Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Adaptive IoT Communication Protocols and Edge Optimization for Smart Urban Mobility Systems
No full textOptimized communication protocols are required to deal with services, such as energy and traffic management, due to rapid proliferation of smart urban systems in time critical scenarios. This study proposes to optimize communication protocols for large scale Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructures utilizing edge computing architecture. Our proposed protocol is evaluated using co-simulation environments OMNeT++ and SUMO to evaluate adaptive communication via Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) and MQTT. Our results show that CoAP reduces the amount of time needed for message processing, while MQTT minimizes delivery failures. The results emphasize that following prescribed rules for communication makes urban mobility more flexible and efficient in new city systems
Effects of Velagliflozin in 8 Cats With Diabetes Mellitus and Hypersomatotropism
No full textBackground: Velagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor licensed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) in cats, but its use in cats with hypersomatotropism is not described. Hypothesis/Objectives: To describe the use of velagliflozin in cats with DM and hypersomatotropism. Animals: Eight client-owned cats with DM and hypersomatotropism treated with velagliflozin. Methods: Retrospective multicentric case series. Clinical data, including diabetic clinical score, insulin dose, and continuous glucose monitoring-derived metrics were compared between the last follow-up before velagliflozin introduction (T0) and the first (T1) and last (T2) follow-ups after velagliflozin introduction. Results: Diabetic clinical score improved in 6/8 cats after velagliflozin initiation. Median daily insulin dose decreased from 1.9 U/kg (range 0.8–7.1) at T0 to 0.5 U/kg (0–2.3) at T1 (median difference [MD] = −1.2 U/kg; 95% CI: −5.2 to 0.5; p = 0.02). Mean glucose was lower both at T1 (207 mg/dL, 96–326) and T2 (273 mg/dL, 155–350) than at T0 (435 mg/dL, 298–477; MD = −177 mg/dL, 95% CI: −238 to −92, p = 0.008 and MD = −113 mg/dL, 95% CI: −280 to −18, p = 0.03, respectively). Percentage of time in range was higher at T1 (71%, 21–98) and T2 (41%, 14–100) than at T0 (3%, 0–32; MD = 61%, 95% CI: 21 to 80, p = 0.008 and MD = 34%, 95% CI: 2 to 98, p = 0.03, respectively). Velagliflozin allowed for insulin discontinuation in two cats. One cat developed diabetic ketoacidosis on day 143, and one cat had acute kidney injury. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Velagliflozin improved diabetic control in cats with DM and hypersomatotropism, either in combination with insulin or as monotherapy
CHASM: A Combined Hierarchical Approach for Suppliers Management
No full textIn today's evolving and unpredictable supply chains, it is crucial for an organization to monitor its suppliers' performance in an efficient and tailored way. Managers need tools that could help them evaluate their suppliers according to their specific strategy. The CHASM (Combined Hierarchical Approach for Suppliers Management) model proposed in this paper aims to achieve this goal, by creating a simple and adaptable framework to evaluate and rank suppliers. What differentiates the CHASM model from other available tools is that it combines various recognized models into one single approach. In particular, the model assigns a hierarchy to a selection of different KPIs, assigns a value to each KPI for each supplier, calculates a supplier score using the sum of KPI values, while also considering multiple criteria in a single objective function. The potential of the CHASM model is discussed with respect to its capability of being adapted to different evaluation contexts and application needs
Synthesis and biological evaluation of N–O heterobicyclic ring systems derived from 1,2-dihydropyridines as novel TRPA1 activators: implication in GLP-1 release and neuroprotection
No full textA set of small molecules containing an unusual sp3-rich heterobicyclic scaffold were prepared and evaluated in vitro for their ability to increase GLP-1 secretion in STC-1 cells and to protect SH-SY5Y cells from acute and chronic damage induced by glucose and methylglyoxal, respectively. The results obtained showed that some compounds, especially those containing an electron-withdrawing and/or lipophilic group at the meta position of the aryl moiety present at position 9, are effective non-covalent TRPA1 agonists. The lead compound so far individuated (compound 4b) was also prepared by asymmetric synthesis in both enantiomeric forms. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses showed that treatment with racemic 4b restored caspase-3 expression effectively counteracting apoptosis activation under diabetes-mimicking conditions. These findings, together with favorable ADME properties, suggest that compound 4b can modulate neuronal apoptotic pathways in an original fashion, making it a promising affordable therapeutic candidate for neuroprotection in diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases by means of an oral administration
Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Critical Care Medicine: a consensus of 22
No full textArtificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of critical care, offering opportunities for enhanced diagnostic precision and personalized patient management. However, its integration into ICU clinical practice presents significant challenges related to equity, transparency, and the patient-clinician relationship. To address these concerns, a multidisciplinary team of experts was established to assess the current state and future trajectory of AI in critical care. This consensus identified key challenges and proposed actionable recommendations to guide AI implementation in this high-stakes field. Here we present a call to action for the critical care community, to bridge the gap between AI advancements and the need for humanized, patient-centred care. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition to personalized medicine while, (1) maintaining equitable and unbiased decision-making, (2) fostering the development of a collaborative research network across ICUs, emergency departments, and operating rooms to promote data sharing and harmonization, and (3) addressing the necessary educational and regulatory shifts required for responsible AI deployment. AI integration into critical care demands coordinated efforts among clinicians, patients, industry leaders, and regulators to ensure patient safety and maximize societal benefit. The recommendations outlined here provide a foundation for the ethical and effective implementation of AI in critical care medicine
Microfluidic Photocatalytic Ring Expansion of Sulfonium Salts for the Synthesis of Cyclic Sulfides
