ARUd’A (Università “G. d’Annunzio CHIETI -PESCARA)
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Fiber modelling approach for seismic analysis of flexure-controlled rc columns with ribbed bars calibrated on unidirectional experimental tests
No full textIn this paper, a fiber-section model for the seismic analysis of ductile reinforced concrete columns with ribbed bars is proposed. The model is based on the simulation of the results of uniaxial-bending experimental tests and is built by using OpenSees software. Material models are proposed to replicate the response of cover concrete, of core concrete, and of steel rebars. A modelling strategy already proposed in the literature is incorporated in the proposed model to account for strain penetration effects. Correction coefficients are calibrated to account for the additional confinement provided to the end sections of structural members by other structural members, such as foundation elements. Literature formulations are applied to account for the fracture in tension of longitudinal rebars after buckling in compression. The proposed model can be adopted for the seismic nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete structures
The retrosplenial complex as an integration zone between self- and map-based components of spatial navigation and declarative memory: An Activation Likelihood Estimation Metanalysis
No full textAlthough spatial navigation and declarative memory share overlapping neural mechanisms, they have traditionally been investigated as largely non-overlapping research domains. Recent theories suggest an evolutionary continuity, proposing that systems for navigating physical and mental spaces are linked through shared transformations between self-based (egocentric) and map-based (allocentric) reference frames. Yet, the extent to which these processes rely on common substrates remains unclear. This metanalysis used Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) to quantitatively compare fMRI studies on spatial navigation (egocentric or allocentric) and declarative memory (episodic or semantic), assessing convergence across domains. Results revealed extensive overlap, particularly in the retrosplenial complex (posterior cingulate cortex/retrosplenial cortex), which was
consistently activated across all four conditions, highlighting its role in integrating and transforming reference frames. Episodic memory overlapped with egocentric navigation in the occipital place area (OPA), the angular gyrus (AG) and the parahippocampal place area (PPA), and with allocentric navigation in the PPA and hippocampus, suggesting flexible recruitment rather than strict mapping. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)
emerged as a domain-general hub across memory and allocentric navigation, possibly supporting the regulation of internally vs. externally driven processing. These findings support a shared, large-scale network involving medial temporal, parietal, and cingulo-retrosplenial regions. The retrosplenial complex, anatomically positioned between the hippocampus and the posterior parietal cortex, appears crucial for converting information between egocentric and allocentric coordinates across domains. Future neuroimaging research could clarify how these transformations generalize across spatial and conceptual domains, and how the default mode and salience networks support adaptive cognition
Perspectives on the diagnosis and management of functional cognitive disorder: An international Delphi study
Get PDFBackground: Current proposed criteria for functional cognitive disorder (FCD) have not been externally validated. We sought to analyse the current perspectives of cognitive specialists in the diagnosis and management of FCD in comparison with neurodegenerative conditions. Methods: International experts in cognitive disorders were invited to assess seven illustrative clinical vignettes containing history and bedside characteristics alone. Participants assigned a probable diagnosis and selected the appropriate investigation and treatment. Qualitative, quantitative and inter-rater agreement analyses were undertaken. Results: Eighteen diagnostic terminologies were assigned by 45 cognitive experts from 12 countries with a median of 13 years of experience, across the seven scenarios. Accurate discrimination between FCD and neurodegeneration was observed, independently of background and years of experience: 100% of the neurodegenerative vignettes were correctly classified and 75%–88% of the FCD diagnoses were attributed to non-neurodegenerative causes. There was <50% agreement in the terminology used for FCD, in comparison with 87%–92% agreement for neurodegenerative syndromes. Blood tests and neuropsychological evaluation were the leading diagnostic modalities for FCD. Diagnostic communication, psychotherapy and psychiatry referral were the main suggested management strategies in FCD. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of distinguishing between FCD and neurodegeneration based on relevant patient characteristics and history details. These characteristics need further validation and operationalisation. Heterogeneous labelling and framing pose clinical and research challenges reflecting a lack of agreement in the field. Careful consideration of FCD diagnosis is advised, particularly in the presence of comorbidities. This study informs future research on diagnostic tools and evidence-based interventions
Foreign language learning in older adults modifies the pattern of resting-state activity in the medial prefrontal cortex
