ARUd’A (Università “G. d’Annunzio CHIETI -PESCARA)
Not a member yet
83198 research outputs found
Sort by
Navigating Emerging Challenges in the New Space Age: Planetary Defense, Space Sustain-ability and Global Governance
No full textThe 21st-century global order is being reshaped by a new space age, introducing significant challenges and opportunities.
Key issues include technological, environmental, and geopolitical concerns in outer space.
The chapter explores three main challenges: planetary defense, space sustainability, and global governance.
Planetary defense addresses both natural and human-made threats to Earth from space.
Effective global cooperation and governance are essential for managing the space sector responsibly
AI-Driven Surgical Tool Localization in Microsurgical Training Simulations
No full textPrecise localization of surgical instrument tips is essential for evaluating fine motor skills and enabling automation in microsurgical training. This study presents a deep learning framework based on keypoint heatmap regression to detect instrument tips in frames extracted from simulated surgical videos. A dataset of 1781 annotated frames from seven videos was used for evaluation. The framework was trained with different loss functions—root mean squared error (RMSE), weighted Kullback-Leibler divergence (WKLD), and Dice loss—and compared with direct coordinate regression and segmentation-based models. The RMSE-based model achieved the best performance (MAE = 7.54 pixels), while the WKLD-based model provided more stable predictions across thresholds for blank mask detection. Segmentation and direct regression models showed significantly higher errors. Statistical analyses confirmed the advantage of heatmap regression over baseline approaches. These results support the adoption of heatmap-based keypoint localization for robust tool tracking in simulated surgical environments and its integration into training systems for skill assessment
Excimer laser-assisted ex vivo model for eccentric keratoconus in human donor corneas
No full textPurpose
To develop a reproducible ex vivo model of eccentric keratoconus (KC) using a customized excimer laser ablation profile based on patient data, replicating the corneal morphology of ectatic disease.
Methods
Human donor corneas were re-profiled using customized excimer laser shot files, based on tomography data from KC patients. Two distinct ablation patterns were applied to the anterior surface to create decentered steepening, and the posterior surface to obtain stromal thinning at the protrusion site. Corneal curvature and structural modifications were evaluated using tomographic and aberrometric analyses with Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT).
Results
Laser surgical modeling produced a corneal profile consistent with typical KC morphology. Corneal thickness was significantly reduced, with a mean difference of 31.5 μm (p = 0.006), while anterior steepening was confirmed by an increase in Kmax from 50.252 to 58.023 D (p = 0.002). AvgK increased significantly, with a mean difference of 1.764 D (p < 0.001). Symmetry Index FRONT (SIF) rose significantly, from −0.257 to 3.759 D (p < 0.001), while corneal asphericity (Q-value) decreased from −0.752 to −1.337 (p = 0.06). Both ΔZFMax and ΔZBMax exhibited highly significant increases (p < 0.001). Significant increases were observed in higher-order aberrations (RMS) (p = 0.037) and coma (p < 0.001). Corneal analysis software classified the re-profiled corneas as KC.
Conclusion
This study introduced a novel ex vivo model of eccentric KC, using customized shot files for stromal reshaping through excimer laser ablation. By replicating the topographical and pachymetric features of keratoconic eyes, this model provides a reliable platform for exploring stromal augmentation techniques and reshaping effects, including customized lenticule implantation
Additive manufacturing of a transtibial prosthetic socket through a FE-based topology optimization approach
No full textThe present work explores the possibility of combining 3D printing and topology optimization to produce lightweight transtibial prosthetic sockets to reduce the manufacturing time, costs and material waste. Specifically, a topology optimization algorithm based on Finite Element (FE) method has been employed to determine the optimal material distribution for the prosthetic socket in Polyamide PA12. A FE analysis has been carried out to validate the behaviour of the optimized shape. Finally, the new shape has been 3D printed using the fused deposition modelling technology. Furthermore, a cost analysis has been performed on the 3D printed part and traditional prosthetic socket. The approach followed in the present work showed a time reduction of up to 50% for the production of the final prosthesis and a cost reduction of up to 80% compared to the traditional manufacturing process. Moreover, the optimization of the material distribution allows for a reduction of material use (i.e. −38%). This procedure demonstrates the potential of the proposed approach for developing an efficient and sustainable alternative in the manufacturing of prosthetic sockets. © 2025 The Author
The Demon of Politics. Volume I: 1958–1984
No full textMario Tronti is considered one of the most important Italian Marxist philosophers of our time, as well as one of the most influential European political theorists of the post-war period. Largely untranslated and hence unknown in the anglophone world, this is the first volume of a two-volume translation, The Demon of Politics, presenting an invaluable picture of Tronti’s political life and intellectual activity through a selection of his most relevant writings.
Volume I paints a fascinating picture of Tronti’s work in the 1960s, when he made landmark contributions to a new reading of Marx, and in the 1970s when he again joined the Communist Party and worked towards a theory of the political that led to lively debates and even splits within workerism. An introduction written by the editors contextualises the writings of the first part of Tronti’s career, while also providing the biographical and political details necessary to understand the evolution of his thought during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Footnotes throughout the volume provide valuable precisions and elements of contextualisation.
