Indoor Thermal Comfort of Pregnant Women in Hospital: A Case Study Evidence

Despite studies on thermal comfort being consolidated in the scientific literature, people\u2019s well-being in some specific conditions and places, such as hospitals, requires to be further explored. The paper describes the methodological approach adopted to evaluate thermal comfort level and perception of pregnant women hosted in the obstetric ward of a test-bed case (Sant\u2019Orsola hospital in Bologna, Italy). The methodology adopts a mixed approach that compares the results of on-site monitoring by probe (as quantitative data) with the ones of a survey (questionnaire form) delivered to the involved subjects (as qualitative data) to understand if metabolic alteration may influence the pregnant women\u2019s perception of comfort conditions. The first follows ISO 7730, the second, ISO 10551. The comparison between the instrumental collected data and the outcomes of the survey revealed a wide gap between TSV (Thermal Sensation Vote) and PMVm (Predicted Mean Vote, measured on-site). The reason can be identified in the use of a standardized metabolic unit from ISO that does not correctly reflect the physiologic condition of pregnant women. Following a trial and error methodology, a met value for pregnant women is accordingly proposed. Moreover, an adaptive thermal comfort approach is adopted. This research is a first step towards the definition of specific thermal comfort in a hospital ward hosting pregnant women and more generally offers a reflection about the need to define specific met in the standards for some particular categories (children, elderly, pregnant women, etc.) when investigating thermal comfort

Exploring potential mental health spillover effects among caregivers and partners of youth in Sierra Leone: A qualitative study

Given the large mental health treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in post-conflict settings like Sierra Leone, and the limited healthcare infrastructure, understanding the wider benefits of evidence-based mental health interventions within households is critical. This study explored potential mental health spillover effects – the phenomenon of beneficial effects among nonparticipants – among cohabitating caregivers and partners of youth who participated in an evidence-based mental health intervention in Sierra Leone. We recruited a sub-sample of cohabitating caregivers and partners (N = 20) of youth intervention participants; caregivers had enrolled in a larger study investigating indirect benefits of the evidence-based intervention in Sierra Leone (MH117359). Qualitative interviews were conducted at two time points to explore the following: (a) potential mental health spillover effects and (b) through which mechanisms spillover may have occurred. Two trained coders reviewed transcripts and analyzed qualitative data, assisted by MaxQDA. Qualitative findings suggested that spillover effects likely occurred and supported three potential mechanisms: decreased caregiving burden, behavior changes among Youth Readiness Intervention participants and improved interpersonal relationships. Mental health spillover effects may occur following youth intervention participation in a post-conflict LMIC. Investing in evidence-based services may offer indirect benefits that extend beyond those directly receiving services

Ebola virus epidemiology, transmission, and evolution during seven months in Sierra Leone

The 2013-2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic is caused by the Makona variant of Ebola virus (EBOV). Early in the epidemic, genome sequencing provided insights into virus evolution and transmission and offered important information for outbreak response. Here, we analyze sequences from 232 patients sampled over 7 months in Sierra Leone, along with 86 previously released genomes from earlier in the epidemic. We confirm sustained human-to-human transmission within Sierra Leone and find no evidence for import or export of EBOV across national borders after its initial introduction. Using high-depth replicate sequencing, we observe both host-to-host transmission and recurrent emergence of intrahost genetic variants. We trace the increasing impact of purifying selection in suppressing the accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations over time. Finally, we note changes in the mucin-like domain of EBOV glycoprotein that merit further investigation. These findings clarify the movement of EBOV within the region and describe viral evolution during prolonged human-to-human transmission

La trasformazione digitale nella filiera delle costruzioni: l’evoluzione delle attività in cantiere tra automazione e robotizzazione. Scenari di sviluppo e casi studio verso la digitalizzazione delle attività di installazione, monitoraggio e manutenzione.

