Milano Porta Garibaldi : un nuovo progetto per la città

LAUREA MAGISTRAL

Rete GPON e rete elettrica, soluzioni innovative per l'ultimo miglio su territorio italiano

LAUREA MAGISTRALENegli ultimi anni sono stati programmati e realizzati ingenti piani d’investimento pubblici e privati, al fine di migliorare le prestazioni delle reti di telecomunicazione per aziende e cittadini. Per questo motivo gli operatori di telecomunicazione stanno investendo sulle infrastrutture per offrire un servizio di connettività più performante; in particolare, nel caso italiano, l’attuale rete di accesso in rame, impiegante tecnologie ADSL, non risulta più in grado di soddisfare i requisiti prestazionali odierni, formalizzati sotto-forma di obiettivi nell’Agenda Digitale Europea. Nella seguente tesi, viene presentata una breve analisi delle tecnologie e dell’infrastruttura di telecomunicazione italiana preesistente. In seguito, dopo aver richiamato alcuni concetti base sulla fibra ottica, si affrontano con maggiore dettaglio le soluzioni GPON, per le quali viene studiata la possibilità di posa su rete elettrica. Lo schema GPON proposto utilizza due livelli di splitting ed un terzo livello rappresentato dai punti di distribuzione. Non si considera la rete primaria di distribuzione, quindi lo studio parte da un set di punti di flessibilità primari “candidati” e sceglie quale punti di flessibilità secondari e quali punti di distribuzione attivare. Il modello è realizzato partendo dalla mappa di una rete elettrica di distribuzione e gli obiettivi consistono nel massimizzare lo sfruttamento della rete elettrica minimizzando i costi. Viene considerata la possibilità di eseguire scavi in zone considerate strategiche per permettere la realizzazione dell’infrastruttura rispettando tutti i limiti derivanti dalla rete elettrica.In the last few years, significant public and private financial investment plans have been set up and accomplished in order to improve telecommunication networks for companies and citizens. For this reason, telecommunication operators are investing on infrastructure to offer a more performing connectivity service. For instance, the current Italian access network uses extensively copper twists and ADSL technologies, thus becoming unable to satisfy nowadays performance requirements. Requisites for the next generation networks have been codified in the European Commission’s Digital Agenda. There are many possible choices for technology to be used; the thesis illustrates the most common solutions adopted for both infrastructure and technologies nowadays. After short recall on fiber optic fundamentals, it is analyzed the GPON solution and it is discussed the possibility to pose GPON network on the distribution electric grid. GPON scheme adopted is a two split level 1:4, 1:16 and it uses distribution points in order to collect cables with same path. It is not considered in the scheme the primary distribution network id est the portion that connect the Point of Presence POP to the primary splitters. The model is based on a number of candidates points for DP, primary and secondary splitters and the objective of the model is the maximization of the electric grid minimizing the cost. It is considered the possibility to do some excavations in strategic zones where it is needed due to the constrains of electric grid

Digital image correlation : preprocessing delle immagini per la riduzione dell'incertezza ed applicazioni allo studio del size effect di travi

LAUREA SPECIALISTICAIl seguente lavoro di tesi è basato sulla validazione teorica e sull’applicazione pratica di tecniche di Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Gli studi teorici trattati riguardano in particolare l’applicazione in fase di pre-processing di un filtro gaussiano alle immagini analizzate allo scopo di migliorare l'accuratezza di misura. Essi sono strutturati in due parti: la prima è composta dall’analisi dei risultati di simulazioni numeriche, la seconda dalle verifiche sperimentali di tali simulazioni. In entrambe le fasi gli studi effettuati riguardano i benefici che l’applicazione del filtro gaussiano porta all’utilizzo delle tecniche DIC, verificati anche al variare di fattori significativi quali rumore, subset size e principale contenuto in frequenza dello speckle pattern. L’applicazione pratica dei metodi DIC è incentrata sullo studio della meccanica della frattura in travi di calcestruzzo rinforzate a flessione. In particolare si vogliono estrapolare i profili di deformazione in senso longitudinale per travi che variano per dimensione, dimensione degli aggregati presenti nel calcestruzzo e materiale costituente la barra di rinforzo (acciaio o fibra di vetro). Da questi si traggono spunti per la validazione di studi teorici riguardanti il comportamento a rottura di travi strutturali di grandi dimensioni, per il quale ad oggi non si dispone di un modello matematico univoco

