2,895 research outputs found
EV charging stations and RES-based DG: A centralized approach for smart integration in active distribution grids
Renewable Energy Sources based (RES-based) Dispersed Generation (DG) and Electrical Vehicles (EVs) charging systems diffusion is in progress in many Countries around the word. They have huge effects on the distribution grids planning and operation, particularly on MV and LV distribution grids. Many studies on their impact on the power systems are ongoing, proposing different approaches of managing. The present work deals with a real application case of integration of EVs charging stations with ES-based DG. The final task of the integration is to be able to assure the maximum utilization of the distribution grid to which both are connected, without any upgrading action, and in accordance with Distribution System Operators (DSOs) needs. The application of the proposed approach is related to an existent distribution system, owned by edistribuzione, the leading DSO in Italy. Diverse types of EVs supplying stations, with diverse diffusion scenarios, have been assumed for the case study; various Optimal Power Flow (OPF) models, based on diverse objective functions, reflecting DSO necessities, have been applied and tried. The obtained results demonstrate that a centralized management approach by the DSO, could assure the respect of operation limits of the system in the actual asset, delaying or avoiding upgrading engagements and charges
Is acting prosocially beneficial for the credit market?
This article argues that behaving prosocially implies more transparent information during the negotiation process of a financial contract and more cooperation among the parties to respect the terms of the contract. For this reason this work considers interest rate on loans and insolvency rate functions of prosocial behaviour along with the traditional socio-economic and financial collaterals. The context of study is Italy and the analysis is developed at a cross-regional level. We collect data from the two reports on âRelatives and Safety Netâ produced by the Italian Centre Bureau of Statistics (ISTAT) in 1998 and 2003 and from the reports on âRegional Economicsâ produced by the Bank of Italy in the same years. A two-period panel model shows two interesting outcomes. Firstly, regions with a higher proportion of prosocial individuals report lower interest rates on loans and insolvency rates. Secondly, when we include the efficiency of legal enforcement, evidence supports the idea that a more efficient legal framework can act as a more reliable transmission mechanism of institutional norms and facilitate the internalisation of social norms
European Perceptions of Autonomous and Robotized Cars
This article explores users\u2019 attitudes, perceptions, views, and emotions toward car automation and robotization, two processes increasingly affecting society in different ways\u2013\u2013namely, the rise of autonomous and robotized cars (and vehicles in general) and the increasing level of robotization of current cars. To address these questions, we investigated the feeling of trust and comfort toward driverless cars among Europeans using two Eurobarometer surveys. Making use of two representative samples of the European population, we aimed to explore citizens\u2019 attitudes and opinions about automation and digitization. The two surveys involved, respectively, 27,801 and 27,901 participants from all EU-28 countries. Furthermore, we investigated, in Northern Italy, the perception of robotization of cars and other technologies of everyday use, as well as the attitudes and opinions of children and preteens (n = 740), and adolescents (n = 801)\u2014 relevant social groups not covered in the Eurobarometer surveys
European perceptions of autonomous and robotized cars
open3noThis article explores usersâ attitudes, perceptions, views, and emotions toward car automation and robotization, two processes increasingly affecting society in different waysâânamely, the rise of autonomous and robotized cars (and vehicles in general) and the increasing level of robotization of current cars. To address these questions, we investigated the feeling of trust and comfort toward driverless cars among Europeans using two Eurobarometer surveys. Making use of two representative samples of the European population, we aimed to explore citizensâ attitudes and opinions about automation and digitization. The two surveys involved, respectively, 27,801 and 27,901 participants from all EU-28 countries. Furthermore, we investigated, in Northern Italy, the perception of robotization of cars and other technologies of everyday use, as well as the attitudes and opinions of children and preteens (n = 740), and adolescents (n = 801)â relevant social groups not covered in the Eurobarometer surveys.openFortunati, L., Lugano, G., Manganelli, A.M.Fortunati, L.; Lugano, G.; Manganelli, A. M
Exploring the perceptions of cognitive and affective capabilities of four, real, physical robots with a decreasing degree of morphological human likeness.
