RF energy harvesters for wireless sensors, state of the art, future prospects and challenges: a review

The power consumption of portable gadgets, implantable medical devices (IMDs) and wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) has reduced significantly with the ongoing progression in low-power electronics and the swift advancement in nano and microfabrication. Energy harvesting techniques that extract and convert ambient energy into electrical power have been favored to operate such low-power devices as an alternative to batteries. Due to the expanded availability of radio frequency (RF) energy residue in the surroundings, radio frequency energy harvesters (RFEHs) for low-power devices have garnered notable attention in recent times. This work establishes a review study of RFEHs developed for the utilization of low-power devices. From the modest single band to the complex multiband circuitry, the work reviews state of the art of required circuitry for RFEH that contains a receiving antenna, impedance matching circuit, and an AC-DC rectifier. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages associated with various circuit architectures are comprehensively discussed. Moreover, the reported receiving antenna, impedance matching circuit, and an AC-DC rectifier are also compared to draw conclusions towards their implementations in RFEHs for sensors and biomedical devices applications

Mechanisms of action of mineral fibres in a placental syncytiotrophoblast model: An in vitro toxicology study

: Asbestos has been widely used due to its unique characteristics. It is known that exposure to asbestos causes serious damage to health but one species, chrysolite, is still used because it is considered less toxic and not biopersistent in some countries. The aim of our study was to investigate if cellular process underlying the proliferation, differentiation and cell death of placental tissues could be modify in presence of asbestos fibres (50 μg/ml final concentration), long chrysolite fibres (CHR-L) and short chrysolite fibres (CHR-S), using BeWo cell line, an in vitro model that mimics the syncytiotrophoblast (STB), the outer layer of placental villi. Our data demonstrated that none of the fibres analysed alter syncytiotrophoblast formation but all of them induce ROS formation and reduced cell proliferation. Moreover, we showed that only CHR-L fibre induced was able to induce irreversible DNA alterations that carried cells to apoptosis. In fact, BeWo cells exposed to CHR-L fibre showed a significant increase in cleaved CASP3 protein, a marker of apoptosis. These data suggest that CHR-L may induce death of the placental villi leading to impaired placental development. The impairment of placental development is the basis of many gestational pathologies such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. Since these pathologies are very dangerous for foetal and maternal life, we suggest to the gynaecologists to carefully evaluate the area of maternal residence, the working environment, the food used, and the materials used daily to avoid contact with these fibres as much as possible

Disclosing the Health Value through Integrated Report: An Explorative Research

This study aims to investigated if the integrated report, according to the IIRC (International Integrated Reporting Council) Framework, has the potential to disclose health information and to address citizens’ expectations. An explorative case was conducted in an Italian public hospital follows the action research approach. Semi-structured interviews were asked by researchers to reach a deep understanding of the phenomenon under study. The results show that Integrated Reporting is able to disclose the value created: the health outcome. There is a need for Integrated Reporting Framework adjustments for health sector purposes: in relation to some capitals of the framework, to the concept of value created in its particular emphasis on health outcome for patients and to the need to find a more effective communication method. The absence of stakeholder engagement activities in the Integrated Reporting adoption process influences the attractiveness of the document. In fact, the Integrated Reporting user appears to be only the financing institutio

Understanding the stumbling blocks of Italian higher education system: A process mining approach

Nowadays universities strive to continuously enhance their educational programs to improve both the quality and quantity of their graduates. This is a sensitive problem, especially for Italian universities where only 30% of the students enrolled at the university succeed in graduating within a year after the normal duration of the study plan. Over the last few years, the Italian Ministry of University and Education has introduced several indicators to assess students’ careers and help universities identify possible criticality in their study programs. However, these indicators only provide a high-level overview of the graduation process without providing insights into students’ failure. To address this issue, in this work, we propose to model a study program as a process and exploit process analysis techniques to assess students’ performance. These techniques allow delving into students’ careers, thus enabling the investigation of their failures and delays. The findings obtained by applying our approach to the Bachelor program of an Italian university allowed us to determine common bottlenecks that seem to have an impact on students’ graduation time. Moreover, we were able to determine and compare the career paths of successful and late students. The insights gathered by our analysis can be used to support university personnel in delving into factors causing some exams to be a bottleneck, as well as to determine potential improvements in the overall curricula

CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Paths for sustainable and innovative valorization of agri-food waste and by-products for the Marche Region