Temporal Pattern Recognition in Graph Data Structures

Graph data structures model relations between entities in various domains. Graph processing systems enable scalable distributed computations over large graphs, but are limited to static scenarios in which the structure of the graph does not change. However, many applications are dynamic in nature, and this reflects to graphs that continuously evolve over time. In these contexts, understanding the evolution of graphs is key to enable timely reactions when necessary. We address this problem by proposing a new model to express temporal patterns over graph data structures. The model seamlessly integrates computations over graphs to extract relevant values, and temporal operators that define patterns of interest in the evolution of the graph. We present the syntax and semantics of our model and discuss its concrete implementation in FlowGraph, a middleware for temporal pattern recognition in large scale graphs. FlowGraph presents a level of performance that is comparable to state-of-the-art graph processing tools when processing static graphs. In the presence of temporal patterns, it can further optimize processing by avoiding complex graph computations until strictly necessary for pattern evaluation

The Role of Lung Ultrasound Monitoring in Early Detection of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study

Specific lung ultrasound signs combined with clinical parameters allow for early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the general ICU population. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the accuracy of lung ultrasound monitoring for ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis in COVID-19 patients. Clinical (i.e., clinical pulmonary infection score) and ultrasound (i.e., presence of consolidation and a dynamic linear–arborescent air bronchogram, lung ultrasound score, ventilator-associated lung ultrasound score) data were collected on the day of the microbiological sample (pneumonia-day) and 48 h before (baseline) on 55 bronchoalveolar lavages of 33 mechanically-ventilated COVID-19 patients who were monitored daily with lung ultrasounds. A total of 26 samples in 23 patients were positive for ventilator-associated pneumonia (pneumonia cases). The onset of a dynamic linear–arborescent air bronchogram was 100% specific for ventilator-associated pneumonia. The ventilator-associated lung ultrasound score was higher in pneumonia-cases (2.5 (IQR 1.0 to 4.0) vs. 1.0 (IQR 1.0 to 1.0); p &lt; 0.001); the lung ultrasound score increased from baseline in pneumonia-cases only (3.5 (IQR 2.0 to 6.0) vs. −1.0 (IQR −2.0 to 1.0); p = 0.0001). The area under the curve for clinical parameters, ventilator-associated pneumonia lung ultrasound score, and lung ultrasound score variations were 0.472, 0.716, and 0.800, respectively. A newly appeared dynamic linear–arborescent air bronchogram is highly specific for ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. A high ventilator-associated pneumonia lung ultrasound score (or an increase in the lung ultrasound score) orients to ventilator-associated pneumonia.</jats:p

The Role of Lung Ultrasound Monitoring in Early Detection of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study

Specific lung ultrasound signs combined with clinical parameters allow for early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the general ICU population. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the accuracy of lung ultrasound monitoring for ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis in COVID-19 patients. Clinical (i.e., clinical pulmonary infection score) and ultrasound (i.e., presence of consolidation and a dynamic linear–arborescent air bronchogram, lung ultrasound score, ventilator-associated lung ultrasound score) data were collected on the day of the microbiological sample (pneumonia-day) and 48 h before (baseline) on 55 bronchoalveolar lavages of 33 mechanically-ventilated COVID-19 patients who were monitored daily with lung ultrasounds. A total of 26 samples in 23 patients were positive for ventilator-associated pneumonia (pneumonia cases). The onset of a dynamic linear–arborescent air bronchogram was 100% specific for ventilator-associated pneumonia. The ventilator-associated lung ultrasound score was higher in pneumonia-cases (2.5 (IQR 1.0 to 4.0) vs. 1.0 (IQR 1.0 to 1.0); p < 0.001); the lung ultrasound score increased from baseline in pneumonia-cases only (3.5 (IQR 2.0 to 6.0) vs. −1.0 (IQR −2.0 to 1.0); p = 0.0001). The area under the curve for clinical parameters, ventilator-associated pneumonia lung ultrasound score, and lung ultrasound score variations were 0.472, 0.716, and 0.800, respectively. A newly appeared dynamic linear–arborescent air bronchogram is highly specific for ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. A high ventilator-associated pneumonia lung ultrasound score (or an increase in the lung ultrasound score) orients to ventilator-associated pneumonia

Clinical Relevance of MYD88 L265P Mutation and Interleukin-10 Level in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Both Newly Diagnosed and Relapsed Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System

