Non-Performing Loans and Macroeconomics Factors: The Italian Case

The purpose of this work is to investigate the influence of macroeconomics determinants on non-performing loans (NPLs) in the Italian banking system over the period 2008Q3–2020Q4. We mainly contribute to the literature by being the first empirical article to study this relationship in the Italian context in the recent period, thus providing fresh evidence on the macroeconomic impact on NPLs, i.e., on the credit risk of Italian banks. By employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration model, we are able to investigate the short and long-run effects of macroeconomic factors on NPLs. The empirical findings show that gross domestic product and public debt have a negative impact on NPLs. On the other hand, we find that the unemployment rate and domestic credit positively influence impaired loans. Finally, we find evidence of the “gamble for resurrection” approach, i.e., Italian banks tend to support “zombie firms”

Ultrafast dynamics in solids probed by femtosecond time-resolved broadband electronic sum frequency generation

Time-resolved sum frequency generation is an established tool to investigate the ultrafast vibrational dynamics with surface and interface specificity, which can be extended to the regime of electronic transitions using a white light continuum as demonstrated previously by studies of liquid interfaces. We expand this technique to the investigation of solid single crystal samples. In particular, we demonstrate the potential of electronic sum frequency generation by probing the non-equilibrium dynamics at excitonic resonances in ZnO with a sensitivity as small as 0.6% and with a time resolution of 160 fs

An inspection system for pharmaceutical glass tubes

Abstract: Syringes, vials and carpules for pharmaceutical products are usually made of borosilicate glass. Such containers are made by glass converting companies starting from single glass tubes. These glass containers can suffer from inclusions, air bubbles, stones, scratches and others issues, that can cause subsequent problems like product contamination with glass particulate or cracks in the glass. In recent years, more than 100 million units of drugs packaged in vials or syringes have been withdrawn from the market. As a consequence pharmaceutical companies are demanding an increased delivery of high quality products to manufacturers of glass containers and therefore of glass tubes. An automatic, vision based, quality inspection system can be devoted to perform such task, but specific process features requires the introduction of ad-hoc solutions: in the production lines tubes significantly vibrate and rotate, and the cylindrical surface of the tube needs to be inspected at 360 degrees. This paper presents the design, the development and the experimental evaluation of a vision system to control the quality of glass tubes, highlighting the specific solutions developed to manage vibrations and rotations, obtaining a 360 degree inspection. The system has been designed and tested in a real facility, and proved effective in identifying defects and impurities in the order of tens of microns

Analytical Evaluation of Surface-Mounted PMSG Performances Connected to a Diode Rectifier

This paper analyzes some operational issues of threephase surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) connected to a diode rectifier. This simple configuration coupled to a single-switch dc–dc converter is used in smallscale wind energy conversion systems, as well as in energy harvesting systems, to reduce costs. The diode rectifier causes an intrinsic limit for the maximum convertible power, which is related to the load impedance matching, and additional joule losses due to the distorted currents. By using an analytical steady-state model of the rectifier and of the PMSG, this paper discusses how to achieve two particularly meaningful operating conditions characterized respectively by the maximum power transfer and the maximum power per ampere. The theory is validated by simulation and test results on a prototype

Multimodal confined water dynamics in reverse osmosis polyamide membranes

While polyamide (PA) membranes are widespread in water purification and desalination by reverse osmosis, a molecular-level understanding of the dynamics of both confined water and polymer matrix remains elusive. Despite the dense hierarchical structure of PA membranes formed by interfacial polymerization, previous studies suggest that water diffusion remains largely unchanged with respect to bulk water. Here, we employ neutron spectroscopy to investigate PA membranes under precise hydration conditions, and a series of isotopic contrasts, to elucidate water transport and polymer relaxation, spanning ps-ns timescales, and Å-nm lengthscales. We experimentally resolve, for the first time, the multimodal diffusive nature of water in PA membranes: in addition to (slowed down) translational jump-diffusion, we observe a long-range and a localized mode, whose geometry and timescales we quantify. The PA matrix is also found to exhibit rotational relaxations commensurate with the nanoscale confinement observed in water diffusion. This comprehensive ‘diffusion map’ can anchor molecular and nanoscale simulations, and enable the predictive design of PA membranes with tuneable performance

Hand grip support for rehabilitation and assistance: from patent to TRL5

In the last decades, the continuous increase in the number of the vast cohort of chronic patients that constantly need medical assistance and supervision, and the widespread lack of therapist has brought to an increased interest in the role of medical technologies in rehabilitative programs and assistive scenarios. Current clinical evidence in rehabilitation demonstrates that there is an important and increasing demand for innovative therapeutic solutions to recover the hand functions to prevent patients to need assistance in performing daily life activities. This works describes the pathway from patent to TRLS of a device to support hand grip actions and interaction with daily life objects. E-KIRO is based on the use of electromagnets, which are able to attach/detach interactive objects equipped with a ferromagnetic plate. Five end-users used the device and scored it with excellent usability based on the System Usability Scale

Retrospective Long-Term Evaluation of Miltefosine-Allopurinol Treatment in Canine Leishmaniosis

