68994 research outputs found
Sort by
Prognostic Significance of +1q Alterations in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Treated With Daratumumab‐, Elotuzumab‐, and Carfilzomib‐Based Triplet Regimens: A Multicenter Real‐World Analysis of 635 Patients
Get PDFRelapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) research on the impact of +1q abnormalities in real-world settings is limited. This study evaluated the prognostic and predictive significance of 1q gain [gain(1q)] and amplification [ampl(1q)] in 635 RRMM patients treated with daratumumab-, elotuzumab-, and carfilzomib-based triplet regimens. Patients with +1q abnormalities had lower deep response rates [≥ CR: 9.4% for gain(1q), 11.6% for ampl(1q)] versus 20.2% in +1q-negative patients. Multivariable ordinal logistic analysis showed significantly lower odds of achieving ≥ CR in patients with gain(1q) (OR = 0.49, p < 0.001) or ampl(1q) (OR = 0.58, p = 0.0037). Progression-free survival (PFS) was longer in +1q-negative patients (28 months) compared to those with gain(1q) (8 months) or ampl(1q) (7.4 months). Multivariable models identified gain(1q) (HR = 1.9, p < 0.001) and ampl(1q) (HR = 2.2, p < 0.001) as independent negative prognostic factors alongside del17p, t(4;14), creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min, and ISS Stages II and III. Similarly, overall survival (OS) was reduced for patients with gain(1q) (25 months) and ampl(1q) (19.5 months) versus 42.2 months in +1q-negative patients. Multivariable analysis showed gain(1q) (HR = 1.6, p = 0.007) and ampl(1q) (HR = 2.0, p = 0.002) as independent predictors of increased mortality. Ancillary +1q abnormalities associated with high-risk cytogenetic changes were linked to both shorter PFS and OS. Stratification into no-hit, single-hit, double-hit, and triple-hit groups showed significant survival differences, emphasizing the impact of cumulative cytogenetic abnormalities on outcomes. In conclusion, +1q abnormalities significantly impact prognosis in RRMM and should be considered in risk stratification. The study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive cytogenetic profiling in real-world settings and highlights the need for personalized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes
Comprehensive profiling of smoked cheese from raw goat's milk handcrafted in Lower Silesia (Poland)
Get PDFThis study aimed to explore the distinctive characteristics of smoked cheese made from raw goat’s milk, labelled “Produkt polski” and crafted in the Lower Silesia region of Poland. A comprehensive range of analyses was performed, including physico-chemical and morpho-textural evaluations, microbial counts, and a metataxonomic investigation to uncover the microbial diversity occurring in the cheese. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the total fatty acid composition were also determined. Additionally, a consumer test based on a hedonic scale was conducted to capture the subjective experience of the product’s appeal. The cheese samples revealed water activity (aw) ranging between 0.901+/-0.003 and 0.926+/-0.001, with pH levels between 5.08+/-0.15 and 5.44+/-0.01. Regarding fatty acid composition, all of the smoked cheeses displayed a similar profile, with saturated fatty acids dominating (SFA, approx. 75 %), followed by monounsaturated (MUFA, approx. 22 %) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, approx. 3 %). Microbial analysis revealed thriving populations, including lactococci (up to 8.63+/-0.07 log colony-forming units/g), thermophilic cocci (up to 6.85+/-0.08 log cfu/g, lactobacilli (up to 9.50+/-0.04 log cfu/g), enterococci (up to 5.93+/-0.00 log cfu/g), and eumycetes (up to 2.68+/-0.48 log cfu/g). Metataxonomic analysis identified dominant bacterial taxa such as Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Leuconostoc, as well as Carnobacterium and Lacticaseibacillus. Among the 24 lactic acid bacteria cultures isolated, the closest relatives to Enterococcus, Lacticaseibacillus, Lactococcus, and Leuconostoc were identified. Some isolates demonstrated promising pro-technological traits, positioning them as potential adjunct cultures for improving fermented dairy products. The volatile profile of the smoked cheese was particularly intriguing, with a total of 87 VOCs detected, categorized as esters (18), ketones (14), hydrocarbons (11), acids (10), phenols (11), alcohols (8), furans (5), lactones (4), aldehydes (3), and other compounds (3). Sensory evaluation revealed a moderate appreciation for the cheese’s appearance, whereas the smoked flavor elicited the most varied scores, highlighting its strong impact on consumer preference
Experimental investigation on polymer-modified bitumen containing renewable components for sustainable asphalt pavements
