maps, and designing active and/or passive defence structures, but also for the official bodies responsible for avalanche risk management in the Central Apennines
Impact of a 24-Week Workplace Physical Activity Program on Oxidative Stress Markers, Metabolic Health, and Physical Fitness: A Pilot Study in a Real-World Academic Setting
Get PDFBackground: Previous studies showed that workplace physical activity programs (WPAPs) could improve general health among employees. However, there is a lack of correlation between oxidative redox status and the metabolic and physical fitness (PF) of workers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the improvements of a 24-week combined circuit training and mobility training program on PF, oxidative redox status, and metabolic parameters on healthy academic employees. Methods: Twenty-six university employees (52.8 ± 11.5 years) followed a 24-week WPAP composed of two circuit training sessions and one mobility training session per week. PF components were assessed through one leg stand, shoulder/neck mobility, handgrip, dynamic sit-up, jump and reach, and 2-Minute step test (2MST). Oxidative stress and antioxidant potential were evaluated through derived-Reactive Oxygen Metabolites (d-ROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) tests, respectively. Metabolic measurements included total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose. All assessments were conducted at baseline and after 24 weeks. Results: D-ROM values increased significantly likely due to an acute adaptive response to exercise and a stable BAP/d-ROM ratio was maintained. At baseline, subjects with higher 2MST scores showed a better BAP/d-ROM ratio compared to those with lower 2MST scores, which was also associated with normal weight status (p < 0.05), healthy values of triglycerides (p < 0.01), and LDL-C (p < 0.01). Excluding statin-treated subjects, an intriguing shift toward a condition of enhanced antioxidant capacity was observed. Conclusions: Overall, the 24-week WPAP improved metabolic health and maintained redox balance, despite increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Statin supplementation may have hidden antioxidant adaptations to physical exercise, an intriguing observation that warrants further studies