On Modal {\mu}-Calculus over Finite Graphs with Bounded Strongly Connected Components

For every positive integer k we consider the class SCCk of all finite graphs whose strongly connected components have size at most k. We show that for every k, the Modal mu-Calculus fixpoint hierarchy on SCCk collapses to the level Delta2, but not to Comp(Sigma1,Pi1) (compositions of formulas of level Sigma1 and Pi1). This contrasts with the class of all graphs, where Delta2=Comp(Sigma1,Pi1)

VALUTAZIONI INTERSCALARI NEL PROCESSO PEREQUATIVO DEL PRG DI SIRACUSA

The implementation process of the Syracuse’s Master Plan is characterized by the widespread use of “urban negotiation”. The Muni- cipality has drawn up a protocol aimed at obtaining areas for facilities and public infrastructures in different areas basing on the rule of the transfer of a portion of land in return for the building permission for the remaining part. Since these areas are variously cha- racterized, the negotiation process may not be fair to Municipality or convenient to land owners. Basing on an equalization pattern, this study provides, for each area, the indexes of fairness and convenience, and, more specifically, the difference between the market value of the areas achieved and the value of the permits issued. And based on the possibility to transfer the development rights, some different scenarios are prefigured about the possibility of acquiring additional areas for social housing and/or achieving funds for su- stainable buildings. DOI: http://dx.medra.org/10.19254/LaborEst.12.09            

Valutazione della sostituibilità tra fonti energetiche e strategia di impiego delle biomasse in Basilicata

The biomass could be used within a regional system of production and consumption of energy, based on availability of local resources. The purpose of this work is to perform a technical and economic evaluation of the substitution of fossil fuels (natural gas) with renewable biomass. This is possible by creating a district heating systems, based on forestry management. The potential energy supply was estimated and compared with the energy consumption of natural gas, in order to evaluate the economic convenience of replacing fossil fuel with energy from renewable sources. Through the use of economic indicators we have assessed the economic convenience of the investment between production costs and market prices for heating energy

Analysis of Ga grading in CIGS absorbers with different Cu content

This work investigates the effect of Cu content and Ga grading on the performance of CIGS cells, by means of numerical simulations and comparison with corresponding experiments. Different Ga profiles and Cu average concentrations are considered. We show that the optical effect of Cu content must be properly taken into account to model NIR absorption. As far as the GGI profile is concerned, we show that the main improvement can be obtained by increasing the GGI ratio toward the back-side; an optimized notch bandgap profile can be designed with the help of these indications

A cross-sectional study investigating lifestyle and weight perception of undergraduate students in southern Italy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore lifestyle of undergraduate students in southern Italy and to investigate their determinants. METHODS: An anonymous, web-based questionnaire investigating weight and its perception, smoking and alcohol use, achievement of recommended levels of physical activity and time spent daily in screen-based sedentary behaviors was administered to students attending two universities in southern Italy. Age, gender, city, type of degree course attended, occupational status and residential status were considered as possible demographic determinants. RESULTS: The majority of the participants reported a normal weight (71.2%), were non-smokers (66.6%), occasional alcohol consumers (60.5%) and insufficiently active (62.6%), with a reported mean screen time exceeding 2 h per day. Gender, city, type of degree course and occupational status were found to be associated with lifestyle by regression analysis. Normal weight, overweight and obese students were generally properly aware of their weight condition; however, weight misperceptions were registered among normal and underweight undergraduates. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted some critical issues regarding lifestyles of university students that suggest the need for health promotion interventions targeted mainly on physical activity

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Impacted Daily Life? Assessing the Use of Web Resources for Recreational Activities in the Italian Adult Population

Restriction measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in people's lives and behaviors. The aim of this paper is to assess the changes occurred in physical activity (PA), sleep, social and cultural activities and personal relationships of Italian adults during the pandemic and to evaluate the use of web-based resources to continue these activities. To this purpose, a cross-sectional study using a web-based questionnaire was carried out and both descriptive and regression analysis was performed. On a total of 1831 participants (61% females, age 18-93 years), the majority reported a decrease in PA, sleep, social and cultural activities and personal relationships, since the beginning of the pandemic. Sleep was notably affected by the use of new technologies. The regression analysis demonstrated that the use of web-based media for doing exercise was associated with being younger than 50 years and female; having a chronic condition was inversely related with the use of web resources for social and cultural activities and to maintain relationships; being employed was negatively related with the use of web media for continuing personal relationships and cultural activities; and being vaccinated against COVID-19 was positively associated with the use of the web for personal relationships. These findings confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic notably affected the daily life of Italian adults. Our results suggest that the use of technology to deal with these changes seems to be related with certain sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. These findings can be useful to identify those characteristics that can help people in copying with daily life modifications due to restriction measures