No full textLa transizione energetica globale, che mira a interrompere la produzione di combustibili fossili entro il 2050, unito all’esaurimento delle risorse non rinnovabili (come il petrolio), hanno portato allo sviluppo di materiali innovativi che promuovono l’economia circolare e minimizzano gli impatti ambientali. Questa necessità ha suscitato un notevole interesse nei riguardi dei bio-materiali, in particolare nei settori dell'ingegneria civile e dell’industria stradale. La crescente urbanizzazione e l’aumento del traffico hanno determinato una maggiore domanda di materie prime per la costruzione e manutenzione delle infrastrutture stradali, con un conseguente incremento dei costi associati. Allo stesso tempo, gli impatti ambientali dei materiali tradizionali, incluso il loro apporto di carbonio e le emissioni di gas serra, sono diventati temi anch’essi rilevanti. In risposta a queste sfide, i bio-leganti sembrano essere un’alternativa promettente per la realizzazione di pavimentazioni flessibili sostenibili. Tali leganti innovativi consentono la sostituzione, parziale o totale, del bitume tradizionale derivante dal petrolio con materiali rinnovabili come sottoprodotti del legno, bio-oli o lignina. La transizione energetica globale sottolinea ulteriormente l'urgenza di ridurre la dipendenza dai combustibili fossili, spingendo i ricercatori a massimizzare l'uso di materiali rinnovabili provenienti da biomasse. Tuttavia, nonostante il potenziale dei bio-leganti, permangono sfide legate soprattutto alla necessità di garantire prestazioni paragonabili a quelle del bitume modificato con polimeri, ampiamente utilizzato per pavimentazioni ad alto traffico. Il presente studio di dottorato si pone l’obiettivo di studiare il potenziale impiego di bitumi modificati con polimeri contenenti componenti derivati da fonti rinnovabili, al fine di impiegarli per la realizzazione di pavimentazioni stradali flessibili. Dunque, è stata effettuata una caratterizzazione prestazionale di differenti bio-leganti, la quale ha previsto lo studio della stabilità allo stoccaggio, del comportamento viscoelastico lineare, delle prestazioni a fatica, della resistenza alle deformazioni permanenti, della composizione chimica e della suscettibilità all’invecchiamento. Successivamente, i medesimi bio-leganti sono stati impiegati per produrre in laboratorio miscele di conglomerato bituminoso per strati di usura drenante e di base. Tali miscele sono state poi sottoposte ad una dettagliata caratterizzazione meccanica convenzionale e avanzata. I risultati di questo lavoro di ricerca dimostrano che i bio-leganti modificati con polimeri possono offrire prestazioni paragonabili o persino superiori a quelle del bitume tradizionale modificato con polimeri attualmente impiegati nelle pavimentazioni autostradali. Questi materiali, pertanto, si qualificano come un’alternativa sostenibile e ad alte prestazioni, contribuendo a ridurre l’impatto ambientale del settore stradale e a promuovere un uso più responsabile delle risorse naturali.The goal of global energy transition due to the final aim of stopping the production of fossil fuels by 2050 and the following growing awareness of the depletion of non-renewable sources (such as petroleum), have led to the development of new materials that not only maximise the circularity of resources but also minimise environmental impact. This shift is driving significant interest in biomaterials, particularly within the civil engineering and road construction sectors. With rapid urbanization and growing traffic volumes, the demand for raw materials for pavement construction and maintenance continues to rise, along with associated costs. At the same time, the environmental impacts of traditional materials, including their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, have become critical concerns. As a result, bio-binders are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives for flexible pavements. These innovative materials replace bitumen – traditionally derived from crude oil – partially or entirely with renewable resources such as by-products of wood, bio-oils or lignin. The global energy transition further underscores the urgency of reducing dependence on bitumen, with researchers focusing on maximizing the use of renewable biomass materials. However, while bio-binders show promise, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring performance comparable to conventional polymer-modified bitumen, which is widely used for high-traffic pavements. In light of this context, this PhD study aims to investigate the potential of using polymer-modified bitumen containing renewable components in flexible pavements. A performance-based characterization was carried out by investigating several bio-binders properties, including storage stability, linear viscoelastic behaviour, fatigue performance, permanent deformation resistance, chemistry, and aging susceptibility. These bio-binders were subsequently used to produce laboratory bio-asphalt mixtures for base and upper layers, which were subjected to conventional and advanced mechanical characterization. Overall, this investigation highlights the potential of polymer modified bio-binders as sustainable alternatives for asphalt applications, offering comparable or even enhanced performance characteristics relative to traditional polymer-modified bitumen. Bio-binders, therefore, qualify as a sustainable and high-performance alternative, contributing to reducing the environmental impact of the road sector and promoting a more responsible use of natural resources