Prove tecniche di digitalizzazione del processo edilizio. Automazione e robotica si affacciano nelle fasi operative e di gestione del cantiere. Il significativo caso del progetto H2020 Hephaestus in cui la robotica è proposta al servizio dell’installazione e la manutenzione di componenti di facciata.Digitalization has been a growing trend in the last years in construction industry and its wide application represents a major challenge for the whole value chain. Emerging technologies are introducing a new approach, merging physical and digital aspects in unique solutions which are changing the paradigm in construction industry. In this scenario, the ongoing research and market introduction of robotics for site autonomous activities appears to be promising. Installation, monitoring, categorizing in data repository are repetitive and low value actions that can be conducted by robots facilitating the project management of on-sites activities. Among the presented case studies, also the european project H2020 project Hephaestus works in this frame with the scope to provide a market autonomous solution for on-site tasks typical of Curtain Wall Façade. The increasing robotic interest demonstrates the space in construction industry to adopt innovative solutions to empower and strengthen the whole sector improving tools for control and quality strategies

Padiglione 4: riqualificazione e ampliamento del Polo Materno Infantile dell'Ospedale S.Orsola di Bologna

Assumendo le specifiche del bando emanato nel 2017 dall’Azienda Ospedaliera Sant’Orsola-Malpighi di Bologna per il riassetto organizzativo e funzionale di vari padiglioni del Policlinico, la Tesi sviluppa una proposta progettuale relativa al Padiglione 4 “Materno Infantile”, per il quale il Bando prevede la realizzazione di un nuovo corpo di fabbrica su via Albertoni, destinato a blocco pesante, un ampliamento in sopraelevazione e la riqualificazione energetica della preesistenza. La Tesi affronta in particolare gli interventi di ampliamento e riqualificazione dell’edificio esistente, ponendo particolare attenzione all’aspetto energetico, al comfort ambientale interno, al riassetto organizzativo e all’incremento delle dotazioni, ottenuto con la sopraelevazione del corpo centrale dell’Ala B. L’obiettivo del benessere delle degenti è stato affrontato a partire da una ricerca sul comfort ambientale indoor, valutato sia tramite parametri quantitativi, sia attraverso indagini qualitative delle condizioni percepite dagli utenti. La riorganizzazione funzionale degli ambienti è stata configurata con attenzione alla fruibilità della struttura, agli aspetti di efficienza energetica e all’adozione di soluzioni in grado di rispondere alle criticità rilevate nell’edificio. La progettazione dell’ampliamento ha puntato a caratterizzare l’identità formale del nuovo volume, differenziandolo dalla sottostante preesistenza, ma cercando tuttavia di mantenere un’interazione fra essi. Contestualmente, il progetto ha posto particolare attenzione a tutti gli aspetti energetici e tecnologici, al fine di ottenere un edificio all’avanguardia e quanto più sostenibile possibile

Prefabricated Plug-and-Play Unitized Façade System for Deep Retrofitting: The RenoZEB Case Study

The retrofitting of the existing building stock is one of the most important goals to be pursued to meet European targets. In this context, the RenoZEB project has developed a modular methodology for the deep retrofitting of buildings, which is enabled by a prefabricated plug-and-play façade that integrates different on-market technologies to achieve nZEB standards. This article reports on the activities conducted in the study and design of the RenoZEB prefabricated envelope system, providing insights on the tests conducted and the results achieved for the façade system, with a specific focus on the use of technology laboratory facilities for real-environment validation, which revealed the system to be in line with the project objectives

Narcolepsy with intermediate cerebrospinal level of hypocretin-1

Study objectives: To describe the phenotype of narcolepsy with intermediate cerebrospinal hypocretin-1 levels (CSF hcrt-1). Methods: From 1600 consecutive patients with narcolepsy from Bologna and Montpellier sleep centers we selected patients with intermediate CSF hcrt-1 levels (110-200 pg/ml). Clinical, neurophysiological and biological data were contrasted for the presence of cataplexy, HLA-DQB1*06:02, and median CSF hcrt-1 levels (149.34 pg/mL). Results: Forty-five (55% males, aged 35 \ub1 17 years) patients (2.8% of all cases) were included. Thirty-three (73%) were HLA-DQB1*06:02, 29 (64%) reported cataplexy (21, 72.4% with typical features), and 5 (11%) had presumed secondary etiology. Cataplexy was associated with other core narcolepsy symptoms, increased sleep onset REM periods, and nocturnal sleep disruption. Cataplexy and irrepressible daytime sleep were more frequent in HLA DQB1*06:02 positive patients. Lower CSF hcrt-1 levels were associated with hallucinations. Conclusion: Narcolepsy with intermediate CSF hcrt-1 level is a rare condition with heterogeneous phenotype. HLA DQB1*06:02 and lower CSF hcrt-1 were associated with typical narcolepsy features, calling for future research to distinguish incomplete from secondary narcolepsy forms