407 research outputs found
Updating Neighbour Cell List via Crowdsourced User Reports: A Framework for Measuring Time Performance
In modern wireless networks deployments, each serving node needs to keep its Neighbour Cell List (NCL) constantly up to date to
keep track of network changes. The time needed by each serving node to update its NCL is an important parameter of the network’s
reliability and performance. An adequate estimate of such parameter enables a significant improvement of self-configuration
functionalities. This paper focuses on the update time of NCLs when an approach of crowdsourced user reports is adopted. In
this setting, each user periodically reports to the serving node information about the set of nodes sensed by the user itself. We show
that, by mapping the local topological structure of the network onto states of increasing knowledge, a crisp mathematical framework
can be obtained, which allows in turn for the use of a variety of user mobility models. Further, using a simplified mobility model we
show how to obtain useful upper bounds on the expected time for a serving node to gain Full Knowledge of its local neighbourhood
Hydrogeological insights and modelling for sustainable use of a stressed carbonate aquifer in the Mediterranean area. From passive withdrawals to active management
Study area: Venafro Mts., southern-central Italy, Mediterranean basin. Study focus: Via a collection of geological and hydrogeological data, a flow conceptual model of a carbonate aquifer has been coupled with a numerical model via MODFLOW code and Unsaturated Zone Flow (UZF) package in steady state and transient conditions. Simulation is further implemented with different management scenarios, for facing possible emergencies due to recharge decrease, also simulating a drastic water abstraction cut-off. New hydrological insights for the region: Carbonate fractured aquifers are a strategic water resource in the whole Mediterranean area, supplying major metropolitan areas. Despite these huge extensions, such groundwater systems are threatened by increasing drought occurrence and significant human water abstraction. A characterization of a carbonate fractured aquifer (370 km2) located in central-southern Italy has been performed. Venafro Mts. Aquifer (VMA) hosts a strategic resource for the Western Campania Waterworks (WCW) that supplies the populous metropolitan area of Naples, with 3.8 million inhabitants. VMA shows a slow response, with recovery time estimated at the decennial scale, testifying its limited resilience to natural and human pressures. A shift is proposed from passive management to a more comprehensive concept of smart-water monitoring, applied not only to waterworks and pipelines, but also to groundwater resources in the environment
Marginal structural models with dose-delay joint-exposure for assessing variations to chemotherapy intensity
Marginal structural models are causal models designed to adjust for time-dependent confounders in observational studies with dynamically adjusted treatments. They are robust tools to assess causality in complex longitudinal data. In this paper, a marginal structural model is proposed with an innovative dose-delay joint-exposure model for Inverse-Probability-of-Treatment Weighted estimation of the causal effect of alterations to the therapy intensity. The model is motivated by a precise clinical question concerning the possibility of reducing dosages in a regimen. It is applied to data from a randomised trial of chemotherapy in osteosarcoma, an aggressive primary bone-tumour. Chemotherapy data are complex because their longitudinal nature encompasses many clinical details like composition and organisation of multi-drug regimens, or dynamical therapy adjustments. This manuscript focuses on the clinical dynamical process of adjusting the therapy according to the patient’s toxicity history, and the causal effect on the outcome of interest of such therapy modifications. Depending on patients’ toxicity levels, variations to therapy intensity may be achieved by physicians through the allocation of either a reduction or a delay of the next planned dose. Thus, a negative feedback is present between exposure to cytotoxic agents and toxicity levels, which acts as time-dependent confounders. The construction of the model is illustrated highlighting the high complexity and entanglement of chemotherapy data. Built to address dosage reductions, the model also shows that delays in therapy administration should be avoided. The last aspect makes sense from the cytological point of view, but it is seldom addressed in the literature
Subsidence Detected by Multi-Pass Differential SAR Interferometry in the Cassino Plain (Central Italy): Joint Effect of Geological and Anthropogenic Factors?
In the present work, the Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) technique has
been applied to study the surface movements affecting the sedimentary basin of Cassino
municipality. Two datasets of SAR images, provided by ERS 1-2 and Envisat missions, have
been acquired from 1992 to 2010. Such datasets have been processed independently each other
and with different techniques nevertheless providing compatible results. DInSAR data show a
subsidence rate mostly located in the northeast side of the city, with a subsidence rate
decreasing from about 5–6 mm/yr in the period 1992–2000 to about 1–2 mm/yr between 2004
and 2010, highlighting a progressive reduction of the phenomenon. Based on interferometric
results and geological/geotechnical observations, the explanation of the detected movements
allows to confirm the anthropogenic (surface effect due to building construction) and
geological causes (thickness and characteristics of the compressible stratum
Marginal Structural Models with Dose-Delay Joint-Exposure for Assessing Variations to Chemotherapy Intensity
Marginal Structural Models (MSMs) are causal models designed to adjust for time-dependent
confounders in observational studies with dynamically-adjusted treatments. They are robust tools
to assess causality in complex longitudinal data. In this paper a MSM is proposed with an innovative
dose-delay joint-exposure model for Inverse-Probability-of-Treatment Weighted (IPTW) estimation of
the causal effect of alterations to the therapy intensity. The model is motivated by a precise clinical
question concerning the possibility of reducing dosages in a regimen. It is applied to data from a
randomised trial of chemotherapy in osteosarcoma, an aggressive primary bone-tumour.