The volumes of The Demon of Politics offer the most comprehensive edition of Tronti’s works available to students and scholars
GC-MS analysis of Pergularia tomentosa essential oil: Determination of antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities
No full textPergularia tomentosa plant is used in African and Asian medicine for treating infections
and inflammation. Despite its ethno-pharmacological relevance, no comprehensive study
defines chemical composition and the full spectrum of biological activities of this plant. To
address these gaps, essential oil was extracted via hydro-distillation and analyzed its
components using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 24 compounds
were identified, predominantly terpenes (70.3%), with major constituents being 1-hexanol
(18.2%), cis-limonene oxide (15.6%), and β-myrcene (12.4%). The antimicrobial potential was
assessed against clinically relevant bacterial and fungal strains using broth microdilution.
Notably, the oil exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (MIC = 8.05 μg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 16.1 μg/mL). Antioxidant
capacity measured via DPPH and ABTS assays showed moderate radical scavenging activity
(IC50 = 0.829 mg/mL and 0.712 mg/mL). The oil also demonstrated significant antiinflammatory
activity (83.91% inhibition of protein denaturation at 0.5 mg/mL), comparable to
the standard drug diclofenac. This research provides a detailed chemical profile alongside
antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory evaluations of Pergularia tomentosa L.
essential oil. These findings not only validate traditional uses but also suggest its potential as a natural therapeutic agent, offering a promising alternative to synthetic drugs
Characterization of mucins, glycosaminoglycans, and bioactive compounds in Helix aspersa’s slime by spectroscopic and biochemical analysis
Full text linkSnail slime (SS), a secretion produced by Helix aspersa, is a complex biological matrix rich in macromolecules has gained considerable interest due to its biologically relevant components and potential applications in medicine, cosmetics, and biotechnology. This study focuses on the chemical characterization of SS, comparing stabilized commercial slime with preservatives to a non-stabilized natural, preservative-free variant. Advanced analytical techniques, such as Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, and Thermal analysis were employed to identify key metabolites and bioactive compounds. Moreover, quantitative assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant, metal chelation and enzyme inhibition activities. Analytical techniques identified mucins, glycosaminoglycans, antimicrobial peptides, and antioxidants, with variations in composition influenced by processing methods. Quantitative assays revealed that SS possesses strong antioxidant properties, significant metal chelation capacity, and inhibitory activity against cholinesterases, tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase. Cellular assays further demonstrated its non-toxic nature and capacity to enhance dermal fibroblast viability. Furthermore, the stabilized commercially used SS has better composition, stability and activities compared to non-stabilized SS. Additionally, this is the first direct comparison of stabilized and non-stabilized SS, using multimethod analytical approach, and correlation of chemical composition with bioactivity. These findings underscore SS's complex composition and potential in biomedical and cosmetic applications, particularly in wound healing, antimicrobial, antioxidants, anti-aging formulations, and enzyme inhibitory therapies
Unveiling the impact of geopolitical risk, climate policy uncertainty, environmental policy stringency, and financial efficiency on renewable energy investment in the USA: Evidence from novel dynamic simulated ARDL approach
No full textInvestigating brain network dynamics in state-dependent stimulation: A concurrent electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation study using hidden Markov models
Full text linkBackground: Systems neuroscience studies have shown that baseline brain activity can be categorized into largescale networks (resting-state-networks, RNSs), with influence on cognitive abilities and clinical symptoms. These insights have guided millimeter-precise selection of brain stimulation targets based on RSNs. Concurrently, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) studies revealed that baseline brain states, measured by EEG signal power or phase, affect stimulation outcomes. However, EEG dynamics in these studies are mostly limited to single regions or channels, lacking the spatial resolution needed for accurate network-level characterization. Objective: We aim at mapping brain networks with high spatial and temporal precision and to assess whether the occurrence of specific network-level-states impact TMS outcome. To this end, we will identify large-scale brain networks and explore how their dynamics relates to corticospinal excitability. Methods: This study leverages Hidden Markov Models to identify large-scale brain states from pre-stimulus source space high-density-EEG data collected during TMS targeting the left primary motor cortex in twenty healthy subjects. The association between states and fMRI-defined RSNs was explored using the Yeo atlas, and the trialby-trial relation between states and corticospinal excitability was examined. Results: We extracted fast-dynamic large-scale brain states with unique spatiotemporal and spectral features resembling major RSNs. The engagement of different networks significantly influences corticospinal excitability, with larger motor evoked potentials when baseline activity was dominated by the sensorimotor network. Conclusions: These findings represent a step forward towards characterizing brain network in EEG-TMS with both high spatial and temporal resolution and underscore the importance of incorporating large-scale network dynamics into TMS experiments
MATERIAL CULTURE. AN ESSENTIAL SUBJECT OF THE ITALIAN DIASPORA
No full textThe contemporary folklore appears in everyday life taking many free and unofficial forms across the vitality and diversity of social practices that call for renewed approaches, in Europe and Italy and abroad, following the path of European diaspora. Evaluating the multiplicity of folklore meanings and its capacity to integrate interactions between traditional and contemporary expressions and appropriations in specific contexts, the author explores the practicality of a new idea of folklore as sustainable, popular and
domestic creativity on material and immaterial goods. Following the precious path indicated in 2005 by the American anthropologist Luc Eric Lassiter, the author is turning from “participant observation” to the “collaborative ethnography”. Collaboration between ethnographers and subjects has long been a product of the close, intimate relationships that define ethnographic research. Collaboration also preconditions and shapes research design as well as its dissemination. As a result, ethnographic subjects are shifting from being informants to being consultants. The emergence of collaborative ethnography highlights this relationship between consultant and ethnographer, moving it to centre stage as a calculated part not only of fieldwork but also of the writing process itself, as Lassiter suggests in The Chicago Guide to Collaborative Ethnography