ARUd’A (Università “G. d’Annunzio CHIETI -PESCARA)
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Cancer Therapy-Related Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Are There New Gatekeepers?
No full textThe growing success of oncologic therapies has led to a significant improvement in patient survival; however, this has been accompanied by an increasing incidence of cardiovascular adverse events, particularly cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Among these, left ventricular impairment represents a major concern due to its potential to compromise both cardiac and oncologic outcomes. This review provides an in-depth overview of the cardiotoxic adverse events associated with several classes of anticancer agents. Particular focus is given to the molecular mechanisms involved in myocardial injury, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium dysregulation, endothelial reticulum stress, autophagy, and apoptosis. In parallel, established and emerging cardioprotective strategies, from conventional to newer therapeutic approaches, are explored. The role of advanced imaging modalities, as well as cardiac biomarkers, is discussed in the context of early detection and monitoring of subclinical cardiac injury. Finally, the integration of pharmacogenomics and epigenetics is considered as a promising avenue to personalize risk stratification and preventive therapy. By elucidating the complex interplay between cancer treatments and cardiovascular health, this review underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary, precision medicine approach to optimizing the care of patients undergoing potentially cardiotoxic therapies
The System Design for Social Inclusion Framework Applied to Inclusive Living Communities
No full textIn the scenario of the inclusive transition of present society, the concept of Inclusive Living Communities (ILCs) promotes socially inclusive interventions at different scales, from services to products and communication systems. The goal is to mitigate social inequalities by promoting new forms of wellbeing. Accordingly, citizens benefit from a novel cultural framework and innovative visions that are relevant for Design studies. Due to the scale and the magnitude of impacts expected by interventions within ILCs, the use of a System Design for Social Inclusion (SDSI) framework is proposed as a valuable cultural reference capable to orient the development of inclusive systems of solutions, intended as mixes of services, artefacts, and communication systems resulting from codesigned processes, which help policymakers to make in place strategic inclusive visions for all citizens. This work discusses the application of the SDSI framework in the cultural context of ILCs. Four goal-oriented inclusive design strategies are synthetically presented against emerging trends connecting Inclusive Design and the ILCs phenomenon to offer themed explorations on different aspects that are considered as relevant
Unified integration approach for bridging BIM model to 3D construction printing and scale prototyping
No full textPurpose This work aims to develop a multi-step approach for the unified integration of 3D construction printing (3DCP) and building information modeling (BIM), allowing users to easily and automatically outline the instructions for 3D printing of buildings starting from BIM model and ensuring the wide spread of this new technology in Civil Engineering sector. Design/methodology/approach The proposed methodology exploits Revit for 3D modeling and BIM, using Dynamo as a programming interface for generating G-code. Findings The paper demonstrates how the proposed methodology can extract information from a BIM model to support building construction using digital fabrication techniques. This code guides the printer’s movements and operations, specifying the path, speed, layers and essential parameters to construct concrete structures layer by layer. It transforms digital designs into precise and efficient physical structures. Practical implications This work allows overcoming some of the current limitations associated with bridging BIM models to 3D construction printing. The proposed approach integrates BIM and 3DCP. If the model undergoes changes in the BIM model, the proposed system allows for automatic updates in the 3D printing files. Furthermore, the possibility offered by the proposed methodology to test the G-code on a scaled model allows for the correction of any errors before printing on a large-scale machine. Originality/value The novelty of the proposed approach is threefold: i) A new unified integration methodology for BIM and 3D construction printing is defined; ii) An example of a 3D printed building unit is modeled with BIM, incorporating various discipline models such as Architecture, Structure, and Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) systems; iii) The proposed approach allows for testing the G-code at scale before printing with a full-scale machine. Graphical abstarc
Characterization of Self-Compacting Concrete at the Age of 7 Years Using Industrial Computed Tomography
No full textSustainable and innovative management in a Circular Economy perspective: an application to the Italian waste sector
No full textDomination Patterns in the Digital Era
