IRIS Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
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Innovative Energy Retrofit Methodologies for the Existing Building Stock: an Integrated Approach
No full textToday one of the main barriers to the digital
transition of the built environment is the fragmentation of data
related to it and to the entire supply chain (technology
manufacturers, service providers, municipalities). Alongside
this, technological, process and regulatory gaps remain. The
main objective of this research is to promote the digital
transition of the public administration through the development
of digital platforms, with reference to public energy
infrastructures, to make digital infrastructures interoperable.
The research enabled the definition of processes and
methodologies for the energy efficiency of the existing building
stock, based on documentary, visual and non-destructive
surveys. The latter includes thermographic and thermoflowmetric
analysis, also supported by new technological
systems such as the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for the survey
campaign, as well as Building Information Modeling to support
information cataloguing and management.Today one of the main barriers to the digital transition of the built environment is the fragmentation of data related to it and to the entire supply chain (technology manufacturers, service providers, municipalities). Alongside this, technological, process and regulatory gaps remain. The main objective of this research is to promote the digital transition of the public administration through the development of digital platforms, with reference to public energy infrastructures, to make digital infrastructures interoperable. The research enabled the definition of processes and methodologies for the energy efficiency of the existing building stock, based on documentary, visual and non-destructive surveys. The latter includes thermographic and thermoflowmetric analysis, also supported by new technological systems such as the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for the survey campaign, as well as Building Information Modeling to support information cataloguing and management
Index Cancer Density Is a Stronger Predictor of Pelvic Lymph Node Invasion than Percentage of Biopsy-Positive Cores in EAU High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Clinical Impact in 254 Patients Treated and Staged with Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Get PDFObjectives: To evaluate the density percentage of biopsy-positive cores (BPCs) relative to prostate volume, defined as Id-BPC, compared with BPCs as a predictor of pelvic lymph node invasion (PLNI) in EAU high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) treated and staged with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Methods: Overall, 254 EAU high-risk patients were treated with RARP between January 2013 and December 2021. Results: Overall, PLNI was detected in 23.2% of patients who were more likely to present with standard adverse clinical features; likewise, on multivariate models, PLNI was independently predicted by both BPC and Id-BPC with the latter showing a stronger association (OR = 1.926; 95% CI: 1.246–2.977; p = 0.003) than the former (OR = 1.028; 95% CI: 1.014–1.042; p < 0.0001); moreover, when cancer density was categorized at Id-BPC ≥ 1.0 versus < 1.0, the prediction was even stronger (OR = 3.535; 95% CI: 1.551–8.054; p = 0.003). Conclusions: In the investigated population, Id-BPC was a stronger predictor of PLNI than BPC; accordingly, as Id-BPC increased, patients were more likely to have PLNI; equivalently, subjects presenting with Id-BPC less than one were 3.5 times less likely to have PLNI. This information has implications for clinical practice as well as for computing nomograms or patterns of artificial intelligence networks
Best Practices and Lessons from Academia-Industry Collaboration Initiatives
Get PDFDiversity and inclusion act as a backdrop for programs to help increase women in tech across industry. Throughout the chapter we outline some best practices to improve gender balance across university-industry partnerships, technological transfers, and governmental policies. We review the results gained from an open survey in which initiatives, programs, policies, and projects to advance gender balance in IT across sectors were submitted from countries across Europe. Recommendations, relationship with industry, interaction with governments, and leadership training for women are highlighted in the context of successful programs that highlight values in the context of mentorship, networking, leadership, and work-life balance. We also seek to extend these interventions to other genders, particularly third and non-gendered identities in the future
MODELLI STATISTICO-PSICOMETRICI NELLA REVISIONE E COSTRUZIONE DI STRUMENTI DI ASSESSMENT NEL DISTURBO DELLO SPETTRO DELL’AUTISMO: IMPLICAZIONI PER LA PRATICA CLINICA
