HBV and HCV testing outcomes among marginalized communities in Italy, 2019–2024: a prospective study

Background: The health of the marginalized populations is crucial for public health and inequalities. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Hepatitis Report 2024 stated that over 304 million people were living with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)/Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in 2022. We performed HBV/HCV screenings among marginalized communities to reveal hidden infections and link-to-care positive participants. Methods: From January 2019 to May 2024, finger-prick tests were used to conduct on-site screenings at non-profit organizations in Tuscany, Italy. Positive participants were referred to the closest outpatient clinic. Findings: Eighty/1812 (4.4%) participants were Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg)+, mostly men (p < 0.001) and non-Italian natives compared to those HBsAg- (p < 0.001). Fifty-two/1812 (2.9%) were anti-HCV+ with a higher proportion of Italians (p < 0.001) and lower education level (p < 0.01) compared to the anti-HCV-. Intravenous drug use was an independent factor for being anti-HCV+ (p < 0.0001). Among the HBsAg + individuals, 66.3% (53/80) were linked and 90.4% (48/53) retained in care (treated/monitored). Of the anti-HCV participants requiring clinical evaluation, 37.8% (14/37) were linked to care, and all the 11/14 (88.6%) viremic patients were successfully treated. Interpretation: We found higher HBV/HCV positivity compared to national prevalences. Participation and linkage to care were successful. The young mean age (33.6 yrs) of HBsAg + individuals, primarily from regions with low vaccinal adherence, indicated geographical origin as a key risk factor. HCV positivity was associated with extreme marginality. The results stress the need to implement marginalized groups screening to target HBV/HCV hidden infections, reducing disparities in healthcare and advancing towards the WHO 2030 elimination goal. Funding: Gilead Sciences; Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia; Regione Toscana

Hysteretic tuned mass damper with bumpers for seismic protection: Modeling, identification, and shaking table tests

A nonlinear tuned mass damper (TMD) is proposed for seismic retrofitting of buildings. The TMD consists of steel wire ropes that, on one end, are fixed to an oscillating mass, on the other end, they are connected to the main structure by means of a special clamping system based on a double sliding mechanism. The device is equipped with bumpers that provide an additional source of energy dissipation. Experimental dynamic tests aimed to investigate the TMD nonlinear response are discussed. The experimental results unfolding a peculiar pinched hysteretic behavior with almost zero stiffness around the origin are accurately simulated according to a novel phenomenological model. Several shaking table tests are conducted on a laboratory-scale building prototype equipped with the proposed device on the top floor. A comparison between experimental results from shaking table tests and those obtained from numerical simulations is documented to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed nonlinear TMD performance and the accuracy of the numerical model driving its optimization. A critical analysis is also performed taking into account experimental results available in the literature based on shaking table tests conducted on different vibration control devices

Improved Risk Stratification of Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM) Using Trajectory Data in the Pangea 2.0 Model: A Multicenter Study in 1,431 Participants