Understanding Knowledge and Behaviors Related to CoViD−19 Epidemic in Italian Undergraduate Students: The EPICO Study

Background: On February 2020, the novel coronavirus (2019nCoV) epidemic began in Italy. In order to contain the spread of the virus, the Italian government adopted emergency measures nationwide, including closure of schools and universities, workplaces and subsequently lockdown. This survey was carried out among Italian undergraduates to explore their level of knowledge about the epidemic and the behaviors they adopted during the lockdown. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was administered to the students attending three Italian universities. Results: A good level of knowledge about the epidemic and its control was registered in the sample, mainly among students attending life sciences degree courses. The majority of the students did not modify their diet and smoking habits, while a great part of the sample reported a decrease in physical activity (PA). Conclusions: Students from life sciences courses showed a higher awareness regarding the infection and the control measures. The lockdown caused an important reduction of PA. Preventive interventions should transform the restrictive measures also as an opportunity to improve lifestyle

Knowledge and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Undergraduate Students from Central and Southern Italy

At the end of 2020, the Italian Ministry of Health launched a national vaccination campaign to counteract the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed at appraising levels of knowledge about and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of Italian undergraduates during the first phase of the immunization plan. A web-based questionnaire was administered to students attending universities in Bari, Naples, and Rome during the period February-April 2021. Of the total of 3226 participants, 91.9% were keen to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. More than 80% gave correct answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccine administration, functioning, and effects on community health. However, only 63.8% identified the correct composition of the available vaccines. Knowledge was found to be related to sociodemographic features and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance (p < 0.05). COVID-19 vaccination acceptance was found to be related to having a previous vaccination against influenza (OR 3.806, CI 95% 1.181-12.267; p = 0.025) and knowledge (OR 4.759, CI 95% 2.106-10.753; p = 0.000). These results show a good level of awareness about COVID-19 vaccination in this population, which may indicate the effectiveness of communication strategies accompanying the COVID-19 immunization campaign in Italy

Legionella spp. and legionellosis in southeastern Italy: disease epidemiology and environmental surveillance in community and health care facilities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Following the publication of the Italian Guidelines for the control and prevention of legionellosis an environmental and clinical surveillance has been carried out in Southeastern Italy. The aim of the study is to identify the risk factors for the disease, so allowing better programming of the necessary prevention measures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During the period January 2000 - December 2009 the environmental surveillance was carried out by water sampling of 129 health care facilities (73 public and 56 private hospitals) and 533 buildings within the community (63 private apartments, 305 hotels, 19 offices, 4 churches, 116 gyms, 3 swimming pools and 23 schools). Water sampling and microbiological analysis were carried out following the Italian Guidelines. From January 2005, all facilities were subject to risk analysis through the use of a standardized report; the results were classified as <it>good </it>(G), <it>medium </it>(M) and <it>bad </it>(B). As well, all the clinical surveillance forms for legionellosis, which must be compiled by physicians and sent to the Regional Centre for Epidemiology (OER), were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Legionella </it>spp. was found in 102 (79.1%) health care facilities and in 238 (44.7%) community buildings. The percentages for the contamination levels < 1,000, 1,000-10,000, > 10,000 cfu/L were respectively 33.1%, 53.4% and 13.5% for samples from health care facilities and 33.5%, 43.3% and 23.2% for samples from the community. Both in hospital and community environments, <it>Legionella pneumophila </it>serogroup (<it>L. pn </it>sg) 2-14 was the most frequently isolate (respectively 54.8% and 40.8% of positive samples), followed by <it>L. pn </it>sg 1 (respectively 31.3% and 33%). The study showed a significant association between M or B score at the risk analysis and <it>Legionella </it>spp. positive microbiological test results (p < 0.001). From clinical surveillance, during the period January 2001 - August 2009, 97 cases of legionellosis were reported to the OER: 88 of community origin and 9 nosocomial. The most frequent symptoms were: fever (93.8%), cough (70.1%), dyspnea (58.8%), shivering (56.7%). Radiological evidence of pneumonia was reported in 68%. The laboratory diagnostic methods used were: urinary antigen (54.3%), single antibody titer (19.8%), only seroconversion (11.1%), other diagnostic methods (14.8%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our experience suggests that risk analysis and environmental microbiological surveillance should be carried out more frequently to control the environmental spread of <it>Legionella </it>spp. Furthermore, the laboratory diagnosis of legionellosis cannot be excluded only on the basis of a single negative test: some patients were positive to only one of the diagnostic tests.</p