632 research outputs found
Process indicators and outcome measures in the treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction patients
No full textStudies of variations in healthcare utilization and outcome involve the analysis of multilevel, clustered data, considering in particular the estimation of a cluster-specific adjusted response, covariate effects and components of variance. Besides reporting on the extent of observed
variations, these studies quantify the role of contributing factors including patients’ and providers’ characteristics. In addition, they may assess the relationship between healthcare process and outcomes. We consider Bayesian generalized linear mixed models to analyze MOMI2 (Month MOnitoring Myocardial Infarction in MIlan) data on patients admitted
with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosis in the hospitals belonging to the Milano Cardiological Network. Both clinical registries and administrative databanks were used to predict survival probabilities. We fit a logit model for the survival probability with one random effect (the hospital), under a semiparametric prior. We take advantage of the in-built clustering property of the Dirichlet process prior assumed for the random-effects parameters to obtain a classification of provider
An International Peacekeeper. The evolution of Italian Foreign and Defence Policy
No full textAfter the Cold War, Italy started to act as an international peacekeeper, deploying troops in dozens of military operations, mainly within multilateral frameworks. Recently, with the end of the “war on terror” and after the 2015 White Paper, Italy devoted growing interest and resources to the “Enlarged Mediterranean”. Despite Italy’s post-bipolar military dynamism, limited attention has been paid to assessing missions. The withdrawal from Afghanistan, as well as the debate about European Union defence and NATO, particularly after the Russian aggression on Ukraine, have emphasised again the need for a detailed analysis of Italian operations. This paper discusses the effectiveness of international interventions and the features and the trajectory of Italian missions. Three policy recommendations are advanced: the need to 1) create standard and systematic evaluations as events proceed; 2) establish transparent and inclusive assessments when interventions are completed; and 3) plan strategically for long-term proactivity rather than short-term reactivity
Byzantine aqueducts of Constantinople outside the city
No full textThis dataset is related to the PhD research of Francesca Ruggeri, published in the thesis "Engineering the Byzantine Water Supply of Constantinople: mapping, hydrology and hydraulics of the long aqueducts outside the City" (2018) http://hdl.handle.net/1842/31521. This aims at providing additional material resulting from the GIS work presented in Chapter 5 of the thesis. Archaeological survey data were available from previous campaigns carried out by Prof. James Crow in the years 1995-2009 in Turkish Thrace. Such data were systematically reassessed and organised by the author to create a comprehensive database of the remains of the Byzantine aqueducts of Constantinople.
This dataset includes:
maps of the Byzantine aqueducts and related features, as image files [map];
map locations viewable in Google Earth/Google Maps, as .kmz files [kmz];
shapefiles of Water Supply route and features for GIS use [shp];
lists of features (bridges, tunnels, channels), as Excel files [excel].
All maps and GIS features were created in ESRI ArcMap by F Ruggeri.This dataset includes:
maps of the Byzantine aqueducts and related features, as image files [map];
map locations viewable in Google Earth/Google Maps, as .kmz files [kmz];
shapefiles of Water Supply route and features for GIS use [shp];
lists of features (bridges, tunnels, channels), as Excel files [excel].
All maps and GIS features were created in ESRI ArcMap by F Ruggeri
Project Management in the Oil & Gas Industry - A Bayesian Approach
No full textA reliable ‘Estimate at Completion’ from the early stage of project execution is essential in order to enable efficient and proactive project management. The non-repetitive and uncertain nature of projects and the involvement of multiple stakeholders require the use and integration of multiple informative sources in order to provide accurate forecasts. Moreover, in the Oil&Gas industry projects are characterized by a high level of complexity and financial impact.
The paper aims at multiple objectives: introducing the need for the identification and utilization of all the available knowledge in order to improve the forecasting process; developing a Bayesian approach in order to integrate the diverse knowledge sources; exploring the integration of data records and experts’ judgment related to the ongoing project; exploring the integration of data records related to projects completed in the past and to the ongoing project and finally developing a Bayesian model capable of using three different knowledge sources: data records and experts’ judgments related to the ongoing project and data records related to similar projects completed in the past.