Background The 20/2/20 model is the current gold standard to stratify smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) patients at baseline into three subgroups (low, intermediate, and high) according to the risk of progression based on the free light chain ratio (FLCr), M-protein concentration, and percentage of bone marrow (BM) plasma cells (PC). Evolving patterns that may alter the risk of progression are not considered in this static model. We previously proposed the PANGEA model that allows for personalized risk prediction using FLCr, M-protein, creatinine, age, hemoglobin trajectory, and optionally BM PC. We developed an improved PANGEA 2.0 model that includes trajectory modeling of these biomarkers to capture evolving patterns and improve predictions of MM progression. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of clinical data from 1,431 participants diagnosed with SMM at 4 international sites (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, US, n = 737; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, n = 379; University College London, UK, n = 97; and University of Navarra, Spain, n = 218). Dana-Farber participants comprised a training cohort to identify biomarker trajectories and to develop the PANGEA 2.0 model. The model was validated on two international cohorts: validation cohort 1 included patients from Greece and the UK (n = 476) and validation cohort 2 included patients from Spain (n = 218). The longitudinal data collected from 2018-2024 included current values and historical trajectories of age, M-protein, FLCr, creatinine, and hemoglobin, as well as BM PC (optional). We used a systematic grid search with 5-fold cross-validation to determine optimal trajectory definitions for M-protein, FLCr, creatinine, and hemoglobin. For each, we evaluated seven binary trajectory definitions based on average increase over time (slopes) or recent increase from the previous visit on absolute or relative (%) increase scales, with varying thresholds and time periods. We used Cox regression models to create PANGEA 2.0 risk prediction models including the optimal trajectory variables. We compared the PANGEA 2.0 trajectory model with BM data to the 20/2/20 score at the last available time point by predictive accuracy (C-statistics) in the validation cohorts. Results Median follow-up of the training cohort was 3.5 years (IQR: 1.2 - 7.0 years), with a median of 5 visits per patient (IQR: 2 - 9 visits). Median age was 67 years, 53% were female, and 68%, 21%, and 12% had low, intermediate, and high-risk SMM at baseline per the 20/2/20 model. Thus far, 227 (19%) patients progressed to overt MM with a median time-to-progression of 3 years (IQR: 1.1 - 6.1 years). The BM PANGEA trajectory model improved predictions of SMM patients' progression risk with C-statistics of 0.86, 0.83, and 0.72 in the training cohort and validation cohorts 1 and 2 respectively, improving on the 20/2/20 model defined at the latest available time point (C-statistic: 0.77, 0.76, and 0.71). Importantly, in 33 (25%) cases of MM progressors who had increasing biomarker trajectories in validation cohort 1, the PANGEA 2.0 model accurately identified an increased risk of progression within 2 years while the 20/2/20 model classified them as low-risk (n=10) or intermediate-risk (n=23). In validation cohort 2, in 4 (44%) cases of MM progressors with increasing biomarker trajectories, PANGEA 2.0 accurately identified high-risk of progression while 20/2/20 classified them as intermediate-risk. Conclusion We developed the PANGEA 2.0 trajectory model to predict progression risk in SMM. In a large-scale, multicenter cohort with longitudinal follow-up, we demonstrated that adding trajectory information improved SMM risk prediction compared to the 20/2/20 model, particularly for patients with evolving biomarker values. We advocate adding these trajectories to 20/2/20 in a collaborative international study

Characterization of Native Sicilian Wines by Phenolic Contents, Antioxidant Activity and Chemometrics

Sicily, an island rich in history and tradition, is renowned for its unique viticultural landscape, where native vines have been cultivated for centuries. The commercial value of Sicilian wines is rooted in their distinctive flavors and aromas and the cultural heritage they embody. This paper delves into the characterization of native Sicilian wines according to their phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, and chemometrics. Nero d’Avola and Syrah showed the highest phenolic content and the highest antioxidant activity. Among the white wines, the Catarratto and Zibbibo samples were richer in antioxidants than the Grillo ones. In the Principal Component Analysis, it was possible to note the grouping of the red and white wines in the first component and an early grouping according to variety in the second one. Furthermore, the variable examined allowed for a suitable classification model (up to 83%) to be built for the Nero d’Avola, Syrah, Grillo, and Zibibbo wines through a Linear Discriminant Analysis. The findings highlight how these phenolic profiles contribute to the distinctiveness and marketability of Sicilian wines, offering a deeper appreciation of their value within the global wine industry

La città marginale Diseguaglianze economiche, esclusione sociale, rifiuto politico

