Knowledge and Enhancement of Architectural and Archaeological Heritage: the Palace of GLA in Tirana

This study relates two research fields developed by the Faculty of Architecture of Bari: the first one began since 2006, focused on the knowledge and enhancement of modern Italian architecture in Albania, and the second one characterized by the synergy between the disciplines of interior design, museology and museography applied to the topic of the archaeological museum. The study-case is the Palazzo della Gioventù del Littorio Albanese (GLA), a building designed by the Florentine architect Gherardo Bosio in 1939 for the monumental centre of Tirana, which includes nowadays a variety of activities (Archaeological Museum, gym, library and Rector’s office of the Polytechnic of Tirana). A multidisciplinary Laboratory Degree carried out at the Faculty of Architecture of Bari during the a.y. 2012-2013, examined the original features, the transformations over time, and the potentiality of the Palace. The Laboratory developed a project of architectural requalification, partial re-functioning and expansion of this building, strengthening the cultural vocation and thereby contributing indirectly to the enhancement of the urban context. In particular, the Laboratory studied the existing Archaeological Museum, proposing a renewed ordering of the archaeological finds, and elaborated a project of enhancing the interior spaces, rationalization of the exhibition itinerary and renovation of the exhibition systems. It also developed a hypothesis of restriction in order to accommodate cultural activities annexed to the museum. The expansion of the museum has grown at the level of the basement of the building, with volumes not visible on the outside, preserving the original features of the architectural form. The possibility of requalification of the Palace of GLA as a museum centre fits into the framework of the development of the museum network, of which the Museum of Tirana could be a fulcrum able to offer a summary of the archaeological heritage of Albania

A comparative evaluation of 3 different free-form deformable image registration and contour propagation methods for head and neck MRI : the case of parotid changes radiotherapy

Purpose: To validate and compare the deformable image registration and parotid contour propagation process for head and neck magnetic resonance imaging in patients treated with radiotherapy using 3 different approachesthe commercial MIM, the open-source Elastix software, and an optimized version of it. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with head and neck cancer previously treated with radiotherapy were considered. Deformable image registration and parotid contour propagation were evaluated by considering the magnetic resonance images acquired before and after the end of the treatment. Deformable image registration, based on free-form deformation method, and contour propagation available on MIM were compared to Elastix. Two different contour propagation approaches were implemented for Elastix software, a conventional one (DIR_Trx) and an optimized homemade version, based on mesh deformation (DIR_Mesh). The accuracy of these 3 approaches was estimated by comparing propagated to manual contours in terms of average symmetric distance, maximum symmetric distance, Dice similarity coefficient, sensitivity, and inclusiveness. Results: A good agreement was generally found between the manual contours and the propagated ones, without differences among the 3 methods; in few critical cases with complex deformations, DIR_Mesh proved to be more accurate, having the lowest values of average symmetric distance and maximum symmetric distance and the highest value of Dice similarity coefficient, although nonsignificant. The average propagation errors with respect to the reference contours are lower than the voxel diagonal (2 mm), and Dice similarity coefficient is around 0.8 for all 3 methods. Conclusion: The 3 free-form deformation approaches were not significantly different in terms of deformable image registration accuracy and can be safely adopted for the registration and parotid contour propagation during radiotherapy on magnetic resonance imaging. More optimized approaches (as DIR_Mesh) could be preferable for critical deformations