Uno dei problemi principali della filiera agroalimentare, quindi dell'industria alimentare, è la produzione di notevoli quantità di rifiuti e sottoprodotti. Tale produzione ha impatti sostanziali sulla sostenibilità della filiera, concorrendo a ridurne la redditività e la resilienza. A tale proposito, il modello di economia circolare potrebbe rappresentare una soluzione vincente. L'obiettivo di questa tesi è, quindi, quello di promuovere il modello di economia circolare nella regione Marche attraverso la gestione sostenibile, il recupero e la valorizzazione dei rifiuti e dei sottoprodotti delle filiere agroalimentari. Questo Dottorato di Ricerca è stato svolto nell’ambito dei “Dottorati Innovativi con caratterizzazione industriale (POR Marche FSE 2014/2020 Progetto “Dottorato Innovativo” - Borse di studio per dottorato di ricerca per l’innovazione del sistema regionale Edizione Anno 2020) finanziato dalla Regione Marche. Dopo la definizione del background introduttivo, l’elaborato è composto da sei capitoli, ovvero dai sei articoli prodotti nel corso del triennio e pubblicati o sottomessi a riviste internazionali o convegni. Il primo capitolo presenta una review della letteratura relativa all’applicazione del modello circolare nel settore agroalimentare, con particolare riferimento alla valorizzazione degli scarti. Nel secondo capitolo, viene delineata una panoramica della politica attuale sull’economia circolare in Europa ed Italia. Nel terzo capitolo viene proposto uno studio su alcune filiere produttive (pasta, ortofrutta, olio, vino, caffè) per definire l’applicabilità del modello circolare nella regione Marche. A tal fine, si è svolta un’indagine a questionario per identificare le necessità e le problematiche percepite dagli operatori del settore. In aggiunta, data la scarsità di dati affidabili sui quantitativi di scarti prodotti, si è proceduto mediante l’adozione della metodologia del bilancio di massa a definire tipologie e quantità di rifiuti prodotti annualmente da ciascuno dei casi di studio selezionati. Sulla base di questa analisi, il capitolo quattro propone l’adozione di un modello di business circolare dedicato alla produzione di energia da scarti di filiera (ortaggi surgelati), concentrando l’attenzione su un impianto di biogas convertito a biometano e studiandone la redditività mediante il metodo dei flussi di cassa attualizzati. Sempre nell’ambito energetico, è stata effettuata un'analisi comparativa tra un caso studio in Brasile e uno in Italia, per valutare i progressi della politica dell'economia circolare nei due Paesi e della produzione di bioenergia. Tale studio è consultabile al capitolo cinque. Infine, considerato che l’economia circolare è sia un modello di produzione che di consumo, nel capitolo sei si è indagata la percezione del consumatore dell’economia circolare e l’intenzione ad acquistare e pagare un prodotto parzialmente ottenuto da scarti di lavorazione agroalimentari. I dati sono stati raccolti mediante un 4 questionario online ed elaborati con un modello logit, per ricavare i fattori che influenzano significativamente l’intenzione all’acquisto e per stimare la disponibilità a pagare. Il lavoro di tesi si conclude con alcune osservazioni, strategie, suggerimenti e idee per il futuro della ricerca in questo ambito.One of the main problems of the agri-food supply chain, therefore of the food industry, is the production of large quantities of waste and by-products. This production has substantial impacts on the sustainability of the supply chain, contributing to reduce its profitability and resilience. In this respect, the circular economy model could be a successful solution. The aim of this thesis is, therefore, to promote the model of circular economy in the Marche region through the sustainable management, recovery and valorization of waste and by-products of agri-food chains. This PhD has been carried out within the framework of the "Innovative PhDs with industrial characterization (POR Marche FSE 2014/2020 Project "Innovative PhD" - Scholarships for PhD for innovation of the regional system Edition 2020), funded by the Marche Region. After the background and introduction, the paper is composed of six chapters, that are the six articles produced over the three-year period and published in or submitted to international journals or conferences. Chapter 1 presents a literature review on the application of the circular model in the agri-food sector, referring to the recovery and valorization of waste. In the second Chapter, an overview of the current circular economy policy in Europe and Italy is outlined. In the third Chapter, a study is proposed on selected production chains (pasta, vegetable processing, oil, wine, coffee) to define the applicability of the circular model in the Marche region. A questionnaire was therefore carried out to identify the needs and problems perceived by the operators in the sector. In addition, due to the lack of reliable data on the quantities of waste produced, the mass balance methodology was adopted to define the types and quantities of waste produced annually from each of the selected case study. Based on this analysis, Chapter 4 proposes the adoption of a circular business model dedicated to the production of energy from waste in the supply chain (frozen vegetables), focusing on a biogas plant converted to biomethane producing one and studying its profitability through the discounted cash flow method. Still considering the energy sector, a comparative analysis between a case study in Brazil and one Italy was carried out, to assess the progress of the circular economy policy in the countries and the production of bioenergy. This study is available in Chapter 5. Finally, given that the circular economy is both a production and consumption model, in Chapter 6 the consumer’s perception of the circular economy and the intention to buy and pay for a product partially obtained from food processing waste were investigated. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and processed with a logit model, to derive the 2 factors that significantly influence the intention to purchase and to estimate the willingness to pay. The thesis concludes with some conclusive remarks and future directions