In Italia le disuguaglianze crescono senza sosta dagli anni novanta. Aumenta il numero di persone in povertà, assoluta e relativa, e allo stesso tempo aumenta il numero dei miliardari. Ma le disuguaglianze non sono soltanto di natura economica, patrimoniale o retributiva. Disuguaglianze significative, infatti, si registrano anche nell’accesso allo studio e ai saperi, all’energia, alle cure mediche, nelle condizioni ambientali di vita e di lavoro, nella quantità e qualità del tempo libero e in altre dimensioni ancora. Le disuguaglianze, soprattutto, non sono solo una questione di quantità e gli indicatori numerici, per quanto indispensabili e preziosi, non riescono da soli a rappresentare la complessità di questi fenomeni. E le conseguenze non ricadono solo sulle persone e le famiglie che le vivono o le subiscono, ma hanno ripercussioni economiche e sociali sull’intero sistema paese. Il presente volume, frutto del lavoro dei ricercatori della Fonda zio ne Giuseppe Di Vittorio e dell’Istituto di Studi Politici «S. Pio V», intende trattare il tema tanto sul piano economico quanto su quello sociologico, storico, filosofico, dando rilevanza alla dimensione quantitativa usando i dati come mezzo e non come fine e inserendola in una sfera ben più ampia, di natura prevalentemente politica. A partire da una lettura storica che utilizza come filo conduttore i tre eventi giubilari degli ultimi cinquant’anni (1975-2000-2025), e passando per una rigorosa analisi dei dati, il volume avanza alcune proposte con l’ambizione di contribuire al dibattito su come dare corpo e sostanza alla «speranza» di migliorare l’esistent

A spline-based framework for solving the space-time fractional convection-diffusion problem

In this study we consider a spline-based collocation method to approximate the solution of fractional convection–diffusion equations which include fractional derivatives in both space and time. This kind of fractional differential equations are valuable for modeling various real-world phenomena across different scientific disciplines such as finance, physics, biology and engineering. The model includes the fractional derivatives of order between 0 and 1 in space and time, considered in the Caputo sense and the spatial fractional diffusion, represented by the Riesz–Caputo derivative (fractional order between 1 and 2). We propose and analyze a collocation method that employs a B-spline representation of the solution. This method exploits the symmetry properties of both the spline basis functions and the Riesz–Caputo operator, leading to an efficient approach for solving the fractional differential problem. We discuss the advantages of using Greville Abscissae as collocation points, and compare this choice with other possible distributions of points. Numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method

High-Resolution and Surface-Sensitive Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Characterization of Strained-Silicon Devices through Cleanroom-Compatible Plasmonic Probes

Reliable characterization techniques that guarantee real-time quality control with a non-destructive and multiscale approach are currently an essential necessity for electronic industries. Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) offers an excellent solution to this demand. In addition to providing chemical composition through the Raman spectrometer, TERS leverages the high lateral resolution of the coupled Atomic Force Microscope, enabling chemical and morphological characterization of samples down to the nanometer scale. This study advances the application of TERS by employing ad-hoc prepared TiN-coated probes, engineered to operate in cleanrooms while guaranteeing remarkable performances in terms of electromagnetic field enhancement. The subject of this analysis is a strained-silicon-based device, a technology meant to enhance the carrier's mobility in Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) architectures. The goal of the characterization is to detect the strain induced by a thin Si1-xGex alloy grown on a Si(100) substrate in the silicon lattice. TERS enables not only the detection of strain in the crystal structure but also its magnitude at different levels of depth, despite the penetration depth of the laser employed. This study is a result of the activities carried out in the framework of the European Union founded project CHALLENGES included in the Horizon2020 program

Book review: Kiro Vasavi, Bhārat kī krāntikārī ādivāsī aurateṃ

This review explores the book Bhārat kī krāntikārī ādivāsī aurateṃ (Revolutionary Adivasi Women of India) by Vasavi Kiro

Effect of secondary infections on the outcomes of patients with hematological malignancies and SARS-CoV-2 infection results from the HM-COV 3.0 study

