Qualitative mapping and design strategies for taking care of marginal areas

The study targets the municipality of Quero Vas (Belluno, Italy), an area characterized by historical heritage and demographic decline. Employing a qualitative mapping from Raffaella Fagnoni methodology (Traces, Stories, Actions, Events, Imaginary) the researchers identified that the environmental heritage is one of the main strategic local contexts on which the designers can operate. This heritage is locally considered by two perspectives: the governance, committed to regeneration, frames the landscape as a resource for economic growth through tourism; the communities of hikers and climbers, frame the landscape as a resource for sharing experiences. The two perspectives currently don't engage citizens, who are excluded from a relationship with both. In this context of territorial design and marginal area enhancement, the study proposes a project centered on providing cultural enrichment for citizens. It aims to bridge the gap between economic and recreational values while promoting the collective care and preservation of the territory

Risk of temporomandibular joint effusion related to magnetic resonance imaging signs of disc displacement

Background: It has been suggested that TMJ effusion may represent an inflammatory response to a dysfunctional disc-condyle relationship. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether the status of the disc in the temporomandibular joint, as depicted in magnetic resonance (MR) images, is predictive of the presence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) effusion. Methods: The relationship between disc displacement and TMJ effusion was analyzed in MR images of 154 TMJs in 77 patients complaining for pain and/or dysfunction in the TMJ area and referred from medical practitioners to specialist consultation. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the significant correlation between presence/absence of joint effusion and disc displacement. Results: Significant correlation (P<0.01) between disc displacement and joint effusion was found. OR for all type of disc displacement was 3.1, and the odds that a joint had magnetic resonance imaging findings of effusion was greater for anterior disc displacement without reduction. Conclusions: The status of the disc could represent a factor involved in the development of temporomandibular joint oedema. However, these findings suggest that disc displacement may not be regarded as the dominant factor in defining the occurrence of TMJ effusion. Certain local or systemic conditions other than the disc-condyle relationship must be considered

Horizontal network collaboration by entrepreneurial ventures: a supply chain finance perspective

Purpose – The present paper aims at understanding how horizontal network collaborations between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can be designed and implemented to take advantage of a supply chain finance (SCF) perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This study presents an SCF literature background identifying four literature gaps, and in response to them it adopts an action research approach. The empirical analysis is developed on a network-case study: a horizontal collaboration project between small businesses of the Italian wine industry and their supply chains. Findings – SMEs can play an active role in developing – in terms of design and implementation – their collaborative networks by taking advantage of an SCF perspective for themselves, and their customers, based on the reorganization of relationships interface processes. Taking this perspective can be a concrete and crucial way to sustain the development of SMEs and their supply chains in an actual competitive context. Research limitations/implications – The paper identifies the theoretical gaps in the literature, suggests new research areas that deserve to be more deeply investigated and connects case-related results to the key concepts. The empirical part presents a real case application that proposes a complete roadmap for managers and practitioners who wish to experience similar projects. Practical implications – This network-case study storyline, presenting an overview of ten years of meetings, with related purposes, is suggesting a roadmap for design and implementation of horizontal network as managerial implications. These kinds of active research projects, with a collaborative mixed team of academics and practitioners, and involving a multilayer group of participants, are positive examples for closing the bridge between companies and academia, which enhance this network of small businesses active in trying to improve their competitiveness working together. Originality/value – The value of the paper is to embrace a supply chain-oriented perspective for an SME, independent of the financial system and based on inventory flow management. Very little literature focuses on inventory-based research within the SCF framework, designed for real implementation in horizontal network collaboration by entrepreneurial ventures

Réseau d' Enseignement Multimèdia (REM) : a la recerca d'un Erasmus virtual

En el artículo se da a conocer un nuevo proyecto de investigación sobre la utilización pedagógica de las nuevas tecnologlas de la información y la comunicación: Réseau d'Enseignement Multimédia (REM), en el que participa la Universidad de Barcelona junto con otras diez universidades europeas. El objetivo principal del mismo es la creación de una base de datos multimedia para desarrollar cursos telemáticos interuniversitarios recreando la filosofía de los programas Erasmus y Comenius.Le sujet de cet article est un nouveau projet de recherche sur I'utilisation pédagogique des nouvelles technologies de I'inlormation et de la communication, le Réseau d'Enseignement Multimédia (REM), auquel participe l'Université de Barcelone, aux côtés de dix autres universités européennes. L 'objectif principal de ce projet est de créer une base de données multimédia pour développer des cours télématiques in teruniversitaires dans I'esprit des programmes Erasmus et Comenius.This paper gives general view of a research project about the pedagogical use of information and communication technologies: Réseau d'Enseignement Multimédia (REM), carried out by eleven european uniiversitites one of them being the University of Barcelona. The main objective of the project is to develop a multimedia data base to implement telematic-base interuniversitary courses recreating Erasmus and Comenius programmes philosophy

