Dynamic compressive strength and crushing properties of expanded polystyrene foam for different strain rates and different temperatures

In this study, static and dynamic compression and crushing tests were conducted on expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam for material characterisation at high strain rates. This was done to obtain the stress strain curve for different temperatures and densities. An influence of the strain rate on the experimental data was shown. The resulting curves for modelling were extracted from the experimental data, which were obtained from high speed drop tower tests. The methodology for the processing of the experimental data for use in the finite element (FE) modelling was presented. The foam material model of LSDyna was used to simulate the dynamic compression process. This model is dedicated to modelling crushable foam with optional damping, tension cut-off, and strain rate effects. The adjustment of the material parameters for successful modelling has been reported. This FE model of EPS foam was validated with experimental data using impact on a "kerbstone" support. This model can be applied for simulation of dynamic loads on a bicycle helmet It is useful for designing a reliable bicycle helmet geometry for different types of accidents. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Entrepreneurship and University Spin-offs for (Academic) Employment?

[ES] In the new Millennium Italian universities have lived many changes deeply reshaping academic institutions. A relevant aspect was the more and more significant need to answer the demand of society and respond the social pressure to accountability through the transfer of knowledge, innovation and technology to economy. It led to an extension of the so-called university Fourth Mission, an instrument dedicated to create spin-offs to share scientific research results with society. The paper investigates the present reality of university spin-offs in Italy by considering their growing number also in the light of their role ofinstrument for academic job substitution. In particular, a tool to respond to the current condition of young Italian academic researchers increasingly affected by job offer reduction due to budget constraints, consequent university policies and new management issues.Boffo, S.; Cocorullo, A.; Gagliardi, F. (2020). Entrepreneurship and University Spin-offs for (Academic) Employment?. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):793-800. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.1114579380030-05-202

Safety assessment of pedestrian-vehicle interaction at signalized intersections: An observational study

Road safety is a crucial aspect of global policies and management. Surrogate Safety Measures (SSMs) have gained attention in the study of pedestrian safety. This study aims to establish an effective SSM methodology to analyze driver-pedestrian interactions. The analysis relies on SSM indicators, without the need for an initial classification of driver-pedestrian interactions into specific interaction patterns. The proposed methodology offers several advantages, including the accurate identification of conflicts through an affordable approach making it easily accessible for public administrations and authorities to assess pedestrian safety at road intersections. A dataset comprising 270 driver-pedestrian interactions, observed at three road intersections in Rome, Italy, was examined. The severity level of each event was assessed through a preliminary classification of each interaction into three patterns: high, low, and none. Subsequently, the severity levels were evaluated using three methods, employing Time-to-Collision (TTC), Post-Encroachment Time (PET), and a combination of TTC and PET. A comparison between the severity levels identified by the two approaches was conducted. The findings reveal that Method 2, utilizing PET, consistently identifies conflicts. Additionally, a binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that influence the likelihood of an interaction escalating into a conflict. The results demonstrate that the probability of conflict increases with the duration of a red signal, particularly for younger pedestrians

Argomentazioni Analogiche e Processi di Categorizzazione nella Diagnosi Nosologica

The purpose of this work is to provide a philosophical-cognitive explanation of nosological diagnosis by linking the classical philosophical themes of scientific reasoning (such as induction, deduction, abduction, analogy) to cognitive aspects of common sense reasoning (such as categorization, prototypes, argumentation). In philosophy of medicine, various theories of diagnosis have been proposed to analyze and explain diagnostic reasoning; one of these is nosological diagnosis: a particular type of atheoretical diagnosis based on similarity. In this paper, we show how nosological diagnosis can be considered as a scientific process composed of both inductive processes of categorization and argumentation by analogy; the categorization processes involved can be explained using two of the theories of concepts proposed in cognitive science: the theory of prototypes and the theory of exemplars; while argumentation uses both symmetrical and anti-symmetrical analogies. Finally, we present a model of nosological diagnosis that binds these previous analyses into a coherent framework; in this model, nosological diagnosis based on the recognition of a typical syndrome is explained in terms of prototype theory and anti-symmetrical analogical argumentation; while nosological diagnosis based on previous clinical case studies is explained by the theory of exemplars and the usual symmetrical analogical argumentation

Physical activity scale for the elderly: translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Italian version

Objective. The aim of the study was to translate and culturally adapt the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly into Italian (PASE-I) and to evaluate its psychometric properties in the Italian older adults healthy population. Methods. For translation and cultural adaptation, the "Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures" guidelines have been followed. Participants included healthy individuals between 55 and 75 years old. The reliability and validity were assessed following the "Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments" checklist. To evaluate internal consistency and test-retest reliability, Cronbach's α and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were, respectively, calculated. The Berg Balance Score (BBS) and the PASE-I were administered together, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated for validity. Results. All the PASE-I items were identical or similar to the original version. The scale was administered twice within a week to 94 Italian healthy older people. The mean PASE-I score in this study was 159±77.88. Cronbach's α was 0.815 (p < 0.01) and ICC was 0.977 (p < 0.01). The correlation with the BBS was 0.817 (p < 0.01). Conclusions. The PASE-I showed positive results for reliability and validity. This scale will be of great use to clinicians and researchers in evaluating and managing physical activities in the Italian older adults population

Joining Feasibility Between Metallic- and Polymeric-Based Materials by Friction Stir Forming

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How ICTs Shape the Relationship Between the State and the Citizens: Exploring New Paradigms Between Civic Engagement and Social Innovation

The paper investigates the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in enabling social innovation and civic engagement. The purpose is to advance a typology for better understanding whether such a phenomenon might contribute to a paradigmatic shift in the relationship between the governments or the administrations and citizens. This framework is set out is based on the review of recent literature on social innovation and ICTs, studying the relationships between government and citizens emerging from 41 cases. The analysis highlights how ICTs underpin innovation in civic engagement initiatives in two main ways: 1) by modernising existing processes and 2) by integrating new services

Cloud for eGov: the state of the art

Specifically, the paper provides a detailed analysis of the state of the art regarding technological, regulatory and interoperability aspects, devoting particular attention to those projects (and related experience) in the field of cloud and distributed computing. The paper's aim is to evaluate benefits and risks of the applicability of solutions that are already in place for the specified areas of interest. The key factors that determine relevant regulations, with particular emphasis on the European target, have been listed in the paper. Finally, the main Italian projects and the situation in some European countries have also been mentioned