Privacy through Anonymisation in Large-scale Socio-technical Systems: Multi-lingual Contact Centres across the EU

Large-scale socio-technical systems (STS) inextricably interconnect individual – e.g., the right to privacy –, social – e.g., the effectiveness of organisational processes –, and technology issues —e.g., the software engineering process. As a result, the design of the complex software infrastructure involves also non-technological aspects such as the legal ones—so that, e.g., law-abidingness can be ensured since the early stages of the software engineering process. By focussing on contact centres (CC) as relevant examples of knowledge-intensive STS, we elaborate on the articulate aspects of anonymisation: there, individual and organisational needs clash, so that only an accurate balancing between legal and technical aspects could possibly ensure the system efficiency while preserving the individual right to privacy. We discuss first the overall legal framework, then the general theme of anonymisation in CC. Finally we overview the technical process developed in the context of the BISON project

Emulating the GLink Chip-Set with FPGA Serial Transceivers in the ATLAS Level-1 Muon Trigger

Many High Energy Physics experiments based their serial links on the Agilent HDMP-1032/34A serializer/deserializer chip-set (or GLink). This success was mainly due to the fact that this pair of chips was able to transfer data at \sim 1 Gb/s with a deterministic latency, fixed after each power up or reset of the link. Despite this unique timing feature, Agilent discontinued the production and no compatible commercial off-the-shelf chip-sets are available. The ATLAS Level-1 Muon trigger includes some serial links based on GLink in order to transfer data from the detector to the counting room. The transmission side of the links will not be upgraded, however a replacement for the receivers in the counting room in case of failures is needed. In this paper, we present a solution to replace GLink transmitters and receivers. Our design is based on the gigabit serial IO (GTP) embedded in a Xilinx Virtex 5 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). We present the architecture and we discuss parameters of the implementation such as latency and resource occupation. We compare the GLink chip-set and the GTP-based emulator in terms of latency, eye diagram and power dissipation

Longitudinal prospective observational type study about determinants of renal resistive index variations in chronic renal failure patients treated with conventional medical and dietetic therapy

Objective: This longitudinal prospective observational type study was conceived with the aim to examine the impact on renal resistive index (RRI) of the variables that we can manipulate with therapeutic and or dietetic interventions in a chronic kidney disease population in order to known which of these variables was statistically related to changes in RRI and therefore could become the object of the greatest therapeutic effort. Material and methods: This study was undertaken between May 2016 to May 2017 in the outpatient nephrology and urology clinic of San Donato Hospital in Arezzo. The study population (84 patients: 47 males and 37 females) was randomly selected among the chronic kidney patients (with various degrees of renal impairment) affected by hypertension and or diabetes mellitus. After a comprehensive medical examination these patients were submitted to determination of serum creatinine, glycated hemoglobin, 24-hour urinary albumin excretion and finally renal Doppler ultrasonography. Then the patients were submitted to a full therapeutic and dietetic intervention to ameliorate the renal impairment by a wide range of actions and after on average a one-year interval were submitted again to a new medical examination and a second determination of serum creatinine, glycated hemoglobin, 24-hour urinary albumin excretion and a new renal Doppler ultrasonography too. Results: The comparison between basal and final data revealed a slight reduction in the mean of bilateral renal resistance indices (Delta RRI: -0.0182 ± 0.08), associated to a slight increase in the mean glomerular filtration rate (Delta GFR: 0.8738 ± 10.95 ml/min/1.73 m2), a reduction in mean body weight (Delta weight: -1.9548 ± 5.26 Kg) and mean BMI (Delta BMI: -0.7643 ± 2.10 Kg/m2) as well as a reduction in the mean systolic blood pressure (Delta systolic blood pressure: -8.8333 ± 25.19 mmHg). Statistical analysis showed statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) between Delta RRI and Delta weight (p < 0.03), Delta BMI (p < 0.02) and Delta systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite the many limitations the our study clearly identifies the targets (yet widely known) to act on to prevent kidney alterations related to RRI and provides further evidence, if any, of the utility of RRI as a key parameter in monitoring patients with chronic renal failure and as a valuable tool to drive the clinical efforts to contrast the kidney disease

Microfluidic interactions between red blood cells and drug carriers by image analysis techniques

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.Blood is a complex biological fluid composed of deformable cells and platelets suspended in plasma, a protein-rich liquid. The peculiar nature of blood needs to be considered when designing a drug delivery strategy based on systemically administered carriers. Here, we report on an in vitro fluid dynamic investigation of the influence of the microcapillary flow of red blood cells (RBCs) on micron sized carriers by high speed imaging methods. The experiments were carried out in a 50μm diameter glass capillary that mimicked the hydrodynamic conditions of human microcirculation. Spherical μ particles (μ-Ps), with sizes ranging between 0.5 and 3μm, were tested. Images of the flowing RBCs and μ-Ps were acquired by a highspeed/ high-magnification microscopy. The transport and distribution of rigid particles in a suspension of RBCs under shear flow were followed for: i) the migration of RBCs towards the vessel centerline due to their deformability; ii) the cross-flow migration of μ-Ps towards the vessel wall due to their hydrodynamic interactions with RBCs; iii) the radial distribution of μ-Ps in the presence of RBCs. This study suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of μ-Ps could be ultimately affected by their interactions with the flowing RBCs in the vasculature