Local and regional scale biodiversity patterns of forest snail assemblages in Tuscany (central Italy)
The land mollusc faunas of three forest areas of Tuscany (central Italy) were sampled to test the effect of geographical and environmental factors on the structure of biodiversity. A total of 60 sites were surveyed in the years 2009-2011, recording species richness and abundance of snails in 400 m2 plots randomly selected in beech and oak woods. Sampling strategy relied on a combination of visual search and litter analysis. Environmental variables (topsoil pH and altitude) and UTM coordinates were recorded to detect relationships with species richness and number of individuals per plot. Abundance data were analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling and canonical correspondence analysis; faunal similarity within and between areas was computed by the Bray Curtis index and snail assemblages of the two forest types were compared. A total of 55 species were recorded, with low values of local richness and abundance per site compared to other forest sites in central and northern Europe. Total richness was similar in the three areas, but composition and local richness varied significantly between them. Geographical factors explained the highest percentage of variance, while habitat type, altitude and pH only accounted for a minor part. Internal similarity was greater than between-area similarity in two out of three areas. Beech forests had richer and more heterogeneous faunas, but lower levels of abundance than oak woods. The results are discussed in terms of historical biogeography and local environmental conditions, and compared with those from similar surveys across Europe
Monacha samsunensis (Pfeiffer, 1868): another Anatolian species introduced to Western Europe, where it is known as Monacha atacis Gittenberger & de Winter, 1985 (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Hygromiidae)
Populations of Monacha atacis from southern Occitania in France and of M. samsunensis from northern Anatolia in Turkey (Atakum/Samsun and Kastamonu) were investigated by an integrative approach based on morphological (shell and genitalia) and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences) features. Morphological examination revealed a complex pattern of variation within and between geographically separated populations, while molecular analysis showed strong similarity between the two species, confirming earlier suggestions that the species are conspecific. Pfeifferâs name Helix samsunensis introduced in 1868 has priority over the name M. atacis given by Gittenberger & de Winter in 1985. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Pharmacological treatment for familial amyloid neuropathy
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess and compare the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of pharmacologic diseaseâmodifying agents for familial amyloid neuropathy (FAP)
Pharmacological treatment for familial amyloid polyneuropathy
Background:
Diseaseâmodifying pharmacological agents for transthyretin (TTR)ârelated familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) have become available in the last decade, but evidence on their efficacy and safety is limited. This review focuses on diseaseâmodifying pharmacological treatment for TTRârelated and other FAPs, encompassing amyloid kinetic stabilisers, amyloid matrix solvents, and amyloid precursor inhibitors.
Objectives:
To assess and compare the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of diseaseâmodifying pharmacological agents for familial amyloid polyneuropathies (FAPs).
Search methods:
On 18 November 2019, we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and Embase. We reviewed reference lists of articles and textbooks on peripheral neuropathies. We also contacted experts in the field. We searched clinical trials registries and manufacturers' websites.
Selection criteria:
We included randomised clinical trials (RCTs) or quasiâRCTs investigating any diseaseâmodifying pharmacological agent in adults with FAPs.
Disability due to FAP progression was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were severity of peripheral neuropathy, change in modified body mass index (mBMI), quality of life, severity of depression, mortality, and adverse events during the trial.
Data collection and analysis:
We followed standard Cochrane methodology.
Main results:
The review included four RCTs involving 655 people with TTRâFAP. The manufacturers of the drugs under investigation funded three of the studies. The trials investigated different drugs versus placebo and we did not conduct a metaâanalysis.
One RCT compared tafamidis with placebo in earlyâstage TTRâFAP (128 randomised participants). The trial did not explore our predetermined disability outcome measures. After 18 months, tafamidis might reduce progression of peripheral neuropathy slightly more than placebo (Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) in the lower limbs; mean difference (MD) â3.21 points, 95% confidential interval (CI) â5.63 to â0.79; P = 0.009; lowâcertainty evidence). However, tafamidis might lead to little or no difference in the change of quality of life between groups (Norfolk Quality of LifeâDiabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QOLâDN) total score; MD â4.50 points, 95% CI â11.27 to 2.27; P = 0.19; very lowâcertainty evidence). No clear betweenâgroup difference was found in the numbers of participants who died (risk ratio (RR) 0.65, 95% CI 0.11 to 3.74; P = 0.63; very lowâcertainty evidence), who dropped out due to adverse events (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.30 to 5.54; P = 0.73; very lowâcertainty evidence), or who experienced at least one severe adverse event during the trial (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.37 to 3.62; P = 0.79; very lowâcertainty evidence).