Aesthetic bite for the management of temporomandibular disorders: A case series review

Background: Oral appliances (OA) are the most widely used treatment approach for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs): They are designed to relieve or prevent degenerative forces on the joint, the articular disk, and dentition. Classical OAs, however, are cumbersome and esthetically unpleasing: A more esthetic and functional appliance might improve treatment efficacy and shorten treatment time. Aim: The aim of this case series is to introduce an esthetical device for the management of TMD. Methodology: Three adults between 43 and 60 years old with a diagnosis of intra-articular TMD were included and were instructed to apply the device throughout the day and night. The patients were recruited at the same private dental clinic and each one signed an informed consent for both treatment and inclusion in the study. We evaluated and compared four clinical parameters (mandibular excursion, mandibular opening pattern, muscular and articular pain, and TMJ noises) between time 0 (T0) and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months of using the device following the protocol of diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular joint disorders (DC/TMD). A magnetic resonance imaging exam was conducted to investigate tissue changes between T0 and 3 and 12 months of therapy. Conclusions: For all four parameters, we observed considerable improvements in all patients, who noticed the positive effects of the therapy themselves. The results suggest that this esthetic device was an effective treatment to manage TMD in the described cases, also increasing patients’ quality of life. However, studies on a larger scale are required to prove the effectiveness of this device. Clinical Significance: This case series aims to highlight the potentiality of an esthetic device used for the management of TMDs. This is because a more esthetically pleasant and comfortable device increases the time of usage, thus improving the positive effects of the device on the TMD

From land to glass. An integrated approach for quality and traceability assessment of top Italian wines

The wine sector in Italy is a significant contributor to the country's economy. Furthermore, Italy is renowned for producing some of the world's most excellent wines. For these reasons, the wine industry is susceptible to frauds, such as reporting false origin claims in labels. In this context, this paper aims to provide traceability and quality tool to recognise wines from different Italian regions, i.e. Calabria, Piemonte, Sicily and Veneto, from selected winemakers that reach the Top 10% in almost three international rankings. The multi-elemental analysis of soil and wine samples by ICP-MS and their chemometric treatments have identified Ni, Cs, Li, Ca, Ba, Pb, Rb, Sb, Fe and U as the most informative variables to reach optimal classification of samples. The analytical data have been used to develop an original managerial framework to leverage Pareto's Principle for effective brand-land management in the top wine segment

Temporomandibular joint involvement (TMJ), a silent disease with severe alterations in young adulthood patients affected by juvenile idiophatic arthritis (JIA)

TMJ involvement has been largely reported in all subsets of JIA. At onset, it may be subtle and asymptomatic leading, when unrecognized and untreated, to severe joint alterations in early adulthood. The reported prevalence of detectable radiographic changes of TMJs varies from about 30% to 63% and 50-80% of children with JIA will have evidence of TMJ arthritis by MRI and by sonographic exam (SE) (effusions, synovial enhancement, condylar flattening and/or erosions) before evidence of X-ray damage. Pts with oligoarticular JIA onset (O-JIA) seem to be at higher risk of developing TMJ damage and, at young adulthood, when peripheral arthritis may be quiescent, suddenly complain of TMJ disease symptoms

Treatment of Scaphoid Non-Unions with Custom-Made 3D-Printed Titanium Partial and Total Scaphoid Prostheses and Scaphoid Interosseous Ligament Reconstruction

Purpose: Treatment of scaphoid fracture sequelae is still an unsolved problem in hand surgery. Custom-made 3D-printed titanium partial and total scaphoid prosthesis and scaphoid interosseous ligament reconstruction (SLIL) are performed in cases of non-union and isolated aseptic necrosis of the proximal scaphoid pole and when it is impossible to save the scaphoid bone, respectively. This study aims to evaluate the clinical, functional and radiographic results after these two prosthesis implantations. Methods: Between January 2019 and July 2020, nine partial and ten total scaphoid prostheses were implanted using custom-made 3D-printed titanium implants. Evaluation criteria included carpal height ratio (CHR), radioscaphoid angle, wrist extension and flexion, radial deviation and ulnar deviation of the wrist, grip strength and pinch strength, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE). Results: Clinical, functional, and radiographic improvements were found in all outcomes analyzed for both patient groups. The VAS pain scale obtained the most remarkable improvement at the one-year follow-up. The results of the DASH scores and the PRWE were good, with a great rate of patient satisfaction at the end of the follow-up. SLIL reconstruction also provided excellent stability and prevented a mid-carpal bone collapse in the short- and medium-term follow-up. Conclusions: A custom-made 3D-printed titanium partial or total scaphoid prosthesis is a viable solution for patients with scaphoid non-union and necrosis or complete scaphoid destruction in whom previous conservative or surgical treatment has failed