Patients with hematological malignancies (HMs) are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and secondary infections, which further complicate their outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of secondary infections (SIs) on mortality in hospitalized HM patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and identified risk factors associated with SIs. We included 217 patients with HMs and COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary hospital in Rome, from April 2020 to September 2022. SIs occurred in 44.2% of patients, with bloodstream infections (42.7%) and respiratory infections (30.5%) being most frequent; among the latter, COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) was observed in 41.4% of cases. Viral reactivations, predominantly CMV, occurred in 9.2% of patients. The overall mortality rate was 29%, with higher mortality observed in patients with SIs (47.4% vs. 14.7%, p < 0.01). Risk factors for SIs included severe COVID-19 (OR = 2.957, p < 0.05) and prolonged hospitalization (OR = 1.095, p < 0.001). Severe COVID-19 (OR = 8.229, p < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR = 15.232, p < 0.001), chronic steroid therapy (OR = 2.803, p < 0.05), SIs (OR = 2.892, p < 0.05), and viral reactivation (OR = 6.269, p < 0.01) were independent predictors of mortality. SIs and viral reactivations are common in patients with HMs and SARS-CoV-2 infection and significantly increase mortality, highlighting the need for timely management and preventive strategies in this vulnerable population

Control of crystallization pressure in cementitious materials using a bio-based inhibitor

The manuscript examines the effectiveness of citric acid (3H-cit) and its synthesized phosphorylated analog, phosphocitric acid (AFC), in reducing crystallization pressures induced by sulfate attack within cementitious matrices. Sulfate attack is a significant deterioration mechanism for concrete in aggressive environments, such as sulfate-rich soils and saline coastal areas, often presenting as expansive growth of secondary ettringite and salt efflorescence within the cement matrix. This study evaluates the incorporation of inhibitors both as internal additives within the cement paste, assessing their potential as ready-to-use formulations, and as external surface treatments. Controlled crystallization tests were employed to assess the performance of superficial treatments with inhibitors. Analysis of efflorescence morphology, pore structure retention, and surface integrity in treated samples reveals citric acid’s ability to promote the formation of a denser, less expansive salt layer with lower aspect ratios than naturally occurring efflorescence. Phosphocitric acid at a concentration of 10−5 M showed the highest efficacy, producing finely distributed, non-disruptive efflorescences and maintaining superior pore integrity, indicating that AFC is particularly effective at inhibiting crystallization without compromising material integrity. The higher deprotonation level of phosphocitric acid likely facilitates stronger coordination bonds with sodium sulfate cations, thereby reducing its affinity for adsorption onto the cement surface. The interactions between both inhibitors and the hydration of Portland cement (PC), particularly with the tricalcium aluminate phase (C3A), are analyzed with an emphasis on the formation of alumina-ferric oxide-mono (AFm) phases. A comprehensive suite of analytical techniques was utilized, each offering complementary insights into the underlying mechanisms. Isothermal calorimetry, conducted in both in-situ and ex-situ setups, was used to monitor the heat evolution during PC hydration and its potential modulation by the inhibitors. Various factors, including mixing energy, neutralization reactions, dissolution processes of C3A and C3S, possible complexation of Al3+ and Ca2+ ions, and the potential precipitation of AFm-citrate, were considered as contributors to the observed heat release variations. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis displayed distinct morphological changes, with higher inhibitor dosages producing different crystal habits. Further validation is provided by studying modifications in primary ettringite within synthesized systems, as well as observing altered morphologies in secondary ettringite formed in the presence of inhibitory additives. Notably, the aspect ratio of secondary ettringite crystals was significantly reduced due to the influence of inhibitors. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra displayed substantial shifts in basal d-spacing across different samples, indicating that both inhibitors actively modify the crystal growth habit, primarily by limiting crystal growth along the c-axis, thus reducing the aspect ratio. This alteration in interlayer spacing, oriented perpendicularly to the primary growth axis, results in smaller, more compact crystals than reference ettringite. The research also extends to a case study investigating citric acid’s efficacy in reducing salt crystallization damage within the concrete matrix under cyclic wetting and drying, simulating repetitive marine exposure. Mechanical stress simulations were conducted using a wave flume to mimic dynamic loads imposed by waves on coastal structures. During each experimental phase, concrete samples' physical and elastic properties were monitored through acoustic wave velocity measurements—specifically, P-wave and S-wave velocities—which allowed for calculating Young’s modulus (E) as a proxy for the material’s elastic properties. The wave simulation results showed that citric acid-treated concrete retains a higher level of structural integrity compared to untreated samples, which deteriorated more rapidly due to the combined effects of salt crystallization and mechanical stress