i-FRAME – Assessing impacts of social policy innovation in the EU: Proposed methodological framework to evaluate socio-economic returns on investment of social policy innovations

This report presents the final proposal for developing a methodological framework to assess the impacts generated by social policy innovations which promote social investment in the EU, in short i-FRAME. This framework has the objective to provide a structured approach that shall serve as a comprehensive framework for conducting analysis of the economic and social returns on investments of social policy innovations. It also aims to act as a guide to gather insights into replicability and transferability of initiatives which promote social investment across the EU. The report outlines the reviewed and improved theoretical and methodological approach developed by the JRC with help from external experts, and validated by testing the operational components proposed on a number of case studies and scenarios of use. After outlining the conceptual and methodological approach underpinning the i-FRAME (V1.0), the report discusses the proposal for building its operational components according to a structured theoretical framework of a dynamic simulation model for social impact assessment (V1.5). The final proposal for i-FRAME (V2.0) and an overview of the operational components for its implementation are then presented discussing the key elements that should be developed to build a comprehensive i-FRAME Web-Platform and simulator for social impact assessment. Conclusions are then offered in terms of implications for policy and directions for future research. These were drawn after consulting experts from different research disciplines, practitioners and representatives of relevant stakeholders and policymakers, and they include .recommendations for further developing the operational components proposed, paving the way towards building the i-FRAME (V3.0) and beyond.JRC.B.4-Human Capital and Employmen

Flora vascolare del Capo di Monte Santu (Sardegna centro orientale)

The vascular flora of Capo di Monte Santu (Central-Eastern Sardinia) – The Authors present their study on the flora of Capo di Monte Santu, a calcareous area forming the southern tip of the Gulf of Orosei. Investigation allowed us to identify 381 taxa, belonging to 62 families and comprising 228 genera. Data regarding the biological spectrum show a prevalence of therophytes (49.2%), typical of the regions of the Mediterranean area, followed by hemicryptophytes (21.8%) and geophytes (10.8%). An overview of the chorological spectrum of the flora highlights dominance of the Mediterranean component (78.5%). Amongst the Mediterranean species s.s. (47.2%) we noted greater presence of entities of the Steno-Mediterranean distribution area (25.7%), followed by endemics which with 43 entities constitute 11.3% of total flora. From the chorological point of view, the prevailing element amongst the endemics is the Sardinian (11 taxa) including 5 taxa which are exclusive to the calcareous massif of central-eastern Sardinia. The analysis of rarities, performed by applying Rabinowitz’ categories, shows as being most numerous (86 taxa) species spread over the territory with a restricted ecology and scarce, non-dominant populations (WRS), whereas the least consistent (9 taxa) is that of the species with limited spread over the territory, a wide ecology and scarce and non dominant populations (NBS). Those entities considered worthy of protection based on the IUCN red lists are four in number (Lactuca longidentata, Orchis brancifortii, Polygala saxatilis and Sedum villosum subsp. glandulosum), one entity (Ruscus aculeatus) is listed in Annex V of the Habitat Directive while Annex II of CITES includes all the Orchidaceae (10) and Cyclamen repandum subsp. repandum

A PGSE NMR approach to the characterization of single and multi-site halogen-bonded adducts in solution

We demonstrate here that the Pulsed field Gradient Spin Echo (PGSE) NMR diffusion technique can be effectively used as a complementary tool for the characterization of mono- and multi-site intermolecular halogen bonding (XB) in solution. The main advantage of this technique is that it provides the possibility of unambiguously determining the stoichiometry of the supramolecular adduct, information that is particularly important when multi-site molecular systems are studied. As an example, PGSE NMR measurements in chloroform indicate that hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), a potentially four-site XB acceptor, actually exploits only two sites for the interaction with the XB donor N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), leaving the other two nitrogen sites unoccupied. Charge displacement calculations suggest that this is due also to the anti-cooperativity of the XB interaction between HMTA and NBS

After the earthquake. Design processes for intervention on vernacular heritage in Central Italy

[EN] Every day, in Italy, an average of 45 seismic events is recorded (INGV 2020 data) and their impact on the built environment is intense and continuous. The most notable cases are only the tip of a widespread and systematic iceberg, especially in the Central Apennines Mountain range. The opportunity to operate on ancient and disrupted buildings, to observe materially mural stratigraphies, to interpret disconnected or hinted geometries represents the field of action of know-how that fluctuates between technological specialism and the transmission of ancient tacit knowledge, which is more evident in the vernacular heritage. Concepts like conservation, restoration and reconstruction have become crucial in the deep debate and rule formulation, in the context of the “Extraordinary Commissariat for Earthquake Reconstruction 2016”. The contribution intends to investigate and describe the main features of these design procedures, focusing on the results, the perspective, dynamics, and objectives through which the reconstruction is taking place. More in detail, the paper suggests two case studies to examine the application of these ongoing procedures in relation to the enhancement and conservation of vernacular heritage in the Marche region. The two case studies are the village of Gabbiano (a small rural fabric close to Pieve Torina, Macerata) and the Shrine of Macereto (a monumental, isolated complex in Visso, Macerata). The differences in size, type and original use between the case studies offers the opportunity to compare two different interventions for either a complete reconstruction or a conservative restoration. The scope of the study is to explore the “rules of reconstruction” - applied to vernacular heritage sites - by observing how the projects and the proposed techniques represent an interpretation of the national legal framework built around the post-earthquake territories. Loffredo, G.; Recla, F.; Suraci, N.; Tosco, C. (2022). After the earthquake. Design processes for intervention on vernacular heritage in Central Italy. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 871-878. https://doi.org/10.4995/HERITAGE2022.2022.1515287187

