Light emitting diodes technology in public light system of the municipality of Rome: an economic and financial analysis

This study evaluates an investment project concerning the redevelopment of the public lighting of the Municipality of Rome. In particular, we consider the replacing of the traditional lamps of the system with light emitting diodes lamps. We consider the factors that affect this kind of project: The cost of energy, the manteinance cost, the investment cost and the weighted average cost of capital. Our results underline the reduction of energy consumption and of the maintenance costs, lower emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere, the reduction of light pollution, the positive effects on road safety and the indipendence by incentives

Shari'ah-compliant finance: a possible novel paradigm for green economy investments in Italy

In Italy, the dramatic reduction of government incentives has caused a decrease of investments in the renewable energy sector. For this reason, it is necessary to rethink funding techniques, extending the analysis to different cultural and financial models. In this paper, we study the incentive-dependency of an Italian case study in the wind energy sector in order to reach grid parity, comparing the obtained results with those of Islamic finance and conventional finance. In particular, we propose that Sukuk Islamic finance instruments be used for the realization of real assets in Shari'ah-compliant finance that prohibits interest rates, as in conventional financial markets, and we present the building cost thresholds necessary to achieve grid parity. Our results highlight the importance of incentives and the applicability of the use of Sukuk instruments for sustainable investments in the wind energy sector, which is crucial in the framework of current efforts against climate change as well as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Radiomics-based machine learning classification of bone chondrosarcoma

The aim of this thesis is to determine diagnostic performance of machine learning in differentiating between atypical cartilaginous tumor (ACT) and high-grade chondrosarcoma (CS) based on radiomic features derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). In chapter 2, the concept of radiomics of musculoskeletal sarcomas is introduced and a systematic review on radiomic feature reproducibility and validation strategies is conducted. In chapter 3, a preliminary study is performed to investigate the performance of MRI radiomics-based machine learning in discriminating ACT from high-grade CS, using a single-center cohort, in comparison with an expert radiologist. In chapter 4, the influence of interobserver segmentation variability on the reproducibility of CT and MRI radiomic features of cartilaginous bone tumors is assessed. In chapter 5, the performance of CT radiomics-based machine learning in discriminating ACT from high-grade CS of long bones is determined and validated using independent data from a multicenter cohort, compared to an expert radiologist. In chapter 6, the performance of MRI radiomics-based machine learning in differentiating between ACT and grade II CS of long bones is determined and validated using independent data from a multicenter cohort, in comparison with an expert radiologist. Finally, in chapter 7, the main results and implications of this thesis are summarized and discussed. European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology Young Researchers GrantLUMC / Geneeskund

Treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in adults: present and future

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis has become one of the most common liver-related health problems. This condition has been linked to an unhealthy diet and weight gain, but it can also be observed in nonobese people. The standard of care is represented by the lifestyle intervention. However, because this approach has several limitations, such as a lack of compliance, the use of many drugs has been proposed. The first-line pharmacological choices are vitamin E and pioglitazone, both showing a positive effect on transaminases, fat accumulation, and inflammation. Nevertheless, vitamin E has no proven effect on fibrosis and on long-term morbidity and mortality and pioglitazone has a negative impact on weight. Other drugs have been studied such as metformin, ursodeoxycholic acid, statins, pentoxiphylline, and orlistat with only partially positive results. Among the emerging treatments, telmisartan is particularly interesting as it seems to have an impact on insulin resistance, liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. However, the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis is highly complex and is determined by different parallel hits; indeed, the association of different drugs that act on various levels has been suggested. In conclusion, lifestyle intervention should be optimised and the associations of different drugs should be tested in large studies with long-term outcomes

Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Liver Disease: Diagnostic Assessment and Therapeutic Perspectives

Abstract non disponibil

PMS31 Economic Evaluation of Adalimumab Versus Other Biologic Treatments for Moderate to Severe Psoriatic Arthritis in Italy

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Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Irrigation of Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy (US-PICT): Patient Experience

Purpose. To assess patients\u2019experience of ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of rotator cuffcalcific tendinopathy(US-PICT).Methods. Ninety-one patients (58 females; mean age:50:5\ub18:3years) treated by US-PICT (local anesthesia,single-needle lavage, and intrabursal steroid injection) answered to a list of questions regarding their experience of theprocedure before treatment, immediately after treatment, and three months later. The Borg CR10 scale was used toevaluate perceived pain, discomfort during anesthetic injection, and anxiety. The Wilcoxon, Spearman\u2019s rho, linearregression, and chi-square statistics were used.Results. 81/91 patients complained mild discomfort during the injection ofanesthetics (2, 1-2). Pain scores during US-PICT were very low (0, 0-1), with 70% patients having not experienced pain. Aftertreatment, we found a significant reduction of pain (before: 8, 7-8; 3-month: 3, 1-6;p<:001) and anxiety (before: 5, 2-7; duringtreatment: 2, 1-7;p=0:010), with high overall satisfaction (immediately after: 10, 9-10; 3-month: 9, 7-10) and confidence in thepossibility of recovery (immediately after: 9, 8-10; 3-month: 10, 8-10), respectively. Treatments performed before US-PICT werenot statistically associated with pain relief (p=0:389) and clinical improvement (p=0:937). We found a correlation betweensatisfaction immediately postprocedure and confidence in the possibility of recovery (p=0:002) and between satisfaction threemonths after treatment and clinical improvement (p<0:001) and patients\u2019reminds about the description of the procedure(p=0:005) and of the potential complications (p=0:035).Conclusions. US-PICT is a mildly painful, comfortable, andwell-tolerated procedure, regardless of any previous treatments. Patients\u2019satisfaction is correlated with clinical benefit andfull explanation of the procedure and its complications

Body composition with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry : from basics to new tools

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in nowadays considered one of the most versatile imaging techniques for the evaluation of metabolic bone disorders such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia and obesity. The advantages of DXA over other imaging techniques are the very low radiation dose, its accuracy and simplicity of use. In addition, fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) values by DXA shows very good accuracy compared to that of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this review we will explain the technical working principles of body composition with DXA, together with the possible limitations and pitfalls that should be avoided in daily routine to produce high-quality DXA examinations. We will also cover the current clinical practical application of whole body DXA values, with particular emphasis on the use of LM indices in the diagnostic workup of reduced muscle mass, sarcopenia and osteosarcopenic obesity according to the most recent guidelines. The possible use of adipose indices will be considered, such as the fat mass index (FMI) or the android/gynoid ratio, as well as lipodystrophy indices and the evaluation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Whenever available, we will provide possible cut-off diagnostic values for each of these LM and FM indices, according to current literature and guidelines

Trimethyl­ammonium 2,6-dioxo-5-(2,4,6-trinitro­phen­yl)-1,2,3,6-tetra­hydro­pyrimidin-4-olate

In the title barbiturate salt (trivial name: trimethyl­ammonium 2,4,6-trinitro­phenyl­barbiturate), C3H10N+·C10H4N5O9 −, the asymmetric unit contains two sets of anion–cation moieties. The dihedral angle between the rings in the anions are 44.0 (3) and 45.7 (3)°. Adjacent anions are connected into ribbons along [100] through R 2 2(8) ring motifs formed by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the barbiturate rings. Attached to both sides of these ribbons via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are the trimethyl­ammonium cations. C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are also observed