Chemotherapy data are complex because their longitudinal nature encompasses many clinical
details like composition and organisation of multi-drug regimens, or dynamical therapy adjustments.
This manuscript focuses on the clinical dynamical process of adjusting the therapy according to
the patient’s toxicity history, and the causal effect on the outcome of interest of such therapy
modifications. Depending on patients’ toxicity levels, variations to therapy intensity may be achieved
by physicians through the allocation of either a reduction or a delay of the next planned dose.
Thus, a negative feedback is present between exposure to cytotoxic agents and toxicity levels, which
acts as time-dependent confounders.
The construction of the model is illustrated highlighting the high complexity and entanglement of
chemotherapy data. Built to address dosage reductions, the model also shows that delays should
not be introduced in the therapy administration. The last aspect makes sense from the cytological
point of view, but it is seldom addressed in the literature
Use of particle counter system for the optimization of sampling ,identification and decontamination procedures for biological aerosols dispersion in confined environment
Abstract
In a CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosive) scenario, biological agents hardly allow
efficient detection/identification because of the incubation time that provides a lag in symptoms outbreak following
their dissemination. The detection of atmospheric dispersion of biological agents (i.e.: toxins, viruses, bacteria and so
on) is a key issue for the safety of people and security of environment. Another fundamental aspect is related to the
efficiency of the sampling method, which leads to the identification of the agent released, in fact an effective sampling
method is needed either to identify the contamination and to check for the decontamination procedure.
Environmental monitoring is one of the ways to improve fast detection of biological agents; for instance, particle
counters with the ability of discriminating between biological and non-biological particles are used for a first warning
when the amount of biological particles exceeds a particular threshold. Nevertheless, these systems are not able to
distinguish between pathogen and non-pathogen organisms, thus, classical “laboratory” assays are still required to
unambiguously identify the particle which triggered the warning signal. In this work, a combination of commercially
available equipment for detection and identification of the atmospheric dispersion of biological agents was evaluated in
partnership between the Italian Army, the Department of Industrial Engineering and the School of Medicine and
Surgery of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. The aim of this work, whose results are presented here, was to
conduce preliminary studies on the dynamics of biological aerosols fallout after its dispersion, to improve detection,
sampling and identification techniques. This will help minimizing the impact of the release of biological agents,
guarantee environmental, and people safety and securit
Progressive Patient Care e organizzazione ospedaliera per intensitĂÂ di cure: revisione narrativa della letteratura
Scopo del presente articolo è riassumere la letteratura relativa alla Progressive Patient Care con particolare attenzione alle sue caratteristiche concettuali e pratiche, all'implementazione nel corso degli anni e agli effetti che ha avuto sugli attuali sistemi di erogazione della salute.E' stata condotta una Revisione integrativa-narrativa della letteratura.La Progressive Patient Care è un modello che ha la finalitĂ di raggruppare i pazienti secondo il grado di complessitĂ che essi presentano. Tale organizzazione è finalizzata alla collocazione del paziente nel setting di cura piĂą appropriato. Il modello originale prevede cinque livelli di unitĂ assistenziali: intensive care, intermediate care, self-care, long term care, organized home care. In Italia il modello di organizzazione ospedaliera per intensitĂ di cura può essere considerato come una contestualizzazione della Progressive Patient Care alla realtĂ nazionale, date le similitudini sia dal punto di vista delle finalitĂ che il modello si pone, sia per la tipologia di livelli di assistenziali.La riorganizzazione per intensitĂ di cure rappresenta un'opportunitĂ per l'Italia di operare nella direzione di un'assistenza che si basi sul concetto di continuitĂ di cure, dal momento che si pone l'accento sui processi di cura e di assistenza a partire dai bisogni dei pazienti, piuttosto che sulla suddivisione ospedaliera secondo criteri di specialitĂ disciplinare.Parole chiave: Cure progressive, Italia, ContinuitĂ delle cure, Assistenza centrata sul paziente Progressive Patient Care Model and its application into hospital organization: a narrative review ABSTRACTAim of this article is to review the literature about the Progressive Patient Care Model, in particular its conceptual and practical characteristics, its implementation and effects on the current health care organization. Was conducted by an integrative-narrative literature review.The Progressive Patient Care is a model which aims at group patients according to their complexity in order to place patients in the most appropriate care setting.The original model consists on five care levels: intensive care, intermediate care, self-care, long term care, home care.In Italy the above mentioned model can be considered as a contextualization of Progressive Patient Care in the light of similarities both in terms of model purposes and care levels classification.The organization for intensive care levels is an opportunity for Italian healthcare facilities to reach continuity of care. This model emphazises care processes looking to patients' needs rather than a division according to criteria of specialties.Keywords: Progressive Patient Care, Italy, Continuity of Patient Care, Patient Centered Car
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