The anticipatory nature of representations

Abstract not availabl

Semantics-Aware Indexing of Geospatial Resources Based on Multilingual Thesauri: Methodology and Preliminary Results

the discovery functionality implemented by geoportals is primarily based on the syntactic matching of users’ search pattern against descriptive metadata, such as title, abstract, or keywords. As a consequence, the retrieval process is often hampered by linguistic issues related to multilingualism, semantic heterogeneity (synonymy, homonymy, etc.), and terminology mismatch in general. We propose a novel criterion for associating resources to language-neutral identifiers, thus enabling multilingual access to datasets and services as well as query expansion and refinement. The methodology has been successfully applied to the ISO-compliant metadata records aggregated by the INSPIRE Geoportal and is driving semantics-aware extensions of the discovery functionalities of the latter

Transapical off-pump mitral valve repair with Neochord Implantation (TOP-MINI): step-by-step guide

open10openColli, Andrea; Zucchetta, Fabio; Torregrossa, Gianluca; Manzan, Erica; Bizzotto, Eleonora; Besola, Laura; Bellu, Roberto; Sarais, Cristiano; Pittarello, Demetrio; Gerosa, GinoColli, Andrea; Zucchetta, Fabio; Torregrossa, Gianluca; Manzan, Erica; Bizzotto, Eleonora; Besola, Laura; Bellu, Roberto; Sarais, Cristiano; Pittarello, Demetrio; Gerosa, Gin

Oocyst excretion pattern of three intestinal Eimeria species in female rabbits

[EN] The dynamic change in faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion was evaluated in 10 naturally infected female rabbits, starting from their weaning at 33 d of age until about 1 mo after their second parturition. Faecal samples collected from examined animals were quali-quantitatively analysed to evaluate presence and number of Eimeria oocysts. In addition, isolated Eimeria oocysts were identified at the species level following sporulation. Animals were found to be infected by Eimeria perforans, Eimeria exigua and Eimeria magna and shed Eimeria oocysts after weaning and after parturition. In particular, at 33 d of age all female rabbits examined were negative, while the discharge of Eimeria oocysts started at 39th day of age and peaked between 46th and 53rd day of age. From 81-109 d of age until the first parturition and from 25 d of age of the litters born at the first parturition to the second parturition, all animals resulted negative. After parturition, Eimeria oocyst output occurred from 6th to 12th day after the first parturition and from 7th to 13th day after the second parturition, while a second period of oocyst excretion was observed from 18th to 24th day after both parturitions. These findings may indicate the existence of a relationship between the periparturient phase and Eimeria oocyst output and suggest an important role of the mothers in transmission of the infection to their litters.The authors thank the Italian Ministry of University (MIUR) for financing this studyPapeschi, C.; Fichi, G.; Perrucci, S. (2013). Oocyst excretion pattern of three intestinal Eimeria species in female rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 21(2):77-83. doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1235.SWORD778321

Exploring Digital Government transformation in the EU: Expert Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement

This report provides an overview of the main activities of experts consultation and stakeholder engagement conducted as part of the JRC research on “Exploring Digital Government Transformation in the EU: understanding public sector innovation in a data-driven society” (DigiGov). The aim of these activities was to validate the results of the study while gaining insights on future research directions and policy developments. To this end, a group of recognised experts and representatives of key stakeholders drawn from a diverse range of academic disciplines and practices in the areas of digital government and data for policy at European and international level were actively engaged. The consultation and engagement activities included a first Consultation Workshop in Ispra, a Policy Lab in Seville and an online Foresight Workshop, as well as the establishment of the DigiGov online community of practice, facilitated by JRC, to further disseminate scientific results and contribute shaping policy recommendations for the future of Digital Government transformation in the European Union.JRC.B.6-Digital Econom

Fatica ciclica di nuovi strumenti al nichel-titanio in canali artificiali a singola e doppia curvatura

RiassuntoObiettiviLo studio si pone lo scopo di valutare la resistenza a fatica ciclica di due tipologie di strumenti in nichel-titanioMateriali e metodiOttanta canali a singola curvatura e a doppia curvatura sono stati strumenti suddivisi in 4 gruppi: GTX 30/.06, GTX 40/.04, Twisted Files 30/.06 e Twisted Files 40/.04. È stato calcolato il numero di cicli a frattura (NCF).RisultatiGli strumenti dei gruppi Twisted Files hanno resistito più a lungo in rotazione nei diversi canali artificiali (p≤0,05). Le dimensioni dello strumento non hanno avuto un'influenza statisticamente significativa.ConclusioniI risultati di questo studio indicano che la doppia curvatura canalare a "S" aumenta notevolmente il rischio di frattura e il gruppo Twisted Files è risultato più resistente rispetto al gruppo GTX.SummaryObjectivesAim of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistance of two types of new nickel-titanium endodontic instrumentsMaterials and methods80 instruments divided into 4 groups (20 each group), GTX 30/.06, GTX 40/.04, Twisted Files 30/.06, Twisted Files 40/.04. All the instruments were tested in two different artificial canals, one with a single curvature and the other with a double curvature. All instruments were rotated until fracture and the number of cycles to fracture (NCF) was then calculated,ResultsTwisted Files instruments resisted longer in rotation in the different canals. The size of the instrument (30.06, 40.04) did not have a statistically significant influence.ConclusionsThe instruments Twisted Files were more resistant to cyclic fatigue compared to the GTX