USO DO CANABIDIOL NA NEUROPATIA COMPRESSIVA DO CIÁTICO: ESTUDO EXPERIMENTAL

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy comprises a wide spectrum of syndromes, characterized by injuries to one or more peripheral nerves, and may be related to metabolic, degenerative, infectious diseases and physical trauma. The management of symptoms remains a major challenge, considering that in many situations, the adverse effects of drugs outweigh their advantages, impacting the quality of life of patients. Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of cannabidiol in sensorimotor functional recovery resulting from crushing the sciatic nerve. Methods: After CEUA approval, 15 female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), with a mean age of three months and weight of 250 ± 20 g, from the Science Facility were used. Animal from UNIFESO. The animals were divided into: Control Group (CG, n = 5); no surgical procedure; Trauma Group (TGR, n = 5); crushing of the sciatic nerve of the left abdominal limb, followed by surgical synthesis; Cannabidiol Group (CDBG, n = 5); procedure like the previous one, followed by oral administration of 60 mg/kg/day of cannabidiol for seven days. All groups were submitted to locomotion tests, with assessment of the degree of lameness by the modified Muzzi Score, and histological analysis of the sciatic nerve. Results: When comparing the GCDB with the GTR, the lameness score was significantly higher (30.43%) in the treated animals (P < 0.05). Histological findings also demonstrated a greater precocity of the regenerative process in GCBD. Conclusions: The results were promising, considering the pathophysiological complexity of peripheral neuropathy and the need for more robust complementary studies with greater analytical rigor.Introducción: La neuropatía periférica comprende un amplio espectro de síndromes, caracterizados por lesiones en uno o más nervios periféricos, y puede estar relacionada con enfermedades metabólicas, degenerativas, infecciosas y traumatismos físicos. El manejo de los síntomas sigue siendo un gran desafío, considerando que en varias situaciones, los efectos adversos de los medicamentos superan sus ventajas, impactando en la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia del cannabidiol en la recuperación funcional sensoriomotora por aplastamiento del nervio ciático. Métodos: Después de la aprobación de CEUA, se utilizaron 15 ratas Wistar hembras (Rattus norvegicus), con una edad promedio de tres meses y un peso de 250 ± 20 g, del Centro de Ciencia Animal de UNIFESO. Los animales se distribuyeron de la siguiente manera: Grupo Control (GC, n = 5); sin procedimiento quirúrgico; Grupo de Trauma (GTR, n = 5); aplastamiento del nervio ciático de la extremidad abdominal izquierda, seguido de síntesis quirúrgica; grupo cannabidiol (GCDB, n = 5); Procedimiento similar al anterior, seguido de la administración oral de 60 mg/kg/día de cannabidiol durante siete días. Todos los grupos fueron sometidos a pruebas de locomoción, con evaluación del grado de claudicación mediante el Muzzi Score modificado, y análisis histológico de ciática. Resultados: Al comparar el GCDB con el GTR, la puntuación de cojera fue significativamente mayor (30,43%) en los animales tratados (p < 0,05). Los hallazgos histológicos también demostraron una mayor precocidad del proceso regenerativo en la ECGC.A neuropatia periférica compreende um amplo espectro de síndromes, caracterizadas por lesões em um ou mais nervos periféricos, podendo estar relacionada a doenças metabólicas, degenerativas, infecciosas e trauma físico. O manejo dos sintomas continua sendo um grande desafio, considerando que em diversas situações, os efeitos adversos dos fármacos superam suas vantagens, impactando na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Objetivos: Avaliar a eficácia do canabidiol na recuperação funcional sensório-motora decorrente do esmagamento do nervo ciático. Métodos: Após a aprovação da CEUA, utilizou-se 15 ratos (Rattus norvegicus), Wistar, fêmeas, com média de idade de três meses e peso de 250 ± 20 g, procedentes da Instalação de Ciência Animal do UNIFESO. Os animais foram distribuídos em: Grupo Controle (GC, n = 5); sem procedimento cirúrgico; Grupo Trauma (GTR, n = 5); esmagamento do nervo ciático do membro abdominal esquerdo, seguido da síntese cirúrgica; Grupo Canabidiol (GCDB, n = 5); procedimento similar ao anterior, seguido da administração oral de 60 mg/kg/dia de canabidiol por sete dias. Todos os grupos foram submetidos a testes de locomoção, com avaliação do grau de claudicação pelo Escore de Muzzi modificado, e análise histológica do ciático. Resultados: Ao comparamos o GCDB com o GTR, a pontuação no escore de claudicação foi significantemente maior (30,43%) nos animais tratados (p < 0,05). Os achados histológicos também demonstraram maior precocidade do processo regenerativo no GCBD. Conclusões: Os resultados foram promissores, considerando à complexidade fisiopatológica da neuropatia periférica e a necessidade de estudos complementares mais robustos e com maior rigor analítico.Introdução: A neuropatia periférica compreende um amplo espectro de síndromes, caracterizadas por lesões em um ou mais nervos periféricos, podendo estar relacionada a doenças metabólicas, degenerativas, infecciosas e trauma físico. O manejo dos sintomas continua sendo um grande desafio, considerando que em diversas situações, os efeitos adversos dos fármacos superam suas vantagens, impactando na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Objetivos: Avaliar a eficácia do canabidiol na recuperação funcional sensório-motora decorrente do esmagamento do nervo ciático. Métodos: Após a aprovação da CEUA, utilizou-se 15 ratos (Rattus norvegicus), Wistar, fêmeas, com média de idade de três meses e peso de 250 ± 20 g, procedentes da Instalação de Ciência Animal do UNIFESO. Os animais foram distribuídos em: Grupo Controle (GC, n = 5); sem procedimento cirúrgico; Grupo Trauma (GTR, n = 5); esmagamento do nervo ciático do membro abdominal esquerdo, seguido da síntese cirúrgica; Grupo Canabidiol (GCDB, n = 5); procedimento similar ao anterior, seguido da administração oral de 60 mg/kg/dia de canabidiol por sete dias. Todos os grupos foram submetidos a testes de locomoção, com avaliação do grau de claudicação pelo Escore de Muzzi modificado, e análise histológica do ciático. Resultados: Ao comparamos o GCDB com o GTR, a pontuação no escore de claudicação foi significantemente maior (30,43%) nos animais tratados (p < 0,05). Os achados histológicos também demonstraram maior precocidade do processo regenerativo no GCBD. Conclusões: Os resultados foram promissores, considerando à complexidade fisiopatológica da neuropatia periférica e a necessidade de estudos complementares mais robustos e com maior rigor analítico