No full textThe research develops a theoretical reflection on the possible and actual domination pat- terns emerging from the digital turn of the media system. The digital media environment is assessed as the new public sphere, where the risk of audience manipulation is emphasized by the massive fru- ition and consumption of mostly visual contents on social media, that became primary news’ sources. The dependence of the whole news media system on the social media agenda causes the downward levelling of information accuracy and the potential emergence of fake news, spreading polarizing narratives: this all configures a form of domination exercised by social media, but it is not the only one. A contemporary version of cultural aggression theorized by Arnold J. Toynbee is also proposed, and the so-called “invisible social control” held by Big Tech within the platform capitalism emerges as a very distinctive pattern of domination in contemporaneity
Strength and Perceived Effort in Repetitive Upper-Limb Tasks: An OCRA Method Analysis of 900 Workers
Full text linkBackground: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders pose a significant burden on the population. The OCRA method plays a key role in assessing the risk associated with repetitive actions of the upper limbs. In this method, muscular force is evaluated based on the rate of perceived effort (RPE) reported by the worker, which can introduce subjective bias into the assessment. This study aims to determine whether testing the worker’s handgrip strength can improve the accuracy of the force assessment in the OCRA method. Methods: Handgrip strength was measured during the risk assessment process following the OCRA method. Data were divided into specific percentile ranks based on age, gender, height, and handedness. Results: 903 workers from 43 different Italian companies were surveyed. There was a significant difference in handgrip strength percentiles stratified by report of an RPE > 2 and those without (p = 0.047). Additionally, significant differences were found in perceived effort rates (based on the OCRA method) among workers with different levels of stratified handgrip strength (dominant hand: p = 0.04, non-dominant hand: p = 0.02). Conclusions: Workers performing repetitive upper limb actions at various strength levels experience different perceived effort rates during tasks. These findings suggest that measuring handgrip strength is a crucial component of risk assessments using the OCRA method. To date, this study’s sample size is among the largest for this evaluation method; we believe these results could be a significant step forward in improving the risk assessment pro- cess for biomechanical overload
Pomegranate Juices: Analytical and Bio-Toxicological Comparison of Pasteurization and High-Pressure Processing in the Development of Healthy Products
No full textTwo different produced and packaged commercial typologies of pomegranate juice were analyzed for their physicochemical, nutritional, and biological properties. The effects of classical pasteurization (PJ) and high-pressure processing (HP), applied during the productive cycle, were evaluated through several advanced analytical methods, such as CIEL*a*b* colorimetry, HPLC-DAD, DI-ESI-MS and MS/MS, and NMR analyses. Moreover, the exerted biological activity of the two pomegranate juices was monitored through Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoid Contents, antiradical, antioxidant and chelating activity. The potential inhibition of key enzymes of degenerative processes (cholinesterases, tyrosinase) and diabetes (amylase, glucosidase), the allelopathy toward Cichorium intybus, Dicondra repens, and Diplotaxis tenuifolia, and the in vivo toxicity on brine shrimp were also evaluated. The two different applied processing techniques analyzed impacted the bioactive compound’s preservation differently, modifying the phytocomplex profile. HP significantly degrades punicalins and punicalagins, better preserving anthocyanins, if compared to PJ’s impact. Sensory qualities, antioxidant activity, enzymatic inhibition, and ecotoxicological potential were differently impacted by the two applied processes. The obtained results can be beneficial for finding the optimal processing conditions that balance microbial safety with nutritional value preservation, contributing to the development of healthy pomegranate juice products
Taming the White Elephant: How Smart Cities Leverage Mega Events for Advancing Digital Technologies
No full textMega-events have long been associated with urban transformation, yet concerns over their long-term impact persist, particularly regarding underutilized infrastructure, often referred to as “white elephants”. While smart cities integrate technology, governance, and urban planning to enhance efficiency and sustainability, the extent to which mega-events contribute to digital advancement remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between mega-events and smart city digitalization, focusing on three key dimensions: digital services, digital infrastructures, and digital communication. Using a longitudinal dataset (2012–2023) of 11 European cities that hosted the UEFA Champions League Final, we employ fixed-effects panel regressions to assess whether these events act as catalysts for urban digitalization. Our findings suggest that while mega-events significantly enhance digital infrastructures and communication technologies, their impact on digital services remains limited, likely due to governance and institutional constraints. This research contributes to the literature on smart cities and mega-events while also offering practical implications for policymakers, urban planners, and international federations, emphasizing the need for strategic governance, co-creation mechanisms and collaborative partnerships to maximize the digital impact of mega-events and prevent technological investments from becoming digital white elephants