A Social Internet of Things Smart City Solution for Traffic and Pollution Monitoring in Cagliari

In the last years, the smart city (SC) paradigm has been deeply studied to support sustainable mobility and to improve human living conditions. In this context, a new SC based on the Social Internet of Things paradigm is presented in this article. Starting from the tracking of all vehicles (that is, private and public) and pedestrians, integrated with air quality measurements (that is, in real time by mobile and fixed sensors), the system aims to improve the viability of the city, both for pedestrian and vehicular users. A monitoring network based on sensors and devices hosted on board in local public transport allows real-time monitoring of the most sensitive areas both from traffic congestion and from an environmental point of view. The proposed solution is equipped with an appropriate intelligence that takes into account instantaneous speed, type of traffic, and instantaneous pollution data, allowing to evaluate the congestion and pollution condition in a specific moment. Moreover, specific tools support the decisions of public administration facilitating the identification of the most appropriate actions for the implementation of effective policies relating to mobility. All collected data are elaborated in real time to improve traffic viability suggesting new directions and information to citizens to better organize how to live in the city

Effects of Physical Rehabilitation Integrated with Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Spatio-Temporal and Kinematic Parameters of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

Movement rehabilitation by means of physical therapy represents an essential tool in the management of gait disturbances induced by Parkinson's disease (PD). In this context, the use of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) has been proven useful in improving several spatio-temporal parameters, but concerning its effect on gait patterns, scarce information is available from a kinematic viewpoint. In this study, we used three-dimensional gait analysis based on optoelectronic stereophotogrammetry to investigate the effects of 5\u2009weeks of supervised rehabilitation, which included gait training integrated with RAS on 26 individuals affected by PD (age 70.4\u2009\ub1\u200911.1, Hoehn and Yahr 1-3). Gait kinematics was assessed before and at the end of the rehabilitation period and after a 3-month follow-up, using concise measures (Gait Profile Score and Gait Variable Score, GPS and GVS, respectively), which are able to describe the deviation from a physiologic gait pattern. The results confirm the effectiveness of gait training assisted by RAS in increasing speed and stride length, in regularizing cadence and correctly reweighting swing/stance phase duration. Moreover, an overall improvement of gait quality was observed, as demonstrated by the significant reduction of the GPS value, which was created mainly through significant decreases in the GVS score associated with the hip flexion-extension movement. Future research should focus on investigating kinematic details to better understand the mechanisms underlying gait disturbances in people with PD and the effects of RAS, with the aim of finding new or improving current rehabilitative treatments

Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) and motor rehabilitation in Parkinson\u2019s disease: New frontiers in assessment and intervention protocols

Previous studies have demonstrated that physical therapy accompanied by Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) can improve the motor skills of patients with Parkinson\u2019s disease and, in particular, their gait disturbances. In the present work we describe the neurological bases and perceptual-motor deficits generally associated with Parkinson\u2019s disease, with a specific focus on gait disturbances. Within this framework, we review the role of auditory cueing in the modulation of patients\u2019 gait, addressing this issue from the cognitive, neurological and biomechanical perspectives. In particular, we focus on the new frontiers of both assessment and intervention. With regards to the assessment, we describe the advantages of the three-dimensional quantitative multifactorial gait analysis. As concerns the intervention, we illustrate the potential impact of the administration of ecological footstep sounds as rhythmic cues

Análisis de una microturbina en una red de abastecimiento de agua para la generación de energía eléctrica en el sector del parque Timiza

Trabajo de investigaciónLa investigación consistió en analizar los resultados obtenidos de una modelación en Ansys Fluent de una microturbina instalada en tubería de 16” para la obtención energía para abastecer la iluminación del Parque Timiza, cumpliendo con parámetros hidráulicos como son: caudales, presiones, velocidades, perdidas por fricción, rugosidad; datos que son introducidos en el programa para determinar el total de energía producida.1. INTRODUCCIÓN 2. ANTECEDENTES 3. PLANTEAMIENTO Y FORMULACION DEL PROBLEMA 4. OBJETIVOS 5. JUSTIFICACIÓN 6. ALCANCES Y LIMITACIONES 7. ESTADO DEL ARTE 8. MARCOS DE REFERENCIA 9. METODOLOGIA 10. ANÁLISIS DE FLUIDO EN TUBERIA Y MICROTURBINA HIDRÁULICA POR SOFTWARE ANSYS FLUENT. 11. DISEÑO DEL MODELO: MICROTURBINA Y TUBERÍA. 12. DATOS DE DISEÑO PARA ANÁLISIS DE MICROTURBINA EN TUBERÍA. 13. CONDICIONES PARA EL ANÁLISIS DEL MODELO. 14. CÁLCULOS PARA EL ANÁLISIS DE LAS CARACTERÍSTICAS OBTENIDAS. 15. ANALISIS DE RESULTADOS. 16. PRODUCCIÓN DE ENERGÍA. 17. MATERIALES Y HERRAMIENTAS NECESARIOS PARA LA CONSTRUCCIÓN. 18. PROCESO CONSTRUCTIVO DEL CUARTO DE MAQUINAS. 19. PUNTO DE UBICACIÓN TURBINA Y ALUMBRADO. 20. TOPOLOGÍA DE LA RED ELÉCTRICA: 21. CONCLUSIONES 22. RECOMENDACIONES 23. BIBLIOGRAFÍA 24. ANEXOSPregradoIngeniero Civi