Use of cinacalcet in nephrolithiasis associated with normocalcemic or hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism: Results of a prospective randomized pilot study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, by means of a prospective randomized study, the efficacy of cinacalcet in the forms of nephrolithiasis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism in both the hypercalcemic and normocalcemic variant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients suffering from active nephrolithiasis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism (4 hypercalcemics and 6 normocalcemics), equally divided between males and females, were randomly but not blindly addressed to treatment with potassium citrate and allopurinol, or to the same therapeutic regimen in combination with cinacalcet. The dosage of cinacalcet was optimized for each patient in order to obtain a reduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH) within normal limits while enabling the maintenance of adequate calcemic values. All study participants were given the same diet based on a reduction in sodium intake, oxalate-rich foods and animal protein with standardized intake of calcium and an increase in hydration. After a follow up period of 10 months , cinacalcet was associated to standard therapy and diet in patients who were not taken it, conversely cinacalcet was withdrawn in the remaining patients who remained on standard therapeutic regimen and diet. Follow up was continued for a second period of observation of the same duration of the first. RESULTS: At the end of the period of treatment with cinacalcet, for both variants of hyperparathyroidism, a statistically significant reduction in the overall number and in the diameter of renal stones was found. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective randomized study shows the effectiveness of cinacalcet used in combination with a diet with normalized calcium intake, in reducing the number and size of urinary stones in hypercalemic and normocalcemic forms of primary hyperparathyroidism

A novel technology for disinfecting surfaces infested with Candida auris: the UVC chip

Background The fungal pathogen Candida Auris is increasingly associated with multidrug-resistant infections that are highly expensive for the Health Care System. The spreading of this pathogen can occur, among others, through contact with infected surfaces or medical instruments. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel UVC chip, novel alternative to UVC LEDs and lamps, in inactivating Candida auris strain. Methods This experimental study was carried out between July and September 2020 at the University of Siena. Candida auris (ATCC 12372) at two known concentrations (1.5X107 and 1.5x106 CFU/ml) at a fixed distance (7,5 cm) from the chip (5.1mW radiant power) was tested, in triplicates, with three exposure times (5, 10 and 15 minutes). Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates without the plate lid and containing Candida auris were exposed to UVC light. Subsequently, the plates were incubated at 36 °C for 48 h. Log reduction between treated and positive control (not exposed to UVC light) samples was calculated. Results At 15 minutes, we had the highest inactivation result, mean 4.43 log10, starting from a 1.5x106 CFU/mL concentration. At a higher concentration, 1.5X107 CFU/mL, the reduction had a mean of 3.51 log10. Conclusions The results of the experiments showed a significant microbial reduction in relation to the exposure time. The highest level of reduction was reached after 15 minutes of exposure. UVC chip had a relevant biocidal effect on Candida auris and may represent a valuable tool in the prevention of infections caused by this pathogen, which is becoming increasingly prevalent and persistent globally. Key messages • The use of UVC Chip decreases surface contamination. • New technology against healthcare-associated infections

Effectiveness of near-UVA in SARS-CoV-2 inactivation

This experimental study aimed to determine the activity of a near-UVA (405 nm) LED ceiling system against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The ceiling system comprised 17 near-UVA LED lights with a radiant power of 1.1 W/each centred at 405 nm wavelength. A 96-multiwell plate, fixed to a wooden base, was inoculated with suspensions of VERO E6 cell cultures infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus and irradiated at a distance of 40 cm with a dose of 20.2 J/cm(2) for 120 min. The collected suspensions were transferred to VERO cell culture plates and incubated for 3 days. The maximum measurable log reduction obtained, starting from a concentration of 10(7.2) TCID50/mL, was 3.0 log(10) and indicated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication by the near-UVA LED ceiling system. Near-UVA light at a 405-nm wavelength is emerging as a potential alternative treatment for localised infections and environmental decontamination because it is far less harmful to living organisms' cells than UV-C irradiation

Elastography Point Quantification in the evaluation of liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Several non-invasive approaches to stage liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients are being developed. Elastography Point Quantification (ElastPQ) is a non-invasive method to assess liver fibrosis measuring liver stiffness. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of ElastPQ for identifying different degrees of fibrosis in NAFLD patients. We compared ElastPQ with other non-invasive tests and identify the best liver stiffness cut offs for every fibrosis stage. ElastPQ was performed in a training cohort of patients with biopsy-proved NAFLD, liver serum tests and Transient Elastography (TE). The diagnostic performance of ElastPQ was evaluated using AUROC and compared with TE, Fibrosis-4 score, NAFLD fibrosis score and AST/ALT. ElastPQ was performed in a validation cohort in order to validate the data. 106 patients with NAFLD were enrolled. The median stiffness values using ElastPQ was 4.69 kPa (2.82-29.86). The mean liver stiffness divided for category of fibrosis stage were: 4.18 kPa (mild fibrosis F0-1), 4.49 kPa (significant fibrosis F2), 6.89 kPa >(advanced fibrosis F3) and 12.14 kPa (cirrhosis F4). In multivariate analysis, liver stiffness was associated with the fibrosis stage (ß=2.987; p<0.001). The AUCs for the association with significant, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis were 0.783 (95%IC 0.693-0.857), 0.855 (95%IC 0.773- 0.916) and 0.897 (95%IC 0.822-0.947), respectively. Diagnostic performance of ElastPQ compared to TE, resulted non-inferior in evaluating significant fibrosis (p=0.956), advanced fibrosis (p=0.171) and cirrhosis (p=0.773). ElastPQ had a higher diagnostic performance compared to FIB-4, NFS and AAR. The best fibrosis cuts off identified in the training cohort (80 patients enrolled) were 5.22 kPa, 6.3 kPa and 9.61 kPa respectively for fibrosis >F2, >F3 and F4. ElastPQ is a promising technique for liver fibrosis evaluatio

A time-varying SIRD model for dynamic vaccination strategies against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how the optimal allocation of the limited doses of vaccine available represents one of the main useful measures to mitigate the transmission of the infection and reduce the mortality associated with it, especially at an early stage of the pandemic. The use of a compartmental model allows us to understand which population groups to vaccinate and to what extent to act depending on the type of health or social objective to be achieved