Between Participatory Approaches and Politics, Promoting Social Innovation in Smart Cities: Building a Hum–Animal Smart City in Lucca

In recent decades, the interest in social innovation and nature-based solutions has spread in scientific articles, and they are increasingly deployed for cities’ strategic planning. In this scenario, participatory approaches become pivotal to engaging the population and stakeholders in the decision- making process. In this paper, we reflect on the first year’s results and the strengths and weaknesses— of the participatory activities realized in Lucca to co-design and co-deploy a smart city based on human–animal relationships in the framework of the European project Horizon 2020 (IN-HABIT). Human–animal bonds, as nature-based solutions, are scientifically and practically underestimated. Data were collected on the activities organized to implement a public–private–people partnership in co-designing infrastructural solutions (so-called Animal Lines) and soft nature-based solutions to be implemented in the city. Stakeholders actively engaged in mutual discussions with great enthusiasm, and the emergent ideas (the need to improve people’s knowledge of animals and develop a map showing pet-friendly services and places and the need for integration to create innovative pet services) were copious and different while showing many connections among the various points of view. At the same time, a deeper reflection on the relationships among the participatory activities and institutionally integrated arrangements also emerged

Safety and tolerability of donepezil 23 mg in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Donepezil 23 mg/d, recently approved in the United States for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD), was developed to address the need for an additional treatment option for patients with advanced AD. This report, based on a pivotal phase 3 study, presents a detailed analysis of the safety and tolerability of increasing donepezil to 23 mg/d compared with continuing 10 mg/d.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Safety analyses comprised examination of the incidence, severity, and timing of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) and their relationship to treatment initiation; changes in weight, electrocardiogram, vital signs, and laboratory parameters; and the incidence of premature study discontinuation. The analysis population (n = 1434) included all randomized patients who took at least 1 dose of study drug and had a postbaseline safety assessment. To further examine the effect of transition from a lower to a higher donepezil dose, a pooled analysis of safety data from 2 phase 3 trials of donepezil 5 mg/d and 10 mg/d was also performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The safety population comprised 1434 patients: donepezil 23 mg/d (n = 963); donepezil 10 mg/d (n = 471); completion rates were 71.1% and 84.7%, respectively. The most common AEs were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (donepezil 23 mg/d: 11.8%, 9.2%, 8.3%; donepezil 10 mg/d: 3.4%, 2.5%, 5.3%, respectively). AEs that contributed most to early discontinuations were vomiting (2.9% of patients in the 23 mg/d group and 0.4% in the 10 mg/d group), nausea (1.9% and 0.4%), diarrhea (1.7% and 0.4%), and dizziness (1.1% and 0.0%). The percentages of patients with AEs in the 23 mg/d group, as well as the timing, type, and severity of these AEs, were similar to those seen in previous donepezil trials with titration from 5 to 10 mg/d. Serious AEs were uncommon (23 mg/d, 8.3%; 10 mg/d, 9.6%).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The 23 mg/d dose of donepezil was associated with typical cholinergic AEs, particularly gastrointestinal-related AEs, similar to those observed in studies with a dose increase from 5 to 10 mg/d.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The good safety and predictable tolerability profile for donepezil 23 mg/d supports its favorable risk/benefit ratio in patients with moderate to severe AD.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p><a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00478205">NCT00478205</a></p

Ciclo per la conversione dell’energia termica a bassa entalpia in energia elettrica

Processo per convertire energia termica a bassa entalpia in energia elettrica, nel quale una corrente principale di soluzione acquosa liquida di idrogeno ioduro viene fatta circolare fra un evaporatore e una cella a combustibile. Si fornisce energia elettrica a un reattore di dissociazione per decomporre termicamente una frazione dell’idrogeno ioduro della miscela gassosa in idrogeno e iodio. Si condensano i vari componenti della miscela gassosa tranne l'idrogeno, separando in tal modo una fase gassosa contenente solo idrogeno. Si convogliano l’idrogeno e la corrente principale liquida all'anodo e al catodo della cella a combustibile per produrre energia elettrica. Si convoglia la corrente principale da un’uscita della cella a combustibile all'evaporatore immettendo in esso vantaggiosamente tutti i calori recuperati

TN. Continuous dopaminergic stimulation reduces risk of motor complications in parkinsonian primates. Exp Neurol 2005;192:73–78

Abstract Levodopa or short-acting dopamine (DA) agonist treatment of advanced parkinsonian patients exposes striatal DA receptors to nonphysiologic intermittent stimulation that contributes to the development of dyskinesias and other motor complications. To determine whether continuous dopaminergic stimulation can delay or prevent onset of motor complications, four MPTP-lesioned, levodopa-naive cynomolgus monkeys were implanted subcutaneously with apomorphine containing ethylene vinyl acetate rods. Three other MPTP-lesioned monkeys received daily injections of apomorphine. Animals receiving apomorphine rods showed improved motor function (dONT state) within 1 day of implantation, and remained continually dONT for the duration of treatment (up to 6 months) without developing dyskinesias. Injected animals also showed similar improvement in motor function after each apomorphine injection. However, these primates remained dONT for only 90 min and within 7-10 days all developed severe dyskinesias. Implanted monkeys evidenced local irritation, which was alleviated by steroid co-therapy.