Single- and multi-task linear models for ATMs fault classification in human-centered predictive maintenance
Get PDFThe recirculator, a complex component within Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) responsible for handling banknotes, poses a challenging task for fault diagnosis due to its intricate nature, which renders it impractical to integrate dedicated sensors and potential multiple faults. This paper presents advanced single-task (STL-LR) and multi-task (MTL-LR) logistic regression models explicitly designed for capturing specific and similar discriminative patterns of multiple faults. Our approach focuses on maintaining the expert human operator at the center of the model checking and development process (human-in-the-loop approach). This objective has been achieved by including training data extracted from the intervention management platform, which collects the annotations of human operators. By leveraging this data, our STL and MTL models enhance generalization performance, especially in cases where discrepancies exist between machine-reported errors and technician-observed anomalies. The results illustrate the potential of the STL-LR and MTL-LR models as the main core of PdM DSS to aid technicians in accurately pinpointing fault-prone areas. This research contributes to Industry 5.0 by presenting a novel predictive maintenance approach that evolves task-specific learning to the generalization advantages of MTL. This evolution holds promise for fostering more efficient and effective maintenance strategies in complex equipment environments
Integrated studies to optimize safety and resilience of urban water distribution, drainage and treatment systems
No full textIl cambiamento climatico sta aumentando la frequenza di eventi estremi come siccità e inondazioni, minacciando la disponibilità delle risorse idriche e l'efficacia dei sistemi di drenaggio urbano. È quindi essenziale sviluppare piani d'azione sostenibili volti a soddisfare le esigenze locali. L'analisi del bilancio idrogeologico e idrico del bacino ATO1 (Regione Marche) ha evidenziato la necessità di sviluppare diversi scenari di ottimizzazione per la gestione delle risorse idriche urbane. Inoltre, l'analisi del consumo idrico nelle entità del terzo settore, a livello di edificio, occupante e sistema, ha permesso di identificare i fattori chiave per la riduzione dell'impronta idrica attraverso l'applicazione delle migliori pratiche di gestione ambientale (BEMP).
Un approccio integrato alla gestione delle risorse idriche, basato sul l'analisi dei rischi, è cruciale per prevenire potenziali problemi. Pertanto, l'elaborazione di piani per la sicurezza idrica (PSA), applicati a vari studi di casi, ha permesso l'identificazione degli eventi più critici.
In un contesto di scarsità idrica, il recupero dell'acqua non convenzionale attraverso soluzioni tecnologiche alternative è essenziale per sostenere l'economia circolare. Nel quadro del progetto H2020 HYDROUSA, è stato sviluppato un piano di trasferibilità e replicabilità per valutare l'applicabilità delle soluzioni HYDRO in diversi contesti territoriali.
Infine, nell'ottimizzazione dei sistemi di drenaggio urbano, la modellazione delle reti fognarie, calibrata con dati qualitativi e quantitativi in loco, è un passo critico. Un'applicazione in un bacino costiero ha permesso di valutare l'impatto ambientale associato all'attivazione dei Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO). Inoltre, nel progetto HEU WATERUN, è stato sviluppato uno strumento di calcolo per valutare i rischi per la salute umana e l'ambiente associati al riutilizzo/scarico delle acque di scolo, sulla base dell'analisi QMRA e QCRA.Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme events such as droughts and floods, threatening the availability of water resources and the effectiveness of urban drainage systems. It is therefore essential to develop sustainable action plans aimed at addressing local needs. The analysis of the hydrogeological and water balance of the ATO1 basin (Marche Region) highlighted the need to develop different optimization scenarios for urban water resource management. Additionally, the analysis of water consumption in Third Sector Entities, at the building, occupant, and system level, has enabled the identification of key factors for reducing the water footprint through the application of Best Environmental Management Practices (BEMPs).
An integrated approach to water resource management, based on risk analysis, is crucial for preventing potential issues. Therefore, the development of Water Safety Plans (PSA), applied to various case studies, allowed for the identification of the most critical hazardous events.
In a context of water scarcity, the recovery of non-conventional water through alternative technological solutions is essential for supporting the circular economy. In the framework of the H2020 HYDROUSA project, a Transferability and Replicability Plan was developed to assess the applicability of HYDRO solutions in different territorial contexts.