: Miltefosine-Allopurinol (MIL-AL) combination is reported to be one of the most effective treatments for canine leishmaniosis, thanks to its oral administration and MIL-documented low impact on renal function. However, MIL-AL is considered a second-choice treatment when compared to meglumine-antimoniate-allopurinol combination, mainly due to the risk of earlier relapses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the MIL-AL protocol during a long-term follow-up with an average duration of nine years. Dogs were living in Southern Italy (Puglia, Italy) in an area considered endemic for Canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Inclusion criteria were clinical and/or clinicopathological signs consistent with CanL; positive result to Leishmania quantitative ELISA; and negativity to the most frequent canine vector-borne infections. All dogs received 2 mg/kg MIL for 28 days, and 10 mg/kg AL, BID, for a period varying between 2 and 12 months. Ancillary treatments were allowed according to the clinical condition of the dog. A total clinical score and a total clinicopathological score were calculated at each time point by attributing one point to each sign or alteration present and then by adding all points. Improvement after each treatment was defined by the reduction of at least 50% of the total score. A survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier curve) was performed for quantifying the probability of the events occurring during the study follow-up. The following events were considered: decreased and negative ELISA results; improvement/recovery of the clinical and clinicopathological alterations; and relapse of leishmaniasis. One hundred seventy-three dogs (75f and 98m) were retrospectively included in the study by examining their clinical records since the first diagnosis of CanL. One hundred forty-three (83%) dogs were under five years of age. The mean duration of the follow-up period was 5.4 (±1.1) years with a minimum of 3.2 years and a maximum of 9 years. All dogs received a first treatment of MIL-AL at inclusion; then, during the follow-up course, 30 dogs required a second treatment, 2 dogs required a third treatment and 1 dog required a fourth and a fifth treatment. The mean time interval between the first and the second treatment was 27.2 (±18.3) months. After the first treatment, all dogs had decreased ELISA levels, in an average interval of 2.6 (±1.6) months. One hundred seventy dogs (98%) experienced a clinical improvement (mean time 3.0 ± 4.9 months); 152 (88%) dogs were considered clinically recovered after a mean time of 16.7 ± 13.5 months. A similar trend was observed for clinicopathological alterations; interestingly, proteinuria decreased in most dogs (p < 0.0001-Chi-square for trends). Thirty dogs experienced relapses, the earliest after 4.8 months. The mean time without relapse was 90.4 (±2.5) months. In relapsed dogs, the mean time for clinical improvement after the second treatment was 8.6 (±12.6) months, whereas it was 11.0 (±15.4) months for clinicopathological alterations. Five dogs had limited gastrointestinal side effects associated with MIL treatment. The present study confirms that the MIL-AL protocol can be considered one of the most effective treatments for CanL therapy, mainly for its capacity to provide a long-time clinical improvement in a large majority of treated dogs. As reported in the literature, the clinical stabilization of dogs does not occur immediately after treatment, probably due to the particular pharmacokinetic properties of MIL. The efficacy of MIL-AL decreases in dogs that need more than one treatment, suggesting the necessity to alternate anti-Leishmania drugs for the treatment of relapses. Side effects were transient and slight, even in dogs that required several treatments

Prognostic significance of organ dysfunction in cats with polytrauma

Polytrauma is a common emergency condition in small animals and is frequently associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to minor trauma. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) is a major complication of extensive traumatic injury, carrying a high risk of death despite intensive care treatment. Little is known about the prevalence and the prognostic impact of MODS in feline polytrauma. The current study aimed to prospectively evaluate the occurrence and the prognostic significance of organ dysfunction at admission in a population of polytraumatized cats. Cats with polytrauma requiring intensive care unit hospitalization were included and categorized according to outcome (survivors/non-survivors). Clinical and clinicopathological data, including scores of disease severity [Animal Trauma Triage Score (ATTS), APPLEfast, and APPLEfull], selected organ dysfunction and presence of MODS were evaluated upon admission, and analyzed with respect to mortality. Non-parametric statistics was performed and P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Thirty-eight cats met the inclusion criteria: 8/38 (21%) had penetrating trauma, while 30/38 (79%) had blunt trauma. The overall in-hospital mortality was 37% (14/38). Cats with evidence of MODS upon admission had significantly higher frequency of death compared to cats without MODS (9/14 vs. 2/24 P = 0.0004). Hemostatic dysfunction, respiratory dysfunction, and MODS upon admission were significantly associated with mortality in the univariate logistic regression analysis (P = 0.005, P = 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). The values of APPLEfast, APPLEfull, and ATTS were independently associated with a higher risk of death and positively correlated with the number of dysfunctional organs (P = 0.025, P = 0.004, P = 0.003, r = 0.57, P = 0.0002; r = 0.59, P = 0.0001; r = 0.55, P = 0.0003, respectively). Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome is a common complication of feline polytrauma and its development is associated with increased disease severity and worse outcomes. The presence of hemostatic dysfunction and respiratory dysfunction upon admission is associated with a higher risk of death. The ATTS and the APPLE scores are useful prognostic tools for the assessment of cats with polytrauma

Pressure ulcers management: an economic evaluation

Introduction. Pressure ulcer management represents a growing problem for medical and social health care systems all over the world, particularly in European Union countries where the incidence of pressure ulcers in older persons (> 60 years of age) is predicted to rise. Objectives. The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the lower impact on economic resources of using advanced dressings for the treatment of pressure ulcers with respect to conventional simple dressings. Methods. Two different models of analysis, derived from Activity Based Costing and Health Technology Assessment, were used to measure, over a 30-day period, the direct costs incurred by pressure ulcer treatment for community-residing patients receiving integrated home care. Results. Although the mean cost per home care visit was higher in the advanced dressings patient group than in the simple dressings patient one (? 22.31 versus ? 16.03), analysis of the data revealed that the cost of using advanced dressings was lower due to fewer home care visits (22 versus 11). Conclusion. The results underline the fact that decision-makers need to improve their understanding of the advantages of taking a long-term view with regards to the purchase and use of materials. This could produce considerable savings of resources in addition to improving treatment efficacy for the benefit of patients and the health care system