Get PDFIn recent years, research has been focusing on identifying reliable and valid assessment and evaluation methods to increase knowledge and symptom characterization of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although there is well-established evidence of the need to develop valid and reliable instruments, with the introduction of measures there has also been the introduction of methodological problems and limited psychometric quality; for example, reviews of the literature report that only 7% of the studies reviewed included information on the psychometric properties of measures for ASD. Another aspect that should be taken into consideration when choosing instruments for use in clinical settings is the length and complexity of test administration. This thesis, therefore, aimed to highlight the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, such as the use of solid statistical and psychometric methodologies in the field of clinical psychology, particularly for ASD.This approach plays an important role when using tools for diagnosis or early identification of ASD-related symptoms. One example is the use of the Toddler Module of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), which is used to estimate a range of risk for ASD in children aged 12 to 30 months. At present, there is no evidence about diagnostic agreement of Toddler Module with the other Modules of the ADOS-2 with which the diagnosis is, instead, placed; moreover, studies investigating its use in clinical practice are limited. The use of statistical and psychometric methodologies also plays an important role in developing and revising test instruments to investigate the core features of the condition, such as the construct of Social Cognition (SC), that complex set of cognitive functions and processes that underlie the ability to understand and act appropriately within social situations.The introduction of SC measures, which are valid and provide normative values, within diagnostic assessments for ASD is crucial not only in terms of accuracy of diagnosis but also for the implementation of individualized treatments that take into account the specific developmental stage of the subject and the abilities to be enhanced. Based on these assumptions, four research studies have been conducted, in which statistical- psychometric methods are applied in the analysis, review, and development of diagnostic and SC measures. Specifically, we investigated the diagnostic agreement between two measures used in early diagnosis, namely the Toddler Module and Module 1 of ADOS-2; furthermore, through the use of psychometric networks, particularly using Exploratory graph analysis (EGA), we attempted to replicate the latent structure of the Toddler Module, with the aim to analyze the connection patterns between items, assessing the internal consistency of the Toddler Module, and identifying items that might not be in line with the general structure of the test.Through the application of EGA, we have, in addition, constructed and proposed a new, easy- to-administer nonverbal test, the Intentions Attribution Comic Strip Task.Psychometric properties and clinical validity were evaluated using the ROC curve, proving to be a valid test to be introduced in clinical settings, and in the assessment pathway for ASD, particularly for people with limited verbal abilities.With a view to use an interdisciplinary approach and to highlight the importance of integrating SC measures alongside the “gold standard” instruments in clinical practice, we reviewed three SC measures, Advanced-Theory of Mind, Emotion Attribution Task and Social Situation Test, according to the Item Response Theory model.The results have highlighted the importance and need for the use of statistical and psychometric methodologies in the field of clinical psychology, with the aim to develop solid psychometric tools, given the impact they can have on the individual in accurate clinical framing and in structuring personalized interventions
Innovative non-destructive thermographic evaluation of mechanical properties in dissimilar aluminium probeless friction stir spot welded (P-FSSW) joints
Get PDFThis study introduces a novel non-destructive methodology based on step-heating laser thermography technique to evaluate the mechanical strength of dissimilar aluminium joints produced through probeless friction stir spot welding (P-FSSW). The proposed approach enables the quantitative analysis of the thermo-mechanically stirred region, distinguishing two different morphologies (ductile and mixed) correlated with the joint’s ultimate mechanical strength. Eleven welded joints were analysed by using two of them used for calibration through thermographic tests, Chisel and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. At the same time, nine underwent tensile-shear tests were carried out to correlate thermographic parameters (A1, A2) with maximum force (Fmax).