Introduction: Early diagnosis remains a major concern in pts with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the CNS (PCNSL). Diagnostic delay leads to severe neurological impairment due to prolonged exposure of CNS tissues to tumor infiltration, and protracted steroid therapy, which causes immunodepression and infective complications, the main reasons for treatment interruptions. A few molecular markers have been proposed as diagnostic tools, but reliable parameters that can be easily incorporated in routine practice are still needed. Near 70% of PCNSLs display MYD88 L265P mutation and release high levels of interleukin-10 (IL10). These two parameters are widely used for routine diagnosis of different disorders, but are hardly detectable in peripheral blood of PCNSL pts; accordingly, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be an attractive alternative for their evaluation. Thus, we investigated the sensitivity and specificity of MYD88 L265P mut and IL10 levels in CSF samples to distinguish PCNSL from other neurological disorders, and to identify earlier relapsing lymphomas. Methods: MYD88 mutational status and IL6 and IL10 levels were assessed by TaqMan RT-PCR assay and ELISA, respectively, on CSF samples from 198 HIV-neg adults with 1) histologically-confirmed PCNSL at presentation (pPCNSL; n= 27) or relapse (rPCNSL; n= 26); 2) neurological disorders currently entering in differential diagnosis with PCNSL (n= 105; degenerative and inflammatory disorders, toxic or infective encephalitis, gliomas, and others); 3) systemic DLBCL at high-risk of CNS dissemination (n= 40). MYD88 status was assessed in 85 neurological controls and interleukins in 78; both parameters were assessed in 58. Differences in MYD88 status (categorical variable) and IL10 levels (continuous variables) among pts subgroups were assessed by Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively. Predictive accuracy of IL6 &amp; IL10 was evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity by means of ROC curves. Associations between PCNSL features (site and number of lesions; CSF protein level and cytological status) and analyzed molecules were addressed by Spearman's correlation. Results: Demographic characteristics of analyzed subgroups were similar, with a median (range) age of 62 (39-81) ys for PCNSLs and 63 (28-89) ys for controls (p= 0.42); with 27 (51%) and 69 (48%) males (p= 0.70), respectively. MYD88 L265P mut was detected in 19 (70%) of 27 pPCNSL, in 11 (42%) of 26 rPCNSL, in 1 (1%) of 85 neurological controls and in 1 (3%) of 40 systemic DLBCL (p&lt; 0.00001), with a sensitivity and specificity for pPCNSL detection of 70% and 98%, respectively. Median IL6 concentration was 4.62 pg/mL (0-157.7) for the 53 PCNSLs and 2 pg/mL (0-200) for the 118 assessed controls (p= 1.0). High IL6 levels (&gt;12 pg/mL) were recorded in 5 (18%) of 27 pPCNSL, in 7 (27%) of 26 rPCNSL, in 7 (9%) of 78 neurological controls, and in 0 (0%) of 40 systemic DLBCL. The ROC curve showed a low sensitivity and specificity of IL6 to distinguish PCNSL from other disorders and DLBCL, with an area under the curve of 0.66 (poor accuracy). Median IL10 concentration was 53.3 pg/mL (0-400) for PCNSLs and 0 pg/mL (0-10) for controls (p&lt; 0.00001). Increased IL10 levels were recorded in 20 (91%) of 22 assessed pPCNSL, in 20 (91%) of 23 assessed rPCNSL, in 1 (1%) of 78 neurological controls, and in 1 (2%) of 40 systemic DLBCL, with a sensitivity and specificity for PCNSL detection of 91% and 98%, respectively, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.95 (high accuracy). At least one of analyzed parameters (MYD88 L265P mut &amp; high IL10 level) was recorded in 26 (96%) of 27 pPCNSL, in 23 (88%) of 26 rPCNSL, in 1 (1%) of 58 neurological controls and in 2 (5%) of 40 systemic DLBCL, with a sensitivity and specificity to detect PCNSL of 96% and 97%, respectively. Both MYD88 L265P mut and IL10 levels were independent of lymphoma features. Conclusions: The occurrence of MYD88 L265P mut and high IL10 level in CSF samples are associated with very high sensitivity and specificity in PCNSL pts. These simple and fast procedures, currently used in routine practice, are reliable tools to generate early and strong suspicion of PCNSL at both diagnosis and relapse. These results support the use of MYD88 L265P mut and high IL10 level as diagnostic tools in pts with suspected PCNSL localized in areas unsuitable for biopsy (i.e., brain stem). The role of these parameters in monitoring lymphoma behavior should be addressed in prospective trials. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. </jats:sec

Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection After Gene Therapy in a Child With Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report

In this work we present the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a 1.5-year-old boy affected by severe Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome with previous history of autoinflammatory disease, occurring 5 months after treatment with gene therapy. Before SARS-CoV-2 infection, the patient had obtained engraftment of gene corrected cells, resulting in WASP expression restoration and early immune reconstitution. The patient produced specific immunoglobulins to SARS-CoV-2 at high titer with neutralizing capacity and experienced a mild course of infection, with limited inflammatory complications, despite pre-gene therapy clinical phenotype.</jats:p