The model has been tested in a set of large and complex projects in the Oil&Gas industry, in order to forecast the final duration and the final cost. The results show a higher forecasting accuracy of the Bayesian model compared to the traditional Earned Value Management (EVM) methodology
In Terre Astratte
No full textil saggio introduce al lavoro dell'architetto francese André Raveréau nella valle del M'Zab (deserto dela Sahara Algerino) come indagato dall'autrice del volume Daniela Ruggeri, innestandolo nel più ampio panorama di architetti, storici e critici che a lungo si sono occupati attraverso teorie e progetti della costruzione di nuove città nel deserto. Da F. L. Wricht a Fabrizio Carol
Ruggeri recites Pirandello. Story of an author and his interpreter.
No full textreservedObiettivo principale della tesi è la ricostruzione dei rapporti tra Luigi Pirandello e Ruggero Ruggeri, tra i più significativi interpreti della produzione teatrale del girgentino, al fine di delineare gli spazi di influenza dell’attore nei processi creativi del drammaturgo. La scrittura per la scena non può infatti prescindere né dalle necessità dell’interprete di veder valorizzate le proprie virtù recitative, né dall’esigenza dell’autore di predisporre un testo adatto alla compagnia che lo rappresenterà; e questo vale tanto più se a fronteggiarsi sono un attore d’esperienza come Ruggeri e un uomo di teatro del calibro di Pirandello. Il drammaturgo anticipa spesso, infatti, in numerose e ricchissime lettere indirizzate all’interprete, temi e contenuti delle pièces che va scrivendo per Ruggeri, accogliendone interessi e orientamenti teatrali; viceversa, l’attore insiste per ottenere dal girgentino opere sempre nuove da mettere in scena e addirittura avanza pretese sui testi, suggerendo modifiche e correzioni. Testimonianze di una ravvicinata collaborazione tra i due, le informazioni contenute nel carteggio vanno poi senz’altro fatte intersecare con il repertorio di Ruggeri, secondo cruciale asse di riferimento della nostra indagine: non solo i testi che Pirandello compone su misura per lui, ma l’intero ventaglio spettacolare a disposizione dell’interprete, che ci permette di ricostruire con efficacia le modalità con cui l’autore si inserisce gradualmente nella “drammaturgia d’attore” ruggeriana e nel contesto spettacolare dei primi decenni del Novecento.The main objective of the thesis is to reconstruct the relationship between Luigi Pirandello and Ruggero Ruggeri, one of the most significant interpreters of the dramatist’s production, in order to outline the actor's influence over Pirandello's creative processes. Theatrical writing cannot ignore, indeed, the actor’s necessity to showcase his own acting talents or the playwright’s need to compose a text suitable for the company that will perform it; and this is especially true when the collaboration involves an experienced actor like Ruggeri and a theatrical personality like Pirandello. The playwright often anticipates, in numerous and interesting letters to the interpreter, the themes and contents of the pièces he is writing for Ruggeri, accommodating the actor’s interests and theatrical sensibilities; vice versa, the actor constantly demands new plays and even makes claims on the texts, suggesting changes and corrections. These informations documented in the correspondence, that show a close collaboration, must be confronted with Ruggeri’s repertoire: not only the plays Pirandello wrote specifically for him but also the other works performed by the actor, allowing us to reconstruct how Pirandello gradually becomes familiar with Ruggeri’s “actor dramaturgy” and the early XXth century’s theatrical landscape
Optimisation of man-on board automated storage/retrieval systems
No full textThis study is concerned with evaluating the performance of different storage policies and tour construction procedures for multi‐command picking using automated storage‐retrieval systems (AS/RS). The AS/RS machine travel time for each storage policy is derived as a function of the shape of the storage area, the number of picking points and the sequencing algorithm used. The combination of these variables yields various solutions to the problem, thus providing a useful guide in designing effective picking systems. The average travel time of the AS/RS in each configuration is calculated by computer simulation in a full factorial experimental design. A subset of the results derived from this study has been successfully implemented in a case study, involving the BMW AG Italy spare parts distribution warehouse.</jats:p
Low-Voltage Renewable Energy Communities’ Impact on the Distribution Networks