Assessing the spatiotemporal impact of users’ exposure and vulnerability to flood risk in urban built environments

Flood risk in an urban built environment depends on the combination of the hazard, the vulnerability of the built environment itself and its infrastructure (referred to as physical vulnerability), and the exposure and vulnerability of the people residing, working or visiting it (i.e., their human condition). However, factors affecting those people vary over space and time depending on the uses of the built environment. This research offers a methodology for combined spatiotemporal flood risk assessment, providing hourly variations in risks due to hazard, physical vulnerability, users’ exposure, and vulnerability. A mesoscale approach is adopted by collecting and managing data for each open space in the urban layout (e.g., street, square) and the facing buildings. In particular, users’ exposure and vulnerability are investigated for indoor and outdoor uses and their temporalities, providing hourly distributions of users’ density, age, familiarity with the built environment, and direct exposure to the floodwaters. Then, the Analytical Hierarchy process is used to combine risk factors. Finally, the application to a case study application (an urban district in Guimarães, Portugal) demonstrates how users’ factors alter the risk over the day within the same mesoscale element and considers different elements which share the same hazard and physical vulnerability

Could the Construct of Modern-Type Depression Predict Internet Gaming Disorder in Italian Video Gamers? A Case–Control Study

A new postmodern depression type, named “Modern-Type Depression” (MTD), is emerging in Western countries. MTD is often underdiagnosed, mainly due to potentially higher comorbidity with technology-based addictions, including Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). However, the definition of the relationship between MTD and IGD is still controversial, as few data have been published thus far. In particular, there are no data specifically investigating the prevalence of MTD within Italian young subjects with IGD, as well as their mutual association. Hence, within the SWATCH (Social Withdrawal and TeCno-mediated mental Health issues) project, our study aimed to identify the prevalence of MTD in a sample of Italian young adults who play video games by providing a clinical characterization of MTD within a group of IGD individuals (IGD+) versus a group without IGD (IGD−) who play video games. Our cross-sectional case–control study recruited a sample of 543 Italian young video-gaming players (aged 18–35) from the larger SWATCH database, stratified as IGD+ versus IGD−. Subjects were administered the 22-item Tarumi’s Modern-Type Depression Trait Scale (TACS-22), the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ), and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF). Around 21.7% of the total sample was represented by MTD individuals, while within the IGD sample, around 34% of subjects had MTD. Within the MTD group, significantly higher scores at IGDS-9SF (p < 0.001), MOGQ “Escape from reality” (p < 0.001), “Fantasy” (p < 0.001), and MOGQ total score (p = 0.003) were found compared to MTD−. According to the multivariate regression model, controlled for sex and age, higher scores in the TACS-22 were positively predicted by the total score of IGDS9-SF (p = 0.003), the MOGQ “Escape from Reality” subscale (p = 0.014), and MOGQ “Fantasy” (p = 0.011), and negatively predicted by the MOGQ “Competition” subscale (p = 0.035) [F (4538) = 17.265; p < 0.001]. Our findings suggested that MTD displays a strong association with IGD. Video-gaming players who do not have IGD appear to be less prone to MTD; this suggests that further studies could be carried out to specifically investigate whether pathological use of video games could also be determined by the presence of MTD

Mobility and Sporting Activity After Renal Trauma: A Survey Regarding Best Clinical Practice During the Recovery Stage