Finally, in optimizing urban drainage systems, the modeling of sewer networks, calibrated with on-site qualitative and quantitative data, is a critical step. An application in a coastal basin allowed for the evaluation of the environmental impact associated with the activation of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO). Additionally, in the HEU WATERUN project, a calculation tool was developed to assess human health and environmental risks associated with the reuse/discharge of runoff water, based on QMRA and QCRA analysis
Improving formulation of innovative edible insect-based crispbread containing Tenebrio molitor or Acheta domesticus through sensory profiling and liking
Get PDFOne of the critical factors in increasing consumer acceptance of edible insects is the development of appropriate products that lead to satisfactory sensory experiences. This way, the negative associations with entomophagy can be hampered, and developed products can be more successfully integrated into consumers’ diets. This research aimed to integrate consumers into the food product development process, achieving crispbread formulations with increased acceptance and liking. Crispbread was developed with different formulations and sensory profiles, incorporating house cricket Acheta domesticus or yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor. Two panels of 50 and 100 untrained consumers evaluated the crispbreads incorporating A. domesticus and T. molitor, respectively. The panels rated overall liking (9-point hedonic scale) and profiled the crispbreads using a Check-All-That-Apply ballot. Regardless of insect species and formulation, all the samples were accepted by consumers with hedonic scores above 5.5. Significant differences were observed between formulations for both insect species, with the chives-based crispbread having the highest liking scores and the incorporation of fennel seeds leading to the lowest liking scores. It was also possible to observe an effect of species, as crispbreads incorporating A. domesticus presented lower hedonic scores and higher association with negative attributes related to odour/flavour (‘Earthy’, ‘Pet Food’, ‘Bitter) and texture (‘Floury’). The results from this study highlight the importance of assessing consumers’ opinions while developing insect-based food products, demonstrating that Portuguese consumers present higher liking scores of products incorporating T. molitor and chives
A New Methodology based on Pulse Compression Technique for Hearing Aids Distortion Measurement
No full textHearing aids are the most widespread devices for treating hearing loss, especially among older adults. However, the performance of these devices is reduced by harmonic distortion and intermodulation distortion due to nonlinearities in the amplifying system. It is therefore important to have a quantitative measure of the nonlinear behavior of these devices. Several estimators of the degree of distortion introduced by hearing aids have been defined and standardized. In parallel with the definition of distortion measures, effective techniques for modeling nonlinear structures and identifying the corresponding model parameters have been developed. This paper moves in this context and proposes a new methodology for estimating distortions in hearing aids: it is shown how, by focusing the processing effort on model identification, from the identified structure it is possible to obtain the different estimators terms defined by the relevant standards, in order to provide a quantitative assessment of the nonlinear effect of structure on signals. Distortion estimation results are obtained by using a Hammerstein model for representing the nonlinear system; these results are compared with those obtained by applying the standard procedure based on IEC 60118. The results obtained in terms of harmonic distortion and intermodulation distortion show the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison with the methodology recommended by regulatory standards, providing very similar results in terms of estimation, but also being more efficient, as the use of Exponential Swept-Sine signals avoids the need for an iterative approach and allows the different estimators defined in the regulations to be obtained from a single model identification procedure
Loss of tetraspanin CD9 expression is associated with metastasis in Merkel cell carcinoma
No full textFrom Morphology to Gene Expression Profiling in Mycosis Fungoides: Is It Still a Diagnostic Challenge?
Get PDFBackground: We herein review the most important clinico-pathological features of mycosis fungoides (MF). These evolving clinico-pathological aspects are paired with innovative therapeutic schemes. Moreover, we indicate cutaneous lymphomas as a new frontier of artificial intelligence application. Methods: We encompass new diagnostic and prognostic data derived from the recent medical literature describing the possible histological features which could be the targets of deep learning in conjunction with available clinical data. Results: In spite of decades of research, MF diagnosis still represents the most challenging debate from a dermatopathologist’s point of view. Genetic alterations have been identified mainly in late stages of the disease, and their importance for disease initiation is still unclear. The exploration of the genome-wide expression of individual genes in skin samples may be useful in elucidating MF pathogenesis and improving early diagnosis, while artificial intelligence could offer the possibility of searching for biomarkers of disease progression. Conclusions: MF still deserves the name of the ‘great imitator’, both clinically and histopathologically. The goal of summing up all the clinico-pathological information before reaching a final diagnosis is the approach needed to reach diagnostic accuracy, especially in early MF cases. It is advisable to think of the most common clinical presentations, to be aware of the most common histopathological features, and to interpret the results of ancillary studies only in the right clinico-pathological context
Chondrocutaneous Custom-made Graft for Upper Lateral and Alar Cartilage Nose Reconstruction: The T Graft
Get PDFUpper lateral cartilage and alar cartilage nose reconstruction secondary to failed aesthetic procedure or tumor excision, surely represents a reconstructive challenge for plastic surgeons, because of the support needed and for the function of the internal nasal valve (INV). Several scientific publications deal with internal nasal reconstructive techniques, including simple homologous or heterologous tissue grafts. We describe a new hybrid chondrocutaneous graft used for reconstruction of the upper lateral cartilage and a portion of the alar cartilage (cephalic part), excised with the adherent nasal mucosa (in correspondence with INV), included in the tumor mass