Get PDFBackground: Foreign language learning (FLL) enhances cognitive functions in older adults, improving memory, attention, and executive functions and potentially delaying cognitive decline. However, the neural mechanisms underlying FLL's benefit on cognition remain unclear, and current methods for studying changes in brain activity are often operator-dependent, potentially missing important effects. This highlights the need for using data-driven techniques. Methods: Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) data from 27 older adults (FLL: n = 14; Control: n = 13) were analyzed using a voxel-wise, operator-independent approach, known as fractional Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (fALFF), to identify the FLL-induced longitudinal changes in resting-state neocortical activity. Linear regression analyses further explored links between the longitudinal changes in fALFF and behavioral measures. Results: The between-groups analysis showed that FLL modified the resting-state activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), with bilateral increases in the dorsomedial and orbitofrontal regions, overlapping with the medial anterior part of the DMN. A significant correlation was found between the FLL-related changes of fALFF in the mPFC and performance in semantic verbal long-term memory, as assessed by the Babcock Memory Recall Test. Conclusions: FLL alters cortical neural organization by increasing mPFC activity, a putative compensatory phenomenon that counteracts aging-related cognitive decline
From Emotional Detection of Dynamic Stimuli to Facial Identity Recognition: Age Difference in the Processing of Partially Occluded Faces
No full textAge-related differences in facial identity recognition and emotion categorization are well established, but whether these differences extend to dynamic stimuli remains underexplored. We compared younger and older adults’ performances in dynamic emotion categorization (phase 1) and identity recognition (phase 2) tasks, incorporating different types of facial occlusion to test their influence on both tasks. Stimuli included whole faces and two types of occlusion (surgical masks, white rectangles). In phase 1, participants observed videos of neutral expressions transitioning to emotional ones and categorized the emerging emotion. In phase 2, static neutral faces were judged as either previously seen or new. Occlusion impaired performances in both groups, with older adults struggling more in emotion categorization. Age had no effect on identity recognition, and occluded faces were better remembered than whole faces. The findings highlight the interplay between emotion processing and identity recognition, stressing the importance of using dynamic stimuli in aging research
Healthcare Resource Utilization and Economic Outcomes of RSV-Hospitalized Patients Aged ≥ 60 Years: A Retrospective Cohort Study
No full textBackground/Objectives The economic impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Italy is not well defined. This analysis assessed the economic outcomes of RSV-hospitalized patients aged >= 60 years in Italy. Methods: Healthcare resource utilization and direct healthcare costs during the first RSV hospitalization and 12-month follow-up were collected from Italian administrative databases. A propensity-score-matched (PSM) analysis was performed between patients hospitalized for RSV and those hospitalized for any cause (without an RSV diagnosis). Results: Among 201 patients, an average of 1.95 hospitalizations, 19.38 prescriptions, and 7.11 outpatient services were reported during the first RSV hospitalization and the following 12 months. The mean direct healthcare costs were EUR 11,599 (related to hospitalization [79%], prescriptions [16%], and outpatient services [5%]). Following PSM analyses, direct healthcare costs were 15% higher for RSV-hospitalized patients versus those hospitalized for any cause (EUR 9369 versus EUR 8173; p = 60 years in Italy. The results provide important evidence to inform preventative RSV strategies to reduce the economic burden on the Italian National Health Service
Minimally Invasive Techniques in Posterior Atlanto-Axial Fixation: State of the Art and Systematic Review
Get PDFBackground: The atlanto-axial segment is highly mobile and, therefore, prone to instability in the setting of inflammatory disease, infection, tumor or trauma. While minimally
invasive surgical (MIS) techniques have gained acceptance in the thoracolumbar spine
due to their advantages over traditional approaches, their use at the atlanto-axial segment is controversial due to the surgical risk associated with its complex anatomy. To
evaluate the current evidence on MIS atlanto-axial fixation, we carried out a systematic
review of the literature and compared the reported results with those of open procedures.
Methods: This systematic review follows PRISMA-DTA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive
search was conducted in November 2023 across PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and
clinicaltrials.gov using specific keywords related to minimally invasive atlanto-axial fixation. Data regarding study characteristics, patient demographics, surgical techniques, and
outcomes were extracted from included studies. Results: This systematic review included
13 articles reporting on the results of surgery in 305 patients, in whom a total of 683 screws
were inserted through a posterior MIS approach. N = 162 screws were inserted using the
Harms–Goel technique, while N = 521 were placed using the Magerl technique. N = 40
screws were inserted using navigation guidance, while N = 643 were introduced with
fluoroscopy assistance. Eight screws were misplaced. A Vertebral Artery (VA) injury was
reported in three patients. With a mean value of 26.2 ± 15.3 months, the rate of fusion
ranged between 80% and 100%. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of MIS
for posterior atlanto-axial fixation, which was achieved using Magerl transarticular screws
in a large majority of cases. Despite technical challenges, MIS approaches appear to achieve
satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes with complication rates similar to those of
open techniques. Future studies may help refine the indications for MIS and identify those
cases better suited for open approaches