One RCT compared diflunisal with placebo (130 randomised participants). At month 24, diflunisal might reduce progression of disability (Kumamoto Score; MD â4.90 points, 95% CI â7.89 to â1.91; P = 0.002; lowâcertainty evidence) and peripheral neuropathy (NIS plus 7 nerve tests; MD â18.10 points, 95% CI â26.03 to â10.17; P < 0.001; lowâcertainty evidence) more than placebo. After 24 months, changes from baseline in the quality of life measured by the 36âItem ShortâForm Health Survey score showed no clear difference between groups for the physical component (MD 6.10 points, 95% CI 2.56 to 9.64; P = 0.001; very lowâcertainty evidence) and the mental component (MD 4.40 points, 95% CI â0.19 to 8.99; P = 0.063; very lowâcertainty evidence). There was no clear betweenâgroup difference in the number of people who died (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.41; P = 0.17; very lowâcertainty evidence), in the number of dropouts due to adverse events (RR 2.06, 95% CI 0.39 to 10.87; P = 0.39; very lowâcertainty evidence), and in the number of people who experienced at least one severe adverse event (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.32; P = 0.73; very lowâcertainty evidence) during the trial.
One RCT compared patisiran with placebo (225 randomised participants). After 18 months, patisiran reduced both progression of disability (Raschâbuilt Overall Disability Scale; leastâsquares MD 8.90 points, 95% CI 7.00 to 10.80; P < 0.001; moderateâcertainty evidence) and peripheral neuropathy (modified NIS plus 7 nerve tests â Alnylam version; leastâsquares MD â33.99 points, 95% CI â39.86 to â28.13; P < 0.001; moderateâcertainty evidence) more than placebo. At month 18, the change in quality of life between groups favoured patisiran (Norfolk QOLâDN total score; leastâsquares MD â21.10 points, 95% CI â27.20 to â15.00; P < 0.001; lowâcertainty evidence). There was little or no betweenâgroup difference in the number of participants who died (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.74; P = 0.35; lowâcertainty evidence), dropped out due to adverse events (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.82; P = 0.017; lowâcertainty evidence), or experienced at least one severe adverse event (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.28; P = 0.58; lowâcertainty evidence) during the trial.
One RCT compared inotersen with placebo (172 randomised participants). The trial did not explore our predetermined disability outcome measures. From baseline to week 66, inotersen reduced progression of peripheral neuropathy more than placebo (modified NIS plus 7 nerve tests â Ionis version; MD â19.73 points, 95% CI â26.50 to â12.96; P < 0.001; moderateâcertainty evidence). At week 65, the change in quality of life between groups favoured inotersen (Norfolk QOLâDN total score; MD â10.85 points, 95% CI â17.25 to â4.45; P < 0.001; lowâcertainty evidence). Inotersen may slightly increase mortality (RR 5.94, 95% CI 0.33 to 105.60; P = 0.22; lowâcertainty evidence) and occurrence of severe adverse events (RR 1.48, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.57; P = 0.16; lowâcertainty evidence) compared to placebo. More dropouts due to adverse events were observed in the inotersen than in the placebo group (RR 8.57, 95% CI 1.16 to 63.07; P = 0.035; lowâcertainty evidence).
There were no studies addressing apolipoprotein AIâFAP, gelsolinâFAP, and betaâ2âmicroglobulinâFAP.
Authors' conclusions
Evidence on the pharmacological treatment of FAPs from RCTs is limited to TTRâFAP. No studies directly compare diseaseâmodifying pharmacological treatments for TTRâFAP. Results from placeboâcontrolled trials indicate that tafamidis, diflunisal, patisiran, and inotersen may be beneficial in TTRâFAP, but further investigations are needed. Since direct comparative studies for TTRâFAP will be hampered by sample size and costs required to demonstrate superiority of one drug over another, longâterm nonârandomised openâlabel studies monitoring their efficacy and safety are needed
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