Structure and Functionality of the Mesozooplankton Community in a Coastal Marine Environment: Portofino Marine Protected Area (Liguria)

This research is part of the LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) project, a network of terrestrial, freshwater, transitional water and marine sites, on which ecological research is conducted on a multi-decade scale. LTER studies ecosystems, their dynamics and evolution, the relationships between biodiversity and ecological functionality, water quality, productivity, the role of resource availability, the effects of pollution and climate change. The research focuses on the study of the variability of zooplankton groups in the Portofino marine protected area, in Punta Faro. The samplings were carried out in the years 2018\u20132019, and the results were compared with the values of the years 2003\u20132005, interesting from a meteorological climatic and biological point of view. The plankton community of the Punta Faro system was analyzed by means of a modeling approach to obtain information on the functionality and health status of the system and to verify whether this has undergone any alterations in the last decade. The analyses carried out show a clear difference between the three-year period 2003\u20132005 and the two-year period 2018\u20132019, highlighting how environmental changes, such as the increase in temperature, have led to higher costs of system functioning in the last two years. The mesozooplankton community has changed both in terms of abundance of organisms and in terms of organization and functionality

Applicazione in GRASS per l\u2019identificazione di aree idonee alla realizzazione di nuovi impianti di itticoltura offshore

La gestione della fascia costiera \ue8 un processo complesso che cerca di integrare lo sfruttamento dell\u2019area con il mantenimento di una buona qualit\ue0 ambientale. Trattandosi di un problema spaziale complesso pu\uf2 essere ben affrontato mediante strumenti GIS. Questo lavoro presenta un approccio applicato all\u2019itticoltura offshore, sviluppando una procedura con GRASS per l\u2019identificazione delle aree idonee all\u2019installazione di nuovi impianti, applicata al caso della Regione Liguria. La selezione dei siti si \ue8 basata sulla definizione di due principali criteri che ne determinano l\u2019idoneit\ue0 per l\u2019attivit\ue0 proposta (\u201caree non idonee\u201d e \u201caree potenzialmente idonee\u201d) e di condizioni concernenti la zona studio. La procedura ha permesso di ottenere la mappa finale con la perimetrazione delle aree idonee, tramite la realizzazione intermedia delle mappe dei criteri. Sono state identificate circa trenta zone idonee lungo la costa ligure, principalmente localizzare a ponente; a levante si trovano quelle di maggiore estensione. La procedura \ue8 stata verificata confrontando le aree individuate con la posizione degli impianti gi\ue0 esistenti. I risultati di questo lavoro dimostrano come questa procedura permette di individuare le aree idonee in modo semplice, rapido, efficiente ed efficace. Con opportune modifiche la procedura pu\uf2 essere applicata a qualunque sistema marino costiero e pu\uf2 essere adattata ad altre attivit\ue0 della zona costiera. Questo lavoro \ue8 inoltre una solida base per lo sviluppo futuro di un Sistema di Supporto alle Decisioni Spaziali che restituisca scenari alternativi per i portatori di interesse al fine di individuare la migliore scelta decisionale

A Rasch and factor analysis of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G)

BACKGROUND: Although the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General questionnaire (FACT-G) has been validated few studies have explored the factor structure of the instrument, in particular using non-sample dependent measurement techniques, such as Rasch Models. Furthermore, few studies have explored the relationship between item fit to the Rasch Model and clinical utility. The aim of this study was to investigate the dimensionality and measurement properties of the FACT-G with Rasch Models and Factor analysis. METHODS: A factor analysis and Rasch analysis (Partial Credit Model) was carried out on the FACT-G completed by a heterogeneous sample of cancer patients (n = 465). For the Rasch analysis item fit (infit mean squares ≥ 1.30), dimensionality and item invariance were assessed. The impact of removing misfitting items on the clinical utility of the subscales and FACT-G total scale was also assessed. RESULTS: The factor analysis demonstrated a four factor structure of the FACT-G which broadly corresponded to the four subscales of the instrument. Internal consistency for these four scales was very good (Cronbach's alpha 0.72 – 0.85). The Rasch analysis demonstrated that each of the subscales and the FACT-G total scale had misfitting items (infit means square ≥ 1.30). All these scales with the exception of the Social & Family Well-being Scale (SFWB) were unidimensional. When misfitting items were removed, the effect sizes and the clinical utility of the instrument were maintained for the subscales and the total FACT-G scores. CONCLUSION: The results of the traditional factor analysis and Rasch analysis of the FACT-G broadly agreed. Caution should be exercised when utilising the Social & Family Well-being scale and further work is required to determine whether this scale is best represented by two factors. Additionally, removing misfitting items from scales should be performed alongside an assessment of the impact on clinical utility

Validation of a core patient-reported outcome measure for fatigue in patients receiving hemodialysis: The SONG-HD fatigue instrument

Background and objectives Fatigue is a very common and debilitating symptom and identified by patients as a critically important core outcome to be included in all trials involving patients receiving hemodialysis. A valid, standardized measure for fatigue is needed to yield meaningful and relevant evidence about this outcome. This study validated a core patient-reported outcome measure for fatigue in hemodialysis. Design, setting, participants, & measurements A longitudinal cohort study was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of a new fatigue measure (Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis Fatigue [SONGHD Fatigue]). Eligible and consenting patients completed the measure at three time points: baseline, a week later, and 12 days following the second time point. Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess internal consistency, and Spearman rho was used to assess convergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis was also conducted. Hemodialysis units in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Romania participated in this study. Adult patients aged 18 years and over who were English speaking and receiving maintenance hemodialysis were eligible to participate. Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis, the Visual Analog Scale for fatigue, the 12-Item Short Form Survey, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue were used. Results In total, 485 participants completed the study across the United Kingdom, Australia, and Romania. Psychometric assessment demonstrated that Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis is internally consistent (Cronbach α =0.81–0.86) and stable over a 1-week period (intraclass correlation coefficient =0.68–0.74). The measure demonstrated convergence with Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue and had moderate correlations with other measures that assessed related but not the same concept (the 12-Item Short Form Survey and the Visual Analog Scale). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor model. Conclusions SONG-HD Fatigue seems to be a reliable and valid measure to be used in trials involving patients receiving hemodialysis

Implementing core outcomes in kidney disease: report of the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology (SONG) implementation workshop

There are an estimated 14,000 randomized trials published in chronic kidney disease. The most frequently reported outcomes are biochemical endpoints, rather than clinical and patient-reported outcomes including cardiovascular disease, mortality, and quality of life. While many trials have focused on optimizing kidney health, the heterogeneity and uncertain relevance of outcomes reported across trials may limit their policy and practice impact. The international Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology (SONG) Initiative was formed to identify core outcomes that are critically important to patients and health professionals, to be reported consistently across trials. We convened a SONG Implementation Workshop to discuss the implementation of core outcomes. Eighty-two patients/caregivers and health professionals participated in plenary and breakout discussions. In this report, we summarize the findings of the workshop in two main themes: socializing the concept of core outcomes, and demonstrating feasibility and usability. We outline implementation strategies and pathways to be established through partnership with stakeholders, which may bolster acceptance and reporting of core outcomes in trials, and encourage their use by end-users such as guideline producers and policymakers to help improve patient-important outcomes

Statistica e Probabilit\ue0 nel biennio: nodi culturali e didattici da affrontare - parte II

none2C. DAPUETO; GHIO S; PESCE; GDapueto, CARLO EUGENIO; Ghio, S; Pesce, G