Inflammatory Indices during and after a Randomized Controlled Trial on Exercise in Old Adults: Could Moderate-intensity Exercise be Safe Enough? (Active Elderly and Health – Clinicaltrials.Gov, NCT03858114)

Background: Aging is characterized by a progressive increase in chronic diseases. According to WHO’s guidance, there is a need to develop strategies to monitor, maintain and rehabilitate the health of older people. The present research aims to elucidate whether or not a moderate physical activity intervention in older adults can cause an increase in inflammatory biomarker indices such as C-reactive Protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). It is a valuable tool for promoting health that can be considered tolerable in the over-65 population. Methods: 120 males and females over 65 years of age participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT NCT03858114) in two groups of 60 individuals of similar size and underwent moderate physical activity or cultural and recreational activities. The exclusion criteria were being younger than 65 years old, being unable to participate in physical activity for medical reasons, and a Body Mass Index of greater than 35. Blood samples from participants were collected for the pre-treatment period (t0), at the end of the study of 12 weeks (t1), and 20 weeks after the end of the study (t2) for measurement of inflammatory indices CRP and ESR. Results: The commonly routine tests for inflammatory reactions (ERS and CPR) showed no change at the end of an RCT on mild-to-moderate exercise. Conclusion: The results on inflammatory indices confirm the safety of this type of intervention and encourage its long-term use and testin

Quantitative assessment of gait parameters in people with Parkinson's disease in laboratory and clinical setting: Are the measures interchangeable?

This study aimed to investigate possible differences in spatio-temporal gait parameters of people with Parkinson’s Disease (pwPD) when they are tested either in laboratory using 3D Gait Analysis or in a clinical setting using wearable accelerometers. The main spatio-temporal gait parameters (speed, cadence, stride length, stance, swing and double support duration) of 31 pwPD were acquired: i) using a wearable accelerometer in a clinical setting while wearing shoes (ISS); ii) same as condition 1, but barefoot (ISB); iii) using an optoelectronic system (OES) undressed and barefoot. While no significant differences were found for cadence, stance, swing and double support duration, the experimental setting affected speed and stride length that decreased (by 17% and 12% respectively, P<0.005) when passing from the clinical (ISS) to the laboratory (OES) setting. These results suggest that gait assessment should be always performed in the same conditions to avoid errors, which may lead to inaccurate patient’s evaluations

Exercise improves long-term social and behavioral rhythms in older adults: did it play a role during the COVID-19 lockdown?

The study aimed to verify whether exercise training in older adults can improve social behavioral rhythms (SBR) and if any modification is maintained over time. Older adults (n=120) from a previous randomized controlled trial, were randomly allocated to either a moderate-intensity exercise group or a control group. SBR was evaluated at t0, t26, and t48 weeks (during the COVID-19 lockdown), using the brief social rhythms scale (BSRS). Seventy-nine participants completed the follow-up (age 72.3±4.7, women 55.3%). An improvement in the BSRS score was found in the exercise group at 26 weeks (p=0.035) when the exercise program was concluded, and it was maintained at 48 weeks (p=0.013). No improvements were observed in the control group. To conclude, SBR, previously found as a resilience factor in older adults during COVID-19, appear to improve after a moderate 12 weeks exercise program, and the improvement persisted even after stopping exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown

Managing Stakeholders in Megaprojects.The MS Working Group Report

Stakeholder management (SM) in megaprojects was established as one of four working groups within the Megaproject COST Action. The critical importance of stakeholder management in megaprojects was identified in the first phase of the COST Action‘s research by case studies. It was obvious that stakeholder have huge impact on the performance of megaprojects. Thus, this working group started with the focus on this specific aspect of megaproject management. Thereby, the focus was aligned with the overall aim of the COSTAction: "…to understand how megaprojects can be designed and delivered more effectively to ensure their effective commissioning within Europe. Effective design and delivery means not only insuring that the megaproject is delivered on-time and to budget but that it satisfies the societal and commercial needs that motivated its creation and that it continues to do so throughout its entire life-cycle

Improving Quality of Life in Older Adults Living at Home by a Moderate Exercise Training

Background: Physical activity is associated with a higher quality of life (QoL) in older adults, but there is no evidence whether its effects on healthy individuals or individuals with a mild disability performing a medium-intensity exercise program can be assessed. Objective: This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether moderate exercise training can improve QoL, and whether this model is suitable for older adults with mild chronic diseases living in the community. Methods: 120 participants, randomized 1/1 to either perform a physical exercise protocol or to undergo a social program (control group), were recruited in a 12-week randomized controlled trial registered at ClinicalTrials.Gov (NCT03858114). QoL was measured through the Health-Related Quality of Life Survey Short Form - 12 items tool (SF-12). Results: The participants involved in the exercise-training program had a moderate QoL improvement, compared to those involved in cultural activities, who experienced no change or even a worsening of their QoL. However, the between-groups differences did not attain the statistically significant threshold, when globally assessed, F[1, 103] = 2.98, p = .087, nor when the analysis was restricted to the physical (F[1, 103] = 2.78, p = .099) or mental components (F[1, 103] = 3.83, p = .053). Conclusion: Data from this study are not conclusive, although suggestive of possible efficacy. An effort to collect a larger amount of evidence is advisable. Research published only as protocols, not providing final results, might be useful to demonstrate or reject the hypothesis that physical exercise improves QoL in older adults. On a heuristic level, the sum of results that are not conclusive individually might be decisive if meta-analyzed. (Randomized Controlled Blind trial NCT03858114)