Objective: To evaluate strategies that are followed after pediatric renal trauma during the recovery stage, with an emphasis on mobility and involvement in subsequent sporting activities. Renal trauma is the most common urogenital trauma in children. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) scale is most commonly used to stratify the severity of injury. There is no consensus in the existing literature with respect to the recovery stage following renal trauma. Methods: A survey was constructed by the European Association of Urology (EAU) – Young Academic Urologists (YAU) Pediatric Urology Working Group and then made digitally available on SurveyMonkey. The survey consists of 15 questions exploring relevant factors and timing to start again with mobility and activity. Results: In total 153 people responded, of whom 107 completed the entire survey. The presence of pain and severity of trauma were acknowledged as most important factors to commence mobilization, whereas presence of hematuria was identified as an additional factor for sporting activity. Regardless of severity of trauma a minimum of 90% of respondents recommend return to noncontact sports within 12 weeks. For contact sports, a minimum of 33% of respondents advised >12 weeks minimum before starting again. A small number of respondents would never allow sporting activities again. Conclusion: The time to allow sporting activity shows high variation among the respondents, some even restricting sporting activities completely. This survey highlights the need for a standardized protocol based on multicenter follow-up data

THE UAE NATIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM’S TYPOLOGIES. Architectural solutions for future transformations

This thesis investigates the multifaceted aspects of the UAE National Housing Program residential typologies and their possible architectural evolution. Commencing with an in-depth analysis of the UAE’s geographical and climatic attributes, political status, economic growth, and sociocultural dimensions, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the contextual foundations. This section also contemplates potential future societal transformations, considering the dynamic forces at play. Moving on with the research, the attention focuses on the urban fabric, tracing its origins from traditional settlements to contemporary landscapes. The exploration continues with the social and environmental implications embedded in the urban condition. Residential typologies, from traditional dwellings to modern living spaces, are then scrutinized, with a keen focus on iconic structures like the traditional (or folk) house and the Sha’bī House. The next part of the research is about the UAE National Housing Program, offering historical insights, typological analyses, and a concise history of its architecture. The analysis of the UAE National Housing Program sheds light on its historical evolution, overarching objectives, and the broader socioeconomic context within which it operates. Within this framework, the study examines the diverse typologies of residential units that form the program’s core, delving into their architectural characteristics, spatial configurations, and social and functional considerations. After the necessary understanding of the context of reference, the research transitions to a comprehensive analysis of urban and architectural references to prepare the ground for defining the region’s unique characteristics. Case studies, including past and contemporary projects, contribute to a holistic overview of the architectural landscape. The thesis culminates in a project proposal introducing original concepts to the current residential design strategy, such as community and unit design, expandability, building, and sustainability strategies. Moreover, a regenerative landscape approach has been considered. The overall aim is to set the stage for a sustainable and progressive future for these architectural endeavors. Finally, to ground the research in practicality and explore the typological implications at the urban scale, a project in Margham emerges as a compelling case study, where desert living, community services, and cultivation in the UAE are explored. The thesis concludes with reflections on methodology and a forward-looking perspective, introducing future research directions within the UAE’s ever-evolving urban and architectural landscape

Waste-Valorized Nanowebs for Crystal Violet Removal from Water

Lightweight, metal-free, sustainable, and reusable adsorbent materials are of paramount significance in addressing the challenges of wastewater treatment. Accordingly, semi-crystalline nanocellulose (NC) is extracted from tissue paper waste and used to modify polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to produce electrospun nanowebs with strand diameters from ≈180–300 nm. The incorporation of NC into PAN is confirmed by infrared and Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction. When tested for crystal violet (CV) adsorption, NC-modified PAN (20% NC@PAN) exhibits the highest CV removal capacity, achieving 91–94% removal over three cycles each, demonstrating exceptional recyclability. In contrast, unmodified PAN significantly decreases in CV adsorption capacity (from 59% to 48% in the third cycle), possibly due to an increased (≈36%) nanofiber diameter. The adsorption kinetics, exhibiting pseudo-second order, interparticle (in between nanofibers) diffusion, and Elovich kinetic models emphasize the role of multilayer CV adsorption through reversible chemical interactions. Confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy unveils a multifaceted CV adsorption mechanism, suggesting both surface and multilayer diffusion, with NC-enhancing interactions. These findings demonstrate the potential of NC-modified PAN nanowebs as effective and environmentally sustainable adsorbents for removing CV from aqueous solutions, suggesting promising practical applications