No full text: Cyclic sulfides are relevant building blocks in medicinal and synthetic chemistry, with applications ranging from drug discovery to materials science. However, the synthesis of medium-sized cyclic sulfides (6-8-membered rings) remains largely underdeveloped. Herein, we report a photocatalytic ring-expansion strategy for sulfonium salts, granting access to six-, seven-, and eight-membered cyclic sulfides with very high regio- and diastereocontrol. The implementation of the method under continuous flow was key to increasing the efficiency and minimizing product decomposition. Mechanistic investigations revealed the formation of benzylic radicals and carbocation intermediates that control the high regio- and diastereoselectivity observed. Finally, the synthetic utility of this approach was demonstrated in the synthesis of cyclic sulfoxides and sulfones, which can be easily obtained from the corresponding sulfide products
Restless minds, restless nights: A 2-wave preliminary study on the associations between sleep quality, negative metacognitions and Problematic Smartphone Use
No full textBackground and aims: Research has shown a positive association between Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) and poor sleep quality. However, extant literature has mostly relied on cross-sectional studies and little is known about the factors involved in the maintenance of PSU and connected sleep problems. The aim of this study was to model the associations between Negative Metacognitions about the uncontrollability and danger of excessive Smartphone Use (NMSU), poor sleep quality, and PSU using a 2-wave design. Methods: A total of 361 participants completed an online questionnaire at W1 and W2 (after six months). A cross-lagged panel model was estimated using SEM to examine the longitudinal interrelationships between poor sleep quality, two dimensions of PSU (i.e., Time spent - which covers addiction-like symptoms of PSU including withdrawal and salience, and Daily life interference - which assesses the negative effects of smartphone use on daily functioning, and NMSU. Results: Correlation analyses showed significant positive associations among PSU, NMSU and poor sleep quality at both waves. With regards to cross-lagged effects, only poor sleep quality at W1 significantly predicted NMSU at W2 (β = 0.202, p = 0.021). Discussion and conclusions: Contrary to previous studies, only a prospective effect of sleep quality on negative metacognitions, rather than bidirectional influence between the three variables, was observed. Sleep hygiene education and interventions based on Metacognitive therapy could be helpful to modify negative metacognitions in the context of PSU
Corrigendum to “Evaluation of a genetic algorithm for constrained multi-objective structural optimization in laminated glass design” [Compos. Struct. 354 (2025) 118773] (Composite Structures (2025) 354, (S0263822324009012), (10.1016/j.compstruct.2024.118773))
No full textThe authors regret that due to trivial errors in the code implementation, some of the graphs and tables in the article [1] have to be replaced with the following, though the qualitative results and conclusions remain unaffected. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. The correct design bending strength for chemically strengthened glass at the ULS, which replaces the value of 134.38 MPa listed in Table 4 of [1], is 112.50 MPa. Table 5 shall be replaced by the new Table 5 provided below. [Table presented] Concerning Sect. 2.2, we consider a a × b rectangular laminated glass plate, with a = 3 m and b = 4.5 m. The coefficient Ψp used in the EET model is 1.6162 10−6 mm−2 and Eq. (2.8) shall be substituted by the following: [Formula presented] Figures 7–10 of [1] are substituted by the following ones. Table 8 shall be replaced by its new version.[Figure presented][Figure presented][Figure presented][Figure presented] [Table presented] The sentence in Sect. 4.1 concerning the size and the clusters in the Pareto set (end of the second paragraph and third paragraph), is replaced with the following. “The Pareto set has size [Formula presented]. However a few solutions overlap in the C-wmax graph, because they present, in practice, the same objective function values. Solutions from 1 to 7 present thinner glass plies, with strengthening treatments on the lower plies, to pass the stress criteria. This group presents the best cost-to-stiffness ratio. Solutions from 8 to 23 are made with annealed glass and PVB interlayers. Solutions from 24 to 38, with SG interlayers, are the most expensive but present the lowest maximum deflection, guaranteeing the best mechanical performance at a higher cost.” Table 9 and Figs. 13 and 14 are substituted by their new version below. [Table presented][Figure presented][Figure presented] The sentence in Sect. 4.3 (8-th paragraph at page 12) about the efficiency of the mutation probability function is replaced by “Populations of size N = 80 and N = 120 experienced, on average, a faster convergence time by respectively 18.3 % and 18.7 %”. The results in the new Table 9 confirm our original conclusion that the optimal choice is to use a population size of N ≃ 2N
Below-ground biodiversity in agricultural systems: The role of crop-specific management in shaping soil arthropod communities
No full textSoil arthropod communities play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, yet their response to agricultural land use and management practices remains poorly understood. This study aims to assess (i) soil biological quality, (ii) arthropod biodiversity, and (iii) community structure across different agricultural systems, evaluating the effects of soil management strategies (organic, integrated, conservative). A total of 414 sampling areas were investigated (during spring and, where the same crop was maintained, autumn, in the years 2019 and 2022) across arable land, vineyards, orchards, and grasslands, with soil properties characterization (texture, humidity, bulk density) and soil arthropods extracted and identified to the order or class level. The QBS-ar and QBS-c indices, Shannon diversity (H’), and Pielou's Evenness (J) were used to evaluate soil biological quality and community structure. Results indicate that agricultural management significantly influences soil biological quality and arthropod abundance. Organic management improved biodiversity and QBS-ar in alfalfa and cereals but not in leguminous crops. Vineyards exhibited higher arthropod densities than arable land, where soil biological quality was most impacted. Seasonal variation influenced community structure, but not diversity indices. Specific arthropod taxa correlated with distinct land uses, with Pseudoscorpionidae, Isopoda, and Protura associated with vineyards, while Myriapoda, Diplura, and Hymenoptera thrived in organically managed alfalfa. These findings highlight the role of agricultural management in shaping soil arthropod communities and emphasize the need for crop-specific management approaches to enhance soil biodiversity and ecosystem services