Statistical analysis revealed that the ductile area (A2) is the most significant parameter, exhibiting a robust correlation with Fmax (r = 0.81). A simplified regression model based on A2 demonstrated high reliability (adjusted R2 = 0.60). This methodology provides a significant advancement in non-destructive quality control for P-FSSW joints, paving the way for its integration into industrial applications. The developed procedure offers a reliable, contactless, and scalable solution for real-time industrial inspection of P-FSSW joints, representing a significant alternative to conventional destructive testing methods
A Morphological Evaluation of the Antibiofilm Activity on an Implant Surface Using a New Electric Device: An In Vitro Study
Get PDFBackground: Peri-implantitis, the most prevalent cause of implant failure, is a multifaceted issue that is influenced by various factors that promote biofilm formation around the implant. Although various innovative methods for microbiological decontamination of dental implants exist, a universally accepted standard protocol has not yet been established. However, the potential of a device that generates an electric current (Ximplant®) in reducing the survival of microorganisms within the biofilm is a promising development. Methods: In this in vitro study, five dental implants, contaminated using a microbial culture from a sample of saliva of a patient suffering from peri-implantitis, were decontaminated using the Ximplant® peri-implantitis protocol. The experimental conditions included a simulated peri-implant site and a subsequent fluorescent assessment of the Live/Dead microbial population. Results: The qualitative and quantitative image analyses showed a predominant dead light signal on the treated sample, demonstrating the potential efficacy of applying the electrostatic field to the contaminated implant surface in reducing the viability of the microorganisms within the biofilm around dental implants. Conclusions: These findings could inspire a new era in peri-implantitis treatment
Rischio cardiovascolare nei pazienti affetti da malattie infiammatorie croniche: valutazione della relazione tra meccanismi immunologici, profilo metabolico e stile di vita
No full textCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most frequent cause of death worldwide and well established, traditional risk factors for CVD comprise age, sex, race, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidaemia, all of which are included in various prediction models. However, over the past 20 years several non-traditional risk factors, such as chronic inflammation, have emerged as amplifiers of CV risk. This notion opened a new scenario putting forward the hypothesis that individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases may display a higher CV risk that could not be explained in full by traditional CV risk factors. The majority of data regarding CV risk and CV diseases in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloartritis (SpA) are mainly derived from studies in patients with established disease while data in early phases are less. On this basis the aims of our study were: i. to assess the CV burden, in patients with RA and SpA at the time of disease diagnosis; ii. to explore the burden of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) in patients with RA and SpA at the time of disease diagnosis; iii. to identify possible associations between the CV scenario and disease specific variables. To achieve these aims, we designed a study including a retrospective part exploring the full RA e SpA cohort referring at our Center and a cross-sectional part assessing newly diagnosed patients. Our study demonstrated that while patients with RA seem to develop a cumulative CV burden from the disease onset and during the disease course, patients with SpA already display a consistent CV history with CV events occurring years before SpA diagnosis. Furthermore, we identified differences related to gender within the different diseases accounting for a different risk of CV events. Finally, by assessing arterial characteristics and function in patients at the time of SpA or RA diagnosis, it emerged that while arterial stiffness seems within the normal range, endothelial impairment is already present compared to normal individuals. In conclusion, CV risk assessment in patients with RA and SpA should be thoroughly performed from the time of disease diagnosis and using not only a clinical assessment but also investigational procedures to investigate arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis
Enhanced Recovery Independently Lowers Failure to Rescue After Colorectal Surgery
Get PDFBACKGROUND: High adherence to the enhanced recovery after surgery pathway reduces morbidity and mortality rates after elective colorectal surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of adherence to the enhanced recovery after surgery pathway on the failure to rescue rates after elective colorectal surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a prospective database. PATIENTS: Adults (≥ 18 years old) who underwent elective colorectal resection with anastomosis for benign and malignant disease. SETTINGS: Prospective enrolment in 78 centers in Italy from 2019 to 2021. INTERVENTIONS: All the outcomes were measured at 60 days after surgery. Several patient-, disease-, treatment-, hospital-, and complication-related variables were analyzed for the outcomes. After univariate analyses, independent predictors of the endpoints were identified through logistic regression analyses, presenting odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Failure to rescue after any adverse event, defined as the ratio between the number of deaths and the number of patients showing any adverse event; failure to rescue after any major adverse event, with the denominator represented by the number of patients showing any major adverse event. RESULTS: An adverse event was recorded in 2,321 out of 8,359 patients (27.8%), a major adverse event in 523 patients (6.3%), and death in 88 patients (1.0%). The failure to rescue rates were 3.8% after any adverse event and 16.8% after any major adverse event. Independent predictors of primary endpoints were identified among patient- (age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, nutritional status), treatment- (type of resection), and complication-related (anastomotic leakage, reoperation) variables. Enhanced recovery pathway adherence > 70% independently reduced failure to rescue rates. LIMITATIONS: Clustering from multicenter data, and unmeasured confounding from observational data. CONCLUSIONS: Following elective colorectal resection, adherence > 70% to the enhanced recovery pathway independently decreased failure to rescue rates, along with other patient- or treatment-related factors. See Video Abstract