Econometric analysis

The Climate Security Observatory (CSO) is an online platform for stakeholder decision-making that provides access to a range of global analyses related to climate and security. The CSO is based on an integrated climate security framework that helps understand the complexity of the climate-security interface. As part of the CSO methods paper series, this report details the method used for the econometric analysis

Executive summary of the joint position paper on renal denervation of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH)

No abstract available

How does climate exacerbate root causes of conflict in Senegal? An econometric analysis

This factsheet gives answers on how climate exacerbates root causes of conflict in Senegal, using a two-stage econometric approach. The findings show how rising temperatures and rainfall anomalies combined with nutritional insecurity can increase the likelihood of conflict in Senegal. This publication is part of a factsheet series reporting on the findings of the CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security Observatory work in Africa (Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe). The research is centered around 5 questions: 1. How does climate exacerbate root causes of conflict? 2. Where are hotspots of climate insecurities ? 3.What is the underlying structure of the climate, conflict, and socio-economic system? 4. Are climate and security policies coherent and integrated? 5. Are policy makers aware of the climate security nexus

How does climate exacerbate root causes of conflict in Nigeria? An econometric analysis

This factsheet assesses how climate exacerbates root causes of conflict in Nigeria, using a two-stage econometric approach. The findings show how increased rainfall increases the nutrition security of Nigerian households and that the combined effect of extreme temperature and nutrition insecurity increases the intensity of conflicts. This publication is part of a factsheet series reporting on the findings of the CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security Observatory work in Africa (Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe). The research is centered around 5 questions: 1. How does climate exacerbate root causes of conflict? 2. Where are hotspots of climate insecurities ? 3.What is the underlying structure of the climate, conflict, and socio-economic system? 4. Are climate and security policies coherent and integrated? 5. Are policy makers aware of the climate security nexus

How does climate exacerbate root causes of conflict in Zimbabwe? An econometric analysis

This factsheet gives answers on how climate exacerbates root causes of conflict in Zimbabwe, using a two-stage econometric approach. The findings suggest that household and in particular children are considerably vulnerable to different kind of climate anomalies. At the district level, results show a positive correlation between level of food insecurity, climate and intensity of conflict, more specifically protest and riots. This publication is part of a factsheet series reporting on the findings of the CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security Observatory work in Africa (Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe). The research is centered around 5 questions: 1. How does climate exacerbate root causes of conflict? 2. Where are hotspots of climate insecurities ? 3.What is the underlying structure of the climate, conflict, and socio-economic system? 4. Are climate and security policies coherent and integrated? 5. Are policy makers aware of the climate security nexus

Expert consultation workshops: Developing a common vision of climate-related security risks

The Climate Security Observatory (CSO) is an online platform for stakeholder decision-making that provides access to a range of global analyses related to climate and security. The CSO is based on an integrated climate security framework that helps understand the complexity of the climate-security interface. As part of the CSO methods paper series, this report details the method used for developing a common vision of climate-related security risks based on expert consultation workshop