No full textRenewable energy communities (RECs) are widely regarded as a transformative opportunity to enhance the management of electricity distribution networks, benefiting the system as a whole and its participants through local energy production, increased self-consumption, and empowering citizens. However, their proliferation introduces significant challenges for distribution system management, particularly at the low-voltage (LV) level, where participants are primarily located. Despite its critical role, the LV network is often overlooked in favor of studies focusing on the system-level impacts. This paper addresses this gap by evaluating the impact of RECs on LV networks and the broader distribution system. The study analyzes various LV networks representative of the Italian context, encompassing both rural and urban areas. By leveraging the software tool OpenDSS and Monte Carlo simulations over an entire year, the analysis captures the inherent variability of load demand and photovoltaic generation, as well as the resulting network imbalances under diverse policy scenarios. The findings reveal that the increasing level of self-consumption could significantly challenge distribution network operation, limiting also the sourcing of flexibility. These results underscore the necessity for advanced management strategies and targeted investments in grid flexibility to ensure the reliability and efficiency of distribution networks integrating RECs
Optimal coordination of a pool of different EV charging stations
No full textThe transport sector will contribute to the decarbonisation goals by massively replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). In Europe, up to 70 million EVs are expected by 2030. The diffusion of EVs will be accompanied by 50-70 million charging points connected to the distribution systems (at medium and low voltage levels). The EV charging causes power quality and operation issues, such as line overloading, voltage violations, and voltage unbalances. It will require extensive investments to develop a distribution system suited to face the electrification of heating and transportation. Using suitable control systems for optimal charging that consider charging session features and network criticalities can mitigate the impact of EVs on distribution grids and contribute to postponing or even avoiding significant investments. The paper proposes a strategy to reduce the effects of public charging on low-voltage networks. If already burdened by the increased electrification of end-use consumption and domestic vehicle charging, these networks are susceptible to significant voltage drops or overcurrents. The proposed strategy involves developing a signalling system that informs vehicle owners whether a charging station can guarantee a full charge based on current grid conditions. An Italian LV unbalanced network and charging habits in parking lots derived from the latest literature are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach
Distribution Management System Coordination for the Optimal Operation of Medium and Low Voltage Distribution Networks
No full textThe worldwide impulse to the integration in the power system of a massive amount of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for carbon neutrality, supported by new technologies (e.g., energy storage systems, fast communication, smart meters, etc.) are making flexibility not only a need but also a real opportunity to be explored in distribution system planning and operation. This is particularly true if high power – highly coincident demand (e.g., electric vehicle charging stations, heat pumps, induction cooking) and RES have to be accommodated on the system. Unfortunately, the distribution system was designed with minimum observability and controllability, privileging economy and simplicity of operation. Thus, Distribution System Operators are experiencing and facing issues caused by network exploitation non-coherent with the original design assumption (e.g., excessive voltage rises, sudden voltage variations, power congestions, reverse power flow on primary and secondary substation transformers, etc.), that, without resorting to expensive reinforcements, can be solved only with new flexibility services potentially provided by the increasing number of distributed energy resources hosted by their networks. Since many flexibility resources are connected to the low voltage (LV) system (e.g., small photovoltaic plants with and without batteries, customers qualified to potentially participate in demand response programs, slow EV charging points), both medium voltage (MV) and LV networks have to be jointly analysed to account for their mutual interactions. Although the simultaneous analysis of a detailed representation of both systems would be the better solution for optimally operating the networks, it may produce excessive computational burden drawback.
For this reason, this paper proposes a procedure for coordinating the distribution management systems (DMSs) of the two voltage level networks. Such coordination, designed for MV and LV networks managed by the same DSO, attributes to the MV DMS the role of master in a hierarchical control that iteratively calls the LV DMS optimisation results. The approach applied to a representative case study demonstrates the opportunity of the involvement of the LV resources in the active management of the network
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